15

a—lsb.

from Woody Head. This was a very good haul, and gave more flatfish than any other made down the west coast. Station 224 : After hauling up at last station the course was altered : steamed S.E. x S. for 6 miles, and the net was shot for the second haul to-day at 10.50 a.m., the position being 8f miles S.W. x W. from Woody Head; depth 28 fathoms, and bottom fine sand. The net was towed S.W. xS.J S. for 5 miles, and hauled up in 30 fathoms at 12.30 p.m. The result of this haul was very satisfactory, both as regards quantity and variety of fish. Station 225 : From last station we steamed on 4 miles in the same direction that the last haul was made, and put over the net for the next haul at 1.30 p.m., 5 miles N.E. x E. from Gannet Island ; 23 fathoms, sand-and-shell bottom. The net was towed S. xW. an hour and a half, distance 5 miles, and hauled up in 25 fathoms from a good sand-and-shell bottom. This haul yielded a good variety of fish, but the quantity was not equal to the previous hauls. Station 226 : Altered the course E. x S. after hauling up at last station, and steamed 4| miles, and shot the net at 3.50 p.m., 4 miles S.S.W. from Gannet Island ; depth 33 fathoms, sand-and-shell bottom. Towed E. JS. for an hour, 4 miles, and hauled up in the same depth as that in which the net was shot. The sounding made before hauling up showed the bottom to be sand and rock. The net came up slightly damaged. The result of this haul was rather poor compared with the others made since leaving the Manukau. After hauling up, we steamed inshore, and anchored for the night under Albatross Point. November 16. —Station 227 : Hove up anchor at 7 a.m., and steamed out for 4 miles, and shot the net for the first haul at 8 a.m., the position being N. x W. from Albatross Point 4 miles, depth 16 fathoms, bottom fine sand. Towed N. xW.f W. for two hours, 7 miles, and hauled up in 25 fathoms from the same character of bottom. This haul yielded very good results. Station 228 : After hauling up at last station, steamed S.W. | S. 14 miles, and shot the net at 11.45 a.m., 9 miles W.S.W. from Albatross Point; depth 30 fathoms, fine-sand bottom. Towed S.W. JW. for 5 miles, and hauled up at 1.30 p.m. in 34 fathoms, fine-sand bottom. This haul was also a very good one, consisting principally of schnapper, gurnard, tarakihi, and other varieties of market-fish. Station 229 : Altered the course after hauling up, and steamed E.S.E. 6 miles, and shot the net again at 2.30 p.m., 11 miles S.W. £ S. from Albatross Point, the depth being the same as the last haul was made in—3o fathoms —fine-sand bottom. Towed N.E. fN. for an hour and a half, 5 miles, and hauled up in 33 fathoms from the same fine-sand bottom. This haul yielded very good results. After hauling up, steamed to the north of Albatross Point, where we anchored. November 17, Sunday. —Lay at anchor under Albatross Point. November 18. —Station 230 : Hove up anchor under Albatross Point at 6 a.m., and steamed S. xW. 12 miles. The net was shot for the first haul at 8 a.m., 12 miles S. fW. from Albatross Point; depth 30 fathoms, bottom fine sand. Towed S.W. fW. an hour and a half, 5 miles, and hauled up in 27 fathoms from the same fine-sand bottom. This haul yielded a very good bag of fish. Station 231 : After hauling up at Station 230 altered the course to S.W., and steamed 6 miles, good sand-and-shell bottom being found at 31 fathoms. The net was shot for the next haul 10 miles W.S.W. from Rua Point, at 10.30 a.m. Towed S.S.W. for an houi and a half, 5 miles, and hauled up in 33 fathoms. This haul yielded fair results. Station 232 : After hauling up at last station altered the course to S.E., and steamed in for 6 miles. Put over the net for the next haul at 1 p.m., 13 miles S.W. x S. \ S. from Rua Point, in 28 fathoms, fine-sand bottom. Towed S. \W. for an hour and a half, 5 miles, and hauled up in 30 fathoms. Result, very fair quantity and variety of fish. Station 233 : The course was altered after hauling up at station 232, and we steamed out 6 miles, and shot the net at 3.30 p.m., 17 miles W. \ N. from Mokau River ; depth 30 fathoms, and bottom coarse sand. The net was towed S.W. xS.\ S. for 5 miles, and hauled up at 4.35 p.m. in 35 fathoms, coarse-sand bottom. This haul was a poor one, both as regards quantity and variety of fish. After hauling up, anchored for the night. November 19. —Station 234 : Hove up anchor at 6.30 a.m., and steamed S.E. for 6 miles, and put over the net for the first haul to-day at 8 a.m., 12 miles N. \ W. from Raleigh (Waitara), in 33 fathoms, coarse-sand and shell bottom. Towed for 5 miles, and hauled up at 9.35 a.m. in 38 fathoms, coarse-sand and shell bottom. Result, very satisfactory bag of fish. Station 235 : After hauling up, altered the course : steamed W. 6 miles, and shot the net for the next haul 14| miles N. \ W. from New Plymouth, at 10.45 a.m. ; depth 45 fathoms, and bottom coarse sand. Towed S.W. \ W. for h\ miles, and hauled up the net at 12.40 p.m. from the same depth and bottom in which it was shot. Result rather poor. Station 236 : From station 235 steamed S. xW. 6 miles. Shot the net at 1-45 p.m., 8J miles N.W. \W. from New Plymouth; depth 43 fathoms, and bottom coarse sand. Towed E. an hour, 3| miles, then altered the course to S.S.E., and towed in that direction an hour, 3| miles. Hauled up at 3.45 p.m. in 50 fathoms, coarse-sand bottom. This was a poor haul. After hauling up, we steamed into New Plymouth to get a supply of coal and provisions, and land fish. Arrived at New Plymouth Breakwater at 6 p.m. November 20. —At New Plymouth. Coaled, obtained provisions, and landed fish, and left the Breakwater at 4 p.m., and anchored under Moturoa Island. November 21.—Station 237 : Hove up anchor off Moturoa Island at 4 a.m., and steamed south to 8 miles S.S.W. from Cape Egmont, when the net was shot in 50 fathoms, on a soft-mud bottom, at 8.15 a.m. Towed S.S.W. for 7 miles, and hauled up at 10 a.m. in 58 fathoms, bottom soft mud. The result of this haul was very poor.