H.—ls. Report of Constable E. T. Berry re Salmon Season, 1921. " I respectfully report that the past salmon season has been an extra-good one. These fish have gone up the Waitaki in enormous numbers, and a large number of them were big fish, up to 60 lb. in weight. Fishermen have been here from all over New Zealand, but the catch by anglers has been very poor. The salmon, for some reason, would not bite at the spinning baits like they have done other years, and they all seemed to be travelling up river and not waiting about like other seasons. Another thing I noticed was that all the fish caught were in splendid condition, but the sizes varied from lb. up to 35|lb. I first noticed salmon in the river on the 23rd December, 1920, but it was not until the 19th January, 1921, that I caught the first salmon, al9 lb. female. From then on to the 6th April they were caught, about 130 fish being taken out by different fishermen. The river rose and got discoloured, but the run of salmon still went on —you could see them nearly every day. A large run passed the bridge about the 16th May, and odd ones have been seen since. I took one out near the bridge, this morning [sth June]. It was just alive- fins and tail were gone —about 221b. in weight. I heard that numbers of these fish were spawning below the stone wall. The following is a list (as near as I can get it) of the fish caught between the 19th January and the 6th April, 1921 : —

" There were about fifteen other fish landed by other fishermen, but I have no particulars of these." Summary of Reports of Collectors of Customs and Inspectors of Fisheries. The following is a summary of the information contained in the annual reports supplied by the Collectors of Customs and Inspectors of Fisheries at the various fishing-ports : — Whangaroa. —The greatest drawback to the fishing industry at this port is that the fishermen are unable to get a market for their fish. There is only a very limited demand locally, and it is only in winter that small quantities can be sent to the Auckland market. Snapper, mullet, flounder, hapuka, kingfish, and crayfish can- be caught in very large quantities on the local fishing-grounds. Hokianga. —The usual market fish caught on the local fishing-grounds were plentiful during the year. The number of boats licensed and fishing was 14, and the number of men engaged in fishing and connected with the. industry was 23. Russell. —Most of the market fish obtainable in these waters were plentiful throughout the year, especially snapper and mullet. Excepting during heavy weather, a good supply of fish was always available for market. The principal markets for fish arc Whangarei, Hukcrenui, Kawakawa, Kaikohe, and other inland townships and settlements. On account of no cool-storage facilities, and only one steamer a week to Auckland, the quantity of fish sent to that market is limited. The price obtained by fishermen for their catches is as follows : Mullet, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a dozen ; snapper, 4s. to 55., according to their size ; hapuku, 2Jd. per pound. The number of fishing-boats licensed for the year was 51, employing about 120 fishermen. The number of whales killed at the Whangamumu whaling-station was 44, yielding about 200 tons of oil and 40 tons of bonedust; total value, about £9,600. For the last season (1920) a total of 3,058 sacks of oysters were picked from the Bay of Islands beds ; of these, 282 sacks were sold locally, and the balance, 2,776, were shipped to the Auckland oyster-depot. The rock walls built last year for the purpose of extending the beds have proved very satisfactory indeed in catching spat, and these young oysters are growing splendidly, especially in the Rawhiti section. Oyster-cultivation work was continued on the same lines this year : 3,212 yards were built in the most suitable localities in the Bay of Islands, and 394 yards at Whangarei, at a total cost of £302 2s. This work will in a few years greatly increase the quantity of oysters required to meet the increasing demand. The fishing, oystering, and whaling industry in this district gives employment to about 180 men, all of whom earn good wages. The total quantity of fish taken during the year was approximately 18,000 cwt. ; value, about £8,500. Whangarei. —The number of fishing-boats licensed and fishing during the year was 12, and the number of fishermen employed was 17. The quantity of fish marketed was 4,467 cwt. ; approximate value, £4,020. Kaipara. —The figures for the year show a steady growth in the industry generally. The number of boats licensed has increased from 27 to 36, and reports show that fish are plentiful. At

Name. Number caught. Weight of Largest, in Pounds. Name. Number caught. I Weight of Largest, in Pound s. Berry, E. T. Wall .. Elliott, M. J. Hooper .. Studholme Buttcrworth Ward .. Slodden Jackson Siye Dickson Jones Nicholas Michael.. is 12 8 3 6 4 6 8 9 3 3 2 (i 6 27 22 34 35j 25i 251 18 22 29 21 22 17J 20 21 Fleming Fleming Stead .. Moorhouse Adams . . Berry, jun. Gibbs, A. Swinard Presland Dennison Corbett Belcher Wall, ,). 2 2 5 4 2 2 2 1 14 16 24 14 14 9 12 10 7 12 22 15 11