DIFFICULTIES AND REMEDIES 



article was as little acceptable as pickled herrings. 

 While these prices were being paid on the South 

 coast, 6d. was asked for a fresh herring in London, 

 even in Favringdon Street ; but cut cod was to be 

 had for 1/8 and haddock for i/- a pound, the great 

 difference in price being caused doubtless by the in- 

 creased cost of carriage to the South coast, most of 

 the fish going long distances by rail. Local fishing 

 was precarious — for one morning's fishing by a fleet 

 of a score small sailing vessels, each manned by two 

 hands, only a bushel of sprats was secured. 



Comparison between these prices and those for 

 the opening of the Grimsby herring season of 1S9S 

 may be made. That season began in August with 

 ' a rush and a great fall in prices." Owing to the 

 large supply, prices for fresh only ranged from 2s. 

 down to is. a hundred, though the fish were of 

 " good quality and nice marketable size." "> Bloa- 

 stuff " made an average of is. per hundred. 



The huge earnings referred to aroused much com- 

 ment and caused comparison between the money 

 made by fishermen engaged in the ordinal way and 

 the wages that were paid to fishermen who were 



eeping or patrolling ; but it was not from the men 

 g the more dangerous work that the 

 criticisms mostly came. They continued their 

 rs quietly and loyally, hoping that when the 

 war was over they too might have the chance to reap 

 a share of the wonderful harvest. As to the sums 

 which were paid for catches, it was pointed out that 



rchants bid against each other in the most aston- 



205 



