Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/106

Rh this, as I before observed, not being the common route, I have been less particular in speaking of the land on the south-eastern shore than that of the north-western side of the bay.

South whalers have hitherto been very successful in procuring spermaceti whales on this coast, which, if frequented by a moderate number of ships, they would, no doubt, generally speaking, obtain a cargo; but of late years this trade has so much increased in these seas, that the whales have taken the alarm; and, in consequence, their customary haunts in many instances are forsaken. It has frequently happened that a particular coast or island has been reported to be frequented by a great number of whales, and no sooner does this information transpire, than ships are instantly fitted out to go in search of them, both from Europe and America.—The consequence is, the fish are soon in great measure, either destroyed by the Rh