FISH MARKETS.

Evening Star, Issue 18032, 28 July 1922, Page 7

FISH MARKETS.

TO THE EDXTOB. Sir,—There- seem to bo a number of different opinions as to where a fish mart' should be placed, and with your permission I will give you my experience in days gone by. The fish market in Hobart was nbtjung else but an open shed alongside tlio waterfront, and the tables on which the fish, was laid were marble slabs. All fishermen wore supposed to have the fish in this market by 6 a.m., and it was sold by public auction at that time, bet wren 6 and 7 in the morning, the rule laid down being that no fisherman could seil his fish until 10 a.rn.. till the town clerk granted him a special license. This was a punishment for him for not having his fish in the market by 6 o’clock. The fish was not cleaned in the market, and by 9 a.m. the place was thoroughly clean, and only one man in charge. I am surprised at these people who advocate the erection of offish market at the cost of thousands. The days for markets

have passed away. I need, not remind you of the market wo had in Dunedin. It turned out to bo a failure, and was most shamefully abused. This market was held where the Town Hall is now 11 situated, and it was opened twice a week—Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Saturday mglit it remained,open until 11 or 12 o'clock. It was composed of the refuse of shopkeepers, shanks of mutton, the ends of bacon, stale vegetables, and nothing pleased my wife more than to go to the market. You must recollect that in those days immigration was in full swing, and the market’s customers were mainly now arrivals, for it reminded them of the Old Country. In those days, however, wo had no inspector to look after such things. The days for . a market have passed. Sixty years ago one of the finest markets was in Hobart, and when I visited that place about ten years ago the market was out of existence, a dumping place for castiron and other, refuse. There was also a market in Christchurch. That, too, lost its popularity, and became a depot for second-hand goods. The system that we have now for selling fish, fruit, and vegetables is working on very satisfactory lines, and I fail to see any fault in it except that if tlie fish does not sell to the fishermen’s satisfaction it is put into a freezing chamber until it fetches a price—a very wrong business, particularly for fish.—l am, etc.., J. Downie. July 27.