PERIOD FROM 1871 TO 1905. 875 



cutter had gone out, the captain of the Neskilita assumed the responsi- 

 bility and took the things ashore. The captain of the cutter told me 

 that I could put the saved material on board a Nova Scotia vessel if 

 I went outside of the three-mile limit to do it. I endeavored to get 

 some of the people on shore to take the wrecked crew, but no one 

 would do it unless I would be responsible for their board. Finally, 

 I gave the crew $60, enough to pay their passage home on the cars, 

 and also gave them provisions to last during their journey. 



Malpeque is a barred harbor, and it is only in smooth water that it 

 is safe to go out over the bar, and my vessel drawing fourteen feet of 

 water, and there was only fourteen feet of water on the bar, it was 

 impossible for me to go out. By being detained in port in disposing 

 of this wrecked crew I lost over ten days of valuable time before I 

 could get out to fish, and during that time the fleet took large quanti- 

 ties of mackerel. Having to feed so many on my vessel left me short 

 of provisions, and in a short time afterwards I put into Port Medway, 

 and stated the circumstances, and asked permission to buy half a 

 barrel of flour or enough provisions, to take my vessel and crew home. 

 This was absolutely refused, and the collector threatened me that if I 

 bought anything whatever he would seize my vessel. I was obliged 

 to leave without obtaining anything and came home in three days, on 

 short rations, a distance of 300 miles. The wind and weather being 

 favorable, we had a good passage, but yet we were without provisions 

 for one day before we arrived home. I wish to state most emphatic- 

 ally that the officials differ in their construction of our rights. Fees 

 are different in every port, and as there is no standard of right fixed 

 by our own Government, the fishermen are at the mercy of a class of 

 officials hostile to them and their business, and with but little knowl- 

 edge of law or its application. 



For instance, at Souris, Prince Edward Island, 15 cents is charged. 

 For reporting at Port Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, 50 cents is charged. 

 At Port Hood, I being sick, my brother went to the custom-house to 

 report. The official charged him 25 cents, and told him that unless 

 the captain reported in person the report was invalid; that men from 

 the vessel would not be allowed ashore unless the captain reported. 



In the afternoon of the same day I was able to go to the office, and 

 was charged 25 cents for my report, making 50 cents. In the matter 

 of anchorage fees, at Port Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, I paid $1.50; at 

 Malpeque, $1; at Sydney, $1.17. At some ports we have to pay 

 anchorage fees every time we go in, as at Halifax ; at others twice for 

 the season. 



Now, I would most respectfully state that the official service through- 

 out is actuated apparently from a principle of annoyance wherever 

 and whenever it can be so applied; that there is only harmony of 

 action in this regard alone, and that local laws and regulations are 

 enforced against us without regard to any rights we may have under 

 treaty; that the effect of this enforcement is not to promote but to 

 interfere and to limit by unjust pains, fees, and penalties the right of 

 shelter, obtaining wood and water, and maldng of repairs guaranteed 

 by treaty of 1818; that instead of the restriction contemplated the 

 local laws make a technical obligation that is without their province 

 or power, and enforce penalties that should never be admitted or 

 allowed by our Government. 



