Discussion: Mr. W. H. MARE: I have listened with great pleasure to the able and interesting Paper just read by Mr. Justice Pinsent, and, from long residence in the Colony, I can, of my personal knowledge. bear testimony to the correctness of most of his statements. I was at St. John’s at the time of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in 1860, and I feel sure that the demonstrations of loyalty on that occasion could not be exceeded in any part of the Empire. With regard to the French fishery rights, I fear there is very little chance of the matter being settled in our lifetime. I think, however, the British Government is bound, at the earliest opportunity, to make every effort to dispose of the question once and for all on a sound and satisfactory basis. A gentleman, one of the commissioners sitting in Paris a few years since, told me that one of his confreres said it was a pity to settle this ” leetle” difference, as the pleasant re-unions on the subject assisted so materially in promoting the “entente cordiale” between the two nations. I have checked the statistics of the fishery and other exports, and I find the averages for 1880-1881-1882 are correct, and, I may add, that I have to-day received from St. John’s a statement showing the export for the past year exceeded that average by more than a million of dollars. One thing I may refer to is that salmon, surpassing in quality any I have ever seen in England, can be purchased in season at 3d. per lb., and the finest lobsters at 2d. to 3d. each. I would suggest that, in addition to what Mr. Justice Pinsent said regarding the exportation of fresh cod packed in ice, a still better result, in point of profit to the speculator, would be obtained by sending salmon and lobsters so packed. I have seen salmon in London, as fresh as the day they were caught, which were purchased in St. John’s a week before at 3d. per lb. In reference to cod-liver oil, which is universally admitted to be a most valuable medicine, that manufactured in Newfoundland is made from specially selected livers. Its natural colour is light straw: that from Norway is almost white, being bleached, and supposed by most persons to lose in that process its most beneficial properties. A guarantee for the purity of Newfoundland cod-liver oil is that it cannot be adulterated, as the salmon season is over before the cod fishery commences, and then nothing but cod is caught. There are many valuable mines at work in Newfoundland, and the industry is in its infancy. The greater part of Green Bay, on the north-east coast, is considered to be a mass of copper ore combined with nickel. The recent death of the lion. C. F. Bennett, the pioneer of mining in Newfoundland, has placed in the market a valuable mine known as Tilt Cove, in the very midst of the mineral-bearing region, which doubtless can now be obtained at a considerable reduction on repeated offers made in Mr. Bennett’s lifetime. With regard to the joke about Prince William Henry, I was always under the impression, until this moment, that the story was strictly correct— the belief in Newfoundland is the offender was brought on board one day just before dinner, that His Royal Highness immediately ordered him three dozen lashes and to be tried the following day; he got the three dozen accordingly, and was duly tried the next morning, when it was discovered he was the wrong man. I am sorry to have heard this explanation, as I have often repeated the joke in perfect innocence. The dry dock at St. John’s is capable of taking up, with one exception, the largest ship afloat, and apart from the immense advantage it is to the commercial marine, being just half-way between England and America, it must be, particularly in the event of war, of vast importance from an Imperial point of view. The railway, like most new undertakings, has had its difficulties to contend with, but no doubt will be eventually carried out. With regard to ocean telegraphy, to whomsoever the credit of its first conception is due, unquestionably its actual accomplishment is owing to the indomitable energy and Saxon determination of Mr. Cyrus Field, of New York, without whom, aided by the Newfoundland Government, I believe at this moment we should be without oceanic communication by cable. In conclusion I would say, as a long resident in the Colony, I feel much indebted to Mr. Justice Pinsent for having brought the interests of the island so prominently before such an influential assembly. The Rev. J. BREWSTER: … (continues) …
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Referenced
GRO0747 Hennock: Robert John Pinsent: 1834 – 1893