BANK NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1945, 4 June 1891, Page 29

BANK NOTES.

Ova collecting at Xubiwao. — Ab s the season has once more come round for collecting ova from the river fish, I again, in response to an invitation from Mr Burt, went with him and his two sons for a night's fishing in the Kuriwao. On arriving at the river very few fish were found wbere the scrub waß thiok about the banks, and although two email fish were captured here the sport did not commence in earnest until we started on what is known as the upper reserve. Here the sorub has been oleared off, so that our gallant net fisher had clear ground, so to speak, to display to the members of the party who went for pleasure his skill in using his net. We had not gone far before two more very fine specimens were caught — so far, however, all of the wrong sex. Still on and on, wading sometimes very deep, lantern in one hand, net in the other, Mr B. went watching very carefully every nook and oranny, till at last we heard a tremendous splash in the water, almost as if an otter had sprung from the bank. Just as the oause of this was going under water Mr Burt caught a glimpse of it, and thought it was a shag. Oar now excited fisherman gave us on the bank a hasty command to stop short, sb he intended to net the shag, which was at this time again above water and going up stream at a furious rate. Not to be beaten, Mr Burt followed up, keeping the light directly on him, and after a jolly good chase,' with the quickness of lightning almost he somehow managed to get the net under the bird and thus securely caught it. Such a feat as this is not often accomplished. It was most cleverly done, and for the time gave ub good sport. _ His shagship was opened and found to be quite full of fish, bo that his capture was the crowning one of the night. The next victim waß a large rat. This was done for mere sport, oausing great fun. to the factory hands, who came staring at our unexpected appearance with lights shining on the river. The next catch was a beautiful female fish, whioh wan found to be not ripe for stripping. This being the first female caught, it was thought operations were a few weeks too soon, but being determined to make quite sure, we proceeded another half mile up steram, when a magnifioent trout was oaught whioh we thought would weigh at least 201b. In shape it was quite a model— indeed, Mr Burt declared it to be one of the finest and prettiest that :ever came under bis notice. Several others were caught, with one exception males, before operations were conoluded. Although not successful in getting any ova, Mr Burt ie quite satisfied that the only reason was that we were too soon. Far better that, however, than too late, as there is still the hope of jetting a plentiful supply from this river. — H. R, A Stbangb Fish.— The Canterbury papers tell of a Btrange fish caught at O'Kain's one day last week. The fish was over 20ft in length and of a silvery colour, very much like a frost fish, only much larger.