APPENDICES 227 



earnest sympathy and encouragement of all who 

 have interest in this noble enterprise THE MEDICAL 

 WORK. A doctor is provided by the Government 

 for this shore, during the summer months, but as 

 he is stationed on board the mail-boat, which only 

 calls just to land the mails and freight at compara- 

 tively a few of the above-mentioned ports, his 

 services are practically nil to the greater portion 

 of the community. Yet the record of sick and dis- 

 abled fishermen is very large. Many have, year 

 by year, to be sent home in the mail-boats at the 

 expense of the Government, losing also a summer's 

 fishery, which in many cases might be avoided by 

 a few days' careful attention on board such a ship 

 as the Albert. In such cases it is not only the men 

 themselves that suffer, but their families are often 

 starving throughout the long cold winters that 

 follow. It may be a bold suggestion, but perhaps 

 worthy of a little consideration (in view of the 

 many harbours and extent of the coast), that were 

 the Society to substitute a small steam vessel for 

 the Albert, much more effective work could be ac- 

 complished, as then during the course of the summer, 

 at least, three trips instead of one might be made 

 along the whole shore; disabled fishermen could be 

 accommodated on board for a trip and carried back 

 again without impeding the work of the Mission; a 

 representation might also be made to the Newfound- 

 land Government who, according to repute, are at 

 great expense to keep up the useless custom of 



