CHATHAM ISLANDS FISHERIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9916, 3 August 1910, Page 2

CHATHAM ISLANDS FISHERIES.

' A SECOND VENTURE. [FbOM Outt CoEHESrONDENT.] . Wellington; August 3 A second enterprise to exploit the fisheries around the Chatham Islands is now well under way, and .■will ,soon be in fall swing in opposition to the recently-formed Wellington company which is erecting freezing works _at the Chathams. Mr J. M'Leau, of Tvlessrs M'Leau and Archibald, who accompanied the ill-fated steamer Duco on her last successful trip to the- Chathams and back to Wellington, has arranged to give the cod fishing industry at the Chat-boms a thorough trial. Ho has purchased a. .Hercules freezing plain, to be erected at the Chat-hams as a store for the fish after .they are caught around the islands, and he intends to purchase a vessel of about a hundred tons register to carry tho fish to Wellington. Mr M'Leail has not decided whether tho carrier vessel will be steam or sail. This morning the well-known schooner Clyde, owned by her master, Captain Smith, was placed on the Wellington patent slip to bo inspected with a view to purchaso by Mr M'Lean. In the event of a, suitable schooner being obtained the vessel will 00 fitted with, an insulated hold and a small freezing plant will be installed. It is expected that a suitable sailer can be found to run the lish to Wellington from tho Chathams within a reasonable time, the distance being about 420 miles. The carrier vessel is expected to lift a cargo of somewhere about 150 tons. Tho coastal steamer Storm has been engaged to leave Wellington about the end of this week for the Chathams with tlie plant and a party of about half a dozen men to carry out the work there. A staunchly constructed 30ft surfboat, to bo fitted _ with a 10 horsepower Gard'ner oil motor, has been built. The motor, which was brought out from Home by the Rimutaka.. will bo litttxl Within a few days. This launch is to lw a general tender at the Chathams and assist in collecting; the fish. •