The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-16 00:00:00

THE SALMON FISHERIES.

TUMMY.
This afternoon the Select Committee of the House of
Commons appointed to inquire into the operations of the
Salmon Fishery Laws:of England and Wales, resumed its
sittings. The committee consists of Mr. Dodds
(chairman), Mr. Earl Percy, Mr. Whitwell, Colonel
Anstruther, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Hambro Mr. Lowther,
Colonel Edwardes, Mr. Liddell, and Mr. Pease. Most of
these gentlemen were present.
Mr. Walpole's examination was continued. He stated
that the weekly close time was 43 hours in Ireland, 42 in
England, and 36 in Wales. He proposed that close time
M England and Wales should be assimilated to the
lose time in Ireland. He suggested that this
could be most effectively done by an Act of Parliament.
lie bye-laws of the district boards were, in some cases,
very good as far as they went, but he thought it would be
well that some definite law should be established on the
subject, whereby the close time of the whole United
Kingdom might be regulated. His proposition
applied mainly to fresh water portions of rivers. He
lid not see his way to totally excluding netting by day,
out did to regulating netting. There was a precedent on
he Irish law excluding netting during certain hours at
night. He should like to see that precedent adopted to
some extent in England and Wales. The hours of exclu-
sion in Ireland were from eight in the evening to six
in the morning. He thought that some intermediate hours
might be adopted for England and Wales, and suggested that
;he hours should be from eight in the evening till four in the
.norning. Fishing would be promoted by such a restriction
luring the night time. With regard to the mesh of nets,
ce thought that the present system might well be improved
ipon. On this point also he recommended a special Act of
Parliament, which would give proper force to the bye laws
existing, and would establish a definite set of regulations.
It was desirable that there should be maximum and
minimum sizes of meshes. The sizes of the mesh of nets
should be regulated according to peculiarities, and the
fishing of each river. The Scotch law at present
authorises bye laws to be made on this part
of the subject. He believed that this law
is acted upon so as to meet the necessities
,f each river. The law is enforced by means
)f bye laws. A similar law exists in Ireland, with
regard to the regulation and the size of meshes. He
;bought it would be well to have a somewhat similar
system in England and Wales. Both the mode in which
aets are used, and the manner in which they are tied
;ogether, required fixed regulations. This should be also
,net by general legislation controlled by bye laws.
(qr. Walpole described the various modes of salmon fishe-
des in practice throughout England and Wales, and
jointed out that they are in opposition to the objects of
.he law. The conclusion he had arrived at with regard to
these several practices—some of them very prejudicial to
,he fisheries—was that the existing power of keeping nets
throughout England and Wales should be restricted.
A. restrictive law was the only effective remedy
for the evils of the abuse of nets of which he had
riven illustrations. In the case of fishing on the sea coast,
ne thought there should be some legislative regulations or
stringent bye law. He thought it was desirable to unite
the fishery districts. There is no power at present to merge
two districts where it is found necessary. A necessity
may arise where a district ought to be dissolved. It was
well that such a power should be created. He was not
satisfied with the manner in which Boards of Conservancy
are constituted. These bodies are appointed at Quarter
Sessions. The process of appointment is very compli-
bated. He thought these boards should be made
representative. He should have them elected
by persons more immediately interested in the
various rivers. The owners of property on the river, the
.Iwnera of salmon fisheries, and the license holders should
be the electors of the conservators. He thought that the
whole of the present system with regard to these boards
ought to be superseded by a better one.
The committee adjourned at four o'clock.