OTSTEa CULTimE COMMlSSIOir—MUTUTES OF EVTDENCE. 
51 
then ? I think there would be a great difference. I believe if they are attached to stones laid down M.*"* Knight, 
expressly for them they have ten times the opportunity of catching the animalcula on which they feed. 
1781. That is because they arc in deeper water ? Tea. 1 Dec., 1876. 
1782. But supposing the rocks to which they adhere in their natural state are in as deep water as the stones 
which you propose to lay down would be, would there be any difference in the oysters then ? "Well, 1 
could not answer that question, 
1783. It is very unimportant after all. What I wanted to ascertain was whether if these young oysters, 
which arc found sticking to the rocks in such vast quantities, were carefully removed and placed in 
ground prepared in the way you have described, with a hard bottom, they would not become valuable 
food to an almost incalculable extent ? Yes, I fancy they would, and increase wonderfully too. 
1784. Then what do you think would be the result if the Government were to grant licenses to persons 
to knock these oysters off the rocks, and also to lease or sell suitable grounds for fattening—Do you 
think it would have the effect of giving employment to a large number of persons ? Yes, I do ; and I 
think it would improve the oyster trade wonderfully. 
1785. It would have the effect-? Of increasing the oyster trade. 
1786. And it would provide a large quantity of food ? Yes. 
1787. Do you consider oysters to be wholesome food ? Yes, I believe there is a great deal of nutriment 
in them. 
1788. Do you think oysters should be sold to the public untU they are full-grown ? No ; I fancy they 
only become adult when they are four years old. 
1789. You are aware that in England the^ are called by different names according to their age, in the 
same way as cattle are termed calves, heifers, or cows. Thus, young oysters up to the first year are 
termed spat, in the second year they are called brood, in the third year ware, and it is only when they 
are four years old that they become oysters ? Yes. 
1790. You think that none but full-grown oysters—that is oysters four years old—should be offered for 
sale ? Yes. 
1791. Then if a working man wished to make his dinner off oysters, and went to an oyster shop for that 
purpose, and was served with brood or ware—that is oysters two or three years old—he would bo 
deceived, and would be unable to make a dinner off them ? No, they would not be the same quality. 
1792. But with respect to the quantity, a working man requires something to satisfy his appetite? They 
would not be so nutritive as oysters four years old. 
1793. But as to quantity, he would not be able to make his dinner off these meagre, immature oysters— 
mere skin and water ? No. 
1794. While if he went to a shop and was supplied for his dinner with full-grown oysters, it would be 
an encouragement to him to go there again? Yes. 
1795. Do you think it is an injury to the trade to allow these small oysters—which are not called 
oysters in England—to bo sold in the shops ? Yes, it is injurious to the trade, and also to the people. 
1796. And you think that an immense business might be done in the oyster trade if it were properly 
regulated ? I think so. 
1797. Prom your knowledge of the oyster business, you think that the quantity of oysters that might be 
produced would be something wonderful ? Yes, when you consider it, it is wonderful. 
1798. Have you ever known oysters in this country in the winter-time to be killed by frost ? No. 
1799. Are you aware that that is frequently the case in England ? Yes; the frosts here have not the same 
effect. I have found on the Hunter Eiver that when you get a certain distance from the sea the oysters 
are much more numerous. I think it is because they are supplied with more fresh water, for when the 
water is too saline they never come to the same perfection. 
1800. With respect to the oyster produce, do you think that oysters can be raised here as cheaply as in 
almost any other country — at a very cheap rate ? I do not see why they should not. 
1801. Well, supposing tliis system were carried out—that persons were allowed to knock the young 
oysters off the rocks; and supposing that the Government offered every facility to persons to obtain a 
couple of acres or more for oyster cultivation, on reasonable terms, have you formed any idea of the 
price at which oysters could be sold to the public ? I believe they could be sold a great deal cheaper 
than they arc now, in consequence of the increased quantity that might be easily produced. 
1802. What is the price now ? I think about 6d. a dozen. I think they are about a halfpenny each if 
you go to a shop. 
1803. Arc full-grown oysters sold at that price ? Well, there are a good many defective ones sometimes. 
1804. But are they two or three or five years old, or what ? I believe they are. 
1805. We have had some very small oysters exhibited here purchased at the shops, which could hardly bo 
that a'^e. Have you seen any in the shops in Sydney younger than four years old ? No. 
1806. \ou have not seen any young oysters in the shops in Sydney ? No, I have not. 
1807. At what rate, supposing the Government were to encourage the production of oysters to an 
unlimited extent on the plan you have sketched out, could they be sold to the labouring classes, who are , 
of course the largest consumers of meat and produce? Well, if they could be grown as I have shown 
you, I should say they could be sold at 2s. 6d. or Ss. a bushel. 
18ok How many oysters go to the bushel ? I should say from eighteen to twenty dozen. 
1809. Tlion you think they could be sold at a little more than a penny a dozen ? No, I don’t think they 
could be produced and sold at a penny a dozen. I should say two-pence. 
1810. If they could be produced and sold at three-pence or four-pence a dozen, don't you think large quan¬ 
tities would be purchased, more than are purchased at present ? Yes, numbers of persons could afford to 
purchase them then. 
1811. Do you think they are as wholesome food as beef or mutton? Yes. I don’t think there is the 
same stability in them as in beef and mutton. 
1812. Do you think they arc digestible food ? Yes; I believe the medical profession consider them so. 
1813. Hon. J. B. Wilson!] It was principally in the Hunter Eiver that you gained your experience, was it 
not? Yes. 
1814. Do you know any localities in the Hunter Eiver where artificial beds could be formed—I mean 
localities which are under water at high tide and dry at low tide. Do you know any places in the Hunter 
suitable for that purpose ? Yes, acres and acres. 
1815. How much of that ground do you think one man could cultivate ? I should say two or three acres. 
1816. 
