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32X

THE DOMINION AT THE

WEST.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION'

Of THE PBOYIITCl OF

BRITISH COLUMBIA,

IT0

CLIMATE AND RESOURCES.

THE GOVERNMENT PRIZE ESSAY, 1872.

BY ALEXANDER CAULFIELD ANDERSON, Esq., J. P.

• •••• #*»

Tendimus in Latiuin —

Virff.
We are all aboard for the West —

Str George E. Cartier^t Venion.

VICTORIA, B. C. :

P»!NTRD ItT RiCHAKD WoLFRNDKK, UoVBKNMENT PRIKTBR.

1872.

^SiiAikv -

CONTENTS.

PIOI.

CiiAPTRn T. — Boundftrles ind Oencral Geoprrnphy 1

CiiAPTKn H. — The Coftst, Viincouvcr Islnnii 5

CiiAi'TKU III — r.pognipliiciil snlxlivinions of the Mainltind —
General clmnicterisiics of cacli — Lines of coinmunicnti-in
Ac U

CuAHTBR IV.— NnturarProductions — Timber-Trees, Ornamen-
tal Shrubs, kc n

Chaptkk V. — Natural Productions continued — Fish 23

CiiAPTEu V!. — Natural Productions continued — Beasts of the

Chiis( — Birds, 4c H5

Chaptkk VII. — Climate, Agriculture, &c 44

Chaptkk VIII. — Terms of Land (Jrants — Roads, Ac. — Proba-
ble Line tlirougli the Province of the Canadian Pacific
Uailway — Kslimate of Distances compared with other
Routes — N.ites on traftic likely to ensue — Advantages of
Ksnuimalt as the great Western sea-port of the Dotninioa
— (leneral Remarks dl

Chaptkk IX.— Political Constitution — Schools — Churches, Ac.
— Postal Servirt' — Telegra|)lis — Mechanics' iDstitutes, Ac.
— Newspmiers — Biinks — !*()i>ulation — Indians — (ieneral
Remarks on tJold-mining — Mineral Riches — Coal-mining,
Ac. — (leneral Remarks on the attractior.s of the Province
ns a field for settlement 75

Chaptkk X. — Simmm-khkntaky. — Indians and Indian .Missions
— State of Society — ('auses ol past retardation of the
Province — (ieneral progress on the Pacific Coast, with
oxteni and cost of Railways ahead}' existing — Spnrs of
British <'oliimltia — Csiial Dimensions of those shipped to
various markets- -Sau Juan (Question — KnQ 5)0

A Pl'EN DIX— CONTENTS.

A — Xotes regirding Salmon entering Frascr River i

B. — Exports from .\lljerni, Barclay Sound, in 1802 i.

'-■ . — v.. hie of Kxports of Lumber in 1871, with amount of

«lii^pm|{uu^a';L'd it.

iv. CONTEIfTS.

PAQl.
D.— Exports of Coal in 1871 and part of 1872 ii.

E, — Exports'of Fura, Oil, &c., in the year 1871 iii.

P.— Exports of Gold in the year 1871, and from 1858 to 1871 iv.

G. — Statement of Savings Bank v.

H. — Rates of Woges current in Moy, 1872 vi.

I. — Rates of Postage to British Columbia — Interest of

Money — Exchange upon British Columbia^ vi.

K. — Meteorological Observations vii.

L. — Memorandum of Terms of Union with Canada xii.

M. — Provincial Estimates for i872 xv.

N. — Estimated Revenue for 1872 xxi.

O. — Dominion Appropriations for 1872 xxi.

P. — Rates of Postage xxii.

Q. — Statement of Yield of Land xxiii.

11. — Extracts relating to the Okinngan District xxiii.

R. R. — Estimate of the Quality of Hops of B.C xxv.

S. — Invitation of Tenders for the Construction of a Grav-
ing Dock at Esquimau xxv.

T — Prices of Farm Produce during the past season xxvi.

V. — Prices of some articles of Domestic consumption xxvii.

W. — llospilals xxviii.

X. — Theatre xxvlii.

Y. — Gas and Water in Victoria xxviii.

Z. — Table of Latitudes and Longitudes xxix.

A-2. — Table of Altitudes above the Sea of certain points

iu l)i'iti.-b Columbia xxx.

B-2. — Notes regarding the Coal-mines at Nanaimo xxxii.

C-2. — Notes regarding the Stone-quarry at Nanaimo xxxiii.

D-'J. — Table of Approximate Distances between certain

ports and Southaniptun xxxv.

E.2, — Test of the strength of the Douglas Fir xxxT.

F-2.— Note regarding the winter-passage of tho Rocky

Mouutaiuij xxxvii.

G-2. — List of Works relating to FJritisli Columbia, with re-
marks upuu ::omc Tcccnt publications xxxviii.

II-2. — Note referring to Beeswax drifted by tbo Sea xlL

1-2- -Note explanatory of progres.^! of thu Salmon zlii.

PAQI.

it.

iii.

1871

iv.

vi.

vii.

xii.

• •• •

XV.

• •• »

xxi.

• ■ • •

XX i.

xxii.

• '• •

xxiii.

• • ••

xziii.

XXT.

av-

....

XXV.

■ •••

xxvi.

xxvii.

....

sxviii.

xxviii.

!•• •

xxviii.

xxix.

its

• • •

XXX.

...

xxxii.

...

xxxiii.

...

XXXV.

...

XiXT.

.. xxxvii.

..xxxviii.

xli.

,..

zlii.

CHAPTER I.

BOUNDARIES; AND GENERAL GEOORAPnT.

British Columbia Fprang into existence, as a Colony,
only in 1858, consequently on the gold-discoveries, the
rumours of which in that year suddenly attracted numbers
to its shores. Previously it had been traversed and partially
occupied only by the Fur-traders, first of the North-West,
and afterwards of the Hudson's Bay, Companies; by whom
its various divisions were distinguished by different names,
most of which are still retained for local designation. The
adjacent Island of Vancouver, separated from the mainland
I by a narrow channel, in its narrowest part scarcely exceeding
a few thousand yards, had been partially colonized some
years before ; and it might have been reasonably supposed
that these twj adjacent and almost contiguous lands, with
interests so closely united, would have been incorporated
under one Government. But the wisdom of Downing Street
willed it otherwise. Established as separate Colonics, each
enjoyed for some years the honor of paying 7ts own highly-
salaried Governor, under the Imperial auspices; with the
dignity of enacting its own special laws, not always in strict
observance of the interests of its neighbour. Of course this
could not last ; and in 1866 the common-sense of the two
Colonies, though reluctantly elicited, brought about a union.
Subsequently, on the 20th July, 1871, the united Colony
became confederated as a Province of the Dominion of
Canada.

It is as a sequel to this last-named event, and in view of
the rapid advance of the most important interests of the
country under its new connexion, that the Provincial Govern-
ment has judged it expedient to invite the production of

S HOUNhAUlKS, AND GKNKRAI. OEOdllAl'IIY.

Buch infbriijntion ns luuy meet the ci)(|uiriu8 of the induBtrioua
B(!ttlcr whose views tend hitlierward. It will, then, be the
object of the loUdwiiig treatise to present, in a brief and
coiiipetidioiis foriu, such geuerul uceuuiit of the country and
its resources us may scciu apprupriute to the end in view.

The lliuifs of the Province may be thus broadly indicated.
Co-teruiiuous uii the South with tlie United States Territory
of Washington, the 4l>th Parallel of North Latitude forma
the boundary from the Ciulf of Georgia to the summit of the
Rocky Mountains, which it intersects in Jjongitudc 114° West,
there touching on the Dominion territory of the North- West.
Thence along the summit of the Rocky Mountains to the
parallel of Mount St. Klias, in about Latitude G2°. Thence
Southward as far as .')4° 4(1', along (lie strip of coast-line, ten
marine leagues in width, formerly occupied by Russia, re-
cently purchased by the United States, and now forming
part of the Territory of Alaska. Thence Southward to the
entrance of the Strait of Fuca, including Queen Charlotte
and Vancouver Island, and the vast archipelago connected
therewith.

The three principal streams of British Columbia are, the
Columbia, the Eraser, and the Peace. The last-mentioned,
rising in the angle formed by the Peak Range with the
Rocky Mountains and the Coast Range, after receiving the
important gold-bearing tributary, Findlay's Branch, breaks
through the main line of the Rocky Mountains, and, passing
onwards, joins the great River Mackenzie : the united flood,
after a course of some two thousand miles, eventually falling
into the Frozen Ocean.

The Columbia, rising in the Rocky ]Mountains, pursues a
Southerly course, and, after receiving several important
tributaries, and feeding the two extensive sheets of water
called the Arrow Lakes, enters the United States Territory
in Latitude 49° ; and after a course of nearly a thousand
miles, falls into the Pacific in Latitude 40'" 20'.

BOUNDARIES, ANP GENERAL OEOdUAPIIY.

pursues a

Frasor River, comparatively the smallest, but in its rela-
tion to the Province by far the most important, flows entirely
through British Columbia, entering the Gulf of Georgia a
few miles North of the Boundary Line of 40", and in about
122° 40' West Longitude; its course throughout being
nearly parallel with that of the Columbia. The main, or
central, branch takes its rise in the Rocky Mountains in
Lat. 53° 45" N., Long. 118 W., there heading with the
Bivi6rti de Miettc. a tributary of the Athabasca, which after-
wards unites with Peace River in its course towards tho
Frozen Ocean, Fraser River was first discovered by Sir
Alexander Mackenzie of the North-West Company, who,
designating . it as the Td- tout -the Tessc, or River of the
TilcuUy nation, descended it for some distance on his way to
the Western Coast in 1793. Afterwards, in 1808, it was
navigated to its mouth by Mr. Simon Fraser and Mr. John
Stuart of tho North- West Company; from the former of
whom it has its present name. Fraser River, a iew miles
from its source, flows into a lake some miles in length called
Cow-dung Lake, below which, considerably increased by a
tributary from the north, it enters Moose Lake, a beautiful
sheet of water some nine miles in length. Theuce the river
continues rapidly to TCte Jauue's Cache, being joined midway
by a second feeder, likewise from the North.

Tete Jaune's Cache,* distant about 70 miles from the
summit of the Rocky 3Iouutuius and 730 from the sea, is
the limit of canoe navigation on the Fraser. About three
miles lower down, the stream is joined by the Cranberry
Fork, a tributary flowing from the South, which heads in
with the North Branch of the Thompson, to be presently
noticed, and the Canoe Fork of the Columbia.

Between Tete Jaune's Cache and Thle-et-leh, whore there
is a post of the Hudson's Bay Company called Fort George,

* Named after an Iroquois trapper (ittachcd to the North-West
Company, who formerly frequented ibis neighbourhood — called
the Tete Jauue I'lum the liKhluibs ul' iiia buir.

% II0UNI)ARIE8, AND GENERAL QEOORAPnY.

the river is augmented by many tributaries ; two of which,
the Mackenzie Fork and Bear River, are of considerable
magnitude. This point is in Lat. 63° 53', Long. 122® 45'.
An important branch here falls in from the Westward, pro-,
uccding from the Lakes of Stuart and Eraser. Quesnel's
llivcr, issuing from the great lake of the same name, flows
in 100 miles lower down ; and 40 miles below this is Fort
Alexandria, seated on the right bank in Lat. 52° 33' 40".

It is in the mountainous region comprised within the
great bend which the Fraser makes between TSte Jaune's
Cache and this point, that the rich gold-deposits, known as
the Caribou mines, arc situated.

At L}tton, about 180 miles from the sea, the Fraser is
joined by Thompson's River,* a copious* tributary flow-
ing from the Eastward, This stream waters aa important
and extensive section of the country ; its northern branch
heading with the Cranberry Fork, before mentioned.

Yale, a small town at the head of steam-boat navigation
on the Lower Frasier, is 57 miles lower down; and New
Westminster, the former capital of the mainland, some 95
miles below it. This last-named town, pleasantly situated on
the northern bank of the river, some fifteen miles above the
entrance, and in Lat. 49° 12' 47", Long. 122° 63', is, prac-
tically, the head of ship-navigation on the Fraser.

For brevity's sake the names of the various extensive
feeders, falling in at intervals from For^ George downwards,
are omitted. Of these the Chil-cOh, watering the fertile tract
occupied by the Chilcotins, and entering on the right about
60 miles below Alexandria, is one of the most conspicuous.
The Harrison, joining also from the right, is another. This
stream flows by a short course from a picturesque and exten-
sive lake ; and was at one time the chief route of communi-
cation with the upper country; its continuation again striking

* Named after the late David Thompson, Esquire, formerly As-
tronomer to the North-west Company.

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, AC.

the Frascr some 40 miles above Lytton, at the 'beautiful
village of Lillooctt.

In order to a due apprehension of the geography of British
Columbia it is necessary to indicate the ranges of niuunlains
which divide its several portions.

The more Southerly part is separated from the Columbia
watershed by the Cascade Range, so called from the rapids
of the Cascades upon the Lower Columbia; the point where
that river bursts through the chain. This range may be con-
sidered as a continuation of the Sierra Nevada of California,
tnd it vanishes at the junction of Thompson's River with
the Fraser.*

The Coast Range (i. e. the chain of mountains lying be-
tween the interior of the Province and the sea-board) com
mcnces above New Westminster, and extends, parallel Wi.,ii
the coast, a^ xar as ^' • at St. Elias at the northern extremity.

-♦—

CHAPTER II.

The Coast, Vancouver Island, ac.

H&ving traced the main artery of the Province from its
origin to the sea, we may now proceed to notice the Coast
region, with its insular appendagcS; and chiefly the important
island of Vancouver.

A reference to the map will show that the North-West

*The designation "Cascade Range" lias been applied by the
Officers of the Royal Engineers, and some others, to the whole
Bystem of mountains in British Columbia except the Rocliy Moun-
tains. The writer thinks, however, that on reconsideration these
gentlemen will agree with him in the classification h>; has always
advocated, not only as calculated to avoid confusion, but as being
geographically accurate.

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, AC.

Coast, from San Francisco upwards as far as the Strait of
Fuca, presents a li 'e remarkably free from indentation.
Thence northward, however, the coast is broken up into a
perfect maze of inlets, forming in their ramifications count-
less islands of greater or less extent. The minute explora-
tion of this extraordinary archipelago by Vancouver, in the
years 1791-93, has given us maps the accuracy of which
under the circumstances haa excited the admiration of suc-
ceeding navigators. Outside of the archipelago lie two
principal islands, Vancouver and Queen Charlotte, divided
from each other by a broad sound, and extending from the
Strait of Fuca on the South to the frontier of Alaska on the
Xorth. The southern island, named by the explorer Quadra
and Vancouver's Island, after the Spanish Commander then
on the station and himself, formed originally, with its depen-
dencies, the Colony of Vancouver Island. It extends in
a north-western direction from Lat. 48° 20' to Lat. 51°, in
length nearly 250 geographical miles ; its greatest breadth,
opposite to Nootka, being about seventy. Victoria, the seat
of Government and Capital of the Province, is situated near
the south-eastern extremity of the island, where the adjoin-
ing Strait of Fuca is about seventeen miles in breadth. This
strait, extending into the United States territory by the inlet
terminating in Puget Sound on the south, expands northward
into the Gulf of Georgia, which extends to Lat. 50°. This
portion of the dividing channel in no part exceeds 20 miles
in width; contracting afterwards into Johnstone's Strait,
which, at the narrowest part, does not exceed two miles.

Before recurring to the consideration of the mainland of
British Columbia, or entering on the topics which apply
equally to both divisions, it may be well to note some par-
ticulars respecting the older portion of the Province. Victo-
ria, its capital town and chief sea-port, above casually alluded
to, is in Lat. 48° 25' 20" N., Long. 128° 22' 24" W., distant
about 70 miles, or six hours' steamer travel, from New
Westminster on the Fraser ; three hours from Port Towns-

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, &C.

le Strait of
ndentation.
Q up into a
ions oount-
te explora-
iver, in the
7 of which
bion of suc-
jo lie two
te, divided
J from the
ska on the
er Quadra
mder then
I its depen-
extends in
at. 51°, in
t breadth,
a, the seat
lated near
he adjoin-
dth. This
the inlet
orthward
This
20 miles
Strait,
es.

land of
apply
)nie par-
Victo-
alluded
distant
m New
Towns-

end, the Port of Entry for Puget Sound in Washington
Territory; and about 750 geographical miles, or from three
to four days' voyage of steamer, from San Francisco in Cal-
ifornia. The position of this rising city, both as a distrib-
uting point for the Province at large, and as a nucleus for
foreign trade, is thus extremely favorable : and the fact of
its being the first available sea-port north of San Francisco
confers on it additional importance. The town itself is seated
on the narrow inlet of Camosae, which, completely land-
locked, gives accommodation to all vessels whose draught of
water does not exceed eighteen feet. Larger vessels discharge
at Esquimalt, three miles distant; an extensive harbour
capable of receiving vessels of the largest class, and destined,
apparently, to be, in connexion with the projected Railway
across the Continent, the future entrepot of a national com-
merce, the extent of which it is not easy to foresee. E.squi-
malt is the station of Her Majesty's ships on this portion of
the Coast. Here are the naval yard, the hospital, and other
necessary appendages for the requirements of the squadron.
A graving dock is in contemplatiou, capable of admitting
ships of the largest class, tenders for the construction of
which have been invited by the Provincial Government: and
every thing indicates improvement of a permanent and sub-
stantial character. An excellent macadamized road connects
the two harbours.

The situation of Victoria is very beautiful, and the town
boasts of some good streets, with tine drives, over excellent
roads, in various directions. Adjoining the town a large
extent of ground has fortunately been reserved for a public
park. This picturesque locality, known as Beacon Hill, bor-
ders on the Straits ; and on the opposite shore tower in
grand outline the snow-clad summits of the Olympian Range.
Here is the public race course;, and here the cricket-matches
are played ; when the fleet against the towns-nieu, or the
married men against the single, compete for honors. On the
outskirts of the town are many attractive resiJoucos : and

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, 40.

every cottage displays its pretty garden, cultivated frequently
with no small degree of horticultural taste. Though Victoria
can so far boast of no edifice of high architectural pretension,
there are nany neat and substantially-constructed buildings.
Among these, though in rather florid taste, may be men-
tioned the Provincial Offices on James' Bay. We may also
mention the Presbyterian, Wesleyan, and Roman Catholic
Churches ; the iron church of St. John, a donation to the
Episcopalian congregation of the Province from that excellent
lady, the Baroness Coutts; the Angela College for young
ladies, likewise originating in the leneficence of the same
lady; the St. Anne's Convent, and Orphan School; the
large hall occupied by the Mechanics' Institute ; the Bank
of British North America; the St. Nicholas Hotel; the
Alhambra ; and the fine hotel recently completed, called the
Driard House. Various public buildings, to be built by the
Dominion Government, will shortly be erected; and the
Episcopalian Cathedral of Christ Church, occupying the con-
spicuous site of the former building destroyed by fire, is in
progress. Some of these projected buildings, it is to be pre-
sumed, will be of a higher order of architecture than the
majority of those hitherto constructed.

About seventy miles from Victoria, on the eastern, or
inner, shore of the island, is Nanaimo, a small town of local
importance, originally established in connexion with the coal-
mines wrought in that vicinity, and around which other in-
terests have sprung up. Among these may be mentioned the
quarrying and exportation of stone for architectural purposes.
There is a deficiency of good stone along the coast, until this
vicinity is reached : consequently the United States Govern-
ment, when recently about to construct a Mint in San Fran-
cisco, contracted to get the material from Newcastle Inland,
near Nanaimo. This contract, the stone having been hewn
before shipment, is now nearly completed, and will probably
be followed by others of a similar description. Nanaimo is
a thriving little town, and, having substantial resources of

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, &C.

Bd frequently
)ugh Victoria
al pretension,
ed buildings,
aay be men-
We may also
lan Oatholio
lation to the
bat excellent
e for young
of the same
School; the
i; the Bank
Hotel; the
d, called the
built by the
i; and the
ing the con-
)y fire, is in
is to be pre-
e than the

eastern, or
wn of local
h the coal-
other in-
tioned the

purposes.

until this
es Govern-
San Fran-
le Inland,
)een hewn

probably
anaimo is
ources of

a permanent character, will doubtless continue to flourish.

Comox, some forty miles higher up on the same shore, is
an agricultural settlement, prosperous and contented. It is
situated at the mouth of a stream of the same name,* and
possesses a very productive soil. There are said to be great
indications of coal here, and elsewhere in the vicinity.

Cowitchan, situated between Nanaimo and Victoria, upon
a river of the same name, is a flourishing agricultural settle-
ment. In the same district are Chemuinis, and Salt-spring
(or Admiralty) Island, also agricultural and pastoral in their
character.

Victoria District occupies the peninsula, at the base of
which is the town of Victoria. It embraces many fine and
valuable farms, and includes the settlements of Lake and
Saanich. The latter, especially, forming the extremity of the
peninsula, is a fertile and beautiful tract.

Passing Esquimalt westward, along the Strait of Fuca, are
the settlements of Metchosin and Sookc, of an agricultural
and pastoral character. Near Sookc are gold-diggings, which,
though not excitingly attractive, give earnest of something
better, and meanwhile yield a moderate income to the few
who occupy themselves in the quest.

Upon the Outer or Western Coast there are at present no
agricultural settlements; the business prosecuted there being
only the traflic with the natives for oil and furs. In Alberni
Inlet, Barclay Sound, are extensive saw-mills, erected at large
outlay by an English firm ; but they are not at present in
operation. At the northern end are the Saw-quash coal-
mines ; but they are only partially wrought for the casual
supply of passing steamers, and cannot, it is to I e presumed,
be brought into competition with those in the more accessi-
ble position of Nanaimo. Fort Rupert, a post of the Hud-
son's Bay Company, is in this neighbourhood.

It is not, however, the intention to enter into minute local
particulars ; but rather to indicate broadly the general fea-
tures of the country, and afterwards to refer to special poiuts

* Sometimes called tbe Cuurtenay Uiver.

THE COAST, VANCOUVER ISLAND, AC.

when necessary. While tlie const-line of Vancouver Island
is well known, the interior has been very partially explored.
A mountainous ridpe appears to traverse it lengthwise, in
which are certain depressions occupied by extensive lakes ;
and it is probable that much agricultural and pastoral coun-
try remains yet to be developed. So far the portions that
have been tak'in up along the inner sea-board are found to
be extremely fertile and easily brought into cultivation.
Little necessity for clearing, save partially in spots, has yet
existed ; but, the more open grounds being first occupied,
the use of the axo will become constantly more necessary in
this division of the Province Within the limits of the
mountains rich mineral deposits are known to exist. Coal is
found in several po-itions, and timber of the finest quality
occupies the forest tracts. Kut on these and other points
more will be said hereafter.

Queen Charlotte's Island, considerably .sin.iUer than Van-
couver Island, is generally of a mountaitiuus (.liaracter, its
shores presenting, however, spots well adajttod i'or the culti-
vation of the potato and other vegetables. But it is as a
mineral resjion that this island has chiefly to be considered ;
and as such it will, it is believed, eventually prove extremely
valuable. Gold-bearing quartz of very rich (juality was ex-
tracted at a point called Mitchell's Harbour, as far back as
1852 ; but for various reasons the quest of this metal has
never been vigorously prosecuted in this locality. Copper
and other ores exist; and a fine vein of anthracite coal, said
to be of a superior quality, has been partially wrought, but
the working is at present suspended. Want of capital is
alleged to be the cause why this last enterprise has not been
prosecuted to a more successful issue.

Fort Simpson, a post belonging to the Hudson's Bay Com-
pany, is situated near the entrance of Observatory Inlet, close
by the southern frontier of Alaska. Methlakathla,a mission-
ary settlement under the supervision of the lleverend Mr.
Duncan of the Church Missionary Society, is situated some

QEOORAPIIICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF MAINLAND.

Duver Island
illy explored,
mgthwise, in
jDsive lakes ;
astoral coun-
portions that
irc found to
cultivation,
pots, has yet
St occupied,
necessary in
imits of the
jjst. Coal is
inest quality
other points

M* than Van-

liaractor, its

or the culti-

int it is as a

eousidercd ;

extrcuiely

'ity was ex-

ar back as

metal has

Copper

e coal, said

ought, but

capital is

IS not been

TJay Com-
nlet, close
a niission-
creud Mr.
ated some

30 miles to the soi'.thward of it, at a point known formerly
to navigators as Pearl Harbour. Near this, at the entrance
of the Skeenu 1. ,er is Port Essington, in Lat. 54° 15'; a
newly established settlement, to which further allusion will
be made, with reference to the recent gold-discoveries on
Peace River.

A cursory reference to the map will show the almost num-
berless islands of all dimensions which compose the remain-
der of this extraordinary archipelago, and of which no special
mention can of course be attempted. Many share, doubtless,
to a greater or less extent the attributes of their larger out-
lying neighbours : and all participate in the facilities for
securing the teeming products by which, as will be seen, the
maritime waters of the Province are notably distinguished.

CHAPTER III.

GEOGRAPIIICAIi SuimiVISIONS OF THE MAINLAND. — GEN-
ERAL Characteristics of each. — Lines of Communi-
cation, &c.

The mainland of British Columbia, apart from the sea-
board, may be divided into three sections, each differing from
the other in its attributes. The first extends from the mouth
of Fraser River io the head of the Kapids above Yale : the
second, from t t point to Alexandra : the third, thence to
the Rocky Mo- . as.

The characteristics of the lower district are a surface
thickly wooded in most parts with trees of enormous growth,
chiefly varieties of the Fir and Pine, and intermixed with
the Red Cedar {Thii/it Orcidentalh of Douglas, Ctojaufea of
Nuttall) and the Maple-plane (PlotanvH A^'erlJ'oHa). Low
alluvial points frihgc these thickets. These, as well as the

aEOdRAlMirCAL SUnDIVISIONS OF MAINLAND.

numerous islets along the river, are covered with Aspens,
Balsam Poplars, and Alders, of luxuriant growth. In the
lower part are some extensive meadows, yielding, in their
natural state, heavy crops of a coarse but nutritious grass,
and, under cultivation, enormous returns of cereals and other
produce. For a certain period of the year mosquitoes are
troublesome along the river, as high, nearly, as Hope : but
there has never been manifested any symptom of fever and
ague, or other similar endemic, so often generated in posi-
tions of a like description.

On the verge of the second, or central, division a marked
change commences. The copious rains which fall in the
lower district are greatly modified after we pass the moun-
tainous ridge through which the river bursts near Yale.
Evidences of a drier climate appear at every step. The
character of the vegetation changes. About J.ytton the
Cactus begins to appear. In spots along the Thompson the
Artemisia, and other shrubs indicative of a dry and hot cli-
mate, are found : and iu lieu of the thickly-wooded luxuri-
ance of the lower region, a succession of open valleys, cover-
ed with fine pasture and bordered by grassy hills in parts
more or less wooded, delights the eye of the traveller. Here
and there belts of forest intervene ; amid which broad ex-
panses of open land lie scattered at intervals. This general
description may be regarded as applying to a very large tract
of country, extending from Alexandria on the Fraser, in
Latitude 52° 33', to the Southern Boundary Line on the
Okinagan River : and thence at intervals towards the south-
eastern angle of the Province. Near the point just men-
tioned, whfire the Boundary Line intersects the Okinagan
River flowing in*o the Columbia, the country begins to as-
sume, in its general features, a very sterile character. An
arid sandy region, almost tropical in its temperature, replaces
the rich scenery throuji;h which we have been passing. Cros-
sing the frontier into the United States Territory, as we
descend the Okinagan towards the Columbia, this character

QEOORAPniCAL SUBDIVISIONS OF MAINLAND.

d with Aspens,
rowth. In the
elding, in their
mtritious grass,
jreals and other
mosquitoes are
, as Hope : but
i of fever and
crated in posi-

ision a marked
ch fall in the
ass the moun-
sts near Yale,
ry step. The
t lytton the
Thompson the
y and hot cli-
ooded luxuri-
t'alleys, cover-
liills in parts
veller. Here •
ch broad ex-

This general

■ry large tract

Fraser, in

line on the
is the south-
t just men-
te Okinagan
egina to as-
racter. An
ure, replaces
5sing. Cros-
tory, as we
is character

becomes more general. The alluvial bottoms alone, where
there is natural irrigation, are susceptible oi culture : the
main feature of the prospect is a torrid waste of sand, in
which the Wormwood and other varieties of the Artemisia,
the Cactus, and oth m veg tat"o i j ;opcr to hiuiilar wastes of
remote volcanic and diluvial origin, alone find nutriment.
We have entereci, in short, upon the North-western angle of
the Great American Desert: and hence, within the
Nevada range, to beyond the frontiers o'" M xico, these vast
" Sage Barrens " lie extended before tlio traveller.* Let us
recede, however, from this uninviting field, and confine our
view within the more attractive limits of our own favored
Province.

The third division of British Columbia, from Alexandria
to the Mountains, varies materially from the other two. The
agricultural region, properly so called, may be said to termi-
nate in the vicinity of Alexandria; though there are many
small spots beyond that joint which may 1)C advantageously
cultivated for culinary vegetables and tl;c harder cereals.
Generally speaking it is a wooded country, through which
many open spots of excellent soil are interspersed, witJi largo
tracts of luxuriant pasture — especially in the direction of
Fraser and Stuart Lakes, and in the Chilcotin country. From
Fort George, however, up the main branch of the Fraser to
Tete Jaune's Cache, none of these open places appear : and
though many cultivable patches along the river banks might
in parts be readily cleared, it is probable that the oecurrence
of summer night-frosts would prevent the growth of any save
the hardier vegetables. Fraser Lake, however, and the
neighbouring lake of Stuart, have been for many years the
scene ofagricultur.il operations on a small scale, at the Posts,
formerly of the North-West, and since the coalition of 1(S21, of

* The prevnlf.iico of tho scontcil Artumi.si.'i ("Siifrc" of tlio
American tra|)pcr.s) upon tlio iSoutlicni Hrancli of tlio Columhia
River, led tlio earlv Sp-anish colonists of Ciilifur ii;i to cmII it ilio
Rio del Orcgnno, or River of the Miiij.iram : licmc ilif> origin of
the term Orrgnn since applied to tlio wlKilo torriiorv.

GEOURAIMUCAL HLBDI VISIONS OF iMAlNLAND.

•I

the Hudson's Bay Company. At the former place, especially,
these limited opcrutious wore invariably successful. Pota-
toes, turnips, and other vegetables throve wonderfully.
Barley yielded invariably a heavy return ; and though wheat
was cultivated occasionally only, on a very small scale, and
rather experimentally than as a crop, it ripened well in favor-
able positions. The pasture in these vicinities is of the most
luxuriant description, consisting of fine natural grasses inter-
mixed with a nutritious kind of wild pea, or vetch. Cattle
and horses of course thrive well ; but the necessity of pro-
viding fodder against the lengthened winter of these elevated
parts, discourages their being raised bejond a limited extent.
This upper region, however, is to be considered more
especially as the rtmi'mt) distrivt : and any partial cultivation
that may be attempted io meet an extended market in con-
nexion with the mines, must be regarded only as subsidiary
to the main supply, derived from a remoter source.

! ]

We have deferred to notice the Lakes which are dispersed
througliout the interior of the Province, and which con-
stitute one of its most charming characteristics — for British
Columbia is emphatically a Land of Lakes. It would be a
vain attempt to describe the beauties of many of these
superb sheets of water : and impo.ssible to enumerate even a
tithe of their number. In the aggregate there are many
hundreds, varying in dimeu.sious from seventy miles and
upwards in length, by four or five miles in breadth, to the
mere mountain tarn of a few acres in extent. Abounding
with fish, the water of these lakes is generally very pure. lu
some, however, where the outfall is deficient, there is an alka-
line taint, arising from the presence of the sulphate and other
combinations of soda. Of this condition Green Lake, situated
between Alexandria and Thompson's River, is a notable ex-
ample. About thirty miles in length, with a beautiful grassy
shore, it has no outlet save veiy partially by underground
drainage in the direction of the Bonaparte, a tributary of the

«E(»G11APIIICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF MAINLAND.

ace, especially,
jessful. Pota-
wonderfully.
though wheat
luall scale, and
i well in favor-
I is of the most
1 grasses inter-
vetch. Cattle
jcessity of pro-
these elevated
limited extent,
isidered more
tial cultivation
Qarket in con-
' as subsidiary
urce.

1 are dispersed

d which con-

i — for British

[t would be a

any of these

luerate even a

ere are many

ty miles and

aJth, to the

Abounding

ery pure. In

re is an alka-

ate and other

ake, situated

a notable ex-

lutlful grassy

underground

butary of the

Thompson. It is conseciueutly very strongly ik..,)r»'gnated
with the accuuiulated salt; its colour being at the .same tiiuo
a fine sea-greeu.* 01 the prineipal Lakes the following
may be mentioned. On tributaries ultho FniHcr: Stuart's
Lake and Lake I'atla, Frasor's Luke, Lac dos Franyais, Bear
Lake, Quesucl an<l Caribou Lake, Lake Chilcutin, Lac a la
Hache, Lakes Anderson and Setun, Ilairisun's Lake, Pitt
Lake, near xS'cw ^Vestulinster; the upper and lower Shew-
shwap Lakes on Tlionipson'.s Iliver; Jlorse Lake and Lac des
Rochers on the North Branch. On the Columbia water-Hhed
the great Okinagan Lake and the Osooyoos; the Arrow Lakes;
the Great Lake ot tlie Arcs-plattes on ihe Kootanais Branch.
On the waters of i'eace Iliver, jNIoLeod's Lake &c. CIokc to
Stuart's Lake, and conneoted with it by a waggon road nine
miles in length passing over a depression in the Coast-range,
is .Nata-pimkat, or Babine Lake, a sheet of water oi the first
magnitude heading a branch of the Kiver Skeenii : and on a
tributary of the siime stream flowing from the northward is
Connolly's Lake; on both of which are posts of the Hudson's
Bay Company.

It will be enquired what facilities of comnuinication exist
by which the extremes ot' the vast tract of country composing
the interior of British Columbia are connected. Putting
aside the artificial roads that have of late years been con-
structed, and to wliich reference will presently lie made, it
may be nuintioned that from inunemorial time a system of
roads or rallier trails, has existed throughout, which, originally
traced by the natives lor mutual intercourse, served, until
recently, for all the purposes of conununication and transport.

*Cnptain R. M. Parsons of the Royal Knijirifors. in his report to
Colonel Moody, of i lie IGtli Si'iitfinlier, lSil2, say.s ot tlii.s iviid other
similar Lak 's "1 did not, cxaiiiino the water ol' these Fjakes, but
tbey probably cotitain the same iniptiritics as those met with when
travelling with you near Okiivpaii. viz: Suiidnir, rartieiiic Acid,
Soda (as Sulphate of iSoda or Sulphide ofSddiimi and ('arl)oniitc
of Soda) and c'lintiioM Salt, piol>ald\ derived tVoiii deeiinij)o-'iii(|
trachvte in tbo soil,'

OEOORAPHICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF MAINLAND.

These pack-trails — for they were nothing more — ^have since
been improved, where ncce snry, so aa to admit of the passage
of wheeled vehicles along the principal lines. In some parts
long tracts required no improvement and were at once "avail-
able for all the purposes of transport : and such natural roads,
with interruptions more or less frequent in parts, radiate
throughout the valleys, affording ready communication be-
tween various points with pack-animals, and improvablu with
moderate outlay of labour into roads of a higher description.

The artificial improvements which have become necessary
since the colonization of the Coimtry, in order to give access
from the Lower District to the interior, are of the most im-
posing character ; and have involved an outlay which, at the
outset, bore hardly upon the resources of the Colony. The
first road opened with this view, commenced in 1858, and for
some years aflfording the only available route of access, was
from Douglas, at the head of steam-boat navigation on Harri-
son Lake, round by the Lakes Anderson and Seton, to Lillooett
on the Fraser, some 40 miles above Lytton at the Forks of
Thompson's Kiver. This road, however, though all-important
for the time, and destined probably yet to become of renewed
expediency, was after a while superseded by that which is now
the main channel of communication. Commencing at Yale,
the head of steam-boat navigation on the Lower Fraser, this
last -mentioned road is continued clear up to Barkerville, in
the heart of the Caribou mining-region. The lower portion,
crossing the Fraser at Kequeloose 13 miles above Yale by a
suspension bridge, is conducted along the river through a most
difficult country to Lytton. Enormous engineering difficulties
have been overcome in this great work, completed under the
supervision of the ITonoi-able Joseph W. Trutch, the present
Lieutenant-Governor of the Province. A second bridge, upon
piles, crosses the Thompson some distance above Lytton, after
which the difficulties were of minor importance.

A third route, crossing directly over the Cascade Eange in
an Easterly direction to the beautiful valley of the Similkameen

NATUBAL PB0DU0TX0N8— TIMBKB, TBUS, fto. 17

re — have since
t of the passage
In some parts
! at once 'avail-
b natural roads,
I parts, radiate
munication be-
mprovablu with
sr description.
!come necessary
* to give access
■ the most im-
ly which, at the
! Colony. The
n 1858, and for
e of access, was
;ation on Harri-
'ton, to Lillooett
t the Forks of
rh all-important
ome of renewed
at which is now
encing at Yale,
ver Fraser, this
Barkerville, in
lower portion,
bovfi Yale by a
through a most
ring difficulties
ted under the
tch, the present
id bridge, upon
Lytton, after

cade Eange in
le Similkameen

on the Colambia watershed, leaves the Fraser twelve mile*
below Yale, at the pleasant village of Hope. This, though not
opened of breadth sufficient for wheeled-vehicles, is valuable
aa a short route of transport with pack-animals, in the direc-
tion of Okindgan and the Kootanais mines.

Since the discovery, two years ago, of the gold-diggings on
the heads of Peace River, called now the " Omineca " mines,
another route has been opened from the northern coast. Leav-
ing the village at Port Essington, to which I have before
passingly alluded, the Skeen^ River is ascended by canoe to
the Bear-river Fork ; thence by land-carriage and water by
way of the Babine Lake and over a depression in the inter-
vening Coast Range to Lake Tat-ltl on the Stuart Branch of
the Upper Fraser ; and thence across the ridge of the Peak
Range to the head waters of the Findlay Branch of Peace
River, where the gold-deposits are in process of development.
This route has the advantage of shortness of land-transport,
over the route to the same point by the way of Yale : but
each appears to have its advocates, and the balance of their
relative merits seems to be yet undecided. Leaving, however,
the subject of internal communication to be reverted to here-
after, we proceed to notice some of the natural productions of
the Province.

