56 
OTSTEE CULTTJEE COiEMISSIO^T—APPEITDIX. 
therefore slightly dredged, bnt is a faToritc resort for the rather mimeroiis blaeks of the district, Tvho dire, man, woman, and 
child, and procure by this means large quantities. Tliis is, in form oblong, extending from left bank two-thirda over to 
Burchell Islet, extending clown J of a mile in a ridge varying from 15 to 40 feet detached at intervals. 
2. Omitted. 
3. — 
(o) Left bank of river from bar to opposite lower end of Burchell Islet, Piind and small admixture of soil, thence 
upwards alluvium deep and stratified resting on sand apjmrently deep. Islands alluvium-black unctuoua soil, 
but lighter in colour than that of either Clarence or Richmond. Right bank upper end of Burchell Islet, similar 
soil running up to a spur of friable rock (similar to that in south arm) which occurs in island clmnnc! just above 
entrance to creek running through it, thence to entrance to south arm a redish clay mixediu black soil. This latter is 
also the character of south arm; right bank above marsh contained in Government resen e. Island in south ann 
alluvium and chiefiy marsh—a spur loft bank just above ferry, also similar to above described spur, of which 
more anon. From Pilot Station to outer head right bank—high ground at “Station’* descending abruptly to a 
rather broad bottom rising again to form the heads; I hrough this bottom runs a creek about 25 feet wide, 2 to 3 feet 
deep, aud 3 to 4 miles loug, terminating abruptly ; bottom shingly and clean. Tiiis creek as also lower part 
of bottom together with a largo bed of sandy mud in front of it (dry at half ebb) superior oyster ground very 
easy to cultivate. 
(5) Slightly covered wherever rocks occur, so also ballast discharged off vessels, and on detached clutch especially around 
Ferry Point and margin of first bed. 
(c) Seldom mud alone—but sandy black mud—proportion two parts mud, one part sand ; excellent bottom. 
4. Island in main river; also large island in south arm ; marsh commencing at a spur of friable rock right bank of 
BOutli arm, running round (to 200 and 300 yards) back along said bank; part entrance; point of arm, to rising ground at l*Uot 
Station; also peninsula formed iu south arm. 
If the 60 feet of neck of said j^mmsula were cut through it is liighly probable tliat instead of that creek being the cause 
of forming tlie sand-bod by its 2i knots current impinging obliquely on the 3 knots downward current of main creek, producing 
tliereby a wide eddy of many acres extent—if said isthmus were cut through, the direct current of said island creek would most 
probably sweep off such accumulated wave drift sand bed (exjx'iise of such cutting—60 feet by 6 i'4-through alluvial soil at 
base of bluff friable rock; would cost little) and leave 20 to 30 acres of most superior oyster ground ; bed of shingle and 
shale clutch clean, and only 2 or 3 feet depth at low miter. I consider it my duty to notice this here, because I find a man 
named Wood has witliiu the last week or two free selected this peiiiiisuK and a portion of said bluff, which cannot possibly be 
of any immediate advantage to liim. I mean the peninsula on account of its submergence in spring tides; therefore*, for both 
reasons ought, that is, in the interests of the fishery CBjiccially, probably for his own interest also, be refiwod. To resume : all tlio 
islands and marshes specified arc superior ground for trench culture as well as a marsh, upper end of Goyerinncnt reserve, 
opposite Burchell Islet, between Tucker’s special two years ship-building lease and free selection, next to said reserve. Then 
Ferry Point, also the spit of high sand banks covere<l with grass, running down to bar on left bank of main river would form 
excellent sites for fishery townships ; and fish (as well as oysters) abound in tlie river. 
The marshes indicated, as far as ascertainable, seem to be reserves or umilicnatcd, excepting the peninsula particular¬ 
ised which, would, as mentioned, do harm to no one, if Govomment included it, and bluff as well, in the ferry reserve, adding 
probably 100 acres thereto. 
6. Ferry bed or No. 1—good quality, age one year. No. 2 bed—middling, age one to three years. No. 3—good, age one to 
three years. No. 4—good, ace one to tlirec years. Since the tinio described specified iu first answer, some hundreds of acres 
excellent oyster, growing both under and above low-w’atcr-inark. 
6- Plenty of shdl scattered through soil of whole Ferry Point, including bluff and peninsula (suggested as useful to 
reserve) and also throughout all the islands—reserve on left bank main river. 
