AUCKLAND’S FISH SUPPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3564, 2 July 1912, Page 5

AUCKLAND’S FISH SUPPLY.

WASHED IN SEWERACE DRAINS. HOW THE HAWKERS PREPARE FOR MARKET. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. AUCKLAND, July 1. The fish-loving public of Auckland has not- been particularly pleased to find that a considerable nortion ,of its supplies is washed in sewerage. For some time past it has been the custom of some of the hawkers to procure a barrow-load of schnapper, mullet or- flounder from the freezing works or the train, and take the fish round Mechanics’ Bay to a place within three yards of the sewer outlet in order to wash them. .On the embankment, for a considerable distance along from the timber booms, the scales and small portions of refuse from the fish are to be.seen on Fridays, when the demand for fish is much greater than usual. The portion of the embankment from which the fish are washed, is not always large enough to hold all who wish to make use of it, and hawkers have been known 'to prepare their wares for sale at the mouth of the sewer itself. At high tide, except for the floating scrap of refuse and a slightly unpleasant smell there is nothing to indicate the- putrid state' of the water, but when the tide recedes a slimy, nauseating sediment (a concoction of filth from the city drains), ’may be seen for a considerable area round the mouth of the sewer. A few days ago a business man, who has been aware of the hawkers’ practice for some time, noticed one of them washing the fish near the sewer and in the interests of public health explained the circumstances to an official of the Health Department over the telephone. He’was assured that an inspector would at once visit the spot, but was surprised an hour or so later to see the hawker selling the fish in Queen Street.