Establishing fish market trickey business

A group of Ayrshires which secured four firsts and two championships for Mr J. Campbell, of Waikiwi, Invercargill, at the recent Gore A. and P. Society show. - Otago Witness, 18.12.1912 Copies of picture available from ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, or www. otagoimages.co.nz

In the course of conversation yesterday Mr J. T. Sullivan (Inspector of Sea Fisheries) was asked by a member of our staff to express his opinion on the question of establishing a municipal fish market. In reply, Mr Sullivan said it was a much larger question than appeared on the surface.

''Take the following consignments this week,'' he said.

''Monday, 101 casks assorted fish; Tuesday, 80 casks assorted fish; Wednesday, 143 casks assorted fish, with an average weight of 250lb per cask, or a total of over 37 tons. Representatives from 18 leading retail shops and 22 hawkers who tour the surrounding country attend the market daily, and are assisted in their vocation by the aid of smoke-houses and canning and freezing works. Still the risk in the formation of a fish mart is great on account of what is really a most serious and troublesome problem - namely, the unsold fish. It is astounding to learn from statistics what a small amount of fish is consumed in Dunedin in warm weather, even when it is offered at a very low figure. Sixty-one casks of the choicest fish were left unsold on Wednesday, and this had to be taken in hand professionally and prepared for future sale or other markets, which entails a great deal of extra labour.''

As an illustration, Mr Sullivan took the quantity of fish on the market on Wednesday morning, which amounted to over 14 tons. If this quantity was to be consumed, over 16,000 people would require to make an average purchase of 2lb.

• The new National Bank of New Zealand is a striking edifice. The scaffolding is now being removed, and the fine four-storey frontage of the building, with its pleasing lines, is being brought into view. The style of architecture is the modern Renaissance. The long perpendicular lines afford a very graceful effect, and carry the eye to the top, where the feature is a splendid cornice and scrolled pediments. The whole front is indicative of dignity and simplicity. The upper portion is constructed of Pyrmont stone from Sydney, and the lower portion of trachite, a form of granite obtained from the same locality. The banking chamber will be opened for business in February.

• The children's playground in the Woodhaugh Gardens has good patronage on fine days when school is out, and the swings and see-saw are kept fully occupied. Care, however, should be taken by the children as to how they avail themselves of the means of amusement afforded. There is a habit growing up of using the boys' swing as a springboard for the purpose of seeing who can jump the farthest from it while it is in motion. Needless to say hard falls are frequent. - ODT, 13.12.1912