!68 



REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS 

 HELD AT HAMILTON, ONT., DEC. 8th, 1891. 



The final meeting of the International Fish and Game Convention was held 

 in the City Council chamber at Hamilton, Ontario, on the afternoon of Decembei- 

 8th, 1891. In the absence of the Hon. R. B. Roosevelt, of New York, Senator Mc- 

 Nauo'hton, of Rochester, was elected chairman. There were present at the meet- 

 ing : Hon. Senator McNaughton, Frank J. Arasden, Rochester. N. Y. ; Geo. 

 Skinner, Clayton, N. Y. ; Dr. H. M. Smith, United States Fish Commissioner, 

 Washington, D. C. ; Hon. Herschel Whitaker, President of the Michioan Fish 

 Commission; J. H. Wilmott, Beaumaris, Mui?koka ; Dr. MacCallum, Dunnville, 

 Ont.,and A. D. Stewart and R. A. Lucas, Hamilton, Ontario Fish and Game Com- 

 missioners. 



On taking the chair Senator McNaughtox said • " I thank you, gentlemen, 

 for this unexpected honour. I am confident that I voice the feelings of every 

 gentleman present, when I say that it is a matter of great regret that Mr. Robert 

 Roosevelt, the permanent president of your association, is not present, and it is 

 also a great loss to us that Gen. Sherman and Judge Whittaker, of Albany, are 

 absent. Very much is due to Gen. Sherman for his intelligent efforts in the pro- 

 motion ot the objects of this association at Rochester, and I am sure Judge 

 Whittaker would have added much to the interest of the proceedings if he were 

 here, as he was a member of the committee of the State of New York that codi- 

 fied the Fish and Game laws. I am glad we have Dr. Smith, of Washincjston, with 

 us, and think the meeting should in some way show its appreciation of his 

 presence by a vote of thanks before adjourning, because his duties are such, that 

 I am sure it is with extreme difficulty that he meets with us at this time. 

 Being a member of the United States fish commission, his heart is right in the 

 work before us, and I feel that much credit is due him for honouring us with his 

 presence to-day. 



The motives actuating me in being present at this meeting are, first, to show 

 my appreciation of the invitation of tlie president, Mr. Roosevelt, supplemented 

 by the personal request of your genial secretary, Mr. Stewart, and I thought 

 it would be very discourteous after receiving the pleasant letter from your 

 .secretary if I should not make a great effort to meet with you to-day. I was 

 also anxious to meet in this beautiful and prosperous city, those who are 

 interested in the great question that has brought us together. The second 

 motive that induced me to come, was to testify by my personal presence to the 

 interest I have in the question under discussion to-day, and other matters 

 connected therewith, which will be brought before you. And what I have to 

 say, I desire to be interpreted as a pledge and earnest that in every way 

 that is possible I will unite with you gentlemen in securing such legislation as is 

 necessary, to secure reciprocal laws between Canada and the states bordering 

 on the great lakes, for the preservation and protection of fish and game. The 

 meeting at Rochester awakened great interest in this subject, and I am 

 confident it resulted in very great good. The comments which I have 

 heard and read on the proceedings at that meeting have been favourable. I 

 have yet to see or hear adverse criticism on the action taken ; on the con- 

 trary the suggestions were approved, and I believe the platform laid 

 down there will be one of great value, not onl}^ to the state of New 

 York and Canada, but to the other states bordering on the lakes, 

 for I believe it is a subject that is paramount in importance among 

 the economical questions of the day. I approve of the tone and scope of the 



