REPORT OF THE FISHERIES COMMISSION (WELLINGTON AND KAIKOURAS).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1870 Session I, D-09

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REPORT OF THE FISHERIES COMMISSION (WELLINGTON AND KAIKOURAS).

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY. V WELLINGTON. 1870.

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No. 1. Dr. Hector to the Hon. W. Gisborne. (No 70 ) Geological Survey Office, Sir,— Wellington, 12th August, 1870. I have the honor to forward, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, the Report of the Commissioners on the Eisheries of Wellington, together with a letter furnished by Mr. Henry A. Ingles, describing the fishing operations at Kaikoura, in the Province of Marlborough. No other returns have been received in addition to those already furnished by the Commissioners for the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury, and published in the Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869. I am, however, informed that in the northern part of the Colony, resnectino- which no report has been received, all the fishes are found there that occur on other parts of the coast, but the principal fish brought to market is the grey mullet, or kanae (Mugil Arjenteus), a fish which, appears to be chiefly found in the northern seas of these Islands, but occasionally obtained as far south as Cook Strait. The fishes referred to in these various Reports as being used for food are only about thirty out of ]33 kinds known to occur on these coasts, and it is probable that this latter number will be still further increased, as more than 250 species have been recognized on the Australian and Tasmanian coasts. Among these fishes are representatives of all the principal groups that occur in the northern seas. A s fish used for food, I need only instance that of the cod kind we have three representatives ; of flat fish, four; of the salmon kind, three; of the pike and gar fishes, four ; one carp; four of the Wrasse kind ; four mullets ;of the mackerels, more than seven ; sea breams of five kinds ; of the gurnard kind, five; of the perch kind, more than eight; of the herrings, three representatives, one of which is the true anchovy. The English popular names are very vaguely applied to these fish, and seldom indicate their correct affinity, so that it is impossible to determine which exact fish is meant in different parts of the Colony by such terms as cod, rock cod, red cod, blue cod, herring, ling, &c. In contrast to this, the names given to the various fishes by the Natives are always the same, so that it would bo very convenient, in collecting information on this subject, that the Maori names for the fish should be stated. Erom the reports of the Commissioners, it appears that the estimated number of men employed in fishing in Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington, is 114 ; the number of boats employed is 48; and the value of the fishing gear, £1,542. An estimate of the annual value of the fish sold in the market is only given for Otago and Wellington, and amounts to £8,150 ; so that making a proportionate allowance for other places, the total value of fish sold annually in the Colony cannot be less than £15,000. The Commissioners for Otago very justly observe that from the fact that fish seem to visit the coast from time to time, it is the opinion of experienced persons that there must be large banks many miles off the coast, which the fish frequent in the breeding season, similar to those off the coast of Scotland. Should this anticipation prove correct, not only will the fisheries be capable of increased development, but many rare and valuable kinds, especially of gregarious fishes, will in all probability be obtained. Had the fisheries of Britain, like those of New Zealand, been hitherto confined to harbours and bays, probably very few of the most valued fish, such as the turbot, cod, haddock, sole, and other kinds only found "on the " banks," would have been discovered. A simple experiment which has been made from Dunedin for the purpose of testing the deep sea fisheries, appears to have afforded results of the most encouraging kind, and indicates the practical direction in which future investigations should be made. The only suggestion that any legislation is required with respect to the fisheries, is made by the Commissioners for Otago, who state that it is the opinion of some that a restriction should be placed as to the size offish killed within the harbour of Otago. The reason of this is on account of the wholesale and indiscriminate slaughter of young fish, which are of almost no value as food, but if allowed to feed undisturbed on the sandbanks, would soon acquire a good size and form the best source for the supply of the market. The same Commissioners also call attention to the term of lease under " The Eisheries Act, 1866," as the term of fifteen years permitted under that Act for oyster fisheries, is too short a tenure to induce persons to form artificial oyster-beds. Prom the evidence on this subject appended to their Report, it appears that in many cases such beds cannot bo brought into full bearing in less than ten years. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. James Hector, Chairman.

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REPORT OE THE FISHERIES COMMISSION.

