THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 243 



the King, elsewhere noticed, in close proximity to it 

 (p. 126). 



In March 1822, a special committee reported on 

 the Statistical Surveys, and on Mr. Fraser's book on 

 Fisheries. The committee was of opinion that great 

 results would accrue from the action of the Board of 

 Fisheries in undertaking surveys, plans, and estimates 

 of harbours at fishing stations round the coast. A 

 statistical survey of the coast, with harbour charts, 

 was very necessary, and Mr. Fraser should be asked 

 to undertake it, so as to point out to the Government 

 the best means of improving the coast. It further 

 reported that there was a great deficiency of harbours, 

 which was injurious both to fishermen and trade. 



In the year 1822 — a very troubled one in Ireland — 

 considerable distress existed in the south and west, 

 which the Society was most anxious to relieve, and it 

 was in contemplation to appropriate the admission fees 

 during the year to this object. An amendment, how- 

 ever, was carried, that premiums up to ^500 should 

 be offered to those who within three months afforded 

 most extensive employment to the poor in the southern 

 and western counties, which was subsequently negatived. 

 The mining engineer was appointed by the Lord 

 Lieutenant to lay out roads in the coal districts, so as 

 to give employment in the distress then prevalent. 



As a means of affording permanent employment, 

 the Society turned its attention to the culture of 

 hemp. Home-grown hemp was recommended as 

 helping for sails, cordage, and netting, and it was said 

 that there would be a never-failing home market for 

 fish. It was calculated that every vessel of 30 tons 

 would require on board 10,000 square yards of netting, 

 made from hemp. 



Then the subject of timber was taken up, and the 



