ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 49 



the kindness of the Alaska Commercial Company, and at the same rate 

 per diem as paid by said company when employed by them. 



Mnch difficulty was experienced during the erection from the con- 

 tinuous rains and general foul state of the weather. In consequence 

 of this there was but one other building erected last season — by Mr. 

 Adams, the company's agent, which was finely fitted up for a store, the 

 old one having been converted into a schoolhouse. 



In September last the company's bark (Jyane landed a large quantity 

 of lumber for native houses, but their erection was prevented for like 

 reasons already stated. 



In the mouth of October last the island was visited by a vast num- 

 ber of violent gales, causing buildings to shake to the very ground. 

 Fortunately no serious damage was done. 



The winter following was unusually rough and cold, the ice arriving 

 as early as the 27th of January and remaining until May 21. 



The school was maintained through the winter, but has met with 

 quite a drawback on the part of the children's parents, who entertain 

 the idea that by acquiring an English education it will interfere Avith 

 their religion. The absurdity of this has been fully explained to them, 

 and a few have consented to have their children attend, although not 

 regularly, while others are still of the original belief. Thus, where no 

 inducement is held forth by the children's parents, slow progress may 

 be expected, though much pains have been taken by their teacher. 

 Would it not be well to notify their bishop at Sitka in reference to this, 

 who would be most likely to banish this erroneous idea from their 

 minds entirely? 



The general health of the island is comparatively good, for the par- 

 ticulars of which I will refer you to Dr. Meauy's report to the com- 

 pany's agent stationed on your island. 



The number of births since the month of August last is 4, and the 

 number of deaths for the same period 2. 



The meteorological record for the island will be forwarded you in a 

 separate inclosure. 



Samuel Falconer, 

 Assistant Treasury Agent, in Charge of St. George Island, 



Inclosure with Bryant's Annual Report for 1873 : Report of Assistant Agent Falconer. 



Assistant Treasury Agent's Office, 



St. George Island, August 1, 1873. 



Sir: Owing to the lateness of last spring, the seals were about three 

 weeks behind their usual time of arriving. This, however, would not 

 nppear anyways detrimental to them, as their breeding rookeries are in 

 as good, if not better, condition this year than they have been at any one 

 time since my arrival at the island, for I notice on some of the rookeries 

 the passageways formerly occupied by young bachelors in hauling up 

 on the back ground are completely blocked up by females, thus pre- 

 venting the young seals from landing; and as the greater j)ortion of 

 this island's shore is composed of high cliffs, it renders it difficult for 

 any great number to effect a landing. There are also numerous old 

 males constantly guarding the shore line, which makes it still more 

 difficult for the younger ones to work their way onto the background. 

 Of this class there is a scarcity this year, and I am of the opinion it is 

 in a great measure owing to above reasons. 

 H. Doc. 92 4 



