FISHING AT THE LAKES. ,Tr» t.Vifi 'P’.Hlt.nr nf t.lm 11 Timn.ni Hprnlii.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18763, 30 December 1930, Page 12

FISHING AT THE LAKES. , Tr» t.Vifi 'P’.Hlt.nr nf t.lm 11 Timn.ni Hprnlii.”

To the Editor of the “ Timaru Herald.” Sir, —As a holder of a fishing license issued by the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society for the fishing season 1930-31, I would like to ask the Society why they do not say in the license that there are certain parts of Lake Alexandrina reserved for certain members of the Society and their friends, namely, that part of the lake in the vicinity of Muddy Creek, which, needless to say, is the only part of the lake where one may fish with any success during the time a strong nor’west wind may be blowing. The writer, along with some friends, was on that part of the lake during the week-end of December 20th. They met the Society’s ranger, Mr Pellett, and no mention was made by him that that part of the lake was to be closed to ordinary license-holders. When we returned on December 27th, we found the gate leading to that part of the lake locked, and on requesting Mr Murray to open it, he refused to do so, despite the fact that he had just let Mr G. Lewis and party through. We also found that notices had been posted on the various gates leading to that part, saying that there is no road this way to anglers, and signed by the secretary of the Society, Mr B. Hughes; also, I understand, erected by the Society’s ranger, Mr Pellett. So it seems the Society’s funds are used to provide notice boards, and also employ a man to erect same, to meet the selfish ends of Messrs Murray, Lewis and Co., and many of their privileged friends. In further conversation with Mr Murray, he mentioned that should any person go through his property without his permission he would charge them with trespass, and that he would go the length of using all the means he possessed to get a conviction. Mr Murray also stated that he owned the land to within 33 feet of the wateredge of the lake, which I very much doubt. The only road now open to anglers on to Lake Alexandrina is the one going in at the side of Lake MacGregor, and should any person want to get to the reserved part of the lake from this side, he must walk round the side of the lake. When he gets in the vicinity of Muddy Creek he has either to swim from there across to the reserved part, or trespass on Mr Murray’s valuable property, as no one could possibly get round there without going at least 500 yards outside the limit of 33 feet set down by Mr Murray. I was also informed by Mr Murray that Lakes Hartley, Stoney, Sunday and Tui were also definitely closed to ordinary license-holders, so I presume that these lakes are now stocked sufficiently with fish bought by the Society to suit the requirements of Mr Murray and Co. If, as stated by Mr Murray, these lakes are closed to ordinary license-holders, then the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society are taking our money under false pretences, as these lakes are included in the list which we are allowed to fish. It seems to me that unless we anglers wake up, we will find all the lakes taken from us after we have stocked them. I wonder what the old pioneers would say about this action of Mr Murray’s, as I understand the road he has closed has been open for over 25 years. And when the lakes were stocked by these old sportsmen it was for no selfish purpose, but to be preserved for their children’s children. So let us adopt the slogan of the Society, ‘‘Protect your own interests and prevent poaching.”—l am, etc., . „ J. W. SMILLIE. Albury, 28th December.