540 SALMON LEG IS LA TION IN SCOTLAND. 



The Tweed. The Tweed Fisheries Amendment Act of 1859 is 

 appointed to be read along with the Act of 1857, several 

 sections of which it repeals and re-enacts. Its chief object 

 was to alter the close time fixed by the Act of 1857, which 

 was found to be too late in commencing, though it makes 

 some minor improvements which had been shown to be 

 necessary, and it introduces a tidal close time for stake- and 

 bag-nets, and makes regulations to be observed in the use 

 of these. 



The two Acts, taken together, provide for the appoint- 

 ment of Commissioners, with certain qualifications, to 

 administer the law, and for the appointment of water 

 bailiffs and others to prevent and detect offences ; make 

 provision for collection of rates and assessments, fix ex- 

 tended limits of the mouth of the river ; fix annual and 

 weekly close times ; prohibit fixed nets and fixed engines 

 (except . within the extended limits of the entrance), the 

 use of the leister, and pollutions ; make regulations as to 

 mill-dams and caulds, hecks in mill-lades, wear shot nets, 

 stake- and bag-nets, and the management of joint fisheries ; 

 order the removal of natural obstructions and cairns ; and 

 contain similar provisions with the general Acts relating to 

 the observance of the close times ; detection and punish- 

 ment of offences ; with specification of penalties and general 

 regulations. 



In addition to its situation in two countries, the Tweed 

 is peculiar in possessing no natural estuary, and therefore, 

 if netting at the mouth were not restricted, almost every 

 fish might be intercepted in its passage into the river. 

 The limits of the mouth have consequently for a long 

 period been extended by the Legislature to compensate for 

 the want of an estuary, and not only is the entrance 

 widened on each side of the river, but the river itself is, as 



