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can a hundred times better serve the interests of the state than the Fish Commis- 

 sioners of the United States, who are sure to move very wisely and intelligently 

 but slowly. The United States Government could of course co-operate, but each 

 state knows best the variety of fish that can be cultivated within its borders ; 

 and speaking for myself, I should dislike very much to have the powers of the 

 fish commission of this state turned over to, or interfered with, in any way by the 

 general government. I regret that I have not more statistics to furnish this 

 assemblage in regard to the extent to which the whitefish seems to have been 

 depleted in our great lakes, but this I know, that at the very homes of the species 

 known as the brook trout, where formerly they abounded, now a trout dinner 

 will cost a dollar ; a whitefish dinner at the lake costs a dollar ; and if this is 

 a step in furnishing cheap food to the inhabitants in this State then I am mis- 

 taken. I think the commissioners in this State should turn their attention more 

 'particularly to the propagation of fish in the lakes and streams I have re- 

 ferred to, and in other streams east of Rochester on the lake shore, than to be 

 so particular in stocking lakes in the " north woods" and in other places that are 

 only accessible to the sportsman. 



I did not intend to say anything when I came here, only to listen ; I felt 

 honoured in beijig invited to come here, but the suggestion in the letter of Mr. 

 Dunning referring the matter to the general government did not meet my ap- 

 proval, and I concur with the gentleman from Michigan in that respect. 



I am obliged to you, Mr. Chairman, for the courtesy of being permitted to 

 address this meeting. 



CHAIRMAN : The chair would like to ask of Mr. Green something in regard to 

 the proper size of mesh for nets in the lakes. You have been a practical fisher- 

 man ? 



Mr. GREEN : I have. 



CHAIRMAN : What is your idea of a proper size of mesh for nets pound nets 

 and gill nets in the lakes ? 



Mr. GREEN: I do not think that in gill nets a smaller mesh should be used 

 than 2J inch bar. 



CHAIRMAN : Two and one-half bar, that makes a 5-inch. 



Mr. GREEN : Yes ; the average size, then, is three pounds or over. The smaller 

 fish go through. In regard to the pound net, if you have a large mesh a great 

 many fish would be killed. A pound net will clean out any stream, I don't care 

 where it is ; if they took the pains to separate them, took out the small fish and 

 put them back, which the fishermen will not do. I have seen boat-loads taken in, 

 and a third of them would not be marketable. 



CHAIRMAN : Which is most destructive to fishing, pound or gill nets ? 



Mr. GREEN : I think a pound net is. If a gill net is restricted to a proper 

 size mesh, the small ones will go through ; and a pound net takes from a six-inch 

 up to a sturgeon. 



It was suggested by Mr. Amsden that a time be fixed upon for visiting the 

 hatchery at Caledonia, but it was decided to leave the matter open until the 

 afternoon session. 



Mr. AMSDEN moved that this committee take a recess until two o'clock. 



Carried. 



