69 



West of Ireland, appeared as certain results of the blight of the 

 potato crop, we proposed, for the sanction of Government, 

 liberal aid in the establishment of piers, harbours, and roads of 

 approach, as a legitimate direct aid to the fisheries ; and the 

 temporary formation of curing stations, as examples for the 

 trader, a pioneering of his way ; and as educational establish- 

 ments, not only for the fishermen, but the gentry and people of 

 the adjacent country. We are happy to be enabled to report, 

 that the results which have even already, and under the most 

 unfavourable circumstances, arisen, confirm us in the propriety 

 of the policy recommended, and lead us to hope, that amidst 

 the deepest affliction which perhaps ever visited any country, 

 the foundation has at length been laid for the establishment of 

 the Sea Fisheries on something like a permanent and sound 

 commercial basis.* 



" The particulars of the course pursued by us, the instructions 

 for the establishment of the stations, some of the results, and 

 many interesting facts reported by our officers, with the praise- 

 worthy, well-directed, and benevolent exertions of the Society 

 of Friends, both in aid of our stations and in other places round 

 the coast, are detailed in our last Annual Report, to which, and 

 its Appendix, we beg to direct attention ; and we subjoin a 

 further statement of the results, and an account of our proceed- 

 ings so far as we have been able to wind up the same. 



" We feel that it is rather our duty and province to report 

 facts, than make propositions with regard to the department of 

 the public service intrusted to our charge. But at the present 

 crisis of affairs in the West of Ireland, when attention is natu- 

 rally turned to this important and valuable source of employ- 

 ment, and when propositions of various kinds are being made 

 to promote it, (some of which have from time to time been 

 pressed on our consideration,) we feel it may not be out of 

 place to record the opinions which a careful continuous study 

 of the subject has led us to form, which experience has con- 

 firmed, and in which we are sustained by the opinion of the 

 Commissioners of Inquiry into the Irish Fisheries in 1836, so 

 far as the different circumstances of the country then and now 

 admit of comparison." 



* An extraordinary service was done in breaking down the combination of 

 the purchasers in Dublin, by opening other stores to sell the cured fish in, and 

 extending the sale into other towns. "We entertain no doubt that the per- 

 formance of this anomalous duty by a Public Board has done much good." It 

 is added if, in addition to increased facilities of carriage, " any existing pro- 

 hibitory duties in foreign countries, or laws affecting our commerce in this 

 article with them, can be removed, whereby a new, vigorous, and wholesome 

 stimulus can be given to this trade at the present crisis, we cannot point to a 

 more natural and valuable field for enterprise, and the revival of self-supporting 

 industry, than that afforded by the fisheries of the whole western and southern 

 coast of Ireland, if steadily and judiciously followed." Page 53. 



