AN AMBERGRIS KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19831, 29 December 1927, Page 10

AN AMBERGRIS KING.

STEWART ISLAND HAUL. A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE. Mr. Adam Adamson, who nearly seven months ago took up his residence at Doughboy Bay, Stewart Island,- returned to Halfmoon Bay last week. He .was landed at Doughboy Bay on June 1 with stores and equipment and has lived there entirely by himself, never once leaving his new abode. That his venture has been successful is proved by his parcel of ambergris in various grades totalling no less than 4630z. This varies from the finest steel grey down to soft black, which is the unmatured or new quality. Mr. Adamson has classed it into six different grades and valued it. for local sale at over £3OO.

During the many years that lie has been so successful gathering ambergris, says a correspondent of the Southland News, Mr. Adamsou has studied the subject of the precious substance and tirelessly experimented with the cheaper grades in order to mature them. Ho iinally discovered that by burying the soft black variety in, black or peaty soil for about three years, well protected from heat or light, it successfully matured though losing about a quarter of its original weight. The high price for matured grade easily compensated for loss of weight. Though Mr. Adamson has made the quest for ambergris a means for making his living, nevertheless it can almost bo called a hobby with him, as he has studied intelligently its every aspect This knowledge has not been gained from books or theories on the subject, but from practical experience and tests, so that, he is without doubt the best authority on ambergris that we have in New Zealand. Mr. Adamson speaks most interestingly of his experiences during his sojourn at Doughboy Bay. His home is a cave, but he lias assisted nature so thoroughly that it is now most habitable quarters, with the front entrance built, in with windows and doors and the whole place made into a comfortable room 28ft. long. The beach itself is only about a mile long and the entrance to the bay is about half a mile, but the meeting of the tides appears to take place at this part, which probably accounts for the quantity of ambergris thrown up on so short a stretch of sand. For nearly a month Mr. Adamson has been waiting for a launch to pick him up and about threeweeks ago his stock of provisions ran out wi(h the exception of flour and potatoes. Finally he risked a vovnge in his small dinghy and reached Mason's Bay, from where he was able to proceed home on foot. After a brief holiday, Mr. Adamson will return to his quest. Doughboy Bay now being his permanent abode.