CHAPTER IV.

Natural Productions — Timber, Trees, Ornamental

Shrubs, &c.

The forests of British Columbia are productive of an inex-
haustible supply of timber of the most serviceable kind. Con-
fining the description to very narrow limits the following
varieties may be menti(»ied : —

It NATURAL PRODVOTIONB — TIMBIB, TRIVS, &0.

The Oak, which is not found on the mainland,* growi
abundantly on the southern parts of Vancouver Island, and
the islands adjacent. It is of the variety Q. Oarryana ; and,
though nowise equal to the British Oak, affords a very tough
and serviceable timber.

The Douglas Pine or Fir (-4. Doufflasii). The uses of thi«
tree, which grows to a gigantic size, are chiefly for the manu-
facture of deals and scantling for building piirposes, and also,
locally, for ship-building. It is peculiarly well adapted for
masts and spars, from its size, straightness, and tenacity.
There is a large and constantly increasing exportation of this
timber, Irom British Columbia, and the adjacent shores of
Washington Territory, in the shape of sawn lumber and spara
to various Ports in China and the Pacific, and in spars and
masts of the largest dimensions to Europe. The quality of the
lumber procured in British Columbia, at BuxTard's Inlet, a
little north of the entrance of Fraser River, is esteemed of
superior quality, and commands, we believe, an extra price in
San Francisco.

The Weymouth Pine (P. StrohusJ— the White Pine of
commerce. This valuable tree is common on the mountain-
slopes between the Coast and the I^ower Fraser, It is es-
pecially abundant in the upper part of Harrison's River, where
it attains to a large size and is of unsurpassable beauty.

The Balsam Pine, yielding the *' Canada Balsam " of the
druggist : a tree of vigorous growth and very ornamental, but
the timber of little value.

The Hemlock Fir (A. Caaadenzis). Common throughout
the Lower District and along the Coast. The bark valuable
for tanning ; the wood valueless for outside purposes, but used
sometimes for indoor finishing as a substitute for better wood.

* This remark, as a rule, is strictly correct ; but like all rules
has its exception. A few oaks of small size may be discovered —
or might have been discovered 20 years back — on the eastern bank
of the Rapids above Yale. They did not probably exceed a dozen
in number ; and, unless they may have been considerately spared
for their rarity, it ii questionable whether any now remain.

MATUBAL PRODUOnONS— TIMBIB, TRBIB, fto. 19

The Sprooe Fir. Found ia most localities throughout the
Prorinoe, up to the limits of the Rocky Mountains. An easily
wrought and useflil wood. (^A. Menziem.')

Pinut Banktianay a variety of the common Scotch ( ir, is
found in dry sandy woodlands throughout the interior of
British Columbia, and up to the summit of the Rocky Moun-
tain passes. A useful and durable wood. Found also on
Vancouver Island ; but more rarely, and of smaller siz"".

The Red Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis, or GujanUa). A
mobt useful tree, found throughout the Province, up to the
heart of the Rocky Mountains, but especially abundant on the
Sea-board and in the Lower District, where it attains to an
enormous size. The wood of this tree is especially valued for
it8 extreme durability ; '\i for this reason is now in demand
in San Francisco for the purposes of the Southern Pacific Rail-
ro&J, '1)r ties. Of this wood the natives make their beautiful
canoes ; the broad sheets of the bark they use frequently for
roofing ; and its fibres are woven into blankets.

j'he Cypress, or Yellow Cedar (Cvpressus TTiyoides), con-
fined to the maritime precincts. The wood, of close texture and
applicable to many useful purposes, is of very superior quality.
The tree is not, probably, found south of 49", and extends
along the Coast into Aluska. The inner bark of this tree con-
tains an essential oil, which communicates its odor, romewhat
as of garlic, to the wood, the efiect of which is to protect it, it
is said, against the attacks of the Teredo. This quality of re-
sistance, added to great durability, adapts it specially for sub-
marine purposes, for which, imported from Alaska, it is now I
believe highly valued in San Francisco. The cortical fibres,
like those of the last-mentioned, are spun, and woven into
blankets, but of a finer texture.

A variety of Yew ( T. hrevifrUa) is found along the Coast,
and on the Fraser as high as the head of the Yale Rapids. It
is used by the natives for the manufacture of bows, and it is
applicable to various useful purposes, but does not attain to
the size of the English Yew. The Alder, useful for turning

^ NATVBAL PBODVOTIONB— <riMBEa, TREES, &0.

and carving, is widely distributed, and in the Coast vicinity
attains to a great bize. The Plane-maple (^Plataniu Acert/o'
lia) is abundant in the Lower District and Vancouver Island,
and of very vigorous growth. A useful and highly ornamental
tree, yielding in early Spring a copious supply of sap, which,
though less rich in saccharine matter than that of the Canadian
Sugar-maple, gives a product not inferior in quality. The
Balsam Poplar, or Cotton-wood, and the Aspen, growing
abtmdantly along the Lower Fraser, are very generally dis-
tributed, nearly to the summit of the Rocky Mountain passes.
From the Balsam Poplar, which attains to very considerable
dimensions, excellent, canoes are excavated by the Indians of
the interior, which have this advantage over those constructed
of Cedar, that they do not split through exposure to the sun,
and consequently do not demand the same assiduous care.
But these periguas are nowise comparable in form to the
beautiful canoes of the Coast, formed of the more delicate
material, and with a far higher degree of art. The Birch,
which is the chief hard-wood of the interior, is comparatively
rare in the Lower District and on Vancouver Island ; but
throughout the Upper Fraser, up to the verge of the Rocky
Mountains, it is common, and attains in parts to a very con-
siderable size. The bark of this tree was formerly employed
at the interior posts for making canoes for transport; but boats
were afterwards substituted. The natives do not employ it,
however, for that purpose, like those of the eastern Continent.
They construct their light hunting-canoes of single sheets
stripped from the trunk of the "Weymouth Pine, where pro-
curable : elsewhere of the Spruce.

Peculiar to a portion of the Central District is the Red
Pine {P. Ponderosa) ; a very beautiful tree, growing chiefly
in gravelly opens, and attaining a large size. The timber is
good, close-grained, and durable ; but, as its name indicates,
comparatively heavy. It is found commonly as far noith as
the upper ford of the Bonaparte ; but its nearest approach to
the Coast Range, westward, is the head of Anderson Lake.

NATURAL r^ODUOTXONB — TIMBIB, TRBE8, ftO. 21

A variety of the Larch (i/. Occidentalis) is found at varioua
pomts along the eastern portion of the Southern Boundary of
the Province. It grows to a laige size, chiefly in cold moist
bottoms; but, though a beautiful tree, its timber does not
share the character for durability ascribed to its Eastern con-
gener. Some other varieties of Pine besides those that have
been mentioned are found in the moimtainous parts : but none
of these being of marked utility it is needless to enumerate them.

Of ornamental shrubs there is a considerable variety. Of
these a few only will be mentioned. A species of the Arbutus
(ul. Lauri/olia), which by the way it is wrong to class as a
thnibf is found abundantly on the shores of Vancouver Island,
and elsewhere in the southern part of the Coast Division. It
grows to a considerable size, sometimes being found with
trunks eighteen inches or more in diameter. The Red-flower-
ing Currant (i?. Sanguined), grows abundantly in the same
localities. A species of the Juniper, attaining rather to the
dignity of a tree, is likewise found in immediate proximity
with the sea-shore. In the Cascade Range, behind the village
of Hope, a fine Rhododendron {R. Ponticum ?) ornaments the
slopes in the neighbourhood of the height of land. The
Syringa, or Mock-orange {Philadelphus Multiflora) sheds its
fragrance through the woods of Vancouver Island, and is com-
mon on the mainland both east and west of the Cascade Range,
and nearly to Thompson's River. A fine Spirsea^ rather a
lofly shrub, is found in the woodlands around Victoria and
elsewhere, which, besides the elegance of its flowers, is noted
for producing probably the toughest known wood for ramrods.
The Holly-leaved Barberry {Mahonia Aqw'folid) is very
generally diffused; and in addition to the beauty of its flowers,
has the merit of producing a fruit valuable for preserving.*
Upon the summit of the Cascade Range, and elsewhere in cor-
ii'sponding positions, are thick beds of the Menziesia, white
and red. This plant, strongly resembling in appearance the
Heath of Europe, has frequently been mistaken for it : but it

* The roots of the Mdhonia, yielding a rich yellow dye, and prodnoed In Urg*
qnantitiet, will probably b« found to bare a commercial ralua.

22 NATURAL PBODVOTIONB — TIMBER, TRIES, &0.

is, I believe, a well-established fact that no true Heath has
yet been found indigenous to any part of America.

Of edible fruits there are many kinds. Of these perhaps the
most important is the Service-berry (^Amelanchier Racemosa,
or Canadensis ?) ; a white-flowering shrub yielding a fruit of
great utility. Abimdantly produced, and easily gathered, this
fruit is driod in the sun, and forms an important addition to
the winter store of the natives, as well as of the European res-
idents, by whom it is no less prized. This berry is very widely
distributed between this and Manitoba; and along the Saskat-
chewan the dried fruit enters largely into the composition of
the finer kinds of Peroican. Though the shrub grows freely
about Victoria the Iruit produced is there of indifferent quality.
Between Thompson's River and the Southern Boundary, and
especially along the valley of the Similkameen, it attains its
highest degree of perfection. The Cluster or Choke-Cherry
thrives in the same localities as the Service-berry, and is little
less abundant. At first harsli and astringent to the palate,
this fruit when fiiUy matured is sweet and well-flavoured.
The Sallal (^Gualtheria JShallon) is a well-flavoured fruit,
borne in bunches by a low evergreen shrub, the imdergrowth
of woods in the Coast neighbourhood only. Several varieties
of Vaccinium, or Whortle-berry, some confined to the Coast
and its immediate confines, others very generally distributed,
as high as the Rocky Mountains, are also found : besides the
Raspberry of several kinds, including one identical in flavour
and nowise inferior in quality to the cultivated varieties ; the
wild Strawberry ; and the Cranberry ; all widely distributed,
and the last an article of considerable export from the Lower
Fraser to San Francisco, where the fruit is in great demand.
One might extend, however, indefinitely this hasty enumera-
tion ; but it is time to turn to other objects. Let it suffice,
then, to say, in conclusion, that here in British Columbia
Nature has been profuse in her gifts; and that while providing
abundantly for the more solid wants of Man, she has not been

ISIS, &0.

true Heath Las
srica.

hese perhaps the

chier Racemosaj

ielding a fruit of

ily gathered, this

rtant addition to

le Etiropean res-

ry is very widely

Uong the Saskat-

) composition of

rub grows freely

different quality.

a Boundary, and

sen, it attains its

)r Choke-Cherry

erry, and is Uttle

it to the palate,

well-flavoured.

flavoured fruit,

le undergrowth

Several varieties

ed to the Coast

•ally distributed,

ad : besides the

itical in flavour

d varieties ; the

lely distributed,

rom the Lower

great demand.

hasty enumera-

Let it suffice,

■itish Columbia

while providing

le has not been

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — PISH.

«8

■J

unmindful of those minor luxuries which to all are grateful.
The copious feast prepared by her hand throughout the wilder-
ness, and the varied beauties of the innumerable flowers that
bedeck the plains, are but the earnest of those luxurious addi-
tions to her bounty, which the taste and the industry of Man
have been introducing, and will continue to introduce.

CHAPTER V. .

Natural Poductions Continued — Fish.

As may be surmised from the enormous coast-line, and the
great extent of the inland waters, the Fish of British Columbia
enter largely into the consideration of her resources. Of all
the varieties frequenting the inland waters, however, the
Salmon is the most important : and, as it will require a longer
notice than the rest, we reserve it for the last. The varieties
of Trout, in the next place, demand attention ; and for want
of more legitimate nomenclature, they will in most cases be
distinguished by the native names, adopting those of the Til-
cully of the Upper Fraser, to the writer the more familiar.

The Peet is a red-fleshed Trout, frequenting the larger
lakes, such as Stuart's and Fraser's. It grows to a great size,
frequently exceeding 20 lbs. in weight, and in some positions,
I have been assured, weighing as much as forty, though I have
never myself seen any nearly so large. They are usually
caught with hooks, baited with a small fish, during the season
of open water. In early spring the natives catch them by
making holes in the ice and roofing them over with pine-
boughs so as to exclude the surface-light. In this way the
fish, attracted by a lure, is readily detected and speared.*

* This device, it may be noticed, is merely a modification of the
Norwegian water-telescope; and shows how readily Man, in ex-
igency, arrives through dififerent processes at a common end.

NATTBAL PBODU0TIONB-~nBH.

The Skd-pai is another variety, equal in all respects to the
last; but differing in appearance, its skin being marked with
faint orange-colored spots, and the ilesh having a yellowish
tint.

The Peet-ydz, or Salmon-trout, resembling generally the
ordinary trout caught elsewhere. There are, however, several
varieties, differing in size and quality, as well as appearancei
according to their habitat.

The Tah-ydz (i. e. Little Salmon), is a peculiar variety of
Trout, of excellent quality, confined to certain lakes of the
Upper District, and found, I think, in the Great Okin&gan
Lake — a sheet of water abounding also in the larger species.

In addition to the hook and spear, weirs are employed to
capture the various descriptions of Trout as they enter the
rivers from the lakes to spawn. The gill-net, too, set in favor-
able positions, is employed for the smaller varieties. The
artificial fly and the spoon-bait, which the angler bene on sport
would employ, were of course unknown to the native fisher-
men, whose devices I have mentioned.

The White-fish ( Coregonus Alba), by many esteemed the
Prince of fresh-water fish, found generally throughout the
northern continent, is common to most of the lakes in the
upper part of British Columbia. It varies very much in size,
and no less in quality, in different localities : a variation aris-
ing doubtless from the nature of their food. Thus the fish
produced in Fraser Lake, though no larger, are in quality far
superior to those of the neighbouring lake of Stuart ; while
those of the small lake of Yoka, in the depression of the Coast-
range between the latter lake and Babine, are superior to both.
Far excelling these, again, are the fish caught in a small lake
near Jasper's House on the Athabasca, a little outside of the
northern frontier of the Province. The White-fish of British
Columbia probably average from two to three pounds only :
elsewhere, in parts eastward of the Hocky Mountains, they
are found much larger.

The Loche ( Gallus Barhatvia), called also the " Fresh-

NATUBAL PRODUOTIONS — HSH.

the "Fresh-

water God/' is found commonly in the lakes and rivers. The
liver, like that of the true God, is the sole, or chief, depos-
itory of its fat. A fish on the whole of very little mark.

The Pike or Jack-fish, common on the East side of the
Rocky Mountains, is not found in the British Golumbia
waters — and, I need not add, is not regretted.

There are immense numbers of Garp of several varieties.
These, when they enter the streams from the lakes to spawn,
commencing in April, are caught by the natives with inge-
nious weirs, and sun-dried in vast quantities.

The Sturgeon of British Golumbia {Jctpenser transmonta-
nu8 of Richardson) diners widely in all respects from the
common Sturgeon of the Atlantic (A. Sturio). This noble
fish is common both to the Golumbia and Fraser River; but
does not by the former stream penetrate to the British Golum-
bia frontier— interrupted, apparently, by the Kettle Fall at
Colvile, near to which point some have been known to reach.
The fish appears in Fraser River in early Spring, following
the shoals of a certain small fish, called by the natives
Oolu-han, as they resort to the lower parts to spawn. The
Western Sturgeon attains an enormous size : in the upper
parts of Fraser River, about Stuart.s and Frascr's Lakes,
having been caught weighing as- much as seven or eight
hundred pounds. These fish do not, there is reason to be-
lieve, always return to the sea ; but, finding abundant food
in the upper waters, continue to dwell and propagate there,
frequenting chiefly the neighbourhood of the two lakes men-
tioned, and probably other localities. Unlike the Salmon,
[ which constantly deteriorate as they ascend, the Sturgeon con-
jversely improve; and are invariably fatter when caught in
the upper waters, than in the vicinity of the sea. On the
Lower Fraser these fish are caught by the natives in a sin-
gular but very eificacious manner. A canoe, manned by two
persons, one of whom acts merely to keep the light vessel in
j position, is suff"crcd to drift along the deepest channel. The
[fisherman, seated in the bow, is armed with a jointed staff

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — ri8H.

iM-

which may be lengthened at pleasure, and to the end of
which a barbed I arpoon attached to a cord is loosely affixed.
With this he feels his way, keeping the point of his weapon
constantly within a short distance of the bottom. The fish,
slowly swimming upwards, is detected by the touch j and,
instantly struck, is afterwards readily secured. In the Upper
Fraser the bait is chiefly employed ; but in the larger eddies
strong nets are found very eflFective. At the effluence of
Lakes Stuart and Fraser, near which the Hudson's Bay
Company's posts are situated, long stake-nets are set during
Spring and Summer, by means of which a fish is occasionally
caught, the more highly prized for its comparative rarity :
for while the Sturgeon grows to larger dimensions in these
vicinities, it is very much rarer than in the lower parts of
the river. • .

The Salmon entering Fraser River are of several varieties,
making their appearance successively at various peiiuds from
early Spring till the end of Summer. As a general rule it
may be asserted that the earlier shoals are the stronger and
richer fish. For clearness sake I shall confine my remarks
chiefly to two principal varieties, called by the lower Indians
Saw-qudi and Suck-kdi, by the upper Indians Kase and
Td-lo; by which latter names I shall distinguish them. The
first, equal in size and quality to the large Salmon of Europe,
enter the Fraser in May ; the latter, a very much smaller
and not so rich a fish, arriving a month or so later. In the
lower part of the river the natives secure them in large
quantities by means of drift-nets. Higher up scoop-nets are
chiefly used, which are wrought from stages suspended from
the rocks bordering on rapid currents; and above Alexandria
the T^oully tribe construct ingenious weirs for their capture.
The Kase, entering the river as before noted in May, are
caught at Alexandria in the beginning of July ; though a
shoal, resorting to a small tributary called the Nascoh, passes
upward at an earlier date. The Td-lo, arriving at Alexan-
dria later, never reach the neighbourhood of Stuart's or

NATURAL PBODUCTIONS — FISH.

to the end of
1 loosely affixed,
t of his weapon
btoin. The fish,
;he touch ; and,
i. In the Upper
;he larger eddies
the effluence of

Hudson's Bay '
3 are set during
h is occasionally
iparative rarity:
lensions in these
3 lower parts of

several varieties,
ous peiiuds from
a general rule it
the stronger and
ifine my remarks
he lower Indians
idians Kase and
juish them. The
ilmon of Europe,
ry much smaller
}0 later. In the
•e them in large
up scoop-nets are
3 suspended from
ibove Alexandria
For their capture.
)ted in May, are
July ; though a
e Nascoh, passes
iving at Alexan-
of Stuart's or

Fraser's Lake before the first week in August; preceded
shortly by the Kase.

To those conversant with the habits of the European
Salmon it is superfluous to mention that each shoal as it
ascends strives perseveringly and with unerring instinct to
reach, for its spawning-ground, the spot where itself was
generated. The course of the Kase. apart from the minor
fihoals which may diverge to their native tributaries by tho
way, may thus be indicated from the; Forks of Thk-et-leh
(Fort George), upwards. A division of the grand shoal here
takes place ; one detachment ascending the eastern^ or T^te
Jaune, Branch, the remainder ascendiog the western, or
Stuart, Branch, as high as the point called the Forks of
Ghinlac, 60 miles above Thle-et-leh. A further Bubdivision
here takes place; one portion continuing to ascend the
Stuart Branch, nearly to Stuart's Lake, which, however, they
do not enter. The other detachment ascends the Fraf>er Lake
Branch, turning off short of that lake, and continuing ita
course up the large tributary there falling in, called the
Nejil-c6h, on which its spawning grounds are situated.

The Td-lo, its van-guard reaching Thle-et-leh in company
with the rear-guard of the Kase, do not enter the Tete Jaune
Branch, but continue undeviatingly up to the Forks of
Ghinlao before mentioned, where a separation takes place.
One detachment, continuing up the Stuart's Branch, passes
through Stuart's Lake on its way towards Lake Tat-I& : the
other following up the other branch does not, like the Kase^
enter the NejA-c6h, but passing on to Eraser Lake, continues
through it, and pursues its route by the tributary stream
I towards the Lao des Frangais, on the inner verge of the
I Coast Range, and opposite to the Southern heads of the Skeenft.

This process, actuated by an infallible instinct, goes on

; undeviatingly from year to year : and though at times there

I may occur, from inscrutable causes, a partial failure of the

supply, the periods vary but little, and the regularity of the

system is never interrupted.

NATURAL PaODUOTIONS — nSB.

Id the Appendix will be inserted a brief notice of several
other varieties of the Salmon resorting to Fraser River, some
of which, diverging up the Thompson's Branch and other
tributaries, do not ascend to the Upper Fraser : and I will
now advert to a peculiarity in their fate, which, strange as
it may appear, distioguishes the majority from nil other
known varieties of the genus. There seems to be no ques<
tion that the shoals resorting to the smaller streams debouch-
ing upon the Coast return, after performing their procreative
functions, to the sea, as elsewhere. Indeed I am disposed
to think that those varieties which resort to the smaller tri-
butaries of the Lower Fraser and the Columbia, probably
fulfil their course in like manner. But as regards the main
body, resorting to the distant head-waters of those great
rivers, it may be incontestably asserted that they never return
to the sea. At first incredulous of this asserted fact, subver-
sive of all my preconceptions on the subject, it was only after
the observation of years, under circumstances which seem to
preclude the possibility of error, that I was constrained to
arrive at the same conclusion. Without prolonging my notes
by entering on the particulars of these observations, I may
confidently repeat the assertion that, the function of spawn-
ing over, the fish, still struggling upwards, die of exhaustion.
Upon the main, or Eastern, branch of the Fraser, which as
I have said is frequented only by the large variety or Kase,
the strongest of those fish attain as high as T6te Jaune's
Cache, between 700 and 800 miles from the sea: there their
further progress is arrested by a steep fall. At the foot of
this fall, and elsewhere below, the stream swarms, in Sep-
tember, with dead and dying fish. The once brilliant Sal-
mon, no longer recognisable save from its general form, may
here be seen, the function of spawning completed, almost
torpid from exhaustion j its nose in luany instances worn to
the bone, it?! tail and fins in tatters, nay its very flesh in a
state of haH-iiuaiiilcd decay, either belplcsBl}* floating in the
eddies, or with momcutary exertion still struggling to ascend.

NATUBAL PBODUOnONS— nSB.

In BO case is the smallest disposition to descend perceptible:
its course lis still onwards, until, dying at last, it floats with
myriads of others to be cast upon the beach, attracting to a
hideous banquet a multitude of Bears and other carnivorous
beasts from Mie adjacent mountains. In like manner perish
the other shoals upon the head-waters of the several streams
to which they resort.*

I am not, however, to write a treatise on Natural History,
but to confine myself to such notes as may tend practically
to a useful end. Nevertheless I may be pardoned if I have
dwelt passingly upon a fact which, if for its singularity alone,
is worthy of record. Before quitting this branch of the sub-
ject, too, I may supply some memoranda which will convey
an idea of the productiveness, in favorable years, of the
salmon-fisheries on the Fraser. At the Post of Fraser's
Lake, in 1836, 36,000 dried salmon were purchased and
stored for use ; and at other Posts proportionate quantities
were likewise secured out of the superabundant provision
made by the natives. The year in question, it is true, was
one of great abundance. At Fort Langley (some fifteen
miles above New Westminster) large quantities were formerly
salted every year by the Hudson's Bay Company, as well for
home consumption as for exportation. In some seasons be-
tween two and three thousand barrels were thus provided j
the fish procured by barter from the natives. For some years
past private fisheries have been established, where large quan-
tities are annually cured : and recently an establishment for
preserving the fish in cans for exportation has been started,
which promises to be very successful. The chief markets
arc South America, the Sandwich Islands, and Australia.

We may here mention cursorily that, while the salmon, of
some particular variety, is common, perhaps, to every stream
issuing along the Coast from the Coast-range of mountains,

* On the Columbia the Salmon attain to the head of the McGil-
livray Fork, more than a thousand miles from the sea. There is
there a small lake, which, before the winter sets in, is crowded, I
hay* been assured, with the dead and dying fish.

NATURAL PRODUOTIOIfS — FIBfl.

BB well as to the many tributaries of the Fraser, it is not
found upon the waters of British Columbia tributary to the
Peace Biver, or indeed to any of the streams flowing east-
ward from the Bocky-Mountain boundary of the Province.
Thus Peace Biver, and its co-tributary to the great McKenziej
the Athabasca, as well as the Saskatchewan, are destitute of
this valuable fish. With our knowledge of the habits of the
genus it would be a facile undertaking to introduce the fish
artificially into these rivers, by spawn taken from the western
watershed : but it is questionable whether the extreme length
of the two first-named streams, at least, in their course to the
ocean, might not prove an insurmountable obstacle to their
successful propagation. Nevertheless, it is possible that the
attempt may at some future day be made.

A very valuable fish entering Fraser Bivir to spawn in
early Spring, is the ThaUichihys (or preferably Osmervi)
Richardsonii — locally known as the Ool^-han.'" It appears
in immense shoals, and is caught either with the scoop-net,
or, like the Herring on the sea-board, with the rake. This
simple device is merely a long light pole, flattened in one
direction so as to pass readily through the water, and with
the edge set towards the lower extremity with a row of
sharply-pointed teeth. The fisherman, entering the shoal,
passes the implement repeatedly through the water, with a
rapid stroke, each time transfixing several fish. Thus a copious
supply is soon secured. The Ooluhan is, in the estimation
of most people, one of the most delicious products of the sea.
Smaller than the Herring, it is of a far more delicate flavor;
and so rich that, when dried, it is inflammable.f This fish

* I was long under the impression that this fish was a variety of
Pilchard {Clupanodon Thrisad) peculiar to the Pacific; and am in-
debted to Dr. Robert Brown, of Edinburgh, formerly in command
of the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition, for the correction
adopted above.

•j So much so, indeed, that, in Alaska, where it is likewise found,
it is I believe called the " Candle-fish." It is mentioned by Fran-
ch^re, in his account of the Oolumbia River, under the name of
Outhelekane, from which iti present designation is modified ; and,

NATURAL PRODUOTIONB — FISH.

b not confined to Fraser River, but frequents likewise the
Nass, a largo stream issuing on the frontier between British
Columbia and Alaska; another stream debouuhing into
Gardner's Canal ; and probably other rivers along the
Coast. Those caught at the mouth of the Nass are of a
quality even richer than those of Fraser River. The natives,
who assemble there in great numbers in Spring to prosecute
the fishery, besides drying them in largo quantities, extract
from the surplus a fine oil, which is highly prized by them
as a luxury, and forms a staple article of barter with the
interior tribes. This oil, of a whitish colour, and approach-
ing to the consistence of thin lard, is regarded by those of
the Faculty who are acquainted with its properties, as equally
eflScacious with the Cod-liver Oil so commonly prescribed :
and it is said to have the great advantage of being far more
palatable. With the exception of a few scores of casks salted
annually for local sale, and a quantity prepared like the Red-
herring, this fish has not yet, I believe, been systematically
cured, or become an article of exportation. There can be no
question, however, that, when more widely known and pro-
perly prepared, it will be the object of much extraneous
demand.

As already remarked, all the larger streams along the
Coast abound with Salmon. The SkeenS, before mentioned,
discharging at Port Essington, and the Bilwhoola, flowing
into the North Bcntinck Arm of Milbank Sound, may be
specially noted; though equalled, doubtless, by many others.
The minor streams swarm during the season with a small
variety, known locally to the northward as the Sqtidg-gan ;
inferior in richness to the larger fish, and therefore not so

[from the circumstance of its being strung on cords by the natives
I to dry, was called by the voyageurs Poisson a la lirasse, or Fathom-
[fish. They were formerly very abundant in Spring on the Lower
Columbia ; but suddenly, about the year 1835, they ceased to ap-
[pear, and thence-forward up at least to 1858, none frequented the
[river. I have been informed, however, that they have since re-
I appeared, and that there is now a regular supply as formerly.

NATrBAL PBODUOTXOirS— riSB.

well adapted for salting, but nevertheless of excellent quality.
I may here mention as a peculiar trait that the Salmon of
this Coast — at least those ascending the larger rivers such as
the Columbia, the Fraser, and others — unlike their European
congeners, do not rise to the artificial fly. In the inlets
around Vancouver Island and elsewhere, while they remain
in the sea, and at all seasons of the year, they are readily
caught by trolling. The natives employ generally a herring
as the bait : but the spoon-bait is found by amateurs to be
equally efficacious. It will be inferred that the fish occupy
continuously the narrow waters, adjacent probably to the en-
trance of the streams of their nativity, until they finally re-
enter the rivers to spawn : and, admitting the apparently
unquestionable fact that some varieties, at least, never return
to the sea, it follows as a consequence that the whole term
of their existence, from the time when the fry descend the
rivers until their final return to spawn, whatever the interval
may be before they attain maturity, is passed in these re-
treats. The quality of the winter fish, caught in these
localities in their full perfection, is incomparably fine. Tho
size varies, apparently, in difierent positions. In the Saanich
Arm, for instance, a little to the north of Victoria, the
weight may vary from fifteen to thirty pounds or more : but
it was mentioned about a month ago (in March) in the
British Colonist newspaper, that a fish caught wilh the bait
in the outer harbour of Victoria had been brought to market,
the weight of which was fifty-five pounds. Fish of this size
are, however, comparatively rare. Repeated examination
leads me to the conclusion that the Herring is here the
favourite food of the Salmon. It f;; the most successful
natural bait; and I have almost ioTariably found one, and
frequently several, of these fish, in ^-he stomachs of ordinary-
sized Salmon ; but smelts, and occasionally prawns, are also
found. It may be added that, while the Salmon refuses the
fly or any other bait after entering the fresh water, the
closest examination of the intestines of the ascending fish

NATURAL PRODUCTIOIfS — FISH.

docs not, as far as my experionce goes, reveal upon what
nutriment they then subsist. A mucous substance alone is
discernible j and it must bo inferred that minute in/moria,
the nature of which the microscope might probably detect,
is at this period their oole source of nourishment.

But we have dwelt sufficiently on this theme, and must
proceed to notice the other products in which these waters
arc notably prolific. And first of the Herring. This valu-
able fish resorts in prodigious numbers, at the spawing season
in early Spring, to the bays and inlets of the Gulf of Georgia,
and elsewhere generally along the (^oast. The method by
which the natives capture them at this season, mentioned
before while treating of the Ooltl-han, suggests an idea of
their sciircely conceivable numbers. In appearance they do
not perceptibly differ from the European variety, though
rather smaller. At the period i^; question the quality of
these fi-sh is inferior; but when caught during their prime,
with the net, on the banks which they permanently frequent,
they are, to my cf^rception, fully equal to their congeners of
the Atlantic sea-board. This remark applies at least to some
of the localities bordering on tho Gulf of Georgia ; and I
fancy is generally true. The spawn, attached to sea-weed, or
to branches purposely sunk in the shallows for its reception,
is gathered in largo quantities by the natives, and dried for
food.

The Cod caught in the narrow waters are inferior to the
Atlantic fish. There are, however, certain outlying banks
upon which they are found abundantly, of a quality, it is said,
approaching, if not fully equal to, the la°t.

The Halibut attains upon this Coast a very high degree of
perfection. On the outer shore of Queen Charlotte's Island,
especially, it is found of a very large size ; frequently ex-
ceeding 100 pounds in weight, and not unseldom, I am
assured, of twice that size. Caught with the hook, these fish
are dried in large quantities by the natives, especially of the
more northerly parta of the Coast.

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — FI8H.

To these may be added the Smelt, the Rock-cod, the Floun-
der, Whiting, and a host of others, with which, in season, the
markets of Victoria ara constantly supplied — chiefly through
the industry of Italia" fishermen, who appear here to enjoy
a presci ptivc monopoly of the trade. Oysters are very
abundant. Those dredged near Victoria are of small size,
but woU-flavoured : northward, in the vicinity of Comox, a
larger sample is procured. Of Cockles, Mussels, and other
ehell-fish there is a copious supply. Crabs and Prawns are
not wanting ; but there are no Lobsters, save a small kind
found in fresh-water streamlets. Oil-producing fish, such as
the Ground-shark and the Dog-fish, are common to the whole
Coast : the latter so abundant as to give lucrative employ-
ment to many fishermen and afford a boundless resource
prospectively to others. Of the Phocidae the Hair-seal is
the most numerous ; while the Fur-seal, the Sea-lion, &c.,
are found, chiefly on the outer shores.

The Whale-fishery has of late attracted much attention,
and has been prosecuted with a certain degree of success;
though, from want of experience probably, less than one
might have been justified in expecting. On the outer Coast
Whales of the largest description are numerous ; which, by
the native inhabitants, who combine in parties for the pur-
pose, are harpooned and captured by an ingenious process
which it is unnecessary here to describe. In the inland
waters of the archipelago a variety known as the Hump-
backed Whale is very numerous. These yield from 30 to 50
barrels, or more, of oil ; and so far have been killed by the
whaling-parties with the harpoon-gun and shell. Many
wounded victims, however, through some mismanagement of
detail, or perhaps unavoidably under the system, have thus
escaped. The system, however, from its assumed wasteful-
ness, is, I am informed, declared illegal by the general laws
of the Dominion : in which case it will of course be inter-
dicted, and give place to other schemes, less liable to objec
tion. On the whole the pursuit of the Whale in these waters,

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — BEASTS OF THE CHASE, &0. 35

vigorously prosecuted, with a competent knowledge of the
business, will doubtless prove ere long a lucrative and exten>
eive branch of the Provincial industries.

CHAPTER VI.

Natural Productions Continued. — Beasts of.thb

Chase, Birds, &o.

The Beasts of the Chase found in British Columbia are
sufficiently varied, and in parts very numerous. Of the fur-
bearing kinds the following list comprises the chief exports
of the Hudson's Bay Company, and recently of private
traders who have engaged in the business : —

Bears, Brown, Black, and Grizzly ;

Beaver ;

Badgers ;

Foxes, Silver, Cross, and Red ;

Fishers ;

Martens ;

Minks;

Lynxes, Grey and Spotted ;

Musquash ;

Otters, Sea and Land ;

Panthers ;

Raccoons ;

Wolves, Black and Grey of the large kinc? ;

Wolves of the smaller kind, known as thf Cajole'',

Wolverines.

The Black-tailed Deer is very numerous along the Coast,
and on the islands frr--, the Gulf of Georgia northwards,
where they attain to great perfeotibn in due season. They

86 NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — UPCASTS OF THE CHA8F, &C.

are also conimon in the hilly parts of the Interior, as high,
nearly, as Ihle-ct-leh (Fort George) ; above which point thev
are rarely, if ever, seen. IJesides the gun, various devices
are employed by the natives to capture them; along the
Coast frc(|ucnt]y by pit-falls, in the interior by the snare.

The large North-western Stag ( (J. Elaplius) is very nu-
merous in the hilly parts of Vancouver Island, and upon the
Coast of the Mainland as high as about Latitude 52°. This
animal differs considerably, both in size and appearance, from
the Ked-deer of the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains;
and though this difference may arise partly from the nature
of its habitat, it is probable that they are specifically distinct.
They attain to an enormous size, approaching to that of a
well-growu ox ; and being unwary animals are easily stalked.
This auiiual is locally called the "Elk;" of course erro-
neously, it being a true stag in all its characteristics.

The Kein-deer ( C Tarmulm), the Caribou* of the Cana-
dian voyageurs, inhabits all the mountainous regions depen-
dent on the lloeky Mountains and the Coast Range, north of
a certain point. In the interior this limit is about Latitude
49° ; in the Coast vicinage about 51°; south of which posi-
tions it is not found ; or, if so, not far, and rarely. The
species found in these localities, distinguished by Richardson
as the Rocky-mountain Rein-deer, differs materially from the
variety common to Hudson's Bay, known as the Rein-deer
of the Barren Lands, than which it is very much larger.
The j?eneral characteristics of this animal are so well known
that description would be superfluous. Its susceptibility to
the attacks of the fly, especially of the large Gad-fly called
after it CEstrus Tarandi, and the partiality it exhibits to
the odour of smoke, arising from \U habit of resorting to the

* It is lioui ihis animal tliat the famous Caribou mines receive
their designation, from being situated in their ancient resorts,
culled by the Ta-cully, Uo-isec-kai/a, or Rein-deer region ; and
translated to the miners in broken French as the Caribou-land. I
have seen this word written, with an affectation of the French
ortliography, Caribauf; but it is probably not of French origin, but
derived from Bonie one of the native dialects of Canada.

IfATUHAL PRODUCTlOiNS — BEASTS OP THE CHASE, &C. 87

vicinity of casual fires in the woo' 3 as u orotection against
the attacks of its tormentors, are taken advantage of by the
Ta-cuUy of the Upper Fraser, who, even in the winter season,
employ lighted brands of rotten wood to cover their approach
to the herds while feeding.* During the Summer season,
besides other devices, the natives commonly employ the
snare for its capture.

Of the three varieties of the Bear found in British Colum-
bia, the Grizzly is the largest, and, as its distinctive designa-
tion ( U. Ferox) implies, by far the most formidable to the
hunter. It does not climb, like the others. The Black and
Brown varieties, only, are I believe found in Vancouver
Island. These are timid ; and, with the exception of the
occasional seizure of a stray pig of the settler, comparatively
harmless. T»o.ys and the gun are an eflScacious mode of hunt-
ing tl'o'PT Hii lis: but the natives employ various devices
to obtaiu tb'im — the Coast Indians frequently the dead-fall
trap, the Interior races the snare.

