)

DOMINION OF CANADA.

Province of British Columbia.

INFORMATION

FOR

INTENDING SETTLERS.

PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA.

WITH MAPS.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
1887.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page.

Agricultural areas 20

Board and lodging 12

Boundaries I

Canadian Pacific Railway 21

Churches 31

Cities 31

Climate 19

Coal 5

Coast line 9

Dufferin, Earl of, extract speeches. ... 10

Esquimault and Nanaimo Railway .... 21

Fisheries 29

Fuel 18

Furniture, prices of 17

Game 30

Gold mining 5

n . ( Municipal 32

Government a Provincial 32

Harbours 9

History 1

Hospitals 32

Housing 17

Immigrants, classes of, suitable 10

Indians 32

Interior, Mainland 22

Iron . 6

Justice, administration of 31

Kootenay 29

prospective lumber trade of . . . 28-29

Lands, agricultural and pastoral 20

in Railway Grants 21

Page.

Land laws 25-26-27

Land laws, for Dominion lands .... 25-26-27
Lome, Marquis of, extract speeches. . 19

Luggage 14

Lumber trade 17

prices of . . . 17

Manufactures, provincial 17

Minerals „ 5

Mining laws 6

Money used in province 14

- how to send to province 14

Municipalities 32

Naval dock 9

New Westminster district 21

Passage, cost of 11

Pastoral lands '20

Peace River district 24

Population 31

Position of province on globe 2

Postage rates 15

Prices, household articles 16

farm implements and produce. 18

Queen Charlotte Island 24

Railway lands 21

being made 21

Scenery 32

Silver , 6

Schools 31

Surface of province, description of ... . 9

Trade 4

Trees 28

Vancouver Island 20

Wages 15

Who should go 10

Women Servants. 11-16

CANADA.

o— —

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

INFORMATION FOR SETTLERS.

British. Columbia (including Vancouver, Queen Charlotte, and other islands along the coast)
is that portion of Canada which looks out on the Pacific Ocean. It is the only Butish Territory on
the western, or Pacific Ocean side of the North American continent.

The principal other countries on the Pacific Ocean side of the continent are the American
territories and states of "Washington, Oregon and California. These are fine countries, but each has
its advantages and disadvantages. British Columbia, upon the whole, is the best of these coun-
tries to settle in, for the following substantial reasons :— Taking the whole year round, or, tak-
ing a series of years, the climate is more healthy and enjoyable. The wheat, barley, and hops
of British Columbia beat those of California, and her root crops beat those of Oregon. Her grass-
fed beef and mutton are the best on the continent. British Columbia has more uoal, and better
coal, finer harbours, superior fish, sounder trees. Her mineral lands containing precious metals
are very extensive. The public domain is sold cheaply, the taxation is immensely less, titles are
more secure, the Government maintains free, unsectarian public schools, the laws are better car-
ried out, the people have as much political freedom as any people can desire.

BOUNDARIES.

The boundaries of British Columbia are as follow : — On the North the paiallel of 60° N. ;
on the Vest the Pacific Ocean and the frontier of the United States territoryof Aiaska ; on the
South the parallel of 49° M. (the boundary of the United States) ; and on the East the Rocky
Mountains and the meridian of 120 s W. Vancouver Island, though extending southerly beyond
the 49th parallel, is wholly within the province.

HISTORY.

Vancouver Island was constituted a colony in 1849. The great mainland territory became
a colony in 1858. The two colonies were united in 1856, under the name of british Columbia,
and so continued until the 20th July, 1871, at which date the colony became one of the provinces
of Canada. From its fine climate, its harbours, the variety of its resources, its vast deposits of
gold, coal, iron, and other minerals of economic value, British Columbia may be regarded as, in

T 1

many respects, aduplicate in North- West America, of Great Britain and Ireland. The province
must always be a most important part of Canada. Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin said
on this point, in a speech in Victoria, 20th September, 1876 : —

" Canada would indeed be dead to the most self-evident considerations of self-interest, and
" to the first instincts of national pride, if she did not regard with satisfaction her connection
" with a province so richly endowed by nature, inhabited by a community so replete with British
' ' loyalty and pluck, while it afforded her the means of extending her confines and the outlets of
' her commerce to the wide Pacific and the countries beyond."

POSITION ON THE GLOBE.

The geographical situation of the province is very important. It juts out from North-West
America as Great Britain juts out from Europe. The comparatively favourable distances across
the ocean to Japan, China, and Australia, the direction of the trade winds, the open harbours,
the stores of coal, the immense fertile region through which the Canadian Pacific Railway reach-
es the seaboard of British Columbia — linking the Pacific Ocean to the system of the St. Lawrence
navigation on the eastern side of the American Continent — are facts extremely favourable to the
growth of a widely extended commerce. The opening of the Panama Canal, also, will have a
marked influence, commercially, on the future of the North-West of America.

It is of importance to consider the position of the Province with regard to the advantages it
affords for the construction of a trans-continental railway. The Canadian line, in the first place,
passes over that portion of the Continent known as the " fertile belt," instead of arid or salt
plains, not admitting either of cultivation or settlement. And, next, the highest pass through the
Rocky Mountains, on the line of the Canadian Railway, is less than one-half that of the Union
Pacific.

A comparison of profiles of altitudes of three trans-continental railway routes — the Union
Pacific, with San Francisco as terminus ; the Northern Pacific in United States territory, starting
from Duluth at the head of Lake Superior ; and the Canadian Pacific — shows commanding advan-
tages in gradients in favour of the last named. The following interesting and important general
statements in this connection, are extracted'from Mr. Fleming's report : —

" Viewing the Canadian Pacific Railway as a ' through ' route between ports on the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, the comparative profile of altitudes as above given, illustrates the remarkable
engineering advantages which it possesses over the Union Pacific Railway. The lower altitudes
o be reached, and the more favorable gradients are not, however, the only advantages.

** A careful examination into the question of distances, shows, beyond dispute, that the Con-
tinent can be spanned by a much shorter line on Canadian soil than by the existing railways
hrough the United States.

"The distance from San Francisco to New York, by the Union Pacific Railway, is 3,363
miles, while from New Westminster to Montreal it is only 2,730, or 633 miles in favour of the
Canadian route.

"By the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, even New York, Boston, and Portland
will be brought from 300 to 500 miles nearer to the Pacific coast than they are at present.

♦ r Compared with the Union Pacific Railway, the Canadian line will shorten the passage from
Liverpool to China, in direct distance, more than 1,000 miles.

" When the remarkable engineering advantages which appear to be obtainable on the Cana-
dian Line, and the very great reduction in mileage above referred to are taken into consideration,

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it is evident that the Canadian Pacific Railway, in entering into competition for the through
traffic between the two oceans, will possess in a very high degree the essential elements for
success."

It will thus be seen that the Canadian Pacific Railway has not only Canadian but Imperial
interest.

As regards the Pacific Ocean connections of the Canadian Pacific Railway, it is worthy of
note that the distance from Japan, China or the Pacific Coast generally to Liverpool is from 1,000
to 1,200 miles less by the Canadian Pacific than by the Union Pacific Railway. In reference to
this point, Professor Maury, U.S., writes : — " The trade-winds place Vancouver Island on the
" way side of the road from China and Japan to San Francisco so completely that a trading vessel
" under canvas to the latter place would take the same route as if she was bound for Vancouver
" Island — so that all return cargoes would naturally come there in order to save two or three
" weeks besides risks and expenses." It must, however, be clearly understood that this advan-
tage, equivalent to the distance between Vancouver Island and San Francisco, viz : about 700
miles, is independent of and in addition to, the saving of direct distances by the Canadian route
given above.

These very important facts of position in relation to distances are very much heightened by
the further fact of the possession of important stores of Coal on the Canadian Pacific Coast, and
the plains east of the Rocky Mountains. This is put in a striking manner by Sir Charles Dilke,
one of the late Ministers of the Crown in England, in his book entitled " Greater Britain,"
Sir Charles says : —

" The position of the various stores of coal in the Pacific is of extreme importance as an in-
dex to the future distribution of power in that portion of the world ; but it is not enough to
know where coal is to be found, without looking also to the quantity, quality, cheapness of la-
bour and facility of transport. In China and in Borneo there are extensive coal fields, but they
lie * the wrong way ' for trade ; on the other hand, the California and Monte Diablo, San Diego
and Monterey coal lies well, but is of bad quality. Tasmania has good coal, but in no great
quantity, and the beds nearest the coast are formed of inferior anthracite. The three countries
of the Pacific which must, for a time at least, rise to manufacturing greatness, are Japan, Van-
couver Island and New South Wales ; but which of these will become wealthiest and most
powerful depends mainly on the amount of coal which they respectively possess, so situated as to
be cheaply raised. The dearness of labour under which Vancouver suffers will be removed by the
opening of the Pacific Railroad ; but for the present New South Wales has the cheapest labour,
and upon her shores at Newcastle are abundant stores of coal of good quality for manufacturing
purposes, although for sea use it burns • dirtily ' and to fast. * * * The future of the Pacifio
shores is inevitably brilliant, but is not New Zealand, the centre of the water hemisphere, which
will occupy the position that England has taken on the Atlantic, but some country such as Japan
or Vancouver, jutting out into the ocean from Asia or from America, as England juts out from
Europe."

The preponderance of power which, according to Sir Charles, is to make the great nation of
the future of the Pacific coast, seems to be settled by the fact of the coal deposits of British Col-
umbia, of which more particular accounts will be given in another chapter. But it may be well
to state in this relation, that according to the evidence of Dr. G. M. Dawson, before a committee
of the Canadian Parliament, during its last session, tests made by officers specially employed by
the Government of the United States to ascertain what coal on the western coast gave the best
results for steam purposes, showed, that to produce a given quantity of steam, 1,800 lbs, Nanai.

mo or "Wellington (British Columbia) coal were equal to 2,400 of Seattle (Washington Territory,
U. S.) ( oal, to 2,600 of Coos Bay (Oregon, U. S.) and the same of Monte Diablo (California) coal.
This superiority in quality being established on the unbiassed authority of a test made for the
TJ. S. Government, settles the question of preponderance mentioned by the EDglish writer above
quoted.

The simple fact of power, however, from the presence of the mineral deposits for making
steam, is not the only consideration. The question of distance must also be considered, as well
as the trade winds, the great advantage of favorable grades and curves, the short line passing
through a rich and well watered agricultural country, instead of the hopeless deserts ; and these
conditions, moreover, are to be further considered in connection with the system of St. Law-
rence navigation on the eastern face of the continent. Such considerations make it apparent
that there are here conjunctions of commercial forces which are unique in the world ; and which
must, in the near future, exercise marked influence upon, if they do not command, the trade
between the countries bordering on the Atlantic and those on the Pacific Ocean. These are facts
which greatly affect the future commerce of the globe.

There is still another fact to be considered in relation to the position of British Columbia,
namely, the great English speaking communities so rapidly growing to wealth and power in
Australasia. Already a large trade has been built up between America and those enterprising
provinces, in which Canada has begun to share, as shown in the recent able reports of Sir E. "W.
Cameron, the Canadian Commissioner to the two last Australian International Exhibitions. The
easiest and most rapid route to reach the Australian Colonies from any part of this continent,
has been via San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. But for Canadians, the facilities are greatly
increased by the opening of the Canadian Trans- Continental Railway. The petroleum from the
immense deposits east of the Rocky Mountains in the Canadian North- West, described by Prof.
Selwyn and others before a committee of Parliament, will be conveyed to the Pacific seaboard in
British Columbia, to supply the demand in the countries on the Pacific. This demand for the
petroleum products of America has already attained the proportions of a great commerce.

The mutual wants of the countries which constitute so large a portion of the globe, will, in
the near future, find out the advantages of commercial position very briefly indicated in this
chapter. The settler in British Columbia may, therefore, fairly set before his mind pleasures of
hope sufficient to satisfy the most ardent imagination.

EXISTING TKADE.

The trade of the province already deserves particular attention. The exports amount to
about three million dollars annually. They consist of minerals — chiefly gold and coal — sea pro-
ducts — chiefly salmon and oils — timber, furs, skins, etc., which reach markets in Great Britain,
the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chili, Africa, Australia, China, Japan, and the Sandwich Is-
lands. By far the largest portion goes to the United States. In proportion to population the
exports are very considerable. In 1886 the value per head was four times that of Manitoba,
and nearly three times that of Ontario, while it exceeded that of any of the adjacent American
territories.

The imports amount, at present, to about four millions of dollars annually, the largest
amounts being from the United States, Great Britain, the Eastern Provinces of Canada, and
China, with some, also, from Central America, Sandwich Islands, Spanish West Indies, Chili,

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Germany, France, etc. The imports from the Eastern Provinces of Canada have grown rapidly
within the last few years.

