NEW ZEALAND TROUT.

Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1912, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TROUT.

AUCKLAND, May 12. The statement made by Major-Gen-eral Dorward, which was reported bv cablegram, regarding New Zealand trout is characterised by Mr Haszard, president of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, as a gross exaggeration. "While it is perfectly true that there are some diseased fish in New Zealand," continued Mr Haszard, "they are only found in two places, vix.*, Taupe- and Rotorua, which are both under the control of the Tourist Department, and the proportion of fisli affected is not large. It is quite unfair and incorrect to sav that the industry is neglected as the" Department is doing all it can to get at'the root of the difficulty. Beyond tho fact that the fish are affected with a certain worm, very little is known about the mysterious disease; but the steps that are being taken by the veterinary staff of the Agricultural Department should' result in definite information being collected." A CUSTOMS CASE. AUCKLAND, May 11. | At tho Police Court to-day Henry R. Gormley was charged with* making a false declaration, to the Customs officials in regard to greenstone imported from Sydney. The invoice produced j showed that the value of the greenstone was £27. It was ascertained that it was saleable for more money in Auckland, and Gormley thereupon produced another invoice showing that the. value was CGI. It was stated that the goods wort' sent to he sold on commission. Tho larger invoice showed only the selling value. Tho magistrate imposed a fine of £/>O. His Worship fixed security lor appeal at £6o. NATIVE LEASES. HAWERA, May 11. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into tho matters connected with leases under the West Coast Settle-] merit Reserves Act has begun its sitting, Mr Welsh appearing for the lessees and Mr W. D. Boil for the native owners. Counsel argued that the lessees had been misled by their leases, which had been badly drawn, up. Tho lessees were not before the. Commission on an organised land-grabbing scheme, or to do the native out of his land. They were prepared to pay a reasonably fair thing, and they desired to make the leases their homes. NEW CONVENT AT WANGANUI. WANGANUI, May 12. The ceremony of formally blessing and opening of new convent at Wanganui was performed to-day by Archbishop Redwood. The building, which is a three-storeyed one, stands on a magnificent site overlooking the town and suburbs, and cost nearly £IB,OOO. but the purchase of the land, furnishings, and lay-out of the grounds will bring the total to £25,000.