MICMACS OF DIGBY COUNTY, N.S.
crops of oats and potatoes, and many of them take considerable pride in having good gardens, but for the most part they work at lumbering, helping to chop logs for white men during the winter, stream-driving the logs in the spring, and loading lumber during the summer. Many of them make tubs of different kinds, and others make baskets, and sell them in the different towns. A few spend most of their time hunting and trapping, and the large game, such as moose, killed by them, furnishes a large supply of food. Some few others act as guides for hunting parties, and for so doing receive a little amount of money during the hunting season.

Buildings, Stock, Farming Implements. - In place of living in camps, as their fore-fathers did, the Indians in this county have built for themselves comfortable houses. They have among them two horses, two cows and a heifer, also such farming implements as are actually necessary for carrying on their work.

Education. - There is no school-house on the reserve, and consequently no school. A number of the children, however, attend a public school which is situated near the reserve. I am informed by the teacher that the Indian pupils do very good work. There are twenty-four children of an age to attend school, and about ten of these who attend. Some of the parents are desirous of having their children obtain some book knowledge, while others do not seem to care.

Religion. - All of the Indians in this county are Roman Catholics. There is no chapel on the reserve, and no priest nearer than Parrsboro'.

Characteristics and Progress. - The Indians in this county are in much better circumstances than they were a few years ago, but are not nearly so well-to-do as they might be if they were willing to work steadily. If they could only content themselves to work all summer on their farms, they would, owing to the fertility of the soil, very shortly be able not only to live comfortably, but also to put away some money.

Temperance and Morality. - I am sorry to have to report that some of these Indians are intemperate in their habit, and do obtain and drink more or less liquor. Most of them, however, are sober and well-behaved.

I am sorry also to have to report that there are those among them whose moral characters are not so good as I could wish.

I have, & c.,
F.A. RAND,
Indian Agent.
NOVA SCOTIA,
MICMACS OF DIGBY COUNTY,
BEAR RIVER, 16th August, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.

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

Name of Reserve. - There is only one reserve in this agency; it is called Indian Hill.

Location. - This reserve is saturated between the east and west branches of the Bear River, part in Annapolis county and part in Digby county.

Area. - It comprises one thousand six hundred and fifty acres of land.