February 4, 1893] SUPPLEMENT TO THE FISHING GAZETTE 
83 
NOTES FOR CLUB ANGLERS. 
Another fine roacli has been taken in the Thames. 
I refer to a fish of 21b. joz. which a Mr. Rogers caught 
with J. Keene, of Staines, a few days ago in the Windsor 
district. Keene says it is a fine specimen, and he also 
informs me that, fishing with two members of the Clap- 
ham Junction Angling Society, he has recently had 371b. 
of roach. After this, who says there are no roach in the 
Thames? “I do,” exclaims the man who cannot catch 
them. All I can say, then, is that he is not keen enough 
when after them. _ 
I HAVE received an invitation from the Blackfriars’ 
Angling Society, Winchester Arms, Southwark-street, 
to Sir. Bursell’s lecture there, next Tuesday, on “ Ang¬ 
ling Gossip.” On this occasion a new departure will be 
made in the reading of papers, for the lecturer intends 
to illustrate his remarks by dissolving views. I need 
ha,rdly say I am only too pleased to accept the Black¬ 
friars’ invitation, and hope to meet many London fisher¬ 
men there on the evening referred to. I should add that 
Mr. Bursell has lectured under the auspices of the Sun¬ 
day League, and I can promise his intending listeners a 
very entertaining evening. The chair will be taken by 
Mr. G. H. Howard. _ 
Me. J. N. Needham, taxidermist, of the Southwark- 
Park-road, writes to inform me that he is setting up a 
grayling which was caught in the Thames at Pangbourne, 
on the 29th ult., by Mr. Sargent, of the South London 
Angling Society. The fish w'eighed 12oz., and Mr, 
Needham adds that it is the first grayling he has known 
to be taken from the Thames. If my memory serves me 
correctly, I think a specimen of the Salmo thymallus was 
caught up Pangbourne way last season. In all pro¬ 
bability, however, that fish and the one now being pre¬ 
served, found their way into the Thames from either 
the Kennet or the Loddon. 
Me. j. Smith, of the City Piscatorials, claims that 
they always have big meetings at the Coffee Pot. Last 
Monday night was no exception to the rule, the club- 
room being packed with anglers anxious to know what 
kind of fishing was to be found in the heavens. They 
had thus been set thinking by the announcement that 
Mr. Thomas Crumplen would read a paper at the club 
on “ Fish Life in the planet Mars,” a lecture which, 
from start to finish, proved intensely interesting. The 
arguments adduced in support of Mars being inhabited 
and having fish in its waters, were the result of Mr. 
Crumplen’s own astronomical studies and the investi¬ 
gations of the most famous astronomers of the past 
and present day. With the aid of diagrams he showed 
how Mars was crossed by “canals;” and when he 
expressed the belief that fish were in them, those 
present began to refer to their “guides” to see if 
the prit-ilege ticket was extended as far out of town. 
It wasn’t, of course, but a re-assuring look passed over 
the anglers’ faces when Mr. Crumplen said it was very 
likely the inhabitants of Mars were that very night 
trying to open up a communication with London. The 
reader talked delightfully of snow-broth in the “ canals; ’ ’ 
and the audience departed feeling that fishing in Mara 
must be very good. _ 
W. J. Wade, Fishing 
Gazette. Jan. 28: “ The 
Central Association of 
London Angling Clubs do 
not in any way intend to 
recede from the position 
they have taken up and 
maintained for the past 
fourteen years (and will 
continue to maintain) on 
the question of non-amalga¬ 
mation with any other 
body, being more confirmed 
than ever in the conviction 
that it is absolutely neces¬ 
sary in the direct interest 
of, not only its own mem¬ 
bers, but also that of all 
members of the London 
clubs, that the present 
long-tested system of work¬ 
ing should continue,” 
“Old Izaak,” the People, 
January 28: “ A joint depu¬ 
tation from the Anglers’ 
and Central Associations, 
waited upon the Great 
Eastern Railway Company 
on Monday last, in refer¬ 
ence to further privilege 
concessions to more distant 
stations on that line. The 
deputation were most 
courteously received by 
Mr. W. Birt, the respected 
general manager, and sub¬ 
ject to conditions indicated, 
of which the anglers ap¬ 
proved, I quite think their 
application will be favour¬ 
ably dealt with.” 
