NETTING TROUT IN LAKE ELLESMERE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11496, 31 January 1903, Page 8

NETTING TROUT IN LAKE ELLESMERE.

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEESTON.

! A public meeting was held in the Leeston I Town Hall last night to discuss the quesI tion of netting trout in Lake EHesmere. There was a fairly large attendance. Mr J. McLachlan, M.H.R., was in the chair, and announced the business of the meeting in a humorous speech, amidst frequent interruptions- Hβ strongly advocated the claims of fishermen to net trout, and called upon any of those present to move a motion on the question. Mr G. F. Whiteside moved—"That in the opinion of this meeting the matter of netting Lake EUesmere for trout should be left in the hands of the Acclimatisation Society." Hβ pointed out that flounders had not only ceased to exist in the lake, but the sea. yound the Peninsula, as well as Pegasus Bay, had been depleted of that class of fish. He repeated the statements as-to trout eating spawn and fry by flounders, and denied that trout weed prevented fishermen netting in the lake. The weed, he said, w-as indigenous to New Zealand. He warned residents of the district that if the lake was thrown open trout would not be sold to them, but would be sent ■to the Christchurch markets, and whereas they could now get fish, in future they would not get any. He also pointed out to the local fishermen that other fishermen would be licensed to fish the lake, and the local men would not get as much benefit as they thought. The motion* was seconded by Mr Brunton. Mr Howson moved as an amendment— "That the netting of trout in Lake Elksmere should be legalised under certain conditions." Mr Shaw seconded the amendment, which after discussion was declared, amidst much disorder, to be oarried."

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded a very lively meeting.