Pilot station reserve up right bank of south arm, near to upper end of island therein ; also on land some distance up from 
ferry on public road, but nowhere in banks ; shingle and gravel is however abundant in bed of river, aud creeks ; also some parts 
of pilot reserves and the aforesaid bluff. 
7. Oysters are positively getting into condition to spawn aud according to Pettit do so this month and first part of 
next, but no ovidenco whatever of spawning being carried on at any other time of the year. 
8. End December, January, and early in February. 
9. In moderately sized areas. 
10. Answer in subsequent report. 
11. To license resident lessees os an encouragement to take leases for culture ; and also perhaps it may prove advanta¬ 
geous to license a limited number of persons to gather and sell spat to culturists at each fishery, but only for a period of the 
year suitable for tlie purpose, and also under strict restrictions and supervision. 
12. Not leased. 
Omitted to answer second query at proper place ; hence now answer as follows *—No doubt beds 1, 2, and 3 were 
injured by over-dredging at first, and latter dredgers and blacks together liave, assisted by flood deposit, prevented the 
recovery of the beds, and moving inaas of sand in south arm must, in shifting greatly injure No. 1 bed. It is also too convenient 
for the blacks, who not infrequently sell them for grog, which practice in the interest of humanity ought to bo stopped. 
13. I would respectfully suggest, as a means to stop irregularities of any description in any fishery district, that a 
resident should be employed at a moderate pay as a supplement to his industrial income, to act as a bailiff and as a medium 
of information betwixt landlord and tenant. 
James Fettifs evidence. —About ten years engaged in dredging, now in Pilot Service. Dredged in all these northern 
rivers, including Tweed, which, as I have heard from other sources, he declares to be the finest oyster fishery of all. Lost 
many bugs by bar-bound vessels. Complains, as Fraiser, of Clarence, of untrustworthiness of Sydney agents; a^ of the action of 
Government in leasing to the detriment of dredgers, and thereby fostering an obnoxious monoply. Is of opinion that oysters 
do not spawn in any northern river all the year round, but betwixt beginning of November and middle February. Is anxious, 
as many iu same district, that oyster culture shoidd be permitted under long leases, and moderate rental, no matter however 
stringent necessary restrictions be. Strongly in favour of close season j indeed his evidence agrees wth aud .strengthens 
Mr. George Fraiscr’s report. I have, &c., 
A. B. BLACK. 
NAilBXJCRA RIVER FISHERY. 
1. These beds have not been much worked, in consequence of the difficulty of transit to market; first worked about ten 
years ago by three or four men only, however, for a short time, and probably not more than a few hundred bags were then sent 
off, and probably half as many more spoUed through bar-hound vessels. Mueh of that sent w'as conveyed up Wattle Creek 
(a tributaty running from inside of bar to within a few miles of the Maclcay Heads), thence across for shipment at Mocleay 
Heads. Two or tliree parties at different times sidisequenlly have tried dredging, but with discouraging results for a similar 
reason. Hence it is presumable that excepting destructive effects of sevend floods, beds arc pretty mucli in the original 
natural state. However, whatever the cause, there is ample evidence to show tliat at no late date, say tinrty years ago, tho 
existing beds were mueh belter stocked than at any time since, and the stock of several existing clutch-beds must within that 
time have been exterminated. Last-named bcils arc clean, and quite ready to receive stock, which there is every reason to 
believe would thrive, as those which exist are in excellent condition ; and rocks at head are covered with thriving tubd oysters. 
2. Tliercfore beds are not injured by over-dredging, but by other causes. ' Clutch on existing oyster-beds is not furrowed, 
but portions arc overlaid by a foot or two of soft dejwsit, aud jicrhaps the cluteh-btKls referred to may thus have been overlaid 
at one time, while at another they were cleansed. The mischief cannot be entirely attributable to vcnnin, though rather 
numerous. What effect lias been produced by denuding banks as well as land back of protecting timber? Long strips on 
cither bank upward arc thus exposed to the full force of the flooded river, and large sections thereof are by each flood washed 
away 8 or 10 feet deep, forming land in other parts, and banks or islets in river, which are obviously in a slate of cither 
increasing or decreasing niovenicnt during each flood. Tho soil is neither so imctuous nor tenacious as that of tlic Claronco. 
3. — 
(a) From North Head up 3 miles, land high, and banks friable rock, when a short marshy crcck, excellent oyster and 
trench ground fills in a space about 250 yards by 500 back betwixt this and next rouge, which extends a mile or 
two 
