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A})pcndices to Thirty-third Annual Report 



In three of the cases the men were convicted, and the penalties ranged 

 from £1 10s. 6d. of expenses to a fine of £1, phis the expenses, with the 

 alternative of from 7 to 14 days. One of the men went to prison. In 

 the case of 2 men the sentences have not yet been put in force. In 

 the case against 2 men the charge was found " not proven," 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish- 

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



Pollutions— 



1. The existing polhitions are: — From paper mills at Culter, about 8 miles 



above river mouth. Also sewage from small towns on the banks of the 

 river. 



2. Remedial measures : — No special action taken in 1914. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. Disease made its appearance this year in the month of November, and 



reached its height at end of January. 

 The river was practically free of diseased fish at the end of May. 



2. The number of diseased fish taken from the river and destroyed was 



as follows : — 



Males. Females. 



Kelts 1050 260 



Dlean 20 10 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning at beginning of November. 



2. The greatest number spawned in December. 



3, Spawning practically ceased by end of January. 



4, Owing to the large number of spring and summer fish, fresh weather, and 



good running waters, the spawning season was exceptionally good. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards at beginning of April. 



2. As a smolt year 1914 was slightly below an average. 



REPORT FROM DON DISTRICT, ABERDEENSHIRE. 



Take of Fish— 



1. The estimated catch in relation to that of former years was : — 



{a) By fixed engine — Below the average. 

 (6) By sweep net — Above the average, 

 (c) By rod and line — Below the average. 



2. Sea trout : — 



(a) The number taken is unknown, 



(6) As compared with previous year — Rather under the average. 



3. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 41 lb. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — By fixed engine at 



South Station, Nether Don Fishings, near the estuary of the river, in 

 the month of August. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1914 was £3998 18s. Id. 



2. The assessment levied was at 19 per cent, thereon — £759 15s. lid. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 15 in number. 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follow : — There 



were 12 prosecutions for breaches of the Salmon Fisheries Acts impli- 

 cating 21 men : — 9 men (5 cases) for taking or being in possession of 

 unclean salmon ; 4 men {3 cases) for using or being in possession of a 

 gaff ; 1 man (1 case) for being in possession of salmon during annual 

 close time; 2 men (1 case) for using an instrument for dragging for 