The Panther or Couguar {F. Concohr of Lin.) of this
Coast is an animal, formidable for its strength and riipaoity,
but Cowardly, save when wounded or at bay. Deer are its
chief prey : but it occasionally commits a depredation on the
settler's stock. To encourage its deatructiou, a premium of
ten dollars a head is offered by the Provincial (- jvernment.
In the more settled districts these animals are becoming con-
stantly more rare. Th. y are found on Vancouver Island and
along the Coast fov s<>me distance northward of 49° , but I
have never known ;beni t, be met with in the interior of the
Mainland, within 'h • 'Ini'ts of the Province.

The Lynx (^Lmp-a • irler, o\ Fichou of the voyageurs) is
found of two varieties ; ^.'-Uj the Spotted, being common to

* In the great mouiitaiu-plateiiu l^'ing at the heads of tlie Cliil-
cotin River, and extending along the Coast Range, where the Rein-
deer are especially numerous, the hunters construct huts during
the fly-season, disguised outside witli dead braiiches so as to re-
semble the head of a fallen tree. In these huts constant smoke is
maintained ; lured by whicli the deer approach, and .ire shot from
tho nmbuih.

88 NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — BEASTS OF THE OHASH, &0.

the southern parts; the second, the Grey, confined, appa-
rently, to the northern interior. The latter, by far the finer
variety, appears periodically in vast numbers, siraultaueously
in British Columbia and in the regions east of the Rocky
Mountains. These animals are caught usually with the
snare ; and when numerous afibrd a very lucrative employ-
ment to tlie hunter. They prey chiefly upon a variety of
Hare {L. Variabilis, so called from its changing its color
in winter from grey to white; which also periodically abounds
throughout the interior. Increasing with marvellous rapid-
ity, these last animals become for the time a very valuable
source of subsistence ; and when the supply of Salmon par-
tially fails in the upper parts ot t]i.^ Fi-aser, as it sometimes
unaccountably does, the abundan "'^ Harea supplies the
deficiency. When, however, the two - uultaneously, the
privation is, by the natives, severely feii. Reading not long
since an extract from some work professing to give an ac-
count of Uritish Columbia, I noticed that a mysterious con-
nexion is gravely asserted between the Qccasional scarcity of
the Salmon, and the periodical abundance of the Hare, as if
they were in some way mutually dependent : but it seems
needless to say that this extraordinary assertion is entirely
fabulous. As regards the sudden disappearance of the Hare,
after increasing to inconceivable numbers, I may add that it
is caused by an eruptive epidemic, Dy which all are carried
ofi" save a scanty remnant through which the race is contin-
ued and its numbers propagated anew. The Lynx disappears
from a similar cause, generally the succeeding year; and the
Marten, occupying the woodland tracts of the interior, is in
like manner subject to periodical fluctuation of numbers,
through a similar process.

It would prolong unnecessarily this general account, were
the writer to dwell on the several devices employed to secure
the difiercnt fur-bearing animals that have been enumerated.
Before leaving the subject, however, we may notice divers
other objects of the chase which, some of them of marked

I .11'

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — BEASTS OF THE CHASE, &0. 39

Utility to the native inhabitants, present at least attractions for
the sportsman, if not important to the ordinary settler. Among
these the Mountain Goat is conspicuous, frequenting the pre-
cipitous eminences ol the various mountain spurs, and espe-
cially numerous on the offsets of the Coast-range. Along the
Coast the natives hunt it persistently, as well for its flesh,
which, of the fern le at least, is sufficiently palatable, as for
the hair and wool, of which they manufacture blankets with
much taste and ingenuity. Beneath the long hair of this
animal, which is of a dull white, there is a thick coating of
wool, in fineness at least, if not in length, perhaps not inferior
to that of the Cashmere Goat.

The Mountain Sheep, or Big-horn, frequents the less pre-
cipitous portions of the Rocky Mountains, where they subside
into grassy slopes. It is found on various ridges radiating
from the main range towards the centre of the Province. This
animal, prized for the extreme delicacy of its flesh and the
high condition to which it attains, is stalked as the herds
descend 1,0 the lower grounds to feed — the aid of a telescope
being of advantage to detect their whereabout. As in most
positions they can be approached very closely, loose shot ia
preferred by many hunters to the bullet, in the chase of these
animals : and this because, when not killed outright, the pro-
gress of the wounded animal is thereby sooner arrested. The
wire- cartridge, however, is the most elficacious missile.

The Moose-deer, numerous in the vicinity of the Rocky
Mountains, is not found on the Coast, and does not penetrate
far into the central parts of British Columbia. A stray Moose
is occasionally foixnd as low down on the Fraser as Fort George;
but very rarely.

Along the verge of the Rocky Mountains the Wood-buffalo
was once numerous, and is still found at the heads of the
Mackenzie Fork of Fraser River and elsewhere, probably in
little diminished numbers. From the heads of the Tete Jaune
Branch they had disappeared a good many years ago, and nu-
merous relics attested the destruction to which the race had

40 NATUKAL PRODUCTIONS — BEASTS OP THE CHASE, &0.

been subjected. That portion of the Country, however, has
not of late years been so much frequented by the trappers as
formerly, and it is possible that fresh herds may have appeared
there. The Wood- buffalo does not apparently differ, specifi-
cally, from the Bison of the Plains ; but is said to attain gen-
erally a larger size, probably because less migratory in its
habits, and enjoying scenes of pasture less frequently disturbed.

The Birds of British Columbia are numerous in kind, and
among them are many useful varieties which yield abundant
attraction, not only to the professed sportsman, bent only on
amusement, but as a relaxation, at times, to the laborious
colonist, who finds in them a resource both of luxury and
economical utility. Among these the Ruffed Grouse ( T. Urn-
hellus) is commonly found throughout the Province, frequent-
ing chiefly the neighbourhood of water-courses and the adjacent
forests. The Blue, or Dusky, Grouse (7'. Obscurus), a larger
variety frequenting the hilly tracts where Fii'-trees abound, in
Vancouver Island and in the interior as high as the vicinity
of Alexandria. The Spotted Grouse ( 2'. Canadensis). This
variety is very common in the wooded tracts of the Mainland
interior, up to the summits of the Rocky Mountain passes, and
frequents preferably the dry tracts occupied by the Banks'
Pine where the Uva Ursi and the dwarf Whortle-berry flour-
ish. A bird of excessive simplicity ; the male being probably
the most beautiful of the genus. The Sharp-tailed Grouse,
or " Pheasant " ( T. Phasianelliis) — the Prairie Chicken of the
United States frontier. Unlike the other varieties, which are
found chiefly in isolated coveys, these Grouse congregate in
large packs, and are common to all the open valleys of the
Central District, up to a point a little beyond Alexandria.
They are in parts extremely abundant, and, frequenting the
open country, afford firsf-class shooting to the sportsman.

The Cock of llie Plains ( 71 UrojiJiasiauus of Wilson and
Bonapiirto). This noble bird, approaching a small Turkey in
•ize, and known to the Americans as the " Sage-hen," is never

NATURAL PRODUCTIONS — BEASTS OF THE CHASE, &0. 41

found except in the hot, sandy, barrens, among the Artemisia
and the Cactus. I am therefore scarcely justified in classing
it among the birds of British Columbia, saving that a stray
covey may occasionally penetrate within the frontier, at the
point on the Okinugan where, as before mentioned, the ex-
treme North-west angle of the Great Desert partially intrudes.
Lower down the Okinagan they become extremely common ;
and after the subsidence of the summer freshets congregate in
numerous packs along the borders of the Columbia. This bird
feeds chiefly on the tender shoots of the Artemisia, the succu-
lent leaves of the Cactus, and other products of the desert
regions it inhabits; and it has this marked peculiarity, that the
gizzard is much less compressed and muscular than usual with
gallinaceous birds, is veiy large, and in appearance perfectly
resembles a paunch or maw. This peculiarity has not escaped
the notice of Wilson and his fellow ornithologists. It has,
however, in all other respects the characteristics of the true
Grouse, and, like the rest of the genus, the legs and tars^ are
thickly feathered.

The Ptarmigan is found in all the mountainous tracts bor-
dering on the Coast Range and the Rocky Mountains : proba-
bly, too, in the mountain-ridges of Vancouver Island. On the
Mainland I have killed it in winter on the elevated divide
between the waters of Thompson's River and the Fraser, in
the neighbourhood of the point known as Bridge Creek. In
the summier, before moulting, the snow-white plumage of this
beautiful bird becomes of a piebald hue.

The Crested Quail, though not indigenous, is becoming very
numerous in the settled districts of Vancouver Island. This
bird, introduced originally from California, has thriven well,
and promises soon to yield attractive game to the sportsman.

Of Birds of Passage there is a great variety, including the
Canada Goose, and several other varieties; the Mallard, the
Teal, the Widgeon, and other Ducks ; the Swan ; and a host
of others. Of these birds, in the Spring on their way upward,
and in the Autumn on their return from their breeding places,

OLIMATB, AQBICULTUBS, &C.

there are immense numbers in every favorable locality. They
become very fat, and are a valuable resource during their
season. The delta of the Fraser is a noted wintering-ground
for these various fowl, where, over an area of groat extent,
they are found in vast flocks. The Passenger Pigeon resorts
to the J nterior localities ; on the Coast a different species, re-
sembling the Stock-dove, is found. It is, however, needless
to extend the list, which might be done almost indefinitely.
Of singing birds there are comparatively few varieties ; and
none equalling the songsters of the Old World. The Meadow
Lark may be instanced as perhaps the finest : but though its
notes are rich, they are not sustained. Beauty of plumage
however, is a frequent characteristic ; and prominent among
these is the Humming-bird, a variety of which is found
throughout the Province, as high even as Stuart's Lake.
There are several harmless varieties of Snake, but only one
that is venomous — the Eattksnake. This reptile, however,
k confined to the dry region between Thompson's River
and the Southern Boundary. Bad as its reputation is, the
Rattlesnake is afler all an inoffensive creature, more sinned
against than sinning. That its bite is very venomous, how-
ever, there can be_ no doubt: but in all the writer's experience,
which is not a short one, he has never witnessed a case of
biting by this snake, even in parts south of the line, where
they are very numerous.

CHAPTER VII.

Climate, Agriculture, &c.

Before entering on the subject of the Climate of British
Columbia it is necessary to remind the reader of the following
important fact : namely, that the winter tempfraturr of posi-

OLIMATl, AQRIOULTUBE, &0.

tiona on the northern Pacific Coast, as compared with o.hera
on the Atlantic sea-board, is equivalent to at least ttn de(^ "cea
of Latitude in favor of the former. Thus the isothermal line
of the mean annual temperature of 50° Fahrenheit, which
leaves the Atlantic in about Latitude 41", and, curving into
Ruperts-land as high as the 50th parallel, is assumed to cross
the Rocky Mountains in about Latitude 49°, strikes the
Pacific near Milbank Sound, in about Latitude 52°. This is
of course an approximation, only, as regards intermediate
points ; but the extremes are marked too strongly to escape
even the most casual notice. We are not, however, to enter
into a disquisition as to the possible causes of this disparity :
it is enough to know that it exists; and that, for instance,
while the winter temperature of Quebec is proverbially severe,
the corresponding season at the mouth of the Columbia, in the
Bame degree of Latitude, is as mild as that of the South of
England.

Upon the southern portion of Vancouver Island the climate,
as a whole, may perhaps be compared with the last : saving
that there is a greater degree of summer heat, with less
humidity. The maximum temperature in the shade near
Victoria, in parts of July and August, ranges from 80° to 90°
of Fahrenheit; and has on several occa.'^'ons been remarked by
the writer as high even as 96^, carefully noted on an excellent
thermometer, by Dollond, placed in the shade, out of the in-
fluence of reflected heat.* The mercury in winter sometimes
descends as low as 10° — i. e. twent"-two degrees below the
freezing-point of Fahrenheit — in seasons of extreme severity ;
but this very rarely, and for a very brief period. Hence,
though some winters may afford good ; '-ating around Victoria,
and this occasionally for several weeks together, more generally

* For instance, at 3 p.m. at a position in Saanich, in 1870—
June 6th, 79° July 6th, 94°

7th, 87° 7th, 92°

8th, 86° 8th, 83°

July 3rd, 90° 9th, 86°

4th, 93° Aug. 2nd to 8th, 84° to 96° on 8th

Bth, 94*

9th, y3«»

"AM,'

CLIMATE, AQRICULTURK, &C.

the ice will last only for a few days, or not become sufficiently
strong to bear.

At New Westminster on the INIainland, as elsewhere on the
Lower Fraser, there is a greater degree of humidity through-
out the year, and the temperature, if more equably warm in
summer, does not probably attain to the same extreme of heat.
In winter, on the other hand, the lowest extreme, as might be
inferred from its inlanc.. position, is comparatively more severe.

In the Upper Country the climate is dry, and continuously
hot in summer ; especially from the vicinity of Thompson's
River towards the southern frontier, east of the Cascade
Range. The same characteristic^, however, apply in a some-
what less degree to the portion lying northward, towards
Alexandria. Approaching the Okinugan, on the soutliern
frontier, the summer temperature is almost tropical in its
character. The winter cold, on the other hand, is compara-
tively sharp; but there is nothing approaching the continu-
ous severity experienced on the eastern slopes of the llocky
Mountains. Little snow falls on the general surface ; and
in many parts it is almost entirely absent for any lengthened
period.

In the Upper District, beyond Alexandria, notwithstand-
ing the elevation above the sea, the climate is warm in sum-
mer : in the higher localities, subject to occasional night-
frosts. But as a general rule these do not affect the lovrer
levels, where modifying influences exist. In winter, a
moderate degree of cold prevails ; alternated occasionally
with severe intervals produced by winds from the northward
and eastward mountains. Thus the thermometer will, durinir
such intervals, sink to 15° or 20° below zero of Fahrenheit,
and sometimes even to the freezing point of mercury. But
such degree of cold is exceptional, nnd rarely lasts more than
three or four days at a time, when a genial change ensues.

This, briefly, comprises the main features of the climate of
the Province in its several divisions. For such as may desire
to consult more accurate data, some meteorological tables

CLTMATB, AQRICULTURB, &C.

will be inserted in the Appendix : meanwhile, in connexion
with the general subject, I subjoin brief extracts from the
published reports of Officers of the Royal Engineers.

Speaking of Fort Alexandria, Lieut. H. S. Palmer says :
"At 11 A.M. on the 16th August (1862) the temperature of
" the air in the shade being 70° 5 Fahrenheit, that of the
" Fraser was 58° Fahrenheit ; and at 10 a.m. on the 29th
" of September, the temperatures of air and water were rc-
" spectively 58° and 46° Fahrenheit."

With reference to points in the vicinity of Alexandria he
says : "The altitude of this district is fi'equently quoted as
" rendering it unsuitable to agriculture, but the highly satis-
" factory results obtained at Williams Lake and Beaver Lake,
" two of the most advanced farms in the Colony, where, at
" an elevation of 2,100 and 2,200 feet, varieties of grain and
" vegetables are yearly raised in great perfection and abun-
" dance, indicate the fertility of the soil, and the absence of
"influences materially discouraging to agriculture. There
" are, in the section of country under discussion, large tracts
" of unoccupied land, where the soil rivals that of the farms
" above-mentioned, and where much of the ground is literally
" fit for the plough."*

Of the portion lying between Alexandria and Thompson's
River, Captain Parsons writes : " Bridge-Creek flows into a
" large stream which is said to be a tributary of Horse-fly
" Creek. Troughton's boiling-point thermometer shewed a
" temperature at the level of the house of 206° on the
" 29th August, and of 206° 40 on 31st August, indicating
" altitudes of about 3,119 and 3,054 feet respectively, or a
" mean of 3,086 feet above the level of the sea; nevertheless
" the temperature of the air in the shade at 8 a.m. of the
" 29th was 57°, and of the water of the Creek 54°. On the
♦' 31st, at 7 p.m. the arv was 60° 75, and on the 1st Septem-

* Reports of Lieut. H. Spencer Palmer, R. E., to Colonel R. 0.
Moody, R. E., Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in British

Uolumbia, 'i4taiNove

mber, m^z, ana zist feoruary, inba.

OLIMATB, AORIOULTURI, &0.

" ber, at 7 a.m., it was 48° of Fahrenheit. ♦♦♦*♦♦♦ Lake La
" Hacho is about 2,488 feet above the sea. The temperature
*' of the air at 5 A.M. on the 30th August was 42° 5, and at
" 7.30 A.M. 54°, at which time the temperature of the water
" in the lake was 64°. On the same day the thermometer
" (not blackened) shewed 80° at noon in the gun.*********
*• From the foregoing description you will see the great alti-
'* tude of even the valleys between Lake La Hache and the
" Pavilion, while the casual thermometer-readings mentioned
" will serve to indicate the temperatures during the month
" of August and the first half of September. The whole
" period was excessively hot in the day time, with a pleasant
" mildness at night. There was no frost except at the head
" of the Great Chasm on the occasion mentioned, but it
" seems reasonable to suppose that abou' a month later night-
" frosts would be found to prevail.******* Heavy dews were
'* prevalent, but it seems probable, both from report and the
" appearance of the water-courses, that very little rain falls
" in this part of the country. ' During six vseeks, from the
"commencement of August, there were onl}^ two dajs on
" which rain fell, and then it was accompanied by heavy
" thunder and lightning." *

Enough, however, has probably been said on this subject;
and a brief review of the agricultural products of the various
sections will serve equally to illustrate the capacity both of
the climate and the soil to second the industry of the agrU
culturist.

In the settled portions of Vancouver Island all the com-
mon cereals are produced abundantly. Wheat yields ordi-
narily from 80 to 40 bushels per acre j Oats f produce fre-
quently as high as 60 bushels. Indian Corn, though not
largely cultivated, and perhaps not an economical crop for
this locality, ripens freely by the end of September. Pota-

* Report of Captain R. M. Parsons, R. E., to Coloacl Mood/,
dated 16th September, 1862.

f See Appendix Q.

*■ <

«■ <■

OLIMATB, AORIOULTURl, &0. ■ 41

to«9, turnips, and all the usual varictiea of culinary vegota-
bles, grow to a great size. The climate sceras to bo specially
well adapted for the growth of Hops. These are cultivated
sufficiently to meet the local demand; the surplus, if any,
being exported to San Francisco, where their superior quality
secures for them a ready sale.* The average yield is from
1 .200 lbs. in ordinary years, to 2,000 lbs. per acre in fuvor-

. rieaaons. On the peninsula near Victoria, and I pre-
purae in other choice localities, the Musk-melon and the
Water-melon attain perfect maturity in the open air, without
artificial aid; the Tomato and the Capsicum yield copiously;
the Peach ripens its fruit as a standard ; and the Grape (of
the Isabella variety) produce* abundantly and comes
to full maturity in a favorable exposure. Orchard fruits,
exclusive of the Peach which is not generally planted, are
cultivated abundantly throughout the settlements, and with
marked success.

On the Lower Fraser the climate is adapted generally for
the same productions, and most of those enumerated are cuU
♦ ted there. .

bout Thompson's River the continuous summer heat is
specially favorable for the production of such fruits as the
Melon. Indian Corn woulc', probably be; profitable as a gen-
eral crop. Wheat and other cereals, with all kinds of culi-
nary vegetables, flourish. In parts, where the nature of the
locality demands it, irrigation is resorted to with, as may be
supposed, the most successful results. Approaching the
Southern frontier, upon the OkinSgan, the Grape, were it
desirable, might be largely cultivated, and, I do not hesitate
to say, with success. I have already noticed the proximity
of this portion of the Province to the Great Desert, the in-
tense heats from which extend an influence far around.

At Alexandria, long before the general settlement of the
Province, Wheat was cultivated on a limited scale f From

* See Appendix RR.

f Wheat was also raised for some years in considerable qaanti-

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

1843 to 1848, bet'weeD 400 and 500 bushels were raised an-
nually at the Hudson's Bay Company's Post, and converted
into flour by means of a mill, with stones eighteen inches in
diameter, wrought by horses. As much as forty bushels to
the acre, by careful measurement, and of the finest quality,
were raised on portions of the land cultivated during the in-
terval mentioned. Of late years large quantities are annually
raised in the same neighbourhood, as well as elsewhere in
the Central District ; and it is needless to add with the ad-
vantage of very diflFerent appliances for its subsequent man-
ufacture.

As before casually remarked, the country from Alexandria
upwards is to be regarded rather in the light of a hunting
and mining region than as adapted for agricultural settle-
ment. Nevertheless, as high as Fraser's Lake, Barley yields
abundantly ; and the Potatoe, with of course other culinary
vegetables, comes to great perfection.* There are large
tracts of the most nutritious pasture throughout.

Before quitting this important subject, however, I judge
it well to pursue it a little further than I had at first intend-
ed. And first, preferring to quote, where possible, an inde-
pendent authority, I avail myself of the following excellent
remarks which I find published in the British Colonist news-
paper, from the journal of Mr. James Richardson, conduct-
ing the Geological Survey of the Province for the Dominion
Government : —

" The vegetable soil which has been mentioned seems
" to be of a very productive character, and whether ia the
'' forest, the field, or the garden, appears, combined with the
" favorable climate, to yield large returns. In the Comox
*' district, about 140 miles from Victoria, as already stated.

ties at Fort George ; but owing to the occasional occurrence of
night-frosts, with varjing success.

* In 1839 the return, at Eraser's Lake, from 15 bushels of cut
seed, exceeded TOO bushels of Potatoes, of the Ladies' Finger va-
riety. Manure, it should be added, was employed- and the eeasoa
was very favourable.

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

" the soil is spread over a very considerable area of prairie
" country, commonly designated an opening, extending from
" the Coast up the diflFerent branches of the Courtenay River
" for seven or eight miles. The surface of this district, which
" is naturally free from timber, with the exception of single
" trees and stumps, chiefly of Oaks ( Quercus Garryana) and
"strips of Alders {Alnus Orcgona) in the bottoms, may be
" some twelve square miles, the scenery of which is pictur-
" esque and parklike. Its margin is very irregular in shape,
" and it is surrounded by a growth of very heavy timber,
"among which are the Douglas Pine {Abies Dovrjlnsn) often
" attaining ten feet in diameter and 200 feet in height, half
"of which is free from branches, and the Cedar ( 77t?//a
" Gigantea), often equally large. The open country in its
" natural state is mostly covered with a growth of ferns,
" which sometimes attain a height of ten feet, with stems
" three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and roots descending
" to a depth of three feet. These roots the native Indians
" prepare in some peculiar way for winter food, and excavate
" deep trenches to obtain them. The farmers are under the
" necessity of grubbing up the fern roots before the gi-ound
" is ready for use, and they are often voluntarily assisted by
"their pigs in this operation; these animals, it is said,
" relishing the fern root as food. I was informed by Mr.
" John Robb and Mr. John McFarlan, two partnership set-
" tiers of the district, that the average yield of laud, after it
" is cleared and thoroughly under cultivation, is, of Wheat,
" from 30 to C5 bushels per acre ; Barley, 10 i\) 45 bushels ;
"Oats, 50 to 60; Pease, 40 to 45 ; Potatoes, 150 to 200;
" Turnips, 20 to 25 tons. Some of the Turnips exhibited by
" Mr. Robb at the agricultural show are said to have been
" remarkably heavy ; but those of the Swedish and yellow
" varieties, seen by me, I consider rather small. The season,
" however, was said to be an unusually dry one. The yield
" of Timothy hay is said to be about two tons per acre.
" Clover thrives well, and rye grass is valued for its after crop.

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &0.

" The yield of butter per cow, after calf feeding, is about
*' 150 lbs. annually, the ordinary selling price being 40 cents
"per pound. Cattle generally' require to !.i home-fed from
" the beginning of December to the middle of April. Snow
"seldom lies Ion,'. Heavy falls sometimes occur; but gen-
" erally disappear in a few days. Once or twice snow has
" remained on the ground for two months. Apples, pears,
" plums, cherries, white and red raspberries, red, white, and
*' black currants, and most kinds of fruit, thrive remarkably
"wel! Some apples, of which I obtained samples, measured
"thirteen inches in circumference and weighed nine-
" teen ounces. They were high-flavoured and well-adapted
"for eating and cooking. Of the pears many measured
"eleven inches in circumference, and were high-flavoured
"and juicy.

" At Gabriola, prairie land, or openings, such as those
" already described at Comox, occur. More of them are met
" with on Saltspring Island, but in neither place of the same
" extent as at Comox. Mr. Griffith, one of the settlers at
" Saltspring, informed me that the fall wheat thrives well
" there, and yields from 35 to 40 bushels per acre. Of other
" grains the yield seems to be about the same as at Comox.
" In Mr. Griffith's garden there was a large plot of common
"winter cabbage, the solid heads of most of which measured
" from three to four feet in circumference. Red cabbage and
" cauliflowers were equally large and sound. Carrots and
" parsnips were large, as well as onions ; and there was
" abundance of tomatoes, and several varieties of gooseber-
"ries, which did not seem to thrive so well at Comox.
" Mr. G riffith informs me that at Saltspring the bushes give
"in quantity and quali>y a crop equal with the best English.
"The crops of all the varieties of currants and raspberries in
" quantity and quality vied with those of Comox.

" Mr. Griffith's orchard occupies about two acres, and has
" been set out only three or four years, I saw diff'erent va-
" rieties of apple pear, peach, plum, and cherry trees, and

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

" the proprietor informed me that all kinds bore fruit last
" year. The apples are excellent in quality, and the pears,
" though not large, were equal in flavour and juicyness to
" any I have ever tasted.

" Mr. Griffith has about 300 barn-door fowls, which are
" fed on the grain of the farm, and enable him to supply a
"great abundance of eggs to the Victoria and Nanaimo
" markets, where they sell from 25 to 40 cents per dozen."

" At Fulford Harbour, !»lr. Theodore Frago shewed me a
" pumpkin which measured 32 inches in length, with a
" diameter of 15 inches at the small end and 22 inches at
" the other; and he informed me that larger ones had been
" used before my arrival. The settlements of North and
" South Saanich, as well as of other districts near and around
" Victoria, show a good deal of prairie land, " oak openings,"
"as they are called in that part of the country, from the
" greater abundance of trees of this species than elsewhere. In
" these oak openings many beautiful farms are met with, the
" soil and aspect of them resembling those of Comox. In ad-
'■' dition to the grain, fruit, and vegetables enumerated else-
" where, the hop vine has been introduced in North Saanich,
" and in the neighbourhood of Victoria. In the former place,
" Mr. Isaac Cloake and Mr. Henry Wain, with some others,
" have each a hop orchard, as it is there termed, of several
" acres in extent. Mr. Cloake, who spent nine years amongst
" the hop fields of Kent, England, informs me that his hops
" are quite equal, if not superior, to the English, which, ac-
" cording to him, was tantamount to saying that they were
" the best on the face of the earth; and Mr. Wain, who like-
"wise had practical experience, stated that in regard to
" aroma they were equal to the best he knew. They are of
" the variety known as the grape hop. It was introduced
" from California, and is said to have greatly improved in
" British Columbia.

"The yield of hops is here from 1,000 lbs. to 1,700 lbs.
"to the acre, and it brings in the Victoria markot Iruin 22

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

" to 60 cents per pound. When Railway communication is
*' established, the article may become one of trade between
" the two Provinces, for if I am rightly informed, the hops
"imported from England are superior to any raised in
*' Canada.

"Other settlements of a similar character to those de-
" scribed are established between Saanich and Nanaimo,
" which I had no opportunity of visiting. Near and around
" settlements possessing farms such as mentioned, in many
" places rocky hills rise up to heights of 1,000, 2,000, and
" even 3,000 feet and more, the surface of which is in some
" parts craggy, but in others they present patches with a thin
" soil, covered with a firm short bunch-grass, on which sheep
" and cattle thrive well : for such of them as I saw were in
" good condition. The temperature is cooler in such places
" than in the lower and more level country, and during the
"heats of summer they afford excellent pasturage, which
" will much assist the industry of agriculturists. Along the
" coasts and in the interior of Vancouver Island, as well as
" on those of the archipelago surrounding it, many localities
" for farms, similar to those which have been here described,
" will be discovered, and hereafter become the homes of
" thousands of a hardy and industrious people."

With refprence to the judicious remarks above quoted, I
may observe that the winter-feeding of cattle referred to by
Mr. Richardson does not imply the necessity of continuous
stall-feeding, which of course with large herds, such as some
possess, would be an impossibility. The under-growth of the
adjacent forests affords, even during the severest season, co-
pious and nutritious browsing. A supply of fodder at night,
with the shelter of commodious sheds, serves to maintain the
majority of the cattle in condition ; while the milch-kine and
younger stock receive such additional care as they may re-
quire. By this winter-tendance a two-fold advantage, beyond
the mere welfare of the herds, is obtained: the straw and
other offal of the farm are converted into manure for the future

OLIMATB, AOBIOULTUBB, &0.

enrichment of the soil, and the cattle, knowing their homes,
continue in all respects more tractable. The fern alluded to
is characteristic of most of the open parts of Vancouver Island,
and a portion of the Lower Fraser. The highest point at
which it appears on the Mainland is at Spuzzum, a few miles
above Yale. The whole of the Central District is free from it.
Though rather troublesome to eradicate entirely, it preisents
no serious impediment to the cultivation of the soil. By mow-
ing in early summer — affording, if stored, an excellent litter
for cattle — its subsequent vigour is immediately checked. A
deep ploughing and cross-ploughing with a strong team pre-
pares the soil for a first crop of pease or oats ; but it takes
some years of cultivation before the last vestiges disappear. Swe-
dish turnips, I may add, are generally cultivated, and in most
parts attain to an enormous size ; though, as mentioned by
Mr. Richardson, at times subject to partial failure, either from
the attacks of the fly, or long continued drought.

The comparatively humid climate of the Lower Fraser,
adapts the vicinity specially for the successful culture of green
crops. With this advantage, operating on a soil of teeming
fertility, enormous products are obtained. The dairy-yield,
promoted by the copious and succulent natural herbage that
abounds, is very great. At the mouth of the Fraser is an ex-
tensive delta, of whici: the soil, many feet in depth of pure
alluvium, is productive la an extraordinary degree. For in-
stance, a few years ago, the newspapers took notice of a cauli-
flower, raised in this locality and brought over by one of the
residents of Victoria, the weight of which I am almost afraid
to repeat. It was given, if my memory be correct, at twenty-
eight pounds ; and certainly, whatever its exact weight may
have been, excited in Victoria general attention as a vegetable
curiosity. Portions, only, on the borders of this exuberant tract
have hitherto been pre-empted ; and before the whole can be
rendered available for occupation n system of dyking must be
resorted to, to exclude the overflow of the summer freshets.
This process, I am informed, has already been entered upon.

OIJMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

on a small scale, by individual settlers : but a systematic pro-
secution of the work, whereby a wide expanse may at once be
redeertied, is obviously necessary in an economic point of view.
In a speech at a public dinner recently given at New "West-
minster, I notice that the Premier of the Province alluded
specially to this important undertaking as having engaged the
attention ol the local Government. BuL there are obstacles to
its immediate prosecution. By reference to the Terms of
Confederation in the Appendix it will be perceived that,
in connexion with the undetermined line of the projected
Railway from Canada, it is provided that, for two years from
the date of union (July 1871) "the Government of British
" Columbia shall not sell or alienate any further portions of
" the Public Lands of British Columbia in any other way than
" under right of pre-emption, requiring actual residence of the
" pre-emptor on the land claimed by him." Hence, vmtil July
1873, the Government is restrained from active measures in
this regard, either as a public work, or by charter to a private
company Avho might be induced to undertake it. I am not
prepared to state, even approximately, what amount of valua-
ble land might thus be made available, as no actual surveys
have been made ; but it may be safely set down at many
thousands of acres, bordering on navigation, and with prolific
salmon-fisheries immediately adjacent.

With regard to the agriculture of the Central District there
is perhaps little to add to what I have already stated. In con-
nexion with the Upper District, however, I may make some
remarks, applicable to it in common with other elevated por-
tions of the vast Territory over which the Dominion Federa-
tion now extends. I have mentioned, as a drawback, in parts,
the occurrence of summer night-frosts, rendering precarious
the cultivation of the less hardy cereals, and vegetables of the
more tender gi-owth. In qualification of this remark I may
now state, that by a choice of position this evil may be greatly
obviated. It will be found that in many localities the low
bottoms, too frequently selected for their apparently superior

« V .t

CLIMATE, AQRICULTUBE, &C.

fertility, are subject to these frosts, while the slopes which
border them are entirely exempt. For this condition, without
wishing ta philosophize, a satisfactory reason may, I think, be
given. The cold air, occasioned probably through rapid
evaporation suddenly checked at night-fall, with its suspended
vapour, descends to the lowest level, displacing the warmer
and lighter superficial air below, which in turn ascends the
acclivity. I do not question that a due regard to this natural
law would, in many parts where summer frosts are found to
prevail, save the farmer from frequent disappointment. The
fertile bottoms, meanwhile, specially favorable for certain
classes of vegetation, should be reserved for these: such as the
turnip and other crops that are virtually frost-proof.*

The capacities for pasturage of the Central District are very
extensive, and of a character unsurpassed, perhaps, in any part
of the world. While the valleys, as shown, are fertile for the
production of all the cereals and other produce in ordinary
cultivation, the hills which bound them, extending on all sides
in endless continuity, sparsely dotted with wood in parts, are
covered with herbage of the most nutritious description.
Along Thompson's River, and throughout the Southern por-

* Note P. S. — Visiting the Hudson's Bay Company's post at
Edmonton, on the Saskatchewan, at several times between the
years 1832 and 1842, I heard constant comphvints that the wheat
crops cultivated there were subject to blight from the cause refer-
red to in the text. Subsequently, in 1849, when in command at
Fort Colvile on the Columbia, Mr. Rowand, the Chief Factor at
Edmonton, wrote to me again complaining, and asking for a sup-
ply of seed-wheat to replace his own degenerated produce. I ac-
cordingly sent a few bushels across the Rocky Mountains by the
Autumn Express ; and at the same time mentioned the result of
my own then recent experience at Alexandria. Whether owing to
this suggestion or not, I am not prepared to say, but a change in
the system of culture was subsequently adopted ; for Dr. Rae, to
whom I mentioned the subject in Victoria in 1864, partly doubtful
of the adaptability of the Upper Saskatchewan for wheat-raising,
assured me that, on his recent passage across the Continent, he
had witnessed, both at Edmonton and Lake St. Anne in the imme-
diate vicinity, crops of the finest wheat, while flour of excellent
quality was manufactured yearly.

* 1''

fiO CLIMATE, AORIOULTURE, &C.

tions, there is a species of grass, called by the Voyageura Fain
Hond, by the Jilnglish settlers Bunch-grass, which is specially
noted for its valuable qualities.* The whole tract is well
watered — in the intervals between the hUls by frequent stream-
lets, in the level depressions by small lakes : while the groves
and scattered trees afford a grateful shade by day, at night a
shelter. Under this conjunction of favorable circumstances it
is not surprising that the herds of cattle, roaming at large in
the natural pastures, attain a condition approaching to that of
Btall-fed stock. Winter-feeding is in most parts quite unne-
cessary ; and it is found that the cattle in early spring, if short
of their summer condition, are still in order for the butcher.
The Similkameenf beef, for example, when occasionally a
herd ia brought to Victoria, excites the attention of epicures
by its excellent quahty, and commands always the highest
market-price. In such parts, on the other hand, as it may be

* The late Mr. Jeffrey, a botanist who visited the Country under
the auspices of tne Hudson's Bay Company, employed by the Duke
of Buccleuch and other gentlemen to make collections, informed
the writer that the grass in question appeared to be the most val-
uable for pasture of any he had ever met with. He collected a
quantity of the seed, with a view to its propagatiou in Europe ;
but it is questionable whether it ^vould thrive in any save the warm
dry localities which are its natu.al habitat. It has the peculiarity
that it never ceases to grow : thus, however apparently dry the
exterior, the heart, shrouded froL\ view, is always green, even in
the depth of winter.

Poor Jeffrey, it may be added, after wandering, sometimes in
company with the writer, through a considerable portion of British
Columbia, and braving all its fabulous dangers, met his fate ia
New Mexico, in 1852. He was murdered by a Spanish outcast, for
his mules and his scanty travelling-appointments.

f Similk-ameen — literally Salmon-river — so named by the natives,
apparently on the principle of lucus a non lucendo ; for no salmon
now frequent it. I am, however, disposed to think that in bygone
times it was otherwise, and that the fall or rapid near the mouth,
by which their ascent now appears to be prevented, has been not
very remotely occasioned through some convulsion of nature. The
erection offish-stairs at this point might, I think, be easily effect-
ed ; and, this done, the fish might be readily re-introduced : a boon
to the settlers along the banks. This river, joining the Okinagan
near the Boundary Line, and thence flowing to the Columbia,
■waters a very picturesque valley, affordiug,in parts, fertile lauds for
settlement and abundant pasturage.

OLIMATK, AORIOULTURE, &0.

found expedient to give occasional assistance to the cattle
daring winter, when snow is on the ground, an advantage is
indirectly gained : the herds become more domestic in their
habits, and are gathered afterwards, when necessary, with less
diflSculty. Horses, however, even during the severest winters,
require no such aid. Unlike homed cattle, they instinctively
scrape through the snow for a subsistence ; and such is the
nutritious quality of the herbage that they winter well. In
this way the large herd of horses, some two hundred In num-
ber, formerly maintained by the Hudson's Bay Company at
Alexandria, were constantly kept in that vicinity : and the
band at Kamloops, on Thompson's River, including brood-
mares and young stock, probably from five to six hundred, in
like manner shifted for themselves at all seasons.

