40 



Fortieth Annual Report 



note that during the rationing period one ton of fish was landed at 

 Aberdeen for every 2 tons of coal supplied. 



Questions affecting fishery interests were continually being 

 brought before the Sub-Committee, who were kept regularly advised 

 by the Board's representative of the daily position at each port, and 

 in every case matters were adjusted to the best advantage. The 

 services of the Board's Inspector of Fish Distribution who repre- 

 sented them on the Sub- Committee were the subject of a special 

 letter of appreciation from the Coal Controller. 



CHAPTER IX. 



HARBOURS. 



1. Improvement Schemes. 



Reference has been made in previous reports to the necessity for 

 State assistance in order that the accommodation at fishery harbours 

 might be increased and the harbours otherwise adapted or improved 

 to meet modern requirements. 



The restriction of fishing operations during the war and the sub- 

 sequent depression in the industry have so decreased the revenues of 

 the harbour authorities that it has been impossible for them to keep 

 the harbours in a proper state of repair, much less to effect improve- 

 ments, and consequently State assistance has become even more 

 vitally necessary if the accommodation is to be made suitable for the 

 requirements of the fishing fleet. 



The pressing need for the reduction of expenditure from National 

 funds has, however, called for a restriction of advances from the 

 Development Fund and the Ministry of Transport, and as the only 

 other source from which grants for the improvement of fishery 

 harbours may be made is the Board's Piers or Quays Fund, little 

 progress in the matter of harbour improvement was possible during 

 the year under review. 



The Board's fund is derived from an annual grant made in terms 

 of an Act passed in 1824, the normal amount of the grant being 

 £3000. Since the institution of the Development Fund advances 

 therefrom have to some extent relieved the Board's fund, but there 

 are many cases, in which Government assistance is essential to the 

 preservation of harbours and to the continued existence of the com- 

 munities dependent on them, which do not fall within the scope of 

 the Development Fund, and which can look only to the Board's fund 

 for assistance. Many harbours round the coast have benefited from 

 this fund, but the amount available is now totally inadequate to meet 

 the requirements of the situation, and unless it is increased or con- 

 tinues to be supplemented by advances from the Development Fund 

 or some other source, the position will become serious. 



Advances in respect of harbour schemes were sanctioned from the 

 Development Fund during the year as follow, viz. : — 



1. Macduff. — A further loan of £6000 to complete the improve- 

 ment scheme and a loan of £20,000 to provide slipway 

 accommodation. 



