THE LANCASHIRE SEA PISHERIES. — 
Mr.: CHAIRMAN, LADIES- AND GENTLEMEN, 
It may strike many people as rather curious that an 
engineer in an inland town should be asked to open a 
Fisheries Exhibition—the two things at first’ sight seeming 
somewhat incongruous. However, when they invited me, 
the Corporation did so on the ground that they believed I 
was the only-man in the district who knew anything about 
our fisheries. This is not quite correct; but it certainly is 
to be regretted that more people do not give attention to 
the subject, and are not aware of the harm that is being 
done with the intention of increasing our fish supply. 
I am at first sight rather in an invidious position to- 
night, because I feel very strongly indeed, -with the fisher- 
men along the Lancashire coast, that they are being harassed 
and ill-treated by the group of scientists who have obtained 
possession of the ears of the County Council, and are re- 
gulating the fisheries according to their ideas. 
When I was asked to open the Exhibition, I explained 
my views to- the authorities, and told them they put me in 
B 
