FRESH FISH SUPPLY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17291, 1 November 1921, Page 2

FRESH FISH SUPPLY.

PBOPOSED NEW TRAWLEBS. PLEA FOR NO PERSECUTION. An unusual sort of letter was read at the meeting of' the City Council last night. It was from a trawling firm, Sandford, Ltd., Auckland, and practically amounted to a plea for a declaration of non-persecution on the part of the Council as a preliminary to the company starting operations in this locality. Tho letter stated that the firm had purchased steam trawlers in Knglana with the intention of supplying cheaper fish to the population of Isew Zealand, and one vessel, for a start, would be allotted for the supplying of Christchurch with fish, 'lne oujeet in approaching the Council was to ascertain if that body and, the' citizens • would welcome the new enterprise or woiKd the company be opposed and persecuted as was the case in Auckland wiieb the Auckland City Council did all in its power to prevent the.free and open sale of fish in a free and public market, and turned what should have been a public market into a private business run by the Council, and which from • every point of view had proved a failure. "£ see no way of connecting the sea with the kitchens of the city," added the writer, "'unless we can get access to the people through a public market where we can auction our iish if necessary in large or small quantities. We want no special favours, but if the Council will give us a fair deal and a public market for the sale of our fish I feel sure that the development of the fishing industry will be no small factor in the turning of the tide leading to prosperity. \\e can send immediately one vessel to work for the supplying of your city with fish and can increase the number of vessels as the demand for fish warrants if you can promise that we, if not assisted, shall not be persecuted by legislative action on the part of your Council." The following report from the City Council's Chief Inspector was attached to the foregoing letter:—"lf Mr Sandford can land newly caught fish direct in Christchurch, as he states, 'From the .s&a to tlie kitchen.' lie will find

plenty of buyers and plenty of room for a prosperous business. At present the fish trade on the east coast of tho South Island is held by freezing, and those controlling it are able to limit tne supplies and regulate tho prices to suit themselves. For this reason there is a good opportunity for Mr Sandford's company. ' The reading of the letter was received with laughter. Cr. E. A. Andrews moved jocularly, "That the letter be received and the writer informed that Christchurch would never do as Auckland does." Tho Council decided to refer the letter to the Markets Committee.