H.—No. 7.

REEORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE

22

Mr. McLeod to the Hon. "W". Gisbokne. Sib, — Waipu, Whangarei, 2nd June, 1871. I hare the honor to enclose for your information copy of Eeport of Select Committee on Fisheries, Auckland Provincial Council, Session XXVI., 1870, of which I was chairman. This Eeport contains several valuable suggestions, based on the evidence of gentlemen practically acquainted with curing and exporting fish in the North A.merican Colony of Newfoundland; and I have no doubt these suggestions would be of material service in leading to the establishing of fisheries along the coasts of New Zealand, if generally carried into effect. Should the General Government take this matter up, and make any proposals to the Colonial Parliament during the coming Session, I would respectfully suggest that a bounty of £2,000 be offered for the first fifty tons of dried or cured fish, the produce of New Zealand, exported by any individual or firm, on producing account sale from the foreign agent. But whatever course the General Government may deem it expedient to adopt in respect to this particular industry, I am prepared to embark in it on the faith of the resolution of the Provincial Council respecting bounty, provided suitable grants of land be made, as recommended in paragraph 7 of the Eeport, herewith appended. For this purpose I applied (with Dr. Perston, of Wangarei, who is prepared to join me in the enterprise) to His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland for a grant of 500 acres of land at the mouth of the Tutukaka Eiver, Matipoura Block ; and of 500 acres of land at the mouth of the Whananaki Eiver, both north of Wangarei Harbour ; the grants to include growing timber suitable for boat and ship building, house timber, barrel staves, &c, also harbour and coast frontage. Should these sites not contain the requisite growing timber, authority to be given to select a bush with a convenient road, free of charge. His Honor, in conversation with Dr. Perston and myself, informed us that the Matipoura Block was in the hands of the General Government, and that he could not do anything in respect of it. He likewise informed us that the Whananaka Block, being waste land of the Province, he could not legally comply with our request; and intimated that, were it proclaimed a fishery reserve and curing station, any person engaged in fishing could have access to it. I have the honor to submit, however, that in this case a special grant should be made, inasmuch as Dr. Perston and myself are prepared to go into the fishery business on a scale involving large outlay of capital. To render our venture a success, we should have security that the buildings erected by us would belong to us exclusively. This would not be the case were we to build on a public reserve, common to all who might temporarily engage in fishing. We contemplate erecting fishermen's cottages, and there should be garden ground to each. Paddocks would be needed for cattle and sheep, to render the condition of the fishermen and their families comfortable. And a lesser acreage than that for which we applied would not be sufficient for the maintenance of a fishing community, such as we propose locating at each of the little harbours named. We propose sawing the timber and building houses, boats, and fishing vessels on the ground we also contemplate establishing a cooperage, and making barrels of New Zealand staves, and, as far as practicable also to manufacture fishing gear of New Zealand fibre. To enable us to do this with a chance of success, and to establish a new industry in the Colony, an absolute grant of sufficient land having harbour and coast frontage for drying and curing purposes, and safe anchorage for our vessels, together with the requisite timber, is a prime condition. I am induced to bring this subject prominently before the Government in the hope that they will aid me to establish a local industry which would provide profitable employment for hundreds of men and their families, if vigorously prosecuted, seeing that the Superintendent of Auckland is powerless in the matter. Ido so all the more readily because of the action taken by your Government last year, in regard to " local industries " generally. I have the honor to request that you will cause a reserve to be made, in favour of William Augustus Perston, of Wangarei, and Murdoch McLeod, of Waipu, Justices of the Peace of the Colony, of 500 acres of land at the mouth of the Tutukaka Eiver, Matipoura Block, with harbour and coast frontage, and all growing timber &c. thereon, to be by them held and used free of rent or other charge, as a site for fish curing. This land being under the control of the General Government, I apprehend that there will be no legal difficulty in the way. With this grant in our favour, we would commence operations forthwith, in the belief that the Auckland Provincial Council, would next Session make provision for our legal occupation of the Whananaki Block. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Mdedoch McLeod. (Memorandum B.) Proposals for Fisheries Bill, l>y Dr. Perston. 1. Blocks of land contiguous to bays and harbours to be set aside for those purposing to engage in the business of curing and exporting fish, and allotted to them after a bond fide occupation of three •years, twenty acres of land being allowed to the promoters for every adult male they have settled on the contiguous land, being engaged in the fisheries. 2. Blocks of land contiguous to the above to be set aside and allotted by the promoters among fishermen engaging in the fisheries at the rate of 100 acres for each adult male. 3. A bounty of 10s. per cental on all fish sound and of good quality cleared for exportation. 4. Bushes of growing timber, suitable for use in house and boat building, barrel staves, &c, to be included in grants. 5. A bonus of £5,000 to be given to the parties who pass the first 100 tons of New Zealand cured fish through the Customs for export. G. The Customs duty to be remitted on all goods supplied to fishermen, and on all appliances required in the fisheries. 7. Experienced fishermen from Scotland, Sweden, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, to be introduced under the Immigration Act.