2904 AWAED OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



against this trip to see whether the trip was bonafife a profit or loss .' 

 A. !Nb, because they might be greater or less. 



Q. In your capacity as dealer you make a profit on the packing 

 out ? A. Yes. 



Q. So, though there is nominally loss, yet practically you did not 

 sustain a loss? A. Yes, we did. We packed out on that trip 167 

 barrels. If you find the packing charge, it is, I think, 8175, and we 

 could not possibly make more than $30 or $40 out of the packing. 



Q. From the other trips made during the year the charges against the 

 vessel would be reduced, and consequently at the end of the year the 

 result might show a profit? A. Against the trip to ^Newfoundland 

 there was charged a quantity of duck, and I know we had two sails 

 that were used in the bay trips. Part of the sail-maker's account 

 should go against the bay trip. 



By Mr. Foster : 



Q. There seem to be 81.245.68 charged on the debit side of this 

 account, and 86G1.94 as an offset for certain items, though they are not 

 carried out. That was the actual cost of the articles ? A. The figures 

 were taken from my books, under my direction. 



Q. That account for each vessel is kept in order that you may know 

 how your business is going on ? A. Yes. 



Q. The suggestion has been made that it does not accurately repre- 

 sent the precise results of the particular voyages, because some 

 expenses are charged here which would not always be charged, and of 

 course that is true. But how much is the variation ? Run your eyes 

 over the items, and let us know to what extent the amount would be 

 likely to vary, taking a number of years ? A, This account ought to 

 be larger. 



Q. Explain what you mean. A. I mean to say that the vessel was 

 partly fitted for the trip when she went in. For instance, she was 

 painted on deck, and her rigging was in perfect order, and she had part 

 of her stores on board, which had been paid for on preceding voyages. 

 This account is a smaller account than it would actually be if the 

 vessel had not gone previously anywhere else. 



Q. If Mr. Davies will send anybody to Gloucester, he can have 

 access to examine your books? A. Yes; and I shall be very glad if he ' 

 will come and take some shares in our vessels. 

 By Sir Alexander Gait : 



Q. You have mentioned the year 1870 as one of very high prices for 

 mackerel and at the same time a very large catch ? A. Yes. 



Q. In 1871 prices were exceedingly low ? A. Yes. 



Q. Do you know that 1871 was the year when the Washington Treaty 

 was made ? Do you think that would have any effect in reducing the 

 prices ? A. Xot a great deal. 



Q. Your opinion is that notwithstanding the large supply of fish that 

 came in in 1870, and the read mission of Canadian fish provided for in 

 the treaty, it did not really affect the change in the price f A. No ; I 

 lay it altogether to speculation in the article. I know that, because we 

 got very badly bitten. 

 By Mr. Foster : 



Q. What was the date of the break in the prices ? A. They were car- 

 ried along till about April or May, 1871. 

 By Sir Alexander Gait : 



Q. Mr. Hall told us that the prices broke in December, 1870 ? A. We 



