2714 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. And that would be in 12 fathoms of water f A. We would be 

 pretty near in when in 12 fathoms of water. 



Q. You did fish there off shore? A. Yes; we did. 



Q. But were you accustomed to fish there? Was it one of the fishing 

 grounds or haunts which you frequented? A. !Xo; we used to go to 

 the Magdalen Islands to get big mackerel. 



Q. And after they were done, and if you were not successful there, 

 you went to these other places ? A. We used to go to Banks Bradley 

 and Orphan, and to Bird Kocks. 



Q. When you were not successful there do you mean to say that you 

 did not try off Prince Edward Island ? A. We used to try broad off 

 shore there in sight of land. 



Q. I am not speaking of the limits ; but did you not try off Prince 

 Edward Island every year ? A. We fished there broad offshore. 



Q. 2?ever mind that; but every year you fished there? A. I say we 

 used to fish there so that we could see the land; we fished up and down 

 broad off the land ; we would be about 25 or 26 miles off. 



Q. Did you do so every year? A. Xo; we did not. In 1860 we fished 

 altogether off the Magdalen Islands and off Bird Kocks. 



Q. That was for one year? A. Yes; and in 1856 also we fished there 

 altogether. 



Q. With the exception of these two years, you fished every year off 

 Prince Edward Island ? A. Well, we used to fish there broad offshore 

 so as to see land ; we did not like to go in. 



Q. What then induced you to have a conversation with the captain 

 of a cutter respecting the distance off shore, where and in what number 

 of fathoms you should fish? A. We did so because we wanted to find 

 that out so as to satisfy ourselves. 



Q. If you never fished off there save at a distance of 20 or 2L miles 

 from land what earthly necessity could there be for making such an inquiry 

 at all ? A. We had nothing to go by so as to tell what distance we were 

 from land. 



Q. Do you mean to tell the Commission that although you fished 21 

 miles off shore there was any necessity to inquire of a captain of a cut- 

 ter in how many fathoms of water you should fish, so as not to fish 

 within three miles of the shore I A. If we fished iu toward the limits, 

 we wanted to know when we would be safe. 



Q. Why did you want to know the exact depth of water in which to 

 fish ? A. We saw the captain of the cutter when we were going in, 

 and some wanted to heave to and fish, while others urged that we 

 should ask him about it. 



Q. And you never caught any fish inshore ? A. I did not say that 

 we did. 



Q. Why did you wish to know the exact limit ? A. I never caught 

 any fish inside the limit there ; but I have done so ou the Cape Breton 

 shore. 



Q. Why did you want to know the exact distance at which you 

 should fish off New London Head? A. We wanted to satisfy our 

 minds and know where the limit was. 



No. 62. 



EDWARD HILL, fisherman, of Gloucester, Mass., was called on behalf 

 of the Government of the United States, sworn and examined. 



By Mr. Foster : * 



Question. How old are vou ? Answer. I am 56. 



