THE OYSTER QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13453, 1 June 1907, Page 9

THE OYSTER QUESTION.

Sir,—l will riot attempt to discuss with Mr. Allom as to my policy of thinning out oysters as they mature, or the policy of allowing them "to overlap each other, until a " gentle kick with tho foot will upset hundreds of them." My policy would ensure the maximum of production, while it would take some hundred years, or more, to bring about the conditions existing at Port Fitzroy in 1867. 1 can assure Mr. Allom that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of sacks of oysters now at Port Fitzroy of much better quality than could be got there in 1867, and if he could now see the splendid crop of matured oysters on Wailieke ho would not say that there were more oysters to the square foot at Port Fitzroy in 1867. There may have been more small rubbish—in clusters—but lam sure there was not the number of marketable oysters to the square foot that are now to bo seen at Waihekc,

"■■' I did not intend to make any remarks about the trip to Waiheke with the Minister for Marino, as I was merely a guest, and jumped on board the 'Kuaka at the last moment. I do not like " telling tales out of school," but I can assure your readers that it opened my eyes. If I had not scon it with mv own eves I never could have believed that there wore so many hundreds 'of millions of fine oysters on the verge of overlapping each other at Waiheke, while the pickers are confined to areas already bare of good marketable oysters. for miles along the bays of Waiheke the oyster-bear-ing area is covered so thick with oysters 'that there is scarcely room for any more to form on the rocks, and millions of young oysters are already growing on the tops and sides of the old ones. I cannot believe it is possible to see a crop of oysters like it in the whole world. I feel sure that the Hon. J. A. Millar himself was astonished to see the vast numbers of fully-developed, matured ovstcrs, and while he was gazing at the beautiful sight the inspector remarked that seven years ago there was scarcely 'a tin of good oysters to be got in the whole bay we visited. This should be ample proof that oysters in the gulf need no artificial cultivation by leaseholders. I have no hesitation in saying that there never has been, in my. lifetime, so many marketable oysters in the Hauraki Gulf as at the present time, and the quality and flavour cannot be surpassed, yet wo are not allowed to take them. In answer to the Minister for Marine, the inspector stated that tbo crop all along the bays inside Waiheke war quite as good, or better, than what we-saw, and I'onui Island was equal to Waiheke. In a former letter to the Herald I said there were millions of dozens now' ready for picking in this gulf, ami when walking up Queen-street Wharf the Hon. J. A.. .Millar said: "There are hundreds of millions there."

■'Although I have no wish to reveal any " State secrets," J may inform Mr. Alloni that I hoard tlio Minister tell the inspector that he would never consent to lease the foreshore of Waiheke to the owners of " adjacent land, or any private individuals. Tho inspector is very proud, of his crop of oysters, which have grown since the beds were closed, and certainly they are a credit to his vigilance, and also a credit to yachtsmen and others in that they have respected tho law, and done very little poaching. There is now no question about the quantity of oysters available, if the Minister will allow us to take them. I may say that I spoke only a few words to the Minister on the question, as I never trouble Ministers by letter or otherwise. I do all my agitating through tho press. It seems to me that the inspector almost worships the beautiful oysters. He knows that they aro fit to gather, but. is afraid that the men will waste and destroy a- lot of them, which, in- my opinion, is all nonsense. The men .will not "take oysters if they aro not fit to sell, and -ertainly will crack as few as possible. Parliament, I believe, is to be asked to do ■ something in furtherance of State management,. but all that is required, in my opinion, is to close the ground whenfairly picked until there is another crop fit to gather. If tho State is to work the beds for raising revenue, and thereby make oysters dear, 1 certainly should join with Mr. Allom in agitating for the leasing. My only object in opposing the leasing is to keep oysters cheap. If the State appoints a competent inspector to look after the beds—and water police to keep thieves in gaol—there will be nothing for the Parliament, to legislate about. In order to put a check on too many being . picked, so that supply exceeds demand, and oysters go bad before they are used, it may be good policy to charge a loyalty of, !=„ay, five shillings a sack for all oysters taken off.' tho rocks in this gulf. This would yield a little revenue to help the Marine 'Department to provide lighthouses along tho coast, . and the whole colony would benefit from a valuable local asset. The leaseholders would certainly get 10s a sack royalty.for all the oysters grown in sheltered positions, where the water is clear, if the beds were leased, and all this "profit" would have a "capitalised" value, or "unearned increment," which the Hon. G. Fowlds would, be.trying to confiscate by taxation. Wo arc really an intelligent race of animals. • . A. Sanfohd. May 29. . . .-.. .