166 [Pi-oc. B.N.F.C., 



treated as a payment of cost of instruction, and two as a 

 repayment of boat and gear. Some of the boats are now 

 working without an instructor, and in this case the whole three 

 shares go to repay cost of boat and gear, which become the 

 property of the crew when the cost is paid off. 



Some years ago when the fishery was established the Board 

 did the curing of the herrings and sold them ; now the fishery 

 is so successful that there are many merchants on the spot 

 ready to buy and cure. These Downing's Bay herrings are 

 the finest in the world, and fetch the highest price when sold 

 in America and Germany — the two great markets for cured 

 herrings. A photograph taken in 1892 shows only two or 

 three Tory Island curraghs at the pier, selling probably cod 

 and ling. Now the Board have fifty large decked boats, and 

 almost thirty others come from Scotland every year, 

 representing a capital of £30,000 in boats and gear, while 

 many steamers are necessary to carry away the fish. 



Mr. Duthie has been located here from the initial movement, 

 and has watched the growth with the care born of enthusiasm, 

 and his hope of the future development is unabated. Before 

 departing from the station, a vote of thanks to Mr. Duthie 

 was proposed by the President, seconded by Professor Gregg 

 Wilson, and carried with acclamation. The success attendant 

 on the fisheries may be understood from the fact that " one 

 boat alone in one season earned in cash two-thirds of the 

 entire rent-roll of the peninsula." Another interesting fact 

 mentioned was that the Downing's Bay herrings on some 

 occasions were re-sold in Germany for five pounds per barrel, 

 or about one penny each, and were sold at about equal to one 

 shilling each as luxuries in the cafes. 



That the system is taking root in the minds of the native 

 fisher is shown by the fact that an up-to-date boat fully 

 equipped, costing about £300, was recently ordered by a crew 

 paying the cost in cash, all except £20. Nets are steeped in 

 cutch and afterwards treated with bichromate of potash, then 

 dipped in a mixture of coal tar and creosote, and finally 

 wrung out and dried. This is found to be the best preserva- 

 tive treatment. 



