378 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



was thrown, instead of being received on to Collectors, 

 was carried into the bed of the harbour by the strong 

 currents, and certainly went far to restock the exhausted 

 beds in the channel, the benefit from which is felt even to 

 this day. 



The system not being practicable in this harbour, all 

 interest in the scheme was given up by the originators, and 

 as no strict watch was kept over the beds, the fishermen 

 stole the oysters, and even dredged on the beds, and sold 

 half-ware-spat and cultch at one shilling per bushel, to 

 to Oyster Cultivators in the Solent. 



I may say here, it is much to be regretted and 

 to their shame be it recorded that there was not a greater 

 degree of honesty displayed by the purchasers, as, doubt- 

 Jess arrangements were made with the receivers, or, surely, 

 otherwise, the fishermen would not have acted so dis- 

 honestly and with such suicidal policy to their own interest. 



In 1 88 1 Mr. J. M. Henderson surveyed the harbour 

 for a suitable place to establish an Oyster Fishery and 

 made application to the Corporation of Poole for a 

 portion of the Wareham Channel ; but, at a meeting of 

 the said Corporation convened for the purpose of granting 

 a lease, it was found they were powerless to do so. They, 

 therefore, deeming it advisable to secure their position and 

 interest, applied to the Board of Trade for a regulating 

 order over the oyster beds in the harbour, which, in due 

 course was granted. Thus empowered, they are now 

 supposed to protect the grounds, to license boats for 

 dredging purposes, and that the beds may be protected 

 they have resuscitated the old office of Water Bailiff. 



As Corporations are not permitted by the Board of Trade 

 to sublet any portion of their grants, Mr. Henderson, on 



