MONTANA STATE FISH COMMISSION. 29 



majority of the Commission went to Flathead County and 

 selected what appeared to be the most desirable one of the 

 man}- offered, leaving the task of acquirino- title to the land and 

 water right to the citizens of the County. Later the Com- 

 mission was notified that a purchase of the selected site could 

 not be made at any price within the means of the people ; 

 whereupon, and later in the same year, another site was 

 selected about ten miles north of the city of Kalispell. This 

 site seemed most favorably located and had an ample supply 

 of water, but subsequent investigation disclosed that the land 

 upon which the hatchery must be built to use the water with 

 its natural flow, would he below high- water level during spring 

 floods, — hence the site was abancjoned. Later several sites 

 along and near the shore of Flathead Lake were offered, and 

 after an examination of them a choice was made of a tract of 

 land on the Cramer farm, about one and a half miles south of 

 the town of So.mers. on the shore of Flathead Lake. The 

 Commission believes this to be the best available point, be- 

 cause of its proximity to a railroad, — the abundance of water 

 of even temperature from a natural spring, and ease of access 

 both by rail and water. 



Plans for the building were prepared for and accepted 'by the 

 Commission, and after the proper advertising, bids for the con- 

 struction of the hatchery were accepted and at the present time 

 the building is nearly completed, and will soon be ready for 

 use. It is hoped and expected that eggs will be hatched dur- 

 ing the present winter. 



Complaint having been made that the funds appropriated for 

 the .maintenance of the hatchery at Anaconda were not being 

 properly used, a meeting of the Commission was called to meet 

 at Anaconda for the purpose of investigating the matter. The 

 State Examiner appeared by one of his deputies, and from 

 statements made and accounts presented it appeared that 

 money was being improperly paid to and used by the Super- 

 intendent of the hatchery at Anaconda, but after listening- to 

 the explanation made by the Superintendent, we were unable 

 to determine whether the money had been misapplied through 

 faulty accounting on the part of the Superintendent, or with 

 dishonest motives. A report was made embodying the find- 

 ings of the Commission and forwarded to the Attorney Gen- 

 eral ; whereupon the Superintendent was relieved from dutv. 



