Bank Notes.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 9

Bank Notes.

The excursion to Clinton on the 2nd was not so successful as these trips usually are, not more than 60 persons booking. About 30 excursionists visited the Acclimatisation Society's hatcheries, and one and all expressed themselves as delighted with the arrangement of the ponds and the splendid show of the various kinds of trout that were exhibited to them by Manager Burt. Among the excursionists was Mr R. Anderson, brother of Mr John Anderson, of Denham Green, Edinburgh, the well- known salmon angler. This gentleman says the Olinton hatcheries would compare favourably with some of the oldest established English hatching establishments I'or the systematic way in whiph the grounds are laid out and the splendid and well-conditioned appearance of the fish contained in the numerous ponds. The excursionists reached town at 9.10, having had a pleasant day's outing, tho weather being simply glorious.

As is generally known, it is only after a pretty severe frost and during the winter months that the delicacy of frost fish are procurable, and so far as is known they have never been thrown up on the beach until well on in the winter. Mr Campbell, of Kakanui, however, picked up on the Moeraki beach on Thursday morning a very fine specimen. He saw the fish swim ashore, and at first thought it must be a barracouta, but an examination showed it to be a very good specimen of frost fish. Probably the severe weather experienced may account for the unusual occurrence.

We (Olutha Leader) have to thank Mr W. Fraser, Lovell's Flat, for a monster of a trout weighing lOgib, aud in excellent condition. Mr Fraser had hits lirst day's good fishing this season on Thursday, last week, when he caught six fish, weighing 401b. Mr Crawford, Warepa, is also having a casl now and then, and has sent us a few beauties. These are of small size, but go far to verify the old saying, that " good gear is tied up in little bunches." Be this as ib may, the feelings that prompt such gifts cannot be mistaken.

Dipton. — The fishing competition open to all members of the Augling Association came off on January 31. The prize— a handsome six guinea rod — was presented by Mr D. M'Gregor, of Invercirgill. There was a goodly list of competitors, and some very good baskets were made in spite of the unpleasant state of the weather. The prize was won by Mr D. Mackay of our township, whose basket, I am told, weighed 221b.

Waiwera. — Our correspondent writes : — I am pleased to record that there is still plenty fish in our rivers. I have lately seen several fine baskets, secured chiefly from tho Pomahaka, Mr S. Kosevearehas been particularly successful, gettiug some very large and fine fish, while many others also have had good sport.

The second competition of the Clinton Anglers' Association for Mr Robert Chisholm's silver medal took place last Tuesday, but the weather was so bad that only three out of the eight entered competed. The conditions were any stream, and any lawful lure. AH three went to the Poraahaka, and each caught four fish. Result : Mr S. Rosevere, 4 fish (101b 6055), medal ; Mr A. Low, 4 fish (61b 13oz), second prize ; Mr W. Pacey, 4 fish (51b 6oz), third prize. The weather for the past three weeks has been against fishing. SOUTHLAND. The first angling competition in connection with the Southland Association took place on the 31st ult. in the waters of the Oreti from Lumsden to Ben more. Five took part in the contest, with the following results :— The rod presented by Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen was won by .Mr Donald M'Kay, of Dipton, his basket weighing 221b 15oz, made np of six trout weighing 51b lOoz, 51b Goz, 41b lloz, 41b loz, 21b soz, and I4oz. The telescopic gaff presented by Mr Aaron Blacke for the two heaviest fish, other than those of the winner of the rod, falling to Mr John Forsyth, of Riverton — viz , 71b Boz and 31b loz. Considering that the river was very high and that almost a gale of wind was blowing, the results are very satisfactory. It may be mentioned (tays the Southland Times) that three Victorian anglers — Mr M'Kenzie, Professor Rentoul, and the Rev. Dr Robinson — were fishing the Oreti on the same day. The first, an expert Scottish angler, expressed his surprise at finding trout in such excellent condition and of so great weight, and considers the Oreti the fiuet>b river he has ever fished. WELLINGTON. Watnuiomata.— This is the principal fishing grouud about Wellington, and has been well patronised by anglers during the season. It is situated on the eastern side of the harbour behind the range, and is about 15 miles from Wellington. The fish are very plentiful, and average from £lb to Gib and 71b in weight. Several gentlemen are regular attendants every week, going over on Saturday afternoon and returning on Monday. Very good baskets have been made this season, Messrs Dyer, M'Tavish, Stock, Shore, and Saiith averaging well up to the present. These gentlemen rent a small box during the season, and are noted for their hospitality to visitors. ' Lower Hutt. — This river is very fair this year ; only fish are not so plentiful. A 91b trout was taken from it some little time back by Mr Beetham. Captain Humphrey has also made some good takes from this stream. CANTERBURY. Lower Selwyn. — Mr Walter Tipler has had some fine sport on this stream, and has a very good record for the week of 7 fish, weighing 451b, the weight of the two largest being BMb and 7Mb. lirwELL.—- Mr F. W. Hunttook 17 finewell-con-ditioned fish from this stream, which turned the scale at 231b. Birdling's Brook.— Mr Harail Hall landed a magnificent well-fed trout from this water, weighing 161b. It was 32in long and 19§in in girth. > Cust. — Mr W. S. Cooke grassed 17 fine fish, the largest of which was 21b weight. Mr H. Hall, of Leeston, on Thursday, January 26, captured another fine trout from Hall's creek. This fish was caught with a Devon minnow, and is a very handsome fish, the tints being particularly brilliant. Mr T. Everest, of Springston, caught 11 tiout on Wednesday last, weighing 651b, in the Lower Selwyn. The baits were live silveries and bullies. The silveries seem best. He also caught one last week 29gin long and 21in round the girth, weighing 171b."* On January 26 the first fishing contest under the auspices of the Geraldine County Anglers' Society took place. The competition was open to all members of the society, and nine entries 1 were received for it. The weather was by no means favourable for fishing. \n the morning

certainly there was little to complain of, but in the afternoon the wind blew in nasty gusts from the south-east. As a consequence, the baskets were small, and several were not sent forward to b3 judged. The judging took place on Friday, at the Wolseley Hotel, Winchester, and the following are the results : — Greatest number of fish, N. 0. Nicholas, 26 fish weighing 271b : best average, A. Hope, 2 fish, average ljlb ; heaviest, fish, K. F. Gray, 1 fish, 81b. Mr Nicholas' basket presented a very pretty sight, the majority of the fish being in fair condition. The take was, however, spoiled by two fish that were poor and hungry-looking. Mr Hope sent forward two fish, and with these succeeded in securing a prize, one scaling 21b, and the other Boz. Mr Gray's fish was a real beauty, although a small one as compared with many that have been taken. It was caught in the Opihi, at a place known as Danger Hole, the bait used being a bully. Mr N. C. Nicholas also won the prize for" the greatest weight of fish, but by the conditions of the competitions he is only entitled to receive one prize. He has the right, however, to choose between a reel and line and a fly rod. FOREIGN. Tasmania is going to try another experimental shipment of salmon ova. Sir Thomas Brady, of the Fisheries department in Dublin, is superintending the arrangements, and will send out the first shipment in February or March next.