APPENDIX 285 



plea of irrigation purposes. It is at present under the statute 

 law illegal to stop the running of salmon, and this appears to 

 be a case in which the law should be enforced, as the salmon 

 are thus practically stopped, and are not permitted to ascend 

 in any quantities above Nursling until the rod season is over, 

 and the salmon rod fishermen above suffer as a consequence. 



The newly appointed Hampshire Fishery Board, if influenced 

 by a competent, independent and uninterested public policy, 

 will endeavour to protect the salmon fishermen on the upper 

 part of the river from the action of those on the lower reaches, 

 and will equally endeavour to protect the trout fishermen 

 above, if permitted by law to do so. 



The bailiffs of the Board have, in virtue of their office, the 

 freedom of exercising the most unrestricted vigilance, and, 

 if honest and determined men, will, so far as they are sufficient 

 in number, fulfil their duties. Prejudicial obstruction to the 

 ascent of salmon would possibly become a thing of the past, as 

 hatches, fishing, premises, and methods, would be liable to the 

 unexpected visitation of the bailiff. 



Now, the unchecked ascent of the salmon from the tidal 

 waters will no doubt improve the position of the salmon 

 fishing waters below Mottisfont, but it may do more : it may 

 seriously affect the trout water above. 



If the salmon obstructions are cleared away, salmon will 

 undoubtedly run up in additional numbers ; if they do so, it 

 will mean a possible danger to the trout stream. 



At present the statute forbids any stopping of salmon 

 when running, and if, which is possible, the salmon increase 

 in numbers and threaten to ruin the upper water of a trout 

 stream, no legal remedies can at present be taken. If the law 

 be locally altered under the advice of the Board, and a reason- 

 able understanding be arrived at by all riparian owners, 

 security could be given to the trout waters by the erection of 

 weirs below Mottisfont. 



Owing to the limited number of fish which now come into 

 the river and the splendid reaches of spawning-ground between 



