ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



81 



Only one accident occurred during' the winter, and that was occasioned 

 through carelessness in handling a gun, the charge of which passed 

 through the native's hand, necessitating amputation at the wrist. 



The bull seals commenced to haul up on the 5th instant, and on the 

 following day I called in all firearms and forbade any persons going 

 near the breeding rookeries. 



Two thousand four hundred and ninety fur seals were killed for food. 

 Of this number, 205 were accepted by the company to be included in the 

 quota of 1875. Of the remaining, 2,100 were pups and the rest stagey. 



The school has been kept open in accordance witli law, the average 

 daily attendance being 11. The progress of the scholars has been very 

 flattering. 



I have had the Government house thoroughly cleaned, papered, and 

 painted both inside and out with two coats. The inside 1 painted white 

 and the outside a very pretty brown with white trimmings. I have also 

 painted the fence a light brown. In the fall I banked the foundations 

 up to the woodwork. A new floor is necessary for the office and large 

 rooms. The old floor is badly worn and has shrunk a great deal. I 

 have to request that you authorize me to put down a new floor during 

 the fall or winter. A new stove is also wanted and a new carpet and 

 double bedstead. These are the only additional improvements neces- 

 sary at present. I considered the repairs made this spring absolutely 

 necessary for the proper preservation of the property. 



The following is the meteorological Tecord for the twelve months 

 ending April, 1875 : 



[Average above zero ] 



Mouths. 



May 



June 



July 



August... 

 September 

 October . . . 



Tempera- 

 ture. 



42,20 



47.9 



49.7 



52.9 



49 



40 



M ontbs. 



November 

 December. 

 January . . 

 February . 

 March . . . . 

 April 



Tempera- 

 ture. 



40.22 



33.2 



36.11 



37.3 



32.26 



32.26 



I inclose a separate report concerning the killing of fur seals by the 

 crew of the otter-hunting schooner Cygnet in September, with affidavit. 



I respectfully request to be furnished with a copy of the lease and all 

 acts of Congress pertaining to the seal islands, and any other informa- 

 tion pertinent thereto. 



In accordance with your instructions, I have turned over all Govern- 

 ment property to Assistant Treasury Agent Samuel Falconer, who 

 arrived here on the 15th instant. 



At the close of the sealing season of 1875, 1 shall make a report con- 

 cerning the breeding and hauling grounds, the approximate strength 

 of the rookeries, and the mode of selecting killing seals. I will then be 

 able to verify my figures made this spring, and take advantage of the 

 information acquired during the past year. 



While m charge of this island I have seen that the natives were pro- 

 tected in all their rights, and that the spirit of the act and lease was 

 carried out in every particular. 



I am, very respectfully, yours, 



Capt. Charles Bryant, 



i^pecial Agent, St. Paul Island, 

 H. Doc, 92 — '-{, 



Wm. J. McIntyre, 



Speeial Agent, 6V. George. 



