1U THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



Overseers, Their Salaries and Duties. 



One hundred and twenty-seven overseers aire employed, of whom 118 are paid 

 salaries varying from $25 to- $600 per annum, according to the importance of the dis- 

 trict under their supervision, and the duties expected of them. These sums amount 

 in the aggregate to over $14,000, and in addition $4,000 were paid them 'for travelling 

 and other expenses. But the work performed cannot always be gauged by the amount 

 of salary paid, for some overseers who receive but $25 in salary, in their desire to 

 see the fisheries well cared for and fostered, have rendered much service for which 

 no pecuniary consideration was expected. Besides the regular staff of overseers, a 

 number of guardians were appointed during the spring and fall close season? for waters 

 where poaching has been known to occur, and for this service $1,097 has been paid. 

 So that on account of protection alone, including the maintenance of 'the cruiser and 

 patrol boats, the Department has expended during the year the very considerable sum 

 of $25,500. 



Each overseer is required to render to the Department a monthly statement of 

 the duties performed by him, the localities visited, the distances travelled, and the 

 amr unts expended, and to make affidavit that the account is true in these particulars, 

 He is also required to send in monthly a statement of the moneys received and from 

 whom. This enables the Department to keep a check upon his movements and trans- 

 actions. 



The plan of protection adopted is that which was formerly approved for many 

 years by the Department at Ottawa, except that in those portions of the Province 

 where the work is chiefly of supervision five district overseers have also been appointed. 

 It was believed that having overseers scattered liberally over the country would be the 

 best system for this Province; but even with the generous provision which has been 

 made in this respect — the number has been increased from 94 in 1899- to 127 in 1903 — the 

 territory 'to be supervised is so large, and the number and variety of its waters so 

 great, that the volume of work which these N men have to perform, to give anything like 

 efficient protection, must be apparent to anyone who will give the matter a moment's 

 thought or consideration ; and it 'will not be surprising if violations do and will occur. 

 Smuggling, stealing, housebreaking, and many other offences against the law of the 

 land have occurred, and will occur until the millenium, no matter how vigilant, zeal- 

 ous, and active officers may be who are specially appointed to prevent these crimes. 



The duties of our overseers are not restricted to the work of protection only, 

 but they have other and very important duties to perform. At the close of the 

 season they are required to make a return to the Department of the fish caught 

 in their respective divisions, and the prices received for the same. To give an estimate 

 of the value of the fishing material used. To report upon the year's operations, and, 

 specially (1) if there has been an increase or a decrease in the catch of the different 

 kinds of fish, as compared with that of the previous year, and the cause thereof — in 

 case of a decrease whether it arises from a scarcity of fish, from local causes, or from a 

 less vigorous prosecution of the fishery, and in case of an increase to state also the 

 causes to which it should be ascribed ; (2) the percentage of fish exported or sold in 

 Canada, as wdl as an estimate of the quantity used for home consumption ; (3) whether 

 any abuses have existed, and what measures are recommended for their abatement ; 

 (4) whether the close seasons have been strictly observed, and what steps have been 

 taken towards enforcing them ; (5) whether any illegalities came to their knowledge ; 

 (6~) vhc-ther the law with respect to the pollution of waters has been observed ; and, 

 generally, to offer for the consideration of the Department any suggestions which a 

 knowledge of the wants of their divisions enables them to make for the improvement 

 and better protecti<*n of the fisheries therein. 



