TEMUKA FISH BREEDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21052, 2 June 1938, Page 3

TEMUKA FISH BREEDING

Acclimatisation Society Discussion “ New Blood Necessary ” Declaring that in-breeding had made no difference to the quality of fish in Lake Alexandrina, the chairman of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Mr J. McDonald, strongly opposed a suggestion that the introduction of fry from outside districts was necessary to improve the fish in South Canterbury, at the annual meeting of the Society on Tuesday night. The question was introduced by a member who asked if the Society would consider obtaining outside fry for South Canterbury. He suggested that new blood in the rivers might do something to improve the fish generally. Mr J. McDonald contended that there was no need for the introduction of new blood. Some 70 years ago Lake Alexandrina had been stocked with brown trout, and after 50 years the lake contained the best brown trout in New Zealand. The fish to be caught at that time were all large and were very rarely below 10 pounds in weight. Catches of 15 and 16 pound trout were frequent. At that time no new blood had been introduced to the lake, which seemed to prove that nothing was to be gained by bringing in outside fry. There was not the same need to introduce outside stock in wild life as there was amongst domesticated stock, and the fish obtainable at Lake Alexandrina appeared to disprove any contrary theory. "We have in South Canterbury to-day some of the best fishing that can be obtained in any part of New Zealand,” said Mr McDonald, “and I do not see that introducing outside stock can improve it.” Disagreeing with the previous speaker, Mr J. Stevens said no harm could be done by bringing in outside strains. The use of Lake Alexandrina as an Illustration did not prove anything, as the conditions under which the fish were living was probably the greatest influence on their size. It was acknowledged that where there was an abundance of food the fish would thrive, but that did not indicate that the use of different stock would not improve the quality of the fish. Mr W. L. Milne: Is there any tendency when breeding from sea-run fish all the time to produce fish with different characteristics from fresh water fish? The chairman: I do not think so. We have to thank the sea for a lot. If fish did not have the sea as a retreat there would be very few left in the rivers. Ms G. Hadlee said that he was satisfied that most of the fry put into Lake Alexandrina went to feed the eels. There were a lot of big ee’.s in the lake, and he considered that yearling fish should be liberated. "I do not think it would be possible to liberate yearling fish,” sadi Mr McDonald. “It is easier to handle 1,000.000 fry than 50.000 yearling fish. It is a question of whether it isn’t better to stock with the larger number of fry than the smaller number of yearlings. If the eels did so much harm, how did the fish multiply in the early days?” he added. The question was not further discussed. Notice of Motion The notice of motion brought forward by the Council calculated to limit the license holders who desired to become members to those resident in the Society’s district was carried. The chairman explained that the alteration to the rule, which consisted of the addition of the words "and resident in the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s district,” was brought forward to stop certain people who lived outside the district becoming members merely by virtue of the fact that they had bought licenses and made the necessary application. It was desirable that members should as far a; possible reside in tire district. Officers Elected The full Council for the ensuing yeai is as follows:—Temuka and Geraldine County, Messrs J. McDonald, LI. G. Ellis, W. Miles Melcalf, J. E. Green. R. MacLeod; Timaru and Levels County. Messrs H. J. Washer, J. Stevens, B Triggs, W. Kidd, F. W. Agnew; Mac! enzie County. Messrs E Macdonald and J. H. Smillie. Officers elected at a meeting of the Council after the general meeting were:— Chairman, Mr J. McDonald; deputy chairman, Mr E. Macdonald; treasurer, Mr H. G. Ellis; emergency committee, members of the Timaru and Levels County; Rangitata reserves committee. Messrs Metcalf. MacLeod, Triggs nd Green; Pareora reserves committee. Messrs J Stevens and H. J. Washer. REGISTRATIONS INCREASE RELICENSING OF VEHICLES Al the close of business on Tuesday, the last day on which motorists were able to operate vehicles with the old number plates, a total of 666 registrations had been made at the Temuka Post Office. This represents an increase of 110 over last year, when 556 vehicles were registered As was expected. there was a big rush on the last two days and the staff at the Post Office has had a trying time keeping pace with the applications. Detailed registrations, compaied with those till May 31 last year, are:

FEWER DEATHS An increase in the number of mar-:'-ges and a sharp decrease in the number of deaths were the features of the vital statistics ’or May Last M-j there were no marriage licenses taken

out in Temuka, but this year five certificates were issued according to the figures of the Registrar, Mr L. W. Parrant. There was only one death registered in Temuka during May of this year against eight for last May. Births this year increased from nine to 10. WOMEN’S DIVISION MONTHLY MEETING Appreciation of the work of Mrs W. Buchan, past president of the Temuka branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union, was expressed at a meeting of the branch held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. It was decided to record a motion of appreciation in the minute book. It was decided to hold a garden party at the residence of Mr and Mrs C. R. Barnett, Winchester, at the end of the year. A suggestion from the Provincial Executive regarding a Country Women's Week to be held in Christchurch in June, providing satisfactory arrangements could be made, was discussed. Mrs Buchan gave a very interesting account of the recent farmers’ tour of Otago and Southland, illustrating her talk with a number of photos. Competitions resulted: Senior: Chrysanthemum, Mrs Wheeler 1. Mrs J. N. Taylor 2; posy of berries and leaves, Mrs Wheeler 1, Mrs Watson 2. Junior: Posy, Miss B. Wheeler 1. PERSONAL Mr W. Gale. Godley Street, Temuka, left on Saturday for a visit to Australia. Miss Morva Nichol has returned to Dunedin Training College after spending a holiday in Temuka. Miss R. Parkes. Milford, has returned to the Dunedin Training College. To-morrow will be a special one day bargain day at Mr W. H. Kirk's, King Street, Temuka. Procter's, the Opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Temuka on Tuesday. June 21. when they may be consulted on all detects ot eyesight at the Temuka Hotel. Appointments can now be made oy ringing the U.F.S. Dispensary, 'phone 240 M

1938 1937 Cars . .. 440 379 Trucks . .. 112 96 Trailers , . .. 28 ■ Motor Cycles .. . . .. 26 35 Miscellaneous .. . . .. 60 26 666 556