THE OUTCOME OF THE EXPEDITION. 
The stated objects of the expedition have been referred to 
in the introduction, and it will be seen that they were of purely 
economic import. 
Investigations were to be made only in direct connection with 
the food fishes, their distribution and the grounds suitable for 
their capture, and to place the information obtained on record 
for the guidance of those interested in the trawling industry. 
These objects have been well attained, as will be evident by 
a study of the official report to which I have previously alluded. 
The report is very exhaustive; it contains information which 
can be obtained from no other source; and it should be in the 
hands of all who are interested in the Batis industry of the 
Dominion. 
The information contained therein fenhte to the nature of 
the sea bottom in the areas prospected, and their suitability or 
otherwise for working the trawl is extremely valuable, and it is 
almost unnecessary to mention that it is nearly as important 
to know the rocky stretches, or those strewn with river drift- 
wood or other obstructions, so as to be made aware of satisfactory 
trawling grounds. It requires but a small fixed object to do 
irreparable damage to the net, or if it can be mended it may 
involve the expenditure of valuable time in its reparation. Two 
sets of gear are usually carried on trawlers, but it sometimes 
happens, as was once our experience, that the nets are badly 
ripped at successive hauls, when work has to be suspended until 
one of them is again made good. 
Another feature of the report is the approximate number of 
marketable fish taken in the different hauls at the various 
localities exploited. I have used the term ‘‘marketable’’ in 
preference to ‘‘edible,’’ because there is an abundance of good 
wholesome fish-food regularly taken in our waters, and thrown 
overboard again, being regarded as unsaleable. A _ bountiful 
supply of fish, even if it is second rate, might tend to lower the 
price of the commodity as a whole, and its introduction would 
not therefore be regarded with favour by those who conduct the 
sale of fish in our centres, though increased sales would doubtless 
more than restore the balance. I know no reason why the Red 
Cod (Physiculus bachus) should not be more freely eaten: this 
species was taken by tons, but it is not in much demand in the 
