DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

194
which was scarce, fishing proved highly successful to anglers and trollers. Pickerel
were clean, bright, and of a good size. At the head of Lake Rosseau ten to sixteen
pound pickerel were common; while a twenty-eight pound lunge was landed from
Sparrow Lake. ourists were not quite so numerous during last summer, but the
influx of hunters, including foreigners, was larger. Game is more attractive than
lish. Spearing is almost completely stamped out; the only offenders being riverdrivers,
and coarse fish their aim. The most difficult question to manage is the
sawdust nuisance. Mill owners seem well disposed to comply with the statute, some
even going so far as to spend $3,000 in erecting iron burners, which he is sorry to
say, proved defective. Open burners in the lakes should also be condemned. Mi'
$mith, suggests a solution to the nuisance by giving a mercantile value to the sawdust,
and to this end he writes :—
"Build furnances to burn the solid waste with a flue forty or more feet long on
an inclined plane, before the smoke-stack is reached. Revolving in this flue is a
cylinder that projects beyond the elbow formed by the smoke-stack where a pulley is
affixed to the outside of the cylinder, run by a belt to keep it revolving at a moderate
speed. Then the end of the cylinder enters a box or chute where it is cut off at an
wgle forming a spout to load itself with the sawdust thrown into the chute. The
other end of tho cylinder projects beyond the furnace, where another pulley and belt
is affixed. When the sawdust is sufficiently carbonized it is let out at this end. If
too coarse it can be ground in one of the churn-like mills used to grind hemlock bark;
then, while warm, mix it with very thin liquid glue, the consistency of size should
be sufficient and press in dry powdered moulds for all articles whore papier-maclie and
celluloid are used. Being ground fine and carbonized it should have a very fine
grain, and be susceptible of a high polish. The suggestion may appear chimerical, buti
expect to see it done and prove far more profitable than sawdust car-wheels. In the
meantime the perplexing question remains: How is the sawdust nuisance to be
abated?"
Overseer J. G. Rumsey, of Huntsville, who has charge of the inland waters of
twelve townships in Parry Sound and Muskoka, reports that the only fishing in his
district is done by sportsmen and few settlers for local consumption. Speckled trout
appears to be getting scarcer. This may explain why tourists were not so numerous
as formerly. This decline may be attributed to the want of fish-passes in the dam
at Burk's Falls. It is highly desirable that these waters be protected, as they are
known to be exceedingly well adapted for speckled trout.
CARDWELL DIVISION.
Ovrrseer Robt. Stewart, who has charge of the inland waters of the County Cardwell,
makes no report, but estimates the value of trout and bass caught in his division
during last season at only $450.
WELLINGTON COUNTY DIVISION, INCLUDING CREDIT RIVER.
Overseer Andrew Huglison, of Orangeville and W. Hull, of Erin, who have charge
of the River Credit, report, that considering the dry summer, fishing was fair. Fish
were more plentiful last season than formerly, especially speekled trout. The total
value of fish in this division is estimated at $8,130.
LAKES SIMOOE AND COUCEIICRING DIVISION.
Overseer Wm. Hastings, who has charge of the south shore of Lake Simooe,
reports having seized two nets, one south of Beaverton and the other north of Point
Marling. The close seasons were fairly observed.
Overseer L. S. Sanders, who has charge of the north shore of Lake Simcoo, sends
no report.
Overseer Wm. McI)ermot, who attends to the inland waters of the County of
Simcoe, estimates the value of the fisherIes at $4,000. The principal kinds of fisk