WHALING IN THE PACIFIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 39, 14 February 1913, Page 2

WHALING IN THE PACIFIC.

WITH NOUMEA AS BASE. According to a report received from Noumea by the last mail, a syndicate is to be formed for the purpose of whale-fishing in the waters to the north of New Caledonia. Operations will be carried on within an area bounded by Balade and Anatum and the Chesterfield Islands. The promoter of the company is Captain King, who is said fjo possess considerable experience ini whale-hunting, having been for some time at the head of a large whaling concern which had its headquarters in the Kerguelen Islands. He states that while he was in charge at the latter place over 150 whales were captured in the first season, in the second 90, and during the third only about 50. In consequence of this falling-off he was forced to abandon the Kerguelen Islands, and come south to New Zealand, where the whales are numerous at all times of the year. Unfortunately, however, the cost of labor and registration were so high that he was not able to carry out his plans here. Consequently he turned his thoughts to New Caledonia.

It is said to be over 50 years since the last expedition was organised for the exploitation of New Caledonian ‘waters. That venture was highly successful, and the number of whales captured by far exceeded the estimates of the company. Since then no attempt has been made to revive the industry until Captain Ring visited Noumea.

The capital of the proposed company is to be 500,000 francs, or £20,000 in English money. It is stated that a largo amount of the capital has already been subscribed.