71 



The Government curing-houses were disposed of to private 

 persons. No definite method of assistance to promote education 

 is proposed, nor to meet ' exceptional cases of existing famine/ 

 " We admit," (the Report continues,) " that of themselves 

 these will effect but little for the immediate object. The 

 great want is, and the great stimulus to the trade must ever be, 

 the steady daily market, or sound (not fictitious) demand, and 

 a remunerating price. These attained, boats, gear, tackle, and 

 comfortable habitations, will soon be found ; and self-interest 

 will powerfully aid education to banish ignorance and prejudice, 

 which are now rather unwisely charged as causes of deficient 

 fisheries. 



" For the accomplishment of these great objects, and con- 

 sequent means of self-support, in the distressed sea-coast dis- 

 tricts of the western part of Ireland, we have long looked to 

 " 1st. The early extension of railways into the centre of 

 these districts, the extension of steam navigation, and 

 the promotion of other means of communication to the 

 remote parts of the coast, whereby facilities and cheap- 

 ness of carriage being established, the demand would be 

 increased in quantity, and the price raised to a remune- 

 rative scale. 



" 2ndly. The establishment by private enterprise, of curing 

 stations, whereby a daily local market would be founded 

 close to the fishing grounds, with its innumerable con- 

 comitant advantages ; and, 



" Srdly. The removal of all legal disabilities affecting land 

 or agriculture, whereby local wealth and enterprise being 

 unshackled, may be free to aid such industrial specula- 

 tions as the fisheries ; and the general means of these 

 districts being improved, their value as local markets for 

 the produce of the adjacent fisheries may be increased 

 with mutual advantage to both. 



" These are the general principles upon, and means by which, 

 we expect to see the sea-coast fisheries of Ireland brought to 

 the prosperous and remunerative condition of which we feel 

 assured they are naturally capable ; and we believe that any 

 less extensive means, or any more direct interference on the 

 part of the Government or its officers, would only end in dis- 

 appointment." 



The truth is self-evident, that the full prosperity of Sea 

 Fisheries must wait upon those great means and measures by 

 which a Country will be generally advanced. But while looking 

 to such, let it be hoped that minor appliances will not be over- 

 looked. 



The Commissioners of Public Works, in their ' General 

 Remarks on the Sea Coast and Inland Fisheries/ proceed to 



