92 ALASKA INDUSTIIIES. 



older, I still sboiild recomnieud that for next year the quota of thiK 

 island should he limited to 80,000. 



The females do not land until ready to produce their young, and for 

 the foregoing reasons have been later than usual, but they show ample 

 evidence of an increase of 4 or 5 per cent over last year. Of the hol- 

 luschickie, or young males, between the ages of 2 and 5 years there is 

 quite a visible increase shown by their proportions when seals are driven 

 in to kill for food since the quota was full. 



The number of the yearlings or last year's pups that have returned 

 to the island is greater than any year since 1872. This would indicate 

 that the condition of their life during the past winter while absent 

 from the island had been more favorable, and that the loss or destruc- 

 tion from their enemies had been less than ordinary. These classes all 

 show a considerable increase in number over last year. 



The civil affairs of the natives have been administered by the chiefs 

 as heretofore. There has been considerable drunkenness from beer 

 made by themselves from fermenting sugar and flour on church holi- 

 days, but no serious disturbance. 



Their account was made up and their annual division of the seal fund 

 made August 9, the amount to their credit being — 



79,241 prime seal skins, at 40 cents -^Sl, 696. 40 



759 cnt seal skins, at 20 cents 151.80 



189 sea-lion skins, at 60 cents 113. 40 



Total 31,961.60 



This was divided by them as follows: Two first-class shares were 

 allowed toward the payment of their new church, two for the resident 

 priest and one for the archpriest at Unalaska, and a donation of $100 

 to Kazan Shisenekoff, a native residing here who has no share of the 

 sealing. 



Class. 



^Number of shares. 



Value of 

 share. 



Total. 



First 



Second 



Third 



Fourth 



Kazan Shisenekotf. 



Total 



64,at$l 



la, at 90 cents 

 8, at 80 cents.. 

 3, at 70 cents . 



$378.40 I $24,271.60 



340.56 ! 4,427.28 



302.72 I 2,421.76 



264.88 I 794.64 



I 100.00 



31,961.28 



This division differs from former years in making only three classes 

 for the sealers instead of four, and setting apart a fourth class, com- 

 posed of the widows and families of the sealers deceased during the 

 year previous. They say that this change is necessary, as the agent of 

 ithe Alaska Commercial Company construes article 12 of the company's 

 regulations in requiring them to support the widows to mean only neces- 

 sary articles of subsistence. They wish this share given for a fund to 

 enable them to buy fr'om time to time such other articles as their com- 

 fort and convenience require. 



The islands have been fully supplied with all such articles as the com- 

 fort and convenience of the natives required, except the article of coal 

 for sale. The last winter was unusually long and severe. The drift ice 

 from the north remaining about the island until late in May rendered 

 a larger supply of coal than was ordinarily necessary. I have the assur- 

 ance of the general agent of the Alaska Commercial Company that this 

 contingency will be provided for in future. 