The increase of the external trade of the province has been accompanied by the starting and
growth of several important provincial manufactures.

MINERALS.

The minerals of the province form its chief resource . The experience of miners, and the
data collected during nine years by the geological officers of the Canadian Government, establish
the existence of great mineral wealth in British Columbia — gold, coal, silver, iron, copper, and
other minerals. When the country is opened up and the cost of labour and supplies lessened, it
will soon take first place as the mining province of the Dominion of Canada, and, ultimately, as
second to no other country in North America.

GOLD.

There is scarcely a stream of any important in which the "colour" of gold cannot be found.
Paying gold mines exist in localities that extend through ten degrees of latitude. The gold
formation proper of the country, consists of series of talcose and chloritic, blackish or greenish-
grey slates or schists, which occasionally become micaceous, and generally show evidence of
greater metamorphism than the gold-bearing slates of California. The greatest area of these rocks
probaly corresponding to the gold-bearing rocks of California and proved to be richly auriferous,
appears in connection with the disturbed region lying west of the Rocky Mountain Range, known
in various parts of its length as the Purcell, Selkirk, Columbia, Cariboo, and Omeneca ranges.
Other considerable belts of auriferous rocks, probably belonging to the same age, however, occur
beyong this region, as in the vicinity of Anderson River and Boston Bar, on the Fraser, and at
Leech River, Vancouver Island. Gold has been found in other parts of Yancouver Island, and
also in Queen Charlotte Island.

I COAL.

All authorities agree as to the extent and value of the coal beds of British Columbia. The
deposits are widely spread. In quality, the Vancouver Island bituminous coals are found to be
superior, for all practical purposes, to any coals on the Pacific coast. Nature has given this ad-
vantage, exclusively, to Canada on the Pacific seaboard. On an average, nearly two-thirds of the
sea-borne Pacific coast coal, received annually at San Francisco, are. from Vancouver Island.
Coal formations of tertiary age, furnishing very good coal of its kind, cover great tracts also, of
the mainland of British Columbia. Anthracite coal exists in Queen Charlotte Island and on the
mainland, and indications of its presence have been discovered in Vancouver Island.

It is only within the past few years that the coal trade from British Columbia to California
has assumed large proportions. In the twelve years ending with 1873, the exports were
150,000 tons, or 12,500 tons per annum. In the last ten years these exports have been
1,902,669 tons, or 190,226 tons per annum. In the last five years they have averaged 219,634
tons per annum, or considerably more in one year than was received at San Francisco in the first
twelve years of the above period.

The present indications point to a large increase of the coal trade of the province.

A test by the War Department of the United States, as already stated, in order to find the
best steam-raising coal on the Pacific coast, showed that to produce a given quantity of steam, it
took 1,800 lbs. of Vancouver coal to 2,400 lbs. of Seattle coal, 2,600 lbs. of Coos Bay coal,
Oregon, and 2,600 lbs. of Monte Diablo coal, California. This proved that, as far as the Pacific
coast is concerned, the coal of Vancouver Island has a marked superiority over all the others.

IRON.

Great masses of iron ore exist on the coast — some of the finest iron ores known in Canada—
and lying in close proximity to great beds of marble or limestone and the coal fields of
Nanaimo. Dr. Dawson describes the bed on Texeda Island as a " very rich magnetic ore
assaying 68. 4 of iron, and a very low percentage of phosphorus and other impurities ;" and
having " only twenty miles of the navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia between it and the
Comox coal field, and both the iron and coal close to the water's edge." Rich deposits of iron
ore are found in many other portions of the Province.

SILVER.

Silver has been found near Hope, on the Fraser River. The specimens of ore assayed have
given high yields of silver. It has also been found at Yale, on the Fraser, and a rich silver ore
has been brought from Cherry Creek, a tributary of the Shuswap. Native silver has been found
at Ominsca in the northern interior, and argentiferous galenas at Omineca and Kootenay. The
silver ores in the Kootenay district, both at Kootenay Lake and on the Upper Columbia, seem
to be very plentiful. There is every reason to believe that rich mines of silver will be opened in
the province. Specimens received by the Geological Survey, from the Rocky Mountains, show a
high percentage.

OTHER MINERALS.

Copper, galena, mercury, platinum, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, plumbago, mica and
other minerals have been discovered in different parts of the province ; copper being very
widely distributed.

MINING LAWS.

Free Miners.

" Free miners " only can have right or interest in mining claims or ditches. A " free
miner " must be over 16 years of age. His certificate may be for one year ($5), or three years
($15), and is not transferable. He may enter and mine Crown lands, or, on making compensa-
tion, lands occupied for other than mining purposes. To recover wages, must have free miner's
certificate.

RECORD, &c, OF CLAIMS.

Claims must be recorded ($2.50), and rerecorded ($2.50). Time allowed for record is three
days" after location, if within ten miles of office — one additional day for every additional ten
miles, or fraction thereof. In very remote places, miners, assembled in meeting, may make
valid rules temporarily. Transfers of claims or mining interests must be in writing and

registered. Free miners may hold any number of claims by purchase, but only two by pre-
emption, except in certain cases. Claims may be officially laid over, and leave of absence
granted in certain cases, but the rule is that every full claim or full interest must be worked
either by owner or agent. A free miner can, by record, get a fair share of water necessary to
work claim. A claim is deemed open if un worked for 72 hours on working days, unless for
sickness or other reasonable cause.

NATURE AND SIZE OF ORDINARY MINING CLAIMS.

Claims, as far as possible, are rectangular and must be staked by post or tree. Sizes are,
"bar diggings," 100 feet wide at high- water mark, and thence extend into the river at its
lowest water level. " Dry diggings " 100 feet square. " Creek claims " 100 feet long, measured
in the direction of the general course of the stream, and shall extend in width from base to base
of the hill or bench on each side, but when the hills or benches are less than 100 feet apart the
claim shall be 100 feet square. "Bench claims" 100 feet square. "Hill claims" base line
fronting a stream 100 feet — parallel side lines at right angles thereto at summit of hill. Posts
100 feet apart. Claim not to come within 100 feet of any gulch or tributary of creek. Mea-
surements horizontal, irrespective of surface inequalities.

DISCOVERERS' CLAIMS.

To one discoverer 300 feet in length.

To a party of two discoverers . * 600 „ do.

To a party of three discoverers 800 do.

To a party of four discoverers 1000 do.

And to each member of a party beyond four in number, a claim of the
ordinary size only.

The above increase of size applies to dry, bar, bench, creek, or hill diggings, not to quart*,
claims or minerals in lodes or veins.

A new stratum of auriferous earth oc gravel situated in a locality where the claims are
abandoned, shall, for the above purposes be deemed a new mine, although the same locality
shall have been previously worked at a different level ; and dry diggings discovered in the
vicinity of bar diggings shall be deemed a new mine,, and vice versa. A discoverer's claim shal
be reckoned as one ordinary claim.

Creek discovery claims shall extend 1,000 feet on each side of the centre of the creek, or as
far as the summit.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
On discovery of new lode or vein containing minerals, 6 months.

On proving expenditure, in cash, labour, or machinery, of $1,000 on each full interest
(without reasonable return), 1 year.

Under other conditions Gold Commissioner has option.

MINERAL CLAIMS.

" Mineral claims," — that is, claims containing, or supposed to contain, minerals, precious
or base (other than coal), in lodes or veins, or rock in place— shall be 1,500 feet long and 600 feet
wide, and, as nearly as possible, in rectangular form. Must have 3 posts (or tree posts) at equal
distances along centre line, with a notice on each. Only one claim on the same lode or vein can
be held, except by purchase. Quartz claims are deemed to be mineral claims.

In order to get a Crown grant for a mineral claim lawfully held, it must be surveyed by a
surveyor approved by the Land Office ; notice of application for the grant must be posted
conspicuously on the land and on the Government office of the district, also inserted for sixty
days in the Government Gazette and a newspaper, if any, circulating in the district, and proof
must be given to the satisfaction of the Government officers that $1,000 have been bona fide
expended in money or labour upon the claim. Or a Crown grant may be got by paying $25 per
acre to the Government, in lieu of representation and expenditure on the claim.

General provisions for ordinary mining claims apply to mineral claims as far as may be.

The proper representation of a " mineral " claim requires that the sum of one hundred dol-
lars, in money, labour, or improvements, shall be expended in the first six months of every year
upon the claim, to the satisfaction of a Gold Commissioner, and that the owner shall have ob-
tained a certificate from the Gold Commissioner to that effect, within six months from the loca-
tion of the claim, and thereafter within the first six months in every year, and shall have record-
ed the certificate immediately after its issue.

An annual tax of $1 per acre, or fractional part of an acre, of every mineral claim is paj'able
on the 31st December. •

Leases of mining ground, ditch privileges, &c, may be issued, but will not in general be
granted for a longer term than ten years, or for a quantity of ground greater than —

In dry diggings, ten acres ;

In bar diggings, unworked, half a mile in length along the higlv water mark.
In bar diggings worked and abandoned, one mile and a half in length along the high- water
mark.

In creek claims, on abandoned creeks, one mile and a half in length.

The regulations as to flumes, ditches, and drainage need not be detailed, but it may be stated
that the water taken into a ditch or sluice has to be measured at the ditcli or sluice head. No
water should be taken into a ditoh or sluice except in a trough placed horizontally at the place
at which the water enters it. One inch of water means half the quantity that will pass through
an orifice two inches high by one inch wide, with a constant head of seven inches above the
upper side of the orific

COAL PKOSPECTINGr LICENSES.

A twelve months' prospecting license for 480 acres of vacant coal land, in one block, may
be granted by the Government on payment of $25. The licenses may be extended for another
year if the licensee has actually explored for coal, on payment of $50. The license is not transfer-
able without notice being given to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works. If a licensee
wishes to purchase the coal lands, he_may do so under the said Land Act at $2.60 per acre.

THE SURFACE OF THE PEOYINCE.

The general physical features of British Columbia may be described in a few words. It oc-
cupies the mountainous, or hilly, region that extends to the Pacific Ocean from the western edge
of the great plain or prairie country of Central Canada lying east of the Rocky Mountains. The
length of the province is about 700 miles, and the extreme breadth over 500 miles. Its area is
estimated at about 350,000 square miles.

The Rocky Mountains rise abruptly at their eastern base from the plain or prairie region
of Central Canada, and present often to the east almost perpendicular walls of rock. They
are composed not of a single upheaved ridge, but of a number of more or less nearly parallel ranges,
which have a general direction a little west of north, and a breadth of over sixty miles. The
rivers that flow into Hudson's Bay and the Arctic Ocean have their sources farther back among
the several ranges of the Rockies as we proceed northward. Between the 51st and 52nd parallels
the ranges not only become more diffuse, but decrease rapidly in height, till on the Border of
the Arctic Ocean they are represented by comparatively low hills.

The surface of the country between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean may be di»
vided into two subordinate mountain districts, flanking on either, side an irregular belt of high
plateau country, which extends, with an average width of about 100 miles, up the interior of the
province to about 55.30, N.L., and is, in fact, a northerly continuation of the great basin of Utah
and Nevada in the United States. On the eastern side of this high irregular plateau, are masses
of mountains that run generally parallel to the Rocky Mountains, and are not well distinguished
from them. This is one of the mountain districts above-mentioned. The other is a mass of
mountains on the western side of the plateau. These latter are commonly called the coast range
of British Coumbia — a range uplifted later than the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, and not of the
same formation. The large Islands of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte, which shelter the main-
land coast, are above- water portions of a still more westerly range of mountains now half sub-
merged in the Pacific Ocean. The Cascade Mountains of Oregon, though described in some ac-
counts of the province as running longtitudinally through it, in fact merely enter the south-west
angle of British Columbia and disappear on the east side of the Fraser, about 150 miles up that
river. In the extreme north o c the province, as above said of the Rocky Mountains, the moun-
tains generally, except those of the coast range diminish in height, and the surface has a gentle
northerly and northeasterly slope towards the Arctic Ocean.

The above brief description, read with the map lying open beside it, will make the general
physical structure and surface of British Columbia sufficiently clear to the reader. It is necessary,
however, to add a word or two on the remarkable coast line of the province. Here we shall see
a further resemblance to North- Western Europe, particularly to the coast of Norway and the
west coast of Scotland.

COAST LINE.

