HURONS OF LORETTE.

Characteristics and Progress. - As a rule they are industrious and energetic, but they are improvident and they are all poor. They are usually very quiet; but when thwarted, they are very vindictive.

Temperance and Morality. - Few of the men are naturally drunkards; but when travelling they fall into excess when they can procure liquor. They are frank and honest and are well civilized.

I have, & c.,
NARCISSE LEBEL,
Indian Agent.
PROVINCE OF QUEBEC,
HURONS OF LORETTE,
JEUNE LORETTE, 16th July, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.

SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and tabular statement for the year ended 30th June, last.

General Aspect of the Village. - The Huron village of Jeune Lorette maintains its antique appearance, which suits it very well. Its little church, one of the oldest on the continent, with its precious relics, souvenirs of the French regime; its small but tidy houses; its site admirable and admired; the imposing water-fall roaring at its feet; the forest background; all make it a very attractive place to tourists. The Huron village is almost legendary; it will celebrate in the month of September next year the two hundredth anniversary of its existence.

Area of the Three Reserves belonging to the Huron Tribe. - The Huron tribe owns three reserves: (1) the village reserve, containing an area of 40 arpents, upon which most of the band reside; (2) the reserve called the "Quarante Arpents," which, as the name indicates, contains one thousand six hundred arpents*; those who cultivate the soil reside on this reserve; (3) the reserve in the seigniory of Rocmont, county of Portneuf, which, according to the title deeds, has an area of fifteen square miles. This reserve is at present under license to Mr. Rousseau of Ste. Anne de la Pérade for the spruce and pine timber. This license will expire on the 30th of April next.

On the two reserves first mentioned some houses are rented to white men who work for the Indians. The leases made with these white men are registered at the department.

Vital Statistics. The population last year was four hundred and nine. This year there have been six deaths, - two women from consumption, and four children; reducing the population to four hundred and three. On the other hand there have been nineteen births, making the present population four hundred and twenty-two, as follows: -

Men	94
Women	94
Children	234
Total	422

[*In the province of Quebec amongst the French Canadians, land is frequently measured by the length of the side of an acre, so that the expression "Quarante Arpents" (40 acres), means measuring 40 acres in one direction, by 40 acres in another direction = 40 x 40 = 1,600 acres.]