OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 5 
claims as his property, without regard to his legal title. After consid- 
erable labor, which involved resurveys in many instances, a map of 
lots off New Haven and its neighborhood, showing the occupation of 
each owner, has been completed. Some of the maps off other towns 
are also complete, or nearly so, and in the course of the winter all 
will be in a condition that will enable the Commissioners to proceed 
with them as they are now proceeding with the New Haven map, 
which is as follows: Having the map complete before them it is 
found, as might have been anticipated, that many lots as claimed by 
the occupants overlap each other; and also when the occupation is 
compared with the designation, it is found in very many cases that 
they do not agree. Where the difference between occupation and 
designation is trifling, no great trouble has resulted. But where the 
differences are large, the consequences are serious; because to the 
extent of one’s occupation beyond the boundaries of his designation 
he is a trespasser upon his neighbor: in most cases, perhaps not an 
intentional, but an accidental, trespasser. If he has cultivated the 
ground upon the part upon which he has thus innocently intruded, it 
results in the loss of his stock, which may be of greater or less value 
according to age and quantity. These discrepancies are the natural 
fruit of the careless methods of designating grounds which prevailed 
in all the towns on the shore at the beginning of deep water cultivation. 
The Commissioners, however, must be governed by the designation 
in their final mapping; and where there is conflict between occupation 
and designation, the former must give way. 
In pursuance of chap. cxxiv. of the Session Laws of 1882, the 
Commissioners have settled many of these differences, and the owners 
have accepted their conclusions in every instance but one. There are 
many disputes still pending between adjoining owners, the greater 
part of which, with the aid of the Commissioners, will in all prob- 
ability be amicably settled. With a few exceptions, the oyster culti- 
vators have manifested a considerate regard for each other’s rights, and 
have made liberal concessions rather than gain a benefit through the 
excusable error of a neighbor, and also to avoid expensive litiga- 
tion. It is advisable that all interferences should be adjusted before 
completing the final mapping. The maps must be of great use to lot 
owners through all future time, as they will be made with great care, 
by experts, under the personal supervision of the Commissioners, and 
there is every reason to believe that they are as accurate and reliable 
as maps of submarine lots can be made. 
