LAWS RELATIVE TO FISHING. 351' 



lishing with, without the consent of the owner of the 

 lisliery, shall be seized, and any person, by a warrant 

 under the hand and seal of a justice of peace, may 

 search the houses of such prohibited and suspected 

 persons, and seize to their own use, or destroy, such 

 engines : 4 and 5 of William and Mary, Cap. 23. 



Bargemen, and others, catching Fish with nets in 

 canals, &c. not being free waters, are subject to heavy 

 fines or imprisonment ; or if they lay snares, trim- 

 mers, &c. at night, are liable to transportation. 



Criminal proceedings, and penalties for injuries 

 done to private fisheries, are punishable either by 

 common law or by different statutes. The breaking 

 the mounds of ponds maliciously, and stealing Fish 

 cut of waters in enclosed grounds, is declared felony ; 

 and the offender taking Fish out of water in unen- 

 closed grounds are subject to penalties, and the 

 owners of fisheries and ponds are authorized to seize 

 the nets and fishing-tackle of trespassers, and to keep 

 or destroy them as they think fit; vide Appendix to 

 *'Chitty's Treatise on the Game Laws," a work well 

 deserving a place in the Angler's library, as it treats 

 very fully on the nature and rights of fisheries ; as 

 well as on shooting, hunting, &c. 



There is also an act which makes it felony, and 

 subject to transportation, for laying night-lines, or 

 any other device to take Fish by night ; and, if laid 

 by day, to heavy fines ; and if the parties are armed or 

 disguised while so acting, they become felons, with- 

 out benefit of clergy. 



