18 Anniversary Addresfi. 



this. If Mr Richard Selby was the same man who died in 

 1660, during his oflSce as Mayor, he was probably possessed 

 of sufficient influence to have the matter hushed up. The 

 question of a close time was as burning a question then as 

 it is now, and complaints were made as to the scarcity of 

 the fish, in consequence of illegal fishing which in those 

 days seems to have been as rife as, I am sorry to say, it is 

 at present, and some of the orders written then might well 

 have been written to-day. I have extracted the following : 

 At a Head Guild, holden 6th October 1660, before Richard 

 Selby, Esq., Mayor, &c. " Forasmuch as there are several 

 good laws and statutes (1st Eliz., cap. 17th, 13 Rich. II., 11th 

 and 19th, 18 Ed. I., 1st and 47th) made, which prohibit the 

 taking of salmon in close or kipper time, and destroying or 

 taking of the spawn or young fry of fish : and for, that 

 many people, that live and reside a good way up in the 

 country, nigh unto the little rivulets, which after a while 

 running empty themselves into this river of Tweed, that do 

 at mill dams, and other places Mdiere fish run up to spawn, 

 kill the same with leisters, and, in the months of April and 

 March, catch the spawn and fry coming down naturally to 

 the sea, to receive growth and strength ; by reason that 

 there is no provision made to give to any persons that would 

 take care to prevent the same, and to get the offenders 

 punished, though there are divers that for some certain 

 annual allowance, would look to the restraining of these 

 abuses, the suffering of which, by many, is conceived to be 

 the cause that this river, these last two years, hath not 

 abounded with fish as formerly ; and for that the employing 

 of some about this affair would conduce to the public good. 

 It is, therefore, upon these considerations thought fit, and so 

 by general consent hereby ordered, that all and singular the 

 burgesses, within this Borough that do salt any salmon or 

 gilses to expose for sale, this ensuing year, or any time here- 

 after, shall pay, to the person or persons that do receive or 

 demand the town's duties, or to such person or persons as 

 the Guild shall think fit and appoint, the sum of one penny 

 a barrel, for every barrel they shall ship or sell, at or from 



