6 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
It will be remembered that in the Commissioners’ last report it 
was stated that a map of the oyster lots in each town west of 
New Haven, as claimed and occupied by their respective owners, 
had been completed, and a copy thereof filed in the office of the 
town clerk of each town; that upon each map so filed a notice 
was conspicuously printed, urgently requesting all persons inter- 
ested to examine the map and promptly notify the Commissioners 
of any error that might be found. Seventeen months have 
elapsed since such filing, and no word of criticism or complaint 
touching any of the maps has reached the Commissioners. ‘This 
confirms the statement heretofore made by them, that so far as 
occupation was concerned the maps were as perfect and complete 
as scientific skill, carefulness, and good faith could make them. 
Nevertheless, there is abundant reason to believe that many of 
the lots, thus mapped as claimed and occupied by the owners, 
would be materially changed in outline, quantity, and location by 
the recorded titles. 
It is to be greatly deplored, and for years to come the owners of 
lots will deeply regret, that the Commissioners were not permitted 
to complete their work on the maps by testing each occupation by 
its legal title, correcting interferences, adjusting boundary lines, 
and settling controversies, so that the maps thus thoroughly pre- 
pared would preclude the possibility of future disputes, and serve 
as a guide for all time in the management and transfer of the 
grounds. ‘The materials for this work were mostly in hand, and 
the experience gained by the Commissioners and their employés 
fully qualified them to complete it at the least possible expense 
and in the briefest possible time. 
The work on the final map of New Haven, East Haven and 
Orange has gone on very slowly. At the time of the last report 
the obstacles in the way of finishing it were about all removed, 
and it was then expected that it would be completed the present 
year. But this expectation has not been realized, owing to the 
reduction of the appropriations hereinbefore mentioned and the 
limited time that can be bestowed upon it. 
The materials, too, for the occupation maps of lots in the towns 
east of New Haven are ready, but it is obvious that these towns 
must wait until such time as the Legislature will see the necessity 
of adequate appropriations. 
In a word, the Commissioners desire to say that in all their 
most important work they have been seriously crippled,—the 
