food of the requisite quantity and quality is a major determining factor in the rate of growth of whitebait.

The introduction of trout into New Zealand waters was attended with such immense success that the results exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine; the fish rapidly attained to a size and to numbers unheard of in the parent stock, and in a very few years all our rivers were stocked with heavy fish from their sources to the sea. The fact that their introduction has proved such a phenomenal success would suggest that in our New Zealand waters they had found a food-supply which was eminently suited to their needs, and which induced rapid growth. In the case of Salmo fario, particularly in the South Island this can be safely attributed to the whitebait, which from their habits and rapid growth formed the staple food-supply of the trout for the greater part of the year.

In those early days they entered our rivers in millions, and ascended to the sources of all the main streams and tributaries, rapidly growing into the adult or Inanga stage, until every pool and backwater was peopled with enormous numbers. The trout followed the shoals upstream, and finding an unlimited supply of food remained there all the summer, thus providing excellent fishing in any part of our streams. In the autumn the Inanga migrated to the sea for the purpose of spawning, and were absent from the rivers during the winter months; this, however, did not affect the trout to any appreciable extent, as from, practical experience I have found that they feed very little or not at all during the winter months, and after spawning in the upper waters, drop down to the brackish waters to recuperate. In the early spring they again commence to feed, and they then feed ravenously. It was just at this period that the whitebait made their appearance, leading them upstream, where they rapidly regained condition.

At the present time, however, conditions have altered considerably, through the increase in population and the consequent increase in the demand for whitebait as a table delicacy. The greater portion are now taken at the mouths of our rivers as they enter, and in comparison very few are allowed to ascend. In consequence, very few Inanga are now found upstream, and few descend to the sea in autumn to perpetuate their species. This has had a very marked effect upon our trout fishing. With the decline of the Inanga there has been a corresponding decline of the trout; the latter have deserted the upstream waters, and are now found only near the mouths of our large rivers, where their principal food is the Silvery (Retropinna Richardsonii). These latter fish enter the rivers during the spring and early summer for the purpose of spawning, but do not ascend much above the influence of the tides. After spawning, they again return to the sea, and the trout follow them; in this respect the influence of the Silvery upon the trout is the opposite to that of the whitebait. It has caused our Brown Trout to alter their habits and become migratory. They now live the major portion of their lives in the sea, and enter the rivers only in company with the Silveries, or for the purpose of spawning in late autumn.