AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 2761 



that they cauglt fish around Prince Edward Island and some did not ? 

 A. A good many men fishing in American vessels, perhaps, were natives 

 of the island, or natives of Nova Scotia, and familiar with those shores. 

 Of course, those would fish where perhaps others, such as Cape Cod 

 vessels, would not. for they did not care so much to come into the 

 vicinity of the land. 



Q. The island skippers would come close to the shores of the island, 

 while others would keep out ? A. Yes ; those who were familiar with 

 all the harbors and bays round the island, particularly those familiar 

 with the harbors, for they would want to make for the harbors in a gale 

 of wind. Those familiar with the harbors would not hesitate to fish 

 round the shores, but a great many would hardly care to fish round the 

 bend of the island at all. 



Q. Those not acquainted with the place? A. Yes. 



Q. You have never fished at Magdalen Island yourself? A. No. 



'Q. You confine your operations to Prince Edward Island ? A. Yes. 



Q. Your fishing stages are round the island ? A. Yes. 



Q. You prefer to remain there ? A. That is where the outlay has 

 been made, and I would not care to extend it. 



Q. You would not care to go to Magdalen Islands and start business 

 there ? A. I would not. I don't, however, pretend to know anything 

 about Magdalen Islands. It may be a better place to fish, but any one 

 who has made a large investment at a certain place would not care to ex- 

 tend it or change it. It takes a large amount of capital to get an exten- 

 sive fishery started. You have to have a good many buildings, grounds, 

 and wharves, and other accessories to make it a success. 



Q. You were speaking about the effect of the United States imposing 

 a duty on herring. The United States market is not the sole market for 

 herring ? A. No ; by no means, though it is a very large market. 



Q. So if they did impose a duty amounting to prohibition they would 

 themselves suffer as much as anybody else ? A. It would not destroy 

 the fishing altogether, of course. It is very desirable, however, to have 

 all the market you can get for your fish. 



Q. And it is very desirable for the consumer to have all the fish com- 

 ing in that he requires ? A. Yes. 



. Q. What is the price of pogies? A. I think about an average price 

 would be from 4 to $5 a barrel. 



Q. Where; at the island? A. In Boston. 

 By Mr. Foster : 



Q. What are pogies worth in the island ? A. The cost to bring them 

 by steamer would be about 50 cents a barrel. If they charged for them 

 $5 in Boston they would cost $5.50 landed at Charlottetown. 



Q. Suppose the three-mile line marked out by a line of buoys so that 

 every one could see when he was in and when out, and there was no dan- 

 ger of molestation outside, how important do you think United States fish- 

 ermen would regard it ? A. Well, I cannot say. I should suppose they 

 would, of course, attach some importance to the privilege of coming 

 inshore, but I don't think that it would stop their prosecuting the fish- 

 eries in the gulf. 



Q. What was the real thing that made our people anxious about 

 this? for you know. What was the real trouble that made them anxious 

 about the removal of the restriction ? A. Well, they want to come 

 here without the expense of a license, and want to be free from annoy- 

 ance from cutters, and, of course, they want to go where they please. 

 They don't want to be restricted. If they find mackerel at any place, 

 they want the privilege of catching them. 



