Kingdom, and this trade is rapidly increasing in importance, according to the 



following returns : — 



Tear. Number. Value. 



1876 No returns. 



1875 400,000 ,£8,889 



1874 365,518 8,122 



1873. 209,099* 4,356 



1872 207,299 3,111 



Further details respecting the lobster fishery in Norway will be found in 

 Vice-Consul Crowe's Report on the fisheries for the year 1875. 



The oyster fishery, which was carried on along the whole Norwegian coast, 

 and formerly with profitable results, has fallen off so considerably of late years 

 as to be no longer considered of any value. 



No laws relative to the crab fishery have as yet been passed by the Nor- 

 wegian Parliament. 



I have, &c. 

 (Signed) Henry M. Jones, 

 Consul General. 

 The Right Honourable the Earl of Derby, &c, &c. 



ENCLOSURE. 



Translation. 



Law for the Preservation of Lobsters. 

 Malmo, June 29th, 1848. 

 We, Oscar, by the Grace of God, King of Norway and Sweden, &c, &c. 

 Make known, that before us has been laid the resolution passed by the 

 present assembled Storthing on the 9th May this year, to the effect following : — 



1. It is prohibited to catch or sell lobsters between the 15th of July and the 

 end of the following September. 



2. The term of the above prohibition can be limited in different districts by 

 the King's authority. Application to this effect must be sent through the 

 local officers of such district. The prohibition must, however, in every case 

 be enforced during the whole of the month of August. 



3. Any person taking or selling lobsters during the period prohibited 

 according to paragraphs 1 and 2, will be liable to a penalty of 24 skillingsf 

 for each lobster illegally sold or caught. 



4. Cases arising from violations of the above regulations will be judged by 

 the police courts. Whenever anyone is denounced for such offence the police 

 or county magistrate is to inquire if the offender agree to pay the fine, the 

 amount of the same being notified to him at the time by said official -, if 

 so, the said fine shall, in the event of his being unable to pay, be recovered 

 by execution. If, on the other hand, he deny the charge, and refuse to 

 pay the fine, the said official shall duly investigate the charge and try it 

 before the Court. 



The fines recovered will be divided equally between the informer and the 

 local Poor Board. 



5. From eight days after the commencement of the prohibited term until 

 eight days after the expiration of the same, it is likewise prohibited to export 

 lobsters to foreign countries. Infringements of or attempts to infringe the 

 above regulations will be punished in accordance with the Customs law of the 

 26th September 1845, on the subject of smuggling prohibited goods. 



6. This law will come into force on the 1st January next year. 



As we have accepted and confirmed, so do we now accept and confirm this 

 as a law. 



Given at Malmo, 29th June 1848. Under our hand and Seal of the 

 Realm. 



Oscar. (l.s.) 



* Sic in original : but there is apparently an error in copying ; the figures should be 294,099; 

 Vide Report (England and Wales), p. XIV. ante. 

 t (10id.) 



