UNOFFICIAL TROUT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 8

UNOFFICIAL TROUT

' MAORIS' HAVE A GRIEVANCE. I The appearance of trout in Lake Roto Aira, which lies between Mount Tongaiiro and Lake 'l'aupo, is causing tho Maoris a great deal of concern. It' is an old grievance with the Natives that the trout, introduced by tho pakelia"for sporting purposes, has largely dosttsj ed tho food supply that the Maoris used to obtain from lake Rotorua and Lake Taupo Claims made 011 behalf of tho tribes in this connection have been tinder consideration for years past, and 110 settlement has yet been reached.' It appeals that \yhen Sir James Carrolj was a. member of the Ministry lie made a definite piomiso. to Iho Mauris that trout would not bo placed in Lnko Roto Aira. This small lake was tq be reserved permanently as a sanctuary for tho indigenous fish. A fairly high waterfull 011 the stream that connects Lako Roto Aira with the upper reaches of the Waikato River was an assurance that th.e imported foil could not reach tho lako from Taupo.

Tho promiso has been kept as far as the Government is concerned, but trout aro now flourishing in Lako Roto Aira .{tnil there is reason to believo that they jvere introduced there by some unauthorised persons, who wished to have trout fishing in tho neighbourhood. The Minister of IntonnilAfl'nirs is gathering information on the subject. Tho placing of trout fry in the lako doos not appear la violate niiy law, but it undoubtedly is regarded by the Maoris as a serious breach of faith. _ Unrestricted trout fishing for Maoris in Lake. Roto Aira is one of I lie results,