The Provincial Secretary, 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following Reports 

 dealing chiefly with certain marine biological questions which 

 have arisen during the year in connection with fishing matters 

 in the Cape Province. They include a review of the develop- 

 ment of the fishing industry and recommendations as to the 

 continuation ,of the marine biological survey with a view to 

 further development, and an inquiry into the causes of the 

 fluctuations in the fish supply, a question which has recently 

 been much discussed. The alleged destruction of fish and 

 fish spawn in the Berg River and at Knysna has been investi- 

 gated in some detail. The investigations into the Crawfish 

 question are continued and further information has been 

 obtained. Observation on the habits of some South African 

 fishes are recorded and the Snoek and allied fishes are dealt 

 with in a special section. Lastly, some new species of South 

 African fishes are described. In this I have been assisted 

 by Mr. Wardlaw Thompson, F.Z.S., who also has contri- 

 buted the first part of a useful catalogue of fish of the Cape 

 Province. The original drawings have been done by Mr. I. 

 Birbel, who, along with Mr. Cripps, has also assisted in the 

 collection of townettings and other material. 



I have the honour to be, 

 Sir, 

 Your obedient Servant, 



J. D. F. GILCHRIST. 



Cape Town, 



30th June, 1914. 



[C.P. 6-'i4.] 



