131 



has been shown that the owners and occupiers of land, upon 

 whom the burden of that law falls, are not directly interested 

 in the prosecution of sea fishing; nor can they be deemed 

 answerable for the consequences of insufficient employment in. 

 the sea, as they undoubtedly are, to an extent, for those arising 

 from its want on their own properties. It is also to be feared that 

 the effects of that law, may even, in the case of small properties, 

 deter the owners from encouraging a settlement of fishers. 



By referring back to the fourth chapter, (page 31,) it will be 

 seen that the Remedial measures recommended by the Commis- 

 sion of Inquiry were adopted in the Bill of 1838, but were 

 omitted in that of 1842. 



The rejected recommendations were the 



8th. For providing several matters of Fishery and public 

 accommodation; one moiety of the cost to be raised by voluntary 

 contributions, or by assessment. 



1 1th. For making short lines of roads, near piers, harbours, or 

 stations; a moiety to be raised on the district, or provided by 

 voluntary subscription. 



1 2th. For the encouragement of Loan Funds. 



17th. For providing Practical Education in matters connected 

 with Fishery avocations. 



These measures were recommended by the Commissioners 

 after cautious deliberation, as those in which Government might 

 take part. Whether their adoption is called for and warranted 

 under the existing circumstances of Ireland is certainly deserving 

 of consideration. 



NOTES. 



ARTHUR YOUNG closes his remarks on the Fisheries of Ireland with 

 the following passage. He attributed their neglect to want of capital, 

 and remarked that the measures of the Legislature had not been attended 

 with any considerable effect, and instanced the mischievous effects of 

 bounties : 



" Before I quit this article of Irish fisheries, I shall observe, that next 

 to the cultivation of land there is no object in their national economy 

 of so much importance. No manufactures, no trade, can be of half the 

 consequence to Ireland, that many of her fisheries might prove if 

 encouraged with judgment. There is no undertaking whatever in 

 which a small capital goes so far; nor any in which the largest will pay 

 such ample profits. Scotland has the herrings somewhat earlier, but 

 they come in good time to Ireland for the Mediterranean trade, and in 

 a plenty that ought to make their capture a favourite object. The 

 bounties hitherto given have been so far from answering that they have 

 in some respects done mischief. I was present more than once at the 

 meetings of the fishery committee of the Irish House of Commons, and 

 I found them making anxious inquiries how to avoid great frauds, from 

 which I found that notorious ones had been committed. 



K2 



