220 THE ENGLISH ACTS. [CHAP. v. 



but it is perhaps best that Mr. Ffennell, one of the Commis- 

 sioners, should be allowed to say it for himself. The increase 

 in the productiveness of the English rivers then and this is 

 stated in the fourth annual report of the inspectors " far ex- 

 ceeds the anticipations of those who were most sanguine in 

 regard to the good results which might have been expected 

 from the operation of the Act of 1861 ; and the zeal of many 

 who from the first took an active part in administering the 

 law has been greatly stimulated by the telling effects of their 

 exertion ; while others, who may have hesitated in the com- 

 mencement from doubts of success, have been led on by the 

 force of good example, as well as by the more powerful incen- 

 tive arising from the many proofs so soon forthcoming that 

 salmon can be abundantly produced in the rivers of England." 

 As to the amendment or rider to the Act of 1861, which 

 was passed in the present session (1865), its chief objects are to 

 provide funds for the payment of the wages of water-bailiffs, 

 and of other expenses connected with the due protection of the 

 English salmon-fisheries, and for the appointment of a body 

 of able and responsible persons to whom the duties of raising 

 and expending such fund are to be entrusted. The first of 

 these is attained by the annual licensing of rods, nets, and 

 other engines used in the capture of salmon, at fixed sums, the 

 proceeds of which licence-duties are to be expended (after the 

 formation of a river or rivers into a fishery district by order 

 of the Secretary of State) on the protection of the fisheries 

 within that district only where such licence-duties are raised, 

 and in that district only are the licences available for use ; 

 and the second, where a fishery district lies wholly in one 

 county, by the magistrates of that county in quarter-sessions 

 at once appointing a board of conservators for the district ; 

 but where a fishery district lies in several counties, such ap- 

 pointment will be made by committees of the various courts 

 of quarter-sessions interested, under prescribed arrangements. 



