FIRST OYSTERS OF THE SEASON—PICKING UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 19, 6 May 1908, Page 21

FIRST OYSTERS OF THE SEASON—PICKING UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

The advent of the season of that popular delicacy the oyster has nvvor previously altra<ted so much attention as it has this scar. the reason iim that this is tin* th't occasion on which tin* picking has been done tinder tin* supervision of the Government. Last year tin* price of the succulent bivalve went as high as per sack, and there was much dissatisfaction among tin* public. In addition tin* iiidiscrlmiiiate picking nearly ruined tin* beds, as the pickers natinall.v made as miich nionev as they could without too much consideration for tin* young oysters. Mr. Bennett, the local Inspector, supervised the picking at Waiheke. ami Mr Stephenson wa>. in < hai of the Bay of Islands. Twenty nine pickers who wen* all specially chosen, gathered *2 sacks, and Russell sent down II sacks on the opening da.\ Ihe oysters are re ceived at the Government depot. Auckland, and sold to anyone who like* to apply at 12 R per sack.