282 



Appendices to Thirty-second Annual Report 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are numerous and gross, and are as described in 



former Reports. The protracted drought of mid-summer so intensified 

 the pollution of the Leven that thousands of fish must have perished as 

 countless numbers were seen sickened, and many were illegally gaffed by 

 riverside loafers, while hundreds were seen dead. It is believed that 

 imtil the state of tlie river is very materially altered for the better it wdll 

 be hopeless to expect any real increase in the sea trout stock. The 

 water bailiffs and anglers report that there is now no fish life indigenous 

 to the river (as apart from migratory fish) between the uppermost work 

 and Dumbarton. 



2. Remedial measures : — It was suggested in last Report that an inspection 



should be made of certain new settling tanks which had been constructed 

 in connection with Dalmonach Works on the Leven. The value of such 

 an inspection, had it been undertaken, becomes apparent in -view of the 

 fact that these tanks had never been in operation through some defect 

 in construction. The officials of the Calico Printers' Association, the 

 owners, at the head offices in Manchester, have undertaken that the 

 defects be remedied, but it is again suggested that these new w^orks be 

 officially inspected. 

 On the whole question of Leven pollution, which a dry season proves to be of 

 the most injurious character, it is suggested that the Fishery Board 

 confer with the two local authorities in the district, namely, the County 

 Council of Dumbarton and the Burgh of Dumbarton, both of wdiich are 

 alive to the facts. It must be a matter for the Fishery Board, in con- 

 sultation with the Secretary for Scotland, to determine how far the 

 inaction of the local authorities is due to the fact that each pollutes the 

 river by domestic sewage within its area, the Burgh of Dumbarton especi- 

 ally, in this respect, being a gross offender. Evidence of their callous 

 neglect of the river is fully disclosed in the proceedings before a Parlia- 

 mentary Committee in 1906, when the Burgh promoted and did not 

 obtain sanction for a water works scheme at Loch Sloy. 



3. The Corporation of Glasgow is still proceeding with the purification of 



the Clyde, and the Corporation officials w^Gl doubtless be able and 

 willing to supply the Board with the facts regarding recent progress 

 made. 



The Salmon Disease— 



The Salmon Disease was non-existent in the district in season 1913. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Sea trout were first noticed spawning on 8th October, salmon early in 



November. 



2. The greatest number spawned — Sea trout, in November, salmon in 



December. 



3. Spa-s^Tiing ceased in January. 



i. As regards numbers of breeding fish, and state of the water, the jiast 

 spawning season is regarded as good. 



Smelts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seaw^ards in March. 



2. As a smolt year 1913 was average. 



Reference to any matter of Special Importance— 



1. The work at Luss Hatchery is still being conducted with, it is believed 



appreciably good results. In spring there were hatched out 135,000 

 salmon and 110,000 sea trout ova and the resulting fry, with a minute 

 percentage of loss, were distributed throughout the streams of the 

 district. In autumn there were collected 100,000 salmon and 180,000 

 mixed trout and sea trout ova. Special information regarding the 

 sea trout handled and stripped has been sent to the Inspector. 



2. Particulars of salmon and sea trout marked have been sent to the 



Inspector. 



