PEE A VOgky.. 
As the following introduction is written in a more popular manner 
than is usual in scientific publications, and as it deals with matter 
of local rather than of general interest, some explanation may be 
advisable. 
The expedition was undertaken by the New Zealand Government 
purely, in the interests of the fishing industry, and all specimens 
gathered, with the exception of the food-fishes, were, by those re- 
sponsible for the conduct of the expedition, regarded as by-products. 
The object of the present publication is to record the results of 
the scientific examination of all specimens preserved, and the pre- 
paration of the several reports has been kindly undertaken by 
specialists in their respective subjects. 
As, however, the Government is, at the instance of the Hon. the 
Minister of Marine, financially assisting the publication of the results, 
and as the report therefore partakes of the nature of an official pro- 
duction, something more than a purely scientific treatise is naturally 
expected. 
While, therefore, the special articles are devoted to a record of the 
scientific results of the expedition, details of the cruise and the his- 
torical or otherwise extraneous matter is assigned to the introduction. 
This will also explain why much apparently appropriate to the re- 
port on the fishes appears in the introductory portion. 
After the introduction was written, an interim report was pub- 
lished by the Government, and this is also referred to. 
K. R. W. 
Canterbury Museum, October, 1908. 
1*—Trawling. 