There are probably now, grazing at large throughout the
Central District, under the circumstances I have mentioned, a
good many thousands of head of cattle, chiefly of superior
breeds. Of these a large proportion belong to permanent set-
tlers; the rest to graziers resorting thither from Washington
Territory and Oregon, as to a lucrative market, and for facile
feeding. The capacities of the Country are, however, so ex-
tensive, that the herds at present scattered through it have no
appreciable effect upon its resources, beyond the comparatively
limited area of their feeding-grounds. It might be supposed
that, free to wander as they are, the cattle might gradually
become wild and unmanageable, as formerly in California, or
as still in the Southern Pampas. I have heard, however, no
complaint on this score. By a simple expedient indeed —
resorted to formerly at the interior posts, as well as by the
Indians for their horses, and practised, I do not doubt, by the
modern settlers — the herds can be readily attracted homeward
during the summer season. While the hills are free from flies
at night, during the heat of the day the animals eagerly seek
refuge from their attacks. The smoke from a smouldering fire,
maintained near the homestead, readily attracts them ; and,
once accustomed, they afterwards habitually resort to it. This,

r-'

CLIMATE, AGRICULTURE, &C.

however trivial the relation may appear, is by no means an
unimportant conaideration, for the ulterior effect produced :
and thus even the gad-fly, pest though it be, is not without
its uses.* On the whole it may be safely affirmed that there
exist throughout the region great facilities for rearing cattle on
an extended scale, so far only very partially availed of.

Sheep thrive well in the Interior, but, so far, no large flocks
exist. The paucity of their numbers, indeed, has prevented
the establishment of a woollen-factory which was projected
about three years ago. The abandonment of this project is to
be regretted, as its prosecution wt uld at once have given an
impetus to a branch of pastoral industry which, failing a con-
venient market for its product, has so far been only partially
attended to — and then rather for the butcher than the weaver.
There are, however, extensive tracts which I can recall to
mind which seem specially adaoted for the pasturing of very
extensive flocks. For their sucv'essful nurture, moreover, the
dry nature of the uplands, the quality of the pasture, and the

* The powerful eflFect exercised upon the migrations of the Rein-
deer by a species of this fly ((Estrus Tarandi), and the system con.
sequent thereon adopted by the nations of Northern Europe in the
management of their domesticated herds, will not escape the notice
of the observant reader. The device menti'^ncf i'i the text may be
regarded as at least a partial r.dapiaiion of a similar natural cause.
The mosqviitoes, on the other hand, execrate them as we may while
suffering from their punctures, are presumably not without their
direct utility in the order of Nature. I have never been able to
discover what the creatures feed upon when a living subject fails
them — lor they are always apparently fasting. It may be assumed,
at any rate, that these tiny tormentors consume, or absorb in some
mysterious way, subtile gases, the result of humidity and decaying
vegetation, which might else be noxious to Man. I have alluded
to the prevalence of these insects at certain seasons upon the Lower
Fraser ; and may add that, though not generally prevalent, they
are also found in a minor degree along the wooded water-courses
of the Interior. Where they exist they are certainly troublesome
at times ; but it may be fairly questioned how far the Country in
its unimproved state would be habitable without them — if this be
any comfort to the afflicted ; for it is noticeable that when the con-
ditions that produce these insects are modified or removed, they
vanish with them The further consideration of this abstruse en-
quiry, however, I leave to those curious in the arcana of entomol-
ogy — and I crave pardon for the digression.

CLIMATE, AQRICULTURE, &C.

character of the climate, would, as it seems to me, be condu-
cive in a peculiar degree.*

As regards salubrity of climate there is probably no part of
the world that enjoys greater advantages. We are aware of
no endemic disease that manifests itself in any part ; and even
upon the Lower Fraser, Avhich from its comparative humidity
might be supposed favorable to the generation of fevers of the
ague type, we know of no single case that has originated there.
On the contrary, where the seeds of these troublesome com-
plaints have been imported from abroad, their effects have been
re-produced, if at all, with less virulence, and the sufferers, we
have been informed, have gradually recovered. Of course, as
in all other countries, occasional epidemics run their course :
but as far as the intrinsic healthiness of the climate, through-
out, is concerned, nothing is left to be desired. The warm dry
climate of the inland summer, it may be observed, is specially
favorable in cases of pulmonary disease : and in a more mark-
ed degree as we approach the Southern frontier. Lower down
on the Columbia River, beyond the limits of the Province,
where the climate is analogous in character, we have known
cases of the recovery of consumptive patients, of the most
signal nature.f

* Note P. S. — An article by a writer in the British Colonist
Newspaper has recently appeared, so closely corroborative of some
of the foregoing remarks that I gladly reproduce it in the Appen-
dix

For the encouragement of Agriculture and stock-raising, I may
here add, several societies have at different times been organised.
Of these there are no^ ave : one in Victoria, another at New
Westminster, a third at Saanich, another at Cowitchan, and the
last, and most recently commenced, at Clinton in the Central Dis-
trict of the Mainland.

f I cite two instances, well known to the older residents of the
Country. The .(irst, a daughter of the late Josc])h Felix Larocque,
Esquire, of Montreal, formerly of the North-West and Hudson's
Bay Company, the wife of Mr. William Pion. The second, a then
young man, a native of Assineboia, who formerly acted occasion-
ally as the writer's body-servant, while travelling on the Lower
Columbia. Both of them, reduced apparently to the last degree at
Fort Vancouver, were sent to the Upper Country, and recovered

OLIMATX, AOaiOULTURK, &0.

To sum tho qualifications of British Columbia as a field
for sottlcmcDt, I may succinctly state, that, though it may
never become a largo exporter of cereal products, like tho
Western States of Amorica or California, it possesses within
itself all the requisites for success: and the power to support,
in connexion with its varied industries and its external rela-
tions, a population, at least of several millions, in ease, hap-
piness, and comparative afiluencc. I would fain avoid tho
imputation of seeking, possibly, to draw a picture too highly
coloured ; but I am free, nevertheless, to state my own per-
sonal convictions in all sincerity. I conceive of no country
presenting greater solid attractions. The varied climate and
capabilities of the several sections, whereby diversity of taste
is accommodated ; the general salubrity and proved fertility
of tho whole; the magnificent commercial prospects that
loom in the not distant future ; and, not least, the genuine
home-feeling which impresses every English settler whose
lot has hitherto been cast within the Province — all combine
to recommend it as a future home for those who, weary of
the Old World, are bent on seeking a wider scene for the
expansion of their energies, amid " fresh fields and pastures
new."

with almost miraculous celerity. The lady first named, after the
lapse of mauy years, is still, or was recently, living at Colvile,
near the Boundary Line ; the second, hale and strong, was after-
wards attached to one of the Hudson's Bay Company's parties in
the Interior, and his name is now widely known in connexion with
a pass in the Rocky Mountains on the line of the projected Northern
Pacific Railway — Cadotte's Pass, to wit.

TKRM8 OF LAND GRANTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Trrms op Land Grants — Roads, &c. — Probable Line
throuoh the province of toe canadian pacific
Railway — Estimate of Distances compared with
OTUER Routes — Notes on Traffic likely to j;.;sue —
Advantages of Esquimalt as the great Western
Sea-port of tub Dominion — General Remarks.

From tuc account given in the preceding Chapter it will
be inferred that both the soil and climate of a very large
portion ^ British Columbia are highly favorable to encourage
settlement. We may now add that vast tracts of luud, and
especially of the Central District, lie waiting for the plough.
It is of course impossible upon a mere cursory review of the
Bubj'-'ct such as this professes to be, to state, even approx-
imately, what number of cultivable acres there may possibly
be ; but we may safely assert that, in addition to the many
farmi^ already scattered along the main lines of communica-
tion, ti '^re if immediate room for many thousands more in
various iitections, all mo^o or less easily accessible.*

The terms upon which the settlement of unoccupied and
unsurveytd lands is permitted, are very liberal. Every male
person of eighteen years of age or over, being a British sub-

* It would be utterly fallacious to attempt to give an estimate of
the number of available acres scattered over the broad surface of the
mainland of British Columbia. The Country, as before remarked,
is capable of supporting its several millions at least. On Vancou-
Island, an estimate made by the Surveyor-Generiil gives more than
300,000 acres of good land, known to be available for agriculture;
but this estimate refers only to the Districts bordering on the sea,
t '' -J southern and eastern shore. Elsewhere, and in il.: '"tprior
are doubtless valuable and extensive tracts yet to be developed.
Its exhaustless coal-fields are, however, the great feature of Van-
couv Island — pointing to it as the future manufacturing empo-
rium i the Pacific. Its agricultural claims, though very substan-
tial, must be regarded as secondary to thoie of the mainland.

TERMS OF LAND GRANTS.

ject, born or naturalized, may enjoy the right to pre-empt,
under certain stated conditions, a tract not exceeding three
hundred and twenty acres in extent, to the northward and
eastward of the Cascade Kange of Mountains ; and one hun-
dred and sixty acres in extent in other parts of the Province.
Personal occupation during a period of four years, (intervals
of 'ibsence when necessary being permitted), and improve-
Sients to the value of two dollars an'^I fifty cents per acre, are
necessary to complete the pre-emptive right. On proof of
this, the title is finally issued by the Government, on the
payment of such sum, not exceeding one dollar per acre, as
may be determined upon by the Governor for the time being.
This payment, if required, may be extended; in equal instal-
ments, O'l'er a period of four years after the pre-emptive right
J5 cstabl'shed, and the necessary surveys made. Power, at
the same time, is reserved to the Governor in Council to
make such free, or partially free, grants of the unoccupied
and unappropriated Crown Lands of the Province, for the
encouragement of immigration, or other purposes of public
advantage, as may seem advisable.

For pastoral purposes very great facilities exist, beyond
the limits actually pre-empted. In every part of the Central
District extensive ranges of hilly or partially wooded land,
rich in the finest pasture, are accessible. These may be re-
garded as common-land: but each hondfide pre-emptor is
permitted to lease, in the vicinity of his farm, a tract of un-
occupied land for pastoral purposes, to which, during his
lease, he possesses the exclusive right. Eligible portions of
such leased lands, however, are open to pre emption, mean-
while, by intending settlers : the lessee, of course, being en-
titled to claim a corresponding deduction from the trifling
amount of rent he may be required to pay.

The upset price of Surveyed Lands, for agricultural pur-
poses, is fixed at one dollar per acre ; subject to public sale
in lots, at certain intervals, to the highest bidder. All lands
remaining unsold after such public exposition, can be

ROADS, &C.

purchased by private contract from the Government at the
upset price.

A market is constantly available : on the sea-board through
the local demand incident on the various industries of the
towns, with the fleet and the mercantile shipping : in the in-
terior through the mines. The products of the farm com-
mand, consequently, always a remunerative price.

Owing to the high rate of wages current for European
labour, Indian laborers are largely employed. These can be
obtained at a comparatively cheap rate ; and for most pur-
poses connected with agriculture and fishing they are very
efficient. Being cheerful, obedient, and generally industrious,
the services of the young men are of much local value.

I have before noticed the principal routes of communica-
tion with the Interior, and it seems needless to dwell with
minuteness on this point. A brief summary may, however,
be given. There is a regular steamer-service twice a week, or
oftener when necessary, between Victoria and New West-
minster; the running time being about six hours. Thence
large ^stern-wheel steamers navigate the Fraser as high as
Yale; the ascent occupying a day or more, according to the
condition of the water. From Yale there is a weekly mail-
service by stages, up to Barkerville, in the heart of the
Caribou mining region. Transport along this line of road is
performed with waggons drawn by mules or oxen ; relieved,
when required, by a steamer which runs from Soda Creek,
twenty miles below Alexandria, to Quesnel, forty miles above
that point; or some twenty miles higher when necessary.
The navigation is then interrupted by a rapid, the ascent of
which is not attempted. Above this point there is a clear
navigation for steamers for a distance of sixty miles, to with-
in twenty miles of Fort George, where another rapid, im-
practicable for steamers, occurs. From this point upwards,
both by the Stuart and Fraser Lake Branch, and in the di-
rection of Tete Jaune's Cache, there are stretches very favor-
able for sterm-navigation : but the occasional breaks arc a

ROADS, &C.

great drawback. Nevertheless, with the extension of the
mining operations these will doubtless in time be made avail-
able, in parts, so as to meet the increased demand for tran-
sport; and inducements for settlement thus arise in the
upper portion of the Province which do not at present exist.

The route of access to the mining-region on the heads of
the Peace River, known generally as the Omineca Mines, to
which I have before casually alluded, has the great advan-
tage of shortness of land-travel, and consequently of economy,
to persons desiring to proceed thither from Victoria. By
this route the first stage is, by steamer to Port Essington,
about three days voyage. Thence the Skeena River is as-
cended by boat or canoe, as far as the Babine Forks* ; after
which the remainder of the distance to the mining locality
(estimated at from 180 to 200 miles) is performed partly on
foot, partly by water on the intervening lakes. As I have
perhaps before remarked, both lines of approach to these
mines have their advocates ; and each has in some respect
an advantage. For the introduction of live stock it is need-
less to say that the route from the Interior is the only one at
present used.

To the excellent natural roads that traverse the country
in most parts, I have already alluded. I may add that liberal
appropriations for the improvement of these roads in all di-
rections are annually made.f Thus constantly increasing
facilities ot access to the main lines of transit are afforded.
The completion of these last, as has been remarked, involved
a very large outlay, aud bore hardly on the early resources
of the Province. Hence it became necessary to impose cer-

* Babine (Fr.) A large lip, as of a beast, Ac. The name was
applied by the early voyageurs to the Ta-cully of the Nuta-pnnkat
(Babine Lake) on account of their having adopted the custom of
the tribes of the Coast immediately adjacent, of inserting a wooden
appendage into the lower lip of the females.

•}■ Note P.S. — Since the above was written an excellent stage-road
has been opened from near the mouth of the Thompson to Osooyooa
on the Okinagan — a distance of some 200 miles, as travelled. A
weekly line of stages is now running on this route.

1
J
t

PROBABLE LINE OF CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY. 65

id.

red

jes
ler-

cat
of

bad
)oa

tain Road Tolls from which a considerable revenue was
annually collected. The improved financial condition of the
Province, however, since the Confederation with the Domin-
ion, has enabled the Government, during the recent session
of the Legislature, to repeal this tax : and all the communi-
cations are now entirely free.

By the terms agreed upon on the admission of British
Columbia into the Canadian Confederation, the Government
of the Dominion undertakes, among other things, to construct
a Railway from CanjuJu to the Pacific, through British Co-
lumbia, within a period of ten years,* In July of 1871,
almost simultaneously with the proclamation of our new
political relations, the surveys were vigorously commenced
on the Pacific water-shed, in connexion with those already
in progress on the Eastern slopes. It would be vain to
augur, by anticipation, how soon the great work in question
may be accomplished ; or to speculate on the unforeseen
facilities for its completion which will probably be found to
exist. It may, however, be permitted to indicate generally
the line, up to a certain point, which the road will probably
follow, from the Saskatchewan westward. Leaving that
river near Fort Edmonton, a line of country bordering on
the divide between the Saskatchewan and the Athabasca,
presenting no engineering difficulties of moment, is available
up to the Rocky Mountains. Entering the Pass at Jasper's
House, the line then diverges up Mictte's River, across the
height of land, and down the Fraser to the vicinity of JMoose
Lake or Tete Jaune's Cache, before noticed. Thence by
the heads of the Cranberry Fork, and down the North Branch
of the Thompson.

It is of course impossible to predict the conclusion at
which the engineers may arrive after a full survey of the
several passes shall have been elfected : but'some of the ad-
vantages possessed by the route in qucstiuu may be briefly
stated.

* .*^ee Appendix L. — Terms of rsiion.

mmm

W l-.HOBABLB LINfl OF OANADIAIf PACIFIC RAILWAY.

The Pass by the heads of the Miette * and the Fraser is
80 gradual of ascent, with so fe^v obstacles worthy of consid-
eration, that it may be characterized almost as a natural road.
Its shortness and directness with regard to the probable ter-
minus on the Pacific Coast, give it moreover an advantage
over any other line of approach : and although the depth of
snow at the summit, during winter, is much greater than I
liave seen gravely stated, there is far less than by any other
Pass with which I am acquainted, either from personal ob-
servation or report. The snow, too, through the effects of
certain natural phenomena which here prevail, and for which
I do not profess to account, becomes more compacted, conse-
quently does not drift in an equal degree, and is therefore in
all respects more manageable than elsewhere. The impor-
tance of this consideration is material; bearing in mind that
the stoppages ujion the Union Pacific Railway during the
past winter arose chiefly from drift.

It is a curious fact that, in the valley of the Athabasca,
upon this line of transit, for a distmico of thirty miles or
more both above and below Jasper's liuuse, the snow never
accumulates. There is constant grass : and the large herds
of horses formerly kept there by the Hudson's Bay Company,
for transport over tlif mountains, wintered there, fat, upon
the natural pasture. Crossing by this l*ii?s many years ago>
on his way from the Saskatchewan, the writer found, in the
month of January during a winter of almost unexampled
severity, that the snow had entirely disappeared from the
immediate banks of the river, at the mouth of the Cranberry

■* Some of these mimes are destined to be perpetuated, and in
any future account of the Province it might be well to
i\iitice thera. Miette, for example, known in his time as the
" r>un-homme Miette," whose name this river bears, was an old
vujageur of the North-west Company, who first ascended the
.stream on a trapping-tour. Tiiere is a conspicuous rock near
Jasper's House — forming, as it were, with the opposite hills, the
portal of tlie pass — which likewise bears his name. Jasper Klyne
•was a post-master of tlie Hudson's Bay Company, long in charge
of the little outpost (now abandoned) called after him. A Swiss,
T tielicvo, of PcMeuron's Corps, brought out to Red River by Lord
l^ulkirk, is 18U or thvrMbomt.

iiHi

the

d in
to
tbe
old
tbe
near
, tbe
:iyne
arge
iss,
Lord

PftOBAlJLK LiriE OF OAPTAWAK PACIFIC RAILWAY. C7

Fork, near TCte Jaune's Cache; and, for a distance of some
forty miles down the Frascr, the ice was perfectly denuded
of snow. A warm wind prevailed, accompanied at intervals
by a gentle rain. It could only be inferred that this wanii
current, extending through the Pass, exercised a modifying
influence there ; and, spreading afterwards through tlio
Jasper's Valley, produced the effects noted. As these effects,
however, are known to be constant in the latter named local-
ity, we way infer that the same cause is likewise constant.
I may remark, passingly, that similar effects are also pro-
duced in a marked degree in other parts of British Columbia:
but, as before mentioned, I do not profess to account for
these phenomena in all their bearings. Such conclusions
could be arrived at only after minute and protracted observa-
tion; and are beyond the scope of the passing traveller, bent
on penetrating through the wilderness, and eager to get
home.*

The point at which the projected Railway will be made to
strike the Coast, is still a pn)blem to bo sulvcd. Bute Inlet,
north of Nauaimo, is the most eligible, provided it shall bo
found practicable to bridge the Narrows of Johnstone's Strait,
and thus continue the line to JOsquimalt. Otherwise a point
further South, perhaps Jiurrard's Inlet, will probably be
selected ; with a steam ferry to Nanaimo, and thence agaia
by rail to J']s({uiniult, — the great natural termiuus which it
is indispeu.sablc to attain. In any case the line, after descend-
ing the North Bninch of the Thompson (assuming the routo
by Jasper's to be the one preferred) will have to diverge to
the westward, and approach the Eraser through some of the
depressions near Bridge Creek. It is bootless, however, to
anticipate that which the surveys now in progress will sooa
decide.

On the whole it has been matle apparent, by the explora-
tions already offectod, that the difficulties in the way of ac-
complishing the grand" national object in view, are far loss

* Se« Not«— Appendix 7-1.

68 PROBABLE LINB OF CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

than were expected. Henoo, with the vigorous determina-
tion to proceed that has been manifested, we may regard the
undertaking as in i liir way for sprody accomplishment.
Its future ufl'ects in a iiational point of view, and especially
the influence it is destined to exercise on the immediate
interests of this Province, might well be left to the imagina-
tion of the reader; nevertheless, I may hazard a few remarks,
which, if superfluous as regards some, may not be without
interest for many.

An undertaking of this nature is not, of course, to be re-
garded from a merely local point of view : its successful
completion involv(!s the future commercial interests, not only
of England in particular, but of other nations also. 1 think
it is in the work of Lord Milton and Dr. Cheadle that the
route is significantly termed the "True North-West Pas-
sage;" just as the Suez Canal may be designated that of the
South-east ; and as such, in its general relations, we will
regard it. It is, however, with reference to Great Britain
alone that I shall consider the subject, albeit imperfectly.
Our active and enterprising competitors for commercial su-
premacy, the United States, have already, for three years
past, had a line in full operation to San Francisco; of which
the signal success presents noteworthy encouragement for
other enterprises of a similar nature. As far back as 18G0,
however, as appears by a pamphlet which lies before me,*
while yet this success as a pecuniary question was problem-
atic, a second over-land Railway, called the Northern Pacific,
was projected; the proposed terminus of which, in Washing-
ton Territory — still I believe undecided — was either at Seattle
on Admiralty Inlet, or Olympia at the head of Puget Sound,
distant respectively about 85 and 150 miles above Esquimalt,
the proposed Canadian terminus, on Fuca's Strait. The last-
named enterprise, however, though not formally abandoned,

* Nortbern Pacific Railway. Memorial, Correspondence, and
Report of Engineer in Chief. Washingtcn, 1868. Other competi-
tive Railways through California have s^iucc been projected, which
it ii uQD««««»«ry to Dotic« b«re.

> *

laud
jeli-
licb

BSTIMATS OF DISTANOES. 69

has not apparently been, so far, prosecuted with the wonted
energy of our neighbours. Last in the field is that of which
we now specially treat — the Canadian Pacific Railway.

I subjoin a comparative statement of the distances by these
several routes, compiled chiefly from a pamphlet by the late
Mr. Alfred Waddington,* and that before alluded to. I have
not, I may add, attempted to verify the estimates in either,
but accept both as nearly correct : —

New York to San Francisco (Railway in operation).

Distance from New York, by Chicago, to Omaba

on the Missouri 1,531 miles.

From Omaha to San Francisco, about 1,830

English miles 3,361

Northern Pacific Railway (projected).

From New York to Superior City, on Lake Supe-
rior, about 1,500

To Judith Mountains, Long. 109° W 895

To Columbia River, above Walla Walla 660

To Seattle or Olympia, on Puget Sound, about 220

1,775

English miles 3,276

Canadian Pacilie Railway (projoctcd).

From Montreal to Ottawa, via the Ottawa River 115
From Ottawa to Bute Inlet, about 2,885

3,000
Head of Bute Inlet to Ksquimalt, 85 miles nearer

to the Ocean than Seattle, about 200

English miles 3,200

With reference to the commerce of the East — if it be not
paradoxical to term that the East, which we are now approach-
ing from the contrary direction — the following considerations
may be noted. Assuming Yokohama, in Japan, for a starting
point, the direct distance to Esquimalt may be taken, in
round numbers, at about 4,200 geographical miles ; equal to
about a month's voyage of a sailing vessel. f Canton is pro-

* Overland Route through British North America, by Alfred
Waddington. London, 1868.

f The Flying Squadron, reaching Esquimalt in May, 1870, per-
formed the voyage, under sail, in 26 days — but this wag regarded

■' 1

■flTIMATB or UISTAUCM.

bably about a fortnight farther, in point of time. Measured
across the map, San Franci.sco may be regarded as equidis-
tant. Tlie actual distance necessary to be traversed by a
Bailing vessel in order to reach that port is, however, consid-
Qfably greater; as will appear from the following remarks
which I find quoted from a recognised authority of the high-
est standing — Professor jMaury, of Washington. " The trade
" winds place Vancouver Island on the wayside of the road
*' from China and Japan to San Francisco so completely, that
"a sailing vessel trading under canvas to the latter place,
" would take the same nmte as if she were bound for A^1ncou-
''vcr Island. So that all return cargoes would naturally come
" there in order to save two or three weeks, besides risk and
"expense." Hence it is munil'est (hat the Canadian Pacific
Railway, terminating at Esquimalt — and in a minor degree
the projected Northern Pacific Kaihvay, owing to the perver-
sities of the inland navigation necessary to reach its proposed
terminus — would possess a great advantage over the line,
now in operation, from San Francisco to Xew York. The
last-named port, moreover — about equidistant from Liverpool
or liOndon with ^Montreal — is considerably farther than
Halifax, to which point it would be necessary to extend the
transport during the period of closed-navigation of the St.
Lawrence. This necessity would involve a i'urtlier laud-
transport of 482 miles, by the Intercolonial Railway now in
operation: but then the shipping point on the Atlantic would
be some five hundred miles nearer to England than is New
York. Hence it is obvious that the route now under process
of survey, if the f)V(r,oing estimates be nearly correct, pre-
sents the advantage, as from China to England, of some
seven hundred miles over the projected Northern Pacific
Railway ; and, under the consideration advanced by Profes-
sor Maury, of more than a thousand over the present route
by San Francisco.

ns an unusually short voyar;e. Probably tVoni 30 to 35 days might
be consiilcreil a I'uir ruu. lu couiiexiou with thid subject see Note —
Appeaiii n-2.

NOTF.S OH TRAFFIC LIKKLT TO EN9UB. 71

As a pecuniary investment the Central, or Union, Pacific
Railway has been so far very successful, as will appear by
the following stateni' nf I.ssucd by the Company, which I
extract from a late number of the San Francisco Bulletin: —

" Official Statement of business for the three fiscal years,
ending April 30, 1872. '

180,0-70 1870-71 1871-72

Gross earnings $8,364,593 $7,333,001 $7,679,753

Expenses 5,707,099 3,808,704 4,002,914

Net earnings $2,507,494 $3,435,257 $3,616,839"

The sources of the above income are, the sale of land-
grants along the line, and the enormous traffic, local and
from abroad, that has^ been developed. The outlay is incur-
red by payment of current interest on Bonds, and running
expenses.*

When first the project of constructing a line across the
Continciit to San Francisco was mooted, sceptical vaticinators
augured that it would, at best, be available for the transport
of the lightest and most costly description of goods, only. To
show how groundless these anticipations have proved, I subjoin
a memorandum of the receipts on two successive days of the
present season, casually quoted in a recent number of the
Wceklij Bulletin, abo^e referred to. '' The receipts of freight
" by railroad yesterday included 2 cars of Agricultural Im-
'•' plements ; 200 cases Alcohol ; 18 cases Boots ; 1 car, and
"54 packages Bacon ; 40 packages Eggs; 74 tierces Hams;
" 906 cases Cheese ; 97 boxes Lard ; 85 kits Mackarel ; 10
" barrels Neats-foot Oil ; 35 barrels Lard Oil ; 907 bundles
"Paper; 44 barrels Pork; 1 ear Shovels; 488 cases and 65
" packages Tobacco ; 48 barrels Whiskey ; and 040 bundles
" Wire." Again : " The receipts of freight by railroad yes-
" terday included 1 car Bacon; 155 cases Boots; 10 cases
"Cheese; 10 packages Cordage; 24 bundles Iron Tube.";

* Supplementary to tlie above pfatcinont tlie cstiinnted gross in-
come for May is given at $812,000. The actual earnings for the
preTious mouth wers $724,446.

lit

■'

72 ADVAIfTAOES OF E8QUIMAT.T AS THE WRSTERIf SEAPORT.

" 34 bundles Iron ; 6 packages Leather; 2 Pianos; and 055'
*' packagos Tobarco."

The relurn-freights from San Francisco aro of varied char-
acter ; including fresh fruits, flour, wines, and other articles,
the product of California; and entire cargoes of Teas and other
merchandise from China and Japan. British Columbia affords
her quota of patronage in both directions ; and recently, I am
informed, the Hudson's Bay Company forwarded from Victoria
to San Francisco a number of casks of valuable Furs, for
transmission thence, overland and by steamer, to London ; at
most a three-weeks passage.

I shall not, I trust, be suspected of arguing from a purely
local stand-point, when I indicate briefly some of the advan-
tages which Esquimalt presents as the future terminus of the
Dominion Railway. The feasibility of bridging the Narrows
opposite to Bute Inlet is, as I have remai'ked, still undecided:*
otherwise the question would be one simply of cost ; which,
all other considerations admitted, would be of inferior moment.
But, whether by bridging here, or with the intervention of a
ferry from some other point, it is neoessiiry to the full measure
of future success that the line .should be continued to the ex-
treme limit I have named. Lying immediately within the
broad Estuary of De Fuca's Strait, Esquimalt seems destined
by Nature as the future emporium of a vast commerce. Its
splendid harbour is at all times readily accessible from sea-
ward ; and, with a light-house which stands some ten miles
westward, and another which, like the Pharos of another
Alexandria, indicates the immediate entrance, it may be
securely approached and entered at any hour, by day or night.
It is not, however, upon this ground alone that the position is

* In a. former chapter I have mentioned tliat the channel at thi3
point does not exceed a few thousand yards in breadth — the exact
measurement I have not at hand. It is here, however, necessary
to explain that a large island, called Valdez Island, separates the
whole channel into two parts, each of which is narrowed, at points
lying diagonally to each other, to very small dimensions. The
depth of the water, and the strong effects of the tides, appear to be
the chief engineering difficultiea to be encouatered.

OSMKaAL SEMARKS.

fonnded. Above Esqiiimalt the navigation, though still good,
is rendered more uncertain through the effect of cress-tides
and baffling winds ; and especially to reach a comparatively
remote point like Bute Inlet. This difficulty, it will be sug-
gested, might be overcome, with a certain outlay, by the em-
ployment of tug-boats : but there is another incidental diffi-
culty, prolific of delay, against whicii it is impossible to provide.
This is the occasional interruption of the inland navigation with
large craft, at times bv dense 3moke from forest-fires, at times
by fog, and sometimes by the combined effects of both. The
autumn, chiefly, is the season when these impediments might
be anticipated : and under the circumstances mentioned,
serious delays might occasionally occur to the shipping, which,
the terminus being at Esquimalt, would be avoided.

As regards the speedy completion of the work that has been
undertaken, a few words may be said. I am aware that there
are some who, whether really sceptical or not, profess to doubt
either the power or the inducement to carry it through. In
the uncertainty of these doubters I do not share. With a line
devoid for the most part of engineering difficulties, traversing,
with few interruptions, a region conspicuous for its fertility
and its pastoral advantages, and fringing elsewhere a tract
teeming with mineral riches, the local inducements are surely
great : and beyond thewe are the wide commercial interests
which I have feebly endeavoured to indicate. Up to a certain
period, indeed, many, and myself among the number, ques-
tioned the probability of the enterprise being seriously con-
sidered for many years : but the declaration of the Terms of
Union, and the prompt and energetic action of the Dominion
Government since, in fulfilment of their engagements, preclude
the question of doubt. To repeat it, then, is to question the
good faith of the Administration : a mark of disrespect, or
want of confidence which, by its liberal and manly treatment
of the Province, it has not certainly deserved. The preliminary
surveys completed, and *,he line decided, active operations will
be oommenced simultaneously at both ends : and all augury

Hal

aiNERAL RSMAJIKS.

iH fallacious if the grand undertaking be not Boon an accom-
plished fact. To Mr. Alfred Waddington, I may add, from
whose pamphlet I have quoted, and whose acipiaintance I en-
joyed in Victoria, is due, not indeed the conception, but cer-
tainly the earnest advocacy of this important national work.
Through him the project was first introduced in a tangible
form to the British public ; to its furtherance the whole ener-
gies of his latter years were devoted ; and it was while thus
engaged that he recently died at Ottawa — I believe of small-
pox. The death of thii worthy gentleman, while the pet pro-
ject of his life was still in embryo, created much sympathy in
Victoria, as elsewhere : and I do not resist the opportunity
which I now have, of paying at least this passing tribute to
his memory.

Before leaving this topic I ought not to omit to notice an

incidental advantage which the route I have indicated across

the Rocky Mountains possesses over all the rest, and of which

the importance does not at first appear. It is the freedom from

all danger of Indian molestation. In conversation, not long

ago, with Sir James Douglas, the former Governor of the

Colony, whose great local knowledge and sound judgment in

these matters it is needless to dwell upon, I drew his attention

to this point, and he agreed with me in ascribing to it very

great weight. Crossing the Saskatchewan at Carlton, the line

would 2^'^*^*^ througli a country occupied by the Crees — a

friendly and inoffensive tribe. Leaving the Cree tract near

Edmonton, and proceeding towards Jasper's, a few scattered

families of Strong-wood Assineboines alone wander over the

country — poor, harmless, and hospitable, whose sole care

i.s to hunt and live. West of the Pas.s, by the heads

of the North Branch of the Thompson, some scattered

Shew-shwaps hunt and fish for a livelihood. To reach the

Southern Passes, on the other hand, it is necessary to pass

through a tract frequented by the roving tribes of the broad

Prairie, including those Arabs of the West, the Blackfeet. It

does not indeed follow that collision with these must neceesa-

POUTICAL 00N8TITUTI05.

rily ensue : but the risk is there ; and it might involve, in
time, the necessity of maintaining a permanent military force
to guard agirinst attack; jtist as the United States Government
is compelled, under similar circumstances, to do, for the safety
of travellers by the Southern Railway .

CHAPTER IX.

Political Constitution — Schools — Churches, Scg. —
Postal Service — TEiEORArns — Mechanics' Insti-
tutes, &C. — NeWSPAI'ERS — liANKS — POPULATION —

Indians — General Ukmarks on Gold Minino — Min-
eral Riches — Coal-Mimnci, kc. — General Remarks

on the ATTRACTIONS 01' THE PROVINCE AS A FIELD FOR

Settlement.

The Government of Bi'itish Columbia, an of the other Pro-
vinces provided for wider the " British North America Act,
18G7," is administered by a Lieutenant-Governor, appointed
by the Governor-General of Canada. The gentleman now
filling this important position is the TJonorable Joseph W.
Trutch, formerly Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works in
the ci-devant Colony.

The responsible advisers of the Lieiitenant-Goveinor are
three in number ; occupying respectively the offices of Provin-
cial Secretary, Attorney-General, and Chief Commissioner i f
Lands and Works. Provision is made by the Constitution of
the Province that the number may, if found advisable, be in-
creased to five.

The Legislature is composed of a single House, styled the
Legislative Assembly, and consisting of twenty-five members
returned by twelve Electoral Districts, as under ; viz. : — On

S0ROOL8.

Vancouver Island : Victoria City, 4 ; Victoria District, 2 ;
Esquimalt, 2 ; Cowitchan, 2 ; Nanaimo, 1 ; Comox, 1. On
the Mainland : New Westminster City, 1 ; New Westminster
District, 2 ; Yale District, 3 ; Lillooet, 2 ; Caribou District, 3 ;
Kootftnais District, 2. The expenses of the members during
the session of the Legislature are paid by the Province ; and
there is an allowance for travelling expenses to and fro.

The franchise, confined to British subjects, born or natural-
ized, is so liberal as to be almost equivalent to manhood suff-
rage. The elections are for four years : the voting done by
open poll.

Foreign residents may acquire all the rights of British sub-
jects, within the Province, through a very simple and inex-
pensive process of naturalization.

The Province returns six members to the House of Com-
mons at Ottawa; and three Senators are appointed by the
Governor-General to the Upper House. The expenses of these
Representatives are defrayed by the Dominion.

The only direct general tax levied in the Province is for the
maintenance of Roads, and is expended within the Districts
where levied. This tax Is 5n annual poll-tax of two dollars
each on every male resijent above eighteen years of age. In
addition the owners of land are charged, for the same purpose,
four cents per acre on their land, beyond the limit of 1 acres.

A well-devised law for establishing free Schools, unsectarian
in character, throughout the Province, is now in force. A
Superintendent of Education has been appointed under the
Act ; and a Board of Education, consisting of six members,
holds its sittings in Victoria. Local details are superintended
by Trustees, elected in each School District. As will be seen
by reference to the Appendix, liberal allowance has been made
in the Estimates (since voted") for carrying out the pro-
visions of this important law. Among other definitions of the
duties of the Board of Education under the recent Act, is the
following, embodying a provision of great prospective impor-
tance : "Jo establish a High School in any District wher«

OHUROH£S, &C.

" they may find it expedient so to do, wherein the classics,
"mathematics, and higher branches of Education shall be
" taught ; and such school shall be subject to the same obliga-
" tions and regulationb as other Public Schools generally."

For private education Victoria affords good facilities : for
boys, the Collegiate School ; for girls, the Angela College.
Both these schools are under the visitorship of the Episcopa-
Kan Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend Dr. Hills.
There are besides other good schools for pupils of both sexes ;
noteworthy among which is the excellent establishment con-
ducted by the respected Sisterhood of St. Anne.

In Victoria there are two Episcopalian Churches— tlic
Cathedral of Christ Church, and St. John's ; aad there is a
third at Esquimalt. The Wesleyan community have a well-
built church, which it has been found necessary recently to
enlarge. The Presbyterian congregation likewise have a very
neat church. The Roman Catholics have two commodious
churches , the Bishopric of that communion, however, conse-
quently on the death of the late highly respected Bishop,
the Right Reverend Mgr. Demers, being at present vacant.
In addition to these places of Christian worship, there is
the Jewish synagogue, a substantial edifice of brick. New
Westminster is the residence of an Archdeacon, the Reverend
C T. Woods ; and its church has the enviable distinction of
possessing the only set of bells in the Province ; a fine peal,
presented to the congregation by the same amiable Christian
lady whose name I have had occasion -^h vidy several times to
mention — the present Baroness Cnutt. . Elsewhere in the
various Districts, where congre^i; 'ions can be assembled, there
are established facilities for public worshij), and small churches
have been built here and there ; in other parts, necessarily,
it is only by occasional visits, at stated intervals, that the re-
ligious wants of the community are met.*

The Judicature of the Province is composed of a Chief
Justice, and, at present, one Puisne Judge — a second one, it

* Ho<*i»itBl» ••« Aj>i)«udix W.

POSTAL SERVICE — TELEGRAPHS — NEWSPAPERS.

is understood, to be shortly appointed. At Victoria and
other principal stations there are Stipendiary Magistrates,
who act also as Judges of the County Courts : in other parts
order is maintained by Honorary Justices of the Peace. The
vigilance of the Magistracy, and the salutary rigour of the
Judges, have repressed that tendency to violence and crime
which is assumod, however erroneously, to be inseparable
from young communities such as this. In brief, the laws
are here as vigorously administered, and there is as much
security for life, limb, and property, as in the oldest Provin-
ces of the Dominion — and tbis, if my meaning be duly ap-
prehended, is saying not a little -^n the question of law and
order.

