306 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



regardless of local peculiarities of tlieir "water privileges," 

 proved a nauseating dose, and no wonder. Every mill- 

 dam lias some peculiar features as regards the bed of the 

 river. In many cases a few natural steps by the rocky 

 sides of a fall will answer all the purposes ; in others a 

 single slanting board opposing the fall over a small dam 

 will give all the water necessary to the ascent of fish. At 

 all events, local circumstances are so various that no one 

 pattern of fish-ladder can be authorised for any number 

 of streams. A government officer — a thorough engineer, 

 and perfectly acquainted with the habits and necessities 

 of salmon and other migratory fish, is what is wanted in 

 Nova Scotia (in Canada the want is supplied), and to con- 

 clude in my own words in framing a report on this 

 subject two years since, "Your committee beg to state 

 their conviction that, although the society has not been 

 idle, but little can he effected in carrying out a proper 

 supervision of the inland fisheries, unless an independent 

 and salaried officer he appointed by the Provincial 

 Government. 



" The difficulties of prosecution, owing to the local 

 partialities of both witnesses and magistrates, would then 

 be removed, whilst the judgment and advice of such an 

 executive, with regard to the placing of efficient fish- 

 ladders, under the various peculiarities of river banks and 

 mill-dams, would be considered decisive in overcoming 

 all obstructions." 



