/ /) / / No. 10. INFORMATION FOR THE ELECTORS. IT THE (.P. m TJE HAVE DONE FOR THE MARINE INTERESTS OF CANADA Notwithstanding that ii-on and steel are Laking the place of wooden ships the world over, and many ships engaged in the Canadian coasting trade are registered in England and in foreign countries, the Maritime Provinces owned no less than '724,05'7 tons registered shipping in 1889. Canada ranks fourth in registered tonnage arcong the nations of the woi-ld, excluding Great Britain : — United States , 2,158,714 Norwegian 1,481,339 German 1,271,273 Canadian 1,040,481 Ontario's tonnage has grown from 89,111 tons in 1873, to 141,839 tons in 1889. The aiTivals at the different Canadian ports show the gi*owth of the coasting trade in Canada. 1879 30,850 vessels arrived with a tonnage of 6,118,702. 1889 52,929 vessels, representing no less than 10,219,856 tons. An increase in ten years of 22,079 vessels and 4,101,154 tons. From the sea the arrivals at Montreal were : — In 1879 349,708 tons In 1889 529,538 tons In Nova Scotia the ship building has revived. In 1887 Nova Scotia built 87 vessels, 12,300 tonnage. In 1888 Nova Scotia built 116 vessels, 12,900 tonnage. In 1889 Nova Scotia built 126 vessels, 18,645 tonnage. While In 1890 she built 148 vessels, 33^746 tonnage. Of the vessels built in Nova Scotia last year, 3 were over 1,200 tons, one over 1,500, one over 1,700, and one over 2,200. There are a good number of barkentines and brigantines from 450 to 600 tons. The remainder, large and small schooners. The large schooners i-ange from 150 up to 639 tons, Parrsboro alone build- ing eight between these figures. Nova Scotia appears to be building a very fine class of schooners. Windsor built 10,500 tons last year. 2 LIGHTS, &c. Li«nc Htatione. Light Houses. Fog Horns 1878 427 518 4 1890 599 705 32 BUOYS AND BEACONS. Buovs. BeacoBfi. 1878 = 865 6ii 1890 1841 87 Since 1878 the Government has sent an expedition to Hudson's Bay, arranged for tidal observations, established a signal service and made extended surveys of Canadian waters, in addition tie the various works under the Marine Department. No less than $17,392,355 have been expended on marine service by Canada since Contederaiion. The record of wrecks and casualties in Canadian waters showi that while 533 casualties occurred in 1879, only 242 occurred in 1890, and while 339 lives and $4,119,233 were lost by these casualties in 1879, in 1890 the loss was 64 lives and $1,194,576. Canada's lights are free as air to the shipping of the world. OUR FISHERIES. PROTECTION OP INLAND WATERS. Previous to Confederation, the provincial fishery laws, contain - ing for the most part excellent provisions, were not systematically enforced, and as a result, the inland fisheries most needing pro- tection steadily declined. FISHING BOUNTIES. Under the provisions of the Ti-eaty of Washington, of 1871, the fishermen of the United States of America were, among other privileges, admitted to the free use of the Canadian inshore fish- eries, the enjoyment of which had, during the period between the abrogation of the reciprocity treaty of 1854 and the ratifica- tion of the above named treaty, been resei-ved to British subjects exclusively. In view of the competition to which the enjoyment of these fisheries by foreigners exposed Canadian fishermen, it was deemed expedient by the Canadian Government for the encoui agement of, and assistance in, the building and fitting oat of improved fishing craft, the improvement of the conditio^ ^^ 3 fishermen and the development of the deep sea fisheries, to grant annaaiij.-, as :i bourJ. y, a sum of $150,000 ; which .sum would repi-esect about 3^ per cent, on the award of the Halifax Com- miasion as the compensation paid Canada for the privileo-e8 accoj-ded United States' citizens in excess of those accorded^ to Canadians by the ti-eaty of Washington. Since 1882, there has been a total sum of $1,403,262 paid in the shape of bounties among fishermen of the Maritime Provinces ; being an average yearly distribution of « 156,657 among an average of 33,662 fish- ermen. In 1882, there were 11,972 claims paid to 29,932 fishermen. " 1389 « 17,078 " " 38,343 beiug an increase of 5,106 claims and 8,411 fishermen. During the eight years since 1882, the average number of vessels claiming bounty was 837, representing ^a tonnage of nearly 32,000 tons. The average number of boats was 13,493 and the average number of fishermen 27,000. The highest individual bounty paid was $17, and the general average per man $4.65. AETIFICIAL FISH CULTURE. The great advantages to be derived from supplementing by ai-tificial means the natural facilities of our waters for re-pro- ducing all kinds of fish are so well established by experience, that it is scarcely necessary to enlarge on them. Even in theii- natural state, our rivers have a limit of productiveness ; but owing to climatic causes and other accidents this is seldom reached, and where artificial obstructions occur, the streams are deprived of theii- capacity. The area of re-production is thus greatly contracted. When to these causes of deterioration are added improved appliances for capturing fish and increased numbers engaged in fishing, it becomes imperative to substitute some efficient means of providing for a yearly growing demand. This can be done by the establishment of hatcheries. With ade- quate accommodation, everydescriptionof fresh water fish may'be reproduced and particularly those kinds which are best adapted for canneries and available for domestic food. There are at present thirteen hatcheries in operation in the Dominion, as follows : — Ontario 3 Quebec 4 New Brunswick 2 NovaScotia 2 Prince Edward Island 1 British Columbia , i 4 Since 18*79, six of these establishments have been put m^, giving one hatchery to each Province. Fully realizing the importance of supplementing the inroads made by man on the shore fisheries of the ocean, the Govern- ment is now engaged providing means for the artificial hatching of Lobsters, aud the success already achieved in this direction by the sister province of Newfoundland is a promising augury