FISHING LICENSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 44

FISHING LICENSES.

TROUT AND SALMON.

WELLINGTON, September 11, lu reply to Mr Nosworthy to-day, tho Hon. G. W. Russell stated that the season for trout fishing would last from October 1 till April 15 including Easter Tuesday. In the quinnat salmon rivers—tho Wa.ita.ki and Rangitata—if a person took out a trout license only ho would bo able to fish there only till January 15. It was intended to issue salmon licenses for those two rivers for a fee of 10s.

A Member: That gives him the right to catch salmon? Mr Russell: Yes. The Government had Eono to a good deal of expense in establishig tho salmon industry, and it should, therefore, secure the revenue from the licenses. Outsiders coming hero to fish in our rivers should not bo able to secure a

license in one district to cover the whole of New Zealand. Tourists took out a license at Rotorua, and fished in the south without paying- the southern societies. One district and one license was quite impracticable as far as New Zealand was concerned, but tourists could not object to paying a special license for the North Island and another for the South,

Mr Isitt: Charge them £5 for the lot. It is not a penny too much. Mr Russell said he would have to consult tho Minister for Tourist Resorts in reference to the matter. It was not intended during the coming season to make any district provision. The Government was going to make provision for fishing off the mouths of rivers in order to put cheap fish on the breakfast table without interfering with angling. He thought tho time was not far distant when they should establish a State fish shop in Wellington.