The Postal Service of the Province is now entirely in the
hands of the General Government of the Dominion; and
whatever deficiency may exist in the details of the system as
lately re-organizcd, will shortly be remedied. A special Agent,
it is understood, is now on the way from Ottawa to place
these matters on an unexceptionable footing. At present
there is a direct mail from Europe and Canada, by way of
San Francisco, twice a month ; reaching the latter place by
railway, and brought thence to Victoria by a subsidized
steamer. There is also an overland mail twice a week from
San Francisco to Olympia, on Puget Sound, by which letters
are, under the present jirrangoments, less regularly brought.
From Victoria there is a mail-service twice a week to New
Westminster; and once a woek to all other parts of the Pro-
vince, upon the regular lines of comniunicaiion. The rates
of postage will appear in the Appendix.

There is constant telegraphic commuiiication between
Europe and Victoria, by way of New York and San Francisco.
The line, which crosses the southern part of the Gulf of
Georgia to Victoria by a submerged cable, has a branch ex-
tending to the verge of the Caribou region.

Victoria supports two daily newspapers, the Britlnh Colo-
nist and the Standard, which also reappear in a weekly form.

mechanics' institutes — BANKS — POPULATION. 79

New Westminster has likewise two, the Dominion Pacific
Herald and the Mainland Guardian. The Upper Country
boasts of ouc; a useful publication, called the Caribou
Sentinel.

At Victoria and several other of the towns, Mechanics'
Institutes and Reading lloonis have been established. At
these, besides the standard collection of books that has been
accumulated, the latest European and American periodicals,
with the principal newspapers from abroad, can always be
perused.

There arc three principal Ranks in Victoria, with branches
elsewhere : the Bank of British North America, the Bank of
British Columbia, and Wells, Fargo, & Co. — the last an
American firm, too widely known on this Continent to re-
quire more than mention. In addition to their bunking
business the last-named carry on an Express Agency, rami-
i'yii'i; throughout Christendom. Through their means the
most imp: i n-t business may be transacted: and any arti-
cle of use r M xury, from a piano probably to a penny whis-
tle, can be readily obtained. This .institution, originating in
the early necessities of the California Mines, has been of
marked utility and success : and there are probably few
dwellers upon the Pacific Coast who have not been at some
time indebted to the care or the courtesy of the Agents of
Wells, Fargo's Express. The several Banks allow interest
on time-depof'its of three months or upwards. In addition to
the private Banks there is a public Savings Bank, of great
utility in its way.

The population of British Columbia, owing to the fluctua-
tions ul' juining success, has varied much. At no time very
large, it does not now probably exceed twelve thousand
Europeans, of whom one-half reside in Victoiia and its im-
mediate environs. The permanent inhabitants of the city,
by a census of 1870, amounted to 4,20^, in the proportion of
2,528 males to 1,080 females. No reliable census of the
whol« Province, however, exists, so that any estimate made

INDIANS.

can be merely an approximation. With the recently im-
proved prospects of the country, it is needless to say that
immigration is attain setting in j and it is noticeable that
former residents, who had left under discouragements real or
fancied, are now eagerly returning.

The Indian population, on the other hand, is numerous j
and as the Indians are producers as well as consumers, they
form an important element in the consideration of the com-
mercial relations of the Province. For the rest, it may be
remarked that they are strictly under the law; and that, with
the appliances at command, no difficulty is experienced in
exacting obedience. In saying that the native population is
numerous T ought to confine the remark to the immediate
vicinity of the Coast. In the interior they are comparatively
few, and sparsely distributed. In many points, too, the
Indians of the interior are far more engaging in character
than those of the sea-board. These last, however, are of a
more ingenious turn. They excel in many simple manu-
factures, and are not a little advanced in divers mechanical arts.
I was shown, for instance, by a gentleman in Victoria, a fine
meerschaum pipe, which, having been acciden*;ally damaged,
had been entiusted for repair to an Indian workman. Beat-
ing out a gold-coin he had remounted the article with a skill
comparable with that of the most practised goldsmith. It
has already been mentioned that the services of the young
men among the natives are turned to good account in agri-
cultural and other pursuits. I may add that, beyond this,
little has been done for their improvement, save through
the efforts of private individuals, at-d the exertions of the
Missionaries of various denominations who are in the field.
The Government has been unpardonably supine: and it is
gratifying to know that, under the new political relations of
the Province, the care of this branch of the population de-
volves upon the Dominion; and that a sound- system of
Indian policy will soon be organized, from which the most
beneficial results may be anticipated.

OE^IERAL REMARKS ON QOLD-MININO.

The miniftg interests of Briti&h Columbia are af teo great
importance to be treated of summarily in a brief trcatiso
such as this. A reference to the Appendix will &how, how-
ever, the large recorded export of GoU {otaiany years past:*
but so much is conveyed away by private haad that the real
product of the mines, of course, cannot be ascertained. The
writer has no practical knowledge of the subject of mining,
and he is averse to give currency to reports of tbc richness
of this locality or of that; which, however apparently well
founded, too often prove fallacious. Large fortunes have
been made, and large fortunes will continue still to be occa-
sionally made, in this exciting pursuit, within the procinfts
of the Province : but while some have thus become rich,
others have only been comparatively lucky, while other»
again have failed almost entirely of success. He cannot^
however, do better than quote on this subject the following
excellent remarks, which he finds in a Jlcport of Lieut. H.
Spencer Palmer, of the Royal Engineers, dated 21st Febru-
ary, 18G3; and which, notwithstanding the lapse of tirae^
may be regarded as still generally applicable.

" The general tendency of the auriferous ranges through-
" out the Colony leads to the conjecture that the future ex-
"plorations will discover an almost unbroken continuation of
" rich deposits maintaining a north-north-westerly direction,
"and occupying a lar^e portion of the great elbow of the
" Eraser Iliver.

" Caribou is closely packed with mountains of considerable
" altitude, singularly tumbled and irregular in character, and
"presenting steep and thickly wooded slopes. Here and
" there tremendous masses, whose summits are from (5.000
" to 7,000 feet above the sea, tower above tlie general Icvel^
" and form centres of radiation for subordinate ranges. This
" mountain system is drained by innumerable streams, of

* Amounting, for tl>e hist fourteen yeiirs, to between 21 ai>d 22;
millions of (lollius in the iigQ;rej?i;te — showing an average exceed-
ing one und .a luilf uiillion yearly, e.\clii.?ive of the large aniottuts
that have escaped record. S-ee Appendix F.

GENERAL REMARKJ ON QOLD-MININO.

every size from large brooks to tiny rivulets, known re-
' spectively in mining phraseology as " creeks " and "gulcli-
' es," which run in every imaginable direction of the cora-
' pass, and, winding among the valleys and gorges, discharge

themselves into the larger slreams or "rivers" which at
' length conduct their waters to the Fraser.***********"^**
' The most remunerating mining is generally found near the

• head waters of the creeks, in close proximity to the mouu-
' tain clusters, which seem to be the great centres of wealth;
'• and thus some of the less attractive diggings on the rivers

• and on the lower parts of the creeks have as yet scarcely

*• The gold of Caribou is not easily attainable, and a know-
ledge of practical mining, shafting, tunnelling, and drift-
ing, is necessary to those who wish to work to advantage,
' The richest deposits are found in the existing and in the
' old channels of the creeks down close to the rocks ?m situ,
'■ called in mining language " bed-rocks," which in Caribou

" I should be trespassing beyond my province were I to
' attempt to describe the mechanical methods by which the

• gold is extracted from the earth, or to furnish statistics of
' the populations and yields of the various mining creeks.
•' l>ut I beg permission to contribute my testimony to the

■ extraordinary auriferous wealth of Caribou, and, in very
'few words, to clear up a point upon which an uninitiated
'person is likely to be misled, viz. : the nominal yield of a
'< claim.'"

" A miner's claim occupies a piece of ground 100 feet
' square. When a creek has ' prospected ' well, it is usual
' for miners to form themselves into companies of from four
'to eight, or upwards, to take up their claims (for each man
' 100 feet square) in proximity to one another, and to work
the whole ground thus claimed for the benefit of the com-
pany. If rich * pay-dirt ' be struck, and the mine be in a
sufficiently advanced state, 4tra)panies, anxious to obtain

MINERAL RICHES.

" the greatest p6ssiblo quantity of gold in the shortest possi-
" ble space of time, will frequently employ additional work-
" ing-liands, and work during the whole 24 hours. Tl.e
" wages given last season were £2 sterling for the day of
" twelve hours. ]?y these means extraordinary yields aro
" sometimes obtained, and instances were known last autumn
*' of as much as 250 oz (about £800 sterling), or even more,
" being ' washed up ' by some of the richest companies ou
" Williams Creek, as the result of 24 hours' labour. Thus,
" although this sum, subject to deductions for hired assist-
" ance, was divided among the four, six, or eight lucky pro-
" priotors, as the case might be, it must be remembered that
" it was due to the labours of double the number of men, and
'•' that the dividend thus declared should not, in such in-
" stances as these, be taken as indicating the direct result of
'' one man's work. Cases occur of rich ' pockets * of gold
" being struck, and incredible sums being rapidly extracted
" by simple means and at no extra expense ; these are ex-
" ceptions."*

The chief mining localities outside T Caribou are, at Big-
bend, above the Arrow Lakes on the Columbia River ; the
Kootunais mines, on the tributary of the Columbia of that
name; and on the Peace River. There are besides inferior
"diggings," occupied chiefly by Chinese and others who,
like them, are content with minor profits, where by patient
industry a moderate competence is obtained. To such, how-
over, as desire to try for higher prizes a wide field is open ;
and, without committing myself to any assertion as to the
richness of any special locality, I may safely state the
conviction, which I share with many others — that the mine-
ral gold-wealth of the Province has yet been but very \ ar-
tially exposed. Meanwhile the introduction of machinery,
with the aid of capital and engineering skill, promises to

and though the individual

effect soon a very great change

* Report of Li^aienant H. Spencer Palmer R. E., to Col. Moody,
R, E., Cbief Gommissioner of Lauds aud Works. 21st Feb., 1863.

COAL-MINII»a. &C.

miner will still continue, as before, to share the hazards of
fortune, the great prizes will, as elsewhere, fall to the over-
powering combination.

As regards the other mineral riclics of the Province the
command of capital, beyond any that is locally available,
seems to bo indispensable for their development. Rich
eopper-Ieads abound along the Coast. A few years- ago per-
haps a dozen enterprises, for working as many seams, were
act on foot: but, as might have been foreseen, they all failed
from the cause indicat.'d. Possibly, had all these scattered
endeavours been concentrated, a better result might have
been obtained. As it was, the scanty resources of each were
frittered away — in some case;* through sheer ignorance and
mismanagement: and the c*»nclusion bf^camc apparent, that
without the assistance of ca^«ital from abroad and the employ-
aaent of competent conductors, it was vain to persist. So
with certain silver-loads — sufficiently rich it is believed, to
reward richly the investment of money, but for which confi-
dence has not so flir been secured. The Geological Survey
©f the Province which has been undertaken by the Canadian
Government, and is now in progress, will doubtless reveal
more conspicuously the existence of these latent treasures ;
and we may trust therefore that the day is approaching when
this great source of wealth will no longer be neglected.

The returns given in the Appendix will show that the
Coal-mines of Vancouver Island are more favourably circum-
stanced. The oldest mine at Nanaimo, commenced by the
Hudson's Bay Company, has for the last twelve years been
the property of an English Company, bo.iring the name of
the Vancouver Coal Company, who share a handsome an-
nual dividend for their investment. There are two other
Klines in the same vicinity : one of these, the Ilarcwood,
owned also by English capitalists, is not at present worked;,
the other, the Duns7nin'r, is in its infancy, but promises to
\e very successful There is also a fine seam of coal, requir-
ing, only capital for its working; at Bayues' Souud, near

COAL-MTNINO, Xc.

«5

Oomox ; besides that at the north end of the Island, anl
another of Antliracite on Qucon Charlotte's, to which I have
previously alluded. In the event of a future treaty of Reci-
procity with the United States, in which all the Provinces of
the Dominion would of course share, the dem md for Coal from
Vancouver Island will receive a groat imj.Gtus. S < far as can
1)0 discovered there is no coal of quality at all comparable with
it elsewhere on the Coast : so that wore the present restric-
tions upon its importation removed, it would take a more
prominent place in the San Francisco market than it at pre-
sent occupies.*

In 18G9 an Ordinance was issued, the declared object d
which is " to develop the resources of the Colony by aifording
'* facilities for the effectual working of Silver, Lead, Tin, Cop-
" per, Coal, and other Minerals, other than Gold" — the last
being specially provi ed for in a separate Ordinance. Under
the provisions of the Act in question, it is in the power of any
person, or association of persons, to seek for any of the minerals
enumerated, imder special licence over a given space-; an'\ if
successful in their object, to obtain a Crown grant of the
locality, under conditions named. It "is imder this Act that
Mr. Dunsmuir, who I believe was originally an Overseer or
Foreman in the employment of the Vancouver Coal Company,
and some others, have establisl>ed their right to what will soon
become, if not a! eady, a very valuable property. Confining
ourselves to the consideration of Coal, and without going int©
minute particu'ars, the chief requisites may be succinctly
stated.

1. A " Prospecting Licence^' is first obtained, 'on applica-
tion in due fui'm to the proper aiithoritiee, not exceeding two

* Note P. S. — .Since tlie .above was written the import duty on
foreign coal entering the United kSt.atcs has been reduced from
$1.25 t,o 75 cents jpcr ton. Anthracite is admitted duty tVoe. The
3)ublished statements of the exports frcm Xanaimo, for tiic iiall-
.year ending 30th June last, show a notable increase, wiiieh is nro-
.bably due in some measure to this cause, howev-er short the inter-
v.iU fur itg ojfforaliotu

COAL-MININQ, AC.

years in duration : subject to extension if asked for, upon
uatisfactory grounds, at the Governor's discretion. This licence
is obtained upon cause shown, and the payment of a trifling
fee; and entitles the holder to exclusive mining rights o(
search, meanwhile, within the liinita deacribed, other than for
gold.

2. A Prospectilig Licence ft)r Coal alone, may include with-
in the general limits therein defined, not exceeding five hun-
dred acres to each individual apitlicant, of previously unoccu-
pied land ; or two thousand five hundred acres to an associa-
tion or company consisting of not less than ten jiersona. The
licence carries with it the right to make roads, use timber,
erect buildings, and other privileges necessary to preliminary
explorations.

3. If successful in the quest, the final grant is obtained on
the following terms — viz. : For any quantity up to and inclu-
ding one thousand acres, at the price of five dollars per acre :
provided always that on proof, to the satisfaction of the Govern-
ment, that the sum of ten thousand dollars has been bene-
ficially expended on any laud held under Prospecting Licence
for Coal, a grant of one thousand acres of the land held under
Buch Prospecting Licence shall be issued to the company hold-
ing it, without payment of the upset price of such land. In
other words they receive, virtually a boiuis of five thousand
dollars, in consideration of the preliminary expenditure of the
larger sum. Under certain necessary modifications, the same
general rules apply to mining explorations in quest of the
other minerals named. I do not, of course, profess to go into
details ; but I may venture generally on this assurance — that
the most liberal interpretation to the provisions of the Ordi-
nance is always given by the Government, whether as regards
individuals, oi associations *

* Note P.S. — In the Appendix will be found a description of the
Coal-works in operation at Nanaimo, which has very recently been
given by a visitor. Appendix B-2. The great riches of Vancouver
Island in this Invaluable fossil, and the excellent quality of the

ATTRACTIONS FOR SETTLEMENT.

In conclusion, the general advantages of British Columliio
u» a fielil I'ur innnigration may be hrieily siinimed.

A temperate climate, remarkably rtiilubrious in ita character ;
a fertile Huil easily brought into cultivation ; rich and exten-
Bive i)usture.s; abundant natural resources for procuring food;
land cheaply, if not gratuitously, attainable by the industrioua;
good government under a liberal constitution ; security of lilb
and property under rigidly executed laws ; facilities for reli-
gious worship for every denomination ; a liberal system of
education, free of cost ; ready and cheap postal communicatiou
with all parts of the world; telegraphic fiicilities througli the
United States to Canada and Europe; a wide and constantly
extending '' market, soon to be enormously increased by the
progress of the Canadian Pacific Kailway and other concom-
itant enterprises.

To this may be added, the early occupation of p Country
destined, if all augury be not fallacious, ere long to becoiiii.-,
in connexion with the Dominion of Canada, one of the moat
important and nourishing dependencies of the Imperial Crown.
The distance of British Columbia from England, added to tlm
uncertainty or ignorance of its resources, has doubtless so liir
acted against its being regarded favourably as a field for colo-
nization. A reference to the scale of passages in the Appendix
will, 'however, show that the objection of distance, at least,
through increased facilities of locomotion, is gradually vaiu>li-
ing. British Columbia is in reality to-day nearer to Loud< n,
in point of time, than was Canada thirty years ago. The cost
is still an objection ; but even this, it is to be expected, will
soon be diminished, if not materially, at least to some extent.
At present the command of abor t £ 10 is necessary for a se-
cond class passenger ; thus :

England to New York or Halifax, £6 to £8 §10

To San Francisco (Currency) by railway 90

coal produced, apart from the commercial advantages directly ac-
cruing, point to a groat mauufacturiug future for this part oi tbo
Proviuce.

■XM

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

t^.

'/..

1.0

I.I

1.25

s ^ IIIIIM

Illll 1.8

U Illll 1.6

^•W, ">-

'■?

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST \js-M STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 873-4503

^\>

^.^ ^\

■f>

88 ATTRACTIONS FOR SETTLEMENT.

To Victoria 15

IncidfiQtal Expenses , 50

ei95

It iH to Ik >x)mc in mind) however, that the passage may be
thus cfTected within tlie month ; and that consccjuently the
overland route is on the wliole the cheapt8t.

I am aware of no instance where an able-bodied, industrioup,
and «ober man, reacliing the Province, has failed of succcsf.
"Wliat with the gt<ld-mines, the high rate ot wages, and tho
constant demand for labour in difTerent shapes, the gi'od ecoii-
onilsl can soon establish his footing, and become a thiiviiig
land-owner. If in this pt)sition he may not at once attain t(»
opulence, he realizes a competence, and, if he have a family,
can bring them up in respectability and comfort.

I may state an instance, though for obvious reasons I suji-
press the name. A. B. had been a farm-laborer in Scotland.
Securing a steerage passage in a sailing vessel, he I'eached
Victoria in 1802. lie at once pixDcurcd work ujjon the road
between Victoria and Esquiuialt, then in pmcess of improve-
ment, and found that, living well meanwhile, he could lay by
a dollar a dy out of his wages. In the spring he went to the
Interior of the Mainland, and obtained ready employment;
sometimes as an assistant to mining-companies, but never
mining on his own account. At the end of four years he was
in a position to buy and partially stock a good ilirtn out of the
accumulation of his savings. He is now a prosperous farmer,
baving two hundred acres of uood land, all enclosed, and with
a large portion under cultivation ; about a score of fine cattlo,
and numerous swine ; a good house ; substantial farm-build-
ings; with horses, and all the neces.sary agricultural imple-
ments, including the half-share of a reaping-machine.

This is not a solitary Ciise, but is cited as the example of
many.

In the Central District of the Mainland large fortunes have
been made, by parties who had capital at the out.set, by oatile-

ATTHACTIONS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Id-
le-

grazing. Two bro 'icra, the Mc'k.si-8. Harper, citizens of tlie
United States, from Oregon, may be mentioned as having beea
very successful in this branch of business. Several English
gentlemen, it may be added, having a certain command of
means, have settled in various ])arts of the interior, and are
realizing « rai)id return for their investments.

The fishing interests of the Province have not been .so far
adequately developed. In this branch of business there is
doubtless a wide field for enterprise, which will not long be
overlook cd.

As ivgjttds society few words must suffice: in parts refined*
it is throughout decorous, hospitable, and intelligent.

For the encouragement of immigration an appropriation has
this year been made l<y the Legislature, to the extent of the
surplus funds available, — since increased by an appropriatioa
from the Federal Government. So fur, no settled scheme in
connexion with this appropriation has been published; but it
may possibly appear in the Appendix. Hitherto a system of
assisted passages for domestic servants has been at times
adopted ly private parties; and it is probable that something
of the same kind may be proposed by the Government with
regard to general inmiigrants. In the former ca.se a bond was
executed for the repayment of the sum advanced, in due time
afler arrival. Female servants, who I may remark are greatly
in demand, were generally the subjects of these private ar-
rangemeuts; but the is-sue was not always eatisfjictory, at least
to one party in the contract : for the damsels were likewise ia
great demand in another direction; and, whatever their per-
sonal cliarms, were generally snapped up in matrimony long
ere their engagements had expired. But we must not quarrel
with the i.s8ue. If tJie employers were for a while incon-
venienced, a public benefit, and much individual happiness,
were promoted ; albeit that this expanded view of the ques-
tion may have borne with it little consolation at the time.
Leaving aside, however, all question as to the details of the

! I

feUPPLEMENTARY.

scheme that may be contemplated by the Government to pro-
mote the end in view, I may venture at least on this general
assurance — that, w'.iatever the measures adopted, both aa
regards the particdlar class of immigrants referred to, and
others more iiivorably circumstanced, they will be such as to
contribute to the immediate ease, and ultimate prosperity of
all. And, on the part of the People generally, I may safely
add, that a cordial and a hospitable welcome will be cheerfully
extended to such as may decide on making their future home
in British Columbia — the youngest daughter of the
Dominion — the fair, and fertile, and happy ProvinTse of the
West.

' ♦ »

CHAPTER X'

Supplementary.

Indians ano Indian Missions — State op Society —
Causes of past retardation op the Province—
General progress on the Pacific Coast, with
extent and cost of Eailways already existing —
Spars op British Columbia — Usual Dimensions op
those shipped to various markets — San Juan
Question — End.

The foregoing pages, with the exception of some few notes
and addenda made during the progress of the printing
were composed and sent in to the Government previous to the
25th of May, the date originally fixed for the completion of
the competitive treatises. An extension of the time for another
month had been meanwhile accorded, of which, ignorant till
too late, the writer could not take advantage. He avails him-
self, therefore, of the opportunity now afforded, to add a few
supplementary remarks, unfettered by the trammels under

of
er

SUITLEMKNTARY.

which the previous iwrtion was composed, and wliich seem
called for by circumstances which have since come under his
notice.

It seems necessary to ])Ut the reader on liis guard against
certain misrepresentations to which British Columbia has been
subjected ; and it will not, I trust, be regarded as a case of
special pleading if 1 attempt to do so. It is true that some
candidly-written works have appeared, to which honorable
reierence is made in the resume of the jmblished authorities
elsewhere given. But other works, again, have been written,
of quite a contrary tendency : and, the evil report being too
often more readily accepted than the good, the effect of these,
if we may judge from the comments they have elicited, seems
to be predominant. Whatever the instigation to such produc-
tion — whether the disappointment of over-sanguine hopes, tho
exaggerated perception of minor difficulties, or, under a less
charitable supposition, the pecuniary inducement " to make
a book" — it matters not to enquire : but the effect is
there. A " book " is made ; not in the cant acceptation of the
hahituei of the turf, but in a sense directly important to the
public, because productive of a positive injury to many.

My attention has been directed to two works coming under
some one or other of the terms of the above category, which
have recently been published. Upon these I ba\e made, in
the Appendix, some passing remarks, certainly not inferring a
very favorable judgment, either of the degree of knowledge or
of good faith by which they are characterized. One ot them,
flourishing in fair type and with a very sensational imaginary
picture, might well be dismissed, upon its own merits, from
serious consideration : the other derives factitious importance
from its being honored with notice in a publication so widely
read and so influential as the SatunJay Review, through the
columns of which paper, alone, I am partially acquainted with
its tenor. These two books, with the remarks of the reviewer
upon the latter— coldly expressed and dubiously worded

ft2

INDIANS.

though "his approltation bt — form tho text for certain remnrks
■which I now make, in extension of the cursory 'not ice «f the
subjects before given.

I have remarked of the IndUn }X)pulat!on that, in their re-
lation to the colonists, the services of the young lincn are
turned to good account ; and that jill are strictly under the
8;iw. At the outset of the general colonization of the Country,
in 1858, it is not improbable that a good many concealed
murderB of white men took place ; for the sudden influx of
some twenty or thirty thousand men, ere yet the machineiy
of government was fairly organised, led naturally to many
disorders. With the multitude, among a m.ijority of well-
■disposed persons, no small leaven of the worst characters from
California, as might be supposed, was mingled : and it cannot
be doubted that in certain cases the aggressions, or brutal
excesses, of such led to retaliation, sometimes upon innocent
victims. Previous to this the Hudson's Bay Company,* witTi
whom the administration of the ailairs of Vancouver Island at
that time rested, under charter from the Imperial Government,
had successfully restrained the natives from molesting the few
settlers who ihen ocmpied a portion of the nascent Colony.
The judicious administration of the resident Chief Factor, tho
present Sir James Douglas, K. C. B. — then Governor of Van-
couver Island, and afterwards, when dis^oonnected from the

* The past Hudson's Bny Company — tlie el^ves and successors of
the hardy North-westers of Montreal and of the original traders of
Hudson's Bay, united by tlie Coalition of 1821 — are here alluded
to : a copartnery of interests between the Stock-holders in Lon-
hJod and the OfHcers in the Country, since terminated, and re-
modelled on a diifcrcnt basis. Lest it sluould be supposed, ot ««
some at a distance might be tempted to insinuate, that the Com-
pany as now organised still retain a dominant sway in the poltics
of British Columbia^ it may he stated that their influence in this
regard is here no greater than possibly in London — or in Timfcu*-
too. The Company of the present day is purely a mercantile
association, denuded, here as elsewhere, of all its former power
anA prettige. As merchants, however, under the excellent local
tnnnagement provided, they obtain justly the highest public confi-
dence ; and, with their vast command of capital, ^Tcrcise r leg'ti-
oaate mercantile influence, in all respects bearJiciai to the Proviiic*.

INDIANS AND INDIAN MISSIONS.

lowcr

local

Iconii-

leg'tl-

l'iDC«.

Company, of both sections of the present Province, at first for
some years separate — co-operated witk the admirable system
which prevailed throughout the Country, in the.management
of the Company's aflairs, to maintain an order uninterrupted
by any serious outbreak. Kindness and consideration, tem-
pered by judicious firmness, were the chief secrets of tliia
marked succes-s : and when an exigency demanded the occa-
sional exorcise of severity, punishment was confined to the
guilty alone, and neccessary justice in all cases tempered by
mercy. No wonder, then, that the sudden inundation of the
Country by a flood of adventurers, unhabituated to intercourse
with the native races, and whom they regarded as strangers,
disorganised previous restraint. But British law soon asserted
its sway. The excesses of the evil-disposed among the immi-
grants were checked with the strong hand. Detected culprita
among the natives suffered punishment under due legal pro-
cess ; and thus order was restored. Subsequently it became
necessary to employ severe measures upon the West Coast of
Vancouver Island. One or two villages were bombarded by
vessels of Her Majesty's Squadron, in order to compel the
delivery of offenders guilty gf crimes against a ship-wrecked
crew — and a salutary dread was established in all parts along^
the Coast, which the periodical visit of a giui-boat serves to
maintain and strengthen.

In the interior of the Mainland, where, as I have remarked,
the Indians are more sparsely distributed, and are altogether
a race morally superior to those of the Coast, order has been
successfully maintained by the Civil Power. The natives
long habituated to our customs, through intercourse with the
former traders, harmonise well with the present occupants;
and the kind treatment generally extended to them by the
well-disposed, secures good-will. It is in the "Debateable
Land" alone, situated between the frontier of the settled
region of the Interior, and the main-land Coast, that any dan-
ger of collision, however remote, is to be apprehended. The
natives along this line, seated near the rapids which interrupt

INDIANS AND INDIAN MISSIONS.

the navigation of the minor rivers diHcmboguing along the
Coast — the points most favorable Ibr their Haimon-fisheries —
are numerous; and, owing to thoir fteclusion, comparatively
more rude and uncultivated than the rest. Through this
cause, partly, and partly from caunes tliat have never been
satisfactorily explained, some eight years ago, a party of men
in the employ of the late Mr. Waddington lost their lives near
the head of Bute Inlet, upon the line of road now under explo-
ration for the Canadian-Pacific UaiUvay: and recently a minor
misunderstanding has taken ])lace at the Forks of the Skeeiia,
but unattended with loss of life or persona molestation. The
first was settled by the local Government, though at great
pecuniary cost, by the punishment of the murderers: the
second, ori{^inating in the accidental burning of a village,
through the negligent act of some travelling-party on their
way to the Peace River mines, has been arranged by Go-
vernor Trutch, oil the part of the Dominion Government, by
a trifling money-payment for the loss sustained — an arrange-
ment no less judicious, than equitable under the circumstan-
ces. As regards this class of the natives, however, it may
be hoped that, under prudent management, and with the
knowledge of our real power that exists, all occa.^ion for the
exercise of future severity will be averted,

I have said that the former Governments of the ci-devant
Colony have been unpardonably supine with regard to the
Indians. I mean this relatively, as concerning their positive
elevation in the social scale: not as inferring want of sym-
pathy in their actual condition. For the Indians have
always shared, equally with the white residents, the protec-
tion of the law; and this they have been made to under-
stand, and are fully aware of. But there is a wide field for
their material improvement — material, indeed, but implying
a concomitant amelioration of a deeper and a holier nature;
for the two go hand in hand, and cannot be dissevered. I
have casually noticed the niissio»)ary efforts that are in pro-
gress; and I may add that, so far as is apparent, a degree of

« »

INDIAMS AND INDIAN MISSIONS.

dcvant
to the
nsitive
sym-
havo
rotec-
nder-
Idfor
lying
ture;
1. I
pro-
ree of

UDaniiuity prevails, despite the foi'tual differences of creed,
which argues well for the general progress. For, admitted
that a common end be in view, it is surely impolitic to dis*
tnrb the minds of the neophytes, by questions of whether
the good teaching be of Paul or of Apollos. Be not
alarmed, however, kiud reader. We are not about to ent^r
upun a polemical disquisition. The point is noticed bccnu.so
wo have witnessed elsewhere the evil consequences of such
warfare of sect against sect, to the common detriment of all
But as an adjunct to moral and religious teaching, however
zealously applied, the inculcation of solid industry, and the
material elevation of the Indian in the social scale, arc ele-
ments essential to success j and where such success may have
been hitherto partially obtained, it will be found that to this
combination of effort, mainly, it is attributable. To this
end the co-operation and aid of the Government are an in>
portant condition : and it is satisfactory to know, that, under
the new relations of the Province, this co-operation will ero
long be afforded. The success of Mr. Duncan, the Superin-
tendent of the Church Missionary establishment at Methla-
katla before referred to, only partially fo.stcrcd by the autho-
rities as his exertions may have boon, is an example of what
may be effected under zealous and judicious management.
I am aware that the efforts of this gentleman have been
occasionally scoffed at or under-rated ; but every enterprise
of the same nature has been subjected to similar detraction,
— the value of which, therefore, in this case may be readily
estimated. My own conclusion, from information directly
and indirectly acquired from unquestionable sources, is that
much good has been already effected, and a solid ground-
work laid for wide pro.spective improvement. Yet it is to
be regretted that in the conduct of this mission, admirable
though its success has been, a grave oversight is suffered to
continue by its sustainers. Its policy is too much centered
in an individual — in many points of view an evil, and obvi-
onsly in this; that, do successor being in course of pro-

INDIANS AM) INDIAN MlHMKiNS.

paration, were tho present Supcrintcndont to die to-morrow,
tho wholo edifice which lie has founded witb so umcli pains,
would probably cruuibli, to the ground. Division of labor,
80 necc&sary in the incchanieul arts,* is no less beneficial iu
missionary enterprise.

Various njis.sions have at diflPcrent times been established
among the Indians of the North-west; some of which, like
that just noticed, have been partially successful, while
others, through neglect of proper conditions, have signally
failed. East of tljc Rocky Mountains an Episcopalian Mis-
sion has been iu operation on the M!s»!n!pi\ or English
River, which has, I understand, attained a fair measure of
success. This lui.ssion, which has existed for the last thirty
years, was founded and liberally endowed under the will of
the late Mr. James Leith, formerly a Chief Factor of the
Hudson's Hay Company, for the special improvement of the
natives among whom it has been placed. Upon the Sas-
katchewan, and at Lake Winipeg, on my last visit to Hud-
son's Bay, iu 1842, a Wesleyan Mission had been recently
established ; and there were also Roman Catholic Missions
in various parts. On the Columbia River, in tUe parts which

* The importance of this axiom is notably recognised by the
Jesuits, iu the admirable discipline of their missions. While regu-
lar subordinatiou is maintained, aught approaching to a prepon-
derating individual influence is rigidly discountenanced. All unite,
each in his separate path, to promote the common end : and on&
leader being removed by death or other cause, another is not
wanting to supply the deficiency. With some I may possibly incur
a degree of odium for thus instancing as an example, the proceed-
ings of a body whooi I know it is the fashion to- decry. But I do
so advisedly — without reference to the remote political aspirations
which its members are supposed constantly to k«ep in view, and
of which I do not profess to judge — but solely in accordance with
the beneficent results of their exertions, as missionaries, which I
myself have witnessed. I may add, that I recall with satisfac-
tion the many pleasant hours which — spite of formal difference of
creed — I have enjoyed, in bygone times, in the remote recesses of
the interior, along the line of the Rocky Mountains, in the society
of my worthy friends of this indefatigable Order : notably, the
Fathers Nobiii, De Vos, Vercruysse, Accolti, Mingarini, and
others ; some of whom have since gone to their rest, while otbera
Btill continue their self-denying labours in various parts.

llfUIAAt ANU INUIArf MluaiUNS. Vi

by the Treaty of 1^40, }>pcaino portions <>f tlic T'nlJnl States,
sovorul missionary eHtablinhiuenta were foiuulotl in 1810 by
AnicricaD Hocieties, and afterwards abandoned in despair of
Buccess. One of these, howover, conducted, on tlic more
solid basis I have indicated, by the Ueverend Dr. Whittuan,
gave earnest of a wore favorable issue. I>ut a sad catastro-
phe rudely dissipated the sanguine hopes that had been
formed. The Measles broke out in 1847, and ignorant or
neglectful of the simple necessary precautions under the
disease, many of the natives were carried off, through'^'it
the country. Whispers of foul play and evil influence were
insinuated into the credulous minds of the survivors; and
their animosity, once roused, was readily directed against
their benefactors. A sudden attack was made, resulting in
the massacre of the worthy Dr. Whitman, his wife, and
others connected with the Mission.* Since this catastrophe

* The Diissiun stutioa of Dr. Whitman wus among the Cayooses,
at Wailetpoo near Wiilla Wullii in Washington Territory. Tiii-ro
Bcems to be little doubt that the instigator to this i'earrul mussacro
was one Joe Lewis, said to have been a Mormon, who subsiMjuenlly
evaded punishment by absconding to the Mountains. A curious
exempliticutiuu of the respect iu which the people of the Hudson's
Bay Company were held by the natives, was attbrded on this sad
occasion. Two boys, sons of one of the Officers, who were under
the care of Dr. Whitman, for tuition, were called forth by name as
the massacre began, and from the very presence of the poor lady
who a moment after fell a victim. They were taken charge of by
the chief, and sent on horseback, under escort, to the adjacent
post of the Company at Walla Walla. Subsequently th? late Chief
Factor Peter Skeen Ogdcn, who with the present .Sir James Douglas
at that time superintended the affairs of the Columbia Department,
ransomed from the Indians, and thus probably saved the lives, of
a number of American immigrants who had been made captives.

It is of interest, however, to notice how all these matters dove-
tail with each other. The existence of British Columbia as a Col-
ony — an event that sooner or later must of course have occurred —
was directly hastened by the event related. Debarrcil for the time
from our usual access to the sea, by the Columbia River, through
the war that existed between the American Government and tho
Indians — known locally as the Coyooic War — we were comi)elled,
in 1848, to force our way to the Coast by the line of the Fraser, in
order to import the annual supplies for the Interior. Fortunately,
as if by prophetic anticipation, routes in this direction had been
explored during the summers of 1840 and 1S47. 15y one of tiicsc,
striking the Eraser at the point above Yale where the Alexaudni

J (

INDIANS AND INDIAN MIUSIONH.

all Diitisionury cutcrpriHC, upon the line of tlic (.'olumbin
Hiver, hn8, I believe, been confined to the Kumuii (.'utholicH.
On the J'enii' oreiln! tributary, near the Jlountlury Jjino, u
•leHuit niiuHion has been in operutiou fur uiuny years,
through whieh iiiiifh good has been cflft'eti;d — u Bystciu of
ruiuuiou-labour, under e8tublished ruloH, being partly the
foundation of success. As fur back us 1S42, the late Kight
Reverend iiishup "Deniers — then u priest, and afterwards
K. C Bishop ui the Diocese — passed a winter under the
writer's roof at Alexandria, where u rude church was erected
under his supervision by the natives: and at present, at dif-
ferent points there are mission-stations conducted by clergy
of tlio various denoniinutionH, whose labours, it may be
hoped, are more or less encouraged by success.

I have thought it pntper, even at the risk of being tt'diou«»,
to dwell at some length upon this topic, ni (»rder t;j dispel
the impression that appears to have gone abrund, that the
Natives of British Columbia are in a eunditioti of unmitigated
barbarism — than which no statement can bo njore fallacious.
That the large majority of the Coast Indians arc, morally, in
a very degraded con ition, may not be cofieenled : but there
is nothing in their eonduct to ju.stify the fabulous talcs of wan-
ton blood-thirst, as against the whites, that liave been lately
promulgated. Thievish, and deplorably iieentiuus in th«ir
habits, as they doubtless arc, they have been over-awed by
the law J and tin; seeds, at least, of nieral improvement —
tardy and remote though the growth may *'% and impeded
by the corruptions promoted by the lower grades of the
eivilizcd race — have been cast among them. Nor let this
consideration be received with sneering incredulity. Precept
and example are never without effect, albeit sl(jw, and at first
imperceptible. The (jood is perceived : and though, as with

BrldKc now spans tlic river, we succeedod in prtiotrnting to the
ilcpot nt Foil Liuit;lcy — niui tliciicefoiw.ini, at liisl hy iliis roiito
iind subsequptitly \<y tlie way of llupc ami the valley of the Siinil-
kuiiiecn, the trnn.-'port coiitinued to be pcrforiiieil — the prelude to
Vbe great Hues of couiniunication wUUh have since been perfected.

