43 8 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



ground, to make at least from two to three hundred bushels 

 of marketable oysters, which at, say g a bushel, "Would 

 realise the sum of ^2,700. The total sum expended up to 

 April last on the various items above enumerated, em- 

 braced under the general term of " cultivation," as shewn 

 in the tabulated return annexed, labour and boat hire 

 inclusive, amounts to 1,121 6s. 5d., thus leaving, it will 

 be seen, a large margin for profit, even on the very moder- 

 ate estimate given above, and in which the purchased 

 oysters and brood are, of course, not included. No diffi- 

 culty has been experienced in preserving and protecting 

 the oyster grounds, and no prosecution for trespass or 

 theft has been instituted. 



When the barren and utterly useless condition of this 

 ground, at the time of the grant of the Order (described in 

 my former report), is borne in mind, I think it must be 

 considered that the foregoing facts exhibit a state of things 

 in every way highly satisfactory, and show not only 

 that Mr. Smith has acted up to his engagements as to the 

 cultivation of the ground, but that the intentions of the 

 Legislature, and the views of the Board of Trade, in 

 granting the Order, have been fully realised. 



I have, &c., 

 (Signed) H. CHOLMONDELEY PENNELL. 



The Assistant Secretary, 

 Harbour Department, Board of Trade. 



