DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

41
factories purchase by the hundred and insist on getting large fish. All the.fishways
in his district, with one exception, are in good order. The dam at Snake Lake, Ia
.ghram River, Is completely choked up so that no fish can pass it.
Overseer George Rawlng, of Musquodoboit Harbor, cannot give as favorable a
report on the fisheries this year as last. The shore fishermen did not do nearly so
well, owing to the scarcity of fish and the blustering weather. The vess&s, however,
that fished about Magdalen Islands, all did very well. Considering the length of the
season, lobster fishermen did a good business. The catch of herring and mackerel
was very small on the shore of this district and they did not seem to touch there at
all. Gaspereaux were unusually scarce, very few coming into their best resorts.
Salmon were about as plentiful as last year. Mr. Wilmot took a large number at
Musquodoboit River, for the Bedford establishment, and could have taken at least
half as many more, but some person opened the passage and allowed them to go up
the river. A. great source of annoyance to Mr. Rawling is that during the months
of October and November several of the fishermen pack lobsters in small lots, in out
of the way places, on islands sometimes two or three miles from land, where in
rough, foggy weather you cannot get to theta, and in fine weather they can see one
-coming an hour ahead. The law during packing season was well kept. The
puckers did not want small lobsters, particularly those who bought by count. This
-officer believes it would be a great prevention to make it compulsory on the part of
the proprietor to have the man who counts and weighs the lobsters, sworn to coinS
,ply with the law,
EANTS COUNTY.
Overseer J. B. Colter, of Milford, reports a smaller catch of salmon this year than
last. During the first two weeks in August the river was alive with small bass, butt
they were scarce at the time when they should bo caught. Both alewives and river
shad were more plentiful than for severtl years previous, and there was a good run,
of these fish into Grand Lake. Last winter was the first attempt at taking eels in the
Shubonacadie, and the result was very satisfactory, some making as high as $5.OG
per day. The close season was well observed.
Air. J. Al. O'Brien, who reports in place of the late overseer T. B. O'Brien, do..
ceased, says the catch of salmon and shad was about an average with last season.
Fewer boats were engaged in the business and owing to the small catch last year, no
new outfits were employed, which accounts for the nets being shorter. All the mill
owners in this district were notified to take care of their sawdust, and he is pleased
to say the law is being obeyed better than heretofore. He has not been made aware
of any poaching in this district.
KINGS COUNTY.
Overseer B. F. Bead, of Wolfville, is glad to state that the catch of alewives in
the Gaspereau River was much larger than for several years previous. Salmon fell
off quite materially, from some unknown cause. The fishways at Benjamin's Mills.
are working satisfactorily, but there is great necessity for a ladder at Dodge's 1Mill
At Ayleslord there was an increase in the catch of salmon, and much larger quanti.
ties were observed in the river the past autumn than usual.
Overseer James S Ithiler, of Canning. reports a large increase in the catch of
salmon as compared with last year. Herring on the bay shore were also a fine catch.
The shad fishing still continues very poor both in Scott's Bay and the Basin of Minas.
The Medford and Pereaux herring fishery also shows an improvement. The increase
in value of about $9,000 is mainly due to the splendid catch of salmon on the hay
shore.
LUN1NBUIIG COUNTY.
Overseer David Evans, of Chester, reports the catch of salmon as far below that
of last year. The ice remained in the bays and rivers much later than usual au4
may have protected the fish from the fishermen. He again urges the nepsaity of