FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 179 



peninsula in order to collect as much information as possible 

 respecting the value of these rivers with regard to fishing 

 privileges, and the course it would be most advisable to adopt 

 in dealing with them. ' ' 



Mr. Mackedie's report shows that he left Quebec on the 

 6th July, 1883, and stopping at Rimouski, Amqui, Casupscull, 

 Matapedia (Campbellton), Carleton, New Richmond, New 

 Carlisle, Port Daniel, Pabos Mills, Little Pabos, Grand River 

 and Gaspe; ascending the rivers Ristigouche (38 miles), 

 Cascapedia (50 miles), Bonaventure (15 miles), Grand Pabos 

 (11 miles), and Dartmouth (about 12 miles), took notes and 

 information about these and other rivers on his way, and re- 

 turned to Quebec on the night of the 24th of August. 



After describing the then existing conditions of the 

 various rivers visited by him, Mr. Mackedie made the follow- 

 ing recommendations in regard to the proposed leasing of 

 angling rights, and supported them, as will be seen below, 

 by carefully considered arguments and thoughtful reason- 

 ing: 



MR. D. C. MACKEDIE'S RECOMMENDATIONS. 



' ' The present value of several of the rivers visited, if not 

 absolutely NIL, is much lower than it might be if efficient 

 guardianship had been maintained. A few years' neglect 

 seems sufficient not only to ruin a salmon river as such, but 

 also to induce a belief among the inhabitants of the vicinity, 

 that they are at liberty to do as they please with every fish 

 they see in it. Private guardianship is, however, likely to 

 be much more effectual than any instituted by the Govern- 

 ment. It would therefore seem advisable, apart from any 

 question of revenue, that every river should be leased and 

 in such a way that each lessee would have a particular in- 

 terest in guarding his river during the whole term of his 

 lease, more especially if it be only for a single year. As 

 leases are now made to expire on the 31st of December, a 

 lessee who is uncertain as to whether he can have the same 

 river next year, or who may not wish to retain it, has (es- 



