OYSTER FISHERY LEGISLATION. 989 



PROCEEDURE, JURISDICTION, SEARCH, and SEIZURE. 

 As fully set out under title " Crabs," p. 209 ; apply also 

 to Oysters. 



Having giving the Commissioners considerable lati- 

 tude in airing their " Report," (hj anent the Convention 

 Act of 1839, it is but fair to give the other side of the 

 question also, showing in what light the Act of 1866 was 

 looked upon by the ostraculturist of that date. In order 

 to do this satisfactorily, I insert an unabridged copy of a 

 brief pamphlet too brief, indeed, I am inclined to say, for 

 the effectual outcome of its purpose which, for its plain- 

 spoken truths alone, deserves to be rescued from the des- 

 tined oblivion of some of the bygone ostracultural literature 

 advocating an all-convincing, administrative system, so 

 beneficially developed by our European neighbours, and 

 .still more powerfully represented in its wonderful com- 

 mercial prosperity by those whom it suits the British dig- 

 nity to term " our American cousins." 



The copy lent me bore no author's name or initials* 

 and (if I remember rightly) no imprint. The title and text 

 are as follows : 



SOME REMARKS ON THE OYSTER AND MUSSEL 

 FISHERIES ACT, 1866. 



The intention of our legislators in passing the above 

 Act was doubtless to aid those individuals or companies 

 who might endeavour to increase the supply of oysters for 

 the benefit of the public. 



The Board of Trade, in their published "Regulations 

 for the Instruction and Guidance of Persons applying for 

 Fishery Grants " under this Act, state : 



(h) Its full title is " Report of the Commissioners appointed to 

 inquire into the Sea Fisheries of the United Kingdom." 1866. 



