ANGLERS’ CONCERN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 16

ANGLERS’ CONCERN

■ * . Stocking of Wellington Rivers MR. NIMMO’S WARNING - A warning as to tbe necessity for the stocking with trout of the rivers in the ■Wellington district was given by Mr. R. H. Nimino at a meeting of the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last night. ' The number of licenses the society had issued last year was 1250, and this year, notwithstanding the fact that many would probably be taken out during the Christmas holidays, already 1270 had been issued. The increase Mr. Nirnmo ascribed chiefly to improved transport facilities, and as a consequence the society was faced with the responsibility of stocking the rivers. The best and most immediate return it could have would be if' it stocked with fry. It was time for members to give consideration to the question of getting their hatchery working to full capacity. There was the possibility that that would not in itself cope with the position, and in that'event he suggested that the decreasing of the limit arid the increasing of the size of the fish to be taken might have to be discussed. He had fished in a large number of places this season, and he had found generally the rivers were not carrying the fish they had been three years ago. i,There, was also the question as to whether: the license fee should be increased, In yiew of the number .of rivers about Wellington, Mr. Nimmo contended that there would not be many anglers who would object to paying more for their license. The chairman. Dr. G. F. V. Anson, said that he was sure that every angler appreciated the great toll that was being taken on fish as a result of the use of the motor-car, which brought fishing within easy reach. As far as the facilities were concerned, however, the society was wording up to the limit. Possibly many members would be prepared to put their hands into their pocket to give assistance. The cost of one million ova split up among the licensed anglers in the Wellington district would not amount to much. It the society jlid resort to that they would be indebted for the idea to the Wairarapa anglers, who had given assistance in that way. Mr. A. Seed agreed that Mr. Nimmo’s warning was opportunie, but considered that the problem was one of finance. He favoured increased license fees, but thought the whole question should be referred to the. various associations The discussion then lapsed.