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[By Commission of His Excellency Sir J. TERENCE N O'BRSEN, Lt-Col., K.C.M.G.J -♦♦ ^ *^ at St. John's, x.f.. IVInlcd at the " Kvcniny Telegram " Office, ]801. V. ^. lE^EiPOiieT JUDGE BENNETT ON BAIT PROTECTION SERVICE. To His Exci-lliiuy lAcutcuant-Coloiul Sir J. 'ri-^RlCNCl-" N. 0'I?RI1':X, A'fii^/U Cowmtiudn of the Most Distill t^itis/ii'ii Ordir of St. Michael aiiil St. GooiXr, Goviiiior ami Coiniiiaiiinr in Chief, in and over the Island of Xeiofonndland and its Dependencies. May it ilease Your Excellenxv, — I received a Commission from your ICxccllency, dated the I4lh day of February, 1890, autliorizins^ me to make eiuiuiry into the operation of the several acts to regulate the exportation and sale of bait fishes, and into the manner in which the said acts have been executed; cost of executing the same, the efifect of prohibiting the exportation of bait fishes, and thi most efficient mode of accomplishing the same; and into all (jiiestions arising incidental to the execution of the said acts and their effect upon the trade and fisheries of this colony, and the persons engaged in the prosecution thereof, and on the value of the product of the said fisheries; and to report to you the result of such enquiry, with such observations thereupon as 1 ma}- tlecni proper to offer in the interests of the public service. I beg to report that 1 entered immediiiteiy on such entiuir)-, and took the evidence of all those I thought were likely to give important information. However interesting a historical review of our fisheries might be, it cannot with propriety be brought within the scope of this enquiry, but in order to arrive at a full knowledge of the interests involved in the important (piestions to be considered, it is necessary for me to biiefly refer to our Labrador cod- fishery. Shortly after the Treaty of Paris, and in accordance with the terms of that Treaty, Great Britain had to transfer the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and the user of the so-called French Shore, to I'rance. British subjects had held possession of these places for over a quarter of a century — that is to say: dur- ing the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars which ended in 181 5. Those persons who had been living at St. I'ierte were transferred to Fortune Bay; those at St. George's Bay had become too numerous to remove and were per- mitted to remain ; those who had fishing rooms on the northeast coast were not permanent residents but lived during the winter chiefly in Conception and Trinity Bays. These persons were required to take down their flakes and li'fjKtrt of Jtuhjt' lie mill t mi /'Jriili'iiri' stages, and to remove them in accordance with the terms of the Declaration attached to the Treaty of X'ersailles and the Act jj (ieor^c III., Cap. IV. They did so, and most of them removed their fishing' estalilisliments to the Stra!f.s of Helle Isle and the Labrador Coast ajjoiil Ca[)e Charles. Here and now commenced a sedentary Labrador tisherv wln'cli has continued, ;inil as fish became scarce on our sliores, ha-; increased in vnhiine until it ni).v represents probably one fourth nf our whole catch of codfish, and ^nves employment and a precarid'is li\'in^ to nc.irly one-fourth of our ])opulation.* During the Peninsular u.ir, our \e\\ fouiuliand nierchaiils appear to have monopolized the fish trade; tlie I'nited Kiiii^duiii, Spain and Tortutjal, con- sumed all the fish tliat could be taken, and the prices paid for it wen- verj- high, for sometimes from £2 00 to ,{.:? 10 was paid per ipiintal of 11 J lbs., .md the trade with Spain and Portugal, whicli was fostered b\- their ailianci' with Britain, appears to have remained with Hrilish merchants, .dm, 1st without competition, until recent years. The largest proportion of our l.abr.idor fish was supplied to these countries, and to Ital)-. The trade which we held for so man)' years, without competition, appears to have led to gross caiilessness in the handling offish; and its inlericjr cure caT'd for continual remonstrances from lairciiasers. Circulars and Consul, ir reports warneil us, that if we did not take more care and make better fisli, the trade must pass fidin us to our Norwegian rivals. No doubt there lias been a verj- considerable improvement in the cure during the p.ist ten years, but the evidence shows thai there is still too much negligence in ;i business which rcipiires the utmost can.' for its successful oper- ation. We c.innot justl}' compl.iin of the comp, tition of tlie Norwegians, as that people meet us on f.iir and ecpi.il terms, .ind the fault i^ our own that our article is inferior to theirs. Put within the last ten years a new f.ictor has arisen in our Mediterranean markets. l-"rance, who by her system o( bounties on sug.ir, has helped to ruin our fairest West iiulia Isl.inds; h.is bj- her bounties on cod lish, apparentU', determined to dii\e Xcwfouiulland out t f the Mediterr.uiean markets, 'i'he statistics, furnishetl by Mr. l.eMessurier, show ;i steady increase in the h'rench fishery, until it reached its highest point, in 1 .'^So. fostered and protected as that fishei)- is: fust, by .1 prohibitive dut\' ol more than $4 per (juintal on all foreign fish imported intt) hrance ; secoiul, b)' .1 bt)unty of frp!ilation of o\-er v .,( m n i,( mic 1, is jiaviii;,; .f ."^J |,o(io io 7.ocv> of her iieopL-. a|)p:uenl!\ I'or tlu purpose i-f enabling lli< ei to sell fish to Spain, l'oiiii":il, l',il\- .-ind ill,- I'lii'iij ^!aii-. at .f 1 ■ n > per li'iiiil.il le^-; tli.in i! cosiin:iti> mii' ainl i-i I'.ivi'ii Hilli vii|iii> lii-sit.ili.iii, lull I lliiiik il ni.iv \if l.ikrii a:; \eiy lii'.ii Ih.- iiiilli. I UrMiiiui.tirK iIji- 'i.iii -li.-.il afiMilnuiil ol llio Col>.'M) i't vrry «i;;ilc, intl v.-ry liitle iiiloi- mation of a posiiivo tliaraci'T can bi; l:a;l en fishery topif;. /i'tsficrtiiti/ Hull I'roh'vh'oii Scfi'n'C 5 produce, and, in iSS6 (isli was actually given away in Hoidcaiix, for shipment to Spain ; the owners (it-'ijcndin^^' -solely en tlicir bounty fur compensation. She has established her head-(|uarters at Bordeaux, and from thence is forcing; her bount)--fish into every market. I quote from the evidence of Mr. Munn, the larj,'esl exporter in the country, lie says, " There have been great changes during the past Ilmi years in the Mediterranean traile. In the year 1S78, we shipped to denoa 7.>.5"- 'juinlals; and in 1S71.), 47,3^)0 cpiintals; i88j, 40,900 (|uintals; iSS^, 40,800 (luintals; 1SS4, ^"'.3(^0 (juintals; 1S85, 37,300 (juintals ; iS.sr), ;4,9(.)o (piintals ; 1SS7, _'S,7(m) ipiintah ; 1888,20,400 quintals; 1889, 1 3,700 ([uintals ; ami in Malaga, Alicante, N'aiencia, Leghorn and Naples there has bein a large falling oil", ii> will be sinn by the tabular statement." He goes on to sa)' ; " I believe the decrease in shipment to Genoa and other markets is caused by the large increase of I'rench bounty-fed fish shipped to those markets. I'hc following figures show the i)rogressivc increase of Vrench fish at ("leno.i. In 1885 were imported -5,991 iiuintals; in 1886, 45,885 quintals; this is indepentlent of the lish sent into (ienoa, by rail, rvVr Mont Cenis tunnel, the quantitx- of which It is imposible to ascertain exactly; but the best informed estimate, at 5(.),ooo ipiintals. .\t Naples were imported in 1885, 35,000 (piintals Newfoundland fish; l'"rench lish, 5,300 (]uinl.ils. In 1886, Newfoundland I'ish, ^5,^:00 (luinlals; I'rench I'isli. iS,Si.io (|uintals. Pre- vious to the year 1883, the importation of I'"iench fish in Naples \\di practically unknown, but with the stimulus given to I'reiicli shippers, the importation of ■■'rencli cod tish is lapitll}' iiuieasing, with a corresponding decline in Hritish importations. At Valencia, until 1SS5, the maikel w.is free from I-'rench com- petition, Newfoundland, that year, sent 35,(^00 (piiiUals ; iMaiice, none. In 1880 Newfouiidiaiul sent jj,ot>o (|uiiUals, and lvalue JO,()CO (juintals. At Alicante, the market for the sale of Newfouiuli.iinl cod-lihii has most materially declined through its ilis|)la(:ement l)y l'"iencli caught lish. Being a port of dis- tributittn for fish to Madrid, .S.nagossa, v^c, iK:c,, these places are now almost whi>lly supplied b)- I'reiuli lish ; lliat for .^ladrid ami Northern places being sent through Bilbo, i .md r,i>s,i;^'es to which it gjes by rail fi\>in Bortlcau.x. The (piantity thus received from france in l.'^S5w.ls 56,; j^ (Quintals, and in 1886, 82,600 (|uintals. The I'lench \.\v lish (which is lish w.ished out and slightly dried for immedi.Ue eoiisumption ) is the description which competes with our Labr.'ulor lish. We li.ivi' other competitors in tlic Mediterranean markets, z-is : Norway (and Icel.md, for the pa-t two \ears ,il (icnoa), the Norwegian lish I c i|l\- \' ill) 1 Mil' ^1 1,;| . h>h ; ilh' I. ( land lish, ln'ing Iiaid mure due ■•o tar, is not ul much iiuportanc< . 1 lu price oi' fixiuh lav lish is a prineii>al lacii.r ill regul.iling ilie \Mliie of our l.alirador li^li in the Italian m.irkets, as they usually li\ the price of i'rench fish at from \s. to 2s. per cpiintal less than the price of I .abrador fi-h. The prices paid l)y us |i>r Labrador lish in 1885, were i2y. per quintal, the same in iSSo; in 1^07, lGs.\ and in 1888, iSi." 6 JReport of Judge Bennett on Evidence Mr. Charles Tessier, of the firm of 1'. & I.. Tcssicr, states: ' There is a great diminution in the quantity of fish shipped I)y ih to the Mediterranean markets, for instance, in 1883, we shii)ped 16 carj^ocs, and in iSSS ue sliipped only 4 car{joes; and there was a corresponding; depreciation of the price, of from 20 to 30 per cent. This is larj^eiy attributable to the competition tliat we have had with the French; they block the markets. Tlicir l)()unty enables them to undersell our shore fish from 30 to 40 per cent. The i)rice of fish in the Mediterranean markets has considerably improved in iSS.Saiul 1SS9; this is attributable to the short catch of I'rench fish in those j i ais. The I-'rench fioh competes with both Labrador and Shore fish, wc are almost driven out of the Spanish markets by the French. The prices we realized for Labrador fish were, in 1885, from Ss. to 13.?. per (piintal; in 18X6, from 8.v. to 14.V. per cpiin- tal; in 1887, from i$s. to 20^-. 61/. per cpiintal; in 18S8, from lys. to I9.s-. per quintal. I attribute the improvement in price to tlie curtaihuent of the I'rench fishery." Mr. Edgar R. Bowring, of the firm of Bowring Bros., says: " In 1885 we shipped 24,164 quintals to Meditterancan markets; the; ;iverai;e price ob- tained was $1.54 per quintal ; there was a very lartje I'rench fislury tlKit year, the markets were blocked and some of our fish was returned. In 1SS6 we ex- ported 14,464 quintals, average price, $3.64; in 1SS7, 7,880 quintals, average price, $3.88 per quintal; in 1888, 16,945 (piintals, average price, $2.66 per quintal; in 1889,6,400 quintals, average price $>-- P>.'r (|iiintal. We have curtailed our Labrador business, it proving anything but a [laying one: the chief cause being the competition of the I'rench; they IxMUg able to under- sell us in the markets. They have driven us altogether out of some markets. The price of French green fish is a great factor in regulating the price of our Labrador fish. No matter what the price of Labrador fish is, they undersell us from IS. to 2S. per quintal. There has been an increase in the price of Labrador fish the past three years; I think this is partly attributable to the operation of the ' Bait Act,' in not allowing the French to get sufficient bait." Mr. Henry C. Goodridge, of the firm of Alan Goodridge & Sons, says: " Our people do not take so much care of our fish as they ought, in washing, curing and making it white." lie knows that the I'rench fish in the Mediter- ranean markets competes with ours; they cut llie prlcc^ ami make them for us unremunerative. Hon. Moses Monroe says: " In Spain and Italy our fish has been crushed out of the markets by French fish, even if our fish wore a better (piality and cure we could not profitably compete with French bounty fish, as th^y fix their price at from \s. to 2s. per quintal lower than we offer ours." lie s;iys, " Our Labrador fishery cannot profitably be maintained in competition with the I'rench fishery at St. Pierre, should that fishery be continued as extensively and with the prices as low as in 1885 and 1886." Uespcvtlnff liait PioUvthn Service. Mr. CiKOKcr A. Hltchinc.s, aRcnt for the firm of Messrs. Job Brothers & Co., says: " There has been a very material fallin^j off in the shipments of Labrador (isli to tlie Meililerraiicaii markets; the Italian markets particularly. This is atlribulaljle to the competition of l-'rench fish, they arc able to place their fish at a lower rate, aiul make more of it, on account of the bounty. They have a f,'ieater facility for sliip|)ing their fish in small quantities, from Hordeaux and other places. I think that we could conipete with them, on equal terms, if they gave no bounty. Their fishery has fallen off since the introduction of the " Hait Act," and we have been able to pay higher prices within the last three years than wc had previously done." Mr. ICdwin J. Diui'.u says: "In 1885, I shipped to the Mediterranean markets 20,000 (juintals; the price here was $2.40 per quintal. In 1886, 12,000 ([I intals, price :f2. 80; in i.SS", 13,000 quintals, price $3.60; in 1888, 16,000 (jtiintals, price $3. Go; in 1S89, 27,000 ipiintals, price $3.00. The markets in the .Arcditcrraiiean, for Labrador fish, for the past five years have not i)een reimmeralive, ;ind 1 attiibulc the low prices to foreign competition, principally to tlie l''iench. 'I'lu; I'rench fish in these markets has the effect of regulating them. With the IVeiich fishery as successful as it was in 1885 and 18S6 and the prices ;is low, our Labrador fishery could not be profitably prose- cuted. Tlure lias been a decided improvement in the price of Labrador fish in the Mciliterraiiean markets the past year." Mr. Sim. C\m1'1;i;i.I., maii.p^'er for the firm of Haine Johnson & Co., says: " There has been more care bestowed on the cure of Labrador fish. The size is much smaller than it was twenty years ago, attributable to the use of cod- traps. This has dei)recialed its value in foreign makets to some extent. In 1885 we .shipped 61,214 quintals of Labrador fish to Mediterranean markets, average price here $2.40; in 18S6, 43.750 quintals, price $2.40; in 1887,33,588 (piiiilals, price $3.20; in iSSS, 36,166 cpiintals, price $3.60; in 1889,30,155 (piiiilals, price ^3.00. The prices in the Mediterranean markets in 1 888 were not sufficiently high to justify $3.60 per quintal being paid for the fish here. There is a continuous falling off in the demand for Labrador fish, owing to the keen ci)mpetition of the French ; they undersell us, as they arc able, owing to their bcninty to place their fish at a lower price. Spain and Italy are the chief markets where the competition is felt." Mr. II. W. R()1!1:ki.s()X, manager for the firm of J. & W. Stewart, says: " We shipped in 1885, to the Mediterranean markets, of Labrador fish, 21,400 quintals; in 1886, 14,000 quintals ; in 1887, 14,000 quintals; in 1888, 15,650 quintals; in 1889, 14,700 quintals. The trade price was in 1885, $2.40; in 1886, $2.40; in 1887, $3.20; in 1888, $3.60; in 1889, $3.00. The increased price is attributable to less competition of French fish. The French are great competitors in the Mediterranean markets and are able to sell their fish at lower prices than we can, on account of their bounty. In 1889, they were not com- 8 /{ffHii'f of Jiohfr Jii iiiirtf nil /•Jiu'th tic* petitors to tlic cxUnt tlic)- liad I)llii in privioiis \iars. Iftlic I'lcnch continue to conipi'to with lis, as in iSS^ and iSSd, it will sini|(ly iiiin the trade and drive us out of tlie niarki ts. " It will be scon from llic tnrct^oini^ I'xtr.i.ts that tlurc i-. a unanimous consen- sus of opinion ainon^'st all the nuMchants cnj^M^a'd in shipjiin^' lish to the Medi- terranean niarki'ts that tlu' I'rciicli coniixtition is ruinin}.j their trade, and reducing' the prices to Mich an extent that luither merchant nor risherman can continue the Labrador lishery with rates as low as the)' were in iSS; and iSiSft, All are a^Mced that the fisher)- cannot proOt.ibl)- bi' m.iintaini'il when t'ish h: at a lower price than $;,.<"' per ([uintal. At $2,110 or $2.5(1 per (piintal it would be a ruinous trade, and all suppliers would ha\e to ^ive it up. Takiu},' the average catch per anntiinn at 40 (juintals, which is (piite as much as it has been for tile past five )'ears, and price $2.t)0, the share l)eloiiL;in;;' to the fisherman would be only $.|o.oo, and at $-'.50 it would be on!)- $30. 00 for the fisherman, and would mean starvation for him and serious loss to the supplier. Hy reference to the statistics furnished In- Mr. LeMessurier, it will be seen that the l*"rench fishery from 1S41 to iS;i, with one or tv.o e.\ce[)tional years, was continually increasinj.j in (luantit)', until in the latter year 1 ;50,ooo (juintals of dry fish, and 173,000 (juintals ^reen fish were taken, i-'rom 1S75 to 1883, there seems to ha\e l)een a considerable falling off in the (|iiantity of dry and ^reen fish. l'"roiii 1SS3 to iSSi) there w.is an enormous increase in the (juantity taken, amouiuinj; in tin; l.itter )iar to no less than J 19,970 ijuintals dry fish, and 6S.S, 333 ([uintals ^reeii fish. Imoiu 1S7S the price of their dry fish appears to have ranged from 2us. to 45.V per (|uintal, and the pt-ice of yreen fish from 15^'. to 22.V. 6(/. per iiuintal. l hese \ei)' hi^di prices, uiuloubtedl)', led to a very large increase in their outfit in 1S.S6, and the (piantity of fish taken by them was so great that the price fell from 20y. of the previous year to I2i'. for dry fish; and from ijs. Ot/. \o (>s. for green fish; and it was apparent to every thought- ful man engaged in the trade that this comi)etition could not continue without bringing ruin on all interested. This I'"rcnch fishery had been p.irasilical in its character and not .self-sus- taining. L'p to that time its success depended on getting an ample supply of bait from the Newfoundland fishermen, and it was generally believed that without bait from them, their fishery nni^t materiallv decline in the quantity caught. The)' would probabi)- obtain only enough for their home markets, and cease to compete with us in foreign markets. The traffic in bait b)' our Newfoundland people had existed for over sixty years, and had been tolerated with few restrictions. Hetween forty and fifty years ago an attempt was made to curtail it; a Local Act was passed placing an export duty of $1.00 per barrel on fresh herrings exported for bait. A rev- enue cruiser was empkned for one or two years, but the experiment proved a failure, and the (lovernmen*. of the Colony ceased any further attempts to enforce the act. /{iSfnr/iiiff Hall /*i'o(rrh'oii Sri't'irr. As tlic I'icnch bank-fishery increased in volume, our tislicrnieii of l-ortunc and I'lacentia I5ajs tUvoted nn>re time and means to siipi)!) injj them witli bait; and about forty- five years a^o, tlie first seines were imported for that iJurposc. So many liad en^aj^ed in this traffic tliat the competition was too ^;real ; the ([iiantities of herrinfjs ami otiicr baits taken were in excess of tlie rciiuiremcnts of the I-'rcnch, and this led to a t;ieat waste of bait fishes. In order to prevent this waste as much as possible, the i.e^jislature passeti an act about twenty-live years aj^o, to proliibit the hauling; of hcrrinjjs in seines liefore the 15th day of April. This act has been continuously enforced anil with fairly successful results in iimitinji the supi)l}- of bait, and partially preventing' the waste com- plained of With the foregoing limitations the trade in bait had been tolerated for the past si.vty years ami a considerable portion of the population of I'ortune Hay, and a smaller inimber from I'lacentia Hay, had outfitted for, and depended on, that trade alone for a means of living. It is estimated by those most compe- tent tD form an opinion that from $i::o,ooo to $140,000 per annum was paid for bait, chiefly in goods, and as the revenue service on the Southwest coast was weak and stations for collecting revenue far apart, very little duty was paid on these goods. I refer you to the evidence of Mr. LeMessurier on this sub- ject as full and, I think, reliable. It will be found in the Appendi.v, No. 10. In the session of iSSG a joint committee of both branches of the Legisla- ture reported on the increase of the I-'rcnch fishery, as follows: — " The I'rench lishery in relation to ours has undergone considerable change in recent years, seriously, to our disadvantage. In the first place, to fish ex- ported from St. Pierre to countries outside France, that is to say, to markets where it competes with ours, an average bounty of 10 francs per quintal (112 lbs. ICnglish ) is at present paid by the French Government, l-'ormerly, this did not conflict with our interests, as the I"'rench bankers were equipped in I'rance, and brought most of their produce back to I'rance, to be consumed there, leaving only a small portion for exportation from St. Pierre to the l'"rench West Indies. Consequently, Newfoinullaml, rarely, if ever, found I'"rance a competitor in those markets to which we exported our fish. Now, hov/evcr, St. Pierre has become an extensive port of trade, and of export for traders of other countries; and there is a large lleet of l-'rciicli b.inkers and also a fleet sailing under the I-'rcnch flag, managed by ImciicIi agents at St. Pierre, and owned, to some extent, by Ivnglish and .\merican subjects, employed in catching fish to compete with us in all luiropean markets. This increasing fleet of bank fishers has an enormous advantage over our fishermen, from the fact, that in addition to the bounty before referred to, they obtain food and goods of all kinds necessary for the fishery, at St. Pierre, almost free of duty. While our fishermen are thus handi- capped in the catching of fish, this fleet of bankers from St. Pierre obtain their supply ol bait from our waters. The fish thus taken is landed at St. Pierre and on its export receives from the I'rench Government a bounty equivalent to 10 lii jxn't of rliiihii lit iiiuft (III I'h'iiliiiCf .ilmut U'li ti.uK's Tor cwry iiJ lbs.. l'".ni;lisli ; ri^Iit tV.iiics dirccl, iliout two iV.incs iiulirci'l bounty. Tlu- .iwiiii.'/- i)iii.-i' nt" 1 .;ibr,uli>r [\A\. wliiclj i^;, iiioic ospivi-illy, cmiipoUi! witli by I'li-'uli li.mk fish iliil nol I'xci'i'il in thi.-; Colony, ihiiin;.; tlic past siMsoii, clcviii francs tor cvi'iy IIJ lbs. it will thus be seen, that till' bonnty as aI)ovc, .nul tlio ilifkMvntial ihity on St. riorrc fish onti-riii;:; Spain, uiuK'r tlu- mo 1 tavoml nation clansi' in tho .Spanish t.uilV, anioniits to twrUt' ami ono-li.rl liMncs on c\cry I IJ lbs., or, in otlur words, to moio lli.in till' whole \,ihK' obt. lined by our tislu-rniL-n for l.abr.idor li-^h." .\s .1 result of this Report, the 1 .e;;isl,iture passed llie llist H.iit .\et in |SS('>, whieli Aet w.is disallowed by the Iniperi.d (Icnernnient.* It was re enacteil in I ~'.S-, to conie in force on die i.-l j.uui.iry, iSSS, .md reei'i\ed the s.metion of the Iniperi.il tio\-ernnient. ( )n the otli M.iieli. iSSS. an exj'edilion w.is fitted out. under the charge ot Jud;.;e I'row-H-. assisti'd b\' .Sub-Inspeelor ."-iulliwin. The)' proeeeiK il to l'"ortune \\.\y in the steamships .'/iv. ///r.v and l.ii,ir .si.in 111 icii-i.), by ilir Ihrn I'riMiih'r Sii W'. \'. WliilcHny, it par-i'il a si'c.ma n'.iaing, l>iil iloi's iml aiipiMi" In have liciii c.uiii'il any liiillu'i. .(i NtsfHtiiiKj Udit Profrrfi'oii S, rcici' 11 Sub-Inspector SlM IVAN says: "Many uf tlu- Aniniom (islicniu-n wl,.. hail IkHMisis lo take hall vii.Iatcd tin- law I.y lakin^ a lar.^cr (luantily than tlu-y ivijiiiivil U-v tlu'ir own usr, takin- [hr suiplii.; ,iuanlily to Si. Vurrc an.l iIumv srilini;- it. This coiicliK-l made tlir ' Hail Aii ' -.^Ty iin|)..iMil.ii aiuoii;; ,Mir own poplc, and I hflicvo our proplr uri\> llunl.v iiilliuiucd to \iola!c liir law tlicnisi'lvi's." IK' furtluT sa>s: " Tiu- slcamcis \\\vc un-aiitrd for the S;i\i,r tlu- liisl year; the //rn/./.s was vny slow, in Tart sju' u a , a rripplr all lih- liiii;', iiaviuL; a (U'K-ciivr lioiU-r. At om- tinio tluT.' wwr loui :,t.Mincis on the SiTviro; anil our ;;o,ul >t.'anhT would haw !,.imi a; ;;o...I .,s .,11 U'uv. rhr\- u c iv all\ oi>- slow hnal-. Al.out thr i>.lli Maytho <,/,:vr K-ft In,- Si. John's, wilii |ud-v i'l-owsr, and I ivniajn. d in rhaiv.c ol' iho Srn iro. widi llu- //■,///, -.v ,/•/./ /■:',.:■/'/;.■ only. Thrsr l.o.Uswriv ,ilnio->l UM'lr>^, and I l.ollo-i' sonu- viMl.,ti,,n u{ ih,- |.i>v f.'ok iikuT. riu' f/,'.v7 w.i; tlu- srn.iiti'st l.o.it ; ,ind knouii,.; sin- « as ..if tlu' Si-ivicr, tlu\- ha, I no Ir,,,- of ihr ,.tluT two. j |,,,d ,„,u|c' n.> s.i ui\-s u[^ lo th,,l ''""•• "•"■ 'ii'iin;; tin ni nilli uf M.,y. Oath.' i-t )nnc tho //,.■,.•,,'.> l.i ,ko d,..wn and w.i; i)l)ii;_;.'d 1,1 ii'ini II t.i .S[. jolni's." ^''- •'IM11\ -a> , thai lu' IHI St. ri.ru', ou iph .\pi il, I-, ,nnd f.T St. '""'-'•'^^ "•'>■• ^^1'-" '"• kli.tlunv woiv nn lu-d. lun-iin-.s oMuin; in, l.nl ihnr had l.rrn ,1 l,,i ..r l,,,,t l)r.>u-hl lluiv in tlu- winn-i. Hi; .-nipk.sc i- had rnou-h ■-^•'ll l'-"l <"' h.uul 1., supply iwrnty-two voss,-!s iMitluir liisl i,,,itin,--. Wli.U, l>rtwr>n s.i!l honin;;, -quids ,,iul dlu-r bail, nu..-t ,dl tlu- nu-;rh,uU-, h.'id rP,on;di to supply ihoir wssJs tnr iho liist tiip, I K- ^,.y. : - jlu- lu-i.in.L-.s tluv had bou:;hl in the wint.-r piowd n.. i;ood. tlu-\' ;;,,t no lidi .m it, w^.i lliw hiK- ; ,ind llu-y iMuu- into St. (u-.u-r's Ikiy, ,,nd tlnvw tlu- uld b.iit ..v.-ibo.ud. 1 lu- b,iil hui b.Tu to., h.n;.; in s.ill. ,uul it w,is too I,,, id, tlu- lldi \u,a]A not .,.1 it. .Mt.r lilU-.-n .l„>.-, in -...It, b.iit will b,- lu-tlini; li.ud ,uul b.id lor u^-. On .stli May wr ivcc-ivid .1 t.k-;;i-,un Itoni our .-inployi-r at Si. i'i.iu- t,. ronu- honu-, ,.s ilu-iv wr.v pluity Iu-irini;s si-llin;; ,.1 St. Ticiiv,.! .• ti;uus pcib.uivl. IIr-iv w.-.v thu-c schoriu-is lltt.d out as wc won- to li,uil b.iit .it St. (;(-.m-;u-"s Ikiy. Ih.-v would lu.t sell b.u't lor tlu- piia- wc- uciv LU-ltin-; llu-y lo.uK-.l ui'.'llu-i! '>houiu-rs and .-.unc- .ui to St, I'lonv. \\ jun tlu-\- -ol thrr,- llu-y nndd nut ..11 ; ilu-iv w.-.v pK-nty of fiTsh lu-iiini;s r.unint; in. Wlu-n ! ,,:,,vr,! ,it Si. ruru-, tlu-iv w.i- l.K-nty b.iit arrivin;; tlu-iv c-vny .l.u ; I Iu-Ik-vo, the- nu.sl ,,| it, b.nn I \u tnn,- liay. On tlu- d,iy I ..nivrd. Iivsh lu-nin.i^s unv .-,rllin- ,.t S li.nus per b.nivl. All tlu- fivsh b.iit iVoni Xc-wfonndLind was bou;d,t. Ilu- small Cislu-rin.n around the isl.md of St. Pinn- siiru-n-d a ;;o,ul ,K-,,1 |n„n w.mt of b.iit ; tlu-y wiTc poor atui not abk- to ]),iy thr In'Mli piin- Ibr it." I'roni the forc-oino farts, as well ,,s tlu- ovideiu->- .doHu-r witiu-ssi-ss. I have- no doubt that the (-M-aition of tlu- • ll.iit Aet '■ in tlu- month ..f M,,'y. iSS.S. w.is .1 f.iilmv; y,t tlu- l--ri-iuh not ha\ in- m.ido sururiuit pn-vious a'r- raniunu-nts, siHUti-.I ...cit loss in tinu- and nioiu-y by li.ivin;; snit tlu-lr ve.sscls to St. (u-or-o's Ikiy; and ,ilso in the .pi.ilily of b.iit pnuiiied iheie. .Mr. Dunphy s,.\-s the I-'renrh c.iptain; told him that tlu< li.iy St. ( ;e,n-.;v lu-rrin- 12 Beport of Jndf/e Bennett on Evidence were too fat to make good bait; they salt the bait lightly, and the oil runs out of the herring and turns them red, and they arc thereby spDiled for bait. Commander Robinson was in charge of the expedition from 26th May until 1 8th August, 1888. He left Placentia on 30th May in the Glover, which was the only serviceable vessel. Near St. Lawrence the Glover struck on a rock and had to return to St. John's. The Government then engaged the Iiigraham, and on the 5th June she arrived at St. Lawrence. Commander Robinson says: "The Ingraham being an old U. .S. gun-boat, was fitted for the Service, and faster than the Glover. On June 6th I landed Sergeant Oliphant and party at Little Laun, with a tent ; and Constable Walsh and party at Pointc-aux-Gaul, with a boat. On 7th June, landed Constable Power and dory, in charge of Con- stable Mifflin, at Lamaline; proceeded to Lauries or Great Meadow, and landed Sergeant Cleary in the first gig. Arrived at Harbor Ikiton the same day, and ordered Favorite to St. John's at once, as unfitted for the Service. Crew muti- nous, and boiler leaky. She was not utilized for the future, (^n 9th June I communicated with Glover, at St. Lawrence. She was in charge of Head Con- .stable O'Reilly, and was sent to Harbor Briton to coal. She met us on the 12th June at Dantzic Cove, and cruised between that point and Lamaline. Both steamers continued cruising and boarding vessels as occasion required. Her- rings struck out into deep water about 23rd June, and there was no caplin on the Shore that we knew of. Placed Constable Xcwhook and a nian at Dead- man's Cove. On i6th June landed Sergeant Smith and Constable Kent at Tites' Cove. On 18th June caplin struck into Little Laun in small cjuantitics ; thirty- two vessels at anchor, waiting for bait. On 19th June no caplin at John- thc-Bay, Morticr or Tites' Cove ; a little caplin struck into Lamaline this day. On June 20th St. Pierre was full of bankers, waiting for bait; many Ind sailed for St. George's Bay, and others were reported for the Northern Peninsula. On 20th June he seized the Mary .Inn, Dolliinont, master; he was tried and convicted before James Hippisley, Ls(|., Stipcndiarj' Magistrate. The vessel was confiscated and sold for $500, and the master condemned to a fine of $500, or three months imprisonment. Head Constable O'Reill)- captured the /\7//r Clyde, and took the case before G. Simms, Ivscj., Stipendiary Magistrate at Grand liank, who fined the captain $20, and released the \ essel ; the fine hav- ing being paid. No other case under the ' Bait Act,' was brought before the .Stipendiary Magistrate at Grand Bank, as this case produced a very bad effect upon the people. He afterwards ascertained that the caplin had ttruck into Grand Beach, Bay L'Argent and other points, about 20tli June ; and were carried to St. Pierre in some quantities. On ist July, St. Pierre was reported to be full of bankers, and no bait obtainable. He noticed seventeen French bankers sail- ing to the eastward. On 2nd July, he prosecuted at Harbor Briton, Philip Farrell, master of the schooner Elian ; John Collins master of the boat Mary Ann ; John Mullins, master of the schooner Warrior, and John Pitman, mas- ter of the schooner Telegraph. They were tried before Mr. Hubert, the Stipen- diary Magistrate, were found guilty, and fined from $300 to $400 each ; and Respecthuj Bait Piotedioti Service. 13 loo, "itty at lav- the fifect into rried full sail- lilip Taiy nias- pen- and their vessels were confiscated, except the schooner Tilcgraph, John Pitman, master, who was found guilty and required to give recognizance to appear for judgment when called >ipon. On 9th July, he proceeded to St Mary's Bay, and seized the French bankers, I.a Virgiiiic and L' Amazon, and towed them to Placentia, where they were adjudicated on by the Magistrate. On 19th July he ordered the S. S. Lady Clover to proceed to St. John's, as her services were no longer required. Mr. Dl'MMlv says that he was employed by a French merchant in St. I'ierrc to take charge of his schooner, manned by a crew of I'renchmen for the purpose of hauling caplin to supply his emjiloyer's bankers and also for sale to other French bankers. He started from St. I'ierre on 5th June and continued cruising around the shores of Miquelon and l.angley, looking for caplin all the time till the 15th July. He caught only fifteen hogsheads of caplin during that time. He says: "There were ninety French vessels about Miquelon waiting for bait and only five succeeded in getting baited for the Hanks. After lying up till 15th July without any bait they were obliged to go on the Hanks and jig squid." Of the vessels of the house that employed him, three or four got cap- lin on the northeast coast of the Island of Newfoundland, the rest had to go to the banks without any bait, and trust to getting squids there. Three parts of the French fleet lost one trip in caplin ; they were laid up from a month to si.\ weeks, and some vessels lost more time than that, for, after waiting in St. Pierre, they went to I^^rrole, in the (iulf, and got no bait there, and were obliged to go on the Hanks without it. There were some caplin smuggled into St. Pierre, and e.NCcpt the five vessels which he had mentioned as baiting at Miquelon, all the caplin Wtis smu^'glcd. This smuggled caplin was only a mere trifle to what they required. Caplin sold that summer for no less than forty francs i)er hhd. Captain Kk llARh O'Xl'll., master of the banking schooner Thrasher, says that in iSSiS, about the first week in June, he was in conversation v.ith a French banker on the banks who told him (O'Xeil) that he had been seven or eight weeks getting his bait, and he had not then three (juintals of fish. He had been at St. George's Hay, and that many others had been there in the like pre- dicament. He says: "1 am quite certain that St. George's Hay and Magdalen Islands will not replace the herrings formerly had from I'ortune Hay. There would be great delay and loss of time in procuring caplin bait from White Hay or any part of the I'rench Shore. The delay in getting bait from those places is a serious impediment to their fishery. Caplin are later striking in on that coast, and many years their vessels woidd be prevented by ice." " I know one French banker who baited with caplin at Ouirpon ; he was delayed a long time, and did not arrive on the Hanks until we were through our caplin bait and htid begun squids." Commander RoniNSON remarks: " With regard to the effect of the caplin protection carried out during 1888, on the Peninsula, embraced between Bay ■pp 14 Jteport of Judge Bennett on Evidence I.'Argent in Fortune Bay, and Bay de John in Placentia Bay, it may be said that ahhough several vessels were seized in the act of taking caplin out of For- tune Bay, yet the service cannot be considered to have been effectively carried out owing to the limited land service which prevented me from landing a party at Grand Beach, one of the principal hauling places in that Bay. In the same way, the coast on the northern side of Placentia Bay was unprotected at John de Bay and Lance au Barque, which cnabjed American and Nova Scotian schooners besides our own vessels to take away considerable quantities of cap- lin ; but the whole amount transported to St. Pierre was not in any way sufficient to supply their wants." He continues: "It is reported that several vessels obtained bait for the P'rcnch on the Cape St. Mary's Shore, but I believe that the seizure of the two French schooners had a salutary cft'ect in preventing others from following their example." The principal drawbacks in carrying out this service may be gathered under f uir heads: ist, The difficulty of obtaining good information as to the probable route ot bait carriers; 2n(l, The detention necessitated by the vessels having to cross Fortune Bay to bring the offenders before the Court, and the long delays which took place during the trial of the prisoners; 3rd, The difficulty of obtaining precise information when and where the caplin struck in, and the long distances the vessels had to travel to reach the hauling ground ; 4th, The serious effect produced on this service by the giving up of all the vessels but one, which had been seized and condemned owing to the faulty con struction of the Act." There can be little doubt that the speedy release of many of the prisoners led the bait smugglers to believe that the law would not be carried to its legiti- mate e,\tent, and that the violation of this Act might be carried out without any serious riik of forfeiture o: imprisonment, and there can be no doubt that unless the vessel can be lawfully confiscated, this Act will be of little force. I may also remark that, from 8th July to 20th July, the Iiigrahain was detained at Placentia during the trial of the French vessels, and consequently only one steamer was engaged on the whole coastline in protecting the caplin." On 15th August Commander Robinson left the service, and Sub-Inspector Sullivan took charge and continued in charge until 12th March, 1889. During August, September, October and November they had all they could do to pre- vent the exportation of squids. The Iiigra/tain broke down on 1 2th October; he then had to employ a sailing craft until 7th December, when the steamship Gny/ioitiidw? ged for him. Mr. Dun .. says: "When squid school began about 2Sth July, at St. Pierre, I was engaged at it, and there were plenty of squids for the whole sea- son. While squids remain as plentiful as they have been the past few years, the French can get on without the aid of Newfoundland." ttespecting Bait Protection Service. 15 From this and much other evidence which I have received, I am satisfied that the Uait Prolcclion Service, from July to the end of 1888, had no materia! influence on ihe supply of sqvid bait. The French got all they wanted, and could get ail they wanted from their own waters. The cost of the service dur- ing that time was, consequently, a useless expenditure. In 1886 the French catch of fish was about equal to 1,148,783 qti-;. '^rven fish. In 1888 their catch had declined to the equivalent of about 6;6,35i cjtls. green fish. This is a decline of over fifty per cent. The returns of qii.nilitijs caught by our own bankers show a slight decline, but nothing equal to the above." Mr. Spuilcr, Minister of Foreign Affairs for France, in the Chamber of Deputies, on 20th January, 1890, s.ays : " Kn 1S89 U p'cho de Terrc-Xciuc a " employ.' 9,581 ptcheurs ct 797 navire? : c'est unc augmcnti'tion sensible sur " Ics chiffrcs des annei's prccidentcs." " En effet, voici la progression : "En 1887, la pt^'che a Terre-Vcuvc avait occupy 693 navires et 7,158 hommes; en 1S88, 836 navires ct 8,949 hommes;" or The Newfoundland fishery employed, in 1889, 9,581 fishermen, 797 ves- sels ; which is a considerable increase over the figures of preceding years." "The increase is as follows: In 1887, the fishery in Newfoundland occu pied 693 vessels and 7,158 men; in 1888, 836 vessels and 8,949 men." Now, if the above statement is correct (and we have no roaso;i to doubt it), the French increased the number of their vessels 143 and their fishermen 1891^ in 1888, over the previous year, and with this increase of vessels and men they caught 472,532 quintals less than in 1886. No stronger evidence could be had of the crushing effects of the " Bait Act " on their operations during that yeir. I do not mean to assert that the French fishery was less profitable to them in 1888 than it was in 1886; on the contrary, owing to the short catch, the price of fi h rose from 12 francs in 1886, to 28 francs in 1888 for dry lish ; and from 6 francs in 1886, to 18 francs in 1888, for green fish; and the total value of their fisherici from $1,276,421 (dollars) in 1886, to $2,081,247 (dollars) in 1888. These figures indicate a much more profitable voyage to them in i888 than in 1886; but, at the same time, they also indicate that they had no longer the enormous quantity of fish to force into our Mediterranean markets, in competition with our fish, at ruinously low prices. 1889 — THE SECOND YEAR OF THE " H.MT ACP." Sub-Inspector Sullivan was engaf.cd in the autumn of 1888, and winter of 1889, cruising in Placentia and Fortum Bays. Up to February 2nd, he made six trips to Black River, Placentia Bay, and around Fortune Bay. He also had a schooner stationed at Biy-de-North. On 2nd February he went on board S.S. Ciirkiv, and made seven trips in h.;r into Placentia and Fortune Bays. On 1 2th or 13th March, he was relieved by Commander Robinson, and returned to 16 Report of Jiuhjc lifimttt on J'Jcldfnct' St. John's. There is no evidence before nie that this winter's service was of the shghtcst use in prcventinj^ bait beiny carried to St. I'ierre, for Commander Robinson, in his evidence, says that a number of vessels had loaded and tak?n salted herrings to St. I'ierre. lie gives the names of some of them, and (jiian- tities of herring, viz.: ( ist), AV/.s////V///, I-'arvacciiie, master, 1,500 barrels; ( 2n(i), .]/(trv, I'ionon, master, j,ooo barrels; (3rd), Rolhit /K A'osc, White, master, 1,200 barrels; (4th), Otrui/ S/dr, Marvine, master, 2,500 barrels; (5th), fr. D. Dtiis/tv, I'ins Macdonald, master, 1,800 barrels; making in all 9,000 barrels herrings exported to .St. I'ierre in these vessels in February and March. Three or four of these vessels were probably owned in St. I'ierre, and the rest were American. Sub-Inspector Sullivan returned to the service on Jnd May, in S.S. La(/y Clova; and cruised, first, principally between Uantzic Point and Hurin. He had boats and crews stationed at Tites' Cove, Little Lawn, Lord's Cove, Lama- line, Big Meadow and Grand Ikach, in Fortune Hay. He says: "We found many violations of the law in 1889, and .seized nine craft, taking thein to Har- bor Hriton where all were convicted. There were much greater efforts to violate the law in 18S9 then in 1888, I'rom ^hiy till the Middle of July we boarded over 300 craft. Finding they were using very ingenious means to secrete the bait, it was necessary to board and thoroughly search all ; in some cases we were not able to catch them, they being too fast for us. There was a scarcity of caplin on the coast, but not so scarce as the year before. About Lamaline they were plentiful, and from thence to I'oint Creu.\, at the chief hauling places, they were very scarce. They were very plentiful about Cape St. Mary's and the Cape Shore, and I believe that considerable quantities were smuggled to St. I'ierre, and also to the St. I'ierre Hanks from those localities." In his opinion there were more herrings and caplin taken to -St. I'ierre than the pre- vious season. He says: " The craft that we had seized the previous year had been all returned, and the dread of forfeiture being removed they were much bolder in violating the law ; the dread of confiscation would have the greatest restraint, and that being removed, and the high prices offercil for bait, in some cases, 50 frances per hhd. for caplin, accounts for the great number of violations." During the months of .March ant! April, Commander Robinson was active- ly engaged in S. .S. Fio>it v ek in May and the first week in June, he shifted his Shore crews to the din'erent caplin-hauling Coves, on the peninsula between Crand liank and John-de-Ha\-. On 19th June, he .seized David llipditch, with a boat load of caplin, which he threw overboard; John Hillicr took him to I.amaline ; and seized the Happy Return and threw her caplin overboard. At liurin, John Hillicr was fined $400, cr three months' imprison- ment. He was contiiuiall)- cruising ami searching vessels, until iSth July, when he took up his shore crews, as tlie caplin season had concluded. It was short and broken all over the I'eninsula, between Mortier Bay and Grand Bank. He thinks the French obtained very small ciuantitics of caplin, and the lots were practically useless, excepting for the Shore fishery. This may be the case on the Peninsula referred to, but there is much evidence to show that large quan- tities were taken in St. Mary's Bay, at Cape St. Mary's, and on the Cape Shore: at none of these places was there any stationary coast-guard, or continuous pro- tective service; they were visited two or three times during caplin-school for a short time by the steamer. Commander Robinson ;eports that squid struck into Burin on 26th July, they were plentiful there and also at Tites' Cove. I le continued cruising, day after day, boarding vessels ; found that they had all simply a baiting of squids, bound for St. Pierre, so that he was unable to .nlerfere; squids were very abun- dant at John-de-Bay and ICast Broad Cove. On iJth August, about Green 3 18 lleport of Judge Bennett on Evidence Island, he was boarding vessels all day. They were going to St. Pierre with squid baitings in small quantities, he could not interfere with them. On 13th August he seized the Aunic, Richard Dollimont, master, and the LW/i-, John Smith, master ; sent them to Harbor Briton. He was detained at Harbor Hri- ton two days, counting squids, and proving the case before the Magistrate, the parties were convicted and fined $30, or thirty days' imprisonment. On 21st August, at Burin, he found the Vidittc, of Ghoucester, with 120,000 squids on board; the master said that he could not sell them in St. Pierre. Commander Robinson could not ascertain, with certainty, where they were obtained ; the master said he obtained them at Cape Breton. On 29th August he boarded vessels outside St. Pierre and seized the Bouavcntiirc, with 4,000 squids on board; the ^Inna Louisa, and the Spccdivcll, and sent them to Burin. The cases were tried there, two of these vessels had taken their squid beyond the territorial waters of the Colony, and were therefore discharged. The Bona- vcnturc took her bait on the Mortier Bank ; the master was fined $30, or thirty days' imprisonment. On September 8th he seized three boats with small quan- tities of squid;; on board; the personj on board were fined $10, $20 and $30 each, or the same number of days' imprisonment. He continued cruising until the end of September, but made no other seizures, and arrived at St. John's on 29th September, having finished the service for the year. During this season. Commander Robinson was most favourably placed for carrying out the Bait Act. He was in command in the S. S. Fiona, a vessel which, in his opinion, was admirably adapted for the service. He appears to have kept her continually going, and during this season she steamed over 9,000 miles. She does not appear to have been delayed on account of engines or boilers, more than six or eight days for the whole season. She was able to overtake every vessel she went in chase of; and from the evidence of Com- mander Robinson, Captain Hiscock and others, no more suitable vessel could be had for the service. There were two special difficulties with which he had to contend : one was the imperfection of the ' Bait Act.' Commander Robinson reports that the Act was so imperfect that nearly all the vessels seized were liberated and returned to their owners. The other special difficulty was occasioned by the licenses granted to American vessels, under the tiiodiis vivendi. There was no limita- tion in the licenses with regard to the quantity of bait that might be taken by these vessels, consequently they took much larger quantities than they needed, and sold th.em at St. Pierre. Apart from these drawbacks, unquestionably Commander Robinson and Sub-Inspector Sullivan were in a much better posi- tion for enforcing the law than they had been the previous year. They were furnished with better ships and more shore crews, and, above all, with the ex- perience gained during the previous year. Commander Robinson very frankly states that none of them knew anything of the business the previous year, con- sequently mistakes were made. Notwithstanding all these advantages the Ser- vice does not appear to have been very successfully carried out. s Respectiuf/ Bait Protection Service. 19 The evidence of Mr. Dunphy, who was living at St. Pierre, is, that in the fall of 1888, the French salted up large quantities of squid, they also purchased quantities of salted herrings from I'lacentia and Fortune liays ; and with these they baited for their first trip. They succeeded poorly on their first trip with this baiting ; they accounted salted squids better bait in the spring for Hanquero. but not for the Grand Hank. He says; " A good deal of caplin was smuggled from Cape St. Mary's to St. I'lerre ; 30 francs per hog.shcad was paid for it. There was no guard at Cape St. Mary's to prevent smuggling, e.xccpt that the steamer came along a couple times during caplin school." The evidence of Mr. Michael MclCvoy, who was a clerk in the employ of Frcckcr, Steer & Co., St. I'icrre, and had an opportunity of seeing the working of the ' Halt Act,' is : " Last year I observed that large quantities of bait were brought there, chiefly from Fortune Hay; the average price about $2 50 per bri. Herrings were sometimes as low as one franc per brl., and could not be sold at all." Me knows of one cargo of an American vessel having been thrown away, she could get no sale for them ; she brought them from Magdalen Islands. "Caplin were scarce last year; scjuids were abundant; the French laid in large stocks of them last fall, at an average price of i 3-4 francs per hundred; they salted them away for this year's fishing. Last year's fishery was considered fair with the French, as compared with that of our Newfoundland bankers. The French did rather belter than our Newfoundland bankers ; to all appearances, they had plenty of bait, and no delay in getting it. Some used the squid they had stored up in the autumn ; they say they find them better than salt herring. About one- third of the fleet went on the banks and fished with sardine bait, brought from France ; it was not good bait, but they used it for a short time, until they got periwinkles. Nearly all the vessels had traps for catching periwinkles, and obtained sufficient for bait. The opinion among French fishermen is that catching periwinkles will injure the Hank fishery. The ' Hait Act ' has reduced the trade with Newfoundland, at least two- thirds with the St. Pierre shop-keepers ; the shop-keeping classes have been injured much more than the banking mer- chants ; the money paid for bait now is not spent in St. Pierre, as it formerly was, before the passing of the ' Hait Act.' The operation of the ' Hait Act' has been most injurious to the people of Fortune Hay; but I do not think the I'rench fishery has been in the least injured by it." Mr. TlIOM.VS F.\RKi:i,L says : " I have every reason to believe that the ' Hait Act ' was never thoroughly carried out, in the first and second years of its operation. Many who were taken for violation were permitted to go free, and this was a bad example to others, and made it more diflicult to carry out the law." Mr. John Evans says: " During the past three years the 'Hait Act' has not prevented the French getting bait ; those who choose to risk it have been able to run bait into St. Pierre. The American bankers and our Newfoundland bankers have run bait to St. Pierre every year since the Act was passed. There has been no sort of fair play, the American bankers have been allowed to take ll II 20 lit port of t/iuhfi' Jitinuft OH KvulciiiT what bait they h'kccl. I liavc seen thcni takinjj over Jon I)airels on board, and T have seen them take fifteen dory loads, and twelve barrels Iiave been mciisurcd out of a dory scores of times, Tiie American vessel- liave taken ^jencrally from 150 to I. So barrels, and many of tlie Newfoundland i)anker.s liave done the same. These bankers liave carried ten limes as many lurrin;.js into St. I'ierre as the I'ortunc Hay people. 'I'lure have been lar^e .piantities of bait bronfjht from the !\Ia{;dalcn Islands and Anticosti. Hy tiic ' Kait .\ct,' the i'rcncli have been taught many ways of ^ettin^' bait, and I lldnk the bait trade will never be the same as it was." Mr. Jamks Vol NC says : " I do not tliink the 'lUiitAct' has prevented the French gettinj^ bait. I, myself, broiij^ht in the Spring of 1SS9, live hundred barrels of saltcil herrings from the Magdalen Islamls to .St. I'ierre, but was obliged to throw them overboard ; and my brother's son diil the same with a like cjuantity, bait was so abundant. I am positive, from my knowledge of the business, that the Newfoundland (iovernment can never prevent the French getting bait." Pllll.ll' Iklir.Kl', l''s(|., Stii)i';idiar\- Magistrate at Harbor Briton. l'*orUme Bay, says: " Me has been more or less connected with the ' Hait Act' since its inception. The first year he was on board the (h-cyhouiiii, for a short time, assisting in carrying out the Act. There were four steamers employed at the time, viz: Giry/ioiiiid, /fcirn/cs. Clover and Favorite. Judge I'rowsc had charge, and none of the steamers were suitable for the work, they were too slow. l?ait was carried to St. I'ierre (notwithstanding the steamers) in suffi- cient (juantitics, with what was brought from ^Magdalen Islands, to supply the I'Vench, as he learned afterwards. It was carried in small (juantitics by our own vessels, and in larger (|nanlilies h\ Americans. I'or the I'lrst few days herrings were not carried to .St. I'ierre as plentifully as the I'rench expected, and quite a large fleet left for St. George's Hay. The service was badly per- formed in the spring of iSSS, mainly because Judge I'rowsc left for St. John's, leaving only Sub-Inspector Sullivan in charge. The steamers were so slow they could not catch vessels, and consequently there were large (juantitics of herrings carried to St. I'ierre. In the second year, iSSfj, the /■'ioita wan here, in charge of Commander Robinson, he did his duty, and she did her work pretty well. He seized quite a number of our Hay boats. During this time Mr. Hubert has reason to believe that Americans were carrying bait to St. I'ierre in large quantities, they were not interfered with, none of them were cajjtured, as the 'Hait Act' was imperfect; and it is doubtful whether there is any authority to make seizures under the Act. There were about thirty men and twelve ves- sels brought before him for violation of the laiv during the first year. He did his best to further the work, and has been in the Court House as late as twelve o'clock at night hearing a case. On the whole, he thinks the second year's operations were a failure also. During the months of May and June there was almost continuous fog which added to the difficulties of Commander Robinson and made it impossible for him to prevent bait being carried to St. I'ierre ; the lirxpirliiiii linll ProltfUnii Sirn'rr, 21 steamer conUl not be rvoiywhorc and tlio fislurintn Icopt a rcckoiiinfj of where she would l)c, they suumed to lif uillin;; to nm the ii--k ot' Ixiiv^r nui^Iit. This class was cnfjaged in carr) in^ l).iit, |u rli.ips nut ,i lar._;c niinilur, Iv.it thi'y carried large ([iiantities of herring. I'iuiv ua-. anntlicr i l.i— wIim larriid l)aii under pretense of K')'"K fi^hini', am! almost iveiy AineriiMn and Canadian took more bait than they reiiiiiml, and sold the snr,)lii-i it St. rinri'. This ilu')' did (hir- ing the operation of the ' li.iit Ad,' for llun \-ear>. 1 bclirvi; this statement to be true. 1 have hail e\'er)' oppoitiinily of making rn(|Miry and infoiinini; my- self on the snhjeit, and I have doni' so." Gr.DKci', llisc (n K, master of S. S. I'ioiit, s.iys : " They were all the time cruising, except when in h.irbor for coals or (Klayed by Ljales of wind, the wea- ther three parts of the time was \er)- fogL;y. and In- does not think it possible for a steamer at sea, dnrinL; this foL;^;\' wiMlher, to lutvent bait snui.qj^lin^,'. They overhauled a great inimber of cr.ifl (hiring the ^ea-on, and seized four- teen, tiiere were man)' having small (|iianlities of b,ut on bo.ird which tlu'\' did not seize, lie thinks the service could be efl'ectuall)' carried out with five steaoiers of about ;(.) tons each, staunch and fast, to be ke[)t cruising in the heads of the Bays. We pre\ented the taking of herring by a gre.it many, but no doubt many escaped im in the thick fog. There was no guard stationed on shore at Cape St. Mary's; there were some caplin Muuggled from there to St. Pierre, but I think not so niiicli as was reported. I'o slo|) it Ci)mpletely would reipiire a boat in every co\c. The granting ot licen.ay and Dragon. In Connaigrc, a schooner slionUl dixidc liur aUcntinn l)L't.vccn the I'oeket and Great Beach, Herring Cove and I'artriiii^c Co\e. At Miller's Passage, Hay d'Leau, there should be a dory and two men, with an officer holding a dual anthority as Bait Commissioner anil TideAMiter, as i certain I'rench schooner is in constant com- munication with this place, and OiCasioiuil/y pays duties at Harbor Hriton, which may or maj- not be sufficient. A dory and crew of three should be stationed at ICnglish Harbor west, to work both Mose Ambrose and ]?o.