ANGLING. BASE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 38

ANGLING.

BASE NOTES.

By Jock Scott.

To be a. perfect fisherman yon requin- more excpilr-ncies than »ta usually to be found In such a small space as is allottci to a Dt!iu'j> carc.l33. — Pakkhu Uilmqui'.

Reader* are invited to contribute Horns of local fl-sbiug news they should reach Uuuedia by MouOUv night's mail.

COMPETITIONS. OTAGO ANGLEHS' ASSOCIATION. Cup D'y Any stream in^ ctStio^l^^^ district J Hours for trout fis-hing competitions, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; for perch, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. I shall be glad to receive particul»rs of competitions for insertion.

Perch Fishing.— l hear that anglers are still sticking to the Tomahawk Lagoon, and doing fairly well among the perch as far as numbers are concerned, but they pretty well all seem to be very small, though an occasional good one is fallen in with.

Uppeb Cxdtha — Lowburn Ferry. — " J. J." kindlysends me the following : — " Rver rather high and moderately ckar. Strong wind from the S.W. Eight fish weighing 15lb caught on the afternoon of the 18th."

The OaETi.— The Oreti River continues in fine trim. A competition was held on Christmas D*y, and resulted in Mr Grieve coming firnfc

with 28 fi«h, 321b, and Mr T. M'Math second with 30 fish, 291b. The tajies recorded during the past week are Mr H. C. Small 60 fish, averaging l^lb, Mr W. Kirkland 40, sutne average, Mr J. M'Cubbiu 12, averagiug2lb, Mr D. Grieve 65, averaging lib, and Mi 1 J. M'Math 52, averaging lib. These takes were made during various days of the week, the list two with the fly. Messrs A Cockrofb and W. Maloney also made good baskets. It may be mentioned that among the fish taken by Mr M'Math was one of 91b.

Abthurton, December 27. — The Waipahi ia low and clear, and is now gefcliog full of weeds. Toe fish are remarkably shy of the artificial fly, and as yet owing to the lateness of the season the cricket is scarcely to begot. Ou Christmas Day I got 7 fib, lC£lb. Mr Harrison, Pukerau, secured 5, about B£lb. I saw two Gore anglers camped for" a few days on the stream. They had a few fish bub they were complaining of tho lownefs and clearness of the water. — Osvu Correspondent.

Waikaia. — Our anglers are having a lifclla better turns lately, and some very good baskets have beeu made. Mr M. M< fin caught 12 floe fish weighing 281b and sever? 1 other good baskets. Three anglers — Mr Nation, A. M'lvor, C. M'lvor — CKUght one day 19 fuh weighing over 501b. W. M'lvor another day caught 20 fi»h averaging lib cash. A. Cbrhli", and Mr T. Blackley have likewise had semj,good b» kets. The river is in firofcrUe order now, and fish in splendid condition mil plentiful. — Own Correspondent.

Winchester, December 27.—Some very nice bsskets have been taken with' fly and minnow from tfce Waibi and Opihi, Laugdo'n's register showing a total of 194- fish, equal to 1751b, for tha week. -On the 23ird Messrs T. Trigg and A. Sugdeu brought home 78, averaging lib, from the Opihi, while Major Fcrgusfou secured 5 pretty fi<h from the Ra'jgifcata, including two S'x-pounders. Lord Hampdeu, Governor of New South Wale.«, and suite are making a short stay at the Wolseley Hotel, and took 10 nice trout from the Opihi on Friday. His Exce-llency is unable to devote much time to fishing, a^ he ii visiting the large sheep runs and Mr Gfigg's farm at Longbeacb, &-\ It is to be hoped, however, that he may be able to proloug his stay aud do something with the big fi*h which are now affording capital ppcrb at the mouth of the Raugitata. — Correspondent.

