H—ls

A total of 18,747 gallons of fish-liver oil was exported, an increase of 1,035 gallons on last year's figures. The total weights of livers treated and the quantities of oil produced during the last five years are as follows : Weight of Quantity Livers of Oil Year. • Treated. Produced. lb. Gallons. 1945 .. .. .. 564,397 25,023 1946 .. .. ..670,644 29,923 1947 .. .. .. 698,383 30,427 1948 .. .. .. 677,435 24,083 1949 .. .. .. 783,307 33,304 WhalingA total of 139 whales, all humpbacks, was taken during the season, the first whale being caught on 12th May and the last on the 20th August. During July, the best month, a total of 61 whales was taken. The total of 139 whales was made up of 87 males and 52 females. The season proved to be a record one. This was attributed to more efficient plant that had been installed and to the excellent co-operation from the personnel. The whales were all in excellent condition, there was a noticeable absence of small whales, and another noteworthy feature of the season was the absence of any other species than the humpback whale. The yield was 973 tons of oil, 100 tons of bonedust, and 300 tons of whale-meat (canned). Kock Oysters A total of 5,076 sacks was picked. The picking commenced on 16th May and finished on 2nd August. The yield of oysters in sacks from each of the various areas was as follows : Bay of Islands, 2,409 ; Whangarei Harbour, 230 ; Coromandel, 450 ; Great Barrier Island, 202 ; Kaipara Harbour, 1,043 ; Hauraki Gulf, 742. The quantities from Hauraki Gulf were obtained from the following areas : Tamaki Strait, 40 ; Ponui Island 478 ; Pakahi Island, 41 ; Waiheke Island, 183. Oyster Cultivation for the Year Ended 31st March, 1950 Area. IV. Takatu Point to Gull Point: 1,008,000 borers destroyed. Cost, £59 18s. 6d. VII. Kawau Island : 76,000 borers destroyed. Cost, £5 2s. X. Motutapu Island : 20,000 borers destroyed. Cost, £5 2s. XIII. Waiheke Island : 100,900 borers destroyed. Cost, £8 7s. 3d. XVI. Great Barrier Island : 1,406 square yards of rock cleared of grape weed ; 680 square yards of rock cleared of dead shell; 2 square yards of high-water rock moved to lower level. Cost, £49 13s. 6d. Total for all areas : 1,204,900 borers destroyed, 1,406 square yards of rock cleared of grape weed ; 680 square yards of rock cleared of dead shell; 2 square yards of highwater rock moved to lower level. Cost, £l2B 3s. 3d. Dredge Oysters : Foveaux Strait, 1949 With the slight increase of 2,892 sacks this year the total catch for the season reached the record figure of 97,336 sacks. This was due in part to the fact that the fleet of ten vessels worked throughout the season and that the weather was, on the whole, favourable. May was an exceptionally fine month, during which a total of 22,990 sacks were landed.

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