ACCLIMATISATION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 194, 18 May 1928, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION

ANNUAL REPORT OF PALMERSTON BRANCH. Palmerston North, May 17. “The fishing season has been above the average,” states the report of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, to be presented to the annual meeting. “The opening found the rivers fairly low and clear, which was all to the good for minnow and fly fishing, but the unfortunate users of worm bait had anything but a good time.” Although no large catches have been recorded, some very satisfactory baskets of fish were taken, but owing to the dry state of the season after January. tlie smaller streams were very low, and there were no fish in them. There Were a great number of small fish in the Tiritea and Kahuterawa streams, which should afford good fishing next season. "The shooting season opened in fairly mild weather, notwithstanding which some good bags' - of ducks were secured, birds being fairly plentiful. Pheasants are on the increase, and a good number have been accounted for. Quail are also rapidly increasing, and a number are to be found in the district. Some 200 pheasants were received for liberation, and released in various parts of the district, where they did remarkably well. “The season for deer stalking opened well, and a number of enthusiasts took to the hills. So far one head of 21 points has been accounted for, and several of 10 points and upwards, but nothing of outstanding merit. “We were allotted 500 yearling fish and 80,000 fry, which were distributed in the Manawatu and other streams,” concludes the report. “The committee made strenuous efforts to have a new holding pond established, a deputation waiting on the Borough Council, but without avail. This is much to be regretted, ns the number of yearlings obtained from Musterton is not much good to our waters;, in fact, they arc totally inadequate.”