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