IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // "^ 1.0 ■so •^~ 2.5 2.2 I.I i^-- IIIIIM 1.8 L25 lill 1.4 i 1.6 V] <^ /2 /a '/ /S^ Sciences 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 4^% CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The( to thi The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the i nages in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde □ Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde D Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque □ Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I — I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ D D D D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re Mure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int6rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mantaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur I ! Pages endommagdes Pages damaged/ Pages endommag □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes «3t/ou pellicul6es .— I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ K I Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqu6es Thai possi of th filmii Origi begii the li sion, othe first sion, or ill □ Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es 0Showthrough/ Transparence □ Quality of print varies/ Quality indgale de I'impression □ Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire The shall T9NI whic Map diffa antir begi right requ metl Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have Leen refilmed to ensure the ber> possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fa9on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y tail 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: University of British Columbia Library L'exempilaire filmi fut reprodutt grdce A la g6n6rosit6 de: University of British Columbia Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la netteti de I'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first pegs with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, an'^i ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les exemplaires orig'naux dont la couverture en papier est imprimie sont film6s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidrn page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmis en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernldre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED'V or the symbol V (meaning "END "), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole —^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction retios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. t t i". 2 9 t : « : i 4 5 6 •* \7 71 ,*»r j^*. ^ •I \ BRIEF REPORT ^ N ON .^: THE CONDITION' OF THE PlIiiNCIPAL RIVERS ON THE SOUTH COAST OF NOVA-SCOTIA. HY FKEDEKICK 11. D. VIETH. HALIFAX: PRINTED BY COMPTON & CO. 30 & 32 Bedford Row, 1868. ■%:. «»?' i: \ \ '*►. V * ^ £ I I fer ■pp ?t BRIEF REPORT ON I ii THE CONDITION OF THE PRINCIPAL RIVEES ON THE SO JTH COAST OF NOVA-SCOTIA. BY FEEDERICK H. D. VIETfl. HALIFAX: PRINTED BY COMPTON & CO., 30 & 38 Bedford Row, 1868> <■! f % \ *>. % ^ i i. f ..r^; INTRODUCTION. In the earnest endeavor to point out clearly the deplorable state of the Rivers of this Province, I have drawn up the annexed Keport, which, if it can boast of no other merit, at least carries with it truth. The state- ments I have made in reference to the stoppage of the rivers are simply facts, and can be substantiated by many in Halifax, Avho have long endeavored to bring about some means to remedy the evil. I allude to the " Society for the Preservation of Fish and Game," of which I have the honor to be a member. This Society, numbering little over a hundred sub- scribers, has done everything that its limited means would permit, to open mill dams, prevent illicit spearing and netting, and to give fish a free passage up the rivers ^ to their spawning grounds; but its funds are not suffi- ciently large to attempt paying Inspectors and Wardens, so that, although the utmost energy and untiring zeal have been displayed by its Executive Committee, the progress of the good work has been unfortunately very slow. A bill was introduced last Session into the House of Assembly, at the urgent request of this Society, by Mr. Samuel Macdonnell, the Chairman of the Fishery Com- mittee, providing for the appointment of an Inspector of Inland Fisheries;* but although it passed through the Lower House, it was rejected at its third reading in the I Legislative Council, the chief reason being, I believe, that they considered the adoption of such a measure should be left for the consideration of the Dominion Parliament. Hitherto the care of all the rivers has been placed in the hands of the Quarter Sessions of each County, whose duty it was to appoint Eiver "Wardens; but there the * 8e« Mr, T. F. Knight's Eoport on the Fieberies of ITova Scotia, page 24. IT INTRODUCTION. matter ended with them, — whether or not the Warden did his duty they never troubled their heads to enquire. The Act distinctly points out that " Every mill owner shall make a suitable passage in his dam for the fish " ; but no one voluntarily obeyed, and but very few Magis- trates over attempted to enforce the law.