No. 2. REPORT OP TUJE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO THE FISHERIES IN THE PROVINCE OE WELLINGTON. The number of men and boats employed at different periods of the year is very variable, but in November last the following information on the subject was collected by the Commissioners : — Number of boats employed ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Number of men going to sea ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 Number of men employed on shore, hawking, &c, ... ... ... 10 Total number of men ... ... ... ... ... 22 £ s. d. The cost of the boats in use ... ... ... ... ... 169 0 0 Nets, lines, &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 173 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... £342 0 0 In addition to the above, Maoris living at the Hutt and the Te Aro Pa catch a large quantity of fish, chiefly with lines, some of which they bring to market. It is interesting to observe the number of foreigners who are engaged in the fisheries ; there being of the above number, eight Englishmen, a Swede, a Calabrian, a Livornese, two from Trieste, a Maltese, a Russian Pin, a Sicilian, and the remainder Maoris. The fishing boats are now unloaded at the Queen's Wharf, but chiefly at Hunter's and Brown's Wharfs. The chief fishing done outside the Heads is with lines and drift nets, which are twenty to thirty fathoms long and one to one and a half fathom deep, the size of the meshes being four to six inches. Each boat is generally supplied with more than four such nets. Crayfish are caught outside with circular nets fixed on hoops, worth about 10s. each. The limit of the outside fishing ground is from Barry's Head on the East to Sinclair Head on the West, which includes a bay about eight miles across. The fishing nets used within the harbour are seines of from sixty to seventy fathoms in length, and three fathoms deep in the middle. The favourite fishing grounds in the harbour are Evans' Bay, the vicinity of Soamcs and Ward Islands, Kaiwarra Beach, Petoni Beach, and Lowrey Bay. During the winter of 1869 only two boats were regularly worked outside, and in consequence the supply of fish was not sufficient to keep the full number of hawkers employed, and it is doubtful if, except on rare occasions, there is ever more fish brought ashore than would find a ready market if a proper system were organized for its sale. During the winter the fish are generally caught only outside in the deep water, but in summer a sufficient supply is obtained with less trouble within the harbour. The small fish brought to market in Wellington are generally sold by the bundle, and a fish of from 8 to 10 lbs. weight is considered equal in value to a bundle of small fish, which have an average weight of 6 lbs. The usual price asked for a bundle of small fish is Is., but flat fish always command an advanced price. King-fish, and also a kind of tunny, which is occasionally in the market, are exceptions to the above rule, being the only fish which are sold in cuts by weight, the usual price being 6d. per lb. The total value of fish sold in the market in Wellington each year is, at a low estimate and making due allowance for interruption from bad weather, about £2,500; and as showing to some extent how far this is from meeting the demand, it may be pointed out that dried fish are imported into Wellington both from Auckland and Dunedin. Herrings are imported from Picton, and oysters from Queen Charlotte's Sound and Auckland, the latter being sold at 2s. a kit or 6s. per sack. The commonly used names for the different kinds of fish sold in the market aro given first in the following list: — Barraeouta, or Munga (Thyrsites atmi). —Weighs from 2 to 6 lbs. ; is obtained with the hook, chiefly outside. It frequents the coasts in large shoals at certain seasons. Bream, or Taralcihi (Qheilodactylus aspersus). —This fish does not appear to be common in the harbour, except in the young state, but it is obtained outside, weighing 3 to 4 lbs. Butter-fish, or Green-hone, Ripiripi (Coridodax pullus) .—A dark-coloured fish, with mucous covering and rather forbidding aspect, but excellent food, which is caught outside, and comes into season in June. Guard-fish, or Hie.- —Two very distinct fish are sold under this name, the most common being the Half-beak (llemoramplius marghiatus). The other true gar-fish (Belone sp.) is also occasionally caught, and may be recognized by the equal prolongation of the beak. Both the fish are delicate and highly prized, and obtained chiefly in winter. Saury Bilce (Scombiresoji Forsteri). —Has been met with cast on the beach outside. Gurnet, or Kama, Kumu (Trigla kuinu). —Is caught in the harbour, sometimes the net being drawn at Kaiwarra with nothing else in it. It is excellent food, and weighs from 1 to 3 lbs. A smaller species, known as the rock gurnard, is obtained outside. Ilapuka (Oligorus gigas /). —A very large fish, caught chiefly outside with the hook. It weighs up to 70 lb. The head-cut is excellent food, but the flesh is rather coarse and stringy. Cloudy Bay Cod. —This is probably the hake (Brosmius venusius) which is commonly cast up on the beach outside during South-east storms. The fishermen distinguish it from the ling. Ling, Ahruru (Lotella ruvhinus). —Is a large coarse fish, not often seen in the market. Haddock, or Yellow-tail Cod (Lotella bacchus). —This is the fish usually dried, and is caught near rocks outside. Bed Cod (Bseiidophyais Irivinsculd). —This is a scarce fish, caught rarely in the harbour. Flounder, or Baleke (Bhombosolia monopus). —This is the favourite fish in the market. Those caught

