COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 7 



that your Honorable Body authorize the drafting of the necessary 

 changes above referred to so that they may be presented for your 

 approval. 



The work of the Commission has followed the usual lines as outlined 

 below, more detailed statements will be found in the body of the 

 report. 



The stocking of fresh-water ponds and streams. 



The enforcement of the laws relating to fresh-water fishes. 



The purchase of egg-bearing lobsters. 



The employment of deputies to enforce the lobster laws. 



The granting of licenses to catch lobsters. 



The rearing of lobsters to the bottom-seeking stages. 



The gathering of data and statistics with respect to the food-fishes. 



The cooperation with fisheries authorities of neighboring states and 

 abroad. 



Occasion is here taken to thank the New York, New Haven and 

 Hartford Railroad Company for its courtesy in granting free trans- 

 portation of fry and messengers. 



The financial statement for the year 1914 is as follows: 

 State of Rhode Island in account with the Commissioners of Inland 



Fisheries. 



1914. DEBIT. 



Dec. 31. To expenses of the Commissioners from 



January 1 to December 31, 1914 $921 67 



To expenses and services of deputies under 

 the lobster law from January 1 to Decem- 

 ber 31, 1914 3,626 35 



To expenses at the Wickford hatchery and 

 Experiment Station, January 1 to Decem- 

 ber 31, 1914 8,258 02 



To purchase of egg lobsters 1,606 64 



To purchase of fresh-water fishes 810 49 



$15,223 17 



