4 FOURTH REPORT OF SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
The collection of information touching the occupation of lots, the 
buoying and mapping of them according to occupation, and the set- 
tlement of many disputes growing out of the same; 
The testing of occupations by designations, and in many cases 
harmonizing differences between a man’s occupation and his lawful 
designation. 
These and many other necessary duties preliminary to the great 
work of making complete maps of the oyster grounds within State 
jurisdiction have exacted almost the entire time of the Commissioners. 
All the work of the Commission has been done with the strictest 
economy consistent with requisite excellence, and no money has been 
needlessly spent. 
The employees of the Commission have been retained from the be- 
ginning, and the results of last year show beyond a question, that in 
addition to their natural aptitude and scientific knowledge, they have 
by long experience acquired a facility for doing their work and doing 
it well, which must hereafter save a considerable expense to the Com- 
mission. 
Although the past year has been remarkably unfavorable for engi- 
neering work on the water, Messrs. Sanford and Pike, Jr., in addition 
to other work, which will be more particularly reported by Engineer 
Bogart, have set 413 buoys, surveyed 498 buoys, and determined the 
location of 12 prominent rocks, trees and drill holes; making in all 
923 positions, as against 787 the year before: a gain, notwithstanding 
adverse weather, of 136 positions. Doubtless the surveying and 
buoying have been greatly facilitated by the systems of Buoy Books 
and Field Books planned by the parties named. An ingenious 
arrangement of charts, too, devised by Engineer Sanford, has 
resulted in a great saving of time and labor in the work on the 
water. When the weather was unsuitable for operations outside, the 
engineers devoted their time to collating and tabulating results, and 
making preparations for future work. ‘The books thus partially pre- 
pared are fully described in the Engineer’s Report. The information 
they afford is fundamental and essential for all future time: and when 
entirely completed, as they will be soon, the Commissioners will be 
enabled to proceed with the work imposed upon them of making 
exact maps of designated grounds, for the State, and for each town 
interested. 
As soon as these data are reported to the office, Engineer Bogart 
arranges and utilizes them in making maps on a large scale, so that 
the Commissioners can readily see what each occupant of ground 
