SALMON LEG IS LA TION IN SCOTLAND. 535 



pulsory registration of all owners and tacksmen of fishings 

 were enacted, this plan would simply be an offshoot of that 

 system, and it would not be found difficult to carry out in 

 practice. Poachers are almost always well known to the 

 watchers and police, and special attention could be paid to 

 their movements. Any legal dealer who might be disposed 

 to assist the poachers might be subjected to such a heavy 

 penalty as not to make it worth his while to run the risk. 

 Adopt what precautions one may, however, the law will 

 be evaded in some cases, but the risk of detection and the 

 severity of punishment can at any rate be augmented. 

 The absence of district boards in so many districts of 

 course tends to leave poachers in comparative freedom, 

 but the appointment of an inspector may of itself be 

 expected to yield some result for the better, while a re- 

 construction of the system on which boards are constituted, 

 and the institution of licences instead of assessment as a 

 means of obtaining funds, would probably secure the 

 formation of these where now wanting. Under their 

 government, combined with increased facilities afforded 

 for the co-operation of the police, the poachers would soon 

 find it a little more difficult to carry on their nefarious 

 practices. 



It is difficult to see why there should be any difference 

 in the law relating to poaching salmon and that relating to 

 poaching game. Yet there is a great difference. The 

 latter offence is punished by three months' imprisonment 

 without the option of a fine, which may be increased on 

 failing to find caution, and, on a third offence, five or seven 

 years' penal servitude must be given. For salmon poach- 

 ing, on the contrary, a fine of ten shillings may be imposed, 

 and can never be increased to more than five pounds, 

 though increased twenty times. Imprisonment is only 



