SCO TTISH LA W. 235 



the annual Mutiny Act an odd clause for the better preser- 

 vation of game and fish in places where officers were 

 quartered, it being supposed, apparently, that officers were 

 more likely than other persons to take game and fish 

 without leave. This was dropped in the general revision 

 of military law which took place in 1879 and 1 88 1, pre- 

 sumably because the security of the ordinary law is now 

 enough. 



5. Law of Scotland as to Freshwater Fisheries. 



Scotland is under a system of statutory regulation of 

 the same general kind as the English Acts, which is less 

 complicated and minute, but is pronounced by those who 

 have watched its working to be also less efficient. The 

 leading modern Act on Scotch salmon fisheries was passed 

 in 1862. Under it a board of three Commissioners was 

 formed, with power to fix a district for each river, determine 

 close time, and make other general rules. District boards 

 are elected by the fishery proprietors with voting power 

 according to value, the largest fishery owner in the district 

 being ex officio a member and chairman ; their functions 

 are more limited and purely ministerial than those of 

 conservators in England. 1 It appears that this system 

 fails to provide good working boards, though in particular 

 cases it may furnish an energetic landowner with useful 

 powers. The Duke of Sutherland, it is stated, constitutes 

 in his own person the district boards for several rivers. 

 In i868 2 further provisions were made for the appoint- 

 ment and proceedings of district boards, and the Home 

 Office was empowered, on the application of a district 



1 25 & 26 Viet. c. 97, ss. 1 8, 22, &c. 



2 31 & 32 Viet. c. 123. 



