478 Transact iuns. — JSJiscellaneo^is. 



reward offered for the attainment of each ; then, if we have to 

 ask for assistance, it would surely be afforded much more 

 readily if we can show that we have paved or are paving the 

 way, by bringing steam-whalers out here to within a week's 

 steaming of Victoria Land, and that no payment would be made 

 without some corresponding result. 



As to the probability of owners of steam-whalers being 

 willing to come to ns with their ships, it seems to me that while 

 it would be well worth our while to offer very liberal induce- 

 ments, if necessary, yet that their prospects here would be so 

 much brighter than at Home, that at the present time very 

 very little encouragement would be needed to induce enterprising 

 men (and we want no other sort) to come and give the place a 

 trial, simply in the hope of permanently bettering their condi- 

 tion. I cannot conceive any better way of getting the steam- 

 whahng industry to take root here than to induce trained men 

 to come and settle amongst us, bringing their whole capital, 

 practical experience, and ships ready equipped for work. Their 

 success here might probably lead others of the same calliug to 

 come to us, also with their ships, unless the northern fishery 

 greatly improves. 



I do not knotr that any of the steam whale-ships are owned 

 altogether by their captains ; but I believe it is common for the 

 captain to own a considerable share of his vessel. In a matter 

 of such importance, it might be well in such a case for our 

 Government to buy up, in the first instance, part or all of the 

 remaining shares, with the view of after-disposal to some com- 

 mercial firm in the colony. The vessels that sail from Peterhead 

 average, I believe, at least 500 tons. A vessel that size would 

 probably lower six boats and carry a complement of about fifty 

 men, all told. The value of a good vessel of this class is con- 

 siderable, but I have been unable to procure exact information 

 on this point. I think the price of " black" oil is about £20 

 per ton ; but the accounts 1 have received differ. In the way of 

 granting bounties, England has spent millions of money on her 

 whale fisheries ; but I gather from Mr. McCulloch's " Com- 

 mercial Dictionary " that she never took a wiser step for their 

 encouragement than when she was at the pains to induce fishers 

 from Holland to come and settle amongst her people, bringing 

 with them their capital, industry, and skill. " In consequence 

 of this signal encouragement," he writes, "the whale fishery of 

 England was prosecuted with greater success than at any pre- 

 vious period." 



It seems a reproach to us that, while American whalers 

 have year after year carried away so much wealth from our 

 very doors, we have done so little yet in the way of whaling, 

 although our situation is so superior to theirs. I have con- 

 versed with a very intelligent sailor who has served on board a 



