REPORT OF BRITISH COMMISSIONERS. 319 



241 Q. Theu you say that, inclndiusi; barren cows, tliat the percentage of all 



females taken in Behring Sea is about ec^ual to the males? — A. About that, 

 and no more. 



Q. Do I understand you clearly to say that the catch on the coast was mostly 

 males? — A. Yes, I do. 



Q. Captain McLeau, would jon please say in what proportion the males were to 

 the females in your catch on the coast? — A. About two-thirds males, that is, two 

 males to one female. 



Q. Did you observe auy change in the habits of the seals last j^ear from former 

 years? — A. On the coast 1 do not observe any diftoreuce, but in Behring Sea I iind 

 the seals further from land; a few years ago I found them 25 or 30 mik's from land, 

 that was our favourite hshlng ground ; but the last two or three years my best catches 

 have been from 140 to 150 miles from land. 



Q. Have you ever known or heard of any British vessel engaged in the sealing 

 industry raiding or attempting to raid or to take seals in any way from the Pribylotf 

 or seal islands in Beliriug Sea? — A. I have not heard that auy British vessel in any 

 year attempted any such thing, as I know all the principal men engaged iu sealing, 

 and I would certainly have heard it if such had occurred. 



Q. You have heard of some American vessel raiding the seal islands? — A. Yes, 

 two years ago. 



Q. You were ordered out of Behring Sea last year? — A. Yes, by Her Majesty's ship 

 "Porpoise." 



Q. Were you in good hunting ground when warned? — A. Yes, the seals were very 

 thick. 



Q. Had you been let alone your catch would have been very good? — A. Yes, my, 

 catch would have been an extraordinary good one, for I had 2,183 when ordered out, 

 and 1 had a full month to go, and my catch if let alone would have been at least 

 3,500 seals. 



Q. On your way out did you observe that the seal were plentiful in Behring Sea? — 

 A. They were thick all the way out to the pass coming out of the sea, and it was 

 very annoying to see so many and not be able to touch them. 



Q. Where did Her Majesty's ship " Porpoise" speak you and order you out? — A. In 

 113^ west longitude, about 135 miles from nearest laud. 



Q. Then you consider that being ordered out last year has been great financial 

 loss and hardship to you? — -A. I do, most certainly; my vessel was equipped' for a 

 voyage two months longer. 



(Signed) Laughlin L. McLean, 



Master, Schooner' "Favourite." 



Sworn before me this 20th day of February, 1892. 



(Signed) A. R. Milne, Collector of Customs. 



