EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 91 



these conditions. A few streams were improved in this way during 

 the past year, but the work has been limited because of a lack of 

 funds. It is hoped that these operations can be undertaken on a 

 more extensive scale in the near future. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL SERVICE. 



SEAL ISLAND NATIVES. 



The welfare of the native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands is a 

 matter demanding and receiving the constant soUcitude of the 

 Bureau. The attitude of Congress toward these people, as shown by 

 the safeguards tlu•o^vn around them and funds provided for them, 

 has resulted in the gradual development of a community that is 

 probably better cared for than any other natives of Alaska. 



On June 30, 1916, the resident natives numbered 311 (192 on St. 

 Paul and 119 on St. George Island), and on March 31, 1917, they 

 numbered 316 (193 on St. Paul and 123 on St. George). The popu- 

 lation remains nearly stationary, the fluctuations in recent years 

 not exceeding 2 or 3 per cent. The general health of the natives has 

 continued ' good. The physicians and the school-teachers, acting 

 under the immediate direction of the agents, deserve much credit 

 for their work in improving sanitary conditions among the natives 

 and for their efforts to raise the standard of living. 



A full account of the measures taken for the support of the natives, 

 their education, and their physical care is given in the report on 

 the Alaska service for the calendar year 1916. 



The act making appropriations for the Bureau for the fiscal year 

 1917 contained an item of $20,000 for new buildings, repairs to old 

 buildings, and other necessary improvements on the Pribilof Islands. 

 The appropriation became available too late to pennit the purchase 

 and transportation of materials in the season of 1916. Accordingly, 

 the work of planning for the most important constructions and re- 

 pairs was taken up in the winter of 1916-17, and a large quantity 

 of building material was sent to the islands in July, 1917, on the 

 steamer Roosevelt. The matters to which special attention has been 

 given during the present season, in addition to general repairs to 

 existing sti-uctures, are (1) the construction of new houses for natives 

 on both islands, (2) the construction of a new salt house on each 

 island for use m preserving and storing sealskins, (3) the installation 

 of a new water-supply system for the village on St. George Island, 

 (4) a survey for a new water-supply system for the village on St. 

 Paul Island, and (5) important sanitary improvements on St. Paul 

 Island. 



Careful consideration has been given to the type of house that 

 would be most suitable for natives. The houses now occupied were 

 built for the most part 40 years ago, and are small, uncomfortable, 

 and insanitary. Final choice has been made of a neat, simple knock- 

 down house, plans for which were submitted by a Seattle fii'm, 

 comprising a living room, three bedrooms wdth closets, a kitchen, 

 and a bathroom, all on one floor. Four such houses for St. Paul 

 Island and two for St. George Island have thus far been provided. 



The large quantities of supplies annually required for the support 

 and use of the natives, and of the Government employees on the 



