Report of tl)e ^aperintendent of 

 NSt)eUffel)erie^. 



To tl)c Forest, FisI) and (iame Commission : 



I HAVE the honor to present a report of the business of the Shellfish Depart- 

 ment, which, under the general supervision of the Shellfish Commissioner and 

 of the Commission, has been assigned to my management as superintendent of 

 shellfisheries. 



The hydrographic surveys and the preparation of maps of lands under water, 

 initiated by Hon. Eugene Blackford in 1887, and continued to the presnt time, 

 have, during the past year, been carried forward by Charles Wyeth, C. E., surveyor 

 of oyster lands, under my direction. Mr. Wyeth has been connected with this 

 department for eleven years past, and his work, which calls for the exercise of more 

 than ordinary skill and precision, has been performed in the most satisfactory 

 manner. 



The records of this office show a constantly increasing business. During the 

 year 137 applications for lands under water for shellfish cultivation have been 

 received, and after due advertisement the lands applied for have been leased to the 

 highest bidder, as provided by law. A total of 2,467 acres has thus been added to 

 the lands heretofore granted by the State for shellfish culture. The grants made 

 during the year cover lands under the waters of Long Island Sound, East River, 

 Hempstead Harbor, Jamaica Bay and Raritan Bay. 



On December i, 1901, there were under lease 6,055 acres, and under franchise 

 20,005 acres, a total of 26,060 acres now in use for shellfish cultivation. Sixty-six 

 applications, 8 being for lands in Hempstead Harbor, and 58 for lands in Manhasset 

 Bay, covering 1,044 acres, are now pending and are not included in the above total 

 of lands in use. 



The jurisdiction of the State over lands under these waters (Hempstead Harbor 

 and Manhasset Bay) is disputed by the town of North Hempstead, which asserts its 

 own jurisdiction and ownership under colonial patents. Upon receiving the first 

 applications for lands in these localities, the superintendent, under the direction of 



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