* To prove this I have taken as a sample something more than 200 miles of the sea coast, beginning at Liverpool, to the Westward, and ending at St. Mary's, to the Eastward, of Halifax. I have chosen the streams between these points because they were once more celebrated than any others in the Province for the countless myriads of salmon, shad, trout, and gaspereaux, that frequented thom ; f and the description of the state in which they arc now can with equal truth be applied to nearly all the rest of the rivers in Nova Scotia. Having finished my statements regarding the condition of the streams I have selected, I beg to offer in conclu- sion a few practical suggestions, as to the means best suited to establish that which is so much needed in our Province — Protection for our Inland Fisheries. . •fr * This was mentioned in the Report of Fishery Committee,, House of Assem- bly, 1867, when they recommended the appointment of a Chief Inspoctor of Inland Fisheries. 1 1 may mention here that 1 am deeply indebted to Colonel Cheamley, the energetic President of the Society for the Preservation of Fish and Game, for much information concerning our riyers previous to their toeing bo over-net- ted and ohstmcted. Pr its I it the thi fori be to affd mu| so • »»"M,'|I.!" I \ CONDITION OF THE ElVERS. LIVERPOOL RIVER. This may be classed amorii^ the large rivers of Nova Scotia. Its main water is Lake Eosignol, into which flow a vast number of tributaries fed by lesser lakes, and is one of the finest nurseries that is to be found on this continent for those fish that seek the fresh from the salt water for purposes of procreation. Formerly this noble stream and its tributaries literally abounded in the " finny tribe," and it was a common thing for vessels to load at its mouth with salmon for the Home Markets; but in its present state nothing can pass above high water mark, as it is there at once totally obstructed by a mill dam, (and above it are several more.) A few salmon and other fish annually come to the foot of this harrier, Avhere they fall a prey to the spearer, •■ always on the look out," and are greedily bought up by the residents thereabouts. I may state {par paroithtse, to show how our fishery laws are observed,) that the first dam is partly, if not wholly owned by tho Custos of the county and a me:nber of the Legislative Council, and another above is the property of a Magistrate, and one who for a long time was chosen to represent the interests of his native country- in the House of Assembly. Leaving this, and journeying towards Halifax, we come to PORT MEDWAY RIVER. This is a river of greater extent than any other in the Province, its head waters being in Annapolis county. In its passage to the sea, it forms many lakes, and has upon it numerous rapids and still waters. Luckily, owing te the timber having been used up about the lower lands, through which it flows, that article has now to be sought for about its sources, consequently the many mill dams to be found on its course are obliged to be frequently opened to admit of logs, &c., being driven down it : this act affords an opportunity for the fish that have escaped the multitude of nets in the harbor, to ascend at such times, so that a few salmon, gaspereaux, &c., are still inhabitants 6 RIVER5? OF NOVA SCOTIA of tho rivor. I may add that report has it, a largo des- cription of tish is at times to bo Hocn sporting about the lakes at Ponnuk ; and from what T can learn, I am inclined to believe they must be • Sturgeon." We arrive next at I'ETIT HI VI ERE. Although so named, this is by no means an insignificant stream. Flowing out of many lakes, as it does, through a flat country, its eour.se is necessarily slow and lethargic, and at ils mouth docs not discharge much water, except in times of heavy rains. Unfortunately, like so many others, it is .stopped at all points by mill dams, man}' of theui of the most useless sort; but in days gone by, vast quantities of gaspereaux frequented this stream, and even salmon were to be found in it to a very considerable amount. Like the preceding rivers, it is netted at the harbor into which, it empties, to a very great extent, by every mean.'j that man can invent ; but the cessation of this species of hostility against the fish would do little good just now, as in 'ts present state it would be quite impossible for the smallest of living