ALASKA INDUSTEIES. 



Ill 



Tlie seal rookeries are in flue condition, and the breeding rookeries 

 show no diminution in the numbers of cows and pups. All classes of 

 seals are as plentiful as last season. 



The school commenced September 17, 1877, and closed May 17, 1878. 

 Average attendance, 19 scholars. 



The general health of the people has been remarkably good during 

 the past year, there having been but two deaths since July 15, 1877. 

 At the present date there is but one person on the sick list. 



The following is the recapitulation of the census taken July 15, 1878: 



Births 3 



Deaths 2 



Loss, 5 : Widow Sleboff and family, removed to St. 



Families 26 



Widows 8 



Orphans 10 



Gain, 1 : Wife of Foka Shane, from Unalaska. 

 Paul. 



The following named are the only cases of intoxication since the last 

 annual report: Foka Shane, Eoff Philimonofit", Martin Popoff, and 

 Loverenty Merentroft". 



As a general thing, the natives have been orderly and industrious. 

 There has been paid to them during the past year for sea-lion skins 

 $145.50; wages, $1,583.15; fox skins, $383.50, and for 18,000 seal skins 

 $7,200, divided as follows: Fourteen first-class shares, at $300.50 per 

 share; 6 second-class shares, at $290.50 per share, and 5 third-class 

 shares, at $250 per share. 



There has been received, for distribution to natives, 20 tons coal, 20 

 barrels salmon, and an unlimited quantity of salt. The supplies fur- 

 nished the widows and orphans are abundant and of good quality. 



All goods for sale to the natives are first-class and sold to them at 

 fair prices. 



I can conscientiously say that the terms of the lease on the part of 

 the lessees have been carried out in good faith. 



In my eflbrts to prevent drunkenness and maintain order on the 

 island, I have always received the cordial support of Mr. Morgan, 

 Alaska Commercial Company's agent, and Mr. Eedpath, assistant agent. 



Permission has been granted Widow Anna Popoff, son, and daughter 

 to visit St. Paul Island, with the view of remaining there permanently. 



I would respectfully state that some of the natives desired to throw 

 out Maria Molavansky when they made their annual division of the 

 proceeds of the sealing. After carefully looking into the matter I 

 decided that it could not be done without doing great injustice to a 

 deserving woman, as well as the head of a large family. From the 

 records in this office I find that she has been considered the head of a 

 family, and has received a fair share of the proceeds of the sealing 

 since 1870. The records in the Alaska Commercial Company's offlce 

 show that she has received a share and been considered the head of a 

 family since 1869. This woman is not a married woman, yet she is the 

 mother of four living children by native men of these islands. 



On the 9th instant the steamer St. Paul, Capt. M. E. Erskine, master, 

 arrived from St. Paul Island, and shipped on board 12,058 fur-seal 

 skins, taken on this island during the present season. There are 



