THE FISHERIES. 105 



circulated throughout the whole fishing community, 

 both in Scotland and Ireland, and silently worked 

 its way ; but even subsequently to its publication, 

 and in direct opposition to its suggestions, the Board 

 of Works, in 1846, procured the passing of another 

 x\ct (9 & iO Vic. c. 114) extending the fishing season 

 to the 1st of September in each year. The ruinous 

 consequences which ensued, and which had been con- 

 fidently predicted, have at length produced the re- 

 action. Nobody now doubts that all the rivers in 

 Ireland have been overfished, and that that tells the 

 tale of their rapid and progressive dechne. The 

 Select Committee of the House of Commons (1849) 

 has so declared it ; the whole fishing communitj^ in 

 Scotland and in Ireland now acknowledge it ; and, 

 finally, the Board of Works themselves now reluct- 

 antly admit it. 



The first step in the right direction taken by the 

 Commissioners, on this head, since their appointment, 

 was made on the 5th June last, when they issued 

 their preliminary notice, fixing the 13th day of 

 August as the commencement of the close season for 

 the Limerick district ; but it is not likely that this, 

 and other all-important questions relating to the 

 fisheries, wall be left any longer to the adjudication 

 of the Board of Works ; it is more probable that a 

 prompt legislative remed}^ will be applied. The 

 Duke of Argyle brought in a Bill last session, to cur- 

 tail the fishing season in the Scotch Salmon-fisheries ; 

 and it is not unreasonable to expect that the Bill 



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