17

H.—ls

in the same way at Port Chalmers. The number of boats licensed and engaged in fishing was 86, including 2 steam-trawlers and 7 oil-engined launches engaged in trawling, employing 146 fishermen. There are, besides, 90 other persons employed otherwise in connection with the fishing industry. The estimated total weight of fish brought in during the year is 45,220 cwt. ; value, about £49,942. Invercargill. —The total weight of the usual market fish brought in from the local fishing-grounds for the year was 1,320 cwt. ; wholesale value, £2,866 ; and the number of boats engaged in fishing was 9, employing 20 fishermen. Bluff. —The report supplied by the local Inspector states that oysters on the Foveaux Strait beds are plentiful and in excellent condition. Fifty-four fishing-vessels, comprising steam-trawlers, auxiliary cutters, and launches, were engaged in the industry during the year, employing about 115 men. The quantity of all kinds of fish brought in was 5,941 cwt., wholesale value £12,820 ; and the oyster-catch for the season amounted to 26,703 sacks, wholesale value £16,689. Stewart Island. —The report from Stewart Island shows that during the year 28 boats were engaged in fishing, employing 65 fishermen, and 8 others employed otherwise in connection with the industry. Blue cod, groper, trumpeter, butterfish, and moki were, as usual, the principal fish caught. The catch for the year was 4,645 cwt., valued at £6,988. Chatham, Islands. —There were 9 boats licensed and fishing during the year, employing 18 fishermen, and 8 others employed in connection with the fish-freezers, cleaning-sheds, &c. The quantity of fish caught was —blue cod, 1,531-1 cwt. ; and groper, 206jcwt. : value, £1,549 15s. Returns. The following returns are appended herewith, viz.:— (1.) The quantity of oysters taken from the various beds, the quantity disposed of in the Dominion, the quantity exported, and total value. (2.) The total quantity and value of fish imported into and exported from New Zealand during the year ended 31st December, 1920. (3.) The number of whales taken at each whaling-station, the species taken, and the quantity and value of oil, bonedust, or fertilizer produced. (4.) The number of steam-trawlers, oil-engine trawlers, and other vessels employed in net and line fishing, with the number of fishermen employed, and approximately the total number of persons engaged in the fishing industry at each port, for the year ended 31st March, 1921. (5.) The various kinds of fish caught, and approximately the total quantities and value of fish landed at the different fishing-ports, for the year ended 31st March, 1921. I have, &c, L. F. Ayson, The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington. Chief Inspector of Fisheries.

3—H. 15.

lYSTBBS. Locality. Disposed of in Dominion. Exported. Total Number. Total Value. "oveaux Strait Saoks. 24,848 Sacks. 1,855 Sacks. 26,703 £ 16,689 s. d. 0 0 Bock-oysters. 3,058\ 2,9481 300 491J iay of Islands lauraki Gulf treat Barrier [aipara 6,797 5,968 9 0 Total ... 22,657 9 0 Whaling. Whaling-station. Number of Whales taken. Species. Yield of Oil. Quantity of Bonedust or Fertilizer produced. Total Value. Wbangamumu... Marlborough Sounds and Cook Strait 44 43 Humpback ... Tons. 200 218 40 tons bonedust ... S, 9,600 7,442 ii ii Kaikoura ( 20 1 Sperm 60 3 100 gals, spermaceti) 2,265 Totals 108 481 19,307