A DEAD HEAT
ThIE OYSTER DERBY
For the first time in the history of the Oyster Derby, Southland's contest between rival fishmongers to be first in Invercargill with the new season's oysters, resulted in a dead heat on Friday, the representatives of J. Matheson and Pascoe Brothers delivering the first oysters at the same tune. Glorious weather and excellent trawling conditions prevailed, and the entire trawling:fleet of;seven, vessels went out atvan early, hour on Friday morning. Early•,- iri ' the afternoon the . Toiler returned with the first catch, the Kekeno and* Despatch following shortly afterwards.
As soon as the Toiler reached the oyster, wharf at Bluff, states the Southland Times," there was a rush to secure the first of the season,' and although all of the competitors • got away to a good start on the journey from Bluff to Invercargill, J. Matheson's representative outdistanced -his rivals and; was the first to enter the "Southland Times" office, where 'the delivery of the first oysters decides the race. He went in by the wrong door, and the representative of Pascoe Brothers joined him in a race up'the stairs,' 'both parcels of oysters being delivered to the editor at thesame [time.
Neither of the first two to finish carried commercial quantities; being more interested in the honour of •winning the Blue Ribbon. The first commercial load to reach Invercargill was whirled over the Bluff road by J. Coster, of Nith Street, who was at the "Times" office five .minutes after the other pair. J. Thompson, a former winner, was close on his wheels, and it is claimed on his behalf that he was the-first to have oysters on sale in the city in commercial quantities. One competitor was very optimistic about his chances and took the precaution •. of being very early .on ■ the scene. /He' was:;stationed:at Bluff from early ( ■■ -', morning r with three .-• motor vehicles, but .fourth, ~He was a winner some years ago. .'■-,
■Merchants report that the catches were the best for some years, and that the fish are in excellent condition. The prospects for a good season are very bright
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 19
Word Count
348A DEAD HEAT Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 19
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