THE FISH INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10047, 6 February 1896, Page 5

THE FISH INDUSTRY.

— ♦ SIR J. HECTOR'S VISIT TO THE WORTH. SOME INTERESTING FACTS. [BV TKLBQRAPHc-OWH OORKKSPONDKNT.] VJ 'Ellington, Wednesday. Ok his return from tho North Sir Jas. Hector had immediately to leavo for Christchurch to attend, tho mooting of the University Senate, ;ind has, therefore, nob yet had time to drau up his report t on mullet fishing, »t to wh ether a close season should be proclaimed d urine the time tho fish are spawning, or whether those engaged in the canning industry should only bo prevented catching tho fish during the spawning time j within certain p arts of the harbours in the Auckland district, I understand that the evidence he has bale en, and the investigations he has made point to the probability of the fish spawning at the entrance of the harbours, or just outside, most likely on the banks at the entrance. Tlia evidence shows that mullet havo boon more plentiful this season than for many years past. Both the fishermen and the Maoris agree on this point. This Is rather remarkable, because there has been a scarcity of all other fish, so far, this summer. This seems to show that the canning industry does not materially lessen the numbers of the fish; at least, ib has nob done so up to like presenb time. Scientific mon are comntig to think that there is no nocessity for a! general close season for sea fish, and that all that is required is to protect the spawn ing ground. As showing the depletion of fish about Cook Strait, ib may be mentioned that, whereas a few years ago abundance of many kinds of fish were caught near the French Pass and at p'olorous Hound, the fishermen havo now to p';o much further afield to make their hauls. They go right out bo Stephen Island, and even then have poor luck. The fisherman in the vicinity of Wellington have fared bo badly that they have hardly earned enough money to buy bread for themselves and their families. In a letter to the Herald of Monday, Messrs. Minefield Bros., of Kaipara, who are large Dinners of mullet, contend that the fish are not fit to can during the spawning season,, and they maintain thab the industry will die if a close season is not strictly enforced. Although lam nob in a position be state what Sir J. Hector's recommendations may be, those interested .in"the ma* tier should be on the alert when this reporlj is sent in, so thab they may bo in a position to.make representations in the proper quarter, if that is necessary, before action is taken by the Government.