3290 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



great importance to the Newfoundlander, in putting into circulation 

 among the people of the Western Coast a great deal of money and the 

 facility of obtaining by the Newfoundlander from the Americans pro- 

 visions at a cheaper rate than can be obtained from the Newfoundland 

 Merchant, whose prices are exceedingly high. The intercourse of 

 American and Newfoundland fisherman is also of great importance in 

 improving the manners and habits of the Newfoundlander especially in 

 the manner of catching fish and in improving generally the status of 

 the Newfoundland fisherman who is at least half a centuary behind the 

 age even in obtaining and curing fish which is his only means of sup- 

 port. I think the American fishermen leave about sixty thousand dol- 

 lars a years in Newfoundland and all this money is spent among the 

 fishermen and not among the merchants. This must be of inestimable 

 value to the people of Newfoundland who are a very people and have 

 very little money among them JAMES BROWN 



Taken before me at Saint Johns aforesaid this 4th day of June A D 

 1877 



GEO. H. Y EMERSON JR 



Examiner 

 No. 218. 



I. John H. McKiunon a native of Cape Breton N. S. aged 28 years 

 Master of Schooner Rutherford B. Hayes of Gloucester, Mass, on 

 oath deposes and says that in 1875 he was Master of Schooner Mary 

 Low of Gloucester Mass, and was engaged in the Grand Bank Fishing 

 for Cod and Halibut, catching them with Trawls baited mostly with 

 Herring purchased in Hermitage Bay Newfoundland, that I have never 

 caught any bait myself but they the Newfoundlanders have asked my 

 Crew to help them catch the bait, but I did not get it any cheaper on 

 that account. My experience has been that no American Vessel has 

 caught their own bait but occasionally as a favor or to get their bait 

 quicker have aided the Newfoundland fishermen in catching it. paying 

 in full for it. American fishermen do not carry Nets or anything to take 

 bait with, except a few Squid jigs I never took any Codfish or Halibut 

 within three miles of the coast of Newfoundland or British Provinces 

 while I have been in an American Vessel, and do not believe an Ameri- 

 can Vessel does it, except to get a fresh fish to eat. All their Cod & 

 Halibut Fisheries are deep Sea fisheries. I have purchased Ice in New- 

 foundland for which nearly double was paid for it more than Ice sold for 

 in Gloucester. All the supplies wanted for Vessel jise is a great deal 

 higher in Newfoundland and the Inhabitants are making money from 

 their trade with American Vessels In selling to American Vessels I 

 consider it is worth much more to them than the privilege of buying is, 

 to us, as the markets of the French Islands are open to us. and the bait 

 would seek that Market were the Ports of Newfoundland closed to 

 American Fishermen, and I think it is made a market for their bait 

 now, to considerable extent. 



I have been engaged in the Cod & Halibut fisheries for the past five 

 years having been four years Skipper or Master. 



JOHN McKINNON 

 STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS ) 

 COUNTY OF ESSEX j 



GLOUCESTER Aug. 13th, 1877 



Then personally appeared the above named John McKinnou and sub- 

 scribed and made oath that the foregoing statement is true. Before <ae 



(Seal.) DAVID W. LOW Notary PuWic 



