85 



atound the shore and in this river are very considerable, 

 and vast quantities of salmon-trout and other fish are 

 taken. 



Cfreat and Little Metis. — Within this district are exten- 

 sive fisheries for the salmon and other fish. I have been 

 told that formerly the salmon were so numerous that 

 they were literally killed with sticks. I can -well believe 

 it ; for I have known that when the course' of a river, 

 where salmon were wont to congregate, was partially cut 

 ofii the poor creatures in the run up actually floundered amid 

 the water, which was insuflBoient for them to swim in, and 

 were captured by the dozen, by blows from poles, sticks, 

 and stones. This district is greatly indebted to the enter- 

 prise of Mr. McNider, who did much to advance the 

 interests of settlers in this place. 



The other rivers in this district are the Tartigo, Blanche, 

 Matanne, and Chatte. There are valuable salmon fisheries 

 on all these rivers and in the vicinity. They are worthy 

 of encouragement, and might produce very considerable 

 advantages to the inhabitants. The average price of 

 salmon is £4 per tierce. The rivers also abound in 

 salmon-trout, weighing from 4 to 7 lbs. 



"With the necessary protection as regards spawning- 

 time and the erection of salmon slides where necessary, 

 this district would soon become a mine of wealth and a 

 source of great profit to both fisherman and purchaser. 



In estimating the value of the salmon fisheries within 

 this county, I shall use the same basis of calculation as 

 heretofore. I will take seven as breeding rivers, and 

 give to each 20 breeding fish, which, escaping spear and 

 net, deposit their ova in safety in their spawning beds. 



