HURUNUI FISHING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 927, 23 November 1933, Page 5

HURUNUI FISHING.

Department’s Attitude to Salmon Netting. PETITION TO MINISTER. The opinion that no unduly detrimental’ effect as far as salmon anglers are concerned had been caused by netting operations in the Hurunui River last season was expressed in a letter from the Minister of Marine (the Hon J. G. Cobbe) received by the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society last evening. The Minister stated that the information available to the Department indicated that the netting operations were very difficult apd unremunerative, and xvere continued for a comparatively short period. The issue of the license was of a tentative and experimental nature, and was largely influenced by a desire to provide employment and to relieve the pressure of applications for netting in the Waimakariri.

. The letter asked for .the following information:—(l)' The approximate number of salmon caught in the Hurunui each season for, say, the past five years; and (2) the number of fishing license holders, (a) in the Hurunui district for the past five years, and (b) among the signatories of the petition submitted.

“ The Department is now aware of the iact that has been discussed by this council many times,” said the chairman Mr F. Steans. “We have had a good long run with the salmon without cost. If we want to carry on we will have to step very warily.” The matter was left in the hands of the chairman, with power to reply.