FISH SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14751, 5 August 1911, Page 5

FISH SUPPLY.

A PROGRESSIVE FIRM. . (Published by Arrangement.) ' In New Zealand, where fish ie bo readilyobtained on all parts of the coast, and at the same time is of such excellent quality, it is a little strange that this article of diet is not more generally consumed than is the case. This may be_ attributed in some measure to the unsatisfactory manner in which the fish is too often handled, passing as it does through the hands of a number of middlemen before it finally reaches the customer. Oh the other hand, it is satisfactory to be able to deal direct with a firm that is able to supply fish in any quantity direct from the boats and to deliver it to one's door without the intervention of any outside party. , Such a firm is the Oceanic Fish Company, of Auckland, which was established some five years ago for the direct supply of fish to all classes of customers, large and small. At first the company's business was carried on in a small way, but it has steadily grown until 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of fish and 700 pairs of rabbits and hares pass every week through the factory in Nelson-street. This factory is fitted with a very complete and up-to-date refrigerating plant, with four large freezing chambers for use in summer, and a staff of 22 men is kept going in two shifts from six a.m. on Monday till one p.m. on Saturday without a break. The firm does a large business in smoked fish, and possesses a complete smoking plant, which is in charge of a man who is considered to be without an- equal in Auckland in his particular line. The business is now under the able management of Mr. Wallace Carter, with whom is associated Mr. Thos. Newcombe, who has been connected with the company since its inception. As, regards sources of supply the company is well provided for. In addition to a powerful trawling launch, which has been recently acquired, it has contracts with the owners of some 25 boats working the grounds at the Kaipara, Thames, Great Barrier, and also in the Waitemata, besides which it owns oyster beds which are expected to yield a good supply up to the end of September, long after the Government beds have been closed down. In its dealings with the public the company displays n.if unusual degree of enterprise, and has lately made a number of innovations in its business methods which are sure to be appreciated. To start with, it aims to supply every class of customer, from the cottager, who likes sixpenn'orth of fish with his Sun- , day dinner, to the hotel or "restaurant requiring 3001b weight or more each week. In addition to its throe shops situated in Queen-street, Karangahape Road, and Ponsonby Road, the company keeps three carts busily employed in the delivering of orders of all sizes, large or small, and a telephone call invariably secures delivery the same day whether the customer requires two pounds of fish or twenty pounds. _ In view of the approach of the whitebait season, the firm has decided on a novel and convenient way of supplying this dainty, namely, in tins. Hitherto tho whitebait has been wrapped in several thicknesses of paper but such a covering is seldom sufficient, and as a result the clothes of tho purchaser arc often soiled. Tho whitebait is placed in the tins in the customer's presence, and no extra charge is made. At its various shops, too, the firm has kept the convenience of the public always in view. The Queen-street premises have recently been entirely renovated, tho window removed, and a fine marble slab substituted, making this the most up-ty-date shop of its kind in the Dominion. Hero also the firm has originated the idea of employing lady assistants-instead of men, as it has been found that ladies generally prefer to be served by members of their own sex. In other respects. the firm provides facilities which are unequalled in Auckland, and accordingly merits a fair measure of public support, especially as every class of customer is catered for t