THE HERRING ON THE NEW ZEALAND COAST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 6

THE HERRING ON THE NEW ZEALAND COAST.

A correspondent of the " Daily Times " says : — The important discovery has lately been made at Green Island that the Herring — the real home herring (clupm harengus) — frequents our shores. A few specimens have occasionally been obtained on the shores of Green Isl-.mu and Saddle Hill, which were believed to be the real herring ; p.ucl, recently a settler walking along the beach picked up three fishes so raucn resembling herrings that he kept them as curiosities, without proving them by taste. Last week, however, the matter was placed beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Between the Boat harbour and the Kuri, an immense shoal of fish, pursued by large numbers of sea-fowl, were seen extending for several miles seaward, and along shore. From the peculiar movemeuts of the fish, and the evolutions and clamour of the sea-gulls, the practised eyes of the Macleods — three brothers, experienced fishermen — came to the conclusion, before a speciemn was obtained, that the fish were neither more nor less than the real home herring. Hotly pursued by their natural enemies, a small portion of the shoal, consisting of upwards of twenty dray loads, along with eight barracouta, was cast on the beach. Joyfully did the the Macleods recognise the Highlandman's best friend, the herring ; and they and the surrounding settlers secured a goodly number before next cide. Macleods and others assert that in flavour and quality the fish were equal to Lochfyne herrings. The fish, however, were young, being from four inches to four and a-lialf in length : but a full grown one was observed occasionally. On examination, the fins and teeth exactly corresponded with the British species, the lacter being small and numerous, and situated not only on the jaws, but in the other parts of the mouth as the vomer and the tongue. In reference feo the British herring Chambers states :—": — " The opinion once entertained that its proper home is within the artic circle, and that its vast shoals issue thence at certain

seasons is now discarded as having no foundation, and the herring is believed to be an inhabitante of deep water, from which at certain seasons it approaches the shores, probably not migrating to any great distance." On the West of Scotland the opinion entertained was that its home was within the zone of latitude 45deg to GO cleg, then following up the coast, entering its numerous bays and lochs. There they were followed on the surface by the solan goose, the gull, and other sea birds ; beneath the water by whales, porpoises, dogfishes, and hakes, &c. Here, it appears, a shoal is followed by the gull, mutton bird, and barracouta (closely resembling in size, shape, aud taste the hake), and probably the whales which occasionally opproach the coast are in pursuit of it.

To promote an industry which could not fail, if fairly started, to become an important one, it is recommended that a bonus should be given by the Government, to be used in equipping a boat, of from forty to fifty tons burden, with the necessary apparatus for fishing. There are in Port Chalmers numerous experienced fishermen who would readily enter upon such an undertaking, provided the necessary funds were forthcoming. If a regular herring fishery were established, not only could a ready market be found in the Australian colonies, but California in ight be expected to absorb considerable quantities of the dried herrings. There is, moreover, every reason to believe that numerous species of other edible fish not yet known live near these shores. At no great distance, banks are supposed to be teeming with cod. An experienced fisherman informed me that he caught codfish the exact counterpart in size and flavour to that obtained on tho west coast of Scotland.