FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 93 



marked by the State Surveyor of Oyster Lands, who plots the tract upon the 

 maps of the office and furnishes an accurate description for the purposes of 

 the deed of lease, which is then prepared, executed by the Commission and delivered 

 to the lessee. Only inhabitants of the State may become original lessees or hold by 

 assignment of lease. 



In certain localities the law permits what are called perpetual leases, or 

 franchises of land under water, for shellfish cultivation. 



TI)e dear's Easiness. 



During the past year 125 applications were received for shellfish lands. Of 

 these applications eight were withdrawn, some of them covering ground for which 

 previous applications had been made. Of the remaining applications the lands 

 included in 114 have been leased to the highest bidders, and three are now in 

 process of advertisement. Thirteen hundred and seventy-two and four tenths 

 acres, to be added to the total of lands previously awarded, are included in these 

 117 applications. The total of lands held under lease and franchise by shellfish 

 cultivators now amounts to 27,252 acres. The lands applied for during the past 

 year are under the waters of Long Island Sound, Raritan Bay, Pelham Bay and 

 Jamaica Bay. 



Mr. Charles Wyeth, the Surveyor of Oyster Lands, with an experience of 

 twelve years in this office, has carried forward during the year the surveys and 

 maps of the Department, a work commenced fifteen years ago under the charge 

 of Hon. Eugene Blackford, then Commissioner of Fisheries. 



During the past few years the jurisdiction of this Department has by law 

 been extended to the lands under the waters of Pelham Bay. In Hempstead 

 Harbor and Manhasset Bay it has been contended that the lands are controlled 

 by the respective towns. The Attorney-General of the State has, however, 

 examined the questions carefully and advised that the jurisdiction is in the 

 State. 



The effect of this enlargement of jurisdiction has been to extend the coast- 

 line, adjacent to State shellfish lands, to over 210 miles. Along this entire distance 

 it is necessary to maintain signal monuments, which constitute the basic points 

 of our system of hydrographic surveys. From these the necessary triangulations 

 are made and permanent maps prepared, by means of which the individual oyster 

 tracts are definitely located. 



