FISHING. 
160 
meet with any specimens of tliis kind ; as we have 
invariably endeavoured to correct their taste ; 
and the wives of the Missionaries, when supply- 
ing them with these articles, have given them 
directions how to wear them. 
Their fishing-nets are made with flax, merely 
split into narrow shreds, and welted: the meshes 
are tied very securely, and of a size according to 
tlie ground upon wliich they are to be either cast 
or dragged : they vary in length, from twenty to 
two or tliree hundred yards. Tliey have small 
landing-nets, fixed upon the end of a pole, for the 
purpose of taking crayfish ; and when, with their 
feet, they have discovered where their object lies, 
they put the mouth of the net to the tail of the 
fish, and kick him into it. Shrimps are caught 
in great abundance, with a small common natives' 
basket or pail. They mostly kill the eel, on the 
salt-water mud-banks, with the spear. A large 
torch, made of flax tied together, with a little 
resin from the kauri-tree placed in the centre, is 
set fire to, and carried before the man whose 
office it is to spear the fish. The light of the 
torch attracts the eels from their hiding-places, 
and they become an easy prey to their pursuer : 
the darkest nights are chosen for this purpose. 
From the flax they spin excellent twine, and 
good strong cord : it is all done by a simple but 
tedious practice, that of twisting it upon the thigh, 
by rolling it in one direction with the palm of the 
hand. They make an excellent cord, an inch in 
