132 



THE ASIATIC FUR-SEAL ISLANDS. 



times, is ample proof that he has conducted the affairs of the Commander Islands to 

 the full satisfaction of his Government. 



As subordinates, two kos'saks from Kamchatka were stationed one on each island. 

 Since 1890, however, another civil offlcer has been located on Copper Island, acting as 

 Mr. Grebnitski's assistant there. Until last year, when he had to seek a milder 

 climate on account of broken health, this position was held by Mr. Mkolai Matveyevich 

 Tielmanu. His successor was on his way to the islands in the fall of 1895 on the bark 

 Bering, but on account of the weather failed to make a landing and had to return to 

 Vladivostok. 



One of the iirst things attempted by Mr. Grebnitski, after putting the community 

 affairs of the natives into shape, was to regulate the fur-seal business, i. e., the admin- 

 istrative portion of it as it related to the taking of seals on the rookeries, and the rules 

 first framed were embodied in an order {priMz) dated April 28, 1878 (o. s.), and the 

 second chapter of a regulation {predpisanie) of the following May 1 (o. s.). 



In the latter a form was provided which, when filled out and signed by the overseer 

 and native chief, is returned to the office of the administrator. Printed blanks are 

 now furnished, and to illustrate this useful document a sample is herewith appended, 

 as follows : 



AKT. 



Rookery at Glirika, Copper Island. 

 Killed in drive Jmie 6, 1881 : 

 1, 053 pieces fur-seal bachelors. 

 2 females. 

 bulls. 



Total . . 1, 055 pieces. 

 Not accepted by the company for the following reasons: 



(1) tooth-marked 3 pieces. 



(2) cut 



(3) undersized S 



Total not accepted 5 pieces. 



Of these, the 3 tooth-marked sjcina ivere returned to the natives, the 2 under- 

 sized ones were salted. 



Accepted by the company, 1,050 pieces. 



Overseer, Copper Island Sergeant Selivanof (signed). 



Chief, Copper Island Anastas Kadiu (signed). 



The receipt given by the agent is appended as a separate inclosure. 



The more recent form of this blank is somewhat enlarged and covers three pages. 

 First page is essentially as the above, with the running number in the upper left-hand 

 corner. The second page is intended for a "List of the sealers which have cut any 

 skins." The third page provides for the following headings : 



Time when drive commenced 



Time of drive till arrival ou killing grounds 



On the road the following animals became overheated : 



Bulls 



Females 



Bachelors 



Resulted in overheated skins, which were turned over to the natives for their own use. 



The killing lasted 



