20 3 



As in this Paper on behalf of Scotch Salmon Fisheries, the 

 appointment of inspectors has been urged, with powers similar to 

 those of the inspectors in England and Ireland, it would be wrong 

 to conclude without adverting to Mr. Eden's disapproval of having 

 separate inspectors for each division of the United Kingdom. He 

 says, at present " there are separate establishments and different 

 officials for each of the three kingdoms. But one policy, and one 

 set of men to carry it out, would tend largely to efficiency and 

 economy." He adds, that " by consolidation or amalgamation of 

 the Fishery offices, uniformity of management would be obtained." 

 (Page 639.) 



If Mr. Eden means that there should be only one set of in- 

 spectors for the whole kingdom, with offices in London, it seems 

 very doubtful whether either efficiency or economy would be thereby 

 secured. Surely inspection would be both more efficient and more 

 economical, were the officials for Ireland to reside there, with an 

 office in Dublin, and those for Scotland to reside there, with an 

 office in Edinburgh, where they would be nearer to their work. 

 " Uniformity of management," which Mr. Eden deems of im- 

 portance, could quite well be secured, by the same instructions 

 being issued by Government to each set of inspectors. 



One of the greatest disadvantages to which the Scotch fish- 

 eries and Fishery Boards are exposed, is the non-existence of any 

 inspector to visit the Fishery districts, and collect materials for 

 framing an annual report. A still greater service would be rendered 

 were Inspectors appointed with power to visit the districts and 

 attend Meetings of the Board, as ex-qffido members. 



Now that the utter failure of the Fishery Board system, and the 

 non-existence and need of an efficient inspector in Scotland has 

 been made publicly known, a heavy responsibility will lie on 

 Government if steps are not immediately taken to provide a remedy. 



There ought to be the less hesitation on the part of Government 

 to devise some measure for affording protection to the Scotch 

 Salmon Fisheries, that, during the last twenty years, owing to the 

 assiduity of the officers connected with the Woods and Forests, 

 the revenue now drawn for the Crown from these fisheries is very 

 considerable, and is every year increasing in amount. The 



