THE "AMBERGRIS KING"

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 September 1934, Page 6

THE "AMBERGRIS KING"

Picturesque Figure at Stewart Island

COMBED BEACH FOR YEARS MADE STUDY OF WHALES A well-known character who engaged in a unique and picturesque calling has died at Hall-Moon Bay, Stewart Island, an the person of JYlr Adaan Adamson, aged 58 years. After the war he devoted much time to solving the problem" where ambergris could be gathered, and finally he established himself alone, but for his dogs apd flic seagulls, in a little hpt at Mason s Bay, Stewart Island. Since then he laps made the beaches his field of activity and has been possibly the only professional ambergris gatherer in New Zealand. In latter years he became known as the “Ambergris King.” The very name ambergris smacks of the sea, and with the sea the late ainbergris king always had been enthralled. He was born within sound and smell of the sea in the Shetland Isles in October, 1877, and obeyed the call of the sea for several years in his youth. BLe joined, the Navy, and before the Great Wax served in H.M.S. Rodney. He later came to New Zealand and served with distinction in the Great War as a sergeant. He was awarded the meritorious service medal in recognition of valuable services rendered in France. In both the Navy and the Army his record was a fine one.

'He studied the habits of whales and has walked along many miles of beach and coastline in Southern New Zealand in quest of the somewhat elusive ppibergris. He decided that Mason s Bpy, one of the loneliest spots in New Zealand, was most fayoprably situated as his headquarters and there he built a hut and established himself “in business,.” For months he would not visit any settlements or meet any human beings. There were feasts and famines, but on the whole, it is stated, the late Mr Adamson was a successful gatherer and made some rich finds. He learned to treat his finds to enhance their value, and he made intermittent trips to the mainland to market them. Visitors to Stewart Island who met him found him to be a genial fellow possessing p vast amount of knowledge of Stewart Island. He was most communicative and used to speak of his exploits readily hut not in the way of boasting. He was highly respected everywhere. It is conceivable that the ambergris trade will fall away in consequence of bis death, since it is one generally kept alive largely as the result of chance finds, and he was probably the only man who concentrated upon its gathering. Someone may step into his shoes and carry on liis undertaking. Ambergris is like the proverbial quicksilver so far as amateurs are concerned. There are many hopes but few realisations. In 1928 there were no known exports; in 1929 ambergris valued at £7200 was exported from New Zealand! How much of that did the “King” find? Xn 1930 there was none; in 1931 none; in 1932 £62 worth was exported. Last year’s and this year’s figures are not known. Wellington chemists informed an “Evening Post” reporter that there were many inquiries about the value of ambergris in a year but the value was usually over-estimated. There used to <be a good market but conditions were not stable. An ounce of ambergris might vary in value from 10s to £2. A few good lumps of excellent quality bad been found, one particularly at Hikurangi being worth about £IOOO.