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to such surface, land bare at low tide, the foreshore 

 proper, it recognizes the state as sole proprietor of all 

 submerged areas bathed by sea water whether in estua- 

 ries, bays, or the territorial water margining the coasts. 

 In France this " maritime public domain" is considered 

 inalienable ; it may neither be sold nor otherwise dis- 

 posed of. The State indeed is not the proprietor, being 

 rather the custodian of what is and must remain a 

 possession reserved for the public benefit. So far as 

 possible the nationals of the State should have free usage 

 of it but no user under ordinary conditions may possess 

 special right over another or exclude others from the 

 usage or access he himself is allowed. 



However, temporary and privileged occupation is 

 conceded under special circumstances on payment of an 

 annual rental to compensate the public at large for 

 deprivation of the right of free access and usage of the 

 area so occupied. 



During the period when oyster culture was passing 

 through its experimental stages, the State, to favour the 

 infancy of the industry, gave these concessions free 

 under the stipulation that the concessionaires should be 

 either naval reservists or be working in partnership with 

 one or more of such privileged class. 



This system lasted till 1873, when it was decreed 

 that naval reservists alone should have the privilege of 

 free oyster farms ; all others were forced to pay the 

 rentals assessed by Government officers. 



At the present time no rent-free concessions exist 

 except a few held by the original concessionaires under 

 the old regulations ; from all other occupiers of oyster 

 parks in the maritime public domain, annual rentals are 

 exacted varying in accordance with the situation of the 

 ground. Those parks occupying positions considered 

 the most favourable for oyster spatting and growth are 

 charged 54 francs per hectare (= about Rs. 13 per 

 acre); those in the second category, 45 francs (Rs. 11 

 per acre), while the third and least suitable grounds pay 

 36 francs pe*' hectare (Rs. 9 per acre). Preference is 



