AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1863 



the privilege of following the schools of mackerel to the shore. There 

 is a consensus of evidence on that point, I submit. 



There was a statement made with reference to this fishery by Mr. 

 Foster in his speech in connection with the evidenceof George Mackenzie^ 

 which I think I can convince Mr. Foster was erroneous. No doubt he 

 unwittingly misrepresented Mr. Mackenzie's statement. 



Mr. FOSTER. What is it about ? 



Mr. THOMSON. You put in his mouth this language; it is quoted in 

 your speech : " There has not been for seven years a good vessel mackerel 

 fishery, and for the last two years it has been growing worse and worse." 

 Xow, he did not say anything of the kind ; and I want to show that 

 this is the case. 1 will read you what you said : 



We have the statement of one of the Prince Edward Inland witnessed, George Mackenzie. 

 on page 132 of the British Evidence, who, after describing the gradual decrease of the Amer- 

 ican fishery by vessels, says, " There has not been for seven years a pood vessel mackerel 

 fishery, and for the last two years it has been growing worse and worse." 



I wish to call the attention of the Commission to this matter to pre- 

 vent their being misled by this statement. I do not, of coures, charge 

 any willful misstatement upon my learned friend, and consider that he 

 has fallen into an unintentional error. Such language was never used 

 by the witness in question ; he never said "and for the last two years 

 it has been growing worse and worse." If my learned friend will turn 

 up the evidence and point such a statement out, I will withdraw this as- 

 sertion ; but though I have carefully gone through his evidence, I can- 

 not find it. 



Mr. FOSTER. Do you think that I am quoting that expression of 

 opinion *? 



Mr. THOMSON. It is printed with quotation marks. You put forward 

 this statement as having been made by him; and I undertake to My 

 that this statement in that respect has never been made. 



Mr. FOSTER. I am put down as having quoted that continuously. I 

 may say that 1 did not correct that portion or a great portion of my 

 speech. 



Mr. THOMSON. You say that this statement is to be found on pnge 1 



Mr. FOSTER. The following portion of his examination is to be found 

 on page 133 : 



Q. The fisheries failed pretty suddenly, did they not ? A. No. For a good wny yer 

 they were failing. 



Q. Which was the last good year? A. We have not really had a good yen 

 last seven years. 



I think you are right. I do not think that the exact words of the ex 

 pression which is placed in quotation-marks are to be found there ; 

 that statement contains the spirit of his evidence. 



Mr. THOMSON. On page 128 he gives an opposite view. 



Mr. FOSTER. I have just read from page 13:*. I must com 

 statements, and see how they correspond. I should hate t3 be r 

 sible for the accuracy of the printing. 



Mr. THOMSON. I will not take up any more time about 

 further than to say to the Commissioners that 1 have cart- 

 through this evidence, and I cannot find it. 



Mr. FOSTER. I say that the substance of this statement i 



Mr. THOMSON. I differ from you on that puint ; but 

 it is there I will withdraw what I have said about it. 



Mr. FOSTER. 1 have already pointed oat the substance of 

 133. 



