164) NEW SOUTH WALES 
The further conditions and provisions, subject to which a long term 
lease for oyster culture is granted, are stated in section 28, and 
the penalties for injuring or interfering with oyster layings on 
such leases, in section 30. It should be observed that, before 
a lease can be granted, the notice of application for it must be 
published in the Gazette and some newspaper of local circula- 
tion. Objections on the ground of the area applied for con- 
taining a natural oyster-bed or part of such a bed may be 
lodged with the Commissioners within thirty days after the last 
published notice of application ; and an inspector may be sent 
to the locality to report as to the site of the lease applied for, 
and the validity of such objections. The lease may be revoked 
on default for two years by the lessee in taking proper measures 
to form oyster-beds or layings in terms of the lease. 
(2.) Annual Shore Lease for Oyster Cultwre—Under this form of 
lease any portion of the shore of a tidal water (not exempted 
or created a public oyster reserve under the Act) may be leased 
by the owner, lessee, or occupant of land abutting on the 
shore, at the rental of £1 for every 100 yards or portion 
thereof, The lease ranges from the margin of mean high- 
water-mark, down to an imaginary line defining an average 
depth of 3 feet at low-water of spring tides. The lease must be 
renewed ‘annually, and the rent is payable in advance.’ It is, 
moreover, subject to such conditions and provisions as the 
regulations may prescribe. The lessee has the exclusive right 
during the currency of the lease (subject to the conditions and 
provisions just mentioned) of cultivating and protecting oysters 
within the limits of his lease, and of taking them for all pur-. 
poses except burning for lime. He will, however, be required 
to mark out the position of his leased area by piles, stakes, or 
buoys, as directed by the regulations. ‘ 
Pusuic Oyster RESERVES. 
The Governor in Council is empowered to declare any part of the 
shore abutting on any tidal waters, and any portion of the bed of any 
estuary, bay, lake, inlet, river, or creek influenced by the tides to be 
exempt from the leasing provisions of the Act, or to be a Public Oyster 
Reserve, subject to such regulations as may be framed under section 9. 
Royatty on DrepcGEep Oysters. 
Holders of dredging licenses dredging oysters on natural oyster-beds 
and: layings belonging to the Crown, are required to pay for every 
reputed three-bushel bag of oysters a royalty not less than 1s, 6d. and 
not more than 4s. per bag. The royalty will vary for different rivers, 
and must be paid to the persons and in the manner directed by the Re- 
gulations. 
OvsTER-DREDGING LICENCES. 
Dredging for oysters on natural oyster-beds and layings abandoned or 
withdrawn from lease is prohibited, except to holders of oyster-dredging 
licenses. These licenses must be taken out either annually at a fee of 
£10, or quarterly at a fee of £3. The annual license bears date from 
