140 APPENDIX. 



the Fisheries of Ireland will rapidly increase in va- 

 lue, and the fish in size and quality, if salmon fish- 

 ing be stopped upon the 1st of xiugust or there- 

 abouts. The close season should then consist of five 

 full months ; and I should say, (if a general close 

 time, the same for all rivers and all localities be de- 

 cided upon by the Commissioners,) that a close sea- 

 son, commencing 10th or 12th August, and ending 

 the 10th or 12th January, would best amalgamate 

 conflicting interests, best suit various locahties, and, 

 above all, would best tend to the improvement of 

 the fisheries, and to the public advantage. 



Island Bridge Fishery. 

 December 9, 1844. 



Mr. x\nstey's Bill having been thrown out in the 

 House of Commons, by a large majority (160), it 

 becomes important to the public to inquire what steps 

 the Government will now take : it may, therefore, 

 be no harm for any person conversant with the sub- 

 ject, to put forward a few plain facts, in case the Go- 

 vernment should decide upon bringing in a new Bill. 

 The Act of 1842 was a failure, because, though 

 prepared by eminent lawyers, it exhibits throughout 

 a total deficiency of technical knowledge, and the 

 practical effect is, that all the important clauses have 

 become a nullity, or are evaded : this was soon per- 

 ceived, and no less than four Acts have been since 

 passed to amend it; and it would seem, from the 



