MATAURA FISH HATCHERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 50 (Supplement)

MATAURA FISH HATCHERIES.

The hatcheries and acclimatisation grounds of the Southland Society, under tfca supervision of Mr L. M. Barr, F.Z.S., are situated about one mile from Mataura, the Waikana stream running through the property. The construction of the establishment was commenced Less than a year ago, and. as will bo seen by the illustrations we publish, good progress has been made. The enclosure for waterfowl accommodates at present 100 breeding clucks of the pure strain of English mallards. There are also a dozen American black ducks and a pair of Canadian ge?se. As evidence of the prolificacy of the English mallard, it maybe mentioned that two seasons ago a start was made with two _ pairs of birds, and the society succeeded in liberating this season 207 ducks, and have still on hand the breeding birds mentioned above, numbering 100. Pheasants are bred for liberation at Stewart Island, at which place nearly 200 birds have been turned out during the la it two seasons. Rabbits, stoats, and weasels were fortunately never introduced into the island, and these game birds have done well,

and will increase rapidly provided some regulations are put into force to prevent poaching. It is also intended to breed and liberate annually a number of quail at Stewart Island. The water for the fish hatcheries and ponds at Mataura derives its flow from a series of springs a mile or more further up the hill, and is of the best possible quality, rich in insect life and highly aerated. The hatchery is capable of dealing with 750,000 ova and fry up to a certain stage. The trays shown in the interior view of the hatchery were designed by Herr Jaffe. the famous fishculturist, of Osnabruck. Germany. The water circulates among the ova by a series of upward currents, and the system adopted renders the deposit of sediment upon the eggs practically negligible in quantity. The ponds contain between 20,000 and' 30,000 young fish reared thisseason. The stock ponds accommodate specimens of Salmo fario up to 141 b weight; and Salnio irideus (rainbrow trout) and Salvelinus fontinalis (American brcck trout) are also bred at the establishment. They hatchc-ries are in charge of Mr L. M. Barr, who afforded every facility to our photographer.