198 COUNTY COUNCILS 



having no interests in common with the riparian 

 owners or those interested in the welfare of the river 

 and in the continuance of sport, the latter interests are 

 neglected and the river suffers. 



Much good has been done, and far more good would 

 follow if the elected of the County Council on these 

 Boards were in all cases men who were selected because 

 of their knowledge of the subject, and not owing to 

 political considerations, and it would be of considerable 

 value if the ex-officio members could be induced to take 

 a more active part in matters which should concern 

 themselves. 



It is for these Boards to move in the matter of the 

 interests confided to them. No local authority could 

 be more useful, no influence so important ; and, great 

 as is the good which they have already accomplished, 

 much more remains to be done. Unfortunately, when 

 it comes to voting on such questions as the close time, 

 the appointment of additional bailiffs, the cheapening 

 of licences, the elected members on some of the Boards 

 appear to think more of vote-catching than of the 

 true interests of the salmon and trout rivers which 

 they control. I was told by the late chairman of a 

 well-known Board of Conservators that on one of the 

 Welsh rivers, and one which has been greatly improved 

 of late years, most of the elected members on the 

 Board are dead against having any water-bailiffs at 

 all during the spawning season. 



This from those who control the rivers in a country 

 where poaching and illegal fishing flourish seems 



