3 1 



Spat on Oyster Shell. 



superintends the working staff in the oyster depot ; a 

 foreman, who controls the working of the fleet ; and a 

 water-bailiff, whose duty it is to collect the anchorage and 

 other dues payable to the Company, and who carries as a 

 badge of office a small blue oar. The old office of bellman 

 is abolished, as the foreman himself communicates the 

 orders for the day's work or " stint " by calling them out 

 from the office steps. The members of the Company no longer 

 take apprentices, and the supply of men is kept up from 

 among the shareholders, and from flatsmen if the supply 

 is short, preference being given to those flatsmen who have 

 been shareholders, but have sold their shares. 



