CHKONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 327 



Mitchell for his exertions in connection with this sub- 

 ject." And in the annual printed Eeport of the Chamber, 

 dated " January 1861," the above is thus referred to : — 



" At Paris, Mr J. M. Mitchell was empowered to repre- 

 sent the Chamber as to that part of the tariff applicable 

 to fish, and in the Report communicated to the Chamber, 

 shows the importance to tliis country of the reduction con- 

 ceded by the French upon the duties formerly exigible." 



As serious complaints were made from time to time 

 that illegal nets were used, particularly on the West Coast 

 of Scotland, at improper times, to take the fry and 

 inferior herrings, an Act was passed on the 13th August 

 1860, enacting — 



" Is^, The Commissioners to appoint superintendents 

 of the herring fishery, to exercise all the powers con- 

 ferred by previous Acts, except the superintending of the 

 curing and branding ; and any person obstructing such 

 ofiicers shall be liable to a penalty of L.50, or imprison- 

 ment not exceeding sixty days. 



" 2c?, Prohibits fishing herrings or fry on the West 

 Coasts of Scotland, between the points of Ardnamurchan 

 on the north and the Mull of Gralloway on the south, at 

 any time between the 1st of January and 31st of May 

 inclusive in any year, or between Cape Wrath on the 

 north and the said point of Ardnamurchan on the south, 

 at any time between the 1st of January and 20th of May 

 inclusive; and the Commissioners may, on application, 

 make resolutions and fix the periods during which it 

 shall not be lawful to take or fish herrings within any 

 other limits or locality on the coasts of Scotland ; any 

 breach of such enactment or such regulations subjects the 

 offender to a penalty of not under L.5 nor exceeding 



