QUALITY AND CONDITION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12618, 10 April 1934, Page 5

QUALITY AND CONDITION.

TROUT FISHING IN DISTRICT.

a CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT.

The annual meeting of the Pah;atua sub-committee of the Welling ton Acclimatisation Society was held last evening, Mr J. Hutton prei siding over a fair attendance. The report presented was as follows :

“Pisciculture: The annual distribution oi fry, prior to the commencement of the season, was ag< undertaken by members of youi committee in conjunction with the katcherv staff. A word of praise is here due to those loyal members who, year after year, lend thir ears gratuitously for this work. Were 1 not for these keen sportsmen the liberations could not be effected w ith the dispatch so essential to ensure successful results. As usual the trj were delivered in excellent condition. Conditions for liberation, nowever, were far from satisfactory; all the rivers being in a swollen state. It was, therefore, decided to distribute the fry in various small streams in the district. Inis entailed travelling considerably longer distances than usual. However, the liberations were quite successful in that lie loss of fish was recorded The streams selected were eminently suitable for the purpose and it is expected that a larger proportion of the fish will survrv e under these conditions, lhe number of brown fry received was approximately 80,000 and these were distributed as under: Mangahao area, 20,<XXJ ; Mangatainoka area, 20,000; Makakahi area, 20,000; Makuri area, 20,000. “In addition to the fry, 1000 rainbow yearlings were liberated by the hatchery staff in the Makuri River below the gorge. 3000 brown yearlings were also distributed equally in the Makakahi, Mangatainoka and Mangahao Rivers. “In reviewing the sport experienced in this district last year, it was recorded that the season had been an average one, mainly from the viewpoint of quality and condition of the fish. This year it is very pleasing to report that a considerable improvement in these factors has been evident, in fact m this connection the season must be regard- . as outstanding. Right from the w commencement of the season it was ■ noticed that the fish were in excellent condition with a heavier average weight. The good spawning conditions provided by the mild winter is thought toi have a large bearing on this improvement. 4 ‘Comments on local rivers: — “Makakahi: This stream as usual provided good early season sport, the fish being of good quality. On account of the green weed nuisance little attention is paid to this river durno' the summer, but for the first month or two it can be depended upon for several limits. “Mangatainoka: A very marked improvement in the size and condition of the fish compared with previous years was observed early in the season. Formerly 50 per cent, of the fish caught in this river had to be returned to the water. This year the percentage would be nearer five. Several fish of 3lbs and one of 4lbs were taken . , , , _ , “Mangahao: This is the least fished stream in your district, local anglers considering it a ‘white elephant.’ lhe lower reaches carry a good head of fish but in the middle and upper reac hes few _ fish are to be seen. There can be no doubt that the eels take heavy toll as from all accounts this river contains more than its share of ‘whoppers.’ 4 -Makuri: The lower reaches on occasions yielded some good bags of well-conditioned fish between 2 and 31bs. Above the gorge good sport was experienced throughout the season, the fish being rather on the small side. One fish of -fibs was taken from this stretch. “Manawatu: That portion of the river bounding your district was again verv popular during the season and provided excellent sport. The improvement in the condition factor was more noticeable in the fish from this river than in any other in the district. It is probably no exaggeration to say that most catches. included more fish over 21bs than under. Three pound fish were more numerous than for many years. The largest reported from this district was a beautiful specimen of 4lbs. “Came: During the year just end<ed the Society has forwarded 40 pheasants for liberation, the proportion being 16 cocks and 24 hens. These came to hand early in March and have been well distributed round the district. From reports to hand it would appear that the breeding season of birds in their wild state was quite a good one. Owing to the amount of vermin in the shape of stoats, weasels, wild cats and hawks, the mortality among pheasants is in consequence verv- high, and until better methods of control are evolved, the efforts of the Society to re-establish this fine sporting bird appear to be doomed to fail. Contrary to the general opinion, grey duck appeared to be more plentiful during last shooting season than lias been the case for some considerable time, and quite good bags were ‘reported from favoured localities. Quail are to he found in small coveys in various parts of the district but owing to their inaccessibility in many cases, the average shooter does not bother to go in quest of them. However, they are the best of our sporting birds and thev onlv fall to the most skilled shot. Hare and rabbit appear to be on. the increase, if anything, and a good day’s sport <-an be obtained in most localities. Shooters will be doing Service to landowners by keeping them in check.

“Ranging: Our honorary ranger, Air E. W. Eddie, has continued to evince a live interest, in the work of patrolling and ranging < Ul1" streams and shooting grounds. Unfortunately in his work he does not receive the assistance and co-operation which he should expect from license holders and in consequence illegal practices are very difficult to detect. ‘‘Conclusion: We wish to thank the Wellington Acclimatisation Society for its sympathetic consideration to our various requests during the year. We wish also to thank our representative on the Council, Mr J. Brasell, for his efforts on our behalf and to all those who have in. any way assisted in furthering the interests of license holders we tender our gratitude.” The imprest account showed receipts to have been 1:4 18s fid. the expenditure leaving a credit balance. ° f £2 7S - - , +V The president complimented the secretary upon the excellent report. The president said a lot of work was done gratuitously, lor which he thought the sub-committee did not receive the credit it should. He congratulated the secretary (Mr IF HTavlor) upon the efficient manner m which he had performed his duties. He deserved the thanks or licenseholders. He formally moved the adoption of the report and balancesheet. 'Phis was seconded by Mr A. Morgan and carried. The election of officers then took place. Messrs Hutton aTid Taylor were unanimously re-elected president and secretary respectively. Fast year’s committee was re-elect-ed, Messrs N. Prussthg and J. McCormick being appointed to fill two vacancies. Mr J. Brasell was reappointed representative on the ("ouncil. Votes of thanks were passed to the press and Mr P. J. Matthews for the use of the meeting room.