New Zealand Trout Fishing.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 1, 5 July 1911, Page 4

New Zealand Trout Fishing.

An officer of the British army, who has enjoyed much good trout fishing in New Zealand, is quite at a loss to understand why the Government does not increase the license fees for trout fishing in New Zealand. “I can quite understand,” he said, “their not wishing to increase fees for New Zealanders, many of whom can only snatch a few hours at week-ends to fish, but with visitors to New Zealand it is a very different thing. Why, at Home we would have to pay anything from £5OO to £2OOO per season for a stretch of good trout water, not a quarter so good, however, as you have at Taupo. You New Zealanders have a splendid asset in your trout, but you make it too cheap. Put a proper value on the fishing license, and you will have more people coming from abroad to fish in your waters. When they hear in England that fishing licenses may be obtained for £l, they in imagination see one of their own little rivers with people sitting a yard apart along the banks. Charge £2O, and they will consider that they might have a chance. Here a man catches with one rod (>1 tons of fish. Why that must be a world’s record, yet I do not hear of the Government seizing on the fact as a really great advertisement for New Zealand. It would be a better advertisement than all the titles that are being distributed.”

The Chief Justice in Rarotonga. The Chief Justice of New Zealand, Sir Robert Stout, and Mr. Waldegrave, Under Secretary for Justice, who were sent down to Rarotonga to investigate complaints against the administration of the Islands, returned to Auckland last week by the s.s. Talune. The complaints broke down completely on investigation, and the view of unprejudiced outsiders is that a tremendous mountain has been made by a Wellington newspaper out of a micros-

topic mokihill. Of course the report of the Cotnmisioners remains secret until presented to the Government. They visited the Islanders at a number of places and discussed their requests, which were not' by any means in the nature of complaints. In fact, at a meeting of natives and visitors, which was something official in character, held in Makea Ariki's palace, speeches were made by natives, in which they stated that they understood that Sir Robert Stout had been sent to the Island for the purpose of ascertaining whether they had any complaints to make. The natives wished it to be understood that they were thoroughly satisfied with the work and administration of Captain Smith, the Resident Commissioner, and they had no complaints whatever to make. They added that if they had any complaints to make in the future they would not hesitate to give expression to them. The only important request they made was for the appointment of a Native Land Court judge. Ait Aucklander, not connected with official party, declared that there were only three persons on the Islands who were dissatisfied with Captain Smith, and one of these was a policeman whom the Commissioner had discharged. The Commissioner has done excellent work, notably in providing an excellent water supply for some of the

Villages. and in the direction of establishing a school in the Islands. The Chief Justice won golden opinions from the natives by reason of his affability and charm of manner. Our Rarotonga correspondent writes of the investigation as follows: — The alleged dissatisfaction of the natives with the local administration appears to have no foundation; in fact,

the natives have advised Sir Robert Stout and Mr. Waldegrave that they are perfectly satisfied witli the administration of the Resident Commissioner (Captain J. E. Smith), and have expressed the hope that Captain Smith will remain there. They are of the opinion that it would be beneficial if an officer were sent down to act as Judge of the High Court, and so relieve the Resident Commissioner of judicial work. It has long been recognised that the dual position of Resident Commissioner and Judge is beset with many difficulties.

The Chief Justice, Mr. Waldegrave, and To Heuheu Tukino, accompanied by the Resident Commissioner, the Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Percival), and Government interpreter (Mr. S. Savage), visited the natives at their villages during the past week. The main questions discussed included the establishment of Governments schools in each of the three districts; an alteration of the present steamship service, the opening of post offices in each of the settlements, and a proposed tramway round the Island. With regard to certain differences between a section of the white community and the Government, the natives say it is entirely the affair of the Europeans. Whilst some of the natives are in favour Of total prohibition there, the majority, it is said, have no fault to find witli the present liquor laws. On Wednesday, the 21st June, the Visitors were entertained at a native feast by Karika-ariki, Rangi Makea (the Makea-ariki elect), and.Pa-ariki (representing the Vakatini). All the mataiapos and rangatiras were present. Numerous gift's of mats, hats, etc., were presented to the visitors. His Honor, the 'Chief Justice, took the opportunity of informing the natives that he had been well pleased at the hospitable manner in Which he and his party had been treated during their stay in the Island. He was glad to head that they had rto complaint against Captain Smith, and he would always look back with pleasure to his visit io Rarotonga. Mr. Waldegrave has expressed his appreciation of the valuable services rendered by Mr. Savage, who has for many years been interpreter to the Administration.

On Coronation Day his Honor held a levee, which was attended by all the Europeans, and a number of the leading Maoris.

Racing Commission, A deputation of the Taratahi-Carterton R.C. waited on the Hon. Mr. Buddo last week to protest against the reduction of its permit in the Racing Commission’s report from two days to one. The Minister replied that he had to carry out the recommendations in so far as they conformed with the Act, and could not give the deputation much comfort so far as permits for this coming year were concerned. As to whether the recommendations of the Commission were in accordance with law, he would be able to Bay on the advice of law authorities in two or three days.

Accident to the Main Trunk Express.

A serious accident befell the Main Trunk express, which left Auckland at 0.15 on Thursday for Wellington. When the train reached Wairangi the engine and mail van, presumably owing to some irregularity in connection with the points, ran qn to a loop line. Then apparently the points dosed, with the result that the carriages ran on to the main line, derailment naturally following. The mail van. which was next the engine, followed, and then apparently the oscillation caused the points to close, with the result that the next car proceeded along the main line. The driver, with commendable prompt; iude, applied the Westinghouse brake, but three cars had l>ecn derailed before the train was brought to a standstill. (Several windows were broken by the Concussion, and a lady pasenger was injured, being cut about the arm with some broken glass. The derailed carriages were deeply embedded in the earth, nnd n gang of mon was employed all night in clearing the lino.