FISHES AND PISHING. 285. 



Randall's Park, Leatherhead. The jury, on the trial 

 in the Queen's Bench, gave a verdict for the plaintiff 

 (Mr. Bland), with 10 damages ; and the costs 

 amounted to 154. The insolvent, who was heard 

 on 21st of July, 1855, maintained that he had aright 

 to fish, and that the fish belonged to Mr. Ladbroke, 

 the Lord of the Manor ; it appeared that there is a 

 public foot-path along the side of the river. Mr. 

 Commissioner Murphy adjourned the case for enquiry 

 whether the inhabitants believed they had a right to 

 fish. If so, he would not keep the insolvent in pri 

 son ; but if the insolvent had persisted, well knowing 

 he had no right, then he should feel it his duty to 

 give a very serious judgment. The Commissioner 

 has since been satisfied upon that point ; and Lips- 

 combe was discharged on 24th July. 



In the case previously, as stated by the newspa 

 pers, of this action, it was then said tha't there was a 

 towing path by the side of the river Mole, from whence 

 the inhabitants of Leatherhead were, by immemorial 

 custom, entitled to angle with rods and lines ; now a 

 towing path would indicate that the Driver was navi 

 gable, which, according to legal authorities pn aquatic 

 rights, would alter the case very materially ; for all 

 rivers which maintain a perpetual stream, and are 

 capable of being navigated, are public rivers. But a 

 public foot-path by the side of a river, bounded by 



