SALMON LEGISLA TION IN SCOTLAND. 527 



University (which was published in the newspapers), 

 in compliance with a remit to him by the Court of 

 Session in the action by the riparian proprietors on the 

 Tweed against the Galashiels manufacturers. A method 

 of treating the polluted discharges is therein pointed out, 

 which Professor Crum-Brown states would so purify them 

 as to render them harmless, and the cost of which would 

 not be too great if shared by all. But there is no lack of 

 methods * if the manufacturers will only adopt them, and if 

 they will not do so spontaneously, then the law must step in. 

 Of course, this question is of too much importance to the 

 community at large to be entirely disposed of in a Salmon 

 Act. There must be an Act solely dealing with the whole 

 subject of pollution in all its bearings, and that in no half- 

 hearted manner. But, notwithstanding the urgency of the 

 situation, it may take a long time to carry such a measure, 

 because the influence and opposition of a large number of 

 manufacturers, which smothered the Lord Advocate's Pol- 

 lution Bill of 1864, and have stood in the way, more or less 

 effectually, of all legislation on the subject, may be ex- 

 pected to step in again and at least delay the issue. 

 Therefore, any new Salmon Act should contain stringent 

 pollution clauses, and give powers to district boards and 

 inspector to deal with the matter in a way that will be 

 effectual. Very heavy penalties should be enacted, and 

 where there is good ground for suspicion, as shown by 

 samples of water, dead fish, or absence of life generally, the 

 onus should be laid on the manufacturers to prove that the 

 water was not polluted to an extent injurious to fish life, 

 or rendered unfit for primary purposes, and if the offence is 

 repeated, in addition to increased penalties, power should 

 be given to cut off the water supply altogether. For per- 

 * See Report of Rivers Pollution Commissioners, p. 13. 



