FISHERMEN AND THEIR NETS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 19 December 1916, Page 6

FISHERMEN AND THEIR NETS

/ ISLAND BAY GRIEVANCE,

The dispute about tho drying of nets on Island Bay Beach was before the City Council again last night. The committeo in charge of beaches reported as follows:—"The committee have to report that they have been waited on by Messrs. Ahielius Smith and G. H. Baylis, with reference to the nuisance caused to residents and visitors by iishermen drying and repairing their nets on the Island Bay beaches, and also- complaining that persons are depositing fish offal and other refuse on the beach, notwithstanding the council's notice warning persons from so doing. Tho committes> have to recommend that the fishermen be notified that in future their fishing nets must be dried and repaired on the beach of the island, instead of on the mainland."

A deputation from the fishermen waited tipon tho council to protest against the committee's decision. They, stated that there was no beach on the island in the bay, and that nets could not be dried there. They said also that the nets were always clean and sanitary. Indeed the fishermen, for their own sakes, kept them clean, nets being expensive, and liable to rot if not kept clean. Tho fly nuisance at the bay was admitted, but the fishermen contended that if fishing was the cause of it at all, the flies were brought there by the fact that it was impossible to wash down the rocky ledgo on which they had to clean the fish. If the council would erect a concrete dock or landing-place they would be able to wash it down and keep it clean and sanitary. They would even be prepared to make a contribution towards the cost, or to pay a reasonable annual chargo for the use of it.

The Mayor assured the deputation that their case would have proper consideration, and later in the meeting the above report of the committee was "referred back."