Iv 



109. The Acting Collector of Canara observed (January 13th, 1872), 

 the fisheries may be roughly divided into 

 f the C lleCt0r f * anks and running streams. The former exist 

 in considerable numbers and size above the 

 Ghats ; below the Ghats they are neither so large nor so numerous. The 

 principal rivers in the district are the Kalanuddee, Gungawutty, Yuddry, 

 and Sirawutty ; it is the last named which forms the Geirsoppa falls. 

 There are other small streams where fish are to be found, but not in such 

 numbers as in the rivers above mentioned. The Kalanuddee and Sira- 

 wutty in particular, with their deep pools and large rocks, afford a shelter 

 for fish not to be found in smaller streams. There is a general agreement 

 amongst those who have given their opinions on the subject, that the 

 rivers and nallas, and the greater number of the tanks, are the undoubt- 

 ed property of Government. Tanks have been constructed by individuals 

 at their own expense ; some are attached to temples and other religious 

 edifices ; the right of private parties to the fish therein contained would, 

 I apprehend, be admitted. But the fish in tanks constructed by Govern- 

 ment, at the public expense, are morally and legally Government property. 

 As a further proof, it is stated that Major Peyton has known in Canara, 

 when the tanks became low and likely to dry up, the tehsildars and 

 mamlutdars selling on account of Government the right of catching fish. 

 By the principles of the Jus gentium, large rivers belong to all the 

 people of the country; in other words, are the property of Government 

 which represents all the people of the country, so far as such rights are 

 concerned. Where the fund of wealth is unlimited, it is better to leave 

 the right of using it unlimited ; but where this is not the case (and it 

 is to be presumed all will admit it is not the case with river or tank 

 fisheries) , some restricting regulations are necessary. If the above state- 

 ment be correct, the sooner the Legislature takes the fisheries of this 

 district under its cognizance, the better ; not only do the fishing class of 

 natives use nets fitted to catch everything, from a quarter of an inch 

 upwards, but they continually kill by poison the whole of the fish in a pool. 

 The bark of certain trees, such as the Chapal karu, Garooda, Koorada, 

 &c., is pounded and thrown into the water ; the fish come to the surface 

 floating on their backs, and are earned off. If this practice be continued, 

 the rivers of the district will soon be swept clear of fish ; a means of 

 innocent sport for some, and of sustenance for many, will be stopped, and 

 the chance of Government ever deriving any revenue from the fisheries, 

 which, if they were protected, would be quite practicable and might be 

 desirable, will be lost. 



110. In the Ahmedabad Collector ate eight native officials have sent 

 in returns, and those who have answered the 

 first question have apparently considered the 

 " number of fishermen as the " number of 

 castes of fishermen ;" consequently it does not appear how many persons 

 following this employment would be affected by any new rules. How- 

 ever, it is evident they must be few. The Mamlutdar of Duskroee reports 

 the Mahomedans, Purdessees, Bhoees, and Boochas as the fishermen 

 which are in his district, amongst whom the Bhoees are also employed 

 as palanquin-bearers and the Boochas as grass-cutters. The local fish 

 markets are not fully supplied ; more could be sold. As regards the pro- 



