268 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



be) ; and as most herrings are sold on credit, they would, 

 consequently, be often stored at the risk and the expense 

 of the shipper, and, perhaps, in markets where that person 

 who purchased them is the only dealer. 



" When a party purchases Crown and Full branded 

 herrings at present, he is bound to receive them, if they 

 bear that brand, independent of the quality ; and our 

 courts of justice have frequently given their decision in 

 accordance with this statement, upon the ground that the 

 British Fishery Board is a Government establishment, and, 

 therefore, reliance can be placed in their impartial inspec- 

 tion and strict superintendence. 



'* Part of the present business consists of consignments 

 by the curer in Scotland, who receives an advance when 

 the herrings are shipped ; and my opinion is, that this 

 advance will cease to be given as soon as the official 

 brand is removed, as our merchants here are then unable 

 to judge what proceeds they will receive out of them when 

 sent to the interior ; and, consequently, the Scotch curer 

 must feel it seriously whenever this brand is taken away, 

 as he would not be able to embark so much capital, and 

 from him it must show its iniiuence upon the fishermen, 

 and those people connected with the fishing. 



" Norwegian herrings are not cured under the superin- 

 tendence of the Norwegian Government, and as no 

 reliance can be placed in their quality, they are seldom or 

 never sent to the interior, but are chiefly consumed here 

 and in the neighbouring provinces, from whence dealers 

 are able to proceed for an inspection ; and hence Norwegian 

 fish are generally more difficult to be sold than Scotch. 

 At some places in Norway local Boards have been 

 formed, and herrings shipped from these ports find 

 quicker sales, and are also sent to the interior. 



