THE OYSTER FISHERIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9347, 25 April 1889, Page 6

THE OYSTER FISHERIES.

PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT.'

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. SIR F.

WHITAKER. At twelve o'clock yesterday, a deputation of persons interested in the oyster trade, consisting of Messrs. J. Lowndes, F. Williams, and W. Nelson, waited on the Hon. Sir Frederick Whitaker, ~in reference to the Order in Council closing the oyster fisheries in Coromandel for another year. The deputation . was introduced by. Mr. F. J. Moss, M.H.R., for Paruell, an the following address was laid before Sir F. Whitaker :—

■ To Sir H. Atkinson, Premier of the Colony of New Zealand : The petition of the undersigned persons engaged in the ojster fishery humbly showeth, chat your petitioners view with alarm the action of the Government in issuing the Order-in : Council, dated April 3, 1881), proclaiming Coromandel oyster beds closed for another season. It is the opinion of experienced men engaged in the business that any further protection to the ; aforesaid oyster grounds at Coromandel is quite unnecessary; the oysters having become abundant and becoming overgrown, should be taken without further delay, and to close the grounds for another season would be detrimental. to the grounds sis well as tho oystermen engaged in that industry. Be-: lieving that the oyster grounds would be thrown open "this season after' so long a period :of rest, between four and five ■ years, the fishermen have entered into agreements and engagements that they will now be * unable to fulfil, arid not only fisherman but the dealers and merchants who are engaged in the trade put to: serious inconvenience and loss by the Government's action, and that wide-spread disaster to many industrious men and their families will result, unless the Government at once withdraw or cancel the Order-in-Council, and allow the grounds to be worked. Your petitioners respectfully request that if the Government refuse to rescind the Order-in-; Council, that they will make a clause in the Act to stop the. export of oysters entirely, and your petitioners will ever pray.— on.behalf of the oystermen, F. Williams, J, Lowndes, W. Nelson, E. Carroll.

Mr. Moss, in introducing the deputation, paid that the petition was addressed to the Premier, because it was intended for the (Government, but they wished to come to him personally, as the representative of the Government in Auckland.

Sir F. Wiiitakkb said the Government had no desire except to preserve the oysters for the general benefit of the public. • They had no doubt made inquiries, lie presumed, but he did not know the position himself, that, the Government was open to receive any suggestions or make any arrangement, so long as the oysters were not destroyed.

Mr. Moss said that these men engaged in the oyster trade had a grievance, and he believed that the Government had been deceived. The oysterinen were between the devil and the deep sea. There wore men who wished to lease the oyster beds, and the county councils wished to make a revenue from them, and the result was that the Government was—unintentionally on their part — to prevent the oyßbermen from making a living. They said that there was no necessity to close the oyster beds, and they felt an additional grievance also. The original proclamation had expired, and they had gone to < expense in fitting out boats and making preparations for the season, bub their main point was that no advantage could accrue to tho fishing grounds by the continuation of the proclamation. 1 Mr. Lowndks who acted as spokesman of the deputation, said that ho had had twenty years' experience in the oyster fishery trade, and had thoroughly studied it, and he spoke with authority. lie knew the state of the grounds, and knew that if oysters Were not taken at the proper time they would be lost. At the proper time they cane to market size, and if they were not removed the spawning would ensue on top of the grown oysters', arid would continue until they came to tho cauliflower head composed of useless oysters. He could see no good in closing the oyster beds, and if they were open they would give a living to 200 people. .No one knew the extent of the oyster grounds except those engaged in the trade, but with the inlets, bays, and creeks, there were more than 30 miles of a coastline, and these had now been at rest for four or five years, and he, as an experienced man knew that they were going back into the state thi:> . were in before they were worked. Twenty years ago, when he was in die oyster trade ; at the Thames, they worked near Waikawau, until they thought they had worked it outin fact, stripped the beds. Some time after he was asked by the manager of the sawmill there why he did not go for oysters there, and was informed that there were finer oysters there than ever before. Ho went and found a magnificent crop : oysters. In fact, it was impossible to clear them out even if they

