of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



277 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1911 was £531 7s. 8d. 



2. The assessment levied was 5s. per £. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are 1 in number, with about 20 gamekeepers 



sworn in as special watchers. 



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



year fourteen persons were proceeded against for contravening various 

 Sections of the Salmon Fisheries Act, and all were convicted, and fines 

 varying from 17s. 6d. to £3 10s. imposed. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



2. Are the bye-laws observed in every case ? — Observed except in regard to 



Dalgonar meal mill, Dunscore parish. The caul there is not in a good 

 state, in so far as there is no fish pass. Fish can only ascend when the 

 river is swollen. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect : — None. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — Cluden Rocks, at Gribton 



saw mill, Holywood parish (Paver Cairn). 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are : — The effluents from the mills at Dumfries 

 containing dye, which are still unconnected with the sewage system. 



The Salmon Disease— 



1. The river was free of diseased fish during the year. 



The Spawning Season — 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning on 20th December 1910. 



2. The greatest number spawned during January and February 1911. 



3. Spawning ceased at end of February 1911. 



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



spawning season is regarded as fairly good. 



Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in second week of April 1911, 



and continued till end of May 1911. 



2. As a smolt year 1911 was fairly good. 



Note. — The District Board had collected evidence for a prosecution against 

 the Caerlaverock paidle net fishermen for breach of interdict, but the Fishery 

 Board for Scotland having given intimation that they intended holding an 

 inquiry, with the view to finding a modus vivendi whereby white fishing and 

 salmon fishing could be carried on without material injury to either, the pro- 

 ceedings were dropped. The result or effect of the inquiry is still problematical. 



REPORT FROM ANNAN DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



2. The actual number of fish caught cannot be ascertained. 

 8. Sea trout appeared in the first week in April. Grilse appeared in the first 

 week in June. 



4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 38 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — In poke-nets, east side 

 of Sol way viaduct, on 3rd August 1911. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1911 was £2917. 



2. The assessment levied was 3s. 6d. per £. 



3. The water bailiffs employed are four in number. 



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



(1) Eric Nicholson having an unclean salmon in possession ; tried 

 Sheriff Court, Dumfries, 31st March 1911 ; fined £2 and £3 

 expenses, 



