BY R. J. TILLYARD. 213 



3. Following upou (2), steps should be taken to have an exhaustive scietititic 

 survey made of the natural trout-food existing within the bounds of the sanetuary, 

 and experiments made with a view to improving it. 1 think this could be done 

 by erecting a small Biological Station in a convenient locality near the sanctuary 

 lake, and either placing it under the charge of a competent biologist>, or else 

 affording facilities for leading scientists to visit the station and study the fauna. 

 In this connection I should like to point to the Cass Biological Station, which is 

 under the charge of Prof. C . Chilton, and is owned by Canterbury College, as an 

 excellent example of what can be accomplished in this direction at a very mod- 

 erate cost. 



With respect to methods for reducing the number of trout, I would point out, 

 in particular, that over-sized lish are a serious menace to the success of a trout- 

 flsherj', because they not only consume far more food than do their equivalent 

 weights of smaller fish, but they also take possession of the best feeding grounds, 

 prevent the younger fish from obtaining an adequate food supply, and frequently 

 themselves make inroads upon the smaller trout. "With the maximum possible 

 native food-supply, a New Zealand fishery ought not to be expected to prodtiae 

 anything beyond a steady and assured supply of reasonable-sized fish; and it 

 should be one of the chief aims of a scientific directorate to produce tliis very 

 desirable result. Consetiuently means must be devised, not only for reducing the 

 general very obvious conditions of overstocking in the lakes wliich I \-isited. but 

 also for removing "pirates" and over-sized fish wherever possible. 



4. A more vigorous policy of netting the trout, either by the use of trawlers 

 or small launches, on Lakes Taupo, Rotorua, and Tarawera. The money realised 

 by the sale of such trout, either fresh or smoked, should be devoted to objects 

 which might further the scientific study and direction of the fisheries; as, for in- 

 stance, the provision of a Biological Station advocated under Recommendation (3). 



5. The adoption of the regulations generally in use in the South Island con- 

 cerning permis.sible baits; i.e., besides the artificial fly, it should be allowable to 

 take trout on the natural fly. grasshopper, etc. I am well aware that all true 

 sportsmen abhor anything but the artificial bait; but it is time that they realised 

 that every inducement must now be offered to get a marked reduction from the 

 present seriously over-stocked condition of the lakes. 



6. Limitation of spawning to certain selected streams, which should be 

 changed from year to year when practicable. This has already been dealt witli in 

 connection with Recommendation (1). 



The above recommendations, if adopted, may be expected to show good re- 

 sults, in the case of the Taupo fisheries, within a few years' time. The fisheries 

 of Lakes Rotorua and Tarawera are a more formidable problem; and it would be 

 advisable to attempt the solution, in these cases, only in the light of the experi- 

 ence gained from the treatment of the Taupo fisheries. 



