1899 ] GAME AND FISHERIES. 45 



small salary, except by way of a fine which latter remuneration, as a special inducement 

 for his vigilance, is probably the best that can be devised ; while, on the other hand, the 

 detection of a class of men crafty and watchful in their calling, who operate in the night, 

 is of rare occurrence, and hence the remuneration to overseers by way of fines is very 

 small. That he may not be misunderstood, he wishes to repeat that he thinks the salaries 

 to local overseers are ample, if too much territory be not given them. 



Steam Patrol Necessary. 



He therefore begs to submit that the only way to successfully confront the diffi- 

 culties before us, in this large and long water stretch of the Rideau, is for the officers to 

 spend their entire time in patrolling said waters between Kingston and Ottawa, and in so 

 doing suggests that two men b? appointed by the year for that purpose, and that by 

 reason of the number of lakes, with their many miles of coast line, and to facilitate their 

 speedy transport from lake to lake, that a small steam launch of light draught be supplied. 



Proper Equipment Necessary. 



A suitable boat as suggested can be had for $1,000 or $1,200, and perhaps less, 

 but knowing the winds and waves, and what will be required, he would certainly 

 suggest a boat not less than 45 or 50 feet in length and 10 feet beam. Two men will 

 be all that will be required. The overseers already appointed can be used in their 

 immediate locality, or called upon if required upon the line. 



This equipment will not be expensive, but will, in his opinion, repay the expen- 

 diture by the increased revenue which will go to the Province. TVo men thus 

 equipped, with their entire time devoted, can do more in protecting this particular 

 chain of lakes than ten men under the present system, while in the winter season their 

 services will be of great value in checking the transportation of bass. 



He observes that he is every day meeting with a marked change in public sentiment. 

 Indifference and antagonism are giving way to approval. Efforts to form anglers asso- 

 ciations are being made with the view of creating a stronger sentiment and interest. 

 Many fisherman are themselves in harmony with the enforcement of the laws. Undoubt- 

 edly a vigorous effort on the part of the Overseers will beget co-operation, the revenue 

 will be increased, and our waters restored to their former status. 



District Overseer McOargar reports : 



That the yield of fish in the Bay of Quinte and the small lakes and rivers in this 

 district has been larger this season than for some time past, especially in bass and mask- 

 nionge fishing. With a plentiful supply of fry furnished in the future as in the past there 

 will be a good yield of these fish for many years to come. 



At Ox-point on the north shore of the Bay of Quinte, Mr. Thomas McDonald has 

 a small hatchery which now supplies the adjacent waters with a large quantity of bass 

 fiy, and with a small expenditure it could be so improved as to supply this whole district 

 with bass fry, and he would respectfully recommend that a small grant be made for this 

 purpose in the near future. 



The mill owners in this district have faithfully observed the law respecting sawdust 

 and refuse getting into the streams. 



It has been very difficult to get anything like correct returns from many of the 

 licensed fishermen this year, but he looks forward to a great improvement in this respect 

 in the near future. 



On the whole the law respecting fishing in this district has been well observed. In 

 the early part of the season a few had to be cautioned and after that no complaints were 

 received which proved to be well founded. 



During the past year the regulation regarding numbering the nets, etc., has not been 

 well observed in some parts of this district, but steps will be taken during the coming 

 season to see that the license in this respect is strictly complied with. 



District Overseer Thwaite rep arts : 



That he is glad to be able to state that during his several tours of inspection through- 

 ont his district during the past year, very few instances of illegal fishing came to his 

 knowledge ; the overseers appear to be alive to their responsibilities, and that they have 