INDIANS AND INDIAN MI8HIUNtf.

the heathen Poet of old, it niny not ut once bo prnetisetl, the
leaven hus hecn introduced which, with time, inuHt operate.

Upon the superior character of the Interior tribes I have
already remarked, and need not cx])atiate. Yet even to
those, in common with the others, the most groundless
charges have been applied — even to that ofcanni/xifimn, if wo
may judge from the reviewer's comujents. The revolting
charge may be unhesitatingly contradicted : the " brave and
blood-thirsty cannibal," the bug-bear held out to " unfortu-
nate stray settlers," does not exist hero. The only instnneo
that might in any way countenance the shamefu' ar cuaation
that I evQr knew, took place, or was reported to ha^ • *ak».n
place, many years ago at Fort George, in the remote iitcrior;
where an Indian, whose name I have forgotten, ,mn s I'd to
have had recourse to the horrible expedient, to 8a"c life
while f . ag in the mountains. The Indian thus a. 'ised,
^'^wovcr, was regarded as a kind of pun'ah by t'le rt« i ; and
by the voyageurs, with a pious horror, was d^-signatd tho
Miinyrur Jc momfr^ and scrupulously shunned. Other cases
may possibly have occurred, under similar circumstances ;
but this is the only one that ever came under my individual
notice — and I have witnessed at times, and sometimes haply
had it ill my power to alleviate, miseries of famine which,
if au^^lit might questionably excuse the revolting expedient,
might indeed have justified it IJut, for the honor o'' human
nature in its primitive state, I am proud to say the vile
temptation was resisted, with a persistency of pliysieal endu-
rance which, witness the records of history, is not too strongly
characteristic of our own boasted civilization.

Nevertheless, there was formerly a superstitious custom
among the natives of tho Coas*:, not yet, possibly, quite ex-
tinct ill i)arts, which, under an exaggerated or malevolent view,
might be urged to countenance tlie charge. This custom is
analogous in character, if not identical with, a prnetiec (f
which we read, whether fabulously or ot I do not profess to
determine, as having existed among certain European na-

100

IJNDlANf AMD JMDIAIf mSSlOICS.

tioDa — the Lycanthropia of the Ancients, the Loup-yarou of
France, the Persir*. Ghouk, the Teutonic Wehr-wolJ — all,
probably, the result of a simulated ecEtacy of superstitious
origin, resolving itself, at times, into a real phrensy. In the
cuse immediately referred to the object was to constitute
power aa " a Man of Medicine " — equivalent to the African
fetish, or the like. In the Southern parts of Vancouver
Island this assumed wolf-madness took the shape of tearing
living dogs to pieces with the teeth ; among the Bella-bellus
of Milbank Sound of biting pieces of flesh from the arms of
the unresisting bystanders durin^ the progress of the rites ;
and farther North, as I have been assured but never myself
witnessed, of tearing to pieces and even partially devouring
a sacrificed slave. Revolting as the statement may appear,
it will be estimated at its full value, if employed to sustain
a charge which, ignorantly or presumptuously advanced, has
been only too credulously accepted.

The di£Perence to which I have several times adverted as
existing between the natives of the Interior districts and the
occupants of the Coast, in customs, character, and language,
indicates unmistakably a diversity of origin. The natives
of what I have termed the "Debatable Land" — those occu-
pying the line intermediate between the Coast and the
Interior — are obviously of mixed extraction through inter-
marriage, and participate in the characteristics of both races.
It is, however, aside from my purpose to enter into particu-
lars regarding this question, which is one rather for the
ethnologist than the general enquirer. Nevertheless, as
regards the several tribes that fringe the Northern Coast ot
the Continent, from the borders of California up to Cook's
Inlet, where they interlock with the Western Esquimaux, I
may state the conclusion at which we may, I think legiti-
mately arrive : namely, that they originate from the west-
ward — from Japan, the Kuriles, and elsewhere. There are
many points of physical resemblance, with probably remote
traces of customs, which indloftte the origin of fom< of them.

UfDIANS AMD INDIAN MISSIONS.

101

at least, from Japan. Whether the immigration in the re-
mote . past has been voluntary or fortuitous, it is of course
vain to conjecture : but the possibility of the latter supposi-
tion has been convincingly established, even within the limit
of my own experience. For in 1834, in consequence of
Indian rumours which had reached the Columbia River
during the preceding winter, a vessel was despatched from
Fort Vancouver to Queen-ha-ilth,* south of Cape Flattery,
to enquire into the circumstances of a reported wreck.
Captain McNeill, the Commander, on arriving there, found the
remnants of a Japanese junk, and purchased from the natives
a quantity of pottery and other articles that had forned por-
tions of her cargo. He likewise brought away three Japanese,
the survivors of a crew originally consisting, as vc under-
stood, of forty ; the rest having perished at sea, of hunger.
It appeared that, having been dismasted in a typhoon and
lost their reckoning, the junk had drifted for many months
until at length stranded. Since then frequent mention has
been mads of disabled junks having been encountered at sea
in the North Pacific, by whalers, and the survivors of the
crews rescued from their perilous condition. All these were
more or less advanced in their drift towards the American
Continent. On board one of them was found, among other
merchandise, about 12,000 pounds of Beeswax. This cir-
cumstance affords the clue whereby the nationality of another
junk wrecked long ago upon the Coast, near the mouth of
the Columbia River, can be inferentially established. A
tradition of this existed when the first traders settled there
in 1810; and some of the crew were said to have reached the
shore alive. This tradition, however, derived direct corrob-
oration from the fact, that quantities of beeswax were con-
stantly found in the sands at Clatsap, on the southern shore
of the estuary — the indicated point of shipwreck. As late
as 1855, indeed, after violent storms, cakes of the wax, re-

* This, or its im'nediate vicinity, was the scene of the destruction
of th« *'Tonquin," and massacre of the crew, in 1811. See Fran-
chdre'f travels, and Attoria, by Washington Irving.

'! :

102

INDIANS AND INDIAN MISSIONS.

taining their origiDal form and quite uncorroded by time,
were still occasionally discovered — the sole difference obserr-
able between it and the recent substance being, that it was
of a finer quality, harder, and partially bleached by exposure.*
Withal, the race has greatly diminished in numbers since
their contact "vith Europeans. One tribe, the Chinooks of
the Lower Columbia River, — numerous when first I knew
them, — has almost entirely vanished : and along the North-
ern Coast a constant diminition is perceptible, more especially
among those who have immediate intercourse with the
Whites. For this, divers obvious causes may be assigned.
The occasional devastation by epidemics, such as small-pox,
is one : of this last-mentioned disease, however, the spread
has been much diminished of late by vaccination. A second
fertile cause has been, doubtless, the supply of intoxicating
liquors — deleterious if not positively poisonous compounds —
by unscrupulous men of the lowest and the laziest class. The
laws established for the prevention of this offence, both
within the Province and in the adjacent Territory of the
United States, are stringent, and every effort is made to
enforce them : nevertheless constant evasions occur ; and it
has been seriously mooted whether, if it be found impracti-
cable to suppress the nefarious traffic entirely, it might not
be prudent to legalise it under due restrictions. Upon this
vexed question I am not called upon at present to advance
an opinion. It will doubtless soon come under the notice of
the Federal Government; and be decided either in the way
proposed, or by the adoption of suppressive measures mors
cogent in their character, and more eflSciently carried out,
than those at present in operation. A third and last cause
may be only passingly adverted to : the physical contamina-
tion which a degraded and licentious intercourse carries with
it, against which no laws can provide. Yet, even among
some of the interior races, and while still their communi-
tion with the Whites was very limited, a mysterious decay
was apparent, referrible to none of the causes mentioned.

* See Appendix H-2.

STATE OF SOCIETY.

103

Pulmonary aifections were the form in which the decay of
the vital power was manifested in the children : and each
successive generation showed a greater ratio of deaths,
chiefly of C'tnfirme phthis A great change in the ordi-
nary habits of life might bo suggested ns the most obvious
cause of this degeneration. The substitution, among many,
of European clothing for the primitive dress of skins, alter-
nated at times with unwonted exposure through uncertainty
of supply, might well induce, in part, the effect noted. But,
while noting the general effect that has resulted, it is bootless
to speculate too narrowly as to the cause.

It may possibly be considered by some, that I have dwelt
with too much minuteness upon the subject of which we will
now take leave. But its importance in considering the con-
dition of the Province is, I trust, an adequate excuse. The
amelioration of the native race, moreover, is a proposition
not to be lightly ignored. While asserting for ourselves the
privileges of civilization, we assume also its responsibilities :
and whether in our relations as a (jrovernment, or as individ-
uals, it is necessary that these responsibilities should be kept
in view.

The question of the general condition of society within
the Province has been very summarily dismissed in the text.
I might here repeat emphatically the expressions already
used, and thus convey the only contradiction which I might
condescend to give to the disparaging insinuations which
have been published. But I am not to constitute myself tip'
apologist of the British Coluiubians against every absurd
attack ; and they would, indeed, be little thankful to me for
the exercise of a chivalry so superfluous. 1 will confine
myself, therefore, to a brief notice of some of the circum-
stances that have contributed to the establishment in this
young community, of a degree of order and respect for the
law, which among eye-witnesses has excited general almira-
tion. In 1858, as I have before casually meutioned, Victoria

I !!

104

STATB OF soorerr.

wa8 suddenly awakened from a previous trance by the influx
of successive crowds of eager immigrants, attracted by the
report of the gold-discoveries on the Fraser. A vast and
motley assemblage was soon collected in the hitherto tranquil
vicinage. How many there really may have been cannot be
correctly estimated. I have set the number down vaguely at
20 or 30 thousand — there were probably more : and among
them, it is needless to add, there was no small proportion of
turbulent characters, each armed with his bowie-knife or his
revolver, and generally disposed to set the restraints of the law
at defiance. Into this crowd of desperadoes the constable —
for primitive Victoria boasted,! believe, but of one — proceed-
ed to arrest an offender. No personal injury was done to the
minion of the law, but as a matter of course his prisoner was
rescued by the surrounders. Governor Douglas, receiving
notice of this occurrence late in the evening, at once denpatched
a message to Captain — the present Admiral — Richards, then
at Esquimau in command of H.M.S. Plumper. In less than an
hour afler the receipt of the Governor's message, the Plumper
steamed into Victoria Harbour. The marines were landed, and,
after a very orief interval of search, the rescued prisc^ner was
re-arrested by the Civil arm, and before midnight was safely
lodged in the bastion of the old Fort — the prison of the period.
The firm, yet quiet, assertion of the law on this occasion had
at once a salutary effect. Afterwards, when the machinery
for maintaining public order was fully organised, all difficul-
ties gradually disappeared. I might here pay a tribute of
acknowledgment, personal to those who have been instrumen-
tal in carrying out the laws ; but good taste warns me to
refrain. Yet I may safely say, that to the unflinching rigour
of the juduciary, and the energy of the stipendiary magistracy,
the good results are mainly due : and I may add that the
good sense and law-abiding sentiment of the majority of the
population, have co-operated to the desirable end. No extreme
measinrs, such as the e.KJgciicies of society have at times de-
manded elsewhere, have here been requisite. Ail haft

CAW8SS or PAW BETARDATIOir.

10ft

b«en conducted with an order and a propriety such as
one P'^'^ht expect to ^ritness in an older country ; and al-
though a sprinkling of bad characters may Htill remain,
the majority find it expedient to quit a scene where their evil
deeds cannot be exercised openly with impunity. The good
understanding, too, which has always existed between the
local Government and the United States authorities, our neigh-
bours — with the Ex-tradition Treaty and the facilities afforded
by the electric telegraph — has aided reciprocally in promoting
the maintenance of order in both communities. I am glad to
have the opportunity of referring incidentally to the existence
of this friendly understanding, which no circumstances have
occurred to inteiTupt ; and which, with the constant inter-
communication that subsists, is in all respects mutually benefi-
cial.

At the outset of his comnents on the statements tipon r/hich
he professes to found a judgment, the reviewer remarks that
no country has so signally disappointed expectation as British
Columbia. What the sanguine expectations formed may possi-
bly have been, it is needless to inquire ; but as far as the
gold-yield alone is concerned, the recorded returns for the
last fourteen years elsewhere given — equal to an average of
£30 sterling per annum for every individual of the present
European population — do not surely justify the assertion.
Withal, we may admit, generally, that just expectations have
not been adequately fulfilled : and for this reasons may be
assigned. In the first place the marvellous policy of the Im-
perial Rulers in placing the two sections which compose the
the '""fr.' Province under distinct governments, as separate
Col., e'i, was directly impeditive of success. The puerile
jealousies hence engendered, moreover, continued to exercise a
baneful influence, even after the cause whence they originated
had been removed. A retrograde step is not readily re-
covered : and albeit that a reactive movement had begun
to be manifested after awhile, it was not until a new
impetus had been given by Confederation that positive im-

106

GENERAL PROGRESS ON THE PACIFIC COAST.

provement became a reality. The liberal terms of union agreed
upon, and the energetic measures to fulfil thtm since pursued
by the Administration, have restored that confidence in our
future \fhich had before been shaken. Meanwhile evil reports
had been spread abroad, either from interested motives, or by
disappointed speculators, who abused the land in order to
BCreen their own want of energy or misconduct. Books, too,
of a certain class, were written with a view to the mercenary
penny; and these were seasoned with all manner of exaggera-
tion and mis-statement, in order the better to sell. Yet no
public steps were taken to counteract the misrepresentation ;
and if any one at a distance learnt possibly aught of the truth
about the Country, it was by accident rather than of design.
Even our Gold, large as the yield has been, has never been
credited, in the public records to British Columbia. Shipped
hence to San Francisco, on its way Eastward, it is re-shipped
thence, and reaches England ostensibly as the return of Cali-
ifovnia. So, too, with our noble spars : Oregon Spars have
long had a reputation in the European markets r and because
British Columbia happens to be near to Oregon (or rather to
that division of it now called Washington Territory) her spars
reach England as *' Oregon Spars."* In short, save to the
favoured few, British Columbia seems to stand almost in the
position of an unknown land. The great majority, if asked,
would probably assign it a place "somewhere between the
Equator and the North Pole," and there end the geographical
definition.

Yet wherefore complain of this flagrant ignorance regarding
our own comparatively insignificant Province — insignificant,
that is, save prospectively — when even the vast resources of
California are scarcely recognised ? Few, outside of the mer-
cantile world or the circle of well-read students, realise to
themselves the fact that San Francisco — a paltry village
twenty- five years ago, — is now a city of maritime importance

* Of this fact an amusing illustration recently appeared in one
of the local prints.

EXTENT AND COST OF EXISTING RAILWAYS.

107

equal to that of many famed sea-ports of the Old World — the

mercantile capital of a State of surpassing opulence. In direct

connexion with it, extending northwards, are the thriving

communities of Oregon — itself an opulent State; the Territory

of Washington ; and last, if not least in importance, Briti.sh

Columbia.* To show the large interests developed in these

States on the Pacific slope, if not to gratify the curiosity of the

reader, the following statement, taken from a recent Oregon

newspaper, may not be without interest, nor irrelevant to the

general question.

" According to the latest reports, we now have 2,239 miles

of railroad on the Pacific Coast, constructed and equipped at a

co.st of $174,322,000, as follows : — .

Miles Cost and

completed. Equipment.

California 1,111 $76,002,000

Nevada..... 567 51,500,000

Utah 312 35,400,000

Oregon 199 7,900,000

Washington 50 2,620,000

2,239 $174,322,000"

To this it may be added that, possibly ere these pages meet

the eye of the reader, the extension of the Washington line

will be completed to Olympia, at the head of Puget Sound,

fifteen hours of steamer from Victoria. A continuous railway

system will then be in operation from that point to New York.

It is to be borne in mind that the great results of which these

improvements are indicative, have been produced within the

last quarter-century. Gold, despise it theoretically as we may,

has been the miraculous lever which, symbolical of the wished-

for lever of Archimedes, has raised this new world on the

Pacific from obscurity. Gold, too, has been the primary

means through which British Columbia has been elevated :

is it too much to infer that, with her varied advantages, and

the great enterprises contemplated and in actual progress, a

* I might add Alaska, the Territory on our north-western fron-
tier, recently accruing to the United States by purchase from the
Russians.

106

HPABS OF BRITISH GOLVMBIA.

development proportionate to that witnesed 'cslsewhere likewise
awaits her 7

I mentioned incidentally just now the Spars of British
Columbia ; and I am thereby reminded that, in the tpzt, less
has been said upon this source of wealth than its importance
merits. The tree (Abies Douglasii,* or Douglas Fir of
Lindley) already referred to, which produces the material so
valuable among our Provincial industries, is peculiar to the
northern portion of Oregon, to Washington Territory, and the
greater portion of British Columbia. It is, however, only in
the Coast region that it attains gigantic proportions: elsewhere
it is comparatively small. Stray specimens are found as high as
between five and six thousand feet above the sea-level ; but
these are stunted and sciubby.f In the Appendix will be
found tables illustrative of the tenacity of fibre and flexibility
of this now-celebrated timber, as compared with other similar
woods; § and I subjoin a memorandum with which I have
been recently favoured of the dimensions of the spars usually
prepared for the several markets.

For the French Government masts of very large size are
demanded, varying from 22 ins. to 44 ins. in diameter: for
the English market, generally from 34 ins. down to 11 ins.
In both cases they are dressed octagonally for shipment.
Those from 24 inches downwards, intended for yards, are

* Named by Dr. Lindley in honor of the late David Douglas — a
name too well-known in scientific circles, in connexion with the
botany of the North-west Coast, to require more than mention.
Poor Douglas, after passing some years in the Columbia, at the
Forts of the Hudson's Bay Company, went to the Sandwich Islands,
and lost his life Hawaii. His remains were found, fearfully gored,
in a pit-fall into which he had been accidentally precipitated by
the failure of the ground at the edge, and in which a wild bull had
been previously taken. Curiosity had apparently attracted him to
the treacherous proximity.

+ I state this on the authority of Dr. Lyall, formerly of the
British N. A, Boundary Commission, as given in the proceedings
of the Linnean Society, Vol. VII. I do not remember having my-
self remarked these trees at so grdat an elevation.

\ See Appendix E-2.

■A2f JUAX QUKMTION.

109

k the

lings

my-

Idings

cdt ID the ratio of 4 feet of length to the inch of diameter:
the larger sizes, for masts, in the proportion of 3 feet to the
inch. For the China market the sizes required are about
the same as those for England; but these last are generally
shipped in their natural proportions, the bark only being
taken off. To complete the cargoes, the ships usually carry
large quantities of plank, sawn expressly for decks, which
are supplied,free from knot^, from 20 to 100 feet in length.

From the above an estimate may be formed of the
stupendous growth of the Douglas Fir in the coast vicinage ;
and, in connexion with the test of the quality of its timber
elsewhere given, of its value in a mercantile point of view.
In further illustiation I add Iho following extract, which I
find quoted from a London paper, of date some ten years
back. " Since our last a further example of this tree has
arrived at the International Exhibition, from British Colum*
bia. It consists of ten horizontal sections of that tree, 309
feet high, to which we formerly alluded, and of which a
drawing has been suspended in the building. They are
about to be displayed in the Court of British Columbia, and
serve to show unmistakably what a noble tree this is, and
how superb an ornament as well as inexhaustible source of
wealth to the two. Colonies." — [Viz.: British Columbia and
and Vancouver Island, at that time separate.]

Before concluding, it may perhaps be expected that I
should say a few words respecting the Island of San Juan,
which, in view from the house-tops of Victoria, and in close
proximity with Vancouver Island, has always been claimed
by the British as a dependency, in common with all the
archipelago lying west of the Strait of Rosario. An un-
fortunate ambiguity in the wording of the Treaty of 1846,
usually called the Oregon Treaty, has, however, led to an
international dispute as to what interpretation is to be put
upon the meaning of the framers, by the term *^ dividing
channel"; the British having always understood thereby the
Rosario Strait, the only ship-channel navigated at the time ;

110

HAN JUAN Qr:E8TI0N.

the UDited States contending, more recently, fur that since
Burvoyed, and now known to be practicable, called the Strait
of Arro — immediately contiguous to the main island of
Vancouver. In 1859 the dispute came to a crisis; the
American General in command in Oregon having landed a
military force and thus claimtd their asserted rights. At
first the matter wore rather » threatening aspect for the
international peace. The prudence of the British Admiral
on the station, Sir Robert L. Baynes, however, prevented a
collision, which the proceeding was only too well calculated to
provoke. A Company of the Royal Marine Light Infantry
was landed at another point in assertion of the British claim.
Subsequently the disavowal by the American Government of
the action of their General, and his removal from the com-
mand, remedied to some extent the soreness that was at first
experienced. Since then, by joint consent, both parties
have maintained the occupation ; and it is gratifying to
know that the relations between the rival commands have
been invariably of the most cordial nature. This strange
condition of things, however, is about to terminate. By the
Treaty of Washington of 1870 the case has been referred
ior arbitration >u the Emperor of Germany, whose decision
may be shortly expected. In pursuance of this subject I
need only quote the following words from a recent speech of
the Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. Maedonald.
" That [the San Juan question] is settled in a way that no
one can object to. I do not know whether many honorable
members have ever studied that question. It is a most
interesting one, and has long been a cause of controversy
between the two countries, I am bound to uphold, and I
do uphold, the British view respecting the channel which
forms the boundary, as the correct one. The United States
Government were, I believe, as sincerely convinced of their
own case. Both believed they were in the right, both were
firmly grounded in that opinion; and such being the case
thero was only one way of it, and that was to leave it to be

END.

Ill

settled by impartial arbitration. ♦*******♦*♦*•*♦
Whatever the deeisioii may be — whether for England or
aj^ainst her — you may be satisfied tliat you will get a most
learned and careful judgment in tlic matter, to which wo
must bow if it is against u.-^, and to which I am sure the
United States will bow if it is against them."* Here, thcL*
tbo matter stands, pending the Emperor's decision.

The writer must conclude with a personal explanation —
at no time a graceful act, but which under the circum-
stances seems inevitable. The distant reader, for whom
alone such explanation will be necessary, may possibly en-
quire as to the conditions which justify the writer in ad-
vancing, at timed, unqualified opinions upon certain subjects^
to render which of authentic value, long experience, and
peculiar opportunities for observation, must be pre-esta-
blished. To forestal all probable conjecture on this point
he may at once state, that since his youth, for the last forty
years — more than two-thirds of his life-tlnic — he has been a
sojourner in various parts within the vast angle included by
the Columbia River, and the llocky Mountains: first as a
Clerk, then as a Chief-Xradcr and Wintering-Partner, of the
Hudson's Bay Company under tlio old rejimc; and after-
wards as a rather unsettled " settler" — till for some years
past near Victoria, where he is uow, probably, permanently
at home. Thus there arc few nooks, within the area in
question, which he has not either visited in person, or of
which he has not indirectly acquired a knowledge. In
treating the subject the retrospect has been at times a painful
one: for if, as may be imagined, during the earlier period

* Speech of yir John A. Miicdoualil, K.C.B., ia ihe lIou3e of
Coniuious of Canada. 3id May, 1872.

112

INt>.

be may have passed some aoxioas intervals amid the scenes

he has attempted to describe, ho has also spent very many

happy days, of which the memory alone remains to him.

Nc8aun niRKgior dolore,
Che ricordarsi del tempo felice
Nella miaeria. —

Nevertheless, he has the consolation to think, that the

region of his former wanderings, already the scene of the

active industries of civilisation, will ere long teem with a

numerous and happy population: and if to this end the

foregoing pages shall anywise tend to contribute, ho feels

that he will at least not have been without usefulness in

his generation.

ROSXBANR, YlOTOBIA, B. C,
Augu$t, 1872.

icenes
f mauy
im.

lat the
of the
with a
Dd the
10 feels
oess in

APPENDIX.

J i

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX A.

Extract from a Memorandum hy the late James M. Yalc^
Esquire, formerly of the Ilrds&n's Bay Company, relatiny
to the Eraser River Salmon.

" I believe, and think it may be asserted as a fact, that none of
the several kinds of Salmon, including Hones, entering Fraser
River and the smaller streams, ever return to the sea. The largo
and superior kind called by the natives Sd-quy (Kase of the text)
enter the river in May or June, but do not, it would seem, make so
great a rush to reach the end of their course as the smaller kind,
called by the Quaitlins Suck-ky (To/o of the text). This species
enter the river generally about the beginning of July, and are fol-
lowed in September, some seasons earlier, by the Sa-wen (Fall
Salmon), paler in color of flesh and somewhat larger *han the
Suck-ky. When taken in season they are found to be an excellent
fish. With these come, late in autumn, a few of large size nailed
Pague, differing from the Sa-quy only in their flesk being whiter,
head smaller, and body broader in proportion. Another whitc-
fleshed fish call' J Qua-lo, having the external parts broadly striped
or barred with a pale yellowish greea and a dark brownj color,
some years enter Fraser River in great plenty, and are nearly equal
in size to the Sa-quy. They have more the resemblance of the
other Salmon, and are a bei ter flavored fish than the Ilunnuna (or
Hones)."

Mr. Yale, the writer of the above remarks, was for many years
in command at Fort Langley, near the entrance of Fraser River,
and had therefore peculiar, opportunities for observation, as re-
garded the Lower River.

APPENDIX B.

Exports from Alhcrni, Barclay Sound, in the year 1862.

Rough Lumber, T, 804, 000 foot $85,844 00

Dressed do. 270,000 feet 5,400 CO

Four cargoes Spars, value 28,G'3'3 00

Oil, 5,000 gallons @ 40 certs 2,000 00

Furs and Skins 1,000 00

$122,917 00
The working of these mills has since been suspended.

ii. APPENDIX.

APPENDIX C.

Lcclared Value of Exports of Lumher from tJie Province of
British dlumhia in the year 1871.

To England, 1 sbip (including Spars $2,000) $4,C72 00

To the Coloniog ;

New South Wales, 3 ships 8,904 00

New Zealand 1 ,, 5,100 00

Victoria 3 ,, 13,596 00

Cape of Good Rope 1 ,, (including Spars $500) 3,538 00

To Foreign Countries :

Batavia 1 ,, 4,823 OC

Chili 10 „ (including Spars $1,100) .. 59,671 00

China 6 „ 20,402 00

Peru 10 ,, 49,742 00

Sandwich Islands 4 ,, (portions of cargoes) 5,784 00

United States 258 00

TOTAI, 40 ships $182,490 00

APPENDIX D.

Declared Amount of Shipments of Coal in the year 1871
(Value at the wharf $Q per ton).

TONS.

To San Francisco 13,704

Portland, Oregon 1,632

Port Townsend, Washington Territory 162

Honolulu, Sandwich Islands 4,860

Tons 20,358

Value.. $122,148
Shipped for Home Consumption.

TONS.

To Victoria (approxioiate' amount) 5,300

Casual supplies to Steamers (ditto) 4,150

Approximation from f Tons 9,450

the data of 6 months \ Value... $50,700

Total 29,808 Tons, Value $178,848

The above statement is from the Custom-House Returns ; the
following, since published, is taken from the British Colonist new»-
J)apcr. la both the British ton of 2,240 lbs. is intended.

. APPENDIX. ^ ijj

San Francisco tons cwt.

Honolulu 14,135 00

Macallan " 1,300 00

Portland "//.* 600 00

Oonalaska 597 10

Victrria ......." 332 00

Steamers calling.*,*.".'.'* 4,601 00

New Westminster... 3,981 00

41 00

Total «- -q^ ,„

T. . . , 25,587 10

npon'coaVe^trr!:^ tt UnitSltltLf"* 'f "^^^ *^« -P-* ^-^7
from $1.25 to 75 cents ner ton !> .''•'°»-''-
apparent is doubtless in som?',^. "^ ^^"^ increased demand
coal enters free of dutj ' ascribable. Anthracite

APPENDIX E.

Declared Value of E.port. of Furs, OR, cC.., in tJ^e year
ending December, l^n. ''"^ y^<^^

Furs .....
Fish Oil

Wool

Hides

Fish

Tallow....

• ••«•••■•«

$246,387

22,440

10,875

4,197

14,584

i '

IV. APPENDIX.

APPENDIX F.

• Shipment of Gold, product of tht British Columbia Klines
during the ijcar \'61\.

January $109,898 26

Februar:, 57,309 97

March 64,583 01

April 56,779 50

May 134,360 36

Juno 102,302 32

July 82,681 13

Au>?ust 149,023 48

September 138,184 90

October 128,409 47

NovptTib,-r 158,304 81

December 107,743 62

Total $1,349,580 83

As under : —

Wells, Fargo, & Co i?:372,408 11

Bank of British North America 383,645 87

Bank of British Columbia 593,526 85

$1,349,580 83

Previous Shipments : —

1858 $ 337,765 00

1859 1,211.339 00

1860 1.303;329 00

1861 1,6,16,870 00

1862 2,167,183 00

6,656,486 00

1863 "i . . ,

.„„. [ Approximate.

1865 I •^° separate returns 5,688,741 00

1866 1,625,311 19

1867 1,850,051 04

1868 1,780,587 08

1869 1,324,871 84

1870 1,002,717 65

7,584,138 80

Grand Total $21,278,946 63

The foregoing may be accepted as a correct Return as far as the
records show: but it does not convey a just impression of the
whole gold-produce of the Country, owing to the"j large amounts
taken away in private hands, the aggregate of which it is impossi-
ble to estimate. For this statement I am indebted to F. Garesche
Esq., Ageut in Victoria of Messrs. Wells, Fargo, & Co. '

APPENDIX.

il 13

c»

1-H ^

^ Oi

. •

^0 O

S 00

5^ .-^

^"g

|2!

'S'^

e/~ so

o^oq

•<

S) ii

O CO

-< §

.=<» '^

«*- o

fiq 1

Tl. APPENDIX.

APPENDIX H.

Hates of Wages current in Victoria, May, 1872.

Carpenters, $3.50 to $3.15 per diem. •

Blacksmiths, '\

Bricklayers, [-$5 to $6 per diem.

Plasterers, &c j

Female Servants: Nursemai'3,$12 to $15; Cooks, &c., $20 to $25

per month.
Men-servants (Chinese), $20 to $25 per month.
Laborers, scarce at $30 to $35 per mouth, with board.

APPENDIX I.

Rates of Passage.

By Seilinp; Ship, from England to Victoria, Cabin, £60 (n>, £70
(120 to 160 days). 2nd do. £30 @ £35

By Steamer, via Panama, from Now York to San Francisco (about
3 weeks) :

Cabin, $100 Currency = to about $90 in gold.

Steerage 50 ,, = ,, 45 ,,

By Steamer, from San Francisco to Victoria (3 to 4 days) :

Cabin $30 in gold.

Steerage 15 ,,

By Rail, from Chicago to San Francisco (about 7 days) :

First Class $118 Currency = to about $106 in gold.

2nd Class 85 ,, = ,, 76.60 „

And about $25 Currency for meals, beds, &c.

Exchange.

£20 deposited in London would at present be worth, payable in
in Victoria, $4.85 per £ Sterling ; i. e. would buy a draft payable
in Victoria at sight for $97.

Interest.

Money is worth from 9 to 12 per cent, per annum, with good
security— say an average of 10 per cent. For temporary loans of
small amount, higher rates can be obtained.

to $25

^ £70
) £35
about

gold.
))

gold.
n

gold.

le in
'^ablo

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX K.

TiL

^^m/lf i/'^'T^y^,"^ ^'Oister I'cpi at Fort McLougWn,
</mH^ Me j^ears 1833-34-35. y -^ o xv r,,

1833.
September ..

October

November....
December....
1834.

January

February ....

March ,

April ,

May ,

June

. July

August

September ...

October

November

December ...
1835.

January

February

Fahrenheit's
Thermc meter.

Mean. Max. Min

57°47^

48 69
45 00

37 82

28 00

38 00
40 00

49 00
53 00
60 00
60 00
62 00
60 00
52 00
46 00

37 00

36 00

38 00

March |38 00

April
May.
June
July..

43 00
48 00
56 00
58 00

42=

48
54
49
51
64
80
71

Rainy
Days.

5°
30
31
48
48
55
56
63
63
47
38
26

32
22
35
39
38
49
51

4
12*

5
15
22
11
12
17
16
25
19
12

18
11
25
27
18
13
10

Min. at sunrise 0*. A-
bout 6 inches snow
during greater part
of mouth.

* A sprinkling of snow
for a few days.

[casional snows.
Min. at sunrise 26°_ Oc-
Occasional snows.
Do. do.

Do.

do.

Assuming the mean of the month of August, 1834, to comnlete
if 4ftoT/' ^l\ '^l^ove Observations show a mean for the two yea a
Fahln>, \ T'^r ;i«t^^™'*l line of the mean annual heat om'
fntermpr.; t""'* 'A"f*^"'' be assumed to strike the Coast at some
intermediate point between this and New Westminster-probably
about the northern end of Vancouver Island. The ob«ervat?on3
from which the foregoing abstra.. was made were commenced b^
the writer, and coutmued by Dr. W. F. Tolmie, now of Victoria

food

3 of

• ••

VUl.

APPENDIX.

Abstract of Meteorological Observations taken on loan! ILr
Majestt/^s Ship Topazc, at Esquimalt, Vaiicouvcr Island.

Quarter ending 30th June, 1860.

April, mean daily heat 61°50Fahrn.

May ,, ,, 55 25

June ,, ,, Gl 00

Mean of the Quarter 55° 59

July „ ,, 60°50

August ,, , 63 25

September,, ,, 67 25

Mean of the Quarter CO" 33

October ,, ,, 53°00

November,, ,, 50 50

December ,, ,, 42 00

Mean of the Quarter 48° 60

1861.

January ,, ,, 38°00

February ,, ,, 44 50

March ,, ,, 46 00

Mean of the Quarter 42° 83

Mean Ilcat of the Year 51° 81

The above Abstract is taken from an Essay on Vancouver Island
by Dr. Charles Forbes, R. N., published in Victoria in 1802. In
the same work other tables arc given relating to Observations on
land, butwilhout the authoritifs. These, however, contain obvious
discrepancies, and I do not therefore reproduce thera. In those the
minimum of temperature noted is 14t degrees of Fahrenheit, the
highest 84°, at 2 p.m. The last, given as a niaxinuim, and as oc-
curring on the 2Cth June— certainly not a hot month — difl'ers so
widely from the observations of others, as to shake my confidence
in the whole series.

Ta le of Meteorological Obarvaiions taken bt/ orrler of Col.
R. C. Mondy, R.E., at the station of the Roi/al Engineers
vt New Westminsttr^ B. C., m the year 18GU.

Latitude 49° 12' W 5 N. Longitude 122° 53' 19 W.

INCHES.

The highest reading of the Barometer,

corrected for temperature, was 30.517 9th February.

The mean height, do., do., at 9.30 a.m. 29.983
Do. do. do. do. at 3.30 P.M. 29.963
The lowest do. do 29.071 22nd January. .

Al'I'ENDIX.

IX.

OEORRES.

Max. temp, in fwu's rnys (blnck bulb)... 104.0 29th August.

Do. do. of Air, ill simile 88.5 do.

Do. do. do. do
Do. do. do. do

Mean temp, of Air in s

<lo.

Min. temp, of Air in ■<!

Do.

do.

Min. tcmj). on the Gin
(JreatCit amount of Hi
Mcau do. (

Do. do. (

Least do. (

The cistern of the B.i

(•..30 A.M.

3. .30 I'.M.

hnd(> ...

n..3o A.M.

.3.30 P.M.

liido

!• .30 A.M.

3.30 P.M.

nnidity
lo.

0.30 A M.

lo.

3.30 P.M.

lo.

73.9 23rd July.
8(i.0 28th August.
46.8
51.5

2.0 below zero, 15 Jan.
CO loth January.
15.0 below zero, 16 Jan.
1.000
,842
.772
.320

Jaromcter is about 54 feet above the level of
the sea. All the observations were made at 9.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.
daily throughout the year.

There were slight frosts nearly every night in the month of April,
and once ;n May (16th) ; they did not recommence until the 0th of
October. The severe frosts of January and February have been un-
known for many years.

Thunder and Lightning occurred on the 24th May, 24th July,
and 22nd, 20th, and 30th August.

Table shewing the depth of rain, the number of days on which
it fell, the mean humidity (9.30 a.m. and 3 30 p.m.), mean temper-
ature of the air in shade, and the lowest temperature on the grass
in each mouth.

THERSIOMETER. Mill.

Inches. Davs; IIUTniOity, 0.30 a.m. 3. SO p.m. ongruns;

3.480 9 ^

.Tanunry .

February... 5.727 8

March 5.830 17

April 2.345 14

Way 3.475 13

June 2.760 10

July 2.700 12

August 2.930 ...... 8

September. 1.625 9

October 4.005 10

Kovember.. 4.050 8

December.. 7.it90 17

• ■ • • •

. .855 ....

.. 19.0

. 23.0 ...

.. -15.0

. .815 ....

.. 30.3

. 34.2 ...

.. 2.0

. .862 ....

.. 38.0

. 41.7 ...

.. 23.0

. .707 ....

.. 45.5

. 51.3 ....

.. 26.0

. .718 ....

.. 57.1

. 62.1 ...

.. 31.5

. .712 ....

.. 02.7

.67.1 ...

.. 40.0

.713 ....

.. 63.2

. 07.7 ...

.. 44.0

.787 ....

.. 03.5

. 00.8 ....

.. 43.0

. .751 ....

.. 58.4

. 62.7 ...

.. 33.5

. .800 ....

.. 40.3

. 52.9 ....

.. 23.0

.038 ....

.. 37.0

. 41.7 ....

.. 22.0

.948 ....

.. 36.7

. 39.7 ....

.. 18.5

Total 47.466 135

Rain fell on 8 days when the wind was South, -1 -S.W., 3 — W.,
5— N.W., 8— N.E., 43 E., 26 S.E., and 38 when calm

The greatest fall of rain in 24 hours measured 2.260 inches, and
was on the 20th March. The average fall for every day of the year
was 0.130 inches, and for each wet day it was 0.352.

