PURSUING THE "RIGHT" WHALE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 486, 20 April 1909, Page 5

PURSUING THE "RIGHT" WHALE.

DETAILS OP TELE NEW VENTURE. A STEAMER WITH A BOW GUN. , For many years whaling, has boon': carried on by _ Messrs. Cook Bros., at. Whangamumu, near Cape' .Brett, but, as 'was mentioned in ruE Dominion last week, Mr. T. Cook,'has delided now to extend operations to the south of New Zealand. ' Interviewed in "Auckland Mr. Cook said .he was now forming a syndicate to establish a aepot at Campbell .Islands to hunt the "right" whale,, which frequented the southernwaters in great numbers. The 'Whangamumu station was to be carried on; still/ and preparations/ were pow / . being made' thore tor ' the season's opening in Ma v., "It is tho hump-bock whale we catch at Whwgamumu," said Mr. Cook; "buc I .have decided to havo, a 1 go at the valuable right' whale,. Tho i intention is to fit out a whaling steamer, with a heavy bow, gun .firing an explosive shell, which is the most modern whaling method,', and the method :iidw in .use at the .Norwegian stations at the Kcrguelens and in various othor parts, It has beenknown for years that tho 'right': whale frequents the Southern seas in; great numbers, and I 'am confident thero is a rioh and' profitable New Zealand industry to ,bo established. If we don't-'establish it the Norwegians most certainly will, and; I understand that even now a Norwegian, company is; being formed to exploit those whaling grounds." • Mr. Cook added that an average "right" whale yielded about Sowt. of whalebone, which was valued at .£9o'i d ton, and about four tons of oil,,worth about .£lB per ton. It could thus' be seen .what a valuable carcass that of a big "right" .whale' was, and ho reckoned that a season s: "catch" off the. Campbell Islands should not-be fewer than ; 40 whales. The southern'islands, and from 50 to 80 miles off tho Now Zealand coast, provided splendid whaling ground, and: the Campbell Islands would make the most convenient depot as a base for operations, beoause tho ."right r ' whale was plentiful thore, and because there were always harbours, such as Preservation Inlet and Halfmoon Bay,,at Stewart's Island, to run into There was a impression that', the whaling industry in. New Zealand waters had been worked out years ago, but this was not the case -by any-means.- Whaling in these waters could u made a great and valuable industry, and .he hoped by the commencement of next 'year's season to have tho station at Campbell Islands in full swing, and the whaling steamer out on tho track of tho great marine monsters übicli yielded .such', valuable oil and bone. Ttie intention was, tor the first season or two, oily -to hunt the .whales for oiltand bone, leaving.the establishment of a manure-manufactunnn brarich till later. -