\ey, and or-asional1y looking into 151iic riiiion. At St. Iac*|ues a magistrate should be placed; this is obviously a neccs^il)-, if the service is t.> have s[)eeily legal satisfaction, which is of the greatest importance, The tielays in Harbor Hriton in 1S89, and the long distances to reach there, had a very detrimental effect on the service. A dory and three men should l.)e placed al Corbin, Cinipie lies, Hay dc North Brook Parsons' Cove, r>a\- d'llist. Doctor's Cove, Helle Hay; a four-oared boat at Rencontre; a dor) and three men at Anderson's Co\e, Long Harbor, and at Hay L'Argent. Circumstances may ie([iiire some of these parties to be shifted, as in the past \ear ; tlie\- should be constantly vij^ited by the steamer. The steamer should only pass to the westward of l>j.\ey once in a fortnight, to visit Con- naigrc and D'lCspoir, and then her place should be taken by the small steamer, working from l-ong Harbor round the bay to Cinque Cerfs, and occasionally looking into (iraiul Heach. With this force for tliis year, it will be tbund that the exportition of her- ring will be prac'icall}' closed. The principal ilirficully lies in oljLaining suitable persons to take charge of each part}'. \\ itli reganl to the second steamer to be employed in Fortune Hay, he advises the hiring of the 'jLiiuii l-'ootc — a small iron lobster boat, built by Angel, of St. John's, ami owned ii Grand Hank — 40 horse-power, and capa- ble of steaming se\en or eight knots. She should be had for, from $20 to $25 a-da\'. He says: "Ihis I think a scheme iif proteclit)n that will not be exces- sive in cost for two nu)iiths onl\', and will (h.'iermine the \'alue of the Bait .Act." " There will be three or four jouriuys liutside Ho.\e}- Point in the season, and no more ; no cruising in the mouth of the 15ay ; no interference by fog. Watching and following vessels between ICnglish Harbor West and Rencontre will be her work; prLwnting them from obtaining a second baiting, or return- ing to bait, a few day.i after the\- li.i\ c left, an occurrence that has been noticed. It may appear to some that the precautioiiar}- incisures taken in this bay are excessive; but such is not the c.i^e. The eftects of last \ear's judgments and releases are not lorgotten. llie \ es^-els re.-umeil their traffic under new masters as soon as the\- were let go, with onlv .1 few hours' tletenlion. Practically, the service w.is rendered wilueless b_,- the decisions; and e\entually the judgments were simply non-deterrent. The tletention of the masters in no way affected the position of tiu owiur; it ditl mit ilel.iy the traffic many hours. Such legal restrictions are v.dueless in a e.ise like this — the \essel need not be confiscated Il'( spi riiiii/ Uilif I'lithvlldii Strclvi-. 25 fog. or sold, l)ut she slio'iild no', bo ponnil'cd to acl aj^aiii in the same cai:acity that year; she should nc dct:ii,ied. 'i'his v.!)uld riiir,inii/c the nnniljer to be looked after \'er\' socn. " I'lacentia 15ay is a lon^; indiaui;ht, and the herriiiL^s and bait arj usually confined to particular localities. One schooner and three land parties would be siilTicient, unless the herrini,; struck into Tuyhu-'s l!ay, Lawn and .'-it. Lawrence — as they did in iSS.S — when a --fr.uner aiul three more land parties would be reijuired. " For [)roleclion ilurin:; the eap'ia seheiol, there should be land crews: a d'irv' and three men at Grainl I'each, at Lawries, at Lamaline, Little St. Law- rence, Little Lum, I'oint-aux-tiaul ;, Tavlor's Iku', Lord's Co\e, Round-about or Little Laun, Tiles' Co\e. John-de-Hay, and I'mrin, if [)oss;ible. The scliooner from I'lacentia IS.iy should now be s'lifted to Cajjc .St. ?\Iary's and cruise about Lear's Co\e, Golden 15ay, Lane- Cove and liranch. There should be a dory and tliroe men at Ihan.eli .ind the sar.ie at Gold-n Iki}-, and a dory and three men at r;)rtu;jal L\)ve, 'l"re[);\-^se\' Ha\'." the tiovernnient decided to eh;ui_L;e tlie .s)'.-,lcm on which this service should l)e executed in the season of 1K90. They authorized the issue of licenses to all vessels — I'renoh, .Xmerican and Canadian — at a chari^e I'f ^1 per ton; permit- tiny; thoni to pareh.ase one Ijarod of herrin;.;' for each ton of the \-essel, not oftener than once in three weeks. Tl-.c scheme of [)rotection, with some altera- tions, WIS submitt. d to the Government, and adopted by them as the mode of operation for the season 1 S>^o. Jam:s McCjr.ith, L^qi-., an.', Sub-ln-^pettor .Sullivan were appointed Com- missioners, for the purpose of earryin;^ out this scheme under the new ' ]5ait Act,' which was then proclaimed. J mi's lli'ipisley, !v5(i., was appointed Stipendiary i\IaL,'istrate on board the .S. .S. l-"h-ita, and Richard McGrath, Esq., was appoint- ed .Sti[)endiary Ma^^istrate on board S. S. ! Iciciilci. Commissioner ?*IcGrath left .St. John's, in the i-'iona, on 9th April, equipped with dories, canii)-;;i:ar, and men for nineteen stations, and also with licenses and proclamations, lie placed the men at the stations indicated in the scheme a!)ove, a!ul on iitli Aoril found th.e sch.ooner, RapiJ TriV/.ut, White master, at Rencontre, with a l.irj^e (I'aantity of herrings on boartl, contrary to the provis- ions of the ' l^ait Act.' 1 le suninioned him before the May;istrale, Mr. Ilippisley, who eon\-icted him .uul confisc.xtod his herri;ij;s. Mc fjund that thirteen cargoes of herrinL;s had. been t.ikcn t j St. Pierre, the week previous to his arrival. He mad.e .St. J.iccpies the l;e:id-qu;uiers for his men, one of v.hom was to be placed on board an .\merican or Canadian vessel, according as she took out a license. The iluty of this officer w.is to go on board the vessel, proceed to the baiting place, tall)- the proper quantity of herrings on board, cancel the license and re- turn to St. Jaccpies, if [)os.-ible, in the s.uiie vessel. The object of this regulation was, that an officer should be on board all the time a vessel was in tlic Ba}', and thus prevent her getting any more herrings th.m were specified in her license. He says, " I made arrangements with "Slw Clinton to swear in additional men, 2() ]i('j)orl of Jiuhjf linnifft on J'Ji'idence if required in my absence, which he did, in a few cases; but, I have reason to believe it did not work satisfactorily, and that a collusion sometimes took place. I know of no more perfect way of carrying out that service, provided the men employed were honest and respected the obligations of their oath. I have reason to believe that some of these men were tampered with, in the way of liquor and other considerations. After the first fleet of vessels had been baited I learnt that many Americans and Canadians had gone to St. Pierre, and there sold herrings. These vessels had herrings for sale, because they were entitled to one barrel per ton, under their licenses; and a vessel of lOO tons and over, would not reciuire more than eighty barrels. They would require about ten barrels of bait for each dory. Under this arrangement, these vessels would have a surplus ol liait which they would legitimately have obtained. The report of these vessels arriving at St. Pierre with bait, had a great influence on the people of T'ortune Bay, and induced them to try and evade the law. This they did in a manner almost impossible to prevent, as they obtained fishing licenses from the Customs' Officer and Magistrate, authorizing them to take one barrel per ton ; and these herrings they, no doubt, in many instances smuggled into St. Pierre. These American vessels and our coast fishermen carried such (juantities of herrings to St, Pierre, that, together with the squids preserved in store from the previous autumn, their fleet for their first baiting was not com- pelled to come in on the shore. Up to the first week in ]\Iay the French vessels appear to have had sufficient bait; after that, about nine, in all, came into P'or- tunc Bay and procured licenses. I think a good many more would have come in had it not been for herrings brought from Magdalen Islands ; as when I visited St. Pierre, about the middle of May, there were whole cargoes afloat, for which there was no sale. I visited every station, twice a week, in I'ortune Bay, cruised very often as far as Green Island, boarded a large number of ves- sels, amongst them some Americans and Canadians; they, in many instances, had more barrels of herring per ton, than an ordinary barrel would contain. I did not interfere with them because the 'Weights and Measures Act' fi.\es the quantity of fresh herring at 32 gallons per barrel, ami this certainly gave them one-third more than the quantity contemplated by the license. On the ist May I boarded the American schooner, Ilozoard Ilolbvook, and found that she was nearlj' full oi herrings. I took her to Harbor Briton and lodged informa- tion against the captain, who was tried and convicted, and the vessel confiscated. The herrings were measured, found 229 barrels, when she should have had only 92 barrels. I seized about eleven vessels for violation of the Act during the her- ring school; the masters were all convicted and went to prison, with two excep- tion.s — Pike, who paid the fine, and Cluett, who api)ealed. The greater num- ber of these, I believe, were driven to violate the Act, by reason of poverty; in several instances we were obliged to help the families of those convicted. The first fortnight we were in I'ortune l?ay, during the greater portion of the time there was dense fog, and I believe a great many persons escaped our ob- servation and carried bait to St. Pierre. The French had large quantities of Bcspcdhni Bait Protection Service. 27 f h /.' squid bait on hand from the fall before, and I am aware that they would as soon have salt squids as the herring they get in the spring of the year. 1 have been in conversation with Newfoundland bankers, who informed me that they used salted squid to good advantage, when their fresh bait had become old, and they would rather have t than salted herring. The French, last spring, were largely supplied with sqtiiil, and consequently they did not require largo quantities of herring. In one instance which came under my personal observation, a French banker did not take the cjuantity of herrings which he was entitled to under his license, he would not pay $i per barrel for herrings, as he believed the squid he had on board to be better bait. They were .somewhat dehiyed in getting bait by the Protection force, and paid much higher prices for it at St. Pierre than it would cost them if they came on the coast for it. After the herring bait fishery was over I placed the shore crews at all the places indicated by Com- mander Robinson ; the men were so placed that there could be \ery little smug- gling of caplin on that shore. The caplin struck in so abundantly at Miquelon and Langley that they had no need of any from our shore, and our fishermen were permitted by the I'rench to take caplin from Miquelon and bring them to St. Pierre. They did so, as the j)lacc was more convenient than our coast. I had a man whom I sent to see what was going on at St. Pierre and Miquelon, he was on board an ICnglish schooner which made three trips to Miquelon for caplin. I feel certain the French had an abundant supply of caplin without tie- pending on the Newfoundland coast. After a year's experience, I do not think it po.ssible to keep the I'rench without bait, the Revenue of the Colony is not enough to completely enforce the law, and there are too many pkices outside the South-west Coa^t of Newfoimdland, from whence they can prociu-e bait. They can obtain ample l)ait without the Newfoundland supply, with the squids they can jig in the fall of the j'ear, ;uid save for the next spring's first baiting; Magdalen Islands and Cape Breton, for their second baiting; and Langley and Miquelon for their first baiting with caplin, and the latter part of the season with scjuid and periwinkles caught on the Banks. The enforcement of the ' Bait .Act' has been the means of impoverishing the greater part of the peo- ple in the districts of Pnirin and l-'ortmie Bay. " The first year the I'rench were particularly affected by the Bait Act, and their fishery decreased for the want of sufficient bait. Since then they have made arrangements which ha\e secured them ample supplies of bait, and we have taught them that they can do without us. Their .short fishery the past two years is to be attributed to the same cause as our own short fishery. The French are experienced fishermen and know the best localities on the Banks. They fish continuously without any loss of time, and although they may not catch so much fish on salt bait as our fishermen do on fresh bait, still in the end they secure a better voyage." Captain IIlscocK, of S.S. Fiona, says: "The steamer for the first part of the season was kept constantly going. There was very little stop night or day. We boarded a great many craft in the Ww, we also boarded a number of Am- 28 lit' port of 'Jinhic Jiciniff/ on Ki'ithnce crican vessels ti'iiiiLj in the V>ny ami inil an ol't'iccr on jjnard. \\\; on!)- boarded one American, that I can remember, coniintj out aftci slic had i;ut her bait. We boarded sonic New foiuuiland bankers ccunin^ rmt of the Ha\', but not all. The princii)al craft \vc boarded were the small ones, supposed to be ijoiiv^ fish- ing on ll>c near I)anks. We seized o!-i.' /Xnierican ■■eho )nei' with l)ait on board ; the master was trii-u befori- ihe inaLilstrate, Ml- llippisli'v. We (hd n. it board any .\merican or Canadi.m schooners coming'out of the Ikij- aler th U. It wa-; constantly reported that they were sellinL,^ bait at St. Pierre; wo did not liear so miicli about onr own banker-- until nncc wc li;u-c been off that service. I ha\'e heard since that l.arL^c (inantitie- (if herrin;.;^ were carried to .''t. Tierre. After two years e.vperience of this scr\'ici.\ I do not thin!'; it po-^sibh.; to pre\'enl tlie I'Vcnch from ^ettin;^^ bait. The sliore crews pro\cd a failure. I'he bail went to St. Pierre ruid thc\- made no cajitures. I c innot su^^-i^cst any other arrange- ment that would i)e an iin|iro\-emenl on the j lau .'ilrv-ady adopted. The Fiona ha.i clone ;i great deal of uiui; lliis 3 ear, ;;nd I ^till look o\\ her as a slauncli and fjfiod bftat — as good as the da\' we got lur. .-ilie made good speed, some- times eleven knots under ste.ui;. In my opini n, no matter what pcrstecii\-e .■ i\-ic(.', he cannot do llie duty satisfactorily or prevent the l''rench from getting bait. The sersice has been an enor-iiuus ex- panse to the c(^le;ny and I cannot see v.hat good it has (Kme." JaMK.-^ Illl'l'isi.i;\-, I--S![ , slipendiaiy magistrate, says: " I'iiere were twenty-two cases of violation of the iiait Act brought before me by Commi.s- sioner McGrath, and three ca^es hy Sub-inspector Suliixan. 'i"he I'ii'tiii was cruising continuously from the time we e'lUeied l-'orttine Hay till i^t July, when \\\c /iigrd/i'.iii! took her |)lace. Tlie only time lost was in rough weather, some three or four da\-s, and the time neces^ar)' fir co.ilin;; There were a number of Xcwfoundlaiul bankers and ollurs bo.iidi d ceimii"- out of the Paw There is no (juestion that .1 great many \-cssels cscape'd dining fo'i'-v weather. The Fiona kept \\\) con:^tant communicat'on with th.e Coast guard, stationed at twenty (.litTerent places. These co;ist-guari.ls were sufficiently near together to prevent hauling herrings if they chose to exert tlu-m.-eh-e^ and do their dut)'. I think the sj-stem of gi-,;nting licen:-es and letting \-e,-.-eIs come in to l,il;e bait, nnder the supervision of a coast-guard, was the best pilan that could !)e adopt- ed, provided the men did their ilut)-. 1 do not thinl< il i)o--,ible to ])re\ent the French from getting bait, if the .Xmericans ;ind (.'anadians are permitt-'tl to ob- tain bait on (uir coast. csp/eciall_\- if they do so wiih free license-;." Hotli I-'rcncii a:v! Americ.m; expre->cd t!iem-e!\es to him that they would be willing to pa\- a reasonable licenic fee, providei.1 it \',. ■ied onl}' once a year, anil they were permittctl to ]>uvcha-e w'lat bail the\- reipiired. lb' thinks a lictr.-se system wiuikl be belter than a.llowing- our li-ihcrmen to cu'iy b;iil to St. Pierre. It would ;ivre\-eiit tlie i'reneh from L;etLin-; bait for th.eir last fishcrj'. Caplin weie plentiful at St. I'ieirc, Miipiclon and I.an;;ley tliis past year; they h.id always been plentiful at these places until iSSS and 1SS9, when they were scire:. TlK;y wjre \-jrv sc.ircj ia ['"ortune \].\y\ ii fi:L there were n me these tw'.i ye.'ir> ; tiieywer'" plentiful ali a.ljULj the coast llie pa-t summer. 'I'iie French were more cra;n[)ed for b.iil the first \'e,ir than the\- have been since. 'I'liere lias been a fallin_4 olf in the I'"re'nc!i i)ank t"i.iher\', but mit so inucli as in our oW'A. I tlo not believe thai the Hait .Act has had any material imlu- eiice in reduciuLj the I'reneli b.uik fidi;r_\'. The shoi)-kec[)inL; cl.isses of St. I'ierre li:i\-..' lost somethin.'^ i)\' the loss of the bait trade. I A') n;)t think the I'reiich could be induced to come to the coast for bait; the\' fm-.l th.;y can i(et their bait elsewhere, and they h.ive become pig-headed and ugly about it. Ihe best l.iw \\i; cvcv hinl wru w'leii no seines were allowed to be iisi.d from Ihvst M.ii'ch till eighleentli .\i)ril, ,uid ;ifti,'r that free trade, I would like' to see the country go back to the same l.iw again. 1 think that the ['cup-je of b'ortune I'ay haw; lost ljtain such large c['i;;ntities of bait, unless it was the fault of the officer.s. From this year's experience I think that, unless the people help the Govern- ment, we shall iie\er i)re\'ent the carrjing of bait to St. I'ierre. The people 80 Report of Judge Bennett on Evidence are, one and all, opposed to the Bait Act. Four steamers would not prevent bait from being carried. Our own bankers have taken bait to St. Pierre, also; many of them fitted out early, under the pretence of going to the Banks, and have carried their bait to St. Pierre. They would be gone four or five days, and then back for another stock of bait. I think all the money spent on the Bait Protection Service has been money wasted. The French have got all the bait they wanted. They have not killed so much fish this year, owing to the scar- city of fish on the Banks; our own bankers have found it scarce, and have not done so well as the Frenchmen. I think that the French and Americans would be content to pay one dollar per ton, per year, license fee ; and if it could be done, all foreigners should be compelled to come in and buy their bait, if they wanted it. The general opinion is that no seines should be allowed to be used, under any circumstances, from the fir. \ March till first May. Let all the her- rings be caught in nets ; then all would have a c'liance. This would avoid the waste of herrings, which has taken place in the past, in conveying them to St. Pierre; and it would always ensure a paying price for the herrings. The money in payment of bait would be left in the bay, and there would not be so much smuggling from St. Pierre. Mr. Philip Yarn says: "That he has been in St. Pierre many times since the Bait Act was put in force, and the French have had an abundance of bait. Last year he remembers seeing fifteen sail, with herrings on board, at St. Pierre. They could not get two francs per barrel for them. American and Newfoundland bankers carried bait to the French. More bait was brought from the Magdalen Islands than was wanted ; this year there were several loads brought more than were required. Two French vessels brought loads, and were unable to sell them. He does not think the law has prevented the French from getting bait. It would be a very hard job to prevent the smuggling of bait to St. Pierre. The distance is short ; the times are bad, and little or no fish; so, people must run some risk to fit themselves out. It would answer better to grant the French licenses, for a small fee, to come in on the coast and take bait. Then every poor man would have a chance." Mr. Alexander Rose says : " There was p lot of bait smuggled to St- Pierre this year. They got all they wanted, principally from the Americans and Nova Scotians; they have not had to wait for bait at all. Squid they could get in abundance around St. Pierre, and there was any quantity of caplin about Miauelon. I think they should be allowed to come in on the coast upon pay- ment ui a license fee of $1.50 per ton for the season, and Americans and Nova Scotians should be allowed to do the same. If the French won't pay a license fee and come in on the coast, we ovi^iit to be allowed to carry the bait to them ; for if we don't do it, others will ; — and it is as well for us to have the money as strangers." Mr. Philip Granuy says: "That he has been in St. Pierre this season; the French are not getting so much fish as formerly, but they are getting more ■^ Reapectiay Bait Protection Service. 31 than our bankers. They do not get herring bait is plentiful as formerly, but they got abundance of caplin bait at Miquelon. The 'Bait Act' has injured the shop-keepers trade in St. Pierre." Mr. Levi Clueit says: "The bait service has never been able, so far, to prevent the carrying of bait to St Pierre. Those that chose to engage in the trafTic have succeeded and made money at it. They have run so much bait that it has been as low as one franc per barrel." Mr. RlCH.\RD West says: "The first year the 'Bait Act' was pretty well put in force, but the Americans carried bait to St. Pierre. Thf second year a great many Americans broke the law. I tried to carry bait there myself, but got caught. I had only forty barrels herring on board. There were others at the same time I was caught who were let go, having over a hundred barrels of herring each on board. I was bound to the Gulf codfishery, and put these few barrels herring on board to buy supplies to help me to go to the fishery. The ' Bait Act' has been ruinous to the people of the Bay. It has not seriously prevented the French from obtaining bait They got it from Port-au-Port, St. George's Bay, Bay of Islands, Magdalen Islands, and Cape Breton. They catch what squid they like about St. Pierre, and this year there were more squid there than anywhere else. This year caplin were abundant at Miquelon, Langley, and in St. Pierre." Mr. Georok Kkei'ING saj-s : "The steamers and coast-guards have not prevented the French from getting bait; the American and English bankers have supplied thcni with abundance, and there are hundreds of thousands of dollars kept out of the hands of tlie people of Fortune Bay. Our poor people get caught and put in prison, and the others are allowed to go free. The pre- sent tribute money charged the l-'ronch is too heavy ; if a moderate charge were made, say, a half-dollar per ton once a year, they would then come in and buy their bait. The last time I was in St. Pierre, the French merchants told me that, although they did not get so much fish, yet they got a better price for it, and they were benefitted by the ' Bait Act.' I had been engaged in the carry- ing of bait before the 'Bait Act' was passed, and with the codfishery and selling frozen herrings in tlic winter to Americans, made a comfortable living. For several years past the codfishery has been a failuic, and the last three the Government pirate has prevented us fiom earning a living." Mr. John Pitman says: "That l.c was at St. Pierre this spring, and saw hundreds of barrels of herrings lauded there by Americans. He knows that they got the herrings in P'ortune Bay. lie saw one American baiting a French brigantinc and schooner; the herrings were got in Fortune Bay, and he had one of Her Majesty's officers on board when he took them. She must have had between two and three hundred barrels on board, and he thinks it a great injustice that that vessel should be allowed by an officer to go free, when they took him, with only between thirty and forty barrels on board, and put him in Harbor Briton gaol for two months. He says he saw seven or eight Nova 32 Report of Jadyc JiatuuU on, Knideuce Scotian and American vessels in St. I'ienc in one day. Tiny covered their names over with cinva-;, and the)' sold their lierrinj^'s t') l'"rench!nen. It was l)0ssible at the bc^nnnini;' of llie ' IJait Act ' to earr\' it out, if the)- had ;;ol the voice of the people ; but the time has _L;one [ni-^l, and it is inipu^-Ihlc to cairy out the Act now." Al.rki:i) l'"i;i..\cil, frdicrman, belonj;inij to the bankinj^ .schoorcr A/n/r J/^., ofllarbor (iraco, says " that the\- took their.bait in Hay-de-Xorth, {''ortuiie Hay. They took abf)iit lOO barrels for their own use, and 175 barrels besides. While they were h ^i.-tin;.; down tin ir baitin^ij, a on^table with two men in a dory came on board about two or three o'clock in the afternoon. \\c renrunetl a short time and then went on bo.ird anotlier schooner. 'I'he constable cime on board ajjain, took te^i with tin: cai)tain ; lie left before darl;. .\fttr darlc tlu')- took on board the herrin[.;s bef a'e' nn-ntioned, which inca^uied 175 liarrcis, out of In.M" in St. I'ierre. .\fter tak!n;_( the-e heiiiin^s on 'j Ki'.-d we wevit into Pool's Co\e, where tlie coTiSlable li\ed, and remained there fnv a coiijilj hours. Out in the Hay, init far from .St. Pierre, Mr. McCirath, the Commis'^ioner, ami t vo men with him, came o\\ b'..'ird. He liad the after hatch taki'ii off, but did ri>t i;o down in the hold; In.' took a dip-net and prodded (!o-i\ii tlirouijli the ice. We hail the herrings for our own biiit in the le.rward win^;s and in the aft win_L;s; in the mitlshiji \vinj,^s we had the herrings that were sold, with ;i little salt shotilc o\-er them. The iiniin hatch was nr.;t taken up, and no (.-.Kamination w.is nnule of the herrings down in tine m,ii:i h.itoli. We •,\e:it (rom thai to St. Pii-rie, .'.nd the ne.\t day the captain S')ld 175 barieis herriiv^s, a' iS fr.uics por barrel., and a case of whiskey into the barL;'.un. We ])ut 100 barrels on board a I'reneh briL,^ and 75 barrels on hoard a l'"reneh .-:chooner. .\t the s.ami' time, there were three Ann, ric.ui \cssels, with their n.'.m...s cuums-oI o\er, that were selliin^- herrings. They yxit 20 francs per b.irrel for them. I ^aw them ho'.sliin.^ them out." This statement is corroborated by Geori:;e Pcildle. Mr. I Iiri'Iel dcjiarted from the st.ition the con- stable noted on the back of the license tlie date and the cpiantity of herrings t f i '1 I I I Itespectiny Bait Protection Service. 3d taken. He does not believe that any herrings were taken either from Placentia or St. Mary's Bays, to St. Pierre, after the service began. He knows that par- ticular care was taken to prevent vessels from getting more bait than they re- quired for their own use, and he has not heard of more having been taken from the district over which he had supervision. There was only one case in which any opposition was given to the constables in the examining of vessels; this was the ca«c of a man named Inkpen, of Uiirin, in the schooner Helena, appar- ently fitted out for the bankfishcry. It occurred at Partridge's Cove, about 2Sth June. A warrant was issued for his arrest, which has not yet been executed. He says, that " the Bait Protection Service was more effectually carried out in his district than it had ever been before, and that no better arrangement could be made. With such an arrangement, if those engaged in the service were pro- perly supervised, very little, if any, bait could be smuggled to St. Pierre by our own people or any one else. He attributes the small number of foreign vessels coming into his district to the fact that they knew, from experience, he would rigidly enforce the law. He his been engaged in the operation of the Act since March, 1888. He has been in Fortune Bay carrying it out, and with his knowl- edge of Fortune Bay and the present scheme for enforcing the Act, there were no more difficulties to encounter than in his own district, and, with the number of shore crews, and other appliances, there should be little or no smuggling in Fortune Bay with proper supervision. He sees no insurmountable difficulties in carrying out the Act. Richard McGR.vril, Esq., Stipendiary Magistrate on board of the Her- eiiles, says: They were cruising day and night, this past summer, between St. Lawrence and Black River, in Placentia Bay. During that time, to the best of his knowledge, no attempt was made by any Placentia Bay fishermen to run bait to St. Pierre ; and they took no boat running herring bait or breaking the law while they were in Placentia Bay. A coast-guard was stationed at all the differ- ent hauling places for caplin and herrings, and if these men did their duty there could be little smuggling carried on. He knew of one boat belonging to Oderin with some smuggled caplin on board from Cape St. Mary's, which they captured near St. Pierre. The master was imprisoned in Harbor Briton jail. The chief smuggling took place in Fortune Bay, that is, of herrings. Caplin were abun- dant at St. Pierre . He says that " it was reported that the French got what bait they required, but they were often delayed ; and he considers it interfered materially with the French bankers. He considers that if the coast-guard around were active in doing their duty, with two steamers in Fortune Bay, they may prohibit the carrying of bait to a large extent. He would approve of a Season's license of $1.50 per ton." From the evidence of Sub-Inspector Sullivan and Mr. McGrath and others, I am satisfied that the provisions of the ' Bait Act ' were, during this past season of 1890, well enforced over that portion of the coast, under the supervision of Sub-Inspector Sullivan. 4 :jJ: Jiejtoi't of Jtuhje Bennett on J^J vide nee There were not many important violations of the law. There were a few small lots of licrrinf;s taken from about Lamaline and Laiin, and one man at lUirin succeeded in running a considerable quantity of bait; but, on the whole, I think the law was enforced with as few violations as could be expected with such an extended line of coast. With rc^Mid to the execution of the Act and the manner in which the Hait Protection .Service was carried out this present season in I'ortune Hay, I have ^nvcii extracts from the evidence of Commissioner McGrath, the Magistrate (Mr. lIii)pis!oj'), and a number of others. There is a great deal more evidence which might be quoted ; it is unnecessary to do so, as Mr. McGrath, the Com- missioner in charge, admits that the service was a failure. It appears to me that the evidence shows that there were collusion, dis- honesty and negligence, on the part of many who were employed and paid by Government for carrying out this duty. The coast-gunrc!? were so placed around Hermitage l?ay anu Fortune Bay that no appreciable amount ot smug- gling could have taken place if they had exerted themselves in doing their duty, except tlie smuggling which might be done by American and other bankers, under their licenses. The system of allowing them one barrel of herring per ton, at thirty-two gallons per barrel, furnished them with a surplus stock, which was a sufficient inducement to them to bribe our coa?t-guards and endeavor to obtain a double quantity, which they carried and sold at St. Pierre at such a price as gave them their own bait free from all cost, and handsomely remunerated them for their time and trouble. P'roni all the evidence before me, I am quite satisfied that the execution of the ' Bait Act ' this year had not that effect on the French bank fishery which we had every reason to expect, and which ought to have been had from the elaborate means that were prepared for its operation. The granting of licenses to the French had no material influence one way or the other, as only nine or twelve vessels out of their whole fleet availed themselves of the privilege. The P":ench fishery returns give their catch for 1886, at equal to 1,128,267 quintals green fish, estimating one quintal dry fish to be equal to two of green. In 1887, they give 1,025,100 quintals. In 1888, they give 664,180 ([uintals, a decrease of 464,087 quintals; in 1889, it was 670,180 quintals, showing a decrease below 1886 of 458,087 quintals; and, in 1890, the best reports obtainable say that they have 50,000 quintals less fish than in 1889, which would give their catch for this year at 620,180 quintals or 508,087 quintals less than in 1886. We have absolute proof that the I*"rench short catch of 1888 was caused by the operation of our ' Bait Act,' and I do not think their short catch of 1889 and 1890, is entirely attributable to the scarcity of fish. Many of the witnesses admit that the P'rench were much delayed in getting bait, and in 1889 there was no caplin at the Islands of St. Pierre or Miquelon, and they must have lost much time in obtaining that bait. Had there been no restriction, it is reasonable to believe I I Respect imi Bait Protection Sevvicr. •I" ^ « ■•1 'I I that their voyage would have been much hirgcr than it was. In uSyo, they Iiaii a long and boisterous passage from France to St. I'icrrc, the niaj(jrity of the fleet did not arrive before the last week in April, or the first week in Mii\'; this caused a loss of one month's fishing, and reduced the (|uantity of bait rc(|iiirc(l by the amount which would be used in a month's fishing'; in fact, their first fishery was reduced more than one-hall, consequently they diil rtii .-ul'iVr niiii h from the want of herring bait. The caplin appear to have s'ruck in more abundantly at tlie Islands of St. I'ierrc, Micars previous to that there was sufficient to supply the local fishcnncn, hut not the Grand '' .ukers. I do not think it would be fair to estimate the inllueiice capable of being affected by the ' Bait .\ct,' by what has been tlone during the past three years. The Acts of iS.SS and 1889 were so imperfect that no atteiupt was inaiie to rigidly enforce thtm; the gentlemen authorized to execute these Acts were new to the work, and, above all, the licenses granted to Americans under the modus c7i'(7/f// opened a door for fraud, as well as evil exaniple, to our tisher- folk which led to constant violations of tiie law and minimi;:ed its effect. In 1890 the system of licenses does not appear to have been established on a cor- rect basis. American, Canadian and Newfoundland bankers were permitted to take one brl. of herrings per ton, for bait; this was, at least, one-third more than they required for their own use, and made an inducement for them to sell the surplus in .St. Pierre. The Act also appears to be defective, inasmuch ;is the punishments for its \it)latit>n are iKit cumulative, as it was e\'identl)' tlu: iiUen- tion of the Legislature the)- should be, and as it is necessary they should be, if the Act is ever to be efficiently enforced. Notwithstanding the failures of the past, I am strongly of opinion that it is within the power of the Newfoundland Government — whenever they think it necessary to enforce the Bait Act by the prohibition of bait to French, Ameri- cans and Canadians — to reduce the catch of the F^-ench fishery and keep it reduced, at least, thirty per cent, and probably fifty per cent., below their catch of 1886. Had there been an absolute prohibition of the exportation of bait this past season, I am quite confident that the coast-guard and steamers employed could, and would, have reduced the smuggling of bait to St. Pierre to such small dimensions, that the supply would have been far below the P'rench requirements. I recognize the fact that they can obtain considerable quantities of bait from Bay Saint George and the Mag- dalen Islands; but this bait cannot be had before the 12th or 15th May, which would mean the loss of one month's fishing, equal to one-si.\th of the time they are prosecuting the voyage. The French have also been able to supplement their supply of bait with small shell-fish — periwinkles ; these are caught on the Banks in special localities and limited quantities. The better opinion of those most acquainted with the matter is that the supply is very IteiKiH of Jtnlffe Jknudl on MJcideucc local anil will soon be exhausted, and is only a trifle compared with the abun- dant supplies formerly obtained from !''^i-tune and I'laccntia Hays.* A collateral itVcct of the enforcement cf the Hait Act has been the immense reduction which it has caused in the trade of St. Pierre with the resi- dents of l""ortune and I'lacentia Hays, The Trench Vear-Hook for 1888 says at pa^'e 48 ; " On account of the proximity of the southern shore of Newfound- land, there had existed up to the present an incessant to-and-fro trading of small vessels, which, during; tiic fishing; season, carried to St. Pierre the bait required by thv. bankers, taking; back from here in cxchan^je various goods, such as flour, molasses, salt, pork, brandy, tea, sugar, &c. This business in the multiplicity of articles dealt in ^ave an extremely brisk trade, which has singu- larly fallen off since the putlinj:; in ioycc of the Hait Act." The oflicial returns of St. Pierre show an import to that place of $280.(10 per head, allowing the population to be 9,000, while the imports to Newfoundland are only $37.00 per head. As the l''rench paid our people about $120,000 for bait, and also bought about 35,000 quintals fish from Newfoundland people, the inference to be drawn is that the I'rench sell a very I;irt; it is the home of the herring; and the people, and their fathers before them, have largely depended on the herring fishery for their living. The people of I.amaline, Fortune, Hellcoram and English Harbor ai)pear to have been the greatest suf- ferers. There are a number of others living in the smaller settlements who have also felt severely the prohibition of the bait traffic. The people of these locali- ties appear to h.ive depended more on the bail traffic for a living than those of any other i)art of the Island ; and, judging from what 1 saw of them on my visit this autumn, manj- of them arc very poor, and appear to have lost all energy and enterprise. The Halt Act was passed in the interest of the whole people of the Island. It was expected to have the effect of reducing competition in the Mediterranean markets, and increasing the price of Labrador fish for merchants and fishermen. It would appear reasonable that those who suffered in the interest of the whole population should have received .some compensation for tlicir losses. The liait Act, as far as these bait-carriers were concerned, was, in effect, an Act of con- fiscation of their property. Perhaps it would not have been jjossible to have given direct compensation : but a people whose means of support was so suddenly cut off should have had extra public moneys voted for their special benefit, to be spent, in public improvements, in the different localities. A moderate sum of money, specially voted in lieu of compensation to them, and judiciously ex- pended, would have taken away the bitter feeling of wrong and hardship which those people feel that they have sustained. We can expect no success from the Bait Act, unless its operations arc founded on justice to all the people. It may be in the interest of the people of the northern part of the Island to prohibit taking seals in steamers. To do so would be practically an act of confiscation against the owners of steamers, and I apprehend the Legislature would not pass 38 Report of Judge Bennett on Evidence such an Act without granting compensation to the stcamer-owncrs. I cannot see any distinction in principle between the two cases, COST OK i:\t;ci:TiN(; 'I'iik n.\n' aci'. The cost of executing the Bait Act for i8S8 appears, by the Financial Sec- retary's return, to have been $39,414; but Commander Robinson finds about $3,842.10, belonging to 1888, in the account of 1889— making the total cost for that year ■' $43.^5^ '" Ip 1889 the S.S. Fiona was purchased, charge to capital account, for her 4^-4^5 7^ Cost of Bait Service, including expenses of I'ioiia, shore parties and constabulary 444^9 ^^ As no charge is made for hire of Fiona, I think it fair that 10 per cent, should be charged against this Service, for depreci- ation and wear and tear of steamer 4i24- 57 $4S.-i3 43 The cost for 1 890, by Financial Secretary's statement, is app'ly. . $40,431 ecliii(/ Halt Protedion Service. 39 cn- it is loss jait, ;iitia nricc 7. — I find tliat tliLic is a sufficiently abundant supply of bait fishes for all legitimate uses. 8. — I find that the I'lciich cannot I'.rocure a suflicicnt supply of bait at all times of as good a c|uality ant! as cheap as they could obtain before the Bait Act was passeil. -'ft 1 i "^ litsjHdiiHj JkiU Proltdlou Scn-lcc, 41 In concliidint; this Knquiiy (which has lasted a considerable time, and necessitated the examination of a iari,^c number of witnesses, many of which examinations wcic voUiminoiis, and tlie enquiry has extended over a large portion of the South-west Coast of the Island), I wish to express my thanks for the care and attention given to the subject, and tlie roadincs.-; with which evidence was furnished by all those who were called upon. I am more especially indebted to Commander Robinson, R.X., for the as- sistance he gave me b)- furnishing all information and i-artioulars that came within his special cognizance, and to those merchants who -iipi)licd me with statis- tical accounts of their shipments of Labrador fish for tlie last five )ears. There are many other persons who gave imporlaat and interesting information which has assisted me very much in making up my Report, whose names and evidence I have been unable to quote. As it is, I am afraid my Report is much too prolix; but the subject is a very large one, and [ have been unable to deal wiLi it in a more concise manner. 1 beg to refer your Excellency to the evi- dence of many important witnesses to be found in the Appendix accompanying this Report. 1 have the honor to be, Your Excellency's Most obedient, humble servant, T. R. BENNETT, Commissioner, (i •; ^^ EVIDENCE ON BAIT PROTECTION SERVICE. mw 44 EKidencf on Jhdt i*i'oicdlon Service. [No. I.] R. S. Munn, Esq., of Harbor Grace, merchant, sworn, and says : I HAVE been a merchant engaged in the fish trade for upwards of thirty years, and have supplied largely for the Labrador fishery. The largest propor- tion of the Labrador fish is sent to the Mediterranean markets. I give a detailed statement of Labrador fish shipped by John Munn & Co., (marked A.) to Genoa and Leghorn ; and also a detailed statement of fish shipped by them to all Mediterranean markets (marked B.,) and also to Great Britain for the same period. There have bcni -rr.,^ changes during the past ten years, in the Mediterranean tra le. In the year 1S7S we shipped to Genoa 73,572, and in 1879 shipped for Genoa .1-, 3^)0 quintals; in the year 1882,40,900; in 1883, 40,800; in 18S4, 3r,,r,oo; ; 1 ^'<;, 37..V>-' i in 1886, 34,900 ; in 1887, 28,790; in 188S, 20,400; in iS^M, i3,;oo quintals ;— all to Genoa. In Malaga, Ali- cante, Valencia, Leghorn and Naples ther has been a large falling off, as will be seen by the Hlatcinent. Gcncralb- 5i.>caking, 1 think the cure of the Labrador fish has improved during the jia-.t ten \cars. (^f course there have been occasional seasons when the cure lias suffered through bad weather; and there have been some com- plaints as to under-sized I sh, which may be attributed to the small-sized mesh of traps. 1 believe the decrease in shipments to Genoa and other markets is caused by the large increase of iMx-nch !)nunt\--fed fish shipped to these markets. The following figures sliow the progressive increase at Genoa of French fish : In 1885 were imported 25,991 cwts,, Li 1886 were imported 45,885 cwts. This is independent of the fish sent into Genoa by rail, via Mount Cenis Tun- nel, the quantity of which it is impossible to ascertain exactly;— but the best informed estimate it at 50,000 quintals. At Naples were imported in 1885: Newfoundland fish, 35,000; French fish, 5,300. Tn 1886, Newfoundland fish, 25,600 quintals; French fish, 18,800 quintals. Previous to the year 1883, the importation of French fish in Naples was practically unknown; but, with the stimulus given to French shippers, the importation of French cod-fish is rapidly increasing— with a corresponding decline in British importations. At Valencia.— Until the year 1885, this market was free from I'rench com- petition. Newfoundland, that year, sent 35,000; I'rench, none. In 1S86, Newfoundland sent 22,000 and French 20,000 quintals. At Alicante.— This market, for the sale of Newfoundland cod-fish, has most materially declined through its displacement by French-caught fish— being a port of distribution for fish— to Madrid. Saragossa, &c.— These places are now almost wholly Evidence on Bait Pi-oteviion Sf-rrirr. 4o supplied witli I-Vcnch fish,-tl,at for Madrid and Xorthcrn places bcins sent through B.lboa and I'asages, to uliicii it goes bv rail frc„„ Horclcaux The quantity thus received from l-'rance. in iSS;, uas ^r,,;,, ,,„intals, and in iSS6 83,600 quintals. The 1-rcnch "Lav,." frsh (which is fish washed out and siightlv .Iried for immediate consumption is the desc.iption which compotes wit!,' our I ah- rador fish. We have other competitors in the Mediterranean marked vi/ •-N„r>viv and Iceland-the past ten years at Genoa. The Norwegian fish. Wuv< I.ard'- cured, competes more directly with our Shore llsh. The Icclan 1 tlsj, so far is not of much importance. The price of iMench •• i.a.. ' llsh is a principal f'lc- tor in regulating the value ui on,- Labrador f,sh in the Italian markets, as thev usually fi.. the price of the French fish at is. to .s. per quintal under the pric'e of Labrador fish. I don't know the e.xact price paid for I'lench r„h at St l.errem the years i885-6-;-S. The price paid f,,- Labrador (i.h in ,SS,' was \2s.- the same in iSSr,; in iSS;, 16s.; and in iSSS, iS<. Takiny the average catch of the past five >-ears of the l.al.nulor ll.herv it cannot be profitably ]M-osecuted, on our present system, at a louer price than +;v50 per the trade were ver\- heav\-. During the past three years we fitted out three vessel, from this port lor the Bank fisher3- In the year 188; the sclooner .SV//,v Handed ,,4,0 qtls ; the ^n'JA,;50qtls.; and J. J. Teal, 1,750 qtls. In the year , 8SS, the schooner Scum, l,450qtls.; iho Mary M., .,500,111s; and schooner ./. J. /;,,/, ,,,ooqtls There was not much difference in the catch fur the vers ,887 and .888 I consider the Bank fishery of ,888 a fairly successful one, and that the fish on the Banks was fairly plentifid during the season. I-or the \-ear i88lii Si'i'i'lrr. B.- Statement Labrador Fish shipped by John Munn & Co. Year. (;ollo:ti..nIal.,-,>.l,„lM,l.. -jUs. ^^--^^^^^^ ';^orio. ^I'''^^^- ^^'^'^''- iSSj. . . . Shipiii-'tl 'il I.ila.idor n',i.5"5 " llirhor Cir.irc;.' 24-753 Total !S,25S 20,831 2,990 :„2U" llo"0 ,SS5 Shipii'.'d al l/ilirail.u- 128,400 Harbor Crai-c. 53.270 Toul.... .8./, 70 47.373 , 4. 'So 3'i"0 ^ 3.900 1SS4. Shippod at l/ilirailor 9-',"'J3 Ilarhor Ciraic. 3 '.55 7 I'otal 23,620 : 24.582 3,600 3,000 5,7 00 1885. Shipped at l/ibrador.. . . i^-fi'^- I Harbor ('.race. 39.5-7 Total 172,189 30.S'7 5,100 ' 9,400 4.000 1886. .. . Shipped at I^brador 1 14,41 1 " Harbor (}racc. I 19.9" 18S7. Total....' 134.322 23,292 I 3,000 6,700 Shipped at I-abrador 86,7 1 5 | Harbor (Irace.' 21,513 Total 108,228 - 20,077 1S88... Shipped at Labrador ' '5.' 79 '■ " " 16,536 Harbor dracc. Total . . . 2,885 4,000 2,700 6,200 131,715 37.647 : 4.000 : 12,300 5,700 18S9. Shipped at I/.ibrador 75.15° " Harbor Clracc. 20,824 Total 95.974 27,013 3,200 5,500 m '■> '^1 I h'mdtnvt on Jiait ProtecUoa Service. 40 to the undermentioned Markets during the past seven years. Valencia. l,e«horn. (lei.oa. Naples, /a.ilc. I'atras. ,)\>t Indies Current cleal- ! U-S-.A., A Can. ing Price. 20,700 40.903 I n,93i 7,658 9.543 2QS, 26,500 , ,2,580 48,85, . ,8,862 ,6,i.M 7J. •9,530 ■ 8,000 36,527 ,,060 8,000; 3,304 2,3.7 ,4. 27,600 I ,,,457 ^^^^^^ j^_ 905 ; 14,700 7,300 I 9,576 •9,003 4,000 34,565 ,3.461 ,6.993 i 7,200 ,,7oS > 7,200 7,,o, 28,790; 7,.6o 7,400 6,9s, "'°^7; 8,0,5 20,4:3; 7,652 ,4,,25; ,0,7,7" •9,500 j 4,,oo I ,3,759 , 8,86.' 6,800 ! 7 240 12S, \2S, •,734 i6j-. I Sj-. or S3. 60 •5->-orS3.oo no ICvtihiicr Oil Halt Profcc/i'oii Si rri<-r [No. -\J Richard O'Neill, Master Mariner, of Harbor Grace, sworn and says : 1 li,i\c bfcii m.utcr of ;i banking scliooner out of Harbor Grace for tlic past live )ears, for llic Ilarljor Grace Hankinj,' Company. The fir^t two years in ilic /7i7//:,'- .hrcw, .si.\ty-foiir tons, six dories, two men in each, we fished on the ( Ir.mil I'.aiik, In i.sSjWehail 1,778 (piintals, equal to drj- fisli, and the average price was $.5.10 per quintal. Crew inexperienced. In 1SS6 we had l,G.?3 ([uintals, equal to dry fish, at $^.90 per (piintal. In iiS.S7 I was in schooner 'J/inrs/ur, carrying eight dories, belonging to same Company. Ill iSS7wcliad J,SS6 quintals, eciual to dry fish, and the average price was $3. JO per (luinlal. In iSSS we had, with seven dories, 1,810 (juintals, equal to dry fish, at ^3.70 per (juintal, average price. In iSSy we h.id 1,509 quintals, equal to dry fish; average price, $4.17, with seven dories. Captain Kearney was master of the F/yiiiti- Arivu' in i887-'88 and '89, with si.\ dories each year, and his catch was as follows: — In 1S87 she had i,8jS quintals, equal to dry fish, and the average price was $3.20 per (piintal. In iSSS she had 1,764 cjuintals, equal to dry fish, and the average price was $3.70 per quintal. In 18S9 she had 830 quintals, equal to dry fish, at $4.17 per quintal. We usually begin our banking voyage about 15th April, and end it about the last of October. From April to June we depend on fresh herrings, pre- served in ice, for our bait; we got them in St. Mary's Bay, Placentia Bay, and principally in I'ortune Bay. I found abundance of herring bait from April to June. I always purchase the bait from the fishermen of the locality; the cost, on average, fifty cents per barrel in Fortune Bay, and $1.00 in Placentia and St. Mary's Ba)s. I have tried salt herrings and squids years ago, and last fall we tried .'■alt squids. They arc not suitable for carrying on the fishery successfully, I could not carry on the fishery successfully from April to June on salt squids of the previous year, and I could not get a crew to engage in the fishery depending on that bait alone. From June to the end of July we depend on caplin for bait, and usually procure it in Trinity Bay, Conception Bay and Southern Shore, at a cost of about twenty cents per barrel. We never missed caplin b.iit. Sometimes a little delay in getting it. % J J'Jvi^ffiirf on Jiai'f Pi'otfrfion Stt tu'rr. rroin AiiKiist to the end of voya^,'e we depoiul on fresh sijiiicls for bait; more tlian half of whicli we would catch on the banks the last live \'ears. In iSSy s(iuid bait was scarce on the banks, and very uncertain on the shore; there was considerable loss of time in procuring it. I do not 1 ni>w o' any special reason or cause for this. In iSSi-'Sr) and 'S; we found codfish plentiful on the banks. In 1SS5 it was the most plentiful I have ever seen it. In 1SS6 it was pleiUiliil. ()nr short voya(;e that year was occasioned by loss of spars and daiiia^fe, and ni '■ liting ; they rely chiclly on salt bait. riie herrings they get in I'"ortune Hay reni.iin almost like' tVr-h bail fjv the first si.\ or seven da)s, and they rely on them llun to m.ikr the bcU pari of their fishing; no old salted bait is as good. In liSSj I noticed in h'ortune Hay that many of the I'nnch schooner-; were changing their mode of preserving bait, and were preserv ing it in ice. I thinlc, if the Hail Act had not been passed, that man\- of them wuuKI ha\e .uloptetl our system of preserving the bait in ice. They coulil not do this with luriings carried to St. I'ierre, for they would be too much knocked about, and loo sot't to make good bait. Herrings, caplin and scpiids must be preserwcl in ice immediately after they arc taken from the water. I think the Bait Act h.is been the means of preventing an immense destruction of bait fishes, which fiirmerl\' took place. I am quite certain that the French cannot procure bail as suitable or of as good quality, as cheap and as convenient to obtain, as that had from I'orlune and Placcntia Bays. I do not think that the French can carry on the Bank fishery a.; succssfullj- in future as in the past, without the aid of bait from the prohibited p jrlion of Newfoundland. In 1888, about the first week in June, I was in conversation with a l'"rench banker on the Banks : he told me he had been seven or eight weeks getting his bait, and he had not then three quintals of fish. lie had been at St. George's Bay, and he said that many others had been there in the like predicament. o2 Ei'idenrc ou liait Profcrfi'on Service. I am quite certain that St. George's Hay ami Magdalen Islands will not re- place the herrings formerly had from I'ortiine Hay. The delay in getting bait from those places is a serious impediment to their fishery. There would be great delay and loss of time in procuring cuplin bait from White Hay, or any part of the French Shore. The caplin are later striking in on that coast, ami many years their vessels would be prevented by ice. I know one French banker that baited with caplin at Ouirpon ; he was de- layed a long time, and did not arrive on the Hanks until we were through our caplin bait and had begun squids. I think that many of the people who carried bait to St. Pierre are impov- erished by reason of the enforcement of the Hait Act. There were many who •■ucceeded in smugglin'^ bait into St. I'ierre, I think that, insti ul of employing steamers, the Hait Act may be much more effectually executctl by tlie employment of schooners, and stationing them, with officers on b-iard, al all tiie principal hauling-placei. The fog is so prevalent, for a large p jrtion of t!i.; time, that it is impossible for steamers to prevent the smuggling o^ bait. The employment of those schooners would be some compensation to some of those who have been deprived of their former means of living. I think the granting of licenses to .American fishermen, to take bait, makes it mr.ch more difficult to carry out the Hait Act. I think the granting of licenses to the French would be verv beneficial to them and destructive to our fishermen. [Xo. 3.] Hector Curtis, Harbor Grace, Master Mariner, sworn and says: I WAS master of the S. S. f.nth Clovtr, in the years >S88 and 1889, en- gaged in the enforcement of the 15ait Acts. 1 left liay Hulls on the :3th of March, 1888, and proceeded to St. Lawrence; arrived there on the 14th, having Judge Prowse on board, in charge of the expedition. We proceeded thence to Fortune Hay. We cruised in that Hay and \isited many harbors, as far west as Hurgeo. We also cruised about the entrance of the Hay near Hrunette, Green Island, and St. I'ierre; we also cruised in I'lacentia Hay, colling at various Harbors, we overhauled the schooners anil boats in Fortune and I'lacentia Hays that we met going out of those I'jays. We seized si.x or seven boats in 1888 ; they all had herring or caplin on board. We took the masters into Harbor Hriton before the Magistrate. All we seized were condemned, and the masters were impris- oned. We seized the fi; ^ two while Judge I'rowse was on board with us, and the other four when Head Constable O'Rielly was on board. All of these craft were of small size, none larger than ten or fifteen tons. I 1 ?Jvtt/ciirr OH Ihl'tt I*r<>{rrtioii Srri'i<-r, r>:\ lavint; nee to ivost ns Green arioiis I Hays ; they before ■ A '4 I The S. S. //iiY/(/iS, witli Siih-Inspi-ctor Sullivan on hoard, commcnrcil tin- service at the same time. She cruised chiellj- in I'Liconti i l)a\'. The S. S. dirv/ioiiiiif w,\-r, en,t;a;^ed shortly after we arrived. She cruised in Fortune Hay with Mr. Ilnhert, the Magistrate, on ho.ird ; and e.uly in May the S. S. luivoiitc canie, with Serjeant I.acey on hoanl. She also crniseil in I'or- tiine Hay. About the 15th of April, the time they usually use seines, a lar<;e number of peo])le in their craft collected at 1 larbor Briton and tried to arrani;e a combination, and said they would haul herrin_y;s in spite of all the steamers. There were from fifteen to twenty vessels there. They left for Rencontre and Hay-du\ord; we went to Rencontre, ami attempted to search .1 vessel, we were resisted and we made prisoners of four of the rini^leaders. We then pro- ceedjd to l).iy-du-\ord and were met by the (iirvhonn,/ and l/ir,ii/ts. There were about forty schooners in this place intendint; to violate the law, but v/hen they saw we had the rini^-leailers arrested tlu'v ^.