FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 40. 



" We are particularly troubled by claimants upon the fines and penalty fund, some 

 of them going back two or more years, and we shall esteem it a great favor if you will 

 give us such information as you possess with reference to the matters in question. 



" In this connection we would respectfully call your attention to the fact that no 

 formal transfer of funds or property on hand was ever made by or demanded of the 

 outgoing Commission ; but as considerable part of these funds are not taken up and 

 accounted for in the report of your honorable Board, it is only right and proper, and 

 justice to yourselves as well as a convenience and necessity to us, that the books and 

 vouchers showing their disposition should be produced and left on file. We assure vou, 

 gentlemen, that it is and has been our sincere desire not to cause you any annoyance 

 or trouble, and that we have deferred making this request for a long time, hoping we 

 might find the records wanted or that we could in some way get along without 

 asking your assistance, but find it cannot be done, and with fullest confidence that 

 you will cheerfully render us such aid as you are able, in getting at the correct status 

 of the financial affairs and obligations of the Commission at the time you were relieved, 

 we respectfully ask you for this assistance. In short, this Commission is disinclined 

 to assume the responsibility of attempting to account for large amounts of money 

 received and expended, with no data from which to make a report. Neither do we 

 wish to admit in an official report that it is impossible for us to account for the funds, 

 an admission which would be not only discourteous to your honorable body, but at 

 the same time a reflection upon ourselves, and we feel confident that you can and will, 

 perhaps with very little trouble to yourselves, give us the information and assistance 

 that will enable us to make a satisfactory and complete report and accounting. 



" Awaiting your reply, we are, gentlemen, 



" Most respectfully yours, 

 " Fisheries, Game and Forests Commission, 



" by f. b. mitchell, 



" Secretary." 



The president and other members of the old Commission kindly responded to our 

 communication, and subsequently assisted in obtaining such books and vouchers as 

 could be found, some of them very important, although seriously defective and 

 incomplete. A part of the records admitted to exist were still retained, on the alleged 

 ground that they could only legally be delivered to the Comptroller. 



The position taken by the custodian of the books and papers which had been 

 withheld from us, viz., that this Commission were not the legal representatives of the 

 old Commission, and thereby entitled to possession of its books and papers, was 



