H.—22

consequently the level of the lakes and rivers dropped considerably. Fortunately, temperatures did not rise so high as during the previous summer. In some areas, particularly in. Lake Tarawera, although from observations made during the winter there were a large number of fish on the redds, few were caught. Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti again proved the popular lakes with both fly fishermen and trailers. Inspections of the small streams at Okataina were made during the winter months, where rainbow trout up to 151b. were netted for stripping purposes. This lake was well fished during the season and good catches were reported. Good catches were also recorded from Lake Rotoma. In both these latter districts reports indicate that the fish were in good condition although they did not recover from the spawning until later than usual. The Bay of Plenty rivers were lower than in previous years and fished well during the late summer. The following are particulars of some of the large fish taken during the season and coming under the notice of the departmental officers : — ROTORUA FISHING DISTRICT. TAUPO FISHING- DISTRICT. Weight. Locality in which taken. Weight. Locality in which taken. 9 lb. .. .. .. Ngongotaha. 12 lb. 2 oz. .. Whakaipo Reef. 9 lb. .. .. .. Waikuta. 9 lb. .. .. Tongariro Delta.10 lb. (brown) .. .. Ngongotaha. 10 lb. .. .. Three-mile Bay. 11 lb. .. .. .. Waikato River. 11 lb. 4 oz. .. Delatour's Pool (Waitahanui 13 lb. 8 oz. .. .. Hamurana. River). 9 lb. 8 oz. .. . . Alexandria. I'll lb. 4 oz. .. Tongariro Delta. 10 lb. .. .. .. Lake Okataina. 10 lb. 9 oz. .. Tongariro Delta. 10 lb. .. .. .. Lake Okataina. 131b. 10 oz. .. Major Jones' Pool (Tongariro 14 lb. 2 oz. (brown) .. Hamurana." River). 12 lb. 8 oz. (brown) .. Awahou. B. General. 1 (1) Fry and Ova. Stripping operations were carried out during the year in the Hatchery Creek, Tongariro River, and at Lakes Okataina and Tarawera. Throughout both districts a very dry winter was experienced and at times the run of trout into the streams was comparatively sjnall. This was most noticeable in the Tongariro district, and at times it was thought that difficulty would be experienced in securing the required number of eggs, as large numbers of fish were spawning in the main stream. This difficulty has recurred during the past two winters but has not had any detrimental effect on the naturally hatched, fry, which appeared to be as plentiful as ever. Large numbers of spawning fish were seen in the streams flowing into Lake Rotorua, while at Lakes Waikaremoaua and Tarawera inspection showed that there w.as no shortage. The total number of eggs taken at the Tongariro River Hatchery was 6,745,000, while 2,315,000 were collected, at I.akes Tarawera and Okataina. Ova amounting to 1,990,000 was sold to various acclimatization societies ; 150,000 ova was exchanged with the South Canterbury Acclimatization Society, while 500,000 ova (brown) was bought from the North Canterbury Acclimatization Society; the Tourist Department purchased 50,000 fry. The following are the particulars of liberations of fry in the various waters in the Rotorua Acclimatization District: — Fry planted. — Rotorua District: Rotorua, 872,000; Rotoiti, 829,000; Okataina, 329,000; Tarawera, 300,000; Okareka, 211,000; Rerewhakaitu, 50,000; Okaro, 50,000; Rotokakahi, 11.9,000; Rotoehu, 110,000 ; Rotoma, 163,000; Waikato* River, 100,000; Poueto, 301,000; Waipunga, 51,000 ; Taahunaatara, 102,000 (brown). Wairoa Area: Waikaremoana (Lake), 420,000; Ruakituri, 230,000; Waikaretaheke, 100,000 ; Hangaroa, 30,000 ; Waikareiti, 20,000 ; Waihi, 10,000 (brown). Taupo District: Tongariro, 664,000; Waitahanui, 54,000; Waikato, 165,000; Two-mile Bay, 29,000 ; Tauranga-Taupo, 207,000 ; Hatepe, 165,000 ; Waipehi, 33,000 ; Waimarino, 117,000; Waiotaka, 66,000 ; Waihi, 17,000 ; Tokaanu Stream, 24,000 ; Omoko, 21,000. Bay of Plenty Rivers: Ruatahuna, 5,000 (brown) ; Pakalii, 15,000 (brown) ; Wai-iti, 30,000 (brown) ; Waioeka, 155,000 (rainbow), 325,000 (brown); Waimana, 1.75,000 ; Whakatane, 200,000 ; Tarawera, 50,Q00 ; Whirjnaki, 100,000. It was considered advisable to stock the Waioeka with " brown " fry, and it is pleasing to record that fish up to Sin. in length have been taken there on the fly. (2) Culling of Fish. Many inspections of trout were made during the winter months and it was found that the condition was such that general culling was not necessary.. At Lakes Okataina and Tarawera, where stripping was carried out last winter, the fish were all in excellent condition. The usual culling was carried out at the Tongariro River Hatchery, when 109 males and 122 females were destroyed. ... <„■

3—H. 22,

17