\w up tlu' combination anil disperseil to their own homes. After that there was no L^cuer.d .iltempt to evaile the law ; but a few boats endeavored to snuiLis^le henini^s to St. I'ierre. In my opinion, a \'ery small (piantity of Iicrrini; bait was carrieil fi'om I'ortunc and Hermitai^e Ha\'s to St. Pierre, between the first day of April and the fif- teenth day of M.iy in that year. During' the caplin school the /.,i./v (i/oirr and ///^riiZ/iti/i were eni^a;j;ed, with Commanckr Robinson in ehari^e. We cautjht four small craft violating;; the law in the cajilin school. 1 do not think there were man\' \ iolations of the law in i'ortune Way as tlurc wi re \erv fiw caplin there. C'a[ilin were abund.uit at Cape St. MaryV, .md, 1 think-, some were car- rieil from there to St Pierre. Beside the two slcuneis, (_'ommaiider Robinson liad men stationed (ui shore at I.owry C"o\i', l.am.iliiu-, Point-a-(jaul, I.iftle I.aun, an iutermeiliate cove, and a cove west of l>urin (1 f^Hijet the nanir), and at Grand Beach, in I'ortune Bay. 1 do not knmv that the l'"reurh ;.;()t caplin at Ran^ley ;ind !\Ii(|ueIon ; 1 heard the}- were xcry scarce ,it the latter two pl.ices. On the whole, 1 think the B.iit Protection .Service wa^ ciri.ctu.illv- carried out that year. The American fishiiiLj \cssels ha\iii_L; licenses to L;et bait, ilid, 1 believe, carry bait to St. Pierre ;ind sell it. I'hese licensis made the Bait .Act uujiopu- lar with the Xewfoundland fishermen. They constantly com[ilaiiied that the Americans were ;ilIoweil to sell bait and take tlu' bnad out of their mouths. On the 30th April, 1SS9, I sailed in the S. S. /.,i,/r (i/ovrr. 1 took Sub- Inspector Sullivan on boanl at Placentia and proceeded to h'ortune ]5,ay, calliiifj at Oderin on our way; we nut the S. S. I'loiia, which had been eni;aj;ed in the service some time before we were. We then cruiseil in I'oitune Hay, occasion- ally calling at harbors. Ihe best part of the herriiiLj tlsher}' w.is over when we arrived. We caui^ht si\ craft with herrings on bo, ml ; these \essels were of much larj^er size than of the previous year — one. forty-five tons, and one thirty tons; they had from one hundred ami lift)- to two hundred barrels her- rings on board. The others had smaller i[iiantities. I'here were a large lot o( herrings run to St. I'ierre in small quantities. There were much greater 54 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. attempts made to evade the law in 1889 than in 1888; many of them evaded the law on the pica that the small quantity they had on board was for their own use, as bait. We caught one vessel from Mussel Harbor, in I'lacentia Bay, with eighty-six barrels caplin on board. I believe there were considerable quantities of caplin conveyed from Cape St. IMary's to St. Pierre. It was very foggy in Fortune Bay nearly all the time during the caplin school, and this made it most difficult to carry out the law. I do not think it is possible for steamers in foggy weather to carry out the law. It was foggy two-thirds of the time in the month of June. Commander Robinson had men stationed at the coves before-mentioned ; but he had no men at Golden Bay, Cape St. Mary's. Many of those formerly in the bait trade have suffered serious loss by being deprived of it. I think the people of Fortune l^ay and Placcntia Bay, who for- merly were in the bait trade, have been impoverished by reason of the enforce- ment of the Bait Act. The export of bait was largely prevented, and the price of caplin was, at times, from thirty-five to forty francs a hogs'icad, at St. I'ierre. I think, with the aid of schooners stationed at the hauling-placcs, and one steamer to supervise, that the Bait Act might be effectually carried out during the first French fishing or herring baiting. During the past two years caplin has been very scarce at Miquelon and Langley. They have also been very scarce in I'"ortune l?ay. At Grand Beach, Dantzic and Lower}-, the chief hauling-places, there were hardly any. Should the\' be as scarce in future, the Act can be executed with sufficient effect to render precarious the supply of caplin in June and July. In my experience in carrying out the Bait Act, the greatest difficulties were produced by licenses to United States fishermen. There were numbers of them that carried quantities of bait to .St. I'ierre. There were also Canadian fishermen that did the same. This was a great grievance to our own people, and made the Bait Act most unpopular amongst our own people, and rendered its effectual enforcement most difficult. In my opinion, no licenses should be granted American or French fisher- men. I think that, by the enforcement of the Act, our bait fishes have been protected from excessive destruction ; in fact, there has been no waste for the past two years. I [No. 4.] James McGrath, of Oderin, in Placentia Bay, Commissioner on the Bait Protection Service, sworn and says : I left St. John's in the f/o/nr on the 9th of April, 1890, to carry out the Bait Protection Service. I was equipped with dories, camp gear, and men for nine- teen stations. I proceeded to Burin and took in material that was lying over ■i.'. ^ I Ecidcnce oh Bait Piotediarii Holbrook, was brought before me at Harbor Ikiton, charged with having more herrings on board than he had a license for. He was found " guiU\-," ami .sen- tenced to pay a fine of five hundred dollars or, in default, three months' im- prisonment and forfeit the penal sum of his bond, one thousand dollars, and the vessel, with herrings, were confiscated. He gave notice of an appeal. On the 3rd of May, George Snelgrove was brought before me, charged with having assisted the master of the Iloicanl Jlolbrook in violating the Bait Act;" pleaded " not guilty." He was tried and convicted. .Sentence deferred on a recognizance to appear when called upon. On the 5th May, Isaac HoUett, of Burin, master of the Grand Master, was charged with a breach of the Bait Act. He had a quantity of herrings on board, and pleaded "guilty." He was fined two hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the same day, John Pitman, of Rencontre, was charged with the same offence. He pleaded " guilty," and was fined two hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the same day, Peter Power, of Rencontre, was charged with the same GO Evidence on Bait Protection Service. ofiencc. lie pleaded " fjiiilty," and was fined two luiiulrcd dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the ;tli, Ge(iri4e Rose, of 7 /n- Sh/iis, Little Day, was charged with the same offence. He pleaded "guilty." and was fined two hundred and fifty dol- lars or three months' imprisonment. On the 8th, George I'ikc, of 77ie Queen of J'/rfory, St. Lawrence, wa:-. charged with the s;imc offence, lie pleaded "guilty," and was fined two liun- dred and fifty dollars or three months' imprisonment. On the same day, Samuel Cluctt, master of P/urbc I.. C/iictt, of Uclleoram, was charged with the same olTence. He pleaded "not guilty," was convicted and fined three hundred dollars or three months' imprisonment. lie appealed to the Supreme Court, and the con\iction has been quashed. On the lOlh Ma)', John Ilynes, of Lower ICnglish Harbor, was charged with the same offence — breach of the I?ait Act. He pleaded " guilty," and was fined two hundred dollars or t\v > month-;' imprisonment. On the 1 2th, John Hynes, i f the Risiiii^ Sim, Hay L'Argent, was charged with the same offence. He file, i. led " not guilty" and was convicted and fined two hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the same day, Michael McCarthy, of St. Jacques, master of the Mary Ellen, was chargctl with tlie same offence and pleaded " guilty." He was fined five hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the I9lh May, Tatrick h'arrclj, of the I'red, St. Jacques, was charged with the same offence. He plcadetl " not guilty;" the case was dismissed. On the 2(jth, Jacob Jansen, m.ister of the A'/.w anil Co, Harbor Briton, was charged witii tlie same offence. He w.is convicteil and fined two hundred dol- lars or two months' imprisonment. On the 3rd June, John Clark, master of the Emily, of Hurin, was charged with the same offence. He pleaded "guilty," and was fined two hundred dol- lars or two months' imprisonment. On the 19th June, William Fitzpatrick, of Hay-du-Xord, charged with the same offence. He pleaded " guilty"; ^\\\Qi\ two hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. The Mary M., (on the s.ime day) Hilyar, master, charged with the same offence. He pleaded " not guilty," was convicteil and fined two hundred dollars or two months' imprisonment. On the same da)', the Elox, Jonathan liird, m.ister, of Hay-de-L'eau, was charged with the same offence. He pleaded " not guilty," was convicted and fined two hundred dollars, or two months' ; he paid his fine. On the same day, the Janet, William 15ungy, master, of luiglish Harbor, was charged with the same offence; He pleaded " guilty"; fined two hundred dollars, or two months' imprisonment. ■si i •f I Ecidevve on Bait Protection SciiHce. 01 ..n. ^"/'''-•-^'f;*'^;^^-;"''"'"- J-hn Inkpcn. of Hurin, was cl,ar,^ccl with the same ol.cncc. He pleaded "Ruilty." and was fined two iu.ndre.l .lollars. or two months imprisonment. On the 24th. John Mitchell, of Ih.rin. was char.ad with the same offence. Repleaded " not Rudty." was fined two hundred dollars or two months' im- prisonmeiit. O" 'I'' ^•''"'V'^y. Stephen Wa^^, of Hurin, was charged with same offence pr-^on^^^^^^^^^^^ "'"' '■""' *"■" '^""'^"' '''^"'''" '" '^^'" "-"ths-im- The bait fishes fc.nnd on board all of the bcforementioncd vessels were conhscatcd. I-.xcept the Sis,rs and C7,uU, all the other W-wfonndland vessels >\ L I C S III tl 1 1 , The following vessels were licensed by me: — .04 ti!.!f '^"'' ''''^'^' "'■ " "'^"'' °'" ^'°"-^'--- ^ ■ S' ■' ^>'a.l- Roudolph. April ..st Z.7A-. J/. ../,/.,.,, Charles Nickerson. of san,e place; S5 tons Maj- 1st. 6<7-//. /f. /v,y. Ratclijfc, Gloucester, G. W. Nelson, master; 99 tons June 3rd, Maro arctic, of Beverly, U. S., I lynes, master ; 1 3 i tons ' " June . 7th, Alfousc Clnrs. Anirion, of St. I'ierre, LeLYnu-re, master ; ' 59 tons June ,8th. //.. Belle, of St. I'ierre, Henry DeLale, „.aster; 62 tons June i8th, LcMascoiie, of Gloucester. I'. Lawrenson, master ; ^^ tons ei.htv on'"'', T'^' °[ "■''"" "•"'^''' '•■^" ^°'"' '■'"^' ^''■■■•^-" '--•-• a-1 ei|;hty-one dollars paid. I'ushH^'''r''Vr'''; "•''''""' "'""'" '"^^ St. Jacques. Harbor Briton and 1 ushthrough. I don't know how many. There were twenly-five eases came before me; twenty-two were brought by Commissioner McGrath. oi.^m Sub- Inspector Sullivan came on board the 7v;v..^ on the 20th June and remained until ist July, during which time he brought three cases befo,-e me until u!r '!7;^^\^^"7S ^^"tinually, from the time we entered Fortune Bay,' uut.l the ,st July, when the Ingraham took her place. The only time lost wa m rough weather some three or four days, and the time necessary for al g There were a number of Newfoundland bankers and others boarded, coming 02 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. out of the Bay. The only one I remember, particularly, was the Jfary M, We had a good deal of foggy weather during our time in cruising in Fortune Hay. We picked up five vessel-, in the thick fog, on the 19th June. They came close aboard of us, and we caught them. There is no ijuestion that a great many vessels escaped us in foggy weather. The Fiona kept up constant communication with the coast-guard stationed at twenty different places. These coast-guards were sufficiently close together to prevent hauling herrings, if they chose to exert themselves and do their duty. I think the system adopted of granting licenses and letting vessels come in to take bait, under the supervision of a coast-guard, was the best plan that could be adopted ; provided the men did their duty. I do not think it possible to prevent the French from getting bait, if the Americans and Canadians are permitted to obtain bait on our coast — especially if they do so on free licenses. Both French and Americans expressed themselves to me that they would be willing to pay a reasonable license fee, provided it was only levied once a year, and they were permitted to purchase what bait they required. I think a license system would be better than permitting our fishermen to carry bait to St. ricrrc, it would avoid the great waste of bait fishes which formerly took place and in a certain measure, prevent smuggling and would ensure a more uniform and better price for bait. I have had experience for two years in the carrying out of the Bait Act, anil the Act has not prevented the French from getting bait to any extent. They have been able to get bait from other sources — Nova Scotia and Magdalen Islands — and it was reported to me that squid (three hundred thousand) had been brought to St. Pierre from the coast of Florida early in the season, long before any squid was to be had on our coast. The Americans and Canadians in the past have been evading the law and smuggling large quantities of bait to St. Pierre, and they will do so in the future if there is any loop-hole left for them; and, I think, enforcing that law under any system will be very difficult. [No. 6.] George Peddle, of Harbor Grace, fisherman, sworn and says: I was shipped on board the Mary JIF. to serve at the Bank fishery for the present season, with Kenneth Day, master. We left over three weeks ago, and went to Fortune Bay and took our bait at Bay-du-Nord. Do not know the name of the man we got our bait from. He was on board of us, and was on Ui'idence on Halt Protection Service. I ■I 4 board at St. I'ctcrs afterwards. We took about one hundred barrels of herring for our own bait; had it packed in ice. Don't know how much lie paid for it. It was stowed, in the winj^pounds, aft. We took other herrings on board at Uay-du-Nord, which Dunn (the second hand) and Moriarty tallied out of her in St. Teters. Dunn said there were 175 barrels and they wanted to pay the crew for 150 barrels and the crew was not satisfied. While we were taking the herrings on board at Hay-de-Xoril, the constable came on board. We took our own bait in the afternoon, and what we soKl we took after night. The constable was not there then. There was another ves- sel taking bait at the same time as we did, and the constable had them thrown overboard. She was not fitted out for the Hanks. On coming out the next morning we anchoretl in the cove where the constable lived. Stayeil there part of the day. The constable did not come on board while there. There were a good many herring in the seine, we got ours out of it. There were no French or Americans there for bait, while we were there. On our way to St. Peters we were boarded by the luoim. Mr. McGrath, the Commissioner, came on board ; he had the after hatch opened and prodded the dip-net down through the herrings and ice. lie called the two men that came with him in the boat, and said " this is the way they iced bait down." There were one or two tubs of ice hove on the top. There was no ice through the herrings ; a trifle of salt shook througli them. He did not have the main hatch taken up; he did not examine any other part of the vessel, only the hatch. We had two wing-pounds forward full of bait, ami two 'midships partly full, and one aft full of bait, besides the pound under the after hatch. He did not examine any of these. The Commissioner boarded a small craft in our sight; said he had a man on board of her and had her caught. She had fifty barrels of herring on board without anything on them ; Commissioner told us so. There were sev- eral vessels in sight; it was calm; it had been foggy and cleared for a short time, and then became foggy again. The Captain sold some of the herrings at St. Peters to a square rigged ves- sel and the rest to a fore-and-after. I saw them taken out of two or three vessels. I do not know what price they got, but our craft sold for 18 francs per barrel. John Dunn and Moriarty tallied the herrings out of our vessel. Afterwards Dunn said he could not find his tally. I le first told all hands that there were 175 barrels taken out of her. The captain wanted to pay the crew for 1 50 barrels. A dispute arose, the crew would not take it, and did not get paid one cent. They did not threaten the captain to inform on him ; the steward was there while we were taking the herring out of her. The French- men helped to take them out and we measured them in a tub. The captain took his chest and left the vessel at St. Peters on Sunday night, and I did not see him afterwards; he went away from the vessel with Captain Noseworthy. 't (it hjviih ncf on 'Utlt Proficfioii Scn'io', [No. 7.] Alfred French, of Courage's Beach, Harbor Grace, fisherman, sworn, and says : I was sliipiiL'il ill llic ort'icc til" John Munii & Cimipaiiy to scrvi' .it the Hank rtslicry for the piisciit season, on board the Mdif J/., Kenneth Day, master. We left Harbor (irace about tlie jSth or 2(jth of April anil proceeded to l-'or- time Hay, and in Hay-dii-Nord we {^ot our bait. I do not know tlie man's name who we };ot our liait from. We had about one hundred barrels for our own baiting', i'iie captain took in one Inmdred and seventy-five barrels besides that some he had salt shook on, ami some had ice on them. I do not know what the captain paid for them, lliere was a boat there f^cttinjf bait at same time. I do not know how much bait she took. She left before we did, and I did not see her afterwards. I do nijt know her name, nor the name of Iicr master. She got herrin{,'s out of same seine as we got ours. While we were hoisting down our own baiting, a constable, with two men, in a dory, came on board ; that was about :; or 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The captain told him what herrings we were taking for our own baiting. He remained a short time and then went on board of another schooner, and made him throw overboard some of his herring. The constable c.ime on board again and took tea with the captain ; he left before dark. After dark, they took on l)oard the herrings before- mentioned, which measured 175 barrels out of her in St. Peter's. I had no hand or part in it n)\sclf. After taking all those herrings on board, we went into the cove where I'ar.son Squires and the constable live. I think it is called Pool's Cove, but I am not rightly sure. The wind was heavy, and wc lay there for a couple of lnuns; we tlien got on our way and beat out of the 15ay. Out in the Hay, not f.ir from St. I'etcr's, we were becalmed. The I'ioiiti overhauled us, and an officer came on board, and I rowed Captain Day on board the Fiona. Andrew Vetman was with me. I was forward, and do not know what Captain D.iy did on boanl the cutter. \\ c remained about half an hour, and returned to our vessel. The officer who came on board was Mr. McGrath, the Commis- sioner. He had two other men with him. He had the after hatch taken off. He did not get d.)wn in the hold; took a dip-net and proded down through iIk ice. We had the herrings for our own bait in the forward wings. In ship wings we had the herrings that were sold, with a little salt sht .ver them. The main hatch was not taken up, and no examination was nuuk 1 the herrings down in the main hatch. We went from that to St. I'etcr's. The ntxt day, in the evening, tlie captain sold 175 barrels herrings. He got eighteen francs per barrel for lliem, and a case of whiskey into the bargain. The captain did not d.^■ide tlie money; he wanted to pay the crew for 150 barrels, keeping twenty-five barrels for himself. The crew were not satisfied. John Xoseworthy, master of a sloop, and Captain Day went on shore on Sunday evening; they came on board the Mary J/, about 5 o'clock, and remained until about 9 o'clock. John Dunn came forward, sent by the ca/tain, to see what the feeling J'Jcli/i iH'i (III liiiil I'l'iih I hmi Si rnn , ('.:• I if ilic crew was. 'Ilay wcro ilis'-atisfu-d Iiecaiisc tlic\- li.ul iint bcm paitl. Adams went all ami a>kcil the c.iptain tn i.;ivc liim mmiu' iiuiiuy. 'I'lio raplain rcfusi'd, I)iil ;..;a\\: him a Ixjttlc i;!' hiaiul)', \V'' sal dn'iikiii;,' ih it, am! while ihiilkin^', the captain took his elK-,1 and went >>\\ slioii.', \\'r made .eaieli fur him ft)!' several days, but did not run! him. Cai)taiii N'nsewortli}' did not sell his lierriii^js in St, IVter's; he lelt w hile we were there and went to sea. There were three .American \e>^(.I-, with their n.imes canvas- b.irrels, I did nnl see an\" I'ther'^ sellin;^. I think there mu-t be ,i hundred sail of vessels — i'reneh, American and l".n;.;lish — in the roads. We put one liundretl b.irrels i.n bo.ird .1 I'rui^eh bri.;, ,ind seventy-five b.urels on ijoard of a l'"rench sclKJimer. The frenchmen came on board and took the herrings themselves out uf the hold, Sonii' tif (nir crew worketl at getting them out, Robert N'ocl, the stew.ird, w.is th.ere all the time, and s.iw them takin'' the herrim; out of the vessel. [No, .s, I Richard J. Adams, of Riverhead. Harbor Grace, fisherman, sworn and says: I was shippcil to j;t) to llie H.uik fi-her)-, lor the presi.nl se.ison, on board the J/iirj' .]/,, C'a[)tain D.iy, m.isler. 1 think we left Il.irbor (Irace on the Z'jlh .April, and went to i-"ortune 15ay. We :.;i)l our bait at li.iy-du-Xord, I ilo not know the man's nanic from whom we got the bait. We took from eighty to ninety barrels for b.iiting; and, besides that, we took one lumdretl and .seventy- five barrels, which were soUl in St. I'ctors. John i^unn and James Moriarty kept tally of the lierrings going out at St. Peters. 'i"he (.'apt.iin t(jld me he got 1 8 francs per barrel for the herring. When we were going to settle and eacli one get ills sliare, Dunn said he lost his tally. The Capt.iin wanted to pay us for one hundred and fifty barrels, and the crew was not satislletl. This was on Saturday, and the Ca[)t,iin left the \'essel on .Sunday. We went in search of him, but could not I'liul him. Remained at St. Peters until Thursda)-, when we left for Harbor Grace, and arrived here on Saturday. John Dunn was socond- lur ' He sent a telegram to Mr. INFunn on Monday that the Captain had left, I'hcrc were American \essels in the roads at St, Peters, I saw one with h< anie canvassed over, I did not see them sellinLT herrin'i. 9 GO A'cidciice on Bail I'l'otedioii Service. [No. 9.] George Robinson, Commander, R.N., sworn and says ; 1 was in ccinmaiul of tlic expedition from May 26, iSSo, until August iS, iSSS. On ?k[ay JO, 18SS, I loft Piaccntia in the S. S. 67('r'(V, wliich was the onl)- serviceable vessel, as the luivori/c was in Harbor Uriton in an unscaworthy condition. \Ve [Mocoeded from Piaccntia to Sanker Head, where we struck on the r'n:k aid went into St. Lawrence. At .St. Lawrence 1 ascertained that neither bual-, nun oy material could be obtained, either on this coast or in I''or- tune Ha_\', unle.;s at a very high cost; and I consider it a fortunate circumstance that we h.id to return to St. John's. On arrival at St. John's, I obtained per- mission from the Government to fit out the fngra/unn for the service, as the 'Jlovcr re([uired consider.ible repair. I accordingly hired fourteen men for the service, ;ind two gigs, with a tent, a wooden house, and other material. I sailed in the Ii/i^-ra/tain on June 5, 1 888, arriving at St. Lawrence the same night. The l::;.n-a!tM!i, bein,:;- an old L'nited States gun-boat, was well fitted for the ser- \ice, and faster tlian the Glover. On June 6 we landed Sergeant Oliphant and pa't)- in Little Laun, with a tent. At 5 p.m. I landed constable \Va!;;li and party at Point-au.K-Gaul, and anchored in Lamaline roads. On June 7 I landed constable Power and dory, in charge of constable jMiftlen, of Lamaline. At noon we proceeded to Lawrics, or Great iNIeadows, and landed Sergeant Cleary. I arrived at ILarbor Ih'iton at 7.45 p.m., and ordered the h'iXVJ'iitc to return to St. John's at once, as unfitted for the service — crew mutinous; boiler leaky. She ^"■as not utilized for the future. On June 'J we proceeded to Puint-aux-Gaul, and heard that the Glover was in St. Law- rence. We communicated with the Glover at noon, in St. Lawrence. The Glover \sat> in charge^ of Head-constable O'Reilly. She was sent to Harbor IJriton to coal, and ordered to meet us at Dansic Point. On June 12th the Glover n^t us as Dansic Cove, and cruised between that point and Lamaline. We left D;uisic Cove on the I2th and proceeded to St. Lawrence, where \vc took on board Sub-Inspector Sullivan and proceeded to Tites' Cove on 13th. A very few caplin had been seen at Titcs' Cove. We then cruised to the west- ward, boarding vessels as occasion required. y\bout this time the Fortuns Bay people continued to carry a few herring to St. Pierre; but the fish had struck out into deep water about 23rd June, and there was no caplin on the shore that we knew of. On June 13th we proceeded to Harbor Briton to coal. On June 15th we placed constable Newhook and a man at Deadman's Cove, and sailed for Grand Bank and Burin. On June 16 we landed sergeant Smith and con- stable Kent at Tites' Cove and proceeded, cruising and boarding vessels. On June I S caplin struck into Little Laun in small quantities. Thirty-two vessels at anclior waiting for bait. June 19th — No caplin at John the Bay, Mortier or Titcs' Cove. A little caplin struck into Lamaline this day. June 20 — St. Pierre full of bankers waiting for bait. ALany liavc sailed for St. George's Bay, and others are reported for the northern peninsula. 0\\ June 20 seized the Mary ,i////, Dollymount, master; towed her to Bifin. He was tried and convicted Evidence on Bait Protection Service. (>7 before James Ilippislcy, Ksqiiirc, Stipendiary Magistrate. This \ esscl was con- demned and ordered to be sold — and sold for, I think, five huntlrcJ dollars — and the master condemned to five hundred dollars fine or three months' impris- onment. Tune 25th — No bait at St. l'ier:e or Miqiielon. I'aiikcrs siilini; willi old sal*..d s(iiiid and herrin<^. Verj' little caplin on the shi>ri' between Tites' Cove and iJansic I'oint. On 26th we went to Harbor Hritun to c jai. ( )n 27th we proceeded to John the Bay; blowing heavy gale of S. II. wind. ( )!)liL;ed to anchor in .Spanish Room, Morticr Hay. We found that twenty bankers, Iv.v^;- lish and American, had baited in Red Cove and John the l>,iy. June _'S — A heavy sea outside. No vessels in John the Hay. I'roceeded to St. Lawrence- where urgent telegraph took us to I.amalinc. Grand Hank schooners anchored here. June 19th — Chief-constable O'Reill)- telegraphed he h.id detained AV.Vr Kjr. Troceedetl to Dansic I'oint to meet him. June 'lOtli — Conimuniciitcd with 67(»ri 7' off Fortune. O'Reilly informed me he ha'' taken the ca.-e before G. Simms, I'-scp, Stipendiar}' Magistrate at Grand liank, wIm h kI i\ni:d tlu- captain twenty dollars and releasetl the \essel — the fine having been p.iid. \o other case under the H.iit .Act was brought l)efoi-e the Stipeiuliaiy .Magi-;'.! ale at Granil H.mk, as his c.ise ])rodnced a wry bad effect on llie people. We' after- wards ascertained that the c:'plin struck in Grand Hcach. Hay l,'.\rgent and other points about the 20th June, antl were carrieil to St. Tieire in -ome ([uaii- titics. July ist — St. I'ierre reported to be full of b.mk'.rs, .ml no l>a:t obtain- able. I noticed scx'eiiteen I-Vench bankers s.iiling fen' the ea tward. Jul)' \il/, off the Lawn Islands. Jul)' 7th, proceeded to lUirin to meet the Leopard, with the mails. I'^rom information received, proceeded for Cajie St. ^Lar}''s. July 9tli. boardeil the I'"rench schooner /.(■ C!i August iSlh. With regard to the effect of the caplin protection carried out during the year 18SS, on the Peninsula, Ac^^X between Hay L'Argent in Fortune 15ay, and Hay-de-John, in r'.aceiiti.i Hay; it ma_\- be said, that, although several ves- sels were seized in the act of tal ing caplin out of i'ortune r)ay, j'ct, the service cannot be considered to iiave been clTectively carried out, owing to the limited lanil service which pre\ eiited 1.1.' fiom l.uiding a party at Grand Heach — one of the principal hauling-plaees J:; that H,iy — in the same way the coast on the northern side of I'laccntia ]')a\- was unprotected — at John-de-l?.iy and Lance- au.v-liarcpic — which enable-.! American ami Xova Scotian schooners, besides our own vessels, to take away coiisitleral.)!e (pi.uitities of caplin; but, the whole amount transported to St. I'ierre was not in .ui\- w;iy sufficient to supply their wants, i^w the Cape St. Mary's shore it has been rei)orted that several vessels obtained bait for the h'rencli ; but, 1 believe, thai the seizure of the two l<"rench schooners hail a salutory efi'eet in pre\eming i)thers from following their ex- ample. The prineip;d drawbiiek^ in caii)-iug tmt tiiis service maybe gathered under four heads, naniel}-,— I'ir^t : The dlffieu'ly of obtaining good information as to the probable naile i.A bait c,irriei<. Secondly: The detention necessi- tated b)- the vessels having to cross I-'ortune Hay to bring offenders before the Court, and the long delaxs which took ()laee during the trials of the prisoners. Thirdl)-; The difficulty of obt. lining i)recise information, when .and where, the caplin struck in, and the long distances the xessels had to travel to reach the hauling-grounds. loiuth : The serious effect produced on this service b\' the giving up of all the vessels, l.nit one, which had been seized .and condemned, owing to the faulty construction of the Act. There can be little doubt that the speetly relc.ise of man_\- of the prisoners led the bait smugglers to believe that the law would not be carried to its legiti- mate extent, and that the violation of this Act might be carried out without any serious risk of forfeiture (U- imprisonment; and there can be no doubt that unless the vessel can be I.iwfull\- confiscated, this .\ct will be of little force. I luay .also remark th.at, from Jul_\- .^th until Jul>- JOth, the Iih^rahani was detained at I'laccntia during the trial of the l''rench vessels, and, conscciucntly, oidy one ses^el was eng,ige'(l in protecting the caplin over the whole coast line. 4 I'h'iilciicf (III liuil Pi'oliclliiii Srrn'cf-. ()0 I In tlic j'car iSSw, the stranii'i' I'ioiia was ready fur sea, with laiul parties on board, and cciiiiimients, to sail tor I'^ortuni: 15ay. I'nfortunatel)-, the ice came in ami detained us until tlie evenin;^^ of March 9th, ulien tlie \esscl had some difficuhy in i^^ettin;^ out ol the Pi.i}'. We arrived at Hurin at 6 p.m. on the lOth March, and ascertained tliat tlie Curlii^' was at IMack River uitii .Sul)- Inspcctor Sullivan on hoard. We arrived at Hlack Uiver on the iJth, and tlie Curlew rcturneil to St. John's. Sex'eral \essi.ls were prevented by nic from takinji cargoes of herrini^s out of the V>.\)\ inchidini; the I'rench scliooncr \'ii>lct. 0\\ the i6tli, in {"ortune ISa}-, we boarded tlie (\ii7ii Star, full of her- ring, bound to St. I'icrre, out of 15elie l!a_\' ; but were unal)le to interfere, owing to her clearance. The //'. D. Pctis/cv w;:s at that lime loading witli salt herring at Bay-du-Xord, and a number of vessels h.ul loaded and taken salted herring to St. rierre, a large portion of which, no doubt, was utilized for bait purposes. (l.) The Riis/i/iii/it, I'arvaccjue, master, i,5cl) barrels. (2.) The Mary, I'ionen, master, 2,000 l)arrels. (3.) The Rolhii D. R/iod.s, White, master, 1,200 barrels. (4.) The Oitaii Star, Marvine, maf.ter, 2 ;oo barrels. (5.) The //'. D. Dais/tj, Pius McDonald, master, i,Soo barrels, making in all 9,000 barrels herring exported to St. Pierre in I'"ebruary and March. Three ov four of these vessels were probabl)' ownetl in St. Pierre, and the rest American. On March iSth, Sjrg:ant Clcary and [)art)- were landed at Rencontre, in I'ortune l>a\\ On 'I'uesday, the 19th, communicated with the schooner /Vrrv /un\ bait protection. Constable Walsh in charge. At his instance I seized the />///<■ /■>riton. Charge dismissed. March J[st, visited Round Harbor and Ciaultois ; fitting out steani-launeli. M.irch 2jnd, placed Constable .Xspcll and crew at Ri)und Harbor. Crossed I'ortune Ha}- to Lamaline, to communicate with 15urin. Left l.amalim: at da}liglit i>f the 2]ix\, .ind jiroceeded to luiglish Harbor ICast ; fountl no I'renchmon there. Returned to Harbor Briton. March 25th, sailed for St. Lawrence and Burin. The jGth, heavy gale; moored in lUirin. March Jjth, proceeded to Placentia and landed Sergeant O'Brien and Constable Hogan. March jSth, proceeded to Harbor Buffett, ha\ing heard that a large (piantit}- of herring had struck in. March 29th, a storm of .S. W. wind; forbad the /:';i,'S rircm/i iiad been continued. Went into Placentia Bay, boarded several vessels and returned to Dansic Point. April 22nd — Seized //. S.Cluctt, Albert Cluett, master, in I'ortune Cove; towed her to Harbor Briton. April 23rd— Albert Chiett fined tliree hundred dollars or three months' imprisonment. Caleb TuU-: finetl thirty dollars or two weeks' imprisonment, and his vessel let g5 free. April 24th — Shifted the steam-launch from Round Harbor to Push- thnjiiqh. April 2Gth — Boarding vessels in Fortune Bay at 7 p.m.; seized the Mary }.iui;)ke(.l into Cape Cove and Golden Bay and observed two I'rench vessels steering in. .\l fjur o'clock, boarded Mercuric, of ILivre, cruising in the Bay. Jul}- 2nd— Went ir.to St. Mary's and saw the magistrate. Ten hours; proceeded to (.'ape St. Marj's and Placentia, July 3rd — Steametl to Tites' Cove and John-de- Pa)- ; took Const;ible Crane to Burin to make a deposition, and to obtain a warrant fur the arrest of John and Fred- erick Tulk of Fortune, for taking bait on board without a license; and for liJvidence on ltd If Prokclion. Ser>'/cr to Bay ; rniy 5ank our cr in Pro- •^ 20 rom 11 nd- salL Ih— wccn At ea at and i/rif, the July kirin -rcd- for threatening^ and intimidatint; the said constable Crane and liis crew, and jire- vcnting tliern from searching the vessel ; she havin^^ on board a (juantity of caplin, as he believed. July 4th — Proceeded to St. Lawrence and R(jund- about; communicated with the 6"/i':'iV on her \v.\y to liurin for coal— ijjardin^j vessels, .\nchored at 7.30 p m., off I'orUine. July 5th, 7 a.m. — Stopi)C(.l off Grand Peach; no caplin here since 35th June. Went 011 to Harbor ISrilon to coal ship; 10.30 a.m., anchored at Harbor Priton; coalin;;- shii) .115.40 p.m., we cast off and proceeded to Dantzic. Jul\- 6tii, a a.m. — Poardinf,^ schooners; 1 1.20 a.m., went into Lamaline and communicated with the Cioiut. At I p.m., we proceeded to Purin for the m.iil. Heavy i:jale all the 7lh and 8th. July 9th, S a.m. — Proceeded to Cape. Sl.AIar^-'s; bjardiu':^ vessels in Golden Bay and Cape Cove. July lOth — Proceedeil to IlnIyro>Kl and Peter's River; there had been plenty of caplin in these Pays during the past si;< weeks, but no vessels looking after them. Hove to off Cape St. ]\Iar)''s all night. July i ith — Went into Placentia and crossed to St. John's to communicate v.ilh the Gov- ernment. July 14th, 7 a.m. — Proceeded to ]^)urin with Judge Prowse. Ju]>' I5tli — Proceeded to St. Lawrence; lv\amining witnesses in a wreckage case. July 1 6th — Proceeded to Buri.i to land witnesses; went back again to St. Lawrence. July iSth, 5 p.m. — Weighed anchor and proceeded to Laun and Lamaline; cruising up the coast observed batleau.K fi-hin-- on Pob's Rock; ordered French fishing boats to cross over to their own w.ilcr. Crui>-in:; off Green Island; 8 p.m., anchored at Grand lleacli and proceeded to Lawries ; took up crew and went to Lamaline; took up Lamaline crew and went to Lord's Cove; took uj) the crew and proceeded to Little Laun and anchored in St. Lawrence for the night. July 20, 5 a.m. — Proceeded lo Purin, landing boats and stores in the Jerse)' ]\oonis ; lo a. m., proceeded to John-de-Bay; lifted crew and went to 'rites' Cove; lifted crew and anchored in lUirin for the night; landing boat and stores. This is the conclusion of the caplin season, which was short aiul broken all over this Peninsula. 'I'lie i'reiich obtained very small (piantities and in K)ts that were practicall}' useless, excepting for the shore fisher}-, July 22nd — The CAn-'iV arrived at lUirin 10 a.m., and s.u'led at 3 p.m., with Judge Prowse and all the shoie parties ; 3.50 [i.m., proceeded to Corbin ; 7.10 p.m., anchored in St. Lawrence. July 23rd — h'ive hour>; a.m., weighed anchor and proceeded to Laun ; weather very bad ; 7.I0 a.m., anchored in (ire;,t Laun; 6.30 p.m., proceeded to Lamaline; reporteil no S(|uid on the lianks. July 24th, 5 a.m. — Proceeded to sea, steering for the Plattes ; 4 p. m , anchored in Hare Pay. Jul}' 25th, 4 a.m. — Proceeded to Harbor Priton to coal; 5.30 p.m., pro- ceeded to Dantzic ; b(.tarding vessels. July 2'')lh — Cruising between St. Pierre and Lamaline ; G p.m., anchored in St. Lawrence; eight hours; anchored in Burin: plenty s([uid here but none on the Banks. Jul}- 27tli, 5 a.m. — Pro- ceeded to IC.ist Broad Cove and Rushune ; ver}- little stpiid ; i 1.40 a.m., stopped in Titcs' Cove; siiuid struck in: i p.m., went on to Purin and aiichored, July 2y, I p.m. — Proceeded to Laun ; cruising between Si. Pierre and Point May; boarding craft; anchored in Dant/ic Cove. July lOth, 5 a.m. weighed and 10 7i Evidence on Bait Prolcclion Service. proceeded to (iiccn Island, then steered in for Hob's Rock and seized two bat- teaux, men named, Clammance and Pervawchc ; took them to Burin; occupied at Court for five days, awaiting instructions from Attorney General. August 4th — Received ins^truclions to tow the l'"rench batteaux back to St. I'ieire waters. August 5111, S a.m. — Weighed anchor and towed batteaux into French water; cruising off the Cock Bank and Dantzic. August 6th, i i a.m. — Anchored in Lamahiie; 2 i).m., .'■teered out for St. I'ierre ; 35 bankers in the Roads tead-cruis- ing off Gallantry Head. August 7th — Boarding vessels off St. I'ierre ; found that they all had simply a baiting; were going to St. Pierre, so that I was unable to interfere; S p.m., anchored in Lamaline. August 8th — Cruising between St. Pierre and I'oint May. August 9th — Boarding vessels in the entrance of I'or- tune Ha}-, cibsirved a l'"rcnch man-of-war cruising in the Strait; ().30 a.m., steamed for Htirin and Tites' Cove, and anchored in Mortier Bay. August loth — Proceeded to Joh >dc-Bay and l'!ast Broad Cove; large quantities of squid, but no ves-^els; anchored in Burin. August I2th — Proceeded to St. L.'uvreiice ; J p.m., boarded the /Aw, of St. Pierre; very few squid on the Banks. Went on for Green Island, boarding vessels coming out of Fortune Ba}', with squid baitings in small quantities, all going to St. Pierre; could not interfere. August 13th — Noticed French man-o'-war cruising in the Straits; 8 a.m., seized the Annie, Richard Dollyniount, and sent her to Harbor Briton; seiz-d the Ih'Hc, John Smith, master, and sent her to Harbor Briton; 4,50 p.m., anchored in Harbor Briton. August 14 and 15 — Detained in Harbor Briton, counting s(iuid and proving the case before the magistrate; parties convicted and fined thirty dollars or thirty days' imprisonment. August 16 — Proceeded to Xew I larbor and Cul dc Sac ; anchored in Harbor Briton fDr the night. August 19 — At noon, proceeded to Dansic, cruising off Lamaline; dense fog. Went on to Burin. August iSth — At 2 p.m., anchored in Burin. August 19 — Went to Ferryland Head and Lamaline, cruising off St. Pierre ; 6 p.m., anchored in I'ortune Bay. The inner harbor of St. Pierre was to-day full of vessels laid up for the winter; some squid had been taken out, but only in small (iuantities. August 20 — At five o'clock, proceeded to Belleoram, board- ing vessels; anchored in St. Lawrence at 8 p.m. August 2\ — At five o'clock proceeded to Ikuin ; found liere the Vidcttc, of Gloucester, with one hundred and twenty thousand squid on board. The master said " that he could not sell them in St. Pierre." I could not ascertain with certainty where they were ob- tained. The master said, " he obtained them at Cape Breton;" 10.30 a.m., proceeded to sea, cruising off Lamaline and crossing to Placentia. ; 5 p.m., anchored in I'lacentia. August 23rd — Proceeded to the Mortier Bank, board- ing vessels ; 4 p.m., on Offer grounds, off Ferryland Head. Steered up for Green Island; dense fog. August 24th — In dense fog. August 25th — 11 a.m., fog lifted, and we went boarding vessels; 6.30 p.m., anchored in Brunette. August 2Gth -5 p.m., proceeded to the eastward, boarding vessels with only their baitings going to St. Pierre; 3 p.m., anchored in Bay L'Argent. August 27 — At five o'clock, weighed anchor and proceeded to Belleoram, boarding I Evidence on Bait Protection Service. i.> foe schooners ofl' Dantzic I'oiiit and iMiqiiclon; anchored near Sluial Hay. August 28 — At five o'clock, proceeded to Dantzic, boarding boats off Hoh's l>i()tk. Newfoundland craft standing,' along the St. Pierre, I\Iiqnel(Mi, sh(jre, with frrocecded, boarding vessels; 9.20, anchored in lUirin, tr\'ing cases in Court; two of the masters took their bait beyond the territorial waters, and therefore were dis- charged. The P'Oiiavoiturc got her bait on the Mortier Hnik, and the master was fined thirty dollars or thirty d.ays' imprisonment. Au;4ust 31 — .\t five o'clock, proceeded to the Mortier Bank, boarding vessels ; i 1 a.ni , st.inped close to the Laun Islands, boarding boats; 6.30, anchfjied in Grand liank ; at II o'clock, weighed anchor and proceeded to Harbor Briton; at four o'cloelc, anchored in Harbor lirilon. Shifting coal out of bunkers. September 3 — 8 a.m., proceeded for Green Island. Boarding vessels on the Offer ground, Lamaline; they had about eighty thousand squids on board; they were all jigging, but we coulil not interfere. September 4, at five o'clock, pro- ceeded to Burin. No .squid to be iieard of near there; 4 p.m., .-tojiped off the Laun Iskuids ; no squid. Went to Offer ground, but all the vessels gone; 7.30 p.m., anchored in IJantzic. September 5 — At six o'ck)ck, proceeded to Brun- ette ; examining copper on bottom of vessel. Xo sijuid on the coast. Sept. 6 — Proceeded to Harbor Briton, where squid arc reported; found none. Went on to Devil Bay, New Harbor and Francois. \'ery little s([uid. September 7 — dense fog; at S o'clock, proceeded to Miquelon Rocks and Lamaline; no squid inshore; fishing with herring. September 8th, (Sunday) 6 a.m. — I'roceeded out and seized a boat, James Cuswick, master, with two thousand squid and two women; landed the latter at Lamaline. At 8.20 a.m.. seized a boat owned by John Wagg, with twenty thousand squid; sent her to Burin; 9.30 a.m., seized a boat, Thomas Flannigan, master, with a quantity of squids and towed her into Lai aline ; i p.m., went out and threw the squids over-board from another boat. After four o'clock, took the two boats in tow and proceeded to Burin ; 5.30 p.m., boarding vessels off Chamber Point; at 8 o'clock, anchored in lUirin; boarding the y. E, Lake, found that W. Tulk had left her. September 9th— At the Court House: James Cusick, John Wagg, Thomas Flannigan; fined — ten, twenty and thirty dollars each, or the same number of days' imprisonment September loth — Boarded the American schooner Bide/te, prepared to buy herring, squid or anything in the shape of bait; 10 a.m., went to sea; boarding vessels on the Mortier Bank; very few squid, but very large ; noon, went to 76 Kvlih lire (til Jhnl I'l'olicllnn Scrrlcr, the Cliiic 15ank ; ^.20 p.m , on llic Imi.! ;.;imuii(1 ; no Miuid on these banks ; 4.30 p. Ill , 1)1 aicliii!^ V(.ssi'Is at llic l.aim I^lamis; C\.y) p.m , aiiclmrcil at Toint-aiix- Gaiils, S('|)timI)L'r 11 — Went eiil t'ltlilr ;.;r(iUiul of l-atnaliiic ; no scpiiil; S a.m., stecrcil for Danlzic ami Harbor ISiiton; took on board the stcani-latinch, coal-baj;s and stons, and proceeded to Daiitzic. September iJtli, 7.30 a.m. — Anchored in liinin, not liaviii^^ seen any vessels; landed steam-launch and stores at the |ei>(\- Kooiu. Sei-tini!)er i.ltli, 10. 40 — I'mceeiled to Haine Harbor and telegraphed (o lilack River; 4 p.m., S.S. /iixmhniii came in with mails; 5 p.m., proceeded to I'lacenl'a. Se[)teniber 15th — .Shifting' c al from under the saloon; boats away for water, which we could net obtain. September \C)\.\\ — Shifting coal; thi-i was necessary, ,is the co.il was Iie.ited under the s.il ion; 6 p.m., we finished shiftin;; coal; uiidiiii^ht procced':d to sea. Septemlier 17th, ^ .'SO a.m., anchored in liurin to ol)taiii lumber for bulk-head, under saloon; 9 a.m., pro- cecedcd to Little St. Lawrence, lih.w out boiler, w.atered shij) and commenced buildii:;' l)ull:-lKad and i-towint; b.illast. September 20th, 1 [.45 a.m. — rroceed- cd to St. Lawrence ;uid on t' Hirlior Ih'ilou to coal. September 2ibt coalin^r .'-hip. r)ci)tcnibrr 2.|lh jtroceeded out at S.30 a.m., and anchored in Pass I.-ilaiid 'I'ichle ;it noon; : [i.ni., went i>n to I'ushthrouLjh and Grand Jarvois, where we .uiclMred. .September 251!! — Proceeded \\\) to North Cove, wheii: we fouu;! tliree scliooners ji.L^l^in;.; stpiid ; went on to Lonf^ Tickle aiiil l)ra;:;on; went up l'"achieu.\ after two schooners; 2.15 p.nr- went into New Harbor aiul l\encoiitre ; no scpiiil; .\ p.m., proceeded out, Htecrini; for the Pialle Rock.'^ ; H p.m., stopped off Dantzic. September 26 — Cruising off St. Pierre, (observed very few vessels in the Roads; no fishing boats out; 1 .20 p.m., boarded a I'rench schooner off Little Laun; went into Great Laun, and foiMul here the I'reneli schooner, Alhcil M. Micltach llonanioux, master; .; p.m., left for Purin ; 6 [i.ni., an.chore.l in lUirin. .September 27th, 7 a.m. — ProceetK (.1 to St. L.'iwrence ; no scjuid ; blow in;; from the S. S. west. Seiitember 2811; — A i;ale of .S. \\'. wind, and rain; 4 p.m., weighed anchor and proceeded to I'lurin ; 0.30 p.m., proceeded for Cape St. Mary's; midnight sighted the liglil. Sei.it'r. 29111, 2.10 p.m. — Passed Cape S|)ear, and anchored iii St. lohn's. lia\'iiig finished t!ie Ser\ice for that ye:ir. Question \. On tiio filnoss and desirability of the S. S. "Fiona," for carryiiif? out this Service. As tliis ves-el v,;is chosen bj- me ;iiul survej'ed, docked, fitted out anil brought .across the Atlantic to St. John's, it will be needless for me to say that I apiirove of he!-. There .m-o liowever ct.'rtain f.ict--. that should not be over- looked in considering her lltiu.ss. 1. Puilt !))• Canipor i^ Xicolsun of Gosjiort under inspection of the highest class, Lloyds'. Lngincs by Day S: Summers of Soutliamj)ton. .She was re- surve)-ed for s.ile by Lliiyd.->' on the slip at .Soutli.unijton, and obtained a speed of upwards of eleven knots on the' nie.isured mile in the .Solent against wind and tide. In September, iSS'.i, she made elcvon knots between Cape Race and Cape Spear. Kt'i'fh'tiC'' on /{ait l^robctimi Sci'i'icr. t i 2. As regards construction, she lias an I'Jiglish oak frame witli 5 in. and 3 in. s[)accs, but clnser forward, lu-r bottom is rock elm, topsidcs, teak, witli two full decks c.\ceptin;^' th' iiiLiinc and boiler compartment, Slie was built re- gardless of expense, 3. She came from I''almoiith to within forty miles of Cape Spear, sur- roiindin}:; the tail of tlie ice ni'.ir the \'ir.L;ins in nine days but a heavy S.lv and S.W. i^ale presented us from m.ihin^' St. John's before the eleventh day. She saileil from St. John's, Marcii (jth, |S,S(;, and returned on .September 311th, iSSy, ,1 period of two huiKhi'd and twenty-five days, engaged in the Bait I'rotection Service, during wliiiii time the steam wis down, for cleaning boilers, &c., about eight days. The engines were never stopped for repair of machinery or by the reijue'st of the engineer, anil the only necessary repair was simply the brazing of the saltwater pipe, injudiciously connected with the blow-through of the boiler, shaken l)\' \ ibr.ition. in .: I 7 daVs she made nearly five niillun revolutions of the propeller and covered nine thousand one hundred and eighty miles (91S0) as measured on the chart, nul taking into consideration the sinuosity of her route, the numberless turnings in h.irbors .ind out, and her cruising from vessel to vessel, 'Ilie machiner\' w.'i> in excellenl order when she returned to St. John's, and the hull and deck in good repair. She burnt alxiut two ;ind a (piarter tons fuel for each day engaged, and m.'iy be considereil as remarkabi)- economical ; probably covering more ground with a pressure of 50 lbs, of steam, from Welsh coal, and moderately smooth water, making a little over nine knots, than any vessel of her size between this port and l'"loriila, or on the .\tlantic face, per cwt. of coal expended in a given distance. The pressure was generally kei)t at 50 or 55 per square inch, and when circumstances required, r.iised to 60 or 65, chasing or making a passage. I may remark that her windlass, anchor gear, chains and nuchors arc all above any Lloyds' requirements. She never failed to overtake any vessel that she chased. The total expense of the vessel, per day, will probably be $53. Question 2.— On the fitness of the " Lady Glover" for this Service. It would be advisable that this question should be put to Sub-Inspector Sullivan, as he was constantly in her, and I only went to St. Lawrence in her, and back to St. John's in 1888. There is, of course, no comparison between this vessel and the Fiona, as age of hull and machinery militates against any wooden ship, and she was never intended to be fast; her weight and build (fitted for the ice) preclude it. But she is, probably, capable of eight and a half or nine knots when her bottom is clean ; and suitable for the service. ^ 78 EvHhnce on Jinif Protection Service. Her expense of running, owin^j to the old tjpc of entwines and boiler, is considerable. I understand tliat lier hire was about $So per da)*, and I fail to see how she could be run for much less; her coals alone will cost $34. The ///_!^m/iiv/i's expense was a little more, I understand, but she was faster in 1888. Since then, chocks below water have been placed in her, and reduced her speed. The /.nt/y C/tircr is the best of the eastern vessels for service, if she is clean, as the weed on her bottom seriously retards her, I have made this remark independent of the Ciirliu< or coastal steamers, considering them to be out of the question on account of expense. (See Jcdftii' Footc.) Question 3.— Land Parties: their use and value, Practical Efficiency and Drawbacks. Land paities were introduced by me in 18SS, for the protection of the caplin on the peninsula between Haj- L'Argent and John-de-Uay, Placcntia Bay, and in Fortune Bay in 18S9. It must, however, be remembered that this form of protection is more deterrent than actually aggressive, and has only been carried out efficiently in conjunction witli the vessels. A shore party is unable to follow a vessel filling up from a number of boats, or making a sudden haul and off to sea. No shore party has captured a vessel, or produced sufficient evidence to do so, except in one case. Their work is exhibiting the law, deterring men from breaking it, but their power ends there. In Newfoundland this is generally sufficient to make the many hesitate, but not all, and it is the lesser number who wilfully trangrcss that we want to catch. This is too evident to require expansion. The boat or dory goes along- side the boat or schooner, and takes the name of the vessel and master, and, if possible, sees them off with their proper allowance of bait; but they cannot fol- low them after. They may, and I know they have gone into some other cove and filled up for St. Pierre. The shore party must be supported by the moral force outside, or be supplied with more extended motive power to be efficient. Is it to be supposed that a large banking schooner would permit a dory and three or five men to seize her. No, they would not; but the banker is nearly always obliged to employ a bait-hauler, and he is at our mercy. The consequence is, they are obliged to study the interest of these men, and take their allowance, hoping, if they are bent on smuggling, to fill up in some retired harbor, where they will not be examined. This has been our difficulty the past season — the shore parties were too few and out of reach of one another, and the constant fogs prevented their seeing the entrance to the reaches. On the whole, I am quite satisfied with the working of these parties as a preventive; but they require extension and support; distinctive badge or uniform ; and the constable, sergeant, officer or person in charge of the party, a commission to act, seize, administer an oath and examine the crew of the vessel. IColdcnct vii JJiiil I'l'otcdion >Sei cice. 1) Notliinp iifcd be said of the past im this essential point ; hiil nolhini; can be done without it. The officer Ji///sf pioducc liis aiithniity to command obedi- ence and respect. Tliis is evidently a far less expensive method of prolcclion, as it merely means a house, a boat, fuod and wa^'es ; hut it will not stand alone. If we ^'o a step further, and in certain l)ays and arms, introduce a schooner with two dories and six men, besides the master and his man and cook; nine men wouKl command respect, even froni a banker — the witnesses would be r.ither too many to ^,'et over — they dare not attempt violence; so that a [larty like this would be in a position to be left fur a week or more, anil capable of piirsuini,'. Ha) s like 1,'lCspoir and I'unnaif^re could be handteil well in this waj- ; but the hire of the vessels would be a consii.leral)le item. dory cer is The take 2tired |e too their as a |rty, a :ssel. Question 4. The most efficient method of preventing herrinR bait boine exported ; and if it can be effectually stopped, and at a moder- ate cost. Combination of land jjarlies and steamers will stop it sufficiently tor the purpose of this Act. No Government has entirely suppressed smus^lint,' ; men will do it, like sportsmen, for the love of it; but a little more restraint is all that is required in this case, and it is easy of application now that the method is understood. It must be remembered that .i service of this character is n: t apprehendetl in a year; there is much to learn. The habits and methods of the peoi)Ie must be considered besides the localities. If the service has proved to be inelVectivc in the past, (a proposition I seriously doubt) the proI)abilities arc stron;_;ly in favor of experience dcvisint:; better plans; the matter is purely a question of expense. Fortune Hay must l^e entirely sejjarate from I'lacentia Hay; and as the lat- ter Bay is a long indraught, and the herring bait generally confined to particu- lar localities, one vessel and two, or, perhaps, three land parties wouUl be suffi- cient, unless the herrin;^^ struck into Taylor's Hay, Laun and St. Lawrence — as they did in 1888 — when a steamer and three more laml parties woultl be re- quired; bul this was a very exceptional occurrence, and had not taken place for twenty years. The Lamaline men carried bait to St. Pierre when the steamers were in Fortune Hay in 1 888 ; and I apprehended a recurrence of this transaction in 1 889, which took nic back to I'lacentia H.iy when I should have remained on the north shore of Fortune Hay. I placed one constable in Harbor Huflett, but his means of locomotion were insufficient. I think a small steamer or a good schooner would be sufficient for the Middle Reach and Buffett, with at least two land parties of three, with a dory. Of course the herring arc very uncertain in their localities ; but the parties 80 Kvldenct 0)i. lia'tt Protccflon Scrcirc, could b" disposed to good advantage with the assistance of Mr. Chambers, J. 1'., of liar hi. • Buffett. Little Luiin is always to be suspeclcti ; it lias been a noted place for bait until last year. Telegraph communication with Si. Lawrence is, however, easy; it is only ftJur mil s across. I believe, and Mv. Chambers is of the same opinion, that little or no bait left this bay for .St, I'ierrj in iSS- ; and the bodies of herring appear to surround the IskuuJs where deep water, with a mudd\' bottom, is close at hand. Fortune ha\- has a more e.