The coast line is much broken with numerous long inlets, bays, coves, and islands. It is
noteworthy that, while from San Francisco to Cape Flattery there is not a single harbour for
ocean-going ships, good harbours are numerous in British Columbia, both on the mainland an&
on "Vancouver Island. Among those may be mentioned Burrard Inlet on the mainland, to which
the trans* continental railway comes, Esquixnault, the Naval Station in Yancouver Island, and

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Nanairno, a great coal shipping port on the east coast of that Island, all of which are excellent
harbours much frequented by shipping. A remarkable feature on the coast of the province is the
noble barrier for the protection of the main] and shores formed by the outer half-submerged moun-
tain range above-mentioned, represented by the large Islands of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte.

His Excellency Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin thus describes the coast line of the

province in^a speech at Victoria, on the 10th of September, 1876 : —

" Such a spectacle as its coast line presents is not to be paralleled by any country in the
" world. Day after day for a whole week, in a vessel of nearly 2,000 tons, we threaded an
** interminable labyrinth of watery lanes and reaches that wound endlessly in and out of a
" network of islands, promontaries, and peninsulas for thousands of miles, unruffled by the
" slightest swell from the adjoining ocean, and presenting at every turn an ever shifting com-
" bination of rock, verdure, forest, glacier, ana snow-capped mountain of unrivalled grandeur
" and beauty. When it is remembered that this wonderful system of navigation, equally well
" adapted to the largest line of battle-ship and the frailest canoe, fringes the entire seaboard of
" your province and communicates at points, sometimes more than a hundred miles from the
" coast, with a multitude of valleys stretching eastward into the interior, while at the same time
" it is furnished with innumerable harbours on either hand, one is lost in admiration at the
" facilities for inter- communication which are thus provided for -the future inhabitants of this
" wonderful region."

WHO SHOULD OO TO BRITISH COLUMBIA.

In a pamphlet issued by the Provincial Government of British Columbia it is
stated

" That the Government receives many letters asking for a statement of the actual advanta-
" ges from different occupations and investments in the province. To such questions no entirely
" satisfactory answer can be given without the power to gauge, in some degree, moral disposi-
" tions ; so much depends on the individual himself in every colonial undertaking. Emigration
" is a matter that should be undertaken veiy prudently, and with clear notions of what settling
" in a young country really means. The rough task of re-beginning a career means at first a time
" of hope, followed generally by depression and often by disappointment, and always by more or
" less hardship. The province has great resources, but these require capital, cheap labour, and
" time for their development. Its surface is uneven and without any extensive connected agri-
" cultural areas. It is only in the power of the Government to give general information to the
" intending immigrant, the application of which, to special cases, must be the business of each
" individual himself.

" The prosperity of the province is due to its great natural resources, the steady growth o^
" legitimate industries and trade, and to the large public works now being carried on.

" The requirements of the province at the present time are men and money — the labourer,
" the mechanic, the real farmer, dairy-man, fruit-grower, or stock-raiser, and the large and small
" capitalist.

" Any smart, active, capable, sober man, with only a little money, but accustomed to work
" with his hands, is sure to succeed in making a comfortable home. "Wages are high ; land,
" food, and house materials are still relatively cheap. If such a settler has a strong heart him?
" self, and is blessed with a common-sense wife used to country work, he may confidently look
" forward to becoming even rich. He need not long remain in the condition of a labourer. This
" certainty of raising in the social scale must stimulate the emigrant. Many new avenues to
" success will be opened when the railways are finished, and men should be here to discover these
" for themselves.

" The monied man, who looks to the actual growth of industries in the province, and the
" new permanent markets and industries which the railways will create, and who considers the
" varied natural resources of the couutry, cannot fail to find investments that will promise good
'f returns on capital. Farmers, or other persons with considerable means, will find either tillage
" farming, or cattle or sheep farming in British Columbia an agreeable and profitable occupation.
M The country does not yet feed itself. Why should a farmer in the old country continue to

11

«* pay rent, and remain under the control of a landlord, as a leaseholder or yearly tenant, when,
" with one year's rental, he can purchase a partially prepared farm with buildings on it, in the
" thoroughly British province of British Columbia ?

" Persons generally, especially farmers, with moderate means, who are qualified for the life
" of a settler in a new country, and are uneasy about their own future and that of their children,
" and are prepared to emigrate, should consider the advantages which British Columbia affords,
" irrespectively of the climate, which must be attractive to all. They should have at least suf-
" ficient capital to be independent for twelve months. It is often best for the father to go out
" and pave the way for the little folks.

" "We cannot at present encourage the emigration of professional men, such as lawyers, doc-
" tors, surveyors, and civil engineers, unless they have money beyond the excepted earnings of
" their profession, and are prepared to take their chances after arrival. Clerks, shopmen, or
" those having no particular trade or callling, and men not accustomed to work with their hands,
" if without means of their own, would probably meet with disappointment, and perhaps hard-
" ship. Tutors, governesses, house-keepers, and wom:n generally above the grade of domestic
" servants, should not go alone to the province at present, and they should not go at all, unless
w to join friends or relatives able to maintain them for some time after arrival. Good female
" domestic servants are, however, much in demand.

" The jaded man of business, or invalid, will find that a visit to the province will brace him up.

" The tourist who can command sufficient means and leisure, may well exchange, for a time,
M the beaten tracks of European travel for a tour of exploration and adventure, where the world
** assumes a new and to some minds not unattractive phase. In the magnificent scenery of Bris-
" ish Columbia the lover of nature will see much to remind him of Switzerland and the Rhine.
" The naturalist and botanist will find specimens not known in Europe. The geologist will
*• witness a panorama to which the old world presents no parallel. The sportsman will find ab-
" undence of adventure, and game of all kinds. In the principal towns, travellers can have as
" good a dinner as in Paris.

" We invite emigrants from all nations, except China."

CONCERNING- PASSAGE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA.

The first thing an intending emigrant should do, as well before he starts from home as after
his arrival in Canada, is to consult the Government Agents, who are instructed to be careful in
giving information and advice. Confidence should not be given to mere hangers-on who are
sometimes found about the stations and landing places on the arrival of parties of immigrants.
Until the immigrant has been a sufficient time in the new country to learn its ways, he should
look very closely at the motives or interests of those persons who offer transactions or advice, and
not accept them without consulting the responsible officers. Steamboat and railway tickets for
passage or fares should be purchased from the regularly authorized agents only.

If any further information should be desired by the immigrant which he cannot obtain on
the spot ; or should he desire to make any statements, he should write directly to the General
Government at Ottawa, Canada, addressing his letters to the " Secretary of Department of Agri-
culture at Ottawa," and he will receive due attention. Letters addressed as above are post free,
and may be simply dropped in the post office without stamps.

COST OF PASSAGE.

(Subject to Change.)

The current advertised rates of passage from the United Kingdom to Canada, by the several
steamship lines, will be found in the newspapers and hand-bills. The railway fares from Quebec
and Halifax, (from Quebec during the season of navigation only, and from Halifax during the
winter months only,) to British Columbia, are as follow :—

£

S.

r/.

e>nr r\t\

«t>/ o.uu

(Stg.

Id

8

2)

40. OU

(btg.

o

V

11

2 ;

75.00

(Stg.

15

8

2)

48.00

(Stg.

9

17

3)

75.00

(Stg.

15

8

2)

47.00

(Stg.

9

13

2)

75.00

(Stg.

15

8

2)

48.50

(Stg.

9

19

4)

12

Ditto Colonist do

From Halifax to Yancouver, 1st Class

Ditto Colonist do ......

From Quebec to Victoria, B.C., do..

Ditto Colonist do

From Halifax to Victoria, B.C. do

Ditto Colonist do

These very cheap rates of railway passage across the Continent are only afforded in connec-
tion with Ocean Tickets to which the additional fares of the steamship lines must be added.

Passengers arriving at Quebec, may if they prefer^ take the lake route to Port Arthur and
thence by rail across the Continent .

Passengers who may arrive at any of the United States ports can have the option of pro*
ceeding by Chicago and San Francisco, but this route involves two Custom House examinations.
One hundred and fifty pounds is allowed free to each adult passenger and seventy-five pounds
for each half ticket by the Canadian Pacific route ; one hundred pounds only per adult being
allowed by the American lines. Comfortable sleeping cars are afforded both for first class
passengers and the colonist or emigrant class by the Canadian route. The former are fitted up
with great luxuriance, for which an extra charge is made in addition to the passenger's ticket,
but the Colonist Sleepers are free from Quebec to the Pacific Coast.

BOARD AND LODGING-.

The ordinary advertised rates in Victoria in good second-class hotels (meat at every meal),
are as follows : —

Board and lodging, $5 (20s. English) per week.

Do. do $1 (4s. English) per day,

Single meals, 25 cents (Is. English).
Beds, 50 cents and 25 cents (2s. and Is. English).

At New Westminster, near the mouth of the Fraser, the rates are about the same. At
Nanaimo, the "Coal" town on the east side of Vancouver Island, the rate in the workmen's
boarding houses, is $22.50 per month. Board and lodging3 are higher in the mainland
interior.

OCEAN PASSAGE.

In steamships from the United Kingdom and the continent of Europe, a certain number of
feet of space is prescribed by law for each passenger, so that even in the most crowded or
busiest times there can be no overcrowding, or such crowding as would be injurious to the
health of the passengers. Good food is amply supplied, and there is always a medical man on
board in case of illness, when medicines and medical comforts are provided. The steamships
from the United Kingdom are in all cases inspected by officers of the Imperial Parliament before
departure, to ensure the carrying out of the provisions of the Passengers' Act.

The laws passed by the Canadian Parliament contain strict provisions for the protection of
immigrants, and severe penalties are imposed for all attempts to deceive or defraud them.

13

On landing at a Canadian port, all immigrants will be visited by a medical officer of the
Government, called the Inspecting Physician, and any who may be ill will receive medical
treatment, and all necessary medicmes and comforts will be provided.

The days of sailing of the steamships, and the rates of passage — cabin, intermediate and
steerage — will be found by the intending emigrant in the handbill or advertisements now so
very generally published. It may here be particularly pointed out, that most favourable rates
of assisted passages are offered to female domestic servants and families of agricultural labourers.
The Canadian Government assisted passage is less than half of the ordinary advertised rates of
steerage passage. The assisted passages are confined to the steerage, and do not apply to either
the intermediate or saloon passage. Application should be made to any Government Agent to
obtain information respecting the rates of assisted passages and the conditions necessary to obtain
them.

The saloon passage includes all provisions and staterooms. The intermediate passage
includes provisions, beds, bedding, and all necessary utensils. The steerage includes a plentiful
supply of cooked provisions, but steerage passengers must provide their own beds and bedding,
and eating and drinking tins. The outfit for a steerage passage is as follows : — 1 mattress, Is.
8d. ; 1 pillow, 6d. ; 1 blanket, 3s. 6d. ; 1 water can, 9d. ; 1 quart mug, 3d. ; 1 tin plate, 3d. ;
1 wash basin, 9d. ; 1 knife and fork,* 6d. ; 2 spoons, 2d. ; 1 pound marine soap, 6d. ; 1 towel,
8d. ; total, 9s. 6d. The whole of these articles can be obtained of any outfitter in Liverpool at
one minute's notice.

These articles may now, however, be hired at a merely nominal rate from some or all of
the steamship companies.

All children above the age of twelve years are considered ocean adults, and charged full
price. All children under twelve, and over one year old, are charged half-price ; infants in
arms being charged 10s. 6d. stg. Children, under the ocean adult age, have special rates made
for them in the assisted passages of the Canadian Government.

The steerage passengers being so well provided with food on the steamships of the principal
lines, need not think of providing themselves with any kind of provisions. If they should be
sick, they will be attended to by the ship's doctor, and supplied with medical comforts.

DURING THE PASSAGE.

As soon as the emigrant gets on board the steamship he should make himself acquainted
with the rules he is expected to obey whilst at sea. These are generally printed and hung up in
the steerage. He should do his best to carry them out ; to be well-behaved, and to keep himself
clean. He will thus add not only to his own health and comfort, but to that of those around
him. If he should have any grievance or real cause of complaint during the passage, he should,
of course, make it known to the captain, who will naturally seek to have justice done, as well
as for his own interest as for that of his ship and his employers. But if for any reason there
should be a failure in this, the immigrant should make his complaint to the Government Agent
immediately upon landing, while the ship is in port.

The large steamships have stewardesses to look after the female portion of the steerage pas-
sengers, who have separate and isolated accommodation in the better class of steamers ; a neces-
sary precaution where large numbers of both sexes are carried within a limited space.

On all the steamship bills the passenger will find stated how many cubic feet of luggage he
can take with him on board the steamship. Cabin passengers 20 cubic feet, intermediate
passengers 15 feet, and steerage passengers 10 cubic feet of luggage free. Ten cubic feet, how-
ever, may be a much larger amount of luggage than will be allowed by the railways after
landing.

