DISTRIBUTION OF OYSTERS

Southland Times, Issue 23548, 30 June 1938, Page 4

DISTRIBUTION OF OYSTERS

NEW COMPANY TO BE FORMED AT BLUFF INVENTION FOR CARRIAGE OF PRODUCT A company is soon to be formed at Bluff with the object of distributing oysters to buyers throughout New Zealand in a way that will ensure their reaching northern markets in an absolutely fresh condition. The formation of this company is made possible by the invention of an insulated shipper and metal container with refrigerated space, enabling the carriage and distribution of oysters in a fyesn and edible state. By this method, it is stated, fresh supplies of Foveaux Strait oysters will be brought within the reach of every town in the Dominion and new markets, not available under present conditions, will be opened. It is expected that the new company will be formed within a few weeks. Although the oyster industry at Bluff has been carried on successfully since its inception, the measure of success attained is considered to have been limited by the inability of merchants to transport oysters any great distance without risk of deterioration and heavy loss. With the methods now in use, and because of the perishable nature of the product, it is necessary for oysters to be transported by the fastest possible route, but no matter what means of transport have been used in the past it has not been possible, to guarantee their freshness on arrival any further afield than Wellington. For a long time it has been realized that an improvement ’in the present state of marketing was needed and considerable time and money have been spent in experimenting in an effort to find some means of keeping oysters fresh for a longer period than they can be kept in the shell and also to reduce the cost of transport.

PATENT CONTAINER A method has now been designed and patented which will make fresh supplies of Foveaux Strait oysters available to every part of New Zealand and which will open up markets hitherto untouched. By the use of this patent it will be possible to carry oysters to any centre in the Dominion, and even to Australia, without risk and with a guarantee of absolute, freshness. This method, which, it is considered, will revolutionize the oyster industry, was discovered by Mr P. Batcheler, of Bluff, after several years of study. When the principle was determined he had samples of the container made in New Zealand. These were not satisfactory, however, and he sent to the United States for a sample container embodying the features he desired. The container, which arrived on the day of Mr Batcheler’s death, was considered suitable and clever in design and it is thought probable that the order will be given to the same firm. • The experiments were continued by Mr A. Batcheler, a son, who found that, enclosed in this receptacle, oysters could retain their freshness for at least 16 days. Not only can the product now be sent further afield, but the cost of transport Mil be considerably reduced, the necessity for carrying the shells being obviated. The saving in freight is indicated by a statement contained in a report of the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee that “the meat and liquor content of a sack of oysters weighing 1801 b is only 25 pints.” Mr Batcheler’s device was patented in 1936. By the new method the oysters are opened and placed in the metal container which is then sealed and maintained at a certain temperature. No chemicals are used in the process. Foveaux Strait oysters are claimed to be of the finest quality in the world, better than the British native oyster, regarded by consumers at Home as the best. Sixty million oysters were taken from the strait last season, representing 64,900 sacks. Supplies have been arranged and are definitely assured to the company. It is the intention of the company to build its factory at Bluff and a new industry will thus be opened up at the port. The company will carry on business as an oyster merchant. It is proposed to call it Tasman Oyster Supplies, Ltd. It is hoped to begin operations at the start of the next season.