12 Australian Fisin':RiES. 



to thirty per cent, may saicly be added under these circum- 

 stances. But, even if basing- an estimate on the average 

 of 2 cwt. only, a suital^le vessel ought to bring home 300 

 tons per annum. (This i<^ equal to 20 hours' work a day 

 for 150 days out of 360 — a very safe margin of time). This 

 fish, if sold at 4d. a lb. wholesale, would bring in a yearly 

 gross earning of in, 200, from which, after deducting the 

 working; expenses, a net balance of about i6,oco would 

 remain. A suitable trawler Avill cost less than i 12,000 

 imported from the United Kingdom, and it follows that in 

 two years" time the capital and working expenses will 1)C 

 covered. A profit of fuUv £5,000 a year may subsecjuently 

 be looked forward to with confidence ; for there is no fear 

 of the supplies giving out, or that the market will become 

 over-stocked. 



The figures here quoted are too comprehensive to rajuire 

 further explanation or support; an average which is based 

 upon fully four years' experiments over an area equivalent, 

 ]:)ractically, to the Dogger IJank mtist be taken as a very 

 fair and reliable test, and there need be no fear or doubt 

 as to an available supply. 



THE DEMAND. 



People, who for some time !iave taken a close interest 

 in the " Endeavour's" work, and followed the developments, 

 are now j^erfectlv satisfied that a suflicicnt supply is avail- 

 able to bring the local consumption up to a fair average; 

 but the suggestion is sometimes made that " as an extra 

 ton or so added to the present average supph- creates a 

 surplus, how can there be a ready sale for four or five 

 times the present quantity?"" The answer is — by retailing 

 the fish at something like half the present rate. Fish is 

 now considerably dearer than nieat, and for that reason a 

 luxury. Only the well-to-do take fish, and mostly on 

 stated occasions; they are supplied by arrangement. So 

 also is the case with most of the hotels and restaurants; 

 and, as far as this part of the business is concerned, there 

 is little or no fluctuation in the n-eekly consumption. llie 

 balance of the fish brought to the market is purchased ])v 

 a fluctuating- number of hawkers and barrow-men; the 

 latter sell in the city streets, and the foimer mostlv in the 

 suburbs. When the market is a little short, and prices 

 high, these men leave the fish alone and deal in rabbits, or 

 oysters, or other commodities; so, meanwhile, their custo- 

 mers are disappointed, and find it necessary to rely upon 

 the I)utcher. \\dicn in a following- \\c'ek the fish is cheaper 



