2588 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



harbors of one of the provinces or into those of Newfoundland ? A. I 

 think they have done so. 



Q. In fact, it is the general practice at this time for all cod fishing 

 vessels on the Banks to go in for fresh bait ? I am not saying whether 

 it is advantageous or disadvantageous. A. Many of them do. 



Q. The great majority of them do; nearly all, in fact? A. I think 

 that more than one-half of them do. I refer to Gloucester vessels when 

 I say that. 



Q. Can you explain how it is, if the captains disapprove of going into 

 those harbors for fresh bait, that the practice has grown until it has be- 

 come almost universal ? A. I think it has been more difficult to obtain 

 bait and ice lately than it was years previously. 



Q. You have not had any experience during the lust two years ? A. 

 No. 



Q. The practice being now almost universal of going iuto the harbors 

 of the provinces, or the coast of Newfoundland, for fresh bait, how is it 

 that the captains do so when you state that the practice is greatly dis- 

 approved ? A. Vessels are very anxious to get fresh bait, if they can 

 do so without too much disadvantage and time spent. 



Q. It is considered so far superior that vessels are very anxious to 

 obtain it, and make sacrifices to obtain it ? A. If one vessel is fishing 

 with fresh bait and another vessel is fishing near with salt bait, the one 

 with the salt bait will not do as much. I presume if they all fish with 

 salt bait there will not be that difference. 



Q. As a matter of fact, a salt-bait vessel has no chance when fishing 

 alongside a vessel with fresh bait ? A. Not so good a chance. 



Q. Yon cannot explain how it is that the practice has so increased 

 and become almost universal, when it is so disapproved ? A. People 

 are desirous of getting fresh bait. 



Q. People are desirous of getting fresh bait ? A. Before they went 

 in after this bait, I think the vessels did as well as they do now. 



Q. Can you give any statistics in regard to vessels fishing with salt 

 bait and fishing with fresh bait ? A. I am not prepared to do so now. 

 By Mr. Dana : 



Q. You were asked by last counsel (Mr. White way) as to the relative 

 prices at which articles were supplied you by the owners of the vessels. 

 Without going into details, I would like you to state to the Commission 

 how the matter is generally managed in Gloucester. The supplies for 

 the vessels usually charged to the crew are usually furnished, are they 

 not, by one of the owners, who acts as agent and purchases supplies ! 

 A. Usually. 



Q. Is the practice universal f Is there any obligation to buy from 

 the owners ? A. No ; the crew are not obliged to do so. If a man has 

 the money, and wishes to buy elsewhere, he is at liberty to do so. 



Q. Is Gloucester a place where there are few firms ; or is it a place 

 where there are a great many persons engaged in the selling of all sorts 

 of outfits ? A. There are a great many. 



Q. Is there any such thing as combination among them ; or is com- 

 petition greater than combination ? A. There is greater competition. 



Q. What class of persons make up, for the most part, the crews which 

 sail from Gloucester ? Is it or is it not the case that persons who are 

 masters one day may be hands another day ? A. Yes; frequently. 



Q. Very much so ? A. Yes. 



Q. You have among your hands a good many men who have been 

 masters themselves, and understand the business ? A. A good many 

 men who have been masters, and are capable of going as masters. 



