BY TRAWL AND MART

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2871, 8 September 1916, Page 6

BY TRAWL AND MART

MUNICIPAL FISHMONGERS

AUCKLAND'S EXPERIENCE

Last week Councillor Godber, cbairmai\ of the Publio Health Committee of tlie City Council, visited Auckland, in company with Councillor George Frost and the Town Clerk (Mi 1 . J. il. Palmer). In view of Wellington's rather sad experience with its little fish-shop on the water-front, Councillor Godber made full inquiry into the activities of die Auckland municipality in this regard. In the course of a report submitted to the council last evening, Councillor Godber said:

"Iu consequence of conditions somewhat similar. to those obtaining in Wellington—i.e., high prices and insufficient supplies—the Auckland City Couucil some two or three years ago made their first venture by obtaining a leasehold site from the Auckland Harbour Board, on tho water-front, in neai proximity to Queen Street. On this site a temporary structure was erected for receiving fish, and the wholesale disposal of same by public auction. It was considered that the establishment of this depot would naturally assist line fishermen. The immediate result was to give an impetus to the fish trade generally, provide cheaper fish, and subsequently tho employment of trawlers by the trade, to' secure a better supply to meet the growing demand. The stimulus given by the Auckland City Council to the trade had the effect of showing the weakness of their own position,' the smaller fishermen being unable to keep the market supplied, especially when tho boats were hampered by bad weather. The council having placed its hand to the plough, :as it were, resolved not to be deferred by- the adverse position realised, • and decided to obtain a trawler themselves to ensure a full and constant supply of fish. In due course a vessel (comparatively new) was purchased in Australia, at a cost of approximately £5600, and brought to Auckland. Fitted and placed in commission, the cost increased to approximately £6400. The vessel is 83 feet long, IS feet beam, and has a draught of about lift., with engine 0f',24 li:p:, her register is 66 tons. It is of importance to notice the depth of draught, as it has been found_ that vessels of 5 or 6ft. draught are liable, in heavy weather, ■ to be drawn by the nets rather than to draw them, whereas tho deeper draught meets all requirements. The staff' consists of tho skipper, engineer, two stokers, and two deck hands, all of whom take duty in tho trawling also, and are given an additional interest in their work by means of a bonus on the catch. The cost of tho Auckland Fish Market building and freezer up to June 10 (latest return) was, in round figures, £1100. The venture, up to the time of starting tho trawler, resulted in a loss of £410. 1 From June 12 to 30, the trawler returns woro £.509, or an average, of 12s. per basket ,of 1001b. The weekly returns sinco then show tho price per basket as varying from Bs. to 12s. lOd. The total sales as tho result of tho trawler's work, from date of commencement, Juuo 12 to August 26, is £2050.

"In addition to tho Fish Market, it was found absolutely necessary to- esy tablish a retail fish shop in the city, if the council's determination to supply cheap fish to tho pooplo was to bo developed to tho greatest advantage. In due course, the council secured a fine shop in Queen Street ; in close proximity to the tram terminus. It is about 16ft. in width, and has a counter length of about 40ft., with another 20ft. or so of back room, in which is a cooling chamber for fish unsold at tho close of -tho day. Including window space, there is a total length of about 75ft. The shop was opened on August 4, 1916, and so great was tho demand that the wholo supply was sold out the first day, the building being closed on the Saturday for want of fisli. £40 .was tho result of tho first day's takings. The ensuing week's returns were ■ £185, the following week £164, ,and the week ended August 26 £182. On several occasions the returns fell to £17 and £18 and £19 per day, and those were days whon for soino' reason or other there was a shortage, or an entire absence, of smoked fish. The council pays £10 per : week rent for the shop, and has four men and a manager in charge. The working expenses, in addition to the rent, aro about £20 per week. There can be no doubt that, despite the initial difficulties , and. loss, the Auckland City Pish Market venture is row an assured success, and tho Auckland Council is to be congratulated upon the very fine record since the trawler was obtained. So satisfied aro they with the\ results that tho council is now seeking to purchaso an additional vessel, and it is also their intention to open another retail shop in tho near future.

"From tho foregoing it may bo noted that the advent of tho Auckland City Council into the fish trade has not. had the effect of crippling private enterprise, but has undoubtedly stimulated private effort as - instanced by tho additional fish shops which have been opened by the Trawling Company (doing the principal,fish business in tho City) since the council inaugurated their undertaking. Tho groat effect—and this is tho most important feature —lias been to cheapen the supply to all the citizens.

"It . has been stated that trawling cannot' successfully bo carried out around the Wollington coastal district, but it is to bo remembered that in this respect wo are not much, worso off than Auckland, which depenus mainly on deep-sea trawling, and, 'in this, wo should bo as successful. as they.

"It is ccrtain, however, that if a fish market is to succeed in Wellington, a trawler must be obtained to secure a continuous ..supply of fish; a refrigerating chamber must be established, and a retail shop in a main street must be opened. By these means fish which has been cheapened iu Auckland .from 4d. and Od. per lb. to 2d., and in some cases Id. per lb., may be. similarly reduced in prico here; Our waters teem • with ediblo fish of all sorts, and size, and yet this most prolific and best-of-all-food is retailed at prices .almost prohibitive to the general bulk of the citizens. This reform is necessary, is warranted in the interests of our citizens, and I strongly recommend it to your most serious and favourable consideration. Our present venture small and inadequate as it is, is so well patronised that there can he no doubt that its present financially unsound aspect is due entirely to: First, lack of supply; and, secondly, our inability to proporly reach tho public. With these features reversed, our success is assured."