ON INLAND FISHERIES. 11 



We have the testimony of the experts appointed by the English 

 government to examine into the subject in their own waters that trap- 

 j)ing does no harm. Prof. Baird who has devoted a first-chiss intellect 

 to the study for some years, and who has had comparatively vast oppor- 

 tunities for observation leans to the same conclusion, and it certainly 

 behooves individuals unless endowed with the rare faculty of never 

 making any mistakes, to be very cautious in their statements when the 

 subject is one that demands such close observation and long study. 

 Men who have their money invested in any business are somewhat 

 prone to look upon a matter in the light of their own interests, there- 

 fore tlieir arguments are not entirely convincing to the minds of those 

 who are trying in an unprejudiced way to throw some light on the 

 subject, and the trappers can hardly be blamed if they dispute the fact 

 that their business has injured the bay fisheries. Again the state- 

 ments of parties who are entirely ignorant of what they are talking 

 about cannot be considered to have any great weight, and to come to 

 a just conclusion amidst such bewildering testimony requires to say 

 the least, great forethought. Therefore the Commissioners of Inland 

 Fisheries, aware of the proneuess of humanity to error, are desirous 

 in their official capacity to avoid accrimonious dispute, and in their 

 present and future reports on this subject (should their duties in this 

 direction be continued) will only present facts, and such suggestions as 

 in their humble opinion may be entitled to weight from those who have 

 made a study of the matter. 



Some system in the management of the bay fisheries is of the 

 utmost importance, and we beg to recommend the following plan 

 in regard to the traps, presupposing a right on the part of the State to 

 legislate in the matter. Let tlie whole affair be in the hands of one 

 officer who shall have full and entire coatrol, with power to appoint 

 deputies and a sufficient salary to ensure his attention, his expenses to 

 be paid. Let each trap be licensed in such a sum as the Legislature 

 deems fit, (say 850.00,) each captain of a trapping gang to take out 

 this license and make return under oath to the Commissioner as to 

 catch during the season, prices, &c. Any evasion which can be proved 



