1918 Gx^ME AND FISHERIES. 7 



troduction of the neAv regulation whereby the Department reserves the right to 

 purchase twenty per cent, of the fishermen's entire catch (with the production of 

 Lakes Xipigon and Nipissing), sliould be sufficient to meet the demand for the 

 coming season. That a more popular public service has never been introduced by 

 the Government is evidenced by the hearty support given the scheme by the press 

 and public in general. 



Hatcheey. 



It is with much pleasure I can report the completion of the Normandale 

 Hatchery. It is equi])ped with a thousand jars and a competent man secured as 

 superintendent. The Department will watch with interest the result of its first 

 year's operation. The Mount Pleasant Hatchery had good results. The Depart- 

 ment was disa])})ointed in not being able to secure the required quantity of brook 

 trout eggs for this hatchery, but were successful in bringing nearly all obtained to 

 matiirity and in the fingcrling stage they were deposited in rivers and streams in the 

 different parts of the public waters of the Province, thus insuring in the course of 

 a few years a marked improvement in tlie fishing. I would strongly recommend 

 the building of a whitefish and trout hatchery in the District of Thunder Bay for 

 the restocking of Lake Nepigon and other inland waters. A long felt want will be 

 filled by the opening of Lake Xe])igon, whereby the Department will be able to 

 secure spawn from the most famous speckled trout waters in the Dominion. The 

 demand for both bass and speckled trout for restocking far exceeds the supply. 

 Great credit is due the Dominion Government for their untiring efforts in restock- 

 ing the Great Lakes and furnishing the Department in 1917 with 1,120,000 salmon 

 trout fry for the inland waters. 



Acknowledgment. 



The thanks of the Department are due to the railway and transportation com- 

 panies for their assistance in making much easier the enforcement of the laws and 

 regulations; also for the free hauling of the Government fish car during planting 

 operations, and to the officers of the companies for the courtesies extended and aid 

 rendered in facilitating the movements of the car between different points. 



The provincial police officers and the fire ranging staff continue to render very 

 efficient services to the De[)artment, especially in the northern and western portion 

 of the Province, for which I wish to thank the chief officers of these Departments. 

 I desire to extend my sincere thanks to the employees of the Department for their 

 faithful and effective services. 



It is with deep regret 1 have to report that during the past year death has re- 

 moved from our Department some of our most efficient officers. Our greatest loss 

 was in the death of the Deputy Minister, the late Mr. Alfred Sheriff. In him the 

 Province has lost a valuable servant who Avill be hard to replace. The Chief In- 

 spector, the late Mr. W. W. Holden, died last Xovember. During his term of 

 office the Department's efficiency was greatly increased. Through his death we 

 have lost a valuable officer. Through the deaths of Mr. J. II. Willmott and Mr. 

 C. N. Sterling, District Wardens, the Department has lost two faithful and efficient 

 officers. 



All of which is respectfully submitted by 



Your obedient servant, 



D. McDonald, 

 Acting Deputy Minister of Game and Fisheries. 



