AMBROSE ON ST. MARGARET's BAY FISHING GROUNDS. 43 



But I may venture one more observation. I see that the motto 

 of this City is " E Mart Merccs." This being the case, one would 

 naturally expect that some little attention and encouragement would 

 be bestowed by the citizens on one great source of this wealth, viz : 

 — the Fisheries. Exhibitions of fruit and flowers are annually held 

 in this city, and liberal rewards bestowed on successful competitors. 

 This is all very well, and no doubt encourages horticulture and 

 increases the number of conservatories. But when did we ever hear 

 of a fish-show, or of prizes being offered for the best specimens of 

 fresh and ivell-cured fish ? Fishermen are expected to go on, 

 hazarding their lives and eking out a mere subsistence in hopeless 

 poverty and self-denial, almost unthought of by their superiors, 

 whilst they keep up the most lucrative branch of industry in the 

 Province ; and though Agricultural Societies are gotten up, and 

 fostered by Government, in order to encourage and teach the 

 farmer, and supply him with the best stock and implements, we 

 have yet to hear of the very first efibrt to teach or encourage the 

 poor fisherman. But if we are to see our fish-trade expand under 

 the contemplated treaties, this indifference must be shaken off, and 

 a vigorous effort made to develope a great source of wealth which 

 as yet is only in its infancy. 



Art. V. The Auriferous Deposits of Nova Scotia. By P. 

 S. Hamilton, Chief Commissioner of Mines. 



{Bead Feb. 6, 1866.) 

 In coming before the Institute this evening, with a few remarks 

 upon the " Auriferous Deposits of Nova Scotia," I must say that my 

 selection of a topic has been rather an acquiescence in the expressed 

 wishes of others, than a deliberate choice of my own. I say this 

 because of the difficulties Avhich, according to what knowledge I 

 have been able to gather, beset the scientific aspects of the subject ; 

 and which utterly preclude my producing a paper satisfactory to 

 myself. I will therefore be brief and confine myself to the state- 

 ment of a few facts upon the extent of the Nova Scotian Gold 

 Fields, and the distribution of gold therein, and upon some geologi- 

 cal and raineralogical phenomena connected with their deposits. 



