DECLINE IN WHALING

INDUSTRY IN THE NORTH SALE OF THE HAN AN UI li. NEW USE IN SOUTHERN WATERS It is reported that the steam whaler Hananui 11. ha 3 been sold, and after she has been overhauled and refitted at Auckland she is to proceed to Bluff, where she will bo used in the oyster fishing industry. With the withdrawal of tho Hananui 11. from the northern whaling station, whale fishing off tho north-east coast of the North Island will cease, after being carried on for more than half a century. Originally the whaler was owned by Mr. H. F. Cook, who obtained his whaling experience during a long period of service in American ships. He retired from the sea in 1892 and settled at Russell, where he was born. Small whaling stations were dotted hero and there along the coast ivhen Mr. Cook decided to follow his calling just outside the Bay of Islands. He first used two 30ft. whaleboats, manned by six men with' oars, but later nets were used for catching whales. In 1910 tho whaling station at Whangamumu was erected, and Mr. Cook went to England and ordered tho Hananui 11., which was built at Middlesborough, England, in tho same year. During her 25 years' career she has never had an accident. One season the Hananui 11. spent at Campbell Islands, where a small station was established, but the venture was not a success owing to tho scarcity of whales. Tho largest number of whales captured in one year from tho Hananui It. was 74, in 1925, but owing to tho extensive operations carried out in the Ross Sea by Norwegian whalers catches made on the New Zealand coast each season have gradually decreased, sometimes as few as 11 being caught off the Bay of Islands. The Hananui 11. is a steel vessel of 127 tons, and she is fitted with a harpoon gun in tho bow. After a whalo was killed she was able to tow tho whale to Whangamumu without the uso of boats.