Report of tl)e Cf)i^f (iame Protector. 



To tl)e Forest, Pisl) and (iame Commission: 



I HAVE the honor to report that the work of the force under my super- 

 vision during the fiscal year just closed has been very satisfactory as a 

 whole. 



The change in heads of departments many times does not tend to increase 

 confidence and efficiency in the field force, as the thirty-seven Protectors can be 

 termed. But the action taken by your Honorable Body at the commencement of 

 your administration by calling together the Protectors and the inquiry by you 

 of each individual member of the force as to the work in his respective locality, 

 together with the statement that you expected good results, and Avould be ever 

 ready to advise and assist them in their work certainly had a good effect, and 

 beyond a doubt inspired all to a greater activity. It gives me pleasure to 

 be able to say that with very few exceptions the Protectors are all that can be 

 expected of them. 



Moreover, the promotion of one of the Protectors to the position of Chief 

 Firewarden inspires in the minds of the outside workers the hope that by attaining 

 good results and making earnest efforts, promotion may some day come to one 

 or all of them. 



During the year the Protectors destroyed 1,537 illegal fish nets or nets being 

 illegally used; they also destroyed 10 eel weirs, 10 spears, 1,052 set lines and tip-ups 

 being illegally operated, i jack light, i electric battery and 100 pounds of dynamite, 

 all found where the law prohibits. The sum total of these illegal devices for the 

 taking of fish is 2,615 and the value of the same was $30,412. 



In the matter of prosecutions for violation of the Forest, Fish and Game Law, 

 I have the honor to say that the number of cases was 345, of which all but 21 were 

 successful. In the very few unsuccessful cases the defendants were either discharged 

 by court or acquitted by jury. Thus, it will be observed that the percentage of 

 errors of judgment in instituting proceedings by a force of men who are paid only 

 $500 per year was gratifyingly small. 



The amount of recoveries for fines and penalties was $10,565.61, of which 



$8,183.48 has been collected and paid to the State Treasurer. The remaining 



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