H.—2.

Rotoiti and Okareka herds were again combined and opened under one license, and in the outlying portions of this herd some good heads were taken, notably a fourteen-pointer and a fine twelve-pointer. In places where the main herds congregated in numbers a few years ago very few deer were seen, and, though odd heads were obtained, several of the stalkers did not get a head at all. It is evident from the excessive shooting over this herd that the deer are now reduced to a reasonable minimum. The Taupo County herd was shot over by a small number of stalkers who were entitled under their license to take two red stags and two Japanese deer bucks. Messrs. Charles Conlan, of Oroua Downs, and Alex. Mitchell, of Longburn, were enabled to secure three Japanese bucks, the first that have been secured since their liberation in 1915. Both of these sportsmen were agreed that, as far as their deer-stalking experience amongst Sambar, Virginian, red, and fallow deer went, they gave the palm to the Japanese (Cervus nika) as being the most elusive species to obtain. The Galatea herd—closed last season —was opened this season for fourteen licenses to take two heads only of ten points or over, and the returns so far indicate that good heads of ten, twelve, and thirteen points have been shot. The Waikaremoana herd was again heavily shot over. The detrimental effect of stalkers shooting young stags or hinds during the opening of the season soon showed itself in the heavy bush districts, where the best and oldest stags are camped well back in the bush and stay there, because there is nothing left in the open country at the forest edge to attract them. The Mahia herd was only open for a limit of six licenses, and an exceptional head, which may be called the record head for the Rotorua district —a heavy twenty-two-pointer —was secured by Sergeant H. Wade, of Wairoa. Feathered-game Shooting. —The usual course adopted in having only a two-months open season for all feathered game (except godwits and knots, for which three months were given) resulted in better bags being obtained than has been the case for several seasons past. Sportsmen all over the district state that they never saw pheasants and game so plentiful. As in past years, the Matata and Rangitaiki swamp areas provided good duck-shooting, and the small lakes and lagoons around Mount Edgecumbe are becoming a favourite place for both ducks and shooters. In the Waimana and Ruatoki areas good sport is recorded, and the individual shooting members of the Whakatane Rod and Gun Club report an increase in the number of pheasants seen in the large maize cultivations. The Taupo and Galatea districts gave sportsmen good results, a fair number of pheasants being also shot along the Tongariro River ; while the Wairoa Rod and Gun Club officials state that with the presence of a ranger in their district there was little poaching, and the shooting season was a good one. The Whakatane Lagoon and others all produce a large number of wild ducks, and swans were extremely plentiful. A marked increase in pukeko was seen everywhere. Mallard Ducks. —The season for shooting these English wild ducks was again opened, with a limit per gun per day, but no sportsman reported taking the limit. Numbers were seen spread over a wide range of country, and with an additional liberation for this and future seasons they should prove a substantial addition to the list of game birds for the district. It is noted, however, that they tend to crossing with the wild grey duck (Parera), and will also seek the company of tame ducks about farmyard streams. This will result in time in the true wild instinct being lost and the progeny becoming a semi-domesticated breed. Rainbow-trout Fishing. —The trout-fishing of the district generally has been up to the average of previous years in the Whakatane and Taupo County waters, and reports from the Wairoa County state that the Waikaremoana Lake and adjacent small lakes have yielded good baskets of trout to the anglers, while the Ruakituri River also provided good sport. The Waikare-ta-heke River and Maungapoike Stream produced trout of good average condition, but the opinion is that more trout-fry require to be liberated for another few seasons. There was a noticeable increase in the number of overseas anglers who visited the Taupo area for its renowned rainbow-trout fishing, and there were a great many camps along the Tongariro River where trout up to 24 lb. weight were taken. One of the finest ever caught was secured at Taupo by Mr. Gemmell, of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, and was mounted and sent to the Exhibition at Dunedin. Good catches were made, both by fly fishers at the mouths of the principal streams running into Lake Taupo and by persons trolling from launches and boats on the lake-margins. The Waikato from the lake outlet to Ongariti was well fished, and, though the scrub in places interferes with the anglers' access, many good-conditioned shapely trout, with plenty of fight, were secured, particularly about Atia-muri. The trout-fishing in the Green Lake and Okareka and Okataina Lakes was improving, and good trout were also caught in the Rangitaiki, Whirinaki, and upper Whakatane Rivers. The trout-fishing in the local lakes, Rotorua and Rotoiti, is very erratic, and astonishingly varied reports are received from different anglers as to their good or evil fortune. It is recorded that Messrs. Page and Baker secured 011 the 24th February, 1926, a basket of fine-conditioned trout, the heaviest being just on 11 lb. weight. They state the trout are in good condition, and as numerous as last season. Varying opinions are offered as to the alleged scarcity of fish. Many tons of trout were taken out and marketed in a single season, with a view to thinning out the stock, and the policy of replacing the old stock with fresh ova from abroad has been delayed ; this fact, coupled with the increasing number of anglers, probably constitute real reasons for whatever shortage occurs. It is recorded that a few thousands of rainbow ova from Lake Hawea were hatched and liberated during the winter by the Department of Internal Affairs, and it will be some years before these spawn, and the mortality has also to be allowed for. Game. — The work of liberating the young pheasants held over last year till after the shooting season was finished, and the birds liberated in small numbers in suitable places over a wide area of wild, rough country where bush, scrub, or other shelter gave them protection. These comprised ninety-seven young birds, and were all six months old when liberated. A total of 312 pheasants and 103 mallard duck were liberated in the district. This includes fifty pheasants which were reared and liberated in Wairoa County (H. 8.). Plj An order was received from the Department of Internal Affairs for the supply to the High Commissioner in London of thirty pairs of Californian quail. These were trapped in the Rotorua

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