86 ON THE CHANNEL-FISHERIES, 



aforesaid, by night,* that is, after sun set and 

 before sun rise, he, she, or they shall be guilty of 

 felony, and subject to transportation for seven 

 years, committed accordingly without bail or main- 

 prize ; and if any person or persons shall strike at, 

 or kill any salmon, with a spear, by night or day 

 at any other season of the year than the fence days, 

 or by day during the fence days, shall forfeit and 

 pay the sum of 50/. ; and for the second and third 

 offences as before. — And be it further enacted, 

 that on information being given to any magistrate 

 by a conservator or other, of any person or persons 

 whomsoever, having in his, her, or their possession, 

 unseasonable salmon, or any salmon caught during 

 such time as the rivers shall be in defence, or parts 

 of such salmon, it shall be lawful for any magis- 

 trate to grant a warrant or warrants to search the 

 house and premises of such suspected person, and 

 to seize and take all unseasonable fish, and parts 

 of fish, whether salmon or trough, and the person 

 or persons in whose possession, house or premises, 

 the same shall be found (the same having been 

 placed there with their knowledge and permission) 

 shall forfeit and pay the sum of 20/. And if any 

 doubt or question shall arise, as to the unseason- 



* To such extent is this practice of spearing by night car- 

 ried, that nothing but a very strong measure will put an end 

 to it. I have been informed that there is a gang of fourteen 

 fellows in one parish, convenient for this work, who do nothing 

 else, and with the most horrid imprecations threaten the life 

 of any man who interferes with them. 



