Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-12

sells IN order 70 keep within the bounds
OF the appropriation. II was also found
necessary TO reduce the salaries Of the
men on the boats retained In the service.
The last Legislature cut the appropria-
ton for oyster police TO 10000 annually.
The Board of Fisheries had turned over
to IL from the Board OF Che Chesapeake
and its Tributaries the sum of 1881, as
OF April ], 1899, the balance Of the oyster
appropriation for the fiscal year begin
ming October /, 1897.
In order to economic the board dis
posed of the steamer Tangier and reduced
the force on the two steamers and YES
sells retained, and cut down the salaries
OF some OF the officers.
The manuscript report gives something
OF the history Of the creation of the
board, and tells OF the difficulties in the
way of enforcement Of certain OF the
laws. The amendment 10 the fishing
laws placing a tax on pound nets met
with much opposition, especially from
fishermen in the Potomac river. who
claimed that In order to be effective In
that water such law must be con-
current legislation on the part or VIZ
gfnia and Maryland. The board took
many such cases to the courts, where
large number are now pending.
EXTENDING THEIR TERRITORY.
Regarding a complaint Of the tongmen'
the report says:
There has been in the past and stiil
exists great dissatisfaction on the part
OF the tongmen charging that planters
in some cases, are extending their stakes
out thus without warrant of law taking
up the natural oyster rocks, beds. ana
shoals as defined by the Baylor survey.
the State, OF course, getting no rental
upon the excess OF acreage held beyond
the original assignment and survey.
These conditions very largely exist De
cause of a failure on the part of the
State at the time Of having the Baylor
survey made TO have the lines defining
and separating the natural oyster rocks
from that which was designated as plant
ing-grounds, by fixed and permanent
buoys. The board has in several instances
been called on by the tongmen through
the inspectors to have the Baylor lines
re-established, the parties making the
request agreeing to pay the cost of the
survey.
"The act of March 4, 1885, in relation
10 the registration of persons, and inn
posing a license tax for the registration
of boats for the privilege Of taking oys-
ters from the ocean side of the counties
of Accomac and Northampton, is also an
addition to the previous oyster laws. Inc
board. however, has the honor to report
that II meets with little or no opposiuoh
on the part of those directly engaged IN
the business, but, on the contrary, they
express a willingness 10 have the regis
tration fee increased II necessary, In or
der to give them the desired protectloh'
and to give to the State fair net reVe-
nue. in excess of the required expend-
lures for the special police regulations
furnished.
AFTER DEPREDATORS.
"There was collected under said act du-
ring the year ending March 81, 1899, about
81 900. out of which sum the board was
required TO expend so much as In thelr
Judgment might be necessary to proper
lv police and protect the States interest
against unlawful depredations and viola
tions of the laws. 1t was strongly urgeu
upon the board that If such violations Oh
the laws were effectually prevented, that
a much larger area Of planuns-srouilus
would be taken up. thus increasing the
revenue 10 the State For this purpose,
and as provided under the act, the Doaru
appropriated out of the revenues collec-
ted from this source the sum Of 500.
"The fishing industries Of the State,
both in the tidal waters and INLAND
streams, require the attention VI '"c
hoard i'm the matter Of propagating ana
stocking rhe waters with hsh, in order
that the supply Of food fish, for when
there is great need, may be Increased.
The board has been in communication
with the United States Fish Commission,
and have every reason to believe That II
the General Assembly will appropriate
reasonable sum for this purpose that
the United States Fish Commission Will
as n has done in other states. very large
lv aid the Board of Fisheries In erecting
suitable stations and hatcheries along the
Chesapeake bay The board has already
arranged with United States Fish com
mission for supply OF young fish to be
deposited in the inland streams OF nc
state during the fall. under the direction
and superyision OF the board
MEMBERS OF 4iIE BOARD.
The members of the Board OF flsheres
are DIR. Frank Fletcher, Of Accomac'
president: Mr. Seth +. Miller or ma
tbews. secretary, and Hon George IS
Keezell. of Rockingham Hon. Pembroke
Petit. Of Fluvanna; Hon. hutus A.
Ayers of Scott. and Captain John \. cur
tis of Richmond. The president receives
an annual salary Of Sl.AO: the secretary
. salary Of 5000 a year The other mem
| bers Of the board receive only the eN-
nense incurred in attending sessions OF