DIFFICULTIES AND REMEDIES 



tee, especially when a number of thoroughly practi- 

 cal men, with a wide knowledge of all the branches 

 of deep sea fishing, were added to that body. It 

 was not merely a question of catching fish, in itself 

 a very serious and complicated one, but it was also 

 a matter of distributing the catches to the best 

 advantage, a task which proved uncommonly diffi- 

 cult in view of the enormous calls which were being 

 continuously made upon the decreased transport 

 facilities of the country. Considerable latitude was 

 allowed to fishermen, so that no serious obstacle 

 should be placed in their way in carrying on their 

 work, and as a consequence energetic measures were 

 adopted by them to get profitable hauls. Many 

 antiquated vessels were pressed into the service and 

 man}'' primitive and simple devices were adopted, 

 especially in relation to inshore fishing from small 

 craft. 



Amongst the many systems of fishing employed 

 was that of using a primitive seine from the beach, 

 a method which was essentially one for fine weather 

 and certain parts of the coast, particularly southern 

 districts where there was no proper harbour accom- 

 modation. In these localities half-a-dozen men, 

 with a rowing boat and the net, could make from the 

 sands or shingle a considerable number of shoots 

 and hauls before fatigue and hunger called a rest. 

 In some places the men had but little of the appear- 

 ance of fishermen, for the skilled hands were other- 

 wise employed ; yet good results were possible, for 

 though the catches might be small, the demand was 



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