Longer Fishing Season Argued

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31345, 15 April 1967, Page 19

Longer Fishing Season Argued

A proposal to extend the fishing season in the Ashley and Waimakariri rivers in June and July, met with bitter opposition from council members of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society on Wednesday.

Charges of “talking with tongue tn cheek,” “delusions,” and “hungry fishermen" were made in cross-talk, before the recommendation was adopted.

The fish committee’s recommendation for the winter season, from June 6 to July 31, was “to ascertain information on the fish in these areas at that particular time.” Dr. D. McK. Dickson was the first to take exception.

“As the experiment last year showed, some fellows caught spawning fish and some undeveloped fish. We charge shooters 7s M a year for six or seven weeks—if we are just providing fish for anglers to catch spawning fish, .then we should charge 10s,” he said.

Mr N. I. Voyce, who presented the fish committee’s report, said he would support charging but would still like to see the experiment continue another year.

Mr G. Mugford moved that a charge of 10s be put on licences for the extended season, but Mr P. Rowley, supported by Messrs G. R. Burrows and W. H. Robinson, opposed this move.

“The society is here to look after the interests of fishermen and shooters and it is not right to charge for an experiment we are conducting,” said Mr Rowley.

“You say we should not charge for an experiment,” said Mr Mugford, “yet those who took part In the Canada goose experiment paid.”

The aecretary (Mr J. Claydon) said that the fishing licence ran from October 1 to September 30. Mr Mugford: But you can only fish to the end of April. Mr Voyce: We are bound

by a Marine Department act and cannot charge. Dr. Dickson: Mr Voyce knows he is talking with bls tongue in his cheek. Other Government districts have special licences for winter

seasons—and charge. How can they do it and we can’t? Anyone calling this an experiment is deluding himself....”

The president (Mr F. j. Gorton): I take exception. Dr. Dickson: Then take exception, sir. This is merely providing extra fishing. 1 second the motion.

Mr Mugford and Dr. Dickson were supported by Mr J. P. Glasson, who said that “we don’t have a surplus of trout here—and now are you allowing fishermen another two months to catch them, just When they are coming in to spawn?”

*Tm sorry Mr Glasson doesn’t know how to fish better,” said Mr D. M. Brown. “The Waimakariri last year fished better than it ever has. This district is one of the best in the country, bettor than the Southern Lakes.”

Mr Mugford said it was “not the society’s idea to carry out the experimentbut people wanting it” twisted the society’s arm. “If people want the extra two months over the eight months they already have, they should pay.” The motion, providing for a charge, was tost—apparently very narrowly—on the voices.

On ConmMoto—Mr J. S. Reid, formerly New Zealand High Commissioner in Tokyo, was appointed to the commission of churches on International affairs by the executive of the National Council of Churches at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.