vii REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY.

prehend how the General Assembly could create any other or
further bonded debt without appreciating the necessity of
providing Sinking Funds for all the debts now unprovided
for, and to do so may increase the State tax rate to twenty-
five or thirty cents on the one hundred dollars.

"Statement F" exhibits the sundry investments for the
several funds therein mentioned as of September 30, 1893.

DIVIDENDS AND INTEREST.

"Statement G" shows the various amounts received from
dividends on Bank, Railroad and Water Stocks, and interest
on the mortgage of the Northern Central Railway Company,
and on the bonds of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal
Companies during the fiscal year 1893, amounting in the aggre-
gate to the sum of $160,899.95, being less than the amount
received during the previous fiscal year, caused by the Sus- I
quehanna and Tidewater Canal Companies being in the hands
of Receivers and not paying the interest due July 1st, 1893.

OYSTER FUND.

The receipts on account of the Oyster Fund during the
fiscal year were $48,437.12, being greater than the previous
year by $1,784.24.

The disbursements were $91,302.03. This sum is in excess
of the disbursements of the previous fiscal year by $11,636. 92,
which can be more than accounted for by the amounts paid
for building and equipping three new schooners, as directed
by Chapter 685, Acts of 1892. The balance to the credit of
the Oyster Fund as of September 30th, 1893, was $3,847.57.

It is very apparent that some legislation must be had
upon the oyster question. The receipts, as now provided by
law, are, and will be insufficient to maintain the present force
for their protection. Heretofore the Oyster Fund has been
almost wholly maintained by the receipts from dredging
licenses.

Taking a period of eight years it will be seen by the fol-
lowing statement that the receipts for the past two years are a
little below the average for the period given :

1886..........................................................$49,631.59

1887.......................................................... 52,411.68

1888.......................................................... 48,675.54

1889........................................................... 57,928.72

1890.......................................................... 52,945.27

1891........................................................... 50,275.03

1892........................................................... 44,744.73

1893.......................................................... 44,781.72