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The figures show a considerable increase over those for the previous year. This is largely the result of the upward trend in opossums destroyed. The introduction of air transport of supplies to personnel engaged in operations against deer has resulted in facilitating operations against these animals in more remote and inaccessible areas and, in conjunction with the fact that the improving staff position has made it possible to commence operations in additional areas, has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of deer destroyed. It is evident, however, that operations against these animals must be further intensified. (8) Personnel All officers have had a strenuous year and their efficiency in their work is most commendable. E. Rotorua Acclimatization District (1) The 1949-50 Fishing Season Many limit bags of well-conditioned fish were taken during the season, more especially in the Taupo Trout-fishing District where fishing at the mouths of some of the main rivers and streams was, at times, good. In the Rotorua Trout-fishing District during the middle portion of the season fishing was particularly good at the mouths of some of the streams. A large number of anglers visited both districts. In all, for the 1948-49 season, 5,736 licences were sold for the Rotorua Troutfishing District and 10,007 for the Taupo Trout-fishing District. An analysis of the sales was made according to the angler's address given on each cash licence. The extent to which anglers from neighbouring acclimatization districts visit the Rotorua Acclimatization District is shown by the following table : Rotorua Trout-fishing District Tatjpo Trout-fishing District Place of Residence, Number of Place of Residence, iSTnmlior of by Acclimatization Licencps Soli by Acclimatization Licences Sold Districts. Licences boia. districts. Licences fold. Auckland .. .. .. 2,473 Wellington .. .. 3,356 Rotorua Trout-fishing District 1,863 Auckland .. .. 2,543 Tauranga .. .. .. 335 Hawke's Bay .. .. 1,492 East Coast .. .. 347 Waimarino .. .. 650 Wellington .. . . 344 Taupo Trout-fishing District .. 559 Hawke's Bay .. .. 242 Rotorua Trout-fishing District 431 Wanganui .. .. .. 488 Numbers of excellent-conditioned fish were taken, as will be evident from the following records of fish for both districts : (a) Taupo (b) Rotorua Weight. Numbers of Weight. Numbers of lb. Fish Recorded. ib. Fish Recorded. 16 .. .. .. I 18 .. .. .. 1 15 .. .. .. 1 15 . . . . . . 1 14 .. .. . . 1 14 .. .. .. 3 12 .. .. .. 2 10 .. .. .. 5 11 .. .. .. 3 9 .. .. .. 3 10 .. .. 14 7 . . .. .. 33 9 .. .. 26 6 .. .. .. 63 8 .. .. .. 57

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