CONDITION OF RIVERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 8

CONDITION OF RIVERS.

Fishing in the Selwyn Disappointing. The condition of the rivers in the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society’s district was reported on at a meeting of the council of the society last evening. The president (Mr L. A. Shand) presided. The Rivers Committee reported that owing to the unstable conditions prevailing in the Selwyn, few fish had been taken either in the lake or river. The Hurunui and Waiau had not been fishable during the last few weeks. Fishing in the Halswell was not satisfactory, but anglers were having good sport in the lake off the mouth. Some good fishing had been obtained in the No. 2 stream, but fishing had been disappointing in the Selwyn, though good bags had been secured off the mouth. Fishing in the Waimakariri main stream had not been as good as expected, but good fishing was available in the small south branch behind the Seven Mile Peg. The Rakaia fishing was good, some good bags having been obtained on the silvery and minnow, particularly when the river was slightly discoloured. In the north branch of the Waimakariri there was a number of good fish, but owing to the amount of natural feed they were difficult to take. The upper reaches of the Main Drain were full of under-size fish. The lower reach by the junction had numbers of good fish, but they also were difficult to catch. Shooting of Game. The Game Committee recommended that the 1933 game season be an open one from May 1 to July 31. Shooting of game should be permitted as follows:' Paradise duck from May 1 to May 14, inclusive; pukeko (limit of five head per gun per day) from May 2 to May 15, inclusive; Canadian geese, mallard duck and black swan, May 1 to July 31; Californian quail (limit of fifteen birds per gun per day) ; grey duck and spoonbill duck, a limit of twenty birds per gun per day. On Lake Ellesmere it should be illegal to shoot or retrieve game from power boats. It was decided to apply for an open season for godwits and knot from January 1, 1934. After a session in committee it was stated that an interesting and valuable report had been received from the curator, whose work in the hatchery was praised by members; and that the chairman of the Hatcheries Committee had asked for the right to quote ova and to report to the February meeting. _