BIG-GAME FISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 20 January 1939, Page 8

BIG-GAME FISH.

! LERNER EXPEDITION. HISTORY OF NEW ZEALAND. SEEKING DEEP-SEA TYPES. I When the plan** of the Mieliael I.crner-Americaii Museum of Natural History expedition are finalised it is anticipated that New York will have one of the mn*t complete «nd chronologically correct histories of Xew Zealand in the world. When the member* of the expedition arrived in (he Mariposa, this morning it was stated that although the major iuten(iou was to secure specimens of New Zealand ( fish there was another proposal, perhajw of greater importance, in view. Mr. Turner stated thai plans for the two great, exhibition halls at the Museum of N'ntural History which would house the exhibits of New Zealand and Australia had already been worked out in considerable detail. The Xew Zealand exhibit would include a central group illustrating the landing of the Maoris. This would l»e surrounded by numerous alcoves telling the story of the moulding and building of Xew Zealand by earth forces, the |>opnlatinjr of the islands with plant and animal life, legends of the coining of the Maoris and their modes of life in early days. The climax of the series, said Mr. I.criier, would be the section illustrating modern New Zealand iu its high degree of civilisation. Colour and motif*:; pictures dealing with the Dominic.i would be shown in connection with the exhibits. In brief, the display ns a whole would lie arranged so that, the visitor, in making a tour round the hall, would gain a comprehensive survey of the natural bistorv of the country. Publicity for Dominion.

"The ndvnntages of such an ox hi l»i t i«>n in encouraging the desires of Americans t<> \isit New Zealand are olnion*. and I lie display will lie greater and mure lasting than any merely temporary exposition."' said Mr. Lerner. "Members of tile expedition have already received most cordial let let s from prominent New Zealand institutions and officials indicating their desire to assist the expedition toward the attainment of its objectives."' Mr. Lerner, of Xew York, is well known among the international fraternity of deep-sen fishermen. He is accompanied by his wife, who is perhaps equally successful in hooking and landing game tish. and she will co-operate with Mr. Turner in supplying the scientists of the party with freshlycaught fish. The leader of the scientific group is Dr. William K . iJregory, curator of recent and fossil lislies «ml associate in physical anthropology of the American Museum of Natural History, and professor of paleontology in 'Columbia I'niversitv. Other members who arrived to-dav were Mr. H. ('. Raven, associate curator in the department. of comparative anatomy- and one of the most experienced field men in America; Mr. (t. M. Conrad, assistant curator of comparative anatomy, who ha* accompanied Mr. T.erner on several previous expeditions; Mr. Lndovico, a taxidermist; Mr. J. B. Shackelford, the well-known photographer, who was a member of the expeditions to Central Asia led by Mr. Roy C. Andrews; M r . F. H. Ramsay! colour photographer, of Hollywood; and Captain W. D. Hatch, Florida. Captain Hatch is considered the leading hig game fish guide on the Atlantic and he will play an important part in the expedition's fishing activities. He develo|>ed the first practical method of sailfis.li angling and it is claimed that he has discovered more new fishing waters than any other man. Mr. Raven will continue to Australia in the MariJiosa to make arrangements for the visit to the interior.

Claaiifying Species. Discussing the plans fur fishing Vow Zealand waters, Mr. Lerner said thai some years ago lie had lieen impressed by the lack of agreement, even among specialist**, on the pro|>er classification of the numerous species and varieties of martins and other swordfish which lie had caught in different part* of the world. For example, was the Tahitian Mark marlin really a distinct wpecics from the striped marlin. and were either or both permanently separable as species rather than varieties from the blue marlin ? Mr. turner said that he first conceived the idea of bringing these great fish to the scientists, who up to that time had seldom or never had the opportunity of studying the freshly-caught fish. It had been found impossible to send the whole fish in it* fresh condition to a museum which was a thousand miles distant. However, he soon advanced to the method of bringing the scientists to the fish. and this method had betn Applied successfully in his expeditions to Cape Breton (Nova Scotia), Rimini, in the Bahama Islands, and other localities. As a result of the«e expedition*, the American Museum of Natural History had already published a series of papers dealing with the biology and anatomy of the broadbill swordfish. marlin. wahoo and other species. In spite of ail this, "aid Mr. Lerner. it wa« felt that only a lieginniiig had l>een made, ind the museum planned eventually, with his assistance, to establish field'laboratories in all the important tropical and subtropical waters that support these biggame fish. Mayor Island Headquarters. After ceveral days s;*eut in Auckland the party will leave for Mayor Island, probably on Tuesday, for fishing. They i will use the well known launches Alma O. and Valhalla. Colour sketched and colour photographs will be made of the freshly-caught fish and some of the larger specimens will lie cast, preserved and sent back to the museum in New York. The scientists intend also to study the internal anatomy and skeletons of these wonderfully streamlined monsters. The party was welcomed by Mr. M. H. Tisdnll, who ha« been in charge of the arrangements in New Zealand, Mr. R. A. 1-alla, director of the Canterbury Museum, Mr. A. W. B. Powell, assistant director of thf* Auckland War Memorial Museum, and Dr. T. 11. Pettit, president of the Xew Zealand Deep-sea Anglers' Association.