THE TRAWLER DOTO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 81, 26 April 1901, Page 2

THE TRAWLER DOTO.

-- ♦ - ARRIVAL AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

The Government trawler Doto uTiivcd at the Breakwater on Tuesday night, after a three weeks' cruise on the coast b&tween here and K'aipara. A.h most of our readers arn, doubtless aware, thin lit'lo vfcmel has been chartered by the Government for the purfii <e of thoroughly pro-poctirg the roasts of New Zealand, with a view of discovering the most likely parts for t.ho establishment of the fishing industry. The Doto was chai tered last yo'ir from the Nelsen Fishing Company, and thoroughly tested the watirs of the South Isla- d coaate, under the supervision of Mr. L. F. Ayson, Chit-f Inspector of Fisheries. Ai.out three raopths ago the liitlo vesw-1 started to mike a thorough tost of the North Island coasts, werkiag frona Napier to Whangarei, on tho East Coast. On the Ist April, she started from Kaiptra, and trawled along the and in the Kaipara, Manukau, and Ivawhia harbours, until her arrival at New Plymouth.

In convention with a News repre- i Mr. Ayeon said he 1 was loth to express an opinion on thf ] prospects of tho establishment of the fishing industry. So far, the re- , suits had been obtained upon the Eist Go-st, where the variety and quantity ■■f tis'i met with was much be'ter than the West. From Kaipara to Urenui the trawling apparatus was kept constantly at work, and a good even facdy bottom, suitable for trawling opera--1 ions, was experienced. From Urenui towards Waitara the bottom, within two miles of shore, proved reeky and uneven, but thore are indications that further off shore the sea-bed will prove more even in character. Tho test of the coast south of Mekau is not yet completed, only a few casts of the net having been made. Meantime Mr. Ayson is making Moturoa his headquarters. The Fame class of fish was found all the way down the cois f , viz., schnappur and gurnard in fair numbers, with a fow John Dory, flounders, snles, and trevalli. Of the coarser fish a few skate and dogfish were obtained. In' the Kawhia Harbour flounders and mullet were met with in large numbers ; but the harbour is, Mr. Ayson thinks, too pmall for trawling extensively. , The Dato is a handy little screw steamer of 20 tons net register, and is commanded by Captain J. Nielsen, and has a crew of four. She is provided with up-to date trawling appiratm, capable of working to a depth of 45 fathoms. The coast in the vicinity of New Plymouth is to be thoroughly tested during the next few days, aft ;i----which Mr. Ayson proceeds South. ( Owing to the rough sea on Thursday, making trawling wjrk impracticable, the Duto did not go out. Mr. Ays>n hopes to make a trip to-morrow (Saturday) if the weather kepps fine to-day o that tho sea may go down.