ie) FIFTH REPORT OF SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
their claims noted. In time a list and a map approximately cor- 
rect were made up asa basis of taxation in 1882. These have 
been materially increased and improved each year since. The 
surveying of claims is now nearly completed, and will be entirely 
so the present year. They will show every lot of which owner- 
ship is asserted. They are known as “ Occupation Maps.’’ They 
are experimental and preliminary to the final mapping. This 
final mapping was begun a year or more ago, but has been at 
times interrupted by conflicting claims. It will be prosecuted as 
rapidly as possible. ‘The work consists of testing and correcting 
claims or occupations by the legal title ; a work which is found to 
require unwearied patience and care. Many claims fail to be 
supported by their designations; the shape of the lot, its area, 
or its location is not justified by the written description. 
Frequently the occupation interferes with neighboring lots and 
some cases have arisen where there were two or more claimants 
for the same grounds. Whenever any question arises touching a 
claimant’s rights he is cited in and given an opportunity to be 
heard to the fullest extent. If he fails to satisfy the Commis- 
sioners, his areas are restricted to their proper limits, his position 
is changed when necessary, and his lot is finally mapped in such 
size, Shape or position as is justified by the evidence. 
When a contest arises between two or more adjacent owners, 
they are also notified, and a day is given them to be heard in per- 
son or by counsel ; the decision of the Commissioners is then made 
and the lines of division are mapped as determined by them. 
Generally these hearings are informal; but sometimes petitions 
and answers in writing are filed under the law passed for the 
purpose in 1882. From the decisions thus made by the Commis- 
sioners an appeal is allowed to the Superior Court ; but thus far 
only one appeal has been taken. From the nature of this work 
of mapping, it is obvious that it has been, and must be, neces- 
sarily very slow ; but it has been thorough, and it is believed that 
it will prove satisfactory to the most critical. One thing is cer- 
tain, that in place of the vagueness and doubt that so long 
weighed upon the titles of oyster grounds there will henceforth 
be system, order and certainty. 
The final map of New Haven will soon be completed. It is 
the largest map of all, and probably involves proportionately the 
greatest number of disputes and difficulties. The maps of the 
