MADE HIM MAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 18

MADE HIM MAD.

ANGLER'S COMPLAINT.

FALL IN RIVER LEVEL

MINISTER ON "SQUEALERS."

(From Our Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday,

"People in, this • country have certain rights, and even' persons like Mr. Seniple cannot over-ride them," said the chairniati'of the council of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Mr. J. McDonald, during a discussion at the meeting in Temuka on the recent lowering of the stream levels in the Opihi River, following the diversion of water for irrigation. So low did the water fall that many hundreds of trout were reported to have been killed through lack of water. When complaints were made to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Seniple, he said that when he heard people talking about the destruction of a few trout when major economic issues were in-' volved, it "made him bilious." The welfare of hundreds of farmers was virtually saved by the Levels irrigation scheme, and it •'made him. fairly mad to hear of these squealers." Disastrous Position. Subsequent representations to the Marine Department by the society regarding the depletion in the river by withdrawals for irrigation were acknowledged by the Department, which advised that the Inspector ol Fisheries, Mr. A. E. Hefford, would take an early opportunity of visiting South Canterbury to examine the irrigation scheme and to discuss with the engineer in charge any means available for maintaining the fishing value of the streams. The secretary of the Soutli Canterbury Anglers' Club wrote stating that his club was gratified by the stand that the society had taken in the very serious matter of the Opihi River going dry through the excessive use of the irrigation system. His club was of the opinion that methods 1;o overcome this

disastrous position could not be too drastic, and would welcome the opportunity of giving the society any assistance that was possible.