TUAKAU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 24, 21 August 1912, Page 2

TUAKAU.

Is it Tui-kau or Tuakau ? The bhiogums about the township are now in riotous blossom and on bright days the trees are thronged with the ripethroated tuis, whose melody is a constant delight and attraction. A recent 'visitor to Tuakau expressed great surprise at the number of tuis he saw in the honey-sweet trees along the main road. Their shimmering blue-black colour, with the white "choker," and their trim build generally, were a pleasant reward to the eye of the bird lover whose ear had already been charmed by the birds' glorious notes. The Government Inspector of Fishtries, Mr L. F. Ayson, last week paid a visit of inspection to the river in 1 his locality. His purpose was to enquire into the supply of whitebait, which of late years has been seriously lessening in the Lower Waikato. A buyer of ten years' experience informs me that the supply of whitebait now is only about a quarter as big as it used to be some five years ago. A big proportion, too, of what is caught and sold as whitebait is porohe, better known amongst the pakehas as cucumber fish. Truo whitebait are scaleless and of the thickness of a wire nail, whereas porohe are about three times as thick and have scales. It is said that last season half the " whitebait" netted here was porohe, if I may express it in that wav. " What is the difference to the taste between the two fish ?" I asked an expert. " Porohe are very strong smelling," was tho answer, " and it is like comparing horse-flesh with good beef." The increasing scarcity is regarded as a serious matter and it has been suggested that u closj season should be declared with a view to seeing what effect that would have. After his enquiries and investigation Mr Ayson will doubtless have some practical suggestions to offer.