AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 2567 



large numbers, and the fleet are right on the spot to take advantage of it. Nothing 

 that we know of in the way of good news, in a business point of view, wonld be more 

 welcome at the present writing than the intelligence that the Gloucester mackerel 

 fleet were coming in with " heavy decks." It wonld enliven everybody, and the fact 

 would insure provisions and fuel for the coining winter to many a family who are now 

 very anxious as to where their supplies are to come from. 



Does that contain the substantial facts or not? A. I should say 

 that if 200 sail of vessels prosecute that business, and go to sea and get 

 no fish, the people do not get any meat or bread. 



Q. There art a large number of people dependent on the success of 

 that enterprise? A. Yes; on all the business; that is one of the main 

 portions of the business. 



Q. You have said that lately the catch on your coast was better ? A. 

 It has been better during five or six years. 



Q. Here is a paper of October 6, and I find, under the head of " Bos- 

 ton Fish Market," the following : 



Mackerel are arriving in sufficient supply from the provinces to meet all demands. 

 Good fish are most in demand, at full prices. Our homo shore fleet is now near at 

 band on the Middle Bank. It is probably the largest that has been together this sea- 

 son, over 300 sail. The first of the week they took a few fish with hooks, of better 

 size and quality, but during the past three days they have done nothing. 



Q. Do you know of that ? It refers to three days preceding 6th Oc- 

 tober. A. I had vessels going though I was not out fishing and could 

 not tell personally and I know they came in with very fair trips. That 

 is the only knowledge I have. 



Q. The editor of the Commercial Bulletin generally picks up his in- 

 formation from those best qualified to give it ? A. I don't know where 

 he picks it up. He did not come to me for any. 



Q. You are not the sole depositary of information, I suppose ? A. I 

 could have given him some information about it. I could have spoken 

 of my own experience. The David Lowe, the day before I came away, 

 brought in 150 barrels, which had been caught two miles off the coast, 

 and one-third of them were 1's. That was oue item, which does not ap- 

 pear there, that I would have given him if he had called upon me. 



Q. Could you tell whether any fish was caught during the three days 

 preceding 6th October? A. I could not tell. 



Q. Mr. Foster asked you a question about blackmailing American 

 fishing vessels on the part of the officers of the navy. Do you know 

 anything about the vessels ? A. I never had any personal knowledge. 



Q You have no reason to know it, except from common report ? A. 

 $o. 



Q. Which may or may not be true ? A. Yes. 



Q. Were any of your vessels ever blackmailed in that way ? A. Not 

 to uiy knowledge. It was the common report that Captain Derby took 

 20 barrels of mackerel from one vessel. 



Q. In 1866 you were not fishing ? A. No. 



Q. Nor in 1857 or 1868 ? A. Not since 1864. 



Q. You took out licenses ? A. Yes. 



Q. During two years you took out licenses, and the crew had to pay 

 half the fees ? A. It was made a stock charge. I am not positive about 

 it, but I believe so. I would direct it to be done so, if I was there. 



Q. They would therefore judge whether it was best to take out license 

 or not ? A. Yes ; I suppose so. 



Q. In 1868 your five vessels took only 625 barrels, and that year you 

 did not take out a license? A. Yes. 



Q. May not that account tor the very small catch ? A. If the cap- 

 tains of those vessels had deemed it of great importance they would 



