13

H.—ls

Russell. —The principal market fish were plentiful throughout the year, and fishermen found a ready market for their catches, both locally and at the Auckland market. There being only one direct boat per week to Auckland, the fishermen depend chiefly on finding sale for their catches in the country townships, where the fish is sold at the following prices, which are very reasonable indeed : Flounder and mullet, 3s. a dozen ; snapper, ss. a dozen ; and crayfish, 12s. a dozen. After being closed down for some years Mr. Mountain's mullet-canning factory at Puroru commenced work during the year. The quality of the acid, also the quantity of the product, turned out since commencing operations has been quite satisfactory. Sharks have been more numerous during the last summer than for a good many seasons, and have caused considerable loss to fishermen. The owner of the whaling-station at Whangamumu reports having taken thirty-nine humpback and one right whale for the season. Taken as a whole, the oyster-beds at Bay of Islands are in good condition. Last season 3,033 sacks were picked for market; of these 288 were sold locally, and the balance, 2,745, were shipped to the Government oyster-depot at Auckland. There is an increasing demand for oysters from the inland townships ; orders are now coming from as far as Hokianga and Kaitaia. With the exception of the Rawhiti section, there was a poor " fixing " of spat on the natural beds last season, but on the artificial rock walls built in 1920 and 1921, both at Korikeri and Purerua, there was a splendid " fixing," and the young oysters on these artificial beds are growing well. As a result of the brood-oysters taken to Whangaroa in 1917, there is now a good showing of one- and two-year-old oysters on the rocks in the vicinity of where the beds were laid down. The size and quality of the two-year-old oysters shows that Whangaroa will produce oysters equal to the best in the Hauraki Gulf. With strict protection these beds will in a few years be again productive. Oyster-cultivation work was continued during the summer months. Four more loads of brood-oysters were taken in the Department's oyster-ketch " Te Waipounamu " to Whangaroa, and 1,964 yards of rock walls were built at Bay of Islands and Whangarei. Hokianga. —The usual market fish caught inside the heads have been plentiful and of good quality. There has been no improvement in the condition of the oyster-beds. Whangarei. —The principal market fish caught on the local fishing-grounds have been fairly plentiful, and good catches have been made by fishermen. Kaipara. —Fish in the Kaipara Estuary have been fairly plentiful, and the. fishermen generally have had a successful year. The mullet-cannery at Batley, which had been closed down for a good many years, recommenced operations during the year. In comparison with 1921 there has been a considerable increase in the quantity and value of fish taken. The oyster-beds are in good condition, and should yield a good supply for market this season. Auckland. —According to the Inspector's report the total quantity and value of fish brought in to Auckland during the year was about the same as in 1921. Outside the Hauraki Gulf all kinds of market fish have been plentiful, and when fine weather prevailed good catches were made by both the line men and the trawlers. Inside the gulf the Inspector says that fish, especially snapper, are becoming scarcer every year, and. recommends that the trawling-limits should be extended. The oyster-beds in the gulf and Great Barrier are looking very well. It is estimated that fully 3,000 sacks can be taken for market this season. Thames. —Fish have been fairly plentiful throughout the year, but fishing operations have been interfered with by the enormous quantities of jellyfish which were in the gulf during the summer months, and on that account the total quantity of fish taken was below that of the previous year. Tauranga. —The Inspector's report for the year shows no development in the industry, as about the same number of boats wens licensed and number of men employed as during the previous season, and the quantity of fish brought in shows very little increase. The increase in population in the Bay of Plenty of late years warrants a substantial increase in the catching-power of this port, in order to give the people a sufficient supply of fish. Gisborne. —Fishing has not varied much from previous years. Lack of other employment accounts for any increase in the industry during the year. The usual market fish caught on the local fishinggrounds have been fairly plentiful. Napier. —The past year has been very good. From July, 1921, till January, 1922, good catches were landed ; in fact, during that period fish were at times a glut on the market, the fishermen having to sell them at public auction, and even then large quantities had to be stored in the freezingchambers. Owing to the glut, trawlers were not permitted to fish regularly, as they could not find a market for the catches. However, from the beginning of February to the present time, fish have not been plentiful, and the quantity brought in has not been sufficient to meet local requirements. Taken as a whole the past year has been exceptionally good, both with regard to the quantity of fish caught and the wholesale price, which has been on a par with the previous year. New Plymouth. —The report supplied by the Collector of Customs shows that about the same quantity and value of fish was marketed as during the previous year. Extensive fishing-grounds exist off the Taranaki coast, but on account of the coast being exposed, and no natural shelter harbours for boats, there is no likelihood of any development until more powerful fishing-vessels are employed. Wanganui. —The quantity of fish caught locally is very little in excess of what was brought in during the previous twelve months. The most of the fish used in the Town of Wanganui and district is brought from Napier, Wellington, Auckland, and Thames. Foxton. —The past season has been a poor one for whitebait. The catches of flounder, snapper, and kahawai have been about the average of other seasons. Wellington. —There has been an increase in the quantity and value of fish taken, but a slight decrease in the number of fishing-boats licensed. The Cook Strait fishermen have been carrying out