Catalogue description NEWTOWN & BEAULIEU OYSTER FISHERY CO. LTD.

This collection includes minutes, financial records, title deeds and miscellaneous material

Newtown and Beaulieu Oyster Fishery Co Ltd, founded 1880

No restrictions

The archives of the Company came into the Record Office's custody as part of the Jerome & Co. collection; the precise date of accession is not known.

• Isle of Wight Oyster Fishery Co
• Simeon, John Steven Barrington, fl 1880, Baronet of Swainston
• Scott, Lord, Henry, fl 1880, Member of Parliament

The Newtown and Beaulieu Oyster Fishery Company was formed in April 1880. Its objective was the breeding and sale of oysters, and for this purpose oyster beds and fisheries were purchased and leased from the Isle of Wight Oyster Fishery Company, as well as from two private individuals - Sir John Stephen Barrington Simeon and Lord Henry Scott M.P., both of whom became shareholders in the business. During the following six years the Company experienced various financial and other difficulties as it attempted to establish itself. On several occasions the minutes record that an insufficient number of oysters were cultivated and consequently sales failed to meet expectations - only £400 was raised in one season, following the inability of French oysters to mature in the Company's waters. A letter (dated 11 May 1883) noted that for three years no rent had been paid to Lord Scott in respect of the lease of the Beaulieu oyster ponds and river, nor had any attention been given to developing the river as an oyster ground; in fact, Lord Scott offered to overlook the sum of £80.00 and resume possession of the river in order to prevent its deterioration as a source of oysters. In July 1886 at an extraordinary meeting of shareholders it was agreed that excessive liabilities were making it impossible to continue to trade and that the Company should go into liquidation.

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