The amount of Ozone this year was very small, its mean daily
number would be represented by .3 on the scale, and it seldom ex-
ceed 6. During the greater part of October, November, and Decem-
ber there was little indication of its presence. In November and
the early part of December there were heavy fogs, during which
there was no Ozone. -

APPENDIX.

CCMPAIUSON OP MKAN UEHIJLT8 FOB THRKE YKAR3.

Yoara

K»

in.

.111
Toiiipi'

IlltUIl!.

Min.

Ull

KMkHH,

Hum

Idity.

Mean lii'iKlit uf
Hardinitcr.

illclieH

iliiyH

9.:i0A.M

49.0

48.8
46.8

3.30 |>.M

9.30A.M

3.S0P.M

9.30A.M

20.942
29.943
29.983

3.30 P. M

1860
1861
1802

('i().4H.'>
4T.4li«

i.n

164
136

54.0
62.2
61.2

52.6

15.5

10.0

-16.0

.847
.764
.842

.VfiO
.854
.772

29.919
29.8H9
3U.0*i3

Moans

54.124

l.'iO

48.6

.818

.797

29.056

20.924

Uiiin was more equally distributed throughout all the montha
this year than in 18G() or l8(jl.

In the winter months, January to March, and October to Decem-
ber, 31.G82 inches of rain fell in 18G2, 41.230 in IBGl, and 40.58G
in 1800. In the remaining months 15.785 inches fell in 18G2,
19.2,')5 in IHGl, and 13.834 in 18G0.

The prevailing direction of the wind during rain in each year
was K. and S.K. The absolute limiting nights of frost in the three
years were nearly the same.

THE FRASKR RIVER AT NEW WESTMINSTER.

Year.

1860
1861
1862

Ili),'llCMt

Itvel.

12tli .hini'

8tli .liino

14th Juno

Lowci't
levol.

:i)iflvi»!ii('o

of levol .

4tli Mar.
nth Mar.
10th April

10.5 foot
9.5 foot

10.6 foot

Rcninrks.

22 May to 12 Au>;. ships diil not swing to

19 May to 10 Aug. ilitto. [the flood tide.

1 May to 2 Sopt . ditto^

Ice appeared on the 1st January, 1862, and the river at New
Wostmnister was unnavigable on the 4th ; it was completely frozen
over on the Oth, and the ice attained a thickness of 13 inches in
the channel opposite the R. E. Camp, on the 12th of February.
Sleighs were running from Langley to several miles below New
Westminster, and persons walked from Hope to the latter place, a
distance of 80 miles, on the ice, at the end of January. Lake Har-
rison and the other Lakes were frozen. Navigation from New
Westminster was open to the mouth of the river on the 11th of
March, and from Yale on the 12th April. Again on the 5th of De-
cember, there was ice in the river at New Westminster for one day.
Ii\ January, 18G1, there was ice at New We?lminster, but the navi-
gation to the mouth of the river was not impeded. In 18G0 there
was no ice.

The observations were taken by 2nd Corporal P. J. Leech and
Lance Corporal J. Conroy, R.E.

(Signed) R. M. Parsons, Captain, R.E.

Ahstrnct of Meteorological Observations talcen at Lillooett^
Fraser River y 1862, hy Dr. II. Featlierstonehaugh.

Fahrenheit.

January. — Average Temperature for 22 days 14° above zero

Do. do. 9 ,, 9° below ,,

Coldest day, 20th 22° ,, ,,

AI'PKNDIX.

Januury. — lIottc9t day 20' above zero

Ten cold windy days, from N.W. to N.E.

Total ntnoiiiit of snow, ut intervals, 28 in.

[N.B. Thin ri'i)rt'HpntH tlio amount of mitiw iih It fell, not iit it liiy
on tlio Kroiitiil lifter l)i'c<iiiiitin ooiii|mcfi'(l. It limy lio iKiiii'il Hint tlio
winter of lSyi-2 wan ono of I'xtrauiillnary Hoverity.J

February. — Average Temperature for 18 days 25° above zero

Do. do. 10 ,, 4° below ,,

Coldest day, Ist r." ,, ,,

Hottest day, 1 Ith 4")° above ,,

lull, heavy rain and thaw ; 4 days heavy rain and thaw,

three cold windy day.s.
Amount of snow fell during the month, 14 inches.

March. — Average Temperature for 31 days 37°

Coldest day, 10th 20° sharp frost

Hottest day, .31st 50°

Three cold windy days ; two rainy da,{s, 14th and 23rd.
Amount of snow fell, 10 inches.

April. — Average Temperature for the month 51°

Coldest day, 4th 31°

Hottest day, 30th 84°

Seven cold windy days ; 14th gale from S.E.

May. — Average Temperature for the month 78°

Coldest day, Gth G4°

Hottest day, llth 100°

Two windy days ; 4 rainy days ; 5th, eight hours heavy
rain.

June. — Average Temperature for the month 81°

Coldest day 60°

Hottest day 104°

Three windy days ; rain fell on 4 days.

July. — Average Temperature for 12 days 07°

Coldest day, 2nd 80°

Hottest day, 5th 106°

August. — (Absent.)

September. — Average Temperature for the month ..81°

Coldest day, 30th 60°

Hottest day, 2nd 98°

Rain fell on 6 days ; 25th, rain and snow ; 5 windy days ;
30th, cold S.E. wind.

October. — Average Temperature for the month 71°

Coldest day 50°

Hottest day 81°

Rain fell on 6 days ; six windy days.

November. — Average Temperature for the month... 48°

Coldest day 30°

Hottest day 56°

Rain fell on two days, 1st and 3rd.

December. — Average Temperature for the month ... 38°

Coldest day, 6tb 25°

Hottest day, 25th 50°

Rain fell on 4 days ; 9th, eigiit hours rain ; five inches
of snow fell during the month.
[The above Abstract is quoted from n work on Diitit>h Colnmbia by tbc Bcv. E.C.

xii.

APPENDIX.

Liindiii nmwn, M.A., MiiiUtiT of St. Miiry'n LlUoopft. By thotorms "Colilont "
ami "Hottest " (liiy, 1 iiiL'suiiin tlio iirti<r-iiiuriiliiiii limit, lit liitoiiiit-i|, LIUiMWtt id
NltiiatiMl III! till' liuilt III' tli(! Kraxur, iiiioiit 40 iiiilt'N iiiinvo tlii< CDiillut-iice of thu
'J'lKiiiipti'iii ill liiititiuit'&it'^ 41' 4U" ; fliViitldii iilxivi- tlio hc.i, tlWJ I'liut, ai* i-Htnbliith-
m\ by tlin OiliLfiH iif tliii Ki>yiii F.n(?liii'i'rM, Siinio <if tho riMiliiiKii I niiiy rmmrk,
am NO cxiMHsivi'ly hi^li um to luuU tu thu cuuclusiuii tUut au allowuiicu vliuulU b«»
mado fur rctltictoU liuut.J

APPENDIX L.

Memorandum of the Terms of Union of the Province of
liritish Columbia with the Dominion of Canada.

Copy op a IIei'oiit of a Committee of the Honorable thb
Piiivy Council.

The Committee of the Privy Council hftve bad under considera-
tion a DcRimtrli, diitt-d tlie 7th Jlay, 1870, from the Governor of
IJritish Columbia, togellicr with certain Ilesolulions submitted by
tlie (iovernment of tiiiit Colony to the Legislative Council thereof
both hereunto annexed, on the subject of the proposed Union of
IJritish (/olumbia with the Dominion of Canada ; and after several
iiitiTview.s betwccu them and the Honourable Messrs. Tiutch, Hel-
mckeii, and Carrnll, the Delegates from British Columbia, and full
discussion with them of the various (lucstions connected with that
important subject, the Committee now respectfully submit for Your
Excc'Ili'ncy\> iijiproval the following Terms and Conditions, to form
tho l)!isis of a Political Union between British Columbia and the
Dominion of Canada : —

1. Can.ida sliali be liable for the Debts and Liabilities of British
Columbia existing at the lime of the Union.

2. British Columbia not haviug incurred debts equal to those of
the other Provinces now constituting the Dominion shall be entitled
t) receive, by half-yearly payments in advance from the General Gov-
ernment, Interest at the rate of live per cent, per annum on tho
diflVrence between the actual amount of its indebtedness at the
date of the Union, and the indebtedness per head of the population
of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ($27 77), the population of
British Columbia being taken at GO, 000.

3. The following sums shall be paid b; Canada to British Col-
umbia, for the support of its Government r.n ' Legislature, to wit,
nn Annual Subsidy of $35,000 and au j\nnu!j Grant equal to 80
cents pc'r head of the said population of i'!\' 00, both half-yearly in
ndvanco, such Grant of 80 cents per head io be augmented in pro-
portion to the increase of population, as may be shewn by each
subsetiuent decennial cpnsus, until the population amounts to 400,-
000, at which rate such Grant shall thereafter remain, it being
understood that the first census betaken in the year 1881.

4. The Dominion will provide an eflicient Mail Service, fort-
nightly, by steam communication between Victoria and San Fran-
cisco, and twice a week between Victoria and Olympia; the Vessels
to be adapted for the conveyance of freight and passengers.

AI'PKNDIX.

Mil.

6. Canada will assume and defray tlic charges fur tho folIuwiti<;
Services : —

A. Salary of the Lieutenant Governor ;

I). Salaries and Allowances of the Judges of tho yiipremc Courts
and tho County or District Courts ;

C. The charges in respect to the Department of Cutsioms ;

D. The Postal and Tel .-jraphic Servii-es ;

E. Protection and Encouragement of Fisheries ;

F. Provision for the Militia ;

G. Lighthouses, Buoys, and Beacons, Shipwrecked Crows,
Quarantine and Marine Hospitals, including a Marine iiuspilul at
Victoria ;

II. The Geological Survey ;

I. The Penitentiary;

And stich further ciiarges as may be incident to and connected
with the services which by the British North America Act of 18G7
appertain to the General Government, and as are or maj be allowed
to the other Provinces.

6. Suitable Pensions, such as shall bo approved of by Her
Majesty's Government, shall be provided by tlie Government ol the
Dominion for those of Her Majesty's Servants in the Colony wliose
position and emoluments derived therefrom would be an'cctcd by
Political changes c-n the admission of British Columbia into tho
Dominion of Canada.

7. It is agreed that the existing Customs Tariff and Excise Duties
shall continue in force in British Columbia until the Hallway from
the Pacific Coast and the system of Railways in Canada are con-
nected, unless the Legislature of British Columbia should sooner
decide to accept the Tariff and Excise Laws of Canada. When
Customs and Excise duties are, at the time of the Union of British
Columbia with Canada, leviable on any Goods, Wares, or Mcrdian-
dizes in British Columbia, or in the other Provinces of the Domin-
ion, those Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes may, from and alter the
Union, be imported into British Columbia from the Provinces now
composing the Dominion, or from either of those provinces into
British Columbia, on proof of payment of the Customs or Excise
Duties leviable thereon in the Province of Exportation, and on
payment of such further amount (if any) of Customs or Excise
Duties as are leviable thereon in the Province of Importation. This
arrangement to have no force or eBFect after the assimilation of the
Tariff and Excise Duties of British Columbia with those of the
Dominion.

8. British Columbia ..uall be entitled to be represented in the
Senate by three Members, and by six Members in the Honse of
Commons. The representation to be increased under the provisions
of the British North America Act, 1807.

9. The influence of the Dominion Government will be used to
secure the continued maintenance of the Naval Station atEsquimalt.

10. The provisions of the British North America Act, 18G7, shall
(except those parts thereof which are in terms made, or by reason-
able intendment may be held to be specially applicable to and
only affect one and not the whole of the Provinces now comprising
the Dominion, and except so far as the same may be varied by
this minute) be applicable to British Columbia, in the same way

XIV,

Al'PKNDIX.

and to the like extent as they apply to the other Province? of the
Dominion, and as if the Colony of British Columhia had been one
of the Provinces originally united by the said Act.

11. The Government of the Dominion undertake to secure the
comincncciient simultaneously, within two years from the date of
the Union, of the construction of a Railway from the Pacific
towards the Rocky Mountains, and from such point as may bo
selected, East of the Rocky Mountains, towards the Pacific, to
connect the Seaboard of British Columbia with the Railway system
of Canada ; and further, to secure the completion of such Railway
within ten years from the date of the Union.

And the Government of British Columbia agree to convey to the
Dominion Government, in trust, to be appropriated in such a
manner as the Dominion Government may deem advisable in
furtherance of the construction of the said Railway, a similar
extent of Public Lands along the line of Railway throughout its
entire length in British Columbia, not to exceed Twenty (20) Miles
on each side of said line, as may be appropri.ited for the same pur-
pose by the Dominion Government from the Public Lands in the
North-west Territories and the Province of Manitoba. Provided
that the quantity of land which may be held under Pre-emption
right or by Crown Grant within the limits of the tract of land in
British Columbia to be so conveyed to the Dominion Government,
shall be made good to the Dominion from contiguous Public Lands;
and provided further, that until the commencement, within Two
Years as aforesaid from the date of Union, of the construction of
the said Railway, the Government of British Columbia shall not
sell or alienate any further portions of the Public Lands of British
Columbia in any other way than under right of Pre-emption,
requiring actual residence of the Pre-emptor on the land
claimed by him. In consideration of the land to be so con-
veyed in aid of the construction of the said Railway, the Dominion
Government agree to pay to British Columbia, from the date of
the Union, the sum of $100,000 per annum, in half-yearly payments
in advance.

12. The Dominion Government shall guarantee the interest for
Ten years from the date of the completion of the works, at the rate of
Five per centum per annum, on such sum, not exceeding £100,000
sterling as may be required for the construction of a first-class
Graving Dock at Esquimau.

13. The charge of the Indians, and the trusteeship and manage-
ment of the Lands Reserved for their use and benefit, shall be
assumed by the Dominion Government, and a policy as liberal aa
that hitherto pursued by the British Columbia Government, shall
bo continued by the Dominion Government after the Union.

To carry out such policy, tracts of land of such extent as it has
hitherto been the practice of the British Columbia Governmeut to
appropriate for that purpose, shall from time to time be conveyed
by the Local Government to the Dominion Government in trust
for the use and benefit of the Indians on application of the Domin-
ion Government ; and in case of disagreement between the two
Governments respecting the quantity of such tracts of Land to be
so granted, the matter shall be referred for the decision of the
Socretarv of State for the Colonics.

VB W

APPKNDIX.

XV.

14. The Constitution of the Executive Authority and of the
Legislature of British Columbia shall, subject to the provisions of
the British North America Act, 18(37, continue as existing at the
time of the said Union until altered under the authority of the said
Act, it being at the same time understood that the Government
of the Dominion will readily consent to the introduction of Respon-
sible Government when desired by the Inhabitants of British
Columbia, and it boi.ig likewise understood that it is the intention
of the Governor of British Columbia, under the authority of the
Secretary of State for the Colonies, to amend the existing Consti-
tution of the Legislature by providing that a majority of its
Members shall be elective.

The Union "hall tike effect according to the foregoing terms and
••onditious on such day as Her Majesty by and with the advice of
Her Most Honourable Privy Council may appoint (on addresses
from the Legislature of the Colony of British Columbia, and of the
House? of Parliament of Canada, in the terms of the 14Gth Section
of the British North America Act, 18G7,) and Brl.ish Columbia may
in its addresses specify the Electoral Districts for which the first
Election of Members to serve in the House of Commons shall
take place. Certified,

Wm. H. LEE,
Clerk Privy Council, Canada.

APPENDIX M.

Estimates of the total Expenditure of the Province of
British! Columbia for the year ending 'd\st December y 1872.

CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

1. — LlEUTENANT-GOVERNOR'a OFFICE.

Private Secretary $ 1,452 00

Messenger, also has charge of Government House

Office Contingencies

600 00
100 00

Total

,152 00

2. — Colonial Secuktary's Department.

Colonial Secretary 3,500 00

•Assistant Colonial Secretary 1,940 00

Clerk 1,G00 00

Messenger ■■■■. 600 ^0

Total 7,640 00

3. — '^'KiNTiNa Branch.

Superintendent 1,320 00

Printer !)G0 1

Assistant Printer 640 00

Ass'"', nt Printer (temporary) 300 00

Total

3,1!20 00

XVI. AI'l'KNDIX.

4. — Audit Buanch.

Audit Clerk 1,600 00

5. — TuEASuttY Branch.

Clerk in Charge (provisional) 1,940 00

Clerk 1,452 00

Total 3,392 00

6 — Lands and Works Department.

Chief Commissioner 3,r.00 00

Assistant Commissioner 2,425 00

Clerk of Records ... 1,320 00

Draughtsm.-vn 1,320 00

Accountant 1,320 00

Messenger and Clerk GOO 00

Total 10,485 00

1. — Registrar General's Office.

Registrar General of Titles 1,940 OO

8. — Attorney General's Department.

Attorney General 3,500 00

Clerk 1,G00 00

Total 5,100 00

9. — Executive Council.

Clerk 1,600 00

10. — Legislation.

Mr. Speaker 1,000 00

Clerk of the House GOO 00

Sergeant-at-Arms 250 00

Messenger (Assistant Printer) 200 00

Indemnity to Members, including Mileage 7,800 00

Expenses of Elections 2,500 00

Contingent Fund 1,000 00

Total 13, SCO 00

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

11. — Supreme Court. ■

Registrar, " Courts Merger Ordinance, 1870" 1,940 00

Deputy Registrar, Do. 1,940 00

. Usher 600 00

Total 4,4fc0 00

12. — Sheriff.

High Sheriff (aid of Expenses) ". 1,500 00

POLICE AND GAOLS.

13. — Victoria.

Clerk of the Bench 1,500 00

Warden of Gaol and Superintendent of Police 1,Y52 00

:o 00

>^.

APPENDIX.

XVll.

Inspector (provisiional) 1.008 00

Serge nt - 850 00

Four onstables, at $120 esich 2,880 00

Gaoler 1,104 00

Do. Assistant 912 50

Superintendent of Convicts 1,008 00

Two Convict Guards 1,277

Two Door Guards 1,005

Cook.
Medical Officer

00
00
638 75
600 00

6,G:!5 25

Total

14. — Nkw Wkstminster. >

Stipendiary Magistrate and Superintendent of Assay

Office 2,425 00

Two Constables at $720 each

Gaoler

Turnkey

Me ,ical Officer

Constable, Burrard Inlet

Total 6,877 00

15. — KOOTANAIS AND COLUMBIA.

Gold Commissioner and Stipendiary Magistrate (to be

appointed) 3,000 00

Clerk and Constable (Records, &c.) 1,704 00

Do. • Do. French Creek 1,704 00

Two (^onstables at $1,404 each 2,803 00

1,440

1,104

708

600

Total 9,216 00

16. — Caribou.

Gold Commissioner and Stipendiary Magistrate

Clerk of Records

Chief Constable

Constable ard Gaoler

Two CoDiitables at $1,008 each

Cons; ihle at Quesnel

Coiiiable at Forks of Quesnel

Toiai...

17. — Omineca (provisio.nal,)
ro. ' (/;) Muissionpr and ritipoiuliary Mugij^traie .

C;ei w t R(-( orvlri

i.<jrsta'.'<?

Constable .it Port Esisingtou

Total

18. — Moi'E, Yalk, and Lvtto.n.

Clerk of the Hench, Yule ,

Constable and 'Jaoler, Do

Constable, Assistant, Do

CoiiStable, Lytton

3,000 00
1,940 00
1,940 00
1,452 00
2,016 00
1,500 00
1,452 00

13,300 00

3,000 00
1,940 00
lj.')()0 00
1,000 00

7,440 00

1,500 00
1,008 00
1,008 00
1,0(>8 00

i.al 4,524 00

XVlll. APPENDIX.

19. — LiLLOOET AND CLINTON.

Clerk of the Bench and Constable, Lillooet 1,500 00

Do. Do. Clinton 1,500 00

Total 3,000 00

20. — Nanaimo, Comox, Salt Sprino, and Cowiciian.

Clerk of the Bench, Nanaimo 1,300 00

Constable, Nanaimo 732 00

Constables, Comox, Cowichan, and Salt Spring Island,

$250 each 750 00

Total 2,782 00

21.— ASSAY OFFICE.

Superintendent, New "Westminster, (provided for as

Stipendiary Magistrate)

Chief Melter, Ci' m.oo 1,940 00

Assistant Assayt ' 900 00

Indian Messeni;er, ' cstmlni^ter 9G 00

Chemical.-,, Fiul, t- S.'iOO 00

Freight, &c 3j0 00 850 00

Total 3,786 00

22, PENSIONS AND RETIRED ALLOWANCES.

Pension to Mrs. Ogilvy 485 00

23.— ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, ex. of Establishments.

Summoning Jurors, Witnesses, &c 1,000 00

Prosecution, Interpreters' Fees, kc 2,010 00

Inquests, &c 300 00

Expenses of Registrars on Circuit 1,000 00

Criminal Punishments 200 00

Total , 4,500 00

24.— CHARITABLE ALLOWANCES.

Hospital aid-Victoria 4,500 00

Do. New Westminster 3,000 00

Do. Cariboo 4.000 00

Destitute poor and sick throughout the Province 1,000 00

Total 12,500 00

25.— IMMIGRATION 10,000 00

2G.— EDUCATION.
Aid to District Schools : 40,000 00

27.— POLICE AND GAOLS, exclusive of Establishments.

Keep of Prisoners and other Police Expenditure

throughout the Province : 20,000 00

00
)0 00

)0 00
io 00

APPENDIX. six.

28.— RENTS.

Government House, Victoria 48 50

Do., Lillooet 120 00

Boat House, Nanaimo 36 00

Gaol, Comox 60 00

Omineca 3 00

Total 564 60

29.— TRANSPORT.

The Lieutenant-Governor - 1,000 00

Freight on Remittance of Treasure 500 00

Actual Travelling Expenses of Officers on Duty..... 3,500 00

Keep of Government Horses throughout the Province... 300 00

Total 5,300 00

30.— WORKS AND BUILDINGS.

Completion of Gaol at Nanaimo and purchase of Land.. 1,000 00

Construction of Court House, New Westminster 2,500 00

Total 3,500 00

31. — Government House, Victoria.

Repairs 2,000 00

Furniture 1,500 00

Water 400 00

Fuel and Light 350 00

Planting Grounds 200 00

Salary of Gardener, and assistance 700 00

Fencing 250 00

Incidentals 100 00

Total 5,500 00

32. -Government House, New Westminster.

Repairs , 500 00

Fuel and Light 150 00

Gardener s Salary 500 00

Incidentals 100 00

Total 1,250 00

33. — Repairs to Public Buildings, ProvinciaiCi.

Government Buildings, Victoria 1,500 00

House of Assembly 500 00

Government Buildings, New Westminster 300 00

Do. Yale 500 00

Do. Lillooet and Clinton 500 00

Do. Cariboo 750 00

Do. Kootenay 2,000 00

Do. Omineca, Contingent 2,000 00

Miscellaneous Surveys throughout the Province 5,000 00

Total 13,050 00

XX.

APPENDIX.

34. — Repairs to Roads and Trails THROuonocT the Province.

Yale and Cliiuun Road 20,000 00

Clinton and ('araeronton Roiid 14,000 00

Douglas and Clinton Road 1,000 00

Burrard Inlet Road 1,200 00

New Westminster and Yale Sleigh Road, including

Bridge over Coqual-alla River G,000 00

Hope and Kootenay Trail ;i,500 00

Lillooet and Lytton Trail 1,500 00

New Westminster Distrii't lloails and Trails, including

False Creek, Coquitlam Creek, and yiiraass Bridges 5,G,50 00

Trails, Cariboo District 2,400 00

Trail, Quesnel to Germansen Creek, by Nation Kiver 0,000 00

Do. from the Western Coast to intersect same 5,000 00

Roads and Trails, Yale and Lytton District, including

Bridge across Nicola River 4,500 00

Repairs to Road from Cache Creek to Savona's Ferry... 2,000 00

Road from Savona's Ferry to Okanagnn h'),000 00

Repairs to Front Street, New Westminster 750 00

Esquimau Road, including new B"idges 9,000 00

Victoria District Roads 15,200 00

Esquimau District Roads and Trails, including Bridge

across Sooke River 7,150 00

Cowichan District Roads and Trails 8,200 00

Nanaimo District Roads and Bridges 5,000 00

Comox Roads and Trails 5,000 00

Albcrni to Nana' no Trail, and from this point to Nanoose 2,400 00

Total 140,450 00

35.— MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.

Provincial Exhibitions 500 00

Insurance on all Government Buildings 700 00

Telegrams GOO 00

Taking charge of Government Buildings, Douglas and

Langley 100 00

Printing General Map of ^^rovince in England 600 00

Postage throughout the Province 1,200 CO

Tools and Implements for Road making 500 00

Fire Department throughout the Province 2,500 00

Road Tax Commissioners 700 00

Grant to Mechanics' and Literary Institutes 500 00

Grant to Water Company, Victoria 7,000 00

Miscellaneous Services not detailed 2,000 00

Stationery, Fuel, Light, etc 6,500 00

Gratuities to OfDcers whose services may be dispensed

with 2,000 00

Appropriation for re-establishment of a Ferry at Lillooet 3,000 00
Appropriation to provide temporary accommodation for

Lunatics 5,000 00

Copies of Official Maps for Registrar General of Titles.. 400 00

Copy of Dispatches for Dominion Government 1,000 00

Totfl 34,800 00

APPENDIX.

XSl.

APPEJS DIX N.

00
00

Abstract of the jrrolahlc Revenue of the Provincial Govern-
ment of British Columbia, for the year 1872, shoiciiig aho
the Revenue received under the similar heads in the years
1870 and 1871.

GO
00
CO
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

loo

Dominion Subsidy $

Roads' Tolls

Land Sales

Land Revenuo

Rents, exclusive of Land

Free Miners' Certificates

Mining lleccipts, General

Licenses

Fines, forfeitures, & fees of Court

Fees of Ulficc

Sale of Government property

Reimbursements in aid of Ex-
penses incurred by Gov't ....

Miscellaneous Receipts

Arrears, Real Itlstate Tax

Arrears, IlnMd Tax

Road Tax, 1 O.;

Interest on Canadian Stock, at
6 per cent., 9 months

EHtiinato
of 1872.

211,000 00

0,000 00

7,(100 00

l,2r)0 00

10,00(1 00

12,000 00

43,000 00

0,000 00

5,250 00

200 00

t.8.T7 00

200 00

0,0o0 00

! 2,000 0(1

; ';.50o 00

4,500 00

$ 328,737 00

Kevcnue

for 1870.

30,302

8,087

4,702

942

8,940

14,955

42,205

7. 007

4,247

1,744

18
03
15
50
00
00
83
51
2S
81

16,108 01

25t; 28

H20 00

6,503 87

156,122 45

Approximate

llcvoiiuo

of 1871.

00
00
00
00

107,000 00

48,865 00
22.(;(J5

7,227

1,442
11,612

19,148 00

41,730 00

11,454 00

0,123 00

2,550 00

941 00

887 00

0,233 00

5,946 00

292,823 00

APPENDIX O.

At Barkervillc, on the 20th ult., Mr. Thompson, M. P., addressed
his constituents. In the course of his remarks, the lion, gentle-
man presented the following financial statement of tlie direct
pecuniarj- benefit British Columbia had derived from union with
Canada, which, we think, will bo fouud to be approximately
correct : — '

Appropriations for British Columbia for 1872-3.

Salary of Lieutenant-Governor $P.000 00

Salary of Auditor 5,000 00

Salaries of Supreme and County Court .Tudges 29,500 00

Probable expense of Administration of Justice 10,000 00

Expense Collecting Customs 20.000 0>

Mail Service— Ocean, $54,000: Inlanl. $50,000 104.0on O)

XXU. APPENDIX.

Lighthouses — Maintenance, $16,500; Construction,

$9,000 25,500 00

Telegraph Line — Subsidy and Maintenance 29,000 00

Blasting Sister Rock 7,000 00

Marine expenses 2,000 00

Inland Revenue expenses 2,000 00

Victoria Dredger expenses 10,000 00

Stean:er Sir James Douglas, expen-^es 20,000 00

Building Custom House and Post Oflice, Victoria 25,000 00

Building Marine Hospital 20,000 00

Preliminary surveys for Penitentiary 5,000 00

Indian Affairs 20,000 00

Militia equipments, stores and expenses 30,000 00

Grant towards Immigration 5,000 00

$377,000 00

Subsidy in accordance with Unii Terms 214,000 00

Interest saved and Sinking Funi 1 110,000 00

$711,000 00
Less probable receipts from Customs, now collected

by the Dominion Government 300,000 00

—British Colonist, 'Lth Au^/ust, 1872. $411,000 00

APPENDIX P.

Rates of Postage.

Lettci-H ^
14 oz.

Papers
each.

Book Post
Lowest Rate.

England

6 cents

3 "
6 "
23 "
34 "
16 "
16 "
16 "

2 cents

1 "

2 "
6 "
5 "
4 "
4 "
4 '<

9 cts. "^ 4 OZ,
1 ct. per OZ.

I 11 U K

Throughout the Province and
Dominion

United States

Germany

6 cts per 2 oz.
5 <( u i(

France

Australia „

New Zealand

1-2 ctsperloz.

China

Money Orders with Canada and England.

5,500

),000

r,ooo

!,000

•,000

>,000

,000

APPENDIX. ' ,^;;;

APPENDIX Q.

Note rcferrpxl to at pmjc \<iS.

of Scotland. I sul.n t t n f li '" l^''^'' '••'■•'"'• """. tl.e Nonl,

near Victoria, B.C.:! " '""" "' ^^'- ^^■'"'■'"' ^^•■■"i, S.anich,

1869.

Average of chevan;;"}];;;.);;;.:;. '"u .';

1^0 Wheat (Sl.ring/u-eigi;r6G'"ii;; "* "
the Imperial Bushel..!... .,

1870. ^ "

Average of Spring Wh^aC""';. ogt I

ab?;::"^h;;;;';;::;'r;eg;^;;S\f^.r"^?/r^ -- ^"-^ -^ ^^^

ago seasons, with' gooSfidUv', ion '"■''''^'' '''''''' "'' '''''' •'^^•«'-

-nlliie^^^JJriJlS,;;'^;,;:;^^'-';^,^-- '- -?^ ''-<• were
onanotherfurm"afieiaof Who in ;^? ;''^ '" ""' ■■^^'''^ i '""^
50 Bushels throughout. ' '^■'•>' '^''"•*'"' ^^'^^^ avcrMge.l

APPENDIX E.

•■i/w^)^';-, referred to

Fkom --ache Cueeic to Okinagan.

between Cache Creek in O , ,. I"^^^^^'"?^"'" stages on the route
pointwiththemaint „;i notorf";'' ''°""'^^'tinf? at the former
The enterprise disphayed V '- u- i' • '•'' '"""^"'''^'^ "'' JTogross.

upon the heels of tl ^ road-n ke;;"T:"'1 '" "-"-^ ^""^'^'^^ '"^' '^'"-^'y
fact itselfis calculated to Lou efn'/''""''""^ "^' ^"■^''^^- ^be
the country as non-prog°Sve .m '>'^'^"stomed to t!,ink of

road from Cache Creek to (/kin iT;,"^ '''''^ '*'"• "^ ^^^^^
on it ! I This leads to em ' ? , , , T " ''''^'^^ ^'"' "^" ''''^'^'

^»ieffi;Tno^KE^ ^r '- "S o-^:Sc-
-I the reader .hat h;;^; ^^^ ^fiX 'Z::!:;' .^^^.^

ZXIV.

APPENDIX.

by Mr. Barnard's enterprise. From Cache Creek to OkinSgan, s
distance of about one luindred miles, [150] as tlie crow flies, six
tliousand licad of cattle fatten upon nature's rich pastures. There
is room for more than double that number. Calculating seven
hundred pounds of beef to each animal, a low average as beeves go
in that section, that would yield eight and a half million pounds
of the^nest beef in the world. In 1871 the yield of grain on the
Tranquille, North and iSouth Forks of the Thompson amounted to
one nnd a quaiter million pounds. That was the product of less
than a tenth of the land held under pre-emption, the whole being
seven thousand, six hundred and eighty acres, which should bo
capable of producing at least twelve million pounds. Of bacon,
upwards of forty thousand pounds was cured. At one dairy, (Mr.
Jones') two thousand, five hundred pounds of excellent butter was
made. The 8i)clitim-chcen Valley will produce fall wheat of tho
finest quality without irrigation, in consecjucnce of a fine surface
soil ami clay subsoil. The Ukinagan will yield only fall wheat
without irrigation; spring wheat, oats, and barley, etc., in won-
derful profusion with irrigation. The yield of wheat ranges from
one and a quarter to one and a half tons per acre. As high as nine
tons of potatoes has been taken from the acre. Wherever tried
fruit trees have done exceedingly well, while those severer tests of
climate, Indian corn, tomatoes, musk melons, water melons, and
even the grape vine have been cultivated with great success and
without having recourse to artificial expedients. The country is,
for the most part open, dotted with trees giving it almost the
appearance of an old country park. It is so free from wood as to
enable the horseman to canter at will in almost every direction,
and In some Instances no obstructions are presented to the free
progress of a carriage. The face of the country is beautiful —
relieved by ever changing succession of hill and dale. Ttie water
system is excellent, the surface of the country being indented by
numerous lakes and rivers or smaller streams, everywhere
teeming with fish of excellent quality. A mild climate will
have already been inferred. It ma^ be added that snow seldom
falls to any depth, and never lies long. Horses, horned cattle
and sheep pass the winter unhoused and iincared for and, as
a rule, come out in good condition in the spring. On most
of the grass ranges cattle shifting for themselves through winter
are In pviiue condition fur beef in the spring. In the country thus
roughly and very imperfectly sketched, there are a few hundred
settlers — we really do not know liow ninny. In the valleys of the
Thompson. C)kin:ig;in, uuil (Jitche Creek, there are about one hun-
dred children. There is the making of hiippy homes for tens of
thousands. In truth n« more desirable country can be found, and
it is not unreasonable to hope that the opening of a coach road
leading through the heart of it, and the facilities for travel pre-
sented by a weekly line of stages may lead persons in scnrch of
h lines to go and see for themselves. The impression has gone
forth that Hritish Columbia is not, and can never be, an agricultural
country. Without jiuusing to discuss the proper definition of the
term, we will say, without fear of successful contradiction, that,
allhongh Hritisii Columbia may never become a large exporter of
H|rrl('\ilturiil productionii, she has at least within herself the means

► -

APPENDIX.

XXV.

of supporting » population of between two and three millions.
This much may safely be said in respect of what is known. The
unknown we leave to the future. August 0, 1872.

APPENDIX R. R.

Since the remarks in the text were written, the following com-
munication on the subject has been published :

Montreal, 13th May, 1872.
James Richardson, Esq.,

Geological Survey.

Sir: — At your request we have much pleasure in reporting upon
the hops of British Columbia, a sample of which you favoured us
with.

In our opinion they are of very superior quality, rich and fine in
aroma. These hops resemble the California, and would be equally
sure to find ready sale in this or other markets at the highest rates;
they have been well dried and are in first rate condition.

Our estimate of the value of these hops is that they are worth
fully 10 cents per pound more than the best Canadian growth, the
prices of which, during the past season, ranged from 50 to 75
cents per pound according to demand. Exceptionally high prices,
however. Yours faithfully, WM. DOW & Co.

— British Colonist newspaper, June, 1872.

[The hops in question were raised in the vicinity of Victoria.]

APPENDIX S.

pre-

Ich of

]gone

ural

the

that,

sr of

leans

The following is the Official Advertisement inviting tenders for
the construction of a Graving Dock at Esquimalt:

British Columbia.

ESQUIMALT GRAVING DOCK.

The Government of British Columbia are prepared to receive
Tenders for the construction of a Graving Dock, at the Naval
Station, Esquimalt Harbor, under the guarantee provided in the
Twelfth Section of the Terms of Union of this Province with the
Dominion of Canada, which Section is in the following words : —

■' Tho Dominion Government shall guarantee the interest for
ton years from the date of the completion of the work, at the rate
of five per cent, per annum, on such sums, not exceeding £100,000
sterling, as may be required for the construction of a first class
Graving Dock at Esquimalt."

The Dock to be of masonry, and of not less that the following
dirc-msions : — -^

Length on floor, 370 feet,
Do. over all, 400 feet,

ZZVl.

APPENDIX.

Width between copings, 90 feet,

Do. on floor 45 feet,

Do. of entrance 03 feet.

To afford a depth of water on tlie sill of not less than 2fiJ feet at
high water springs, and to be substantially constructed to the
approval of the Government, upon a site to be provided by the
person whose tender may be accepted.

Further particulars as to site, borings, Ac., may be obtained
from T. A. Bulki.ey, Esg., Chief Engineer to Government, upon
application in writing to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and
Works.

Tenders must specify the time within which the Dock will bo
completed, and must be accompanied by drawings and descriptions
showing exact dimensions, materials, and mode of construction of
proposed Dock.

Tenders are to be sealed, superscribed "Tender for Esquimalt
Graving Dock," addressed to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and
Works, Victoria, British Columbia, and delivered at his Office
before noon of the 15th day of November, 1872.

Persons who may consider the above guarantee to be insufficient
are at liberty to tender on the basis of such supplemental guarantee
by the Provincial Government, or upon such other financial
inducements, as they may suggest.

The Government do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or
any tender.

Each Tender must be accompanied by a Bond from the Contrac-
tor, and two sufficient sureties, for the payment of £10,000 to Her
Majesty, Her heirs and successors, conditioned upon the due fulfil-
ment of the Tender which it accomi)anies, j)rovided it be accepted
within three months from the said 15th of November.

By Command. GEO. A. WALKEM,

Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works.

Lands and Works Office,

Victoria, April 2lth, 1872.

N.B. The date for the reception of Tenders has since been ex-
tended to noon of 31st December.

APPENDIX T.

Prices of some articles of Farm Proiluce in Victoria during

the past Season.

