O REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



A committee was appointed to prepare and submit a plan for the organiza- 

 tion of the work of the Board, and rules and regulations for the conduct and 

 control of its business. 



On the 7th of May, 1895, A. N. Cheney was appointed State Fish Culturist; James 

 Annin, Jr., former Superintendent of Hatcheries, was appointed Superintendent of 

 Hatcheries, and William F. Fox, Superintendent of Forests under the late Forest 

 Commission, was appointed as Engineer of this Commission, with duties similar to 

 those he had heretofore performed. The new law or Consolidation Act imposed 

 many duties upon this Commission beyond those of the two old Commissions. 

 The new game laws also extended its jurisdiction and added much to its labors, 

 while the work connected with the Forest Preserve and State Land Department 

 was made much heavier by placing upon us certain duties formerly performed by 

 the Comptroller and the Land Board. Again, the increased and popular demand 

 for Adirondack lands for lumber and pulp-wood, for private preserves, park, 

 sporting and land speculative purposes, has greatly increased the duties of the 

 Commission. The conditions mentioned have stimulated litigation and attacks 

 upon the State's titles and multiplied the vexatious questions we are called upon 

 to investigate and settle. 



A constant decrease in the flow and permanency of heretofore unfailing springs 

 and streams and increased difficulties in obtaining eggs for hatching has greatly added 

 to the work of the hatchery department, while many troublesome questions have 

 arisen regarding the surveying, leasing and occupancy of State lands under water for 

 shellfish cultivation. 



With the increased duties came additional expenses and increased financial trans- 

 actions requiring close attention to the details of audit and payment of many hundreds 

 of bills and claims each month. 



To facilitate the proper transaction of the business we were compelled to divide it 

 into departments to be under the charge and control of committees, and on the 29th 

 of May, 1895, the following rules and regulations were adopted for the government of 

 the Board when in session and transaction of its business when not in session, viz. : 



1. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on the second Tuesday of January, 

 April, July, and October, at the office of the Commission in Albany, and at such other 

 times and places as the same may be called. 



2. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the President, or, 

 in case of his disability, by the Executive Committee, or upon the written request of 

 any three Commissioners. Written notice of all special meetings must be given at least 

 twenty-four hours previous thereto. 



