BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 23333, 18 October 1937, Page 4

BLUFF

FISH AND OYSTER TRADE IMPORTANT INDUSTRY It would be interesting to learn just how much the fish and oyster trade has meant to Bluff, and consequently to the province of Southland, since it was first placed on a properly-organized business footing. Certain it is that this industry is a very important'one and has been for a long period of years. When a business is well established it is generally accepted as a matter of course and little thought is given by the average resident to what it may mean to his town. In this category can be included the fish and oyster Some figures dug up recently by a local resident from a copy of the longdefunct Bluff Press, dated July 14, 1908, serve to show that a big trade was being carried on then; and it should be remembered that fishing and oystering produced a large proportion of the local revenue for more than 30 years before article referred to stated that for the year ended March 31, 1908, fish to the weight of 11,078 cwt was disposed of at Bluff, the value being £15,430. Of this amount 8201 cwt, valued at £12,238, was exported to “neighbouring colonies,” the remainder being sold in the Dominion. (Christchurch is mentioned as a good market in this respect.) In the previous year £12,839 worth of fish was sold, £9552 of this coming from export. The report continues: “The oyster trade was equally progressive. During the year 1,573,545 dozen, representing £lOll7, were produced. The export trade yielded £3157 of that amount, the remainder being consumed in the Dominion. The previous year the produce was 1,305,283 dozen, of the net value of £6960, of which the money value of £4613 was consumed in New Zealand. There were in all 86 vessels licensed during the year of an aggregate of 640 tons, ranging from open row-boats to steamers of 60 tons. For the oyster trade twelve sailing craft and occasionally three steamers are employed. All accounts agree that, despite the season’s heavy workings, there are no indications whatever of exhaustion of supplies.” That account was printed 29 years ago and nowadays the opinion that the beds need a spell is sometimes heard. In the intervening years to the present an immense quantity of oysters has been lifted from the beds, but against that it may be pointed out that the extent of the “field” can only be guessed at. To show that the fish and oyster business is still a very large concern, with a tremendous expansion in value in the oyster branch of the industry, some figures covering the last year or two, supplied by a leading local merchant, can be quoted. Although these figures are only approximate, they are sufficiently accurate to form a basis for comparison. In 1936 about 13,000 cases of fish, weighing 8125 cwt were disposed of, tlie value of the catch being £11,375. This year’s figures would be about the same. The figures for last year’s oyster production were not available; but for the season recently ended the “catch” was (again approximately) 80,000 sacks and the value about £54,000. Naturally, wages form a large part of this amount, thus immensely benefiting the town, and when it is remembered that at least two other industries have grown from the production of oysters, it will be recognized that Bluff is extremely fortunate in having the beds and fishing grounds near at hand in and about Foveaux Strait.

CRICKET A match between A and B teams on Saturday afternoon gave Bluff players some .useful practice for the competitions ahead. Losing the toss, the B team was sent in to bat and was dismissed by accurate bowling and smart fielding for a total of 59 runs. C. Ball 16 and I. Barnett 21 were the only batsmen to reach double figures. A. Ramage four wickets for 2 runs, J. Williamson three for 13, L. Barnett two for 6 and R. Barnett one for 1 shared the wickets. The A team went for the bowling and 57 runs were up before the first wicket fell. The side reached the respectable total of 212. The chief scorers were L. Nixey, who played a fine innings for 53 (including five sixes), L. Barnett 34, R. Barnett 29, N. Cooper 24, W. Burtenshaw 21 not out, and A. Ramage 20. Bowling for the B team, I. Barnett took three wickets for 53 runs, A. Wallace one for 7, J. Tait one for 18, Spencer one for 11 and A. Kissell one for 35. The A team won by 153 runs. Messrs J. Forde and T. Stewart were the umpires. The ground, although dry and fast, was not in the best of order. Each year the club is faced with a sizeable task in restoring the area to a fair playing condition after the football season and members deserve great credit for the work they put in in doing so. , , , It is a long time since the club was in such a strong position numerically as at ->resent. No less than 34 players are available for selection, a healthy sign of the interest young people are taking in the game. The standard of play should improve this season, as the membership of the club suggests that those seeking inclusion in teams will have to play for their places. This is as it should be and encourages the hope that the club will have a successful season. THE WEATHER After a spell of warm sunny weather at the port a change arrived yesterday, rain falling steadily in the early afternoon. Last evening the sky was still overcast and further showers seemed probable. The temperature remained mild. Gardens will benefit by the rain. SEAWARD DOWNS P.W.M.U. The monthly meeting of the Seaward Downs Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union was held in the church recently. Mrs McEwan presided. A presentation of a beautiful linen tablecloth with serviettes to match was made to Mrs McEwan. In making the presentation Mrs Bower referred to the long and happy times spent with Mrs McEwan, and how very much her presence would be missed from among the Seaward Downs P.W.M.U. members. She expressed the wish of all that Mr and Mrs McEwan would be very happy in their new home. Other members spoke and Mrs McEwan replied. Mrs Dunlop presented the guest of honour with a bouquet of spring flowers.