xlviii 
Eighth Annual Report of the 
Wick district. The officer at Wick reports, that since the telegraph was extended 
from Tongue to Durness, the business has been gradually growing 
larger. Not only fishermen and others connected with the fisheries, 
but the people generally, avail thems)lves of it ; and there is every 
indication that it will be increasingly used as time goes on. At 
Wick, Scrabster, and Portskerry also curers and fishermen use it 
largely. Consignments of fresh fish to the southern markets, as 
well as shipments of cured herrings by steamers to Continental ports, 
are advised to consignees by telegraph. Fishermen very ofteu use 
the wire to ascertain where fishings are being carried on. During 
last year, by its means Wick fishermen, hearing of a successful 
fishing at Scrabster, proceeded there at once, and obtained good 
success ; and in the same way on another occasion, those fishing at 
Scrabster w T ent to Wick, and shared in the success of the early 
herring fishing which was being prosecuted there. During stormy 
weather at sea, when fishermen ofteu cannot reach their own ports, 
causing much anxiety to their friends and others at home, tele- 
graphic communication is constantly resorted to, and often, in the 
course of an hour or two, intelligence is received from ports at a 
distance of the safe arrival of boats inquired after. 
Fort William The officer at Oban reports, that the telegraphic stations opened 
district. a t Tiree, Coll, Dervai" and Arisaig have, taken as a whole, proved 
beneficial to the districts in general. At Tiree and Coll, the 
fishermen have found the wire of great advantage in ascertaining 
the daily price in the south and the markets to which they should 
send their fish, either cured or fresh. Last season was the first in 
which fresh fish were sent to the southern market from Tiree, and 
without doubt the telegraph wire was to a considerable extent the 
cause of this change. It has also induced more' fishermen from the 
east coast to prosecute the cod and ling fishing at Coll. The 
extension of the telegraph to Arisaig has proved of great service to 
fishermen and buyers, but it is believed to be too far from the 
fishing grounds. 
Extensions t,» The Rothesay officer reports, that telegraphic extension to the 
fishing townships of Loch Eanza and Pirnmill contributes in a 
considerable degree to the prosperity of the inhabitants and benefits 
those employed in the fishing industry on the north coast of the 
Island of Arran. The telegraph was again this seasou greatly taken 
advantage of, particularly as the fish landed are all despatched to 
market for use in a fresh state. Almost in every case, those for- 
warded were advised by telegraph to the fish factors or agents in 
Glasgow; and several instances occurred of hundreds of boxes of 
herrings being sold when in course of transit. The success or non- 
success of the daily catches of the fleet is reported by telegraph, 
and buyers at telegraph stations are re-advised as to the state of 
the markets, and the prices are fixed accordingly on the coast. The 
telegraph has also proved of advantage during the season when an 
additional supply of empty boxes were urgently required for carrying 
the fish to market ; and masters of vessels in passing the station of 
Pirnmill with cargoes of herrings from Mackrie Bay, generally wire 
the number of packages on board to the agents at the port of 
destination, thus facilitating arrangements for a quick delivery of 
fish, and the return of the vessel to the fishing grounds. 
