568 REPORT—IOOO. 



united with that of physical environment in checking the agricultural 

 development of the Hurons and retaining them in the lower forms of 

 labour and property. On the other hand these conditions of close inter- 

 course with the white settlers — brought about by the reduced area of the 

 Lorette holdings — transformed the home-life, and in the end materially 

 improved the entire mode of living, of the Hurons. 



The Iroquois community, settled at Caughnawaga, in the vicinity of 

 Montreal, provides an interesting subject of comparison ; for, though origi- 

 nally of the same social type as the Hurons, their evolution in recent times 

 has been in quite the opposite direction. 



In conclusion, the greatest weakness in the social organisation of the 

 Hurons, and the one which should be remedied first, is that resulting from 

 their property conditions. An ever-recurring theme of conversation 

 among young and old at Lorette is the endless series of their grievances, 

 all more or less connected with property rights : grievances against the 

 Jesuits for having dispossessed them, or allowed them to be dispossessed, 

 of their seigniory of Sillery ; grievances against the British Government 

 for not having restored them to their rights after the conquest ; grievances 

 against some of their deceased chieftains, for having laid hands, so they 

 declared, on parts of the common land ; grievances also against some of 

 the present chiefs for using the common property for private ends ; 

 grievances against the Provincial Government for invading their hunting 

 grounds ; and, finally, grievances against the Federal Government and its 

 agent for alleged maladministration of the reserves and the revenues 

 therefrom. The limited extent and collective ownership of the holdings 

 have had the effect, not only of helping to keep the Hurons away from 

 agriculture and bringing about over-density of population in the village, 

 but also of concentrating the minds and energies of individuals on petty 

 common rights and privileges (to the detriment of initiative in more 

 fruitful pursuits) and of breeding a harmful spirit of discontent. 



It seems that much would be done for the betterment of the condition 

 and the more normal development of these Hurons were it found possible 

 to carry out the plan suggested by Sir James Kempt as far back as 1830, 

 and further recommended by the Government Commissioners in 1847 ; 

 that is, if land in the vicinity of Lorette and suitable for agriculture were, 

 on pi'oper terms, put at the disposal of the Hurons, on which some of them 

 at least, under intelligent and kindly supervision, might be made to acquire 

 proficiency in farming and aptness for the management of property. Thus 

 would they become a less dependent, a more contented and prosperous 

 community. 



Anthrnjjologir.al PhoiograpJis. — Interim Beport of the Commiitee, con- 

 sisting of Mr. C. H. Read (Chairman), Mr. J. L. Myres 

 (Secretary), Mr. H. Balfour, Professor I'linders Petrie, Dr. 

 J. G. Garson, Mr. E. S. Hartland, and Mr. H. Lmo Roth, 

 appointed for the Collection, Preservation, and Systematic Registra- 

 tion of Photographs of Anthropological Interest. 



The Committee report that a considerable number of photographs have 

 been collected and registered ; but that it has been found advisable to 

 postpone till next year the publication of a reference list. The Committee 

 ask to be reappointed. 



