Marine Report.

Auckland Star, Volume XV, Issue 3734, 31 July 1882, Page 2

Marine Report.

FROM the Marino Report laid before Parliament, we learn that the casualties on the New Zealand coast repotted daring last year amounted to 66. of these, 59 were on or near, and seven beyond the coasts of the colony. Of those on or near our coasts, 19 vessels of 3,755 tons register were total losses, 40 of 8,128 tons were partial loswe?, and five were cases of loss of life from being washed or knocked overboard at sea, The total number of lives lost in these casualties was 160, including 130 lost in the Tararua and seven in the Pakeba; five each in the Dido, Bona, and Owake; three in the Bee (these five vessels being lost with all hands); and one each from the Clara, Venus, Fanny Thornton, Torea, and

Orpheus. Of the casualties reported as having occurred beyond the colony, three vessels of 1,540 tons wore total losses, three of l,5Si tons were partial losses, and one a loss of life only. The total loss ot life reported in these casualties was three, namely, one each from the Wave, Quean, and Circe. The wreck of the Tararua was one of the most disastrous that has ever occurred on the coasts of this colony, The painful incidents con nected with it were vividly described by the Press at the time and exctted a profound sensation throughout New Zealand and Australia. No good purpose can be served by now repeating the harrowing detail?, and we therefore only make this brief reference to this memorable wreck.

Relative to the seal fisheries, the report says that about a year ago the attention of the Government was called to the practice that was constantly being carried on of taking seals during the close season, which,

it was alleged, if not checked would certainly result in the early extinction of the seal in New Zealand waters, and an nrgent request was made by per. ous interested in the seal fishery trade that the catching of seals might be prohibited for three years. Fatiafactory evidence was produced to show that the annual value of the sealakins exported was about £3000. The Government, therefore, decided that it would be desirable to accede to the request for an extension of the close season, and thereby conserve a source of profit to the colony of coniiiderablc anuual value. An Order-in-Conncil was accordingly made oa the 16th October last.extending the time during which it was prohibited to hunt, catch or kill seals from the Ist November, ISBI, to tho Ist June, ISS4. It was obvious that this prohibition alone would be as ineffectual for its object as the statutory close season had hitherto been unless steps were taken to secure its observance. Tho only way in which this could be done, it was considered, would be by having the lishing ground visited by a Government vessel with some ollicer on board who would have tho requisite authority to take proceedines againtt any person found violating the order referred to. The changing of the institution at Kohiniaraiua from a naval training to nn industrial school, which had already been decided on, caused tho schooner Kohimarama to bo no longer required for that institution, she was theretore handed over to the Marine Department, and at once litted out for cruising on sealing urouuds. Captain Grey, a trustworthy audexperiencedoilicer, who had bceu acting as resident manager and Customs oflicer at Stewart's Jslaiid for some yearn past, was placed in command, Tho name of the schooner was changed to the Kekeno (Maoii for seal), and she was well stored with provisions and every requisite for a lengthened cruise. She sailed at the end of March last with instructions to proceed for the purposo above stated to the Auckland, Bounty, Campbell, and other islands and places resorted to by senlers. Captain Grey was further instructed to inspect, and, if necessary, repair aud replenish the stores of provisions, etc., deposited at the Auckland Islands for the re/ief of shipwrecked mariners; also, to search for wrecks, and to afford succour to castaway?, should he fall in with any at tho various places be would reach in tho course of his cruise. The mission of the Kekeno, it will be seen, Is in the interests of humanity, ns well as of commerce, and it will therefore, no doubt, meet with general approval.