Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-05-13
BOARD OF FISHERIES.

One of the most interesting phases
of the State Board of Fisheries
meeting, which was held in
Norfolk Saturday, April 30tb,
was the disposal of several
sets of pound nets taken from
Gloucester county fishermen last Sat-
urday. These nets we're taken under
circumstances that will remind elder
ly local people of the former desper-
ate encounters between oyster pirates
and the bay patrol boats. Captain
w. 4. Hudgins, of the steamer Rap
pahannock, told the story in few
words. He said;
"We went up to Gloucester and
took those nets away from the fisher
men,"
81 suppose you were armed" some
one suggested.
"Armedg" repeated the captain,
with chuckle; "Well / suppose you
might call it-that. There were three
of US, Captain L. @. Jarvis, Captain
q. Z. Savage and myself. Each of
us was in command Of one of those
patrol boats. Were We armed? Well,
we had few Hotcbkiss rapid fire
guns on board, and every man had
Winchester rifle; and what's more, he
knew how to use it. We didn't have
the slightest trouble, however; just
took the nets and brought them back
to Norfolk"
The nets are still here. Saturday
afternoon the question arose as to the
disposal of them. After some debate,
in which it was mentioned that as
two of the four original owners of
the nets are willing to pay the tax
and other costs, it was decided that
the nets should be returned, provided
that the owners complied with the
law and paid the expense of storage,
Oyster inspectors have experienced
some trouble in collecting the dues,
which amount to $3.50 q year per
net, and one of them asked the board
if he could levy on other chattels for
the money due. The answer was in
the affirmative.
"Ry the way" said one of the
board members to an Inspector, "they
are circulating rather hard reports
about you. They say you have po-
litical aspirations and do not collect
your taxes properly. Ip other words,
without offense to you, they intimate
pretty plainly that you are a thief"
"They say the same thing about
the board," was the simple answer,
and this applicant took his seat amid
roars of laughter.
The most important matter taken
up by the board was the question of
renting $50 acres of oyster land, of
Gwynn's Island, to Messrs. Irving
and Willing. This action was op-
posed, but the land was finally rent
ed. Those opposing the case were
represented by Attorneys j. B. Sears
and L. G. Garnett, OF Mathews,
while L. j. Downing and Walter
hathaway, of Lancaster, appeared
for the firm desiring to rent.
The office of inspector for the 18th
district in Middlesex was hotly con-
tested, the applicants being W. F.
Miller, incumbent, @. T. Nelson, E.
O. Percifull, and B. F. Smith. Mr..
Miller was reappointed by an unani-
NOUS vote.
The meeting was held in the Mon
ticello Hotel, and the following
members of the board present; DR..
j. w. Bowdoin, of Accomac county,
chairman; S. f. Miller, of Mathews,
secretary, and r. j. Camp and II. NJ.
Tyler.
l.. L. P. Ayers, recently indicted
6y the United States grand jury at
Richmond on a charge of illegally
taking possession Of some oyster
grounds of the state, was brought to
Norfolk Saturday aud gave bond in
the Marshal's office for his appear
ance in court this month.-Norfolk
Pilot.