6 Leigh wherefore Chosen. 



Choice thus fell on Leigh : (a) Its fishing grounds lie both in 

 Kent and Essex waters ; (b) Besides flat and round fisheries, and 

 its speciality of shrimping, it also combines oyster storing, cock- 

 ling, and mussel and winkle beds ; (c) In certain aspects it 

 offers material for study, and throws a side-light on the brood 

 and undersized fish questions ; (d) Its history demonstrates the 

 difficulties attendant on the rights of public versus private 

 fisheries ; (e) In adjoining the Thames Conservancy and 

 Rochester Corporation, the occasional friction of boundaries in- 

 terests receives illustration ; (/) Data incident to changes in type, 

 in methods of, and in apparatus can be traced pretty closely ; 

 (g) Pollutions and other troublous matters furnish object 

 lessons. Thus Leigh-on-Sea, so far, presents a kind of epitome 

 of most of those topics affecting the working of the Sea 

 Fisheries Districts generally and which are so keenly dis- 

 cussed annually at the meetings of representatives of authorities 

 under the Sea Fisheries Regulations Act, 1888. 



A general Report on the entire District might result in 

 statements, opinions or suggestions being somewhat modified.* 



* Whilst upon your Sub-Committee, as a body, necessarily devolves the responsi- 

 bility of this Report which they have examined and freely criticised iu MS. and 

 printed proof yet they desire to emphasize the fact that its conception and carrying 

 out have vested solely with one of their members (Dr. Murie). They would here also 

 express their combined thanks to the undermentioned individuals who have contri- 

 buted such information, on local matters and otherwise, as has enabled the Report to 

 be drawn up in its present form. 



For much assistance, and quite a variety of communications and hints, among the 

 above, R. Johnson, sen., and J. Tyrrel deserve special mention. 



Old Residents, Officials, Boat Builders, Ship-Chandlers, fc. 



Bradley, George Dennis, Edward Kirby, Frederick 



Brown, Charles (Station Master) Partridge, Nathan 



,, Walter Epps, Albert Thomson, Henry 



(Fisherman's Agent) Foster, William ,, Mrs. H. 



Bundock, Thomas A. Harris, John ( ?) (Custom Tomlin, Thomas 



Walter House Officer, Southend) Rev. Michael 



Cotgrove, Arthur Harrison, George, sen. 



