AUCKLAND OYSTERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 7

AUCKLAND OYSTERS.

(By Telegraph.—Spccial Oorrespondon'..) Auckland, May 20. Good wages aro being earned by the oyster-pickers employed on the beds at Waiheke Island, and large quantities of oysters are being delivered to an eager market. During last week 507 sacks wero delivered at the State Depot—3s7 sacks from Waiheke and 150 from Russell. Eighteen pickers are 'at present working in Pufiki Bay, Waiheke, under the direction of an overseer, and, as the beds are jvfcll stocked, (lie men are gathering largo supplies. Thosa beds wero not disturbed last season, and, consequently, the oysters have greatly increased in quantity and quality. Only experienced pickers aro employed, and each man is permitted to gather not more than three sacks per day. a maximum'which is generally reached at present. Tho limitation was imposed to secure care and discrimination in picking, and though, at the rate of (is. Od. per sack, the men are earning nearly .£1 per day, tho work has tho disadvantage of discomfort, for it is all on "wet ground." In spite of unfavourable weather, last week's returns formed the highest for the present season. The oysters are brought in from the nearer islands of the Kauraki Gulf by launch, and, twice a week, consignments nre delivered from Russell by steamer. A shipment of 150 sacks was expected from Putiki Bay last eveni'i" nnd these ovslcrs will be on the market this morning. The supplies received nt the Stale Depot are quickly absorbed, nnd the demand upon retailers is keenly maintained. Orders from nil parts of tvNorth Island, and from the South Island a= far south as Christchurch and Grevmouth. are b?ing filled from the denot. Stewart Island oysters are being sold in the south.