LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5116, 10 June 1885, Page 2

LOCAL INDUSTRIES.

[To the Editor of tho Evening Star.]

Sir—lt is only natural that in this district tho greater part of the attention of the inhabitants should be directed to the earth and its minerals, but at the same time some little attention should be given to the sea and its products. I gather from the fishermen here—as indeed one would be led to expect from the great natural advantages of your harbour—that there is an abundance offish, far more than sufficient not only for your local consumption, but also for Auckland demands. What is consequently wasted should not for a moment be allowed; if the fish cannot be sold fresh, they can be canned and sold profitably. It is known that hitherto the American canned fish has glutted the market, but now the attention of the Government has been called to the subject, and as will be seen by the public press, they are about »to place a heavy import duty upon all foreign canned fish, and this will aid considerably local industries; but even under existing circumstances, that fish-canning in New Zealand can be made to pay, is shown by the fact that Messrs Masefield and Co. hare for some time past carried on a large canning business on theKaipara with great success. Other works are now being started in various parts of the colony for the canning of fish and fruit, and it is curious that in this district, which is so amply provided by nature with both fish and fruit, there ia n» manufactory of the description, and I venture to suggest to some of your enterprising townsmen that as now things are a little slack with the land, they should see , what can be done with the water.—l am, &c, A Visitob.