234 THE TROUT ARE RISING 



trout-fishing in Natal have been fulfilled. For 

 to-day it is well established there, and it is 

 enjoyed to the full by farmer, townsman, and 

 visitor. What capital fishermen, too, were many 

 of the old Natal police, who, on days off, or even 

 on a few hours off if the river ran near their post, 

 used to revel in casting the fly ; no mean tackle 

 had they, either. Some distinguished officials too, 

 Colonial Governors and G.O.C.'s, have also had 

 happy hours with Natal trout. 



Much of this, as indicated, is due to the early 

 work done by Mr. John Parker. Of course he re- 

 ceived sympathy and encouragement, but always he 

 was the life and soul of the movement. Coming in 

 1 88 i to Natal from Barnsley, Yorkshire, he settled 

 with his brother Edward at Tetworth, a typical 

 Colonial farm, about fifteen miles across country 

 from Howick, near Pietermaritzburg. Yorkshire- 

 men have amongst their loves horses and fishing. 

 Both appealed to Mr. John Parker. Regarding 

 the fishing and the possibilities of trout for Natal 

 he soon began to make inquiry. The Field 

 is associated with the first steps taken. Requiring 

 advice how to proceed, he wrote to the editor of 

 that paper, who forwarded the letter to the late 

 Mr. Buckland, who in turn sent it to the late 

 Sir James Maitland, whose reply took the form 

 of a generous offer to supply ten thousand trout 

 ova, This offer was gratefully accepted. The 

 ova duly arrived result, failure. Only eighteen 

 eggs hatched, and the alevins were so weak that 

 they soon succumbed. Again Mr. John Parker 



