THE PEOPLE OF THE COAST 167 
before leaving for Labrador, and will carry loads of lumber, 
etc., to the capital. But this cannot be done by those who 
desire to make two cargoes at the fishing-grounds or by 
those who live in northern ports. Their vessels scarcely 
get out of the winter ice early enough. 
In Canadian waters the trap berths are leased to the 
same parties year after year by the government, who 
charge so much per fathom for the “leading” net. There 
is thus no great incentive to be down on that part of the 
coast too early. 
On the part of the Labrador coast which is under New- 
foundland jurisdiction, the first comer takes the best berths. 
This led to such unnecessarily early starts, with the suffer- 
ing involved and risks incurred from pushing down among 
the floe-ice, that laws were made’ preventing berths being 
claimed till a certain date, according to the latitude. 
Any net set before that time is not only taken up, but 
the owner is fined. Every year, however, numerous dis- 
putes and quarrels arise from the eagerness to be sure of 
the choice of places, and never a season passes without 
some being brought to the travelling magistrate for settle- 
ment. 
Some fishermen, without trying for more than one voy- 
age, go direct to the spot of their choice, however long they 
will have to wait. These men, though living on their 
vessels, will always be found in the same places. Their 
schooners at anchor might almost be marked on the chart. 
These men, such as the Whites of Twillingate, the Milleys, 
the Lansons, the Barbours, etc., are almost always success- 
ful men. 
Most of the schooners, however, are obliged to wander 
