878 APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



as to iuform myself, and I have always held the opinion that the seals 

 frequenting both sets of islands interbreed with each other. 



5. The differences which I have mentioned above I have always con- 

 sidered arose either from a difference of temperature or from the hand- 

 ling on the respective islands. I am confirmed in tlie opinion that the 

 density of the fiir is due to the climate by the fact that I have observed 

 in certain seasons the fur of Coppers and Alaskas to vary, and to be 

 much denser than in others, and this I attribute to the fact that the 

 weather in that particular season had been more severe. It is well 

 known to furriers that the furs of the same animal killed at different 

 times of the year or at different places in the same country differ some- 

 what in the density of their fur. 



6. I have considered the question to some extent of regulations, and 

 I certainly think that some regulations of pelagic sealing are abso- 

 lutely necessary. What they exactly should be I have not precise 

 enough information to enable me to form an opinion, but I certainly 

 would not be in favour of the total suppression of pelagic sealing. The 

 north-west catch forms a most important element in the preservation of 

 the seal industry in this country, and in the balance of the market. 

 Should this be put an end to it would leave a monopoly in the hands of 

 the persons for the time being leasing the islands, who would have it in 

 their power not only to control the markets at their will, but, if they so 

 desired it, to remove the entire industry away from England elsewhere 

 This, I think, would be a dangerous thing to the fur trade generally. 



7. And I make this declaration conscientiously believing the contents 

 to be true, and by virtue of "The Statutory Declarations Act, 1835." 



(Signed) Joseph Politzer. 



Declared at No. 35, Queen Street, in the City of London, this 12th 

 December, 1892. 

 Before me: 



(Signed) Walter B. Priest, 



A Commissioner for Oaths. 



No. 13. 



Declaration of Mr, William Halsey, of the Hudson's Bay Company. 



I, William Halsey, of No. 1, Lime Street, in the City of London, fur 

 broker, solemnly and sincerely declare as follows: 



1. I act as broker for the Hudson's Bay Company. As such broker, 

 it is my duty to receive and catalogue all furs sent from Canada and 

 the Hudson's Bay Territories by the agents of the Comjiany there, and, 

 in due course, to sell them in the London market by x^ublic auction. 

 The average annual value of the skins and furs which the Company 

 dispose of in this manner amounts to about 250,000Z. Among the skins 

 shipped to the Company are comprised every year a certain number of 

 sealskins, but not nearly to the same extent as in former years, the 

 average for the last ten years being about 750 skins. 



2. By reason of my dealing with so many skins and furs as aforesaid, 

 I am familiar with the skin and fur market in London. 



3. The seal-skins sent home by the agents of the Company are part 

 of what is commonly known as the North-west catch. The Hudson's 

 Bay Company have never had to consider what percentage of this catch 

 was composed of female seals. The question of sex is one that never 

 arises in dealing with the skins on the Loudon market. Seal skins are 



