THE HERRING FISHERY. 7 



the purpose of helping to repair broken boats. They Government 

 offered a bounty for herrings fished a certain distance from en?e"f fish- 

 shore. This deep-sea fishing, however, did not succeed, en 

 as fishermen had not made any improvement on their 

 materials. 



At that time there was a heavy duty on salt, but salt used 

 for curing herrings was relieved from taxation by Govern- 

 ment. They also stationed fishery officers at the different Fishery ' 

 fishing districts along our coasts, to look after fishermen's appointed 

 interests, and to settle any disputes among them, or between 

 them and the buyers. They were there to see that no Their duties, 

 measures were used except those that bore the Crown 

 brand. 



If herrings were sold by the hundred, forty-one 

 casts and a tally were given, making in all one hundred . 

 and twenty-four herrings ; this was the rule on all our 

 coasts except at Howth, where forty-two casts were given, 

 being three herrings more. If there was anything too 

 difficult for these officers to settle, they referred it to head- 

 quarters. They were also experienced in curing, and had 

 power to brand barrels, first having ascertained that they 

 were well filled and properly cured. Curers who wanted Higher price 

 the Crown brand had to pay a small fee for each barrel, crowi b^and. 

 Crown brands always drew a better price in home and 

 foreign markets than individual or company brands. The 

 Government also appointed a revenue cutter under the Revenue 

 Board to attend the fishing fleet Her duty was to see duties and 

 that each boat was properly lettered and numbered. These Lettering and 



numbering of 



letters are the custom-house initials of the district to which boats, and the 



i-L u ._ U i advantages of 



the boat belongs. 



The letters and numbers have proved very useful if any 

 damage is done, such as fouling of boats or destruction of 

 nets ; the guilty parties can at once be found, if their official 



