112 



FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 



Abbe Ferland. 



carried out their cuisine would not be very costly. Although 

 the emoluments of the commissioners are not great, neverthe- 

 less, no master was ever better served than are the MM. 

 Robin. 



11 'Chosen at about the age of 

 fourteen years and trained for 

 some time by the heads of the con- 

 cern, these employes are then 

 placed in the establishment of 

 Gaspe, where the interests of the 

 company seem to become identi- 

 fied with their own. Every second 

 year one of the commissioners of 

 each warehouse spends the winter 

 in Jersey in order to give an ac- 

 count of the state of affairs. 



" 'One of the most important 

 principles of the MM. Robin 



is to allow no innovations. Many incidents are recorded 

 relating to their attachment to the established order; I will 

 cite only one. Their coasting vessels must always terminate 

 in a long narrow stern. A few years ago their head carpenter, 

 in making a brig for the coast service, thought desirable to 

 give it a square stern, since the wood he was using necessi- 

 tated that shape. Some months afterwards he received orders 

 to alter it and make it over again with the elongated stern. 

 To this order was added a solemn injunction always to main- 

 tain the ancient order. ' 



"The strictures made by the Abbe on the effect of the 

 Robin fishing trust on the settlements and their people may 

 present a fair picture of the conditions seventy years ago, 

 and in the light of the present it is interesting to read them. 

 " 'The inhabitants of Paspebiac are completely dependent 

 on the house of Robin. When the Government decided to 

 make grants of land to the people, Mr. Charles Robin, who 

 held absolute authority here, persuaded the fishermen that it 





