North-west Australian Fishery. 147 



water, affords a suitable place for the repair of 

 boats, and most of the Pearling-fleet are laid up 

 here from April to October. During these months 

 the temperature of the water and atmosphere is so 

 low, that naked diving cannot be carried on, and 

 thus these fine calm months of easterly weather 

 are lost to all but a few, who are now beginning 

 to use European diving apparatus, the author having 

 been the first to use them on a large scale. 



The " Pearlers " or ^' Nor - Westers '' as they 

 are usually styled, generally combine sheep 

 farming with Pearling, thus employing the divers 

 on the station during the cold season. A finer 

 but rougher set of men it would be hard to find. 

 They are the product of a hard and dangerous 

 but healthy life; and there is amongst them an 

 unwritten code of honour that is seldom broken, 

 and is indeed, more strictly observed than the rules 

 which receive tacit consent but sparse observance, in 

 more refined circles. Removed from the amenities 

 and restraints of more civilised life, it is not to be 

 wondered at that drinking, gambling and fighting 

 are favourite recreations of this bronzed and stalwart 

 class, but their fighting is carried on in true English 

 fashion, and the effects are transient and harmless. 



These men are clannish to a degree, and a 

 new arrival is not unfrequently made the subject 



