OUR OYSTER BEDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 96, 22 April 1904, Page 4

OUR OYSTER BEDS.

The Hauraki oyster fisheries seem to be recovering from the depletion they suffered during the seasons before their closing. Mr. Ayson not long ago went over the main beds in an oil launch, and made a thorough inspection, as the result of which he has made certain, recommendations to the Department. He is debarred from saying what they are. but stated to one of our staff yesterday that the beds are improving, and in a season or so should give prolific yields. Some of the beds have not recovered by any means, and ilr. Ayson waxed particularly angry at the meanness of the private individual who goes and. robs the beds in his picnicking excursions. This seems to he a great evil all over the Gulf, and Mr. Ayson points out that it is neither fair to the fishermen nor the State. The Auckland beds are practiealy the only rock-oyster beds in the colony, and they certainly are the finest. A3 si result of the severe depletion of the beds, a great portion cf the trade with the South has been diverted to Foveaux Straits, where the fine beds of dredge oysters seem to be inexhaustible —they have shown not the least sign of " petering out." The other Auckland oyster fisheries—at Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Kaipara, Whangape, Kawhia and Kaglan—are making good progress, but it is not certain which of these will be opened in May, the beginning of the season It is, however, certain that the fiaglan fishery, which is very good, will not be opened this season Mr. Ayson is at present at Thames, inquiring into the fishing conditions there. On Monday he returns to Auckland to inspect the Manukau fisheries.