November and December, and that during that period the line 
fishing would pay better. As pointed out last year, the crab fishing 
requires expensive gear, which has to be replaced by Christmas, 
and there is a great destruction of crahs during these months. The 
line fishing, on the other hand, though it would not yield the quan- 
tities, would be rendered more valuable because of the enhanced 
prices. Twelve years ago 50 or GO stone would have been caught, 
and sold so as to give 5d. to 6d. clear profit per stone ; now, 15 
stones should be caught and sold so as to realise Is. Gd. to 2s. profit 
per stone, a return about as good as before. If the men could be 
made to see this for themselves, the crab and lobster fishing at 
Beadnell and other places would he saved from a dangerous amount 
of destructive fishing during the months mentioned. 
This past season, Mr. Douglas observed that dabs were more 
numerous, and his statement supports what we have before pointed 
out from our experimental returns. The crab and lobster fishing 
was fair in January and February, but poor in the latter part of 
the season i see his record page 47). 
Craster. — Friday, September 28th. 
Mr. T. Archbold presided over a meeting of 40 fishermen. The 
main difficulty at Craster is, as pointed out in the last report, the 
harbour. I had it well brought before me, for on the day I arrived 
in Craster the men were busy hauling the herring boats up. There 
is no doubt of the necessity for a harbour. Mr. Craster has, I 
believe, offered to provide half the sum necessary. It was suggested — 
and it seems a very good plan if the right men were to take it up — 
to raise the cost by shares to be contributed by the fishermen, who 
would be recouped by the harbour dues. 
They again referred to the anomalies perpetuated by the different 
conservancies. So that for instance Boulmer, the next village to 
the south, has a fortnight longer of salmon fishing than Craster. 
They complained that the traw'lers often came within the limits 
to fish. 
Boulmer. — Saturday, September 29 th. 
My reception here was a unique one. When I got to the Mission 
Hall there was no one there, but after waiting about 15 minutes 
after the hour arranged two men came in, a fish merchant and a 
fisherman, and while getting some information from them several 
more turned up, bringing the audience up to 10. It was explained 
that many were waiting at the school, in the expectation that the 
meeting would be held there, as advertised. I gave a short address. 