On all boxes, trunks, or other luggage every passenger should have plainly written or
printed his name and destination.

All heavy luggage and boxes are stowed away in the hold of the steamship, but the emigrant
should put in a separate and small package the things he will require for use on the voyage.
These he should keep by him and take into his berth.

14

Emigrants sometimes suffer great loss and inconvenience from losing their luggage. They
should, therefore, be careful not to lose sight of it until it is put on shipboard. It is then
perfectly safe. Upon arrival at Quebec or Halifax it will be passed by. the Customs officers and
put upon what is called the "baggage car" of the railway train, where it is "checked" to its
destination. This means that there is attached to each article a little piece of metal with a
number stamped on it, while a corresponding piece similarly numbered is given to the passenger
to keep until his destination is reached. The railway is then responsible for the safety of his
luggage, and will not give it up until he shows his " check." This custom has great safety as
weJl as convenience.

After seeing his luggage marked as passed by the Custom House officer, the immigrant
should see that it goes on the same train with him, and then has only to take care of the "checks"
previously given to him, and on arriving at Vancouver, can depend upon finding his luggage
arrive with him, without having had to pay any attention to it during the whole journey. This
is equally the case whether he starts from Quebec or Halifax, and. is one of the great advantages
of the Canadian Pacific Railway, all the inconvenience of passing the United States Customs,
and the liability to detention of baggage, being entirely done away, as well as the troublesome
changes that were necessary over the old routes, for now the same car takes the immigrant
through from Quebec without change to the Pacific Coast. The journey across the Continent
takes about six days, and Special Colonist Sleeping Cars are furnished by the Railway Company,
which are bright and comfortable, and are often used by first-class passengers when making
short trips. There is no extra charge for these cars. Meals are served on board the trains, and
there are also first rate dining-rooms at convenient stations along the line.

WHAT TO TAKE.

The limit for luggage on the railway being 150 lbs. weight, and the charge on excess weight
being high, it is not possible to take many things on the trip. Articles of household furniture,
such as crockery, stoves, or articles of hardware, should, generally speaking, be left behind or
sold, as they would not be worth the carriage on the journey to British Columbia, and would,
besides, cause a great deal of trouble as well as expense, and it is generally cheaper for a settler
to buy what he wants of this nature, after arrival.

MONEY.

It may be explained that money in Canada is in Dollars and Cents. A comparison with
sterling is subjoined, which will at once enable the reader to understand in sterling, values
stated in dollars and cents

Sterling into Dollars and Cents.

£d. sterling is.
Id. "
Is. «
£1 "

$ cts.

,0 01

.0 02

.0 24

.4 86

Dollars and Cents into Sterling.

£. s.

1 cent is

1 dollar is 4

4 dollars are 16

d.

H
1 6£

For small change, the half-penny sterling is 1 cent ; and the penny sterling is 2 cents. For
arriving roughly at the approximate value of larger figures, the Pound sterling may be counted
at 5 Dollars. This sign % is used to indicate the dollar.

The money used in Canada consists of bank bills, gold and silver coins, and bronze in single
cents. In British Columbia the bronze coin is not in circulation, thougli of course legal.

The Dominion of Canada paper money, also the paper money of the Bank of British North
America and the Bank of British Columbia, pass freely in the Province in notes of from $1 to
$100. These are payable in gold. United States paper money is not used in the province.

HOW TO SEND MONEY TO BRITISH COLUMBIA.

The emigrant is not recommended to take British coin to British Columbia. In Great Britain,
he should pay that portion of his money not wanted on the passage to the Post Office, and get a
money order for it payable in Victoria, or he may pay his money either to the Bank of British
Columbia, London (the bankers for the Government of British Columbia), or the Bank of British

15

North America, London, and get from the bank in exchange tor his money, an order payable on
demand from its branch bank in Victoria, British Columbia, for the equivalent of his money in
dollars and cents.

The emigrant on paying his money to tJie Bank, must sign his name on a separate piece oj
paper, and ask tJie Bank to send the signature to t/ieir Branch Bank in Victoria, so tltat tJie person
who applies for the money in Victoria, may be known to be the proper person. If this is neglected,
the emigrant may not be able to get his money in Victoria readily.

The above banks have agents in England, Scotland and Ireland. The Bank of British North
America has its own branches in the Dominion of Canada, New York, and San Francisco. The
Bank of Montreal is the agent of the Bank of British Columbia throughout Canada and New York.
The Bank of British Columbia has a branch in San Francisco.

RATES OF POSTAGE.

The rate of letter postage is 3 cents (ljd.) per half ounce, prepaid, between post offices in
Canada. The postage for letters between Canada and the United Kingdom is 5:>cents (2|d.)
Postal cards can be sent between Canada and the United Kingdom for 2 cents (Id. stg.)

The newspaper postage in Canada is merely nominal ; and there are parcel, sample and book
posts, at a cheap rate, which are found very useful.

MONEY ORDERS. '

The money order system in operation is similar to that of England. All Money Older Offices
are authorized to draw on each other for auy sum up to one hundred dollars ; and any applicant
may receive as many one hundred dollar orders as he may require. An order for $4 is sent for
2 cents ; $10 for 5 cents, and so on.

WAGES.

During the spring and summer of 1886, the labour demanded was not as brisk as usual,
owing to the large number of men discharged by the Canadian Pacific Railway, on the comple-
tion of their road, for while many returned to their own homes, still a large number settled
down to work of some kind in the Province.

The rapidly growing town of Vancouver finds work for a large number of carpenters, plas-
terers, painters, &c, and there is a fair demand for artisans of all kinds in the principal places,
which, with the impetus given to every kind of industry in the Province by the opening of the
railroad, is likely to increase . The manufacturing industries being yet in their infancy, the
demand for labour of this kind is comparatively limited, though it has increased considerably of
late years, and as new capital (of which there is a great want in the Colony) is brought in, will
undoubtedly assume much larger proportions.

The following are about the average wages at present, as they have apeared in official reports,
or have been furnished on inquiries made lately : —

Farm labourers per day without board $ 1 50 to $ 2 00

Farm labourers per week and board. 6 00 " 7 50

Female farm servants and board per month 12 00 " 20 00

Masons per day without board 3 50 " 4 50

Carpenters 2 50 " 3 50

Lumbermen per day 2 00 " 3 00

Shipwrights . " 3 50 " 4 50

Smiths M 3 00 " 3 75

Wheelwrights " 3 50 " 4 00

Gardeners " without board 2 00 " 2 50

Female domestics per month 12 00 " 20 00

General labourers per day without board 1 00 " 1 50

Miners per day 2 50 " 3 00

Millhands " 2 00 " 2 50

Engine drivers per day , 3 50 " 4 00

Saddlers " 2 00 " 2 50

Bootmakers " 2 00 " 3 00

Tailors " 2 50 " 3 00

16

It of course happens occasionally, that certain kinds of skilled labour are" in full supply both
on the railway works and in the general industries of the country. .j

An ordinary unskilled labourer, such as one would employ to dig or cut fire-wood, receives
$1 to $1.50 a day ; if he can lay claim to skill enough to qualify him to attend to a garden or an
orchard, he readily commands $2 a day.

Farm servants, engaged by the month, are paid at wages from $20 to $40 per month, with
board and lodging, according to the kind of work required of them, and the responsibility of their
positions. A few Indians are employed in the seaboard districts, at $15 to $20 per month with
board and lodging, by farmers who understand their character. In the interior, Indians are large-
ly employed as herders and for general farm work. In Vancouver Island and the New West-
minster district, it may be said that a dollar (4s. English) a day, with board and lodging, is the
pay of the farm labourer. Higher wages are paid in the interior.

However strong and active a man may be, he cannot expect the highest wage until he knows
his work and;. the ways of the country.

WOMEN SERVANTS.

Female servants are very scarce, and a considerable number could find immediate employ-
ment. Owing however to this scarceness, Chinese help is used to a large extent, and as it is
naturally distasteful to white servants to have to work with them, the unfavourable reports to
their friends of those who have been in service, have had a tendency to keep girls from comiDg
into the country, and employers, as a consequence, have had to take what help was available.
But Mr. Jessop, the Dominion Government Immigration Agent at Victoria, says : " There is
" but little doubt that if a fair supply of female servants were available, Chinese competition
" would soon become nearly extinct, and one disagreeable feature of house-keeping in this Pro-
" vince would become a thing of the past. Wages are all that the most sanguine could desire
" being from $10 to $12 per month for nursery girls, and $15 to $20 for servants capable of doing
" general house work."

Apart from the labour question, the proportion of single men to single women is every large,
and numbers of men of good character and means in the country districts, are pining for wives!

FAMILY MARKET EE PORT.

The following are about the average prices in New Westminster, Vancouver, Victoria and
Nanaimo, which are the principal towns in the Province. These places however are the prin-
cipal ports of entry, and it must be remembered that all articles of foreign production necesarily
tend to become dearer in proportion to the distance from them, though in the interior, meat is
generally cheaper than on the seaboard.

Butter — 25 cents to 30 cents per lb.
Cheese — 20 to 25 cents.
Eggs— 25 to 30 per doz.
Cornmeal — 5 cents per lb ,
Oatmeal — " "
Flour— $5 to 6 per brl.
Beans — 5 cents.

Vegetables— Potatoes, 1£ to 1£ cent per lb ; Onions, 4 cents r per lb ; Celery, 15 cents a
bunch; Rhubarb, 8 cents per lb ; Cauliflower, 15 cents each; Asparagus, 5 cents a bunch-
Cabbage 4 cents.

Hams — Sugar cured, 18 cents per lb.

Bacon — 15 to 16 cents.

Lard— $1.50 per 10 lb ; 50 cents per 3 lbs.

Fish— Cod, 12£ cents; Salmon, 8 cents ; Halibut, 10 Cents ; Oolachan, 8 cents ; Crabs, 25
cents a bucket ; Rock cod, 8 cents ; Sturgeon, 5 cents ; Salt herring, 6 cents ; Brook Trout 25
cents per lb ; Clams, 30 to 35 per bucket.

Tea— 25 to 75 cents; Coffee ground, 25 to 35 cents; Green, 15 to 25 cents per ft.

Sugar— 8 to 9 cents ; Loaf, 12£ cents per lb.

17

Syrup — $1 per gallon ; Molasses, 60 to 75 cents per gallon.

Corned Beef — 12 \ cents per lb.

Beef — Choice cuts, 15 to 20 cents per lb.

Mutton — do 15 to 20 cents "

Lamb — 20 cents per lb.

Pork— 15 cents "

Veal— 20 cents "

Sausages — 20 cents "

Coal Oil — $3.50 per case.

Dried Fruit. — California pears, 15 to 20 cents ; Pitted Plums, 15 to 16 cents ; Peaches^
15 to 20 cents ; Apricots, 12| to 20 cents ; Prunes, 10 to 15 cents ; Evaporated Apples, 16 to
20 cents.

Fruit — Bananas, 50 cents per doz. ; Strawberries, 20 cents per lb. ; Oranges, 25 to 50
cents per doz. ; Lemons, 30 to 50 cents per doz. ; Apples, 5 cents ; Pears, 10 to 15 cents per lb.
Lime— $1.50 per bbl.

FURNITURE, BEDDING, AND UPHOLSTERY

Need not be brought. Furniture and bedding are made in the province at prices which prevent
importations, say : —

Chairs, from 60 cents to $1.25 each, &c.
Bedsteads, $2.50, $4, $6, $8, &c.
Tables, $1.50 up.
Extra dinner tables, from $8 up.

Mattresses, from $1.50 up to $30, according to quality.

Carpets, tapestry, from 50 cents to $1 per yard ; Brussels, from $1 to $1.75 per yard.
Bed-room sets, $20, $35, &c.

HOUSING.

Material for brick and stone houses plentiful. Bricks, at Victoria, cost $8 to $10 (32s. to
40s. English) per thousand at the kiln.

LUMBER.

.Rough lumber has been sold at the mills at about $10 a thousand for many years, but the
present prices for local supplies are as follow ;

Bridge plank aod timber per M $11 00 to $15 00

Street plank 11 00 " 12 50

Eough lumber .. , 12 50

" " sized «s 14 00

Fir " clear 17 50

Flooring, t. and g '. 17 50 " 22 00

ShiDgles, per 1000 2 50

Laths 1 62|

Pickets • 12 50

The cost of a house depends, of course, on the size, material, and finishing. Four-roomed
substantial cottage, say $500 (^100 English). Rents of cottages and small houses vary from
$10 (j^2 English) to $25 (£o English) per month. Opportunities are frequently available to
workmen for purchasing a building lot and erecting a cottage, to be paid for by easy instalments.
In the country, rents are lower (but few houses to be let). For temporary accommodation, men
often put up one-roomed houses. Countiy settlers, not near sawmills, can get logs, but there are
accessible sawmills in most of the settled districts.

