H—22

(d) Destruction of Black Shags.—Eighty-nine black shags and 21 eggs were destroyed by departmental officers and 26 heads of these birds were presented by private persons for payment of the bounty. (e) Destruction of Eels. —Staff shortages militated against a full implementation of the campaign this year. Limited operations were, however, carried out and 504 eels were destroyed. Fewer eels than usual were seen in the rivers in the district. Members of the Clutha Rod and Gun Club assisted by departmental officers arranged an eel drive in February, 1950, at Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka, and 267 eels were destroyed. (/) Ranging. —No breaches of the Fresh-water Fisheries (Southern Lakes) Regulations 1945 were detected during the year. The district is particularly fortunate in this respect and few breaches occur. (g) Research.—For recording purposes 4,220 fish were marked when passing through the trap in Lake Hayes Creek. A further 102 fish netted in the lake were also marked. While officers of the Department gathered a good deal of information from anglers' diaries, co-operation in these by anglers is not entirely satisfactory. Much more could be learned if anglers co-operated more fully. (3) Animals Protection and Game Act, 1921-22 (a) The 1949 Game-shooting Season.—The season opened in fine weather. Paradise and grey duck were numerous over most parts of the district, but very few birds were shot after the first few days of the season owing to the large expanses of water to which they migrate and remain in safety by day. Californian quail are very plentiful. More Canadian geese were shot than normally and there is evidence that shooters are commencing to appreciate the sporting qualities of this bird. Chukor are plentiful especially in the Wanaka, Hawea, and Cromwell areas. The sum of £370 was received from the sale of 246 game-shooting licences. The tendency towards increasing sales of these licences still continues. (b) Game Conservation. —The table hereunder shows the number of various species on which bounties were paid under the scheme operated by the South Island Vermin Control Board : Stoats . . .. .. .. .. 1,615 Polecats .. .. .. .. .. 63 Ferrets .. .. .. .. .. 1,327 Hawks' feet (pairs) .. .. .. .. 967 Hedgehogs .. .. .. .. .. 585 German owls .. .. .. .. .. 134 (4) Absolutely Protected Birds (a) Officers of the Department are vigilant in preventing the illegal taking of absolutely protected birds. The native pigeon is increasing in the Queenstown, Hawea, and Manapouri areas. (b) The Takahe.—Officers of the Department are watchful of the welfare of the recently discovered colony in the Te Anau area. A number of stoats has been destroyed in the area and a careful watch on these animals will be maintained. No further colonies of takahe have yet been discovered.

25