LATH LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1924, Page 3

LATH LOCALS.

Reports of finds, real and imaginary, of ambergris on the North Auckland beaches have lately been attracting attention. -Several finds of the real article have been made on Piha Beach, but nearly all that comes into Auckland is louiul on

the so-called Ninety-. Mile Beach, which runs from Abipara right up to Cape Maria, and is more like 00 than 00 miles long. A little comes from Taranaki, hut. oddly enough, practically none comes Irom the East Coast, although whale.- frcipient that side to such an extent that there is a shore whaling station at A\ hanganui. just below the Bay of Island.-. It is thought that the finds commonly made on the West Coast must, he due to the set of the currents. The ambergris is generally found on the beach just about high-water mark, and the search is particularly keen after a storm or a blow from the westward. Upon Allipara Beach there is a man who uses a motor cycle. He lives about half-way along the beach, and after high water “scorches” along the wet, shining sands, which are quite hard. Some of the searchers have trained dogs to track the omborgris, which has a very distinctive smell of its own. The searcher, who has a good dog can ride along the beach at liis ease on horseback. and leave the work to the dog. Whenever the dog stops to sniff at something, the rider gets off and makes an investigation.