4 



Appendices to Twenty-eighth Annual Report 



I found that the pass on the upper dyke had been partially destroyed 

 by a flood which had washed out the concrete work between the pass 

 and the left bank. I met Mr. Muir, representing the firm of James 

 Finlay & Co., the owners, the manager of the Catrine Mills, and Mr. 

 Macrorie, the Clerk to the District Fishery Board, and as a result it 

 was arranged that a new pass be constructed in the centre of the 

 weir, having a gap of 6 inches in the sill and down-stream face. 

 I also arranged the details of the structure ; Messrs. Finlay & Co. 

 agreeing at the same time to fill in the abrupt rise to the copeing of 

 the dyke, and that the old pass would be filled up. I next visited 

 the steep dyke a short distance lower down, to which T took such 

 exception on my previous visit. I found that the suggestions I had 

 previously made had been carried out most successfully, a deep gap 

 having been cut down into the substance of the weir, and an easy 

 slope to the pool secured. At some rocks which exist at the bend of 

 the river below this weir, I found also that a passage had been blasted 

 so as to secure an easier ascent for fish. The rock here is soft and 

 stratified in thin layers. The result of the operations seemed to me 

 in every way satisfactory. I then proceeded down the river to 

 Ballochmyle, where a serious double weir exists, which in my opinion 

 is now the most difficult obstruction in the river. I here met Mr. 

 Campbell, representing the owner, and discussed with him how the 

 structure might best be rendered easier of ascent. The height of the two 

 weirs I estimated as about 8 feet. Each is of a very steep gradient, the 

 upper being about 1 in 3£, and the lower practically perpendicular. 

 Both dykes are very old and rather out of repair. Mr. Campbell 

 informs me that they date from 1817. The suggestion of cutting 

 gaps in the wooden sills brought up the question as to whether or 

 not the structures would collapse. As a result, I suggested leaving 

 the lower sill intact and making the pass run through below it, about 

 a third of the way- from the right bank, the passage to be 6 feet 

 wide and 2 feet deep, measuring trom the under surface of the beam. 

 To this Mr. Campbell agreed. With regard to the upper dyke, it was 

 finally decided that Mr. Macrorie should examine it in a lower state 

 of the river, more especially noting the extreme end of the sill 

 at the right bank, to see if the removal of short pieces of wood, 

 which have apparently been attached to the sill, would create at 

 this point a sufficient gap, and otherwise to endeavour to arrange 

 with Mr. Campbell for a suitable flow at this point. I attach 

 much importance to the overcoming of this obstruction, and 

 hope the negotiations may lead to a successful result. The 

 dam dyke below Stair Bridge, which I next visited, does not 

 appear to be a very serious obstacle, but the ascent of fish would 

 certainly be improved if a pass were provided as required by statute. 

 I am informed that last autumn a great many fish were stopped at 

 this weir. Reports all go to show that since the opening up of the 

 various weirs of the Ayr was commenced, and the netting at the 

 mouth of the river stopped, the stock of fish has very greatty improved. 

 Unfortunate^, no one in the district seems to keep accurate account of 

 the fish killed by rod, so that it is impossible to say definitely what 

 the improvement amounts to. I have been informed, however, that 

 in Auchincruive water in 1907, one rod took 19 salmon in two daj^s, 

 and the reports of fish seen ascending the weirs go to show that the 



