OF N.Z. INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 9

OF N.Z. INTEREST

TROUT FISHING AT TAUPO

FORTUNATE ISLANDS

(FROM ODR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 12th July.

Mr. Massey's statement with regard to! the financial -position of New Zealand, a summary of which was cabled to this country and has found publicity throughout the Press, has called for a certain amount of «omment. The paragraph was headed "A Prosperous Country," or, as in the case of the "Glasgow Herald," the ''Fortunate Islands." In presenting his. statement, this paper goes on to say: -"Mr. Massey remarked' that in the last decade the total trade bad increased by 83 per cent. New Zealand's Public Debt is about £219,000,000, which represents less than half as much per^head of pfipulation as the British National Debt; and- the weight of the burden in New Zealand is lightened by the small ratio both of the debt itself and of the total population to the actual and potential resources of the country. New Zealand's prosperity, also, has not been too highly paid for-, it is combined with a spacious and pleasant way of living, a singularly even distribution of wealth; and the enjoyment of the finest scenery and the finest climate in , the world: Philosophy forbids the conclusion that the New Zealanders are the happiest of mankind. But at all events they have the fewest excuses for being miserable." UNITED STATES NAVY. Attention is drawn by the ' 'Manchester Guardian" to the enterprise of the United. States in sending divisions of her navy to various countries on the principle of "trade follows the flag." Besides the visit of a squadron to a number of" European ports, powerful units are (it is pointed out) to "visit Australia, New Zealand, and the" islands, whose trade opportunities have been engaging attention in the United States for some time past. Later the west coast of South America is to be visited, and possibly also the east, but in this respect details are rather vague.

' "If the United States navy, terribly handicapped as it is by small Congressional fuel grants, can find it- worth while to consider a big programme of this sort, it would surely be better worth ours, with our big carrying trade. When the battle-cruisers Hood and Repulse went to Rio for last year's celebrations they made a big impression. When one glances at the chartering lists and sees the way foreign flags have captured a huge proportion of the trade that used to bs ours,- it certainly appears as though more attention might be paid" to these cruising schemes,'especially, to South America. There is no doubt that our prestige in these waters has declined considerably since our squadron was withdrawn from South American waters for reasons of economy." 1././',

INSTRUCTION FOR^THE YOUNG

SETTLER. Mr. Herbert A. Yeldham supplies ■V'The Field" •with an article setting .before young Englishmen "a clean,; condensed statement of what New Zealand has to offer them as land settlers on homesteads." In this he explains how to go about procuring Crown land after a suitable period of preparation in working for other farmers. He gives some useful hints regarding the purchase of stock, and explains what the Government is prepared to do to help the new settler.

"The best land," he concludes, "is in the lower third of the North Island. Estate agents and .speculators have so inflated the value of land that farmers themselves do not really know the actual value to-day. Government valuation is made for rating purposes, and there is nothing modest about the ■ Government values since the war, .unless it. is making a special valuation for loan purposes. However, in my neighbourhood, from £40 to' £80 per acre has been paid for dairy land, and in other districts'the price has reached £175 per acre (good roads and close to a good market). Unless a settler will consider £30 per acre, he is, just now, shut out from any promising locality. Taking it all round, New Zealand is to-day the country of the working man. His average wage upon public works is £4 10s weekly,-and with any special skill, £6 or £7 weekly. As nearly all houses are built of wood, carpentering is about the best of all trades, but as great, and costly "undertakings, such as harbours, railways, swamp drainage, electric power works, roads, and water supply schemes are constantly being launched by the State and local councils, skilled men of most trades can find'work. There is little luxury and less art. Professional classes are amply represented by New Zealand trained men. Eucal qualifications satisfy the public, and though it is a little hard on the new arrival; it is only right and natural that prefer>»nca. should l)e shown, as it is in all directions, for the native born." TROUT FISHING. "Trout Fishing in Lake Taupo," by Mr. .Ralph H. Ward, is the subject of an article in the' current number of "The Fishing Gazette." In this some interesting facts are related regarding the fish and fishing in the North Island lakes. '.'The prevailing opinion among those acquainted with the subject," he says, "seems to be that the time is now ripe for the commencement of a systematic policy of restocking the lake with fresh stock from overseas. There is now ah ample food supply, and such a policy would ensure that the.virility of the fish did not suffer: It is'understood that the Government some time ago had practically selected a site for'the establish- J ment of a hatchery, but up to date rioth. | ing further has been done, largely on account of the financial stringency of the past few. years. Proposals have from 1 imo to timo been made for the introduction of Atlantic salmon into the j lake.; Apart from- the' question of the possibility of such an undertaking being successful, it is doubtful; whether it would-.bo a wise move.. The. rainbow trout having been, ao successfully acclimatised, if:would seem the'better courso to concentrate on maintaining tho present splpndid condition"of these fish." In_ conclusion, Mr. Ward refers to the necessity of publicity being given' to the character of the sport to bo obtained in the .district. Anglers from overseas' seem to be unable to obtain up-to-dato information from tho Government Tourist Offices. Somo system should bo devised of. supplying the various tourist offices, particularly the overseas offices, with a, summary of-the fishing conditions, not only at Taupo, but also at Eotorua and other places, such summaries to bo compiled at the close of each season, so that intending visitors could, on inquiry, obtain reliable and really up-to-date information as to the sport to be had at the various centres.' ■- - „A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS." . Baron 'Dickson, of Sweden, who'has been in New Zealand mainly for-the purpose of fishing; writes with enthusiasm to Captain T- E. Donne, C.M.G., regarding his ;visit. -"I am: now back i

from New Zealand," he says, "where 1 spent some very pleasant months of sport. Amongst the trout which I caught was one of 141b weight, which gave me good sport. The big game fishing was royal sport, and I made soma good records, landing eight fish out of eight hooked in eight days. I also caught the record sword fish at the Bay of Wands—32llb— and killed three sword fish in 17, 18, and 19 minutes respectively; the smallest one weighing 2001b. New Zealand is a fine country, and I hope to return there next year. I admired your grand work at Eotorua, which is a very.interesting district." '