SEARCH FOR AGAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1946, Page 8

SEARCH FOR AGAR

PROFITABLE TASK FOR MAORIS 110 TONS FOE SEASON Maoris along the New Zealand coast are finding it profitable to search for agar, a type of seaweed, the 5001 b. bales of which average a, greater value than an equivalent weight of wool. During the past season 110 tons were collected. It was the biggest yield so far. In 1945 the Dominion produced 105 tons. Agar is an essential material for the study of diseases in man, his crops, his animals and his timbers. Japan was the pre-war source of supply. Pre-war Importations

Importations for meat-canning then cost New Zealand £4500 a year, but even while it was being landed on the Auckland wharves, just a few feet, underneath was growing the seaweed from which it is produced. This product has been found to have at least twice the quality of the pre-war importations of Japanese agar. ( Agar seaweed takes more than _ a year to reach maturity. It is not inexhaustible in supply, and if it is picked too closely the next year’s crop is spoiled. Up to 25 per cent of agar is vielded by New Zealand seaweed. Auckland being the collecting centre. The bales are usually piled high in the Internal Marketing . Division’s store.

Localities Where Found The weed comes from north of Hokianga and from the Bay of Plenty and the east coast from Gisborne northward, principally around Ruatoria. The water temperatures appeal to be particularly favourable for its growth.in these localities. The most southern places where it is found are along the northern shores of the South Island, near Kaikoura. There is plenty along the coast from Taranaki to Kawhia, but it is not being collected there. Collecting agar brings in money than milking cows ana is more unpleasant. The weed is ga 'iered mainly in the autumn by Ma , who receive 1/- per lb. for H he , product, delivered to the Marketing Division’s store. Monthly cheq £6O have not been uncommon.