H.—ls.

to be accommodating only about half the average quantity of spawners of former years. There will be no possibility of providing an explanation for such occurrences until arrangements can be made for more thorough observation of the migrations of the fish and the varying water conditions which affect them. There was evidence of quinnat having spawned in the Wairau River (Marlborough) in the winter of 1932 and also in the Rangitikei River, on the West Coast of the Wellington Province, which seems to be the most attractive spawning resort for the more extreme migrants of this species. The 1933 quinnat angling season was marred by the prevalence of floods and turbid water in the big Canterbury rivers during the period when the principal runs occurred. Consequently there were many blank days for anglers near the river mouths, though some good catches were made later in the higher reaches. A few odd fish weie caught in January and February, but for practically the whole of February and the first week of March the nor'westers brought thick water down the Canterbury snow rivers. The best fishing—practically the only fishing—at the mouth of the Rangitata was in the fortnight from the Bth to the 21st March, when 181 quinnat, salmon were known to have been caught by anglers. For the rest of the season turbid water dominated the situation and only about twenty fish were reported to have been taken in the four days ended on the 2nd April. The Opihi River again had its run of quinnat and, being less affected by spates than the big snow rivers, yielded fair sport to anglers, 127 fish being caught near the mouth of this river. Sea-run quinnat salmon of large size and in good condition were taken in Lake Wanaka from the middle of March which must have run the Clutha River. From Lake Wakatipu the capture of only lake-fed fish was reported. From the returns made by rod-fishers holding selling licenses, the tabulated statement of catches for the Waimakariri, Rakaia, and Rangitata Rivers which follows has been collated. For the reasons above mentioned the numbers caught were below the usual average. The lower Waitaki River was unfishable for practically the whole season, though salmon were observed entering the mouth from the end of December onward, the first good run showing on 14th February and others being in evidence from sth to 7th of March, on 2nd May, and on the 18th May. The average weights of the fish, though, with the exception of the Rangitata catch, below those of the previous season, were higher than the usual average, and it will be seen that in accordance with the general rule the average size is greater for the southern rivers than for those to the north.

Quinnat Salmon: Returns from Rods.

Four netting licenses were issued for the lower portion of the tidal waters of the Waimakariri, the fishing being restricted to five days per week. An additional license was granted late in the season for the Hurunui River. Partly perhaps from the short time available, but principally, it would appear, from the difficulty of working a seine in this water, very little success was achieved, only eleven fish being caught. The results of the net-fishing are shown below.

Of 928 salmon from Waimakariri nets, the catch for January numbered 27 ; February, 154 ; March, 730 ; April, 172.

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Males. Females. Se . x not Totals. j | given. Waimakariri River, 27/1/33 to 1/4/33 (four rods) — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 14 28 2 44 Total weight of fish .. .. .. 193 lb. 3741b. 281b. 5951b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 13-81b. 13-41b. 14-01b. 13-51b. Rakaia River, 8/3/33 to 17/4/33 (five rods)* — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 68 49 .. 117 Total weight of fish .. .. .. .. 1,0591b. 8171b. .. 1,8761b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 15-6lb. 16-7lb. .. 16-01b. Rangitata River, 1/3/33 to 8/4/33 (thirteen rods)* — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 53 36 48 137 Total weight of fish.. .. .. ..1,1261b. 7261b. 8851b. 2,7371b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 21 -2lb. 20-21b. 18-41b. 20-01b. Combined rivers, 27/1/33 to 17/4/33 (twenty rods) — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 135 113 50 298 Total weight of fish .. .. .. .. 2,3781b. 1,9171b. 9131b. 5,2081b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 17-6lb. 17-0lb. 18-31b. 17-4lb. * Two rods fished both rivers.

Males. Females. Sex not Totals. given. Hurunui River, 13/3/33 to 27/3/33 (one net) — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 6 5 .. 11 Total weight of fish .. .. .. .. 61 lb. 76 lb. .. 137 lb. Average weight .. .. .. .. 10-2 lb. 15-2 lb. .. 12-5 lb. Waimakariri River, 19/1/33 to 4/4/33 (four nets) — Number of fish caught .. .. .. 249 374 305 i 928 Total weight of fish.. .. .. .. 3,2011b. 5,2491b. 3,8681b. 12,3181b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 12• 8 lb. 14-0 lb. 12• 7 lb. 13-3 lb.