1198 MISCELLANEOUS. 



not desirable. The fishermen dress and cure the cod, pollock, hake, 

 and haddock the kinds usually dried in a slovenly manner. 



These fish, besides being rough and dirty on the "split face," fre- 

 quently " slime," and thus are unfit for use. They also smoke, pickle, 

 and pack the herring without skill and care, and decay is the conse- 

 quence. There is no excuse whatever for such a course of conduct, 

 and every offender should be held to punishment. The gentlemen of 

 New Brunswick who complain of the decline of their fisheries, and 

 who seek to encourage them by private "associations," and by gov- 

 ernment "bounties," should endeavor, first of all, to devise a plan to 

 improve the reputation of the fish of this part of that colony among 

 dealers and consumers. 



I find it stated in an official document* that in 1850, at the different 

 fishing-stations mentioned as within these bays, there were employed 

 62 vessels of 1,268 tons, 344 open boats, 55 weirs, and 1,337 men, in 

 catching and curing the several kinds of fish just referred to; and 

 that the value of the products of the various branches of the fishery 

 was 33,080 f currency, or $132,320. 



These facts show that the fishermen received a miserable pittance 

 for their toil; since, without allowing for the use and depreciation of the 

 capital invested in the vessels, boats, weirs, nets, and other fishing-gear, 

 they earned for the year less than one hundred dollars each. We may 

 lament that men who pursue their avocation both day and night, mid 

 rains and gales, are so poorly rewarded. We may lament, too, that 

 the people of Grand Menan, falling short of those of Campo Bello, 

 West Isles, and the parishes on the coast of the main land, earn even 

 less than the average. But, what then? The fault is their own; en- 

 tirely so. They may, if they will, produce as sweet and as well-cured 

 pollock and cod as do their brethren of Barrington, and as good col- 

 ored and flavored smoked herring as do those of Digby, and obtain 

 prices to correspond with the quality. 



The general poverty among them is not to be attributed entirely or 

 principally, as they aver, to the occasional loss of boats and nets, nor 

 to glutted markets and bad seasons, nor to the interlopers who visit 

 their fishing grounds, but to their own want of industry, thrift, clean- 

 liness, and honesty. The few "who work it right," acquire property, 

 and enjoy the entire confidence of the dealers, command credits for 

 supplies, and high prices for their commodities when offered for sale. 



It remains to speak of the fisheries of the Bay of Chaleurs, and of 

 the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The county of Restigouche borders on 

 Canada, and the counties of Gloucester, Northumberland, and Kent, 

 are favorably situated for adventures in these waters. The fishing 

 grounds are safe, and generally close to the shores; and those near 

 Caraquet, in Gloucester, are much frequented by boats from Gaspe, 

 and owned by residents of Canada. Since 1835, the catch of both 



* "Report upon the fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, by M. H. Perley, esq., her 

 Majesty's emigration officer at Saint John, N. B.; laid before the House of Assembly 

 by command of his excellency the lieutenant governor, and ordered to be printed, 

 15th March, 1851." To this minute, carefully-prepared, and valuable State paper, 

 I am much indebted for statistics and other information. Mr. Perley's endeavors to 

 improve the condition and develop the resources of New Brunswick, are entitled to 

 the highe3t commendation of his fellow-colonists. 



f No statistics for Grand Menan are given. Mr. P. says a dealer estimates the value 

 in 1849 as 12,000, which, in accordance with Mr. P.'s suggestion of being too high, I 

 assume to have been 11,000. 