things in the water to pass the obstructions. We now approach LA HAVE RIVER. This IS another river of considerable magnitude, with very heavy rapids and falls, and I am inclined to l)clieve that many fish could never have ascended to its upper sources, owing to a steep pitch at the '■ Indian Upper Keserve;" however, there is ample space in and about its lower waters for spawning grounds, could fish only attain to them. It formerly abounded in the spring of the 3^ear in large salmon, and a greater " run," but of smaller size, used, later in the season, to visit its Western branch. This is now, and has been for a long time, stopped by a formidable barrier in the shape of a milldam. On the main streai.'": many mills and their accompanying obstructions stand, and illicit netting is carried on to the fullest extent, so much so, that the salmon are very scarce indeed ; but shad and et- 8 RIVBKS OF NOVA SCOTIA famous resort for gaspereaux that ascended it in miracu- lous multitudes to their spawning grounds ; this, too, is now completely stopped across, to their utter exclusion. Let us pass on to ^o. 3, which is GOLD RIVER. (xold River is one of the very few in Nova Scotia that is not obstructed, simply for this reason, that, what little timber of any size that once grew about it, has been cut down or burnt. There is. however, one mill upon it, above the first great falls, and, until lately, numbers of salmon were here destroyed in this way. The fish were tempted to try to get up the water that flowed through the mill race, because it was more placid than the foaming torrent in the main run, and the salmon that tried this were zea- lously watched from the flooring of the mill above. As soon as they Avere trapped, "[he water was stopped, and they of course fell an easy prey to the spearer. I must state, however, that the two 'principal reasons for the dimi- nution of salmon in this river, arc, first, excessive netting, (fully 100 nets of all lengths and structures are to be seen in spring time about the tidal waters;) and secondly, because a somewhat thriving settlement has been formed about its source, and the fish that on their way up have escapod all these dangers arranged by man, are at Sher- brooke, mercilessly swept out in their summer retreats by nets, and inhumanly slaughtered by the spearer when on their spawning grounds depositing their ova in the fall of the year. As regards gaspereaux, they never frequented Gold River in numbers ; the few that did, found their way up its first tributary, and I am credibly informed salmon also used to go up this apparently insignificant brook, but an abandoned mill dam now stops the way. We have reached at length the two last of importance in Mahone Bay, viz., Middle and East Rivers. 1 need not take up further time by describing them : in a word the fisheries of both are almost altogether destroyed by the millers ; and Hubbert's Cove river, running into the little Bay of that name, has shared much the same fate. si ej ai St. Margaret's Bay now opens to our view. Into this beautiful sheet of water more than twelve rivers and small streams empty themselves, many of them at one time famous for their gaspereaux only — others known as salmon and trout rivers. I pass over the smaller streams, nearly all of which are complt>tely stopped, and, taking the first of any size, proceed to examine aJ «^ h ■ *: >•«• AND THEIR OONDITiaN. »• acu- lO, is sion. I tbat little ti cut above almon mpted e mill orrent re zea- e. As 3d, and I must le dimi- netting, be seen jcondly, formed up have it Sher- reats by when on aioftbe ted Gold way up mon also k, but an i reacbed Bay, viz., tber time botb are Hubbert's name, bas Into tbis ivers and em at one known as cr streams, ind, taking I INQRAHAM BIVER. This river, once so celebrated for its gaspereaux, trout and salmon, takes its rise in the neighborhood of the Ardoise Hills, near Windsor, (Hants county,) and flows almost in a southerly direction towards St. Margaret's Bay It passes (so to speak) through manj'' large laked, surrounding the shores of which fine timber may yet be seen. Immeaiately at its mouth we find a saw mill, with its dam stretching across the river, owned by a Mr. Webber. A pass has been made at its side to allow the waste water to escape, through which, when the river is very high, a few salmon, trout and gaspereaux make their ascent; but I have myself seen this stopped with slabs and sods, to prevent the further progress of the fish, and I was informed that this was a common proceeding, (as at Mush-a-mugh, already alluded to, when the fish were running, to enable the men who lived in that vicinity to take net and spear, and sweep out of the pass every fish lha« entered it. Further up we arrive at Snake Lake. Here a total obstruction presents