GREY'S COLLABORATOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15, 19 January 1926, Page 8

GREY'S COLLABORATOR.

MR. C. ALMA BAKER ARRiVES.

TO MEET THE NOVELIST.

THEIR PROPOSED PROGRAMME.

'•He -would have marie a -wonderful scientist. lie has the keenest eyesight and is very observant. If, while out fishing, he sees something peculiar about the sea or fish, lie will, even during the greatest excitement, sit down and write down his observances. Ho is quiet and retiring and doesn't say much while fishing. lie lias a wonderfill knowledge of the habits of fish and seems to know what, they are doing under water. Ho can thus anticipate their movement* and act accordingly." This imino-Mon of Zane Grey, the famous novelist and lishernian, was given this morning to a "Star' 5 representative by Mr. C. Alma Baker, C.8.E., who is known the world over as an expert sportsman. Like Mr. Grey, lie makes fishing the tirst of his sports. Mr. Rater is a close companion of the novelist, and it waj through him that the former decided to visit New Zealand. They discussed plans two years ago. and in ' August last, Mr. Grey cabled Mr. Baker in London, arranging to meet him in New Zealand yesterday. Although in totally different parts of the world at the time of the arrangements, the two men reached the Dominion within a day of each other, Zano Grey arriving in Wellington yesterday by the Makura. and Mr. Baker in Auckland this morning by the Marama from Sydney.

A Big Programme. Mr. Grey left Wellington this morning and will join Mr. Baker at the Grand Hotel to-night. The pair propose going to Russell later and then to .Mayor Island. Tentative arrangements have been made, but Mr. Baker expressed himself doubtful whether they would be able to carry out the full programme, which, besides the if.eep sea h'sliing in the North, included also salmon fishing in the South Island and deer-stalking. Mr. Baker cabled the Government asking that two locations, one lor moose and one for wapiti, be chosen. This had been done, and an excellent guide selected. It was proposed that the sportsmen should go into the back country in the South, but it was possible that time would not permit of this beiiur done. Zane Grey's Schooner. Mr. Baker gave a very interesting account of the novelisfs wonderful n'shing outfit. He owns a three-masted schooner-yacht, selected from the famous Cape Cod ileet on the New England coast, where some of the finest fishing craft in the world are to be found. Mr. Grey watched and tested a number'of craft before he found one which really satisfied him. On the yacht, he carries three fishing launches, each in charge of experts. He plans to find out what is needed in New Zealand fishing waters and next year, all being well, lie will return to the Dominion with his own schooner. During their stay at Putssell, the fishermen intend to devote special attention to the tuna, for which they will fish with kites, a novel idea which was introduced here by Mr. Baker during his visit last season.

Here Last Year. Mr. Baker is, an Englishman, who owns a large rubber plantation In Malay, and has interests in cattle stations in Australia, but lie devotes the greater part of his time to fishing. Catalina claims his presence for several months each year. When he was at Euesell last season, he introduced a number of ideas new to the other fishermen. He had good luck, landing some big swordfish and mako sharks. On his present trip, Mr. Baker is armed with some new and original tackle. Auckland, in common with the rest of Xovv Zealand, is waiting now for the Grey-Baker combination to commence operations among the big fish. Interesting happenings may be expected, while, at the same time, leas experienced sportsmen who are at Russell and Mayor Island with the visitors, will no doubt study their methods and profit greatly tnereby.