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on the banks at the mouth of the Hutt River, being especially delicate. They weigh from \to 2 lbs. each, and are worth about from Is. to Is. 6d. a pair. The Sole (Feltorhamphus Nova Zealandia). —Is also obtained in Wellington Harbour, but is not common. They are of considerable size. Herring, Aua (Agonostoma Forsteri). —This is a kind of mullet, and is caught in large numbers off the wharfs, with hook and line. They vary from i lb. to 1 lb. in weight, and may be recognized from the other small fish by the four-rayed 'dorsal fin. They are very excellent as food. A true herring (Clupea lata) has been seen in these seas, but it does not appear "to be gregarious. John Dory (Zeus Australia). —Is occasionally seen, but rarely in the market, and is prized for its delicacy. Mackerel, Halure.— Under this name is sold the schad or horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), which,_ though a good fish, is much inferior in delicacy to the true mackerel (Scomber pnewmatophorus), a species which is only rarely brought to market. King-fish, Haku (Seriola gigas).—ls a very large fish, weighing 00 lbs. It is caught every year, about Christmas, but rarely in large numbers. A smaller fish, having somewhat the same appearance' is occasionally sold as a young king-fish, but is really a different fish (Seriola sp). It is very delicate,' its flesh having the appearance of salmon. It weighs from 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. Tunny (Thymus Felamys ?) has occasionally been captured. Sea Bream, or Warehou (Ncptomenus brama). —Is a fish caught for a short season in winter, and highly prized, especially by the Maoris; they weigh from 1 lb. to 5 lbs. Trumpeter (Latris salmonea) .—ls rarely caught, but very much prized, being one of the most delicious of our fishes. It is very common on the rocky South-west coasts of New Zealand. It reaches 6 lbs. in weight. Mold (Latris ciliaris). —An abundant fish, from 1 lb. to 12 lbs. in weight, very much prized as food ; similar, but inferior, to the trumpeter. Yellow-tail (Caraux Georgianus). —This is common in summer, and is the fish sold under the name travelly and marere, or arara, of the Natives. Snapper, Tamuri (Pagrus unicolor). —Common fish in summer, caught outside the surf and in the harbour, from 1 lb. to 6 lbs. weight. Is apparently the same species as in Australia, and is largely used for food. Sand Fel (Gonorhynchus Greyi). —A fish belonging to the carp family and not in any way connected with the eels. It is caught along with the gar-fishjDut is much inferior'to it in flavour. Skate, Was (Rata nasut). —This is a common fish, but though most delicate is not frequently seen in the market. The stingaree, Roha (Toeniuua lymma), which grows to an enormous size, is another kind of skate, but is only eaten by the Maoris. Smelt (Retropinna Richardsonii). —Is a delicate little fish belonging to the Salmonidai. Another species, known as the grayling, ascends the streams in swarms at certain seasons. Both have peculiar delicacy of flavour. White Bait—Tinder this term the young of many kinds of fish appear to be included, but the chief number of these which are considered as white bait, and which abound at the mouth of the Hutt River^are the young of the New Zealand rock trout (Galaxids facialus). Kahawai, or Kawai (Arripis solar). —A very beautiful fish, frequently called the New Zealand salmon. It is abundant during the summer months. Frost-fish (Lepidopus caudatus). —A highly prized fish which is only found cast on sandy beaches after clear frosty nights, and rarely seen in the market. Conger Fel (Congrus habenatus). —Notwithstanding its forbidding aspect, this fish, which is caught in Cook Strait of a length of 6 feet and 40 lbs. weight, is really excellent food. Tho_ Commissioners would have liked to have made this Report more complete by personal observation on the fishing grounds, but the absence of funds prevented them undertaking such investigations, and has compelled them to rest satisfied in a great measure with the hearsay evidence of the fishermen. James Hector, Walter B. D. Mantell, Wm. Thos. Locke Travers. Colonial Museum, Wellington, sth July, 1870.

