KAIKOURA FISHERIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18116, 5 June 1919, Page 5

KAIKOURA FISHERIES.

BOAT SHELTERS REQUIRED. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF MARINE. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June 4. Tho urgent need for improved harbour accommodation to shelter fishing boats at Knikoura was to-day placed be lore the Hon T. M. Willord, Minister of Marine, by Messrs i'orbes, Craigie, tiidey and Hornsby, M.P.’s, who had visited Kaikoura with the Industries oe*ect C'oinnuLteo and met a deputation oi nsneiiiicn on tne suoject. lue Minister was uaiied uy 1 to-uay s deputation to grant (jovernment assistance to provide a secure uaruour lor tue hsiung boats, as under present conditions tney were at tile mercy oi. the lirst storm. In quite a uunioer of instances ooats had ueeu smasneU througu lack of shelter.

Mr Forbes pointed out at this the most important Usiiiug ground lor supplying ohristoiiurcli, tinrteen boats wore employed at tne tiuie of tlie committee's visit, but more had since been added. But for the Kaikoura fisheries, Christoliuroh would, on a recent occasion, have been almost without fish supplies, thousands of groper having been sent to relieve the shortage. Mr Forbes mentioned that Dr Thacker, Mayor of Christchurch, very strongly supported the deputation’s request, in view of its importance to that city. Sir Willord replied sympathetically, declaring that he intended to assist by pushing the industry wherever possible. He already had reports from the Marine and Public Works Departments on the matter of making provision for Kaikoura fishing boats, but ho was not satisfied with these reports, which had only dealt with the proposal to build slips, which fishermen considered were unsuitable. He would. get the Public Works Engineer to visit Kaikoura and report fully on the 'possibility of providing a secure anchorage, by breakwater extension, and ho was prepared to favourably consider assisting the Kaikoura fishermen in that direction.