H.—ls.

12

from the flats in the Kerikeri estuary and bedded down on shingle beaches in the Tei and Porerua Channels. The Inspector reports that these oysters have improved to such an extent that they are now equal in condition and flavour to the oysters from the best Kaipara rock-beds. As for some years it has been reported that large beds of mangrove and drift oysters existed in the estuaries north of Bay of Islands, accompanied by Inspector Plinn, of Russell, I made an inspection of the estuaries as far north as Parengarenga in February last. The result of our inspection was, however, very disappointing, for we found that with the exception of Mangonui Harbour there were no beds in any of the other estuaries worth mentioning In the Mangonui Harbour we found the beds in very fair condition, and a small quantity might be taken this season for market. Accompanied by Inspector Bennett I visited the Kaipara beds. We found a fair quantity of marketable oysters on the rock-beds, and we estimated that about two hundred sacks could be taken this season.

Return of the Number of Fishing-boats licensed, the Number of Fishermen, the Total Number of Persons employed in connection with the Fishing Industry, the Estimated, Quantity and Value of Fish brought in to the different, Fishing-ports.

Quinnat Salmon. —Last spawning season 251,000 eggs were collected; the most of these were taken at the Hakataramea Salmon Station. Two up-country collecting-stations were worked— viz., Gray's Creek, on the Tekapo branch of the Waitaki River, and the Twizel River, a tributary of the Ohau branch. A large number of male fish were netted at Gray's Creek station, but all the females were spent fish and we were not successful in getting any eggs. At the Twizel we were successful in getting a fair quantity. Owing to the very low state of the Hakataramea River throughout the spawning season comparatively few fish ran up, and the quantity of eggs collected did not come up to expectations. The rack across the river, built on the American principle, was effective in stopping salmon from getting past, and all which came up were caught. This season (1916) we decided to work the Dobson River, one of the rivers which flow into the head of Lake Ohau, and the men commenced operations there about the 20th April, and notwithstanding the difficulties experienced in working such a heavy river they have to date been very successful in getting eggs. The run of salmon on the Hakataramea is by far the heaviest that has been experienced. The river this season is carrying a good body of water, and as it is discharging directly into the main branch of the Waitaki, all the salmon which come up from the sea have to pass its mouth, and as the condition of the Hakataramea is so favourable a good many fish enter its mouth and find their way up through the nets. The first run of fish this season

I Number oi' „ . , Number of Quantity of Estimated Fishing- -.a^j' 111 Persons Fish brought ! Wholesale v . B Fishermen. , j , T , boats employed. m. Value. ~ i Plaoe. Russell Hokianga 75 161 250 | T . . . , , , , „„ „„ „.. 1 Incl. m Auokjland return. Auckland Thames Kaipara Kawhia New Plymouth Wanganui Foxton Gisborne Napier Wellington Picton Tons. £ 111,100 361 721 5,610 6,715* ( 4,350t 84 109 1,126 .19,076 60 80 458 7,240 5 11 36 48 1524 2,258 17 18 35 74 384 30 38 40 1,355 40 42 204| 4,000 108 128 1,075 18,798 156 336 910 18,760 60 87 100 { l>™ f 16 24 60 1,870 104 156 245| 4,577 6 9 7| 134 20 35 40 1,534 14 23 94 320 112 112 18 750 30 30 340 3,500 149 199 771 14,525 38 50 156 3,000 232 357 3,163 50,578 mo . oki I L093i 30,436 iv M,JI I 32,839 sacks 16,123* 2,069 3,161 15,587 327,363 Wairau Nelson and French Pass Karamea Westport Greymouth Hokitika Kaikoura Christchuroh and distriot Timaru Otago district Bluff, Stewart Island, and Invercargill Totals .. * 0' rsters. t Whale products.