TAUPO FISHING.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18675, 26 April 1926, Page 14

TAUPO FISHING.

STATE TAKES CONTROL. A VALUABLE ASSET. (srxcut. to "m raiss.") WELLINGTON, April 25. Anglers throughout New Zealand who have been in the habit of visiting the Taupo district for the wonderful troutfishing obtainable there have been somewhat puzzled, and a good deal perturbed, by statements made in a Press Astooiatioti message from Auckland regarding the decisions come to at a meeting of the native landowners recently convened at Waihi by Mr Coates in liis capacity as Native Minister. This report stated that "the natives had agreed to hand over their fishing rights in and over Lake Taupo, iu consideration of a perpetual annual payment by the Crown, of £3OOO, provided that should 50 per cent, of the fishing license fees collected by the Crown be more than £3OOO then such larger sum should be paid to those interested..'' It was further stated that the question of "the fishing rights in the streams and rivers was to be gone into later." This was the point about which anglers were greatly concerned, because it is the river fishing which is really worth while to a sportsman, and according to the report nothing had been decided on that important matter. It appears, howover, that quite the contrary is the case, for the negotiations were carried out in accordance with tho provisions enacted in section 29 of "The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act," of 1924. In this section of the Act, it is expressly provided that "Taupo waters" means and includes "Lake Taupo and all rivers and streams flowing into that lake," and not only that, but in addition "the Waikato river between Lake Taupo and the Huka Palls." j Tho whole of the Taupo fishing rights which include those in regard to the rivers as specified now fall into the hands of the Crown. Valuable Bights. Without any undue delay or haggling Mr Coates has settled a difficult problem in the fairest possible manner. He has ensured that present and future generations of New will have in .their own hands valuable fishing rights, while at the same time thft Maoris directly, interested will receive. a perpetual payment from tho Crown. At the same time the Crown Will' be able to recoup itself to a considerable extent by the license fees which it will collect from anglers. • Frbrii a sporting point of view Taupo Lake and' its tributary streams undoubtedly provide the finest trout fishjV&swhok world. Already this fishery attracts anglers from all the English-speaking countries, : and from m>ine (foreign countries, and the rev- ■ that will accrue from annual license fees willj under intelligent control, and scientific management, go far, towards maintaining the fishery at its present high level, whereas under present conditions there -was danger of gradual deterioration. ,• \ ■ The Tees. ■ ii is suggested that the license fees should be at the rate of £6 to visitors from other, countries, £3 to New Zear : land«!rg from outside districts, and perhaps a local fee of £l. There should \ be tittle objection to these fees. Visit- ' ing janglers have over and. over again expressed surprise, at; the. low rate of ,'/ ,the ifees now charged, and their willingness to pay more for such splenfishing. Such visitors however .often stay for two or three months or more in-.the district, whereas the busy, New usually has to content himself with from one to three weeks' angling.' It might be fairer to arrange ior a sliding scale of license fees apcordiiig to the time spent on Taupo ; . waters... That, however, is a minor detail . . upon which the views of the . acclimatisation {societies might be obtained. ' • • : - ' ?An important feature of the new agreement will -be that reserves a chain, wide will be made on the shores of Lake Taupo, and on either bank .of the tributary/ rivers. , •>' -i ' 71 T'. '' •' 'o.