2

18

FUEL.

No difficulty about fuel. "Wood is the common fuel, and farmers generally have a plentiful
supply on their land. The price in the seabord towns, and also at Yale, ranges from $3 to $4
(12s. to 16s. English) per "cord" of fir fire-wood delivered. A cordis 8 feet long, 4 feet high,
and 4 feet broad. The wood must be cut, after delivery, into suitable lengths for household use.
This will cost about $1.50 (6s. English) per cord, but many householders themselves cut it.

In the Mainland interior, wood fuel, if purchased, is dearer, but the railway will tend to
equalize prices in portions of the countiy.

Coal is used, of course, at Nanaimo, and to some extent, increasingly, in households,
in the cities of Victoria and New "Westminster. It costs $7.50 to $8 (30s. to 32s. English) per
ton of 2, 000 lbs.

RETAIL PRICES OF HARDWARE.

Crosscut Saws $0 75 to $1 00 per ft.

Handsaws 1 00 to 3 50 each.

Nails 5 00 per keg.

Axes, handled 1 50 to 1 75 "

Shovels, long handled 1 00 to 1 25 "

Wheelbarrows 4 00 "

Mattocks ; 1 25 "

Picks 1 00 "

Sadirons 10 per lb.

Polishing irons 75 to 1 00 "

Hopes 20 per lb .

Rakes 75 to 1 00 "

Hoes 40 to 75 "

Grindstones 05 per lb.

Gunpowder.. 50 to 1 00 per lb.

Giant " 40 "

Fuse 02 per ft.

Shot 2 25 a bag.

WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT.

Farm Produce.

June 3rd, 1887.

Wheat, per 100 lbs $ 1 50 to $ 1 75

Oats, "

Peas,

Butter, per lb ,
Cheese, "

Mutton,

Pork, pei

Hides,

Turnips,

Carrots,

Parsnips,

Beets,

Cabbage,

1 50

< i

1 89

1 50

20 00

N

25 00

I 25

27

<«

30

20

25

II

35

10 00

«<

12 00

10 00

50

«

75

25

1 1

30

25

ti

30

1 50

<<

1 75

10 00

It

12 00

6 00

<«

7 00

75

75

75

II

1 00

75

««

1 00

2 50

II

3 00

19

CLIMATE.

-«« One of the greatest attractions of the province is its climate. It may be remarked, in the
first place, that the climate of British Columbia in general, though the occurrence of high ranges
of mountains has its ordinary effect Upon the climate of particular districts, is much more
temperate than the climate of any part of Canada lying east of the Kocky Mountains. Some of
the probable causes of this superior climate may be mentioned. Behring's Straits, between
America and Asia, are so narrow and shallow that not much of the icy Arctic current flows
along the British Columbia coast, as it does, with chilling effect, past Labrador on the east of the
Continent. The Rocky Mountains, iu British Columbia, trending north-westerly, keep off the
cold north winds. Other causes of the temperate climite are the existence of a warm ocean
current in the Paoiti 5 Ocean which flovs towards the c 5 as t, the fact that the prevalent warm
south-westerly winds from that ocean blow over the country, and also the north and south
direction of the- principal valleys in the province, up which warm air from the south is drawn. .

On a complete view, the variety of climate in the province may be named as follows : — The
Coast, the Southern Interior, the Canadian, and the Arctic. The first variety — that of the
Coast — with an equable climate and heavy rainfall, is characterized by luxuriance of vegetation,
and especially of forest growths The second variety, namely, that of the southern interior of
the province, presents as its most striking feature a dryness of climate, and consequent tendency
to resemble in its flora the interior basin of Utah and Nevada in the United States to the south.
It may be said to extend northward from the southern boundary of the province to about the
51st parallel. In the northern part of the interior of the province, just such an assemblage of
plants is found as may be seen in many parts of eastern Canada, though mingled with uufatniliar
stragglers. This last named flora appears to run completely across the Continent north of the
great plains, and characterizes a region with moderately heavy rainfalls, summers not exces-
sively warm, and cold winters. The arctic on alpine flora is that of the higher summits of the
coast, Selkirk, Rocky, and other mountain ranges of the British Columbia, where snow lies late
in the summer.

The above are the several varieties of the British Columbia climate.

In Vancouver Island the climate is as mild and equable as that of Great Britain and very
like it in many respects.

The winter weather, in ordinary seasons, is much the same as in the west of England ; in
the severer and exceptional seasons, it is like the winter weather of the Midland Counties of
England, and of the east coast of Scotland. The spring is somewhat later and colder than in
England ; the summer drier, the sun more powerful, though the average mean temperature is
about the same. What strikes an Englishman most about the climate of the above portions of
the coast is its serenity, the absence of the biting east winds, and the less need than in England
of an umbrella during the spring, summer, and the prolonged autumn . He notices also, with
surprise and pleasure, the very important fact, that rainy weather here does not tend to depress
the spirits as it does in England. The invigorating quality of the climate remains throughout
the year.

His Excellency the Marquis of Lome, who visited the province, with his wife, Her Royal
Highness the Princess Louise, in 1882, and travelled in the interior, as well as along the
sea-coast, remaining until the 6th December, described the climate as follows, in a speech at
"Victoria i—

" No words Gan be too strong to express the charm of this delightful land, where the cli-
" mate, softer and more constant than that of the south of England, ensures, at all times of the
" year, a full enjoyment of the wonderful loveliness of nature around you.

" Agreable as I think the steady and dry cold of an eastern winter is, yet there are very
ff many who would undoubtedly prefer the temperature enjoyed by those who live west of the
" mountains. Even where it is coldtst, spring comes in February, and the country is so devided
" into districts of greater dryness or greater moisture that a man may always choose whether to
" have a rainfall small or great."

The above remarks descriptive of the coast climate in general, apply to the mainland coast
opposite to Vancouver Island as well as to Vancouver Island, but there are some amall differences

20

between tlie climate of the two localities, as might he expected in comparing a continental with
an insular climate. The summer temperature of the Lower Fraser Valley (New Westminster
District,) on the mainland opposite to Vancouver Island, is higher than in Vancouver Island,
and it is not affected by the cold and chilling winds that occasionally blow over the southern
portion ot the Island from the snowy peaks of the Olympian ranges in American territory. Again,
the winter of New West minster district is less open, and slightly longer, than in the district near
Victoria ; it more resemble the winter farther north along the east coast of Vancouver Island.
As upon the whole coast, there are occasionally in this district severe winters, or what are called
severe in this part of the world. In most winters ice forms for a short time in the Fraser river.
Commonly snow begins in January and goes in March, without lying continuously.

The climate of the interior of the mainland, more particular!} 7 of the southern portion of the
interior plateau is, as has been said, very different from that of the coast. The air in the in-
terior is drier owing to the precipitation from the prevalent moisture-bearing eouth-westerly winds
which occurs at these mountain ranges. The characteristic coast plants give place gradually,
30 or 40 miles above Yale, to those requiring less moisture. The trees are different, less in size
and scattered. The climate of this interior pait of the province varies of course with the irregu-
lar surface of the country, but as compared generally with that of the coast, it may be described
as a climate of extremes. The mean annual temperature of the southern part of the interior
differs little from that of the coast region, but a greater difference is observed between the mean
summer and winter temperatures, and still greater contrast when the extremes of heat and cold
are compared.

The peculiar dry climate of the southern interior of the province is most observable on the
plateau already mentioned, but it may be said to extend easterly to the Rocky Mountains with
many local modifications of rainfall, snowfall, and coldness caused by irregularities of the surface
and varying altitudes. It gives rise to the celebrated bunch grass stock region of the interior.

The climate of the interior changes considerably as we go northward. The great interior
plateau has a higher elevation, and the belt of latitude from the Rocky to the Coast range in-
cludes the Cariboo and other masses of mountains. The summers are still warm except at great
heights. But the rainfall generally, over much of the surface, increases in amount and the for-
est covering becomes more dense. There is more snow, and the winters are longer.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL AREAS.

Vancouver Island.

On the west coast of Vancouver Island little arable land is found. The principal settle*
rnents are upon the south and east coasts, where the soil is exceedingly fertile and the climate
enjoyable and favourable to agriculture and fruit growing. A margin of comparatively lowjand,
varying from two to ten miles in breath, stretches between the foot of the mountain slopes and
the southern and eastern coast line. The northern end of the island also is low. The streams
are bordered, in some instances for considerable distances farther inland, by narrow fiats. The
above low land, which is chiefly along the eastern coast, south from Seymour Narrows, has a
rolling surface with no elevations rising to a greater height than 800 or ],000 feet. In many
parts it is comparatively level. The hills are craggy, but often present patches of thin soil
covered with fine short, but thick, grass, excellent for pasturage. The country is wooded, but
with many grassy prairies or little parks studded with clumps of trees, or with single trees, and
frequently adorned with bosses of rock.

The soil varies considerably. The cultivable land is chiefly that which is covered with drift
deposits of clay and sand, and lies at no great elevation above the sea. The sandy gravels prevail
on the higher levels, and produce large timber and coarse grass. The clay occurs generally as a
retentive subsoil on the open undulating grounds, and in hollows and swampy bottoms. Over
these sands, gravels, and clays, ^sometimes graduating downwards to them, elsewhere separated
by a rather sharp line from them, there is found, for th*e most part, a brownish-black surface
soil two feet to four feet in thickness, apparently containing a large proportion of vegetable mat-
ter. Rich loams occur in many places, particularly in the Cowichan, Comox, Alberni and Sal-
mon River districts, in the neighbourhood of the limestone rocks. ADuvial deposits are not
extensive in Vancouver Island — the streams being short water-coursea.

21

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY.

This great work is now completed. The first through passenger train left Montreal on 28th
June, 1886, and arrived at Vancouver, which is the terminus of tne line on the Pacific coast,
on the following 4th July, and there has been a continuous daily service since that date. A
Branch line has been built connecting the city of Westminster with the railway.

KAIL WAY LAND GRANT ON THE EAST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.

In order to assist in the construction of the Esquimault and Nanaimo Railway now com-
pleted a grant was made by the Government to a railway company, of an area of land on the
east coast of Vancouver Island, bounded as follows : — On the South by a straight line drawn
from the head of Saanich Inlet to Muir Creek on the Straits of Fuca ; on the West by a straight
line drawn from Muir Creek to Crown Mountain ; on the North by a straight line drawn from
Crown Mountain to Seymour Narrows ; and on the East by the coast line of Vancouver Island
to the point of commencement, and including all coal, coal oil, ores, stones, clay, marble, slate,
mines, minerals, aud substances. There is excepted out of the above tract the portion of land
lying to the northward of a line running east and west half-way between the mouth of Courtenay
River (Comox district) and Seymour Narrows, less lieu lands which the company have to get in
this excepted tract for the lands that have been alienated already within the limits of the above
grant .

Bona fide squatters who have continuously occupied and improved any of the. above lands
for one year, prior to 1st January, 1883, are entitled to a graut of the freehold of the surface
rights, to the extent of 160 acres to each squatter, at the rate of $1.00 per acre.

The whole land grant to the railway company, except as to the coals and other minerals
aud timber for milling purposes, is open for four years from 19th December, 1883, to actual
settlers for agricultural purposes, at the rate of $1 per acre, and the Government of the province
will issue pre-emption records for 160 acres to each such actual settler.

NEW WESTMINSTER DISTRICT.

The rich valley of the Lower Fraser, or New Westminster District, is the largest compact
agricultural district in the province. It is on the mainland shore, opposite the South-Eastern
portion of Vancouver Island. The surface of the whole valley is low, little above the sea level.

The New Westminster district is the only large mass of choice agricultural land, anywhere
on the mainland of the North Pacific slope, that lies actually upon the ocean with a shipping
port in its midst. A navigable river cuts it through which is sheltered at its mouth. The
Canadian Pacific Railway, as already said, runs through the district. The river is full of salmon
and other food fish, and the district abounds with game. The climate, though somewhat humid
in parts, has neither the wetness of Western Oregon, nor the withering dryness of some of the
large Californian valleys. There is no ague. Some parts of the district are heavily wooded with
Douglas fir, Menzies fir, giant cedar, western hemlock, red alder, balsam poplar, bii ch, large
leafed maple, but there are large areas of open land in different places, caused, perhaps, partly
by the repeated action of fires, and the occurrence of floods.

