ORAL ARGUMENT OF CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, Q. C. 593 



these largest Canneries are, as it is only natural they should; and as, 

 the salmon close in to go up the River the seals should also close in and 

 destroy them"? 



Senator Morgan. — Is there any evidence that they have ever done so? 



Mr. EoBiNSON. — There is evidence that they follow tlie fish. 



Senator Morgan. — But 1 am talking of the Salmon Fisheries at the 

 mouth of the Fraser River or any other River? 



Mr. Robinson. — If you ask me, if I have any evidence that, because 

 salmon have collected at the mouth of the Fraser, therefore seals have, 

 I cannot say that I have. But I am content to ask any member of the 

 Tribunal if that is not to be api)rehended. 



Senator Morgan. — I merely enquired if there was any evidence of it? 



Mr. Robinson. — 'So; there is none. 



The President. — Where is the Fraser River? 



Mr. Robinson. — It is 6 or 8 miles to the north of Vancouver, near 

 the line of the boundary. 



General Foster. — That is an interior water. 



Mr. Robinson. — Yes; it is an interior water. 



The President. — Near to the line, of course, taken by the seals? 



General Foster. — And it empties into an interior water. 



Mr. Robinson. — Yes, just where the seals would come. 



General Foster. — No; that is why I make the point, it empties into 

 an interior water. 



Mr. TuPPER. — Which connects with the Pacific Ocean. 



Mr. Robinson. — At all events, I accept that statement. I know the 

 Fraser very well and have been up it some distance. 



The President. — Is it the mouth of a channel? 



Mr. Robinson. — It empties into one of those channels; but, if Gen- 

 eral Foster has been there, I have nothing to say. I have been there, 

 and have seen the mouth of the Fraser; and, if I was asked where it 

 emptied itself, I should have said it emx^tied into the sea. 



The President. — If you have both been there and cannot agree upon 

 the facts, how shall ice get on. 



General Foster. — We are really both agreed. 



Mr. Robinson. — At all events let me take the Skena, which is a 

 British Columbian river. If the Fraser does not empty itself into the 

 Ocean, it would make do difference, as we know from the evidence that 

 seals follow the fish into interior waters, and I have read evidence and 

 can point it out that they are found in interior waters following the 

 salmon and schools of fish, 



Lord Hannen. — Is there any evidence that they follow them up the 

 Rivers ? 



Mr. Robinson.— I believe not. 



Senator Morgan. — In San Juan de Fuca they pass in. Would it 

 incommode you, Mr. Robinson, if I asked you a question for my own 

 information? 



Mr. Robinson. — Indeed, it would not, Sir. 



Senator Morgan. — I wish to know what you call interior waters are 

 those lying behind Vancouver Island and along the coast,— are they 

 navigable waters? 



Mr. Robinson. — Yes. 



Senator Morgan. — Are they navigated by the ships of the world? 



Mr. Robinson. — Yes. 



Senator Morgan. — Going np and down the coasts of British Posses- 

 sions and Alaskau Possessions? 



B S, PT XIII 38 



