214 



Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



Hamburg. Supplies, however, were insufficient to permit of their purchase 

 at a moderate price. Evidently the business was not a profitable one, as 

 operations were discontinued at an early period of the season. The 

 quantity dealt with in that manner was 7733 crans, compared with 5800 

 crans in the previous year. 



As the bulk of the catch at Wick was composed of fish of very fine 

 quality, the cured article was therefore of a high standard, and was keenly 

 sought after by dealers. The high prices demanded by curers was the 

 sole cause of a slow sale at the end of the season. 



Owing to the short supply of fish in the month of June, and the absence 

 of any great body of large, empty herrings, there was no great demand 

 in the district for the new Filhng and early Mattie brands. 



All through, the year was a poor one for line fishing. At the periods 

 when line fishing is most extensively pursued, an unusual continuance of 

 unfavourable weather was experienced, and, in consequence, operations 

 were very much restricted. At the same time fish were not nearly so 

 abundant as during some of the preceding years. The catch was only 

 60 per cent, of that of 1912. 



The results of the crab and lobster fishing did not differ much from 

 those of the pre^dous year. 



In the prosecution of the herring fishing on the EngHsh coast, 13 

 steamers, 6 motors, and 1 sailer were engaged. Their voyage was a fairly 

 remunerative one, as steamers earned from £330 to £1100, motors £320 

 to £600, and the sailer £190. 



A further increase occurred in the number of district curers who con- 

 ducted business at Yarmouth and Lowestoft, for which the success 

 attained in the former year was no doubt accountable. Fortunately, 

 there was another season of immense supplies, for which there was a good 

 demand, and, in consequence, curers had a very profitable season. 



Never before were there so many coopers employed at barrel-making 

 in this district as in the first half of the past year, the reason being that 

 stocks were completely exhausted by the successful catch both at home 

 and on the English coast in 1912. Even for the winter fishing on the West 

 Coast in January and February a considerable quantity of stock was 

 required. 



The number of boats propelled by motor engines was doubled during 

 the year. Six of the large Zulu boats, owned in the district, were fitted 

 with engines, 3 with Gardner's, and 3 with Kelvin's. Without exception, 

 they have done particularly well. There are now 8 motor boats of the 

 largest size in the district. So far, they have mostly all met with wonderful 

 success, one having earned as high as £1350 at the summer herring fishing, 

 and £2500 for the whole year. Fourteen small motor craft were added to 

 the fleet, of which class there are now 32, used chiefly for fine fishing. 

 They met with somewhat indifferent success owing to unfavourable 

 weather and a scarcity of fish, but they are nevertheless very well adapted 

 for the work. 



During the year there was an entire absence of any accident, involving 

 loss of life, or serious damage of property. 



All the fishery barometers in the district are in a satisfactory condition. 



James Ritchie, 



Fidhery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Wick, 5th January 1914. 



