801 



limit, 



United States' evidonco), " it is certainly a notorious fact that herring; arc much more 

 iibundant on ilic coast of Newfoundhind tlian tlicy arc on tlie coast of the United States; 

 tiiough wiiotlior the licrring; that are wanted on tiic United States* coast could or could 

 not be liad in tlio United States I cannot say, but I <lo think tliat iierrinp; arc vastly 

 more abundant in Newfoundland and tho Hay of Fundy llian tiiey are farMier south." 



Professor llind, upon the same subject, says tiiat lie lias given his attention especially 

 to ocean jilivsics, tlie habits of fisii, and has made a particular study of the action of the 

 Arctic current and tlic edect of tlie (Julf Stream for a number of years ; aj^reein^ with 

 Professor liaird. lie Rives the cod a primary position among; fishes, and that it recjuircs 

 water of low temperature. It always seeks the coldest water wherever iei; is not present 

 (pa^'o ;3, Appendix Q). He says also, " it is only wliere extreme cold water exists that 

 cod is found throufjhout the year; and upon the American coast it is only where the 

 Arctic current strikes tliat cod is tbund through tlic year." 



A close study of liistory and authentic lisherv records has ena1)led him to pronounce 

 with authority that there are certain localities when; the cod-fislieries are inexhaustible, 

 aa the Straits of Bello Isle, the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, and, to use the Professor's 

 words, " that umuziiuj fishing yround on thr south coast of Nnrfoundlnnd." " TItcrc is no 

 portion of the world," he savs, "where there is such an aviiizimj supph/ of cod. It has been 

 so for 300 years and upwards. Compared with European fisheries, the Newfoundland and 

 Labrador are far superior in every respect." That the Newfoundland coast fishery is, on an 

 iivera^:e, compared with the Norwei^ian fisheries, includin;^ the Lofoden Islands (which 

 Professor Haird sjieaks of as bcin;;' one of the most important and productive iifhins 

 jjrounds), as live is to three, or where five cpiintals of fisji are taken at Newfoundland, 

 three are only taken on tlie coast of Norway, including; the Lotbden Islands, lie says 

 tlic bays and all along the coast of Newfoundland, and also part of the Grand Hank, 

 may be considered as the j;reat spawninc; p;rounds of tlie cod, and the great cod-fishery of 

 the world; the contbrmation of tlic coast, flu; depth of water, the deep bays and inlets, 

 and the numerous islands surrounding;; Ncwtbundland, are peculiarly adapted to con- 

 stitute that coast " as the home of the cod-fish." (Hind, paf^e O, A])pendix Q.) — " I think 

 there is no part of the world where, owinj;- to the oroj:;rapliic features of tiie coast-line, 

 all tlic conditions of life for the cod are developed to such an extent as on the north-east 

 coiost of Newfoundland, the northern portion of the Grand Hanks, and the southern part 

 of the island.'* 



The diajiram carefully prepared by Professor Hind, showing the progress of the 

 Newfoundland fisheries from 1804 to 1876, is conclusive evidence of their continuously 

 increasing value and importance. 1 do not wish to delay the Commission by referring 

 to that r;ost interesting,- evidence of Professor Hind, where he graphically describes the 

 myriads of diatoms in tlit; Arctic seas, and traces, link by link, the chain of connection 

 between the lowest minute tbrms of life, and the food of all fish inhabiting the cool 

 temperature of the Arctic current, including the invaluable cod-fish, following the course 

 of that current along the shores and banks of British North America, teeming with cod 

 and other cold water fishes ; but let us proceed, and see wliat practical men — captains of 

 United Stales' Bankers — say upon the subject of the Bank Fishery. (Captain Molloy, 

 British Adidavits, page 50, No. 53) — " From my experience and observation, I am of 

 oi)inion that the Bank fishery off the coast of Newfoundland is capable of vast expansion 

 and development, towards which the privilege of baiting and refitting in the harbours 

 of Newfoundland is indispensable.*' 



And Captain Joseph P. Denecf (British Affidavits, No. 32, page 50, Appendix G), 

 confirms this statement in every particular. 



Thus the scientific resc^arciies and study of these learned professors, and the practical 

 experience of these United States' masters of vessels, combine to prove the vast source of 

 wealth now existing in the .Newfoundland waters, and the probability, nav, almost 

 certainly, of tiiere bcnng still a richer mine of fishery-wealth as yet undeveloped. My 

 learned friend, Mr. Dana, admits the cod-fisliery to be the great iisliery of his country- 

 men, and, (|uotiiig the late Mr. Howe, he alleges the impossibility of its depletion. By 

 the Washington Treaty vast areas are fiirown open to United States' fishermen to 

 prosecute the great fishery of their country. 



I now come to the question of bait fishes, and_ the taking of Ihom by Americans on 

 the coast of Newfbiuulland. It was attempted to b'e sliowii by my learned friends on the 

 other side tliat salt bait is belter auil less expensive than fresh. In tlie establishment of 

 either of tlu!se ))ositions a very short review of the evidence of their own witnesses will 

 show that they iiave utterly failed. Major Low, put fortli as an im])orta;it witness upon 

 i.his snbject, liail been (Jiie year fishing in the Gulf tliree years fitting vessels for the 

 fishery, two \eari a vvarrior, then a town clerk in Gloucester, and now an oHicial in the 

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