370 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Dec. 
A trout with “ gill-fungus 5 5 was picked up at the mouth of the Tongariro 
River some time ago, but it is a solitary case. No other case has been 
reported. 
I had the honour of discussing the rate of increase of the Taupo trout 
with Professor Prince, of the Canadian Fisheries, and Mr. Ayson, of the 
Marine Department, New Zealand. They were both inclined to place the 
increase of trout at Taupo at a greater rate than that given above. The 
number of ova per pound weight of fish would be more accurate at 700 
instead of 1,000. On the other hand, a 1-per-cent, survival was too low. 
In Taupo it might easily be placed at from 3 to 5 per cent. 
The fish are steadily declining in average weight. A Hawke’s Bay 
angler had in 1911 an average weight of 10J lb. for a season’s catch : last 
year the average was less than 4 lb. While the average weight of fish has 
been steadily falling, the number caught per fishermen per day shows an 
upward tendency. The number of fish in the lake and streams is incal¬ 
culable. Three years ago, in company with Mr. H. Hill and Professor 
Worley, I crossed in a small launch from Taupo to Karangahape. When 
nearing the high, cliffs we passed through an enormous shoal of trout. We 
were nearly ten minutes passing from one side to the other of the shoal. 
One calm day, two years ago, when crossing from Taupo to Tokaanu, I was 
not out of the sight of rising fish. 
At present this magnificent food-supply is almost untouched. A staff 
of men with nets, launch, smoke-house, and other equipment is employed 
by the Government to take trout for sale. During the season from 1st 
November, 1917, to 31st May, 1918, they took out, according to newspaper 
report, about 30 tons of fish. It is estimated that line fishermen took out 
about 10 tons. But these two combined are only the skimmings of the 
pot compared to the mighty feast that could be taken every year from a 
source that cannot be spoilt except by neglect. The works at Tokaanu 
should be extended to deal with 300 or more tons of trout annually, in any 
or all of the methods used in the ordinary fish trade. They could be sold 
fresh, smoked, frozen, or canned. A similar plant should be erected at 
Taupo, to be capable of dealing with the same number of tons. The offal 
as manure would be of great value to the surrounding country. Up to 
the present time trout-fishing has been looked at almost entirely from the 
sportsman’s point of view. We feel inclined to ask ^f the time is not ripe 
for a broader outlook as far as the Taupo Lake is concerned. Any measures 
taken to restore the fish to something like the size and condition of ten 
years ago would be in the best interests of true sport. A sportsman would 
rather spend the whole day catching a 15 lb. fish than a full basket of 
minnows. 
In any arrangements made the interests of all classes of fishermen could 
easily be conserved. There is room for the man with the net, the local 
resident fishing for the pot, and the sportsman for pleasure. A few places 
could be reserved for fly fishers and trolling where sport is known to be 
good. Over the rest of the lake let the men with their nets roam where 
experience may show fish can be obtained. There would be an all-round 
benefit conferred. 
The taking of 1,000 tons of fish out of the lake every year would benefit 
those left behind. The catching and disposal of such a quantity would 
give employment to a considerable number of men, and about 700 tons of 
good food would be made available yearly. 
