FRESH WATER FISH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 253, 24 September 1929, Page 11

FRESH WATER FISH

RESEARCH SCHEME. BOARD CONSTITUTED. What was described by delegates as the most momentous decision ever reached in the history of acclimatisation in New Zealand was arrived at at the annual conference of the various acclimatisation societies which was held in Wellington last week, when it was decided to set up a board for research into the life and habits of fresh water fish. The proposal was put forward by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Details of the scheme were explained to a Christchurch Times reporter by Messrs James Robertson (president) and Eustace 'Russell and J. Gilkison, members of the council of the Southland Society. They said that the conference was composed of about forty delegates, representing practically all the societies from Whangarei to Invercargill. The proposal that was brought forward by the council of the Canterbury Society and supported by Professor Percival, of Canterbury College, to establish an annual fund by a levy on the income of the societies to support research into fresh water fishing problems, was carried unanimously. A board of research was set up, consisting of Mr A. E. Hefford, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, who was representing the Government, Professor Perceval, Messrs L. 0. H. Tripp and Ernest C. Wiffen (Wellington), M. Godby (Christchurch) and G. A. Howes (Dunedin), to control the research work.

It was pointed out that work of this nature had been done by the Wellington and Canterbury societies and valuable results had been attained, but the need for an extension and continuation was needed so much that it was felt that the time was opportune to embark on a national scheme.

Mr Hefford, who had urged the wisdom of this course on the societies for some years, had indicated that while he could not commit the Government financially, there was every reason to believe that the Fisheries Department, the Tourist Department and the Department of Internal Affairs, which dealt with Taupo and Rotorua fisheries would give aid. The scheme as outlined by the Canterbury delegates was given the unanimous support of the conference, and a motion of thanks was accorded the Canterbury Society for its interest in the matter.

It was explained that the "board hoped to have a research worker in each island and, when funds permitted, to set up a laboratory. The scheme was the fulfilment of a policy matter for many years, and the Southland delegates feit assured that it would be a completo success and would be to the benefit of the whole of the fresh water fishing grounds o" the Dominion.