APROPOS OF WHITEBAIT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 60, 25 October 1911, Page 2

APROPOS OF WHITEBAIT.

WHERE IGNORANCE IS BLISS

“Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise,” is an old saying which carries a comforting truth with if (says the Hastings “Tribune”). But where ignorance is no bliss it is wise to hustle and get wise early to avoid trouble. This is all apropos of whitebait. At considerable expense the people of Hawke’s Bay imported a guide, philosopher, and friend termed a sanitary inspector. They needed somebody* to tell them what to do with their dish water, mangey dogs, blow-flies, rneasels, mumps, rats, and other impedimenta of domestic life. But it was not anticipated that the inspector would go further afield and ring in fishes of the sea as insanitary “within, the meaning of the Act.” This is what he has done,' however, and the councils have been warned that whitebait taken in the Tutaekuri River will he very likely to spread typhoid owing to the discharge pf sewage from ;Napier Borough into the stream. Ardent, and successful fishers have experienced most uncomfortable shocks. Boys who have brought homo can fids of succulent fishes have seen the products of their labour of love thrown into the kitchen refuse receptical, and those youngsters who have been successful in consuming the products of their toil 'have painful recollections of agitated mothers and castor oil bottles. So far no casnalities are reported, but the people are nervous and cautions, and one fish shop to set at rest the doubts of its customers has an announcement in its window that all Whitebait sold there are taken in the Ngaruroro and Tuki Tuki Rivers. The piscatorial artist ,is evidently in ignorance of the fact that while the lutaekuri, takes, Napier swerage, the Ngaruroro takes that of Hastings. Is Hastings a more healthy community or is it a case of blissful ignorance? t , ,[’ '.I