OYSTERS OF FINE QUALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15307, 21 May 1913, Page 8

OYSTERS OF FINE QUALITY.

WORKING THE WAIHEKE BEDS. DEMAND IN THE SOUTH ISLAND. Good wages are being earned by the oyster-pickers employed on 1 the beds at Waiheke Island, and large quantities of the delicate shell-fish are being delivered to, ail eager market. During last week 507 .sacks were delivered at the State depot, 357 sacks from Waiheke and 150 from Russell. ' ' "" / Eighteen pickers are at present working in /Putiki Bay, Waiheke, under the direction of an overseer, and as the beds are well stocked, the men , are gathering large supplies. , These beds were not disturbed last season, and consequently the oysters have greatly increased in quantity and quality. Only experienced pickers are employed, and each man is permitted to gather not more than three sacks per day, a maximum , which is generally reached at present. The limitation was imposed to secure care and discrimination in picking, and ■ though; at the rate of 6s 6d per sack the men are earning nearly £1 per day, the work has the /disadvantages of much discomfort, for it is all in " wet ground." In spite of unfavourable weather, last week's returns formed the highest for the present season.' \ , ' • The oysters are brought in from the nearer islands, of the Hauraki Gulf by launch, and twice a week consignments are delivered from Russell /by steamer. A shipment of about 120 sacks was expected from Putiki Bay last evening, and these oysters will, be on the market this morning. The supplies received '■ at the State depot are quickly absorbed, and the demand upon retailers is keenly maintained. ;■" Orders from all parts of ' the Forth Island and from the South Island, as 'far south as Christchurch and Greymouth, are being filled from the depot. Stewart Island oysters are being sold .in the South, but there is a marked preference for the rock oysters of Hauraki Gulf.