454 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



on making a renewed attempt at daybreak on the 1 3th of 

 August, and succeeded in having four hours' work (from 5 

 a.m. to 9 a.m.) before my formal sitting at ;o a.m. 



I was accompanied on the occasion by representatives 

 both of the Company and of the Memorialists ; and my 

 thanks are due to these gentlemen for the ready manner in 

 which, at some inconvenience to themselves, they attended 

 on all the occasions referred to. 



The Company, I ought to add, was represented at my 

 inquiry by Mr. Ewins Bennett, who, instructed by Mr. 

 Jordan (Messrs. Marriott and Jordan), conducted their 

 case. The case of the Memorialists was conducted by Mr. 

 Fielding (Messrs. Plummer and Fielding). I am indebted 

 to these gentlemen for the assistance which they rendered 

 to me. 



I am now in a position to make the following Report : 



The Herne Bay, Hampton, and Reculver Oyster 

 Fishery Company was incorporated by a private Act, 

 passed in 1864, the 27 and 28 Viet., cap. cclxxx. 



The Company was incorporated for the purpose of 

 maintaining an oyster fishery, oyster beds, and other works 

 in the estuary of the river Thames, on the north coast of 

 Kent, near Herne Bay. 



The capital of the Company was fixed at ^"100,000, in 

 10,000 shares of /^io each, and the Company was also 

 authorised to borrow on mortgage, for the purposes of 

 their undertaking, a further sum of ,25,000. 



The object of Parliament in incorporating the Com- 

 pany is clearly stated in the preamble of the Act : 

 " Whereas the making and maintaining of a duly pro- 

 tected oyster fishery in the estuary of the river Thames, 

 with proper and sufficient oyster beds, and other works 

 and conveniences connected therewith, would tend to 



