APPENDIX VI. 



299 



might, without injury, have left things in statu quo for 

 a while, until the course of events decided whether the 

 fishing was authorized or not. If the wardens were actino- 

 under the direction of the Inspector of the Province, it 

 makes the matter all the worse, for he at least ought to 

 have had intelligence enough to abstain from such intem- 

 perate haste. 



As soon as the first net was forcibly taken by the war- 

 dens, Mr. Goodfellow, still relying on the authority con- 

 veyed by the last conversation with the minister, staked 

 down another net, and continued fishing. This was im- 

 mediately taken up and confiscated like the last. When 

 another net was put down and taken, then another and an- 

 other. As fast as a net was put down it was taken up, 

 and as fast as it was taken up another was put down,* 

 and so it continued, each net going the way of its prede- 



forfeit the permit, and put an end to the privilege, besides ex- 

 posing the parties to penalties provided by the laws. 



The foregoing laws it has been found advisable to stipulate for 

 the security of the public and the satisfaction of the department; 

 but the minister expresses his confidence in the ability and 

 energy of the parties who undertake this project, and he will 

 view with lively expectation and assist to the utmost their bona 

 fide exertions towards rendering it a practical success, at once 

 remunerative to themselves and beneficial to the fisheries. 

 I have the honor to be, gentlemen, 

 Your obedient servant, 



W. F. WHITCHER, 

 For the Hon. Minister of Marine and Fisheries. 



* To discontinue fishing would have been fatal to the under- 

 taking. The spawning season was near, and the best runs of 

 fish were over, and it was evident that unless the parent salmon 

 were caught at once it would be too late. Subsequent facts con- 

 firmed this view of the matter; for after the date (October 6) 

 of our written permit from the inspector, we caught only twenty- 

 eight salmon in all. 



