104 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



the rookeries ou St. George Island are in excellent condition and that 

 a very material increase in all classes of seals has taken place. In view 

 of all the facts as above represented, I see no warrant in suggesting 

 any changes relative to the quotas as at present established for the 

 respective islands. 



The natives of this island received gratuitously from the company 

 during the fall and winter 40 tons of coal, 60 barrels of salmon, and 

 casks and salt for the preservation of meat in requisite numbers and 

 quantity. All widows and orphans have been supported by the com- 

 pany. A physician has been employed and medical attendance and 

 medicines have been furnished without charge. Between the agents of 

 the lessees and the natives harmonious relations have at all times pre- 

 vailed, and the general treatment extended to the latter has been in 

 full accord with the generous policy which characterizes the company's 

 dealings with this people. 



A school was maintained on the island from the 17th of September, 

 1877,to the 17th of May, making eight months. As the people were very 

 desirous of the establishment of a Eussian school, the use of the com- 

 pany's schoolhouse was granted for that purpose in the afternoons, and 

 the English school has therefore been held only during the morning 

 hours. This arrangement has served to dis])el the objections heretofore 

 held by the peoj)le to their children attending the English school, which 

 they contended would effectually interfere with the acquisition of the 

 Russian tongue, in which their church service is conducted. Before 

 the opening of the English school 1 took pains to explain to the parents 

 the importance of sending their children, and stated to them that every 

 child of i^roper age and condition would be required to attend. Treas- 

 ury Agent Moulton has since given his close personal attention to this 

 matter with very excellent results. The average attendance of boys 

 and girls during the term was about thirty, which was much larger 

 than has ever been given to any previous school. Under an excellent 

 lady teacher the progress made by the children in the elementary 

 branches has been very commendable. 



During the past year the native people of this island have received 

 from the company for labor performed the following moneys : 



In taking — 



59,709 seal skins at 40 cents each $23,883.60 



490 cut seal skins at 20 cents each 98. 00 



244 sea-lion skins at 60 cents each 146. 40 



Total 24,128.00 



The above amount was divided as follows under the direction of the 

 chiefs : 



63 first-class laborers (each) $310. 74 



11 second-class laborers (each) 279.66 



4 tliird-class laborers (each) 248. .59 



1 fifth-class laborer 186. 44 



1 seventh-class laborer 124. 30 



Irregularly distributed 170. 00 



For incidental labor about the village the people have received in 

 addition to the above amount about $3,400. 



The population ot this island on the 1st day of January, 1878, was 

 257, divided as follows: Males, 118; females, 139. The number of 

 births during the year 1877 was 13, and the number of deaths 18. 



The steam revenue cutter Rush first arrived at this place June 9, 

 when a detail of one officer and two men was made from that vessel by 

 Captain Bailey to serve as a guard on Otter Island during the sealing 



