35 



escaped, and if a slight frost came on, the fish were hardened and 

 made quite an excellent food; but there was, no doubt, considerable 

 waste in some seasons owing to warm weather, so that the 'hung' 

 fish became tainted, and often useless for food. These fish were sold 

 in, large quantities to the Hudson's Bay Company's stores by the 

 Indians, who, it is stated, during the winter months often repurch- 

 ased them at considerably enhanced prices. There is now no necessity 

 for this procedure, or for the preparation of 'hung' fish generally. 

 An Indian provided with a net canj fish through the ice as readily as 

 the white man and obtain at any time sufficient fish to supply his 

 actual domestic needs. It would certainly be a hardship to deprive 

 either the Indian or the settler of this free permission to obtain the 

 limited quantity of fish which is needed for strictly food purposes: 

 Hence, we recommend the issue of a free permit to Indians and to 

 white settlers; but we do not favour the continuance of the pro- 

 vision that waters may be set aside for the exclusive use of Indians 

 or that licenses be granted to bandsi of Indians. 



It will be noticed that in our recommendations we have sug- 

 gested the reduction of the fee for jackfish nets and fish hooks and 

 small gear which are mainly used by the Indians, Half-breeds and by 

 the resident settlers for a comparatively limited fishing, limited both 

 as regards amount of gear used and as to the length of time in 

 which the fishing is carried on each season. 



AMPLE NOTICE ' OP CHANGE OF REGULATIONS NECESSARY. 



As will be seen from the statements on the preceding pages of 

 this report, the regulations for the province of Manitoba have been 

 lepeatedly amended and changed, and some of these amendments 

 have been made at very short notice, so that there has arisen con- 

 siderable complaint that losses and much dislocation of the fish busi- 

 ness have arisen owing to these sudden and unexpected amendments Inconveniences of 

 to the regulations. We think this complaint is a very important ^e < law. ChangeS ^ 

 one, and one which the department should most carefully consider, 

 so that in any changes contemplated in the regulations at any time, 

 there should be ample notice given to the fishermen and to the fish 

 firms, in order that they may prepare for any such contemplated 

 changes. Thus, if it appears necessary to at any time make changes 

 affecting the winter fishing anld the fall and summer fishing, notice 

 should at the latest be given on a date at leaist six months preceding gj x mon ths notice 

 the carrying out of any such change or changes. Such ample notice before changing the 

 is absolutely necessary in view of the fact that the nets are manu- ^^^ 

 factured in Scotland, and that an^y changes affecting the nets and 

 gear involve the ordering of new nets from the Scottish manufac- 

 turers, consequently ample notice should be given to all parties 

 interested. 



LOWERING OF LAKE DAUPHIN. 



When the commission took evidence at Dauphin, a matter was 

 brought before it having reference to the desire on the part of the 

 settlers around the lake that means ought to be taken for lowering 

 the water in order to facilitate the gathering in of the hay crop. 

 Many of these settlers rely largely on their crop of hay for their Lake Dauphir. 

 living, and, when the lake is high the meadows are overflowed, so n ' 

 that great quantities of fish, especially jackfish are scattered over 



