INLAND FISHERIES. 107 



erect and keep in repair a dam, sluice and gate-wa^', in the stream 

 below Rush Pond, and raise the water in said pond six inches above 

 the usual height, from the first da}' of June to the first day of Decem- 

 ber annually, or for such part of that time as shall by the committee 

 aforesaid be considered necessary to facilitate the passing of the fish, 

 at the time of their going down the stream to Johnson's Pond. And 

 if any person shall in any way destroy or injure the said dam, sluice 

 and gate-way as aforesaid, or shall open the same so as to draw off 

 the water from said pond, otherwise than shall be done b>' the com- 

 mittee aforesaid, or by their direction, such person so offending shall 

 forfeit and pay for ever}' such offence a sum not exceeding one hun- 

 dred and fifty dollars nor less than thirty dollars. 



Sect. 4. Be it further enacted. That the committee to be cbosen 

 as aforesaid, or the major part of them, be and they are hereby 

 authorized to clear any obstructions, and to open the natural course 

 of said streams, by making them wider and deeper, or to open any 

 dam, or the sluice-way of any mill or other water-works, that is or 

 may be erected over said streams or passage-ways : provided, such 

 owner or owners shall neglect to open the same when thereto required 

 bj' said committee, or the major part of them as aforesaid ; and the 

 dam or sluice-way so opened shall continue open to such width and 

 depth, and for such length of time (not exceeding sixt}' days in one 

 year) as said committee, or the major part of them, ma}' think neces- 

 sary, with the least possible damage to the proprietor or proprietors of 

 such mill or water-works ; and if any person or persons shall obstruct 

 the passage-ways allowed and ordered by said committee, or the 

 major part of them, or shall obstruct the passage of said fish in any 

 other parts of said streams or passage-ways than is permitted by this 

 act, such person or persons so offending shall forfeit and pay a sura 

 not exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars, nor less than thirty dol- 

 lars. 



Sect. 5. Be it further enicted. That if any person or persons, other 

 than the committee, or such person or persons as shall be by them 

 employed, shall take any of said fish in said streams or passage-ways, 

 or any part thereof, at any time, or by any way or means whatsoever, 

 each person so offending shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding 

 seven dollars, nor less than four dollars for each offence. 



Sect. 6. Be it further enacted, That the committee chosen as afore- 

 said, or either of them, or any person employed by them, paying a 

 reasonable compensation therefor, if demanded, shall have authority, 

 for the purposes aforesaid, to go on the land or meadow of any per- 

 son through which such streams or passage-ways pass, without being 

 considered as trespassers ; and any person who shall molest or hinder 

 said committee, or any of them, or any person employed by them, in 



