126 SALMON BRITISH AND COLONIAL. 



opinion, I should think that the Crown should prohibit, 

 in all leases to be granted of salmon-fishings in the sea, 

 the use of these fixed engines. The best use which 

 the Crown could make of the rights would be to grant 

 leases to those interested in the river-fishings, with 

 authority to fish by the net and coble, and with a pro- 

 hibition against fishing by fixed engines, and an obli- 

 gation to prevent others doing so. I think if the Crown 

 rights were exercised in that way it would be most 

 beneficial to the salmon-fishings. On the other hand, 

 I should be sorry to see a system of granting leases to 

 private proprietors of fishings in the sea, for inconside- 

 rable rents, so that the person taking the leases would 

 have no interest in the river-fishings at all, and only be 

 desirous to catch as many fish as he could." 



These are the views to be expected from an impartial 

 and enlightened legislator and a high public officer well 

 acquainted with the value of the Scottish salmon-fish- 

 eries as an important branch of national industry, 

 crippled, unfortunately, by varying legislation and the 

 thoughtless cupidity of those killing salmon at all 

 seasons and by all methods. We have for several 

 years been giving utterance to views very similar, and 

 quite as disinterested, seeing that our connection with 

 fisheries is simply that originating in a predilection 

 for this department of natural history. We are grati- 

 fied to learn that these are not merely the private 

 opinions of the Lord Advocate, but also the views of 

 the administrators of the property of the Crown, who 

 have resolved that its rights shall be exercised only 

 for the public good. And considering the history of 

 those fishery proprietors whose pecuniary interests have 

 been affected by recent inquiries, we think it well that 

 the public should know that attention to its interests 

 was the origin of these inquiries. The proprietors 

 along the Scottish coasts have hitherto observed no 

 close time, and, we understand, have contributed no- 

 thing for the protection or improvement of salmon-fish- 



