OISTEE CULTURE COMMISSION—MINUTES OP EVIDENCE. 
33 
1042. The tide rises about 4 feet, does it not ? Yes. On the coast of PrancCj and in other parts of Gfreat 
liritain where there are oyster-beds, it is 30 or 40 feet or more. 
10-43, Eut what dilferonco would that make, provided that the oysters were dry in both places for a 
certain time during every twenty-four hours ? Well, I think they do better with a good run of tide over 
them. 
1044. You think a strong current is a great advantage to them? Most decidedly. I know that an 
attempt was made in Victoria, by Mr. Eoss and others, to form a weir, and it was not successful; it was 
connected with the sea with a sluice-box. 
1015. Do not oysters thrive in many parts of the wwld where there is no current ? Yes, in some places 
where they get proper food, but not so well as where there is a current. 
104G. If you had a very long lease or a freehold of 50 acres, could you not do a great deal with it in the 
way of oyster culture ? It would depend entirely iijmn the locality. 
1017. You have been speaking of places where there is too much mud—Could you not do a great deal by 
laying down proper cultch ? Yes, if the oysters were not injured by frost, which is very severe down 
towards the soulh in the winter. 
Hr. H. W. 
Kdl. 
TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBEB, 187G. 
: — 
IIoN. J. E. WILSON, I J. S, EAENELL, Esq. 
The Hon. THOMAS HOLT, M.L .C., IN THE Chair. 
Mr, William John Langliam, Inspector of Oyster Eeds, called in and further examined:— 
1048. Chairman.'] You arc Inspector of Oyster Eeds, appointed under the Act 31 Victoria No. 20 to Mr.W. J. 
regulate Oyster Eisheries, and to encourage the formation of oyster beds? Yes. Langham. 
1019. How long have you held that office ? Upwards of two years, sir. /— 
1050. And what are your duties ? They have chiefly consisted in the inspection of the difi’ereut oyster 
beds under lease, and in reporting to the Government as to their condition. 
1051. Are your duties confined to the inspection of rivers under lease—do you not also inspect those that 
are not leased ? Yes. 
1052. Then you inspect the whole of the oyster beds in the Colony as far as you are able ? Yes. 
1053. And how many rivers have you been able to inspect ? Nearly the whole of them, with the excep¬ 
tion of the Tweed and the Eichmond, and one or tw'o small places to tlie southward of Twofold Eay. 
1054. You speak of tlie rivep being leased : upon what authority arc they leased—is it not under the Act 
I have just mentioned (3LVictoria No. 20), which came into operation on the 1st Eebruary, 18G8 ? 1 
believe so. 
1055. Are there not conditions provided in that Act under which the leases are issued? There is a con- 
dition that the rivers should be left in the same state as they were in when they were leased. 
105G. Is that the only condition —does not the Act also state that the Government shall have power to 
demise them in connection with the laying down and forming of new oyster beds— is not that one of the 
conditions? Yes. 
1057. Is it not another condition that the leases shall be in writing? Yes. 
105.8. Are you aware whether the lessees have complied with the conditions relating to the laying down 
and formation of oyster beds ? In a few instances they have, but very few. 
1059. In very few instances, not in every instance ? No. 
1060. lias the condition in the 3rd clause been complied with— that the leases shall be in writing? In 
one or two instances, that is all that I know of personally. 
lOGl. And liow many leases have been issued— how many lessees are there ? I am not exactly sure of 
the number, because eomo of them are formed into companies. 
1002. Eut the lease would still be the same— it would only be one lease ? Yes ; but tlic lessees are not 
the same, some of the original lessees have sold out. 
10G3. Did you see the Govenimeut advertisement in the Gazette and newspapers calling for tenders for 
these leases? Yes. 
lOGl. Did you notice that it stated that all tenders must be accompanied by a guarantee from two respon¬ 
sible persons to enter into a bond to the extent of ten times the amount of annual rent, to see that the 
conditions of the leases are fulfilled, and that the leased areas are returned to the Government in the 
same state as when they were granted ^ A es. 
1065. That is what you alluded to? Yes. 
lOGG. There is nothing of that kind in the Act? Yes, the Act states that the lessees shall find sureties. 
10G7. The Act gives the Government power to make regulations, but there is nothing of that kind in the 
Act. Are you aware that the bond has been executed in all cases by the lessees and their sureties ? In 
one or two instances it has, but not on the whole. 
1068. Have all the lessees strictly carried out the conditions under which the Government have power to 
demise these areas in respect to the forming of oyster beds ? No, they have not. 
1009. Have any legal proceedings heeu taken by the Government against those who have not done so ^ 
No. 
1070. Have you reported on any occasions that tlie lessees have not complied with tlie conditions of their 
bond ? No, because the bond has never been executed — the leases have never been executed. 
1071. Eut you have already told us that these were the conditions under whicli the leases were issued. 
What I want to know is whether you have called the attention of the Government to the fact that these 
conditions have not been carried out ? I have in my reports in some instances, but they have not been 
worded in that way. 
1072. Have you copies of your reports ? They have in the office. 
1073. Then we can get them ? Yes. 
1074. Can you inform the Cominisaionor.s what are the areas of the difterent leases, naming them separately; 
a rough estimate will be suffieiont? In the difiercut rivers ? 
23— E 
1075. 
