REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS 
HELD AT HAMILTON, ONT., DEC. 81H, 1891. 
The final meeting of the International Fish and Game Convention was held 
in the City Council chamber at Hamilton, Ontario, on the afternoon of December 
8th, 1891. In the absence of the Hon. R. B. Roosevelt, of New York, Senator Mc- 
Naughton, of Rochester, was elected chairman. ‘There were present at the meet- 
ing: Hon. Senator McNaughton, Frank J. Amsden, Rochester. N. Y.; Geo. 
Skinner, Clayton, N. Y.; Dr. H. M. Smith, United States Fish Commissioner, 
Washington, D. C.; Hon. Herschel Whitaker, President of the Michigan Fish 
Commission; J. H. Wilmott, Beaumaris, Muskoka; Dr. MacCallum, Dunnville, 
Ont.,and A. D. Stewart and R, A. Lueas, Hamilton, Ontario Fish and Game Com- 
missioners. 
On taking the chair Senator McNAUGHTON said: “I thank you, gentlemen, 
for this unexpected honour. I am confident that I voice the feelings of every 
gentleman present, when I say- that it is a matter of great regret that Mr. Robert 
Roosevelt, the permanent president of your association, is not present, and it is 
also a great loss to us that Gen. Sherman and Judge Whittaker, of Albany, are 
absent. Very much is due to Gen. Sherman for his intelligent efforts in the pro- 
motion ot the objects of this association at Rochester, and I am sure Judge 
Whittaker would have added much to the interest of the proceedings if he were 
here, as he was a member of the committee of the State of New York that codi- 
fied the Fish and Game laws. I am glad we have Dr. Smith, of Washingston, with 
us, and think the meeting should in some way show its appreciation of his ~ 
presence by a vote of thanks before adjourning, because his duties are such, that 
I am sure it is with extreme difficulty that he meets with us at this time. 
Being a member of the United States fish commission, his heart is right in the 
work before us, and I feel that much credit is due him for honouring us with his 
presence to-day. , 
The motives actuating me in being present at this meeting are, first, to show 
my appreciation of the invitation of the president, Mr. Roosevelt, supplemented 
by the personal request of your genial secretary, Mr. Stewart, and I thought 
it would be very discourteous after receiving the pleasant letter from your 
secretary if I should not make a great effort to meet with you to-day. I was 
also anxious to meet in this beautiful and prosperous city, those who are 
interested in the great question that has brought us together. The second 
motive that induced me to come, was to testify by my personal presence to the 
interest I have in the question under discussion to-day, and other matters 
connected therewith, which will be brought before you. And what I have to 
say, I desire to be interpreted as a pledge and earnest that in every way 
that is possible I will unite with you gentlemen in securing such legislation as is 
necessary, to secure reciprocal laws between Canada and the states bordering 
on the great lakes, for the preservation and protection of fish and game. The 
meeting at Rochester awakened great interest in this subject, and 1 am 
confident it resulted in very great good, The comments which I have 
heard and read on the proceedings at that meeting have been favourable. I 
have yet to see or hear adverse criticism on the action taken; on the con- 
trary the suggestions were approved, and I believe the platform laid 
down there will be one of great value, not only to the state of New 
York and Canada, but to the other states bordering on the lakes, 
for I believe it is a subject that is paramount in importance among 
the economical questions of the day. I approve of the tone and scope of the 
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