OPTIMIST CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1940, Page 7

OPTIMIST CLUB

WEEKLY MEETING.

AN INSTRUCTIVE ADDRESS. There was a good attendance of young men at the weekly meeting of the Optimist Club held in the Y.M.C.A. last night. Chief Smiler Murray Daniell presided. At the conclusion of_ the meeting Padre T. V. Pearson led in a prayer for peace. Sherrif E. J. Esler provided humour in the sherrif’s session, besides providing levies for the “cat.” Optimist .Stuart Hatch led in song, the pianist being Optimist T. Hicks. The speaker for the evening was Mr E. M. Hodder, who gave an insight into the art of deep sea fishing. “One is apt to confuse fact with fiction, in dealing with deep sea fishing,” stated Mr Hodder, “and as the wealth of material is too enormous to deal with briefly, I will deal with New Zealand fishing.” There are two varieties of fish usually caught, the mako shark and swordfish (black marlin and marlin); and occasionally the thresher and hammerhead sharks. Mr Hodder described the fishing localities, off Russell, Bay of Islands; and Mayer Island, off Tauranga. stating that he considered Russell the best spot, where there was a large number of sharks and marlin. The prize was the black marlin, a scarce variety of keen fighters, prized as one of the hardest to catch. The striped marlin was the common variety caught. Mr Hodder then took his audience on an imaginary fishing trip to Mayer Island. stating that four was an ideal party, as it did not overcrowd the launch. A launch could be hired for about £5 per day, but had to be booked months ahead. Mr Hodder described how the party would leave for Mayer Island early in the morning, travelling out about 28 miles. There was an excellent camping spot, a sheltered good shelving white sand beach. The water was crystal clear, enabling the sea floor to be seen 40 feet below. The speaker showed how the kawhai bait was caught, and demonstrated the methods of baiting. Mr Hodder described the equipment used, and detailed the manoeuvres in landing the fish. In closing Mr Hodder told the story of how static electricity, came to be discovered as a means of purifying water, through electric eels from the upper reaches of the Amazon being kept in an aquarium.

On the motion of Optimist Stuart Hatch Mr Hodder was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his instructive address.