47 
A list of the marketable and otherwise well-known fishes was 
supplied with each report by Mr. Ayson. Mr. A. Hamilton under- 
took the examination of the remainder of the fishes preserved on 
the first expedition, eighteen in number. One of these was recognised 
as a new species under the name of Astrape ayson, the genus also 
bemg an addition to the New Zealand fauna. In this instance only 
does the specific locality appear to have been recorded. 
In printing the list of fishes supplied by Mr. Hamilton, the editor 
of the report overlooked the fact that, of the species characterized 
as being additional, four appear in Mr. Ayson’s report: these are 
Myliobatis aquila, Monacanthus convexirostris, Chelidonichthys (Trigla) 
kumu, and Sebastes percoides. 
Very few zoological specimens appear to have been preserved 
from the takings of the second expedition: all were handed to Pro- 
fessor Benham. Of the fishes he writes, ““ Amongst the half-dozen 
of small fish, one, Scorpena plebeia, is a rarity.” 
Though, as before mentioned, a depth of 50 fathoms was reached 
by the trawl, this occurred once only. On four other occasions 40 
fathoms was touched or exceeded. The followimg analysis of figures 
supplied in the reports shows that, generally speaking, operations 
were conducted in comparatively shallow water, for, while on 255 
occasions the trawl operated in 20 fathoms or under, the number of 
times 20 fathoms was exceeded was sixty-six only. The table indi- 
cates the figures for each 10 fathoms :— 
Fathoms. 
| 
| 
| 
| 
0-10. | 11-20. | 21-30. | 31-40. | 41-50. 
Hauls, 1900... “edb tinid Loch. Bee seal hv Cage hedse 
Hauls, 1901 — .. ay ligebos. eRe ne taal), Gea ae 
Totals  .. eetas | a2 Ores eto 5 
THE “ NORA NIVEN ” EXPEDITION. 
It being realised that the deeper waters had not been investigated, 
a third expedition was organized, advantage being taken of the fol- 
lowing circumstance: The Napier Fish- -supply “Company, having 
decided to add to their fleet a larger and more powerful vessel, com- 
missioned a Grimsby shipbuilding firm to construct a new trawler 
suited to their requirements. The Government made arrangements 
with the company, and as soon as the vessel arrived and was fitted 
for work she was chartered for three months. 
