THE DEPONENTS AND THEIR EXPERIENCE. 5 



O. Francis Bates, being duly sworn, says: I am a member of the firm 

 of Martin Bates, jr., & Co., and am the person de- 

 scribed in and who verified an affidavit on the 22d c. Francis Bates, p. 508. 

 day of June, 1892, relating to the value of the in- 

 dustry of manufacturing seal-skin articles in the United States, and 

 other matters. 



0. Francis Bates, being duly sworn, says: I am 67 years of age, a 

 citizen of the United States, and a resident of the 

 city of New York. Early in tnis century my father c. Francis Bates, p. 528. 

 established a wholesale fur business in this city, 



and to this business I have succeeded. I have been engaged in it for 

 the past fifty years. It is now carried on under the name of Martin 

 Bates, jr., & Co. For many years we have been large purchasers of 

 Alaska (or Pribilof Island) fur-seal skins, having bought in London 

 and brought to this country, between the years 1879 and 1891, 71,904 

 such skins. I am familiar with the value and extent of the industry 

 of manufacturing articles of fur-seal skins in this country, my house 

 having until very recently been largely interested in it. 



Maurice Bates, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am 40 years 

 old; was born in British Columbia, and now re- 

 side in New Metlakahtla. I am a hunter by Maurice Bates, p. 21 Q. 

 occupation ; have hunted fur-seal in a canoe ever 

 since I was old enough. My hunting lodge is on Dundas Island, and 

 I hunt in Dixons Entrance and off Prince of Wales Island. 



Charles J. Behlow, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I reside in 

 the city and county of San Francisco, State of 

 California; I am by occupation a fur merchant, chas. J. Behlow, p. 403. 

 and have been so engaged permanently for the 



last thirty-five years, during which time I have been constantly hand- 

 ling large quantities of raw fur-seal skins from many different localities, 

 and I can readdy distinguish the respective quality, size, age, and sex. 



William Bendt, having been duly sworn, deposes and says: I reside 

 in San Francisco. My occupation is that of saloon 

 keeper and lodging-house keeper. I have been Wm. Bendt, p. 404. 

 engaged in fitting out sealing vessels and sending 



them to the North Pacific and Bering Sea for eight or nine years. I 

 fitted out the schooners Foivler, Laura, G. H. White, and others. I am 

 now the managing owner of the schooner Bowheacl. 



Wilton C. Bennett, being duly sworn, deposes and says : I was born 

 at Neah Bay. I am 32 years old, and have been 



a seal hunter all my life in the North Pacific wnton c. Bennett, p. 356. 

 Ocean and one season in Bering Sea, always in the 

 capacity of hunter. 



Edward Benson, being duly sworn, deposes and says: I am 34 years 

 old; was born in British Columbia; and now re- 

 side at New Metlakahtla. I have been engaged in Edward Benson,p. 277. 

 hunting live years. Have hunted seals in canoes. 