\tendei.l coast- line to con.-^idcr, which cannot be cHcctivcly protected without considerable means. Owing to llv ciniparati\e failure of the herring in I'laccntia Hay last year, it probably will be largely visited during the present season for bait, which has been most abundant. Two fast steamers, two schooners, and ek'\cn land parties will be reijuired to hold this bay for this season ; th.at is to sa}-, for April ami May, so that the expense incurred would not extend o\ei' sixy d;i\'s, whjn the extra .teamer, tlie schooners and t!ieir expenses would be cIosclI. The other steamer and the land parties would be required for the caplin. Li Bay L'Lspoir, at Ra3'mond I'oint, a dor\- and three men should be placed to guard Little Passage aiul llaibor LeGaliais, and the schooner should cruise in the mouth of the bay looking into Gobled, (Jrand Cuillcr, I\Luuiels, Bonne Bay and Dragon. The herring never leave L'Fspoir, but the incoming strike is early in 'May. hour hindred barrels were lnterce[)ted last year coming out of this bay InCoinaigre Hav.- a schooner sh')ald diviile her attention be- tvvee.i the Locket 4'.'.d Great Leach, Herring->' Cove and Partridge Cove. ;\.t >.Lllcr's Passage. B.iy de I'liau, there should be .t dory and two men, with an officer holding a '-nal authority, tidewaiter and I>.,it commts>i ner, as a certain P'rench schooner i". in constant comnnmication with tliis place, and occasioihilly pa\'s duties at Harbor LritiMi, wlrch nia\- or may not be sulVicicnt. ./Vn officer should be there until (Jctober. 1 depend on it, a large business is carried on by a St. Pierie firm. A dory and crew of three should be stationed at luiglish llarbor. West, to work Mose Ambrose and lioxey, and occasionall}- looking into Blue Pini m. man is req lircd here. At St. Jacques the magistrate should be placetl ; this is obviously a necessity, if the service is to have speedy legal satisfaction, which is of the greatest importance. The delnys in iL'irbor Briton in iSSo, and the long dis- I I I 'i Ecidcnt'c uu Bait rroitviwa ^u-clcc. 81 tanccs to reach there had a very detrimental elleet on the service The situa- tion IS perfect for t!ie work. A d(ir)- and three men in Corhin. A dory and three men in Cintiiie [Ac<. A dory and three nun in llay-ihi-Xord lirook, A dory and three men in Pardons' Cove, Iia>--eie-i';ast. Ado.y and three men in doctor's Cove, \)A\c l!ay; a lour-oared boat is better here as the distances are \viv^. A dory and three men at Kencontre. \ dory and tlirec men in Anderson's Cove, I.on- Harbor, A dory and three men in Jiay l/Artjcnt. Circun,stances n,ay require some of the.e parties to be sinfted, as in the pa.t j^ar; but they .hould be cn^tantly vi.ited by tl,e stea:ner, to interehanc^. hsts of vessels ba.ted and dates ; the communication should be uninterrupte:i Ih. stearner shon,d only pass to the westward of IJoxey once in the fbrtni^ht to v,s,t Conna.gre and L'Kspoir, and then her place sliould be taken by Sie small steamer woH.n:, tron> I.on^ Harbor, round the bay to Cinque CerC and occasionally, looking in at (]rand IJe.icIi. At many of these places accommodation H.r th. men can be obtained ; iK't not all. In liuse ca,-,. -. a wooden house can be cheaply and ciuieklv erected W .th tins loree, ior this 3var, h will be Unvad that the expuUatioa of her- n.u; udl be p, .cucaliy closed. There viil be a lew nunc men required, and thiee or four dories, but not ,an excessive expense. -n.e principal dhUcuMy lies in obtaining suitable persons to take charge of each p,u-t3-. Ihe commissariat of last year is suukient. with minor modih- cations. \y;ch regard to the second steamer to bo emplo>-ed in J^ortunc ]]a\-, 1 ;^hould advise U.e hi.e of the y..nn:. Foo,: a sukUI iron lob.ter-boat. built" by ^Mi. .\ngel, of .St. John s : owned by lo>ote, lirother.., of Grand Ban!:. This is a small ve.se! of .; tons, compound engine., surf^icc condenser. uuJ,eaU.d 40 h..rse-p.nver, .teams seven to eight knots; consumption, one ton r CM ; "• /"""th, 5. iect; breadth, > .: ,eet. She has, now, a good cabin a ,M-th three berths which could be extended ,., four; there are two berths io.um.b i he holu will take nve tons coal. Tlu: oiucers and one constable, or ' ; : • "'' '"•'^'^"■' ^■"-'"^'^'- •'^"^' ^'-- --^"^l -'e man would be the crew. I was unable to come to any .tated term, with M-. h-oote, but should suggest $.o.oo -M- to cover wages of cajUain. engineer, two men, coals, oil, wa.^e and h^re A.^1^ expenses would be $,..oo a day, insurance included ; ^2,.oo would 'be oub, and will determme the value of a liait Jhll. ihe saving will b« i„ coal and wear and tear of ship and ofiicers. 11 ■■■I 82 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. There will be three or four journeys outside ]>oxcy Point in the season and no more; no cruising in the mouth of the Bay; no interference by fog, watch- ing and following vessels ; between English Harbor, west, and Rencontre, will be her work — preventing them from obtaining a second baiting, or returning to bait, a few days after they have left — an occurrence that has been noticed. It may appear to some that the precautionary, measures taken in this bay are excessive ; but such is not the case. The effects of last year's judgments and releases arc not forgotten; the vessels resumed their traffic under new masters, as soon as they were let go, with only a few hours detention. Practically, the service was rendered valueless by the decisions, and eventually the judgements were simply non-deterrant. The retention of the masters in no way effected the position of the owner, it did not delay the traffic many hours; such legal restrictions arc valueless in a case like this. The vessel need not be confiscated or sold, but she should not be permitted to act again in the same capacity that year; she should be detained — this would very soon mimimizc the number to be looked after. Question 5.— The most effective method of protecting the Caplin, at the least cost? In reality, question eight: " Have bait- fishes decreased?" should come in here, and it is, most unfortunately, pregnant of meaning on this point. The caplin are, indeed, so seriously reduced in numbers on the Peninsula, between Bay L'Argent, John-de-Bay and Placentia Bay, that there is not sufficient for our own bankers, not to speak of exportation ; and, yet these unfortunate peo- ple scramble up every caplin they can find — although their neighbours are anxiously looking for bait — and hurry off to St. Pierre to get what price the French choose to give them. It is very sad to see them supplying the P'rench fishermen to the detriment of our own. It is necessary for me to say that For- tune Bay is almost forsaken by caplin; a few struck into Pt. Rosic for tw^o days, but there were none at Doughball Cove last year. Grand Picach, however, was well supplied, but very few vessels baited there, as it was carefully guarded. They struck in at Grand Bank and Fortune for three or four days, and that was all. Dantzic Cove had a large quantity in fur a few days, but tlie Lady Glover was there. At Lav/ries, High Beach and I.amaline, there were very few caplin. On the 1 8th or 19th of June the largest number came in, after that a heavy sea cast the bait off shore ; the rest may be counted in barrels. The bait did not come in to the beaches, it was off shore in abundance. Disposition : — A dory and three men at Grand Beach, A dor)- and three men at Lawries, A dnry and three men at Lamaline, A dory and throe men at Little St. Lawrence, A dory and three men at Little Laun ; as there was none at Point-:uix-Gauls, Ta\'lor's B;iy, Laud's Cove, Round- Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 83 about or Little Laun last year — a coast that has always been supplied liberally. In the memory of the oldest inhabitants of St. Lawrence, Little Laun has never failed until last year. The caplin were into Little St. Lawrence one week last year, but only suf- ficient for bait for local fishermen. A dory and three men at Tites' Cove. A dory and three men at John-de-Bay. A dory and thiee men at lUirin, if it be possible. The schooner engaged in the herring protection at Long Island, Ragged Islands and Alcrashcen should now be shifted to Cape St. Mary's, and cruise about Lear's Cove, Golden Bay, Lance Cove and Bianch; A dory and three men in Branch. A dory and three men in Golden Bay. The schooner will be required to stand off and warn boats going out to foreign vessels or running into the Bay, or follow them in and lay by them. It was reported to mc by the Stipendiary Magistrate of I'lacentia that sev- eral of our bankers had fi'led up at Golden Bay, and gone to the l^anks; this has been done during the past year, I am certain. It is only with a north or easterly wind, and, consequenth', smooth water, that caplin can be carried to St. Pierre from Cape St. Mary's, because thej- will not bear the long journey in bulk; it has been tried, and the result was ptdp instead of caplin; but it has been done. The expenditure will be confined in this service to one steamer, one schooner and nine shore parties, with a dory each, with I regret to think, little prospect of much exciting work excepting on the Cape St. Mary's shore. The steamer may cost $50 00 a day The schooner " 10 00 " Shore parties, food, wages, &c 40 00 " Total $100 00 " The caplin will be over by the 30th July, and squid in general request. I believe it will be necessary to place a dory in Fortugal Cove and Tre- passey Bay, during the caplin, thereby slightly increasing the expenditure. Bait has been taken to the I'rench vessels outside from tliese [ilaces. Question 6.— The most effective method of protecting the SQuid Bait and if it be valuable? This is probabl}' the most dilTicult question to answer, as the wnlue of siiuid depends entirely upon its abundance. If the squid are found in considerable numbers on the Banks, it is a waste of money protecting them inshore, unless the " store squid " are to be protected. And it is impossible to protect them if they strike in as they did in August and September, 188S, lor they were every- where. Bui, in a year like 1889, it was evidently a matter df some importance, as we noticed banker'^ in .\ngust endeavoring to per'^uade our own boats to 84 Ei'idaice on Bait Profcrfion Srrrirr. come alongsiilo thcin, and failing this, ictiuncd to St. ricnc. The whole of the battcaux men were em[)loyccI one week in jigging .S(iuicl, instead of fishing; there were no craft fishing round St. Pierre. The Island of St. Pierre is a favored place for squid, but they do not remain long: a slight change of wind drives them off. The I'rench have generall)- had all their squid brought to them; they tlo not jig s(]uid unless the}- are obligetl- to ; they wisely prefer bu)"ing it; it is onl\- Xcwfoundl.md fishermen that are emplojx'd on that work. They went out to St. Pierre fmni I.ainaline earl}' on I\U)nday morning and remained until Saturday- afternoon, when the Heet returned well satisfied with their week's labour. The squid was protected in iSS'j uj) to a certain p(jint, that is to sa)', — as soon as the bait left the coast aiul took to the 15anks and grounds, bcyoml the territorial waters of this Colony, where it w.is impossible to follow them. It was a sign of the effect of the l>.iit Protection, when the Portune Hay craft ran their baiting, and only that qnaiitit}' to .St. Pierre, but it is a method of exportation that could lianlly be creditetl, and, so far a; I am aljle to see, impossible to control ; ,is no l.i v can prc\'enl them taking their bait be\-ond the waters of the Colon}-. With regard to the movements of the squid, they appear to be so uncer- tain as to their a.quoach to the coast, that it would be \'er}- unsafe to offer an opinion as to the value of protection ; the}- left fortune Hay, Hass Island and Hermitage Hay, for man\- } ears ; ami are now abundant, \ew Harbor and l-'rancois were noted i)!accs for them, but not man}- were obtained in iS8<). It is ver}- difficult to say how- far protection may be of future service, but if the J'"rench estimate is to be accepted that salt s(pii(l is a prefer- able bait to fresh herring, the}- certainly ha\e laid in a gooil suppl}- this past sca-ion. In the e\-ent of no sipiid, or on!}- a short .'-ii[)pl}- of stpiid.on the Ikink, and not an excessive quantit}- inshore — which appears to be the only circum- stances that should induce an endeavour to prevent their exportation — a consid- erable amount of restraint might be e.Kcrcised b}- placing a small schooner on the Morticr Hank and anchoring there to keep watch on the Mortier Hank craft and their work ; and a dory and crew in Red Cove, or as near the Laun Islands a.-; possible, if not on the Inne- Island : as both these positions have abounded with scjuid the last two }-eai-s. Nothing but a steamer can prevent the Hel- Icoram and I'ortune people from running them in the fill, :uid they will tlo it in small cpiantities then. 'Pherc should be another part}' in 'Pites' Cove, as it is always full of scpiid until they leave the shore, which is an uncertain date; but about the first or second week of .September. After the J5th .September, the bankers usuall}- gix'e ui) fishing, so that unless the " store squiil" are to be pre- vented nothing further w-or.Id be pn,>fitable. I ma}-, howwei, remark that two .St. Pierre merchants considered the pro- tection of the sipiid late m the fall as a \er}' serious matter to St. Pierre. The carrying it out is another ([uestion. Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 85 Question 7.— Have the Bait Fislnes been conserved ? \o ; lint fislics of the three classes have been wantonly wasted. As an example, the l?nincttc fishermen complained to mc that the Bait Act affected them injuriously, as no ////r of bait was thrown away out of the boats now, which they believed " tolled " the fish into the I'latle Rocks. The fish had left the riatte Rocks since Judge Prowsc came with his steamers. Thousands and thousands of barrels o| herrin;:^ and caplin were annually thrown overboard be- tween St. I'icrre and I'ninette. The same took place at Lamaline and other places. The bottom of St. Pierre roads has been white with bait cast overboard because unsaleable. This was before the l?ait Act was passed. Question 8. Have Bait Fishes decreased? It may be cpiestioned if the herrini;- have decreased. I do not think so. They vary their haunts; they were not plentiful in Placentia Hay in 1S89; but that can only be considered a variation. I'ortune Way was full of them; but I think that there has been a change in the habits of the fish westward of ]?a\- L'l'.spoir, they do not remain any time in the arms now. I'acheaux, New Harbor, and Cape I.allune fishermen say the herring have been decreasing in numbers for several years. It is a large subject. The caplin have seriously tlecrcased westward of Cape Pine. Nothing can be said about the squid. Question 9.— Have the French had a sufficiency of Bait the past two Years ? In June and Jul\', iSSS, they certainly had not sufficient bait, or why should French vessels come into Lear's Cove to obtain caplin? There was very little in IMiqueloi. beach, and what was obtained from Bay St. George was nearly, if not quite, useless by the time it reached .St. Pierre. Two hundred and thirtj- miles of sea vo) .ige will not improve bulk caplin, unless it is very care- fully culled and pouiuled otT in small compartments. The quantity obtained from the peninsula was \er}' limited indeed. It could not be (>therwise, as our own bankers could not oijtain sufficient. St. Pierre could not obtain enough for their own local small craft, not to speak of large bankers. In 1.S89 the first baiting was principally salt squid and herring, but a num- ber of craft are said to have taken bait (herring) to St. Pierre on Easter day, hauled in Long Harbor and Belle Bay on Good I'riday. The quantity is im- possible to ascertain. After 7th May, herring began to arrive from the Magdalen Islands and sold for ten francs a barrel. The second baiting was all from St. George's Bay and IMagdalen. Very little left P^ortune Bay after the 1 2th May, as very few craft were to be seen. The bankers left St. Pierre on the 20th or 22nd of May, and the herrings struck out of the arms of Fortune Bay on the 23rd ; on the 29th, bait was difficult to find. 86 Evidence on Bait Protection Servic , The success of the herring protection was limited, to a certain extent, by the arrival of Magdalen and St. George's herring, yet the French fishermen complained sadly of the want of bait. The usual number of bateaux fishing off Vainqucur were not seen in May. Garnish men who had shipped in St. Pierre bankers, left their vessels and walked home early in July, having no share, as their vessels, with twenty-seven men, had only I20 quintals, the time being lost looking for bait. The report of Grand Bank men, visiting St. Pierre early in May, did not confirm the reported quantities of fresh bait received from Fortune Bay. The reports of men who had come direct from St. Pierre to Burin, Laud's Cove and Laurie's, tended to shew that the quantities had been much exaggerated, and the reason the prices quoted in St. Pierre were so low, was on account of its poor quality. Large prices were sworn to by witnesses at Harbour Briton Court House; good bait was sought after. It was to be expected that some herring would be carried to St. Pierre, notwithstanding the vessels and parties, but it was not a large quantity for St. Pierre. The P'ortune Bay bait-carriers were quite surprised by the number taken; but the release of the craft nullified the effect. American and Nova Scotian vessels are said to have taken herring to St. Pierre, but neither the Glover nor the Fiona saw them on board. In June and July there was little or no bait to be obtained in St. Pierre, excepting the St. George's 15ay supply, which was very limited, and the quantity obtained from the peninsula may be considered as very trifling, as all the banking vessels left for P>ay St. George and the northern peninsula. Until the first or second week ill August, there could not have been any quantity of bait in St. Pierre. The squid voyage was the saving clause in the St. Pierre fishery this year. On the whole, it can be safely asserted, not only that the French have not had a sufficient supply of bait, but that ( uring June and July, they had hardly any to fish with on the Island of St. Pierre. Question 10.— Have the French procured Bait from other sources, and its quality and fitness for the Service? Yes, tlicy have obtained I\Iagdaleu and Bay St. George herring, — the for- mer, a very inferior bait; caplin have also been carried to St. Pierre from the West Coast, and squid from Cape Breton. It is not to be expected that any trans-shipped bait, in salt, is equal to fresh bait, but they must have used it largely this season. Question 11.- Is this bait as suitable and cheap as that obtained from Fortune and Placentia Bays? It is not as suitable, but it may be cheaper now. Question 12. Can the French carry on the fishery successfully without the bait from the prohibited portions of Newfoundland ? The Island of St. Pierre cannot. Evidence on Hail Protection Service. 87 Question 13.— To what extent does bait procured from the French Shore supply the place of that from Fortune Bay? Cannot say ; but it cannot be separated from Magdalen herring. The caplin need not be considered. Question 14.— How much more time is required to procure it? A very large question ; it is a voyage of 500 miles to and from St. George's Bay, which may occupy several da)'s, but the delay at the baiting cove may be, and was, extended over weeks; many may not, and did not, obtain bail. That is the substance of the report of men who were there. The voyage to Ming'.s Bight is 440 miles, in a straight course from St. Pierre, and about the same distance back to the Banks. Precisely the same cir- cumstances occurred on the northern Peninsula and Ming's l?ight, as happened at St. George's Bay. It has been estimated a delay of four to six weeks on an average. Many, no doubt, obtained their bait in less time; but not under a fortnight. This is only by reports. Question 15.— Can herring be got in time for the first fishing from the French Shore? It is not possible to obtain herring from the north, but it may be possible some seasons to obtain it from St George's. Hitherto they have failed how- ever, though the winter was mild in 1888 and 'S9. Question 16.— Is it more costly? If transported in French bottoms certainly it is; but I do not think that it would cost much more by charter. Question 17.— Is the delay in getting it a serious impediment to the fishery ? Not if " stored s(iuid " are of equal value; but a very serious matter if they are not. Question 18.— Are fresh herring any use to French bankers unless ob- tained before the 5th of May ? They will gladly take them on the 5th of June if they can get them, now caplin are so scarce for the St. I'ierie Bank; but I do nut think the large vessels would sail to the Grand P>ank with herring after the 25th o, Mav. They can- not catch fish on herring when caplin bait is being used near them. Question 19. -Would they rather take salt squid, of the previous year, than wait until ti.e 5th or 10th of May for St. George's Bay ? They say so, and do so. Many St. Pierre bankers sail on the 20th March. Question 20.— Are salted squid or herring as good as fresh herring? The rVench never use fresh bait on the banks, only inshore. Newfound- land bankers say there is no comparison between salted and iced bait. 88 EvUliMicc on liatt Protection Sei'olce. Question 21.— Was there any appreciable quantity of fresh herring sold to the French from Newfoundland waters between the 1st of April and the 10th of May, 1888 or 1889, when measured by the wants of the French banking fleet? Cannot say in i888. Hut in iSSy tiic (lu.uilil.}- was insit^iiificuU, not a Iciitli part of what they probably woiiKI take. f'.SVr //iw/, _'_' ) 'l'iie\- ixMiiiire 40,000 barrels for a baiting. Question 22. -Did not the French take salt squid and herring in these two years as a make-shift for their first baiting? Yes, there is no doubt that it was a niake-sliift. Ikit it must not be for- gotten that they obtained ca ri^mrs u\ salt herring out of I'ortiinc Bay in March, 1889 — beautiful fish that they, no cloubt, uliiixed for hail. Of course, they prefei herring caught about the loth April; it is fresher; but a month in salt is no great matter; two months will do very well, but after that they do not remain on the hooks as well as might be preferred. If it were lut so, what do the Havre, Fecampc and Grandville vessels do that conic direct to the banks with salt herring? It is a popular fallacy to suppose that salt herring will not do for bait when a month old. Boiii/s were given for these vessels, of course, and after a few months Mr. Hubert receives ;i certillcate to the effect that so many herring were landed at Halifax, lialtimorc, or elsewhere — of course, shipped in a vessel of some sort, anti this is accepted b\- the Receiver General as a full clearance of the schooner loading round herring in Iia)'-de-Nord in the month of March, Why should the\- send I'\irtune Hay heniiig to Halifax or Boston in March or April, when they can buy anything to answer that purpose in the latter part of May? I think it was August or September when some of these documents came to hand. Xiiic thoiisaiui barrels of herring were landed in St. Pierre during March and April, iSSy, which I could not interfere with. It is little use protecting Fortune Bay, if herring (round salt) are permitted to be exported before the protection begins. The bond should be heav}', and the vessel cleared for her port, and com- pelled herself (not some other vessel) to land those herrings without tranship- ment or call-port (stress of weather excepted), documents? Are these bonds legal These herring have been shipped for "food purposes;" but they have been carried to St. Pierre and used for bait, without doubt. The bait protection should begin on the 15th of March, not one day later, and no cargoes of round herring be permitted to leave after th.il. Compel them to " pip" or " rip," which is better. So long as it is frosty, lhc_\- cannot do much with the fish ; it will not stand. Question 23.— Was not the first Fishing in both Years il888 and 1889) practically a Failure? It was so reported, and I have every reason to believe it was so in 1889. ]£vldence on Bait Protection Service. 80 Question 24,— Have those previously engaged in the Bait Trade suf- fered serious loss by being deprived of it? Yes, I think so; many arc still trying to do it, which, evidently, points to a loss. Question 25.- Have the greater number of those engaged in the Bait Trade turned to other Work? 1 think so. Question 26.— If the Bait Traffic were renewed, could the Revenue Laws bs successfully carried out? Certainly not. Compare the imports per head of Newfoundland and St. Pierre; it is something like $40 to $200, estimating the population of Miquelon and St. Pierre at nine thousand. Question 27.— (1) Did those engaged in carrying out the Bait Act find insuperable difficulties in carrying out the Service? (2) Name any special difficulty. I. Certainly not; nothing more than what must be expected in any new en- terprise : considering my ignorance of the whole situation ;the run of the fish; their habits ; the methods of the people ; the ignorance of the law ; the ignor- ance of the persons who framed the Act; (how .should they know better) ; it took me months to find out what I ought not to do, without mentioning what 1 should have done if I had known better. It would be very unjust to say that those concerned found any grave difficulties in the service. On the contrary, I believe it has so far proved to be a successful undertaking, considering the means at our disposal. The prevention of smuggling has never been found an e; sy task; why should it be different here? That it can be restrained I have not the slightest doubt. 2. The legal difficulties arc, probably, the most per- plexing: " Quantities of bait-fishes;" "The License" given or sold to fisher- men or bankers, specifies no quantity. " Sufificient bait " is a very loose ex- pression ; a man with six dories may swear that 250 barrels is only sufficient for him. A halibut catcher wanted me to give him 100 barrels, with only (\wc dories. In practice I had to make the law, and follow the precedent of Judge Prowse, which might be inconvenient some time, and would entail the production of witnesses that might not be obtainable in the case of a foreign banker. Either a limit should be given, or permission, to exercise discretion in forming a scheme of quantities. We have found that " ten " barrels of caplin or herring to each dory, is an ample allowance (it has often been asked in Court) for a Grand Bank vessel. Five or six barrels is ample for a St. Peter's bank vessel per dory, and much less for local fishermen. When wc come to squid, it is a question of thousands, and as an example of the difficulty and time required to prove a sufficient allowance of bait, I would draw your attention to Uie Court Records of Harbor Briton of Aug. 14th and 15th, 1889, where seven witnesses were called; and the case lasted 12 00 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. two tlays, The circiimstanc;s, the place, the size of the vessels, and their crews, with the judgement, may possibly give an idea of the difficulties of a public prosecutor in the Hait Act. I have only sketched the position, but it will certainly be tested, if the Act continues in force. The next legal point is the extent of the jurisdiction of " Colonial Cruizer." It is nuitc clear and defined with regard to foreign vessels; but it not so clear when Newfoundland vessels are in question. If I suspect and believe that a Newfoundland vessel has been breaking the law within the territorial waters, and at the time that I sec her, or come up with her, she is seven miles off the coast, am I justified in boarding and searching that vessel although she is beyond the three mile limit; and, if I find her full of bait, may I take her in tow and bring her in to the nearest magistrate, provided that, on due examination, I find her engaged in the bait traffic from a position within territorial waters. There will be found something on this point under the head of Colonial cruizers, which bears on the question. My instructions did not deal with that point sufficiently ; but it is a point of great importance and will have to be clearly defined if the protection of squid is to be considered ; nay more, it effects the whole action of the service. I'ollowing into neutral waters is conceded to all men-of-war, commissioned by Her Majesty, and I suspect that some jurisdiction of that tenor is conceded to the Commissioned Commanders of Colonial cruizers ; but I suspect that a Commission to act is a necessity. A Commission as a Justice of the Peace is valueless. In all these cases under the Bait Act the officers in charge, or command, of the vessel becomes, of necessity, a public prosecutor, and it may be said that (as far as my experience goes to throw light on the subject) this is the most trying and disagreeable part of our duty. It is not sufficient that the vessel is caught, and the matter well weighed, as to the prospect of a judgment before she is sent to the magistrate or taken in tow, as the case may be ; for it is often a very nice question as to how far it is prudent to seize a vessel, so many cir- cumstances have to be considered ; but when the accused are landed, and a statement of the circumstances arc laid before the magistrate, is it legal, lawful or expedient that the prosecutor should be sworn as a witness? lie may pos- sibly, in some cases, throw light on the subject, but very seldom " position " is the only point, and that may be proven by the master. The form of complaint has been often the cause of delay ; the form I have usually made out myself, stating the circumstances minutely. Yet my method of charging the accused is sometimes not in order, and a new complaint has to be made out, which is delay, and delay is death to the bait protection. Let it be a printed form, so far as legal expressions are concerned, but not to be re-written to the detriment of the service. Again, great delays have taken place on our estimate of quantities, but in cvoy case our estimate was below the turn out. Evidence on Bait Protection Service, 91 We measure the bulk, ami calculate the (luantity or mimbcr within a very small margin, but always under the amount, on account of pressure. Just think of counting 40,000 squids, and swearing the constable that did it? In the case of the Pcchcrics /''ra/iccu'sc, the barrels, up to sixty, were care- fully measured out, and an estimate made of the remaining eighty barrels, and yet the whole affair was set aside. Delay in Court has been f)ne of the draw- backs of the service. Summary jurisdiction should be quietly and calmly gone into, especial!)' under this Act; but the Supreme Court would not take more time with a jury to influence, than some of these cases tried in Harbor Hriton. It is such a very serious financial matter, detaining the ship in harbour for any lengthened period, and yet it must be gone through, and ju(!;4iiunt deliv- ered, before it is safe to go to sea. (Vide August i6th.) I cannot speak too strongly on this point, for when we were in Harbour Ihiton bait was run with impunity. A very important matter is the telegraph ; it should be ail done by " code," and that should not be one in general use. I have telegraphed words that might seriously implicate mj'self and others, and yet it was necessary to communicate at once. I have found, on returning to my Ijoat, that the crew had all the information I had received by telegraph; they are not particular in the outport stations. Licenses. To buy Bait, to haul Bait, &c., with Affidavits. Great trouble and annoyance was caused last year by an insufficient num- ber of licenses being sent to the outports. Scraps of old account-books, and other waste paper, had to be u.sed by the Customs' officers to write out a license; their signatures were the only guide, and the office stamp. It was ail illegal, yet our bait protection officers were obliged to accept them ; there was nothing else. Then this was abused, as was natural, and licenses written out with quantitities on them, that shoxdd never be permitted. A clause should be inserted in the form, with reference to quantities. Licenses to take Bait by our own Fishermen. Harbour Briton will require about 20 Licenses, Harbour Buffett " " 40 or 50 " Lamaline " " 20 or 30 " English Harbour " " 50 to 60 " Fortune and Grand Bank, as last year. Burin will require about 50 to 60 " Pushthrough " " iSor20 " The signatures are a question of importance. Why should they not be stamped with a rubber stamp, bearing the signature of the Receiver General and Colonial Secretary. Signing three hundred licenses is tedious work ; yet it is necessary if the Act is to be legally carried out. No reference is here made to American or Nova Scotian licenses. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 '* I. IIM M 1.8 U III 1.6 7 ay. Many years ago large numbers frequer, ..' Taradise Sound 'yiit tliey do not now. A little at Ca:Ti! . Rushoon, East i.i. al Cove, iites' Cove, Hurin, Corbin, St. Lawrence, Great Laun, Red Cove and l.aun Island, Placentia Bay. Fortune Bay. They come in and go out at Fortune, Grand Bank, Mercer's Harbor, Brunette, and nearly all the North side of Fortune, occasionally. At Belleoram and Bay-du-\ord considerable numbers, which remain sometimes to December. Pass Island, (icat Jcrvis, New Harbor and Francoise. Burin and Belleoram arc great places for exportation. The squid usually come in about the JOlh July, if they come earlier, which they did in 1889, they seldom remain late; fine smooth weather attracts them out to the grounds and shoals off shore. The young squid of the 6th August, and up to the end of the month, is excellent bait ; but as they grow large the outer cutical becomes very hard and tough, so that it is not good bait. The September squid of 1889, were very large, and it appears that the greater part of the " store squid " are of this character; they were nearly all obtained off shore, or in St. Pierre Harbor. They are dry-salted ; sometimes preserved in molasses. Question 32.— At what date should the Bait Service begin and end? The 15th March to the 20th of July, if the service closes with the caplin ; much later, if the squid are to be protected. u Evidence on Bait Protection Service. [No. I a] Henry W. LeMessurier, St. John's, broker, sworn and says: I have been for many years connected with the fish trade of this country, on the Southwest Coast, Placentia, and Burin Districts, and during that time I have had an opportunity of seeing the course which the trade has been taking. I estimate that $120,000 to $140,000 per annum is the amount paid for bait by the French ; in addition to this there have been large supph'es issued from St. Pierre, which have been paid for codfish shipped to St. John's, this trade has amounted to $200,000 per annum at least. In 1888 there were about 35,000 quintals offish shipped to St. John's on French account. I think that a very small proportion of the fjoods which purchased this fish and bait was entered at the Customs or paid duty. I have examined the Cus- toms' returns for the different ports, which confirm me in this opinion. I have made out statistics of the quantity of fish exported from St. Pierre, from 1841 to 1888, inclusive. These statistics shew a heavy increase up to 1886, inclusive. In 1886 they had a very large fishery. In 18S7 there was a falling off of their catch of 147,000 quintals and an in- crease of price for dry fish from 12 francs of the previous year, 1886, to 25 francs per quintal, and of green fish from 6 francs to 16 francs. There was a still greater falling off in 1888 of 326,000 quintals less than in 1886, and 187,- 000 less than 1887. The year 1888 was a fairly successful Bank fishery for Newfoundland Bankers. I consider that the French fishery of 1888 falling off, was attributable to the French not being able to secure fresh bait, and the great loss of time in getting what bait they did get. In 1889 fish was much scarcer on the ]5anks, generally speaking. The French catch up to their squid fishery, in proportion, was much shorter than ours. The export from St. Pierre was 50,000 quintals less than the year pre- vious. Their Iceland fishery was better than the previous year, and increased their general average for last year. I think that the Bait Act has been, to a certain extent, a benefit to this country, but it might have been a greater benefit if it had been more effectively enforced. The Revenue benefitted. It has had a good effect in protecting the caplin and herring. Before the Bait Act was passed many more of our people were engaged carrying bait than could possibly make a living out of it. Thousands of barrels of herrings and caplin weic annually thrown away and the prices paid were al- ways low, except when bait was scarce. The prices for all articles in St. Pierre excepting tea, tobacco, spirits, and sugar, were high. I think there is very little falling off in the supply of bait for the past few years. Ei'iclence on Bait Protection Service. 05 I don't think that the French can cany on tlicir fishing without aid in the supply of bait from the prohibited portion of Newfoundland. The bait had from St. George's Bay was very limited and late in getting to St. Pierre and in bad condition, and not in time for their first baiting. I think the herring trade between St. Pierre and Fortune Hay can be stopped and at a moderate cost if properly managed. I think also that it would benefit the Revenue if the Bait Act and Revenue service were combined. By the last census, the number of fishermen employed in fishing from Cape St. IMary's to Cape LaHune was 6,532 ; taking the average catch of cod-fish as 32 quintals per man, the census shows that over 5,200 men must have been em- ployed in catching cod-fish, which would leave 1,200 fishermen otherwise en- gaged, and probably 1,000 of these engaged in the bait trade. The total population between Cape St. Mary's and Cape Ray, according to the census of 1884, was 28,133 nien, of which 7,909 were returned as fishermen, and I be- lieve that not more than i,ooo were engaged in the bait trade. I think since the Bait Act was enforced a large portion have turned to the Shore cod-fishery and also to the Bank fishery, and have had very fair success. I estimate the probable loss to the Colony,by smuggling from St. Pierre, is at least $60,000 per annum. If the bait trade were renewed the Revenue Laws could never be success- fully enforced. The imports into St. Pierre, as per official returns, show $280 per head, allowing the population to be 9,000. The imports into Newfoundland are $37 pet capita. Comparing these statistics, the only inference to be drawn is that the French sell a very large quantity of goods to the people on the Newfound- land coast as they are not exporters to any extent to other countries. My idea as to the best method of carrying out the law in future is to have one steamer to go to and from Brunette towards Lamaline, with schooners sta- tioned at Placentia Bay and Fortune Bay; and that the steamer should have a magistrate on board of her, or that a magistrate should be stationed at Lamaline the nearest port to St. Pierre, in order that cases may be tried speedily ; and that during the caplin school schooners be stationed off well-known hauling places, and that Cape St. Mary's be well guarded, and a schooner stationed on that coast; and I think if these schooners were manned by men who understand the bait trade, that the service could be effectually carried out. 96 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. Export of Codfish from St. Pierre and Miquelon, &c., &c., French Statistics, by I • — DRV CODI'ISII. (;ri;i;.\ ( ODI'ISH. YEAR. Qtls. Value. Cuts. Value. 1841 61,3^3 $ 462,5 iS - 1 30,770 $ 181,593 33 1846 200,854 757.432 07 29.230 166,933 34 1851 205,34s 580,782 7H 35.312 174.788 89 1856 183,487 518,954 47 26,880 126.718 88 1861 152,894 360,355 s6 3 1 .707 118,292 83 1862 202,857 688,385 i7 19.728 74.398 35 1863 149.859 591.527 60 63.117 1 79.5 14 07 1864 193.38:: 878,804 07 92,204 259,648 14 1865 235,209 1,064.382 96 118,521 357.560 93 1866 105,021 927.774 45 162,21 1 489.365 93 1867 161,023 759.032 23 145.663 495.757 22 1868 144,485 68 1 ,074 45 152,188 487,822 96 1869 125.703 677,682 78 160,140 528,409 45 1870 137.985 754.508 52 169.559 575,478 00 I871 130,321 712,596 08 173.876 622,911 85 1872 134.716 785,840 18 246,733 907,177 96 1873 115,462 609,581 48 243,658 895,771 67 1874 113,096 598,122 7^ 244.139 824,253 33 187s 85.077 449.157 'J -J 202,423 725.179 44 1876 74,842 432,352 7S 221,287 861,499 26 1877 44.719 235.159 44 255.785 1,085,151 II 1878 40.374 197,930 92 316,002 1,340,618 14 1879 61,168 259.503 15 337.158 1,112,500 37 1880 91,050 429.193 71 318,675 1,051,522 48 1881 90,046 339.568 J3 283,971 803,151 29 1882 90,237 765,653 60 321,749 1,216,107 04 1883 67,376 576,177 40 462,469 1,743,861 II 1884 162,754 613.752 96 469.251 1,542,815 92 1885 156,064 588,525 00 664,286 2,193,219 26 1886 210,967 497-703 88 688,333 778,721 66 1887 135.165 638,072 96 619,605 1,869,248 33 1888 114,651 605.295 55 434.8-8 1.475.952 96 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 97 from 1841 to 1888, both years inclusive. Compiled from H. W. LeMessurier. — ■ 1 ... .. , .. TOTAL EXPORTS CODFISH. ! 1 Imports. i Value. Rk.m.vuks. Quantity in Cwts. Value. 1 92,093 $644,111 85 $363,906 28 Total exports of 230,084 914.365 41 576,264 26 codfish is given in 240,660 755.571 67 540,508 33 cwts.; the quintals 210,367 645.673 35 651,680 18 of dry and cwts. of 184,601 478,648 39 785,105 00 green being added 222,585 762,783 72 634,956 II together. 212,976 771,041 67 737.329 81 285,586 1,138,452 21 072,757 77 353.730 1,421,943 89 822,558 70 367,232 1,417,140 38 1,197,609 07 315.686 1,254,789 45 1,462,521 II 296,673 1,168,897 41 1.513.835 55 285,843 1,206,092 23 1,580,571 48 307,544 1,329,986 52 1,452,389 26 304.197 1.335.510 93 1,265,870 74 290,449 1,693,01s 14 1.47S.545 92 259,120 1.505.453 15 1,505,618 14 357.235 1,422,376 II 1,599.992 17 287,500 1,174,336 II 1.577.535 92 296,129 1,284,802 04 1,655,870 18 300,504 1,320,310 55 1,661,387 22 356,376 1.538,549 06 1,700,844 82 398,326 1,372,003 52 1.753.536 85 409,725 1,480,716 19 1,696,057 59 374,017 1,142,719 63 1.546.954 81 411,986 1,981,759 64 1.857.239 44 530,045 2,320,038 IS 2,048,724 45 632,005 2,156,568 88 2,350,499 07 820,350 2,781,744 26 2,447,910 50 908,300 1,276,425 54 2,585,326 66 754.770 2,507,321 29 2,545,664 26 549,529 2,081,248 51 2,514.558 70 13 08 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. [No. II.] Charles Tessier, of St. John's, merchant, sworn and says:— Our House has been engaged in the fish trade for many years, during which lime \vc liave supplied i'or the Labrador fishery. T think the cure of fish has been improving within the past few years. There were great complaints of the cure previous to iS86, in that year we issued a circular to all our dealers, and since that time there has been an improvement in the cure; and last year the improvement was marked. We shipped to IMcditerrancan markets in the year iS;6, five cargoes of Shore fish to Spain and four cargoes of Labrador; to Italy, one cargo of Shore and four of Labrador. 1877 — Two cargoes of Shore, to Spain ; five cargoes of Labrador to Spain ; to Italy, none. 187S — Three of Shore, to Spain; si.x of Labrador to Spain; three cargoes of Labrador to Italy. 1879 — Two cargoes of Shore, to Spain; six of Labrador, to Spain ; one of Shore, to Italy; and seven of Labrador, to Italy. 18S0 — One of Shore, to Spain ; four of Labrador, to Spain ; to Italy, one of Shore and ton of Labrador. 1 88 1 — One of Shore, to Spain ; six of Labrador, to Spain ; to Italy, one of Shore and four of Labrador. 1882 — Three of Shore, to Spain; six of Labrador, to Spain; to Italy, no Shore fish, but three of Labrador. I S83 — Six of Shore, to Spain ; four of Labrador, to Spain ; to Italy, no Shore, five of Labrador. 1884 — Three of Shore, to Spain; three of Labrador, to Spain; to Italy, no Shore, five of Labrador. 1S85 — Three of Shore, to Spain; three of Labrador, to Spain; to Italy, no Shore, four of Labrador. 1886 — Three of Shore, to Spain; one of Labrador, to Spain; to Italy, no Shore, two of Labrador. 1887 — Two cargoes of Shore, to Spain; three of Labrador, to Spain; to Italy, no Shore; four cargoes of Labrador to Italy. 18S8 — One cargo of Shore, to Spain; no Labrador to Spain; no Shore to Italy; two cf Labrador, to Italy. l88g — One cargo of Shore, to Spain; one cargo of Labrador to Spain; no Shore to Italy ; two of Labrador to Italy. There is a great diminution of the quantity of fish shipped by us to the Med- iterranean markets : for instance, in 1883, we shipped sixteen cargoes, and in 1888 we only shipped four cargoes ; and a corresponding depreciation of the price of from twenty to thirty per centum. This is largely attributable to the compe- Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 99 tition that wc have had with the French; they blocked the markets. Their bounty enables them to iindcrscll our Shore fish by thirty or forty per centum. And their Bank fish is superior to our Labrador, in size and substance ; and is much preferred by the consumer, and they undersell us about i.f. per quintal. The price of fish in the Mediterranean markets has considerably improved in the years iS88 and 1889. This is attributable to the short catch of I'rench fish in those years. Fish of Norway being a harder and drier cured fish, competes with our Shore fish in the markets ; but the fish of Iceland is of small importance. The French fish competes with both Labrador and Shore fish. We are almost driven out of the Spanish markets by the French. The prices real- ized for Labrador fish in 1S85, was 8.v. to 13^-. per cjuintal; and 188G, 8.s-. to I4.y. per quintal. In 188", 15^. to :?o^. 6ts 40 cts, per barrel. Our bankers have also used salted squid. In 1887 this bait answered all our purposes; they were recently salted, and not squids of the previous year. I have salted squid in store from last year, which I purpose having tried this spring. If there was no fresh bait on the Hanks we could successfully prosecute the fishery with salted squid of the previous year. The I'rench have one ad- vantage over us with their salted bait, that they remain continuously on the Hanks, from April to June, making seventy days fishing ; and, although they catch a smaller quantity of fish, ten quintals per day would make about 700 quintals ; whilst our fishermen, beginning at the same time with fresh bait, fish to 29th April and then return for fresh bait, and probably lose from twelve to fifteen days before they get on the Hanks again. Our people would come in two or three or four times for herring bait, making an aggregate loss of, proba- bly, thirty days ; and although they may catch nearly double the quantity when fishing, the aggregate quantity of fish caught would be less than the French. The Bait Act came in force in 1888 ; I do not think that it was efficiently enforced. I know that there was a large quantity of caplin carried from Holy- rood, St. Mary's Bay, to St. Pierre ; and a quantity from Placentia Bay, and Cape St. Mary's. Evidence on Bait Protection Scn'ire. 101 W I think if the French could get the bait in the autumn from the French Shore, and from Grcind Manan in the winter, they might carry on their fishery without the aid of Newfoundland bait, but it would not be as cheap and con- venient as that had from Fortune and I'laccntia Hays. Tho French cannot procure an ample snpply of caplin without the aid of Newfoundland. I think the French would rather take salted (bait) squid, of the previous year, than wait until the 5th or loth of May for fresh herring. I do not think the herring trade between St. Pierre and Newfoundland can be effectually stop- ped between the 1st April and loth May at a moderate cost. The price of large Hank West Indian fish, in St. John's, was ijS. per quin- tal in October, the price now is about four dollars. My opinion is, the increa.«c in price is caused by the shortness of catch of Nova Scotian bankers. I believe the price paid by Nova Scotian purchasers is enhanced by short catch of French fish. The short catch in 18S9 has materially enhanced the price of all kinds of fish. There was a short catch made in eighteen hundred and eighty-nine ( 1 iSSg) by Nova Scotian, Newfoundland and French fishermen. The shortage was caused by a scarcity offish and bait, principally the former. I believe that the vtodus vivi'iidi, granting licenses to the United States fishermen to procure bait, made it much more difficult to put in force the Halt Act. Had the United States fishermen not carried bait to tho French, I believe the license to them would have been beneficial to our fishermen. I think our bait-fishes are of such value to the American fishermen that it would not be an unreasonable conce.ssion on their part to admit our fish and oils into their markets duty free, if we gave them the privilege of free bait. I have not sufticient statistics to give an opinion as regards the giving the French licenses to take bait on our Southern Coast, and I do not know what the probable result would be on our own fishermen. I am of opinion that no licenses to Americans should be issued in Canada, permitting Americans to take bait on our coast. 102 Evidence on Bait Protection Service, Date [KxiiiiUT A.] Voyages of Banking Schooners, from 1880 to 1889. s: Osceola. 1 Souris Light Delight. Lavinia. Gro. Cleve- land. Absolite. Jubilee. Price. 1880 1881 1882 1885 1886 1887 1888 1989 749 • »,K)3 942 J : 15^-05./ • 1834-1I I ' . 26ioii 3826:1 ' 3341 1' 2514! 3212!,' 3091 i, 2426^' I \6\V ' ' I I ' \\Tsoui 914 ' ' ' ' 23JIOr/ $2 89 $2 90 $2 85 JSI2 $4 45 •J2077I • J0431 1839' 2033 !, 1322.1 1231; 1820 297 492 \ 1 540 i 1 1 80 •] 1 000 J $3 63 [No. 13.] Edgar R. Bowring, of St. John's, merchant, sworn, and says: — I am a supplying merchant for the fislicry, (nut largely in Labrador,) and have huMi for a number of years. I don't think that there is any material im- provement in the cure of Labrador fish within the past ten years; there have been complaints of small fish, attributable to the size of the mesh of cod-traps. I have prepared statements of the fish shipped by the House of Bowring IJrothers, to Mediterranean markets, from 1885 to 18S9, inclusive: — 1SS5 — Shipped to Mediterranean, 24,164 quintals; average price, $1.54 per qtl. This year there was a very large French fishery ; the markets were blo':kcd ; .•aime of the fish was returned. 1883— Shipped 14.464 quintals; average price, $2.64 per qtl. 1S87 — Shi,jped 7,880 quintals; average price, $3.88 per qtl. 1888 — Shipped 16,945 quintals; average price, $2.66 per qtl. 18S9 — Shipped 6,400 quintals ; average price, $3.22 per qtl. The decrease in the quantity of fish shipped is attributable to failing fish- cries and to our curtailing our Labrador business — it proving anything but a paying one — the chief cause being the competition with the French, they being able to undersell us in the markets; they have driven us altogether out of some markets. p' JCi'itlcnrc on IhiH ProttHlou Service. 1o:j The fish of Norway ami Iceland competes more with our Sliore fish, aiul indirectly atTects our Labrador fish. The price of French green fish is a threat factor in regulatint,' the price of our Labrador fish; no matter what the [n'\CK: v( Labrador fish is they undersell us from i.v. to 2.<. per quintal. There lias been an increase in liu' [nice of Labrador fi^h tiie pa>'t tiirec years ; I think this is partly attrilnitable to the t^peration of the Halt Act. in not allowing the French to get sufficient IJait. With an average catch, at the Labrador, of fifty ([uiiUals per man, lui :. up- plying merchant could do a safe and profitable business for a less price than $3.00 per (luintal. 'I'he business could not be carried on at $2.00 or $.2.50. It would be speedy ruin. The West India fish aiul large liaiik fl^ll were sold here, in October, for $3.00 per quintal ; and since January, soKl at $4. So. The West Indian markets, fur the past ye.ir, li.ive been gradually rising. This increased price in West Indian markets, and the demand from Nova Scotia, have been caused by the decreise in the I'rench fi-ihery. Wc are engaged in supplying for the Bank fishery, but I have not the sta- tistics at hand of iiuantity and prices. I think the Hank fishery, in iSSS, w.is a fairly successful one, and an average voyage. In the year i S1S9, the voyage was very short. This shortage was caused bj' the scarcity offish and uncertainty of getting Bait. The granting of licenses to Americans has materially interferred with the carrying out of the Bait Act. I don't think licenses should bo granted to Am- ericans unless they gave us the liberty of sending our fish and oil into their country duty free. I think if the I'rench were permitted to get bait on our Southern Coast it would probably result in the destruction of our Labrador fidiery. That is, the prices of our Labrador fish vvoiiKl be so small that we could not compete witli them. I don't think that you could get a crew of Newfoundland fishermen to ])ro- sccute the Bank fishery ii they were obliged to use salted bait of the incviou.^ year. Without fresh bait the Bank fishery mu4 be given up in my opinion. A few years ago we had a large cpiantity of squid salted, in store, in the autumn, intending to use them on board of one of our steaiiur-;, lhe\- wore utterly condemned by the crew in the spring, and they refused to use th;in, and we were obliged to send her a.vay for fresh bait. )i I 104 Evidence on Suit Protection Service. [ExiiiniT A.] Labrador Codfish shipped from Newfoundland by Bowring Brothers, from 1885 to 1889. Year. Vessels. Xo. of cjtls. X. R. j Average iprice pr qtl. 188;, Camclia Rhcidol Olive Branch. Ariel Guiding Star. Silvia May Cory.. . 188G. 18S7. Ann Clark . . . Rheidol Olive Branch. Stone I louse . Clementine.. . Grace Olive Branch. . Ann Clark. . . . C. S. Atkinson. 1888. 1889. Olive Branch Arthur Ulster Clementine. . . Caroline K. . . Bella Donna . SilvUi Grace GavenAood Camelia. . . 3000 £ 833 3200 1949 3:200 790 3500 1 165 2900 612 3000 741 3'oo 988 2264 721 14464 2830 3200 1850 4164 £7799 o I 6s. 5438 2,388 II I Fanny, do .... 