DoiNfiS tjp North. — AU the rivers, especially the snow rivers, are 1 now in good order. Mr Alps got 2 fish, 31b and 41b respectively, iv a few hours at the Wnimakariri lately. A party of three at the Rakaia got 15 fish, the largest 9l''b, in two days. A Winchester corraspouder.t reports as follows :— "A favourable week for fishing not generally taken advant-go of, Mr Langdon's register showing a total take of 156 fish, weighing 1691b. In the Waihi Dr Palmer and Messrs T. Twigg and Sagden were naost successful. From a short trip to the Rangitata — row in grand order — Metsrs Haar, Denby, and C. Opie returned with 8 fith, 48lb, all in flpltndid condition, the largest weighing 8lb." Mr and Mrs Reee Jones returned to Ashburton last week after a few hours' very successful fishing at the mouth of the Rakaia. They landed some splendid trout, the 9 they brought back scaling 63£lb. Mrs Jones had gteafc Bport with a very nice-conditioned 8!b fi*h, Mr Jones lauded a nine even basket of. 9 fi*h, one weighing 101b, oue B£lb, two 81b e*ch, , one 71b, one 6£lb, one s£lb, and two sib each. Some good take* were t-lso made ab the mouths of the A^hburton and Rat gitnta Rivers. '

Fish Coxtohe.-— ln pursuance of. Us policy of making the-work of fish culture a national one, the Wellington Acclimatisation- Society has despatched its 'curator, Mr Ay son, to the Wtsfc Coat-t to establish a fish hatchery oifcher on the Hokitika River orKanieri Lake. The hatchery will be looked after by the Westland Society, and will be used for stocking the rivers on the Coast, which offer splendid waters for anglers. Mr Ayaon took away with him from Wellington some 20 cats of young trout with which to start the hatchery and illustrate his method of rearing fi-sh to those who nre to have charge of the future operation!.

Exphessive. — A vobary of tire rod and line went fishing one week-end a short time ago, and before going he promised a friend to write and let him know what luck he met witb. On the Monday the friend received a postcard on which was the following : — Size of bait used : *

S'ze of fish caught : Poerua. — I have not observed much fishing of the river lately, but I hear there were some Urge takes at the beginning ct the season. I hear that fish are very abundant higher up the river, and thai; some of them are so large that I one fisherman had much difficulty in landing them. — Own Correspondent. • . • Numbers of dead trout have been seen in Rotorua Lake of late. So far the cause of this | mortality is unknown, though there have been whispers of dynamite and poUoo. The Natives ~ have always declared war against these big fish, ' as they allege they destroy the koura and manga or whitebaify on which they rely greatly for their food supplies." Perhaps the regulations for netting just gazetted will mend "matters. POACHERS FINED. ' Under the beading of " Trout Fishing (?) " the Palm -' ' l on Times gives a good report ot the case of J -J\ • Hempstead, W Mantel; Barney Pollett, bw^mou Tipu, and Wanaka "Waka, who were severally charged with ill'g-lly spearing trout in the Shag River on November 18. Tfce defendants were also further charged with unlawfully fishing for troub iv the Shag River without a license on the same date. All pleaded guilty except Wanaka, and ov denco was taken in view of mitigating the punishment. Alexander Qilmore, jun., who was present aud went up the rivfci- with the defendants and who was also present when the ranger appeared on the scene, stated that the defendants, who were all Maori*, camped in the viciuity of the Shag River and commenced on the night of November 18 spearing by torch light, as was their custom, flounders and eels. They fifthed through his father's land on permission being given them, and in the course of their proceeding up (he river the rsnger, v»ho was unknown to them, bub v?ho was suspected of being some one in authority, put the eomewhat poioted question to the Maoris as to whether they cauld catch trout and expressed a desire to have one for hia breakfa>t. Eventually one of the Maoris gave th'a ranger a trou*, which was speared in the same manner as flounders and eels were caught. After the question had beeu put to them as to whether they could catch trout or not witness belisved that the Maoris did succeed in spearing some ?ev.n trout at tho outsidp, but previous to this witness was certain no trout were caught. The Maoris fished through private property until they ca.me to the bridge. The ranger did not mention his name or business when he arrived, and the Maoris invited him to go with them. He accompanied them as far as the bridge. Witness heard no conversation between the ranger and the Maoris except when he asked them if they could catch anj trout. If wibDWi bad known who the

ranger was he would not have allowed him on his father's land.