itself, beyond which nothing can pass ; and higher up still are several more dams, completely closing the river. We arrive next at INDIAN RIVER. If we ascend this for about three miles we come upon a mill owned by one *' Ehyno," and as usual there is the dam completely across. The warden of this river, (JSTathaniel Mason,) is one of the few eflS^cient ones in the Province, and does his duty well ; but it ia owing to " the Society" that an opening was sometime since made in this dam, by removing some of the slabs of which it was constructed, and by blasting the rocks at the side, through which a few salmon escape to the higher waters. I have myself seen thousands of gaspereaux striving to work their way through small crevices in this engine of destruction, and failing, dying on the shore about it. Some six miles above this we reach another mill, (Melvyn's) where a small space has been given to the fish ; but as they cannot, except with great diflSculty, paos beyond Khyno's. this is of little consequence. Indian jRiver is still frequented by a few salmon and gaspereaux. N../rth East Eiver, Little East Eiver, and Hosier's Kiver, all flowing into St. Margaret's Bay — the latter once a famous resort lor salmon — were all recently totally ob- strttcted. Farther on we reach Shad Bay and the 2 ■ ! 10 RIVERS OP NOVA SOOTIA i NINE MILE RIVER. This is considered one of the most beautiful streams in Nova Scotia; the picturesque beauty of its windings, and its magnificent pools or miniature lakes, are the admira- tion of all who visit it. Alas ! this is now almost its only- value. A dam is built upon it eight miles from its mouth, and at the latter place the most wanton destruction has been going on for a long time. At my last visit, about four years ago, I saw stretched across at the tide way upwards of eight nets and seines, which j)reventcd even the smallest fish from escaping; and I have every reason to believe (from reports that have been made to me) that it has been the custom of the inhabitants there to carry on the same warfare against the fish up to the present time. At Prospect Eiver, which discharges itself into the Bay of that name, the same wholesale netting and spearing, such as 1 have before mentioned, continues — the wardens (if any) neglecting their duty, or, what is worse, joining those engaged in breaking the laws. if; SACKVILLE RIVER. We have now come to Halifax harbor. There is but one river here, and it is of no magnitude ; but men yet live who can remember when it ranked among the most prolific of salmon streams. Let me give one instance : Some twenty years ago a pensioner named Hopewell, (still living), who resided near its mouth, caught with a rod and line, between daylight and nine o'clock in the morning, nineteen salmon, averaging between 8 and 18 lbs. This is a fact which proves how plentiful they were then; and indeed it was no uncommon thing in those days to catch, even by the inexperienced, in its pools, four or five salmon a day ; but a saw mill was erected upon it, about six miles from the soa, which completely stojiped it, and year by year tiie fish have dwindled away in numbers. Last year over 3100 was expended by the Society in opening this dam and placing a fish-gate in it; a trustworthy Warden was also appointed, so that it is hoped that the time is not far distant when it will be again the favorite resort of salmon it was before it became so shamefullj'- abused. cow BAT RIVER. Adjoining Halifax harbor is a small inlet called Cow Bay, into which flows the river of that name. ■« AND THEIR CONDITION. 11 I am credibly informed this was in former times a won- derfully good stream for gaspereaux, and the settlers in that vicinity did a thriving business by catching them, and curing them for the Halifax market. It was also much sought after by sportsmen, who were always sure of a good day's fishing there ; but evil came upon it also. Some enterprising person raised a mill and dammed it across, and eventually finding saw- ing in that locality was not a paying concei'n, and having ruined the river as Avell as himself, he abandoned the mill, leaving the dam behind him, I suppose as a me- mento. Many years afterward this obstacle was cut away by Captain (now Jjieut.