1900 ] FISHERIES DEPARTMENT. 29 



tity of fish. There was no violation of the law respecting the pollution of the 

 water as the mill owners utilize the sawdust and other mill refuse for fuel. The 

 fishway in the dam on Sydenham River was in working order. 



Oversee- Allen, Wallaceburg : 



States that the fishing was a little better than during the previous year, and 

 that there would have been a much larger catch -still had it not been for the fre- 

 quent storms during the season which disabled, the nets several times. All the 

 fish caught for commercial purposes were exported to the United States. There 

 were no cases of illegal fishing brought to his notice, and the several close seasons 

 were well observed. There was no violation of the law respecting pollution of 

 waters. The mill owners use the sawdust and other refuse for fuel. There are 

 no fishways in the division. 



Overseer McQueen, Chatham : 



Reports that owing to the River Thames having been blocked with ice during 

 the months of February and March it was impossible for the fishermen to prose- 

 cute their callling, and after the ice left a further delay was occasioned by their 

 having to remove debris which had accumulated. This caused a considerable 

 falling off in the total catch during the year. The close seasons were invariably 

 well observed. There are two saw mills in the division and all the sawdust and 

 other mill refuse is utilized as fuel, so that there are no violations of the law re- 

 specting the pollutions of waters. In the two cases of illegal fishing which came 

 to his notice fines were imposed. 



Overseer McRitchie, Bothicell : 



Reports a decrease in the catch of pickerel as against the previous season. 

 This was caused by the river being blocked with ice and the water very high. The 

 total catch of fish, however, was greater than last year and the price obtained 

 was one cent per pound more. The fishermen were unable to taKe advantage of 

 the fifteen days' extension of the pickerel season granted by the Federal Govern- 

 ment, as the close season began before the ice left. The Fishery Laws were 

 fairly well observed. One party was fined $10, and his net confiscated. There 

 is one dam in the river unprovided with a fishway, and which is at present 

 receiving the attention of the Department. Fully ninety per cent of the fish are 

 shipped to New York. The close seasons were well observed. 



Overseer Grotty, Bothwell : 



States that there were no fish caught for commercial purposes in his division 

 as no licenses were issued. No abuses of any kind existed and no illegal fishing 

 came to his notice. 



Overseer Jury, London : 



States that the bass and pickerel have been more numerous than usual and 

 that anglers have made good catches. No violations of the fishery laws were 

 brought to his notice, consequently no fines were imposed or confiscations made. 



All the fishways are said to be in good condition The Byron dam fishway 

 was out of order but has been repaired He thinks it very desirable that a fish- 

 way should be placed in the dam at Cashmere, which would enable the fish to 

 ascend the river for many miles. The sewerage works now being constructed by 

 the corporation of London, will, he thinks, have a very beneficial effect on the 

 fishing in the River Thames. 



Overseer Cousineau, Windsor : 



Reports the fishing operations in his division as very satisfactory. There 

 was an increased catch of whitefish, pickerel and mixed fish. The catch would 



