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to be freighted by these American vessels to the United States. Americans purchase these herrings from our people. I believe the supply of bait to United States vessels decreases the supply of bait to our local fishermen. I believe that if the practice now being pursued of "barring" large quantities of herrings to be sold as bait to United States is suffered to be continued that the supply of bait to fishermen in this bay will speedily be destroyed.

I do not doubt but that the large number of United States vessels fishing on the Banks, with fresh bait, tends greatly to reduce the catch of our people along shore, and if continued, as at present, will starve local fishermen. I believe that the short catch by our people the past summer along our southwest coasts is chiefly caused by Americans fishing on the outer Banks as aforesaid.

Signed by his mark, he having sore thumb.

his

WM. GEORGE + BENNETT.

mark.

Sworn before me, at Fortune, this 27th day of November, 1876.

No. 62.

J. O. FRASER, Commissioner of Affidavits.

SAMUEL GEORGE HICKMAN, aged 36 years, planter, residing at Grand Bank, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith that

I am acquainted with the fisheries of Newfoundland by being a fisherman myself the past twenty-five years. I have annually observed United States fishing-vessels in this bay, but especially last year, when there were about three hundred of such vessels in the bay; I name among these, Lizzie V. Knight, William Morrissey, master; Proctor Bros., Edward Trevoy, master, and a large number of others too numerous to delay naming, my time being fully occupied.

These vessels came into this bay to purchase fresh herrings for bait, which they purchased from our fishermen. I have sold United States vessels fresh bait; I have, with others under me, supplied over a hundred United States vessels with bait from first to last; each vessel would take about 40 to 60 barrels, for which they would pay from $20 to $30. I have seen our shore surrounded by American fishermen fishing for halibut and codfish, but cannot say that all these vessels were inside three miles of a line from headland to headland. I have frequently seen United States vessels fishing between Pass Island and Brunette Island; in some instances these vessels have been fishing up the bay among the cliffs. I cannot speak of the quantity or value of their catches, but I do know that they destroyed the halibut fishery about Pass Island, and largely damaged the cod-fishery of Fortune Bay. One of their captains told me it was no use for our fishermen to go fishing after United States fishermen."

Newfoundland fishermen catch codfish generally within two miles of the shore, there being exceptional places and instances where they go from six to nine miles off the coast. The caplin, herring, and squidused for bait-are inshore fisheries, being taken in coves and harbors along the coasts, and for such purposes are never prosecuted outside three miles.

I never knew of a United States vessel prosecuting a fishing voyage on any of their coasts. I believe United States fishermen do sell codfish

in this neighborhood to our people, sometimes at St. Pierre, and sometimes in the harbors of the bay.

From forty to fifty United States vessels regularly visit Fortune Bay in winter to purchase herrings for freezing; they have always purchased their load of herrings except when prevented by ice in the bay; their load runs from six hundred to seven hundred barrels each, for which they pay our fishermen nominally one dollar, but allowing for measure ex acted, seventy-five cents per barrel will be a fair average of the price paid. These Americans have not caught any herrings as yet, because the people of the bay would thereby be annoyed, and because Americans can purchase cheaper than cost of catching by themselves. I do not know of Americans fishing for turbot in this neighborhood. I am certain that the supply of bait to United States fishermen has decreased the supply of bait to our local fishermen. I estimate there are eighty herring seines belonging to this bay engaged in hauling bait for the Americans, and that fully eighty seines belonging elsewhere are also engaged in the same service. Bait for Americans commences to be hauled about 1st to 10th of May, and ends in August. American vessels come in from the Banks once every fortnight or three weeks, and take fresh bait, averaging from forty to sixty barrels herrings. During the baiting season as aforesaid it very generally happens that many seines will have large quantities of herrings inclosed-say from five hundred to fifteen hundred barrels, and retained as long as two months, sometimes herrings rotting where inclosed, and where washed on shore impregnating the air through all the stages of putrefaction. These large seines "bar" herrings wherever they meet them-in coves, creeks, and along shore; and, during such inclosures, it stands to reason that so great a number of captives lessens the numbers free, and injures net owners; it is a fact that, during this barring, herrings do not mesh in nets as at other times.

