N.Z. NATIVE OYSTER COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 48, 24 August 1895, Page 2

N.Z. NATIVE OYSTER COMPANY.

♦ The direotors of tho New Zealand Native Oyster Fisheries Company (Limited) held their half-yearly meeting yesterday afternoon. There was a full attendance, Mr. G. H Baylis presiding. Mr. J, L. Harvey, tho English expert in ohargo of the works at Fabautanui, presented his sooond half-yearly report, which showed that the works in progress were in" a highly satisfactory condition, and that the provision made for securing last season's Bpat had proved all that was required. He reported on the work dono for the reception of next season's spawn, whioh inoluded tiro " pares," each 100 ft by 80ft, with a depth of 3ft below low water - mark. These would hold from 270,000 t0 300,000 "brood " and " half ware," and had been constructed acoording to the most approved European plans. A housa had been erected on the foreshore, and the men were now engaged in preparing frames for spat catchers to be used next spawning season. He urged the necessity for the construction of another and muoh larger " paro " tban those already made, oapable of holding and fattening over one million oysters. He complained that owing to the length of time that the Bluff eysters wero in transit a considerable percentage of them were found on arrival at the beds to be unfit for Beed. He reoommended that it would be bettor to obtain " ware " fresh from the Sounds, beoause they would be landed with despatch. He further stated that if suoh oysters were used the company would probably be in a position to supply the market next season. The direotors considered the roport in detail, and expressed themselves gratifhrf at the result of thoir operations so far, it being evident from Mr. Harvey's report, and from their own observation, that the suooess of thoir oyster-beds was fully established. Mr. K. H. Beere, the Managing Direotor, reported that ho had rooeived several applications for shares in the oompany, and asked for instructions. The directors doaidod that, with a view, of carrying out Mr. Harvey's recommendations; in fall, Mr. Beere be authorised to place a few of the unallotted shares on the market, the increased oapital thns dorived to be devoted towards the extension of the works. The mooting passed hearty votes of thanks to MesdamesFlprenoe and Carter and the other settlors in the neighbourhood, who hod, with one aooord, assisted by every means in their power towards promoting the success of the undertaking. _________««