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Star (Christchurch), Issue 2038, 18 September 1874, Page 3

"Whawno on the East Coasx of the _ North Island. — The Poverty JBap JOCcrald says : — The whaling aoaavu on "the East Coast has booo unusually favourable, and the Ngatiporou Natives, in whose hands it for the most part lies, will reap a substantial return for their arduous exertions in this uncertain and perilous occupation. Along the coast from Tologa Bay, as far northward as Whangaparoa, a distance of about 100 miles, whales hare been extremely plentiful, about a dozen of these marine monsters having been killed and " tried out," several others having escaped on account of rough weather, or other causes. At Te Mahia three whales have been safely landed, and on the capture of the last one, a fine specimen, which yielded some six tuns of oil, it was found that canoes, cooking utenßils, and every other vessel capable of holding fluid, were already filled to the brim, and a considerable quantity of the oil was wasted in consequence. Fortunately, however, the Opotiki called in and furnished the Natives with a fresh supply of casks, which enabled them to complete the trying out operations. Henare Potae is a great authority in whaling matters, and it is said that if <■ he is anywhere in the vicinity, the delicate and hazardous operation , of dealing the death-blow to the whale with the. lance is always left to him. Although there in little doubt that Pskeha whalers, from their improred appliances, and their experience, and greater daring, would have secured a still larger number of fish, it appears that the Maoris in many cases exhibit great courage and perseverance in the matter, several instances having occurred lately when the boats have remained out for several daya and nights together in pursuit of their prej. It is estimated that the Ngatiporous have collected altogether about fifty tunß of oil, and all agricultural operations have of late been entirely negleoted, but the whaling season being now closed, they will begin planting and towing very shortly.