442 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



see why I should not have some as well as he, and con- 

 sequently he takes some, and sells them for what he can 

 get, generally much below value, to buyers, alias receivers, 

 who frequent the markets for this purpose. This might be 

 passed over, but it thus extends to getting as many as 

 possible away in a clandestine manner in bags, oily frocks, 

 and otherwise, for the purpose of sale. If some stipulation 

 as to the quantity each man was entitled on a given catch, 

 and no more, was inserted in the agreement, a man then 

 found taking more than the quantity stipulated should be 

 liable to be fined or prosecuted ; in case of a fine it should 

 be payable as an addition to the gross earnings of the 

 vessel. It is an acknowledged evil, or owners would not 

 have' combined to endeavour to stop it, though thus far 

 without success. 



Clause 5 alludes to the regulations for maintaining 

 discipline, already referred to in dealing with the first page 

 of this agreement. 



Clause 6 states that the fish caught " should be sold," 

 which is very absurd, as no fisherman was ever known to 

 go to sea in order to give his fish away when caught. This 

 is another specimen of the happy knack the Board of Trade 

 has of making approximate laws or regulations open to 

 question on all sides. If it is meant to be any use it should 

 state whether, by auction, consignment, or private treaty, 

 or by or to whom. This should at least be defined by the 

 signatories for the sake of both owner and crew, as, if fish 

 are disposed of privately by anybody on board, there is 

 nothing in the agreement to stop it, and it would not be 

 illegal in most cases, the men standing in the light of 

 partners. Sometimes vessels run to strange ports and sell 

 their fish, sometimes they sell it at sea, as drivers do to 

 codders for bait. If a formal agreement is to be made, as 



