The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-02
GAME 4ND OYSfIHS.
4 Joint Committee Of Legislators Epdeav-
or to .ccure Additional Protection.


Tie Committee on IRISH and Game. of
the Senate. and the Committee cf the
House on the Chesapeake and its Tribu-
taries met in the Senate chamber last
evening in joint session 10 consider the
various bills introduced for the purpose
o. amending the oyster laws. Senator
Washington vas IN the chair
MEr Nelson Of Frederick county, ap-
peared Before the Senate Committee in
behalf Of House bill No. 25l introduced by
him. which provides for the general pro-
lection OF fish and game in the various
counties. The bill provides for the estab-
fishing of fish and game wardens for the
various counties The provisions OF the
bill shall only be operative in counties
where they have been endorsed by a
resolution Of the board of supervisors
MIR. Withrow desired TO have the
counties Of Aleghany. Highland, and
Bath exempted from the operation of the
bin
Senator Lite and DELEGATE Boykin
opposed the bill. the tendency OF which,
they thought. would endanger the pros
poets Of the Democratic party.
The bill was finally passed by.
The next measure taken up was the
game law prepared by Mr.. Polk Miller
Oh behalf OF the Virginia Field-Sport
Association. The bill which has been
published in The Times in detail. provides
that II shall he unlawful 70 shoot game
during he following periods OF the year.
Deer. from January 18th 10 August 18th;
partridgcs. from February j.. 80 Novcm-
her Isl: and west OF the Blue Ridse
Mountains, from January Isl 10 November
LIST. Wild turkeys. from January 18th TO
october 18th: waterfowl, from May 18th
10 September 18th; hares from February
lst 10 November lst. IL shall also be un-
lawful 10 ship any game out Of the
Stale Tor mercenary purposes
Amendments were 81 once offered en-
deavornG TO exempt The counties Of Prin-
cess Anne, Wesimoreland. Isle Of Wight,
Nanscmond. Warwick. New Kent. Charles
Ciiy, James city. Northumberland, etc.
There was "a good deal Of discussion.
bui the matter was finally referred To 4
committee OF three 20 re-frame the bill.
The chairman appointed Mcssrs. Miller
Herbert, ana Little members of the com
mi;tee.
Talk on Natural Oyster Beds
The oyster question was then taken
up. Mr.. Boylsn. OF Isle OF Wight. 10
whom, with Mir. Campbell. of Richmond.
as subcommittee. Senate bill, No. 1GS
at the last meeting had been rescrred.
submitted q substitute bill which amends
section > of the existing law. The new
bill provides that the shell fish commits
sioner. who is 10 be appointed by the
Board of the Chesapeake and its Tribu-
taries, is directed 10 mark the limits Of
the natural oyster rocks. beds, and shoals
and make detailed report in writing.
Mhch IL 10 be completed and submitted
TO the board within three months after
he hag hoe,
Is 10 be printed in pamphlet form and 70
be filed in the clerks office OF each county
where the oyster industry is in existence.
These reports shall be conclusive evil
dence as TO the boundaries of the natural
oyster beds. IL IS To be understood In
the various courts Of the respective coun-
Ties tnat no other natural beds and
rocks exist In their counties, except those
contained in the report.
Not less than twenty-five residents OF
any county may, however. within three
months after the filing OF the report file
a petition stating that one hundred acres
or more have been omitted from the
survey. The clerk shall docket the peti-
ton and at the next term Of the court
the judge shall appoint three new COM
missioners. who shall ascertain IL the
facts brought cut in the petition are
- - N-'P'"S A" survey .. 10 make the
necessary survey.
1t IT appears that the natural beds
contain less than one hundred acres the
petition Is 10 be dismissed at the cost
OF the petitioners. IL the area is one
hundred acres or more it shall be desig-
mated by plat or otherwise. and when
properly filed In the clerks office IL shall
also be considered as conclusive evidence
or the boundaries OF the natural beds,
and three months thereafter II shall be
understood that there are no additional
beds In the different counties.
Considerable discussion ensued as 70
the limit OF acres and the limit Of time.
Senator Little offered as an amendment
that the number Of acres be reduced to