No. 3. Mr. Henry Ingles to Dr. Hector. Sic — Kaikoura, 10th May, 1870. I have the honor to forward you the following information connected with the fisheries existing in the District of Kaikoura, Province of Marlborough. a. There have been only two white men regularly employed in fishing, the trade having generally been carried on by the Maoris. b. Their names are Charles Brund, a ferryman, and Andrew Cross, a Scotchman from Dunedin. _ c. The means they have employed are chiefly hand lines and occasionally gill nets. The value of their gear may be put at say £20 for the boat, and £10 for lines, hooks, &c. d. They fish regularly for seven months in the year, from October to May. In the winter months they occasionally fish for barraeouta, but no line fish. They have been occupied in the pursuit for about three years. c. (1.) Hapuka.—Very plentiful from October until May. The largest hauls are taken about Christmas. They weigh from 30 lbs. to 40 lbs. as a rule, but are sometimes as heavy as 80 lbs. and upwards. The price they fetch is 2d. per lb.

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(2.) Trumpeter begins in October, most plentiful in November, and lasts until the end of January. They weigh from 6 lbs. to 30 lbs. They fetch about 2-jd. per lb. (3.) Tarakihi is the earliest fish at Kaikoura, even before hapuka. It lasts for two months on special grounds of its own. They weigh from 5 lbs. to 6 lbs., and fetch about Is. a fish. (4.) Pakitiki. or Rock Cod, is caught all the year round. They weigh from 1 lb. to 4 lbs., and they sell for about 3s. a dozen. (5.) Moki (a net fish) is caught in the beginning of the season ; after that it is driven off by the dog-fish. They vary in size from 4 lbs. to 5 lbs., and sell for 2-Jd. per lb. (6.) Snapper and Cloudy Bay and Red Cod aro occasionally caught. (7.) Kawai and Barraeouta are very plentiful in the spring, and also in the fall of the year. (8.) Cray-fish, of course, are in abundance. f. The total value of fish sold in the year by the two men above mentioned amounts to £100. g. (1.) In Ingles' Bay there are fish, but in no great quantities. In Goodie's Bay, or South Bay, the fishing is generally conducted. Hapuka are chiefly caught at the Cone Rocks, off Baxter's Reef, also half a mile out from Haul Round Point; the depth of water in both places is from twenty to twenty-four fathoms. The principal ground for trumpeter is three miles off Point Keene, laid down by private marks, which, from my inability to procure a chart, are impossible to explain here. The depth of water is thirty-two fathoms. Trumpeter are also caught off almost every point in the Peninsula, as long as the depth of water is over sixteen fathoms. The tarakihi ground is situated half-way between Baxter's Reef and Haul Round Point, and about a mile off shore ; the depth of water is about twentytwo fathoms. Rock and red cod are caught about the rocks anywhere. Moki are caught in the passages between the rocks at flood and ebb tides. Kawai are usually caught with spoon bait. Barraeouta are caught with what is termed a jig, viz., a piece of wood about two feet long with a line about one foot. (2.) Hapuka and other fish, it is presumed, come here to feed on the crayfish. The hapuka spawns here. Trumpeter and tarakihi come for cockles—they also spawn here. Rock cod is always here —in fact, is the only fish you can be certain of all the year round. Barraeouta and kawai come in the spring after the small herring fry: in the fall they come after grit, or whale feed. The time for fishing is calm weather, or a light northerly breeze; clear water, but not too clear ;no current; early in the morning, and first turn of the flood. The sources of information on the above points are extremely scanty, as the old whalers have entirely left the place, and, as I before observed, the fishing has been entirely confined to two men. The Maoris fish almost entirely for barraeouta. Owing to the excessive cheapness of meat in the district, I very much doubt if fishing will be continued next year for local sale. However there is, I fancy, a very good opening for fishing, with a view to smoke the fish, and export them. I have, &c, To the Chairman of the Commission, Henry A. Ingles. New Zealand Fisheries, Wellington.