Occupation. - The few families who reside on the "Wild Cat" Reserve have done very well with their crops. Some Indians at Milton work in the pulp-mill, and earn steady wages. The most of them, however, occupy their time making baskets, mast-hoops, axe-handles, & c., as well as in fishing, hunting, and in some instances acting is guides to sportsmen. But Indians never save their earnings: it is a feast to-day, as long as provisions last, and the morrow is unthought of. They manage to live fairly well, except in the winter, when they are pinched with poverty.

Tribe. - The Indians of this county are of the Micmac tribe.

Characteristics. - They are a quiet and inoffensive class of people.

Sanitary Condition. - They live in wooden houses, are clean in their habits, and endeavour to keep their surroundings healthy.

Religion and Morality. - I find them attentive to religious duties, law-abiding, and, as a rule, little given to the use of intoxicating drinks.

Education. - In educational matters the Indians take a lively interest. They like to see their children attend school. We have no regular Indian schools in this county. The public schools are open to all, and many Indian children attend them. When a child is absent from school, I find it is generally owing to the want of school-books or proper clothing.

LUNENBURG COUNTY.

The Indians in this county are of two classes - the half-breeds, who live at New Germany, and the Micmacs, who live at Gold River and at Bridgewater. Those at Gold River, as well as the half-breeds, live by farming and are quite comfortable. The Indians about Bridgewater, with a few exceptions, are not over-industrious. A few Indians live also at Lunenburg and near Mahone Bay.

Education. - There is a school-house on the reserve at New Germany, built by the department. Books are supplied by the department, which also pays a teacher. The school is well attended, and the teacher, Miss Annie Taylor, is painstaking and diligent.

Characteristics. - Like the Indians of Queen's, the "red men" of Lunenburg county are law-abiding, and make good citizens.

All information concerning their crops will be found in the tabular statement.

I have, & c.,
THOMAS BUTLER,
Indian Agent.
NOVA SCOTIA,
MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY,
EUREKA, 28th September, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.

SIR, - I have the honour to transmit my yearly report and tabular statement for the year ended 30th June, 1896.

General Progress. - As these reports are given annually, general information can well be dispensed with. It is difficult to judge of the change taking place in the Indian character from year to year; but taking a period of ten years I can easily discern a transformation towards a more useful life.