A.
Buildings.
1. 1. Dwelling House, 37 by 24,
log, 1 1/2 story, shingle roof, lined inside, with kitchen, 23 by 11
attached. A very good building, renovated in 1888.
2. Store, 40 by 24, log, 1 1/2
story, shingle roof, roof being renewed at time of Inspection, wants a
few boards to complete lining, in all other respects a very good
building.
3. Warehouse, 40 by 24, log,
shingled roof, shingles in bad order; in all other respects a good
building. Not of much service, except when Lac La Biche goods are
received by steamer, and need storing.
4. Men's House, 24 by 16, log,
shingle roof, a sufficiently good building.
5. Stable, 25 by 21, log, a good
building.
The valuation of these buildings and repairs was at the close of Outfit
1880, $573.90.
2. The buildings are convenient
for the Steamboat Landing, and near to the principal part of the
Settlement. The Fort enclosure is about 1/2 an acre, and the field about
5 1/2 acres; are surrounded with post and rail fence, put up in 1888 at
a cost of $68.60
3. The buildings are more
than sufficient for the present trade, but in all respects suitable.
4. Building No. 1 is occupied by Chas.
Garson, the Clerk in Charge. No. 2 by Thos. Whitford, laborer; the other
buildings are occupied by the Company for trade purposes.
B.
Stock.
1. The Inventory appeared to have been
carefully taken in other respects, but the Rules as regards to
classification had not been adhered to. The goods at Saddle Lake and
Whitefish Lake should not have been kept separate, as they are not separate
Posts.
2. The Stock is too large by about
$2000.00 or $3000.00, principally in Dry Goods, due partly to the late
mild Winter.
3. The Stock seems well chosen
and suitable for the trade, which is Indian and Half-breed.
4. The goods are well arranged
and neatly kept.
5. There is very little old stock, and
all appears saleable at or above costs landed.
6. See list herewith. The absence of old
stock is due to the Post having been reopened only lately.
7. 2 Horses used for traveling, especially
in Winter. 1 Cow for domestic use.
8.
Furs.
1. There were no Furs on hand.
2. There was no copy of the tariff
used during the last year on hand, but on referring to the Ledger it
seemed that the prices paid were generally below the valuation tariff.
It was, however, observed that different prices were paid to different
traders. $6.00 were paid to Wm. Cardinal for Beaver.
3. Furs in the immediate neighborhood
are becoming scarce.
D.
Accounts.
1. The Balance on hand, $133.00 was
correct.
2. See list herewith. This last
includes all the debts, whether Indian or otherwise. A list is also
given of the debts included in the Inventory due to hunters. While in
many cases the debtors are no longer called Indians, they are
practically so, and great provision should be made for doubtful debts,
unless the debts are struck off altogether.
3. There are no separate
Indian debts, see above lists.
4. None.
5. The Capital employed at the
close of Outfit 1888 was $15248.84
6. There is an apparent loss for
Outfit 1888 of $792.77
7. The accounts have been very
carefully kept.
8. and the present Clerk in
charge, who is less educated than his predecessor, finds great
difficulty in making up the accounts. It would be well if the Accountant
at Edmonton would pay a visit to this Post and put the accounts on a
simple footing. The expense accounts, and accounts of the Outposts
especially, should be more carefully kept.
E.
Expenses.
1. There was no record at the Post of
the Mess expenses for Outfit 1888. The Returns made to the Department
Office state the Mess Expenses for the 8 months the Post was open to
have been $205.77.
2. One weekly ration costs
$2.22, and is composed of: -
| 14 |
llbs |
Flour, |
6c. |
.84 |
| 7 |
" |
Bacon, |
14 |
.98 |
| 1/2 |
" |
Tea, |
25 |
.13 |
| 2 |
" |
Sugar |
13 ½ |
.27 |
|
|
|
|
2.22 |
only one ration issued, to Thos. Whitford, Laborer.
3. No record found at the Post; the
Balance sheet at the Department Office states them to have been for
Outfit 1888, $52.50.
4. No reliable record was found at the
Post. The general expenses are stated to have been $1600.00.
5. The present expenses of the Post
appear moderate, and well looked after.
F.
Personal.
Chas. N. Garson,, Clerk, unmarried, 40 years of age, 20
years service, under contract expiring 1891 at £120 per annum; a good
fur trader, and a thoroughly reliable man, who has risen from the
position of a Blacksmith; well spoken of everywhere.
Thos. Whitford, laborer, not under contract, at $20.00
per month; a sufficiently reliable man.
G.
General.
1. No.
2. Whitefish Lake, about 60 miles on the
road to Lac la Biche. Goods are sent to the care of Arthur Steinhauer,
who keeps them on his own premises, and receives 15% commission on the
cash and furs remitted. The amount of trade done for Outfit 1888 was
about $1900.00. The goods on Inventory at the commencement of Outfit
1889 amount to $2400.00. Food have been supplied this Outfit to the
extent of $100.00, but Returns to the amount of $200.00 only have been
made.
Saddle Lake, about 40 miles on the road to Pitt, under
Augustin Steinhauer, under the same conditions as Whitefish Lake. The
trade for Outfit 1888 was about $1500.00. The Inventory amounted to
$450.00. Supplies this Outfit have been furnished to the amount of
$1300.00.
Both these accounts require careful supervision, to see
if they are paying, or if they could not be more economically run as
Winter Outposts by traders receiving wages. While both these men are
well known and well spoke of, there is little doubt that the system of
percentage induces the taking in of Furs at any price, and regardless of
quality.
3. No new Posts can be opened, but the present Outposts
may possibly be better abandoned.
4. G. F. Tupper, near to the Company's Post, carries a
small stock, obtained direct from Calgary; trades also at Whitefish Lake
and Saddle Lake during the Winter. Peter Pruden and Anotine Hamelin, of
Lac la Biche, also trade at Whitefish Lake, and competition in the
collection of Furs has been keen.
5. No, but Whitefish Lake, which was formerly
attached to Lac La Biche, could still possibly be better attached to
that Post, to which it is nearer.
6. The transport has been entirely over-land
this Summer, owing to the Streamers not having run on the Saskatchewan.
Rates have been arranged at Edmonton, but have been kept as low as
possible.
7. The Indians on the Reserves are fed by the
Government, and seem fairly well off. The half-breed population are very
poorly off.
8. Several times during the year.
9. Hand-grenades and small fire-extinguishers. No safe,
No one sleeps in Store, - not needed.
10. The small amount of business to be done at
this Post does not appear to have been well looked after. The
surrounding country is not very good, the few half-breed settlers are
poorly off, and there is not much trade to be done. The Furtrade may be
extended a little, but the late extensive credits should be curtailed,
and with careful management the late losses may be avoided, though any
very good results cannot be expected.
(sgd) E. K. BERSTON, Inspecting Officer.
Webmaster's note: On the side of
the page, next to #10, is scribbled in "A change in management has
been made. JW." #8 is also handwritten in. This document can be
obtained from the Hudson's Bay Archives, Reference: B.360/e/1 and is
used with permission.