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 
1881 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 
