of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



59 



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

 involving nine persons, seven of whom were convicted, and the charge 

 against two of them withdrawn. The offences were contravention of 

 Sections 15 (4), 17, and 21 of Salmon Act, 1868. Fines varied from 30s. 

 to £3. 



Obstructions to the Passage of Fish— 



1. Dam dykes disused, built, or in prospect — The saw mill caul at Dalgonar, 



Dunscore parish, has been removed. 



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 to allow fish to pass. No fish pass is constructed. The stream is 

 divided by an island, and the dam only extends to the island. When 

 the water is not very low fish may ascend on the other side. 



3. Fish passes built or in prospect — None. 



4. Natural obstructions not yet dealt with are : — In river Cairn, at Gribton 



saw mill, Holy wood parish, known as " Cluden Rocks," which are an 

 obstruction in low water. 



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



disappeared in May. 



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



follows • — 



Males. Females. 

 Kelts, 1 4 



The Spawning Season— 



1. Fish were first noticed spawning in first week of January. 



2. The greatest number spawned about third week of January. 



3. Spawning ceased about second week of February. 



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



spawning season is regarded as very good. 

 Smolts— 



1. Smolts were noticed to be migrating seawards in May and June. 



2. As a smolt year 1909 was very good. 



Note. — Drift net fishing in Arbigland waters, at the estuary of the Nith, has 

 been discontinued. In the action for interdict in the Sheriff Court, Dum- 

 fries, against the white-fish fixed (paidle) nets in the estuary of the Nith, 

 judgment has been issued by the Sheriff-Substitute granting interdict as 

 craved. This judgment has been confirmed by the Sheriff-Principal, 

 but is at present under appeal to the Second Division of the Court of 

 Session. 



REPORT FROM AtfNAN DISTRICT. 

 Take of Fish— 



1. State whether the take of fish has been above or below the average of 

 previous years — 



(a) By fixed engines in the sea — About the average of previous years. 

 (6) By sweep net in tidal or fresh waters — No sweep nets used, 

 (c) By rod and line— Generally thought to be slightly above the 

 average of previous years. 



3. Particulars as to the times grilse and sea trout appeared are as follow : — 



First sea trout taken on 10th March in Annan Burgh fishings. Grilse 

 appeared in first week in June in Newbie fishings. 



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

 The particulars of time and place of capture are : — In last week in July, 



in Newbie fishings, by stakejnet. The first salmon taken was on 26th 



February in Annan Burgh fishings. 



E 



