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REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. ps 

REPORT OF ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER. 
The Honorable Board of Fish and Game Commissioners: 
Sirs: The personnel of the employees of the Fish and Game Com- 
mission has undergone some change during the past two years. Two 
capable deputies, R. B. Heacock and Richard Squires, were killed on 
Bouldin Island in December, 1916, while arresting three Italian fisher- 
men who were fishing illegally in the waters of that island. Alonzo F. 
Lea died from injuries received at his home in Cloverdale in October 
of the same year. Deputy Lea in years of service was one of the oldest 
employees of the commission. He worked chiefly in Mendocino, Lake 
and Sonoma counties, although when the patrol force included only a 
few men, he was detailed to various parts of the state. Paul Smith, a 
deputy who had worked chiefly in Del Norte and Sonoma counties, 
died from appendicitis in January, 1917. All of these men were 
thoroughly trained deputies and it has been exceedingly difficult to 
replace them. 
John P. Fisher, in charge of the License Department, died from heart 
trouble while hunting near Los Banos in November, 1916. Mr. Fisher 
was a thorough naturalist and made the habits of our game a lifelong 
study. As a result he was particularly well informed regarding game 
conditions in our state. 
Mrs. Leo N. Pettit died in September, 1917. Mrs. Pettit was one of 
the most capable employees of the Fish and Game Commission. At the 
time of her death she was acting as chief clerk, having charge of prac- 
tically all of the records of the commission. She entered the service 
of the state as a stenographer and on account of her peculiar fitness 
and capability she was advanced from time to time and occupied a very 
responsible position at the time of her death. 
The development of the Commercial Fisheries Department has made 
it necessary to transfer a number of employees to that branch of the 
commission and also to employ additional help. 
On account of the fact that all employees are appointed under the 
state civil service law, it is necessary in order to discharge an inefficient 
person, to file charges before the Civil Service Commission or appoint- 
ing power. Asa rule the employee is given an opportunity of resigning 