-Col.) Chearnley, the Presi- dent of the Society, many times alluded to ; but the river has never been the sume since it was closed, and I much fear, like many others similarly abused, its day has gone by. LITTLE SALMON RIVER. Passmg round Cow Bay Head we find a small Bay at the head of which a deep channel stretches in from the sea, through sand flats that are at high tide covered with water. On passing up this channel as far as one can go in a boat, wc reach the mouth of Little Salmon Eiver. This stream flows out of an enormous sheet of water called Lake Major, and up to 1865 was completely obstructed by a mill dam, just where it issues from the lake. Like that on Cow Bay Eiver this also fell into dis- use, and during a freshet Avas swept away, and luckily has not been replaced. I have hoard that since the river has been open, salmon, trout and gaspereaux have been seen making their ascent, and the Society having been instrumental in placing over it a competent warden, there is a probability of these fish multiplying here. This and the Sackville Eiver, already mentioned, are the two that have had most money expended upon them by our " com- mittee" to prove, if possible, to the inhabitants living in their vicinity how much it is to their advantage to give such a valuable element of food fair play. Six miles beyond this wo come to the niG SALMON RIVER. This is in fact a succession of immense lakes, connected by large streams, that ending at last in one river, flows into Laurencetown harbor. There are many dams erected upon it, and comparing its present state with that of 20 years ago, one may say it is almost deserted by fish. ^2 BIVBUS or NOVA 8G0TU harbor of that name. rHEZZETCOOK EIVER- .... • .«+ owing to its pasBirg Hero, I believe, no dams «^^^f ' \^^^^^^^ tniles^efore IhiB Blaoe, capturing aU ™,. " „. very common to this land waters Salmon ^«^ °""\,lo in thouBands made river Boa trout and S^'Pf^Ses in the interior, in the Ihek way through '' «/^^, S Biver iB completely spawning Bea8on_ ^^J'Zl at several places tagher i°"¥ormeri; sta^ orga^^erean. ascended it. Proceeding fromTrarbrn^J^^a-- ded w th net' f^'f 8" "„, named by the Micmaclndmn. ttt terminus of the stream, named oy ^ ^^ ^^^ ^^„ t_ Susquadabwan, (^"^'fj^^'ili "n this river a gentle- SdetTberthe'^oora^^^^^^^ of them ; but that was m ^^« P^T^f^^ /almon are yearly "'Cwiuno. go ^"^^"^i^r^z^^ from the last named river, ^''dt;l«^„S ^^^ ^j ^t bo ^^rt r m^ ouTg ?. and « to. in^the 3rthei?p&o---^-"- •o ..,1+ off from the sea by tne Ovstev Pond, further on,_i8 cut ^« i**" ^^^ the river MtsSs MttcheiVs dam, which not on^ob^^^^ ^^^^ ., but Se highway itself, ^f th« ^ra^^j, through maBses Stmb^X'aBdlo^^^^^^^ AND THEIR CONDITION. 13 ton the Bicg jfore , by crip- 5d at lO in- I tbis made n the letely lighor I, stud- Ives at [ndians call it, gentle- uredjin salmon, lumbers re is no e yearly )r about reo miles ,t a very might be 50, in the irst lake. ,n fiity or (hoot this mid be in and well sea by the ,8 the river klly finds it agh masses road. .TEDDORE AND SHIP HARBOR, (oR RIVER CHARLES.) Both these, we find, are a succession of lakes, with inter- mediate runs flowing into their respective harbors. A mill dam, fallen into disuse, barricades the former, while the entrance of the latter is barred by a gigantic structure recently placed there. An attempt at a fish pass has been made here, but so wrongly constructed altogether as to be wholly unserviceable. It was evidently erected by one who had very little experience in such matters. It is yet in the recollection of many when Eiver Charles abundantly supplied the settlements at the bead of the Musquodoboit with gaspereaux ; and any person going to the fisheries at the proper season easily got what be required of these fish for his winter's food. It abounded also in salmon, for they were seldom, if ever, molested thereabouts, except by a transient Indian spearing, or by the amateur fishermen in quest of sport with rod and tackle. A Mr. Weeks was the first, I believe, to stop this river just above its entrance into tidal waters. With reference to his mill, I beg to quote a passage from the note book of a gentleman who visited it some years ago, to show how much proper supervision is needed to protect the gaspe- reaux from being so destroyed. He says : " I saw on my arrival at the river that there was a suitable and proper fish pass opened, and I found that multitudes of fish had ascended. I resolved, however, to pay it another visit on my way home, when the gaspereaux would be about returning to the salt water. I then found the fish pass stopped, and the owner and his employed men busy secur- ing all the fish on their downward course in the water flowing through the mill. The matter was so arranged that the fish were thrown out on its lower flooring, and so effectually was this destructive apparatus contrived, that not one gaspereaux could have escaped. There were some 70 barrels filled at that time with fish, in the process of being salted." The mill site of this river has, however, since then fallen into other hands, and the fish pass alluded to is replaced by one I have mentioned as useless. Will it be believed that lately below this dam, a magistrate in that locality was Boen encouraging some Indians to spear all the salmon that they could see, and purchasing the fish from them for a trifle, to take direct to Halifax, to retail at an enormous profit. Tangier Eiver we find shamefully over-netted. We tvill pass on to 14 RIVBBS OF IIOVA SCOTIA ,i-i li:.f I „igbt enter very faUy into a — ^^.ted^y the t^'- reeTort'Sy »^." *T.