20 



represents the approximate Eskimo population of the northern 

 Labrador coast in 1830. 



In 1842 a maHgnant influenza resulted in the death of many 

 Eskimo at the mission stations. Added to this infliction, seals 

 were scarce, and there was danger of starvation. But the 

 hardy converts survived, and by 1850 had increased to 1,297, 

 as follows : 



Nain 314 persons 



Hopedale 229 « 



Okkak 408 



Hebron 346 « 



Famine and disease again visited the settlements in 1855; 

 the seal hunt failed and at Hebron 59 people died. But, as 

 usual, dearth was followed by an abundant season in which 

 former troubles were forgotten. 



In 1857, at the invitation of Mr. Smith (the late Lord 

 Strathcona), one of the Brethren journeyed to North West river, 

 at the head of Hamilton inlet, to discuss the advisability of estab- 

 lishing a station among the Eskimo of that district. When it 

 was found that there were only ten Eskimo families still surviving 

 in that section, the Mission decided that it would not pay to 

 take up work among them. (Descendants of these families are 

 found '"at the present day at a little native settlement near 

 Rigolet called Karawalla, and number about 35 souls.) 



In 1857 the dogs at the Mission stations were attacked by a 

 mysterious disease of the Arctic peculiar to canines, and many of 

 them perished. Wild game was also infected, and caribou, 

 foxes, wolves, and other animals died in large numbers. Conse- 

 quently, due to the diminishing of food, the next census (1860) 

 of the Eskimo shows a slight decrease: 



Nain 277 persons 



Hopedale 241 



Okkak 314 



Hebron 206 " 



^' In 1865 a station was established at Zoar, about halfway 

 between Nain and Hopedale, and in 1871 another northern 

 station at Ramah, north of Hebron. 



