7

H.—22,

Inland Fisheries. Collection of Ova.-—The number of ova stripped from rainbow trout established a record, the total being 6,604,000, an increase of 1,175,000 over the previous season. The ova collected again proved to be of excellent quality, and confirms the policy of the Department in confining the collection of ova to the tributaries of the Tongariro River. The results achieved reflect much credit to those concerned, as in at least one stream considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping the traps and racks intact, owing to abnormal floods. Yields from the various streams are as follows : Hatchery stream, 4,927,000 ; Whitikau Stream, 1,351,000 ; a tributary of the Poutu River, 282,000 ; Kowhai Flat Stream, 44,000. The greatest number of eggs obtained in one day was on the 9th August, when 375,000 were secured in the hatchery stream and 16,000 in the Kowhai Plat Stream. Eyed Ova. —Of the 6,604,000 eggs collected in the Tongariro tributaries, 2,673,000 were eyed at the Rotorua hatchery, of which 300,000 were planted in the Rotorua district, 25,000 were sold, and 2,348,000 were hatched into fry. The remaining 3,931,000 eggs were eyed at the Tongariro hatchery, of which 3,375,000 were sold, 18,000 were planted in the hatchery creek, and 538,000 were hatched into fry. In addition to the foregoing, 163,000 eyed ova were obtained from the Otago Acclimatization Society and hatched into fry at the Rotorua hatchery. This parcel produced 152,000 fry. Fry. —The hatching into fry of 2,348,000 eggs from Tongariro and 163,000 from Otago at the Rotorua hatchery and 538,000 at the Tongariro hatchery is considerably in excess of any former effort. From the total of 3,049,000 eggs 3,018,000 fry were hatched, which result establishes the excellent quality of the eggs and denotes first-class work by the hatchery staff. The distribution of the fry reared is as follows : 503,000 were supplied to the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, 190,000 sold to acclimatization societies, 1,635,000 liberated in the Rotorua district, and 690,000 liberated at Lake Taupo (including the 152,000 hatched from Otago ova). The liberation of the fry in the Rotorua and Taupo districts was carried out by officers of the Department, special care having been exercised in the selection of the several localities chosen. Food-supply for Trout. —During the past year much has been heard of the question of food for the trout in Lake Taupo. In most instances a wrong impression has been given to the public. There is no shortage of any particular food, with the exception of the koura, which apparently is disappearing from certain parts of the lake. This crustacean is plentiful in other localities, and it is proposed to transfer supplies to Lake Taupo. The indigenous fishes are very plentiful, particularly the kokopu and the toitoi. The latter has multiplied in the waters on the western side of the lake. There is no shortage of mollusca, insects, and flies. Scientific Operations. —Investigations into the life-history of the Nematode worm found in the trout have been carried out by Dr. Armstrong, of Taupo, and the officers of this Department, from which most important information has been gained. No epidemic occurred among the toitoi in Lake Taupo last season. Statistical Records. —Weekly and monthly records were compiled by the officers stationed at Taupo and Tokaanu, and much valuable data has been collected. The Department is building up records of observations, which will be invaluable as a basis for arriving at definite conclusions. Destruction of Shags. —The policy of paying for shags' heads was continued, and 1,492 were paid for in the Rotorua and Taupo districts. Culling.—lt was not deemed necessary to carry out heavy culling operations. Any poor fish that were trapped during stripping operations were destroyed. Facilities for Anglers. —All tracks leading to the different fishing-waters have been kept in order and further places cleared on the Waikato River to allow of fishing. Owing to high and continuous floods in the early part of the season, considerable trouble has been experienced in keeping open the car-road on the western bank of the Tongariro River, where considerable erosion has occurred. A foot-track has been made along the eastern bank of the Waikato from the Huka Falls to the Spa Hotel. The southern end of this track is on the property owned by the Spa Hotel proprietor, who formed a track to connect with the one maintained by this Department. As a result anglers can now obtain fishing over a distance of three miles and a half on the eastern bank of the Waikato, in addition to the many places on the western bank. The Tongariro hatchery camp has proved very popular. The four huts were booked up practically for the whole period from the Christmas holidays onwards. A weekly bulletin is displayed at the Information Bureau, Taupo, and the hotels in the district. This bulletin contains information such as weather conditions, state of rivers, names of most popular flies and lures, class of fish caught, and general information that is of interest to all anglers. The Information Bureau has been well patronized by visitors to Taupo. A publicity pamphlet was issued and has been largely sought after. In addition to the general information contained in the pamphlet, a map was included, and this shows the names of the various pools on the Tongariro River. Supplies of the pamphlet were sent overseas. Smoking of Trout. —The smoking of trout at Taupo and Tokaanu has again been carried out, and has proved a great convenience to anglers. Prosecutions for Breaches of Regulations. —During the year four convictions were recorded against persons for breaches of the Taupo Trout-fishing Regulations.