I am of opinion that the presence of the large number of United States vessels, fishing on the Banks off our coasts, supplied with bait, interferes with and is the main cause in reducing the local catch; and that the scarcity of fish along our southwest coast this year has been caused by the Americans fishing on the outer Banks.

The average catch of fishermen of this harbor, this year, will be about fifteen quintals per man. The catch in previous years was from fifty to seventy quintals per man, but more generally seventy would be nearer correctly stated. The price of fish this year, averaging all round, would be about five dollars and twenty cents per quintal.

The bait sold at St. Pierre, by the people of this harbor, will be about 5,000 or 6,000 barrels herring, value, 45,000 francs; 10,000 hogsheads caplin, value, 60,000 francs; and about ten thousand barrels herrings thrown away being unsalable; also from five to six hundred hogsheads caplin.

SAMUEL G. HICKMAN.

Sworn before, at Grand Banks, this 24th November, 1876.

No. 63.

J. O. FRASER, Commissioner of Affidavits.

HENRY BENNING, aged 37 years, subcollector Her Majesty's customs, residing at Lamalin, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith:

That I have become acquainted with the Newfoundland fisheries by connection therewith as supplier and otherwise during eight years.

I have observed United States fishing-vessels in this neighborhood, but can only name two, namely, in the year 1874: D. E. Woodbury, D. E. Collins, 65 tons, Gloucester; G. P. Whitman, J. McDonald, 94 tons, Gloucester.

These vessels came here to purchase fresh bait, which they procured, and then sailed away for the Grand Banks. No American vessels have fished in this immediate neighborhood, that I am aware of.

The Newfoundland fishery is an inshore fishery. The caplin, herring, and squid fisheries, used for bait, are all inshore fisheries. The caplin is taken in the landwash, herrings frequently so, and squid from half to quarter of a mile from the shore, but generally in the coves and harbors. I never heard of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting or attempting to prosecute any fishery on any of the coasts of the United States of America.

American fishermen have not sold any small codfish in this neighborhood. From thirty to fifty American vessels frequent Fortune Bay in winter for the purchase of fresh herrings, to be frozen and conveyed to the United States, viz, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Their cargoes consist of from six hundred to one thousand barrels. The price paid, is about a dollar per barrel, and when very scarce, one and one-half dollars per barrel.

I am positive that the presence of the large number of United States vessels fishing on the Banks off our coast, using fresh bait, greatly reduces the catch of our local fishermen, and that the short catch of our people last summer is owing to this cause.

The bait sold at St. Pierre by schooners belonging to this harbor, I estimate as follows, per annum:

Herrings taken at Fortune Bay, viz, 3,400 barrels herrings, value, 23,800 francs; 7,000 hogsheads caplin, taken at Lamaline, 70,000 francs. The average catch of codfish per man, previous to the last two years, has been from sixty to eighty quintals; last year it was about twenty quintals; and the present year it has been fifteen quintals per man. HENRY BENNING, Subcollector.

Sworn before me, at Lamaline, this 1st day of December, 1876.
J. O. FRASER,
Commissioner of Affidavits.

No. 64.

JAMES REEVES, aged 68 years, planter, residing at St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith

That I have become acquainted with the Newfoundland fisheries by prosecuting the same during the past forty-eight years. I have seen a large number of United States fishing vessels in Fortune Bay and elsewhere, but cannot name any, my desire was to keep clear of them and they to keep clear of us. These American vessels visit those quarters for bait, which they generally purchase from our fishermen, which they generally procure. I have baited two United States vessels with fresh her rings; can't remember their names. Newfoundland fishermen generally fish within two mile of the shores. The caplin, herring, and squid fisheries used for bait by Newfoundland fishermen are inshore fisheries, being followed in the coves and harbors along the coast. I never heard of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting any fishing voyage on any of the coasts of the United States of America, and don't believe our vessels ever go on such a voyage.

