P. Taomson,—Our Fish Supply. 881 
alteration. A synopsis of the Bill appeared in one of the Dunedin papers, 
and I wrote pointing out what I thought objectionable features. When a 
copy of the Act was procured, it was found to be very general in its details, 
and as far as Otago harbour is concerned, almost unworkable. When 
Ministers arrived in Dunedin, after the close of the session, no time was lost 
by the dealers in waiting on them and ascertaining the intention of the 
Government in the matter. Deputations explained what was wanted, and 
arrangements were made for a conference of all concerned, fishermen and 
dealers, which took place on January 5th. After a number of those 
present had expressed their sentiments on the matter, a memorandum was 
drawn up, setting forth the sizes of fish which were to be considered 
marketable. These sizes were:—That no flounders should be sold under 
nine inches long; no red cod under ten inches; no mullet under nine 
nehes ; and no garfish under fourteen inches—a penalty to be incurred for 
contravention. It was not considered advisable to make any regulations 
about the outside fishing, as it was thought that risk, weather, etc., were 
quite sufficient protection. After this it was thought there would be no 
grumbling at any steps that might be taken to carry out the objects of the 
Act, which are, so far, of a merely tentative nature. ; 
Nothing has yet been done in the way of establishing a fish market in 
the city, but as the matter has now been taken in hand by that active and 
influential body, the Chamber of Commerce, it is to be hoped that a market 
place for the sale of fish, ete., will soon be in full swing. 
The following table gives the details of the various fishes, taken day by 
day from the different shops in the town, as well as by inquiries at the 
jetties, Port Chalmers, etc. I have taken great pains with the table, and 
the information it contains may be taken as substantially correct. 
Various other fishes occur, but at irregular intervals, and only one or 
two at a time. Among these I may mention the following as occurring 
most frequently :— The Whiting, Pseudophycis breviusculus, is got occasionally, 
as is also the Haddock, Gadus australis, The Granite Trout, Haplodactylus 
meandratus, occurs now and then. Quite a lot of Horse Mackerel, Trachurus 
trachurus, were brought to town in March last, only individual specimens 
being the rule previously. Occasionally a few Gurnard, Trigla kumu, may 
be seen in the shops, but they are very shy visitors. About the end of 
January, a few Tarakihi, Chilodactylus macropterus, were brought to market, 
so it must be enrolled as a summer visitor. That very dark-skinned fish, 
the Maori Chief, Notothenia maoriensis, of Dr. Haast, is not uncommon, but 
is rarely seen more than one ata time. The Herring, Clupea sagax, did not 
turn up during the past summer as usual, The Kingfish, Seriola lalandii, 
also put in no appearance this year. i 
