FOVEAUX STRAIT OYSTER BANKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 34

FOVEAUX STRAIT OYSTER BANKS.

These beds are to gastronomies an object of interest at present. The following are some particulars relating thereto:— There are exactly 12 recognised banks, varying from half a mile to seven miles in length. In all they make out 29i miles. In breadth they vary from one-half to two miles and three-quarters. In depth they carry 12 to 20 fathoms of water. Ihe two' most favourably spoken of are Nos. 1 and 10. The former was discovered in 1888, and was worked during the open «ea«on for the first seven or eight years. Showing signs of exhaustion, the Dank was left idle for =overal years Now it produces oy*ter« of large size and good quality. These are noted for the fact that they remain fresh much longer than those of any of the other beds. This is accounted for by the water (12 fathoms) being more shallow than it is on the other beds. The bank in most repute is No. 10. Nit having been discovered until the beginning of 1906. it is. comparatnely, a reoent find. It is <-e\eu miles in length by about two mile? broad. That gives the drift, or dredge, a great advantage. It enables them to pick up in the one continuous drift, say, 1500 to 2000 dozen. With the means of propulsion most of these craft have now got — steam or oil engines— they are able to accomplish drifts in a comparathely short space of time. The position has been summarised thus: In laboursaving machinery alone the trade has been completely revolutionised within the last year or so. Of course, weather conditions exercise a material influence on the pursuit. High winds prevailed during the early pai-t of last week. The " take " in consequence was so small that the harbour deposit beds were almost run out. Latterly the weather improved, and by Friday night a large proportion of the fleet was back in port with full cargoes. The steamers brought, say. 4000 dozen, and the cutter craft two. That is a very fair average for these boats. With respect to The cjuaLky «nd size of xne -secvson"s bl•\alves, there seems to be a difference of opinion. After listening patiently to these diversities, oui- Bluff correspondent writes : "Mv idea is that, although a shade undersized, this season's giowths are at their very best m flavour."'