GAME FISH STUDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 45, 21 January 1939, Page 14

GAME FISH STUDY.

ARRIVAL OF SCIENTISTS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND Jan. 20 Some of the most prominent men in America in the fields of deep-sea fishing, scientific fish study and field photography are members of a party under the auspices of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, which arrived at Auckland by die Mariposa. Sponsored by Mr Michael Lerner, leader of the expedition, the party will make a study of the Dominion’s big game fish, and will also prepare material _ for an extensive New Zealand exhibit at the museum. Explaining the purpose of the visit, Mi' Lerner said he had been impressed some years ago by the lack of agreement even among specialists as to the proper classification on numerous species of swordfish he had caught. For some time now he had been taking scientists to study big game fish actually on the fishing grounds. A major object of the expedition, as previously announced, was to advance plans for two great exhibition halls at the museum which would contain exhibits of Australia and New Zealand worked out in considerable detail. The New Zealand display would include a central group • illustrating the landing of the Maoris, surrounded by numerous alcoves, telling the story of the building and moulding of New Zealand by earth forces, the populating of the islands with plants and animal life, legends of the coming of the Maoris, their way of life and a section illustrating modern New Zealand. Colour and black and white pictures would be shown in connection with the exhibits. The display would provide a comprehensive survey of the natural history and civilisation of the Dominion. In charge of the scientific side of the expedition is Dr Gregory, curator of the recent and fossil fishes at the museum, and Professor of Paleontology at Columbia University. He will be assisted by Mr G. M. Conrad, assistant curator of comparative anatomy at the museum, and Mr L. Ferraglio, taxidermist.

An important part in the expedition’s activities will be played by Mr J. B. Sheckleford, a prominent photographer, who has travelled more than 500,000 miles in search of photographs. He made four expeditions into the Gobi Desert with Mr Roy Chapman Andrews.