230 



to Mr. Wheeldon's remarks about the swans, there were 

 only three and a-half swans per mile between Richmond 

 and Staines bridge, and he did not think that was a very 

 great excess. They might do some harm of course, as 

 they always would. He looked forward to the time when 

 there would be a society formed, when their own keepers 

 would have authority from the Conservancy to watch and 

 see the boats and launches maintained a fair speed only. He 

 remembered a good many years ago fishing in some splen- 

 did waters about five miles from Nuneaton, some hundreds 

 of acres altogether, and saw there lots of small fish which 

 had been taken out with the net lying on the bank dead. 

 It was simply murder, because if that water had been pre- 

 served, it would have been a source of pleasure to thou- 

 sands. He only wished he had that water under his control. 

 If this Paper could be made more public, and the lessons 

 it contained impressed on the minds of those who owned 

 the waters, what a grand thing it would be. He had no 

 hesitation in saying that he could make it pay splendidly, 

 simply by charging a small sum for the privilege of fishing, 

 dealing fairly with people, and laying down proper 

 regulations. 



Mr. GEEN had also listened with great pleasure to the 

 Paper ; but could not help expressing regret that it did not 

 lead up to some practical issue. No doubt it was Mr. 

 Marston's intention and desire that the discussion should 

 lead to some resolution which would bear fruit, otherwise 

 it would be like many other meetings of anglers, which left 

 the question precisely where they found it. The first 

 thing was, whether it was desirable to cultivate coarse 

 fish. If it was, the next question arose, was it possible ; 

 and thirdly, if it was desirable and possible, what were 

 the most practicable means of carrying it out. He did 



