A USELESS FISH.

Otaki Mail, 8 January 1923, Page 3

A USELESS FISH.

RAINBOW TROUT CONDEMNED. Arising out of a letter from the Government Ranger at Rotorua regarding the tagging of trout, a discussion arose at the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society meeting recently, in which uncomplimentary remarks were made regarding the rainbow trout which inhabit the many lakes outback;. ' W. Cobledick, 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 to the best type of tag the society had used. It was decided to forward a sanrple of the type used previously to that which the society now has. It was suggested by Dr. M. Anderson that the 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 for this district (says the Christchurch Sun). He quoted experiences at the lakes to support his statement, The ilsh did not seem to reeorer after spawning, and the virgin fish were the only good ones. He was very sorry the society had ever turned them out. He 1 would like to see a good series of scales taken to see if any had recovered front srJ&wning. If they did not, the society shpuld do as is done in the American hikes—replace with quinnat. Pr. Anderson suggested that marked fish should be put in the Rakaia to trace their migrations, ; The chairman, Mr M. H. Godby, 1 agreed that the idea of marking rainbows wqs a good one. hut it -.-as a ques- ■ tion as to how i* eoul.t be done", Mr Stead suggested that some suit- ] able persons should be asked to procure | scales, and Mr D. Deans said he thought ! he eould arrange that. It wac finally decided that Dr. Anderson and Mr D. Hop ß consider the question of tagging, and submit a report, _ > • -