THE WHALING INDUSTRY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 207, 1 September 1908, Page 7

THE WHALING INDUSTRY.

It is understood a company has been formed to fit-out a party for the purpose of whaling at Campbell Island, the party to proceed south in the Hinemoa on her next visit to the Southern Islands ' (says the ' Bluff Press). The right or black whale is to be found in the vicinity of Campbell Island, in great -numbers during the summer months, so should the party be favoured with good weather a handsome* profit to those interested should be, tfte result. Almost a .score of years, have passed since-a whaling vessel visited the Bluff or Stewart Island. Prior to that time it was not uncommon to see-as many as. three or four whaling vessels anchored in Port William and Half moon Bay. It is a pity to see whaling dying out so completely, for in a few years' time it will almost be impossible to get men who are versed in the. art of catching the sperm whale. An erroneous idea prevails that it is owing to the scarcity of the sperm whale that there are so few vessels employed fishing in the Southern Hemisphere,\but it is chiefly on account of the low market-price for oil—being only about one-third of the value compared with that of thirty years ago. In the vicinity of the Solanders, the old favourite huntingground for the monsters of the deep, sperm whales are still to be found in great abundance, and if a properly equipped steamer, capable of carrying about four boats, was fitted out for whale-fishing she would be kept employed during the best part of the year.