BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1872.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 31, 18 December 1872, Page 2

BAY OF PLENTY TIMES.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1872.

" The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KING JOHN, ACT IT.

Dr. Joitn'scxn' said the term “Fisherman” described a line with a hook at one end and a fool at the other. We know he was a man of strong prejudices, and biassed against the “ gentle craft.” Yet his sarcasm might he susceptible of a qualified practical application more than is apparent, or more than the great Lexicographer intended, for line fishing hag ever been found a precarious occupation, and pursued rather bj lovers of the sport, than by persons seeking a livelihood.

It is by the net that fishermen must live, and by that instrumentality many of them live comfortably. It was in view of the fact that the .New Zealand waters notably swarm with fish of excellent quality, suitable for curing, that the Legislature offered a bonus for the pursuit of this industry on a large scale, At the Thames the commodity is readily marketable, with a fixed value. Already gentlemen at the Bay of Islands, and in the Otago district, have embarked in undertakings of the kind with establishments of considerable magnitude, and the samples forwarded been highly approved by the Commissioners.

Now Tauranga harbour is no exception to the New Zealand estuaries and bays referred to, and is literally alive with fish, of which many are suitable for the purpose required, and there is no reason why such an undertaking should not succeed hero. In olden times the natives lived almost entirely on fish, and, by ad accounts, caught immense quantities. -Even now, when they choose to draw tho seine, they frequently obtain several tons at a single haul. There are not only a| good fish in the sea as over came out of it, but as many, and far more, and the raw the industry in unknown

lU tih'es is lying at our feet. It is not jJecessary to go minutely into the process, C-t it isViot a secret, and by no means an intricate one. Costly buildings and large are not at all necessary, the k oa ts and nets forming the principal plant. t)f course provision would be iiiade for drying and smoking the large fish, a Q d salting the small ones. The concern might bo easily and simply managed either by a proprietory ofwork'jns hands, or by a few associated small capitalists employing labour. While we have occasion to speak of dormant resources, we cannot omit to include this one of great magnitude and value, as a field which has long lain fallow. We cannot, of course, say that the increase during this fallow has been unchecked by Pamo Nature, for we know that the big fishes eat the little fishes, iho little ones, those which are less, <fcc., even as we know that — Great fleas have little fleas Upon their legs to bite 'era ; While little fleas have lesser fleas, And so ad infinitum. Yet we arc fully persuaded that by not initialing an industry of the kind'in a locality so favourable, wo are neglecting a golden opportunity. Were such an undertaking to be commenced, we should say cordially, with the White Lady of A venal, in the " Monastery," " Good luck to your fishing." •■#— ~ "We are glad to see that the fiour mill has at length a fair start. Too much credit cannot be given to Captain Sheet for his energy in endeavouring to forward the interests of the settlers of Tauranga in tins matter. It is one in which we conscientiously believe he has no personal interest to serve, and when the flour mill is actually a fact we -consider the thanks of the community will be due to him. Meanwhile it will be perceived by outadvertising columns that the Secretary is open to receive applications for shares. These applications will, of course, be preliminary, not requiring any deposit. We cannot help complimenting the meeting held on Saturday for their sound sense and perspicuity in electing some of the principal native chiefs on the list of Provisional Directors, We have heard already they t'cel the compliment highly.