OYSTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 210, 5 March 1914, Page 2

OYSTERS.

OPEXIYC OF THE SEASON. By Telegraph—Press Association, Christchurch, March 2. After four days of a severe '•blow," the weather suddenly calmed and enabled the Bluff oyster licet to open the season right up to time. In 1912 the season commenced on February 1, but last year and this year the law stipulated that a commencement could not be made until March 1. For ten hours' dredging the fleet took no fewer than 4,">0 sacks, which is equivalent to 27,000 dozen oysters. This is far from sufficient to meet the orders merchants have in hand for the "first of the season" from retailers as far north as Wellington, and it will take two or three days' dredging to complete immediate orders. ■ Some excitement was caused through the season opening on a Sunday. The Invercargill oyster saloons found that the Sunday train could not earrv freight, and so they utilised spring cart's to bring supplies to fnvereargill for Sun'day evening suppers. • Keen rivalry was displayed between the various saloons, and' the carts covered the twenty miles of bad road in record time. The, oysters this year have been found to be in splendid condition, being tinner than last vear, and the experts prophesy that they will carry better than for some years past. This will be welcome news to retailers at a distance.