British Ship Adoption Society

During the summer holidays the "Mountpark" at last left Auckland, where she had been held up by labour difficulties since 9th May. Orders were to proceed to Sydney to load flour for Britain, but the charterers exercised an option in the contract and the flour was taken to Penang instead, much, we gather, to the disappointment of the ship's company, who had expected to be home just in time for Christmas. Instead, leaving Penang on 1st December, they were back at Sydney, once more loading flour. Our latest news is that she was due to leave Sydney for Britain early in January.

Some very interesting mail arrived from Mr. Ellis during the term, noteworthy being a blue print of the ship, about five feet long, which taught us much we did not know about the modern freighter. We are grateful, too, for some New Zealand papers and for answers to many queries, many of the latter having been sent by the Second Officer, Mr. Greenhough.

The following extracts from Mr. Greenhough's observations may be of interest.

FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND

The fishing industry of New Zealand is not a very large one, and the principal catches are flounder, snapper, blue cod, and groper. The fishing boats are only small vessels and do not go very far afield, most of their work being done off the harbours. We used to see the boats going out from Auckland, and I think they usually stay away for about three days. The only figures I have to hand concerning catches are for 1930, when a total of 367,647 cwts. was landed in New Zealand. Perhaps if you have some figures of the catches at home you could draw a comparison.

Shellfish are abundant in New Zealand. The principal oyster beds are in the Foveaux Strait, whilst prolific rock-oyster beds are found in the Bay of Islands. Crayfish, which are like lobsters, are popular here, and a "quick-freeze" process is now being used for exporting them to Canada and the U.S.A.

There is a small whaling industry here, but it has been declining gradually in recent years and now there is only one whaling station —at Pictou, in the Marlborough Sound. Seals used to be taken until a few years ago, when it was prohibited.

There are sharks in New Zealand waters, but not very many of them. They are found around the North Island, but are seldom seen in the harbours, and bathers need not have the same fears as they have in Australia. The types of shark found in New Zealand are Marko and Marlin. Big game fishermen do visit New Zealand for their sport, but I think they mostly come for tunny fish. 36