of the Fishery Board Jor Scotland. 



49 



4. Particulars as to prosecutions instituted are briefly as follows: — (1) Two 

 men were convicted and fined for taking sea trout from a tributary of 

 the river during the close season. (2) A man was convicted and fined 

 for taking a grilse from a tributary of the river by a process called 

 " ginnling." 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



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



2. With regard to the observance of bye-laws : — The bye-laws are generally 



observed. 



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



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with : — None. 



Pollutions— 



1. The existing pollutions are: — A settling pond at Skeldon, used in con- 

 nection with the blanket mill there. The effluent is discharged into 

 the river, but efforts are made to so regulate the discharge as to cause 

 the least damage. 



The Salmon Disease- 

 None. 



The Spawning Season— 



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



2. The greatest number spawned in December. 



3. Spawning ceased in January. 



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



spawning season is regarded as much beyond the average. There is a 

 very large number of breeding fish in the river. 



Smolts— 



X. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in December and January. 

 2. As a smolt year 1907 was good. 



REPORT FROM GIRVAN DISTRICT. 



Take of Fish— 



1. [See general note at end. — W. L. C] 



2. The actual number of fish caught has been as follows : — 



(a) By fixed engine, 670 salmon, 930 grilse, 1500 trout, 

 (c) By rod and line, about 30 salmon and 400 sea trout. 

 The first salmon was caught in the sea on 25th April 1907, and the first 

 sea trout on the same day. 

 4. The weight of the heaviest salmon taken during the season was 25 lbs. 

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — In a bag net near the 

 mouth of the river in July. 



Protection— 



1. The assessable rental for 1907 was £541 10s. 



2. The assessment levied was £33 16s. lOd. 



3. One water bailiff is employed. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



The net fishing lessees were beginning to make a practice of leaving 

 the harbour about 3 or 4 a.m. on Mondays with the object of getting 

 the last leader on by 6 a.m. Proceedings were threatened, and this 

 was put an end to. 



