31 
the crab pots is usually fished, but when it cannot be got through 
stress of weather or scarcity of fish, it is sent for to some one or 
other of the trawling centres. A local supply of mussels occurs at 
the mouth of the Tweed and the Spittal fishermen utilize them. 
Mussels also grow in Tweed Dock, though curiously enough they 
don’t grow just outside. An opinion prevailed that mussels might 
be cultivated at the mouth of the Tweed, and that a bye-law for 
regulating and protecting such cultivated beds as well as bait in 
general would be very useful. 
Marketing Facilities. — The rate for crabs is 3 6 per cwt. to the 
Midlands, 4/6 to London. Carriage and market dues average (id. 
per stone ; that is to say, the fisherman must obtain 6d. per stone 
before he gets anything himself. 
The produce of the fisheries is usually now-a-days, however, 
bought by local merchants. The meeting was of opinion that the 
value of the article carried ought to be considered by the Railway 
Company, for fish, as things go at present, is charged at a rate not 
much less than that for flesh. 
it was told me afterwards, with reference to the fishing in-shore 
for haddocks, &e., that the Eyemouth boats compete in the in-shore 
grounds from December to March with the Berwick fishermen, that 
is to say, off Berwick for a meagre supply of haddocks. This supply 
often does not pay expenses and occasionally so few are obtained 
that the fish are not worth bringing ashore. 
Chaster, Octobt r 2nd and Sul. 
Sir Edward Grey was to have taken the chair, but be telegraphed 
that he was unexpectedly called to London. Mr. W. Archbold 
took the chair at both meetings, which were attended by a large 
number of fishermen and others interested. I should say that some 
100 attended each night. 
Numijer of Boats. — Herring Boats — Thirty years ago there 
were 39 ; 20 years ago 36 ; there were only 6 at the herring fishing 
this year. 
Cohi.es. — Thirty years ago there were 19 ; there are only 10 this 
year. There has been a steady decrease in boats as in men, but it 
has been most rapid in recent years. Ten cobles give employment 
to say 30 men, but there are three laid off this winter and the men 
have gone to work in the quarries. Some of the men that were 
engaged at the herring fishing are now at work at the quarries — 
work for which their training as fishermen does not fit them. It 
