[149] HISTOEY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



industry, the question has been regulated by State enactments, and the 

 appointments of the chief officers have been made by the governor, who 

 lias, however, left the appointment of deputies to the chief inspector. 



Massachusetts has found it prudent to have an inspector-general, 

 who supervises and is responsible for the numerous deputy inspectors 

 in the seaport towns. Maine had such an inspector-general down to 

 1875, but the office was t'hen abolished, and inspectors appointed in the 

 fishing ports are now responsible to the State alone. 



As early as 1816 there was an inspector-general of fish appointed in 

 New Hampshire, whose duties were the same as of similar officers in 

 other States. 



The existing laws of Maine were passed January 25, 1871, and amended 

 by acts passed February 24, 1871, and February 10,1875, and provide 

 that the governor "shall appoint, in places where pickled fish are cured 

 or packed for exportation, one or more persons skilled in the quality of 

 the same, to be inspectors of fish, who shall hold their office for a term 

 of five years, unless sooner removed by the governor and council." 

 Each inspector must be sworn and give bonds to the treasury of the 

 city, town, or plantation where he is appointed for the faithful per- 

 formance of his official duties. Inspectors must make yearly returns 

 to the secretary of state, showing the quantities and kinds of fish in- 

 spected. Their fees are paid by the original owners of the fish. 



The law regulates the grades of mackerel under three numbers, and 

 requires that other pickled fish as well as mackerel shall be packed in 

 proper barrels, and no more salt put with the fish than is necessary for 

 their preservation. No pickled fish in casks can be exported from the 

 State, or sold within the State, except such as have been inspected ac- 

 cording to law in this State or under the inspection laws of other States. 

 Although, according to the requirements of the law, each inspector is 

 expected to make annual returns to the secretary of state showing the 

 quantities of fish inspected during the year, no such returns can be 

 found for the years 1821 to 18G4, and for 1879, and only imperfect ones 

 for some other years. 



The present laws of New Hampshire were passed in 1878. and are 

 very similar to those of Maine and Massachusetts. An inspector is ap- 

 pointed by the governor, and he may appoint deputy inspectors, for 

 whom he shall be responsible. The inspector is under bond to the State 

 treasurer for the faithful discharge of his duties, and the deputies under 

 bond to the inspector. 



The law requires that all fish pickled iu barrels for exportation, and 

 all smoked herring or alewives, shall be inspected and the barrels and 

 boxes properly branded. It regulates the size of casks and the material 

 from which they may be manufactured. 



The inspector is required to make returns to the governor annually of 

 all fish inspected by him or his deputies during the year. The inspec ; 

 tiou fees are paid by the owner or person employing the inspecting 



