872 APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



3. There are three chief classes of skins dealt with in the London 

 market, viz. : the Copper Island skins, the Pribyloff Island skins, and 

 what is generally called the north-west catch. 



4. The differences which exist between the Coppers and the Alaskas 

 are, in my ojjinion, the following: 



(a.) There is a slight difference in the colonr, but what that difference 

 is it would be difficult precisely to define. I have never had to concern 

 myself about it for business purposes. 



(6.) The hair of the Copper skin is somewhat harder and more diffi- 

 cult to remove. The dressers, however, do not make any higher charge 

 for removing it, charging the same for all three sorts of skins. 



(c.) The fur of the Alaska seal is of better quality, that is to say, it 

 is closer than the Copper. 



{d.) The sizes of the Alaska skins, in my oi^inion, run a little larger 

 than the Copper skins. This is probably due to the flaying and 

 selecting. 



The above differences are, in my opinion, the only ones which exist 

 between Copper and Alaska skins. I do not consider that there is any 

 difference of shape. 



The differences above referred to vary considerably in different years, 

 and in the trade we account for these differences and variations by the 

 fact that seals on the Commander Islands are killed at different and 

 varying times of the year from the seals on the Pribyloffs. 



5. The elements which influence price in favour of Alaskas is, first of 

 all, that they run larger. In the second place, there often remains a 

 few silver hairs, even in carefully dressed Copi)ers, which the machine 

 does not always remove, and this being hard, they are not so workable. 

 In the third place, the quality of the Alaska fur is better, that is to 

 say, it is closer; and, fourthly, the Alaskas are better flayed and salted. 

 These are the only four considerations which, in my opinion, influence 

 the price. 



G. In inspecting parcels of skins from Pribyloff Islands sold from 

 time to time by Messrs. Lampson,I have noticed amongst them skins 

 of seals which I should have thought, had they not been there, were 

 from the Commander Islaud skins, and, in the same way, in inspecting 

 skins of Commander Island seals, I have noticed amongst them skins 

 just like Alaskas, and, of course, in each class I have noted skins of the 

 other class, but of a less marked degree of similarity. 



7. I have always taken a great interest in the question of the preser- 

 vation of seal life and regulations, and although I have not got definite 

 information on the matter, I have long believed that some regulations 

 are absolutely necessary. What those regulations .should be I do not 

 consider myself comi^etent exactly to say, but I would not approve of 

 any regulations which would affect the north-west catch. It is apparent 

 to me that the abolition of this catch would leave the whole of the busi- 

 ness in the control of the persons owning the islands, and this, to my 



mind, would be injurious to the fur trade generally. 

 236 8. And I make this declaration conscientiously believing the 



same to be true, and by virtue of " The Statutory Declaration 

 Act, 1835." 



(Signed) Thos. H. Ince. 



Declared at the Foreign Office, London, this 3rd day of December, 

 1892. 

 Before me: 



(Signed) Walter B. Priest, 



A Commissioner of Oaths, 