The New Westminster district -probably rests over nearly its. whole extent on soft tertiary
formations. The soil in general, in the seashore municipalities, is composed of every modern
delta deposit — deep black earth, with, for the most part, a clay subsoil. There are large tracts
of alluvial soil further up the Fraser, and along some of its more important tributaries, such as
Pitt River, Sumas River, &c. Clay loams occur in parts, and also light sandy loams — the latter
chiefly up river . These soils are almost uniformly fertile, though some of them, no doubt,
would be more easily exhausted than others. The finest crops may be seen in all of the district.

The delta lands and the clay loams can hardly be equalled for strength and richness, j Very
great yields are realizedjsvith comparatively careless cultivation. Y^ruit ^rows well.

22

INTERIOR OF MAINLAND.

The surface of the bunch grass region of the interior is a combination of lung narrow river-
valleys, with terraces, knolls, hills, and slopes, rising to mountains of considerable altitude.
The undulating surface and the rolling, lightly wooded hills, crossing and recrossing, make it a
picturesque region.

The valleys are in general narrow, with here and there low flats. Back from the rivers are
the benches or terraces, and numerous hills of all sizes rising above the extensive slopes.
Scattered over these here and there, loving apparently the gravelly opens, and so far apart as in
no way to interfere with the free travel in all directions, is the peculiar tree of the district,
commonly called red pine (Pinus Ponderoso) — a tree well known -to botanists, and which it is
needless here to describe.

Over very considerable areas, far exceeding in the aggregate the arable areas of the coast
region, the interior is, in paits, a farming country up to 2,500 or 3,000 feet, so far as the soil is
concerned, and the soil has been proved to be as fertile as the best on the coast. The climate,
however, is so dry in the summer, that irrigation is necessary. Cultivation is restricted, as a
rule, to the valleys and terraces. The soils consist commonly of mixtures of clay and sand,
varying with the character of the local formation, and of white silty deposits. They everywhere
yield extraordinary crops of all the cereals, vegetables and roots, when favourably situated.
The climate is much hotter in summer than the climate of the coast region. Tomatoes, melons,
and cucumbers thrive in the open air in many parts, Veiy fine fruit can be grown. Fruit
growing, no doubt, as soon as there is an external market, will be one of the principal industries
both in this and other parts of the province. The higher plateaux of the interior are not cul-
tivated, and there is some danger of summer frosts, owing to their height.

As regards pasture, the interior, as a whole, is, in the opinion of experienced stock 'raisers,
not only the most remarkable grass region ou the Pacific slope, but, probably, is unequalled on
the continent. Even the Alpine pasturage is very nutritive in the summer months. The
grass-fed beef and mutton- are of the finest quality. Horses and all animals not only thrive, but
have a peculiar vigour.

The portion of the southern interior in the Columbia and Kootenay region, resembles in
climate, and in many other respects, the portion of the more westerly southern interior between
the Columbia and Fraser rivers .

In the northern part of the interior plateau of British Columbia, there is an extensive low
country which, from the resemblance of much of it to parts of Scotland, was called, formerly,
New Caledonia by the Scotch officers of the Hudson's Bay Comp any It lies chiefly north of
the 51st parallel and west of the Fraser river, in the basin of the Nechaco and other tributaries.
The soil is almost uniformly good, but it is generally densely wooded with western scrub pine
and other trees. Until much of the timber is cleared off, the climate may not be found entirely
suitable for arable purposes. Owing to its distance at present from communications, this region
is not likely to be occupied for these purposes soon. The prevailing grasses are not of the bunch-
grass species, but, chiefly, red top and blue joint, with pea-vine on the slopes of hills having a
southern aspect.

East of the Rocky Mountains, but within the province, in its north-east angle, there is a
valuable agricultural region, the general surface about 2,000 feet above the sea ; the climate
good ; soil of rich silty character. The characteristics are those of the Peace River country in
general, with a more undulating surface than the portion of that region lying east of the British
Columbian boundary. The valleys are wide depressious with gentle slopes, and the plateau
usually is a widely extended terrace level . The district is well watered . As a rule the surface
is wooded, for the most part with second growth wood, which consists of poplar, birch and
spruce, but much of the district can be easily cleared, and there are open spaces.

Under arrangements connected with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and
other matters between the Provincial and Dominion Governments, Canada has acquired 3£
millions of acres of land in this Peace River district of British Columbia, in one rectangular
block. This tract, which probably will be defined soon, will be disposed of under the land
regulations of the Dominion Government through their agent in the Province. It is at present
somewhat remote lor settlement.

23

A GENERAL VIEW OF THEJAGRICULTURAL RESOURCES,

Dr. Dawson's Evidence.

The parts of British Columbia best suited to agriculture have been indicated in other por-
tions of this pamphlet. But in view of the great importance of this subject, it is considered
better to give the views of Dr. Dawson, who has worked in that Province, in connection with
the Geological Survey of Canada, for the greater part of seven years— a length of experience
which gives value to his intelligent observations. The information we quote was furnished by
that gentleman to a committee of the Canadian Parliament. He said :— " British Columbia is
naturally divided into two very distinct parts agriculturally by the mountains which form the
coast range. The interior region has a climate of extremes, and the southern part is very dry.
The coast region has a mild, equable climate. British Columbia must, however, be considered
throughout as a mountainous country, that is, the amount of arable land, compared to the whole
surface, is comparatively small. I do not say this t© the disadvantage of British Columbia, as
it must be remembered that other countries known to be verv productive, are similarly situated.
In California, for instance, it has been estimated that only one-fifteenth of the State is flat land,
not mountainous, and only a part of it cultivable. The southern part of the interior of British
Columbia, east of the Fraser River, is the district which has so far attracted most attention
agriculturally. The cultivation is restricted as a rule to the valleys, which are wide, trough-like,
and cut through the surface of the plateau, and the climate is so dry in summer that irrigation
is necessary. This is, however, generally easy on account of the number of streams running
from the higher plateaux and mountains, and with irrigation very fine crops are produced. The
higher plateaux are not cultivated, owing to their altitude, and the fact that summer frosts occur.
These higher plateaux, however, are largely covered with bunch grass, and form those renowned
stock-raising regions which have given the south of British Columbia such importance in that
respect. Thus, the mere area of agricultural lands does not give the full measure of the capacity
of the country l'or maintaining an agricultural and stock-raising population. A man with a com-
paratively small farm in these valleys has large herds of stock, which roam over the hills and
sustain themselves on the natural grasses . The whole area of agricultural lands east of Fraser
River in southern British Columbia I have estimated st something under 1,000 square miles, of
which about 500 square miles probably may be easily utilized." " The character of the soil is
almost uniformly very fertile in these valleys. The clima'te in summer is very dry and warm .
It is one of extremes ; in winter the cold is considerable ; but the cattle still winter out very
well, and live all the year round on the natural grasses."

FARMING AND GRAZING CAPABILITIES.

Being asked by Mr. Baker, M. P., to describe the nature and extent of the farm lands on
the Fraser, Kootenay and Okanagan districts, Dr. Dawson said : — " I do not know that any
precise estimate has been made of the farming land about the estuary of the Fraser, but there is
a great deal of flat land there, partly prairie land which has to be dyked to prevent the overflows
of the river, and make it useful for agriculture. In 1877, Mr. Dewdney informed me that about
400,000 acres had already been surveyed into townships, of which he estimated about 230,000
as prairie or lightly wooded. - To this may be added 10,000 to 15,000 acres, representing good
land near the Fraser, between Chilinohack and Hope. I included the Kootenay and Okanagan
country in the general estimate for the southern interior. There is a beautiful tract on Okanagan
Lake, about the Mission, which is already pretty thickly settled, and has many good farms.
Then, on the Spallumsheen, between Okanagan and Shuswap Lake, there is much fine laud in a
very wide valley, and irrigation here is not necessary. It is easily accessable by water from
Kamlops."

Dr. Dawson said in this" connection that the farm and stock-raising capabilities of these
localities had been very little developed, owing to its being almost impossible to take produce to
market, but all that would be changed on the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He
added : — "I cannot speak too highly of the grasses and grazing land of the southern part of
British Columbia. They are not excelled it they are even equalled by any grazing land I know."

He further explained that horse and cattle could be driven across the passes of the moun-
tains into the North- West Territory.

24

With regard to the Northern portions of the province, Dr. Dawson stated : — "In the north-
ern part of the interior plateau, there is another extensive low country, which I have estimated
the area of at about 1,230 square miles. The soil of this is almost uniformly good ; but, being
to a great extent covered with trees, it cannot be utilized so readily for agricultural purposes, and
it lies besides, of the proposed route of the railway, aud is not likely to be opened up for some
time. Still it is a country which I have every reason to believe willvbe eventually occupied by
an agricultural population. It lies chiefly north of the 51st parallel, and west of the Fraser River
in the basin of the Nechacco and its tributaries. The coast region is, of course, not liable to any
of those difficulties of drought or occasional summer frost, that some of the higher regions are
exposed to. The climate is exceedingly mild, and in the aggregate there is a large quantity of
agricultural land. On the Island of Vancouver, Mr. Joseph Huuter, who prepared a report on
this subject for the Canadian Pacific Railway report of 1889, estimated that there are 389,000
acres of agricultural land, of which about 300,000 acres are well suitted for agriculture ; of this,
only about 10,000 are cultivated, but a great portion of the flat country which is suitable for agri-
culture in Vancouver, is very densely covered with torests, and owing to the high price of labor
at the present time, and comparatively small number of people in the country, it is not yet
economically advantageous to clear these forests or bring these lands under cultivation."

" On the Queen Charlotte Islands there are some 700,000 acres of low land on the north-east
coast, a great part of which may eventually be brought under tillage, but it is also covered dense-
ly with forests at present, of very fine trees, and its immediate value is a timber producing region.

" At the mouth of the Fraser River, the flat land probably amounts to more that the whole
in the Island of Vancouver, and some of it is of very excellent quality. Generally, the soils of
British Columbia, where they are cultivated at all, are exceedingly fertile, and the crops pro-
duced on the mainland and on Vancouver Island are very large. Wheat, as an example, aver-
ages 30 to 40 bushels an acre on land at all well cultivated."

PEACE RIVER DISTRICT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA— ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE.

There is a considerable portion of what may be termed the agricultural land of British Co-
lumbia, lying east of the Rocky Mountains, which is described with force and clearness in the
evidence of Dr. Dawson, and therefore his words are again quoted : — "The eastern boundary of
British Columbia follows on the ]20th meridian from the 6oth parallel southward tilf that meri-
dian strikes the Rocky Mountains, and a large triangular portion of British Columbia thus lies
east of the Rocky Mountains. The part of the Peace River basin that is of considerable agricul-
tural value, and is included in British Columbia, I estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000 square
miles."

" The part of the Peace River country," Dr. Dawson continued, "of which I am able, from
personal knowledge, to speak, is that lying south of the 57th parallel of latitude and reaching to
the Athabasca River, and has an approximate area of 31,558 square miles. The Peace River
country, I should state, is naturally separated from the Upper £a>katchewan country by a band
of poor land along the Athabasca. The average elevation of this region is about 2,000 feet above
the sea, or a little more than that. The soil is a very fine silt, which, where it is best, very
much resembles that of the Red River valley, aud.is quite different fiom most of the soil inter-
vening between the Red River and the Peace River country. The fertility of the soil, owing to
the small attempts yet made at cultivation in that district, is chiefly evinced by the extraordi-
nary luxuriance of the natural vegetation found upon it. In general the Peace River country is
more or less densely wooded, but there are considerable areas of prairie land also. West of the
Smokey River, I have estimated that the areas aggregate 3,000 miles or 1,920,000 acres. One
of the largest prairies — Grand Prairie, south of Dunvegan Pass, has an area of 230,000 acres,
nearly all prairie, with a few scattered groves of trees. The soil is magnificent ; it is watered
by beautiful streams, and is altogether one of the most attractive countries in a state of nature I
have ever seen. The rest of the tract of 31,550 square miles, which from its flat character, and
low elevation, constitutes the arable region, is, as a rule, wooded, and for the most part, with
second growth wood, which consists of poplar, birch and spruce. Taking this area again, and
deducting all the known districts which contain poor soil, and 20 per cent besides to cover other
areas which could not be cultivated, it leaves an area of the Peace River valley, with soil suited
to agriculture, of 23,500 square miles."

