DISASTROUS EFFECT OF HOT WEATHER

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 125, 20 February 1941, Page 9

DISASTROUS EFFECT OF HOT WEATHER

Acclimatization Society’s

Trout Fry

STAGNATION IN POND

The hot weather experienced throughout (lie North Island during the early part of January had a disastrous (‘('feet on the 40,000 trout fry in the holding pond in the Esplanade, Palmerston North, according to a report presented at last night’s meeting of the committee of the Wellington Acclimatization Society. Mr. D. J. Gibbs presided. . Tite ranger in the Palmerston North district, Mr. T. Andrews, reported that when Mr. E. Matthews, Palmerston North sub-committee delegate to the meeting, found that fingerlings in the Esplanade pond were dying immediate investigation lurd been carried out. Movement of the water served only to agitate further the filth in the pond, and eventually 150 fish were liberated in the Manawatu River. Mr. Andrews suggested that the one suitable place to hold fish in the district would be in a pond at Awapuni, utilizing the water at present running into the Awapuni bird sanctuary. The flow of this Awapuni water was adequate, continued the report, and the temperature consistently low. The outlet of the Esplanade pond was far too small to carry away waste feed. Mr. Matthews said as soon as the condition of the fish in the pond became known they had been given all the water possible and feeding stopped. This latter step was taken too late to save fish in any numbers. Stagnation at the pond had, in Mr. Matthews s opinion, much to do with the loss ot lisli. Mr. Matthews .said his committee would inquire into the cost of fitting our a pond at Awapuni for experimental purposes, but Mr. A. J. Seed asked Ml. Matthews to consider first experimenting at the Masterton farm. Fishing Licences.

The question of 'issuing half-season fishing licences was discussed, and it was decided to refer it to the lisli committee. A suggestion that a licence for one month’s fishing, costing 10/-, might be greatly appreciated by visitors was not favourably received. Mr. Seed gave an assurance that the fish committee would pay particular attention to licences at. its next meeting. The position of soldiers who wanted a few weeks’ fishing was difficult, it was stated. Mr. Gibbs said this was being overcome by asking the men to take out a full-season’s licence, with the proviso that on an application for a refund they would pay only for the period actually fished.