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Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 16, 13 October 1927, Page 6

Ambergris has become something of a craze among tho population of the Far North this year (says an exchange). The Ninety Mile Beach has been a .wdl-known searching ground for years, and some great discoveries have from time to time been made there. Until this season, however, the majority of the population have been rather apathetic towards tha thrill of adventure, with the result that some few ardent searchers have reaped a considerable harvest. The unfavourable conditions of the gum trade at the nresent time has led many to supplement their incomes in other ways whenever opportunity offers, and not a few have been fairly successful in their efforts. _ Stormy weather now sees the coast lined with fortune hunters. The winter and early spring months, especially the equinoctial period. yield the greatest quantity. So far this year no largo pieces have been found—at least no report of such has been heard—though tho experienced hunter is very close concerning his successes. This is probably tho reason why he has so long been free from interference. It has long been accepted as a fact that ambergris is found only on the west coast 1 of this country. In truth, it is also found on the cast coast, (hough not so frequently. One of the largest pieces ever found in the north was washed ashore a few years ago lust outside the Houhora Harbour. Tt evidently broke in two with the buffeting of tha surf, a part being secured by each of two old pensioners. Messrs. Myers and, Harvey, of Houhora. The pieces realised £l2OO and £BOO respectively.