Thomson. — The Dunediv Fish Suiyphj. 327 



It may not be out of place to give a few remarks upon the mouths, 

 incidents, weather, and so on. 



August was characterized by stormy and irregular weather, which had 

 its effect in reducing the supply of fish ; indeed, large fish were out of the 

 market all the month. The only sort that were anything like constant 

 were flounders and mullet. Though the weather was so severe there were 

 no frost-fish brought to town. On the outer beaches they were not infre- 

 quent, though not so plentiful as usual. On four, days there were no fish, 

 and for several days only a few small flounders were on sale. 



During the early half of September stormy weather was the rule, and 

 fish exceedingly scarce; on several days none at all. On the 28th, some 

 p-ery fine trumpeter were brought in from the coasts, of weight up to ten 

 pounds. 



October was characterized by better weather, and the supply of fish was 

 pretty steady. The barracouta made their appearance on the 17th, thirteen 

 days earlier than last year, and were at once in large supply. Garfish were 

 very plentiful about the middle of the month. The true butterfish was 

 brought to market on one or two days. 



November was an average month, and fish were fairly plentiful. Floun- 

 ders, however, were scarce all the month. On the 3rd and 28th, several 

 salmon-trout were caught in the harbour. 



There was a good deal of wet weather during December, and for a few 

 days at the beginning of the month fish were rather scarce, and many small 

 flounders sent to town. The season allowing, a good many brown trout 

 were on sale. 



Through January fish were abundant. On the 15th several dozen of 

 kahawai were brought to market, two days earlier than last year. They 

 were said to have been plentiful outside the heads, but they were never 

 caught again. No king-fish were caught this year. The herring (Chq)ea 

 sagaccj was brought to market in good quantity. Some specimens measured 

 eleven inches long, the average were about nine inches long. On the 4th 

 three cutters sailed from port for Stewart Island, to follow the fishing trade 

 there, the produce to be sent to Dunedin. 



February was a month of full supply, though the complaint of small 

 flounders was again common. On several days at the middle of the month 

 Clupea sagax was again in the market. 



During March the town was well supplied. As a novelty a few white- 

 bait formed an item in the supply for some days. 



April was a rather stormy month, and there was in consequence a 

 scarcity for some days. 



May saw the market pretty regularly supplied. A fair addition was 



