H.—22.

Fisheries. —The figures quoted hereunder in connection with, the output of ova and fry, denote that all past records have been exceeded. Collection of Ova. —The number of ova stripped from rainbow trout at the Tongariro hatchery was 7,369,000, in addition to which 930,000 eggs were collected in the Te Wairoa Stream at Lake Tarawera. This total of 8,299,000 is an increase of 1,695,000 over last season's output. The yields from the various streams were as follow : Hatchery Creek, 6,437,000 ; Waiotaka River, 506,000 ; Whitikau River, 426,000; Te Wairoa Stream, 930,000. Eyed Ova. —Of the 7,369,000 eggs collected and eyed at the Tongariro hatchery, 1,675,000 were forwarded to the Rotorua hatchery, 4,450,000 were sold, 12,000 were planted in the hatchery creek, 827,000 were hatched into fry, and 405,000 were sent to the hatchery at Waikaremoana. The 930,000 ova collected at Te Wairoa were eyed and hatched at the Rotorua hatchery. Fry planted. —From the Tongariro hatchery 827,000 fry were planted in the streams flowing into Lake Taupo, which is an increase of 137,000 over the previous season. From the 405,000 eggs sent to Waikaremoana, 401,000 fry were reared and planted in the lake and surrounding streams. From the Rotorua hatchery 245,000 fry were sold and 2,359,000 were released in various parts of the Rotorua district. Importation of Ova. —As the result of representations made by the Auckland Acclimatization Society, 100,000 eyed ova were imported from California from which consignment 87,000 fry were reared ; of this number 75,000 were sent to the Auckland Acclimatization Society, 10,000 were released in the Tongariro Stream, and 2,000 were held for experimental purposes. The hatching into fry of 87 per cent, indicates that the ova was of good quality and was well cared for during transhipment. It was observed that the California fry did not grow as rapidly as the Tongariro fry, and that they were somewhat more shy of human beings. Comparison of Growth of Fry. —Some two thousand of the Californian fry and an equal number of the Tongariro fry were reared under identical conditions, and when sufficiently grown were marked by the cutting-ofi of the adipose fin. After recovery from the operation the Californian fry were released in a tributary of the Tongariro and the Tongariro fry were released in Lake Okaro, near Rotorua. It is proposed to ask anglers to furnish details of any fish caught without an adipose fin in order that the growth of the two lots may be compared. Food-supply for Trout. —No shortage of any particular food is apparent in the Rotorua and Taupo lakes and rivers, with the exception of the koura and this applies only to Lake Taupo. A quantity of koura, heavy in spawn, were caught in the dam at the Tongariro hatchery and transferred to a suitable tributary of the Waitahanui where it is hoped to establish this crustacean. The shrimps that were introduced into Taupo district disappeared until January last, when several specimens, carrying spawn, were netted in the Waikato River about 250 yards from the lake. Scientific Operations. —The study of the life-history of the Nematode worm found in trout in Lake Taupo is still being continued. A slight epidemic occurred amongst the toitoi in Lake Rotorua. Specimens were examined and were found to contain the Nematode worm similar to that found in trout. Destruction of Shags and Hawks. —The policy of paying for shags' heads was continued, and 1,205 were paid for in the Taupo and Rotorua districts. Hawks' feet were also paid for at the rate of 6d. per pair and 1,267 pairs were accounted for. Facilities for Anglers. —To meet an increasing demand for the use of huts at the Tongariro hatchery camp, two of the Department's buildings at Tokaanu have been removed to the camp-site. New mattresses have also been provided for each bed. A full-time officer has been appointed to take charge of the Information Bureau at Taupo, and anglers can obtain licenses and information during the fishing season by applying at the bureau. Smoking of Trout. —The arrangements whereby anglers may have their trout smoked at Taupo and Tokaanu has been availed of, and has been appreciated by fishermen. Prosecutions for Breaches of Regulations. —One information was laid for a breach of the Taupo Trout-fishing Regulations and seven for breaches of the regulations pertaining to the Rotorua Acclimatization District. In all cases convictions were made and fines imposed. Tagging of Trout. —The experiment of tagging rainbow trout has been continued, and 238 fish taken from the hatchery creek were tagged. The following table gives particulars of the fish tagged and retaken.

8

Tag No. Sex. Date tagged, j Date retaken. Locality tagged. Locality retaken. Weight when tagged. Weight when retaken. lb. oz. lb. oz. 387 M. 24/10/30 22/12/30 Hatchery stream Stump Bay 5 8 6 8 396 M. 24/10/30 5/11/30 Tongariro River 2 8 3 12 250 F. 10/6/29 11/6/30 Hatchery stream .. 5 0 7 4 529 F. 12/6/29 10/6/30 >> 5 8 6 4 543 F. 20/6/29 8/8/30 >> 8 0 9 0 642 F. 24/10/30 7/11/30 Tongariro River 5 8 6 0 645 M. 24/10/30 2/11/30 ,, Birch Pool 9 0 9 0 996 M. 24/10/30 25/11/30 Hamaria, Hatepe .. 4 0 4 8 1072 M. 24/10/30 10/2/31 . Whanagamata 5 0 3 12 1146 M. 24/10/30 9/1/31 Rangitira Point 4 8 3 12 1156 F. 24/10/30 7/11/30 Tongariro River .. 1 8 2 0 1178 F. 24/10/30 31/1/31 Waihi Bay 5 8 6 0 1318 F. 13/7/29 23/7/30 Hatchery stream .. 6 12 7 8 1321 M. 13/7/29 17/7/30 >> 6 12 8 8 1345 M. 25/7/29 23/7/30 " 3 12 5 8