TAUPO FISHING ENQUIRY

Taupo Times, Volume 11, Issue 75, 24 June 1953, Page 6

TAUPO FISHING ENQUIRY

Sir, — I read with mixed feelings of amusement and disgust the report in your issue of June 10th, under the heading "Tongariro Anglers' Request," and the I'eports published in the N.Z. Herald and the Taranaki Daily News on the same subject. 1 congratulate you on the tolerant manner in which you have expressed surprise at the Club's attitude, in view of the knowledge you must have of the agreement between all the clubs and the departmental officei's, and Mr D. F. Hobbs, and I personally consider that a serious breach of faith has been committed by that club. Hence my feeling of disgust, and I do wish to dissociate myself from those expressed opinions. My peeuliar sense of humour was aroused by the vaiious methods suggested to improve the fishing. For instance, one individual considers that building boatsheds and latrines at Tokaanu Wharf is the answer, but he does not state whether they are for the use of fish or' just simply to attract them there. Another wants the season extended a further three months, the limit raised to 15 fish, smal! craft to be allowed to travel up and down the Tongariro River between the Delta and Delatour's Pool, the abolition of day, week- end and weekly licences, a boat harbour at Tokaanu, and, above all things, a code of ethics printed on the licence forms. Can you, Sir, oi" any of your readers, explain to me just how any of these requests would improve fishing, or why they should need a Royal Commission to investigate them. Another talks glibly of gl^ring inefiiciency, broken promises and shelved problems. Now, Sir, all this tends to do is to , disrupt the harmonius and co-op-erative spirit existing between the various clubs and the Minister and his ofiicers, and all these complaints and statements are made by three or four who br'oadly use the word "anglers" as thougli they had the backing of all fishermen. My personal experience has been that Departmental ofiicers welcome suggestions to improve fish or fishing, or to assist in conservation, and many of our pr'esent Regulations are the result of such suggestions. I do admit and acknowledge the fact that all is not well with fishing, but these conditions are being kept , sight of and improvements may be > expected after hearing Mr Hobb's report on the rteeent research work. — I am, etc, "

W. A.

SPRAGGr.

Te Rangiita.