Chap. 692.-An ACT to authorize the board of fisheries under certain condi-
tions to compensate out of oyster fund certain planters for loss of oysters.

Approved March 2, 1900.

Whereas it is represented that the state board of fisheries, in response
to a request of certain tongmen of the county of Northumberland, lately
sent a surveyor to locate the lines of certain natural oyster rocks in the
Yeocomico river, in the county of Westmoreland, and that the survey
made by said surveyor cut into the oyster planting grounds of certain
planters—to wit: J. H. Bailey, Charles U. Courtney, Robert Taliaferro,
and Eugene Allen, which said planters had held their said grounds for
several years under lease from the state, and had duly paid their rent for
the same, and at considerable expense and trouble had planted oysters
thereon; and that the survey so made as aforesaid gave occasion to the
said tongers and others to think that they had the legal right to oyster
ou said disputed grounds, and that the said tongers, before the matters
in question had been properly adjudicated, settled or determined, did go
upon the said disputed grounds and take therefrom about fifteen hun-
dred bushels of the planted oysters of said planters, because of which
said facts many other oyster planters of the state having knowledge of
the premises are apprehensive that the grounds which they have leased
from the state may be similarly despoiled; and

Whereas it is not only expedient for the state, but just and right that
those who have contracted with the commonwealth of Virginia under
her laws should have their rights and interests protected; now, therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
state board of fisheries be, and they are hereby, authorized and directed
tc: investigate fully the matters above set out, and if they find that the
said J. H. Bailey, Charles U. Courtney, Robert Taliaferro, and Eugene
Allen have sustained the loss of their planted oysters under the circum-
stances set out above, as the result of the action of the agents of the
state, and without their own default, then the said board of fisheries
shall reimburse the said planters out of the oyster fund to the extent of
the loss which they have actually sustained.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.