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th.fi completion of the nsw drainage system, which was carried out by contract 011 behalf of the Public vVorks Department. Broadly speaking, the outstanding difference between the old and the new system is that instead of a mam sewer (9 in.), two 6 in. sewers are run in each street under each footpath. General Plumbing.—The following buildings have been reroofed and all spouting, downpiping, and flushings renewed : House Surgeon's residence at the Sanatorium, launchmaster's residence at Te Wairoa, and benzine-depot 011 Te Wairoa Road. A considerable amount of repair of the Jeadwork on the main bath building has been carried out. Substantial renovation of the interior of the Spout Baths at Whakarewarewa was also carried out. Buildings.—The usual maintenance work has been attended to througout the year. The ferroconcrete garage and benzine-store in the works-yard have been completed. An additional story has been added to the bowling-pavilion, which provides a large room for club committee meetings. New rooms for X-ray work have been fitted up 011 the balcony at the rear of the main bath, building. Mr. T. J. Fitzgerald, Building Overseer, retired 011 superannuation on 31st March last after thirtyone years of valuable, faithful, and meritorious service. Acclimatization (General). —The various branches of work in connection with the administration of acclimatization matters in the large district under the control of this Department were carried out by its various officers in a thoroughly practical manner. The ranging of the district was augmented troiri the beginning of the year by the appointment of an extra ranger, making three salaried rangers for the district for the past year. This was necessary owing to complaint of heavy poaching that was said to be taking place in the Taupo area of our district, and the action of the Department in placing a ranger in the Taupo district over the close season was responsible for almost a complete cessation of those reports. The local lakes and streams were also well patrolled throughout the whole of the close season, and all the outlying distant parts of the district visited as often as convenient by the rangers. A large number of reports of irregularities were investigated carefully, and prompt action was taken in the Magistrates' Courts in several parts of the district for all breaches of the game and fishing regulations that could be substantiated by the necessary evidence. The services of the extra rangers proved most effective in reducing the activities of law-breakers. A total of sixteen cases was taken before the Courts for breaches of the regulations against fifteen persons. Thirteen convictions were recorded, two cases dismissed for insufficient evidence, and one case was withdrawn. Fines and costs totalled £55 19s. 6d. Deer-shooting. —The season for red-deer shooting last year opened on the 25th March and ended 011 the 25th April in the herds in the following areas, and conditions varied according to the locality and numbers of the herd. In the Okareka-liotoiti area there was no limit to the number of deer that could be shot under license, and. the object of preventing this herd becoming a menace to settlers or forestry operations was also assisted after the stalking season by the issue of unlimited permits to every applicant who wished to shoot in this area. This has resulted in the herd being heavily thinned out. The State Forestry officials also encouraged unlimited shooting of deer in their plantations, and this fact, together with the heavy shooting by permit and license holders, gives the clearest proof that this herd is now far below standard, both as to numbers and good heads. It was only in the remoter parts of the rougher deer-country that any good heads were secured. The Galatea herd area was limited to twelve licenses. This herd is one of the best in the North Island, and runs over ideal deer-country. Last year 110 very large heads were taken, the best being a thirteen-pointer. This year the prospects are much better, as several good heads have been seen with twelve to fourteen points. The Sambur deer liberated in this locality have also increased, and the question of an open season for Sambur stags will be given consideration at an early date. The Waikaremoana herd was most heavily shot over, some two hundred deer being killed by the license-holders. The Whakatane herd was shot over by a limited number of license-holders, but this herd is still a young one, and only three good heads were secured. The Tokaanu herd was closed against shooting to allow the development of the small numbers there. The herd was prospected by Mr. R. Levin last year, who reported it as the best type of deer, with splendid antlers. These deer were all bred from the original Warnham Court strain, and there are now a number of promising heads of good spread. The Taupo herd was not patronized by stalkers to the same extent as the other herds in the district. Owing to the extended forestry operations taking in some 55,000 acres of the Kaingaroa Plains for exotic planting, it is evident that the sportsmen in future years will have to concentrate their attention on the deer of the Taupo County in order to obtain their trophies. The Columbia blacktailed deer liberated at Tarawera have reached the stage when a limited number of licenses could with advantage be issued for shooting this particular species. Fresh blood in the various herds is now most desirable, if procurable. Trout-fishing. —-The trout-fishing season closed in the Whakatane and Wairoa portions of the district on the 30th Ajiril, and in the rest of the district 011 the 31st May last. During the closing two months the trout taken were in fine condition, though, owing to the run of spawning trout being very late in the season, the individual catches were not nearly so large as during the previous year. Taupo Lake area furnished the largest trout caught anywhere, fish up to 16 lb. in weight being caught. A fresh departure was made in the Rotorua district whereby exclusive licenses are required for use there. No alteration was made in the scale of fees required for Rotorua fishing licenses. The position now is that general season fishing licenses, which were formerly applicable to the whole Dominion, do not now apply to Rotorua and Taupo fishing areas, special licenses being required for both these districts. Taupo is not now under the administration of this Department. The fishing in streams in the Rotorua, Whakatane, and Wairoa Counties was quite up to the usual standard, good baskets of trout being taken on the fly in the Tarawera, Rangitaiki, Whirinaki, Whakatane, Waimana, Tahuatara, and Waikato Rivers. The Atiamuri portion of the Waikato River down to the district boundary towards Arapuni dam gave splendid fish and good sport to anglers. This Department has
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