2958 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. Is it allowed to mackerel fishermen ? A. It is allowed to all fish- 

 ermen. 



Q. Can you form an estimate of the amount of drawback allowed at 

 Gloucester '? A. About $50,000. 



Q. Are you able to say what portion of that 830,000 was allowed for 

 the mackerel fisheries as against those of cod and other fish ? A. Ac- 

 cording to the best of my judgment about one-fifth. It would be accord- 

 ing to the catch ; sometimes it would exceed that a little. 



Q. How are you able to ascertain that? A. On the cancellation of 

 the bond given on a withdrawal entry of salt the parties are obliged to 

 take the amount of fish taken by the vessels, and where the salt was 

 taken. We have a general standard by which we average that matter. 

 The quantity of fish would show very nearly the amount of salt required, 

 and upon that oath the bond is canceled. 



Q. Have you any idea what proportion that $50,000 would bear to 

 the general drawback on salt allowed in the United States? A. I have 

 uot. I have no data on which I could fix any sum. 



Q. Can you tell me from any information you have, what the amount 

 would be, either in quantity or value, of the mackerel fisheries at Glou- 

 cester; and, if so, state how you arrive at the information ? A. I re- 

 quested ouis of my inspectors to take the amount from their books, of 

 owners and fitters, for the last ten years, of the amount of mackerel 

 taken by Gloucester vessels, not only on our own shores, but also in 

 the Gulf ot St. Lawrence, involving the whole catch of the place, which 

 I have here, with his affidavit that he has attended to this duty, and 

 he makes the report in that form. 



Q. Tbis is an official report by your inspector to you ? A. Yes. 



Q. I don't understand, however, that it is a part of your official duty to 

 make this inquiry '? A. Xot in this special case. We make a return 

 of the estimated fisheries for the benefit of the Bureau of Statistics, 

 about June 30, the end of the fiscal year, which, of course, is an esti- 

 mate, because there is no return at that season from which to make 

 the table. 



Q. You have examined this return ? A. I have looked it over casu- 

 ally. 



Q. Without reference to any other information, have you come yourself 

 to any conclusion from that return ? A.* My conclusion would be, as a 

 comparative statement relating to the value of the bay fishery and shore 

 fishery, that in 1866 and 1867 there is but little doubt our catches in 

 the bay per vessel exceeded those on oar own shores, but in succeeding 

 years, including 1876 and not including 1877, there is but little doubt 

 our catches have constantly increased until the catches of our vessels off 

 our own shores have doubled if uot trebled those caught in the Gulf of 

 St. Lawrence. 



Q. Is it the duty of your office to report to the Treasury Department 

 the loss of Gloucester vessels and the cause of loss ? A. It is. 



Q. Have you prepared a list of the vessels lost and the causes ? A. 

 1 have a report here which embodies a portion of the lossss and the 

 causes. 



