Page:Tourist's Maritime Provinces.djvu/408

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344
THE TOURIST'S MARITIME PROVINCES

"French Shore" during the fishing season. These contentions were not adjusted until 1904 when France withdrew her claims upon advantageous terms.

In 1818, United States fishermen were given concessions in west coast waters which led to misunderstandings that were finally submitted to the Hague Tribunal in 1910, which found in favour of Newfoundland.

The colony was granted Representative Government in 1832 and became a self-governing colony in 1855. A Governor sent from England represents the Crown, aided by an Executive Council, or Cabinet of Ministers. The Crown appoints a Legislative Council of twenty members for life. The thirty-six members of the House of Assembly are elected by the people.

St. John's.

"The oldest place in the oldest colony" lies deep within a steep-walled basin whose portal opens narrowly to the sea. A gloomy bulk of bare rock masses rises from the edge of strait and harbour. On the right is Signal Hill, with an outlook 500 feet above harbour and ocean. At the head of the spacious bay whose waters gleam the brighter for the sombre ramparts that shut them in, the unlovely city of St. John's piles up the hill from wharves and low warehouses to square cathedral towers. Unpaved streets ascend abruptly