AUCKLAND FISH MARKET

Southland Times, Issue 18852, 18 June 1920, Page 3

AUCKLAND FISH MARKET

OPERATIONS REVIEWED. In a review of the operations of the City Fish Market, Auckland, last Saturday, the Mayor, Mr J. 11. Gunson, said he had that morning gone into several aspects of the business with the chairman of the Markets Committee. It would be recollected, he said, that the returns for the last financial year showed that the fish depot and market had Just ab*ut paid their way, after adequate sinking fund and depreciation reserves had been provided, and very costly repairs had been effected to the trawlers. The position for the first two months of the current financial year showed that there was a deficiency, owing to bad weather and small catches, notwithstanding the increased charges made for fish. The returns in the last two weeks, however, had been much better. Last week 157 tons ot fish had been received and on one trip alone the Simplon brought in IS tons. The Simplon, which was the larger of the two trawlers owned by the Citv Council, was now going further afield. Recently it was trawling off the North Cape. The Mayor sa’d the Markets Committee had untier consideration the question of the erection of additional facilities at the fish market, such as cool- storage chambers. The Council’s policy was to augment the fish supply with the view of making it more adequate to meet the public needs and enable this food commodity to be sold at as low a price as possible. When the Council embarked on the business six years ago the abnormally high cost of all material and wages could not be foreseen. At any rate these factors would have operated in regard to the price of fish and probably much more adversely against the public without the Council’s participation in the business.

A third trawler was really required by the Council, said Mr Gunson, but the present price of a suitable vessel was prohibitive. There was every indication that the Council would be able to buy one to much better advantage in the near future, however. The question would then have to be considered by the Council whether it would enlarge its activities in connection with the undertaking, or continue on the present basis, notwithstanding the continually bare state of the market. If this latter condition was corrected by others engaged in the business the Council would be quite satisfied, as it only had the public interest.- in view. The Markets Committee had done splendid work in the last two years. It was very little under public notice. but, nevertheless, was doing useful public service, not free from con.siderable anxiety and worry.