had a contract to do so. They, simply took the oysters . where- they were best, and where they were . got the quickest, : and . never worked out ono place. . They did not work v the s same ~ place , more than once in six months, but they always found bettor oysters where . they, had previously fished. If the oyster-beds were leased . oystermen would be prevented from fishing, and the grown oysters required to be removed to prevent the . new spawn forming on top of them. There: was no luck of rock oysters, and they always found that ' they got better oysters in the grounds which wore continuously worked. He had some years ago told the Government that the best plan would be to divide the district, say to four sections, closing one each year, but some selfish interests arose to upset this proposal, and it was urged, in deference to the wish of the County Council' of Coromandel, to bring in a proclamation ; to hand over the oyster-beds to them for revenue purposes. This failed, but. when the Coromandel people saw boats coming for r oysters they telegraphed to ask the Government to closa the grounds for another year. The only grounds now open were the Great Barrier, ■ but "to work those grounds was like asking for bread and getting a stone, for there were no oysters there. The Great Barrier should be closed, and Coromandel opened. A rumour, he might inform Sir F. Whitaker, had reached town by telegraph that morning, stating that the cutter Czar had been stopped from oystering by the natives at the Bay of Islands, and they gave as their reason that ' Mr. Welby had leased the foreshores. That was their position. They knew that a living was to be made; but it was like gumdigging, it was a poor man's industry. With regard to the export of oysters, he had years ago requested the Government to close the export. There was ample for New Zealand, but if they could not get • for themselves they had nothing to ••give away. Ho had seen in the Herald a suggestion that the Government ; should have a Board of Advice, and that be thought would be a good thing, for competent men would then bo able to advise, and it would not be given by those whose interest it was to throw, dust in the eyes of the Government.' There was no doubt if the oyster grounds were closed for another year it would cause great distress to a number of industrious people, I who made their living out of this trade. If it was for the public good, they would be content to grin and bear it, but they objected to being sacrificed for private interests. Why, the Government might as well be asked to close the goldfields of Coromandel in order that some gold might be left for future generations, and indeed they might do so with more reason, for the gold did not grow, and oysters were reproductive. It had also been said that there were bare s patches in ' the oyster grounds, but these were sandstone formation, and they were all the better, for the oysters, instead of spawning on each other, spawned on these bare places, and had more chance to grow. He was quite sure the working of the beds would improve them, and the Government would find that while they were protecting the grounds they were encouraging the fishermen.' The boats and boatmen were now waiting anxiously for the result of this meeting, and it came home to him as well as* others, and he urged on the Government to adopt the course which he suggested, namely, to close the Great" Barrier, which required closing, and, open Coromandel which required opening. Coromandel was hard-worked for fifteen or twenty years before the grounds were closed, and there was always plenty for home consumption. ■ It was he (Mr. Lowndes) who had urged that the export trade should be stopped, as he saw that it was killing the goose which laid the golden eggs. ; , U . : ■ In reply to Sir F. Whitaker, Messrs. Williams and Nelson 'said they had nothing to add to the remarks made by Mr. Lowndes. j Mr. Moss said he desired to point out to Sir F. Whitaker that the Government could be deceived, and had been so on a former occasion in regard to another proclamation. | Mr. Lowndes then telegraphed to him to. Wellington, and when he drew the attention of the Government to it, it was withdrawn in a fortnight or three weeks.

Sir F. Whitaker said that so far as he was personally concerned he had no special knowledge of the oyster fishery trade, nor did he think any other Minister had. They had no personal interest to serve, and were only anxious to benefit the country. There was no doubt they had good oyster beds in this harbour when he (Sir F. Whitaker) came to the colony, but now they were gone, by being overworked. Whether Coromandol was in such a position he did not know, and the Government could only get information from those who possessed it. With regard to tho opening of Coromandel,, it was a matter which required investigation, but he was quite sure that the Government would not open the oyster grounds if they required rest, or shut them excopt for the public good Mr. Lowndes had put his case -well, and the reporter who was present would report it. It would then bo lor Mr. Lowndes to look through this report, and see that it was correct, and he (Sir F. Whitaker) would then make representations to the Government. He did not know on what authority the proclamation was made, bub if the Government was satisfied they had done wrong, the proclamation would be withdrawn, but if not, and they were satisfied that it would be in the interests of the colony, they would keep the grounds closed. Mr. Lowndes had now.made his statement, and lie would forward ib bo Wellington. Ho would not be going to Wellington for a couple of weeks. He did not know when, as the date of the meeting of the Assembly was not fixed, bub he would go down a month before the House met, and if no action was taken before, he would make inquiries. If. Government was satisfied thoy made a mistake, they would open the oyster grounds ; but they would do nothing hastily. He would, however, go into the matter when he went to Wellington, if it was nob dealt with before.

Mr. Mobs said that would take time. These men had the right to ask for the publication of the information on which the proclamation closing the grounds was issued, and he suggested that tho Government should be telegraphed to.

Sir F. Whitaker said he would take no leap in the dark. Nothing could be done by telegraphing, for the Premier was now on the West Coast, and the report would be down by the time Sir Harry Atkinson returned to Wellington.

Mr. Lowndes said in regard to the oyster beds at the North Shore, he would remind Sir F. Whitaker that there was a largo population there, and the oysters were being constantly taken, not only by them, but by picnic parties. But then, let thorn take Lake Rangitoto. Mr. Swanson could tell them that hundreds of tons of oysters had been taken from Rangitoto for lime in the early days, and yet the oysters were better there to-day than ever they were. They could nob be driven out.

Sir F. Wiiitaickk said ho was not aware that the County Council had interfered. No doubt if thoy did so, the Government would pay groat deference to the opinion of tho local governing body, but he was nob aware that they had made any representations on the subject.

Mr. Lowndes : Yes, thoy havo.

Sir F. Whitaker said the Government would feel bound to pay deference to their opinions, as thoy would no doubt have considered the matter.

Mr. Lowndes said what the County Council wanted was revenue. It) was royalty thoy wanted, nob protection.

Sir F. Wiiitaker said the Government would not give royalty or control to the County Council, as ho did not think they were entitled to it, but if tho local bodies did right they must bo supported by tho Government.

Mr. Moss pointed out that tho County Council did not represent the people, but the ratepayers.

Sir F. Whitaker said what ho wished to point out was that the Government should pay due attention to the local governing bodies.

Mr. Moss then thanked Sir F. Whitaker for his patient hearing, and the deputation withdrew. - v .k

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Russell, Wednesday. It is considered in this district that an export duty should be put on rock oysters, the funds obtained from such source to be paid over to the local bodies to be expended in harbour and other improvements. The leasing ot oyster beds does not meet with favour, as it would tend to create monopolies.