FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY. 
PRIBILOF ISLANDS.¢ 
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. 
The chief duties of the Bureau in connection with the fur-seal 
fisheries was, as in former years, the administration of the affairs of 
the Pribilof Islands Reservation. The general oversight of the fur- 
seal herd; the support, care, and education of the native inhabitants; 
the preservation of the skins of the seals taken for food purposes; 
the care of the fox herds and the taking and preservation of fox pelts; 
and the maintenance and upkeep of the Bureau’s property on the 
islands are regular duties which tax to the utmost the limited num- 
ber of employees available for detail to these islands. In addition 
some attention is given to scientific work. In 1916 additional informa- 
tion was secured in regard to seals of known ages, seals branded in 
1912 affording the basis for the observations. A census of the seal 
herd was again taken. Owig to the rapid increase im the size of the 
herd the work of taking the census becomes increasingly complicated 
from year to year and was attended with particular difficulties in 1916. 
PERSONNEL. 
A list of the statutory employees on the Pribilof Islands is shown 
in the introduction. The following additional information is given 
regarding the activities of certain employees: 
Assistant Agent Harry J.. Christoffers, who had been temporarily 
detailed to St. Paul Island since September, 1915, to relieve Agent 
and Caretaker Fassett, returned to Unalaska in June, Mr. Fassett 
having returned to St. Paul May 31. Assistant Agent Hanna reached 
St. Paul May 31. He was appointed storekeeper, effective Septem- 
ber 16. Storekeeper Bishop left St. Paul May 31. Dr. Miles reached 
St. Paulin September; Dr. Hunter left in October. Agent and Care- 
taker Proctor, who had been at the Pribilof Islands continuously for 
a period of over five years, left for the States in October. Store- 
keeper Hanna was detailed to St. George Island to take charge of 
the Department’s work there during Mr. Proctor’s absence. Warden 
Scudder was detailed from southeast Alaska to St. Paul, arriving 
there in September, to assist with work in Mr. Hanna’s absence. 
Mrs. A. H. Proctor was employed temporarily in connection with the 
schools on St. George for a portion of the year. Later her work was 
taken up by Mrs. G. Dallas Hanna. . 
a The reports of H. C: Fassett, A. H. Proctor, and others have been drawn on freely in the prepara- 
tion of this section. 
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