REPORT OE THE FISHERIES COMMISSION.

D.—No. 9

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on the banks at the mouth of the Hutt River, being especially delicate. They weigh from \to 2 lbs. each, and are worth about from Is. to Is. 6d. a pair. The Sole (Feltorhamphus Nova Zealandia). —Is also obtained in Wellington Harbour, but is not common. They are of considerable size. Herring, Aua (Agonostoma Forsteri). —This is a kind of mullet, and is caught in large numbers off the wharfs, with hook and line. They vary from i lb. to 1 lb. in weight, and may be recognized from the other small fish by the four-rayed 'dorsal fin. They are very excellent as food. A true herring (Clupea lata) has been seen in these seas, but it does not appear "to be gregarious. John Dory (Zeus Australia). —Is occasionally seen, but rarely in the market, and is prized for its delicacy. Mackerel, Halure.— Under this name is sold the schad or horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), which,_ though a good fish, is much inferior in delicacy to the true mackerel (Scomber pnewmatophorus), a species which is only rarely brought to market. King-fish, Haku (Seriola gigas).—ls a very large fish, weighing 00 lbs. It is caught every year, about Christmas, but rarely in large numbers. A smaller fish, having somewhat the same appearance' is occasionally sold as a young king-fish, but is really a different fish (Seriola sp). It is very delicate,' its flesh having the appearance of salmon. It weighs from 5 lbs. to 7 lbs. Tunny (Thymus Felamys ?) has occasionally been captured. Sea Bream, or Warehou (Ncptomenus brama). —Is a fish caught for a short season in winter, and highly prized, especially by the Maoris; they weigh from 1 lb. to 5 lbs. Trumpeter (Latris salmonea) .—ls rarely caught, but very much prized, being one of the most delicious of our fishes. It is very common on the rocky South-west coasts of New Zealand. It reaches 6 lbs. in weight. Mold (Latris ciliaris). —An abundant fish, from 1 lb. to 12 lbs. in weight, very much prized as food ; similar, but inferior, to the trumpeter. Yellow-tail (Caraux Georgianus). —This is common in summer, and is the fish sold under the name travelly and marere, or arara, of the Natives. Snapper, Tamuri (Pagrus unicolor). —Common fish in summer, caught outside the surf and in the harbour, from 1 lb. to 6 lbs. weight. Is apparently the same species as in Australia, and is largely used for food. Sand Fel (Gonorhynchus Greyi). —A fish belonging to the carp family and not in any way connected with the eels. It is caught along with the gar-fishjDut is much inferior'to it in flavour. Skate, Was (Rata nasut). —This is a common fish, but though most delicate is not frequently seen in the market. The stingaree, Roha (Toeniuua lymma), which grows to an enormous size, is another kind of skate, but is only eaten by the Maoris. Smelt (Retropinna Richardsonii). —Is a delicate little fish belonging to the Salmonidai. Another species, known as the grayling, ascends the streams in swarms at certain seasons. Both have peculiar delicacy of flavour. White Bait—Tinder this term the young of many kinds of fish appear to be included, but the chief number of these which are considered as white bait, and which abound at the mouth of the Hutt River^are the young of the New Zealand rock trout (Galaxids facialus). Kahawai, or Kawai (Arripis solar). —A very beautiful fish, frequently called the New Zealand salmon. It is abundant during the summer months. Frost-fish (Lepidopus caudatus). —A highly prized fish which is only found cast on sandy beaches after clear frosty nights, and rarely seen in the market. Conger Fel (Congrus habenatus). —Notwithstanding its forbidding aspect, this fish, which is caught in Cook Strait of a length of 6 feet and 40 lbs. weight, is really excellent food. Tho_ Commissioners would have liked to have made this Report more complete by personal observation on the fishing grounds, but the absence of funds prevented them undertaking such investigations, and has compelled them to rest satisfied in a great measure with the hearsay evidence of the fishermen. James Hector, Walter B. D. Mantell, Wm. Thos. Locke Travers. Colonial Museum, Wellington, sth July, 1870.

No. 3. Mr. Henry Ingles to Dr. Hector. Sic — Kaikoura, 10th May, 1870. I have the honor to forward you the following information connected with the fisheries existing in the District of Kaikoura, Province of Marlborough. a. There have been only two white men regularly employed in fishing, the trade having generally been carried on by the Maoris. b. Their names are Charles Brund, a ferryman, and Andrew Cross, a Scotchman from Dunedin. _ c. The means they have employed are chiefly hand lines and occasionally gill nets. The value of their gear may be put at say £20 for the boat, and £10 for lines, hooks, &c. d. They fish regularly for seven months in the year, from October to May. In the winter months they occasionally fish for barraeouta, but no line fish. They have been occupied in the pursuit for about three years. c. (1.) Hapuka.—Very plentiful from October until May. The largest hauls are taken about Christmas. They weigh from 30 lbs. to 40 lbs. as a rule, but are sometimes as heavy as 80 lbs. and upwards. The price they fetch is 2d. per lb.