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(2) Fisheries Conservation (a) Ova were recovered and laid down in the two hatcheries for " eyeing" or complete incubation as follows : No. 1 (Ngongotaha) Hatchery (Rotorua area) .. .. 3,069,000 No. 2 (Tongariro) Hatchery (Taupo area) .. . . 6,016,000 Of the above ova, 2,877,000 were sold to acclimatization societies and 2,780,000 were despatched to the Department's Southern Lakes District.

(b) Restocking of Waters. —Fry were liberated in the district as under :

In addition, 103,136 fingerlings (83,136 rainbow and 20,000 brown) were liberated in the Rotorua area. (c) Trout Food. —Smelt are still abundant in most of the lakes throughout the district and especially so in Western Bay, Lake Taupo. (d) Anti-poaching Measures. —Last year's intensive operations against out-of-season taking of fish .were continued this year. Again considerable numbers of persons committing offences were prosecuted, and twenty-nine fines, amounting to a total of £125, with Court costs in addition, were imposed. (e) Black Shag Control. —The following black shags were destroyed : (i) Under bounty paid by the Department .. .. .. 395 (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers .. .. .. 34 (3) The Game-shooting Season The sum of £1,906 10s. was received from the issue of 1,285 game-shooting licences. (4) Game Conservation (a) Game Farm. —A total of 461 pheasants and 100 mallard duck were liberated during the year.

(b) Vermin Control. —The table hereunder shows the numbers of the various species oil which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the North Island Vermin Control Board and those destroyed by departmental, officers :

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Waters. Hatchery. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Rotorua area No. 1 2,484,000 260,000 2,744,000 Taupo area No. 2 684,000 684,000 Totals 3,168,000 260,000 3,428,000

— 1 Hedge1 hogs. 1 Hawks. Stoats. (i) Destroyed under North Island scheme (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers 72 4 552 7 110 8