Barney Folletb stated that the Maoris., went fishing in the Shag River on November 18, between 8 and 9 o'clock. The last witness was there when the ranger joined them. They fiahtd for flounders and eels, and the ranger walked alongside of them. After going half a mile the ranger sung out, " Now, boys, spear ft trout for me for my breakfast ! " Thia was after they piesed Gilmore's place. They had nol speared a single troub up to this time, and they were nob aware that he was a ranger. They speared two trout: the ranger got one and Giimoi-e the other. Tbe natives understood they were not allowed to fish for trout in the Sh.ig Rirer — only in rivers passing through Maori reserves. The ranger came back next day. One of tha defendants (Wanaka), however, had left. On the second night the ranger accompanied the Maoris when they started fishing, and mada the remark that he did not like eel— too much like Snake— and asked for a trout;. They gave him one. When near the ft 'iir mill the ranger speared a trout himselP, aud was complimented by Hempstead (one of the Maori-) a* not being a bad shot. Wituess would not have speared a trout had not the ranger told them to. -The Maoris had their suspicion that M'Kei zie was a ranger, but fchey did nob ask him, and they ccn>idired that a^ho was a bjss it would ba all right to do as he told them."

Evidence of a corroborative character' was ! given by A. J. M'Keizie, ranger for the Accli- i ■raatisalion Sosiety, who stated that be vifited the defendant Maoris; who were-cßmped at the Shsg River, on the 18ih November' last, and accompanied them the same night as they proc^edod up^ the river, lie had a conversation with several of them and with G^lmore, which arou^td his suspicions thst trout poaching w.;s going on. The Maoris slarlcd os'ensibiy to epear flounders aud ccl a ; bub they also speared trout, some of them maliciously, and allowed, them to float away. Witness saw a number of troub caught and Gilmote receive sornj. He denied positively the evidence cf tho. Maoris who stated that he had asked thorn for a trout,.' that he had received one from them in the manner they represented, aud that he had speswed a tront himself in tho water. These statements he characterised a3- falsehoods and as not hiving a seiubhuce of iruUi iv them. Witnisn ri garded the presecce ot Gilmore with the Maoris in (ha light of an adviser, »ud as beJDg fully cognisant of. what wa.B going od. Wihness also contradicted the evidunce of GUoioro, and datccibed the spearing of trout as being 'wowe the second night; than ou the firs!;. He alao testified t.) tr jut having been seized on the banks of the Shag, where tho Maoris had plauted them with other fiih. Witaess further said that he was not anxious to obtain a conviction, but to put a stop to trout poaching. He estimnted the number of trout to have beta considerably more thaa what the Maoris were charged with haviug takeu. Constables Hilliai'd and Warring also gave evidence. It was pointed out by counsel for the prosecution that the court could not ignore tho gravity of the offence and must inflict some penalty, with tho object of nob only yuir'shing the de- | feudauts,- bufc to act as a warning fco others, as trout poaching was an offence that was suspected to' bo somewhat rife in tho district-. It was decided to also take evidence iv connection with, a charge agaiutt Alexander Gilmote of having baeu in pocs:ssion of. trout in coatraveuticm of the acfe. ■ - j ' R'tuger M'Kenz'e deposed that defendant was J in company with the , Maoris at the Shag River on the nigh!; of November 18, when they went fishing Riid spearing, and that whtn near the railway bridge defendant kad four*' trout in his possessi'jii. Defendant was waking along the river bink in company with witness aud other*. The defendant carried the fish in a bag, two of which he received at the biidge after the division. Wi'nefS accompanied- defendant 20 yards and then left him to go home. Wit-ne-s did not know lhafc G.lmore had liberated fish in the river, TLe troub divided &(s the bridge were taken abavo it. The defendant in his evidence denied that he had a bag vrith four fidh iv it. Iv fact, he had j no bag at all. He admitted receiving two fish at the bridge on the Main Oamuu road! Caught by the Maoris, »nd putting them on a string. He did not know how fchey wore caught or see them caught. Th^y looked like trout, aud were taken off the lines and handed to witness. Th,ey were caught between 'witness's father's property and the pl»ck at Miiinson's. Both witness and bis father had liberated troub in the stream, sud the Maoris were fishing by his father's authority. Saw no inconsistency in eaying that he did not ccc them caught aud yet swearing they were of his own knowledge caught in a particular place. The trout were spewed. The bench, in giving their decision, gjtid the evidence jn all the cases was very lengthy and uusMisfactory, They decided, however, that the :Mxoris did spear troub on tbe occasion 'referred to,' and that defendant Qilmore had tbe trout in his possession. All the defendants were fined 5s and co«tp, the Maoris £1 Is professional costs, divided amongst them, and Gilmore to pay £1 Is.