FISHING REGULATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19713, 12 August 1927, Page 12

FISHING REGULATIONS.

ROTORUA AND TAUPO WATERS COMBINED LICENCE QUESTION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WELLINGTON. Thursday Dissatisfaction with tho Rotorua and Taupo fishing regulations was expressed at t. meeting of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening, when tho llotorna Rod and Gun Club wrote urging a combined licence of £1 Ifts for both Rotorua and Taupo fishing, and the abolishing of tho regulations prohibiting fishmc between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. " Since the Government purchased the fishing rights over Lake Taupo," said the letter, " the licence fees have greatly increased. This increase in charge has materially affected the purchase of licences by New Zealand sportsmen, who are not in a position to pay them. In addition to the fact that, even with the increasing fee, the amount of sport received is only the same as that when the licences were at, a lower rate, the charges made for camp .sites make fishing altogether pro hibitive." Mr. W. G. Talbot said ho thought tho rinciple of a combined licence should be supported. Mr. S. G. Nathan said he agreed it was unlikely that tho 30s combined licence would ever be secured, but the principle of one charge and one set of rules covering both places should obtain. Other members spoke of the difficulty of ascertaining what the regulations were and what were tho boundaries concerning camping fees. Mr. Wiffen said that in former years there was not the privilege of free fishing. There were comparatively heavy charges by residents to face, including 30s a day for accommodation. Now there was free fishing and camp sites were available at 10s a week. A suggestion was made that Taupo and Rotorua residents should not bo granted special privileges, owing to tho cost to anglers from other parts of New Zealand in reaching the district. It was decided to support the principle ot a. combined licence for both Taupo and Rotorua, but in view of tho absence of knowledge concerning the proposed abolition of night fishing, it was resolved to make no recommendation. Mr. Wiffen said the whole of the Act in question was under review by th« Government, and it would be bettor to lay the society's ideas regarding Taupo before ik This course was decided opon.