Il8 FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



"The islands along the coast belonging to the State have been 

 sold and conveyed excepting some unimportant cases, and where 

 serious doubt exists as to the right of the State to interfere." 



However, from this time to 1892 islands received some atten- 

 tion in the reports of the Land Agent, and often a revised 

 schedule of those that had been previously conveyed were 

 annexed. 



The Land Agent in his report of 1880 says on this subject: 



"On account of the almost numberless islands on our coast, 

 it has been found difficult to ascertain the number belonging to 

 the State, so that they might be placed on the market. The 

 only way that now appears feasible is to act on each application 

 as presented." 



Islands Recognized as Valuable for Summer Resorts. 



The growing value of our islands for summer resort purposes 

 commence now to be realized, as shown by the Land Agent's 

 report of 1882 : 



"There are numerous applications now on file in the Land 

 Office for islands and ledges on our coast, and as the Land 

 Agent has no personal knowledge of the value of them, and 

 their value does not appear to warrant the expense of a personal 

 inspection, no action has been taken on them. 



"Our sea coast, lined with almost innumerable islands, has 

 become a fashionable summer resort for large numbers of the 

 inhabitants of the crowded cities on the Atlantic Coast, and 

 the inviting cool summer breezes are drawing a large population 

 onto these islands during the host summer season. This sum- 

 mer travel is not likely to decrease, but appears to be increasing 

 each year. Small and barren islands, hitherto of no value, are 

 sought for by these pleasure seekers, and houses have been 

 erected for their accommodation. The title to these small islands 

 has not been considered of any consequence, but when expendi- 

 tures of money are to be made upon them, it becomes a question 

 of some importance to know who holds the title." 



Li his report of 1883 the Land Agent says : 



"The sale of lands and islands must be limited, as it was 

 supposed that all the islands and lands, except such as were 

 reserved for settlement, were sold in 1878." 



In his report of 1889 the Land Agent says : 



