THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERY QUESTION. 1 85 



In some cases the vessels despatched from the various ports of 

 France are equipped with secheries, or drying and salting apparatus 

 on board, and in these cases the shipowners have the right only to 

 a premium of 30 francs per man. It is estimated that during the 

 fishing season, a vessel of 200 tonnage is able to take from 1,000 to 

 1,500 codfish a day ; and in the best seasons, the value of a good 

 day's haul reaches to, and sometimes exceeds, the sum of 2,000 

 francs a day, and, with such results, a French fisherman, mateldt 

 banquier, can earn, during the fishing season about 1,000 francs, 

 equivalent to £,i,o. 



Formerly, the French shipowners despatched in the month of 

 April of each year about 60 ships to the fisheries of Newfoundland, 

 manned on an average by 3,000 men, and the greater part of this 

 fleet took up its position in the harbours or the bays of the littoral 

 Anglais, reserved or guaranteed by Treaty with France. 



These harbours and bays, according to their importance, contain 

 one or more fishing grounds, more or less valued on account of the 

 quantity of the fish which is to be found, and in consequence of the 

 frequent quarrels amongst the Frenchmen for possession of these 

 fishing grounds, they are classed in three series, and the French 

 vessels corresponding to these series, and this system is arranged by 

 drawing lots amongst the shipowners. 



As soon as a French vessel arrives at its allotted position, it is 

 partially disarmed of its crew, for some of them are sent to the shoals, 

 some are retained at the bays or harbours, provided their equipments 

 on board will permit of this arrangement. The French fishermen 

 thus takes possession of their temporary home on Newfoundland 

 territory, equipped with the fishing gear, the stores, and provisions for 

 the season. 



Around of the hangar, or platform where the codfish is prepared 

 for the purpose of exportation, may be seen the residence of the 

 captain, who is recognised as the arbiter of all disputes, the cabins 

 for the sailors, the small shops or depots, the cajot, or vat, where the 

 liver oil of the codfish is extracted and prepared for sale. 



During the operations of the fishing season nothing is more varied 

 and picturesque than the appearance of these harbours. Some are 

 situated upon the most arid and desolate parts of the coast line, 

 where the waves beat furiously and render fishing difficult, and there 

 the French fishermen spend dreary days, and at the close of the 

 season they depart for home without regret. 



At other places, sheltered from the storm by surrounding hills, 



