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3rd Answer (a). — lb is very different from an open fishery wliich is proclaimed on all 

 sides, and to which all persons are invited, but in a rented fishery it would only be necessary to 

 give orders that no person should be admitted except those who are absolutely required to be 

 present, and the uninvited might be sent away. 



(b) The oysters might be opened on the shore by the renter's people, and might be 

 taken away at pleasure, but if it be imagined that this would bring too great a concourse of 

 people to this island, it would be easy to order the renter to take away the oysters with him to 

 the coast, as is done with the Cbanks, and not to allow him to land them on this side the water. 



4th Objection. — For a complete fishery 800 or 1,000 boats are required, and how could 

 then the work be done with a limited number of 25 or 50. 



Mh Answer (a). — In the memoir already quoted a full and complete fishery is excepted from 

 being rented. 



(6) But the same rule might hold good even in a full fishery, for (1) as a fishery seldom 

 lasts longer than 24 days, a rented fishery might last three times as long ; (2) the bank which 

 could not be open in one year, might be rented the following years, as the assertion of the 

 Commissioners at the last fishery seems very improbable, that the oysters being too mature 

 loosen the pearl and let it drop; this may be the case with some few of too full a growth, the 

 place of which others will supply which were not so mature previously. 



hth Objection. — It has just been answered to an objection, that what cannot be done in 

 one year, may be done in the next one or two years immediately following, but since it has 

 happened that there have been full fisheries for many successive years, how is it possible that 

 these continued full fisheries could be carried on with a small number of dhonies ? and then tho 

 loss to the company could be exceedingly great. 



5th Answer (a). — A moderate profit in a rented fishery would be far more advantageous 

 to the company than great apparent gain in an open fishery, at which if all matters would be 

 weighed and balanced, the company really gains nothing; (b) it has not yet been proved 

 that the oysters lose their pearls so quickly, and it is therefore uu certain if: the company would 

 sustain any injury by the delay. 



6th Objection. — The renter will fish the banks so bare, that the profit of the company will 

 be quite ruined. 



6th Answer (a). — I cannot perceive why a small number of divers should strip the banks 

 more than a greater number. 



(b) If that idea should prove to be well founded, proper directions should be established 

 oa the subject, and it must be prohibited to bring up small or young oysters ; and although it 

 is desirable to get rid of the trouble of having constant guard over the banks, yet it would not 

 be very difficult to have two or three persons commissioned to see what goes on. 



7th Objection. — It will be necessary to inspect the banks in the same manner as previously, 

 in order to know how the conditions of the rent are to be made out, for certainly speculators 

 will make large or small offers according to the greater or fewer appearances of profit, and there 

 will always be differences of opinion ; for the renter will constantly urge that the duty was not 

 well performed, in order to obtain some deduction for his amount of rent. 



1th Answer (a). — The renter may have full liberty to obtain indemnification from the 

 native inspectors, in the event of an incorrect report being given in by them. 



(6) In the conditions care may be taken to guard against all after-claims, and to let the 

 banks in whatever condition they may be found. 



(c) Public notice may be given that persons inclined to make an offer for the banks may 

 be present at the inspection of them. 



8th Objection. — This rent will prejudice the chank fishery, for this latter will be at a stand- 

 still from the want of divers. 



8th Answer. — If divers can be found for 800 or 1,000 dhonies, then it can surely not be 

 thought that they will be so scarce as not to be found for 50 boats, and both fisheries may 

 easily go at the same time. 



0th Objection. — The inspection of the pearl banks takes place in November, and it is late 

 in December before the Government is able to make out the conditions of the fishery which is 

 to be held in the middle of February. Now, it would be impossible to fix a day for offering 

 the rent before the beginning of February, in order that speculators from the coast may have 

 time to come to Ceylon. If then there should chance to be no speculators, or if they should 

 not make an offer large enough, it would be too late to commence preparations for an open 

 fishery, and Government would be compelled to be satisfied with a bidding however small, lest 

 it should be deprived of the advantage of fishery on its own account or of letting out the 

 fishery. 



0th Answer (a). — It is not one instant to be doubted, but there will be a sufficient number 

 of bidders ; (6) at all events, even if they should bid little, and we should be compelled to 

 accept their trifling offer, it would always be satisfactory to think that the gain is clear profit. 



