Constitution of Committees ; Sub-Comm. Resolution. 5 



latter out-of-the-way corners, however, all the more necessary 

 is it that something further should be learned regarding them. 



From the constitution of the Sea Fisheries Committees, 

 whereof half the members are appointed by the County Council, 

 the other by the Board of Trade, and the drawback that mem- 

 bers' travelling expenses shall not be paid for them, there arises 

 an acknowledged difficulty. It is this : that in nearly all the 

 other Fisheries' Committees, as well as our own, attendance on 

 the part of practical fishermen, who live at a distance, and who 

 cannot afford to be present at the meetings, is consequently 

 hindered. Hence, unfortunately, the fishermen class are not so 

 thoroughly represented as they should be. This state of things 

 seems incongruous, for the Sea Fisheries Act of 1888 was but 

 an appendix to the Local Government Act of the same year, 

 primarily to ensure the popular representation of the fisher- 

 men and " fishing interests " so to say a mixed branch Com- 

 mittee of the County Council with limited jurisdiction and 

 powers. Thus it is all the more clearly needful that positive 

 information should be furnished as to the present actual status, 

 the history, the prospects, and the requirements of every fishery 

 locality within the bounds of the Fisheries District. Such at 

 least was the view taken by a majority of the Sub-Committee. 



The Sub-Committee further came to the determination 

 and it was unanimously resolved that instead of merely out- 

 lining what should be the basis of the facts to be acquired at 

 each special fishery station, the more business-like way of 

 proceeding would be to present to your Committee data con- 

 cerning a single locality. This, perhaps, varied with considerable 

 abbreviations, according to circumstances, might serve as an 

 example of the kind of thing they are inclined to recommend 

 should be done in other instances. As to how this wider phase 

 of the question may best be accomplished, and from what 

 source the funds necessary are to be derived, these doubtless 

 your Committee hereafter will take into consideration ; mean- 

 time our colleague Dr. Murie has volunteered this contribution 

 on the estuarine fishery station he represents. 



