1899 ] GAME AND FISHERIES. 67 



that some steps be taken as soon as possible to prevent the depositing of sawdust, etc., in 

 the rivers. He thinks the close season for salmon-trout should be changed so as to 

 include not only the month of November but also October, or at least the latter half of 

 October, as he believes that in Ontario lakes the trout have nearly if not all spawned 

 before the first of November. He recommends that the Quebec Government be requested 

 to do away with the granting of licenses for net fishing in Lake Deschenes and all the 

 river between Ottawa and Lake Deschenes ; also to have their officers enforce the law in 

 regard to spearing, especially during the high water in the spring. 



He states that he has visited the markets and fish stores frequently and found every- 

 thing all right ; that the fish offered for sale in Ottawa are a far better class than before 

 the law in regard to size and weight was enforced ; that he has not in a single case seen 

 bass of less than ten inches offered for sale, and a very small per cent, of pickerel below 

 the legal size. He believes that the coming year will see no small fiah offered for sale. 



Overseer Argue reports : 



That most of the fishing carried on in his division is done by local fishermen with rod 

 and line, and the catch used for home consumption. 



He reports having seized several nets and spears during the year, but that in other 

 respects the fishery laws were well observed. 



Suckers are very abundant in Spark's Creek and mouth of the Carp River, and he 

 would recommend their capture by nets, in the spring, before the bass and pickerel com- 

 mence running. 



Overseer Barr reports: 



That there was a decrease in the catch owing to a less vigorous prosecution of the 

 fishery, the cause being that the law was put in force during the close season ; that the 

 fish exported from the district was 7,728 lbp., and for home consumption, as nearly as can be 

 estimated, about 2,000 lbs j that the close seasons were well observed, especially that for 

 trout ; that considerable illegal fishing came to his knowledge, and that seven fines were 

 imposed, six of which were for $10.00 each, with costs ; that the Act respecting the pro- 

 tection of navigable waters has not been well observed by mill owners, sawdust having 

 been dumped into the. waters in some cases, to the great injury of the fish therein. 



Overseer L. P. Villeneuve, of Plantagenet, reports : 



That there were only five licenses granted in his division during the year, and about 

 80 per cent, of their catch was used for home consumption ; that the close seasons were 

 well obaerved, and only two cases of illegal fishing came under his notice. 



REPORT OF COMMANDER OF CRUISER " GILPHIE." 



S. T. Bastedo, Esq, Owen Sound, 15th December, 1899. 



Toronto. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit my report in brief of the work performed by the 

 M Gilphie " during those portions of the months of October, November and December, 

 1899, just closed. 



The " Gilphie " was placed in commission on the 16th October, 1899, leaving South- 

 ampton at 10 a. m. on her initial trip, cruising along the eastern shore of Lake Huron, 

 and touching at various places between Sjuthampton and the Great Manitoulin. She 

 experienced rough weather during the trip, the sea running heavily most of the time, and 

 the wind blowing a severe gale. The boat behaved splendidly, and proved herself to be 

 very sea- worthy. 



According to your instructions I patroled the waters around the Manitoulin for 

 several days in order to see that no parties were fishing without a license, and that the 

 pound net men were fishing the stations discribed in their licenses. I also called at the 

 different stations to see if any parties were delivering fish who had not licenses. The 

 water continued to be very rough. 



On the 24th I left Little Current for Killarney and the Bustards, where I arrived 

 at 5 30 p. m. same day. The wind continued very high, and a big beam sea was rolling, 

 which made it impossible to lower the small boat and do any patrolling in this neigh- 

 borhood. 



