THE OYSTER SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 101, 27 April 1912, Page 9

THE OYSTER SUPPLY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In reading your notices with reference, to the opening of the oyster season on the Ist May, I note that Mr. Ayson has twice expressed a doubt as to whether the extremely reasonable price hitherto charged by the Government of 12/ri per sack has been of any benefit to the peneral public,' "who are' fond of this shellfish. I assort, Sir. thai, they have not benefited at all by It. Last sesason the shops were selling oysters at 2/ and at times 2/0 per bottle, and on one of your reporters interviewing a leading fish merchant for the reason for such high prices, was told it was because oysters were scarce. This sounds funny when one remembers thai the wholesale cost remained the same. 'The sa-cks contained seventy-five dozen oysters and frequently eighty dozen. At 75 doz. to the sack the price works out exactly 2d per doz. The dealers at once added 100 per cent, and charged the public 4d per doz. in the shell and 2/ per bottle. Now, Sir, a bottle if well filled should contain 6 doz. oysters, hut what one got for 2/ was half oysters and then filled with fresh water. Realising that your time, and space is valuable, further comment seems unnecessary. If any statement in 'this letter is questioned it can easily be verified by others.— am, etc., A WORKING MAN.