SEAL LIFE OX THE PKIBILOF ISLANDS. 31 



In addition to this sum there was expended in support of these natives 

 derived from their own earnings, as follows: 



On St. Paul : 



Division of sealers' community fund $6, 537.50 



Derived from blue foxes 1, 025. 00 



On St. George : 



Division of sealers' community fund 1, 408. 50 



Derived from 1>1 no foxes 2, 685. 00 



Cash paid natives by North American Commercial Company for mis- 

 cellaneous labor. . 2,000.00 



Total 13,656.00 



COAL. 



There was landed at the islands 370 tons of coal, 290 tons being 

 delivered under special contract, and 80 tons under the terms of the 

 lease. The coal is of fair quality, and sufficient quantity for the com- 

 fort of the natives and Government agents in charge of the islands. 

 The same was distributed as follows: 



St. Paul Island: Tons. 



Government house 10 



Use of natives 250 



St. George Island : 



Government house 10 



Use of natives 100 



Total 370 



A house was built on each of the islands in which to store the coal 

 for native use, the one on St. Paul Island having a capacity of 300 

 tons; the one on St. George, 150 tons. The North American Commer- 

 cial Company furnished under contract all materials, including lumber, 

 hardware, and paint, and superintended the construction of the two 

 buildings, for $790. The natives on the respective islands performed the 

 labor of erecting the same without charge to the Government. The 

 coal is stored in these buildings and it is believed that they will prove 

 a great saving in the future. 



FURNITURE FOR GOVERNMENT HOUSES. 



The following articles for the furnishing of the Government houses 

 were received : 



St. Paul Island : 



One hundred and forty-five yards of carpet $156. 10 



Six rugs, to match, at $2.75 16. 50 



One water pitcher, cup, and tray 5. 50 



One Franklin stove 16.00 



Felt for office desk 1.50 



St. George Island: 



One Franklin stove 16. 00 



Three rugs, at $2.75 8.25 



One dust tray, one-half dozen brooms 1. 85 



Eight window shades 7. 00 



One toilet set . 4.00 



One water pitcher, cup, and tray 5.50 



Total 238. 20 



BLUE FOXES.' 



The past winter was an exceptionally long and severe one at the seal 

 islands. There was more snow fall than usual and the ice remained 



