197 



On a review of the information and suggestions contained in 

 the foregoing memoranda, it will be seen 



i st. That the plan of entrusting to Fishery Boards the carrying 

 out of the provisions of the Scotch Salmon Acts of 1862 and 1868 

 has almost entirely failed.- 



Some of the principal rivers in Scotland, viz. the Tweed, 

 Forth, Tay, North Esk, South Esk, Dee, Don, Deveron, Ythan, 

 Findhorn, Spey, Ness, and Lochy, are under the management of 

 Fishery Boards or individual proprietors ; but apparently all the 

 rest of the Scotch salmon rivers are under no protection whatever. 



2nd. That in the Fishery Boards which exist, there is evidence 

 of want of harmonious action, on account of the diversity of 

 interests of the members ; one half of the members consisting of 

 upper proprietors, who seldom see salmon, except in close-time, 

 when they cannot legally be caught; and the other half con- 

 sisting of lower proprietors, who possess all the fishings of any 

 value. 



3rd. That almost all the Fishery Boards, apparently conscious 

 of their inability duly to carry out the provisions of the Salmon 

 Acts, suggest the appointment of Government Inspectors, not 

 only to visit the districts and assist Boards with their advice, but 

 even to exercise powers for enforcing observance of the law. 



Some of the answers sent by the Boards to the Commissioners' 

 circular, bear on the constitution of the Boards, and are deserving 

 consideration, in reference to the question whether any attempt 

 should be made to continue the existing system of Boards. By 

 the provisions of the Salmon Acts, the Boards must consist of two 

 sets of proprietors called in these Acts the upper and the lower 

 proprietors. The greatest number of each set is required to be 

 three ; and if there be less than three in either the upper or the 

 lower part of the river, the number of members on the Board 

 must then be four, viz. two of each set. Curiously enough, the 

 Boards are not allowed to elect a chairman ; nor is a chairman 

 selected for them by any one who might judge of his qualifica- 

 tions. The Act appoints as chairman the proprietor who has the 

 largest fishery rental or value in the district, ignoring altogether 

 any other test of suitability. 



