OYSTER CROP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 7

OYSTER CROP

KAPID MATURITY ' GROWTH AT KAWAU HAURAKI GULF CONDITIONS Although it was stated recently by the chief inspector of fisheries, Mr. A. 15. Hcfford, that tho spawn of rockovsters when fixed on suitable resting places required six or seven years before the oysters could bo harvested, ithero is, evidence that oysters have grown to maturity and reached a stage for picking in about three and a-half years.. Samples of these oysters, which grew on a pile at the wharf at Mansion House Bay, Kawau, have been collected by Mr. L. G. Kawau, and forwarded to the secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Representations have been made to the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P. Frasor, by tho Chamber of Commerce, H'ith a view to having parts of the foreshore in the Hauraki Gulf leased to private individuals so that tho cultivation of oysters could bo extended to meet tho public demand, attention being drawn to the extent of artificial cultivation in New South Wales. The % Minister has, however, stated that experimental work in Auckland, following an investigation of the methods adopted in New South Wales, las proved these methods to be imprac-, ticable here. He mentioned that perature was one of the many factors , io ensure prolific and regular spatting, and the Australian estuary beds were favourable for this. Vagaries of temperature in the Hauraki Gulf, and possibly lack of shelter, caused irregular and uncertain spatting. Thus ciysters took two to three years longer in Auckland to reach marketable sij». The rapid growth of the oysters picked at Kawau would seem to show I that the conditions in the Hauraki Gulf are not so unfavourable as the Minister suggests. In a letter to the chamber, Mr. Reeves says that about three and a-half years ago he had some pi nus insignis piles put in the Mansion House wharf. Since then there has been a prolific growth of oysters on thein. He thinks this should prove that culture on piles is capable of producing oysters in much less time than seron years. He points out that the oysters which he forwarded are fully matured and ready for picking. SYDNEY WOOL SALES WIDEFI COMPETITION FIRMER MARKET YESTERDAY (Received September 30, 10.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 30 At the Sydney wool sales to-day 12,.'122 bales were offered and 11,429 were sold. Also 1247 bales were sold privately. Wider competition resulted in Tvithcirawals being less frequent and the market was firmer for all descriptions. Yorkshire and the Continent operated actively. Greasy Merino sold to 21J(L.

PLANTATION LABOUR PROBLEM IN SAMOA CHINESE AND THE FUTURE [from our own correspondent] APIA, Sept. 17 At a very representative meeting of the Samoa Planters' Association, nc.erchants and traders, the Chinese coolie labour question was discussed. It ;«r&s decided to ask the Administrator to request the Government to defer consideration of the matter until representation could be made from Samoa. It is fully recognised by all classes that local labour cannot be relied upon especially at critical moments at peak time of the coc-oa harvest. The Samoans, who are planters themselves, are then busy harvesting their orn crops, which are always a valuable asset —worth at present about £65 a ton on the Continental markets. Samoans also are averse to the permanent employment that the planter demands. It was decided at the meeting to approach Mr. 0. F, Nelson, the recognised head of the Saruoan organisation, arid to ask for co-operation in having the coolies retained on the plantations. The recommendations of the Planters' Association, briefly, are as follows; That the Chinese be removed from r<jsidience within a two-mile radius of Apia; that they be retained for plantation work only and shall not occupy smy position whatever, within the stated area, other than plantation work; and that the association assist in obtaining the repatriation of free Chinese. The local Labour Party has been approached and has agreed on thsse points, providing that the positions r;ow held by Chinese in the are filled with suitable local-born |s£sidents.

The Apia, Chamber of Commerce also will give its support to the Planters' Association, for it is recognised that should the New Zealand Government c:o away with coolie labour., it will mean the death knell of eoeoa planting in Samoa.

In a letter to the Planters' Association, Mr. Nelson suggested that that body meet the Mau committee and the president of the local Labour Party in conference on the question. As the planters could not see that any good would be achieved by the conference, as probably some unacceptable points would be raised, the invitation was declined. A general meeting of the association is to bo ilield. PUTARURU HORSE FAIR The Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company, Limited, rcix>rts having held its Fntariiru horse fair on Tuesday when a medium entry of draughts caine forward. The quality generally was only fair, with competition Rood for better sorts. The top prico was (MT, which was made for a three-year-old brown geldins (chains) sold on account of Mr. M. L. Hierxitison, Okoroire. The next bust price was £ls and an eight-year-old hay mare (in foal) realised £43. Medium draughts ' made £25 (o £3O lOsf aged draughts, £l2 <0 £lO 10s; hacks, £5 10s to £7 ss.