WHALING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1072, 6 August 1869, Page 3

WHALING IN NEW ZEALAND.

It is remarkable, says the Southern Cross, that, while the whale-fisheries near the Coast of New Zealand, are so extensive as to induce companies in America and other parts of the world to despatch numerous vessels for the purpose of engaging in whale-fish-ing, none of the settlers of Auckland should have turned their attention to the subject. The number of whales which are annually caught in the vicinity of our shores is immense, and yet the colony reaps no further benefit from the fisheries than an occasional whaler calling in for provisions. We should notice with pleasure any efforts to organise & whaling expedition in this city, and there be but little doubt that it would prove a remunerative undertaking. The Otago Daily Times gives- the following account of the operations of a whaling company which has recently been formed at- that, place: — " About three weeks ago a whaling company was started at Otago Heads, the plant consisting of two whaleboafcs and gear, one to be stationed at Waikouaiti and the other at the Heads, both being manned by Maoris under the leadership of George Robertson, a half-caste. The conditions of association were that each boat should proceed to sea . every morning under a certain penalty on each. of the. crew, who all work on shares. Communication is kept^ up by signals by day and fires by nighf, | The company being thus started, it, is gratifying to learn that their enterprise has been rewarded in the capture of a large whale. The' whale and her calf, the latter about a week old, were observed off. Waikouaiti South Head, at noon on Friday, both apparently playing in the water. Chase was immediately given by both boats, and after a smart row one of the boats succeeded in fastening to the cow, which was afterwards lanced and killed in the short space of two hours, when it was towed under the North Head of Waikouaiti, and moored. One of the boats was then despatched to Port Chalmers, and engaged the service of the Geelongto tow the whale thither. The Geelong proceeded to Waikouaiti at 10 a.m.on Saturday, and towed the whale as far as the Maori Kaik, where the company determined on keeping it until this morning, when it will be towed up and placed in the Floating Dock for exhibition. Messrs. Murray and Cm. have made arrangements to take it in and pump the water out, so that a fine view may be had of all parts of this monster of the deep, which is estimated to be 50 feet long, and 25 feet from fin to fin, the tail being about the same size. One of the Harbour Company's steamers leaves Dunedin to-day, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with visitors, at 3s. 6d. return ticket, including admittance into the dock. While capturing the whale, an exciting scene occurred oh board one of the boats, which was attacked and had her bows stove in by the calf. One of the Maoris, in fright, jumped overboard, but was smartly caught by Ilobertsoh, by the hair of the head, and in this position towed for six minutes before it was possible to take him on board. The calf was lanced, but got •way. It is, however, supposed that it will yet be caught."