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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) .. .. 2,410,000 No. 2 (Tongariro) Hatchery (Taupo area) .. .. 5,358,000 Of the above ova 1,914,000 were sold to acclimatization societies and 1,435,000 were sent to the Department's Southern Lakes District. (b) Restocking of Waters. —Fry were liberated in the district as under: —

A total of 100,000 fry was sold to the Tauranga Acclimatization Society. In addition 109,000 rainbow fingerlings are being held in ponds at No. 1 Hatchery, Rotorua, and 40,000 are held at Castleton's ponds. (c) Trout Food.—Smelt are still abundant in most of the lakes throughout the district. (d) Anti-poaching Measures. —Operations against out-of-season taking of fish were continued this year. A considerable number of persons committing offences were prosecuted and eight fines amounting to £3l, with Court costs in addition, were imposed. {e) Black Shag Control. —The following black shags were destroyed : (i) Under bounty paid by the Department .. .. .. 280 (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers .. .. .. 134 (3) The Game-shooting Season The sum of £1,927 10s. was received from the sale of 1,288 game-shooting licences. (4) Game Conservation (a) Game Farm. —'A total of 1,218 pheasants and 29 mallard grey crossbred ducks were liberated. (Ib) Vermin Control. —The table hereunder shows the numbers of the various species on which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the North Island Vermin Control Board and those destroyed by departmental officers :

(c) Anti-poaching Measures.—The intensive operations against illegal taking of trout were extended to cover operations against persons committing breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, and regulations thereunder. (5) Absolutely Protected Birds . The operations referred to in (c) above covered the illegal taking of absolutelyprotected birds. Special attention was paid to the illegal taking of native pigeons. Fines imposed in respect of all prosecutions for breaches of the Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22, and regulations amounted to £92 10s.

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Waters. Hatchery. Rainbow. Brown. Totals. Rotorua area No. 1 1,661,000 500,000 2,161,000 Taupo area No. 2 144,000 144,000 Totals 1,805,000 500,000 2,305,000

— Hedgehogs. Hawks. Stoats. Polecats. Rats. Cats. (i) Destroyed under North Island scheme (ii) Destroyed by departmental officers | 1,252 41 1 795 39 209 7 48 99 4