OYSTER CANNING

Southland Times, Issue 21218, 20 October 1930, Page 8

OYSTER CANNING

BLUFF’S NEW INDUSTRY

OPERATIONS COMMENCED

ON SATURDAY

MODERN PLANT INSTALLED

For sonic time it has been known that an oyster-canning company intended to start operations in Bluff. Experiments have been carried out with a view to obtaining the best possible results in the finished article, and at last this end has been achieved. At 3.30 p.m. on Saturday a start was made on the manufacture of samples, under the direction of Mr C. Hannan, ths expert in charge of the works. The company, known as the Stewart Island Canneries, .Ltd., has installed one of the most up-to-date plants procurable. The latest in American canning machinery has been installed, and added to this is a machine of local invention which in all trials has given most satisfactory results. From the time the oysters are placed in the cans an automatic process keeps the latter moving till they are finally packed for export in cases bearing the company s label: “Ozone Pure Fish Products.” The new system of cooking, a secret process perfected only after long experimenting, is a vast improvement on the former method. The oysters are not “waterlogged” as previously, and each can be lifted from the liquid without the breaking that was always a cause for complaint. The flavour of the article is excellent. Those connoisseurs who were permitted to. sample the bivalves, taken at random from the steady stream of tins, found nothing but praise for the quality of the goods. The firmness of the oyster allows for further cooking by any of the methods employed in treating the raw oyster, if such be desired. It may be mentioned also that the original flavour is retained remarkably well. / Although oysters will be the chief article in the company's operations, other products will be canned as well—notably whitebait and crayfish. At the same time experiments will be carried out with various kinds of fish found in southern waters, and it is possible that this branch will in the future develop into a large side line. At the present stage of the oyster season it is not practicable to can for export, and attention will be therefore given only to sample work. Next season, however, the company will be in full swing. The importance of the industry to Bluff may be gauged from the fact that at least twenty men will be steadily employed for eight months of the year in the cannery. The success of the works is therefore of deep interest to the town. The finished article will be attractively produced. Both cans and cases are of neat design, while/the former is sealed in such a manner/ that little or no soldering is noticeable. Particular attention has been given to the label which is attractively artistic. The brand on the cases, in red lettering, also impresses very favourably, and it is certain the goods will not fail for lack of tempting appearance.