524 CURRENTS AND WHALING. 



decrease has occurred. On an average, it requires fifty whales to 

 fill a ship, and it would therefore take about five thousand whales 

 annually, to supply the quantity of oil that is imported. This would 

 appear but a small proportionate number, if these animals were as 

 prolific as our herds on shore, when it is considered that they have 

 a fe ding-ground of twenty millions of square miles. 



The number of right whales captured is to the spermaceti in the 

 proportion of about two to one. The former are principally found on 

 the coasts, in the bays, and even in the harbours, and are far more 

 numerous than the sperm whale. They are pursued to the greatest 

 advantage in small vessels. They frequent the coast of Chili during 

 the summer season, from October to March, and are to be found on the 

 northwest coast of America and that of California, during the northern 

 summer, or from March to November. On both the east and west 

 coasts of New Holland, as well as on that of New Zealand, they are 

 abundant from September to March, in the bays, where they resort 

 to calve. This, however, they no longer do without molestation, as 

 the shores are now occupied by extensive establishments for taking 

 them, well provided with boats. On the signal from the look-out, the 

 boats are launched, and soon in hot pursuit of the game, which, when 

 killed, is towed into the bay and dragged on shore, where it is cut up 

 and " tryed out." 



There are few places which surpass these localities for the commis- 

 sion of all kinds of vice ; and in saying this, I have reference as well 

 to those of South and West Australia, as to those of New Zealand, 

 although the latter are the most noted for their enormities. Some 

 merchants, it is said, in Sydney, advance the capital, and share the 

 profits with those who undertake the business. The latter generally 

 engage in their service a large number of natives and some of the 

 lowest whites, whom they allow to indulge in every sort of vice, so 

 long as they can make use of them. Quarrels often take place between 

 the parties engaged in the same business, and the rivalry not unfre- 

 quently leads to sharp conflicts and bloodshed. 



I am surprised that the British authorities have not taken cogni- 

 zance of the outrageous acts that are constantly taking place within 

 the limits where they claim authority. One of these acts was made 

 known to me after my arrival at the Bay of Islands, and I regretted 

 the impossibility of repairing to the spot to demand redress. The 

 following is the statement of the master, officers, and crew. 



" While the whale-ship Adeline, Thomas Brown, master, was lying 



