9 8 
MR. -T. J. WIGG ON THE HERRING FISHERY. 
The vicinity of the fish wharf at Yarmouth was again this 
year the scene of great bustle, and presented a most animated 
appearance. Thousands upon thousands of barrels have 
been landed from vessels and stacked near the troughs on 
the breezy Denes. Great complaints were again made con- 
cerning the muddy plots where the women and men had to 
stand all day long. No shelter was provided for the women, 
who were obliged to work in the open during all changes of 
weather, unless the day was very wet, when all out-door 
work was suspended. There appears to be quite a diversity 
of opinion concerning the unsheltered outdoor work of the 
Scotch girls and women. Some of the employers characterise 
the work as a summer occupation, and say that the girls are 
used to out-door employment, that in stormy weather boats 
do not venture out to sea, and consequently there is no fish 
at hand to prepare ; but they think that the women work 
too many hours per day while at Yarmouth. 
The women do not object to out-door work, but would 
prefer some shelter from wind and rain, and would also like 
a more solid foundation upon which they could stand, instead 
of being inches deep in mud and filth, as is the case now, 
owing to the defective drainage. So far as I could ascertain 
this appears to be the only real ground of complaint, as their 
overtime is irregular, and does not amount to much in the 
course of the season. A good spurt of work is needed when 
fish are plentiful to make up for time wasted in waiting when 
there is onty a small supply of Herrings. I notice that 
Mr. Broadhurst, M.P., visited Yarmouth during the last 
fishing, and made a good deal of talk about the anaemic 
appearance of the fisher girls, and the strong fishy smell of 
the place. I quite agree with the latter part of his remark ; 
but with that portion dealing with the physique of the Scotch 
women or girls I totally disagree. To my mind they are, 
on the whole, as healthy a class of women as can be found 
anywhere, and Mr. Broadhurst’ s remarks may be classed as 
nonsense. 
During the height of the fishing season a great deal of 
friction was caused between Scotch buyers and the Yarmouth 
