WHITEBAIT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1927, Page 4

WHITEBAIT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION

The ordinary monthly meeting of tile Westland Whitebait Fishermen’s Association was held at the ofiiee of the Central Dairy Coy. on Tuesday evening, -Mr H. T. Parry presiding over -Messrs E. Appleton, J. Foote, T. Spoor, . Kelly, (J. Howe, and O. uiason (Arahura). Tiie minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. i.X'WAE I) CORHESI’OXDEXCE. From Jfon. J. (!. Coates, Minister of Railways, as follows: —With reference to your representations regarding the railage charges on white-bait, I. have to advise that the fact that a higher rate is charged for white-bait as compared with ordinary fish is one foi which there arc quite so I reasons. White-bait, is caught during a comparatively short period of the year and commands a much higher market price than ordinary fish, which is a regular traffic throughout the year, with an annual tonnage ol approximately 8,000 tons. The higher market value of white-bait is alone sufficient to warrant, the higher rate, without taking into consideration the larger tonnage of ordinary fish, and from a review of tlie circumstances, it will lie found that the railage on white-bait i:s such an inconsiderable part ol 1 1 1 0 value of. the commodity that a material reduction in tile rate would have no influence in stimulating the sale of this class of fish, e.g., the railage on lewt. whitebait from Hokitika to Christchurch is 7s Sd as compared with -Is Id for a similar consignment of ordinary fish which, as previously stated, is usually forwarded in larger consignments. ft is evident that a reduction of .'is 7d on such a consignment, which is equivalent to one- third of a penny per pound would have no effect on the retail value of wliite-bait. Your representations in this matter have received careful consideration. Hut T regret T am unable to authorise any reduction in the rate on white-bait.—Re-ceived. It was decided to write the Ifon. .Minister of Marine asking that the gauge box leading from the sawdust dump at the Kanieri-Tfokitika Sawmilling Coy’s mill lie removed. On the motion of the Chairman it was decided to write to the local canning factories asking if it was a fact that they had been compelled to turn down whitebait as the result of contamination. On tiie motion of Mr Foote, it was decided to inquire when tiie (bid Inspector of Fisheries was likely to be visiting the Coast. The run of fish during (lie past season was considered very satisfactory, both the local canning factories having done well, while the Christchurch market was over-supplied at times. The question of contamination was discussed, the general opinion being that one sawmill was giving most of tiie trouble in this direction. Tiie meeting concluded with a hearty vote of tfmnks to the chairman.