25

Dr. Dawson'was'here'asked'whether' these remarks referred wholly or in part to British^Co-
lumbia and answered : — " I have spoken of the whole district, because that part in British'Co-
lumbia — between 5,000 and 6,000 square miles of agricultural land is similar. I speak only of
that part of the Peace River country south of the 57th parallel. I do not refer to that to the
north, because I have never been there myself, and could only speak of it from report. To give
some idea of the value of the region as an agricultural country, taking the area I have given,
and supposing as a measure of its capacity — merely, of course, "as an empirical supposition for
the purpose of estimating its value — that the whole were sown in wheat, at twenty bushels to
the acre, ifwould produce over 470,000,000 bushels of wheat annually. I believe that the
whole of this area would eventually be cultivated. I am not quite sure that over every part 'of
it wheat will ripen and be a sure crop, but as far as we can judge of the climate, it is as good as,
or better than that of Edinontoivou the Saskatchewan River ; and.where wheat has been tried
in the Peace River district,' as a" matter ^of fact, it succeeds, as well as other crops, such as oats
and barley. We have, therefore, every reason to believe that over the greater part of this area,
wheat will be a satisfactory and sure crop. If only the estimated prairie area be taken as imme-
diately susceptible of cultivation, its yield, at the rate above estimated, would be 38,400,000
bushels."

Dr. Dawson stated that summer frosts, which sometimes occur in this region, were not
sufficiently intense to preveut^the ripening of wheat and other grains. This he said was a fact
within his own knowledge. He was asked whether the season in which he was there was not
more favourable than usual ; on the contrary, he said, it was an unusually severe season, but
yet the frost did not affect the wheat crop. He added : — I collected excellent specimens of
wheat from the Hudson's Bay Post. In fact, the crops this year were later than usual, on ac-
count of a period of wet£weather just before harvest, which delayed the ripening of the grain."

He further stated that w r heat thrives at Lesser Slave Lake Post . I saw barley ripe, with
fine heads, grown by the Cree Indians at Sturgeon Lake, on the plateau, and at Fort St. John,
further up the Peace River and considerably nearer the mountains : barley and oats are known
to have been ripe on August 12th in 1875, though at the same place in 1879 wheat was a fail-
ure. Fort St. John is near the western edge of the country I consider of agricultural value. Of
course it is very desirable to have further experiments in a few chosen localities — chosen as
being the most unfavourable — to show the best and worst that can be said of the country."

The very great importance of the facts stated by Dr. Dawson can scarcely be over-estimated
in relation to the trade and settlement both of British Columbia and those of the Dominion at
large.

The evidence of Prof. Macoun, the botanist of the Pacific Railway survey, is precisely to
the same effect as that of Dr. Dawson with regard " to the agricultural capabilities of British
Columbia, if his testimony be not, in fact, even warmer in its estimation. He says, "I consider
nearly all the Peace River section (including the portion in British Columbia) to be well suited
for raising cereals' of all kinds, and two-thirds of it fit for wheat. The soil is as good as in any
part of Manitoba, and the climate if anything milder." " All my observations tended to show
that the whole Peace River country was just as capable of successful settlement as Manitoba.
The soil seemed to be richer — the country contains more wood — there are no saline marshes or
lakes — the water is all good — there are no summer frosts — the spring is just as early and the
winter sets in no sooner." " British Columbia is the garden of the Dominion." " The soil in
the valleys (of British Columbia) is always good."

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT LANDS.

Crown lands in British Columbia are classified as either surveyed or unsurveyed lands, and
may be acquired either by record and pre-emption, or by purchase.

PRE-EMPTIONS.

The following persons may record or pre-empt Crown lands, viz. : Any person being the
head of a family, a widow, or a single man over 18 years of age, being a British subject, may
record surveyed or unsurveyed Crown lands which are unoccupied, or unreserved and unrecorded,

26

Aliens may also record such surveyed or unsurveyed lands, on making a declaration of
intention to become a British subject.

The quantity of land which may be recorded or pre-empted is not to exceed 320 acres north-
ward and eastward of the Cascade or Coast Mountains, or 160 acres in the rest of the province.

No person can hold more than one pre-emption claim at a time. Prior record or pre-emp-
tion of one claim, and all rights under it, are forfeited by subsequent record of pre-emption of
another claim.

Land recorded or pre-empted cannot be transferred or conveyed till after a Crown grant has
been issued.

Such land, until the Crown grand is issued, is held by occupation. Such occupation must
be a bona fide personal residence of the settler or homestead settler, or his family or agent.
Indians or Chinese cannot be agents.

The settler must enter into occupation of the land w ithin thirty days after recording, and
must continue to occupy it.

Continuous absence for a longer period than two months consecutively, of the settler or
homestead settler, and his agent or family, is deemed cessation of occupation ; but leave of
absence may be granted not exceeding four months in any one year, inclusive of the two months'
absenee.

Land is considered abandoned if unoccupied for more than four months in the aggregate in
one year, or for more than two months consecutively.

If so abandoned, the land becomes waste land of the Crown, without any cancellation of the
record.

The fee on recording is two dollars.

The settler may either have the land surveyed at his own instance, (subject to rectification
of boundaries), or wait till the Chief Commissioner causes it to be surveyed.

Aiter survey has been made, upon proof, by declaration in writing of himself and two
other persons, of occupation from date of pre-emption, and of having made permanent improve-
ments on the land to the value of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, the settler, on producing
the pre-emption certificate, obtains a certificate of improvement.

After obtaining the certificate of improvement and paying for the land, the settler is entitled
to a Crown grant in fee simple. He pays five dollars therefor.

PAYMENT FOR LAND AND CROWN GRANT.

The price of Crown lands pre-empted, is one dollar per acre, which may be paid in four
equal instalments, as follows — First instalment, two years from date of record or pre-emption,
and each other instalment yearly thereafter, until the full amount is paid. But the last
instalment is not payable till after the survey.

The Crown grant excludes gold and silver ore, and reserves to the Crown a royalty of five
cents per ton on every ton of merchantable coal raised or gotten from the land, not including
dross or fine slack. It also reserves to the Crown, since the 7th April, 1887, all timber on the
land, except for domestic purposes. A pre-emptor, however, can obtain a license to cut the tim-
ber of his pre-emption on payment of dues at the rate of twenty-five cents per 1,000 feet
board measurement.

No Crown grant can be issued to an alien who may have recorded or pre-empted by virtue
of his declaring his intention to become a British subject, unless he has become naturalized.

The heirs or devisees of the homestead settler are, if resident in the province, entitled to
the Crown grant, on his decease.

If they are absent from the province at the time of his death, the Chief Commissioner may
dispose of the pre-emption, and make such provision for the person entitled thereto, as he may
deem just.

PRE-EMPTIONS FOR PARTNERSHIP PURPOSES.

Partners, not exceeding four, may pre-empt, as a firm, 160 acres, west of the Cascades, to
each partner, and 320 acres, east of the Cascades, to each partner.

27

Each partner must represent his interest in the firm by actual residence on the land, of
himself or agent. But each partner, or his agent, need not reside on his particular pre-emption.

The partners, or their agents, may reside together on one homestead, if the homestead be
situated on any part of the partnership pre-emption .

For obtaining a certificate of improvement, it is sufficient to show that improvements have
been made on some portion of the claim, amounting, in the aggregate, to two dollars and fifty
cents per acre on the whole land.

MILITARY AND NAVAL SETTLERS.

Military and Naval officers, of 7 years' service, may acquire free grants of land, under the
" Military and Naval Settlers' Act, 1863." This applies only to the mainland of British
Columbia.

FREE GRANTS FOR IMMIGRATION.

The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may subject to such provisions and restrictions as he
may deem advisable, make special free, or partially free grants of unoccupied or unappropriated
lands, for the encouragement of immigration, or other purposes of public advantage.

FOR DRAINAGE AND DYKING.

The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may sell any vacant lands, or make free grants thereof,
to any person or company, for the purpose of dyking, draining, or irrigating the same, subject to
such regulations as he may think fit.

SALE OF SURVEYED LANDS.

Vacant surveyed lands, which are not the sites of towns or the suburbs, thereof, and not
Indian settlements, may be purchased at the rate of two dollars and fifty cents per acre.
Surveyed lands purchased under the provisions of this section must be paid for in full at the
time of purchase thereof.

SALE OF UNSURVEYED LANDS.

The applicant to purchase unsurveyed Crown lands, after staking, posting, &c, must give
two months' notice ot his intended application in the Government Gazette, and in any news-
paper circulating in the district where the land is situate.

He must also have the land surveyed at his own expense, by a surveyor approved of and
acting under the instructions of the Chief Commissioner.

The price is two dollars and fifty cents per acre, to be paid as follows : — 10 per cent, at the
time of application, and 90 per cent, on completion -and acceptance of survey.

The quantity of land must be not less thau 160 acres, nor more than 640 acres. The pur-
chase must be completed within six months from date of application .

No public lands of any kind that are chiefly valuable for timber, are sold either by public
auction or by private sale.

WATER RIGHTS.

Landlords may divert, for agricultural or other purposes, the required quantity of un-
recorded and unappropriated water from the natural channel of any stream, lake, &e, adjacent to
or passing through their land, upon obtaining the written authority of the Commissioner.

HOMESTEAD ACT.

The farm and buildings, when registered, cannot be taken for debt incurred after the
registration ; it is free from seizure up to a value not greater than 2,500 dollars (^500 English) ;
goods and chattels are also free up to 500 dollars (i?100 English) ; cattle " farmed on shares"
are also protected by an Exemption Act .

28

TITLES.

The "Daily News," an Oregon newspaper, ^said lately : — " Emigrants that come here are
" extremely wary in looking after the titles of ' the property they desire to purchase. This
" vigilance and caution are probably owing more or less to the fact that the Territorial laws yet
" obtain on our borders."

In British Columbia no difficulty of this kind exists. Zjtitles are secure. ; * , j

DOMINION GOVERNMENT RAILWAY LANDS ALONG THE ^CANADIAN PACIFIC.
RAILWAY WITHIN BRITISH COLUMBIA*.

This land graut begins at the sea-bord, runs through the New Westminster district and
up the Fraser valley to Lytton ; thence it runs up the Thompson River valley'pasfKamloopsand
through Eagle Pass across the northern part of Kootenay district to the eastern frontier of
British Columbia. The Dominion Government has agreed with the Provincial Government
that the land in this tract shall, with all convenient speed, be'offeredtfor sale on liberal terms
to actual settlers. Homestead entries for surveyed agricultural lands will be granted to any
head of a family, or any man of 18 years of age for 160 acres, on making application for entry
and paying a fee of $10. The applicant must be in actual occupation within six nionths'of date
of entry. After three years residence on proof thereof and payment of $1.00 per acre, he is
entitled to a patent, provided he is a British subject by birth or naturalisation . But these
provisions do not apply to timber or hay lands, or lands containing minerals or good building
material, or which may be required for railway or general public purposes. The privilege of pre-
empting land adjoining land held by Homestead Right will not be granted.

FOREST TREES.

There were no want of trees anywhere in British Columbia for the use of the settler, the
miner, and for local purposes generally, through the arid southern interior might be better
supplied on its low grounds. The conifers cover a vast extent of the province.

The following is a list of the principal trees : —

Douglas Spruce ( Douglas Pine, Douglas Fir, or commercial Oregon Pine ) very valuable tree.
Western Hemlock, large — found on coast and on Columbia River. Engclemann's Spruce —
eastern part of province and interior plateau. Menzies Spruce, very large mostly on coast. Great
Silver Fir, coast tree of great size. Balsam Spruce, abounds in Gold and Selkirk ranges, and
east of McLeod's Lake. Williamson's Alpine Hemlock, too scarce and too high up to be of much
use . Bed Pine ( Yellow Pine or Pitch Pine, ) a variety of the heavy yellow pine of California and
Oregon ; very handsome ; 4 feet diameter ; common in drier parts of the interior. White Pine
(Mountain Pine,) Columbia region — Shuswap and Adams' Lakes — also interior of Vancouver Is-
land. White-barked Pine, small. Western Cedar ( Giant Cedar or Bed Cedar,) wood pale, yel-
lowish or reddish colour ; very durable ; often found 100 to 150 feet high, and 15 feet thick.
Yellow Cypress ( Yellow Cedar, ) mainland coast, Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands. Wes-
tern Larch ( Tamarac,) Rocky Mountains, Selkirk and Gold ranges, 'west to Shuswap Lake ; large
tree, yielding a strong, coarse, durable wood. Maple, valuable hardwood ; Vancouver and adja-
cent islands, Queen Charlotte Island and the Mainland coast, up to 55°, attains a diameter of 4
feet. Vine Maple, very strong, tough, white wood ; confined to coast. Few?,, Vancouver and op-
posite mainland shores ; very tough and hard, and of a beautiful rose colour. JJrab-ajjplc, along
all the coasts ; wood very hard ; takes good polish and withstands v great wear. Alder, two feet
thick, on the Lower Fraser, and along coast*; good furniture wood. Western' Birch (Paper or
Canoe Birch,) Columbia region, Upper Fraser, Peace River ; range and value not much known.
Oak, Vancouver Island; 70 feet in height, 3 feet in. diameter. Dogwood, Vancouver and coast ,, }
Opposite. Arbutus, close grained, heavy, resembling box; reaches 50 feet in height, and 20
inches in diameter ; found on Vancouver and neighboring islands. Aspen Poplar, abounds over
the whole interior, reaching a thickness of two feet. Three other varities'of poplars are found,
commonly included under the name of Cottonwood. One does not extend above Yale, and*is the
same wood largely used in Puget Sound to make sta ves for sugar barrels for San Francisco. The
other two kinds occur in valleys in the interior. Mountain Ash, in the interior. Juniper ( Bed
Cedar or Pencil Cedar,) east coast of Vancouver, aud along the shores of the Kamloops and other
lakes in interior.

