544 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



made according to a fixed plan, such as that established by direction 

 of the diocese. 



From the foregoing it would seem evident that there is a want of 

 houses of worship in the larger places as well as in those more remote 

 which are destitute of churches, since there are at present only five 

 built and three projected. As the financial condition of the common 

 people at i)resent is discouraging, partly on account of low prices last 

 year in Loffbden, and in part because of the unsuccessful herring fish- 

 ery, and as we cannot expect to find among fishermen who move quickly 

 from one place to another the same social spirit as in a settled com- 

 munity, there exists a state of financial depression in nearly all the 

 churches. Here is, therefore, a proper object of public assistance. The 

 want is greatest in Skroven, where as many as 3,000 people can often 

 be assembled, and where all divine service hitherto has of necessity 

 been held in the open air. Next in want is Nufsijord, whose annual 

 complement is nearly 400 men, and from which the distances to church 

 are both long and troublesome. In this connection I think it proper to 

 add that it will certainly be most prudent to make the contribution 

 from the state contingent upon public control over the use of the chap- 

 els, which has not been the case hitherto. 



Libraries have come to be appreciated of late, and their utility is in- 

 contestable. That they have not become general is principally because 

 only a few places have taken the initiative in this matter. Not only should 

 money be collected, but building should be entered upon, and the house 

 once finished should be, during its use in the fishing-season, cared for 

 by heating, lighting, and cleaning it as well as by providing newspapers 

 and books. The fisherman, because of his occupation, cannot easily fur- 

 nish anything except money. At the same time it certainly is essential 

 that these libraries be subject to a wise control, for they may easily 

 degenerate and become an injury instead of a source of use and comfort. 

 I find this matter of such importance both for the fishermen and the 

 public that I believe I should call attention to it, since the idea is a 

 sound one, though it will hardly be initiated by the fisherman himself, 

 and since unity in action will accomplish the end more quickly and 

 surely. 



The telegraph corps consisted of 23 operators, divided among 9 fixed 

 and 3 field stations. On account of the fishing, the force at Lodingen 

 station was augmented during the fishing-season by 2 operators. Of 

 the 9 fixed stations the following 5 are open throughout the year: 

 Svolvcer, Vaagen, Henningsvjer, Balstad, and Sorvaagen. Of the re- 

 maining stations the field station in Stene is closed on the 14th of April, 

 and the stations in Skroven, Hopen, Ure, and Eeine close April 30 after 

 the service ends. Stamsund station is kept in operation later. During 

 the fishing the Digermul field station is moved to Vaterfjord (Ostntesfjord) 

 on March 15, and on the 30th from there to Stene, where it is opened 

 on the 2d of April. 



