236 THE FISHER Y LA IVS. 



board, to vary the regulations as to close time and other- 

 wise. Fishing in close time, 1 obstructing the passage 

 of salmon, using illegal instruments, and the like, are 

 specifically forbidden by the same Act. The prohibitions 

 and penalties are, as far as they go, so like those of the 

 English Acts, though they are not identical, that it seems 

 needless to give them in detail. In the matter of fixed 

 engines they are a long way behind the English rules, 

 and grave complaint is still made in Scotland of the 

 inadequacy of the law as it stands. 



The border rivers Tweed and Esk formerly occasioned 

 much petty contention between the two kingdoms : for 

 some time the Tweed was carefully excepted from the 

 rules laid down by Acts of the Scots Parliament, who 

 thought it hard that if Englishmen were free to pursue 

 salmon poaching on their own side of the Tweed the 

 dwellers on the Scottish bank should not have their share. 

 At present the Tweed is under special statutes of its own, 

 and the Esk is by the Act of 1865 annexed to England 

 for the purposes of the Salmon Fishery Acts. 



By an Act of last session 2 a Fishery Board was es- 

 tablished for Scotland, consisting of three sheriffs selected 

 and six other members appointed by the Crown. They 

 have the general superintendence of the salmon fisheries of 

 Scotland (as well as the herring fishery, of which presently), 

 and may exercise the powers given by the former Acts to 

 Commissioners. The Home Office is authorised to appoint 



1 There is a curious little reservation in s. 15, sub-s. 2. It is an 

 offence to fish for salmon during the weekly close time, except during 

 Saturday or Monday by rod and line. We can hardly suppose that 

 angling on Sunday is thought specially injurious to the fishery at times 

 of year when it is harmless on Saturday and Monday ; the only con- 

 clusion therefore seems to be that angling on Sunday is prohibited as 

 being wicked in itself. s 45 & 46 Viet. c. 78. 