“ We will never amalgamate ! ” But how is this 
umpire ? Surely this is the thin edge. 
Dr. F. W. Spurgin has been elected a life honorary 
member of the City Piscatorial Club. The doctor is 
an enthusiastic angler, and is the president of the 
Athenaeum Angling Society. 
All anglers who are in the habit of fishing the 
Sussex Arun and Rother will learn with much regret 
that Lady Barttelot, wife of Sir Walter Barttelot, M.P., 
died at her residence, Stopham House, Pulborough, on 
Saturday. Sir Walter, who himself is also seriously 
ill, frequently gave permission to anglers to fish the 
river through his estate, and as I write his permit lies 
before me. I very deeply sympathize with him. 
Hardly had the above been forwarded to the printers 
than the news reached me that Sir Walter himself had 
E assed away. Pulborough, as may be imagined, has 
een plunged into mourning, and the grief of the 
villagers will T am sure be shared by all those who, 
week after week, are its visitors. The death of the wife 
and then the husband is terribly tragic. 
The Hampshire Stour roach are very partial to gentles, 
and the way the float goes away inclines one to believe 
that they execute quite a trout-like rush for the bait. A 
correspondent who has experienced this, asks if the fish 
might take the soaked crust of bread bait. I have not 
tried them with it myself, but ask the two New Albions 
who had the big bag in the punt at Christchurch last 
week! _ 
Me. F. H. Amphlett was married on Monday to 
Miss Edith Hilda Burr, of Walham Green. The happy 
man is none other than “ Tempo,” of Reynold’s News¬ 
paper, and his angling friends will wish his wife and 
him many years of happiness and prosperity. By hie 
journalistic colleagues “Freddie” (as he is known to 
them) is wished all he can wish himself. 
The Board of Thames Conservancy sat the other day, 
and I am able to state, on excellent authority, that the 
anglers’ suggestions will, as a result, be met in the most 
liberal manner. Goosequill. 
MR. CRUMPLEN ON FISH IN MARS. 
In the club-room of the City Piscatorial Society, the 
Coffee Pot, Warwick-lane, on Monday night, Mr. T. 
Crumplen delivered an extremely interesting lecture, 
entitled “Fish Life on the Planet Mars.” Dr. F. M. 
Spurgin (president of the Athenseum Angling Society) 
occupied the chair, and the room was filled to over¬ 
flowing, amongst those present being Messrs. O’Dowd, 
H. J. Tibbatts, Frank Griffin, J. Deplidge, G. H. 
Howard, Sowerbutts, H. Dunn, J. B. Close, Goodwin, 
Thorling, G. E. Simms, Manning, R. Murphy, Mr. 
C. H. Harding, Tom Keeble (host and treasurer), 
J. Husk, C. nibble, Armstrong, Richardson, John 
Smith (secretary), and many others. Three dishes of 
roach, which had been caught by Messrs. O’Dowd and 
Deplidge, members of the club, were displayed on 
the chairman’s table, and a fine collection of stuffed 
specimen fish was hung on the walls of the room, some 
of the cases having been lent for the occasion. The 
chairman, in opening the proceedings, said the sub¬ 
ject which Mr. Crumplen was about to lecture on was of 
very considerable interest, though, when he first heard 
it was to relate to the planet Mars, he thought it seemed 
more appropriate for the society of astronomers or the 
Balloon Society than a society composed of fishermen. 
He, however, found that Mr. Crumplen intended to 
dovetail fish life into the planet, and therefore it would 
bring home many interesting points to them as anglers. 
He supposed that most of them, when walking home in 
the evening from a fishing excursion, had entertained 
some thought as to what there was up in the stars. 
