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NEWFOUNDLAND.

part of the coast of Newfoundland where the French have certain fishery privileges under existing Appendix No. 4. Treaties; it also includes 2,416 on that portion of the Labrador coast under the Newfoundland Govern- ment, excluding Esquimaux and natives. This census showed an increase of 14,913 over that of 1869, and assuming the increase since 1875 to be in the same proportion, the population of Newfoundland at the present time may be estimated at about 180,000; nearly two-thirds of the entire population is to be found on the Peninsula of Avalon.

According to the census of 1874 there were 37,259 persons engaged in catching and curing fish, and 20,647 able-bodied seamen engaged as fishermen in this Colony and its dependencies.

The seal fishery is prosecuted during the months of March and April, and sometimes during the early part of May, and upon its termination preparations are made for the ensuing cod fishery, which begins about the end of May and continues until October.

1. Towns.

The principal towns in the island are St. John's and Harbour-Grace, but Carbonear may also be considered of some importance. The two latter are situated on the west side of Conception Bay.

Harbour-Grace is a very flourishing place of about 8,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of Con- Harbour-Grace. ception Bay, and is the next town in importance to St. John's.

day.

Carbonear was once a town of considerable importance, but it is not so much so in the present Carbonear.

Placentia was a very important place whilst under the dominion of the French. The position Placentia. is a good one for a naval station, as it commands and protects the approaches to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

2. Telegraphs.

The Atlantic telegraph cable between Ireland and Newfoundland is landed at Heart's Content, and from this point it is carried overland viâ Harbour-Grace to Placentia. The ends of the telegraph cables to St. Pierre and Cape Breton Island are landed at Placentia. There is telegraphic communi- cation between St. John's and Harbour-Grace, Carbonear, and Placentia.

3. Description of St. John's.

St. John's, the capital of Newfoundland, and the seat of Government, has a population of about See Maps 1 and 2.* 25,000, and employs upwards of 12,000 tons of shipping.

The harbour forms a deep inlet on the extreme eastern coast of Newfoundland, and although Harbour. small, it is convenient and secure, having deep water and excellent anchorage. Its entrance is narrow, and varies in width from 200 to 350 yards. It forms a passage called the "Narrows." After passing this the harbour bends in a westerly direction, and is completely cut off from view from the sea by the high land on the south side.

The Narrows are shut in by two lofty ranges of mountains-the nearest point on the north side, The Narrows. called Signal Hill, towers almost perpendicularly 520 feet above the water. The range on the south See Map 2,* side rises with scarcely less abruptness to a still greater elevation, 740 feet, forming an almost inac- cessible border to the south side of the harbour. The harbour is not often frozen over in winter- perhaps once in eight years-and is accessible at all seasons, except when the prevalence of casterly winds during February and part of March drives heavy field ice upon the coast. There is a depth of water in the harbour for the largest vessels, which can be securely moored at the wharves which line

both sides of the harbour.

4. Supplies.

There is an abundant supply of water, and coal and all the necessary supplies for a large fleet can be readily obtained. There is a small floating dock capable of taking up vessels of 300 tons. Dock. Unfortunately at the present time there is no graving dock capable of receiving large ships, and in this

respect the harbour of St. John's is at a very great disadvantage. The question of constructing one is See Map No. 2* for now under consideration, and is of vital Imperial interest, as from the geographical position of the port proposed site. of St. John's, and its facility of access, it affords special advantages as a place of resort for vessels requiring repairs; and to Her Majesty's navy, and to the whole mercantile marine navigating the North Atlantic Ocean, its superiority in these respects in the event of war would be peculiarly appreciable.

Modern ships of war are all liable to slight injuries requiring them to be docked for repairs, and as at the present time the nearest suitable dock is that at Bermuda, 1,000 miles distant, it would be impossible to overrate the serious injury which commerce in the North Atlantic might sustain from enemy's cruizers during the temporary absence of a single protecting ship whilst undergoing trifling though necessary repairs. The want of proper dock accommodation at St. John's has long been felt. The necessity for it becomes every year more apparent, and there is no doubt that, with a little encourage- ment from the Imperial Government, the construction of one would soon be commenced.

5. Wharves.

There are numerous wooden wharves on both sides of the harbour, with a considerable depth of water alongside of them, which enables the largest ships to discharge or receive cargo without any difficulty. The Queen's Wharf, which was formerly Ordnance property, occupies a very good position Queen's Wharf. for landing military stores, but it has been allowed to decay, and a portion of it has fallen into the On Map 2* harbour. It consisted originally of two piers, each 21 feet wide and about 100 feet long, with a basin between them about 70 feet wide. There is a depth of water of from 28 to 30 feet at the end of these piers. This wharf could easily be repaired at a moderate expense.

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* Not printed.

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