Ixxii 



properly preserved, are susceptible of becoming- an important, because 

 abundant, cheap, and wholesome article of food. Is the present plan of 

 non-interference likely to ensure to future generations the fullest possible 

 supply of this food staple ? Is it even such as to ensure their inheriting 

 a supply equal to that which now exists ? The Governor General in 

 Council apprehends that both these questions must be answered in the 

 negative: and that not only is there no prospect, as matters now stand, of 

 an increased supply hereafter, but that, owing to the absence of precau- 

 tionary measures and reasonable restrictions, the existing supply is dimi- 

 nishing. His Excellency in Council believes, on the other hand, that it 

 would be possible, by the adoption of such measures and restrictions, to 

 increase the supply very largely in a few years. If this be so, it would 

 clearly be the duty of the State to take the necessary measures/''] 



146. The Revenue Board continue " they think that they cannot 

 now but recommend Government to prepare a 



Proposal for draft fishery Act. draft Act, drawn in accordance with the spirit 



and provision of the Land Acquisition Act, 



X of 1870, to enable them to undertake the conservancy of all waters 

 to which its provisions may be extended, with due provision for inviting 

 and deciding counter-claims and rights by the Collector or Courts, and 

 for compensating the owners of such rights or easements where such 

 rights are interfered with or resumed/'' The Board proposed the Act 

 should contain provision that tanks and streams not perennial be free [ a 

 provision strongly to be deprecated, as most of the Madras rivers are 

 so, more especially as the Board suggest only prohibiting traps in rivers 

 declared to be taken under Government conservancy, but permitting 

 every species of poaching (except damming and poisoning) in fields, 

 minor channels, and ponds.] That in rivers and tidal estuaries it shall be 

 declared lawful for Government to levy a tax on fisheries in such waters, 

 either in the form of rent, or of fees on implements of fishery; the col- 

 lection of such fees to be kept directly under the management of Gov- 

 ernment or farmed out. That poisoning of waters for the purpose of 

 catching fish, and the pollution of waters by the refuse of coffee-pulpers 

 and other deleterious works be interdicted under heavy penalties. That 

 the minimum size of the mesh of nets be defined by law at two inches in 

 circumference in fresh waters, and that immature fish, the description and 

 size of which are to be determined and notified by Government, captured are 

 to be returned to the water under penalty. That the interruption by dams 

 and traps of the entire waterway of public rivers, and the use of cruives 

 and the like devices be prohibited in rivers declared to be taken under 

 Government conservancy. That no interference is intended or to be 

 permitted with the existing rights of the people to catching and retain- 

 ing fish in their own fields, minor channels, and ponds, but that it shall 

 be lawful for the officers entrusted by law with the conservancy of fish- 

 eries, to insert gratings in the head of any channels leading to such fields. 

 That rod and line-angling be untaxed. That a separate fishery depart- 

 ment be constituted under the Board, who suggest that all rents derived 

 from fisheries should for the present constitute a fund for the protection 

 and improvement of this industry. These now amount, on the average of 

 five years, to Rs. 80,000, with a steady upward tendency. It must be 

 borne in mind that, practically, nothing is credited under this head in the 



