TENURE. 19 



side only of determining the tenure at the expira- 

 tion of the seventh or fourteenth year. 



On this question it is difficult to give any Rent, 

 special advice. Unfortunately, it is the custom 

 for land agents to advise their clients to ask 

 a higher rent than they really expect to get, 

 and the outcome of this practice is that, as a 

 rule, an intending lessee makes an offer of an 

 amount less than he is prepared to pay. The 

 parties usually haggle and bargain ; the land 

 agent declares that there is another man in 

 negotiation who is willing to pay what is asked. 

 Very often this obliging person is a myth, but 

 sometimes, although rarely, he exists, and the 

 effect of a firm attitude is to lose the water 

 altogether. If only agents could be persuaded 

 to see the folly of this policy it would be a 

 good thing for everyone concerned, not only in 

 fisheries but in all other property throughout 

 the country. 



With a considerable amount of diffidence, 

 however, the following advice is given to the 

 intending tenant : Make up your mind what the 

 property is worth to you, and make an offer of 

 this amount, conveying in the most distinct 

 words possible the intimation that you are 

 willing to pay this rental and no more. Never 

 mind what pressure may be brought to bear on 

 you, or what specious arguments may be 



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