APPENDIX TO COUNTER-CASE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 895 



3. As regards the Alaska Catch, I have cluriug the last four or five 

 years noticed amongst them a small quantity — say from 10 to 15 per 

 cent. — of female skins. 



4. As regards regulations, in my opinion it is essential that the 

 North -west Catch should be properly regulated. I am not, however, in 

 a position to say exactly what these regulations should be. I am not 

 in favour of its total suppression. I am of opinion that the ISTorth-west 

 Catch is a useful element in the market, and I think the trade would 

 object to its disappearance. Its total suppression, in my opinion, would 

 tend to create a monopoly, and place the whole business in the hands 

 of the persons for the time being owning the islands, and this I should 

 object to. 



5. And I make this declaration conscientiously believing the same to 

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



(Signed) Herbert Shelley Bevington. 



Declared at No. 28, Cannon Street, in the City of London, this 16th 

 day of January, 1893. 

 Before me : 



(Signed) Walter B. Priest, 



A Commissioner for Oaths. 



No. 32. 



I, Augustus Allhausen, of No. 35, Carter Lane, in the City of London, 

 furrier and skin merchant, solemnly and sincerely declare as follows: 



1. I am a member of the firm of Allhausen and. Co. My firm has 

 been established seventeen years. I have had personal experience in 

 the fur trade of over thirty years. My firm each year i)urchases a 

 large number of seal-skins. They i^urchase as many, if not more, than 

 any other house in England for manufacturing purposes ; I am therefore 

 familiar with the seal-skin market. 



2. I have considered carefully the question of the differences which 

 exist been Copper and Alaska skins. The chief difference is undoubt- 

 edly the density or quality of the fur, the Alaskas being of a better 

 quality. The size also of the Alaskan skins run larger than Coppers. 

 The Alaskas are also better flayed, cured, and handled than the Cop- 

 pers. 



These are the only differences of which I am aware, and they are the 

 only differences which affect the question of price. In my opinion, there 

 is no absolute line of difference between the Coppers and Alaskas. 

 We find amongst each class of skins a considerable percentage which 

 resembles the other, that is to saj^, that in inspecting the consignments 

 of skins from the Pribyloff Islands there are found a large percentage 

 which, if they were seen elsewhere, would be classed as Copper skins, 

 and in inspecting the Copper consignments there is a considerable per- 

 centage which, if found elsewhere, would be classed as Alaskas. 



3. There is another feature in relation to the Aslaska skins, viz., that 

 they, for the most part, are entirely composed of male skins. Of late 

 years, that is to say, from the year 1883 or 1884, 1 have noticed amongst 

 this consignment a certain percentage of female skins, which percent- 

 age has increased in later years. 



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



I am opposed to the suppression of the north-west catch, but I 

 250 consider regulations should be matle to insure its being con- 

 ducted in a regular and proper lua luer, such as the institution of 

 a close season and the prohibition of the use of rifles. 



