2404 AWARD OF THE F1SH.ERY COMMISSION. 



Q. Your experience was not very extensive ? A. Not very extensive 

 in the gulf. 



By Mr. Treseot : 



Q. I think you misunderstood a question of Mr. Davies. He asked 

 you about the time yon had been at Prince Edward Island. You told 

 him you could not recollect the date, but you can say whether it was 

 within six, eight, or ten years? A. I haven't been there for fifteen 

 years ; I will venture that. 



Q. Now, with regard to another question. You stated, as I under- 

 stand, and as the question I put would lead me to understand, that the 

 mackerel fishery of Deer Island has very much diminished. You under- 

 stood Mr. Davies to apply to the mackerel fishery in the gulf. I would 

 like to know whether, in reply to his question, you meant to say that 

 the fisheries all along the coast of Maine have diminished very much! 

 A. They have ; yes, sir. 



By Mr. Davies : 



Q. As regards the gulf, you have not been there for 15 or 16 years ? 

 A. No ; but our vessels are coming and going there. 



(The witness, being recalled, said he desired to make an explanation 

 with regard to a part of his evidence, and proceeded to say that in speak- 

 ing of the diminution of the fishing on the coast of Maine he did not 

 know anything about the depreciation of the fish in the water on the 

 coast, but that he meant to state simply that the business had not been 

 so profitable in catching them as formerly.) 



By Mr. Davies : 



Q. The vessels that have engaged in the business have diminished in 

 number ? A. Yes. 



Q. And the catches of the vessels that are engaged in the business, 

 have they been as large as in former years? A. No, sir; they have 

 not. 



No. 39. 



WILLIAM H. MCDONALD, of Gloucester, Mass., called on behalf of the 

 Government oi* the United States, sworn and examined. 



By Mr. Trescot : 



Question. You were born in St. John's, Newfoundland ? Answer. 

 Yes. 



Q. You live in Gloucester ? A. Yes. 



Q. What business are you engaged in ? A. Cod-fishing a little, and 

 herring-fishing in the winter. 



Q. How long have you been cod-fishing as skipper? A. Six years. 



Q. You have been fishing on the Grand Bank all that time? A. Yes. 



Q. Do you take bait with you or purchase it ? A. I am two years 

 taking bait from Newfoundland. In previous years I took it from home. 



Q. How do the two systems compare together ! A. I know 1 have 

 dene nothing at all since I have gone in. 1 always got fish before. 



Q. Then you have come to the conclusion you won't go iu any longer? 

 A. No ; I won't. 



Q. What is the trouble ? A. We lose money by going in. 



Q. Do you recollect what catch you made in the first four years when 

 you used salt bait! A. Yes. The first year we got about 3,700 quin- 

 tals j the second year about 3,500 ; the third year 3,000; last year about 

 1,800, and this year about 1,400. 