From forty to fifty American vessels frequent Fortune Bay in winter for herrings to freeze, and freight to Gloucester, New York, and Boston; these herrings they always purchase from our people. Americans do not fish off Pass Island, they having exhausted that fishery. American fishing vessels have been seen fishing off Cape St. Mary's; I have not seen any fishing in this neighborhood.

The supply of bait to United States fishermen shortens the supply of bait to our local fishermen. I am of decided opinion that the large number of United States vessels fishing on the Banks off our coasts shortens the catch of our local fishermen, as these Americans are well supplied with fresh bait which attracts the fish to the ground where United States fishermen fish. It has been remarked that when the great body of American vessels leave the Banks in the fall of the year then the fish becomes more abundant than before.

I am of opinion that the scarcity of fish the past summer along our southwest coasts is owing to United States fishermen fishing on the Banks of our coasts.

JAMES REEVES.

Sworn before me at St. Lawrence this fifth day of December, 1876. J. O. FRASER, Commissioner of Affidavits.

No. 65.

HUGH VAVASSEUR, aged 60 years, preventive officer, residing at St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith that

I have resided at St. Lawrence during the past thirty-six years, during all which time and for ten years previously at Gaultois and Harbor Breton. I was closely connected with the fisheries of this country. I have seen a number of United States fishing-vessels in this neighborhood. I can only give particulars of the following, viz:

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These vessels, among the many that call at this harbor, were the only vessels that paid light-money. The above-named vessels, with the other United States fishing vessels that called at this harbor, came to procure bait, which they procured principally by purchasing from our people; but in several instances they jigged squids for themselves on the jigginggrounds used by our people, their operations being very hurtful to local fishermen from the noise and turmoil of their dories and crews, which drive the squids from the ground.

Newfoundland fishermen catch codfish generally within 2 miles of the shoes, the only exceptions being on the west coast, where fishermen sometimes fish off from 6 to 9 miles from the shores. The caplin, herrings, and squid fisheries, for the purposes of bait, are all inshore fisheries, and are never prosecuted farther than a half a mile from the shores,

being invariably prosecuted in the coves and small harbors along the coasts.

I never heard of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting any fishery on any of the coasts of the United States of America. American fishermen have not sold any small codfish or other fishery produce in this neighborhood.

American vessels avail of the privilege to refit in our harbors, and have done so in this harbor. I remember that the Tragabigzanda did so refit his vessel at this port. It is quite certain that the supply of bait to United States fishermen decreases the supply of bait to our local fishermen. I am well aware that the presence of the large number of United States fishermen fishing on the outer banks off our coasts well supplied with fresh bait greatly interferes with and reduces the catch of our local fishermen. Codfish strike our shores in quest of bait; and if they meet fresh bait on the banks they will not pass it, but will remain there as long as fresh bait is to be had. I do think that the scarcity of codfish along our south and southwest coasts the past summer has been caused by Americans fishing on the outer Banks. Previous to the last three years the average catch of codfish in this harbor was eighty qtls per man; during the last two years it has not exceeded twenty qtls. per man. The quantity of bait annually exported by craft belonging to St. Lawrence and Lawn will average three thousand hhd., for which the average price would be twenty-four thousand francs; and herrings taken in Fortune Bay by these same craft will average three thousand barrels herrings, realizing eighteen thousand francs. There are no ice-houses at this harbor for the preservation of fish-bait. HUGH VAVASSEUR, Preventive Officer.

Sworn before me, at St. Lawrence, this fifth day Dec., 1876.

No. 66.

J. O. FRASER, Commissioner of Affidavits.

THOMAS WINTER, aged 61 years, subcollector H. M. customs, residing at Burin, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith:

I am acquainted with the fisheries of Newfoundland, by observation, during a residence in this district for upward of twelve years.

I have observed a large number of United States fishermen in this neighborhood, about sixty in 1875 and twelve or thirteen the past summer. Of those in this neighborhood in 1876 I can name the following,

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These vessels came here for ice and bait.

Every United States vessel calling in this neighborhood systematically arranged to avoid the customs authorities, and their captains and

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