49 
of some intelligent person, who should have power to make 
alterations in the bed of the river, so as to increase its productive 
power as a spawning bed, or to improve its capabilities for angling 
by stoning it, &c. At present, proprietors are chary of doing 
anything at their own expense, because other people may benefit 
by it as much as they, without incurring expense.” 
Another proprietor in the Ness District wrote :— The Board 
does not work satisfactorily, the whole power being vested in the 
upper proprietors, since they succeeded in depriving me of the 
chairmanship, by reducing my rent from the highest in the district 
to its present low rate. Under present circumstances, upper and 
lower proprietors can scarcely agree.” 
From JVaivn Fishery District the following remarks came :— 
“A Board has been constituted, but is not in a working state.” 
“The Nairn will never be a fishing river. ~ It is valuable only for 
breeding.” 
From Lochy Fishery District the following remarks came :— 
“‘ Undue weight and importance is given to the proprietor who 
has the largest rental, as regards his right to sit as chairman, with 
a deliberative as well as a casting vote. The consequence is, 
that he assumes and acts as an autocrat.” 
From Creran District the following came :—“ There is no 
Board here. The formation of a Board should be compulsory ; 
or proprietors who assess themselves for the protection of the 
fishings should be entitled to exercise all powers for the protec- 
tion of the fish, without the interference of those proprietors who 
consider their fishings valueless. At present, those who wish to 
protect the salmon are prevented by others, who have little 
interest in the fish.” 
From Awe District the following answer came :—“ This Board 
may illustrate the working of Boards as constituted under the 
Acts. There are two upper and two lower proprietors on the 
Board, the chairman being a lower proprietor, and having a 
casting vote. One of the upper proprietors has not been repre- 
sented at the Board, but should be. The lower proprietors could 
have carried any measure against the upper, who have therefore 
practically no power to compel the Board to carry the Act into 
[2x] E 
