890 APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GBEAT BRITAIN. 



Islands. There are no other differences that I am aware of, and these 

 are the differences which make the commercial ditit'erence in price. The 

 question of price is also greatly influenced by the following- circumstance, 

 viz., that the name of the Alaskas is so much better known than the 

 name of the Coppers, not only to the public, but to the trade. The 

 result of this is, that foreign houses who cannot send a personal repre- 

 sentative to attend the sales, instruct agents, and as they cannot jier- 

 sonally inspect the skins they give orders to their agents to purchase 

 Alaskas in i)reference to Coppers. English houses on the spot buy 

 more usually Coppers, because they know by selecting certain lots they 

 get just as good value and at a cheaper rate owing to the absence of 

 foreign competition for them. 



4. In inspecting the Copper consignments made each year to Messrs. 

 Lampson, I have found in some years as much as 33 per cent, of the 

 skins which were quite as good in quality, and were quite undistin- 

 guishable from Alaska seal-skins, and which, had I seen them elsewhere, 

 I should have classed as Alaskas, and in the same way in inspecting 

 Alaska consignments, I found an equal percentage of skins which in 

 the same way resembled Coppers. 



5. I should be very much oi)posed to the abolition of the North-west 

 Catch. I have always held the opinion that the reports as to the 

 diminution in the seal herds was greatly exaggerated. I also object to 

 the abolition of the North-west Catch, because I consider it would prac- 

 tically, if abolished, ruin our trade. It would throw us entirely into 

 the hands of the persons, for the time being, leasing the islands, who 

 could control the trade in the market just as they liked. This, I think, 

 would be very disadvantageous. 



6. In inspecting consignments of Alaska skins in recent years, I have 

 from time to time noticed that the number of female skins had very 

 much increased, and in the last few years in which the 100,000 skins 

 were taken, I personally noticed a very considerable percentage of 

 female skins. Female skins began to make their appearance about 1883 

 in this catch, and have increased in numbers each year since reaching, 

 as I have said, a very considerable percentage in 1884. 



7. In examiniug the consignments of the North-west Catch, I have 

 always noticed, and during the past two years especially, an increasing 

 number of skins which showed neither spear nor shot marks, and which 

 appear to be identical with Alaskas. These are attributed by the trade 

 to the results of raids on the islands, which have been made either 

 with connivance of the Company, or through the islands not being 

 properly protected. 



8. I have not sufficient information to enable me to form an opinion 

 as to what regulations are necessary, but I should most strongly object 

 to the suppression of the North-west Catch. 



9. And I make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing the 

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

 1835." 



(Signed) Sig-mund Apfel. 



Declared at No. 7, Aldermanbury Avenue, in the City of London, 

 this 11th day of January, 1893. 

 Before me: 



(Signed) Walter B. Priest, 



A Commissioner for Oaths. 



