2 SECOND REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS general observations, as may be useful for the Board to know."
From this regula-tlon the Commissioners expect to acquire not only a general knowledge of the annual state and progress of the Fisheries of Ireland, but a particular knowledge of their advancement in each subdivision or station, ,ov<?r
w.hjch
a local inspector is placed.
The Commissioners being also of opinion ,t,hat a general survey of the coasts of Ireland would essentially contribute to the advancement of the object of their guardianship, were induced to apply to the Lord Lieutenant to appoint an engineer for that purpose, with instructions to inake "
a general survey of the coasts of Ire-land; to report the state of the harbours or places of shelter along the coast, the most'advantageous sites for fishing stations, and the most useful lines for com muni-cation between the principal harbours and interior Qf the country, through the moun-tainous districts."
And his Excellency being pleased to accede to such application, an engineer was appointed accordingly, who is now engaged in the execution of that duty, and from whose report, when the survey is completed, the Commissioners hope to derive such useful information as will greatly assist their future proceedings.
A considerable part of this survey has already been effected, comprising an extent of coast reaching from Sligo Bay to the Lough of Belfast, and they expect a still greater portion will be accomplished in the course of the present summer.
In consequence of the turbulent disposition manifested by the fishermen residing in many parts of the coasts qf this cquufxy, anpj particularly the western coasts, the Commissioners were induced to apply to the Lords of the Admiralty for an armed vessel, pursuant to the 54th section of the 59th Geo.
3, c.
109; and their Lord-ships having appointed His Majesty's gun-brig " Plumper," commanded by Lieu-tenant William Hutchison, for the protection of the Fisheries, her arrival in this country was duly notified to the Board by Rear Admiral Sir Josias Rowley, com-manding at Cove.
The presence of this armed vessel in the bay of Galway, effec-tually subdued that turbulent spirit on the part of the fishermen, which had hitherto resisted every effort to suppress it, and the most prosperous Fishery has been the consequence.
As a proof of the important benefits derived from the services of this vessel, the Commissioners beg leave' to introduce into their Report an extract from an address of the Committee of Improvement of the town of Galway," transmitted to them the 23d February 1821.
" We, the General Committee of Improvement of the town of Galway, com-prising the principal inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood, deeply sensible of the vast importance of the Fishery of the extensive bay of Galway, beg to convey to your Honourable Board the expression of general thanks for the protection lately afforded, by the arrival of the Plumper gun-brig, and to lay before you an account of the present situation, the advantages aiiid wants of the Fishery.
" The paramount importance of Galway as a fishing station is readily admitted by a reference to the map ; extending, as this station does, not only through the interior of this bay, within the islands of Arran, but also outside these islands, from Loop-Head to Sline Bay, forming a line of coast internally and externally of at least 300 miles, inhabited by numerous tribes of fishermen, who supply the country around with large quantities of fish, and look to Galway as a market for their surplus produce.
The principal fishing colony, however, is in the immediate vicinky of the town, and is computed to contain 500 able men and 80 boats."
" These extraordinary advantages, once the source, and at present the chief remains of the former great trade of Galway, have for many years past proved of comparatively small effect, for the want of proper regulations and protection.
The principal colony above alluded to, assumed by open violence an arbitrary control over the Fishery, keeping the fish at a monopoly prjee, to save their own labour, and stationing boats full of young men armed with stones and clubs to destroy the nets and sails, and assault the persons of the most industrious fishermen who might attempt, to produce more fish or at different times or places than those monopolists thought proper.
Under such circumstances, no improvement could be expected, no capital'embarked in the fishery : it is only surprising how it continued to exist.
" The arrival of-the gun-brig,ha&happjly changed these, scenes,: the fishing has been, extensive ; and the, mpnopojists, finding.they
could,npt prevent, as.before,
the exertions, of % m,ore industrious.
fishermen, have joined at,last in a (fair com-petition,, winches pi^c^a suppj^of fish beyond >all expectation Three hundred
