8 Public Document. 



current in winter, we have not as yet decided as to the pre- 

 cise form and cost. The owners in this case are the city of 

 Providence. 



The commissioners petitioned the city council of Prov- 

 idence, to appropriate a sum sufficient to place a suitable 

 fish-way over this dam, and the committee on city property, 

 to whom the matter was referred, and before whom the com- 

 missioners appeared and explained their plans, unanimously 

 recommended, and the city council voted, a sum not ex- 

 ceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00), to be expended for 

 a fish-way, to be erected under the supervision of the water 

 commissioners — an arrangement perfectly satisfactory to all 

 parties — and the work will be commenced as soon as prac- 

 ticable. 



It is important that this fish- way, being the first that will 

 be built in Rhode Island, should be done in a thorough man- 

 ner, and no pains will be spared to make it a success. 



The herring or alcAvives that annually come to the foot of 

 the fall, will at once pass over and work up the river to the 

 next dam, situated at Pontiac, about four miles above. The 

 fact that the fish are there, waiting for a chance to get over 

 the dam, and a view of the successful working of the fish- 

 way below, will, it is believed, be the best argument the 

 commissioners can bring forward to the dam owners there 

 and above, for the establishment of proper fish- ways. 



Although the faith of the commissioners in the liberality 

 of our manufacturers is large, yet they are aware that an 

 instance may occur where argument and occular demonstra- 

 tion will fail to produce the desired result, in which event 

 no resource will be left but to ask of your honorable body to 

 pass the necessary laws, compelling dam owners to erect 

 suitable fish- ways, as has been done, as before mentioned, 

 in the other New England States. 



Let us suppose our streams stocked with salmon and shad. 



