H.—ls

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Qiiiiuial Salmon. —The run of these fish was again poor last season, and the efforts to collect eggs at Hakataraniea were unsuccessful. 1 made a personal inspection of the main tributaries of the Waitaki and found that although very few fish, came into the Hakataraniea River, yet there were more spawning in the main tributaries of the Waitaki than in the previous year (19 18). This year there has been a decided increase in the numbers which have gone up the Waitaki and its four large tributaries, and this would seem to be a clear indication that, whatever circumstances had affected their condition at sea during the last two years, the trouble is now being overcome, and, considering that a large portion of the millions of fry which were hatched from the large spawnings of 1916 and 1917 should be mature next season, we can with confidence look forward to a heavy run. Acclimatization of Atlantic Salmon and other useful Fishes. —It is to be hoped that arrangements can be made to again take up the systematic importation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) eggs this year, and also to seriously consider the recommendations made in my report of last year regarding the necessity for adopting a vigorous policy regarding the acclimatization of the Atlantic salmon and some of the other useful fishes which 1 mentioned in that report. The following is a sunnnar}' of the information supplied by Collectors of Customs and local Inspectors of Fisheries for the year : — Hokianga. —The number of fishing-boats licensed was 9, employing 15 men. The varieties of fish caught are mullet, snapper, kahawai, and flounder. As they are sold only for local consumption, the quantity and value brought in during the year cannot be ascertained. Russell. —Inspector FlinrJ reports an increase in the quantity of fish caught, and a good supply of the usual market fish has been easily obtained by fishermen. Kingfish and hapuku have been plentiful during the summer months. The "school" snapper were more numerous than usual this season, and were in as late as the third week in February. Forty-two boats were licensed for the year ended 31st December last, employing about 90 men, all of whom have made good wages. The total number of persons employed fishing, oystering, and whaling —that is, in connection with the industry generally—was about 160. While the regular markets for the fishermen employed here at present are the inland villages and Whangarei, yet when weather and steamers suit a considerable quantity is shipped to Auckland. A cool-storage plant at Russell would be of great assistance to the industry, and would mean large and regular quantities of fresh fish being sent to the Auckland market. The Inspector reports a very successful season at Messrs. Jagger and Cook's whaling-station at Whaiigamumu. Sixty-one humpback whales were caught, yielding 300 tons of oil and 56 tons of bonedust; total value, £10,300. For the three months for which the oyster season was open for picking, 4,243 sacks of oysters were taken from the Bay of Islands beds; 362 sacks of these were sold locally, and the balance, 3,881, were shipped to the Auckland Government Oyster Depot. The high-water oysters which were shifted down to half-tide during the past two years have grown and improved so well that most of them are now lit to pick for market. This method of improving the beds was continued last season, and the work done means a considerable extension of the oyster area on the Purerua and Kerikeri beds. The beds in the Whangarei Harbour are without doubt the best-stocked beds north of Auckland; the whole beach from low- to high-water mark is covered with oysters, a considerable quantity of which should be mature and ready to pick for market next season (1921). The convictions obtained for poaching oysters from these beds last summer have had a very good effect, as I could not see any traces of recent poaching when I last visited the beds. The total weight of fish caught during the year was approximately 3,450 cwt.; value, about £3,100. The wholesale price of fish here varies considerably: Mullet averages about 3s. a dozen, snapper 45., flounder 2s 3d., and hapuku and other fish about 2d. per pound. ll' ha/igarei. —The fish taken on the local grounds are snapper, mullet, flounder, hapuku, and red cod. The total quantity of all kinds brought in was approximately 800 cwt. ; value, about £1,500. Ten boats were licensed, employing about 15 men. The oyster-beds are looking remarkably well, and from present appearance it is very probable that a quantity can be taken for market next season. Auckland. —The Inspector reports that during the year there were 21 boats fishing from Auckland, employing 45 fishermen, and 6 steam trawlers, employing 39 men. The number of persons employed in connection with the industry in other ways than actual fishing and oystering was 104. The kinds of fish taken were similar to those caught in other years. Approximately, the total quantity of fish brought in during the year was 3,170 tons; value, about £80,413. There are six fish-curing places in Auckland. The Inspector states that all kinds of fish are becoming scarce in the Auckland District. During the three months for which the oyster-beds were picked last season 2,475 sacks were taken from the beds in the Hauraki Gulf, and 540 from the beds at Great Barrier. There has been a fair fixing of young oysters on some parts of the Hauraki Gulf beds. The poor fixing of spat which has been general over these beds for several years in succession has made it necessary to go over the beds lightly each picking season and restrict the quantity which is taken off for market. Thames. —During the year fish have been fairly plentiful, but fishing operations have been considerably hindered on account of the large quantities of jellyfish which came into the Gulf and made it impossible for the fishermen to use their nets. A return of the quantity ami value of fish brought in has been obtained from only two of the three fish-merchants who receive the fishermen's catches. It is therefore incomplete, and only serves the purpose of making up the approximate total quantity and value of fish landed throughout the Dominion during the year. The quantity received by the two wholesale fish-merchants was 856 tons 16 cwt. 3 qr. 241b., valued at £20,392.'