\tt° I wSe„ taken tbcro. reS:^>"-S-^-" - trnpaohe. St. ST mvuy'b river. t"rT^ ,^to,n«d by the C.^- ^'t one time «ont .JP t total of X lako' at mrni?hc* .t w>tl. -»^o, ^^^^^^ pititnl to «ec ^ J tbom) vainly on j farmed *w \ Eentlcman, l.ig > ■" o*^' .f(,7„ets of al\ lengths, and Game. AND THEIR CONDITiON. >n of J the ago,'^ 3 been g nets rvuned yearly ■ket at rmevly iuoddy. wn bay, is, or so^ must ot [licb has ched St. here docs of great tors irovn vnd West , rcat gran- ^ Is tbrougb ^dow laud. t Mary's- second to icls used to the export icries, both iiain stream oke a small rish, to the > went up it •{iter. It i^ ) in number 3avouring to am informed d St. Mary's f all lengths, he tide way -, but no pen could exaggerate the number of them placed about its inland or fresh waters. These may be seen of all kinds, some directly across or overlapping each other ; others, fixtures, (stake nets;) and the margins of the lake on the East Eiver literally abound in these engines of destruction. It in here the mesh against the spear — the spearer against the nettcr ; the ■whole population are up and doing in spring time. Indeed such is the onslaught on the " king of fishes" I'or its total extermination, that it appears to me the man would be loudly applauded who it was discovered had killed tlie last salmon. In a man- ner this would be of great importance to the agricultural interests hereabouts, for it is obvious that those men who have been employed in spearing all night must be ill-fitted to follow the labors of a hushandman b}- day. After dark in the season one may observe many canoes on these rivers, generally occupied b}'^ two persons, in the full pur- suit of salmon ; indeed, at times the waters are perfectly illuminated by torch light, — the occupants of each canoe, jealous of their neighbour's success, and causing not only death to the fish, but apparently deadly hate and strife towards one another. Here may be seen also, -vhen they suspect any one not belonging to their clique ot watching them, disguises of all sorts — such as blackened faces, wearing woman's apparel, &c. ; and these white men, (an eye witness, who has travelled much, informs me), for dex- terity in managing the canoe, and certainty of casting the murderous spear, are not exceeded even by the Indians on the mighty Columbia and its tributaries. What need of me to say more. Here is a river, that any country in the world would be proud of, unobstructed, it is true, but so illegally over-netted and so disturbed by constant spearing, that it is a perfect miracle a single salmon has the good fortune to escape to its spawning grounds. iservation of Fi«h T ^ . 'f r "^h w VAWB 0» SALKOM. VALUE OF SALMON. f ritT upporltbo mm dams »^;» ;;'„";'„„ hundred and depositing tbeir spawn ^^^ ^ >j rWer, (a very small -;-^f ;Xy::turaliBtB, have proved 4ow Dr. Buckland, and other na ^^^ ^^^.^ „„ bv fi-esbets, eaten by their own ^^^ ^^^^^g, HH le^ve 1500 saved from each Ash^ ^, ^i,,,, ttlr and in the saH -tor t^,f ,^.ve returning - r :— ;^er^i..j-o: s.r^'-Tso^- pl^n'ed. F-/:t''1Iy*-y-'-'^''^'''':ron for the whole district. Say t y ^^ ^„„,„t to on ,„go and small, y^l^^l^^^^^^m.) ^^-^^'^'Z'.Z^ w a sum than £83,0UU, ^,» ^ , y^ fob. They not '::« Cand are still) to us mos valua ^^^^ ^^^ only afford the P""'^" .^'f' f „*, but are very largely Iple food for th^-^ :'-X ::; thousands of barrels exported to the West Indies s ^^^^^^ being annually sent from H»l>'*^;° y ^ ;„ anything ^Tiayadd that the^^mon - b.pp^^^,^ ^^„ ,be like large quantities "J* J° /^^ J„o longer being able ^„t;^ro«orrr—y, much less a foreign one. I '^ /"^N aiNERlL REMARKS. 17 GENERAL REMARKS. f tho i, are ithod, Kiver almon iinent. access indred trearfts to each proved a eoch, washed ^t would passage of these rning to one that i 830,000 18. apiece, lint to on eaux also They »ot le country ry largely of barrels ids. anything from the r being able 39 a foreign •I n I have Hhcwn the condition in which those Elvers are that empty themselves into the Bays on the Southern coast. I will now bring forward the state of those Bays or Harbors themselves. Of every one of them, from one end of the Province to the other, the same story may bo told — " there is no Aiir play given to the fish." Nets of all sizes and shapes are set at the mouths of the rivers, from side to side, in many cases overlapping each other j and further out in the salt water one may see " bag nets" of tremendous lengths stretching far out from the shores in the bay. In fact, contrivances of various kinds, all contrary to law, are