328 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



secure tlieir cooperation in any contemplated imi)rovements, even tliough 

 they be of the simplest nature. 



Two methods necessary. — It is desirable by reason of existing condi- 

 tions to adopt two different methods for disposing of the excrenieiiti- 

 tious and refuse material of the villages. The village of St. (xcorge 

 stands on a hillside which slopes gently down to a bold sea cliff but a 

 few hundred feet distant. The method adopted there is to keep a wheel- 

 barrow alongside of each house into which ashes and all refuse material 

 is dumped, and this at intervals is carried to the cliff' and emptied into 

 the sea. If the receptacles were covered, ashes plentifully use<l, and 

 the removal of the load prompt and regular, and if a firm path were 

 made to the cliff by the most direct route, I do not believe that this 

 means of disposing of the village refuse could be imi)roved upon. It 

 involves, however, continual supervision on the part of the resulent 

 agent. 



At the village of St. Paul this method is not so practicable, by reason 

 of its topographic position. Here the most effective method would be 

 the construction of privies with deep pits beneath, which would serve 

 as receptacles not only for excrementitious inatter, but for ashes as 

 well. The village is built upon the slope of an old cinder cone, through 

 the material of which all fluid material (piickly seeps away to the sea, 

 so that by the time the i)it became filled it would practically be a dry 

 mass of ashes, and another could be dug at some distance away. Again, 

 the success of this plan rests upon the cooperation of the natives, but 

 few of whom are inclined to those habits of neatness requisite to the 

 success of such a plan. With a view of testing just how effectively 

 such an improvement can be carried out, the construction of six such 

 privies under the direction of the Government olficer has been arranged 

 for, the company furnishing, free of cost, the material from which they 

 are to be made. 



Better icoter supply imperative. — The improvement which the Govern- 

 ment should take up at the earliest possible moment and carry through 

 with all possible dispatch is the providing of an adequate water supply. 



There accompanies this report two photographs of the villages of St. 

 Paul and St. George, showing the relation of the villages to the places 

 where water can be procured; also a photograph showing the method 

 of transporting the water on the backs of women. The village of St. 

 Paul is nearly half a mile away from the only entirely satisfactory 

 wells which it has been found ])ossible to establish on this part of the 

 island. From these two wells through all kinds of weather must bo 

 brought all the drinking and cooking water used in the village. This 

 task usually falls upon the immature, growing young girls, and the 

 effect upon their general health of going back and forth through fog- 

 drenched vegetation will readily be appreciated. It is a most fertile 

 source of pulmonary troubles, Miiich is tlic scourge of this pet3ple. It 

 is true that on the east side of the village is a well that at times con- 

 tains Avater that is not brackish. This well has recently been put in 

 order, and so long as the water is good it contributes to the general 

 su pply. 



At the village of St. George the well, although sufticiently far away 

 to make the task of transporting water somewhat burdensome, still it 

 does not entail any hardship nor work injury to health. 



From the photograph of St. George it will also be seen that back of 

 the village there is quite an extensive lake on ground much higher than 

 that upon which the houses rest. While this water would not be fit 

 for drinking purposes unless boiled and filtered, its utilization would 



