224 APPENDIX. 



With this recommendation the Government has 

 not hitherto seen fit to comply ; and the Com- 

 missioners have every reason to believe that, in 

 the absence of all effective protection, many 

 Salmon have been destroyed, and the continued 

 stocking of the Derwent so far retarded. 



They have no means of discovering to what 

 extent seines have been milawfuUy used in the 

 numerous bays below Bridgewater, where it is well 

 known the Salmon abound ; but in the immunity 

 from detection and punishment which now exists 

 the facilities for the use of nets over that wide area 

 of the Derwent, together with the high prices which 

 are readily given for any of the three species of the 

 Salmonida that have been introduced into the 

 colony, there can be no doubt that poaching has 

 already been extensively practised, and will be 

 speedily extended unless better means of protection 

 are provided. It is well known to the Commis- 

 sioners that, in numerous instances, these fish 

 have been sold at the rate of 5s. a pound, and that 

 a keen competition always exists for them amongst 

 hotel-keepers and others. 



The great aim of the Commissioners will now be 

 to procure a supply of ova from the Salmon in the 

 Derwent, for the purpose of their further propaga- 

 tion, and the stocking of the many other streams 

 in the colony which are admirably fitted to be the 



