CITY FISH MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3021, 7 February 1912, Page 6

CITY FISH MARKET.

REPORT BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE.

INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS

The sub-committee appointed by _ the General Committee of the City Council to consider the matter of the provision of a rrarket place in Dunedin for the sale of fish has drawn up a report of which the followinff portion is of ceneral interest: —

In order to elicit information in connection with the trade, a meeting was held of all thesi interested, and from opinions expressed at that meeting, 'and from conversations with individuals in the trade, it is clear to us that the main reason for wanting the City Corporation to. interfere or interest itself in procuring a more suitable market piaee, is that a feeling exists, and we believe they have good reasons for-ame. that in consigning their fish to auctioneers not under the control of the local authority the said auctioneers under the present conditions control the fish supply, buying the surplus at prices to suit themselves, and, at the same time, engaged in retail business. While this condition of things is detrimental to the internets of the fishermen, it must be prejudicial to the interests of the citizens, who should get thi- article of diet, more plentifully supplied and at a reasonable price. In our opinion, there are two proi>G6al3 worth considering by the committee. First, to approach tho Railway Department rn reference to improving the present marketplace and to get control of the sole of fish there, appointing _ the salesmen, etc. Second, to procure a piece of land in Lower High street, or adjacent thereto, and erect a building to which the fish can be conveyed from the railway to the market. It will not be necessary to house tho carte. If the fish is still sent to the market uncleaned. accommodation would have to be provided and the offal removed daily. Tho present charge for the sale of fish is 10 per cent., 2d per cask for cleaning, and a charge in some instances is made for taking th*> offal away from the auctioneer's premises. If the council took over the control this price could be charged on all consigned fish, and after paying fees to auctioneers, the balance devoted towards the expense of running the market. It may be urged: Why should the council interfere in this matter? In nearJv all towns of any importance fish markets "have had to be inaugurated, and in Dunedin the want has been felt for some years. It is not proposed to retail fish at the market unless permission be given to any hawker after the auction has taken place. If the committee entertains tho proposal to erect a fish market, steps should be taken to urge upon our local-members of Parliament to support Wellington in carrying their bill to compel all frceh fish offered for sa'.o to pass through a municipal market.