3,880 2,498 13 6 Lilian, to Valencia .... 4,000 1,777 10 Maglona, to Leghorn .... 3.500 2,419 7 6 Dana, do 4,000 < . 2,818 15 Clydesdale, do .... 1 0,000 .. 7,i62 4 10 Rosebud, Zante • • • . 4,000 3,061 5 37,318 qtls. Average per qd., 13s. 96. sterling. ;^2S,655 19 2 stg. Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 27,243 qtls. Average per qt)., 175. 7cl., sterling. Ill ::: 1887 ::: Lilian, to Carthagena 3,608 qlis. ^3.728 10 big Dana, to Malaga 4,250 3,467 10 Ethel, to Alicante 3,650 3.467 10 Emulator, to Valencia • • 2, coo 1,530 Clydesdale to Valencia 3,000 2,821 10 Clydesdale, to Leghorn 4,150 4,021 6 3 Clydesdale, to Zante . , 2,213 2,120 9 Caroline I'^lizabeth, to L eghor n . 3,Soo 2,542 10 6 ^24,269 3 10 St,!. G. C. (Irarlwcll, to >Lilaga Mary John's, to Carthagena Lady Stuart, to .Alicante Little Wonder, to Alicante Elgiva, to .Alicante Elgiva, to (lenoa Pearl, to Leghorn Ethel, to Patras, Rlieidol, to Zante 1888 : 3.700 ([tls. 3.500 qtls. 2,600 3,200 4,000 6.253 4,050 3.650 3.350 34,303 qtls. Average per ([tl., 17s. 6d., sterling. ;^2.3i2 10 stg 3.995 13 S 2, So I 9 2,939 6 3.SI6 7 6,432 '5 3-341 1.324 17 6 2,953 12 3 .;^29,9i7 6 stg. Lilian, to Malaga Endelave, to Malaga Clementine, to Malaga Caroline Elizabeth, to Alicante Lilian, to Alicante Embla, to Carthagena Harold, to Alicante H?' ..'d, to Genoa 32,710 qtls. Average per qtl., i6s. gd., sterling. 1* ■ 1889 ::: 4,000 qtls. £3,800 9 stg ..• 3,683 2,925 12 ■ • • 4,000 . . 3.437 lO ; 3.797 2,797 10 ... 4,000 3.450 3.426 4,017 10 6 3,000 2,850 8,871 4.134 12 ;^2 7,4i2 14 6 stg. 112 Evidence on, Bait Piolcdion Sercicc. BANKERS. Statement of the number of Bankers fitted out by Job Brothers & Co., with their catch of Cod-fish, and price of same in Newfoundand, for the years 1885 to 1889. Mary, 7^ tons reg'r Clara Jane, 61 tons Sonata, 71 tons 1885 1,800 qtls. .,598 1,460 3 vessels. 4.'*^5^ '!''''• Average value per (ill., $3.00. $5,224 00 3,920 00 4,276 00 513,420 00 ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ 1886 ::: Mary, 72 tons, reg'r . . 2,087 qtls. S6,568 00 Sonata, 71 tons .... 2,o.So 7.304 00 Clara Jane. 61 tons .... "."95 3,602 00 G. (k. 99 tons .... '.53' 4,694 00 Charming Lass, 67 tons 1,046 7,839 qtls. 3,270 00 5 vessels $25,438 GO Average value per i 111., S3. 25. ■ ■ a 1887 ::: Alert, S.S., 65 tons reg'r . 2,400 ijtls. . • • • Mary M. Barllett, 60 tons .... 2,000 • • • • Charming I. ass. 67 tons 1,500 — :S2 1,249 00 5,900 Mary, 72 tons 1.457 3,772 00 Cara Jane, 61 tons . 1,039 3,920 00 Sonata, 71 tons . . . . r,86i 6,770 00 G. G., 79 tons . . • .,94s 7,216 00 Morning Star, 42 tons . . . 628 2,SlO 00 Ivanhoe, 44 tons . . • 1,107 3.436 00 J. W. Gillelt, 37 tons 826 3.465 00 Marc Malvina, 53 tons 940 3,290 00 Pansy, 37 tons Is, 600 16,306 qtls. 2,100 00 12 vesse $58,719 00 Average value per qll. S3.O0 JJvldence on linU l*rotivltoii Srrn'n. llli 2^5 tuns ivg'r 63 tons Nimrod, s.s Alert, S.S., Mary M. Dartletl Oo tons Charming Lass, 67 tons Mary, Vigilant, Pansy, Clara Jane, Sanata, G. G., Morning Star, Ivanhoe J. W. Gillctt, ^^arie Malvina, Lulworth, 7 J tcjns iS6 tons 61 tons 71 tons 79 tons 42 tons 44 tons 37 tons 53 tons 45 tony 15 vessels. Average value per (ill. .3.90. Alert, S.S., 63 luns reg'r Afary iM. Uarllett, 60 tons Charming I, ass, 67 tons •^I'lry. 72 tons Vigilant, Sq tons Wllie, 6r tons Sir John (Jlover, 40 tons Mary Malvina, 53 tons Clara Jane, 61 tons I'Jiisy, 36 tons G. G.. 79 tons lAihvorth, 40 tons Sonata, 71 tons Morning Star, 42 tens J. W. Gillelt, 37 tons Ivanhoe, 44 tons Nimble, 34 tons 1888 2,0(JO 1,700 1,400 2, Goo 1,200 1,600 650 1,097 955 '.32S 412 '>'75 492 660 i,2 7.S I r,i;o 7-39 7 iS,547 (Ills. 1889 : 1.520 (|tls. 600 1,000 Soo 750 700 550 650 250 '5" 1,118 Sl2 912 379 412 824 196 •9 7< 1 7 vessels. .\veragc value per - 00 1,685 "O 3,587 00 3,202 00 2,310 00 5,100 00 ,S 7 2,406 00 »^-3'35^J 00 3.59C 00 2,790 00 3.362 00 1,402 00 1,159 00 2,514 00 745 00 ,^38,918 00 114 Evidence on Bait Protcdlou Service, [No. 17.] Neil Campbell, of St. John's, manager of the firm of Baine, Johnston & Co., sworn, and says : — The firm of Baiiic, Johnston & Co. has been largely engaged, for a inimbcr of years, in supplying for the Hank and Labrador fisheries. There has been more care bestowed on the cure of I.abr.idor fish within the past ten years than before that time. Some yeais the cure has been inferior, owing to bad weather and lateness of the season. The size is much smaller than it was twenty years ago, attributable to the large use of cod-traps. This has depreciated its value in foreign markets to some extent. I produce statistics of the cpiantities of Labrador fish shipped to Mediter- ranean markets for e.ich year for the i)ast five jears: — 1885 — \Ve shipped to Mediterranean markets, 61,214 i'.sllil:llli)n. I'A'ctcr. I-'igiieira. Lisbon. Lc;^diorn. Lisbon. (lent)a, riynioiith. Genoa. Leghorn. IC.\eter. Alicante, Plymouth. ditto. ditto. ditto. ^^alaga, riymouth. Lisbon. 6 1,314. J ::: 1886 ■ « ■ ■ ■ ■ S. S. IClgiva . . . B.attle Harbor. S,77o Gibraltar. Nairnshire Tiirnavick, 3.300 Lxeter. Lord Diiffiis Ditto. 3,800 Alicante. Girl of Devon Ilolton, 3.800 Genoa. Cicelia .. Hattic Harbor, 1,260 I'"igiieira. Corisande . . . Lancc-ou-Loiii), 4,000 ALilaga. Maggie Occasional II;irbor, 3.400 I'lymoulh. I'orward Turnavick, 3,800 Lisbon. Gowan . . Black Island, 3,800 Genoa. Ilebc . . St. John's, 1 ,640 Alicante. Isabella Wilson ditto. 3,500 riy month. Corisande ditto. 2,500 Malaga. 43,570 Ei'itffiirr OH Half Profcrtion Service. 117 Nunc r)| Wssfl, S. S. I'tlKlhcrt Gownn Mag^'ic Nairnshire H.J. Girl of Devon Agenori.i Sea I. ark Pedestrian Grace ::: 1887 t.0.lc|,.<|,|l Haltic Harbor. M.mnox Island, ■|"nrnavicis, ditto. Hattic llarjjor, Hlack Island .'^t. John's ditto. ditto. ditto Ni>. of gik. ^'.350 3.-'^ I 3.300 3.200 3.2yo 1.30U 4,000 3.;6o 1.260 iJeMlnatlon. Alicante. I.efThorn. (iibraltar. Alicante. Lisbon. Genoa. Lisbon. .Malaga. Alicante. Lisbon. ,^>3..^^<) ::: 1888 ■ >i ■ t I Diindar^ Iloltcn, .v7.^<* Leghorn. Lord DiilTus Turnavick, .f,O0O Alicante. S. S. Ruby Rittle Harbor. 3.530 N'alencia Gownn Long Tickle, 4.206 Leghorn. Glenbojn Turnavick, 4.750 Gibraltar. Ma>' . . Battle I larbor. 4.230 ditto. Samuel Moss . . .^t. John's, 1.200 Leghorn. Klitc ditto. 1,500 I'igueira. Mabel ditto. 3,000 ICxctcr. Pedestrian ditto. 2,000 .Alicante. Maggie ditto. 4,000 liarcclona. 36,166 ::: 1889 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ S. S. Ruby . . Hattlc Harbor, 6,162 Alicante". John Smith Turnavick, 3.800 Malaga. Mabel . . H.itllc Harbor, 3.200 Valencia. Fairwind Curlew, 3.764 Leghorn. Lord Duffus . . St. John's, 1,000 Alicante. Gowan . . Turnavick, 4.020 Genoa. Spark . . St. Michael's, 4309 Leghorn, Stonehouse . . St. John's, 2,200 Valencia. Sparkling Glance . . ditto. 1,700 Barcelona. 30,155 118 Evidence on Bait Protection Sermce. u 0) c CO (0 O U c I c o PQ Xi '4-) 3 O •d u +j « CO cc fre^li bait. I don't think the Bank fishery could be carried on with salt bait. I think that the ]5ait Act has been a -ixat help to the country in the real- ization of prices for all our fish. I don't approve of giving the French a licen>e to take bait, unless they take the bounty off their fish. If the Americans take the duty off our fish and oil in their markets, we should let them take out licen-cs to -ret bait. 10 h>9 J'Jcidence on Jiait Prolcctlon Service, tr o > ?tf m OiO o n n-^ j^ o > Cn o o 4^ b < CO !^ o MS p 1/) 2 o 1 o S 3 o'o o 5J 3"< Op — O* w 3 v; ■-/■< oj u I c/: O ^i 'Ji O OJ OJ — \C: O O O ^l <-<> +• Oj O ij ui C\ u ~^i O — ~ 4^ — O O O '-" O / O IJ Oj o 4- ^i '-'■' CD CD CO oj — — tj oj +* ij 4- ^- jJ +» '-^ -f* +- Cj Cri 4^ b ^J ^ +• oj O C\'J> o b o ■VI ij -. 4^ ui O C/: O Ci^' 4^ I J VI o iro>>w o V O ■n O P c O "vj o o 5. o" <^ o cr o 3 O y f^ . P p P 3 OJ V) Cn 4^ "c/I-vi Oj — 10 ^i O O O ^> O O (jJ 4- ^i 4^ 10 4i ui O ^i C 4^ 4- 4* +■ +. OJ OJ « OJ OJ C\vj o ^ C\ o ui O >> 3 'T3 o p o n o' p c o o Cf5 p o cr o VI vc VC ^t +» O O '0 10 10 O o 4^ ^' i-" 10 Oo OJ u — vj « OJ C/:Cri 10 10 OJ — Ui O O O O O < n 4- UI b o :t. n p p y: Zfi — CA V,, 4^ o to oi CN'-'i C\ OJ 10 4^ Oj OJ -vj C\ - vj Ln ui Oj OJ O O O 10 r O V| 10 iO N n ^ >? > 00 CD -si 10 '^ C/3 4:. :/; O 00 OD 0) P n 3 fD 3 z o 3 PC n» "-I fD P' 00 o 00 c 00 r* o* 1 v; m p. ^ o a. o 1-1 o p* fB 3 Ui 3* fD "I O 3 00 00 00 00 Evnlcnre on Bait Prokctmi Service. 123 [Xo. 20.] Sub-Inspector Sullivan, of St. John's, sworn, and says : — I was engaged in helping to carry out the Herring I'rotection Act. I began on 6th March, iSSS, on board the S. S. Ihrciilcs. I proceeded to Fortune Bay. Judge Prowse had charge of the service on board the Lady (ilovcr, and started on the service with us. Wiien we arrived in Fortune l^ay we visited the liarbor.^. We called at .St. Lawreiice, Lain:ilinc, and I'ortune Harbor, thence to Harbor Briton on our wa\' into the bay. I warned the people against any violation of the law and put up Proclamation. The feeling was intensely strong everj- place we visited. We met with attempts of violence everywhere we attemjited to en- force the law. TlK^re was no appearance of combination at that time, but rumors of such forming, .\bout the 19th of April I was at Hr. 15riton. There were about thirty-five small schooners and boats in the harbor ; I visited none, but some of the men came on board. I was on board the l.ddv G/ovir with Judge Prowse whilst the Ifcirnlcs was cruising in the mouth of the baj-. The feeling was intensely strong against us, as sliewn by the blowing of horns, firing of guns. and threats of violence, also of violation of Act. We believed, by information received, that they had met by aijpointment and that many had not attended- We explained to them the law and that we iiitendeil enforcing it. On the 23rd of April I proceeded from Brunette to 15ay-du-Xorci ISrook, where I found the La(fy Glovrr anchored, and the (irn/ioiiiiii came in shortly afterwards. At 12.30 p.m. the three steamers started from there for Rencontre, arriving at the latter place at 3 a.m. ; we there arrested four men, vi/. : Thomas Vallie, John and George Baker, and a young Fnglishman whose name I have forgotten. We put them on board the I.ni/y (ilovcr, and left there al^out S a.m., all three steamers together. They were arrested for assaulting the constables whilst searching a schooner, in Rencontre, i)eIonging to Henry diovinnini of that place. We returned to Bay-du-Xord and found that a good many schooners had left, having given up the attempt at combination to violate the law. We found no combination of importance or act of vfolcnce afterwards. After leaving Bay-du- Xord we went on our cruising ground at the mouth of the bay. We searched every craft that we could overhaul, going out of the bay, and all schooners we found anchored in harbors or suspicious places. Our steamer was very slow. In fact, she was a cripple all the time, having a defective boiler. Wc found small quantities of herring on board craft which, in our judgment, was only sufficient for bait for them. Wherever wc had suspicion we put the master on oath, /.<■., where she was not engaged in fishing or where wc thought that she had more bait than was necessary for their own use. During March and April, and up to the lOth of May, no material violation of the Act. Prior to the loth of May the Gny^ioinid \m\(\ been discontinued and the l-'avoritc came on to St. John's. We had four steamers on the service at one time. I think that one good steamer would have been as good as all four. They were all \ery slow boats. About the loth of May the Laiiy Glover left for St. John's with Judge Prowse and I remained in charge of the service with the Ifcrciilcs and luivoritc. 124 Evidence on Ball Protection Service. only; these boats were almost usclfss and I believe some violation of the law took place. The /,r?'il fioni St. John's, and durinij the re- maintler of the season we onlv h.id tlie /.,?a\\ 1 h.ul .1 schoi ner stationed at IS.iy-du-Xord. On the 2nd of Febrtiar}- I was l;i!;en on hoanl the S. S. r.v.'7.':e. 1 made seven trips on Fortune and Placciili.i liays in the ('///Aw. The Cnrhzj was the most efficient boat of ih.c lot that was emi>lo}'ed. My opinion is that the l''ioi:a is not fast enough for the ser\ici.', and has not snfl'icieiit cari"}-ing capacity for coals. Commander Robinson, in the /'ii'.wi. relieved me at Hlack River, I'lacentia ]5ay. about the 12th or 1 3lh of March. 1 returned to St. John's am; proceeded again on the service sicrete the bait, we fnind it necessary to board and thoroughly search all. In some cases we were not able to catch them, being too fast for us. There was ;i scarcit}' of caplin (Ui the co.iht, l)Ut not so scarce as tl ic year bef< ore iboul l.amaline ih (~\' were plentiful, and from there to Evidence on Baif Protection. Service. 12o Point Crew. At the otIv.M- chief haiih'nj^ phice.s they were very scarce, but were very plentiful about C.ipc St. Marj's and tlie Cai)e Shore; and, I believe, con- siderable quantities were s'nuL;L;le(l ti> St. Pierre and the St. I'ierre Banks from these localities. In ni}- oijinion there were more ca|)iin and herrings taken \o St. I'ierrc than tlie previous season. The craft that wc had seized the previous year had been all retunii?il, and, the ilread of forfeiture beinjj; removed, they were much bolder in \iolatin,L^ the l.iw. I believe that the dread of confiscation would have the t;reate .St. I'ierre vessels at a jilace called Laird's Cove, near C.ipe St. Mary's, tliey having' fresh caplin on board which they had purchased at that pi, ice ; tin- crews of these vessels were, respectivel)', sixteen and seventeen men. The)- h.ul been en;j;aG;eil in the deep-sea fishery, from the openiu'; of the season up to tliat time, and had only caught 150 qtls. fish for each vessel. 1 believe that this short catch is entirely attributable to the dirricultv in procurini; bait. iliey .idmitted this themselves, and said "that they hail lost their time in attemptin;.,' to procure !)ait." I know tli.U mir bail lislus ha\e been most materially conserved from ile- struction and waste i>\- the enforcement of the 15ait Act. There h.is been a m.iteri.d dimiiuilion of cai)lin during the last ten \-ears but the heirini^s .appear to !),■ ,is plentiful as the\' were ten years ago, I tlo not belie\e tli.il the I'rench h,i\e Ii.kI sul'ficient bait during the past two ye.us, and v.hal the>' ha\e had h.is partly been smuggled from Newfound- land ; partly from St, lie.)rge's Way, .uul the I'rench Shore; large cpiantities of herring and stpiid from Xu\a Scotia and some, no doubt, from I'rancc, and scpiid from the H.uiks ; and they catch large qu.mtities of squid at St. I'ierre. F firmly believe th.U the I-'rench cannot carry on the liank fishery as suc- cessfully in the future as in the past, without the aid of bait from the prohibited portion of Newfouiulland. I believe that the del.i\ in getdng b.iit from .St. George's Bay is more costly, and a serious im[)ediment to their fishery. The I'rench cannot siqi[)l\- suftlcient caplin for their second fishery, with- out the aid of Newfwundland. l"or some years past the I-'rench de[)ended largely for a supply of squid for their third fishery oa Newfoumlland. I doubt much if they can get ample supplies during all the time of their third fishery. If the I'rench could not procure herrings before the 5th of May, I believe that they would be glad to get them, even then, as they would get a month's fishing before caplin. 120 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. I believe that they would rather take salted bait, of any kind, at the com- mencement of the fishing season than wait until the 5th of May for fresh her- rings from St. George's Bay. The herring trade between St. Pierre and Newfoundland can be effectually stopped, and at a moderate cost. Many of those formerly engaged in the bait-lrade have suffered serious 1.1SS in being dc[)rivcd of it; all those who had suitable craft have turned to other fisheries, and, I think, have been fairly successful. There was a large annual proportion of the proceeds of the bait-trade paid for in goods at St. Pierre; that the goods were chiefly dutiable, and that the larger proportion of these goods were smuggled into the Colony without payin;:; any duty. If the bait-trade were renewed, the Revenue laws on that part cif the coast could not be successfully enforced. In my opinion, the service can be thoroughly and efficiently performed, by the employment of one good fast steamer, with a superintendent, aided by a sufficient number of schooners stationed with an officer on board each, at all the important hauling-placcs; the number of these schooners might probably be rcdiiccil, if they were aided by telegraphic or telephonic communication, be- tween each of these places. Many of the American fishermen who had licenses to take bait, violated the law by taking a larger quantity than they required for their own use, and taking the surplus quantity to St. Pierre and selling it. This conduct made the IJait Act very unpopular amongst our own people ; and, I believe, our people are thereby influenced to attempts of violation of the Act themselves. Those of our fishermen who sold bait to them, benefitted thereby. I don't know — beyond making it more difficult to carry out the service — that these licenses affected our trade or fisheries injuriously. I do not think that licenses should be issued to United States fishermen on the same terms as here- tofore ; that is, if it be the intention to carry out the Bait Act. [No. 21.] John Sullivan, of St. John's, Sub- Inspector of Police, sworn and says : — I was engaged this past season as a Commissioner, in conjunction with Commissioner McGrath, to carry out the Bait Protection Service. I left here on the 9:h April and joined the Hcrcuks at Placentia. My cru'zing ground was from Lamaline, around Placentia Bay to St. Mary's. I took shore crews and phccd them at the following places: I.amaline : a dory, two men and a constable. Great Laun: a dory and five specials — under the direction of Manuel Pike. Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 127 St. Lawrence: a dory and two specials — under Vavasour, prcvciilivc officer there. Little Harbor: a dory, constable and two men, for the district of Ha)-ilc- L'eau and St. Joseph's. At Harbor IJuffett, I did the .same. Haystack, Great Bruley, Little Southern Fiarbor, Rams Island, Long I La- bor, Great Placentia and Little IMaccntia: I placed a dorj-, one consl.i- ble and two men. St. Mary's Bay: a schooner — under the direction of Sergeant Oliphant. Later, I placed a dory and two men at Little St. Lawrence, as heninj^s were plentiful there, and a large number of vessels were expected in. These crews were all placed in houses and provisioned. The constables in charge had received commissions as preventive officers. I believe these ap- pointments had a very good effect; the constables attended well to that l)ranch of duty. These constituted the whole of the Protective Service for that part of the Island. I had a boat's crew on board with me and a man to look aft r the supplies. I superintended these shore crews and visited them regularly as of- ten as the weather would permit and exchanged reports with them, each man having been ordered by me to keep a diary. They remained at their stations during the whole of the herring season. No American, French, or Canadian vessels came into this district for bait; none but our own Newfoundland bank- ers. A great many Newfoundland bankers baited at the following places: Harbor Buffett, ]Muscle Harbor, Long ILubor, Ram's Island, St. Lawrence, Laun, a few at Lamaline, one or two at Sound Island, a few at Burgeo Island, Placentia Bay, and a fev; in St. Mary's Bay. The principal baiting places were Harbor Buffett, Muscle Harbor and Long Harbor. Herrings were plentiful in Placentia Bay. I believe the constables carefully superintended the quantity of herrings put on board vessels, and, in each case, before the vessel's departure from the station, the constable noted on the back of the license the date and the quantity of herrings taken ; this was done after the vessel was baited and ready for departure. I don't believe that any herrings were taken, cither from I'la- centia or St. Mary's Bays, to St. Pierre, after we began the service. The crews remained at these stations until the c.iplin struck the shore. The Hercules got on shore at Great St. Lawrence, and was obliged to cume on to St. John's for repairs. The Greyhound was then i)iaccd at my disposal^ and in her I took up the shore crews and placed them at other points for the caplin. My district, during this time, did not extend further west than Great St. Lawrence. I placed a dory and crew at Titcs' Cove, at John-de-Bay, at Paradise, at Great Placentia, that is Point Verde ; at Little Placentia, Great Barrisway, Ship Cove, St. Bride's, Patrick's Cove, Leard's Cove, Angus Cove, Branch, and St. Mary's Bay. At Cape St. Mary's I stationed the schooner Walwin, for Cape Cove, Lance Cove, Bull Cove, and the neighborhood, east and west, generally. I was obliged to do this, as caplin was very plentiful, and 128 ICv'uleiicv (tti Hall I'i'ohvllntt Si ri'i'cc. the place being so ruii<^h, I fuuiul it impossiblo to place a shore party there that would be of any use At this lime 1 cn^a^'cil another scliooncr for a month, to cruise along the cast side of St. Mary's i^i\-, as a few foreign vessels had begun to come in, and I expected that a large niinil)er of them would come; but it turned out afterwards that very fiu came. In Placentia Hay there were on!)- two or three ves.sels l).iiiei.l at Titcs' Cove, and two or three more at I'lacentia. I tliiiil< there were a few licenses collected at Burin. During the whole time that 1 was in the l/niiil.s and (jicyhound there was no foreign license issneii by Mr. McGrath, who was Magistrate on board. A great many Newfoundland vessels baited at these stations. I know that particular care was taken to prevent these vessels from gettini; more bait than they required for their own use, and 1 have not he.ud of mure having been taken from the district over which 1 have supervision; only one case in which any opposition was given to the constables in examining vessels. This was the case of a man named Inkpen, of Hurin, master of the schooner llcUna, appar- ently fitted out for the Hank fishery, and it occurred at I'atrick's Cove about the 25th June. A warrant was issued, by Mr. 1 lippisicy, for the apprehension of this man, on the complaint of Constable Levi Shcppard. Hul the warrant has not been executed yet. There were two convictions for violation of the law — the first, Thomas Honnell, at Lamaline ; he had sold nim barrels of herrings at St. Pierre. We boarded him on his return from St. Pierre. The herrings he sold he had taken in the roadstead in the night; he was convicted and sen- tenced to two months' imprisonment, or to pay a fine of five hundred dollars. His boat was confiscated, but was afterwards returned to him. There were three. The other two were Burin men — one was convicted for having twice taken herrings from Fortune Hay to St. Pierre. The other we caught in the neighborhood of Hurin. The masters, onl)', were tried and convicted. I re- mained on the service until the i ith July, when 1 took up ail my shore crews, with their appliances, and returned to St. John's cii the evening of the I2th. The caplin had become scarce iind were striking off. I was instructed by the Government to return at this time. I believe that the Hait Protection .Service was more etfecluaily carried out in my district than it had ever been before, and 1 also bch'evc that no better arrangement could be made. With such an arrangement, if the service, or those engaged in it, were properl)- supervised, very little, if any, bait could be smug- gled to St. Pierre by our own peo|)le or any one else. I attribute the small number of foreign vessels coining into my district to the fact that they knew, frjm experience, that I would rigidly enforce the law. I have been engaged in the operation of the .\cl e\er since Ma:ch, 1888. I have been in Fortune 15ay carrying it out. I think, with my knowledge of For- tune Hay, and the present scheme for enforcing the ,\ct, that there were no more difficulties to encounter than in my own district in enforcing the Act, and, with the number of shore crews and other appliances, there .should be little rn I'Jl'uIciu'c on lidll Pi'oltvtlon Service. V2\) or iiu s mil ^'^1 ill J,' In I'urtuiic Bay with proper supervision. I sec no insurmount- able clifficultics ill carrying' out tlie Act with the present sclieme. I believe that there is a ^footl ileal of snuigj^lin^ carried on in I'lacentia Hay, in the way of goods from Xova Scotia. This illicit business is carried on by Nova Scotians and others who have lobster factories in the bay, as two or three very suspicious looking cases came under my own observation. I think this could be remedied, to a great extent, by the Revenue officers, at the several ports of entry, being a little sharper in their dealings with these people. I was engaged in the su[)crvision of the winter herring fishery, and I ob- served that our people were subjected to impositions by the American fishermen, and I think that an inspector of Weights and Measures is necessary to prevent them. [Xo. 22.-] William Kelley, of St. John's, tide-waiter, sworn, and says : — I am in the service of II. M. Customs; in 1887 I was stationed at 15urin; in 1888, at I'ortune and around Fortune Hay and Hermitage Hay. I had a Commission to hire a schooner to visit these bays to prevent smuggling; and, in 1889, I had Commission from Cape Ray to Cape Norman. I went part of the time in the Ilarldii.' and part in schooner. There was a great deal of smuggling going on between St. Pierre and these bays, and wholesale smuggling going on in Hiiriii. The Roveiuic records will show an increase of duty. In 1885 it was $29, in iSS(3 it was ^143, and in 18S7 it was ^2,100. Hesidcs about $900 fines and forfeitures, antl $570 for light dues. There were alx)ut six men iloing business at Hurin who were not caught smuggling, some caught were let go by paying their duties. The liait Act came into operation in 1888. There was not so much traffic with l''ortune. I managed to keep the Revenue about the same. The Revenue had increased there in i SS7 ; an officer had been stationed there and the Revenue incrcised about one-third. In 1S88, before proceeding on my mission, I seized a schooner at I'ortune belonging to .St. John's. She had on board about $l,000 worth of smuggled goods, after having passed through two Custom Houses and disposing of a portion of her cargo. I then hired a schooner and proceeded to Seal Cove. I found a schooner belonging toHeiining, from St. Pierre; they had a lobster factory there. The .schooner had entered at Harbor Briton. She entered twenty-five cases lobster cans, and had fifty on board. In the factory I found twenty-five cases of cut and rolled tin, equal to 300 boxes lobster cans, 200 bundles lobster shooks, 7,000 laths, 4,000 cedar shingles, three cans nails, and other small items. I took bonds from Henning for the goods, and the case is still pending I also seized goods belonging to him at Laun, tobacco and dry goods. I also seized sugar and sundry goods from him at Rencontre, 17 VM Kddi itce OH Jiuil J'ro/irfi'oii S< rvice. \Vc3tcrn Shore, wlicro lie canicil on a trading business, He "'so carried on a tradinfj business at I.aun. All these yooils were confiscated by the Doard of Revenue. The matter I believe is still in lili^ralioii. We proceeded to Ihirgeo and Kameo and seized (.joods there. In eighteen lunulred and eiyhty-nine (1889) I was engaged on the West Coast and made seizures. We doubled the Revenue at Honne Hay. There w.is a small increase of Reveiuie at St. George's Hay and I'lower's Cove. If the Hait Act were abolished it would increase the trade at St. Pierre, and, consei[uently, snuigi^'ling would follow; ami it would be far more difficult to carry out the Revenue laws. There ou^dit to be a few men at the principal places with a good small steamer, I believe, to carry out the Revenue service thoroughly and impartially, it is necessary to have a small steamer, under the charge of an energetic and determined officer. I think it impossible for a few men stationed at different places to cany out the law. They have been allowed to smuggle for so many years, that they look upon it as their right. In 1888, Tuck, at Fortune, did a large business — in the schooner (icorgc E. Tuck, j6 tons — in smuggling bait to St. I'icrre. He smuggled caplin from John-de-Hay, and made from jCi,'>,oo to ;{^ 1,400. A great number of the smaller craft were engaged in smuggling bait to St. Pierre ; and a good many of the bankers, too, would take more than they re- quired, and sell the surplus. The Hait Act might be effectually enforced with steamers, and there would have been no difficulty in carrying out the Act, if the Americans and Canadians were not allowed to come in under the iiicuiiis vivnti/i to take the bait. They violated the law, and took more than they required. I know that there were Grand Bank schooners which carried large quantities of caplin from Trout River, at the entrance of Honne Bay, to St. Pierre. There were also large quantities from Peter's River, Ilolyrood, Golden Hay and Cape St. Mary's. It would require a number of men stationed at these hauling-places to prevent it — that is, taking caplin. The first year, Fortune Hay was strictly watched. Hermitage Hay was lost sight of, and large quantities of herring were smug- gled from there to St. Pierre, The I'rench prefer salted squid to fresh herring for bait in the spring of the year. I was talking to a French agent at St. Pierre, who told mc that they had 400,000 salted squid laid in. The I'rench appear to have had plenty of squid since the Hait Act came in force. In 1888, I know, the French bankers were harassed for bait, and lost a great deal of time in procuring it; and, in some instances, paid very high prices for it. From all I saw in the carrying out of the Bait Act, I think it would be much better to allow the French to come in on our shores, pay licenses, and take the bait on our coast; it would do away with a great deal of smuggling, and save a heavy expense for steamers. I think that one steamer ought, then, to be employed combining service of the Customs' department and the collection of licenses from the l-'rench. Kvidoicf ov Tiaif J*i'o(rr(!f>u Sryn're. 181 /^ In 1888, there was a throat ilial of snuij;t;lint; of bait. I counted about twenty myself sellinti Ijait to the French at St. Pierre. We had four steamers employed, ami neither one of them any ^'ood. The I'dvoiiic was not as j,'ood as a good schooner. I believe Sub-Inspector Sullivan ami Head-Constable O'Reilly did as much as they could do with the means placed at their disposal. With three fast ste.uners seventy-five per centum of the snuif^^lini,' of bait might be prevented — that is, if the Americans and Canadians were prevented from coming there. I think we could then inanaj^e our own puopK'. I spent the summer of i.SS<; on the Sh.re, from Cape Norman to Channel. I was at Sandy Point, St. (icor^e's Pay, just after the ipiarrel, belwien the French and English fishermen, was over. There had been thirty or forty sail there at one time. They interferetl with lin^lish fishermen. Commander Russell issued a proclamation forbiddin;^' the people from barreling ;iny lierrinLjs until the French were supplied with bait. The l'"rench offered Mr. I.eKue one franc per barrel for herrings. He refuseil to give them at that i)rice. And the Freneh said to him: " What are you going to do? \'ou c.m't salt them. Don't you see the proclamatit)n? " When he and the others saw how they retreated, they salted the herrings. They c.ilcul.ited tli.it their catch w.is 10,000 barrel-; ^horl of what it should be. The I'"rench h.ul taken herrings themselves, and the> robbed the people's nets and cut them. Commander Russell was there whilst this trouble was taking place ; and Thomas Shaw, whose nets had been cut and herrings stolen, applied to him. Commander Russell only laugheil at him, and told him that he had no business there. Mr. Shaw was one of the oUlest residents of the place and a respectable man. If the I'rench go there for three years they will thrash the whole of the heiring out of it; they do not gi\e them time to spawn. The ground fur taking herring is very limited; and the)- only strike in to spawn. The inhabitants have an arrangement among themselves, to use no seines, only nets; and the I'rench come there, with seines, and disturb them while spawning. If the P" reach are allowed to go there and act as they did last spring, they will ruin the fishery an^l le.ive the people of .St. (icorge's Pay without any means of living, I believe that if the French conduct themselves this spring as they did last we shall sec bloodshed, for the people will not stand their conduct. The French brought two casks of liquor on shore and sold it to two licensed public houses; the Collector gauged it and collected the duty. I thought this was contrary to law, as the Frenchmen had no right to trade. The French do a great deal of smuggling at Port-aux-Choi.\, Prigg Pay, Ferolle, and St. John's Island, where they have permanent establishments. These lobster factories are trading stations. They sell goods and liquors all along the shore and on these they pay no duties. The enforcement of the Pait Act, under the present system, will certainly be an injury to the people of St. George's Pay, and under no circumstances should the French be allowed to get their bait as they formerly did. Our peo- 132 Evidence on Bait Profecflon Service. pic were never half paid for the bait they brought there ; tiiere were too many people enj^ageci in carrying it there, and immense (ni.intitics of herrings were thrown overboard, and I think there was a ruinous waste of our bait-fishes. The bait trade of late jxars, and before the ]?ait Act was enforced, was so unremun- erative that many of our people gave it up, some, as at Ivutune and Grand Rank, turned to the Bank fisher\-, others to fishing in- the Straits ami on the Labrador; all of these have been more successful than the\- were at the liait trade. If the iM-ench weic ever permitted to tike bait again, they ougiit to be compelled to come into harbors on our coast to buy it. 'I'lic people would get a more regular price and there would be no waste and less smuggling. [No. 23.] Richard Lewis, of St. John's, mate of S. S. " Fiona," sworn, and says : — I joined the f/o/itf in England and came out to St. John's in her. She is as good a sea boat as I have ever been on board. She steamed and .sailed out. I proceeded in her en the l?ait Protection Service, as mate. I found her a good boat and none better could be had for that service. Her average rat: u( steam was ten knots, and, if pushed, she could do ten and a-half ur eleven knots. \Vc never found a vessel whilst on the Hait I'rotection Service that we could not overhaul and cajiturc. There was a great deal offog at times: four or Uw. da^'s out of a week fogg\-. In caplin school this woukl render the carrying out of the law very difficult. I think that if some good, smart schooners were at the differ- ent hauling places, and crews stationed on shore, with a good steamer, the smuggling of bait could be prevented. 1 consider the arrangements made toi the past two je.us were altogether inadequate for carrj-ing out the service. Men were placeil and stationed where they were not of much service, and there were other places where no men were stationed. There was no one stationed at Cape Snore, I'cter's River, llolyrood, or Cape St. Mary's. I was stationed at Cinciue Isles with a boat. I had to look after Cinque Isles, Corbin Bay, and as far as Belleor.im Reach. I prevented all violations of the law in the portion of the coast alloted to me. Constable Andrews was stationed at Pool's Cove to protect Bay-de-Xord and Bay I^ast. To my knowledge there was no violaiion of tlu: l.iw at his station. There was no boat's crew stationed at Belle Baj-, or I.ong Harbor Point ; tlie-.e are import- ant hauling places ; one boat's crew at Rencontre. There was no boat's crew stationed in the bay inside Long Harbor Point. There w.is no boat's crew stationed between Boxy Point and St. Jacipies' Island. Ihere were herrings in those localities last spring; several Americans baited at St. Jacques. 'Phere was a crew, with a dory, at Little Ba\- or Coombe's Cove ; in Bay-ded.eau, none. Evidcurc Oil Batt Profecfion Sn'ci'cc. 133 Bay-dc-Lcaii is a great place for liaulint,' herring. Tiicrc was no boat's crew in Connaigre Ikiy. There was a boat's crew stationed at Grand Jorvis The whole coast to the westward of Hermitage Hay was left unguarded. All tiiese places named would have to be guanled either by scliooners or boats' crews. During the herrmg school I was stationed at l-"ortunc Hay and don't iay, and from John-de-15ay to Grand Beach; and also at Rushoon and Broad Coves, in I'jacentia ]5ay. With the aid of two steamers and the schooners, and boats' crews, I think the herring and cap^lin traffic could be stopped. There is a i)lace called Connoire liay, to the Westward of Cape I.allune, which, u[) to this time, has been altogether unguarded, and from which con- siderable (juantities of herrings were taken last j'ear ; and which is always a noteil place for herrings in the spring of the year. This place is within an easy distance of .St. Tierrc, and ought to be guarded by a boat and crew, While 1 was stationed at John-de-Bay there was one violation of the Act, b)' a man named Tuck; ho had a crew of twel.'e men; part of them were ilrunk; they hauled caplin in spite of us, and refused to shew their license. I believe they carried this bait to .St. Pierre. I got a warrant out lor John and Frederic Tuck ; one of them ran away, and the warrant has not been executed. Many of the people were difrieull to manage, but these were utterly lawless. With all our precautions, there was an abundance of squid in St. I'ierre. I don't think much can be done with the stpiid; the only chance is with the caplin and herring. [No. 2^.] George Oliphant, of St. John's, acting-sergeant of police, sworn, and says ; — I was on duly on boarti the lioiui from the jrd of July, on the Ikiit Pro- tection Ser\ ice. Wc made some seizures of vessels. The master and crew of the Fiona assisted us when called upon, in making arrests or seizing vessels ; and 18 138 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. they always attended, willingly, when called upon. The crew seemed to sym- pathize with the prisoners and, wc believed, gave them advice in the fore-castle. I think the captain was trustworthy and a good man ; but I don't think the crew would do much, if left to themselves, in searching or making seizures. The same remarks apply to nearly all civilians employed, which were stationed in the different hauling-coves. The crew rofu -'y.l to be -sworn in as special con- stables, and it is highly necessary thai they .>houKl be sworn in as such. The service is a very difficult one, and requires all the aid and assistance that can be got to carry it out. The carrying out of the Act was very unpopular. In the cove at which I was stationed the smuggling was prevented but with great hardship; this was at Little Laun. There were cases where craft which were not fitted out for the Bank fishery, reccivec' clearances fi'om the Customs' to take bait ; these, under false pretences took bait, and ^'.ol'J it at St. Pierre. To carry the Act out effectually at the hauling-co-cs, it would n {u'wc a constable in charge of each crew stationed there. To prevent the hauling of bait by our p^-iplc, I tliuik, 'Jiure should be a constable at each station, and if the Americans arc allowed to cotr.. in and take bait, it would be necessary to put a man on board to sc the c^uantity each vessel takes. One steamer cannot carry out the Bait Service alone, without other assistance ; and I think it useless to carry out the law to prevent jigging squids. When the squids are in you can jig them everywhere. It is a hard law to carry out; but it could be done for caplin and herring. It would be a great improvement in carrying out the Act, if there was a magistrate on board the steamer for the purpose of trying persons mimediately after they are caught; this would save a great deal of time which is now lost in going to Harbor Bri- ton — sometimes as much as five days in getting through a case. [No. 29.] Nathan Andrews, of St. John's, constable, sworn, and says : — I was engaged on the Bait Protection Service last year, on board of the Fiona part of the time. Whilst I was on board, t!ie master and crew rendered all the assistance they could to carry out the law whenever they were called upon. The crew refused to be sworn in as special constables, except the first and second officer and master, unless they received increased pay. I think it necessary that the crew should be sworn in as special constables, and arrange- ments should be made when shipping them, I believe three of the crew were sworn in afterwards, when we were short of men ; while on shore, they received the same pay as the other shore-men. This is a very difficult service to carry out. I think the shore crews prevented any serious violation of the law where- ever stationed. From the 19th March up to the 3rd of April I was on board the Fiona; and from that time until the 3rd of IMay I was on shore, with a Evidcncf: on Bait Protection Service. 139 crew of four men, at I'doI's Covo, ]}c11c U.iy, wliicli i.s the principal baiting place. I am ccrtnin I prcvenlcd violation of the law where I was stationed. I think this is a splendid station for the steam-launch — all smooth water — and she could do the work of two boats. I believe that if I)oats were stationed in all the hauling places, it would be the best way to stop the bait trade. I do not believe it possible for one or two steamers to carry out the service, unless they are aided by boats or schooners. There are a few places where schooners would be more suitable than boats; but in most of the haulinij coves boats would be best. Unless there is a con- stable in charge of each boat's crew, it would be useless to have them placed in these places. Ver_\' few of last j-ear's crews could be relied on ; they sym- pathise willi the I). lit carriers, and _\'ou cannot depend on them tiMiiake a search. There were many violations of the bait law last year — too mm}- loopholes — and the Customs' officers, in many cases, gave informal licenses, which enabled those people to smuggle herring into St. I'ierre. I believe that, if proper measures arc adopted, herring and caplin smuggling can be [prevented. If a magistrate were |)hiccd on board the steamer to try olTenders immedi- ately, it would be a gootl and proper wa)'. We were obliged, last }car, to go to Burin and Harbor 15riton in order to try prisoners, which caused great delay. While we were absent on this duty, smugglers had every opportunity to evade the law. Caplin, last year, were scarce in many of the principal hauling placeswherc, formerly, they were abundant. Bait is scarcer on the shore from Grand Beach to Burin than it w.is when I was stationed there four \ears ago. If great care is not taken to pre\'ent the destruction of this bait, in two or three ) ears there will be none there. When free licenses were to be had to carry bait to St. Pierre, many schooner loads were thrown overboard. I believe the French cannot pro- cure a proper supply of biit when prevented from getting it in Fortune and Placentia Bays. Last winter the)- took four cargoes of salt bulk-herring out of Bay-dc-Nord and used it fjr bait. They gave bonds to the Custom House officer to export this herring to Canada or the United States for food purposes only; but, some way or another, they landed them into St. I'ierre for bait. To prevent a repetition of this, they should be compelled to rip and barrel the her- ring. If granted to Americans, the licenses should stipulate and limit the quan- tity each vessel is allowed for a baiting; otherwise they will evade the law, and sell their herring in St. Pierre. There was an abundance of squid in St. Pierre last season ; and it was reported that there were large quantities of squid in store for this Spring's baitings. It is very hard to prevent the French from getting bait, as St. Pierre is one of the principal places around the coast for that purpose. Every year that I've been around the coast, there have always been an abundance of scjuid at St. Pierre. 140 Evidence on Ball Protection Service. [No. 30.1 Head-Constable O'Reilly, of St. John's, sworn and says : — I was cnt,ragocI in the I5ait Protection Service in June and July, ieacli, and occasion- ally to I.aiin, 1 was cnijaged during tlic caplin school, i'hcre was not much capliii smut^gled from these places durin;.,^ my time there; a few trips from Grand ]?each. We seized some craft. Six. I brouj^ht one to Graiul IVmk and five to Harbor Briton. All were convicted but one. It \v,is a difhcult service to carry out. If there were shore crews at all the hauling ove-;, it would make the matter much more simple. The I'rcnch were erii^pled for want of bait. Their vessels were lying in the roads neail)' all the caplin school, and the few who managed to smuggle bait got a \'er)- hig' price for it. I have not been engaged in that service since the first year. I think the law may be enforced with .steamers and shore crews. I found the L(ui_v (Hover able to tlo her work pretty well. She was able to overtake all the craft we went after. There was very little traffic with St. Pierre at that time in goods, .ind I thiiik not much smuggling. We were often nra:- St. Pierre, and had an op])()rtuuit_\- uf knowing what was going and coming. 1 have had considerable experience, ;ind I know St. P'.crre, and I believe the h'rench cannot carrv on their fishery without the aid of Placentia and Fortune Hays for bait. I have lived in St. George's 15a}- eight years. The herring, a- a genera' rule, could not be had before the latter end of May or the first nf June. Of course, an open season it maj- be a little earlier. The ice is net out of the 15a}- before the first or middle of IMay some years. I think that if the P'rench had to depend upon St. George's Pa}' for their bait, the}- would loi^e more than a month's fishing. Caplin are \-er}- uncertain in St. (n orgij's Ba}' ; some }-ears very little come into the shore, I think the bait traffic was the means, to some extent, of demoralizing the people. They neglected the codfisher}-, and ia man}- instances got liipior and went on the spree, and, consequently, neglected their business. [No. 31.] Thomas Dunpliy, of Placentia Sound, fisherman, sworn, imd says : — I have been living at St. Pierre the past fourteen }cars, and have now re- moved to Placentia. I fished three }-ears in l""rench bankers. In the }-ear i8cS8 I was employed by a French agent to take charge of a seine, and proceed to Bay St. George to haul herring for his vessels, and for sale. I left St. Pierre, in a vessel, on the i.4.th of April. At that time there were no fresh herring coming in, but there had been a lot of bait brought there in the winter. My EviiJence on Bait Protection Service. 141 employer had enough salt bait on hand to supply twenty-two vessels for their first baiting; between salt herring, stjuids, and all, he inaile up enous^h to send all his vessels out on their first trij). Most all the nurcliaiUs had enoui^h bait to sujjply their vessels for the first trip. I'he herring thc\- had bnught in the winter proved no good. They got no fish on it worth while; they came into us at Hay St. dcorge, and threw the old bait overboard. The b.iit had been too long in the salt and was too hard, the fish w ndd not e.it it. .\fler fifteen days in salt, bait will be getting hard and bad for use. I arrived at St. tleorge's Ha\' on the J4th of April. There were two I'Vench b.inkers there when we arrived. From the 1st of May until the jotli, they were coming; altogether about from 200 to 250 vessels took their bait there that spring. The herrings struck in on the 14th May ; ever\\v!iere plen- tiful, until the J^th, when we left. Our employer telegraphed to come home, as plenty of herrings were selling in .St. I'icrre at two francs per barrel. When the herring first struck into St. George's Bay there were about ninety ve.ssjis waiting for bait. We got ten francs per barrel for the first herring, and from that price down to four francs. A great man)' of the I'rcnch bankers had seines to haul herring for themselves; they could do nothing with them ; they did not understand the business. They liought their herring from the i)eople on shore. There were three schooners fitted out, as we were, to haul bait and sell to the bankers. rh(;se were all French. They would not sell bait for the price we were getting, and loaded up their schooners and came on to St. Pierre; when they got there they could not sell it. There were plenty of fresh herrings coming in. They were at St. Pierre before the 24th of Ma\', and lying in the Roads. Most of the \essels that arrived at Hay St. George came in from the Hanks, and had not called at St. Pierre. The water of B.iy .St. George is very shoal, and the inhabitants say if seines are used they will destroy the f.shcry. Some years agj they tried seines, and were obliged to give them up. The F'rench captains told me that the Bay St. George herring were too fat to make good bait. They salt the herring lightlj , and the fat runs out and turns them red, t'^.'^reby spoiling them for bait. I do not believe that the fishery will last three years if the l-'rench are allowed to go there for bait ; the water being so shoal, and so man)- boats rowing about, and the noise of the dorie;, that the herring are disturbed from spawning. Thej* only strike in to spawn and imme- diately move off again. They strike in from the loth to the J 5th of May, and remain about fifteen days. If the French destroy the Bay St. George her- ring-fishery, it will ruin the people living there. The inhabitants make about fifty barrels per man in the winter, and fill them with herring in the spring. I am not able to say how many were caught in St. George's ]5ay during the season. The inhabitants rely chiefly on these herrings for their living. When there were about forty vessels in Hay St. George that spring, the Commander of the F>ench man-of-war called all the masters of these I'rcnch vessels on boaril ; he asked them if cod-traps were any hurt to the herring fishery, and they told him " yes." The ICnglish man-of-war was there at the same time, and the traps 142 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. were taken up. These traps belonged to tlio inhabitant^). The lobster-pots were not allowed to go in the water until after the vessels were supplied with bait. The/ allowed the inhabitants to set nets for herring, provided they would sell the herring for bait; but tluy would not allow any lo be salted and barreled. Many of the bankers were nut pr(.vided with means to take bait, and could not procure it unless they permitted the inhabitants to catch it for them. The Frenchmen began stealing and cutting up the nets at night; and the French Commander made a rule that every man should be on board his vessel at eight o'clock p.m., and should not le;ive until he fired a gun at four o'clock in the morning. I believe the ]5ay St. George people did not do badly that spring. The French did a lot of injury on shore; broke up some herring barrels and, among other things, tore down the frame of a house. The French had been put to a great deal of inconvenience, in being obliged to go there — loss of timc» and gelling bad bait — and were in ill-humor and insulting to the inhabitants on that shoic. 1 left Ikiy St. George on the 25th May and arrived at St. Pierre on the 29tii, and filled out to take caplin. We had s'.k of a crew; they were all French excc[)t myself. When I arrived at St. Pierre there was plenty of bait arriving there every day. I believe the mo~L of it came from Fortune Bay. On the day I arrived, fresh herrings were selling at eight francs per bairel. All the fresh bait frcm Newfoundland was bought. The small fishermen around the Island of St. Pierre suffered a good deal from want of bait. They were poor, and not cable to pay the high price for it. We started for caplin on the 5th June, around the shore of IMiqiielon and Langlcy, and were looking for them all the time until I5lh July, and only caught fifteen hhdi-. during that time. There were ninety French vessels about Miquclon waiting for bait, and only five succeeded in getting bait for the banks. After lying up till 15th July, without any bait, they were obliged to go on the banks and jig squid. Three or four vessels of the house that employed me got caplin on the northeast coast of the island; the rest had to go to the banks without any bait, and trust to getting squids there. Three parts of the French fleet lost one trip on caplin; the\' were laid up for a month to si.\ weeks, and some vessels lost more time than that. After wailing in St. Pierre, they went to the Gulf at P'erolle and got no bait there, and were obliged to go on the banks without it. There was some caplin smuggled into St. Pierre. F.\ccpt the five vessels wliich I l.,.ve mentioned that baited at Miquelon, all the caplin they got was smug;.;lcd. This smuggled caphn was only a mere trifle to what they required. Caplin sold that summer fur no less than forty francs per hhd. That price will show you how scarce it was. I don't think it is possible for the French to carry on their fishery without getting bait from that part of Newfoundland where the Bait Act is in force. When the squid school began, about 25th July, I was engaged at it; and there w.n"c plenty of squids for the whole season. While squids remain as plentiful as they have been the past few years, the French can get on without the aid of Evidence on Bait Protection IScrvice. 143 NcwfoundlaiiJ. Tiicro Ii;is been no waste of Iicirin;^' for llic past two years. In the Fall of iSSS the I'rcncli salted tip a large quantity of sciuiil ; they al^o pur- chased a quaiUily of salted and fr)zen herrin;.js from I'orttino and riaccnlia Bays, and with these tliey baitcil for their first trii). They succeeded V(;ry poorly with this baiting on their first trip. The herrin'^' that is salted up is no good. Sometimes lierrin;_js (frozen) turnod out well ; other tim.'>, the fro-i cime out of them, and they were spoiled, The I'rench consideri.d s.ilted sipiiil Letter bait in the Spriu'i for bankers, but nut for the Grand Jiank. I left St. Pierre last SprIn!,^ and don't know how the l-'rcnch got on la-t sunmur for bait. I know that a gt)od deal of caplin was smuggled fioin Cape .St. M,u>''s to St. Pierre. 