THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



During the season 10 pound nets, 45 trap nets, 9 seines, 106 gill nets, 

 3 hoop nets, 1 tug, 1 sailboat, 1 rowboat, 1 skiff, 7 boxes of carp, 6 boxes 

 of pike, 1 box perch and 2,570 lbs. of other kinds of fish, illegally used or 

 taken, were confiscated; 77 persons were prosecuted for offences against the 

 fishery laws; 76 convictions were made; and $1,453 were imposed in fines. 



The saying that "A laborer is worthy of his hire" cannot be applied 

 more appropriately than to a fishery overseer who fearlessly and honestly 

 performs his duty. He practically gets no assistance from a too unsym- 

 pathizing public, and if violations occur which escape his attention, he is 

 vigorously criticised for a dereliction of duty. All efforts to establish lines 

 of confidential communication seem to be unavailing, the usual reply being, 

 "You are paid to do jour duty, do it. I am not going to incur the ill-will 

 of my neighbors by becoming an informer." In addition to his salary, the 

 overseer receives his necessary travelling expenses, and mileage at the rate 

 of five cents per mile where he uses his own horse or boat. But it is daily 

 becoming of vital importance that the operations of the Great Lake fisher- 

 men should be subjected to a closer oversight, and in order that this may 

 be done a greater number of overseers, or more of the time of those already 

 appointed, must necessariy be required,, and an allowance commensurate 

 with the services to be performed provided. Under existing conditions it 

 is believed that the overseers are performing their duties as efficiently as 

 can be reasonably expected — in fact have been, with few exceptions, 

 extremely faithful. 



Public Sentiment. 



It is encouraging to note that there is a growing sentiment in favor 

 of the preservation of our inland fisheries, and the best evidence of this 

 is the fact that protective associations are being organized in many parts 

 of the Province with a view to co-operating with the Department in carry- 

 ing on the important work of .protection. Perhaps no country on the face 

 of the globe has been more liberally endowed with beautiful lakes and 

 rivers, teeming with their various kinds of fish, than has Ontario, and the 

 perpetuation of this endowment to future generations depends upon the 

 promotion and estabishment of a sentiment which will secure the strict 

 enforcement of the regulations. With such a result, the riches of these 

 lakes may be assured indefinitely, and without curtailing or in any way 

 diminishing the legitimate sport and pleasure which all may rightfully 

 enjoy. The Department looks for, and has the right to expect, the hearty 

 co-operation of every public spirited person to this end; otherwise the da^ 

 may be nearer at hand than we may think when they may be depleted of their 

 contents and robbed of their charm. The increasing money value to com- 

 munities in the vicinity of lakes where good fishing may be had is being 

 appreciated more and more, and especially in those parts of the Province 

 where the lands are poorly adapted for agricultural purposes. Many of 

 the farmers are making provision for the accommodation of guests, and in 

 this way a ready, convenient, and paying market is found for their pro- 

 duce, for which formerly there was practically no outlet. So that from 

 a selfish standpoint, if from no other, it behooves every one to make it his 

 duty to see that there shall be no violation of our fishery laws. Indeed, so 

 great are the pecuniary benefits derived by municipalities in which good' 

 fishing is to be had that they might properly volunteer to share the expense 

 of protecting these fisheries from spoliation. Greater effort on the part 

 of their officers might at least be required. The people of the Province 

 have been slow to recognize what a valuable heritage they have in their 

 inland fisheries, and so great is this now regarded that even further restric- 



