OYSTER SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 11

OYSTER SEASON.

PICKING STARTS NEXT WEEK, PROSPECT OF GOOD SUPPLY. VISIT BY CHIEF INSPECTOR. Oyster-picking will be commenced next Wednesday, but it is expected that at least a fortnight will elapse before distribution is commenced from the Auckland depot. Operations will extend over the beds in the Hauraki Gulf, at Kaipara, and at the Bay of Islands, and a good stock will be accumulated before the market opens. Last year the season opened in July, and the first quota of 500 sacks was disposed of almost immediately. Mr. A. E. Hefford, chief inspector of fisheries, who is visiting Auckland, has been making arrangements to sustain the supply as far as possible. He stated yesterday that he had inspected samples which were rather above expectations. The beds were apparently slightly more forward than they were at this time last year. "Oysters improve in keeping provided that they are kept cool and dry," he said. "They close and retain the sea water, and it is a mistake to throw water over them to keep them damp."There were indications that the supply might be a littla better than last year. Experiments with "trays" had given some satisfaction, and quite a number of ihe shellfish matured in this way would be on the market this season. The system involved the erection of wire net trays on stakes. Oysters which were not fattening readily in muddy localities were placed on the wire framework, and the results were encouraging. The scheme was cmployed extensively in Australia. The usual price of 23s a sack will be charged at the Government depot this season.