FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22198, 27 August 1935, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

CLOSE OYSTER SEASON 1 Numerous complaints were made half a century ago regarding the need for a Government inspector to prevent fishermen taking oysters from, prohibited grounds, and it was the subject of au article in the New Zealand Herald of August 27, 1885. "A few weeks ago the Government thought fit to extend the close season for oysters from Whangarei harbour, the Great Barrier Island and the foreshore of the coast and all islands in the Firth of Thames and Hauraki Gulf," stated the article. "Although this has become law, oysters are still being landed from the limits of the grounds named, even as close as Waiheke. Cargoes of oysters are being openly sold in the market and no secret is being made of from where the supply is obtained, and nothing is being done to stop the offenders. "It is extremely hard upon those fishermen who are showing every desire to comply with the regulations to find that less scrupulous fishermen are still engaged in a trade which is forbidden. The Government- should at once appoint one or more rangers whose duty it would be to closely watch over the closed grounds. The Maoris are even bringing oysters to town. Their plea for doing this is that no one has either told them that they must not gather oysters or prevented them from so doing,"