FISH AND GAME.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4686, 11 April 1924, Page 3

FISH AND GAME.

IN OHINEMURI. WORK OF THE SOCIETY. Fifteen years ago a small band of shooting and fishing enthusiasts in Karangahake formed the present Ohinemuri Acclimatisation Society. Some of those early pioneers have "gone West,” others have left the district; only two remain active members, namely, the president, Mr JHamilton, of Karangahake, and Mr D. Leach, who has filled the position of secretary tor twelve years. Following its formation, the society received active support from sportsmen in PaeA roa. Waitekaiiri. and Waihi. Two years ago Waihi formed a separate branch.'which is successfully can J ing on acclimatisation work in that ; di strict. Prior to the formation of the local society attempts were made by the late Mr J. L. Morpeth and others to stock the Waitawheta River., with rainbow trout. From 1909 up to the. present time- thousands of trout fry have been liberated yearly, anl the hsh are -now well established. Due to the abundance of natural feed, the*' are very shy and arc not caught Hi such large numbeis as will be the cate when the quantity of fish in the river is more in keeping with the supply of feed. 1 The Waitawheta is certainly the most attractive fly fishing stream in the province. Bold, majestic gorges, beautiful ferns and native flowers, tracts of bm>h not yet defiled; all these attractions add their charm to the splendid ripples and pools representing fifteen miles of good fishing water. The Waitawheta River is a valuable asset to Paeroa, not yet valued as it deserves to be. The Waitekauri Stream contains tfair number of fish, and has commanded the attention of anglers fot some years. In the Komata Stream trout have come on well, and have been caught this season for the first time. Capla'ii Peacock is credited with catching the first fish, and Messrs Leach and Hanna have fished there successfully. The size of those taken were Vfi-om Jib to 21b in weight, while even larger fish have been seen. The.Hikutaia River is an ideal fish ■ ing sticam, and although progress has been slow fish have this year been .aught. The secretary is strongly of opinion f het the brown trout will prove more successful than the rainbow in some of the streams. This species multiplies rapidly, and affords excellent sport. Application for brown trout fry was made last year, but none was available at the Rotorua hatchery from where supplies are drawn. The Auckland council has promised to obtain a supply next year from Wellington, and these will be tried in the and Hikutaia streams. Our district possesses good fishing si'eam<. and local anglers, through f their society, should make certain Mhat fry, both rainbow and brown, are liberated therein every year. By regular stocking alone can we 1 ope to increase the quantity of fish. - We nave reason to be satisfied with our work in fish acclimatisation,, but it is to be regretted that the outloo'i for game is less satisfacory. The propi ess of drainage operations on the Hauraki Plains will certainly dimin-i-h the ducks. Realising this fact, local sportsmen are moving in the matter of conserving the duck. We ne«d a sanctuary. With the owners' consent application will be made to Hie Minister of Internal Affairs to have the dead-end of the Walhou River from the Ngararahi Cut to the Junctoin, and the properties on both banks, gazetted .as a sanctuary. This stretch is ideal for the purpose, and in view of the future drainage of the Imroons is absolutely essential if we wish the duck to survive. T t is handy to Paeroa, and therefore under the eyes of our honorary rangeic. It will afford protection for the ducks during the breeding season, and whsn shooting begins on the Plains it will offer a place of rest and sanctuary to the birds, which now fly eastwards :o the coast or remain on the wing, with temporary rests, about the Plains. Puk°ko are plentiful this year about tlm swamps, and the local society, in conjunction with sister bodies, is now (►urging the Minister in charge to remove this bird from the protected list to the native game list. In view of the fact that the Minister has already done this in special areas no reason exists why the Hauraki Plains should not be accorded similar trcal--■jiiont. Pheasant are not as plentiful as snortsmen might wish. Fair shooting is. however, still available. Fifty young pheasants were otbained this year by the Waihi society, and a similar number by the local society. Of (he latter twent.v-.five were liberated on farms at Karangahake which will b- kept closed to shooters for the coming season. These birds were a particularly fine lot, obtained from Abe Bay of Islands. The balance are being kept in pens until the end of tbo shooting season, when they will be liberated at Komata and elsewhere. It is the intention bf the society to next season supply a limited number of settings of pheasants’ eggs to farmers and others approved by and interested in the society. If successful the number of eggs available will be increased year by year. When hatched and reared these birds, at the option of the holder, can remain on the place or be sold to the society for liberation elsewhere at 10s per head. This scheme is already in successful operation in America, and there is every reason to believe that it will increase the number of pheasants in our district. The hearty co-operation of those interested in this work will ensure sport not only for the sportsmen of to day, but also for our boys in the future —surely a laudable objective. ’.Vliile seeking to increase the sup- \ ply of pheasants, attention is being to the introduction of other feathered game. The Auckland society this year landed from England thirty-eight Mbnoglian and blackneck peasants, which will serve to intro*

duee new blood to the game farm stock. One hundied and seventy -eight Hungarian and red-legged partridges were also imported. These were divided between the Feilding, Whangarei, and Auckland societies, and the intention is to breed from these birds and endeavour to acclimatise the partridge in the North Island. The annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society was hel 1 on Tuesday last, when Mr Leach represented the local society and seventy members were present repre--seating town and country districts. Al* hough relations between the council and the affiliated societies have in the past been somewhat strained the present council is composed cf gentlemen who understand the wantof the country sportsmen, and thei?' co ope ation in our work is assured. The necessity of carrying on the destruction of hawks was emphasised by the meeting, and country sportsmen were urged to "swat” every hawk possible. Unless this is done the money spent on pheasants and partridges will be wasted. The society will purchase hawks’ feet as in previous years. Particular attention is being pai l this year to poaching. Several extrahonorary rangers have been appointed locally, and the Auckland societ; is engaging three special rangers or the purpose. It is regrettable that such :-teps are necessary. The shooting season opens on May 1, at 6 a.m., and sportsmen are to tak- out £1 licenses entitling them to shoot cock pheasants and Californian and Australian quail during the coming May, June, and July, anl spoonbill and grey duck and blackswan during May and Juno next; also godwits and knots during January. February, and March, 1925. Licenses are now available from the secretary and Mr G. Fallon, stationer, Paeroa. A fair field to every shooter is assured on payment of his license fee. It is the duty of every sportsman to play the game and help the rangers to prevent shooting before the season opens and during the close season. The society has increased the reward for securing a conviction to £2O as an incentive to sportsmen generally to assist the society in its work of game preservation.