THE ROTORUA FISHERIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14211, 12 May 1908, Page 5

THE ROTORUA FISHERIES.

STATE CONTROL.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 10. Tho now Government regulations under which tho Rotonia fisheries are taken out of the hands of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society and placed under State control, formed the subject of a deputation to the Minister for Justice (Mr M'Gowan) to-day. Mr Paton said that since the Rotorua streams had been taken under State control the Auckland Acclimatisation Society had been placed in a very serious position. Five hundred thousand trout ova were needed to replenish the streams, and tho only chance the society had was to be allowed to take the ova from Rotorua. Mr Cheese-man pointed out that Rotorua had been stocked by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Some years ago the society kept brood fish, but when trout became plentiful at Rotorua tlio brood fish were released, because the ova from wild fish was much stronger and likely to give far bettor results. For three years past the society had been restocking streams with the ova taken from Rotorua. Now the Government had taken over the Rotorua area, and the society was in something of a dilemma. Mr Lawry. M.P. i Will 500,000 seriously deplete the Rotonia stock? Mr Oheescnum: I know Rotorua well enough to say that 50,000,000 will remain. Mr M'Uowan promised to help the society all he could, and said that as soon, as the Cahinet met the matter would be dealt with.