THE CHINESE COURT AT THE FISHERIES EXHIBITION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1726, 28 July 1883, Page 3

THE CHINESE COURT AT THE FISHERIES EXHIBITI ON.

Thk Chinese Court is undoubtedly the most effective in the whole Exhibition. The Chief part of the exhibits come fiom S\iatow, bnfc there are many interesting Specimens from Ichong, distant about 1000 miles from Ningpo and Formosa. In the Swatow collection some thiity different kinds of nets are shown ; and there are many specimens of hooks and lines, spears, traps, shell dredgers, weirs, &c. Models of fishing boats are in number more than a score. A distinguishing feature of these craft is the flat bottom, and the eye painted on either side, which, according to the superstition of the countty, enables the vessel to find her way, and thus preserves her from mishap. As the anchors, of which there are specimens on exhibition, attention may be called to the fact that the stock is at the bottom of the shank. Some of the on rs are made in two piece?, held together with ratten grommcts ; the blade is Inoad and fiat, and there is a handle at the loom. An interesting method of night- fishing is illustrated by the model of two boats fattened together. The kind of fishing is followed when the moon shines brightly ; and the boats used are known as slipper boats, owing to their being in form of a slipper. Along one side a white painted plank, IK feet wide, and projecting outwards like a shelf, and sloping slightly towards the water, is fixed ; and ns the light of the moon falls upon the plank the fish, mistaking for water, le;\p upon or over it into the boat, where they become entangled in moss or grass. The most effective exhibits, however, are the cargo junks, which are splendid looking specimens of naval architecture. They are most elaborately constructed and finely finished. The sterns of these junks arc very elaborately carved and painted. There are also a variety of models of cargo boats, and near at hand is a mandarin's boat and a light-draught pasiftnger boat, known as a "paper boat," owing to the very thin planks with which it is sheathed. In the economic department is a model of a fishermen's hut as put up on the inlands, and clohe by there is a miscellaneous exhibit ; in this department is a window in which shells take the place of glass, a fog horn made of a shell, necklaces made of shells, scoops made of the shell of the king crab, lanterns made out of the skin of the tetrodon, tobacco pipes and spectacle cases decorated with sharkskin, and bamboo trays for the display of fish in the fishmongers' shops.

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