SCOTCH SCENERY AND THE NEW SALMON FISHERIES BILL.
To THE EDITOR OF TEE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—In 1884, you opened your columns and lent your most effective aid to those who resisted the attempt made in the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Bill to destroy some of the most picturesque bits of scenery in Scotland. We need your help again. In the proposed Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Bill, a copy of which lies before me, I find the following :—" Clause 29. When any District Board shall pass a resolution, at a meeting specially called for the purpose after not less than fourteen days' notice, that it is expedient to remove any natural obstruction to the passage of fish in the bed of a river, or to construct a fish-pass or salmon-ladder to any waterfall, weir, dam, or artificial obstruction, and setting forth that they have failed to come to any agreement with the person or persons entitled to enter into an agreement with respect to the execution of such works, they may intimate such resolution to the Fishery Board, and apply to them for authority to execute such works. Clause 30. The Fishery Board shall direct an inquiry to be made by the Inspector of Salmon Fisheries," an inquiry evidently having regard only to the sup- posed commercial interests concerned. Clause 31 authorises the Fishery Board to proceed with works which may be thus recommended by the District Board. Clause 32 says that when the Secretary of State for Scotland has confirmed this resolution, " the District Board may proceed to execute the works in terms thereof, and for that purpose may enter upon any lands and do all things which may be necessary." But perhaps the most extraordinary provision is that contained in the 33rd Clause, which provides that " where any obstruction has been removed or made passable under the powers con- ferred by this Act, the right to fishing in the waters above such obstruction shall belong to the riparian owners ex adverso of their respective lands, any right, charter, title, or statute to the contrary notwithstanding ; and the proprietor or pro- prietors of such obstruction, or of the water immediately below or above such obstruction shall be entitled to claim compensa- tion from the District Board." Then follow clauses of "penalties and offences," which are of a very drastic order.
Now, I wish you to observe that in the proposed Act there is no recognition of the fact that the people of Scotland have a right in the matter. They have the right to see that some of the most beautiful bits of scenery in our country shall not be ruined at the pleasure of a District Fishery Board whose aim is to improve and to widen the area of salmon-fishing. We have so much of necessary ugliness in our country already, that we protest against mere gratuitous interference with the things of beauty which may be a joy, if not interfered with,. to many generations. There are instances of the introduction of ugly, conspicuous structures, called salmon-ladders, in picturesque bits of scenery; and then after the beauty of the place has been utterly marred, the salmon have refused to ascend. One place I could mention, but regard for your space prevents me.
The danger is that this Bill may pass without the know- ledge of the people of Scotland. It is only those who are directly interested who are likely to be aware of the proposal, and I wish to call attention to the Bill, that it may not pass. in silence. As for myself, my only interest in the matter is the interest of a man who desires to keep some lovely spots untouched by the utilitarian hand, to be for all time what they have been to us.—I am, Sir, &c.,
ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND.
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