Mr. Crumplen, if he could enlighten them in the slightest 
degree, would provide them with a renewed fund of 
thought in this direction, and would possibly set them 
something to think of which had never entered into their 
minds before. (Applause.) Mr. Crumplen, who was 
cordially received, remarked that the angler was said to 
be the “contemplative man,” and he felt sure he was 
one who took an interest in the beauties of nature. 
Izaak Walton said very little about the stars, but he 
(Mr. Crumplen) took it that the old Lea angler went to 
bed early, and that his main object was the fishing. He 
came to the conclusion that angling was practised in the 
earliest days, and for that reason he had selected 
that subject for his paper. Speaking of the antiquity 
of angling, he referred them to the signs of the Zodiac, 
two of which reminded them somewhat of angling. He 
believed that fish existed in other worlds, particularly in 
the planet Mars. The lecturer then proceeded to illus¬ 
trate his remarks by the aid of diagrams, and said that 
the shades, as detected in Mars through the telescope, 
were iiieces of water. They had the same amount of 
water as land in the planet, and he was of opinion that 
Mars was inhabited. The inhabitants might not neces¬ 
sarily be men and women, but creatures in structure like 
human beings. Seasons succeeded each other as they 
did on earth, and he was forced to the conclusion that 
life could not altogether be wanting there. Astronomers 
had discovered “canals” running across the planet, 
some of which, it was computed, were over sixty miles 
wide, and snow-caps which, when the snow melted, filled 
the “ canals ” with snow-broth. (Laughter.) Consider¬ 
ing fishes were the very earliest living creatures made, 
he thought it was very likely that they would be found 
in the waters of the planet Mars. Mr. Crumplen then 
proceeded to refer to fossilised fish, and said it was fish 
after their description which they might expect to find 
in Mars. Upwards of 100 distinct species of fish had 
been found in the red ragstone, some of them being of 
gigantic size, and some like our carp and perch, and 
those fish might have taken up their position in the 
waters of Mars long before any human angler appeared 
on this earth. Undoubtedly the evidence might be cir¬ 
cumstantial, but each advance of science strengthened it. 
The lecturer displayed a diagram of three of the earliest 
types of fish to be found in the sandstone formation ; 
and in concluding his remarks thanked them warmly for 
their kind attention. (Applause.1 The chairman pro¬ 
posed, and Mr. Sowerbutts seconded, a very hearty vote 
of thanks to the lecturer. Dr. Spurgin was then elected 
a life honorary member of the club, and a capital pro¬ 
gramme of songs and recitations, under the direction of 
Mr. J. Husk, followed. 
NEWARK PISCATORIAL ASSOCIATION. 
The twenty-fourth half-yearly dinner and presenta¬ 
tion of prizes of this popular association was held at 
the Club Room, Horse and Gears Inn, Portland-street, 
Newark, on Thursday evening last, presided over by 
Mr. Jas. Neal, one of the representatives of the Trent 
Conservancy Board for the Newark district. A good 
attendance of members and friends assembled to partake 
of the handsome spread laid upon the tables by Host 
Wilson. After the usual loyal toasts had been duly 
honoured, the secretary read the balance sheet of 
receipts and expenditure for the past six months, show¬ 
ing an income of ^624 4s. 7d., and an expenditure of 
i622 Os. 6d.; £2 8s. to be placed to the reserve fund, 
and a balance to carry forward of 6a. Id. .£13 14a. had 
been spent in prizes for distribution during the evening, 
and the permanent fund at the present time amounts to 
ifilO 10s. Id. This was considered extremely satisfac¬ 
tory ; and so well satisfied were the committee of the 
Piscatorials with the actions of the Trent Board, that a 
donation of .£2 2a. had been forwarded. The monthly 
return of specimen fish entered on the weighing-in book 
during the past six months showed August and September 
to stand far in advance of the remainder of the period, for 
out of the total number (fitO) entered during the term, 
532 were booked during the months just mentioned. 