1 know theie was 30 francs, and more, a hogshead p lid for it. T:iere was no guard there to prevent smuggling, e.xcept that the steamer came along a couple of time-, during the ca[)lin school. I am certain that if the Hait Act were c.rried out, it would kill tlie l''rench fishery. They have no means of supplying themselves with b.iit at all times unless they can get it from the Xewfoundland shore. The best way to carry out the liait .Act is by having boats' ere.vs at the dif- ferent hauling places, and a steamer to look aftei them. [Xo. 3..] George Hiscock, master mariner, sworn, and says : — I was engaged in the 15ait Protection Service in the year 1SS9, as master of the S. S. Fiona. I began the service on roth or iith March, ami ended it in October. I had Commander Robinson on board, in charge of the expedition, and we cruised in Fortune, Placcntia, Connaigre and Hermitage 15ays, and as far west as Burgeo. We were all the time cruising, except when we were in har- bor for coals or delayed b)' gales of wind. The weather, three parts of the time, was very foggy. I don't think it possible for a steamer at sea, during this foggy weather, to prove It b lit sm igg'iiag. We overli iile 1 a gre it number of craft during the season. Wc seized, I think, fourteen craft. There were many having small (juantities of bait on board which we did not seize. It would re- quire a number of schooners moored at the different hauling places to prevent the smuggling of herring effectually ; and also that the caplin fislury can be protected by stationing boats' crews at the different hauling coves. These coves are limited in number, but they do not extend over as great an area of coast as the hauling places for herring. I think a schooner .lationed at Lama- Hnc would be better than a crew. Without the aid of schooners, I think the service could be effectually carried out with five steamers, of about fifty tons each, staunch and fast, to be kept cruising in the heads of the bays. We pre- vented the taking of herring by a great number of persons; but, no doubt, many escaped us during foggy weather. There was no guard stationed on lU J'Jcidciwc on Hail Ptvti-ctiuu IScrcicc, shore at Cape St. Marv's. W'c visited Cape St. Mary's a j^real many times. 1 licanl tlure was eapliii simiy^led from there to St. Pierre: hut I htlicve tlic (liiantit)' w.r-i not as lar^'e as reported, I'o stop it complete!}' would recpiire a ho.it in every C('Ve tliere. The people with small craft, I i)elieve, suffered in I'ortune H.iy tlirou^h tlu' enforcement of this Act. .\ll the craft we sei/eii, with the e.\cei)li()n of two nr ihreo, were unlit to ^o to the Umk fishery. The ^,'rant- ini; of licenses to the .Xmericms made the cirryini,' out of this law more tliffi- ciilt. The /■'i'i>//oar, anil 1 slill look on her as a staunch and ^ooil boat— as good as the day we i,'nt liec. She made g'ood speed sometimes; eleven knots under steam. In my opinion, no matter what person is put in ch.u-e of the I'lolective Service he cannot do the duty satisfactory, nor prevent the hrench from rvtlini; bait. The .service has been an enormous expense to tbe '■,.lon\-, and 1 cannot see what i:;ood it has tlone. I \o. .|.| Thomas O'Reilly, Esq., of Placentia, Stipendiary Magistrate, '^worn, and says: — : i.ave been livin-' at ri.icentia .ill my life. 1 have h.id considerable know- ledge of the bait trade with the I'rench. Hefore H.dt Acts were passed a large luimber were engaged in that tr.ide. In my opinion, l.iking one \ear with another, it was not a lucrative trade for them. The m.ukels were uncertain, and prices very often low. 1 i\o not think thai the people ha\e suffereil an>- loss by he enforcemeat of the I'.ait .Act. I think a very small qnantily of her- ring was carried from riacenti.i to St. I'ierre, the first \ e.tr ; during the caplin .school quite a cpiantity was t.iken off Cape Shoie to Ihaiuh. There were .i number of iMcneh vessels about the coast, seeking e.iplin, and two were cap- tured. I have no knowledge of any squid h.iving been l.dveii. 1 understood, and believe, that the JMcnch were embarrassed f>r w.mt of iiait that season. The second year, very few herring-, were t.iken ; but a Luge ([uantity of caplin were said to h;,ve been taken from riacentia, b\- western schooners, and brought to St. Tierre. I ..lid not hear of .my I'lvneh vessels having come on the coast the second \eai. I have heard of no herring having been carried to St. I'ierre this present season, from this Hay; but 1 heard of some caplin having been carried there in lesser ([uantities than in past years. I know that the enforcement oi the Jkiit .\ct has embarrassed local outiitting in St. I'ierre; and T think that the natural result has l)een a reduced lishery for the Trench. The iM-ench have been supplied willi bait, this present ^e.isoii, from I'"rancc ; partly from sciuiil taken last autumn and preserved ; partl\- from herring, smug- gled from Fortune Hay, and bait taken i.Mii St. t'.eorge's H.iy and Magdalen Islands; and they were, to some degree, during the early part of the season, supplied with periwinkles, caught on the Hanks. Tiicsc periwinkles arc only Evldcnn on Halt Prod r( Ion Senu'cr. W found on limitod aiv.i-; o!i Ljravclly l)oUoin. I lU) not know of .my Xowfoinul- land bankiMs Iiaviii;- pioi-iiivd any (luai'.titv of ("imi can.qht on pt'iiuinklcs. In lornuT \rars lluii' was a iMvat wM-^tr of bait (lu-riini;) ; not so much of caplin. Siiu-o the I'.aii Art has l)rrn enforced, tluio has hccu voiy littl,- waste, and I think its opnatinn has pnui d hi-iul"uial in consn-viiiL; thi- l)ait. TIic fnsl two yoars of the Hait Ait ihcw was a roi;tdi;r niaiki-t for hail, to Anuricin, (.'anadian a\u\ \rwf>)uiuliand l)ankris, at .d)out one dollar per h.nivl for lu-rrin-, and tw.. to four dollars per d ny load, lor ciplin ; this, in my opinion, has horn niiu-li more r(niuiirrati\ o to our i)c,.plc than the nnri'strictod trade with tlu- 1mviu-1i was. Ih.- drniaiul was K-,s and tho prico lower, this season, than for tlu- pa>t two years, Tlu-ro were fewer Ameriean and Canadian vessels in for hail, ,i:id this f.irt is -eneralie .illril.uted to the eh,ir-e for lie.-nse, each trip. Xewfoiindl siid l.aid^ers went to I'ortune H.iy lor herrin;;, as they were nuich cheaper th.iii in I'i.icenti.i liiv. rh,. license system of the present year has ])i.\'n a lailun'. I believe th.u lUc Hail .\ct w.i^ a step in the riidit direction; but I do not consider its operation succ,-s,|";i| i,, the object intemlcul. Ih,- f.x-lin;; of the l)e)ple here is in oppo.iion to iho li.ii; .\rl. In the opinion n( the lisheruien. the l?.iit .\ct has not b.-cn snccessfnily oprr.ite.l Whilst the temper of the people residin,; in the^e We, Urn i'.,i\s rem, tin as it is, the me.ms of this Colony is not sulTicieiit to c.irr\- out the M.iit .\ct cffeclivelx ; thou-h. in my opinion, it would bi- ver_\- de>ir,il.!c , if it urre possible, to , ,u i y it out ,is I re-.ud a H,iil Act as necess.iry to piolecl the Colony from the encrcichments ,uul unfiir C(.m- pelition of the I'rench, uul ,ibo ,i^ .i set otf to the hostile t.niff of the .States. Previous [n Ihr y,-,n i,^,S;, ni.in_\- ^A' the people ,A' ri,icenli,i were en.;,i_ned in the ImvucIi b.iit tia !e; the ,.wneis of bo, its m,m,i|;ed to m.dsc ,i livin;; out of It; but the sli.ui'men, in too m.in_\- cises, were left destitute, .lud did not m,d us, either by license or otherwise I believe it would be aiding them to our own disad- vantage. I think it would be better to abolish the Malt Act than to carr)- it out as it has been for the past three years. [No. ^,7.^ Albert Bradshaw, Esq., of Placentia, merchant, sworn, and says : — I have been living at I'lacentia all my life, and carrying on th Hank fisjitiv since 1876. I have some knowledge of the bait trade carried on '. St. Pierre. It was not a paying trade, and when the people gave it uu they were in an im- poverished condition. The place has been built up since the 15ank fishery began, until the last two seasons, which have proved \ery unfavorable. I have had an opportunity of observing the operation of the Hait Act since it was passed, three years ago. I think the Bait y\ct was more successful the first \ear than it has been the past two. There has not been much bait carried out of this Bay, but a considerable quantity of caplin was carried from l^ranch last year. The fall before last, the French laid in a large cpiantity of herrings ; and last fall, a large quantity of squid. The French fishery has been reduced the last two years, from some cause. I think the scarcity of bait has had some effect. The license system of this year has worked badly. The license ta.\ im- posed has been almost prohibitory on Americans and Canadians. Very few of them have visited I'lacentia Bay this season, and the people have been deprived of the sale of ice and bait. u 150 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. I think the Bait Act would be a great thing for the country if it could be effectivoly carried out; but the fisliernien, generally, are opposed to it, and in favor of giving bait to the I'rench. If the Americans and Cana-Jians were al- lowed to take it, they would sell it at St. Pierre. I fear that we have not the means to thoroughl)- enforce the Bait Act. I cannot suggest a more improved method for carrying out the Act than has been tried during the past three years. 1 do not believe the French can get any quantity of periwinkles on the Banks; they are not to be found at all places — only in certain localities. I think the ])'jriwinkle may helj) the larger vessels, [Xo. 38.] Michael Handarick, of Placentia, sworn, and says: — I have been living all my life at Placentia and am well acquainted with the fisheries. I was v'cars engaged in carrying bait to the French before the Bait Act was pass>_d. From my experience it was a paying trade for the pcoijle and manv men benefitted by it. I think that there is an abundance of bait to be had for our own people, and plenty to spare for French and Americans. I don't think tliat the bait trade was injurious to Newfuundland. It was no benefit to the fishermen to iiave it stopped. I disapprove of the Bait Act. It prevented our own people from carrying bait to the French and gave room to Americans ant! Xova Scotians to carry bait. They c.irried last summer what they wanted of it. I think that the money they made would have gone into Newfoundland- ers' pockets, riie Bait .Act has not been successfully carried out the past three \xars; we lia\e not prevented the h^rcnch from getting what bait they wanted. I think that it has been a hea\-y expense to the Colony, antl, in my opinion, the money h;is been thrown away. 1 can't suggest any means by which it can be succc. :fully operated; you woulti want to surround the Island of St. Pierre with ship>, ind the way the Islantl is situated it coukl not possibl\- be tlone. It can- not bo done unless the people of Newfoundland were jt)ined together unani- mtuisly and determined to put a stop to the trade, which I think is most improb- able. I disapprove of the heavy license of this present season. I think that moderate license wt)uld be proper fur the Americans and French, but I doubt if the French would i)a\' licenses, because they would have bait brought to them at St. Pierre. I know by experience that the trade with French people has been very profitable to many people apart from the bait traffic; when our Newfoundland merchants would issue no winter supplies, man>' of our people would get their winter's diet by cutting birch. J, myself, on more than one occasion, have made more tlian seventy or eighty pounds in the fall of the year by carrying '"ood to St. Pierre. Euidcnvi' on, Jiait Prottcttoii Service. 151 In my opinion the operation of the Bait Act did not reduce the iM-cnch fishery. The falling off of the l'"rcncli fishery is to be attributed to the scarcity offish on the Ikmks. As far as I can learn, the French have niatle no worse voyages than our own people during the past two years. My own and the general opinion is that we have no; received ten cents a (piintal more for fish on account of the Bait Act. I am of opinion, from the cost in earryinL; out the Act, the imperfect way in which it can be e.xecutcd, an J its failure in beneficial results to the country, that it ought to be abolished forthwith. [No. 39.] Patrick O'Rielly, of Placentia, planter, sworn and says : — I have been living at Placentia all my life-time. 1 was familiar witli the bait-carrying to St. Pierre. The bait trade was not carried on largely in i'lacentia. Sometimes a very fair spring's work wa-, dime, The times were bad before the Bank fishery was established. I do not approve of the Bait Act and the total prohibition of JKiit t. llie French, Americans and Canadians; but I think it would be a great ad\ anlr.^e to the people, if the Americans, Canailians and P'rench were allowed in on the coast to buy bait. It would prevent carrying bait to St. Pierre, and compel ih.c French, if they wanted it, to come in on the coast to buy it. My opinion is, the tax that was levied was too heavy. 'Phere were a good many Americans here last year. A great many came this year, but did not take bait on account of the high license. I think that $1.50 per ton, on American and P'rench, for the season, would be a reasonable tax. I do not think it possible for the country to put on a f )icc suflicicnt to pi;'- vcnt the smuggling of bait to St. Pierre. There was not much iiait siirLig.,'led from Placentia to St. Pierre the past three years. I did not hear of .1 ly P'leiich vessels being in here looking for bait this season. All the change that I would recommend in carrying oat the Hail Aci. wouid be to reduce the license fee to $1.50 per ton, fir the seasuu. The carrying of bait to St. Pierre oftentimes led to a great deal of waste aiul de^tructi■.ln. I think that it is to the interest of the country not to allow the exportation of bait to St. Pierre. I have been engaged in the Bank fishery to some extent. Last \-ear was a .short fishery, and I iiave given it up this year. All over the country tiic l^ank fishery was short last year. I dj not think the French did any better than cur people, 152 Ei'iilcnce 0)1 Bait Protection Serciof.. [No. 40.] Philip Green, of Placentia, planter, sworn, and says: — I have been livin^i; here seventeen or eighteen years. I am well acciiiaintcd with the fisheries. I was engaged in carrying bait to the l-'rench before the liait Act was passed. I did well by carrying bait. Some. of the people, I think, have sulTcred by not being allowed to carry bait to the French. I do not ap- prove of the Hait Act; I would have it done away with. The tax that has been charged on Americans and Canadians has been too heavy, and prevented them from coming in. In my opinion, there is a siifficiencj- of bait to permit our selling it on the coast of the Island. The French have many ways of get- ing bait, and I do not think the Bait Act has been a trouble and annoyance to them. We have had to send from here to St. Pierre to get baskets to catch conks, and it appears as if we were depending on them for the means of getting bait. I think if we spent the whole revenue, and put a close guard around St. Pierre, wc might prevent them from getting bait from Placentia and I""ortune Bays; but there are other places to get bait from — St. George's Bay, Magdalen Islands, and Cape Breton — where we can't interfere with them ; they can jig any quantity of squids about St. Pierre, and they got any quantity of caplin there tills year. With these means of getting bait, it is folly for us to waste money over it. I have had good experience of this coast for thirty or forty j-ears, and bad enough it would i)c for many of the people, if the merchants would close down on them and gi\e them no supplies. I believe it would be starvation with many of them if it were not for the employment given by the I'"rench. There would be a market in St. Pierre for almost everything a fisherman could pro- duce ami carrv there. [\o. 41.] Nicholas Cosgrove, of Placentia, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been living for a number of years here, and am well acquainted with the fisheries. I have never been engaged in the bait trade. I think the bait tr.ule with St. Pierre was a great benefit to the people. I think the Bait Act lias been very injurious ; it has not been carried out successfully, and I think the Colony is not able to afford to carry it out. I believe they have done it to the best t>f their abilit) for the last three years, and it has jjrovcd a failure. If il cannot be carried out an)- better, it ought to be abolished altogether. Ill my opinion, it has not interferred with the I-'rench in getting bait; as a matter of tact, the Island of St. Pierre has been over- stocked with bait, from first to last, notwithstanding all the protection we have had. IB Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 153 i attribute the falling ofif of the French fishery to the same cause as has produced a short catch for ourselves, and that is, scarcity of fish on the Banks. The voyages, to my knowledge, have not been less than ours. There has been a considerable quantity of caplin carried to St. Pierre, not- withstanding all that was done to prevent it. Americans and Canadians ought not to be allowed to come on our shores without paying some license fee. The fee this present season has been too heavy. I think the fee of $i .50 for the season, as paid by them before, is quite enough. VVc have plenty of bait to spare them, and the trade in bait, ice and supplies is beneficial to our people. After three years' experience, which has ended in failure, I cannot suggest any better mode of enforcing the Act, and I think it would be no service to spend any more money on it. [No. 43.] William Rielly, oi Placentia, planter, sworn, and says :— I have been living here all my life-time. I am acquainted with this French bait trade. It was not profitable to the people; it was ruinous. There was such an abundance of bait carried to St. Pierre that the prices did not pay. I do not approve of the Bait y\ct. There are fifty people here against it, to the one in favor of it. I think there is sufficient bait on the shore to supply every- one, foreigners as well as ourselves. The carrying out of the 15ait Act has been no public benefit ; it has cost a great deal of money for nothing. The French have had an abundance of bait, and I think their fishery has not been materially injured by the Bait Act. They may. occasionally, be delayed a little; but they have proved that salted squids arc good bait, and whatever short catch of fish they have had is to be put down to the same cause as our own short catch, and that is scarcity of fish on the Banks. I think it is an impossibility for the Gov- ernment to prevent bait from being smuggled to St. Pierre. The expense would be too great, as a large number of vessels would be required. The Bait Act has been no benefit to us ; it has caused great ill-feeling on the part of the French, and provoked them to retaliate on us, and to injure our people on the French Shore, preventing many of them from living quietly and earning a living, as they did before ; and I think the best thing for us is to get back to where we were before the Act was passed. [No. 43.] Edward Sinnott, of Placentia, merchant, sworn, and says :— I have been doing business in Placentia for some years. I have carried on the Bank fishery for the past five or six years, to a considerable extent. I have not found the fish on the Banks, during the past two or three years, as plentiful 20 154 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. as in previous years. There has been a cniisidcrablc falling off. I gener- ally find bait siifficicntly plentiful for all ni)- purposes. This year I secured baskets for taking periwinkles, and supplied my vessels with them. Tlic mas- ters of my vessels got a large quantity of [)eriwinkles — from fifteen to twenty gallons for one hundred baskets. They don't care very much about them, and believe them no better than our own bait, i.i'.; fresh herring or caplin. Periwinkles would, probably, be better bait than salt squid. I don't know if the French fishery has fallen off to a greater percentage than our own. I believe it has not fallen off as much as ours. The I'lench vessels continually stay on the Banks, whilst ours lose time coming in around shore seeking bait. I have had an opportunity of observing the operation of the Bait Act since it became law, and believe it has been effectively enforced. I believe the col- ony has not the means ol effectively enforcing it without an enormous expen- diture of money. I don't believe it is to the interest of the colony to carry it out when we consider the enormous sum required, The I'rench have great bait re- sources outside of IMacentia and Fortune l?ays, and over which we have no con- trol. They got full supplies of squid and caplin on their own ground, St. Pierre and Miquelon, for the past two years. Unless the people are unanimous in carrying it out, there is no possible way of doing it effectively. The people at present are ojjposcd to it. I think there is an abundance of bait on our coast; that we are perfectly safe in selling it to foreigners ; the license fee this year was too high. I would say $r.50 or $3.00 per ton, is sufficient for the season. The traffic for bait, ice and supplies, to Americans and Nova Scotians, is beneficial to our people ; if they would combine and refuse to carry bait to St. Pierre, and thereby compel the French to come in on our shore, it would be far more profitable than carrying bait to St. Pierre ; besides, it would avoid the destruction of large quantities of bait which took place before the Bait Act was passed. A further good effect — to compel the French to come in — would be the employment which it would give to men who have only skiffs and nets, and who cannot carry bait to St. Pierre. When the Bait ..let was first passed I was favorable to it, and hoped that it would confer a great benefit on the country; but experience of the past three years has shown me that our people have been deprived of a means of living; that foreigners have gone into the trade and made money out of it, in violation of our laws, and free from punishment ; whilst, in many instances, our own people have been punished, and that the French have obtained all the bait they wanted, in spite of all we could do to prevent them. The object of the Act was an excellent one, but experience has proved that the carrying it out is impracticable. After three years' experience, I think it would be unwise to spend any more of the Colonial revenue to attempt to enforce it. The persons employed, with the means at their disposal, have done their best to execute the Act ; and I think their best has ended in failure. Evidence on Bait Piotection Service. 155 [Xo. 44.] Pierce Fitzpatrick, planter, sworn, and says : — The Frencli bait trade was profitable before the passing of the Halt Act; numbers of the people benefitted by it. I do not approve of the Halt Act ; I do not think that it can be effectivel}- carried out, and it ought to be abolished. It has not bcMi successfully carried out the past three years; our own men are imprisoned and foreigners making; half f )rtunes. I do approve of the Americans and Canadians comin<.; in for bait; but not the I'rench. The great majority of the people are opposed to the Bait Act ; and it is not within the power of the Government to carrv it out, or within iheir mc.ins. [: -.. 45.] Patrick Murphy, of Little Placentia, planter and trader, sworn, and says : — I am engaged in the Hank and Cap.e St. i\Iar\'s fisherx'. I was some time engaged in the bait trade with the h'rench mj-self It was a beneficial trade to the people. I think that man}- people suffered serious loss by the passing of the Bait Act. I do not think the Bait Act has been effectively enforced the past three years, and I do not think it can be. The great bod}' of the peoi)le are opposed to the Act. I think it very difficult, if not impossible, for the Govcrnnier.t to carry out any Act when the whole people are opposed to it. I think it would take half the revenue of the Colony to keep the bait from the I'rench ; and I do not think they could do it then. The I'"rench have other sources of bait-supply outside the southern coast of Newfoundland. Besides the smuggled bait from Fortune Bay, they can get it from St. George's Bay, the French Shore, Cape Breton and Magdalen Islanils. Tliey can get an abundance of stpiid at Cape Breton and St. Pierre, and this year they got an abundance of caplin at St. Pierre and Miquelon. They get some periwinkles on the Banks. I believe there is no way of carrying out the Bait Act thoroughly, unless the French will allow a British man-of-war to lay in St. Pierre roads to prevent our people going there, I think the expenditure of money for the past three years to carry it out was a waste. Our Bank fishery has been failing to an enormous extent during the past three years, and I believe that the French have not found it as bad as ourselves. I think there is an abundance of bait on this Southwest coast of New- foundland to supply all our local wants, and to enable us to sell to foreigners. We have never felt the want of bait; always had an abundance. Bait, herring and squid, have been scarcer this year than ever. 15G Eoldence on J3mt Protedion Service. [Xo. 46.] William Power, of the Northeast Arm of Placentia, sworn, and says : — I have bcLMi c'nga},'C(l in the lislicrios fur tho past 28 years, Hefore the Bait Act was passed I was fourteen jears en-^ascd in the bait trade. I tliink the trade benefitted the people on tlie eoast ; there is sufficient bait to supply our own people and forei_L;ners. I disapi)rove of the J5ait Act. Its enforcement durinj,' the past three years did not amount to much ; it was onl\' a waste of money, and did not prevent the French from getting bait. I do not think it possible, with the re\cniic of our Colony, to enforce the Act effectively. The French are working against us, also the Nova Scotians, Americans and three-parts of our own people. The French have great means of getting bait outside of us altogether: at Miquelon, in St. Pierre, St- George's l?ay, the French Shore. Magdalen Islands and Cape Iketon ; besides the periwinkles which they can obtain on the Banks. We have tried our best the past three years, and it ha-; proved a failure; I think it would be useless to spend any more money on it. [\o. 47.] Patrick Power, senior, of Placentia, sworn, and says :— I have been engaged in the fishery for many > ears, and have been carrying bait to the French for twenty-live years. I found it a most beneficial trade, and believe it was such to the people generally. The people have suffered by the Bait Act; the Government is paying a large amount of money to idle people to carry it out; our fishermen arc deprived of their means of living, and the French have had their bait in spite of us. I do not approve of the Bait Act; I think it ought to be repealed, and I belie\c it has not been a success this present season. 1 think that the license fee charged to Americans and Cana- dians has been too high, and has kept their trade away from us. [No. 48.] Alphonsus Keats, of Little Placentia, trader, sworn, and says : I have had many years' experience in the fisheries. The French bait trade, to a certain portion of the people, was beneficial ; they have suffered by the enforcement of the Bait Act. The general feeling of the people is unfavorable to the Act. It has not been successfully enforced the past three years, and I Evidence on Ttait Protection Seccicr. ir,7 think, with the means at the disposal of the Government, it is nut jjossible to enforce it successfully. I think it would be unwise to carry it out any longer. The difficulties in the way are : the French can t?et bait frt)in ntlur sources; the Americans and Canadians have carried larfje quantities of bait to St. Pierre; our own people have been deprived of the benefit nf takini,' it lli'.'re, and have been imprisoned for the same act, '■.hereby causiiij^ tliem }.,aeat hardshi|). We have always had sufficient bait in the past to supply our own wanl-, ami plenty to waste and sell to foreigners. I believe the money expended on our Bait Protection Service could be spent in many other ways of greater advantage to the Culony. I think that the French have had a plentiful supply of bait ; that tlic Halt Act has not had any material influence on the quantity of fish cau^^ht by ilicni, and that if they have had short voyages of fish during the past three jcars, we have had the same — caused by a dispensation of Providence, in a scaicit)' of fish — and not from any want of bait to catch it. In my opinion, the price offish has not been improved by the operation of the liait Act. To mc, personally, it is a matter of no interest whether the Rait Act is carried out or not ; but I was a close observer of its operation during the past three years, and to the present time it has not proved beneficial to the countr)'. I think all that possibly could be done, within our means, has been done this present season; and that it has proved ineffectual. [No. 49.1 Thomas Dunphy, of Placentia, sworn and says : — I am engaged, and has been, for a number of years, in carrying on the Hank fishery; during the past three the fishery has been failing. I think the gen- eral voyage last year was one-third short of an average voyage. I attribute this to a scarcity of fish on the Hanks. They did not get their usual supply of bait. The bait trade with the French, previous to the passing of the Hait Act, was a beneficial trade to the people, and I think they suffered some loss for the want of it. I think the Bait Act ought to be abolished; it has been, during its operation, an injury to the people; deprived them of the means of earning money ; a heavy cost on the Colony ; increasing taxes upon those who have to pay them, and I see no benefit that it is doing the Newfoundland fishery. I know the mass of the people are opposed to the Act, and that makes it all the more difficult to carry it out. I am certain that it has not been effectively carried out, and I do not think the Colony has the means to effectively carry it out. It has worked great hardship on our people, who have been sent to prison for its violation ; whilst the Americans and Canadians have violated the law with impunity. 158 Evidence on Bait Protection Service, I believe wc have an abundance of bait on our Southwest coast for our own use, and enough to justify us to sell to foreigners. I believe that a free traffic in bait, ice, and supplies is beneficial to our people. I saw fish higher in Newfoundland before the Halt Act was in force than it has been since, and have no reason to believe that the price of fish has been increased by the Hait Act. inc intentions of the Hait Act may have been very yuod, but its opera- tion has failed to do us any good ; and the sooner it is abolished the better for the country. [No. 50.J Richard McGrath, of Oderin, J. P., sworn, and says: — I was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate on board the Hcrciilis, on 12th of April last, with instructions from the Government to assist Sub-Inspector Sulli- van to enforce the provisions of the Bait Act of 1889. We principally cruised in Placentia Hay, visiting the several harbors, from Hlack River to St. Lawrence, and cruising day and night. During that time I never, to the best of my know- ledge, knew of any attempt of Placentia Hay fishermen to run bait to St. Pierre. Many of the people demurred and seemed displeased that they should be pro- hibited from supplying the French, as they were allowed previous to the Act coming into operation. During the time I was on board the Hcrcnlcs we took no boat taking bait or breaking the law during the time we were in Placentia Bay. The first craft we boarded belonged to Flat Islands ; it was on her return from St. Pierre, where, as they represented, thej' sold a few cords of wood, which, I believe was the truth ; she was a small boat of about twenty (juintals. Almost every day while cruising in Placentia Bay we boarded small schooners or boats, and found that they were all connected with the cod-fishery. From my experi- ence in the Hay, and knowing the people, generally, I could pretty well tell the parties who were in the act of smuggling or who did smuggle. To the best of my knowledge, they were inclined to take bait to St. Pierre, only for the pro- tection of the steamers ; some of them, at least, v/ere. I was always under the impression that to Placentia Bay fishermen, who made it a practice in former years of running bait to St. Pierre, by neglecting to prosecute the cod-fishery, it was more injurious than beneficial to them. There was not much bait smug- gled from Burin, that I was awaie of, only from report; but as far as I could learn, from St. Lawrence and Laun, they were running small lots in their small fishing boats when an opportunity would ofter ; I may say the same of Lamaline, at all times. From what I could learn from outsiders, they were running small lots of herring and caplin to St. Pierre. As a case in point: off Lama 'ne I boarded a boat owned by a man named Bonnell, on his way from St. Pierre ; Evidence on Bait Protection tService. 150 the rrcw were brought on board the Hornlcs and examined on oath ; the skipper of tlie boat refused to be sworn ; one of the crew, on being examined, swotc they liad but two barrels-and-a-half as bait to prosecute the cod-lishery, The next of the crew examined, by the name of Honneli, in giving his evidence on oath, swore tliey brought seventeen barrels to St. I'ierre the day before, and landed them on board a I'rench banker. I fined the captain $200 or three months' imprisonment in Uurin jail, and confiscated the little boat; the other I committed for trial on the charge of perjury. I had my doubts at the time as to this man, if he knew the nature of an oath, as in hirf evidence he acknowl- edged to ine he did not, being apparently silly. I liberated this man in about a fortnight's time ; and by my representation to the Government, at the request of Mr. Honnell, his boat was given back, and the skipper of the boat liberated after two months. We went on then and took a cruise in Fortune Hay. We met and boarded two crafts off Grand Bank and Fortune, one owner, named Thornhill, represented to us that he had some thirty barrels of herring iced, and was on a voyage to the Banks; when his papers were examined they were irregular, and he had no license, so he said, required under the provisions of the Act. We took this craft in tow, by Inspector Sullivan's orders, into Harbor Breton. When 1 examined his papers I found he had the necessary license, which he was not aware of himself, and allowed him to go. These were all the crafu, while Sub- Inspector Sullivan was on the Hercules, that we examined, as they changed steamers a little afterwards, Commissioner McGrath going on board the ncrcuh-s;, and Sub-Inspector Sullivan on board the fioiin. I re- mained on board the Hiirulcs and Mr. Hippisley on the Fiona. I then cruised in Fortune Bay. Both steamers, during the season, were looking out for a man by the name of Thomas Reeves, from St. Lawrence; reports said he was run- ning loads of herring and caplin up to the time, in June, that we captured him at Dantzic. The captain and crew of the boat were summoned on board of the Hercules, and when questioned upon the matter of bringing bait, he ac- knowledged and pleaded " guilty" to the charge; having a quantity of caplin on board at Uic time. The captain was fined $200 or four months' imprison- rcw, seven men, $20 each, or one months' imprisonment. Thomas the money for the crew, $140; we gave the boat to the crew, and . Til IS Reeves with us to Burin; he not having the money with him to , the ...le. The Rev. Mr. Hewitt, of Burin, being a friend of Mr. Reeves, I took his guarantee and allowed Mr. Reeves to go on his usual business; the fine was subsequently paid and remitted by me to the Government. The next i:raft was owned by J' nathan Bird; this schooner was previously captured by the Fiona ; the cap ), Jonathan Bird, was fined by Mr. Hippisley, 1 think, mprisonmcnt in Burin jail ; the craft and crew were ^d -fishery, with the exception of the skipper, Jonathan ad a telegram from a police officer, near Harbor Briton, raft, loaded with caplin ; she was commanded then by a $150 or two montl allowed to go to Bird. Shortly after, that he captured thi man named BuUen. Wc proceeded to Harbor Briton; the man in charge, 100 Kcldiuee on Bail Protection Service. HiiUcn, and all the crew pieatled " guilty," and acknowledged they were taking caplin to St. Pierre. The captain and crew were fined: for the men, $20 each or one month.s' imprisonment; the captain, six months' imprisonment; the vessel, with all her out outfit, was confiscated and subsequently sold for $100. Tills was all the captures made during my time on board the Hcniilcs. During my time in the Ifircii/cs we did not come up with any American or Canadian bankers. We boarded one American in St. Lawrence; the captain's name was Forbts. He applied to Mr. Vavassieur for a license; this was the time the Government sent a telegram to those granting licenses to give forty barrels, at $1.00 per barrel license fee. This captain required sixty barrels; but the olficer would not depart from his instructions; the vessel was 120 tons, and Commissioner McGrath told him he would give him a license for eighty barrels ; v.'hich he did. The captain gave a cheque, on his owners in the United States, whicli cheque was subsequently collected by the Union Bank, in St. John's. There were several Americans in Hurin for bait; but they all got their licenses from Mr. Winter. We did not look after them, as we did not look after vessels in places where ofliccrs were stationed. There were very few vessels in Placen- tia Bay for bait, except our own vessels. We had one schooner employed in St. Mary's Bay, from the spring until the end of caplin, and there was an assistant schooner when caplin struck in, which took the place of the one at St. Mary's, and she was sent to Cape St. Mary's. We also placed a constable and two men at Branch, and a constable and two nun at Laird's Cove; a constable and two assistants at Point Brcn, on Cape .Shore; a constable and two assistants at St. Bride's Cove; a constable and two assistants at Partridge Cove, Cape Shore; a constable and two assistants at Ship Cove; a constable and two assistants at Barrisway; the same :.t Little I'laccntia, Rani's Island, Long Harbor, Harbor Buffett, Southern Harbor, lirunley. Paradise, Little Harbor, near Oderin ; John-de-Bay and Tites Cove. We also put two men, with Emanuel Pike, atLaun; two men and a constable at Lord's Cove; a constable and two men at Point aux-GauIs; a con- stable and two men inside of Laun Islands, Round-About. We also landed a constable and two men at Lawrics, near Lamalinc ; a constable and two men at Dantzic; a constable and two men at St. Lawrence, and a constable and two tnen at another intermediate Cove, the name of which I cannot remember. The assistants were all sworn in as special constables; also the crew of the //crc/i/cs. These crews wore stationed at all these places as soon as we began in the snrini if the y car am 1 continued there until the caplin. They were furnished with camps and dories ; but where houses could be had they stayed in them. If these men did their ilut)- there coidd be little smuggling carried on. I do ntit think there wen: many herrings smuggled from Placcntia Bay ; we know there was caplin smu;4gled from Cape St. Mary's, as a boat belonging to Oderin was captured by the i'ioiui, near St. Pierre, nearly loaded with caplin; and the captain was imprisoned in Harbor Briton jail. I think the chief smuggling took place at P'orlune Bay, that is, herring; the caplin were so abundant at St. Evidence on Hail Vrokcliou iService. IGl St. Pierre that they did not require them from this coast. Notwithstanding this large coast guard and two steamers, the French got what bait they rocjuircd, as reported ; but I believe that they were often delayed for want of bait, which in- terfered with their fishery, and, I consider, interfered materially with the French bankers ; although getting bait, they often had to wait a week for it, so reports say , and, from the small prices given, there must be considerable bait going there T;'e Government may possibly prevent the French from gettiiig bait at an en- on.'.jus expense to the Colony. I consider that if the coast guards around were active in doing their duty, with two steamers on Fortune Hay, they may prohibit the carrying of bait to a large extent; but I do not say they would stop all of it. And without the people join in the several bays to assist the Government in enforcing the Bait Act, the French will get bait occasionally; but if the people were unanimous and not to take any bait to St. I'ierre.both French and Ameri- cans would have to visit the several bays to procure their bait. I would approve of a season's license of $1.50 per ton, and should be col- lected at different visits. The people around here would rather sec the old law reverted to. As far as one can gather from the people, all are opposed to the Bait Act. They would approve of it with a moderate season's license, and I think, both French and Americans would be willing to come in. [No. 51.] Charles Chambers, Esquire, of Harbor Buffett, Justice of the Peace, sv/orn, and says : — I have been engaged in the fisheries and trade of the country for the past thirty years. I never was engaged in the l'"rench bait trade, but has seen it carried on in all Its forms by ethers. In my opinion it was not a lucrative busi- ness for the people of this liay. Those who remained at the cod-fishery were better oft than those who pursued the bait tridfic ; some of our best men en- gaged in it and fell back. I have be.n strongly in favor of the Bait Act, from the first; it afforded some protection for our bait fishes. I did not consider it necessary to restrict the Americans ; we have had very good trade with them ; they came into our harbors and bought bait and ice, and other supplies. I have had opportunity of observing the working of the Bait Act the past three years. As far as my observation vent, it has been, to a great extent, a failure; not finding any fault on the part of those carrying out the Act, but on account of the unsurniountable difficulties coming in the way. Public opinion being so strongly averse to the Bait Act, and many of them being determined to violate it, and the numberless opportunities of doing so on such a large ex- tent of coast, render it almost impossible for those engageil in the service, no matter how zealous or honest they may be, nor however faithful they may be, 21 162 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. to carry out the Act effectually, the result was that large quantities of bait were carried to St. Pierre, and we believe that they got what bait they wanted with, perhaps, some little delay; apparently, they suffered very little. The old sys- tem of allowing bait to be carried to St. Pierre was very bad ; the French got their bait at low prices, and there was an enormous destruction. We have tried the Bait Act and it has proved a failure, and entailed a very heavy outlay of money. The next best thing is to allow the French to come in, by paying a moderate license fee of $i.oo per ton for the season, besides light dues. In connection with this, I would not permit the seining of herring, except for our own vessels; I would prohibit barring them altogether. That no seine should be used before the loth of May. I have been engaged in the Bank fishery for over seven years ; I find it a failing one. In my opinion, attributable to the migratory habits of the fish ; they have left the shallower water on the Banks and are to be found in deeper water, from loo to 150 fathoms. I think they will return to their usual haunts in the course of a season or two. Cod-fish seem to desert certain parts of the coast and return again. Witness the Labrador fishery this season ; fish were abundant on certain parts of the coast where they had not been for five years. [No. 52.] Albert Hann, of Harbor Buffett, planter, sworn, and says :— I have been living here all my life, and have been engaged in the fisheries of the country. I never had anything to do with the I'>ench bait trade. I do not know whether the Bait Act was successfully carried ot;t or not. I am opposed to the taking of herring to St. Pierre ; I do not know what is the opinion of the people about here. I am not opposed to the French, Americans and Canadians being allowed to come in and buy bait. In my opinion, they should be charged a small license fee in addition to the light-dues. I think the use of seines, as well as nets, should be permitted. I would not permit the barring of herring for any length of time ; it is too destructive. I would have those steamers and coast-guards done away with; they are a heavy expense on the Colony. I have been engaged in the Bank fishery for five years ; it is a failing one. I do not think the catch this year is one-third of what it was five years ago. This is attributable to a scarcity of fish on the Banks. There has been also a scarcity of squids on the Banks, both this year and last. I think that the French, Canadians and Americans smuggle a great deal of goods into the country; I do not agree with it, and I think that measuves should be taken to put a stop to it. We, who are in trade here, have no fair chance of competing with those who pay no duties. Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 163 [No. 53.] Edward Burton, of Harbor Buffett, planter, sworn, and says : I have been engaged in the fisheries and trade for fifty years. I was never engaged in the French bait trade, and those about here who were, kept at it until they made beggars of themselves. I am sure it was not profitable for the people about hero ; a few may do well. Out of a large fleet, not one-third of them would do anything, and they lost too much time away from their own cod-fishery. If we could stop the French from getting bait altogether, it would be a good thing ; but I don't think that it would be easy to do that. If they could be made to come into the bays and buy their bait, then it would be di- vided, so that every poor man would have a chance of earning something. I would permit them to come in without the payment of any fee except the ir light-dues; also Americans and Canadians to come in on the same terms. If they will use our bait we should make all the money we can out of them. I have observed the Bait Protection Service the past three years, and it is a failure; it has not prevented the French from getting bait elstvvhere; it is too costly for this country to attempt to enforce it. I think that it is time for us to have done with this Bait Act. It has done great injury and no good, and has kept a great deal of money out of the country. Vessels used to come in here (Harbor Buffett) before the Bait Act was put in force, and before this heavy license was put on last summer, and buy their bait. We have had seven and eight vessels in here at a time. This season we have not had a vessel. I was engaged in the Bank fishery, but have given it up these past two years ; it did not pay me. I wish to say, in conclusion, I have done with the Bait Act. [No. 54.] Emmanuel Brinston, of Mooring Cove, Placentia Bay, sworn, and says: — I have been engaged in the fisheries a number of years. Not much engaged in the French bait trade. It was a good benefit to Fortune Bay, but not much benefit to the people about Placentia Bay. The Americans have been a help to this Bay, especially Sound Island. The more that come here buying the bait, the greater help it is to the poor people. I hear that the French get bait, and that bait is smuggled to them. I believe in free trade for the fisherman, he being allowed to do the best he can to earn a living. The codfishcry about here is not sufficient for the fisherman to earn a living. The general feeling of the people about here is for free trade, and no restrictions in the sale of herring. We are all of opinion in this place that foreigners generally should be allowed to come in and buy herring without paying any license fee or duty on them. 164 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. [No. 5S-J Philip Brown, of Sound Island, Placentia Bay, master mari- ner and planter, sworn, and says: — I have been for many years connected with the fisheries — for fifty years. I have been cngacjcd in the French bait trade. I cr.rri'ed the bait from Fortune Bay. I found it a profitable trade. I think the trade was generally beneficial to the people on this south-west coast. I think the Bait Act has injured poor people. I don't think it jiossible to carry out the Bait Act. There are people who have made more money in smuggling bait this summer than they ever made in their lives before. There was no bait carried from this locality. There were plenty of herrings in here, but the people were afraid to break the law. I would like to go back to the old law — free trade with Americans and French. I object to charging them a moderate license fee. They come here in the winter — that is, the Americans — and buy large quantities of herrings from us. They give us pretty fair prices, a dollar per barrel out of the seine. I believe it is the general opinion here to allow the Americans and French to come in and buy our herring without paying licenses. There was a great waste of herring here a winter or two ago; not so much last winter. I see no falling off in the quantity of herring. There were plenty of herring last year. About thirty sail of American vessels come here to get herrings, and a large number of Newfoundland vessels ant", boats. Over five hundred from Lamaline, on one side, to Great I'lacentia on the other side, come here to catch herrings to sell to the Americans. This winter's fishery is a great assistance to the peo- ple. The codfishery is not sufficient to support them without this help. All the pco[)lc here arc most anxious that nothing should be done to injure the trade. [No. 56.1 James Hollett, of Sound Island, Placentia Bay, sworn, and says : — I have been engaged in the fisheries for the past fifty years. 1 was in the French bait trade. I gave it up when the Bait Act was passed and put in force. It was a profitable trade to the people. Not a great many were engaged in it about here. I wont to Fortune Bay to procure the bait. There has been smuggling further away, but not here. I don't think it possible for those cruisers and coast-guards to stop the l*'rcnch from getting bait. I know of no plan that could possibly prevent their getting bait. I believe this is the general opinion here. I know of no one who takes a different view. There is no fall- ing otf in the quantity of herrings. I think there is plenty of bait to permit of our selling to Americans and French, and still have ample for ourselves. I ilon't want any license fee charged, or other restriction put on the supplying of Evidence on Bait Proiection Service. 105 batt. VVe have a lar-c winter horrint; fislicry here, very profitable to the peo- ple and I would not like to see any heavj- duty or restriction levied to break up that trade. It has been a ^n-eat help to the poor man. The codfishery is not sufficient to support him. [^o. 57.] John Barry, of Muscle Harbor, Harbor Buffett, planter, sworn and says : — I have been engaged in the fisheries of the country all my life. I never had anythmg to do with the iM-ench bait trade, except jigging squids. I would hke to have free trade and the old law, instead of the present l^ait Act I beheve th,s to be the general feeling of the people about here. I would like to see Kench. Americans and Canadians come in on the coast to buy bait I thmk that would be much preferable to carr)-ing bait to St. Pierre. The cod- fishery ,s not sufficient to maintain the people, especially the past two years. 1 he Americans have not come in this summer to buy bait ; we expect that that was on account of the high license fee that was chai-ed. [Xo. 5S.] James Miller, of Muscle Harbor, Harbor Buffett, planter sworn, and says:— I have been engaged in the fisheries all my life time. I have not have had anything to do with the frcnch bait-trade for the past fourteen years Carry- ing herrings to St. Pierre was not a profitable business to the people of Placen- tia, when they could sell them in the I?a>- at a dollar per barrel As far as I can learn, the 15ait Act has nm prevented the JMench from getting bait So long as no bait was curied t,. St. Pierre, 1 would like to see Americans, French and Canadians allowed to come into t'.e Hays and purchase their bait, and I think a reasonable licen:;e fee should be charged them. We think that it is not in the power of the Goxernment to prevent them getting bait. The past three years the trade was in the hands of the Canadians and Americans, and a few l-ortune Bay men, who were venturesome enough to risk it. The result is that the great bulk of the people have suffered by the Act. The codfishery in the Bay IS not sufficient for an existence without the aid of the herring fishery If the merchants of the country would start a business for the curing and putting up of herring for exportation, they would help the people to live, and there would not be the same desire to sell it to the French. 166 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. [No. 59.] William Collins, of Burin, planter, sworn, and says :— I am acquainted with the fisheries, and have been engaged in them for over forty years, I don't consider, taking one year with another, that the French bait trade was beneficial to the people on the' coast about here. The people who were engaged in the codfishcry did as well. The Bait Act has been in force for three years, and in my opinion it has not been effective. The people engaged in it may have done their best, but they have not succeeded in preventing the I'rench from getting bait. You want public opinion in your favor to make it a success, and the great majority of the people are against the Bait Act. I think if it could be thoroughly carried out, it would be beneficial to the country. I followed the bait trade up to the time that the Act was passed. There were far too many engaged in that trade. The prices were too low; in many cases down to one and two francs per barrel, and as low as a half franc. I have carried three and four loads to St. Pierre in succession without being able to sell them. We would be laughed and jeered at by the French, and have to throw our herrings away. This free trade of bait fishes lead to an enormous waste, and I think that such a practice ought never to be allowed again, and if they can't be prohibited from getting bait, the next best thing would be to compel them, if they want bait, to come in on the shore and pay license for it. I think the French got as much bait as they wanted the past three years* but not as regularly, and with loss of time. They have got considerable quan- tities of perriwinkles on the banks. They find it excellent bait, but in my opinion they will be fished out in a few years. They arc not an abundant fish, and are only to be found in localities on the rough bottom. .Some of their large vessels have brought in large trips caught on them. A great part of the success of the French is due to their being constantly fishing on the banks, and our want of success is largely caused by our people coming in from the banks so often that they are not fishing half their time. I cannot suggest any improved method for carrying out this bait service. I would not like to see the Bait Act abolished. I believe that the privilege of getting bait on this coast is of great value to the French, and if we allow them to get bait free, we should receive something from them in return. As I have said, I am not personally opposed to the ]?ait Act, but the majority of the people, I believe, are. [No. 60.] Edward Reid, of Burin, fisherman, sworn, and says : — I am living here a number of years, and before the Bait Act was passed I had a hand in the bait trade; with some parties it was profitable, but not with Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 167 others. The IJait Act has injured some people; but others, who smuggled bait, it benefited. I think the steamers would cost a great deal more to the Government than the value of the Bait Act would be to the country. I am not much inter- ested myself. A ^reat many of the people here would like to see the I'rench come in under a small license for the season, and take their bait; the owners of boats, from fifteen to thirty tons, would, many of them, prefer carrying the bait to St. rierre. The people, in years gone by, reaped great benefit from the bait trade. When I was a boy there were no schooners owned in Grand Bank, and the large fleet owned there now was purchased with their earnings got by the bait traffic. This Bay has not derived as much benefit as Fortune Bay has from it; but look round and you will find that the principal people here have laid their foundations upon the French trade in the past. If we can get the French clear of the Newfoundland coast, I should then like to see the Bait Act enforced ; but if they agree to leave the coast, I would let them buy bait all the same. [No. 6i.] George Inkpen, of Burin, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been living here a great number of years, and carrying on the fish- eries. Before the Bait Act was passetl I had been engaged for forty years carry- ing bait to the l""reiich. I cannot s.u'tliat it was a beneficial tratle to the people here. I think that they would have done quite as well at the ccxl- fishery. Since the liait Act was passed I don't think that it was carried out thoroughly. I believe there has been a good deal uf bait smuggled to St. Pierre. I think it impossible to enforce the Bait Act with the means that the (iovernment has. I think that if llie (uncrnment had a gun-bt)at at the mouth of l'\)rtune Bay, between Dantzic Point and Brunette, she would stop the bait carrying. The s) stem of boats at the hauling-piaces, the Fiona and otiier vessels, are of no use; from what is said, the}' were the most of their time in harbor. I ap- prove of the Bait Act, and think if the bait traffic were stojjped it would be a glorious thing for Newfoundland. I have one vessel on the l^anks. It is a failing fisher\\ e\ery )XMr growing less. I belie\e that the I'rench have found it a failing lishers'. 