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Appendices to Thirty-first Annual Report 



Wick, as an important fishing centre, is somewhat handicapped by 

 not having a good strong local fleet. The means of capture of the 

 district still tends to decline, although during the past year the equip- 

 ment was fairly well maintained. To make good the wastage that took 

 place, a good number of first-class boats were purchased from various 

 Moray Firth ports. 



Meantime there is no indication that the number of steam drifters 

 belonging to the district is likely to be increased in the near future. 

 For several years past the number stood at 14. Two were sold away 

 from the district last year, while one was brought to the district by a 

 new company, so that the number is now only thirteen. 



A considerable advance was made during the year with the applica- 

 tion of motor power to fishing craft. One large Zulu boat was fitted 

 up with a Gardner engine ; sixteen small boats of from 14 to 35 feet 

 keel were also equipped with engines, chiefly of the Kelvin make. 

 Three of these boats, of 35, 34, and 22 feet keel respectively, 

 were specially built for the reception of motor engines, the others being 

 craft that had previously been propelled by sails and oars. There are 

 now two large and eighteen small motor vessels owned in the district. 

 The two large boats had gross earnings of <£1500 and <£1430 respectively 

 for the summer and English coast fishings. Most of the small craft 

 are chiefly employed at line fishing. For that work they are very well 

 adapted, and when in the hands of capable men they are quite a good 

 investment. There is every prospect of their number being increased 



The total quantity and value of fish landed in the district show 

 considerable increases when compared with 1911, and it is to the success- 

 ful summer herring fishing, the higher prices obtained for the herrings, 

 and the greater landings of cod and codling, that the increases are 

 attributable. 



Cod-net fishing, which is one of the newest methods of fishing engaged 

 in, was conducted chiefly during February and March, 14 local crews, 

 who manned two steamers and a dozen sail boats, being employed. 

 A number of crews from other districts also worked off the Caithness 

 coast, and frequently landed their catches at Wick. The results were 

 by far the most satisfactory that have been obtained since that mode of 

 fishing was commenced. 



Thirteen of the district-owned steam drifters, two motor boats, and 

 five sailers took part in the English herring fishing, steamers having 

 gross earnings of from £500 to £900, motors £440 to £570, and sailers 

 £150 to £330. 



There was a slight increase in the number of district curers who 

 conducted business at Yarmouth and Lowestoft. At those ports the 

 season was one of unprecedented success owing to the immense supplies 

 of herrings that were put upon the market, and the fact that the 

 demand for cured herrings was equal to the supply, large though it was. 

 Remunerative prices were therefore realised, and it is generally 

 admitted that the season was a very profitable one to all concerned. 



All through, there was a busy year at barrel-making in Wick. An 

 unusual demand was created by the successful fishings upon the Scotch 

 and English coasts, and stocks were completely exhausted. Up to the 

 commencement of next summer's fishing a busy time will be experienced 

 in replenishing stocks. It is expected that some difficulty will be 

 experienced in procuring supplies of stave-wood and hoops. Prices 

 for all classes of barrel-making material are advancing owing to the 

 great dem.and that exists. 



The Wick Harbour improvement scheme, commenced five years ago, 

 has not yet been completed. Some sections of the work were 

 much more costly than was estimated, while, at the same time, some 



