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usually fished, and on account erf the high price of benzine they could not afford to prospect for new fishing-grounds farther away from their home ports. Sharks and dogfish have been unusually plentiful, and have caused the fishermen considerable loss of time and fishing-gear. A large quantity of fish have been brought in from other districts, and on the whole the Wellington market has been well supplied with fish throughout the year. Picton. —The catches of blue cod, butterfish, and hapuku compare favourably with those of other seasons. Six launches have been engaged in whaling, and the season has been the most successful one on record for the Sounds. Wairau. —In comparison with 1916 the catches during the past season have been rather poor. The prices realized for fish were good, and compared favourably with those obtained at other places. A large proportion of the fish caught is shipped to Wellington. Nelson. —The total quantity of fish taken, both in Tasman Bay and on the French Pass fishing-grounds, during the twelve months is estimated at 25 per cent, less than during 1916. Fishermen say that fish of all kinds have been showing a decrease on the grounds worked for several years, but they are unable to account for this increasing scarcity. All the fish caught at Erench Pass are sent to the Wellington market. Westport. —Tho past season has been a fairly good one, hapuku and flat fish showing a considerable increase on the previous year's catch. The whitebait season has been exceptionally poor. Greymouth. —Owing to the bar harbour and entire want of shelter along the coast very little fishing is done. From January to April is practically the only season when fishing-boats can depend on working the outside grounds. All the fish caught are sold locally. The run of whitebait in the Grey River this season has been very poor. Hokitika. —The quantity of fish caught during the year shows a considerable increase on what was brought in in 1916. On account of fish being taken in considerable quantities off the coast, a very much better variety of fish has been marketed than in previous years. The run of whitebait has been exceptionally poor. Kaikoura. —The fishing industry in this district is in a very flourishing condition. The freezer which has recently been erected is proving a boon to the fishermen, and they all seem to be doing very well. Having a supply of ice, the fishermen arc able to land their fish in the Wellington and Christchurch markets without any risk of loss. Rangiora. —Fish have been plentiful, and good catches have been made. The quantity of fish marketed during the last season is in excess of the previous year. Kaiapoi.- —The principal fishing is for whitebait. The season for this migratory fish has been a fair one. The catches of flounders have been below the average of other seasons. New Brighton. —Whitebait is the principal fish caught, and the Inspector reports that the season, taken right through, has been rather a poor one. Lyttelton. —The catches of all kinds of fish compare favourably with the average of other seasons. Bad weather hindered fishing operations considerably, and prevented fishermen from visiting the more distant grounds as frequently as they otherwise would have done. The most, of the fish caught are sent to the Christchurch market. Akaroa. —The Inspector for the district, reports fair catches throughout the year. He considers that there would be a great increase in the quantity of fish caught, if facilities for their disposal direct to the public were provided in Christchurch from a municipal market, with cool storage for holding the fish, and also if better facilities were available for getting the fish to market either by boat or railway. Southbridge (Lake Ellesmere). —The supply of fish taken during the year was considerably below the quantity taken in 1916. Timaru. —Unfavourable weather during a good part of the winter and spring months considerably hindered fishing operations. Groper, flounders, and other fish have been fairly plentiful, and on the whole the fishermen have had a good season. The fishermen's retail market on the wharf has been well patronized by the public. Besides being a financial success it, has allowed people to get fish perfectly fresh and at a reasonable price. Oamuru. —The catches throughout the year have been above the average with regard to the quantity of fish brought in. Groper, warehou, and blue cod have been plentiful on the local fishing-grounds. Red cod, although plentiful, have been in very poor condition. After supplying the local market's requirements the balance of the fish is sent to the Christchurch and Dunedin markets. Fishermen complain of the treatment which they receive from merchants in connection with the consignments of fish they send to the cities, and strongly recommend that an officer should be appointed to inspect the fish on arrival and certify to its condition. They also consider that fresh fish should be carried at a much lower rate on the railways. Otago District. —The Inspector reports that the weather-conditions during a great part of the year have been unfavourable, and fishing operations have been considerably hindered in consequence; and ho also states that the fishermen consider the past season to be the worst they have experienced for several years. Fish of all kinds were plentiful on the fishing-grounds, and when the weather was favourable good catches were made both by the trawlers and line men. In fact, at times the Dunedin market was glutted with fish, and it is stated that during the month of May over 10 tons of fish were returned to Port Chalmers and taken out to sea and thrown overboard. At Moeraki, Nugget Bay, and Pounawea the season for all kinds of fish has been an average one. In order to prevent waste of fish when large catches are made, and in order to develop the industry generally, better transport facilities would be of material assistance. Invercargill. —The fishermen throughout the district report that they have had a good year. Fish have been plentiful, and good catches have been the rule. The total quantity of fish marketed is considerably more than in 1916.