PARK FISH PONDS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16876, 25 October 1920, Page 2

PARK FISH PONDS.

.YOUNG TEOUX LIBERATED. AN ACT OP LARRIKINS. Some time during Saturday last the Acclimatisation Society suffered the loss of 3000 young trout, -which Tver© recently placed in their pond in Pukekura Park through the ,act of some person or persons who apparently have a poor sense of humour and a poorer Bence of honour. The discovery was made on Saturday afternoon, when the president of the society (Mr. G. G. Grover) in company with the park curator (Mr. W. VV. Smith) paid a visit to the pond and found that the zinc trap at the pond had been opened and the fish' liberated into the other ponds, where they would in all probability become the easy prey of the perch in those waters. It is not thought the act was one of mischievous boys, as the trap would be too heavy for boys to remove. In referring to the incident, Mr. Grover said:—• “After going to considerable expense and labour the first holding pond for young fish was completed on Monday last. Out of a consignment of 30,000 rainbow trout received from Rotorua five weeks ago, 3000 were kept back for the purpose of placing them in the park fish-ponds in the interests of the public, and to provide them with an additional attraction in the park. On Wednesday last those fish were placed in the completed pond in excellent condition. The Acclimatisation Society are now faced with the position whether it is worth while going on with the park project or not. They were prepared to spend a considerable sum of money in doing so, but it is felt that without the co-operation of the public such a course is impossible. This will be a loss to the park, the public and the community generally, but from a business point of view, which in the society’s standpoint it will possibly be wiser to make the first loss the last loss. It is needless to say that if the Acclimatisation Society can obtain information leading to the apprehension * of the authors of the outrage, they will prosecute and press for a heavy penalty, but even that will not restore the fish. Further, it is impossible to replace them for a year, and so the loss is not only theirs but that of the district, which loses 3000 fish which would have been liberated as yearlings later on in the rivers.” In conclusion, Mr. Grover said: “The Pukekura -Park Board might he well advised to go into the whole question of larrikin ism in the park, and to appoint a keeper or keepers or a park detective. We have probably the most beautiful public park in the world in New Plymouth, and. the efforts of those who seek to impove It and to continue the beautification of this already lovely spot are being frustrated by the activities of a number of irresponsible persons who would be all the better for a salutary punishment.’” The members of the council of the Acclimatisation Society will discuss the position during {he nex> few ’hud if the public lose, what would have been a great pleasure and an attraotiftn, the public have only themselves io thadk. •