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10 fathoms at 1 p.m. This haul only gave moderate results, market-fish being represented by soles, schnapper, tarakihi, hake, gurnard, and red-cod. This haul was disappointing, as the bottom and other conditions were favourable for getting a good supply of flatfish. Station 127 : After clearing the net at the last station it was shot right away for another haul at 1.30 p.m., depth 10 fathoms, bottom fine sand, Opararu River bearing E. xS. JS., 1| miles. Continued towing down the coast, and hauled up at 3 p.m. in 8 fathoms 3 miles S.E. of-the entrance to the Karamea River. This haul gave a very good variety of fish, but only a moderate quantity. Station 128 : As the indications were favourable for a good supply of fish, the net was put over for another haul at 3.15 p.m. in 12 fathoms, bottom soft sand, the position being 3 miles S.W. of the entrance to the Karamea River. Towed S. xE. for 6 miles, and hauled up 2 miles N.W. of the entrance to the Little Wanganui River. This haul gave a fine variety of market-fish and also a fair quantity. Steamed offshore, and anchored for the night in 15 fathoms. September 19. —Station 129 : Hove up anchor off Karamea River at 6.30 a.m., and the soundings (25 fathoms) showing good bottom, the trawl-net was shot for the first haul to-day at that depth, on a fine-sand bottom, at 7 a.m., Karamea River entrance bearing E., 4 miles. Towed S. xW. for two hours, and hauled up in 26 fathoms from a good sand bottom ; the position being, Little Wanganui River bearing E. xS. f S., 7 miles. This haul also gave a very good variety of fish, but only a moderate quantity. Station 130 : After hauling up at station 129, steamed 3 miles, and shot the net for the next haul at 9.30 a.m. in 22 fathoms, fine-sand bottom, Little Wanganui River bearing E. § N., 6 miles.|~ Towed for an hour and hauled up in 23 fathoms. Result, a very good variety of fish, but quantity rather poor. Station 131 : From last station steamed inshore 2 miles, and shot for another haul at 10.55 a.m., depth 22 fathoms, fine-sand bottom, Seal Rock bearing N.E. x E., 3| miles. Towed S. JW. for an hour, and hauled up in 22 fathoms from a soft-sand bottom. The result of this haul was similar to others along this coast, giving a good variety of fish, but the quantity was rather poor. Station 132 : Put over the net for the next haul at 12 p.m. in 22 fathoms, bottom soft sand, Mokihinui entrance bearing E. § S., 2| miles. Hauled up in 21 fathoms, 3 miles N.W. of Hector Township. This haul was an improvement as to quantity on the others made to-day. Station 133 : From last station steamed S.E. for 3| miles, and shot for another haul at 2 p.m., depth 18 fathoms, and the same fine-sand bottom as found all along this coast, Mautoria Rocks bearing E. J S., 2| miles. Towed an hour and a quarter, and hauled up in 17 fathoms. This haul gave a similar variety of market-fish to other hauls down this coast, and gave a good quantity of very fine soles. Station 134 : Steamed for 3 miles, and shot for the last haul to-day at 3.45 p.m. in 17 fathoms, soft-sand bottom, Waimangaroa River bearing S.E. §E. Towed in to 12 fathoms, and hauled up 2 miles west of Wareatea River at 5 p.m. This haul was similar to the others made to-day, giving a good variety of market-fish, but rather poor in quantity. After hauling up net steamed offshore and anchored for the night. September 20.—Station 135 : Hove up anchor at 6 a.m. Heavy sea running, with S.W. wind. Steamed inshore to try and get out of the swell, and shot the net for the first haul at 8 a.m. in 12 fathoms, dark-sand bottom, 4 miles N.E. xN. off the entrance to the Buller River. Towed on a N.W. course for 5 miles, and hauled up in 22 fathoms from a good soft-sand bottom. The result of this haul was very poor. Station 136 : Steamed south 2 miles, and shot for the next haul in 19 fathoms at 9.50 a.m., sand bottom, 5 miles N. xW. off the entrance of the Buller River. Towed S.W. for 4 miles, and hauled up in 12 fathoms. Result, poor as to quantity, but a very good variety of fish. Station 137 : Shot again for the next haul at 11.45 a.m. in 17 fathoms, Cape Foulwind bearing S.W. x S., 4J miles. Towed an hour and a half, and hauled up in 48 fathoms 5 miles N. JW. of Cape Foulwind. This haul yielded 19 soles, 4 brill, 9 gurnard, 11 macrurus, and a quantity of ling, skate, and conger-eels. Station 138 : From last station steamed out 5 miles, and shot for another haul in 36 fathoms, mud bottom, at 1.45 p.m., Cape Foulwind bearing S. f W., 10 miles. Towed on a westerly course for 4 miles and hauled up the net in 55 fathoms, 10 miles N. JW. of Cape' Foulwind. This haul was made in deeper water than any of the other hauls on this coast. The result was, however, very poor both as regards the quantity and variety of fish. Station 139 : After hauling up at station 138 steamed S. J W. for 3 miles, and shot for the last haul in 55 fathoms at 3.20 p.m., bottom mud. Towed 3 miles on a N.W. course, and hauled up from 69 fathoms* and mud bottom at 4.35 p.m. The result of this haul was again very poor. As the weather was fine, with a steady glass, I decided to steam to the south of Hokitika and work north. After hauling up at station 139 steamed on south. September 21.—Station 140 : Arrived off Hokitika at 6 a.m., and commenced work to the south of the river. Finding good bottom where the first soundings were taken, the net was put over for the first haul at 6.15 a.m., depth 50 fathoms, bottom dark sand, Hokitika bearing N.E. x E., 8| miles. Towed on a course N. J E. for an hour and a quarter, and hauled up in 49 fathoms from the same bottom as the net was shot in, Hokitika bearing S.E. x E., 6 miles. The result of this haul was poor, the marketfish consisting of a few schnapper, tarakihi, red-cod, and gurnard. Station 141 : After hauling up at last station steamed inshore to shallower water, and shot the net for the next, haul in 11 fathoms, soft-sand bottom, at 8 a.m., Hokitika bearing S.E. x S. § S., 3| miles. Towed up the coast for an hour and a quarter, and hauled up in 15 fathoms, Arahura River bearing S. § E., 5 miles. The character of the bottom indicated good flatfish-grounds, but the result of the haul was disappointing in this respect, and also with regard to other fish taken,