Notes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1893, Page 3

Notes and Events.

In the Nineteenth Century, ViceAdmiral Seymour writes on the Behring Sea question : — The system of regulation monopoly under which no seals are allowed to be killed excepting the bachelor seals, which herd together until they are six years old without taking any part in the breeding, seems to be the best calculated to secure the perpetuation of this useful animal. In 1873 the total number of seals was estimated at five millions. Of these one half to one-third are bachelors from six years old and under. From these only 100,000 are allowed to be killed every year. The poaching sealers in 1887 slew 30,000 extra seals and brought down the value from 7£ dollars per skin to 5 dollars. That is to say, 180,000 seal skins in 1887 brought in £180,000, which 100,000 seal skins the previous year brought in £150,000, the increased number of skins being followed by a de crease in the value of each skin in the market.

The land abutting on the Pacific ocean north of China is a portion of the Russian Empire known as Siberia. Lately a most important discovery has been made in Siberia that will effect materially the working of the Russian fleet. Just north of Corea in the sea of Japan, is the Russian town of Vladivostok, and sixty miles to the north is the river Sutchan. Here, near the bank of the river is one of the richest of the newly discovered coal mines, where work is being pushed on with extraordinary vigour. The coal is said to be the purest anthracite. The coal is loaded into lighters and conveyed to Vladivostok, and in time the mines will be connected with the railway across Siberia. However to us, situated in the Pacific ocean it is not so satis-

factory to learn of such an excellent coaling station for the Russian fleet.