THE FISH MARKET

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1913, Page 4

THE FISH MARKET

STATEMENT BY COUNCILLOR FLETCHER. In the Post on Saturday last there appeared a letter from a correspondent ("Regular Customer") complaining of short supplies of fish at the municipal market and stating that "the way the business is carried on may well disgust Captain Eckford, who evinces a kindly interest in the venture, and evidently wishes to help make it a success ; and also the regular customers, who show their interest in the market by making so many fruitless journeys thither. It seems pretty evident that the council has no earnest desire that citizens should have regular supplies of fresh fish at reasonable prices. A glance at a similar concern in the city shows that supplies can be arranged for." "Regular Customer" also complained, "of the bad access, by road to the market." A Poet reporter interviewed Councillor Fletcher 10-day and was told that the statements made by the correspondent regarding the management of the market were not correct. Councillor Fletcher said that the results so far proved the wisdom of the council in establishing a market. The council was thoroughly in earnest in its effort to provide the public with a good supply of fish at reasonable prices and it was admitted by the bulk of the people who had patronised the market that they had been well served. There had been a good deal of opposition to the scheme, and the weather at times had not been suitable for fishing, tte and other Councillors wanted to make the market a huge success, and he was satisfied that if the public would only be a little patient Wellington people would through the exertions of the corporation have no cause to complain of an insufficient supply of fish at aU times. Fishermen in certain places outside Wellington were now in communication with the municipal authorities, and from them it was believed a regular supply would b& obtained in the near future. Councillor Fletcher went on to say that he was still convinced that it would pay the council to go in for a trawler. A suitable vessel might be obtained for £5000 or £6000, and if the venture was a profitable one another boat of the same type could also be employed. The smoke house in connection with the market was an unqualified success. Mr. Alward was an expert at Curing fish, and all the fish which he smoked was quickly 60ld. Crayfish were now being boiled under the manager's supervision, and were selling like hot cakes. The chairman admitted that ihe approach to the market was not good in wet weather. • He had spoketi to the Engineer On the subject some time ago, and would do so again. The trouble about the matter, added Councillor Fletcher, was that the condition of the mlway line made ifc difficult to form anything like a decent crossing m the vicinity of th& market.