SUCCESSFUL FISHING EXPEDITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1925, Page 1

SUCCESSFUL FISHING EXPEDITION.

RETURN OF THE OREWA

The S..S. Orewa. Captain Johansen, returned yesterday front a successful whitebait fishing expedition to the Paringa River. The river is situated to the"south of JUrttcc Bay. The expedition was organised by our fellow townsman Mr 0. A. Wood, who is the pioneer of the whitebait canning industry in New Zealand. Mr Wood has had parties operating at the Paringa in times past, but it is eight years or so since the last party was south on liehalf of Mr Wood. In the past at Paringa lie had comfortable quarters with quite a considerable amount ol goal stowed. One building had been demolished bv a landslide, and in anoHioi depredations had been committed b\ visitors who removed blankets, tools and other belongings of Mr Wood. I lie iron salvaged from the demolished building was used for the repair ol the second building which has been put in order for next season’s work. The Orewa. well found for the expedition, sailed from here at noon on Monday, October bill. The sea was smooth and the. liitle vessel had a fine run to Paringa mouth, where the boat arrived at 1 ..‘lO a.m. the next morning. When daylight permitted, the steamer stood close in, and the skipper went ashore in a small boat ami marked oil the channel entrance from the bar, and picked out a place to lay inside. At I.lb p.m. on the titli the anchor was heaved and the little steamer crossed the bar in safety and fine weather. Tae steamer was then secured and the next morning the men proceeded to build trenches for whiteha.it catching. By Wednesday all was secure, and fishing started. The weather at the outset was various. Rain and considerable Hoods followed, and at times halt a gale blew. The conditions were not favorable as Hie river rose at times and the current was from four to nine knots.

It was not till the loth October that the weather moderated sufficiently to allow the fishing to proceed with moderate success. But the fi>h now came steadily and all hands were busy. Mr Condon of Maintain was a visitor about this time and brought some news from the outside world, though in the two months only two mails were received and lhe party were without news even ol the election itseli. By the Kith October Hie tisli ran freely and there were some good catches. Ihe electric light installed proved a great boon for night work. The 17th was another good iishing day. hut Iho Billowing day was wet and windy, and work was carried on with great dilfi-c-uliy, hut thereafter there were plenty of (i -1 1 till the 21st. On the 22nd there as a north west wind and a big Hood. lishing being impossible. The next day was a similar experience plus a very high tide. B,v Saturday tilth the wind went to the south west and there was a good run ol fish for the next nine days. By the Ist November the weather was had again and the catch small, but for another week following fishing was good. Then on the Olh November ticwinds brought rain and the conditions were unfavorable till the l.'lih and there were seven days ot good fishing. On the 21st the lish began to take off. and the next day there was another Hood, with a ten-knot current. In this tlood, some nets ami many tins were lost. The weather moderated again, but the best of the lish were done, and preparations for Ilic return began. On .Saturday evening everything was made in readiness for departure on Sunday morning, and at 0.30 the ropes were slipped and the steamer fully laden with preserved fish, got safety away. A call was made at Bruce Bay and then the steamer came on under easy steam to Hokitika, entering here safeIv vesierdav morning.

During tin: stay at Parmga only two mails were received and one visitor was seen. Krosh meat promised for the last stilus of the stay did not arrive. and the company were on a li--h diet. Kish in great variety were oht.ainahie at the I’aringa. trout and salmon home plentiful in addition to native fish ol tin' usual enjoyable kinds. Supplies were well maintained during the stay. .Mr Wood had made well enttsiderod prepara l ions lor the wants ol the inner man and the little eompaiiv pot alone on the best ol terms. Ihi the -1 >t Octoher I lie (lovernmeill steamer Titlanekai when steaming north stood in close to Paring.') and rottlrl he seen easily. The party had a busy time and the expedition proved very success! ui Irom a fishing point ol view. Ihe value ol the I’niinpn is well established and a laud plant: will he outfit*. 1 lor next season most probably, enabling the little steamer to work some other ot the southern rivers. The vessel has returned to port ill pood order and has proved herself admirably suited lor the special work. She was well lilted with all reriuiromeiits, and Mr Woods 1 boughtfulness in regard to necessities for the trip left very little to he desired. Ail the company enjoyed good health and had a useful and interesting experience in the special work engaged upon. The Orewa will he in port for some time, hut it is possible she may be utilised later in the hay trade out. ol Port Lyttelton. For the purpose for which she was procured she was eminently adopted, and has given her enterprising owner excellent service Illline the requirements even better than was anticipated. Mr Wood testiiies to the seaworthiness ol the steamer, and also to the good feeling and spirit shown by the men with him all through the trip, which no doubt will he the forerunner of many similar expeditions in the future.