everywhere placed, and spearing is carried on even before the eyes of the magistrates. It may be asked — "Why is all this allowed ? when there is an ordinance strictly forbidding cither spearing, closed mill dams, or setting nets, (except according to certain regula- tions therein laid downj) and why are "bag nets" per- mitted, when they are contrary to law ? The explanation is simple enough : The magistrates wont interfere, and indeed in many instances how can they, when they them- selves break the law by having their mill dams completely obstructing the river. But our greatest evil is the want of an inspector and proper wardens, to see that the fisher- mens' nets are of the kind, and placed in a manner, laid down by law, and to keep fish passes open and abolish spear- ing. The Quarter Sessions, as I have before stated, have the appointing of wardens, but in many cases they are never paid, aud men wont serve as river constables for nothing — " they can't afford" (they say) " to give up their day's work, or part of it, in executing what is laid down as their duty, when they get no compensation for it; and added to that, making enemies among their neighbours by what is termed " their uncalled-for oJEciousness." 3 GENBRAL RBMARW. Many othe. tW ^^J^tr/Cra^^n/ca, ^t novor boon Bworn in. 1"°* „ A.„d bo year alter year , have -;^vod no .n— ^^^^^ ^^^,, ^„„^, ,„„ „ow ^o'elTatapWoaoUcda — ^ , , faUure, Our Coast FsUor,ostb.sHC^B ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ bor and utter do""'"^'"" ^ 'd tho^'^ famUies-»o much so, of our havdy fl*°™f "/,t„Tng state, ^Hh no means to tbat tboy bavo been '» » ^'^^^ « ^^, cbarity of any v,ho proeure food, and f^^'i *° "l";^. Can tbis faiUiro be sa.d Ire bumane enough to ass^t them ^^^^^ .^^ ,^^^,,„ „ bo an unfortnnate miseban^ . ^^^^^^„y there « a cause for the ^^''^'y »^™7^^ ,uef attraetlon for inlets in thousands, and were ^^^^ ^^ .^ „ other fish to <=»»'' '"*°S tact, that in the water the known and established natural t,^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ,„ big devour the small, and ^ve ^^^ j^^^^Be believing that the -»«' ^^^t °„., tbat year after year tStlTSt:irto^eed npon these tempting Thr^:wnthatonr.vo.s.c^^^^^^^ and tbat but one or two - open ^^^ ^^^^ ,,^,, fairly netted,) and *« herng ^^^^ ^.^^^^j^ to d.s- of the scarcity of sea ** >» "^ .4 ttem to onr coasts- cover. The attraction that brougn GENERAL BEMARES. 19 the food Ibcy eagerly carae in fioarch of, is denied them, and they must perforce seek other shores to procure that which formerly induced them to visit us in such large numbers. It ii a sad state of affairs -with us to know that wo are losing not only our River but our Sea FiHlierios also, through lack of proper management, aud by our countryman being so blind hitherto to their own interests. Some effectual means ought surely to be taken without loss of time to endeavour to remedy the evil, and bring back the fish to our coasts. CONCLUSION. I would suggest then, in conclusion, (not only in my own, but in the opinion of many others who have for some time given this matter most thoughtful consider- ation), that to bring about a change for the better quickly and at the same time efficiently, the following plan would be the best to adopt : — Imprimis : The Rivers must, one and all, be opened, and where mill dams exist, passages for fish be immediately made. The necessity for it is obvious — the law also com- mands it, and that law should be rigidly enforced. But how to do this effectually is the difficulty. It is useless to leave it any longer to the Local Magistrates throughout the country. I have, I hope, shewn the absurdity of that. An officer ought to be appointed for the Avhole Province, who knows the country — who is intimately acquainted with the construction of fish gates or passes, and who will personally superintend the Rivers. He should have the powers of a Justice of the Peace, at least so far as the fishery laws are concerned j and above all, authority to nominate wardens for each district. This ought to bo the first step. The second should be to place these wardens under the control of the Inspector, to whom they should be made responsible for the discharge of their duties ; and means should be taken to compensate them for their time. 20 QENEBAL REMARKS. It would be necessary to have water bailiffs also, to see that nets are legitimately set; but in many cases one warden could do both Itivcr and Harbor duties. I think, in fairness to these men, their \niy should not be less than $40 annually; and a free permission should bo granted to both Inspector and his subordinates to pass over any land or property in the execution of their respective oflices. This latter would prevent, probably, luimerous petty actions for trespass being brought against them. Should these suggestions be considered worth acting upon— as, I pray, may be the case — we may yet hope a brighter day is in store for our Fisheries, and that year by year as we have lost, so year by year we may regain that most valuable article of food which a Beneficent Creator once so abundantly bestowed upon us. FEED'K. H. D. VIETH. Jtussell Street, Halifax, N. S. 10th January, 1868. ■sr "r APPENDIX, 21 APPENDIX. Report of Council of the Inland Fisheries and Game Preservation Society, 186G.