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Sport in New Zealand

Trout-Fishing.—Very few countries present better opportunities for sport than New Zealand. In trout-fishing and deer-stalking it offers unrivalled attractions to the traveller. For the expenditure of L1 on a license fee the angler can fish all the streams in the colony, and obtain the best trout-fishing in the world. There are hundreds of rivers and lakes in New Zealand bountifully stocked with trout, chiefly Californian rainbow and English brown trout The fish attain a much larger size than those in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is estimated that on the average they weigh five times as much as trout in English and Scottish waters. In the many swift-running streams they are exceedingly game and afford the angler magnificent sport. Starting from the north the angler will find in the waters of the Auckland province abundant fishing. Chief amongst these are Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, with the numerous clear streams which flow into these lakes. All these waters swarm with rain-bow trout. During the 1905-1906 season, it is estimated close on forty tons of fish were taken from Rotorua, Rotoiti and Tarawera lakes and adjacent streams. This region is without doubt the angler's paradise. The best of fly fishing is to be had within a very short distance of Rotorua town, and trolling from oil-launches on the Lake is a very popular method of trout-catching, often resulting in phenomenal "takes." Further

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south, the Waikato River and its tributarles, especially about Atiamuri and Taupo, afford excellent fishing. The Rangitaiki and its affiuents, on the borders of the Urewera Country (a day's drive from Rotorua) are beautiful angling waters, and on the other side of the Urewera Mountains, accessible from Wairoa (Hawke's Bay) is Lake Waikarenioana, very well stocked with rainbow trout. Like those of Rotorua, the trout caught in Waikarenioana often scale from 12 to 20 pounds, and monsters weighing up to 25 pounds are not infrequent. On the West Coast, the numerous shingly rivers flowing from the slopes of Mt. Egmont abound in fish and there is particularly good sport at the mouths of some of these streams with the big sea-run trout. In the Wellington province there are scores of good fishing streams accessible by railway and coach. Crossing Cook Strait, the angler will find remarkably fine sport in the trout-streams of Nelson and Marlborough, the best of which are easily fished from the towns of Nelson and Blenheim. Further south the great rivers of Canterbury provide the angler with ideal fishing: the trout are plentiful and large and show great "fight." Ciose to the mouths of the Rangitata, Ashburtou, Rakaia, Waitaki, and other rivers there is matchless angling when the streams are not discoloured by the inelting of the Alpine snows. Otago and Southlaud are beautiful fishing districts with innumerable clear streams coursing through the grassy plains and winding round the tussocky hills. Here all the best angling waters are easily reached by train from Dunedin or Invercargill. Even in the remote interior of the Sounds Country, between the great lakes and the West Coast fiords, the angler may ply rod and line, along the Clinton River and in Lake Ada, surrounded by scenery grand beyond description. The fishing season throughout the colonyis from November to April. Full information regarding fishing-waters, etc., is readily supplied to anglers on application at any of the offices of the Tourist Department, and a list of fishing-stream, page 131 together with means of access and nearest accommodation, will be found in the Department's "Itinerary of Travel."

The sea-fishing is exceedingly fine, especially in such sheltered waters as the Hauraki Gulf, the Marlborough Sounds, and the harbours and bays of Stewart Island.

Deer-Stalking, too, is to be enjoyed a aminimum of expense, and finer stags' heads are taken from the deer-forests of the Wai-rarapa and Hawea than are ever seen in the Highlands of Scotland. The best deer-stalking in the North Island is that in the South Wairarapa district. A rugged region of forest and mountain within easy distance of Wellington by rail and coach. The chief headtquarters is Martinborongh. Red deer in thousands roam the hills and bushy valleys between the Wairarapa Valley and the East Coast, and find in this favoured region of abun-dant leed an even more congenial home than in their ancient Scottish glens. Splendid antlers, often showing a phenomenal growth of horn, are annually obtained here. The best of the herds here are onprivate lands; permission to stalk must be obtained from the owners.

In the South Island red deer are to be found amongst other rugged bush localities, around the shores of Lake Rotoiti, reached by train and vehicle from Nelson and in the rough forest region extending thence to the Wairau Valley, Marlborough. Red deer are more numerous still round the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, and on the Morven Hills, North Otago. The hilly forest region known as the 'Dingle," Lake Hawea, is probably the best shooting district, and provides the stalker with splendid food forhis rifle.

Fallow deer abound in the Maungakawa Rangesand adjacent hills, South Aucklaud, and are to be found in more limited numbers on the lower part of the Wanganui River, about fourteen miles from Wanganui page 132 town. Tn the South Island fallow deer are to be in sonie parts of Nelson and Marlborough, andare numerouson the Blue Mountains, near Tapanui, Otago.

The deer-stalking season varies in different distinctsbut is open generally throughout the colony from the end of February to the end of May. March and April are the shooting months in the Wairarapa; March April, and May in Otago. The license-fees varyif £1 to £3 for the season. Particulars as to season license fees, etc., will be found in the Tourist Depart ment's "Itinerary."

Feathered game is plentiful throughout the colours Wild pigs, wild cattle, and wild goats afford exciting sport in many bush districts.

All branches of field-sport are to be found flourishing in New Zealand. Horse-racing is naturally a most popular sport in a land noted for its good horseflesh and hunting and polo are to be enjoyed in many parts of the colony. Golf is fast becoming one of the chied out-door diversions of the New Zealander, and the visiting golfer will find excellent links in the vicinity of all the principal cities and towns. Yachting is another pastime dear to the water-loving Maoriland particularly in the Auckland district, where the yachtstnan has in the Hauraki Gulf, with its numerable bays, estuarios, and islands, probably the bestsmooth-water cruising ground south of the Line.