Dace proved the most satisfactory class, 267 specimens 
having been “trayed.” 
The Chairman, in proposing “ Success to the Newark 
Piscatorial Association,” congratulated the members on 
the proud position they had attained. They held the 
proud position of having a reserve fund to fall back 
upon, and out of their increased subscriptions they had 
been enabled to send a donation to the Trent Conser¬ 
vancy Board. The Newark Association had done honour 
to itself in subscribing, and the Board would give them 
every consideration. If there was any complaint to make, 
either with respect to the water round Newark or wher¬ 
ever they went fishing, he was sure they would not go 
away empty-handed if something was asked of the Board. 
He had before alluded to the rod-tax, and some of them 
did not see eye to eye in that matter, but they would 
quite agree with him when he pointed out that the 
coarse fish were diminishing, and that the only way to 
redeem that state of affairs was protection. (Applause.) 
But how was protection to be carried on without bailiffs, 
and if bailifi’s were to be engaged, the sinews of war 
must be provided. If the anglers could have seen their 
way clear to support the board in the rod-tax, the 
money brought in by it would have been devoted to the 
protection of coarse fish, and when they gave their word 
as gentlemen that the money should be spent in this way, 
their word ought to have been taken. He went with 
Mr. Bromley to a meeting of the Wellington Association 
at Nottingham, and carried it with them ; but then one 
or two would not do, it required an amount of time and 
money out of pocket in travelling about to get associa¬ 
tions to adopt the views of the board, but cold water was 
thrown upon the proposal, and there was hesitation felt 
on the part of Mr. Bromley and himself in carrying it 
further. One association, the Nottingham and Notts 
Anglers’ Association, were very loud in protesting 
against the tax. They thought the Board were about to 
take the money for the protection of salmon and trout, 
and they would not take the word of gentlemen on the 
subject. They thought they were wise in their genera¬ 
tion, and so they proposed to appoint two bailiffs them¬ 
selves, and he saw that one newspaper calculated that it 
would cost each member 43. per year, while they were 
not ready to give 6d. or Is. as a rod-tax. What was the 
association going to do with their two bailiffs ? They 
had no water under their control to put them on, and no 
power to prosecute, such as the Board had, and the news 
papers made them a laughing-stock, as they richly 
deserved. Their bailiffs would have been trespassing if 
they went on any land to protect the water, and they 
had no water to protect, so that the duties of the bailiffs 
were entirely in their imagination. (Cheers.) He 
had one more duty, and that was a pleasant one, to 
ask them to drink success to the association. So 
long as they met with brotherly feeling, it would continue 
to be a prosperous society. 
Mr. Longdon (president of the association) responded 
to the toast. The gathering that night was ari oord one 
in regard to its attendance; the number of members atpre ; 
sent upon the books was a record; and the number of fish 
weighed-in during the past six months had been a record. 
He hoped the society would go on prospering till the 
room was not large enough to hold them; they were 
bound to go on prospering so long as good feeling 
marked their proceedings. Their association was a mem¬ 
ber of the National Angling Association of Scotland, a 
privilege which few English associations had. Some 
able champions from Newark had been sent to compete, 
and they had upheld the honour of the Newark Club. 
This was saying a great deal when so many clubs would 
give ten times the money for the privilege of belonging 
to the Scottish Association, and it spoke volumes for the 
position of the Newark Club. The society now held 
a proud position, and he hoped it would maintain that 
position. Several special prizes were here announced 
for the ensuing six months, and Mr. B. Mountney, in 
responding to the toast of the “Donors of Special Prizes,” 
adverted to the handsome manner in whicli gentlemen 
came forward to assist the association. He also gave 
some able reminiscences of his own experience of the 
Trent thirty years ago, more especially relating to the 
chub of that period, and one occasion on which he took 
with the fly eighteen chub, eight of which weighed 321b. 
He was glad the society was in such a flourishing con¬ 
dition, and hoped it would continue to be so for many 
years to come. 
Other toasts followed, interspersed with songs, &c. 