Oats, per 100 lbs $2 00@2 50

Barley, Rough, per 100 lbs 2 25(f()2 50

Do Chevalier, " " 2 50^r.2 75

Wheat, <i u 2 25(?ii2 75

Potatoes, " " 1 50@2 00

Eggs per dozen, 30 to 50 cents, at C'-ristmas 1 00

Butter, fresh, per lb 40@62| c

Oxen for beef, dressed weight, per lb 12(7()16cts.

Swine, fattened, " " " 12(«)13ct3.

Hay per ton of 2000 fts $20@$30

Hops, per lb 25 to 60cts.

V -»

^2 50

)2 50

)2 75

^.2 75

)2 00

1 00

>4 c

J cts.

Jets.

pets.

V'-*

APPENDIX.

ZXVll.

N. B. Under the former tnriff, recently supcracdfd by the Gen-
eral Tariff of the Dominion, lui import duty ot 30 cents per 100 lbs.
was levied on Hurley and Oats ; on Wheat, 35 cents per 100 Ibd {
and on Potatoes, 50 cents per 100 tbs.

APPENDIX V.

Present prices in Victoria of some Articles of Ordinary
Familt/ consumj>tion.

Sugar, Sandwich Islands No. 1, per lb 12} cts.

Do. Do. Do Lower qualities, per lb 9, 10 & lie.

Refined, per lb 17@20 cts.

Tea, from 35 to 75 cents according to quality.

Tea, Japan, per lb 75 cts.

Coffee, Raw " 20@30 cts.

Flour, extra fine, per bbl. of 200 lbs $7 00@7 50

Do fine, in sacks GOO

Do ordinary '* 5 00

Bacon, per lb., Chicago 20 cts. Home 25 cts.

Butter salt, per lb., California 30 cts, Home 40 cts. Fr sh 50 cts.

Beef, fresh, per lb 12J@18 c.

Pork, " " " '«

Mutton," " *' "

Fish of various kinds, perlb I 6to8c.at the

Salmon, " j regular shops

N. B. Fish can be obtained from the natives very cheaply.
Salmon frori 25 to 50 cents each, or from 1 to 2 cents per lb. ;
when very abundant, cheaper. Oysters, too, very cheaply.

Salted Salmon per bbl. of 200 lbs $ 7 00

Do. Oolahans " " " 7 00

Syrup, refined, per keg of 5 gallons 5 75®6 00

Molasses, Sandwich Island, per gallon 30

Clothing generally, including duty, at a moderate advance oa
Invoice ; Canadian manufactures of course enter duty free.

All importations are under the General Tariff of Canada. On
the 1st July, among other proposed reductions. Tea and Coffee will
come in duty free.

N. B. The consumption of Sugar (except refined) is met almost
entirely by importations direct from the Sandwich Islands — the
quality very superior. From the same source there is also a con-
siderable importation of other produce, including Oranges, Bananas
and other semi-tropical fruits. The chief supply of flour has
hitherto been from Oregon ; but in the Interior a sufliciency is
now manufactured to meet the local demand, or nearly so, the Indian
population being great consumers. From San Francisco, among
other productions, are imported Oranges, Grapes, &c., in great
profusion during their season, together with native wines of very
good quality. Other foreign wines, since the reductioa of the

ZZVUl.

APPENDIX.

high datj till recently imposed, are procurable at a moderate
advance for the importer's profit. So of malt liquors from London.
Excellent beer is, however, brewed in the Proviucn at a rate rather
in advance of the ordinary English price.

APPENDIX W.
Ho^taU.

There are three Public Hospitals in the Province, supported by
private contributions with Government aid One at Victoria,
another at New Westminster, the third in Caribou.

In addition to these there is the Naval Hospital at Esqnimalt for
the accommodation of H. M.'s fleet; and in Victoria a private
hospital supported by the French Benevolent Society,

APPENDIX X.

" Tlieatre.

The Theatre, though small, is suflQciently commodious for the
present. There is no regular Management, and the performances
are dependent on the visits of occasional troupes, some of no
mean ability, who annually visit Victoria. |Prominent among
these performers may be mentioned the late Charles Kean and Mrs.
Kean, who performed here for a series of nights some years ago,
under invitation. Amateur theatricals and concerts are occasion-
ally performed for the promotion of special objects: and among
its other utilities, the Theatre is frequently the arena of Public
Meetings, when of course much fervid eloquence " splits the ears
of the groundlings."

APPENDIX Y.
Qas and Water.

Victoria is adequately supplied with the former by a Company
incorporated for the purpose; and with water, by pipes laid down
by another Company, supplemented by carts — the source of supply
being certain springs on a ridge near the town. Surveys are now
iu progress with the object oi introducing a more copious supply
from a lake, distant some six miles from the town.

"go,
asion-
imong
ublic

ears

inny
)vvn

low
bply

APPENDIX..

APPENDIX Z.

ZXIX.

A table of Latitudes and ■^Longitudes of some places in
British Columhia, as determined hy the Royal Engineers.

station.

Latitude

Approx.

Nortli.

;Long. West.

Alexandria, ...

52°33M0''

122'

'26'56''

Anderson, - - -

122

35 22

Antler, - - .

121

26 22

Aaananny, _ - -

126

30 7

Beaver Creek, Cut off Valley,

121

39 59

Beaver Lake. Sellers' Hotel, -

121

55 4

Beaver Pass house, Lightning Creek,

121

52 49

Bridge River, mouth.

122

3 53

Bridge Creek house, -

121

24 58

Campment du Chevreuil,

121

8 34

Cameron's Farm, 12 m. from Cotto

nwood

122

14 28

Campment des Femmes,

120

45 28

Chanthopeen Lake, -

124

30 43

Cottonwood, - - -

122

5 7

Cokelin, . - -

125

50 24

Douglas, ...

122

11 4

Esquimau, V. L, Duntze Point,

123

26 46

(Fort Colvile, U.S.,) -

118

7 19

Fort George, - - -

122

45 1

Fountain, - - -

44 44

122

1 26

Garry Point, - - -

123

11 17

Green Lake, opposite Crescent Island,

121

29 9

Harrison River, Mouth,

121

54 34

Hat River, Mouth,

121

33 30

Hope,

121

27 58

Keithley, - - -

121

28 32

Koom-ko-otz,

126

47 34

Lake La Hache, East end, (camp)

121

35 57

Lake La Hache, West end, -

121

44 10

Langley Barracks,

122

35 14

Lillooet, Court House,

122

2 28

Lillooet Lake, 29-mile house.

122

35 42

Lytton, - - .

121

40 19

Marmot Lake,

121

35 33

New Westminster,

122

53 19

Nimpoh, (camp)

125

13 48

North River, opposite mouth.

120

27 20

Okinagan Lake, head of,

119

26 35

Osoyoos Lake,

119

36 55

Pavilion Mountain, North base.

121

58 37

Pemberton, ...

122

43 15

Puntzee, - - -

124

2 24

Quesncl River, mouth,

122

27 6

Quesnel River, Lower Ferry, Donaldson's

122

26 52

XXX,

APPENDIX.

Station.

Quesnel River, Forks,

Round Prairie, Pliillips' Farm,

Richfield, Court house,

Salmon River, Grand Prairie,

Seton, ....

Seton Lake, West end,

Shtooiht, ....

Snowshoe house, 1 miles from Antler,

Swift River, mouth, ...

Tahartee Lake, ...

Vanwinkle, Court house,

Vermillion Forks,

Williams Lake, Court house,

Yale,

Latitude |

North.

52°39'42'"

50 42

25 •

49 27

Approx.
Long. West.

121°42'52'''
122 23 49

121 33 55

119 47 35

122 5 47
122 26 43
126 6 16

121 27 22

122 28 34

123 2 49

121 44 42

120 28 52

122 13 32
12' " 58

APPENDIX A-2.

Table showing the Approximate Altitudes above the Sea of
some places in British Columbia from Observations by
Officers of the Royal Engineers.

Central District. febt.

Boston Bar settlement 472

Court-House at Lytton 780

Thompson's River — mouth of the Nicola 788

The Lakes (Venables') 2,170

Ashcroft Farm (Cornwall's) 1,508

Bounaparte River — mouth of Maiden Creek 1,905

Summit Altitude of trail from Green Lake to Bridge Creek.. 3,660

Bridge Creek House 3,086

Lake la Hache 2,488

Deep Dreek (South) at the Crossing 2,255

Court-House, William's Lake , 2,135

The Springs Farm 1,850

boda Creek crossing 1,690

Mud Lake 2,075

Fort Alexandria, Fraser level 1,420

Summit Altitude of trail from Mud Lake to Beaver Lake 3,300

Beftver'Lake—Sellers' Hotel 2,110

The " Green timber," South limit 2,880

Little Lake House 2,535

Summit of trail thence to Quesnelle Forks 3,375

Quesnel City 1,958

MitcheU's Bridge, North branch of Quesnel River- 2,120

■» \

kpprox.

ag. West.

042'52''

1 47 36

! 5 47

! 26

J 6

L 27

I 28

) 2

L 44

3 28

2 13

1 <■.;'■

bk..

he Sea of
ixtions hy

FBBT.

472
780
788
2,170
1,508
1,905
3,660
3,086
2,488
2,265
2,135
1,860
1,690
2,075
1,420
3,300
2,110
2,880
2,535
3,376
1,958
2,120

APPENDIX.

ZZZl.

Gabiboc District. fbbt.

caribou Lake 2,566

Snow-shoe Creek, Leon's house 4i^20

Snow-shoe Peak 6,130

Snow-shoe Mountain, Leon's house 5,844

Antler Creek Settlement 4,010

Milk Farm, Malony's 4,490

Summit of trail over Mount Agnes to Lightning Creek 5,850

Marmot Peak 6,310

Marmot Lake 5,540

Richfield Court-House 4,216

Van Winkle Court-House 3,654

Cottonwood 2,530

Fraser River, at Mouth of Quesnel River 1,490

Do. at Mouth of Swift River 1,530

Do. at Fort George 1,690

By the Lillooet Route.

R. E. Observatory, New Westminster 54

Harrison Lake... 71

Douglas Court-House 125

Hot Spring House (Temp, of Spring, 130°— Dr. Seddall, R.E.) 474

Lillooet Lake 620

Summit Lake 1,482

Anderson Lake 958

Seton Lake 898

Fraser River at Lillooet (June level) 692

Fountain .* 1,291

Capt. Martley's Farm-house 2,505

The Grotto, Pavilion Mountain 3,989,

Summit of Road, do. do 5,012

46th Mile Post, Cut-oflF Valley 2,973

Cut-oft" stream near head of Valley 2,340

Buonaparte River at the Mound 2,144

Junction of do. with Hat River 1,686

Head of Great Chasm 3,053

Immediately below in Chasm 2,724

Green Lake 3,164

By the Bentinck Arm Route.

Nookeetz (ruined village) 107

Asananny do. 227

Nooskultzt do. 316

Nootkleia (inhabited village) 392

Shtooiht (Springs) 464

Foot of Great Slide on Atnah-coh River 1,110

Summit of the Great Slide 2,230

Summit of the Mountain above the Slide 2,890

Hotharko Brook, at foot of Precipice 2,490

Summit of the Precipice 3,840

Nimpoh 3,601

Lake Towteestsan 3,580

zzxu.

^ppxhdix.

rBBT.

Summit Altitude of the trail on the Plateau 4,360

Summit Lake 4,020

Lake Chantslar 1 3,820

. Lake Chanthopeen 3,780

[N.B. — Tb« ^Bentiuck Arm route baa been abaudoued for some
years.]

APPENDIX B-2.

Extract referred to at page 86.

A visit to Nanaimo, the seat of King Coal, never fails to im-
press observant and reflecting peisons with fresh consciousness of
the power which that sable monarch is destined to wield on the
North Pacific. The Vancouver Coal Company are opening up the
Nanaimo Mines very extensively. Douglas Pit, a largely produc-
tive mine, is still competent to, and for the most part does, supply
present demand. But, iu anticipation of increased demand,
works are being rapidly developed at various other points. The
deep pit, three hundred feet below the surface, will win several
square miles of coal. Workmen have only just commenced to
drive out from the bottom of this shaft and are crossing what in
mining parlance is termed a " fault," which has somewhat dislo-
cated the strata immediately above and below the scam. But the
coal, althoagb contorted considerably, is of excellent quality; and
indications are met with onlj a few teet from the pit bottom show-
ing that the termination of the "fault" cannot be far off. The
^eam is from six, to eight feet in thickness, and will continue to
turn out the " Black Diamond" for an indefinite period. On New-
castle Island the same Company have a splendid prospect. Here
there are two seams being worked into, — the one known as New-
castle, the other the Douglas. Both of these seams crop out near
the water's edge, and are in every respect just as conveniently
situated for working and shipping as one could well conceive or
wish a coal mine to be. Newcastle seam is from eight to nine feet
in thickness, and a " heading " is driven into it two hundred and
fifty yards by way of exploration. This mine is fully ready to yield
a regular out-put of excellent coal. The Douglas scam is explored
by slope two hundred and seventy yards from the surface, the coal
improving in thickness as the depth increases. At the bottom of
the slope, the formation is divided into two parts, — thus : three
and a half feet of coal, and two and a half feet of indurated clay,
and over the clay there are three feet of coal. As the slope deepens,
the fire-clay grows thinner, and experienced miners argue confi-
dently, from this gradual convergence 01 the two seams of coal,
that they will be found to join not far off. There appears to be no
reasonable ground of doubt as to the extent and continuity of these
Island coals, as both seams are found in proper position on both
sides of the Island. Wharf accomodation, and the best and most

APPENDIX.

xxxlii.

PEKT.
. 4,360
. 4,020
, 3,820
. 3,780
ir somo

show-
The
nue to
New-
Here
New-
lit near
niently
eive or
ne feet
d and
yield
slored
coal
om of
three
clay,
jpena,
confi-
coal,
be no
these
both
most

complete appliances and facilitlca for shipping the coal are bciiiK
projected and provided as fast as tbo worlis can be proceeded with.
Other explorations for deep coal aro about to bo made. It will be
impos?ibIc to dwell upon tho very complete, substantial, and
cxten.'^ive character of thf> Company's works and machinery.
The.<e miglit well occupy an entire article. Were wo to stop here,
tlio reader would receive a very inadequate impression as to the
extent of the coal measures at Nanairao, and the amount of enter-
prise applied to their development. Tho Wellington Coal Mine
(periiaps more generally known as tho Dunsmuir Mine) on Depar-
ture Bay, about three miles above the town of Nanaimo, must not
be accounted as amongst the least important of our coal working.=>.
Here the indomitable perseverance of Mr. Dunsmuir was rewarded
by finding a seam of very superior coal, having a thickness rang-
ing from eight to thirteen feet, and in a position highly favorable
to profitable development. This mine is about three miles distant
from the point of shipment on Departure Bay and has been
worked for more than a twelvemonth. A very substantial wooden
tramway has been constructed from the mine to the water, where
large and commodious wharves have been built. At present the
coal is transported in trams drawn by horses; but the enterprising
manager has resolved that in the course of another year tho
wooden rail shall be superseded by the iron, and the horse by tho
locomotive steam engine. This cursory and necessarily very in-
complete sketch may suffice to show that British Columbia pos-
sesses great coal stores and that she is not altogether unprepared
to meet the greatly increased demand almost certain very soon to
be made upon these stores. It also points to the great importance
of Nanaimo, the Newcastle of tho Dominion." — British Colonist,
Avgust Voth, 1872.

APPENDIX C-9.

Notes rcfjardinf) the Stone-quarr)/ at Nanaimo. From
"■ BntUlt Colonist'''' neiosjiapcr — August^ 1872.

the

"Nanaimo is endowed with greater natural wealth than, per-
haps, any other part of the wide Dominion of Canada. Her coal
measures already opened formed the subject of a recent article.
Iler coal stores still locked might fill a book. In these practically
inexhaustible stores Nanaimo possesses n, power which must com-
pel Commerce and Manufacture to kneel at her feet. But Nanaimo
has a mine of wealth of a different kind — the Newciistle Stono
Quarry. This quarry has been worked for upwards of two years,
and yet it may be said to be scarcely opened. Here are sevcrtil
square miles of a continuous formation of the best free-stone to
be found anjTvhero on the coast. No more conclusive evidence of
the superiority of this stone need bo sought than the fact that tho
United States Mint at San Francisco is made of it. The mint cost
considerably over a million and a half, and absorbed eight thousand

XXXIT.

APPENDIX.

tons of tlic Newcastle stone. Tlie introduction of this stone for
so important a purpose naturnlly aronsed a certain amount of
local jealousy ami brouylit out some international prejudice. The
consequence was that the stone was subjected to a rather more
severe test tiian would otherwise have been the case. It is gratify-
ing to learn thai the United States Inspector has, in his recent final
report, given tiic stone the highest character. To possess a stone
quarry so superior in every respect as to command the patronage
of San Francisco and overcome the prejudices of the Great Re-
public is something of which Nanaimo may justly be proud. We
have said that the .San Francisco Mint took eigiit thousand tons of
this stone. In addiiion to this it took a large quantity of flagging-
stone tor court-yard, side-walks, and cellar. In the eight thousand
tons were some pieces deserving of specific notice. There were
six columns, twenty-eight feet long, by four feet two inches square.
These columns were faultless throughout. There were two stones
for corner pediment lifteeu tons each, and two key stones of four-
teen tons each. One circumstance Ims tended seriously to lessen
the profits of the quarry. Every stone going to make up the
eight thousand tons for the mint has been of specific dimensions;
and in quarrying to fill the order a great deal of such stone as
would be used for smaller buildings or for rubble masonry has
gone to waste oAving to there being no demand for it. Of this
waste stone there has been enough to realize fifty thousand dollars
in a market presenting a local dem i id for it. And yet it has not
yielded fifty cents. Nay, to remove it out of the way has cost
thousands of dollars. We have said that the quarry is scarcely
fairly opened. The last cargo of stone sent to San Francisco has
been pronounced of a superior quality to that previously sent. It
is well understood that the quality of the stone improves as you
go in. The ((uarry has now an excellent and carefully prepared
" face" on it, from whicli stone may be taken superior in point of
quality to any yet quarried, and of almost any conceivable dimen-
sions. Columns fifty feet long (or one hundred if necessary) by
four and a half feet thick can be supjdied, without flaw or fault
in them; or if necessary, blocks fifteen feet square can be taken
out. This quarry is doubtless destined to exert more or less in-
fluence upon the cliaracter of our i)ublic buildings. Amongst
other things the Federal Government have undertaken to erect a
Custom-house, Post-ofTice, Penitentiary, and Marine Hospital in
this Province. It is of no little importance that the Newcastle
Quarry, so convenient and accessible for sliipping, stands prepared
to supply the necessary stone for these; and the facilities thus
presented for obtaining the larger sections of the finest stone will
doubtless encourage the Dominion Government to indulge in a
class of architecture that might be considered unattainable under
less auspicious circumstances. When the United States authori-
ties have sent all the w.ay to Nanaimo for stone to construct the
mint at San Francisco, tlie Dominion Government cannot well en-
tertain the idea of employing less desirable matt'rial in the con-
struction of the Federal buildings here. Persons visiting Nanaimo
should not come away without "doing" Newcastle Quarry. A
visit to it will repay the trouble, and will always bo rendered en-

joynble by the kind Iiospi

deservedly popular

less popular nianaecr, Mr. xXitfLtiugaieV,

xxxr.

less nn,.„i„. „.'„ ' ..' ".V"'.' J- <^'- Ouwes, Esq., aud of the -

APPENDIX D-2.

TJiefolloiouig tahh of AimroximnU /)/<,/ 7 «,

2?i Ajipendix 0-2. ^^utttut/, A. A., woitcec^

D.,.,»«s .„„. „„.„ K„,s.a ™ E»...»„ „, „,. „,„,„,,.^ „„^.^_^_

""'"" s?„iS;,°'; i"'"'* "<"•» ("""E Ko„« ""• ""»•• »->■•

Dinancc Ovorl„„d i^Sn^-lu^;:^^-;, '-',000 1,0
bouthampton) *' ^ "

to Soutaampton), l,y storn ;,„d ;.ii;;:^ 1,,12, 3,

D,,T«o.s ,„„„ Sv„».v TO E»„.„„ „, ,„, „„,,„^,^^
Sy^nc, .„ S„„.,.™p,„„ , c or G„.„ „„„e „,,3„ „„„,

■>»• do": b^'l=;■.;.■a;;i•::::::::•;;>= ;;

APPENDIX E-2.
The following oxlracl i, t.kcn ft-on, Dr. Carle, Fori,™' Essa,.-

Several poles of tlic Ereatesl n ,?.!? 1 ',""''°"' breaking,

-d .be .op of .Ke ,ree -.°:rU;:^Se5"cI1.1reVi;'i«;£

xxxvi.

APPENDIX.

of the same dimensions cut from a Riga spar of first-claee, and the
following result was found :

Maximum degree of hcniling'\ Vancouver Pine. Riga Pine.

before rupture at the foot j Om 025 Om 028

At the Lead o 019 o Old

Mean

Charge of rupture (per centimeters

tsquarcd at the foot

At the head

022.

23k
IG

11.

19 93

Density of wood at

the foot of the tree.

Density at the hc;id

636.

478.

022

. 00

726

532

056 629

These experiments give a mean almost Identical, for the bending

and breaking of the two kinds of wood, while the density ditlers

notably to the advantage of the Vancouver wood.

The only question still undecided i.s that of durability. The

masts and spars of Vancouver arc wood.^ rare and exceptional for

dimensions and superior qualities, strength, lightness, absence of

knots and other grave vices.

"Toulon," September 21, 18G0. Signed, L. A. Svlvesteh, Du

Perron, Chief Engineer of 3d Section.

The /ollouing from an Essay hy the Rev. It. C. L. Brown.

The following extract from the Oardener's Chronicle, is given by
a recent number oT the British Columbian newspaper :

"The remarks lately made in our columns on the very great
value of tho'uoL'GLAS fih, have led one of the most skilful of our
judges of timber to favour us with the following highly important
information. This lir wood, Mu. Wm. Wilson Saunders, F. R. S.,
of Lloyd's, has had many opportunities of examining carefully;
and, in order to satisfy one of our largest importers, he has made
some careful experiments on its strength and flexibility in compar-
ison with other similar woods. The following table, with which
he has favored us, gives the result, which is in the highest degree
satisfactory. Mr. Wilson Saunders has a regular machine for
these experiments, and the results can be implicitly relied on.

Lengths of the woods enumerated in the following table, care-
fully squared to 1} inch, were submitted to pressure of weights
pendent from the centre, the lengths being supported between
standards exactly 6 feet apart. The weight at which each broke
and the amount of deflection from the horizontal Uue at the time
of breaking, are given in the following table:

AITSMDIX.

XXXVll.

IbR. Inches.

Douglas Fir 280 4 Fracture, ronjrli and long.

Pitch Pine 280 4 '* short and even.

Canada Spruce 196 4.7 " short and rough.

Red Pine 1(58 6 '• rough.

Larch — British 1C8 6.2 «• short and even.

Deodar from Himalaya... 154 3.8 " short.

The Bpcciracns experimented upon were carefully selected from
the best description of wood, and free from all defects. The de-
flection is given in inches and tenthsof an inch. Each wood had
two trials, and the figures give a mean result."

Dr. Lindley commenting on these tables goes on to say:
" It will bo thus seen that none of the firs approached in
strength the Douglas or the Pitch Pine; it having required the
weight of 280 lbs. to break a small bar of their wood, no more than an
inch and a quarter square. A hundred and sixty-eight pounds broke
a piece of British Larch of the same scantling. Moreover, be-
tween the Douglas Fir and Pitch Pine, whoso strength was equal,
there is this great difference, that while the latter sna])ped short
under a pressure of 280 lbs., the Douglas yielded unwillingly with
a rough and long rend."

APPENDIX F-2.

Note P. S. referred to at page C7.

The winter of 1835-3C is here referred to. Crossing the Ilocky
Mountains from Tete Jaune's Cache to Jasper's in September, on
foot, I had returned with a party of some 22 persons, with horses.
After embarking in our canoes and descending Fraser River a few
miles, wo were ice-bound — the winter being premature in an un-
wonted degree — about the 23rd of October. Short of provisions,
and unable to make our way downwards owing to the unequally
frozen condition of the stream, we made a cache of the canoes and
their contents, at a point noted in Arrowsmith's map, and retraced
our steps to Jasper's — the snow being about nine inches deep at
the Summit of the Pass The supplies obtainable at Jasper's
were inadequate to our wants; and we had to continue our retreat
down the Athabasca, and across to Edmonton on the Saskatche-
wan, There we obtained copious supplies, with dog-sledges to
convey them. Leaving some of the party there, to follow in tho
Spring, we set out on our return. We had experienced some littlo
difficulty on the way down: but the return-trip, being now pro-
vided with snow-shoes, warm clothing, and plenty o( pemican, was
performed with comparative comfort, — the journey from Edmonton
to Stuart's Lake occupying only 46 days. It was on this return
trip that the observations noted in the text were made. The depth
of the snow for a short distance at the summit of the Pass was
about eight feet — but it was melting very fast at the period of our
passage, about the 1st January, and there was a warm rain falling.

zxxviii.

APPENDIX.

This thaw, ns shewn in the text, was repeated (an interval of two
days' cold Imving J«eou ineanwhilo fxpcricnced) below Tetc Jaune'a
Caclic : and I conjecture was likewise repeated at the siunniit,
where we had first experienced it. It may he added that the iliaw
in (luestion, as we afterwards ascertained, was not experienced in
the lower parts of Fraser iliver, remote from the mountains, where
continuous cold, of remarkable severity, had prevailed throughout.
The object, it may bo explained, of the communication at that
time maintained through the Tete Jaune Pass, was for the occasi-
onal conveyance of dressed Moose-leather, supplied from the
abundance of the Saskatchewan, for the use ofiStuart's Lake and
the surrounding Posts, where it was much in demand. Hence the
route in questiou has been frequently culled the Leather-l'ass.

APPENDIX G-2.

Before concluding, the Writer thinks it well to o,ppcnd a memo-
randum of the princip'al Works treating directly or indirectly of
the subject in issue which he can recall to memory, and from
Avhich much vr.li.dble information can be obtained. From this list,
he has designedly excluded the book of a Mr. McDonald, who
Avrote, i)rofessing to give an account of British Columbia, some
years ago. The Writer has no desire to criticise the work in
question, which, indeed, he has had no opportunity of judging,
save from extracts that have been largely ({uoted b^ the Press : but
these extracts convey an impression so utterly at variance with
the observation.s of others, that, were the contrary not known, ho
might have inferred that the Author had never set foot within the
Province. The valuable ,,"• k of Lord Milton and Dr. Cheadle
will, hov.cver, have since corrected many of the false impressions
which the former work was calculated to convey; and the only
object in here noticing Mr. McDonald's production is to put those
on their guard who may have imbibed such impressions through
reading it, without having subsequently met with the salutary
corrective.

For a similar reason the Writer proceeds to notice a commentary
on the climate of a portion of British Columbia which appeared
some years ago; and which, as emanating from a higher and better-
known authority, was calculated, if uncorrected, to convey aa
impression more permanently injurious. The passage in question
appeared in the Colonization Circular o{ ISGl, and was from the
pen of Mr. John Maclean, formerly a Wintering Partner of the
Hudson's Bay Company, and now residing in Canada. The Writer's
attention was called to the subject, senii-officially, by the Governor
of the period, the present Sir James Douglas: and he in conse-
quence wrote a reply to the remarks, which was, it is presumable,
oflBciftlly employed and is here reproduced.

kntary
leared
letter-
fcy an
htioa

the

If the

liter's

jrnor

ise-
lable,

t *

APPENDIX.

XZXIX.

Virroni.v, V. I., January 3, 18G2.

Sir, — My attention has been (lircctcil to a passage in a recent
number of tlie Coliniizulion Circulnr, iiaving ret'ereiiee to the ciiintito
of Stuart's Lake in llritish ('olunibia. I notice it the more readily
sinee it stands in juxtaposition to another passage in \yliieh my
own name appears.

Wlien Mr. McLean mentions his having witnessed so great a
variation of temperature during a single day, he omits, (nsi|U()ted)
to advise his readers that such a day was an exceptional instance
and not the rule. So far from presenting anywise an ungenial
climate, Stuart's Lake is an extremely pleasant place (.!' residence
— at least so 1 have always regarded it. The various wild fruits
flourish and ripen ; and even the crop of the service-t)erry, whiih
when in tlower you arc aware is extremely susceptible to frost, is
rarely blighted. Potatoes do not always succeed, it is true; but
the failure may, I think, be ascribed usually to errors in the selec-
tion of the spots cultivated. Some attention to this point is neces-
sary, in order to avoid the occasional night-frosts to which the
hollows are subject, but from which the slopes towards the Lake
are usually free. No better evidence that the climate is on the
whole a genial one need be adduced than this — that the tender
little humuiing-l)ird is common during summer at Stuart's Lake
as well as in the less elevated and hotter parts oflJritish Columbia.

I need not recall Your Kxcellency's attention to the fact that
a difference of temperature, equal to at least ten degrees of Ijati-
tude, exists during winter between positions on the I'acific Coast,
as compared with others on the Atlantic. The difFeren'^e is more
marked as we approach the Coast on either side ;' but is likewise
very perceptible in the Interior of British Columbia, where the
cold is neither so frequently severe nor so continuous as on the
Eastern side of the Uccky Mountains.

I have the honor to be,
To His Excdhnni \ &c. &c. &c.

Governor Djufflas, C. B. / (Signed) %%•"!•

1 \\'orks of Reference.

Vancouver's Voyage on N. W. Const of America, 1700-95.

Voyage of Portlock and Dixon on N. W. Coast of America.

Voyage of Meares on N. W. Const of America.

Voyage a la Cote du Noid Ouest dans les Ann.'es 1810-15, par
Gabriel riancherc.

Travels of Sir Alex. McKenzic to the Pacific Ocean, &c., in the
years 1789-93.

Ross Cox's Columbia River.

Jewett's Narrative of a captivity at Nootka Sound in 1804.

An Essay onVancouver Island by Dr. Charles Forbes, R. N., 18(32.

A work on Vancouver Island by J. D. Pemberton, Esq., Sur-
veyor General of the former Colony. — London 18G2.

Travels of Lord Milton and Dr. Cheadle.

A work on the West Coast of Vancouver Island by Gilbert M.
Sproat, Esq.

zl.

AITENDIX.

Ovcrlntiil Roiito through British Nortli Amcru-n, hy Alfred
Waddinplon. — Longmnns, London, 1808.

Odiciiii Ucport on Uritiih Coliimbiiv of the Hon. If. L. Liuigcvin,
Minister of Piil)iic Workr; of Cnnadn, 1871.

Vaneoiiver Island and British Cohinibiii, by Dr. Ruttrny, R. N.

There is also a work treating of the North-West Coast by John
Dunn, a yoiinp; mua formerly in tho cnii»ioy of tho Iludson'ii Bay
Company as a t^torekeopcr, Ac, which Rivos,! believe, a good deal
of information about tho Const, in its condition prior to coloni-
r.ation.

NoTB P. S. Sinoo tho preparation of the above list two works,
treating of British Columbia, of recent date, have been brought
under my notice ; which, with tho reviewer's comments upon ono
of them, form tho text for some remarks which I judge it necessary
to make in tho Supplementary Chapter. A copy of ono of theso
works — called, I think, " Queen Charlotte Islands " — by u Mr. C.
E. Poole, I have seen and cursorily perused. Tho other, styled
" Very Far West Indeed," written professedly by a Mr. U. Byron
Johnson, I am acquainted with only through tho columns of tho
Sulurdny Review of 25th May last. Theso works may bo rt-.-'d as
romances — provided, and jirovided only, they bo suflicientlj at
tractive as such ; n very questionable proposition : but as convey-
ing, in tho reviewer's words, any " useful hints as to how and
"where to settle in British (/olumbia, to the emigrant who has a
" natural taste for ' bars and Injuns,' or whose sense of daring is
•• tickled by the Rapids of the Traser," both are worse than worth-
less — they are ineffably deluFive, In the first wo have very won-
derful adventures by flood and field. Bears of course figure con-
spicuously ; Indians are shot down — on paper at least — as coolly,
and with as little compunction, as a Cockney sportsman " pots "
sparroivs. Formidable trails are followed over imaginary moun-
tains " sixteen thousand " feet in height; and an ordinary canoo
voyage, which had been performed scores of times before, and ia
now almost weekly performed by unpretending ' "wellcrs passing
to and fro, is magnified into an exploit exceeding that of Captain
Bligh, of *' Bounty " celebrity, with which it is .specially and most
audaciously contrasted. Withal it maybe said that the author
does not apparently seek to convey an injurious impression of tho
Province as a field for settlement. Ifis faults proceed from a queer
idiosyncrasy, which prompts him, where personally concerned, to
view every matter through a magnifying glass, to tho constant
exaltation of his own individual prowess. The other work, with
nil the faults of the first, contains some astounding slatcments,
even more reprehensible, if possible, from an extrancoun point of
view: and, if we may judge from the extracts, is allogethcr con-
ceived in a spirit of exaggeration and detraction, with motives
which we will not attempt to analyse. A notorious stcara-boat
story, for instance — apocryphal at the best — has been taken from
the stock traditions of the Lower Mississipi, and adapted to ■ >
meridian of the Fraser. Aga.m a, sensational cnecdote of a'i
mining adventure in Caribou, resulting in an asserted cxc
under " Lynch-law," is gravely related. Whether tho occu
ever happened in any place we cannot pretend to say — bui ,\n

APPENDIX.

♦

rntxy bo snftly afHrmcd, that it never occurred in any pnrt of Hritixh
Columbia ; neitluT it nor any other iiniiliir nioc of •' liVtH-h-inw."
Mirticuloiis riipiild are rnniiliurly tulked of, situated niidwtiy in tho
courneoftho Friiser, and yet 1, '200 miles from its source — the
the wlicde length of the river meanwhile not exceediiip rtoo miles.
Wc will nay nothinj? of the want of ^ood taste that pervades the
work — manifested in many unjustifiahlc personal nilusions — the
truth of the assertions in one particular case having moreover heeu
directly controverted — and notably in the coarse sneer at the reli-
gious persuasion of ii respectable dealer of tho Tppcr Cou' try,
whoso name is brought incidental!" and unwarrantably on the
carpet. Nor will we comment on thi- oarbaroua slang which is pnl
forward as characteristic of tho Country : as if people hero habit-
ually talked of " bars and Injuns and grizzlies ;" or that the edu-
cated Americiin gentlemen who form a highly-respected portion of
the community, employ a jargon which, if employed at all, is con-
fined to the rudest classes of the remote interior States.

Knough, however, of these productions, which I have been
reluctantly brought to notice. It is a relief to refer once more t(i
the healthily-written book of Lord Milton and Dr. Cheadle, bcfora
noticed ; an<l to join with it the work of Mr. Sproat ahove men-
tioned — of which, by the way, I cannot recall the exact title. The
perusal of these and other similar writings, proceeding from gen-
tlemen of known standing and reputation, will serve to correct the
erroneous impressions possibly derived from other questionable
souroes. Among the former, however, I ought not to omit special
reference to tho Report of the Honorable Mr. Langcvin, before
noted — the result of that gentleman's tour through tho Province
in tho autumn of last year. I have not yet seen a copy of thin
production, but am informed that it contains a mass of statistical
information of the most valuable kind, with remarks justly apprti-
ciative of the varied resources and capabilities of the Province.

APPENDIX H-2.

In direct relation with the remarks at page 102, / quote tht
folloioinff passage from the work of Captain Vaiwouvcr : — -

" Here [at Attowai, Sandwich Islands] we rejoined the Amer-
ican brig Washington.* ********** Amongst other articles
that Mr. Kcndrick [the masterj L./' nrocured whilst at Woahoo
was eighty pounds of very fine bees-wax that hai been drifted by
the sea on to the shores of that island, and had very recently been
picked up by the natives ; and I now understood that some pieces
had also been procured from the natives of the other islands by
Mr. Kendrick." — Yancouvtr^a Voyage, Vol. V.,p. 121. Bvo.Ed,
London 1801.

xlii.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX 1-2.

Xote referring to a passage regarding the progress of the
Salmon^ at page '2,1. " The Tdlo, following up the other
braDuh, do not, like the Kase, enter the Neju-cOh," &c.

The River Neja-coh {Riviere dii Large) waters the country inhftb-
ited by the Neja-otin {Gens du Large) a remote branch of the Ta-
cully, who so distinguish them from the rest of the tribe. This
river joins the Nautlay-dcdh (or Fraser's Lake Branch) from the
•outb-westward, a jouta mile below the effluence of Fraser's Lake;
and it is thus tha^ the description in the text is to be understood.

This explanat'on appears necessary, since I notice that in a late
map of the Pro/ince the term "Nejfl,-c6h" (or Nechaco) has been
inadvertently extended as far as Thle-et-lth (Fort George), so as to
comprise the whole stream there uniting with the eastern Fraser,
and usually called Stuart's River, of which the true Neja-coh is
only a tributary. Hence the reader, curious to trace the descrip-
tion by the map, would, if unadvised, be puzzled to reconcile the
discrepancy.

EEEATA.

Page 7, line 9, for Camosae read Camosac.
33, ,, 5, for is read are.

33, ,, 9, for spawing read, spawning.

34, ,, 8, for 3Iussels re&d Muscles.
41, ,, 18, for tarse read iarsi.
95, ,, 34:, for centered T&&i centred.

ConnECTioN.— At page 3, line 5, for " about 122° 40' "West Lon-
gitude," inadvertently set down, read "about 123° 12' West Lon-
gitude."

Gilbert Malcolm Sproat, Esquire, of No. 4, Lime
Street Square, London, W. C, England, is the Agent Gen-
eral of the Province for the United Kingdom.

VICTORIA, B. C:
Printeu by Biohabd Wolpenden, Govebnment Printee.

1872.

^rcss of the
> the other
h," &o.

Qtry inhab-
of the Ta-
■ibe. This
) from tho
er's Lake ;
derstood.
■t in a late
has been
'), so as to
n Fraser,
eja-c6h is
' descrip-
)ncile the

t Lon-
t Lon-

Lxme
Gen-