Sharks And Cheese.

N.I. Plans. — Two New Industries.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Norfolk Is., Nov. 7.

WE are hoping for the establishment of two new industries, both of supreme interest and importance to the island.

The first is the equipping of a first rate plant for shark-fishing, with two buildings to be erected —one on Phillip Island and the other at Cascades —for dealing with all products and consign ing to China.

There is Chinese money behind this enterprise and it seems a really sound proposition. The sharks —of which the seas are always full, but which are prevented by the encircling reef from approaching too close —will presum ably be caught on hand lines from powerful launches, and the industry will provide payable employment for our splendid island fishermen.

It is possible also that the salting and canning of more domestic fish for the Australian markets may be pro vided for in erecting these special plants. We hear rumours that trawlers operating along the mainland coasts have entirely fished out the waters along New South Wales.

Our second proposition concerns the erection of a dairy factory, to make our own butter and cheese and save the island something like £2,000 per annum which at present goes overseas.

There are various small dairy herds already established and many house holds milk their one or two cows; in the opinion of Mr. Carroll, a dairy expert from Victoria, who recently visited us and addressed an organised meeting of farmers, a factory is per fectly practicable and should be most successful. As time goes on, we may even cure our own bacon, there being already a good class of bacon pig on the island and one man, at least, pro ducing on his own premises, bacon and hams that challenge comparison with anything that is imported.