SALMON BREEDING. 69 



of exterminating too large a proportion of the stock 

 of breeding fish ; the subject is placed under the care 

 of the Fishery Commissioners. Water-bailiffs are 

 appointed to traverse the banks of rivers, to examine 

 fishing weirs, dams, engines, &c., to enforce the ob- 

 servance of the annual and weekly close time, by 

 removing the obstructions and seizing the nets and 

 engines illegally used ; they are also empowered to 

 seize foul fish during the annual close time season, 

 and all fish passes, weirs, and the Queen's gaps must 

 be open to their inspection. They have the general 

 powers of the coastguard, and constabulary in Ireland, 

 and are a most valuable acquisition to all the fisheries 

 of the country. 



G 2 



