wɪðˌɪn ðə nˈɛkst fjˈuː jˈɪɹz, hɪz ʃɹˈuːd bˈɪznəs skˈɪlz ɐlˈaʊd hˌɪm tə ɡˈeɪn ɐ kəntɹˈoʊlɪŋ ˈɪntɹɛst ɪn sˈɛvən nˈuː zˈiːlənd wˈeɪlɪŋ stˈeɪʃənz.
Within the next few years, his shrewd business skills allowed him to gain a controlling interest in seven New Zealand whaling stations.