ii6 ALONGSHORE "i 



situation and of the difficulties with which he has 

 to contend. The town is both fishing port and 

 watering-place, growing yearly less and less of 

 the former and more of the latter. Indeed, 

 were it not for some pleasure boating in the sum- 

 mer, as a stand-by, fishing could hardly continue. 

 The largest boats used, open boats under twenty-five 

 feet in length, are the mackerel and herring drifters. 

 Whereas twenty years ago upwards of thirty 

 drifters used to put to sea, there are now fewer 

 than ten in active service. Fishing is become sad. 



The fish Is sold : 



(i) By sending It directly to Billingsgate on 

 commission. 



(2) By selling it on the beach to local buyers, 

 who either forward It to Billingsgate or distribute 

 It among fishmongers and hawkers. 



(3) By selling it on the beach in small lots to 

 fishmongers and hawkers. 



(4) By the fishermen hawking It themselves, 

 or selling it privately to the consumers. 



There are thus three markets for the fish: (c.) 

 the central markets, for large quantities; (/.) the 

 local market, for smaller quantities and In hot 

 weather; and (p.) the private market, for very 

 small catches of the choicer kinds. 



