: 2 



Appendices to Thirty-ninth Annual Report 



obtained on the same grounds on two successive night3. Xo doubt the 

 weather conditions militated against success, as on many occasions there 

 was a change in the direction of the wind after the nets had been set. 

 an occurrence which is usually followed by a light fishing, but this 

 cannot in itself account for the abnormal shortage in the landings, and 

 it wa3 evident that no dense shoals were on the usual grounds. 



Another cause which was given as being contributory to the shortage 

 was the presence of large shoals of organisms, somewhat similar to jelly 

 fish, but smaller and differing in shape. This jelly like form was not 

 confined to any particular area, but was met with on the grounds all 

 along the East Coast. 



The season's catch amounted to only 98,411 crans compared with 

 140,615 crans in 1919. 



The herrings were, as a rule, of good quality, although the proportion 

 of matties in the catch wa3 greater than that of an ordinary season. 

 Only during the last 10 days was any quantity of fulls landed. 



Competition on the part of the buyers was always keen, and only on 

 one occasion did prices fall to the minima of 45s. per cran for fresh 

 and 40s. per cran for roused fish. Prices ranged from 45s. to 303. per 

 cran, the general range being from 533. to 663. and the average for the 

 season 55s. 6d. 



Notwithstanding the high average price a number of vessels failed 

 to clear expenses, while the earnings of many others were only sufficient 

 to meet the necessary outlay3. 



At the port there were 107 buyers, of whom 78 represented curing 

 firms. As a result of the light landings and the resulting competition for 

 supplies., the curers were faced with the alternatives of either buying at 

 prices which they knew must result in a loss, or of standing by with staffs 

 idle and material unrealised. The former course was preferred as the 

 less evil, and the prices thus paid for herrings for curing purposes ranged 

 from 53s. to 60s., and occasionally up to 64s. per cran. 



The local Fishcurers' Association, in common with similar Associa- 

 tions at other ports, endeavoured to limit the maximum price to 47s., 

 but the attempt was unsuccessful, and a scheme of rationing at that 

 figure which was introduced on the 4th August did not survive longer 

 than a few hours. 



Owing to the fact that no herrings were landed in the early part of 

 June, that few spent fish were landed, and that wastage was reduced to 

 a minimum, the "outcome" obtained was larger than in an average 

 season, many curers realising from 133 to 134 barrels for every 100 

 crans cured. 



The total quantity cured was about 85,000 barrels compared with 

 105,900 barrels in 1919. Of the former quantity 79,451 were handed 

 over to the Board, the bulk of the remainder being overdays and sea- 

 salted herrings. 



In consequence of the high rates paid by curers for fresh herrings, 

 and the fixed prices received for the cured article, practically every firm 

 sustained a loss on the season's transactions. 



In the early part of the season the kipper markets were in a very 

 depressed state, and kipperers limited their output, but matters subse- 

 quently improved and normal quantities were then dealt with. 



For a time there was considerable unrest among fishworkers, and a 

 threatened strike by coopers was onlv averted by an increase in wages. 

 The women employed in the kippering establishments went on strike for 

 a few days, but as there was then little demand for kippers, and the 

 firms involved were prepared to close their premises, work was resumed 

 at the old rates. 



* 



