CONSER VA TORS. 233 



definite meaning was attached by Parliament to the 

 term "common rights of fishing" which is used in the 

 Act. 



A Board of Conservators, being duly constituted, may 

 appoint water bailiffs, issue fishing licences, acquire dams, 

 weirs, and fixed engines for the purpose of removing them, 

 take legal proceedings against offending persons, and 

 generally supervise and protect the fisheries in their 

 district, 1 and expend funds in their hands in the improve- 

 ment of them in any lawful manner. 2 Water-bailiffs 

 appointed by the conservators have extensive powers of 

 search, and the same privileges and protection as constables 

 in the execution of their office. 3 They may also, with 

 special authority from a magistrate or the conservators, 

 enter on private grounds to detect or prevent breaches of 

 the law. 4 Any one authorised in writing by the conser- 

 vators may also enter upon lands to inspect weirs and other 

 obstructions. 5 Conservators may also make by-laws as to 

 sundry matters of detail (which for the most part have 

 been incidentally mentioned in their places), subject to 

 confirmation by the Home Office. 6 The by-laws must be 

 printed and published, and every one taking out a fishing- 

 licence is entitled to a copy. 7 



Penalties under the Salmon Fishery Acts are enforceable 

 by proceedings before Justices according to the directions 

 of the Summary Jurisdiction Acts. 8 Besides these general 

 Acts, there are special Acts of Parliament regulating the 

 fisheries of divers rivers and districts ; the chief rivers 



1 1865, s. 27 ; as to the conditions of licences, 1873, ss. 21, 24, 25, 57. 



2 1873, S. 23. 8 1873, S. 36. 



4 1865, s. 31 ; 1873, s. 37. 6 1873, s. 56. 



6 1873, s. 39, &c. 7 1873, s. 43. 



8 1873, s. 62. 



