ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 135 



of drunkenness, gambling-, filtliiuess, and the like. How long or how 

 far bis good advice will be remembered and lieeded is problematical. 



English schools have been maintained during eight months of the year 

 on both islands. They were well taught, and the progress made by the 

 pupils in their studies was not discreditable. The attendance on the 

 St. George School was good, being 100 per cent of the whole number 

 of pupils enrolled (24), There was something of a falling off in the 

 attendance on this island over that of the preceding year, the percentage 

 being but 75 of the enrollment (40). 



THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. 



The lessees of the islands have faithfully and liberally complied with 

 all the terms and conditions of their contract with the Government, and 

 have shown themselves willing and ready to meet all requirements of 

 the Department and of its officers stationed on the islands. 



The quantities of salmon, coal, barrels, and salt, required to be fur- 

 nished by them for the use of the native inhabitants have been supplied, 

 as shown by the accompanying accounts current, marked I and K. 



The supplies of food, clothing, etc., kept for sale have been generally 

 abundant in quantity (with a single noteworthy exception), good in 

 quality, and sold at average moderate prices. The widows and orphans 

 have been sui)ported gratuitously, and the people have, as a rule, been 

 justly and kindly treated. 



The company has constructed a telephone line connecting St. Paul 

 village with the northeast point of the island, where the largest rookery 

 is located. Several new houses for native occupancy are in course of 

 erection. The construction of the waterworks heretofore agreed upon 

 will probably be commenced and completed the present season if the 

 necessary material arrives. 



No seal oil has been made this year. 



The exception noted above in the food supply for native consumption 

 occurred on St. George Island last spring, when the people were with- 

 out white Hour or hard bread for a period of about six weeks previous 

 to the arrival of the company's steamer, on the 20th of May. The sup- 

 ply of brown ilour did not fail entirely, however. The deficiency was 

 owing, as I have ascertained, to an unintentional underestimate in mak- 

 ing the provision requisition, and to an unexpectedly heavy consump- 

 tion in proportion to the population, judged by the standard of former 

 years. The natives being essentially a meat-eating people, however, no 

 suffering ensued, as all other necessary supplies were abundant. The 

 principal agent of the company has assured me that no deficiency shall 

 occur hereafter, and that at least six months' extra supply of flour and 

 bread will always be kept on hand at the station. 



VESSELS TOUCHING AT SEAL ISLANDS. 



No predatory vessels have appeared in these waters during the past 

 year. In compliance with instructions. Otter Island has been twice 

 visited by myself and one of my assistants during the season, and other 

 visits will occasionally be made to it by me during this fall to watch for 

 predatory vessels. There is no fur-seal breeding rookery on the island, 

 but a few thousand seals haul out there to rest and sleej). 



