( 95 ) 



under its cognizance the better. As regards the present 

 destructive modes of fishing, he continues, if these practices 

 be continued, the rivers of the district will soon be swept 

 clear of fish ; a means of innocent sport for some, and of 

 sustenance for many, will be stopped, and the chance of 

 Government ever deriving any revenue from the fisheries, 

 which, if they were protected, would be quite practicable and 

 might be desirable, will be lost. The principle of protecting 

 fish during the breeding season is too well known to need 

 comment (p. xiv), and fish might be augmented, " adding to 

 the food and comfort of the poorer classes, whose interests in 

 this particular point have been hitherto neglected" (p. liii). 

 Whilst in the North-West Provinces, the Commissioner of 

 Meerut (p. cxlviii) considers " there is a fear that, unless the 

 reckless system of wholesale destruction is stopped, the fish- 

 supply may become scant." There are two main causes 

 which lead to it: the facilities afforded by irrigation 

 works, and the absence of any check in respect of rivers. 

 The opinions will be collated in much the same way as those 

 of the officials who hold contrary views, excepting that Divine 

 laws have not been commenced with, although it might be 

 observed that this article of food was probably intended for 

 our use, not abuse, whilst destructive waste can hardly be 

 brought forward as a Divine command. 



XCVI. First, general reasons for action being taken. 



In Bombay, the Officiating Revenue 



General reasons for action QfllCCr Of tllC Northern Division 

 being recommended. ; ^ 



(p. xlm) observes that it is a question 

 whether protective laws of moderate stringency would not be 

 very advisable. More officials, however, hold that a general 

 Act would be unworkable (p. xlviii), and would rather 

 have one which could bo applied, when considered neces- 

 sary, to particular rivers and localities favourable for fish- 

 breeding. That if such were commenced in selected 

 localities, considerable light might be thrown on the question, 

 and the advisability of extending such operations to other 

 places, or not doing so, would be more clearly established 

 (p. xliii) . It is well observed that attempts should be made 

 to remedy great rather than lesser evils (p. xv) ; but what are 

 those greater evils ? The remedy proposed is to make it cri- 

 minal to use a net with a mesh below a certain size. In 

 Assam (p. ccxxviii), it is remarked that, if the supply of fish 

 is to be kept up, fishery laws are necessary. On other grounds 



