“AMBERGRIS KING”

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 301, 17 September 1934, Page 10

“AMBERGRIS KING”

Death of Mr Adam Adamson

A UNIQUE INDUSTRY The death has occurred at Half Moon Bay of Mr. Adam Adamson, widely known in the Dominion as the Ambergris King, owing to his activities in searching for ambergris in the farback beaches of Stewart Island, states a Press Association message from Invercargill. Mr. Adamson had a fine record, and held several medals for bravery. (By E.H.S.M.) One of the loneliest spots in New Zealand is Mason’s Bay, on the south-western coast of Stewart Island. It is a shallow indentation—a gap in an otherwise almost unbroken line of rocky, forbidding cliffs flanking that side of the island. It is fringed by a wide, curving sand beach, on which-burst great breakers from the eternal westerly swell of the South Pacific. Be the weather rough or fine, the breakers roll in, foaming over a quarter-mile stretch/ for the bay is shallow. On calm days the rumbling murmur of Mason’s Bay may be heard for miles; when the westerly wind is blowing hard the murmur becomes a sullen, ceaseless roar. . It was at Mason’s Bay that the late Mr. Adam Adamson made his home. He paid occasional visits to Half Moon Bay, travelling overland to Patterson’s Inlet and down the inlet by boat to Golden Bay, a point a mile or so from the Half Moon Bay township. Occasionally, too, he visited the mainland, usually to arrange the sale of ambergris he found. For the greater part of each year, however, he saw only the very few Stewart Islanders and visitors who journeyed to Mason’s Bay. His constant companions were his dogs, and the seabirds that wheel and cry over that far corner of New Zealand. “Adam” made a business, almost a life’s work,' of ambergris gathering. Probably he was the only man in New Zealand who followed such an occupation almost exclusively. For some reason known only to Nature herself, more ambergris floats ashore at Mason’s Bay than at any other point of the Dominion’s coastline, and in the course of his career as a gatherer Adam was fairly constantly successful, while at times he made rich finds. Needless to say he was an authority on the substance, and knew the art of enhancing the value of “fresh” ambergris by a process of weathering _ and natural ageing. Matured ambergris is more valuable than the fresh substance, which is dark in colour, wax-like, and evil-smelling. 'The highest quality ambergris is light in weight and colour, and pleasantly if pungently scented. Adam was a quiet, courteous man, something of a recluse by nature and sparing of speech, but he had a ready welcome for visitors, tn whom he revealed a keen mental alertness and a knowledge of the world and current affairs remarkable in one so far removed from civilisation. His death will be greatly regretted on Stewart Island, and unless some other ambergris gatherer “stakes n claim” on the far shore of Mason's Bay, Adam’s passing will'rob New Zealand of a quaint and unique one-man industry. Mr. A. M. Mitchison Cabled advice has been received from London of the death of Mr. A. M. Mitchison, chairman of the Walhi Gold Mining Co., at the age of about 83 years (states a.Press Association message from Auckland). He was elected director in 1894, and became chairman in 1905. He was for many years a director of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and also on the London board of the New Zealand Insurance Co. Mr. David Collins A well-known resident of Wellington passed away at his residence, Inglis Street, Seatoun, early yesterday morning in the person of Mr. David Collins. Mr. Collins, , who was 73 years of age,. was born in Liverpool, came out to New Zealand as a young man, and settled in the south. For some years he was associated with the Union S.S. Company. Later he became licensee of the Southland Hotel at Gore, where he was very well known When “no license” was carried in that district, Air. Collins sought other fields, and for some years was a resident of Christchurch as licensee of the Clarendon Hotel, and later of the Federal Hotel In Wellington he took over Sayes’ Court in Aurora Terrace, but lately has been living in retirement at Seatoun. Mr. Collins was interested in sport, and as a younger man was a keen fisherman and golfer. He was a member of the Thorndon Bowling Club up till last season. He leaves a son, Captain F. Collins, of the Kini, and a daughter, Miss Collins. Mr. Walcot Wood The death occurred at Christchurch on Saturday evening of Mr. Walcot Wood, aged 70 years, retired merchant and company director (states a Press Association message). He was a director of Wood Brothers, merchants, and of New Zealand Newspapers, Ltd. Mr. Wood took no part in public affairs. He was interested in sport. He married in 1893 the second daughter of Sir Henry Brett. Two sons are Mr. Brett Wood, who is farming at Amberley, and Mr. Ivan Wood, solicitor, of Christchurch. Mr. J. S. Nelson The death occurred on Friday after a serious illness of Mr. John Smith Nelson, headmaster of the Waihopai School, aged 44, states a Press Association message from Invercargill. Before the war he was on the staff of Nelson College, and on the outbreak of war he enlisted and was with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles at the landing on Gallipoli. Returning to the teaching profession, lie became assistant-master of Gore School in 1917, a position which he held until he was appointed principal of Lumsden School in January, 1925. Five years later lie was transferred to Winton School, and in 1930 became headmaster at Waihopai, a position which lie occupied until his death. ■ A keen footballer in his younger days. Mr. Nelson played for Otago University, and on one occasion represented Otago Province.