THE FISHING SEASON

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1930, Page 9

THE FISHING SEASON

ACCLIMATISATION OF TROUT. GOOD RESULTS FROM HATCHERY. Reviewing the first season’* operations at the Taranaki Acclimatisation Society’s new trout hatchery at Durham Road, Ihglewood, tlio curator (Mr. ,L. Barr) reported to the council of the society last night that the results had been outstanding, not only as regarded the numbers but particularly in relation to the high grade of fish produced; Those members of the council and others who had With eaibmendable foresight loyally supported the construction of an up-to-date establishment deserved the thanks of the community they represented. This, Mr. Barr stated, was practically repeating the comments of the numerous visitors to the hatehefy froth all parts of New Zealand.

Evett though the hatchery was not quite completed, nearly half a million ybung fish had been distributed arid the society’s motOi 1 truck would have travelled 1090 hiiles in carrying out tho Work. A very conservative estimate of the value of the season’s produce up to the present might be taken at £l9OO, Which seemed to him to bo the correct way to compute the Value licence holders received for their fees.

Continuing his report, Mr. Barr stated that all the ponds were now in proper working order and tlie nbw type screens and controlling sluices had proved eminently suitable for the conditions existing and could not be improved upon. The fish turned into tjiem were doing well.

The pheasants had commenced to lay and it was hoped to obtain a setting of eggs shortly. The liberations of trout were: Rainbow trout, Waiwakaiho River 25,000, Okahu 10,000, Stony 23,000, Bell’s Falls 2000, Opuilake 20,000, WaiwelrinUi 6000, Manga kotUku 10,000, Ratapiko 19,000, Kaliawai 10,000; retained in rearing ponds at hatchery, 25,0'00; total rainbow trout liberated, 150,000. Brown trout: Ngatoro tributaries 8000, Opufiake 35,000, Inglewood streams 45,000, Waiwakaiho 35,000, coastal streams 40,000, Waitara tributaries 25,000, Rahotu 20,000, giveil to enthusiasts for various streams 10,000, placed in rearing ponds 10,000, allocation still to be made 80,000. The total dis* tribution of brown trout was 308,000. In addition there were 1600 extra fry which had turned out to be exceptionally vigorous fish and would be reared at the hatchery. The further quantity of 80,000 fry was allocated in the proportion of 40,000 to the .Waiwakaiho, 20,000 to Inglewood streams and 20,000 to the coastal streams. The chairman (Mr. W. R. Johns) remarked that he had never seen fish lit better condition than those being bred at the new hatchery. Th esociety was keeping until the yearling stage 25,000 of rainbow trout and a similar number Of brown trout. These 50,000 fish Were filling the storage ponds to the full capacity. The fish were excellent) very vigorous and their mortality was particularly low. He considered the curator was correct in his statement that the results were outstanding. During the year nearly half a million trout fry had been liberated, and the yearlings were yet to be liberated. The curator suggested that anglers might inform the society if any of the breed of steelhead salmon were found in the Stony River. These were, he said) migatory rainbow salmon, but very valuable fish. A credit balance of £263 was reported, this being due largely to the receipt of fishing license fees and game license monies. The chairman stated that the society’s revenue from opossums would be lower than usual, although he had noticed that slightly improved prices for Taranaki opossum skins had been obtained recently. o The provision of a visitors’’ book at the hatchery was authorised by the council. Those present at the meeting were Mr. W. It. Johns (president), Dr. G. I’. Adamson, Messrs. T. Wilson, N. S. James. W. 8. Bamsey. A. E. Baker and 8. R. Darlow. An apology was received i'rom Mr. N. C, Evokes.