BOATSIDE SALES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18770, 29 July 1935, Page 6

BOATSIDE SALES

FISHERMEN'S COMPLAINT ANGLES OF DISCUSSION NO PROHIBITION The vexed question of boatside selling of fish at the Haiti wharf was again discussed by the Gisborne Harbor Board at its meeting to-day, when it was decided that the board should take no action to prohibit the present system of retail selling at' the wharf. In this matter the board was following a recommendation from the special committee set up to deal with the matter, and supported by Dr, J. C. Collins from a health point of view. At the previous meeting of the board, a deputation had stated on behalf of fish retailers established in the town that their business was being seriously • affected by the sales of fish at the wharf. The board on that occasion also received a notice from the borough sanitary inspector to the effect that the conditions under which fish were exposed for sale at the wharf were not. in accordance with the requirements of the health regulations. The board then asked a special committee to inquire into the matter, the committee comprising the chairman, Mr. J. .Tomhleson. and Messrs. George Smith, J. B. Broadliurst, and T. Corson. ■ FURTHER PETITION RECEIVED To-day a petition was received by the board from a number of line fishermen, in support of last months’ complaints. They pointed out that the retailing of small fish at the wharves had affected their business, and that if allowed to continue would have, a progressive effect.

A further communication on the matter was received from the Unemployed Workers’ Movement, asking that the board should not stop the selling of fish at the wharf. The letter asked whether any difference existed between the sale of Is worth of fish at the wharf, and the sale of £1 worth in bulk to the retailers in town. The secretary-manager, Mr. 11. A. Barton, reported that a number of other harbor boards had been circularised on the matter, and it had been found that Wanganui, Bluff, Otago, Lyttelton and Timaru boards allowed retail selling at the wharf. The Auckland board prohibited the trade at the wharf. The chairman stated that the special committee recommended that .the board should take no steps to prohibit the retail selling of fish at the wharf, so long as the requirements of the health regulations were complied with.

Dr. .T. C. Collins moved that the retail sale of fish at the wharf be allowed to Antinue. Several members of the board rose to second the motion, Mr M. Doyle being . indicate?! by the chairman 1 as the seconder. HEALTH ASPECT

.In a discussion of his motion, Dr. Collins expressed a doubt as to whether the board could legally prohibit the sale at the wharf. He also dealt at some length with the health angle of the sale of fish, indicating that from this point of view- the .sale of fish fresh from the sea was most desirable.

Further comments on the subject included that of Mr C. H. Williams, to the effect that the hoard should not tak® sides on the matter, and should consider, at least, the interests of fish vendors who were among the board’s ratepayers and who were threatened with a diminution of their business. Mr H. J, F, Tombleson referred to the possibility of the. fish trade being supplied before fish was sold at retail rates from the boats, in order that the general public should have an opportunity of securing its needs. Aftor a lengthy discussion, Dr. Collins agreed tir withdraw his motion in favor of one moved by the chairman, chat the board adopt the recommendation of the committee which previously investigated the position.