FRESHWATER CRAYFISH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10683, 1 February 1913, Page 7

FRESHWATER CRAYFISH.

TO THIS SDITOB. Sir,—ln reading Dr Charles Chilton's report on freshwater crayfish I was amused with his reference to some early settler catching them in the Avon for his breakfast. The first time I, with four other boys, visited the river, about sixty years ago, after walking from, Lyttelton, we landed at the Avon just where the island is near Cashel Street bridge, and got on to the island, where we saw a quantity of eggs from wild duok and swamp liens. There in the stream we saw the crayfish. It was more like a lobster, and was of a slate colour. I never saw one 1 longer than two inches, so that the early settler would have to catch a good many to make, a breakfast. They were very scarce there; we only saw a few, and I tlunk , they very soon disappeared especiaily after; the trout were introduced. The last time that I saw one was at the Bricks wharf, near the Star and Garter Hotel. That was some little time after I saw them at the island. 1 remember seeing some in the Oust stream, near the mill, about fifty years ago, and some in the Little Rangitata about fifty-five years ago I am inclined to think that they have been all destroyed by the trout.—l am etc., , ' GEORGE COLLIER. 205, Lichfield Street.