H.—ls

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were obtained. The total quantity of eggs collected for the season was 1,031,000 ; of these, 631,000 were taken from the Ahuriri, 380,000 from the Dobson, and 20,000 from the Hakataramea. The eggs when " eyed " out were distributed as follows : 600,000 were sent to the Department's hatchery at Maori Creek, for stocking the Wairau River (Marlborough) ; 200,000 to the west coast for stocking the Hokitika River ; 100,000 to the Tasmanian Government; and the balance, about 125,000, hatched at Hakataramea. On account of the small run in the rivers and unfavourable river-conditions very few salmon caught by anglers were put on the market this season. A very large run may be expected next season, and, with favourable river-conditions, large quantities should be taken for market. The following is a summary of the information supplied by Collectors of Customs and Insjiectors of Fisheries in their reports for the year : — Hokianga. —During the year the usual market fish have been plentiful. No outside market is available, and catching is confined to what is required for local consumption. The quantity taken is not given in the local Inspector's report. The number of boats engaged in fishing and the number of fisherman employed was similar to the previous year. The oyster-beds are in a depleted, condition, and have shown no improvement for several years. Bay of Islands (including Whangaroa and Mangonui). —The Inspector reports that all kinds of market fish were plentiful throughout the year, mullet and snapper being unusually so. The principal market is the inland towns and settlements. A few tons were shipped to the Auckland market, but the returns were in most cases unsatisfactory. Last season the Bay of Islands oyster-beds were only lightly picked, partly on account of the best pickers being employed picking at Kaipara and Hauraki Gulf, and. also because, on account of the large crop of young oysters on the principal beds, it was impossible in most places to take, off many mature oysters without destroying large numbers of young ones. The number of sacks picked from the beds under my control was 2,485 sacks ; this includes Kaipara, Whangarei, and Bay of Islands. On the local beds it is estimated that well on to 3,000 sacks can be taken for market this season. Some 1,500 yards of rock walls were built this year, and the stones on a good many of the walls, previously built were turned, so as to expose the young oysters, which fix on the underside, to the sun and atmosphere. All the walls built are now showing a good fixing of young oysters. On those built in 1918 and 1919 a quantity is now ready for picking, and oyster-spat is already showing in great quantities on the walls built this season. The oyster-cultivation work at Bay of Islands, Whangaroa, and Whangarei has been a great success, and it is advisable that it should be continued year by year. Whangarei. —The usual market fish were plentiful throughout the year on the local grounds, and good catches were made when weather conditions were favourable. Kaipara. —Fish have been plentiful all through the year. Mullet could have been caught in very large quantities, but, unfortunately, the mullet-cannery at Batley was not operating, and the quantity taken from Kaipara for the Auckland market is limited. Flounders, for which there is always a keen demand, were caught in large quantities. On account of the large quantities of snapper brought to the Auckland market by trawlers and seine boats there was no market for those fish caught by the Kaipara fishermen. The Inspector states that the toheroa-beds on the west coast are improving. Nos. 3 and 4 leasing areas are now getting well stocked with small fish. The oyster-beds are in very good condition, and last season 1,381 sacks were picked and forwarded to the Government oyster-depot at Auckland. Auckland. —The Inspector says that the past year has been a remarkably good one, for fish, snapper being particularly plentiful. The return given shows a very large increase in the quautity and value of fish marketed in comparison with the previous year. Vessels fitted with the Danish seine commenced operating in the gulf in the early spring, and they have caught large hauls of flounder, snapper, tarakihi, and gurnard. During the schooling season for snapper in the gulf the supply of these fish brought in was in excess of market requirements. An inspection has been made of all the oyster-beds in the gulf and Great Barrier, and, taking them all over, they are in very good condition indeed. 4,324 sacks were picked for market from the gulf beds last season. On account of the large number of young oysters on the Great Barrier beds it was not considered advisable to pick them. These beds have shown a great improvement, and this coming season it is expected that fully five hundred sacks can be taken for market. Tauranga. —Fishermen report good catches from the local grounds. During the summer months very good sport was obtained at Mayor Island with kingfish and mako shark, and visiting sportsmen speak highly of the fishing-grounds, and were well satisfied with the sport offering. Gisborne. —The Collector of Customs reports that the past season has been a poor one for fishing. Quite a large quantity of the fish required for Gisborne, and district was brought up from Napier. Hawke's Bay. —The past year catches of fish have been quite equal to those of the previous year. The weather conditions have been very favourable, on the whole. The winter months, as is usual, were very lean, but the months covering the period from October to March were good, the catches being abundant; but, unfortunately, the supply during that period being greater than the demand, and the trawlers not being able to dispose of their catches, they were compelled to cease fishing regularly, going out only half-time while fish were so plentiful. The small-boat fishermen at West Shore have had a very profitable season, due to westerly winds prevailing, which brought the fish in on to the beach during the months of January, February, and March. Fish were retailed from the small boats at 2d. per pound. New Plymouth. —Fishing has been rather poor during the past year. This was partly due to unfavourable weather extending over several months. The quantity of fish brought in shows a considerable decrease on the last two or three years.