1 have heard that the French found it much shorter this year tlian last; a few of them have done well, but the greater number have made a poor voyage. I do not think, on the whole, that they have done worse than our own bankers. My banker has never tried the periwinkle bait. We have heard that the French had got a large (juantity of periwinkles, but think that the report is not true. Perriwinkles are said to be good bait ; 1G8 Eo'ulence on Jialt I'vohctiim Scrclce. some say better than our fre^li bait. Sonic of our people liavc tried them, and not made much of a hand with them. I am of opinion that American.s and Canadians ouL^ht to be allowed to get their bait free, if they allow our fish to <^o in free. 1 do not approve of iccns- ing the I'rcnch to get bait in our harbors; the) wouKl compete unfairly with our bankers; they receive bounties which enable them to pay a higher price than our bankers would be able to pay. I recommend that .i gun-boat be employed in the future to stop this traffic in bait. The way the Halt Act has been carrietl out the pa.^l three years has been a terrible expense on the comitr)-. I think that the majority of the jji (,)p!e are opposed to the Halt Act. With the people opposed to it, it would be hard to cany it out. r\o. 6_\ 1 George Bishop, J. P., of Burin, sworn and says: — 1 have been living here forty-seven )ears, engaged in the trade and fisher- ies of the country until the past two years. I was never engaged in the I'rench bait traffic. I always considered it a suicidal act. \o person belonging to me has been engaged in the bait trade. I think it was most unwise for us to sup- ply the I'Vcnch with bait, even when their fishery was small and confined chiefly to their home market and their colonies. I think that the waj- the Bait Act was carried out the first year, it was impossible to prevent the French from getting bait. The people kept the run of the steamers, knew just where they were, and got their bait into St. Pierre. I only know that by report; the French got all the bait they required the first year. I had an opportunity of seeing how the Act was being carried out that \ear, and from my knowledge and opinion, it was not eft'ectixelj- enforced. The second year of its operation I became Magistrate of this i)Iace. I ha\e had se\eral ilelinquents brought be- fore me in my official capacity. In some cases there were difficulties in bring- ing about convictions, the evidence being not sufficient. 7"he second year Commander Robinson had charge, and part of the first \car. He did the best he could to carry out the service, lie was pretty active, but he knew the people were evading him. The iiiociiis vivciu/i to the Americans made it more difficult to carry out the ser\ice. The .\mericans ilid a consitlerable amount of smuggling in bait, anil it wouiil have been bet'.er for us if we had never assented to the modus vivcndi. I believe Commander Robinson had a coast-guard, but not to the same extent as th's j-ear. lie had a few stationed in Fortune Hay and on this coast. The h'rench had what biiit they rccjuired the second year; but there was a loss of time in getting it. Cai)lin were \'ery scarce on this coast the first and second \ear of the I!ait Act. Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 100 Squids were abundant the first and second years, both on the coast and on the banks. The French laid in large quantities of squid last autumn. I have heard that the French jig large quantities of squid at St. Pierre, but not fre- quently. There were two or thrf^e boats and small schooners employed this year, and a considerable number of coastguard men with dories. The boats and schooners were altogether unsuitable for the service ; they could not sail fast enough to catch the smugglers. I think the employment of them was practically money thrown away. I have reason to believe that largo quantities of bait were smuggled into St. Pierre this present season, and that the traffic is still going on. I am not aware that there was an abundance of caplin at St. Pierre and Miquelon this present season. The report is that the French have had plenty of bait this present season. The money expended this year has, in my opinion, been money wasted. I am in favor of the Bait Act, and if carried out in its entirety, would be a great benefit to this country. I have heard that bait has been brought to them from Magdalen Islands. They can also get perriwinklc bait on the banks. This bait cannot be obtained everywherr. ; only in certain localities. The French fishery has been reported to be very short. Our own fishery is also short. It is not half as large a catch as it was five years ago. I don't know if the French fishery has been short in the same pro- portion as ours. Our shore fishery has also been short Uiis year. I attribute the short catch on the lianks to the scarcity of squid bait. There was more bait on this coast than there has been in former years ; all have complained of the scarcity of squid this autumn, and none were obtained on the Banks. Out of a fleet of forty vessels from this place, not more than five will make the Bank fishery pay. The average per vessel is not 400 quintals. It is now ques- tionable as to whether there will be many prosecute the Bank fishery next year. The large P^ench bankers have done very well this year — all the time on the Banks. Two steamers or, the outside, three, placed at the mouth of Fortune Bay, plying at Dantzic at the mouth of the Bay, would, I tbink, remedy the bait smuggling; and, when any smugglers are caught violating the law, enforce the extreme penalty, so that others would be deterred. There is a great deal of fog Fortune and Placentia Bays in the spring and summer months. Any smug- glers knowing the steamers to be plying would not venture into St. Pierre for fear of being caught. This is the only suggestion I can make as to the carry- ing out of the Act. The people, generally, arc unfavorable towards the Bait Act in Burin, ^. roper. They say that if the Americans were permitted to come in on the coast and pay light-dues, with a small license fee to take bait, such an arrangement would meet their views. [No. 6^.] John Paul, of Burin, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been engaged in the business of the country over forty years. I am engaged in the Bank fishery for the past eight years. There has been a 22 170 JCciiknce on Hall J'roUvtioa Service. gradual falling off of the fishery since the first year we started. Uait has been exceptionally scarce on the Hanks this year, to which I attribute part of the short catch. I know something of the bait trade with St, I'ierre, and have been observing the operation of the Hait Act the past three years. During the first year the I'rench were considerably deprived of bait, and much inconvenienced thereby. F believe tht.y were seriously inconvenienced the second year for want of bait ; and this season they have sustained heavy loss from the same cause, In this vicinity, I believe, those engaged by Government, both on shore and on board the steamers, have done their best to enforce the Bait Act. A few have suflered serious loss by reason of the enforcement of the Act, by being deprived of taking bait to .St. Tierrc. I can form no opinion as to the amount of loss they have suffered; but I think one-fourth have suffered. The ma?s of the people here are opposed to the liait Act. I am in favor of it myself. I would be in favor of makiiig the French pay licenses for bait, provided they came into the bays to purchase it. The carrying of bait to St. Pierre was very injurious, and I should not like to see it going on again. I think a tonnage fee of $1.50 for the season would be sufficient; and they should be restricted from taking any more than ihcy wanted for their own use, I would never al- low the French a free license to take what bait they wanted. It would be more beneficial to our people to make the h'rench come in on the shore to take it. The Bait Act is very difficult to carry out effectually; and I do not think the people will assist. I believe if it could be carried out effectually it would be a great benefit to the country. I think the partial carrying out has been benefi- cial ; and I do not think it would be wise to repeal it. I think it judicious for the Qovernmcnl to do their best to try and enforce it. I cannot suggest any better plan than that adopted this past season : that is, crews stationed at the hauling-places, and steamers to assist. [No. 64.] William B. Payne, of Burin, sworn, and says : — I have been living here twenty-four years, and am familiar with the fisheries of the country, I have never had anything to do with the bait trade. From observation I did not think it was beneficial to the people about Burin. I have observed the operation of the Bait Act for the past three years, and I do not think that it has been effectively enforced, and think it not possible to do it without a very heavy expense. I t'link that if licenses were issued, permitting French, Americans, and Canadians to buy bait on the coast, at a reasonable license fee, it would be the better plan. I think that a $1,50 per ton, for the season, would be a reason- able license fee. Evidence on liait Protection Service, 171 I have been engaged in the banking fishery. The Hank fishery has been gradually declining. I think the cause is attributable to the fish shifting their ground. I believe the fishing grounds have been fouled by throwing offal over- board, and the fish have gone into deeper water. The Americans have done better than our bankers owing to their fishing in deeper water. The l-'rcnch have done about as well as our people. They, proportionately, have not had a smaller catch than our people, and they take more fish than we do, in conse- quence of their fishing more constantly. They had all the squid and caplin bait they wanted this year. I know they use periwinkles, and do well with them, but I don't know what (juantity thL^y have had this year. The ban'-crs out of this place have not tried periwinkles. I don't know if the periwinkles are gen- eral or special over the Hanks. After three years' experience in trying to carry out this Hait Act, 1 am of opinion that no further expenditure should be incurred for its enforcement, ex- cepting under the system of licenses, which I before indicated. I am certain that it is impossible to prevent the carrying of bait to St. Pierre, and, for this reason, the trade ought to be legitimized. Under the system of licenses we should make all we could out of it for the trade and the country. I think it inexpedient to have the Hait Act repealed. In my opinion, if the peo[)le of Newfoundland cured their fish and took as good care of it as the l-'rench do, we should be able to compete with them, to a certain extent ; we ha\e lost the markets in consequence of an inferior cure ; our fish is not nearly so well cured as it was twenty-five years ago, and I think we arc gradually being driven out of our markets by Norwegians and I'rench, from this cause. It is difficult to find a remedy for this matter; hut the pres- ent system of culling is not likely to secure it. If the cullers were sworn as an independent body of men, they ought to be able to secure a higher standard of fish ; and if the fishermen were paid according to the quality of their fish, no doubt an improvement would take place immediately. Both the French and Americans take very much more care in the cure of their fish than wc do; our people seem to go more for quantity than cjuality ; and we must raise our stand- ard of quality if we are to compete with the markets of the world. [No. 65.] George Brushett, of Burin, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been carrying on the Rank fishery the past three years. I am well acquainted with the bait trade. It was beneficial to the people before the Bait Act was passed ; it gave employment to them in the spring of the year when there was little doing. I have made as high as i^ioo in three weeks. There was a great quantity of bait wasted, which I consider injurious to the country; and I hold that the h'rench ought to be made come in and buy their bait. I 172 Evidence on Bail Protection Service. think the Act has been cairiecl out faithfully, and has been fairly successful ; but I believe it would be impossible to prevent the total carrying of bait to St. Pierre. 1 cannot sug^jest any better plan for carrying out the Halt Act ; and I think the expense in so doing is more than the Colony can afTord. It does not pay to carry it out. 7 approve of granting licenses to the French, Americans and Canadians; 1 think $1.50 is a reasonable sum, and should be paid by them once a year. I believe the people would be benefitted more with the trafTic in bait than they would by any additional price they would be likely to get on cod-fish if the Act were enforced. I cannot see that we have got any more increased price for our fish since the Act was passed. I do not want the Act repealed ; but I do not think it wise to enforce it at the present time. I have been sending vessels to the Hank fishery for the past three years, and I know that it is failing very considerably. [No. 66.2 James Pike, senior, of St. Lawrence, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been engaged in the bait trade before the Bait Act was passed. I found it profitable. I could make a decent living out of it and the cod-fishery. Many others were the same as myself, and did well by it. Since the Bait Act was passed I can't make a comfortable living out of the cod-fishery alone. The cod-fishery along this coast is not sufficient, without the aid of the bait trade, to make a living by it. The French were hindered some in getting bait since the Bait Act was passed, but they got bait all the same. I don't think it possi- ble to prevent the French from getting bait. It has cost a lot of money to try and prevent them from getting bait, and we see it cannot be done, and I think it would be best, in the future, to have the old law, and allow foreigners to come in by paying a small license fee and purchasing bait. The people of Lamaline have been more injured by the Bait Act than any other people on the coast. The cod-fishery has not been sufficient the past three years to support us. [No. 67.] Jerome Turpin, of St. Lawrence, fisherman, sworn, and says: — The Bait Act has injured the people here. The French, in spite of the Act, got what Bait they wanted. I think it pretty hard to keep the people from smuggling bait. I say the best in the future is the old law : let everyone do the best they can. I do not think there was much bait smuggled out of here this season; it was carried from Placentia and Fortune Bays. I have not been engaged in smuggling bait to St. Pierre. tJvulvvri' on Bait /*rofrr(inn SfVi'trc. 17:j [No, r,s, I Thomas Turpin, of St. Lawrence, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been cn^iaf^cil in the fisheries here. I never hatl imich to do with the bait trade. It was a beneficial trade to those en^jaf^ed in it. The bait has been pretty i)lcnty here in tin; past, cnoni^h for our own use, I his )ear there was an abundance of it. Tiie I'rencli liave j;ot tluir bait, and I don't tliinl< the Bait Act did much good. It has luirt ,i j^'ood many wh>) were enj^aged in it. Without a [^YQixt deal of e.xpense on the country I don't know which way it can be enforced. 1 think it wouiil be best to set aside this I?ait Act and let the old law take its place, and let ever)' oni' who has the means e.irn what he can. All the people about here ;ire of about tiie same opinion. I was at St. I'ierrewhcn the voyage was up; it was al>oiit the s.mie as our own,l)Ut the large bankers did uncommonly well. [No. 69.] John Pike of St. Lawrenc:, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been engaged in the fisliery all my life. 1 found the bait trade a profitable business. I have not been engaged in the fishery the past five years; I have sold my boat. The Hail y\ct lias been hurtful to the people here. My opinion is, if it were abolished it would be a benefit to them. If all foreigners were allowed to come in on the shore and pay a small license fee, it would be a benefit to the people and give them a chance of selling their bait. I think the running of those steamers in the coves, looking for those bait-carriers, is most injurious to the cod-fisherj-, and frightens the fish out of the coves. '♦»■ [No. 70.] Emanuel Pike, of Laun, preventive officer, sworn, and says: — I have been acquainted with the fisheries here for many years. I have been engaged in the bait trade with St. I'ierre in times gone by; it was a bene- ficial trade to the people here. The Bait Act lias been injurious to the people about here. There has been some wholesale smuggling to St. Pierre ; some have made more money than ever they did before out of it ; the greater part of the people have not done anything out of it. There was an abundance of bait carried to St. Pierre and a good deal of bait thrown over-board. I was in St. Pierre last year and there was plenty of it there ; it was not saleable ; some of the P'rench went to the Banks with a small supply of fresh bait; they had plenty of salt bait left from the year before. There was a large coast-guard 174 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. along the coast thi.s year, and ' liiiik tlic}' got very little bait on this part of it. They caught large (iiiantitius of stjuitl aroiiiul St. Pierre, aiul man)' of our people went there t;) jig sqi.id for llieni ; they also earricd S(|uid from this shore to them. In my opinion the I'rench fishery can be -rippled uitli ihe same expense that is now incurred, if the proper men are emnlo^eil — ^men wlui !ia\e been en- gaged in carrying bait, who understand the treks nf the trade — and not men out of St. John's. The people here are oppLoeil to the J5ait .\ct. 1 am in favor of carrying it out; for we have driven the French to get bait en the Hanks and elsewhere. I liave been engageil in prevc.iting tlieni from getting bait; I was pilot on board the Lcidy (Uovcr when she first starf^d on protection service. I did not pilot her out of the way, in order to allow my son to get away with his load of bait to St. rier-\ The second }'ear of the Hait Act 1 was at Saint Pierre in a banker, on my way to the lianks. 1 had iwenty thousand squills on board; the French were offering me four francs per hundred for them, but I would not sell them. [No.-!] John Lake, senior, of Fortune, schooner-owner, sworn, and says : — I have been for man\' _\ears eng;iged in the fisliLries and tratle of the country. This bait trade was the propvi business for this ba\-. It was a most profitable trade, anc, on account of the Halt Act, there are some bo}'s on shore now without a stocking on the n. The cod -fisher)- of this bay is not sufficient to maintain the peojile without ihe aid, of the herring f-hery. The I! lii Act, since it has been enforced, has ncH beui the means of preventing the French from getting bait. It has not been efficiently enforced. The l'"rench have got what bait they wanted, and I'rovidenee seems to have favored them by sending an abundance of stjuid to St. I'iure , and capliii ha\i,' been plentiful at Miqiielon. I think it is not in the powxr of the (iovernnu:nt to enforce the Bait Act. It is not within their :ncans. The be>t thing, for tl'e future, is to go back to the old law — free trade to the l-'rench in bait, louring the laK three }'ears, Americans and Canadians have been al!o>ved to dc ju>t what they liked ; the)' ha.e been taking possession, of tne bait traiie, ;uul ha\e KU])plied the h'rench, whilst our poor Newfoundlanders ha\ e iieen .-tar\ ing. I do not belie\e you will find five men in the wlu le harbor who are in favor of the l?.iil Act ; they all want to go b^iCk to the old law. I Lave been engageil in In; Hank ilshery ; it is niiling. It is a tailure of mo'C than half of what it used '.o bi 1 think the hrench have done about the same as ourselves; some have done well and some bad. Th.ose who have usee the shell-fish have done, generally, exceedingly well. KviiJciv,' oil IhnI Prokctlon Serince. ^X. 175 George Gillard, of Fortune, fisherman, sworn and says :- I have been cn.^.,^^.cd in th. bail Had. all n,y life. I nKuie a good living out of ,t. do not think that th : cod-fishcy of ti,e ba)- Is sumcicnt to support all the people u.„hont the luTrin, li du.y. My craft i,as been laid up ever since ho Ba,t Act was passed; she is not suitable to ll.h on the I^anks, only twcnty- h cc tons, and old : I I.ue been flshin, out of this in a dory. I cannot ,nakc half as good a hv.ng as I e„uld with the herring traCnc. I have been living on wha I madebefue; but f.r that 1 should be in a bad was-. There has bc;;n a great deal ol ba:t nnt.;,gled to St. Pierre. If all had turned out they might have stopped (he carryi.^g of bait. I an, in lavor of returning to the old law, and domg away with the ISaitAet; would pre^r carrying bai^ to the French latlier tiian allowing them to come in the Wwy. [Xo. 73.1 William Tuck, of Fortune, in Fortune Bay, schooner-owner sworn, and says : ' ] have been all my iilc engaged in the bait trade. It was my chief means of support; 1 c^.uld make a comfortable living out of it. There was consider- able competition, and at times a great .nany herrings were thrown awav When the Ha.t Act was passed 1 ,ave up the tr.uie. My craft is not suited 'to go on the oanks; sne ,s twenty-.ix years old ; I have gone cod-fishing about the shore, on M. Peter's Hank. I Ikuo lo^t wh.t 1 had nuule bv the bait traffic- 1 lost si.\ lumdreil dollar.-, by i-.ason of the Hai! Act lost si.\ lumdreil dollar.-, by i-.ason of the Hail Act. _ I do not think tlMt the Jkut ,\et ha. prevented the frencl. from obtaining bait; Ihcyhave had plenty. .S nnetimes they h.-ne been delaved a liUle I suppose those engaged in iIk Pait Protection Sers iee luve donL the best thev could, but they ha^ e n^a been .dde to prevent the carrying of bait to St. Pierre I am opposed to the Ikiit .\et. an.l wi.h te, sc-e it done awa^- with. I consider that I-ortune las been ruined by reason of ,t ; ,uul 1 believ, the majority of the people here are oi;'),,.,,.,! ■,, ;. \-,,,, ,,. ...i.i ., , ,-.. , . . . , ' . las been ruined by reason of ,t ; ,uid « neia v, u,e ma|onty of the people here are opoo-^ed to it. Nou would not fmd lueiuy in the place of a different mind. We want to see it abolished, and -o back to the ol,! l.-uv. I ■ in ()!i the shore; We want to see it abolished, ,md go back to t do not approve of license., being granted to the Piem-h to come ii I do^not think in.y would give as good a price lor the herrings .is thi'y p-^" in St. Pierre. I his siimnui- r.-mlni ii-,.r-. ,„ i ■ ... . nr- , . '' P I do not think in.y would give as good a price for t!-,e herrings .is they pa- in St. Pierre. I his summer caplin were very abundant at MLpielon; there were plenty to su[.ply tlu- iMench banker^. There were a number of Xewfoundland- crs and myself engaged in carrying b.iit from .Mi.pielo,, to St Pierre We -ot from three to fifteen francs per hogshe.id, for eaplin. The l-'renrh. when Tli^ caplin struck in, were not det linetl in 'U'l tim 17G J^'oidence on Ball Prolediou Service. [No. 74.] John Spencer, of Fortune, Fortune Bay, schooner-owner, sworn, and says : I have been cnyayod in tlic llshcrici for fifty years — most of the time carrying herring to the Frcncli ; also, caplin. The business was a profitable one to some; and I made money out of it. 1 ilon't' believe the cod-fishery is sufficient to support the people of the Bay. Witliout the I'^cnch trade the people of Fortune Bay would be starved. They arc starving now from the enforcement of the Bait Act; ami it wouUl be better for us to be living under the French or American flag than to suffer as we did during the past three years. We have no seal fishery here, like the people to the northward. Our herring fishery takes the place of that 1 h.ive two schooners engaged in the Bank fishery, and I find it failing. One of my schooners met with no success; the other, middling. This 15ait Act has borne hardest of all on those people whose schooners are too small to go fishing on the ]5anks. Nine schooners left the harbor on account of this Act, and five of their owners went to Cape Breton. The others are fishing out of hero in punts. The Bank fishery will not take the place of the bait fisher}-, as it is not remunerative enough to support all ; and many poor men have no means to go there fishing. The Bait Act has not been efficiently enforced. The .\nierieans and Nova Scotians have taken away the bait trade from us and supplied the iMench. They have had no trouble in running the blockade. OiiV 'lUicers did not seem to have interfered with them. I do not believe the (Government can stop the French from getting bait; they have not the means at their command to do so. I want to return to the old law: free traile t(j sell what we please. We want our freedom. Wc were born free men — not slaves. I would like to see the iM-ench come in on paying a small license. If made cuuipulsory I doubt its success, as they cannot come in for caplin. The l'"rencli liave done poorly; we have done poorly. All have done about the same. [Xo. 75.J Samuel Harris, of Grand Bank, Fortune Bay, trader, sworn, and says : — I ha\c been, for some years, engaged in the bait trade before the passing of the Bait Act. It w. is a profitable trade for the people of Grand Bank. I gave it up and went into the Bank fisher}-, aljout eight years ago ; there was too much competition in it to ni.ike it pa}-. llie Bank fishery has been a profitable one. There was a short catch this, and an average catch last, year; it is over half a voyage here this }-( ai. We heard the i'Vench had a short catch this year. 'J"he Bait Act has iidt h. . 11 successfiiliy enloiced ; to a certain extent, no doubt, it has affecto'' them ; luit the}- have got bait. The fir^t ye.ir there were four Evidence on Buit Protection Service. 177 steamers cntjagcd in pi-otcctinL,^ the bait, ami they did not prevent its being car- ried. It never has been prevented. Tiicre were better times in Grand Bank when there was no ]5ait Act in force. I think that the Bait Act has been very badly carried ont this year. I believe that four steamers ought to be able to protect Fortune and I'la- ccntia Bays. In my opinion, it would be wisest to go back to the old law rather than spend a large sum of money in enforcing this Act. [No. 76.-] George A. Buffett, of Grand Bank, merchant, sworn, and says: — 1 have been connected with the trade and fisheries of this Bay a number of years. I was engaged in the bait trade with St. I'ierre. It was, taken on the whole, a profitable trade. I had given it up two years before the Bait Act was passed. There were too many engaged in it then to nial-:e it a profitable trade, I turned my attention to the Bank fishery and found it profitable. The Bank fishery has failed considerably. I think, for the fiect in Grand 15ank, that it is less by one-half now than it was five }ears ago. I attribute the general ^"ailing oft" to the scarcity offish and bait and the increased number of bankers. The French have also had a short fishery this year. It is not so bad as ours; the two previous years it was worse in proportion. I can hardly believe it is pos- sible, with the means at the disjjosal of the Government, to enforce the Bait Act. I think the .Art is a good one if it could be properly enforced. I was in favor of the Act until I had three jears' experience of its working; that satisfied me that it was not i)ossible to carry it out, and I think the best course is to revert back to the old law. I have an opportunity of seeing the people here and knowing their minds, ant! I believe that the great majority of them are of this opinion. I don't think it would be well tu allow the I'rench to come in to buy their bait, as I consider it would tend to demoralize the people. I would pre- fer seeing the bait carried to them. If the bait trade is allowed with St. Pierre, smuggling will likely be increased, and I would like to see further measures taken to prevent it. [No. 7.;.] George Simms, of Grand Bank, J. P., sworn, and says ; — I have been here sixteen jears. I am Stipendiarj- Magistiatc and Collector of Customs. I have had an opportuinty of making myself actpiaiiUed witli the fisheries in this Ba\'. The iiaii trade was generally beneficial to the people of this shore. I'or jears it wa^ the means of build'Ug up Grand Bank. JAit of late 178 Koldtucc OH JJuit I*rotcdwu Heroice. years they have witli drawn from tho bait trade and gone into the Bank fishery. During the last three years I have had an opportunity of seeing how the ]?ait Act was enforced. In my opinion it has not been successfully enforced. The French have had what bait they wanted ; and many times it has been so abund- ant that large quantities have been thrown away. I do not think it possible, with the means at the disposal of the Government, to enforce the Bait Act. My own opinion is that the French should not be allowed to come in the Bay for bait. If they were let in, it would become a den of drunkenness. I think the bait trade ought to be allowed to go on as it did before the passing of the Bait Act. There are twenty-three bankers and three hundred and seventeen men sailing out of this place this present season, about the same as previous years. The fishery has been less these past two years than previously; some of the masters of schooners have found it as plentiful as usual, but complain of the scarcity of bait. On the w^hole it has not been a paying business this year. [No. 78.] John Camp, of Grand Bank, in Fortune Bay, planter, sworn, and says : I have been engaged in tlie bait trade in the past for fifteen years. There was a good living in it for the people of Grand Bank. Many people have miss- ed it and suffered from its loss, I know that the Bait Act has not been effectually carried out the past three years. I don't believe that it is within the power of the Government to carry out the liait Act with the means at their disposal. I think this is the general opinion of the people of Grand Bank. I would recommend our going back to the old law. I have seen enough of squandering money and people suffering. [No. 79.'] Samuel Tibbo, of Grand Bank, in Fortune Bay, sworn, and says: I have been engaged all my life in the fisheries, and the last six years I have been engaged in the Bank fishery. I found the bait trade a paying trade, and 1 attribute the success of Grand Bank largely to the bait trade. I think the Bait Act has not been effectually enforced the past three years, and I think it would be hard fur tlie Government to enforce a law with the voice of the people against it, and they will not abide by it. If they took the whole revenue, the\' could not enforce it then. Evidence on Bail Protection Service. 170 I would like to sec us go back to the old law, but I would make no objec- tion to see the French and the Americans come in the Hay and buy their bait, by paying a moderate license. I have been engaged in the Bank fishery the past six years. I have found it a decreasing fishery ; a great falling off this year. I think it will not be a paying business this year. I was in St. Pierre a week ago and made enquiries, and found that their Hank fishery was about equal to our own ; but the large bankers have done exceedingly well. Many of them did not come in for bait at all; some took herring on the coast of Scotland, and they all took peri- winkles. The big trips were caught on them. The French got all the bait they wanted. This bait law has proved a dead failure. We living here have not felt the effects of it as some in other places. Fortune has been ruined by it. [No. 80.] Richard West, of Bay L'Argent, in Fortune Bay, planter, sworn, and says: I have been living here over sixty years. I have been carrying on the fishery for a number of years. I have been engaged in the bait traffic with St. Pierre. The majority of the people about here were engaged in that trade be- fore the Bait Act was passed. It was a profitable trade. Since the Bait Act was passed, the place has become impoverished. The people have suffered a good deal of hunger. The cod-fishery is not sufficient to support the people here without the aid of the bi it traffic. The first year the Bait Act was prctt}- well put in force; a few carried hnit. The Americans carried bait there. The second it was pretty well enforced. A great many Americans broke the law and carried bait to St. Pi'^rre. Last year 1 tried to carry it there, but got caught. I had only forty barrels of herring on board. There were others at the time I was caught that were let go, having over one hundred barrels each on board. I was bound for the Gulf cod-fishery, and I put those few barrels of herring on board to buy supplies to help me go to the fishery. My summer fishery was spoiled last year. At the Gulf fishery I was interfered witli by the French and stopped from getting bait, and I could not get a license here to take bait, in consequence of which I lost a trip of fish. What 1 sa)' of myself applies to a number of other persons who were there at the same time. The Bait Act has been ruinous to the people of this Bay. It has not seriously pre- vented the I'rench from obtaining bait, as they could obtain it from Portaux- Port, St. George's Bay, Bay of Islands, Magdalen Islands and Cai)o Breton. They catch what squids they like about St. Pierre, and this year there were more s([uids there than an}'\\here else. This jear the caplin were abundant at 180 Evidence on Bait Prof erf ioii Service. Miquclon, Langloy, and in St. Pierre. 1 tliink tlic more I'rench arc kept with- out them by us the more plentiful tlic\- become about their own waters. I was not catching bait this year; I was fishing in the Gulf. We did fairly well. The French bait fishery fills in the spring, when we are not engaged in the cod- fishery. I have never depended entirely on the bait-fishery; only in the spring of the j'car. Sometimes there would be a great destruction of herring carried to St. Pierre. I think if the l''rench were allowed to come in and pay a license for the bait, it would be the best thing. I'.vcry poor man would have a chance of earning a barrel of flour. I think we lia\e plent)' of bait in I'ortune Bay to supply Americans, l'"rencli, and Xo\'a Scotians, and jilcnt)- for ourselves. I notice no falling off in the (piantity of herring-bait. In order to make the French come in, we should recjulre a steamer to prevent cnir ])eo)ile from going out. I think that if the use of seines were stopped altogether, the l'"rench would then be obliged to come in and buy from the net fishermen. I think that if a good fine were; put on the use of seines, that many would not violate the law. There was a constable and two men in a dor)- stationeil here this year, and no herrings were hauled about this place. The law was pretty well carried out about here. What herrings wi o smuggled were caught outside. They caught a good many of these smugglers and [)ut them in gaol. [No. Si.] Henry Giovannini, of Rencontre, Fortune Bay, sworn, and says : I have been living in I'ortun,' Ha\- thirty odd years. I have been engaged part of that time in the bait trade. I have tliree seines, four seine boats and two crafts, which cost me a lot of money. These have been useless to mc since the ]5ait Act, and are lying up 1 know of no reason why I should be de- prived of the use of my property, and 1 should think the Cjovernment ought to buy this property off my hands or allow free trade and let me use it. I have always had free trade for bait, and want it .igaiii. Tliere has been a great deaj of money spent in carrjing out this .\ct, and yet the b'rench got as much bait as they wantetl, and nic^re. If the I'rench were alioweil to come into the bay it would be better for all hamls. .\ poor man would have a chance then as well as a rich one. I belie\e it would be li.nd with boats' crews and steamers to stop the French from getting bait. Tiie smart fellows wouKl be sure to run it. I think the three \-ears' experience of the 15ait Act has proved it to be a great failure. The cod-fishery in tliis iia_\' is not one tjuarter sufficient to support '.he people, and many of then) have got very poor since the operation of this Act — ver)' poor. Their craft arc not sulficientlj- large to go on the Banks not one out of twent)-. J^vidcucc on Ihiil Prolcrtlitn Scri'irr. 181 The destitution in some parts of the bay is dreadful — children nearly naked. I saw it myself about a fiirtiii!;lit at;o ; and I Rar ihcie will be starva- tion if something is not done, [i\o. S2.1 John Pitman, of Rencontre, Fortune Bay, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been en5;a[;cd in the bail trade, nuv chief means of making a living. My boat is not siifficientl}- large R)r me to prosecute ihe iSank fishery. The effect of the Ikiit Act has been badly fell b)- mc. It has been an injur}- to al- mDSt every person about here. 1 think the enforcement of it has been ruinous to i'"ortune Hay people; besides, I think justice has not been d^ne. I have been at St. Pierre this spring, and s.iw hundreds of barrels ■>( h ITHl'. aiK led there by A mericans. I 1. enow thi ■y P ri)cure< 1 them in Porlune 15 saw one A merican there baiting a French briganline and a schoo Fortune Bay and had one of ller Majesty' ner. )fl s olucers 1 le got these herrings in on hoard when he took th em. She must have had between two and three hundred i)an on board ; y'^ and I think it a great injustice that this \essel shoukl be allowed, b)' an officer, y^ to go free when thc}' seized niy schooner with onl)' between twent}- and thirty barrels of herring on board, ami put me in Harbor Hriton gaol for two months. I saw seven or eight Nova Scotian and .Vnurican \'esscls ;it St. Pier re one da thc masters of said vessels cin'cred tlu-ir names (i\er with can\as ,ind soKl the d to l'"renchnu'n. I belie\e the Americans ,inil Canadians sold lerruips on ooar quite as much bait to the l'"re ncn as the peo[)le of h'ortune P)a\'. Our X ew- foundland baidcers took a [tart in carr\-ing bait to the I'"rench. It is not possible for the Newfoundland ( io\ crnmen t to elfeeti\el)- carry out the Bait Act. The facilities for snm'-'ding ;ire toi) gi\;al, unless llicy put a man in every cove, and e\en then it is impossible b> <]■> s >. 'I'he French go; the past three }'ears as ([uicl bail 1\- as e\or the\' did. quids were abundant last \'ear, ami eaplin thi Th ' rencu have had better fishery and caught more fish than our Fnglish bankers did thi^ year. I'^ish is getting scarce on the Banks; bul the krench — some of them — have done as well as ever they did. They fish more lines and keep steailier and a longer time on the ground, 'i'hey have used consider, iblc periwinkles, and find them a good bait. ginning to carry out the Hait .\ct effectix. ly if it had the support of the people; but the time has g' years fishing, and my sons have been en- gaged in the bait trade, and have been in Harbour Briton jail, owing to the Bait Act. I think it is a wrong law, and should not have been passed. Our fathers carried on the bait trade. The ])ait i\ct has starved scores, and many have come to povert)', and their gear is lying 14) of no use. 184 li^ciilcnce on Hail J'fohrllon Service, [No. 8;.] Alexander Rose, of Fortune Bay, sworn, and says : — I have been cn{,^'^^'e(l in tlie fisheries a number of years. I used to be en- gaged ill IIk: bait tr.ide until tlie last two or three years. I found it a profitable trade. There is no codfi->l\ to be c.iiight in tliis Bay tt) make a living out of it. I iiave had my sehooiier oa the lianks tlie last four j'ears. The liank fishery is a failing fishery, and this year did not [)ay at all. The l''rench fishermen have done quite as well as our fishermen this year. They receive a much better price for their fish, anil cm make it p.iy when we can't. There was a lot of bait smuggled to .St. I'ierre this year. They got all they wanted, principally frum Americans and Nova Scotians. They have not had to wait for bait at all, for scpiid they could get in abundance about St. Pierre, and there was any (piantil)' of capliii about Mit|uelon. I am of opinion that in fiiture an arrangement should be made to allow them to come in, by paying a license fee of one dollar and a half per ton for the season, and I would allow the Americans and Nova Scotians to do the same. If the I'rench wjii'i pay a license fee and come in on the coast, we ought t J be allowed to carry tlie b.iit to them ; for if we don't do it, others will, and it is as well for u^ to Inve the m ):ijv ai strangers. [No. 88.] Philip Grandy, of Belleoram, Fortune Bay, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been engaged in iho b:iit trade a number of years. All the people in this place were djpendi.ig upon the bait trade. Their craft were adapted for the bait trade, but not for the Bank fishery. All the people arc of one mind, in opposition to the Bait Act. I would like to see the French come in on the shore to buy bait, as it would be a general benefit. I think that seines ought not to be allowed to bar herring;; in the spring of the year, for if all hands used nets the price of herrings would be better. There is no scarcity of bait; the herring appears to be getting more plentiful rather than scarcer. The steamers and coast-guard have not been able to prevent the French from getting bait. It is not within the power of the Newfoundland Government to prevent the French from getting bait ; they have so many other places to get it from besides Fortune and I'lacentia Ikiys. I have been in St. I'ierrc this season. The French are not getting as much fish as formerly, but they are getting more fish than our bankers. The French don't get the herring bait as plentiful as they use to, but they get an abundance of caplin bait at Miquelon. I'JciiliiiCi Oil I tail I'loh itliiii Si I fin I8.'5 Tlic Halt Act has injiiicil the shop-keepers' trade at St, Picnv. Our W,\n\i fishery is a failinj,^ fisher}-. Wliere une l)aiikcr has cautihl suHkieiil lish to pay her way, there are ten who have nut. Voii can't catch stiiTicicnt fish in I'ortiinc Hay to siipi)ort the people. [No. S9.] Martin Kinsella, of Belleoram, Fortune Bay, planter, sworn, and says : — I have been cn;4a^ed in the bait trade a number of years. It was a reniii- nerativc business to the people, and all of thcni here were en;4a;4ed in it. There was no scarcit)- of bait. I believe there arc enough herrings in this bay to supply French, Americans, Canadians and our own people. This Hait .\ct has been injurious to the i)eople of fortune r>,i)-. 1 l)elieve the french have been well supplied with bait. 1 think the l'"rencli .--iKiukl be allowed to come in on our coast for bait, or otherwise foreigners will be supplying; them and reaping the benefit. I don't believe all the steamers the Government can send will prevent the carrying of bait to St. Pierre, and I think it impossible to i)revent the I'rench from pro- curing bait. ( Xt). 90. J Levi Cluett, Fortune Bay, trader, sworn, and says : — I ha\e been can\'ing on the bait trade for a number of }"ears. It was a profitable business before the 15ait Act was passed. I'eople cannot live by the cod-fisher\', ;uul are reduced to poverty b)' reason of this Y\ct. \Vc have three seines lying up, and there are many others in the same predicament. The French have had the b.ut smuggled to them by foreigners and our own i)eople. I don't think it possible to carry out the .\ct so as to pi event the I'rench from getting what bait they want. The)- get large ipiantitics from Magdalen and Bay St. George, and they use the periwinkles on the IJanks — principally the large vessels — and catch what fish they like. The Bait Service has nut been able, so far, to prevent the carrying of bait to St. I'ierre. Those who chose to engage in the traffic have succeeded in making money out of it. They have run so much bait to St. Pierre that the price has fallen as low as one franc per barrel. I think, for the fiiture, the most profitable way would be to let the h'rench come in for bait on paying a reasonable license fee; and if they don't comply with this, we ought to be allowed to carry it to St. Pierre. I think the people of l*"ortune P>ay have been treated badly by the enforce- ment of the Bait Act. We have tried the P)ank fishery, and it has proved a failure. I think that if the Guvernmenl don't sloi) the oiieratiiui of this ,\ct, it will impoverish the peofjle. 21 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 'plll^ 11112.5 ^. 132 . m 1^ M 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 „ 6" ► V] <^ c^ c*l /a oS. •W A % /, '/ m Photographic Sciences Corporation v « 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \^ "«?> * **- o c^ l)sc'rve(l tiiat large (luantitics of b.iit were brought Kcldi Iter oil Unit /*io(ray, and there would not be so much smuggling from St. Pierre. Harring herring in the spring of the year is very injurious, but it is neces- sary to bar them in the winter. They can only haul herrings in mild weather, and must keep them alive in their seines until they get sufficient frost to free/c them. If they were obliged to take tiiem out of the seines in mild weather, they wouldn't keep, and they would be forced to throw them away. I have been present and heard the above statement, and concur with its contents — J( )Si;i'ii I'iinnkn . [No. I02.] Philip Hubert, of Harbor Briton, Fortune Bay, Justice of the Peace, sworn, and says : — I have been more or less connected with the I?ait Act since its inception. The first year I was on board the (tvcyhoniid for a short time, assisting in carry- ing out the Act. There were four steamers employed at that time, namely: Grcylionud, Glovci; llcniilcs and Favorite. Judge I'rowsc had charge at the time. None of the steamers were suitable for the work ; they were too slow. The bait was carried to St. Pierre (notwithstanding the steamers) in sufficient quantities, with what was brought from the Magdalen Islands, to supply the French, as I learned afterwards. They were carried in small cjuantities by our own vessels, and in larger quantities by Americans. I"or the first few days herrings were not carried to St. Pierre as plentifully as the Krench expected, and quite a large fleet left for St. George's Hay. The Coasts Fisheries Act was in force, and the people had not been in the habit of hauling before the i8th day of April. They did not attempt to haul that spring until that date, and some fifty or sixty of them met at Bay-du- Nord, with the intention of defying the law. The combination was broken up ; they separated and did some smuggling ipiietly. The service was badly per- formed that spring, mainly because Judge Prowse left for St. John's, leaving only Sub-Inspector Sullivan in charge of the Hercules and Favorite. The Fav- orite was no use at all, and the Hercules was not much better. She was so slow that she could not catch vessels, and, consequently, there were large quantities of herrings carried to St. Pierre. It was about a month from the time Judge Prowse left until Commander Robinson came on the coast. The second year the Fiona was here in charge of Commander Robinson. She did her work pretty well. I think he did his duty. lie seized quite a number of our Bay boats. During this time, I have reason to believe that 100 I'Jriilf iK'f on Itaff /*i'nhffio)i Sfrvfrc. Americans wore carryint; bait to St. I'iirri- in lar^o (inantitios. Tlu-y were not interfered with. None of tluni were eapttired, as tlie Hait Act w;is imperfect, and it is iloiilitfiil if there was an)' authority to make sei/iircs under the Act. There were about tliirt)' men and ahont tuclvc vessels broufrht before nic for violation of the Act during tin- second \ear. Two or threi- vessels and crews were dismisseii. There were in manj' cases c Misiderable difficulties in pcttin}; proper evidence t" adjudicate upon Herrings had to be measared in order to get a sufTicieiit pnuif; aKo S(iiiid. 'ihis caused delajs, as I hail determined not to convict any one without ample cxidence to justify a conviction. I did my best to further the work, and have been as late in the Court House as I3 o'clock at nij^ht, luai in;,' a case. On the whole, 1 think that the result of the second year's operations was a failure al-o. Durini; the months of May and June there was almost continu"Us fo^, which aildcd to the difficulties of Com- mander Robinson, and made it impos'-ible for him to [)ievent bait beinp carried to St. Pierre. The stcimer C(iii! matter who is put in charge to carry that Act out, in the future he will be no more successful than those who have had charge in the j)ast. The facilities for ol)taining bait on such an extensive coast — from 'I'repassey to St. (ieorgc's Hay — an; so great, that it is not in the power of the (iovernment, with the means at their disposal, to carry out the Act, and to prevent the h'rench from obtaining bait. They can also get quantities of bait from the Magdalen Islands, where they can sometimes buy herrings for sixpence per barrel. There was a cargo of S(|uids brought from Cape Hreton to St. I'ierre about the 6th or jlh of June this year. There were also several cargoes of herring brought from Magdalen Islands and other places, and for which they could not get sale. The object of the Act is undoubtedly good, if it were practicable to carrj- it out, but the experience of three years has satisfied mc that it is impractic.ible. Evidrvre on Italt ProfrrtloH So'tu'i'tK 107 I tliink a ^^dml plan wouKI lie to piidiiUit tin- use of seine-; from tlic ist March to the "th May. i'his would lmvo tlie jxior luin, with his not, an f(nial chance witli the rich, and would lie ;i more eiiuitahle distribution; and I woulil recommend a mxler.itc license fee of one dollar and .i half per ton for the season. All forei^Miers should he permitted t, the deep-water I5ank fishery. The iMen h and An,er,cans, and a very few of the l-nglish. have been fishin.^ n rom mnety to one hundred and ten f uho.ns of water. Those who have f he" there have f.nnd the fish more plentifid. The iMeneh use the periwinkle b a t and when they will have exhausted th.it. the fishery will be destroyed I should like to see both cod-seines and herring-seines abolished- then every poor man would have a chance of n,aking a living. I think that if dncs are o era ted they should be made a .source of revenue, and a license 7ee should be charged for their use. ,f carrying bait to St. Pierre is allowed, ve ^ '^^Tnd l2yl--""' °^ ^^^"^i^^g^^Bay, fisherman, sworn, and I have been a fisherman here all ,ny life, and I have noticed that the cod- fishery has been fuhng every year. The seines destroy a great tnany herring, and I should hke to see the use of then abolished; also the barring of herring done away w.th If „o .seines were used. I would not object to the fr j com.ng ,n and bt.ymg herrings out of the nets, which would be f.i, to every poor man. ^^> 200 JEvidenve ott Bail Protvdioa Service. [Xo. io6.] Aquilla Francis, of Hermitage Cove, Hermitage Bay, planter, sworn, and says : — I hiU'c been liviiiy; at llcnnitagc Ct)\c ihirty-thioc years. I have been trading ami carrj ing on the fislicry. The fisliery has not been as good in this Hay as it formerl) wis; Ijail has iieen very scarce in Hermitage 15a)'. I have not been engaged in earr}ing bait to St. I'ierre for a minibcr of years, but I have observed that tiie nse of seines in this 15a)' has been gradually lessening the ii'.i.uUit)' of herrings caught. 1 sIu)uKl lilce to sec the use of seines done away with. I have also observed that the barring of herring is most injurious. I have seen thcni barred for three weeks, the herring being mixed, large and small together. I have seen them throw away twenty barrels to get five; this conduct has made herrings very scarce in this Hay, and has damaged the cod- fishery, as lishermen ha\e to go for i.la)'s ami da)'s without any herrings for bait. I know th.at last year sone hundreds of barrels were carried from Fouchas and Dragon to St. I'ierre ; and because of the hauling of these herring my fisher- men were thri.-e weeks wiliiout bait. The reports about here are, that those who atteuiled to the protection of the bait did not tlo it well. We think we had a better price for our fish since the Bait .\cl has been in force. My opinion is that if the bait is allowed to go on, the peoi)le of Hermitage 15, ly will be starv- ing and have to go to the Government for relief, 1 should like to see the 15ait Act continued, and the barring of herriny done away with. Until the l.ist three \ ears there used to be hundreds of thousands of barrels of herrings thrown overboard, frt)m (ireen Island, going in the Hay. I would like to see the iMcnch ( if they bought bait) compelled to come in and buy it, caught in nets by the poor fishermen, and no seines allowed; then every poor man would have a chance ; there would be no waste and destruction of herring as there has been. See how many there are in Fortune 15ay who have been made gentlemen b)' the use of seines, whilst the poor men have been starving. [.\o. 107.] Edward Gallop, of Hermitage Bay, agent lor Messrs. New- man & Co., sworn, and says : — I h.ue been living m.my )ears in this H.i)', and am W'll acipiainted with the fisheries. The decline in the cod-fishery has been great in this Hay, and bait is very scarce. This \ear caplin apjieared in the Ha)-, the first time for many years. At some seasons of the xear (here were considerable (piantities of herring;. There was an enormous waste of bail previous to the passing of Eviiknce oil Jidll rvoUdloa Service. 