858 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



any Act shall be construed as authorizing interference 

 with the capture of migratory fishes, or free navigation, or 

 the right to use on any private ground any method or 

 implement for the taking, growing, or cultivation of shell- 

 fish. 



Section 12. Entry-takers shall make returns to the 

 Secretary of State of all franchises granted under this Act, 

 in the same manner as provided in Section 2775 of the 

 Code, and the provisions of Sections 2777 and 2778 of the 

 Code are hereby extended, so as to cover the grants or 

 franchises in ground for raising or cultivating shell-fish as 

 authorized by this Act, and all applications, grants, war- 

 rants, and assignments of franchises in or near oyster- 

 grounds, shall be in manner and form as approved by the 

 Attorney-General of the State. 



Section 13. All grants of grounds under previous 

 Acts, for the purpose of cultivating shell-fish in the terri- 

 tory within the provisions of this, are hereby confirmed 

 and made good in the grantees, 'their heirs and assigns, 

 provided the holders of said ground shall within one year 

 file with the Secretary of State certified copies of their 

 license and surveys, and that the said surveys be found 

 correct by the Engineer of the Commissioners of Shell- 

 Fisheries ; and in case such surveys are found to be 

 incorrect, the ground shall be re-surveyed by said Engineer 

 as soon as practicable ; and in designating lots, any person 

 who has made in good faith an actual effort to raise or 

 cultivate shell-fish on the area for which application is 

 made, shall have the prior right to a grant or franchise in 

 said grounds, but nothing contained in this Act shall be 

 construed to validate any entry heretofore made of a 

 natural bed. 



