6 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



The purchase of egg bearing lobsters as required by Chapter 595 

 of the Public Laws of 1909. 



Employment of deputies to enforce the lobster laws. 



The rearing of lobsters to the bottom-seeking stage — 525,000 

 lobsterlings, in round numbers, were thus reared in 1912. 



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



The cooperation with fisheries authorities of neighboring states 

 and abroad. 



The distribution of literature and information to the public for the 

 development and encouragement of the fisheries. 



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

 Hartford Railroad Company for its courtesy in granting free trans- 

 portation of fry and messengers. 



The financial statement for the year 1912 is as follows: 



State of Rhode Island in account with the Commissioners of Inland 



Fisheries. 



DEBIT. 

 1912. 



May 5. To expenses of the Commissioners in maintain- 

 ing the various departments of their work 

 from March 15 to December 31, 1911* $9,039 02 



Dec. 31. To expenses of the Commissioners from Jan- 

 uary 1 to December 31, 1912 1,665 50 



To expenses and services of deputies under the 



law from January 1 to December 31, 1912. . 3,790 40 

 To expenses at the Wickford hatchery and 

 Experiment Station, January 1 to December 

 31, 1912 8,693 12 



$23,188 04 



*It was during this period that the Commission was without funds but was able to carry on a 

 somewhat restricted amount of its work because of personal financial support by certain of it* 

 members. 



