Fisheries Preservation Society

“ Although the Council have not yet succeeded in accomplishing the main object of their endeavours, viz., the obtaining of an Act to prevent the Pollution of Rivers, they are, nevertheless happy to say that the past year has by no means been barren of results advantageous to the Fisheries at large, or promising to be so, as the following proceedings will show:—
In the first place, on the 7th June of last year, a great Salmon Fishery Congress assembled, under the presidency of Earl Percy, at South Kensington. ”

“ The Council will not relax their efforts in the cause, but it seems to them that the best hope of obtaining a measure adequate to meet this terrible evil of pollution of streams rests now on the public voice making itself promptly, powerfully, and decisively heard by the Government. ”

“ Lastly, on the 2nd April of the present year a deputation of a very influential character, consisting of Lords Abinger,Airlie, Seafield,Colville, and Saltoun, and other large Scotch proprieters, &c. (and of which various members of the Council of this Association made a part) , having been formed by Lord Abinger, was introduced by his lordship to the Home Secretary for the purpose of ascertaining from the Right Honorable Gentleman what steps Her Majesty's Government proposed taking this Session for the amendment of the Scotch Fisheries Act. ”

“ From the discussions that arose and the interchange of suggestions which took place, not merely as regarded the evil of pollutions but on all points affecting the interests of the Fisheries, at a Congress so influential and possessing such special and practical knowledge of the subjects brought under deliberation, it is impossible to doubt that great benefit must ensue to the Fisheries. ”

“ This Congress included various noblemen and gentlemen, great Fishery proprietors, Conservators, and others from all parts of the kingdom. It was attended by Mr. Frank Buckland and Mr. Spencer Walpole (the Government Inspectors of Salmon Fisheries for England and Wales) , by the Special Commissioners of Fisheries, and by the President (Lord de Blaquiere) , and several members of the Council of the Fisheries Preservation Association, all of whom took an active share in the proceedings. ”

“ It is with much gratification the Council announce the accession to their Board of Lord Abinger, who was unanimously elected a Member of the Council in February last.
They also have to announce that, in appreciation of their valuable services to important Salmon Fisheries, Joseph Dodds, Esq., Honorary Secretary of the Tees Salmon Fishery Landowners' Association, and John Lloyd, Esq, of Huntington Court, Hereford, a Conservator of the Wye, Usk, and Ebbw Fisheries, have been elected Honorary Members of the Association. ”

“ Joint Deputation to Lord Palmerston.Experience having shown, however, that the Act (a most valuable and effective one in other respects) was inoperative as regarded such pollutions, in August, 1863, a joint deputation from the Sanitary Associations of Great Britain and the Fisheries Preservation Association went up to Lord Palmerston, and urged his Lordship to introduce a Government measure to put an effectual stop to the nuisance. ”

“ Lord Abinger having explained that the amended Act desired was one based on the Scotch Bill of 1866, which had passed ths House of Lords and that the chief amendments required were:—
1st. The appointment of permanent Inspectors empowered to carry out such alterations in the bye-laws as might from time to time be found expedient, and whose duty, it should be to report annually the general condition of the Scotch Salmon Fisheries. ”

“ The Council cannot close their Report without congratulating the members on the fact that the two last valuable Reports (July, 1867, and March, 1868) of the Inspectors, declare that the English and Welsh Salmon Fisheries are on the increase, four and twenty rivers being specially named in the first of those Reports as exhibiting great and marked improvement."
Among other kind contributions to the funds of the Association since the last Report the Council have the pleasure of acknowledging the following donations—namely:—Earl. de Grey and Ripon, £10 10s.; Lord Northwick, £10 10s. ”

“ This Bill, however, owing to strong objections being felt by the House to its machinery, was, in deference to a generally expressed wish, withdrawn, though at the same time the enormous extent and dangerous nature of the nuisance it sought to arrest, and the pressing necessity for legislative action, were admitted to have been fully established by Lord Robert Montagu's masterly exposition. ”

“ This latter Act empowered certain persons therein named, who were willing at their own expense to divert the sewage from the river, to incorporate themselves into a company for that purpose. No company, however, appears to have been formed nor anything done under the powers of this Act. ”

“ Wilson, G. V. Esq. 3 Chepstow-terrace, W.
Wotton, H. R. Esq. 17 Cavendish-square.
Wright, R. Esq. Harlesden-green.
Wynne, Brownlow, Esq. Garsthewin, Abergele.
Youl, J. A. Esq. Waratah House, Clapham-park.
Young, R. Esq. M.P. 19 Eccleston-street. S.W.
Zetland, Earl of, Upleatham, Yorkshire.
FISHERIES
Preservation Association.
REPORT
For the Year ending May, 1868. ”

“ Frere, C. Esq. Western Life Office, Parliament-street.
Fuller, P. H Esq. Stoke Pogis, Bucks.
Garnett, W. J. Esq. M.P.
Geldart, T. C. Esq. Trinity Hall House, Cambridge.
Goddard, A. C. Esq. Crosley-green, Rickmansworth.
Goodhart, Jos. H. Esq. Manor House, Tooting. ”