oct. — dec 1857.] Pearl Oyster Fishery. 



107 



gesting to his Excellency the Governor in March last, but which, 

 I believe, was only partially acted upon, during the last Pearl 

 fishery at Aripo. 



I watched the number of Oysters fished during the two days I 

 was lately at Tamblegam (Keenear), and have to report, that 

 there could not have been less than 30,000, on each day. More 

 than two-thirds of this number were young, and had better have 

 been left in the lake for another year or more. The renter is evi- 

 dently making the most of the few months he has yet liberty to fish 

 or rather ruin the hank. The Tamblegam Wanniah, and all the div- 

 ers, whom I questioned on the subject, stated that in the early 

 part of the present year, more than 50,000 Oysters were fished daily. 

 It is therefore impossible to arrive at any other conclusion, than 

 that the former renters misrepresented the state of their finances, 

 from the Pearl banks, when they got Government to remit some 

 portion of the rent, and had the fishery resold for a smaller sum, to 

 another Native, — a relative, I am informed, cf one of the original 

 renters. 



All Oysters are very prolific, and the Placuna is not an exception 

 to the rule ; for, at the lowest calculation, in three years, there 

 must have teen fished from this bank, upwards of 18 millions of 

 Oysters, supposing that there were only 200 fishing days in each 

 year. The renters' share must have been (allowing five shillings 

 for each thousand Oysters) nearly £2,250, from which, deducting the 

 three years rent, viz. £901, they must have derived a profit of at 

 least £1,250. To this profit must be added another source of gain, 

 (a very ingenious one) from the divers' share of Oysters. The diver 

 is allowed half the quantity fished, but he is not permitted to sell 

 the Oyster at the best market, or to the highest bidder. He is 

 obliged to open the Oysters when fresh, and sell to the renter all the 

 Pearls, at a fixed rate, which the renter takes good care shall be 

 below the market value. Any plan therefore, which may relieve 

 the diver of this grievance, will, I am sure, be thankfully welcom- 

 ed by at least 20 individuals, whose chief means of living is by 

 diving for Pearl Oysters. 



Oysters of upwards of two years of age, (i. e. about six inches 

 broad) are worth at least ten shillings a thousand, but if there is 



