CHATHAM ISLAND FISHERIES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10489, 23 June 1910, Page 4

CHATHAM ISLAND FISHERIES.

PROJECTED COMPANY

(Christchurch Press.)

At the present time the fishing grounds at the Chatham Islands are the centre of interest for those desirous of solving the problem of an adequate supply of cheap fish for the "public of New Zealand. Already the Chatham Islands Fishing Company (Limited) has been floated, most of the Capital having been subscribed in Wellington. A movement is now on foot to establish a company having its headquarters in Lyttelton for the purpose of exploiting the fisheries at the Chatham Islands. A gentleman connected with the venture, who for many years has been fully acquainted with the re- ' suits of the fishing and trawling ventures out of Lyttelton, has obtained all information which could be gained short of actual personal experience, as to the probable financial results of a venture on a fairly large scope to work the line-fishing industry at the Chatham Islands in conjunction with deepsea trawling out of Lyttelton. He gave a Press reporter to-day some interesting details of the proposal. The results of the Nora Niven expedition, which was carried out by the New Zealand- Government, and of the first cruise of the ill-fated Duco, go to prove that there is an unlimited supply of the finest blue cod, as well as of other fish, at the Chatham Islands. A young man, a native of the Chathnms, recently informed the gentleman that six men fishing from two boats and from the deck of the steamer caught 1500 blue cod, averaging 51b each, in one day. It is proposed to purchase in England an up-to-date steam trawler fully equipped with two freezing chambers, freeziug plant, electric light, and all trawling gear. A North Sea trawler, three years old and fitted out as above, with one freezing chamber and plant, was recently offered, to be delivered at Lyttelton, for £SOOO, and it is estimated that the vessel required could be got for £7OOO. An oil launch of about 35ft in length, with Bft beam, fitted with oil engines of not less than 14 horse power and capable of living out in all ordinary weather, and three whaleboats of about 30ft in length and 7ft beam, of the type supplied to the Nimrod, and fitted with all necessary gear to comply with- the regulations, will be procured in New Zealand at a total cost of about £930. It is proposed to erect at a suitable place at the Chatham Islands the necessary buildings for two _ freezing chambers engine room, cleaning shed, and store and packing rooms, together- with a freezing plant capable of dealing with two months' catch at one time, at a total cost of £2500. % It is estimated that, with the allowance for working capital of at least £12,000 is required. The estimated earnings are as follows :—Twelve Chatham Island trips of 10 days each, £1800; trawling 14 days per month with an average of 60 dozen flatfish (flounders, soles, etc.), estimated to sell at five shillings per dozen, £2520; sales of other fish, £1000; total, £5352. The cost of running the trawler, including wages, coal, providing interest, depreciation, etc., is estimated at £3820 per annum, leaving a net profit of £ISOO, out of which a sum must be allowed towards the cost of management of the whole venture. The oil launch and three whaleboats manned by three men each, fishing for 20 days per month, are estimated to produce 72,0001b of cleaned fish per month, at a cost of Id per lb—a total of £3600 per annum, less, say, 20. per cent of the catch for hire of the boats. The expenses, including freight on the fish' to Lyttelton, storage, freezing, salaries, etc., will bring the total cost up to £77 SO per annum, but the sale of the fish at the regular market rate of 3:Vd per lb is estimated to realise , £12,600 per annum, leaving a profit of £4820. The price proposed to be paid for cleaning blue cod —namely, Id rjer lb —would enable the fishermen to make an average wage of over £4 per week, after allowing for a percentage for the use of the boats. Fishermen using their own boats would receive the full price of Id per lb. It is stated that Australian demands for blue cod are almost unlimited, and it is understood' that the venture has the supp.ort of several people in Australia. When not engaged in running to the Chatham Islands, it is proposed to use the steamer to trawl off Lyttelton, and it has been proved by the results of the operations of the two trawlers now working out of the port that there is always a good local market for flat fish, groper and other trawl fish. It is also suggested that manure works should be established for the purpose of dealing with those varieties of fish which are; always got by trawlers, and which are not marketable.