ON SHIPBOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 8

ON SHIPBOARD.

Or on long journoys.by land, Wolfe's Schnapps will bo found an invaluable travelling companion, since it strengthens the system against sea sickness or sudden variations of temperature. ' . . 48

neoted with this 'expedition need not be looked upon, as_ regards its actual fish ; supply, as a basis which might offer itself for consideration in connection with tho development of the industry by private enterprise, inasmuch as, with a Bteam-trawler, such as has been mentioned, five or six times as much work could have been done. Taking these facts into consideration, I have no hesitation in saying that there are- fields open and available for tho development pf our fisheries, such as will yield the best species of fish iii such quantities as will handsomely repay those who.care to enter upon the industry "with a spirit of enterprise. As to tho non-edible section of the fish, which must be caught in certain proportions, I may say that every one could bo put to profitable use, aud to an extent that would pay for its collection.-

It will bo remembered that part of the work connected with the Thetis expedition was to be dovoted towards testing the waters off tho coast, for the purpose of ascertaining whether shoalfisti could be caught in quantities sufficient to lead to encouragement being given to people to engage in catching them for the purposes of canning, smoking, etc. I regret to say that, altl ough a good look-out was kept during the whole time the Thetis was engaged on her work, no sign of shoal-fish—i.e., fish that periodically visit our coastal waters —was apparent. However, I trust that at a later period of the year, when the certainty of the Pilchards approfiching ouv coast is assured, an opportunity will bo afforded for testing tho use of the sur-face-net as a moans of capture. Very little extra oxpenso will bo required; indeed, with the exception of the wages of the crew, nbthiug further will require to be done.

I am pleased to say that the gear which was in use during the Thetis expedition is in splendid order and condition, and has not suffered by way of damage. The fact is worth recording that £5 would cover all the damage done during the whole of tho operations. This is something which can bo viewed as unprecedented.