of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



269 



Protection— 



8. The water baililfs eini)loyed varied in number from 3 to 7. There are 

 3 permanent men, and the statt" is at full strength in August and 

 September. 



4. Particulars as to })rosecutions instituted are briefly as follows : — The cases 

 did not exceed half a dozen, and ottered no peculiarities. The High 

 Court, on appeal from a decision of the Sherift'-Substitute of Dumbarton, 

 confirmed the law that "any person " may prosecute under 1844 Act, 

 Section 1. In a subsequent case the learned Sherift'-Substitute decided 

 that "any person" may prosecute under the 1862 Act. 



Obstructions to the Passage of B'ish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect —None. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are — Formerly detailed ; no 

 change. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are as formerly specified. 



2. Remedial measures are as formerly specified. Further progress has been 



made with the Glasgow purification scheme, the south side section of 

 the works being completed during 1910. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of December, but very 

 few signs of it are ever observed in this district. 

 The river was free of diseased fish in January. 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning as follows :— Sea trout, 4th October ; 



salmon, 9th December. 



2. The greatest number spawned as follows :— Sea trout, in November ; 



salmon, in December. 



3. Spawning ceased in January. 



4. As regards numbers of Vjreeding fish, and state of the water, the past 



spawning season is regarded as favourable, as fish were numerous, and 

 rivers were in full volume. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in March. 



2. As a smolt year 1910 was above the average. 



REPORT FROM AYR DISTRICT. 



Take of Pish— 



1. The take of fish generally throughout the district was very much smaller 



than in the previous season. This, however, is entirely accounted for 

 owing to the dry state of the weather. The sea fishings are not let by 

 the proprietor, and as there is no netting employed in any part of the 

 river, the fish have all been taken by rod and line. 



2. As most of the proprietors do not keep an accurate record, or any record at 



all, of the times when, and the actual number of fish caught, it is 

 impossible to give reliable information on the subject. 

 Particulars as to the times grilse and sea trout appeared are as follow : — 

 The first run of grilse and sea trout took place in the beginning of June. 

 The first salmon was caught on 13th June : weight, 12 lb. The 

 principal runs of fish took place in July and August. 

 4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 21^ lbs. 

 It was killed with fly at Overmills, about three miles from the se;t. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1910 was £124 10s. 



2. The assessment levied was £124 10s. 



