"WORST EVER."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 13

"WORST EVER."

SEASON'S OYSTERS. RETAILERS COMPLAIN. SMALL AND POOR QUALITY. Bitter complaints that the Auckland rock oysters this season are email, of poor quality and below the standard of past seasons are made by fish companies, fish shops and members of the public. The manager of one large Auckland firm declared to-day that the oysters were the woret he had known for yeare. On the other. hand, officials of the Government oyster depot say that buying so far this season has been heavy and that sales this year are greater than last. They contend that the quality of the oysters is about the same as last year. They admit, however, that the first shipment of the season was inclined to be email, but the size has now improved. "These people say the oysters are of poor quality, but they still come back and want to buy more," said one official. . "I can't say anything bad enough about the quality of the rock oysters this season," commented Mr. J. Enwright, manager of Sanford, Ltd. "We are seriously considering discontinuing the trade in them for the rest of the season. They are far the worst wo have ever had, and they are. by no means a payable proposition. The quality is poor, the oysters, are small, and they are full of water. There is no body in them. However, we will probably give them fortnight's trial, and if they do not improve considerably we will use Stewart Island oysters only." No Comparison. Mr. Enwriglit said the oysters his firm had been handling this season could not be compared with the oysters they had obtained in past seasons. The supplies had been coming from the same localities—lvaipara, Russell, the Gulf and the Barrier—but they were nowhere nearly up to standard. Fifty bags had been handled by his firm so far this week, and of that total there were only about 14 or 15 bags that could be called fair. That was the best that could be said of them. Fifteen bags only had paid for their opening.

"It is difficult to find an explanation of the cause," said Mr. Enwright. "It may be that the Government is skimping the Marine Department, who need a larger grant to cultivate the beds. Private enterprise might turn out a better article, but there is no reason why it should. However, we do not want to enter into a controversy of that nature." A correspondent, writing to the "Star" under the name of "Pro Bono Publico," also complains about the standard. He says: — " Complaints General." "Those who have been looking forward for some time to enjoying a plate of our rock oysters have".been very disappointed with the quality offered. I, and friends of mine, have been astonished at the size of the oysters which the Government has been foist'ing on to the public of Auckland. Complaints are general, and it is very obvious that the Fisheries Department are not concerned about the quality or size of the oysters offered. Apparently all they desire is to obtain eo much per sack. "If private enterprise were guilty of selling such rubbish to the public, the Government would immediately take action, but as this is a Government Department, I suppose it can do what it likes. However, I think the public of Auckland should protest against having such rubbish foisted upon them. I t'hink we should ask that regulations be brought down to see that a standard grade of oyster is supplied to the public." A fish shop proprietor pointed to a heap of oysters at the back of his premises this morning. "We pay 24/ a sack for that rubbish,'? he said. "We can't get our money back on them. They are nearly all skin and juice. The whole I trouble is the beds have been badly neglected. If they don't improve next week, I, for one, will not bother about them any longer. Already I have had to send back two sacks."