MORAVIANS OF THE THAMES.
of 1896 it cost us over $1,000 to save our stock, which we did without a loss. Our tenants had the same trouble, but are getting over it.

We improved our roads very much this season, a great deal of road-work being done, as also we are expending $100 in stone and gravel.

Dr. Oronhyatekha continues to improve Captain John's Island, and keeps a large number of Indians at work every day. The improving of this island adds value to the reserve.

The brass band keeps up its practices, and is playing very well.

The prospect of the welfare of the band never was brighter. Crops look well and are good. Lots of corn, wheat, pease, fruits and vegetables, and with their progressive industry all will be well.

I have, & c.,
W. GEO. EGAR,
Indian Agent
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO,
MORAVIANS OF THE THAMES,
HIGHGATE, 25th August, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.

SIR, - I have the honour to transmit herewith my annual report and tabular statement respecting, the Moravians of the Thames, for the year ended 30th June, 1896.

Vital Statistics. - The population of this band is two hundred and ninety-nine, being a decrease of five since last report. A number of very old people have died during the year.

Agriculture. - Farming among the Indians on this reserve is improving, not that they cultivate much more land than formerly, but they cultivate it better; they keep the land clean, and plant their seed at the proper time; they find that a little extra work laid out on the land insures them a better crop. This encourages them to try to do better work each year. Farming is the chief occupation of the Indians.

Occupation of Indian Women. - The women make a great many mats and baskets; this they do mostly during the winter months.

Blacksmith. - There is one blacksmith shop on the reserve with an Indian blacksmith. He appears to have a paying amount of work to do and nearly all done for the Indians.

Crops. - The crops have been fairly good, except hay, which was only about half a ton to the acre, owing to a heavy frost in the spring and the dry weather through the summer.

Stock. - There is an increase in the number of horses, sheep, pigs and young stock, and a decrease in the number of milch cows, but a better lot of grade milch cows I have not seen anywhere.

Improvements. - Improvements in fencing have been made to quite an extent. A lot of land formerly in commons has been fenced in, and a number of acres broken up and planted.

Education. - We have two schools. The one supported from the funds of the band has a good average attendance of pupils they all speak and understand English and are making fair progress in their studies. The second school is supported by the Moravian Church, and is under the management of the Rev. Mr. Hartmann. The children