72 
OTSTEE CrLTUEE COMMISSION—APPENDIX. 
Moonie Creek, 
Lies about half a mile south of Currarabene. Ovsters arc found on the mangrores and cobblers’ pegs for a distance of 
three-quarters of a mile, chiefly on the south side. The bed of the creek is composed of loose sands, the banks are mud and 
soft sand. * 
It is very desirable that the mangrores in these crt’cks should be proserred for oyster-breeding; tlicy arc of rery large 
extent, and I am told in places where they are destroyed the bunks soon become sandy, and so unlit to bear oysters. 
I hare, 
W. J. LANGHAM, 
Inspector of Oyster Beds. 
BHERWERRE (ST. GEORGE’S BASIN), JERVIS BAT. 
The Honorable tho Commission on Oyster Culture. 
Gentlemen, » 
In obedience to instructions, I have the honor to append my report on Bherwerre (St. George’s Basin), Jerris 
Bay, and adjacent waters :— 
Replies to questions. 
1. I hare not been able to ascertain. 
2. So far as I am aware they have not been worked. 
3.— 
(a) SlangroTe marshes and bold banka of raw sand. 
(i) Slate rock, and partially covered with oysters. 
(o) No. 
4. Yes—covered at spring-tide—soft mud and sand. 
5. Quality good ; large size from spat to full-grown oyster; only one bed, 150 yards x 30 yards. 
6. Nothing available. 
7. At the time of my inspection (March) they were beginning to spat j I believe the spatting goes on all the year 
round. 
9. In moderately sized areas. 
10. X think they should not be leased. 
11. Yes. 
12. The beds have not been leased. 
13. This will be replied to in the course of tho report I append. 
Bherwerre Creek, tho inlet to St. George’s Basin, is situated about 12 miles south of Jervis Bay; it contains a natural 
oyster bed of a slate formation; the oysters are of a fair average quality and size ; at tho mouth of the creek there are a few- 
on the rocks, and the mangroves in the marshes contain them, but not in any material quantity j the mangroves are in patches 
on cither side of the creek ; I have shown their positions on the tracing. 
About 3 miles up the creek, near a tributary named Salt-water Creek, I found a small bed of a soft description of 
elate, carrying, according to my estimate, about 150 bushels of a very fine oyster. The bed of the creek at that part is com¬ 
posed of slate rock and dead cockle shells ; tho depth of water is about 4 feet, with a fine run of tide, and seems admirably 
adapted for carrying oysters; I have no doubt that brood laid down there would thrive admirably, aud that oysters would 
become abundant wherever tliis slqte formation occurs. With one or two exceptions, the remainder of the bed of the river is 
a coarse, raw' sand. I should remark that the oysters in the mangroves where they are covered with water arc os a rule 
enveloped in a kind of moss ; at tho present time they are in first-class condition, mdcecl I do not call to mind having seen 
mangrove oysters in other rivers so full of meat. 
To some ballast discharged last October twelvemonth, a species of mud oyster have attached themselves; oysters of 
this description are not found in any other part of this water. The mangrove swamps have sandy bottoms, consequently the 
oysters extend a very .short distance back from the banks. 
In the basin under a bold rocky headland known as Stock-yard Point I discovered a few scattered ovsters, and this is 
the only spot in tho buain whore they exist, and neither in Con or Wandandian Creeks could I find any trace of the mollusc ; 
but having a few in the boat, I discharged a part into ea^h creek as an experiment. I hope on a future visit to ascertain how 
oysters will thrive in these still waters where there is neither rise nor fall of tide. 
Cadmurrah or Swan Lake (locally known as Goodmire) is about 15 miles south from Jervis Bay. So far as I was able 
to ascertain during a searching examination, it does not contain any oysters. Tlie inlet from the sea is about 1 mile in 
length. Its banks and bed are composed of raw sand, and a largo portion of the lake is of similar formation. The remainder 
is of rock, extending at a shallow depth for a considerable distance towards the centre. This rock is as smooth as if paved. On 
it I placed some oysters as a means of further testing how far oysters will thrive in still water. If the experiment prove 
successful, this lake could be made immensely productive. At the time of my inspection it was literally alive with lloatine 
fish. . ° 
Barrarah Creek is about 16 miles south from Jervis Bay. I found a natural oyster-bed on the sandstone formation 
about a mile fTOm its mouth, on the north side. Tlio bed extends for a distance of a i of a mile. Tlie rockoysters grow 
to a very fair size, and are in good condition. I bch'eve if they were transplanted they would in a short time become a first- 
class samjfic. I estimate that 300 bushels of rock oysters could be taken at tlie present time. 
The bank and bed of tho creek on the south side are of raw sand, and not, therefore, ovstcr-bcaring 
I take occasion to acknowledge the attention 1 received from Mr. James Dent, of Jervis Bay, and Mr. Clinrles Gordon 
of Bherwerre. Tliose gentlemen afforded me most material assistance. Mr. Gordon was good enough to place his services and 
his local knowledge at my disposal for more than twelve days, and thus enabled me to effect considerable saving of my own 
I iiare, &c., 
_ \V. J. LANGHAM. 
CLYDE RITER. 
To tho Honorable the Commisaionera for Oyster Culture. 
Clyde River, 18 April, 1877. 
Gentlemen, 
In obedience to your instructions to me, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Commission that 
I have inspected the above-named river, and report as follows. ’ 
^ Replies to questions. 
1 . Great quantities of oysters were obtainable almost in any part of tho river twelve years back. , 
2. Yes, chiefly by over-dredging and floods to a great extent; for in the year 1865, I am informed that no less than 
sixteen boats were employed at one time, averaging a catch of not less than ten bags per day; whereas, at tho present 
time, about two to three bags are considered a good day’s catch. 
3. The beds in tho river are at the present time almost completely exhausted ; both tho hank and drift oyster-beds are 
worked out. 
(a) The banks and beds are chiefly composed of slate-rocks, which run north and south, quite irrespective of the 
course of the river; in some parte the reefs run from one side to the other, with mud in between them. 
(5) The rocks and mangroves arc partially covered with spat and oysters. 
(c) Yes, beds of mud on the shores between the bold slate rocky points. 
4. Yes, there are mangrove swamps covered at high tide of a large extent, and composed principally of oyster mud. Tlioy 
commence on the south side of tho river near tho residence of Mr. M'Leod, close to tho township of Bateman’s Bay, and extend 
up the river for 6 to 8 miles, except where they are intercepted by tho reefs and rocky shores. I am not awaro to whom the 
swamps belong. 
6 . 
