1905 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES. 



the total amount paid for salaries and expenses in 1905 ($15,875.73) is 

 $2,381.81 less than was paid in 1904 ($18,257.54). In the re-organization 

 cf the staff which took place early in the year, two or more overseers were 

 appointed for some of the divisions for which theretofore there had been 

 but one overseer, with a view to better and more economical service; and 

 a few additional appoinments were deemed necessary in consequence of the 

 abolition of the district overseers, it being considered that the amount paid 

 to these officers on account of salaries and expenses, which in 1904 came to 

 $4,125, may be better expended in the payment of salaries of additional 

 local overseers, and in increasing the efficiency of the patrol service. In a 

 number of instances where it had been customary to employ guardians for 

 short periods, permanent overseers have now been appointed; so that as 

 against 22 guardians in 1904 there were only 8 in 1905. The Department 

 started in 1899 with a staff of 99 overseers and eleven guardians, but addi- 

 tions were from time to time made until in 1904 the number had been 

 increased to 131 overseers and 22 guardians. It is believed that where the 

 duty is chiefly that of supervision, the plan of having overseers scattered 

 liberally over the country at small salaries is, having regard to its numer- 

 ous water ways, better for this Province than that of having fewer over- 

 seers at larger salaries. Much of the duty formerly performed by the dis- 

 trict overseers is now performed by officers from the Department, an 

 arrangement which is found to work quite satisfactorily. 



The Gilphie and Maud upon the Georgian Bay, and the Eva Bell upon 

 the Rideau, have maintained their usual patrol. A gasoline launch 

 was similarly engaged upon the St. Lawrence between Prescott and Kings- 

 ton, and a steam yacht was placed upon Lake Temagami in view of the 

 large number of visitors to that lake during the summer months. The 

 patrol craft has been increased by the addition of a gasoline launch 52 feet 

 long and very fast, being equipped with an 18 horse power engine, and it is 

 to be placed upon the Detroit River and Lake Erie, and Lake and Biver 

 St. Clair, where the need of such a boat has long been felt. 



It is a matter for thoughtful consideration whether the Gilphie, which 

 last year cost $4,310.27 to run, has not outlived its usefulness upon the 

 Georgian Bay, and whether some other system of patrol and supervision 

 should not now be adopted. Since a patrol boat was first placed 

 upon the Georgion Bay bv the Dominion Government, the conditions 

 have materially changed. The islands and shores between Penetang 

 and the Bustards, which a few years ago were practically uninhabited, 

 are now swarming with tourists and summer visitors, and it is here 

 also that much illegal fishing with trap and other nets is carried on. 

 It is impossible for the Gilphie to enter the shallow waters and reach 

 the points where these people locate, and where this illegal fishing 

 is done, and a thorough patrol cannot be made with sufficient expedi- 

 tion by the crew in rowboats, having regard to the extent of terri- 

 tory to be covered. It is believed that with gasoline or smaller steam 

 craft of lesser draught, a much more efficient as well as more econo- 

 mical patrol could be maintained, and the matter of the substitution of 

 such service is therefore recommended fo!r your favorable consideration. 

 The overseer on the North Channel reports that the sailboat Maud is leak- 

 ing badly, and will have to be rebuilt before she can be used much more. 

 It has been impossible for the overseer with this boat to cover his territory 

 as rapidly as is required in view of the amount of illegal fishing which has 

 for years been carried on in this district, and the substitution of a steam 

 or gasoline yacht for the sailboat for patrol purposes would, it is believed, 

 be in the public interest, and is also recommended for your consideration. 



