AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1213 



great extent, of the short catch of codfish last year on these south and 

 western shores. The average catch of codfish per hand for the years 

 1874, 1875, and 1876 would not be more than twenty quintals, which is 

 a large estimate. Previous to 1874 the average catch per hand has 

 been from forty to fifty quintals. I cannot understand what affects the 

 fishery or causes this reduction except the operations of United States 

 fishermen on our shores and on the outer Banks facing our shores. I 

 am now old and have not much interest in the fisheries, except for the 

 rising generation, but I feel certain that these American fishermen will 

 ruin our fishery, and our bait supply. I have had sufficient experience 

 during my life following the fisheries to convince me that their mode of 

 operations from first to last, on our shores and on the Banks, is the 

 very worst for our country and the surest means of destroying our fish- 

 eries. 



THOMAS CAREW. 



Sworn before me at Shores Cjve, Cape Broyle, this 13th April, 1877. 



J. O. ERASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavits. 



No. 95. 



CHARLES JAMES BARNES, aged 33 years, occupation, fish curer, re- 

 siding at St. John's, Newfoundland, makes oath and saith : 



Deponent has had practical acquaintance with the fisheries of New- 

 foundland for upwards of fifteen years. 



Deponent saw a number of United States fishing-vessels in this har- 

 bor last year ; these vessels came here for bait and ice, and to replenish 

 their ships' stores aud refit their vessels for fishing on the Banks. 



Deponent sold bait and ice and stores to a number of United States 

 fishing-vessels last year. 



Deponent bought small codfish and cod-oil from United. States fisher- 

 men last year in payment of bait, ice, aud cost of refitting their vessels ; 

 in some instances deponent purchased small codfish for which he paid 

 in cash. The total quantity of small codfish purchased by deponent last 

 year from United States fishermen was upwards of three hundred quin- 

 tals, for which he paid prices ranging from eight shillings to eleven 

 shillings per quintal of 112 Ibs. green fish. 



Deponent also purchased a considerable quantity of cod-oil from United 

 States fishermen, particulars of which he has not at hand. He further 

 states he is prepared to purchase any reasonable quantity of small fish 

 and oil from United States fishermen. The United States fishing- vessels 

 at this port last year came in for fresh bait and ice, which they purchased 

 from our people. In one instance, one of these vessels sailed with a full 

 supply of bait in sixteen hours after arrival, and generally they baited 

 in from three to six days, the price paid for bait averaging about one 

 dollar per barrel. There are to-day two United States fishing schooners 

 in this harbor for bait and to repair damages. Their names are the 

 Speedwell, Henry A. Cobb, master, aud the Peter D. Smith, Brown, 

 master In conversation with Captain H. A. Cobb aforesaid, and his 

 mate, Jonathan Sparrow, of Provincetown, Mass., they acknowledged 

 to me that it was of very great advantage to United States fishermen 

 that they were privileged to frequent Newfoundland harbors for fresh 

 bait and ice. The persons named aforesaid stated that the only bait 

 obtainable on the Banks is squids and hagdowu, the latter late in the 

 season in limited quantities aud being inferior bait. Squids are only 



