xxij 



was largely and influentially attended, and at which it was 

 unanimously resolved to substitute the 8-inch for the 7-inch gauge 

 for lobsters. The Norfolk Act must, therefore, under any cir- 

 cumstances, be amended in this respect. It is, however, evidently 

 desirable that the whole country should be placed under one law; 

 and we therefore recommend that the Norfolk Act should be 

 repealed, and that any of its provisions (such as the institution 

 of a local close season for lobsters) which it may be desirable to 

 retain, should be re-enacted in the new Act. 



It is satisfactory to us to be able to state that the local Norfolk 

 Act of last Session has given considerable satisfaction both to the 

 fishermen and generally in the neighbourhood. The gauge of 

 4 J inches for crabs appears to be well adapted to the coast of 

 Norfolk, and the fishermen wish no alteration to be made in it. 



The purport of the whole is as follows : — Recapitulation. 



I. It should be illegal to buy, sell, or offer or expose for sale, 

 or have in possession for sale — 



1. Lobsters under, either, 8 inches in length or under 4 inches 



in the barrel, except in the county of Sussex. 



2. Lobsters under 7 inches in length, in the county of Sussex. 



3. Crabs under 5 inches across the back, except in the 



counties of Northumberland, Durham, York, Lincoln, 

 Norfolk, and Suffolk. 



4. Crabs under 4J inches across the back in those six 



counties. 



5. Crabs with berries under the apron. 



6. Soft crabs. 



II. The officers of the Fishmongers' Company should be ex- 

 pressly empowered to carry out the legislation in Billingsgate. 



III. The Secretary of State should have power to institute, after 

 inquiry, local close seasons for crabs and lobsters in any counties 

 or parts of counties. 



All of which we submit for the consideration and approval of 

 the Secretary of State. 



We have the honour to be, Sir, 



Your obedient servants, 



Fkank Buckland. 

 S. Walpole. 

 The Right Hon. the Secretary of State, 

 Home Office. 



