392 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



On the public ground below the fishery, about half-a- 

 dozen spat per dredge was the outside average number 

 taken, and these were principally on the north side of the 

 tideway, below where the largest quantity of the Company's 

 oysters are laid. 



I found these well flavoured and marketable, though, 

 owing to the earliness of the season, by no means in per- 

 fection. I have since had some samples forwarded to me 

 which are equal, in my opinion, to the very best quality of 

 English Natives ; in fact, the Company, who at the time 

 of my visit had just commenced marketing their stock, 

 have already disposed of a considerable quantity, at prices 

 which show that they are of an exceedingly good quality. 



Thus, in the two cardinal points of breeding and fat- 

 tening, the capabilities of these previously unproductive 

 grounds have been fully established. 



No case of poaching has up to the present time 

 occurred ; and the neighbouring dredgermen, who were 

 originally opposed to the concession, are now, I am 

 informed, well satisfied that it has been made, as they find 

 in the Company ready purchasers at their doors for what- 

 ever oysters they take on the open grounds. The labour 

 also, and boats hired, have been exclusively taken from 

 amongst the same persons. The fishery appears to have 

 been placed under an able manager, and as on this point 

 depends almost entirely the success or failure of a newly 

 established oyster farm, there is every reason to believe 

 that it will be as advantageous, in a commercial point of 

 view, as it has already been proved to be so far as the 

 interests of the public are concerned. 



The following are the items of the Company's expen- 

 diture so far as the fishery is concerned, from joth May, 

 1868, up to the 4th December instant, and also of the 



