FIRST OYSTERS OF SEASON

Southland Times, Issue 24369, 25 February 1941, Page 4

FIRST OYSTERS OF SEASON

TRAWLERS HAVE GOOD CATCHES

After a delay of just over a week after the official opening date of the season, Bluff oysters made their first appearance on the Invercargill market yesterday and the first consignments for northern centres will be dispatched today. Connoisseurs who sampled the early catches yesterday expressed the opinion that the oysters were as tasty as in past seasons. For the third year in succession Mr A. E. Tall brought the first supplies to the city and he was again the winner of the Oyster Derby by delivering the first bottle to the editor of The Southland Times. By taking a launch to the beds he was able to bring back a few bags and he reached Invercargill with this consignment shortly before 10.30 o’clock. He was able to offer oysters to his lunch-time customers and to sell supplies to those who were anxious to sample the first of the new season’s catch. He will receive a banner in recognition of his success. The wind which kept the fleet in port fox' two days after the settlement of the dispute between the merchants and men moderated early yesterday morning and the fleet put to sea. The Rata was the first boat out at a few minutes after 5 o’clock. The other 11 vessels of the fleet left at intervals within the next three-quarters of an hour. All went to the west bed. There was a heavy swell in the straits during the morning, but conditions improved and were pleasant before the trawlers left to return to port. Messrs W. B. Dixon and A. E. Tall left Bluff in the launch Dot shortly after 6 o’clock for the beds and returned at 9.30 o’clock with a few sacks which were immediately taken to Invercargill. The Waitangi returned to port shortly after- noon because she had developed engine trouble. She had a catch of about 20 sacks. The other vessels began to return about 3 o’clock and had an average catch of about 50 sacks, which was regarded as satisfactory. The weather at Bluff last night was fine and calm and appeared more settled than for some days.