H.—ls

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Report of Constable E. T. Burry, Inspector of Salmon-fisheries for South Canterbury, on the Salmon-run in the Waitaki River, 1923 Season. Police Station, Glenavy, 10th April, 1923. I respectfully report that the first salmon were noticed six miles up the river on the 16th January, 1.923, but owing to the river being dirty none were caught until the 17th February. From then until the present date 140 salmon have been caught, weighing 5 lb. to 31| lb. These fish are in splendid condition, and they are running every day, and I consider there are larger numbers going up this year than in previous years. The Waitaki is getting in splendid order for angling, and the salmon are taking the bait better now, and there is no doubt about their sporting-qualities. There are a very large number of visiting anglers on the rivers every day, and nobody is fishing for trout. They are all after salmon. The fish caught so far average 18 lb. in weight, and they are a splendid food. The majority of the people are just finding out how to cook them. These fish are delicious smoked. There are some tremendous fish going up just now, but they are breaking even the strongest gear. I have made inquires among the anglers, and find that no fish have been sold from the Waitaki. The fishmongers are offering 7d. a pound to the anglers, but so far none have been sold. The Rangitata and Rakaia anglers arc selling them, and tho prices are — Christchurch, Is. 6d. a pound fresh, 2s. a pound smoked, and there is a good demand. There are enormous numbers of young salmon making for the sea just now, and several trout that have been caught lately have been full of them, and I am satisfied by the number of young salmon in the river that in a year or two they will exceed the Canadian runs, and there will be enough fish for New Zealand, and export too. I would like to suggest that tho angling season be extended for fifteen days, as I consider it would make no difference to the run of fish at the spawning-beds, and the, largest runs go up in May. 10th April, 1923. E. T. Berry, Constable. The Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Wellington.

Timaru, 7th May, 1923. As I have put in a great deal of time at the Rangitata since the quinnat started to run I thought perhaps a short account of the season's run might bo of interest to you. The run commenced on the 20th February, although considerable quantities were seen round the mouth some time before this. In my opinion this year has seen by far the largest run we have over had in the Rangitata, and they have afforded magnificent sport. My own bag has been seventy-one salmon, and I think it is a low estimate that from one thousand to one thousand two hundred salmon have boon caught in the Rangitata between the mouth and the railway bridge. This has chiefly been because the river has remained in good fishing-order the whole of the season. For the last month the river has been very low. The average weight of the salmon I put at 17 lb. My own fish running from 13 lb. to 3Q| lb. The fish wore not quite as large as last year, neither were they in quite as good condition, but many splendid fish were caught. For the last five weeks the fish have been too near spawning to be fit to catch. They have lost all their silver colour, quite dark and covered with yellow slime, and many of the later run of fish came in from the sea in this condition. I think it was a great mistake extending the season, as numbers of fish were caught that were hardly fit for food and should have been allowed to spawn. I am sure no sportsman worthy of the name wants to catch such fish, and we had a splendid season without the extension. Owing, I think, to the river being so low, numbers of fish are not running up far from the sea, the holes about the railway-bridge arc full of fish, and some are spawning there. Another mistake, I think, is allowing private fishermen to sell their fish. This has resulted in some men giving up their usual employment and doing nothing but fish. No sportsman should want to make money out of his sport. The Waitaki was about a fortnight later than the Rangitata, and the Rakaia the same. The Waimakariri was later still, and I hoar that most of the fish caught there were dark and near spawning. Trusting these few particulars may be of interest to you. I have, &c, Chief Inspector of Fisheries. J. Ernest Pigott.