H—ls

Fresh-water Fisheries Staffing.—A reallocation of duties, deferred during the war years, was carried out following the retirement of the former Chief Inspector of Fisheries and Director of Fisheries Research and the release from war service of the senior members of the Fisheries staff. The administrative and research directional services, which formerly were discharged personally by one officer having similar responsibilities in relation to marine fisheries, have been substantially delegated to the Senior Fisheries Officer (fresh water) and the Senior Research Officer (fresh water). The respective positions have been filled by the appointment of Messrs. D. F. Hobbs and K. R. Allen, the two former fresh-water biologists. Their work will be co-ordinated under the new Chief Inspector of Fisheries. The Senior Fisheries Officer is now responsible for central administration, such supervision of local administration as may be necessary, and for advising and helping local administrations to frame and carry out programmes of practical management in harmony with the results of research conducted in New Zealand and elsewhere. The Senior Research Officer is responsible for the planning and organization of research programmes, for directing the work of the research staff, and for the publication of the results of research carried out in New Zealand. Co-ordination of Fresh-water Fisheries Policy.—Two important steps have been taken to ensure the better co-ordination of the activities of the different Departments and local bodies among which the responsibility for fisheries administration has been divided. The advisory and research services of this Department, hitherto employed exclusively in districts administered by acclimatization societies, have now been extended to the important Rotorua, Taupo, and Southern Lakes fisheries, administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. There has also been established a Fresh-water Fisheries Advisory Council, comprising representatives of the Departments of Marine, Internal Affairs, and Scientific and Industrial Research, together with nominees of the acclimatization societies. This Council provides a much more adequate liaison between the different interests represented, and is already functioning as a useful consultative body on questions of fisheries administration and research. Legislation. —By section 29 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1946, all appointments of honorary officers, for the purposes of Part II of the Fisheries Act, 1908, will lapse on 31st March, 1947, and further appointments will be for a maximum term of three years. Modifications of Natural Streams. —There is need to assure that the present and potential values of fresh-water fisheries are taken into account when modifications of natural waterways are being planned so that, where necessary and feasible, concessions may be made to the needs of fisheries. To this end representation of the Fisheries Branch has been obtained on the central standing committee of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Pollution. —It has been decided to make available for the coming year the services of a science-trained officer to carry out a general fact-finding survey of the extent and incidence of pollution. This work has been planned and will be executed with theassistance of an inter-departmental committee.

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