OYSTER FISHERY LEGISLATION. 961 



approved by the magistrates of the county or district in 

 which they are situate, and enforced by conservators (U) 

 and officers locally appointed for that purpose. 



(b] In 1873, the constitution of boards of conservators was varied 

 by adding a representative element in certain cases, and in 1878 the 

 provisions of the former Acts (1861 and 1865) were extended to trout 

 as well as salmon rivers. 



. . . . There are three classes of members: (i) Members 

 appointed by the Justices in Quarter Sessions. (2) Ex-officio members. 

 And (3) Representative members. 



. . . . The conservators hold office for one year; after the 

 first year the appointments are made by several counties in the propor- 

 tions which have been fixed by the original joint committee. The like 

 proceedings would still have to be taken for the formation of a new 

 fishery district not wholly in one county. ... A -Board of Con- 

 servators, being duly constituted, may appoint water bailiffs, issue 

 fishing licenses, acquire dams, weirs, and fixed engines for the purpose 

 of removing them, take legal proceedings against offending persons, 

 and generally supervise and protect the fisheries in their district, and 

 expend funds in their hands in the improvement of them in any lawful 

 manner. Water-bailiffs appointed by the conservators have extensive 

 powers of search, and the same privileges and protection as constables 

 in the execution of their office. They may also, with special authority 

 from a magistrate or the conservators, enter on private grounds, to 

 detect or prevent breaches of the law. Anyone authorised in writing 

 by the conservators may also enter upon lands to inspect weirs and 

 other obstructions. Conservators may also make by-laws as to sundry 

 matters of detail, subject to confirmation by the Home Office. The 

 by-laws must be printed and published, and everyone taking out a 

 fishing licence is entitled to a copy. . . . The Thames Conservators, 

 I need hardly add, are charged with a number of matters of public- 

 interest, of which fisher}' regulation is only one. " The Fisher}' Laws." 

 By Frederick PoUock, Barrister-at-Law, &c. (Handbooks issued in 

 connection with the Great International Fisheries Exhibition, London. 

 1883.) 



FF 



