71 



the price paid by the consumer is taken as the basis of 

 calculation. Probably 2/- per cwt. represents the average 

 value to the fisherman; this may possibly be too low, since 

 a certain proportion of the cockles landed are hawked in the 

 neighbourhood of the beds by the fishermen themselves. 

 On the other hand, supposing the greater portion to be 

 sent directly by rail to the markets, and adding the cost of 

 freight and intermediate profits, 6/- per cwt. will represent 

 fairly the price paid by the consumer. 



Table IV. — Money value of the Cockle beds in the 

 whole District during the year June, 1898 — May, 1899. 



The striking variation in the monthly yield of the beds 

 will be noticed. In the table relating to the Central 

 Division the maximum amount is taken in October, and 

 the monthly yield then decreases until, in the June follow- 

 ing, only 2 per cent, of the amount taken in the previous 

 October is landed. This variation in the fishing seems to 

 be general in all parts of the district, and is apparently due 

 to the difficulties encountered in sending the cockles to 

 the markets, and in keeping them in the retail shops in a 

 fresh condition during the relatively hot weather of June, 

 July, and August. Other causes operate; in some parts 

 of the district the cocklers leave the fishing for employ- 

 ment in the harvests, or in working pleasure boats at tourist 

 resorts. 



