AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 3291 



No. 219. 



I. John Curzon a native of Pictou Nova Scotia. Master of Schooner 

 Mist of Gloucester Massachusetts Aged 35 years on oath depose and say 

 that I have been engaged in the fishing business, nine years, Cod & 

 Halibut Fishing wholly, with exception of one trip after Mackerel, have 

 fished on Grand Bank, and Georges Banks. In fishing on the Grand 

 Banks I have bought my bait, paying cash have procured them in For- 

 tune, Tar and Conception Bays in Newfoundland, paying from 20c to 

 75c per hundred for Squid and from $25 to $30 for baiting our Schooner 

 for the voyage. I have purchased Ship Stores and Ice in Newfoundland 

 always paying more than I could have bought for at home, they asking 

 th# highest prices for everything I have never carried Nets or anything 

 to catch bait and know of no vessel (American) that has. the trade with 

 American vessels has been for three or four years past and they make 

 money out of it I do not know what they would do without us for their 

 Squid would be worthless without our trade, and their Herring would 

 be almost wortless to them except what few they could sell at the French 

 Islands. If prevented from purchasing bait and supplies in Newfound- 

 land, American fishermen could go to the French Islands and get plenty, 

 and their other supplies much cheaper. 



That I consider that their chance to sell to American Fishermen is 

 worth a great deal more to them than our privilege to go the,re and pur- 

 chase, for dozzens are running after you to sell bait and if they think 

 you want supplies and ice the Merchants or Traders solicit your trade. 



JOHN CURZON 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 



ESSEX ss. GLOUCESTER Aug 13th 1877 



Then personally appeared John Curzou, above named, and made oath 

 that all the above statements by him subscribed are true, before me 



DAVID W. LOW 



(Seal.) Notary Public 



No. 220. 



I, John G. Dennis of Gloucester in the county of Essex and Com- 

 monwealth of Massachusetts, being duly sworn do depose and say that 

 I am forty years old, and have been engaged in the fishing business 

 both as fishermen and in sending out vessels, for the last fifteen years 

 I am now a member of the firm of Dennis and Ayer. I send on an ave- 

 rage two vessels each winter to Fortune Bay Newfoundland for herring 

 Herring are purchased from the inhabitants of Newfoundland and are 

 never caught by the Americans The vessels that go to Newfoundland 

 for herring are not prepared for fishing they purchase herring paying 

 from one to two dollars per barrel partly in money and partly in goods, 

 provisions, &c these vessels all make entry at the Custom-House and 

 pay duties upon the goods with which they purchase the herring 

 American vessels leave from ($25000,00) twenty-five thousand dollars 

 to ($40,000 00) forty thousand dollars Each year in the region of For- 

 tune Bay This is the only business the inhabitants of Fortune Bay 

 have during the winter, and the only market for their herring and with- 

 out it they would not be able to live American vessels have never 

 been ordered off or forbidden to purchase herring on the coast of New 

 foundland 



I am also engaged in the cod fishery on the Grand Banks and my ves- 