201 he Ba.t Act. IhcTo were sucl. large .luantitics iliroun overboard bctvvcci St I.crrc and the Rays that I beh'cve it did a great injury to the cod-fishery, be- sides the great waste of bait fishes. I am strongly c.f opinion that the bait raffic, as carried on the past j-ears with St. Pierre, shoMld not be tolerated by the Government, if they have it in their power to present it. I e.stinuUe that probably four hundred vessels were engaged in the bait traffic with St I'ierrc before the passing of the IJait Act. Tiu. con.petition was so great, and the supp.y so much in excess of the demand, that not more than \\{iy of them made money, and probably another fifty cleared their way. and the rest lost money. I don't think it would be advantageous to allow the French to come in to th. shore to get bait. I don't think it possible for the Government to prevent th.^ Lrench from getting bait within Trepassey and St. George's IJays While good prices are obtainable, the people will carry bait to the iM-ench. and run all risk. I know that the Bank fishery is a failing fishery fur our luiglish fisher- men but I am not in a position to say as to whether it is with theYvench I h.nk.ta matter of great importance to prevent the barring of herring, and that the Act providing against the barring of herring should be enforced From my experience, neither the people of l-'ortune or Ilermilage IJay can make a hvmg out of the cod-fishery alone. If the herring were sold at good pnces. the people would benefit by it; but the ^v.y it has been, the people have g.ven the.r labour for nothing. If the iMench could only be induced to reduce the bounty off their fish, that would be a fair ccjuivalent for us to allow them to purchase bait. I mean that in my presious statement the people could not make a hvmg by catching codfish in Tortune and Hermitage I'.ays. Tho^-e that have schooners could do as well in catching codfi.h in the Gulf and outside of tlic liay as they could in any other employment. [Xo. 1 08.] Richard Bradshaw, of Gaultois, in Fortune Bay, collector in Her Majesty's Customs, sworn, and says :— I have been living here a number of years, and have had an opportunity of observmg the fisheries. The cod-fishery has been failing very nu.ch on the shore since I have been here. It is not sufficient to make a comfortable living for the people; they scarcely e.xist. ]5ait fishes are not scarcer. Squid are more plentiful the last few seasons. I have had an opportunity of observing ^.e operation of the Bait Act. A ,.. who were interested in it' living at Ship Cove quietly backed out and never put out their seines. I think th^ French got plenty of bait for the past three years. They are not purchasing bait this nail, thinking that it will be done away with. I do not thinl< it possible for thi Government, with the means at tlieir disposal, to prevent the I-'rench from getting bait. 26 202 Kvideiu'c oil Jiuit i'lvtrtiiou Seroice. I think if terms could be arranged for thcni to pay a small license fee, and come in on the coast and buy bait, it would be far more advantageous for all parties. In my opinion barring herring in the summer time ought to be prohibited. It would be better for the poorer class of people if sein,es were abolished, and all allowed to M\ with nets. This would benefit the poor fishermen. I cannot suggest any impro\ ement for enforcing the Uait Act that would be better than in the past. [No. 109. J Michael Vavasseur, of Big St. Lawrence, collector in Her Ma- jesty's Customs, sworn, and says : — I have had an opportunity ol observing the operation of the Bait Act the past three years. It has, to a certain extent, been the means of preventing the French from getting bait. I don't think the}- got all the bait they wanted. The first year caplin were in for about a fortnight; the second year they were in for two da\s. This present season they were abundant. I don't think the first year that there w.is much bait smuggled from this vicinity to St, Pierre. The second year there was considerably more smuggled. This present year there was a great deal smuggled, .ind es[)ecially the latter part, chiefly squid. There was a coast-guard stationed the first and second year, and the present year there was a larger coast-guard than the two previous years. This coast- guard was not able to prevent them from smuggling the bait. The Hcvciilcs and Fiona used to meet liere often. 1 think, with the means at the disposal of the Government, that it is impossible to prevent the smuggling of bait to the French. The bait trade, on the whole, was a beneficial business to the people. I have no interest in the bait trade, or in any trade. I think to charge a dollar per ton for the season for all foreign vessels would be best, and more to the interest of the country than to attempt to carry out the Hait Act. There is not a person living in .St. T-awrence in favor of the Bait Aci. All here would be in favor of charging a moderate license and allowing foreigners to come in and buy their bait. I have been talking to men who have fished out of French vessels. Many of them have done poorly, but the large vessels that remained all the time on the Ikuiks and fished with periwinkle bait have done very well. This was owing to scarcity of fish. They did not complain of any scarcity of bait. <♦» [No. 1 10.] Denis Gorman, of Burin, trader, sworn and says : — I have been living here a number of years and am acquainted with the fisheries of the country. The bait trade was beneficial to the people on this coast, It was beneficial to the people of I'ortune Bay and the north side of EiHilencr on Halt ProfrHion Scrnrc 203 Placcnfa Hay, anc a c cculcd benefit to the people ,.f ]Unin. There was „o liank fishery u„t,l h.tely, and tluU. to some extent, has taken its place A ^rcat many of the people were support.! by the bait trade. I think tl^at the 15ait^ Ac has been a deeded damage to the people on this coast. Those en^a-^ed in carryn,,r out the Act did as well as they could, and I think it an utte'; in,po s.b.hty to carry .tout ICven if the bait-traffic were stopped, they could .et ba,tfron. the Magdalen Islands, Cape i'.reton. and elsewhere; and even iFi were poss.be to carry it out, I can't see hov. it would be beneficial to our peo- ple. I don t know how ,1 can be possible, with the means ..t the disposal of the Government, to carry out the T.ait Act. The ,reat mass cf the people are oppo,sed to ,t, and especially the people of small nuan. Tluy feel the loss of he trade very much. In my opinion, we ought to g.. back to 'th. .,1,1 law. and I would have no objection to a s.nall license fee of a dollar i.er ton once a jear Th,s would be a very reasonable Iicen..e fee. The hVench have had sufficient ba.t the past three years, both fre..h an.l salt ; but tiny have been somewhat in- «,nvemenced in not getting bait as early as usual, Tl,.. -hnp-keepers at St .errc have suffered nuu-e by the ]5ait Act than ih. banker. I know two or three shop-keepers who fitted out bankers from St. I'ierr... They did this because the l)rofits of their stores were gone, and they .h.ud.l ,1., it .„• leave the place. I he iMench have had a mi.Idling voyage-ne.u- about an avera.^e V'oyagc. Some of the large ves.sels have .V.n. very well. A captain .T^n Amencanfishmg vessel at St. Piene told m.- that he was fi.Mng alongside o two iM-ench ves.sels at the eastern end of the Jianks. Tlun- were ..ading their decks every day with fish caught .m periwinkle, whilst be cnuld catch no fish on caphn bait. I thhik that the French will get on with the ]5ait Act, if we continue to enforce ,t, and that it will be an injury- to ourseKes and not to them I have no personal mterest in the matter, either one wa)- or the other, and I consider It a waste of the public moneys to try and enforce the Act, for our i)eople will smuggle It there whilst a good price can be obtained for ba,t, an.l run the risk of being caught. [No. III.] Joseph Gear, chief engineer of the S.S. " Fiona," sworn and says : — I have been chief engineer in charge of the engines <,f the S.S. Fiona this .season. Ihc engines have w.>rked fairly well during the summer. They have made n"-i>-i>- -^i.^i.t- — .-n: i .. . ^nv-^ ii.i\l seven lade nearly eight niilliun revolutions since we started on the service the .venth of April last. She has gone fifteen thousand five hundre.l nfiles now U hde on the ba.t protection service, she was kept on the go all the time The engmcs were only stoppe.I ..n my account .,n two occasions; each occasion I 204 Evlthnro on liaif Prntcctiou Sfrvicc. blew out tlic boiler for a chrin;^'c of water. We liavc manafj;ccl to keep the engines iij) witliout any delay, but tliey now re(niire a thorough ovorhauhng. Seven months is prett\- hard runniiv,; on an en;.;ine witliout any o'.erhauling more than we cotdd do in spare houis. [Xo. I 1:3.1 THE NEWFOUNDLAND QUESTION AND THE COUNCIL-GENERAL OF ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON. M. Dupont, President of the Council- (lencral of St. Pierre and Miquclon, has just addressed the followin.; letter to the Minister of Commerce, Indu.stry, and the Colonies: — S.MNi' rir.Rki;, July 23rd, 1890. MoxsiKiR r.i; Mimstrk, — In accordance with the decision of the Council-General of the 23rd June last, I have the honour to forward you herewith an e.\tract from its delibera- tions, containing the resolution passed during the saitl day's sitting: — " That the rights of iM-ance on the I'"rench Shore be maintained (aviscrvcs), so that in years of scarcit\- our fishermen ma)' be able to go there and obtain supplies of herring and caplin, as nn cnnipensation could ever replace them." The author of the proposition, which led the Council-General to pass this resolution, said that the I'rench Shore was necessary to our fishermen in years of scarcity. He might have added that it will be always indispensable to them ; that it is their sole guarantee; the only thing which ensures that, no matter what laws the St. John's rarliameiit may pass, their fishery shall not be com- pletely stopped. Vou know what has caused this scarcity of late years, and what must cause it again in coming years : the 15ait Act, or law, prohibiting the export from the harbors on the English territory in NewToundland of all bait having St. Pierre and Miquclon for destination. Our vessels fell the effect of this law, which especially inconvenienced the French in 1888; and if on the J'"rench Shore bait, the most needful thin" for the prosecution of their industry, the thing which tlie\- could not do without, had been lacking, our ship-owners must have needs left their vessels idle. For- tunately the)' were not reduced to this e.xtremit)-, as, however numerous, they were able to obtain supplies at St. George's J?ay and the other ports of the cast and west coast, and so were enabled to [Mirsue their operations as in pre- ceding years. Evldcnrr on lioif Profrrfinn Sryrirr. 205 TIio difriculty of prociniiii; l)ait naturally led the fislurmcn to seek means unemployed till then. Now, experience had taiij;ht, diirins.j the season of 1888, that squid, even salted for a certain time, mi,L;ht he nsed with success, and many of our ship-owners had laid in supplies in October and Novend^cr, so that the number of vessels which went to the Gulf was materially inferior to that of the previous year. In June, however, it was diiTerent ; tlic absolute lackofcaplin on the coast of St. Pierre and i\Ii(|ueIon romivHcd many ves-u'ls to undertake the voyage to the P'rench Shore. The season of I S90 opened under more favourable conditions than 18S8 and 1889. In addition to the salted sipiids, lari^e ciuantities of herrinjjs were imported bj- the I'.nglish. who evaded the cruiser chartenxl (iiolisc) by the Colonial Goveriiment of Xewfoundland, so that there was no scarcity of I^ait for the first trip, and the j^reatcr part of the (leet were able to dispense with the long voyat^c to the west coast. l^esides this, capiin, which for several years had abandoned the waters of the colon)-, came in threat (luantities to Langley and Micpielon in June, rendering the \oyage to Xewfoundland (cast or west coast) needless for all the vessels at St. I'iirre. However, that place (Newfoundland coast) was not completely deserted iu i S90, and a number of fishermen went there to obtain the bait they needed. Although these fortunate events permitted our fishermen in 1890 to dis- pense with the trip to the ea-^t or west of Newfoundland, we must not conclude that it will be always thus, for there is no assurance that similar circumstances will occur again. The thing is possible, but not at all cert.iin, for, though there may be abundance, there m.i\- also be great scarcity of scpiid at the end of the present season, and an ecjual scarcity ol ciplin at .St. Pierre in June and July, 1891. This has occurred so manj" times, we should be aUvajs prepared for it, and act accordingly. Those who trust too much to chance would be very imprudent, and would e.vpose tluinseUes to great deceptii>ns. There is oid\' one thing on which we can definitely rely — the French Shore. If sqidd is wanting at St. Pierre in October and Xovember next, it is to the ea.st ami west coast that our ship-owners (wIki, by-the-b)e, have no choice) will send their vessels in May, 1S91, to bait with herring. In the same way they will send them there in June to obtain capiin, if that fish iloes not come in to iNIiciuelon. Possessing the l'"rench Shore, we have nothing to fear. If we lose it, all will be uncertainty ; we should never know whether we should be able to obtain sufiicient bait, and should be continually in fear that, at any moment, we should be obliged to stop. In this fishery, in fact, everything is subordinate to bait. Without the surety of finding it at a cert.iin place and time, it is impossible to risk money in vessels, whose cost is rarely under 30,000 francs, often reaching 70,000 francs. The most tenacious could not continue long. 'Jo retain the Freiteh Shore is nii absoluti iieeesiity no one eivi deny. That is the only means of maintaining our great fishery. The advantages offered by 20(i Evidence on Butt Pioledlon Service. St. Pierre, joined to the use on the Ranks of traps for taking periwinkles, which are utilized for bait, certainly help our fishermen at present, but not to such an extent as to enable th jni to dispense with recourse to the ports of Newfound- land. And is there not reason to fear the complete destruction of these shell-fish at a time not far distant? Another reason why France should keep what she possesses is that, if she yielded it, the Iviv^lish would certainly haste to take measures which would drive our sailors from the lianks of Newfoundland ; and, to do this, they would only need to re-establish the Hait Act on its first footing. Deprived of the indispensable thing, bait, our great cod-fishery will soon be over — it will have lived — and the disappearance from the waters of North America of our national colours will not long cease to be a/cu'/ ixccoiiipli. The colony of St. I'icrre and Miquelon, it is almost needless to say, too weak to sustain the confiict, since all its commerce depends on this fishery, and that it exists only by means of it, would soon be only a memory. Such would be the evil consequences of France's renunciation of her rights in Newfoundland. Men who ignore these disastrous results have spoken of compensation. I do not know what the)' might accord us, but I am quite sure that nothing could give us what we hold at present — the guarantee of being able to continue the exercise of our industry with chance of success. It has also been said that the h'rench Shore is not of much importance with regard to its fisheries of cod and lobster. Possibly ; but with regard to the Bank fishery, it is of importance, inasmuch as the existence of the latter depends entirely upon it. Where shall we get bait when the luiglish, already masters of the rest, shall have obtained possession of it? I ask those who speak of compensation. To abandon tlic French Shore to them will be to determine the end of our fishery, to condemn the French sailors to abstain from frequenting the seas, where for two centuries the maritime populations of the Atlantic coasts have found bread for their families, to plunge into misery people worthy of the greatest consideration, and to ruin those who have embarked their fortune in the Bank fishery. This is what the English Newfoundlanders want, we know. The French Shore is of little importance to them ; the more so, that they act already as though they were in full possession of it. Their real aim is to drive us from the Banks. No more French Shore means no more bait, and, consequently, no more fish for the I'rench on the Banks; in a word, no fish anywhere, luiless it is around the rocks of St. Pierre and Miquelon. This is the state to which we should be reduced. DUPONT. [i\o. 113.) BORDEAUX. renriii/tirfollo'^""''"' r'T '^"'^ ''"" '^""'""'^ '"■"'-'' <■- ^•-•-' <■-". -c V^^ TT7rT'''''^' '^■'■'"S'''""^ (■^'♦^-^^^ quintals) c.f wl,ich 39 cargo s were Iceland fish, weighing ^,,^2,872 kilogran s. These fi J el show an increase of about 300,000 kilograms, as compared with h^n y.f>57.-4i kUogiams, of which were exported to— say: I'oniiiriii L'sr 'jio '• ii„s',.,i oilier coiiiiirics Niis'iis •• ,'?•'']* 1 ■ ► , I** 7 1 ' * The export was 1,200,000 kilograms smaller than that of iSS^ v,-: ?u' ",T' ■'■ ^""- ""favorable for storing, exporters have to n^^ 208 Uvitlcncc on Butt /*i'oicdtuu Seroicc. [No. 114.] Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement of Expenditure on accouni of Bait Service Act, year ended Dec. 31, i888. 1888 • Miirch 7. 'l\> M. Moiilur, 1 Mlils ()il-cl(»||n's .510 00 AI. Ar<)iu'<»(', .") do 11 .lO M. Monroe. 1 loii^' oil-coal \ .-50 20 GO 12. 4"o flaiui'S IJaird, ^L^rocei ics [)vv I). W. l*l'0\VSL' a;} 00 Coiistahif Morcv, expi'iist's at May Hulls I 1 20 1 80 20. 'To AT. AroiU'or. 8 soil'-\\ esters :]<) 00 April i>. To liail\va\ ( 'oiiipaiiN', tickets JJ 80 i:j. 'I'o S. S. Iliiciilis and owners, per ^I. Toljin, on aeeoiint eonti'aet 2,100 00 20. 'I'o S. S. Ciir/tic and owners, (j eoii- stahles Si. riolnrs to iJui'ill 15 00 21. 'l\) S. S. /j(i(/i/ (fVo/v/-, [)er(i. AFakinson 2,500 00 28. To S. S. IJiirhii' and owners, conveying const aljles :> 00 Constable Shave, 8 days' hoard .... 2 08 Constahlc Fennan, ditto (ronle to Fortune lJa\ ) 2 08 !) k; .May !). '^ro S. S. J/rirulis, [)cr 'i\)l)in, 1 months'' service 2,100 00 12. To I'Jt'vnlini Mcrcurt/, advertising Icn- (U'rs (or steamers 8 75 IG. To S. S. Lad// (Uovd , pel' CJeo. Makin- son, em[)l()yed on service 2,400 00 IJ). To M. Fenelon iNj Co., sinulries, sta- tionery 11 2; J 8. S. (Jarhw and owners, passages of constables 12 00 Constable Hrciman, board and lodg- * ing -l .jO Conslabli' Kent, board and lodging 1 75 :52 J8 Furwai'dtd \ «),834 79 J'-^i'lihnn; on lUiil I'toh cltDii S( ri't'ct . 2()!> Finiincial Secretary's Detailed Statement~rC'«////»/^(/j 1888 ^"""""' ^"''"'-^^'^ /ormu-il ^i)^^-^^ 79 May 1!). To J. F. Cliisholm, H .li;,iii> Inr .I„(|ov I*l'OWs«.' 7. 'J «>() May 31. To C'onunaiulfr Ifoltiiison, on iiccouiit '^^''■^■'^■^'^ 100 00 rolicc boai-d, Thos. Wiilsl,, 1,-; ,]ixys r> 80 AVilliaiii Sliavc, 10 days ;{ oq fTf)lin Pc'ini, a (lays .". ^ (]() June 2. To Uvo. LusconilK', ;j k^os j,).m1 () (nhs, IKT S. S. //r/f/y Ulonr <> (jo 20 50 A.M. McKay, 1 iiioiitlis"siil.si(lyf,j,. 8.8. Favonh ] ,-^,q ^y^ G. To Jo]inSliaiiiI)lei', pcrCdiii. KoI)in<„ii, awnings, sails _' 7-1 10 IJowriiig- Urotlicis, I v.liair lK>at and 22 oai's, per .Indo-c Pi-owsc l.'jj 00 211 10 limanuL'l Tike, acling as j.jlui on board S. H.Ladu G'/onr, (U days, Mai-eli 12 to :May 12, 1888 122 00 8. To McConbivy &: Clouston, (in boxes, boiiei-s, buckets, toilet cans H oi 11. To Kaihvay Company,.'} tickets to Har- bor Grace " 5 ]() Kaihvay Company, 2 tickets to Har- bor Grace ;j ^Q lo. To boarding Constable Aspel 8 days . . 2 5G b. 8). JIcn-(i/ts, por M. T(j]jin, sub- ^ •'"'''•^'^ 2,100 00 S. S. Favorite and owners, 2.j days' liire, from IGtli May, at uoon, till June 10th, at uoon j OoO 00 8amuel Gear, bunting and pair.ting, and making -1 Hags for (Uover and IlcrcnU.^. 50 18 Forivarded liir no oT 21T •pl5,5J2 81: 210 JCcUhmr. on, Jiiiil I'rolivlioti Sn'cicc. Financial Secretary's Detailed S\atemcn{—( Con (uikhL) AiiKttnif hroiK/Zif fhni'iinf Jjj*! ;"),;") I'J 81 ISSS. fliiiic 10. To I'. »). Krily, !<► suits sit;;c Tor {'oii- >l:ililcs cnipldycd on siTvici' I I.*) 0(1 1'. Uiibi'il, sundry cxin-nscs ]',\ O.H I.S. Tit »Iiis. I'owc'i', pilot in S. S. /f( iriths iW:\ months l.";0 00 22. '!'(» S. S. (nu ijltniiiiil iiiKJ owni'i's, 2\ (lays' si'i'vico/l. It h April tolNIayT. 1,170 00 L'l (lays for :Mr. llubcil :U HO L'l (lays lor .'{ conslahlcs {\',\ 00 1,H72 5;" lif). To IhrrtiUs and owners, hoard ol' '•> nun, Sth March to June 1—207 days at Jji*! per day 207 01) J/crciihs and owni-rs, huai'd of '.i men ironi 12th ^raix-h to June 1 —2.")."; days at .Si per day 2.")j 00 And board Sub-Inspector Suiii\an, SO davs at i>^.^)0 per day 1:1:$ ')() C)nr, 50 Judge l*ro\vse, jiaynient in lull lor Ills claim on account services and expenses incurred aOO 00 :{0. To Constable :^[os.s, days' board 2 88 C. ^[acpherson, on niessa<^'es IVoni Judge I'l'OAVsc, llarljor Breton . . -t 30 (ioodlellow & Co., waterproof coat lor Ilcad-constable O'Keilly .... .i HO 10 08 Coniniander Kobinsou, on account wag-es of .") boatmen, 1st month. . 120 00 fJuly — To George ^lakinson, on account S. S. JakJi/ Glover 2,-100 00 M. House, stationery 7 oO :M. Fenelou& Co 1 00 Curlew and owners, return passage Scrgcaut Laccy 7 00 Forii'urded §15 30 21,101 57 ■Kt'n/oHf oil Ho if Prof frf inn Strrict. 211 Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement—; Confimnd.) ^'^'""""^ f"'»'!/^'f /'"ii'iin/ .SI.' .'1(1 L'l.lOl ."7 1 oon. 'Tuly 21. To Amlrcw Collins, |,il,,i, IVoin June !l to .liily !!), 10 (liiys. l)()iii-(l /,tNf,f (if"!'"- ■; '. 72 00 Cfi])laiii liohiiisoii .... -,o 00 K. J I !i I'd in;.'; 12 00 1 o/^';//r//'jin(l owners, ciihiii piixn^c o( AlKJlCW Collins |(.(ir;ii|(| |{;il7l< ,") 00 1.11 ;{(; An---. 1. To I'iid'ick Wiiisji, piloi. iHiinih,,,,,.. . S 00 (J. S. MiHi;.;'iui, siintli'ics 1(» SO S. To John Collins, s|)cciiil constMhlc .... | oo ]Srn(lgi', \vii,t;(s 12 00 S])arro\v, \va;ncs . I2 00 Cain, wages 12 00 Constable Spai'ks, arrest Captain Lewis, hi'eacli ,,1" liait Act <» 00 07 80 10. To Isaac .lansi-n, i)il(»t ;;;> so Dilt() ditto 2S .'■)0 -rolni Ilanis, special constable | 00 72 ;;o IS. To 1*. Hubert, sundry expenses )() \){ V. Hubert, si'i'vices on board S. S, th'('!lliniiii(f ()(> 1)0 110 s\ V. Walsh, ])ilot,on account advance lo oo M. Sparro-,v, [)cr Conid'r. liobinson. advances 1 2 00 liaird IJros., 1 suil oil-clothes i> ."^O P. Hu))crl, perH.:M. Customs, short paid on wai-rant, -l.'M 20 00 Commander Kobinson, .'5 mo.s' service as Su])"t. IJait Protection Sei'vice. (iOO 00 2{). To \\m. JJ. Payne, cash advanced and stores per Connnander Jlobinson. 7.~) :!() 22,1) H .M 212 Emdrnce , Service. Financial Secreta rys^etailed Statement-rc-o.//.»../J 1888. ^"""' '"'"''' '^"'"''"•' ^^-^ 22,187 :]7 Alls:. 20. ToMadlK.wMarshnll, |o, i,i,-o of o,.,n *^^ ''""■'" ■.. 48 00 ^il. To SC...V r... Co., on M<.<.<,„„, i.i..o of ^"' '^' KK /.,../..,,, ^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ''. _n. SodiTo, li>l(.o.,.a,)], iiKssn-os ii-om ]\rarcii lotli (o July '. . . ;'J7 (;;} P. M'»lioiK-y, ivpiiirino. ;,„;| aKerin...- Avhnic honi, iHT Com. Ifobinson.'. 20 00 SoplV. 1. To Captain J^.^inson. ,o pnv oil" n.n, '" '*'' ^ l':il:iiK-es ' j^^ ^.^ Capt. \ioh\vr -,n, l.ills riirnislicd C,,,- lioa(ni('ii H 10 Captain Jiol.inson, advances to V. " ^^^ ^ ^^'^'■^^'"" ■ ]2 00 3. To Sarah IToani, lod-in- for ( onstahli" tarc'w, ().") davs ... (»j »-- 4n <,) Con.slablc sc,-o.',. ci^,,,^. and part V ... ''"^'^ :. 10 00 Six- coiisiahics, 2!) days o;] i^o CoiisiahleFlynn,,..\prns,.s. l.nnrd ,^- '<'tli4Hi,U-. II days r. (,,j Iliiv ('n)oat, II days 7 „q Mrs. Maiy AValsl,, hoard and lod-.-- ^**" "^'"^ nig of con.lahh" Power, 2;5 davs. KMO '^Mmuel Collins, diH Co,. (.,vu-s\.r ,, ,„ I' ™'l' vessel -f)^ 1^. JoSnh-TnspeelorSnIlivan. on aeeonnt ol iiu'idenfals -,) ^^^ Dr. Smith, hire oC store as a place '»t lod-ino-a i)arly oCnien in ser- vice on lii(ir-t 04 1888. Sopt. 20. To Cliark's Diitol, l);il;mco ol" expt'usi's. ;} ;{() ("has. Dulot, siTviecs as iiittTpretor, re mastc'i-s oC l''r(>nc]i vessels nt l*Iaeentia 20 00 Mrs. Rouse, (or stMlionerv 4 02 Mrs. Roiis(>, nieinoraudum l)ook ... 1 2.") . . , . 20 17 S.S. ./'>//-o/7/r, boMrd ()!'() eonslahles, making- lofal of l;)7 days, at }?I . . 1,'J7 ()() 21). To Jas. Ilippisley, inveutoiy of articles belonging to and delivered up witji the French JJaid^ers r; ()(> J. W. Philips, storing goods of ih(> French schooner Aiihc.oh (> 00 iMichaei Weare, o weeks lodging and lish supplied 111 ])art y. .......... 12 L") 18 15 To Patrick Walsh, wages as pilot.. .jo 00 Railway Co., tickets to St. fJohn's and Harbor (ii-ace Junction ;{ 10 'lohn C.'hesseinan, hii'e of hoise for constable ("ain and part\- 9 20 Oct'br 1."^. To Patrick Walsh, services on l,Kiro ()1 30 FoVilifirdcil (5;.>7 r^r^'o„;,M forward ^o-j~,:,r^ 73 Oct'r lo. To S.S. Infjraham and owners ,3000 00 Pati-ielc Mur])hy, Lawn ; ' 11 00 S.S. ] 'olioifecr, passage of constable Wheeler to (ireat Jei-vis Croni St. Lawrence o 00 K._W. lionnell, lodging, and cook- ing foi- three men, ,', weeks and 1 days, at Lamaline l'> .W Novr. 20. To John Smith, owner of sclir. G'a-rlle, 21 days services, viz: from lOtli Oct. to 1st Xov., 10 days, at i^Ll l.jO 00 ditto dillo 11 days, at 810. 110 00 Albert XcAvhook, 8 days Ijoard of Tliomas AValsli - (jq Albert Xewhoolc, 1.') days Ijoard of Sergeant OIij)]iant. . .' 9 ]() Aet'g sergt. Cleary, 21 lbs. nuitton. I] 40 I V ^x^ w< ., 18 10 'f. tV W . Stewart, oil eJDtlies, ikt Judge I'lowsi' 21 17 2G. To Lad>/ Glnrrr and owners, ])alanee i'or hire of steamer, from :\[arcli 7 to July 'Jlst, 1: months and 17 dys ;{,7,11 02 Ilallet, Ixjard and lodging of constable J. Power, l.i; days. .\ . . 8 57 Hannah Payne, cooking for ])aity of men at IJurin S 00 Edwai'd ]*ike, board and lodging of constables ^o ^^^ S. S. Vohrntc^'>''«r;j 7;] Dec'i'. 1. 'Jo Jacob Sinnns, ])ilolag-e, 20 days, {^'I'eijhoiwd) \ ". ; 20 00 1. To ])r. Carey, Ibr teleg-ranis, 0;j cents; (Jonstable execntini;- wai'rant iv ^'icker.son, .';>2.20. . .')]'} 12. To Coastal Sd'am Co.. pits.su^es to St. J-i^^''''"t-^' "........" 10 .lo Powrin--. nr<,s.. \ >lieet metal ... j 02 l."> 2.") 1I>. To Jas. IJaird, l)lankel and rui;-s 1!) <)o 22. To AVilliam Collins, !() days sei'vict', schooner Barharn //t',/,s ' ]()() 00 J. & \V. Stewart ]()() 00 Iclegrani to Harbor lli'elon ()() rA) Mrs. Rouse, stationery r> 10 Xlld. Fiu'niture & Mouldiiig Co. . . 11 20 ol. To Seyot. Oliphanl, board andlodginn- in St. fJohn's o ot 0'j>j o- ^^™'''^^'^ J?i}iu20~i8 210 Ecklcnct, oa JJait I*rolcdlou JScrclcc. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement— { Continued.) Amount hroiif/Jd foniutrd Dec. .'Jl. To Sfi;i>t. Olipliant, clothin.^- lost in tliC' scliooiiei' A/iii/'t'. Lciris oj ^S;"; J. L. DuelR'iniii, l)lofl12,990 78 (Signed,) :\L T. KNICaiT, FluancUd Secrdari/. FlXAXL'JAI. Si:( KKI'AKV'S OlFICK, ) December .'Jlst, 1888. j . -tJcidcuva oil, liaU J'lvkdiou Service. 217 Financial Secreta ry's Detailed Sis.\tm^ni-( Conthmed.) ::: 1889. ::: Ffb. M. To Kewman & Co., hire ol\S. S. (Irei/- lioiiml, 17th Dec, 1888, to Jan'y 1, 1889—10 days; aiul Jan. 4 to 27tli— 24 (lays ^^200 00 J. & W. Stewart, tea, sugar and pork had for oflicers in schooner. 19 84 I'i. To M. Monroe, dories and oars bouiflit ' '*" '»1^^88 °.. 0590 Job, Brothers & Co., rugs, »S:e., had M r,^ ^ "' }^'^y ''^"^^ August, 1888 28 32 li. lo h urniture Co., mattresses 10 00 Bowi'ing Bi-os., nails and hanuner. . 2 Gl IC. To J. & ^Y. Stewart, long boat, cord- age had in June, 1888 oG 79 31. Momoe, sundries May and June 10 33 2G. To Josepli Coady, services from ^o\. 25 to Dec. 18, both inclusive — 24 days at $2G0 per inontli 208 00 27. To S. S^ Cttrkiv, from 2Gth Jan. to Feb. 25—30 days at .§80 per day 2,400 00 March 8. To Joseph Coady, provisions had in November, 1888 20 22 9. To Levi and Arthur Cluet, 22 days' hire of schooner at .'f;8.39 per day. ... 184 BS 10. To Wm. T. Dewling, making 9 Hags. . J) 00 iw. 10 Ayre iV Sons, sundries 19 98 Ditto ditto 1 53 Lewis Young, mate of S. S. luym- nam, for services in 1888 ....... K) OO IG. To Mrs. Kouse, stationery had in Janu- ary, February, Mai-ch 7 37 23. To J. A. Whiteford, opera glass IG 50 Kailway Co., tickets for police to Placentia to await Fiona 3 70 2,880 88 Forwarded .^^ igG,254 C7 ^^^ -/^vitlcnca on Bait PrukxUoa Htrolcc. Financial Secretary's Detailed S\BXQmtr\i—( Coullnutd.) iuon ^^"'^'^"^ hvouiiht formu'd j«;g,254 C7 Maix'h 2n. To]». ^riiri)liy, (J meals lor police. . . . , 1 80 S. S. Curlew, Mi days" service, Feb. 2.>tli to :\rareli l.'Jtli, KSSO J, 280 00 Ditto, on account board, as under: — Jolni hullivan, l.j days, 27tli Feb. to March i:j 1,5 00 4 oflieials, U days 17(j OO Sergt. OT>rie]i, i;3 days i;j 00 r. Hubert, 1 day . . : 1 00 Flcniing-, 1 day 1 00 Ditto, on account stoi-es delivered by S. S. Curlew to schr. Percij. . . 10 00 1,5:31 10 Sub- Inspector Sullivan, ou account incidental expenses, from ]N[ay 10, 1888, to .Arai-ch 11, 1889 20.1; 51 Lei!) Marcli m To Co.n'dor. Kol.inson, (lisbm-somcnls <<'^''"^"^v M\?, {\^ Jyr'x.s,— RocL'ivc'd pi'i- AVaiTiinl, 21.. HO 00 l>'tl<» , Tbomas S[)eanis 12 00 " '), Cieorge Cummins ^o 00 " (!, John Cii'iil 12 00 " 7, Solomon ]\[oore 12 00 " 8, Edward Harding- 12 00 " 0, John liamjjert 12 00 " -I, Tliomas ^farlin, amount ) due 20th]\[areh and paid | ., now. Amount due Apiil j '- '' 20th, not i-equired. J 108 00 Forwarded J^MOJT.SO 220 Evidence on Bait Protection Service. Financial Secretary's Detailed S\diiQmtn\—( Continued. ) $8,408 89 91G 30 300 00 107 00 Amount hroxniht fornmrd 1880. April 27. To sclii-. Pewif lion, oC IJcllcoi-am, and owner, Cliarles Hiviiton, services IVoni Decenil)er 17t]i, 1888, to April 2n(l, 1880, at ^2{)^ ])er niontli 010 00 Provisions and snpplies, Constable "^V'nlsh -JO May 2. To Sulj-Insjieetor 0. To Josei)h Isl. Power, I»ilot of arey- honnd, 83 days services \. IGG 00 (leorge p. Tayloi-, to Constable Walsh, 2 days board on the occa- sion o? FiiDft coalin<>- 1 00 Thomas Chiett, IJclleorani, board and lodging- ol' Constable Walsh, 04 days, at 80 cents per day .... 7.'5 20 Kaihvay Company, tickets for Con- stable Winslow from Harbor Grace Junction . . 2 00 W. S. Xewhook, 4 days board of Constables Dyer and Crane while waiting the ai-rival oi' Fiona 2 80 7. To Additional shore crcM', sailing west on 20th April, per Conscript : John Power, 1 month 24 00 John Rorlvc, \ month 12 00 B. Spearns, \ month 12 00 J . AV. McCoubrey 1 ()() 1.1!. To Kail way Company, 2 tickets Sub- Inspector Sullivan and Constable Fitzsgibbon to Placentia 2 00 18. To Mr. M. Collins, making two Hags. . 10 00 Mr. M. Collins, painting ditto . . 00 George Knowling's bill 3 83 Forwarded |10,041 11 80 00 78 83 J^vidence on Bait Protection Service. 221 Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement— rC'o»/;,/,«cf/). 1880 ^^'""""'^ hrovfihf forward |1(),()41 11 May 27. To Slioi-e ere\v oC S.S. Flo,m^ monllily half pay, due 2(51 h May, nainoly: Xo. 1, David CliaO'c 12 00 " 2, fjolin KcaiK' 12 00 " 3, John Spoanis 12 00 " 5, (ieorgc Ciiininins 12 00 " 0, Jolm (icMil 12 00 '• 7, Solomon Mooro 12 00 " 8, Edg-ar llardino- 12 00 '' 0, Jolm LuinlxTl 12 00 May .30. To C. D. Chandctt, provisions snpplicd constable Geo. Forward in :>[ay. . . 7 70 Additional shore ci-ew — Jolm Korke, half month 12 00 John Power, half month 12 00 B. >S])earm, half month 12 00 T 1 T> 1 . r 43 70 John raul, stove, &c 17 00 June 8. To Thos. iS'ewport, advance as sjjecial constable, Foi-tnne IJay 20 00 13. To V. Ilnbert, teleo-i-ams from Januarv IG to Maich 18 '. jj 50 -Xewman & Co., sundries, paint, oil. () 27 Volxnteer, lvc]}yht, 2()c.; Conscript, passag-c, .5]]. no 1 1 -^0 20. To Jos. M. Power, pilot Lad/j Wover. (50 00 Passage of additional crew, Captain English — John Power 4 qO John Korlvc 4 00 B. Sj)earns 4 oq Jas. AValsh , j (X) Railway Comjiany, passage of Sub- Inspector Sullivan from Saint John's to Harbor (frace Junction 2 00 78 00 Forwarded ^U)^m^ 222 Evhlevce on Duff J^rofn-fion Service. Financial Se cretary's Detailed Sia{tment-( Con imned.) 1889. ^'"''""' ^"'""^'^'^ fonran/ .^lo^-jot o? Jimc 20. To (i. Makiiisuji, hiiv L,«h/ f,'/orrr . . ' ') ono 00 -O. lo Mioie ci'ow J' tenia- - Moiidily li!iir-})iiy, (liio -liiiic 2(5: Xo. 1, Diivid Cliali'c T^ 00 !' 7 ;!,?''" '^^''"' • l5 00 ' •), J nomas S])cwinis 12 00 '* n, (Jt'o. Cuminiiis ;12 00 '' t*' '!"|"^ '"^''"^ • l5 00 <, Solomon ]\[o()i't' ]o 00 " H, Ktlo-ar jrardiiio- 12 00 " 0, Jolm liainlKM'l 12 00 TW / ... ^<> 00 V olunher, jyassagc oi Sro-l, ( 'li;mecv to ITarl)oi' Briton \ ;} ^q June 20. To adilitional slioiv cicn-, lialf-nav duo June 2!)— 13. S])canis 12 00 Jolin Jloi-ke 12 00 Jolin l*owt'r '\ 12 00 Ar n 1 . '^J^ ^^ IM. lu'iu'lon. slalionery and kiiiCc. . . S 20 July 10. To AVin. Hradsliaw, on account casli iv- coivcd ])y Connnandcr Robinson. 2."5 00 ].']. To John Candle, for jiousc-ivnt in Round Hai'boi- 1 1 ()(> 1."^. To C'o;/.vr;v>/,])assage constable Cloaiv, IJurin to St. John's \ ;} OO Hei'gcant ()]i|)hant ." 4 ;-;o 10. To Thomas Xcwpoi't, special constable 1(5 ()() 20. To (Jc.o. IJradlc.y, 11.'} days" b,>apd and ^'^ "'^^ lodo-mo- constable Carew St. Law- rence, at TOc. i)er day loo 10 Emanuel Pike, board and lod^i^ino-. 110 days, constable Cai'ow . . ." . ."" d;} 00 27. iMichael Conieiford, service as special constable on board Ldih/ G/orrr. ^''^ ^^"y« ■ s;j 00 240 10 Forwarih'd i6iT'77q~q^ Ji!vi(lcuce on lilrri;on Srnu'cc. 22;] x-^inancial Secre tary's Detailed Statement-, r,>..//,.w.) 18S0. ^^'"'""^ ^'""'^^^ '^'""'"''^ l,ilip Po.vn-, pilot, /.,,/y (//.,.,. 102 00 /vcx.v— Paul per WiiiTaiil 202 (jo ()(> 0. Tu J. W. Sndei.,. Idc-rams, Fel,. 11th "*^' ^'*^ <«'^^f'»y-'-"^tI> 1;^ 14 I*. IIiilxTt, Iflforams, May 2:]n\ to '^iilyHll, ' - r)(; An--. 21. ToThomas \ew])ort,,sp«.ial(., ditto .SKJ ;{o 00 -). Jo L.ipt. Jacob Siiiiins. svvyu-v as pilot on sIc'iUiK'i- (it'fii/iniiitd 22 00 Hmaniu'l Piko. hoi.rd and lod-in<>- of ^ ( onslabk" ( 'aivw, 02 days.'. . ". . . (j | .|o o . . r., ^'^•^'''^^'' '"""■'•' ^^»'v''^i'i'M't^)li])liant 2 10 ^q. ir. 2. To J. Sullivan, Snb-Insp.etoi-, c-.xponsos ineiM'ivd on board Lndii (,'lonr, Ironi :\Iay 2nd to July 22nd ' ol -12 V:r. JI.ikMisoi), m sett leniciil ofelaini ^^ fo'-provi^sionssupl'd to lan.l parties iqu 00 'i. lo >. .s. /,,/,/y ^7o^^/•, sc'i'viffsSldays at.'S.OpiTday -SSO 00 -'^' •■*■"■— '*i>nl |HM- Wairanf, 2i)2 2.000 00 .>. .>. ./yr/^/y (,^J(Vy■J,oal■din^^•ollic•^•^s ;"5!)-J (J() Provisions " 1 < i*- 11 ih) 7. To John Paul, tlour and oars . . ^?o J^. iJ. Jo A. 1. Acnhook, on aco't ofdiftiu"- prisoners 7;{S days, 2)3 ets. p,- da^^ IG!) 74 Dictin- .-; days, Avhile in Hi-. Kriton ;} .'>{) Dietuig-, 10 days, l^honias AValsh . . V,i .'JO 180 o4 Forwarded cM"^7~;r[ .>r<,8oi ;30 224 J^'i'nhnn on Unit /'rotirtion Sm'lcc. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement — ( (.'ntillinied.) Awoinif hroiif/fif forii'nrd |17,8{)4 ilO Si'j)'tr. 12. To ('<)imiiJMi(Ui' lioljiiison, axAx acf'l, ir advimcc 'JOO <>7 CoinniiiiKUi' liuliinsoii, ditto 110 510 (j2u :w Capt. 10. Mn^Tisli, to pay c-ivw as piT slati'iiu'iil and receipts 7().'> \ii •lanu's AV'alsli, lialaiice ol" waj^x-s, April 20 to All--. 22, per slart . . 02 00 '\\ XoAvpoit, do., Julv 22 to Aug. 22 21 00 v^^^ "If; 17. IJoaid, 1"] rikf, :JI days, at 70cts. 2170 Oft'br la. To passage i)er Volnnln r (50 NovV II. To E. Pike, boarding Con. J.awlor.. . 42 70 20. Capt. Kol)inson, Tor sei'viees 847 00 021 00 2:5. H. IJenni-tt, :5 days board & lodging 2 10 27. Capt. (urtis, S.S. /vw/y r//o(v/-, for .services ' 100 00 Dec. 0. 1\) Doct(»r Sniitli, advice received, per AValsli, pilot 1 00 Thomas Cluett, IJelieorani, board and lodging AV^dsh (H days .... 48 80 12. To 1). W. Trowse, visiting Placentia . 100 00 2ol 90 31. To constable Thomas Walsh, per ^\. Fawcett, provisions, A:c ;"> 07 Constabnlary account ; this amount on acc't protecting Bait Service 2,:j;}:J 47 2,330 14 122,907 82 Slcanishii) Fiona's current accoiuit . 17,.'>82 92 {?40,490 74 L<:ss this sum on ekction account . 1,800 00 $38,()30jr4 JOHN STUDDY, Financial Hecretai'ij. FiNANciAi. 8kci:j;taj;v\s Oi-fu;k, 1 Decendjcr 31st, 1889. ( ^ _ J'JcH/nnr n„ Hail riuUrllu,, Srrrin •>.>-. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement of Exnenditu^nn Account of S.S... F iona,- for the Year ended Dec 3^ "sag "I 1888. ::: Dc'cV. 2S. To S.S. Caspian mm.I (.w.uts, on ac- eoimt piissii^^c iii(.iu-y (.(' Captiiin Iliseock and ninu saiNiis ;;.-,,; ),j Cash advanced Captain Ilisooc-k. . . li>o Oi) Cash advanced on wa"vs- Charh's J fall, | month |(] .s,) Gooi'-o (.'ally, 1 month h; |so Ucoi-o-e ]}anvtt, .] month s |() 'M. To Londun and nVslniinstrr Hank of "^^ ^^' l^ngland, .eiV);;() Sto- 9^7,^, ,,^, (Signed,) :M. T. KXKJIIT, l^'uKdidal Scarf art/. ln\A\riAi. S|.:(i;|.:tai!v's ()fi.|c k, j JU.st Dcceniboi-, 1888. | 29 Evidence on Bait Proledion Service. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement — (Continued.) ::: 1889. ::: Jan'y 23. To Shea & Co., IVolglil of goods Feb'y. 7. To II. J. Stabb, piv[)anng papers Fiona Shea «fc Co., passage from Halifax to J Liverpool, (icorgc Knight, steward Ck'orge Knight, travelling expenses Captain Hiscock 10. To Connnander Kobinson, wages for crew Commander Kobinson, wages for erew March 2. To E. English, brls. potatoes Dundee S. & W. Fishing Co., 11 tons coal, §0.50 15. To Connnander Robinson, on account current expenses W. & G. Kendell, paiut and oil ... 11. J. tStabb, potatoes II. LeMessurier &; Son, ilonr Thorburn & Tessier, sundries Thorljurn & Tessier, "' Goudie & Diamond, " Michael Connors, beef Barnes & Co., tinned meats Victoria Engine «fe lioiler Works, 131 50 2 10 30 00 7 20 12 00 50 00 70 80 11 iO 200 50 r)5 17 5 00 27 80 10 52 10 31 15 00 94 30 sundries. Connnander Kobinson. ditto ditto ditto ditto 80 87 31) 30 515 20 192 00 213 13 183 10 120 80 280 90 100 00 221 70 120 17 Forwarded 920 03 {S;i,9G2 3G Evidence on Bait Protection Service. 227 Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement— (Continued.) 1889 ^"'""'"^ ^"'"""'^^'^ forward .c;] i)^^! ,% March 15. To T. & M. AVinlor, pork ;n r.o T. & M. AVinler, pork and biilU-r. . 2G() 00 J. A, Edons, kcroscno oil i.'j ^sj 23. To Municipal Council, watorino-hoiloi-s 4 oo ^\. D. Kin<4s\vor(li, cliicC cn<;inc(T. (j8 04 .'50. To Xo. 11, AV'ni. 7']a^an, due Api-il 1.. 12 ()() " ].">, Cioorg-c r.aiTctl, do .. S 10 " 10, John Moore, do .. S 10 28 80 10, J{. (i. Lewis, niak\ Api-il 1 15 (iO l.'i, (u'o. Collins, duo Ai)i-il 1,. S |0 21 00 April 1. To (ioorg-e Kn,,wliii^ linoleum, rui>s, hlaidvets, &c " " 40 ^^-j Gcorg-c Knowlin-;-, ditto ditto <) 00 ditto Drawknife. . . i 25 <'itto Wire ,r;() No. 12, Chas. .Aliller, stewart, Apl. 1 2t 00 17. To II. LcMessurier & Son, 1 bris lloui' 27 SO II. ff. StabI), 1 bi'ls. potatoes s 00 aO 40 18. To Commander Jiobinsou, balance of disbursements, over and above the .'j;i00 advanced March 8, 'SO (is S2 Commander Kobinson, in advance. to meet current expenses 100 00 108 82 Messrs. Campin & ^'icholson, (Jos- port, advances nuule to stoker of ^'"«'"< 8(] 10 Forwarded ^"^ 2,71 1 27 ^ J^vidence on Bait Protection Service. Financial Secretary's Detailed ^XaXQm&nt— (Cont inn, d.) ^^'^^""^ ^»'""!jfd forward {ii;8G 10 2,714 27 A])ril 18. To C'lias. Wilkins, second onginccr, per .v. irarvev & Co., passage per s.s. Conscript, fioin Saint Jolin's to Il'il'f'i-^' 18 00 Clias. Wilkins, per Shea Sc Co., pas- sage to Liverpool :{0 00 ('has, Wilkins, cash for sell", on i)ri- vato account (50 C'lias. Wilkins, to ])ay fare from Liv- erpool to (iosport 7 20 lol 20 20. To Dundee S. A: W. Co., for coa! 1^8 20 Geo. Kniglit, stewai-d, pei- ITai-vev & Co., passag-e to Halifax ". 18 00 Clias. AVilkins, 2nd engineer, paid Thos, Keale, 1 Aveek's hoard '., .jO 470 70 ratrick AValsh. i)iIot, half-pay, due ^^i"''i 2<; OQ Q(^ W. D. Iving-sworth,(Xo. 17), chief engineer, due A])ril 10 ()8 04 ^Monthly half-pay, due May 1st— Ko. 10, \i. C. Lewis l.Ti 00 " 11, A. King, cook 12 00 " 12, Chas. :MiIler, steward.. . . 24 00 " 1;5, Ceo. Collins 8 40 '' 11, Walter l':agen 12 00 " 15, Geo. IJarrett 8 40 '' 10, John ]\rooi'e 8 10 88 80 Xo. 1 1, A. King, cook, due Apl. 1 12 ()(► May 2. To T. & ]\r. Winter, on account pi'ovi- slons, A]iril 8 240 01 Forwarded .c;2|0 01 '^M^0^ J^vitUnce on linH Proh^dloa Service. 229 Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement-r6'o/^/;>»,.,/). 1880. ^"""■"' ^"''*"^l^'' f'»'>''"'-'l .%>10 01 .5:3,5-14 01 May 2. To Jainos Stoll, Sundries, :\rMr(-li 2.";tli and April S _ 40 57 ^ricliiic'l Tliorbtini, (hr piiymcnl as under — Peter Collins, puKino- YXt tons coiil on Ijoard hri^t. AV'r.y/ ;>;"> 10 Insuranee on coal, .'^l,!!!!) at 1 }, ])r et. 22 00 l/>. To Commander Robinson Dundee 8. & ^\. Co., TO."; tons AVelsIi coal, at .*?().50 pel- Ion 27. To IJarnes ,t Co., fVei-lit of 105 tons coal (o Ilarljor IJriton, ])er hrij^-t. /iV/.^Y^ at .Sl..";o per ton f. . 20. To AV. D. Kingswortli, (N"o. 17), cl.ieC engineer . . Patriek Walsli. pi|,,t 'Tnnel. To Mont lily liall-pay, diu- 1st June:— Xo. 10, \{. Ci. Lewis I,'] 00 " ]1, A. Kino- ^2 00 " 12, Charles :\rilier 21 00 'Ml 58 100 00 1,207 50 202 .50 07 70 .']0 00 f»T rr. '• i:j, Geo. Collins, 8 -10 " 11, Waltei' I']a--en jo 00 " 15, (ieo. !J..,rren "' 10, .lolni Moore .... 7. To Xo. 1(), ,1. Moore, halanet' of wa^vs (Voni March 1st to -Iniie 1st?. . Andrew Keenan. cal) hire, to and from Foundry 1'). To Clias. Ellis, niakin^- coi)|)er lunnel.. Jacob Jenson, '.V\ days' labor, re])air- ing- and i)aintino- "boat 8 40 8 10 88 80 22 51 80 10 :u) • > <;> 7''orHU(f(hd 811 85;ii;5,700 0() ^3Q Ev idence^ on Bait Protection Service. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement— f Co»i^«»iefZ.j -iQon ^"^^""^ hroiKjId forward |14 85 |5,7G0 G6 loo!). Juno 13. To Thoi-buni & Tesslcr, manilla and calico 24 72 W. & G. Eoiulcll, paint and brooms 5 50 Shea & Co., passage per Peruvian, two firemen G7 20 Receiver Genei'al 2 00 15. To James Baird, groceries, butter 84 23 II. AVhitten, fireman, 1 month, from 1st June 22 SO Union Bank, freiglit, liose and small case, Avith pump j, 76 Ill 70 W. D. Ivnigsworth, chief engineer. G7 7G Patrick Walsh, pilot, due 2Gth June 30 00 97 76 July 1. To Monthly half-pay, due 1st July :— iS"o. 10, K. Lewis 15 GO " 11, A. King 12 00 " 12, Chas. Miller 24 00 " 13, Geo. Collins 8 40 " 14, Walter Eagen 12 00 " 15, Geo. Barrett 8 40 80 40 13. To A. Harvey & Co., 30 bags bread . . 67 5L' 18. To T. & M. Winter, tea and sundi-ies.. 74 03 \^\ 53 2G. To Patrick Walsh, pilot, due this date. 30 00 AY. D. Kingswoi-th, {^o. 17) chief engineer 67 7G August 1. To monthly half-pay, due Aug. 1:— iS^o. 10, li. Lewis 15 60 " 11, A. King 12 00 " 12, Chas. Millei- 24 00 " 13, Geo. Collins 8 40 " 14, Walter Eagen 12 00 " 15, George Barrett 8 40 80 40 forwarded f6^4~57 Evi de nce o n Ba ll Protection Service. 231 Financial Secretary's Detailed S\B.\tm&n\—( Continncd. ) 1880. ^"'''""'^ ^'■''''^^'^ forward .' . . . |(j,484 57 Aug. 8. To Tlie Xalioiial Steam Coal Co., 239 ^/°"« ^'O'-*' 1,129 10 15. To T. «fc M. AVinloi', suiulries, pei- S.S. Volunteer to Burin 327 13 W. & G. Kciuloll, varnish & IVeight 8 CO T. & M. "Winter, sundries G7 30 27. To W. D. Kingsworlli, (Xo. 17) chief ciig'iicer 67 ^-g Patrick AValsli, i)iIot, due Aug. 20. 30 00 31. To monthly half-pay, due Sept. 1:— Xo. 10, K. Lewis 15 (jq " 11, A. King 1200 " 12, Chas. Miller 2^ 00 " 13, Geo. Collins 8 40 " 14, Walter Eagen 12 00 " 15, Geo. IJarrett 8-40 80 40 . To Thorburn & Tessiei-, message sent to Greenock, enquiring about sheath- iug foi- Fiona 14 25 . To Conunander Kobinson, as under Balance, cash account, May 31. . 90 38 ditto ditto July G... 70 52 100 90 Cash account, in advance, as [)c'r ^ statement 329 39 Conunaiuler Kobinson, advance, to pay as under — Joseph AVliitten, bal. due on year 1 20 ^^•tto > month, Aug. 8 12 00 tlitto ditto Sep. 9 12 00 Coastal Steam Co., passage of Jos. Whitten to Harbor Briton 7 .TO '^^'^'^(i^'ded $32 70i8^099~40 Sept ^i?_. ii^vV/o/cY. on Bait l^roUHlo,, Hcrvlvc. Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement-rC'o;*//;,,,,,?.; 1880. ^^^"""'"^ '"'""''''' '''"'"'""' ^"^^ •^8,000 40 Sq)t. 12. To IJolxTl (iivc'iif, 1>M,1 eii-inciT, hn\. ;ince ofwMgvs, ;is jkt stiitciuent. ' 5!> 27 'i().>q)li(u'ai-, 2iul(.ii.;iiu.. T, (inplac-e of Ciivi'iK') for f.\|K;,sos I)v rail- way <() IMaec'iitia " .j^ qq -J. J u 1. cV M. \\ iiiU'l-, ])i()visioii,s !)9 81 27. To V^\ D. Kino-,>suortli, diieC ciioinoc.r, half-pay (hie >Sc-i)tL'i)iI)t>r 2(3 07 70 I.^Vasl,, do 221day,s, al.^J..7(i ^i'^'"^'"y !ij?:m no ^c-'^*" :m 00 '1. & W. Pitts, hutivv, S:c :4 9^ W. A: (J. liciidt'Il, paint ]5 (j() Of 11 rr ,, . ^-^2 Gl ix'i. n. lo l>oy Lt'wis, 7 iiioiulis, at .SI2.00 less advaiKc, .SO.OO [ .' 7.> 40 If. LoMc'ssiii-itTiV: Son, Hour, &c-.. . 8."; 70 Marcli it Sons, l;{ i,,|,s coal 88 40 m '^'"-^ ^^- ^^''"'^■'■' ^i'"*li'i^''^ iKilancu. 151171 14. lo monthly hall-pay to (MoIht 1 80 40 15. W. J). f\in-s\voitli, c-hifl' c-n-inwr [KT f'nion IJank " _' (j- 7(j Micluifl Connors, nK-at from March to Sq)tcMnbL'r -qi >>,) 1.^ lo Jiowi-ni- IJrotJK'iV account 320 G8 ii5. AV. & a. Ucndcll, varnish i;] ^q 20. Xowman, labor and .storage of coal for yioiiii jp^ u- ^51. To Connnander Kobinsou, cash acount disbursements .j^jj p-y Xov. 1. To Com. Jiobinson, monthly half-pay. . 148 1« 0. C. h\ IJemiett tt Co., butter 28 02 ''^- <^'j;2.00— less .S8.00. . . 138 00 11. lo wages paid by Captain English to ci-cw of Juona (less advances to 30 §53,055 13 'j^^ J^videncc ou Halt Proluiam St rc'nx, Financial Secretary's Detailed Statement—, (',>,nh„h,l.} Anion lit hraiKiht I'orn'unl 'i^'.'Un"; (•! Dec. 14. 'Vo nMiiU',J<)lmsi,,iuV:(J().,(u(lii-li. iV:,-. ' ,■;■' '-"^ 27. T. MoMuid.. & ("o 2 JO 2S. Mrs. Clark, Avasliinn- lO 1,"; 20. Tlioi'burii & Testier, ;i> ])rr ncc't . . 2 ,"50 •H. J. '\\ l[()r\v(juil, baker l'O Un (Joiidie &. J)iaiii()iu], {iiisiiiiili> . . . . 20 0(i Jlucrivfr (u'licral, wni^vs, &.v 1');} ()2 lleeeivoi- ( ioiiural, eii,^iiu'fr's w;ii;\'s G7 7(5 J. ir. Martin & Co.. :> f:w I)riislies. 1 20 070 17 ^ , . na,72.i; GO Vvf'.s.s tills Sinn eliargx'd lo L-kctiun expenses, (see Bait I'rolection). ditto cairiod to IJait Tiolection. . 17,;jS2 92 The suni of .s;3(V1.12.GS, includes alterations, eqni[)incnt and stoivs in England.... .s:](;;i:12 08 JOHN .STUJ)DY, Financial Skcuktakv's ()i fki:, ) ttiuaij. December :jlst, ISS^). | Evid ence on BaU Proledinu Service. 235 [Xu. 115.1 FIONA AND PARTIES. 'riu'rcc(linL;-Mi„l,.x-,,^,nM.(V(,m(\)iiiinaii(U'i- \loh- inson's nccoimls ol' ih,. Shoiv I';irlics, is. . <^()2] <)(J ^^'"" 'l''t'> Con^lahuhirv, ( which suiu is cIlM.-rd t.. the. /Vo;,./), is . , -;7o 7,) jjjjj^.jjjo ({(J " FIONA *' A(((»( NT. ~ 111 tiic Financial Slalcnicnl 0!' Dec. aisf, 18SS, wc find 8;!,";().Hi passa-v oC (tcw, which 'Trow" shouhl lie iv-ardcd as an cMraordinjirv c\- IK'nsc, and wiaUcnln capilal willi SKI.lOO.KJ ^-'"I'l''"!- CapiUil. . ,J"^''* '■""' • SHy 00 SIOJOO 10 In Financial Stalcnicnt, | (irccidicarl .^1.77S ()•> Xov.ll,\SJ),w(.f 1,1(1 I Fivio-hi . , . I,-; (50 materia! 1 hat may \ La.h.'ir 12 20 or may ni>t l)c uscJl | ^_~_ written to capital. I i,s(l,- 82 1 SO."* 82 In the same way the cost ,,r i|,(, ^liip shonld he wj'itl('ii1oca[)italJ)ii! the snm oCS:;(;j.|2 ()8 Mill he reduced hy ... .■).<)22 91 .").()•>•'> \)\ r,,, . , -"-"il!' "I ;)0,.-519 71 } lie prop')ili<)n ol the sum expended hy me in lilting- the vessel out, which should be written to ctn'renf e\[)eiise, sneli as insur- ance, wao-es in Xov. and Dec, 1888, stores, food and expense. In order to lind the current expense, we mus( reduce Die total cx])ense (A' Fin„(i, 8,");!. 72.") (iO hy (1. K. c.xpeiididiiv ■ 81.102 ()(> 1 1,281 II (Jreeidieart \,'^[)~) 82 ' <^'"-^l • . • ;!0,Yj2 ()8 /■Vo//./ 20,000 ;)8 8i2,12.'> 72 T^'ti'i'i'- Capital Arcoiml .. . ■J2,-I:">.j; 7*> F!<>„„, "88.810,21)2 10 IJal. of IJait: Seryice. . 17,':}87 ~>1 - -SO. .■5:5,72000 Constabularv :},.?AS «•> IJ. Sr., -81). 22,007 82 Shore parties ^{^1 o^ J-^i'>i"i 20,'oG9 .S ^^_''^''j^ ^ •|'''"5//, stoivs .... .fcio ^i Mar. 2.*]. " ,lit(o ,1„ y. ^.^. •JO. " Aclvaiioe f)(' j^q " Job's aeconiit 10 jO Api-il 2(). " Fox, (loiios ' " " " " 2(i 00 " ^^<^vancc ,._, ]l^ (,^ .t?28(J (X) 27. " Schooner 2*err,/ Jio,/, paid ofl'. .... <)l(j '.]9 May 7. '" Advance, new ei-cw {<) oo 27. " Advance '. *. oj. ()(, •30. " Advance ^j-j r-^ Jnno 8. '' Paid Xc'wpoii ..!!...... ;}7 OO ],14:] 08 13. " Voli(nte<'}', passage of men 1] 70 20. - Advance i(. „„ 20. •' Advances jj^; q() 20. " Advance ;>(j ^jq Jnly 13. " Candles, rent '[] 00 10. '• Newport !(• Qo 18() 70 Ang. 21. " Xewi)ort 4(j qO 'Sept. 7. " Pan), oars jg ^q 12. " Wages balance 88] ] j Doer. 0. "Dr. Smith \\ ^ oJ, ok; .I.T Total derived from Bait Service. 2,oG2 .33 To llent, stoi-es, snndries (i.K. acc't .'ill 20 " Food, 10 men, 141) days do. . . 401 70 " Food, 4 men, li;3 days do. .. 110 00 021 00 Total cost of Shore Pai'ti(>s .|3,484 20 Eviihnrp on Bait Prnfrctin Srrn'ce. CONSTABULARY. 237 1889. ]Vri.r. 23 30 Api'il 2() Mn)^ () JllllO 20. July l.K Alio-. 23. Sept. 11. Xov. 14. Doer. 31. Api-il 20. From Half Scvrln- Arrnnnt. 'IV) Kaihviiy Cinv, jiiid iiicals $ .T 50 " Fi(z<^or)il(l 1111(1 Wiiislow, hoard . . 22 84 " ^''^■"'•>' "s 00 f^^"'"^'' 100 Walsli and Xcwliook, Iioard 80 00 (Jloary, passii<^o 3 80 " Cloary nnd Oliplmnt 7 50 " ( 'arow, l)oar-8 111011, 134 days.. 442 20 '' Cost o flood i no- 5 111011, 70 days.. 115 50 Total oost of Constahidary. ....|3,528 G2 T Total of Shoro Parties |3,484 29 rota] of C(Jiistabidary .'},528 02 0,912 91 Shore Parties from Kait Sorvieo...f2,5G2 33 Constal)ulary ditto ditto .. 2,957 92 Palanee of T3ait Serviee aoeouiit.. 17,387 57 r,nu fion-i,-,. 122,907 82 Tneludino- about |3,842.10-1888 aee't. S. S. Cndcw 3,910.00 '• L(uhj Glover.. (),089.00 Judge Prowse 100.00 lOxponses of the Siil)-Tiisp(.c-tf)r and otlier matters. 2:{s En'ddirf on Halt /'foltrfion Si ri'irr. [No. 1 10.] Return furnished T. R. Bennett. Esq., Commissioner re Bait Protection Acts, according to request made the Hon. the Receiver General, March r4th, iSgo. l.— yV'/a/ ii„„„l!hi nf /'V.sV/ r.rpnn'.J u„h ;i< ,n\ fnni, .fa,nHi,,l /sf, fSS.', I,, lhn,ul„i- :Usl, ISS'.i. 1885. i ISSd. ISST. 1S88. ' ISS!). l,:J7s,(;!»7.,iisj;;iijs(),jiis. |JlS(^(iL>|,,,lsJJ7:,.7L'o,,t!s. i,07.-..-(i7,|ts U.— (^,1(1, lilt II d( and for tin iniiliriiinitlniiril ('oim/riis. lss(;. 188." i|l!^. 1887. 1S88. 1889. qtls, ' ,|tN. ,|tl.;. ,,,,^ r. Kiiio(l,„„ 7|;;i,7 ,;(,:.o^ (;,j(„„, y,,;^,.- -,, ,,,^ ;•":">" I".87.-) lLVJ:>7 I8,l();j :.'i;n8 '>:vh)<) r.Miilc.... L>(;.S(I| .-(M):!| ;;i..-27 |l>S()() .^i'mi •''"^•'.^•'«.... l,L>'i<;,(ill i.lM •_'..-)(;.-. :»(;:;j;;i i,(i:.'s.7;;7 Ddioso K."78,()!)7 l.:;ilJS() l.oso.OLM I,17.";j2<) l.()7.',."07 J 1 1 . — . I I'l ri/f/r- Lntiil I'rins. 188,1. J88U. 1887. , 1888. 1880. !5:5.IO ,„T .,11. ^X:,{) ,»,,• (,tl. 8;!.i»(l jK.r ,,tl. 8l.:i()|K.r.,tl.>:;i.0() ,HT (|(1. A'n'i/i ''//'•' "ti Hinl l',<,l,l>< rlil,,., of (;,, (Joilsl, hij III, Pod- iss; iSS(i INS7, I^^S. J88f). (•ri'iil J'liUTiiiia . I^itllc I'liicnitin . iJInck K'ivcT .... Harhor HudV'tl, . . Odt'riii 1' (|IU fSIIIK i>iiriii, Si. J jawrc'iii'c, ic i^ainalii ("I'aiul l>iiiik Foi'diiK' . . . . I'lislitiiroiiiili Si. A lC'(|lUv Harbor Hi'iloi Ciaiilluis . . . ^ ."51 IS ;5i(; IS I ■' S cS|() 4 2!) l.",i) 17 lOS (i.hS .»!)( I, SI!) 7J7;; 21 1 i.!»; ID 10 s.s, J?12,l-ll ! 81(;,ii27 822. 1 1 10. > S 7!)2 )0 2i> _<).) Km Ml') 1.102 2.')7(i I, CI!) ■;•' "..)•• !i;;2 !.'J22 i',()!!) ifjo 2 Mi ,72."5 ins •'••"'<» 11.2!)!) ||,'"07 l,!).V.) >0j ^ .S--"i,700S21,7(2 CisToM IfoLsK, St. a :n ovonibor 11, ]S()0. OlIN S. APPENDIX^ INDEX TO EVIDENCE. f APPBNDIX. <♦! No. ■ _ . ,. I r, ,. PA(iK 1. Hobcrt S. JIiiiiii, Hailxir (inicf, iin'iclmnt 44 2. KiclmnlO'Xi'il, Ilaiborfiraro, Imiikoi' ,-,0 ;!. HociorCiirlis, irarliordi-iicc. inasUT of aiot-rr ,-,0 4. JaiiU's Mcdnitli, OiUMiii, (•(mI1llis^i<)H(■l• .-,.1 r,. .laiiics Ilippislc. , iiar1i(.r(!nicc, iiinjiislrati' ,-,9 (i. (Jcorirc I'idcllv . Ilarlior (irac'c ■ ,>o 7. Alfivd l''ifi;,:i, lislicniiaii, Ilaibor Grace pi fi. Hiflmni ,J. Adams, lishcrinuii, H!iil)()i' (iracc o,-, 0. Conininiidcr I{()I)iiis()n, 1!.N*., tst. .lolin's ,-,■ 10. Ili'iiry W. Lf.-Mfssiii-icr, St. Julm's, broker 94 11. Cliarlos Tcs.;icr, iiicirliunt, St. .Tolin's ,,^ 12. James V. Fo.\, iiicivliaiit, St. Jolni's ^qq 13. Edgar I{. Howriiiu, iiitrcliaiit. St. .John's j,-,, U. Moses Monroe, mereliaiit. St. .Toliii's jq- IJ. Henry C. (ioodridi^e, inereliant, St. .Foliii's 107 l(i. Georj^e A. IInteliinj;s, nierehant, St. .Tolm's joi) 17. Neil Canii)bell (Haiiie, .Jolinsloii .<; Co.), St. .Toliirs nj 18. H. W. lloberlson (,T. .*i W. SteAvart), St .Tolin's nt) 19. Kdwin ,T. Dnder, nierehant. St. .Tolm's p,^ 20. Snb-Iiisiieetor Snllivan, SI. .John's ]„.j 21. " " 12(! 22. William Kelley, tide-waiter, St. .Tohn's j29 2;!. IJichard Lewis, mate of S.S. /•'( 2J. .To.sei)li Gear, llrst enjtineerS. S. /••(■'))((( j.j.. 2,-.. Thomas I'yiin, tidewaiter, St. .Tolm's j^;; 2C. I':ii Tuck, tide-waiter, St. .Tolin's jgg 27. John Crane, constalile, St. Jolm's ]•>- 2,s, Georu;e (tlipliant. ser>,'i'ant ;patricl<, planter, I'lacentia \iUi 4-.. Patrick Jlurphy, planter, Little Placentia . ' ■ • • • XoH 4(1. William Power, planter, Placentia ma; 47. Patrick Power, planter, Placentia . l.".(; 45. Alphonsns Keats, iia.Ier, Little Placentia 49. Thomas ])unphy, planter, Placentia .... 50. Uichard McGrath, Oderin, Placentia Hay ... •. 158 51. Charles Cliambers, Harlwr UnflHt, Placentia liay . . . .„., 52. Albert lla.in, planter, Harljor JJnIlett,, Placentia Day j.jo 53. KdwardUnrton, planter, irarlK,rJ5ullett, Placentia nay . . . ,(;;( 54. Kmanucl IJrinston, planter, Sound Island Ui.t 55. Philip Crown, i)lanter, Sound Island 5C. James Ilollett, Sound Island . . 1114 57. John Barry, planter. Muscle Harbor 58. James Miller, planter, Muscle Harbor Hi. I 50. William Collins, planter, lluriu . UW flO. Edward Reid, llsherman, Kurin \iW CI. George Inkpen, planter, Uiirin . I(i7 02. Georsro Bishop, magistrate, Iturin ... ](;« - ^^'DEX OF EVIDENCE. Xo. y^ . Samuel Tibbo, planter, Grand Itank . . . '' ^^ .-0. Hichard West, planter, Hay L'Ar^a-nt ......'...." ' ' ' ^'^ «1- Henry Giovaninni, trader, Kuncontre . ''" ■ • • 180 ''<2. John Pitman, phinfr, IJencontre ^'^. Patrick irartigan, planter, Uencontrc . . . . " ,' ^^^^ •'^ J- Benjandn Keeping, planter, Kencontre... ln'> ''"• *''^''""'' Ke..ping, planter, I{..ncontr.. . . . , «<1. .V„gustineM„llins, planter, Keneonire '..._"__ " ' ''^^ «7. .Alexander Kose, planter. Helleoram • . . . 181 ■^■^- I'l'ilip Grandy, planter, liellcoram ■si>. Martin Kinsella, planter, Helleoram !'0. r-cvi duett, trader, Helleoram "I. William Cluetl, planter, Helleoram . "■■■•■••• ^S'' !»2. Philip riuett, trader, Helleoram !>■■!• John Cluett, i,lanter, Helleoram . . . . _' 01. John Komkey, planter, Helleoram 1 QQ !'■-.. John Kvans and others, planters, Knglish Harbor • . . . jsg ""■ JaiMosV.mng, planl.T, St. .facMies.. . 18!> VI. JXDEX OF EVIDEXCE. No. P.VflK. 07. Thomas FiirrcU, pluntor, St. Juciiiicis 190 98. Miclmc'l McKvoy, elork, St. Jacriiios 190 99. Penis and Micliaul Unrko, incivliants, St. .Jacques ■. 192 100. I'hllip Yarn, planter, Knglisli Harbor 193 101. Kieliard Jlarshall, i>lanler, Knglisli Harlmr 194 102. riiilip Hubert, magistrate, Harbor Hi Hon 19,") lO;*.. Henry T. Hoinnm, agent for Newman & Co.. Harlior Briton 197 101. Henry Camp, colleeUir of customs. I'nslitliron.irli .... 19,s 10,"i. Tliomas Ingraliam, (Isliernum, Hermitage Cove 199 10(1. .V(inilla Vraucls, planter, Hermitage Cove 200 10". Eihvard Gallop, agent for Newman & Co., (iaultois 200 108. Richard IJradsliaw, collector of customs, (iaultois . , . . 201 109. Jlidiael Vavasseur, collector of customs, St. Lawrence 202 110. Denis Gorman, trader, IJnrlu 202 111. Josepli tiear, cldef engineer S.S. Fkinn 2');! 112. Dnpont, St. Tierre, to Minister of Frencli Colonies, translation . . 204 1 13. Consular Heport from Bordeaux 207 114. Financial Secretary's Keturu : cost of Bait Service, 188S and lt<89 . 208 11."). Captain Robinson's adjustment account, 18S0 23,") IK!. Customs' Returns; llsli exported 1885 to 1889; nunil)er of banking vessels and iiuantity of tisli caught; amount of duties collected on tlie portion of coast atl'eeted l)y Act 2;J8