THE FOUNDDR OF A GREAT INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2466, 2 December 1886, Page 2

THE FOUNDDR OF A GREAT INDUSTRY.

.j.—__■ At Bierwioh, in Holland, honor is about to be done to the moniory of a gteat Dutchman whose nameand whooeachieveineuts are prpbably unknown to the rest of Europe. This month will mark the fifth centenary of tho memorable discovery of William Buokels. Buckels was a Zealand fisherman, and his discovery wbb simply thiß, that salt fish will keep and that fash that can be kept' can bo packed and can be exportod. Boforo liie time herrings had to be consumed within a few days, of their capture. Buckets salted them. It docs not sound like a. great discovery. One rather wonders that the systemhad not been applied from tho beginning. However, in 1386, Wm. Buckels salted the first 100 of herrings, and, having salted them, he packed them in barrels, This exercise of resulted in a singular development of the resources of tho country. . The English fisheries were not as prominent 800 years ago aB they are now, and Holland had for a time almost a monopoly of a market which she was able to create and supply. Buckels had not to wait 600 years to have his claim to public gratitude recognised, Charles V. had a statute erected to tho herring salter who became the benefactor of his country. Queen Mary of ttiiiwy, however, paid him even greater honor. Daring her residence in Holland she discovered his tomb, and seated upon it, ate a salted herring.