* St. Margaret's Bay. — Tho warden for Margaret's Bay district has been very energetic during the past season, and reports all tho rivers clear, with the exception of Ingrahani's River, where still, as formerly, great opposi- tion is shewn to tho enforcement of the law. Your com- mittee press the most serious attention of tho society to this fact, with a view of stringent measures being adopted next season. Few, if any, fish have been taken by fish- ermen on the river during tho past season. The Indian river showed a great improvement on past years as regards sport. Owing to a stoppage at Ehino's mill, tho Council have caused a rock to be blasted to create a further enlarge- ment of the channel, and have further closed two tribu- tary brooks that diverge from tho main stream, to increase tho supply of water. East River, Chester Bay. Tho Council have here ren- dered the Grand Falls practicable for salmon, thereby opening up the whole of the upper waters of the river. Tho obstacle now removed was situated about IJ miles from the salt water, and we are glad to report that fish were observed ascending the falls immediately after the alteration was effected. Saeliville River. — Tho Secretary was authorized to effect an opening in the dam at this river, but owing to the un- usually high freshets which prevailed, nothing could at that time be effected to remedy the evil. In the ensuing spring it is intended to remove the obstruction. Again, with regard to this river, tho Council beg to report that Messrs. Piers and Blaiklook, having obtained * The Report for 1867 has not yet been published. .'.- 22 APPENDIX. information that nets were illecjally sot aci'oss the river above the dam, proceeded to the spot and effected a seizure of a net which was found set totally across the stream. From information received, it was understood by these trentlcmcn that numerous other instances of a similar nature were of frequent occurrence, the nets being set every evening at dusk, and taken up every morning. The Council beg further to report that the overseer, appointed by the Sessions for this river, stated that ho had never been sworn in, and was consequently an inefficient officer, Shubenacadie River. — Mr. Vieth's report on this river exhibits this fine stream in a most lamentable condition, the fishways at the various locks being utterly unservice- able, and the passage of salmon, bass and gaspereaux to GraTid Lake completely stopped. The mo^!, complete obstructions to their ascent appear to be at Home's Lock where the fish have been netted and speared in prodigious quantities throughout the season. The gaspereaux were seen in the water in millions, and on the banks, dead and dying, in their attempts to proceed to the spawning ground. Several nets wore seized by Mr. King, a very efficient agent of the Society, in the river during the sea- son, brought into town, and are now in possession of the Society. Sheet Harbor, East Branch. — The fishway placed in the liver by Mr. Chisholm som 3 four years since, according to the plan then required by the Government, not having been found effectual, Mr. Vic.h proceeded this year to inspect the same, and found that the new fish-ladder would not answer in this particular case, owing to the height of the dam, but recommended that advantage bo taken of the natural conformation of the bank to make a practica- ble ascent for fish, in carrying out which scheme both the owners and the Society gree to join. Little Salmon River, Preston. — The Society is happy to state that a great improvement has taken place in Little Salmon River, owing to the mill-dam having been carried away. Numbers of fish were observed by one of the Council on the spawning grounds of this river. -^ ^" ■ '■»#'•, APPENDIX. 23 ac- Petpeswick Miver at;u Governor'. Late. Formcrivtl, *'^™^'''''« Brook To ""0 brook, which i« „' '^ *'"'•>' '"«••« enabled (o „. ? ^'^et the „„eo,s„ry efoaranoe " "■"»" •>»*% w„„™ ;;n5pc;jh7h:r;::rb^;o"h""" '^«'''- ™--o- '-««es Of b„:rj: r;r;: "->" *» ^-o ,ooa, ,ar overcomo, whilst the iul^ZT'T""'' '™'"" "'o ■ be exeentive, with regard to fh """ •'"'"'=» "^ «ueh ^^ ders, under the rl'Zl\t,^"'.''''S of efficient fish J mill-dams wn„M i, Peculjarities of rive- i.„ 7''"'<'- ob,tr„eti:Ls"''"''' '" ""-'"-O decisive irrcreX:^ #