NEW INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 107, 2 April 1930, Page 6

NEW INDUSTRY.

MARKET FOR SARDINES. CANNING FACTORY IN AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Special to Standard.l AUCKLAND, April 2. Sardines freshly caught in the Hauraki Gulf now form an article of diet in Auckland. They are procurabio at several of the city fish shops, while a large quantity preserved in barrels are finding a ready market in tlio south. Flans are also afoot for the establishment of a canning factory in the citv for the preparation and packing of 'the fish in the form in winch the Mediterannean and Norwegian sardine has long been familiar to the public. There is every prospect that the industry will become established m the course of the present year and provide an avenue of employment for a large number, particularly the young people. Since the discovery by Mr F. S. Petrie, in 1915, of a sardiue of his native Dalmatia in the waters of the gulf, its utilisation in a marketable form has been his principal hobby. Twelve months ago Mr Petrie brought from Europe two experts who had been trained in the Dalmatian fisheries of the Adriatic to take charge of the fishing operations and to operate a 2090 candle power light, which was imported as a lure to attract shoals of the fish from tire deep waters of the gulf, and also to direct the curing operations. Arrangements are being made by Mr Petrie for the establishment of a canning factory on the foreshore of the harbour. A site will be leased from the Harbour Board. The latest machinery for the manufacture of the cans in which the fish will be packed is being imported. Boys and girls will be required for the cleaning of the sardines. A young person can prepare between 6000 and 10,000 fish in arl eight hours’ day. A machine for the same purpose is on order and will be capable of putting through 2200 sardines an hour.