I OO AMERICAN 



around his said dam, upon the payment by said proprietor to the 

 treasurer of the Commonwealth of such a sum of money as said com- 

 missioners shall deem reasonable, and a copy of any such contract, 

 attested by said commissioners, shall be filed in the office of the 

 secretary of the Commonwealth. 



SECT. 10. Said commissioners shall have power to contract with 

 the Essex Company for the construction of the fish-way prescribed 

 by said commissioners over the dam of said company, at Lawrence, 

 by said company, at an expense to the Commonwealth not exceeding 

 seven thousand dollars, the said Essex Company to pay the expense 

 of such building over and above the said amount so to be paid by 

 the Commonwealth. 



SECT. 11. The compensation of each of said commissioners shall 

 be determined by the governor and council. 



SECT. 12. The commissioners appointed under this act shall have 

 power to construct, or to contract for the construction of, such ap- 

 pliances and structures as they may think essential or useful for the 

 passage of the fish herein named up and down said rivers, and for 

 their protection in such passage. 



SECT. 13. Said commissioners may in their discretion delay the 

 definite construction of fish-ways on the Connecticut river, until they 

 shall be satisfied that such legislation has been adopted by the state 

 of Connecticut as shall in their opinion be necessary to secure the 

 free passage of the fish above named through the part of said river 

 running through said state of Connecticut. 



SECT. 14. There shall be appropriated and paid by the treasury 

 of the Commonwealth a sum not exceeding seven thousand dollars, 

 to defray the expenses of the commissioners herein created and of 

 constructing the fishways herein provided for. 



SECT. 15. Any person who shall neglect or refuse to keep open 

 or maintain any fish-way at the times prescribed by the commissioners 

 under this act, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars for each day's 

 neglect or refusal so to keep open or maintain said fish-ways, to be 

 recovered by indictment in the county where said dam, or a part 

 thereof, is situated, one-half thereof to the use of the complainant 

 and the other half to the use of the Commonwealth. 



SECT. 16. This act shall take effect upon its passage. [Approved 

 May 15, 1866. 



[CHAP. 249.] 



An Act for the protection of Trout and Black Bass. 

 Be it euacted, 8fc., as follows: 



SECT. 1. Whoever takes or catches any trout in any rivers, 

 streams, or ponds, between the twentieth day of September and the 

 twentieth day of March, or within the time aforesaid sells, buys, or 

 has in his possession any trout so taken within this State, shall for- 

 feit one dollar for each trout so caught or taken, sold, bought, or had 

 in possession. 



