OPEN FISHING IN WHITEBAIT DRAIN

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6944, 25 June 1929, Page 6

OPEN FISHING IN WHITEBAIT DRAIN

HARBOUR BOARD’S ACTION. For the past six months, the drain at Manawatu Heads which is the outlet for a series of lagoons, has been closed to whitebait fishers. The inspector of fisheries had the drain dosed, chiefly owing to the number of assault cases which came ta court, duo to the iierce competition between fishermen for stands. In the past, some have abided by the law, while others have poached. Considering the position unfair, a deputation waited upon Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., chairman of the Harbour board, with a request that the drain be again declared open to .fishers. Tho matter came up at the monthly meeting of tho board yesterday and Mr Nash suggested an arrangement with tho Marine department to license the fishing. It would be a source of revenue to the board. Mr. Kellow: Why license it Whitebait lias always been free. Mr. Linklater held that a way out of the difficulty would be to ballot stand? on the board 's land. Nothing definite was reached, it being finallv decided that Messrs Nash and Linklater should confer with the Inspector of Fisheries.