A USELESS FISH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4511, 5 January 1923, Page 4

A USELESS FISH.

• RAINBOW TROUT CONDEMNED. Arising out of a letter from the Government Ranger at Rotorua regarding the tagging of trput, was a discussion at the North .Canterbury Acclimatisation Society meeting in which uncomplimentary remarks were made regarding the rainbow trout which inhabit the many lakes outback. W. Gobledick, Government Tourist Ranger, Rotorua, .wrote with respect to tagging rainbow trout for the purpose of extending knowledge of the habits of the fish, and asked for suggestions as <tp the best type of tag the society had used. It was decided to forward a sample Qf the type used previously to that ■which the society now has. . It was suggested by Dr. M. Anderson that ,t|he society also mark rainbow trout. Mr E. F. Stead agreed that some should be tagged, and he expressed .the opinion that the rainbow was not suitable flor this district (says the Christchurch Sun). He quoted experiences at the lakes .to support his statement. The fish did not seem to recover after spawning, and the virgin fish were the only gopd ones. He was' very sorry the society had ever turned them ou.t. He would like to see a good series of scales taken to see if any had recovered from spawning. If they did not, the society

should do as is done in tjlie American lakes, replace with quinnat. Dr. Anderson suggested that marked fish should be put in the Rakaia to trace their migrations. The chairman, Mr M. H. Godby, agreed that .the idea Qf marking rainbows was a good one, but it was a question as to hpw it could be done. Mr Stead suggested that some suitable persons should be asked to procure scales, and Mr, D. Deans said ho thought he could arrange that. It w.as finally decided that Dr. Anderson and Mr D. Hope Consider'the question of tagging, and submit a report.