44 



came inshore from stress of weather tliey caught only much 

 smaller fish than they did farther out. That seemed an 

 indication, at all events, that the soles did not come in- 

 shore to spawn, but spawned as herrings did, and he hoped 

 with as little ill effect from it, in the deep sea. But all 

 these points were strong arguments in favour of the in- 

 stitution of the society he had advocated. Before sitting 

 down he begged to propose a vote of thanks to Mr. Birk- 

 beck for his kindness in coming to preside on the occasion, 

 which he felt to be a very great honour considering the 

 great calls upon his time, not only in connection with the 

 Exhibition but also with the House of Commons. 



Mr. WiLMOT seconded the motion with much pleasure, 

 because he understood that Mr. Birkbeck stood foremost 

 in this country wdth respect to the interest he took in the 

 great fishing industries. He was the inaugurator of the first 

 fishery exhibition, and was Chairman of the Executive of 

 this one which is the International adjunct to that held at 

 Norwich. He had been a member of Parliament for some 

 time and no doubt would remain so for a long time yet to 

 come, and he hoped that before long he would hold an 

 official position at the head of a Government Department 

 which would preside over the interests of British Fisheries, 

 for there was certainly no one more competent to occupy 

 so important a post. 



(The resolution having been carried unanimously), 

 The Chairman, in responding, said it had given him 

 great pleasure to attend, and he could only regret that his 

 time had been so fully occupied whilst the Conferences had 

 been going on, that he had often found it impossible to be 

 present on several occasions when it would have given 

 him great pleasure to have taken part in the proceedings. 



