WHALING.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 165, 15 February 1878, Page 2

WHALING.

To the Editor of the Akaroa Mail.

Sir, —Having frequently noticed your advocating industries which might be successfully carried on in Akaroa, there is one which I have not seen any mention made of, and that is whaling. Now, it seems to me a downright shame that we have not a sea-going whaler fitted out of this place, especially when, you consider the number of old whalers we have living in our midst. That there are still numbers of whales on our coast is evident, as I see by the papers that three whalers, spoken between the Chatham Islands and Lyttelton had on board 1000 barrels sperm, 140 barrelsblack oil, 6500 lbs whalebone, all of which had been taken since last Jnne, and as there is a good demand for the oil and whalebone, the latter of which is quoted at £120 per ton, showing that there is a handsome profit to be made out of-it. What Ishould propose is that a company be formed with a capital.of about.£3ooo, in fifty pound shares, and that a suitable vessel be. purchased and fitted out. A vfery jgoqd native crew could be picked out from here, and I know we have several good headsmen in rhe district who would only be too willing to ship. If it pays' our American cousins to send their vessels here, s irely it ought to pay us. Hoping the people of Akaroa will show a little enterprise and take the matter up, I remain, Dear, Sir, Yours, &c, HARPOON.