Our Fish Supply.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4862, 30 January 1894, Page 2

Our Fish Supply.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib,— Wherever trout are found the Acclimatisation Society, composed now ohiefly of anglers, not only claims the fish but jurisdiction over the water in whioh they are. Hence the Society controls all our rivers and a portion of Lake Ellesmere,. because trout have come from the Selwyn river into the lake. A well-known angler has even declared from the judicial bench that if fishing could not be carried on at the lake without ti»kirg trout the net fishing must cease altogether. The lake, as I have pointed out, is nearly denuded of flounders. The trout remain, and are constantly being oaught ia the fishermen's nets, and, in their struggle tofree themselves, roll up and damage the nets. The men, not being aUowed to sell the fish, in disgust have killed them by dashing thorn against the boats, and then throwing them into the lake. Such was the practice until Ja*-e^y, when the society offered threepence per pound for all trout sent from the lake. What is done with this fish when bonght is not publicV known ; but we have an idea that there is a circle which enjoys it, or we shonld have an outcry from them about the scarcity of flounders. This is a publio affair ; and the public should demand its rights. When this takes place all such societies will burst up, and the Government will take control, [as it ought to do. What ebould be done, and done quickly, is to appoint an inßpector of fisheries to have fnll control of the Jake, the Acclimat sation Sooiety to withdraw ; no flounders be allowed to be taken uutil they arrive at the size or age of spawning; no fish to be caught on the spawning ground in spawning season ; and no opening of the lake allowed at a time when it seriously affects the fishery. If these recommendations were oariied out, I am certain we should soon have an abun- . dance of fieh. — I am, &c, HAMPDEN.

I Cobinthian Yacht Club.— The second ■ handicap, for prizes presented by the , Commodore and Club, was Eailedon Satur- | day afternoon last over the usual course in , the harbour, and resulted in a win, on time [ allowance, for the Kotiri. The other boats competing wero the Kiaora and Zephyr. i The wind was very flukey all the afternoon, which made it impossible for the true sailing qualities of the boats to be shown, , the finish being made noticeable by the I first and last b iat crossing the line within a minute of each other. The final heat ■HI be .. B »_ ed ne *fc Saturday afternoon, > when, if the weather should be suitable, a good race may be fl*iu>.>.*_,i