PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 421 



Although the Tyne, the most seriously polluted river in the 

 kingdom, continues to be the most productive of all the Salmon 

 rivers of England and Wales, report points pretty plainly to the 

 fact that we are within measureable distance of the Salmonless 

 and almost Ashless state of the Mersey and the Thames. The 

 increase of Salmon in the Tyne used to be termed "glorious." 

 In some seasons Salmon were sold in scores at threepence per 

 pound, and big weight at the money ; but that is a thing of the 

 past. It is believed by many people that "over-fishing" and 

 "unseasonable fishing" are rapidly deteriorating the river. 

 Mr. Ridley, of "Walwick Hall, the Chairman of the Tyne Con- 

 servancy, says that the present practice is only "seeking how to 

 kill and for as long as possible," and that unless another policy 

 is adopted the Tyne Fisheries must deteriorate as well as become 

 later. 



I believe, however, that an extension of the rod-fishing in 

 the autumn can have little or no appreciable effect on the stock 

 of breeding fish. Rod-fishing is at all times uncertain, being 

 controlled by floods, storms, and ice, and at times few days are 

 available for anglers during the extended time for rods. Our 

 fishermen ask for an extension of the close time, say to the 

 15th of September, urging that it would be beneficial to many 

 of them who are poor and "unable to make ends meet;" and, 

 personally, I do not think that the fish killed during this extra 

 time would interfere with the number of Spawning fish to any 

 serious degree ; and although it must be admitted that the 

 riparian owners have an undeniable claim, the fishermen argue 

 that it is unfair to allow rod-fishers two months more than they 

 have, and it is certainly very tantalizing to the sea fishermen to 

 be compelled to cease operations, after probably a poor season, 

 when the sea is swarming with fish, waiting to run up the 

 river. But it is difficult to reconcile the interests of the net- 

 fishers on the coast and in the tideway with the interests of the 

 rod-fishers above, and any change is opposed, on the principle 

 that it is wrong to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. 



It is also urged that something should be done towards pro- 

 viding proper Spawning Beds, because anyone acquainted with 



