Salmon in Otago.

Otago Witness, Issue 1950, 4 April 1889, Page 28

Salmon in Otago.

Jock Scott,— Sir: Being a constant reader of your notes, and being generally interested in the progress of our acclimatisation societies, I have watched with interest — more especially lately — the numerous letters which have appeared in connection with the introduction, rearing, and liberating of salmon in our rivers. Among others, I was particularly struck with the tone of one that appeared in your last week's issue under the title of " Honour to Whom Honour is Due," and written by Mr Blacke, who claims for himself the honour of being secretary of the Southland Society at the time the" salmon I am about to refer more particularly to were liberated in the Aparima river. The salmon I refer to are the 60,000 fry which were liberated by the Southland Society. Through some unaccountable error in printing it was made to appear as though Ranger Burt (of the Otago Society) had been the party to liberate those fish from the Southland Society's hatcheries. This, lam sure, will be readily admitted by Ranger Burt and all concerned as a mistake. The whole tone of the letter under consideration, however, seems to me to be an altogether uncalled-for attack on Ranger Burt. A mistake of this nature would be much more amicably settled in a private way, and not through the papers. However, since Mr Blacke has chosen the press to air his grievances, I shall show him that, in attempting to rectify one mistake, he has led himself into one or two more. At the time the salmon referred to were liberated in the Aparima, Mr R. H. Brodrick was the hon. secretary of the Southland Society, and not Mr Blacke, as the latter claims to have been. Then, again, if , my memory serves me right, Ranger Burt saw at least some of the fry liberated, notwithstanding the assertion to the contrary. Of course there is not much honour attached to that — I simply mention it to show that Ranger Burt was not far away, at the liberating of some of the fish. With, regard to the hatching, &c., of the 60,000 fish, I don't find anything very creditable in connection with the business. Whatever may be said about Ranger Burt, I can confidently say he is a right good man for his place, and has the interest of the society he represents at heart, which is acknowledged by all who are acquainted with his general work in the capacity of ranger, &c. — Yours &c., Justice. Esk street, Invercargill, March 29.