H.—22.

Good results have been obtained with snares, but owing to the war it appears that it is impossible to purchase any more suitable wire for this purpose. Many more miles of tracks have been cut, and it appears that the pests are slowly but surely being brought under control. (i) North Nelson. —The results quoted refer to portions of the operations in the areas which were conducted after the 31st March, 1940, and were dealt with in last year's report. (j) South Nelson and North Westland. —The results quoted refer to closing stages of last year's operations. (4) Slcins. The value of deer-skins is at present higher than at any time in the past, and special endeavours are being made to save every skin possible. The number of deer-skins submitted by private persons for payment of bonus for the year ended 31st March, 1941, amounted to 6,053. The Department disposed of 27,641 skins during the same period for exportation overseas. (5) Personnel. Although there have been a few minor injuries, it is pleasing to be again able to report the absence of any fatal accident or serious injury. XIII. ROTORUA ACCLIMATIZATION DISTRICT. A. The Fishing Season. Weather conditions were more favourable than experienced during the previous season. Thus fishing improved and very satisfactory catches were taken. In Rotorua, high temperatures brought the fish into the mouths of the cold streams and many limits were taken during January and February. At Taupo there was a very marked improvement in the condition and weight of the rainbow. This can be credited to the introduction of the smelt and the policy of planting strong, vigorous fry. The following are the weights of some of the large fish taken during the season and coming under the notice of departmental officers : — Taupo Area.—ll| lb., 10J lb., lb., lljlb, 101b. 10 oz., lb., 101b., 10J lb, 12| lb., 10 lb., lli lb., llflb., 121b., 101b., 1211b., 10| lb, lOf lb, 101b. 1 oz., 101b, 141b, 10J lb, 101 lb, nib, 101b, lOf lb, 101b, 101b, 111b. Rotorua Area.—m lb, 10 lb, 10 lb, 11 lb, 12 lb, 11 lb, 11 lb, 14 lb, 14 lb, 17 lb, 17 lb, 121b, 101b, 10 lb, 101b. The smelt have multiplied very rapidly, so much so that they are now established all over the lake in countless thousands. B. General. (1) Fry and Ova. The additions and alterations to the Tongariro River Hatchery were completed and proved successful in every way. They allowed a record number of ova and fry to be handled during a shorter period than had previously bceffyqtjuii.ila. Stripping operations were carried out at the Te Wairoa Stream, Lake Tarawera, at the Tongariro River Hatchery, and a small barrier was erected at the Mangamawhitiwhiti Stream. At the Ngongotaha Hatchery, 2,626,000 ova taken at Te Wairoa were handled, and at the Tongariro River Hatchery, 8,469,000, including a number of brown and rainbow ova, collected at Mangamawhitiwhiti. The hatchery at Waikaremoana successfully handled 800,000 ova. It was estimated that the rainbow stripped at the Tongariro River Hatchery averaged approximately 2 lb. heavier than the previous year. The fish stripped at Te Wairoa were equally as good as the year before, specimens up to 14 lb. being handled. The main runs at all barriers were during July and August. Fry from Lake Tarawera eggs were planted in the Tongariro and Waitahunui Rivers, and from the former river in the various lakes and rivers in the Rotorua District. Ova amounting to 1,780,000 was sold to New Zealand acclimatization societies, and 800,000 consigned to Now South Wales and 50,000 to Hobart, while 100,000 fry were sold to the Tauranga Acclimatization Society and 15,000 to Waimarino ; 150,000 ova were also consigned to Fiji. The following are the numbers of fry planted in the various districts Rotorua, 1,304,000 ; Rotoiti, 1,145,000 ; Okataina, 452,000 ; Rotokakahi, 292,000 ; Rotoehu, 187,000 ; Rotoma, 178,000 ; Tarawera, 438,000 ; Rerewhakaitu, 75,000 ; Okaro, 50,000 ; Waikato River, 270,000 ; Waipunga, 115,000 ; Okareka, 332,000 ; Taahunaatara, 100,000. Wairoa Area: Waikaremoana, 275,000; Ruakituri, 335,000; Waikaretahehe, 80,000; Waiau, 70,000 ; Waihi, 40,000. Taupo District: Tongariro, 314,000 ; Waitahanui, 413,000. Waikato, 200 000; Tauranga-Taupo, 224,000; Hatepe, 70,000; Waimarino, 63,000; Waiotoka, 45,000 ; Waipehi, 55,000. Western Bays, 369,000. Brown fry planted in streams flowing into Lake Taupo, 366,000. Bay of Plenty: Pakahi and Wai-iti, 63,000; Waioeka, 407,000; Waimana, 260,000; Whakatane, 293,000 ; Tarawera, 59,000 ; Rangataiki, 60,000. (2) Inspections of Waters and Culling of Fish. Owing to the excellent condition of the trout very few were culled, the numbers at Tongariro River Hatchery being only seventy-four males and sixty-four females. At the Te Wairoa barrier only four males and eight females were destroyed. During the winter months the usual inspections of streams were made, and in both districts it was found that there was no scarcity of spawning fish and both fry and fingerlings were in large numbers.

12