966 OYSTKRS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



^720. Now assume the other 30 smacks to earn two- 

 thirds of this amount, = ,480. Add these together, and 

 you have ^"1200 taken away by the smacks in 4 weeks, 

 instead of being earned by the harbour fishermen. 



This amount would treble itself in a few years were 

 the smacks prevented from dredging. 



Let us say for destruction of brood, caused by the 

 smacks, one-third of ^1200, ^400 ^1600: this amount 

 in three years would be ^"4800 ; and this important sum is 

 entirely lost every season to the harbour fishermen. This 

 sum, divided among 100 harbour boats, would give ^48 

 per boat for the season ; or i8s. 5^d. per boat per week, 

 annually, for oysters. Now bearing in mind that the 

 fisherman would, in the meantime, be occupied (in other 

 seasons) in catching other kind of fish, it must as an out- 

 come of just reasoning follow that, were the fishery judici- 

 ously and effectually protected, he would soon be in a 

 position to maintain himself and family without parochial 

 assistance. He would also aid in the prosecution of his 

 enterprising and useful pursuit ; get and bring large sup- 

 plies of food to market for the sustentation of other people ; 

 and if we would see the fisherman in this very proper, this 

 most desirable, this satisfactory situation, we should see 

 an industrious and contented individual, cheerfully relying 

 on his own honest exertions for his support, and sincerely 

 thankful to those who, as well-wishers of his prosperity, 

 have endeavoured to amend and improve his unfortunate 

 circumstances." 



Several memorandums by the same writer are as 

 follows : 



