OYSTER CULTURE IN ENGLAND. 455 



increase the supply of oysters, and would be of public 

 advantage ;" and this object is equally clearly shown by 

 the 32nd section of the Act, which provides that 



1. In the event of the Company failing to proceed 

 with the execution of the works by this Act authorised, 

 within one year after the passing of this Act ; 



2. In the event of the Company failing to prosecute 

 and complete such works within the time limited by this 

 Act; 



3. In the event of the Inspectors of Fisheries, from 

 time to time acting under the Salmon Fishery Act, 1861, 

 certifying 



(a). That the Company has, for the space of 

 twelve months, failed to maintain and cultivate the 

 oyster grounds by this Act defined ; or 



(b). That the Company has, for the space of five 

 years from the passing of this Act, failed to produce 

 on the said grounds well-fed oysters fit for the public 

 market, so as to be of public advantage, 



all the rights, powers, and authorities conferred upon the 

 Company by this Act shall thenceforth cease and determine, 

 and all the provisions in this Act relating to the oyster 

 grounds shall cease to be applicable, as though this Act 

 had not passed. 



In the years immediately preceding 1874, and in 1874, 

 memorials were presented to the Home Office, alleging 

 that the Herne Bay, Hampton, and Reculver Oyster Fishery 

 Company had failed to fulfil the conditions under which its 

 incorporation had been sanctioned by Parliament. 



One of the then Inspectors of Fisheries, the late Mr. 

 Frank Buckland, had been connected with the Company 



