FATE OF 10,000 TROUT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21812, 18 June 1936, Page 10

FATE OF 10,000 TROUT

DISAPPEARANCE FROM LAKE SEVERAL THEORIES OFFERED Several theories to account for the disappearance of 10,000 rainbow trout from Lake Victoria in Hagley Park were advanced at a meeting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society last night, but no theory gained general support, and a report on the draining of the lake and the finding of three trout, many carp, and a few goldfish, made by Professor E. Percival, was referred to the research committee. Mr G. Ebert, who was chairman of the hatchery committee when the fry were liberated in the lake six years ago, said that with Mr J. Bearman he liberated 9000 fry in the lake and a few days later 1000 more were liberated. Every morning for the last five years he had seen seagulls on the lake. “It is extraordinary that they have disappeared entirely,” said Mr C. H. Lawrence. A few years ago it was quite common to see boys taking fish of three or four inches. Three years ago there were many fish in the lake, but seagulls had destroyed many, both in the lake and in the river. Steps had been taken to counteract the work of the seagulls, but without effect. The lake drained into a pond in the gardens, said Mr L. B. Hart, and there was no grating in the flume. The pond was full of carp, and these may have destroyed the trout. “The gulls could not take 10,000 of them,” he said. “In 1933 many fine fish were taken from the lake. They had been there for three years. I think the absence of perforated zinc is the trouble.” “There is a grating there, but it is of big mesh,” said Mr C. D. Wheeler. “On the other hand, those who speak with knowledge and authority say that carp feed on vegetable growth and will not eat fry. I think the fish have gone down the seagulls’ throats.” “It would be remarkable if there were any rainbow trout there at all,” remarked Dr. D. McK., Dickson. “I know my views are opposed to those of others. The rainbow is a migrant, and if the lake connects with the pond, the pond connects with the river. Although the fish would stay there for a time, in a year or two they would be gene.” “Another theory is that they were there for three years, after which they became spawnbound and died,” said Mr J. W. Simpson. The suggestion by Mr T. Bain, that the report be referred to the research committee, was adopted.