228 FISHES 



thing happens. This is the evidence of Mr Mcintosh, President of 

 the Otago Society (in 1916); but against this Mr Steven, Curator of 

 the Clinton Hatchery, states (12th June, 1916) : " I know of no stream in 

 the South Island in which brown and rainbow Trout thrive together." 



On the other hand Mr W. P. Cotter informs me that in Lake 

 Hawea both brown and rainbow trout have been taken in the same 

 net and are known to favour the same creeks and spawning grounds. 



In netting for trout in Lake Hawea in July (19 16) only brown trout 

 were taken in the lake itself, 150 fish in one haul. But in a trap set 

 in Timaru Creek which runs into the lake, ten rainbows were captured. 



Mr J. King of Hokitika says that rainbows are difficult to keep in 

 confinement after two years of age, as they are exceptionally liable 

 to gill-disease. 



Mr Dansey , who was largely responsible for stocking Lake Rotorua 

 with this species, distributed most of the fry as soon as they were 

 free of the yolk sac, as they carried better and stood more knocking 

 about and in greater numbers at that stage than at any other. 



Size of fish and rate of growth. Mr lies states that the largest 

 fish taken out of Lake Taupo weighed 2i|^ lb. and that they are 

 frequently netted up to 20 lb. 



Mr W. P. Cotter informs me that in Lake Hawea, fry were first 

 liberated about November, 191 1, and that in less than two years 

 later rainbow trout of 10 lb. weight were taken in nets set along the 

 shallow beaches. He adds: 



The fact of trout of this weight having been secured caused a discussion 

 as to whether they had entered the lake from the sea, as it was not considered 

 possible that such growth could be attained in the time mentioned. Against 

 this theory it is merely necessary to state that, roughly speaking the lake 

 is nearly 200 miles away from the sea, the winding Molyneux the only 

 connecting link, that no rainbow trout had been netted in previous years, 

 and that in practically virgin waters for one particular species trout might . 

 thrive for a brief space beyond the expectations of the most sanguine. 



The following appeared in the Dunedin Evening Star in Aug. 1913 : 

 A 13 lb. male rainbow trout, suicidally trapped at Lake Hawea during 

 ova-stripping, has been sent to the Otago Acclimatisation Society and will 

 be stuffed and placed among the office trophies. The rainbow trout, as 

 fry an inch long, were put into Hawea five years ago, and the finding 

 of such a well-grown and healthy specimen is proof that the fish are getting 

 good food and thriving in this lake. Up North the rainbow is reckoned a 

 splendid sporting fish, and the flesh is excellent eating. 



Mr A. C. Henderson states that "in one virgin stream (in the 

 Waimarino district) we liberated 200 fry, and two years afterwards 

 the average fish taken was 3 lbs. in weight." Mr C. P. M. 

 Butterworth informs me that fry hatched in 1914 were liberated in 



