These Tables show that from one third to one half of the fishermen are in debt to the curers each year at the time of settlement, after their fishing has been credited to them. It is not less true, as shown by the evidence, that during the rest of the year nearly the whole of them are in debt to the curers, because the goods and advances are debited to them as they get them, while the credit for fish only comes at the end of the year.
TABLE I.—HOME FISHING—SEASON 1867. [Page 25]
1. No. of Fishermen employed
2. Amount of Goods debited to Fishermen
3. Cash advanced before Settlement
5. Gross Sum credited to Men for Fish
6. Gross Sum credited to them for Stock, etc.
7. Cash due to Fishermen at Settlement
8. Cash paid to them at Settlement.
9.1. No. of Fishermen indebted at Settlement of 1866