THE MANNING RIVER OYSTER FISHERY. 65 



both sides of the portion of the Hiver locally known as 

 Oyster Creek. Enrther np this creek is the Rot-gut Bed 

 under lease to A. Phelps. 



The Clarence River oysters are not of first quality, nor do 

 they during the summer months keep well for more than a 

 few days after removal from the water. The shells, like the 

 oyster in condition, are unusually soft, owing probably to 

 sonie special properties in the water. The old lake-beds some 

 two or three miles above the lower fishery have not borne 

 oysters for many years. Formerly they produced the best 

 that grew at the Clarence. They are similar in appearance 

 to the Manning River oysters, and, unlike the lower beds, 

 are of good flavour. 



THE MANNINa RIVER OYSTER FISHERY. 



Twelve years since this fishery was one of the finest in the 

 Colony, but subsequently, from causes unknown, it ceased to 

 grow oysters ; it is only during the last two years that it has 

 shown signs of imjirovement. Oysters appear within the 

 entrance and extend along the right-hand shore ; the prin- 

 cipal deposit is, or rather was, the Bar Bed, but the occur- 

 rence of repeated floods covered it with many feet of the 

 sand and rubbish that are carried down a river in flood- 

 time ; although now nearl}^ clean again oysters will neither 

 settle on it naturally nor live if laid there. The next 

 bed, is the Cattai, so designated from a creek of that name. 

 Seventeen or eighteen years since it produced a splendid 

 oyster, when, from unknown causes, like the Bar Bed 

 it closed its supply and has not had a marketable value 

 since. About eigliteen months ago, however, a first-class 

 crop of brood appeared which is developing into a full 

 oyster ; a profitable result therefore in the near future is 

 expected. A similar experience belongs to McDermot's 

 bed — after eighteen years of barrenness it now contains a large 

 crop of young oysters which the lessee is retaining for i^ur- 

 poses of increase — the oysters are of first quality and good in 

 shape. Scott's Creek bed, so-called from a creek of that 

 name, suff'ered in lil^e manner until about two years since, 

 when it became stocked, tliis stock being nursed in like 

 manner to that on the Cattai Creek Bed. 



Anotlier deposit, an old shore lease, producing only bankers, 

 is heavily stocked now, but is being left unworked with the 

 view to future increased yield. The South Passage bed, one 