29

The economic value of all these trees is, as yet, imperfectly known. The large sawmills on
the coast cut the Douglas spruce largely for the markets of Australia, South America, China, &c.
It will he sent by railway from the Columbia River to the North- West territory as soon as the
railway is finished. It grows in quantity near the coast, close to the waters cf the bays and in-
lets. There it frequently exceeds eight feet in diameter, at a considerable height, and reaches
200 to 300 feet in length, forming prodigious, dark forests. Abounds on mainland coast, as far
north as about the north end of Vancouver Island ; also in Vancouver Island, but not on Queen
Charlotte Island. In the arid southern interior of the province grows on the higher uplands, and
here and there, in groves, on low lands, where the temperature, rainfall, &c, are suitable. Oc-
curs abundantly on the Columbia River, and is scattered irregularly in northern portions of the
interior. The timber is straight, though coarse-grained, exceedingly tough, rigid, and bears great
transverse strain. For lumber of all sizes, and planks, it is in great demand. Few woods equal
it for frames, bridges, ties, and strong work generally) and for shipbuilding. Its length, straight-
ness and strengtlfespecially fit it for masts and spars . Masts specially ordered have been ship-
ped, 130 feet long and 42 inches, octagonally hewn. The section of a British Columbia Douglas
spruce in the grounds of the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, is 8 feet 4 inches in dameter. The
tree was 305 feet high. The tall flag-pole in the Botanical gardens, Kew, near London, England,
is a young Douglas spruce.

The White Pine of British Columbia is of similar quality to the White Pine of Eastern Can-
ada. The Red Pine (Yellow or Pitch Pine) — Pinus Ponderosa — is a large tree that makes good
lumber. The same may be said of the Western Larch or Tamarac, which, together with the
above named trees and Cedar, is very abundant in the south-eastern part of the province. The
great stores of forest wealth of British Columbia must in the near future lead to the opening up
of industries and a great trade. The centres for export will be upon the coast (where large mills
already exist,) and on the Columbia River in the Kootenay District.

TIMBER LICENSES.

Unlicensed persons, except for farm or mining purposes, &c., r are not permitted to cut trees,
on Crown lands. A timber license may be granted for 1,000 acres for four years on payment of
$10 annually, and 15 cents for each tree (except hemlock) felled, payable half-yearly. No person
can hold more than one license at the same time, and it is not transferable. Millowners cannot
saw logs taken from Crown lands (in which are included lands leased at less than ten cents an
acre) until the timber dues of twenty cents per thousand feet, board measure, are paid.

FISHERIES.

The whole of the seas, gulfs, bays, rivers and lakes of the province swarm with prodigious
numbers of fine food-fishes. Besides salmon and herrings, there are immense quantities of cod,
including the common and the black cod, bass, flounder, skate, sole, halibut, sardines, smelt,
and the delicious candle-fish or oolachan. Sturgeon, sometimes exceeding 1,000 lbs. in weight,
are found at the entrance of the rivers, also in the upper courses and in the larger lakes. The
coast abounds with oysters, a veiy large and excellent cray-fish, crabs, mussels, and other shell-
fish, excepting, however, lobsters, while the thousand lakes with which the interior is studded,
possess trout, pike, perch, eels, and a very fine white*fish. Whales, also fishes of the shark
species yielding oil, are numerous. The capture of the valuable fur seal is an important industry.
Four hundred and fifty-nine sailors and hunters were employed in 1886, and the number of skins
taken was 38,917, exclusive of 3,000 taken by Indians.

Abstract from Official return of statistics relating to tJie Fisheries of British Columbia,

for tJie year 1*886.

Total value of yield, as per return list i $1,577,384 00

Estimated consumption by Indian population , . 3,257,500 00

Total $4,834,848 00

Valuation of vessels engaged in the fisheries, 1886, nets, &c $ 329,945 00

Valuation of canneries, oil stations, and other plant. .,*..« »...»«».. < 542,500 00

Total $ 872,445 00

30

Engaged in the fisheries last year : —

Sailors ,

Fishermen

Native hunters with sealing fleet
Shoremen

3,608
291

!

3,899

2,145

167

Total

6,211

The fish which are at present most important in British Columbia are the salmon . Those
of the Fraser River are justly famous. In 1886, no less than 8,075,275 pounds of salmon were
taken out of this river alone, exclusive of Indian consumption. They make their way up the
river for over 600 miles. The silver salmon begin to arrive in March, or early in April and last
till the end of June. The average weight is from four to twenty-five pounds, bnt they have been
caught weighing over seventy. The second kind are caught from June to August, and are con-
sidered the finest. The average size is only five to six pounds. The third, coining in August,
average seven pounds, and are an excellent fish. The humpback salmon comes- every second
year, lasting from August til L winter, weighing from six to fourteen pounds. The hookbill ar-
rives in September and remains till winter, its weight ranges from twelve to forty-five pounds.

The range of the North Pacific salmon is wider than that of the "Western Atlantic salmon .
Some of them range from California to Northern China. Salmon of the same species differ
markedly in quality in the different rivers of the North-West, but it cannot be said that the
salmon of any one of the large rivers, taken altogether, are specially superior. The average
quality is about the same.

The trade hirtherto has been in canned and salted salmon, but fresh salmon, frozen, have
been sent, by way of trial, to Eastern Canadian markets, and now that the Canadian Pacific
Railway is finished, this new venture promises to attain considerable importance.

The oolachan is a valuable delicate fish about seven or eight inches long, which comes to the
shore in spring. It enters Fraser River in May in great numbers. Farther north it is fatter.
It is extremely oily and is caught by the natives in great numbers, who extract the oil and use
it for food grease, as some tribes do whale oil. These fish, are also dried and then burned for
candles, being on that account known as "candle fish." The oil has been bottled and exported
to some extent, and is pronounced superior to cod-liver oil for medicinal purposes. This fish is
most abundant in British Columbia.

The black cod, a superior food-fish about which little has heretofore been known, abounds
from Cape Flattery to the Artie Ocean. The fish is very fat and oily, some of the native tribes
catching it for its oil in the place of oolachan. Some experiments in salting the black cod and
sending it to eastern markets have been highly successful.

In 1878 a few shad were planted in the Sacramento River, and now tins fine fish is occasion-
ally caught in the waters of Puget Sound, British Columbia and Alaska.

The native oysters of the province are small, but the large eastern oyster imported in the
fall of 1883 is thriving. The cultivation of the latter has already been undertaken in our waters
on a considerable scale. The eastern lobster should be introduced. Its food is much the sam
as that of the crabs, which are numerous on the coasts of the province, and the lobster, like th
oyster, would be of great value commercially .

To the sportsman and angler the province is attractive. The sportsman has his choice |>f
easy shooting in the more settled districts, where various kinds of grouse, prairie chickens,
quails, ducks, snipe, and geese abound, with the common deer ; or, if he loves hard sport, tap
mountain goat, mountain sheep, cariboo, American elk, and bears, both black and grizzly, will
try his endurance and prowess. The fur-bearing animals of the zone are numerous. An expe-
rienced trapper can make good wages in many parts of the province. Excellent angling streans
abound. In the lakes, as above said, sturgeon, whitefish, and many varieties of trout and percL
may be caught.

HUNTING AND ANGLING.

31

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The Public Schools are in the hands of the people— ^free to all, without distinction of race
or creed — strictly non-sectarian — highest morality inculcated — no religious dogmas or creeds
taught — uniform text-books — Public School Fund voted every year by the Provincial Assembly
— Government grant in 1886 $82,235, in addition to which $19,088 was expended by the Public
Works Department on construction and repairs of school-houses — a Superintendent of Education,
who visits and inspects — School Districts where there are 15 pupils between 5 and 15 years — the
people choose every year from among themselves three School Trustees or six in cities,- to man-
age schools — Female suffrage in the election of Trustees — Trustees get money from " Public
School Fund," on application endorsed by Superintendent of Education — Teachers, three grades
— appointed or removed by Trustees — must have certificates of qualification from the Depart-
ment of Education.

The settler will well know how to estimate the capabilities of this school system.

There are very excellent High Schools at Victoria, New "Westminster and Nanaimo.

There are very good church schools and private schools, for both sexes, in several of the
large towns. An education befitting the children of gentlemen can be obtained for both boys
and girls at Victoria, New Westminster, Nanaimo, &c, on reasonable terms.

The number of children attending school has nearly doubled since 1881.

EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS.

Estimated value of school sites $ 31,900 00

Do do. buildings and furniture 114,659 00

Total valuation of school property $146,559 00

There are now 86 school districts in the province — several others will soon be formed. The
Government shows a decided willingness to meet the demands- of the new settlements as to
schools.

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Has always been wholesome. Life, limb and property are secured by just laws, well carried out.
Though it is a comparatively new country, and is but sparsely settled at present, yet the settler
can reside there with the same sense of security and protection, that he would feel in the older
civilised places.

POPULATION AND CITIES.

The population of the province is about 90,000. It is being rapidly increased. The capital
city, Victoria, which is picturesquely situated on a lovely harbour in the south-east of Vancouver
Island, has about 12,000 inhabitants. It has fine streets, stone and brick buildings, churches,
schools, and every convenience and requirement possessed by the cities of other parts of Canada,
or of England. The principal city on the mainland, New Westminster, has nearly 4,000, and
has the same advantages for business or private residence, with a different but equally beautiful
situation on a gentle acclivity on the right bank of the Fraser River, about 15 miles from its
mouth. The same may be said of Nanaimo, the thriving coal port on the east coast of Vancouver
Island. The new town of Vancouver on Burrard Inlet, the terminus of the Canadian Pacific
Railway, has been in existence little over 12 months, and already has a population of 5,000.
There are many smaller towns and villages in the province.

CHURCHES.

Churches are numerous in the province, there being two Catholic dioceses, with over 30
clergymen, and three Episcopal (or Anglican) dioceses, with about 25 clergymen, distributed at
different places. The Methodist Church of Canada is represented by 20 clergymen, and the
Presbyterian Church by 10, in various districts. The reformed Episcopal and Baptist Churches,
also, have been recently organized for work in the province. There are three branches of the
Upper Canada auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

82

HOSPITALS, etc.

In Victoria there are three hospitals, the Royal Hospital, the French Hospital, and the St.
Joseph's Hospital, also an Orphans' Home, and several Benevolent Societies. Nanaimo, New
Westminster, Yale, Cariboo, each has its hospital.

INDIANS.

Tire Indians are law-abiding, and are largely employed in salmon fisheries and in seal hunt-
ing, &c.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT.

The people of a rural locality with over 30 male residents may be formed into a " Municipa-
lity," and may elect from among themselves Councillors and a Warden to manage all local affairs.

GOVERNMENT.

British Columbia enjoys the free, popular Government which the provinces of Canada pos-
sess. The Canadian Government regulates all matters connected with trade and navigation, the
customs and excise, the administration of justice, militia and defense, and the postal service ;
but the Provincial Government of British Columbia has control of all local matters. The province
is at present represented in the Canadian Parliament by three senators and six members of the
House of Commons. Its own Legislature consists of a Lieutenant-Governor, appointed by the
Governor- General of Canada, an Executive Council of four members and a Legislative Assembly
of twenty -five members, elected by the people for a term of four years. In practice the Executive
Council holds office at the will of the Assembly. There are thirteen districts for electoral pur-
poses. A short period of residence, with registration, qualifies voters.

BRITISH COLUMBIA AS A SUMMER RESORT.

So much has been written and printed concerning the beautiful scenery of British Columbia,
the many delightful places of summer resort within its limits, and its serene, zestful climate, that
it is unnecessary to give any further detailed description in this hand-book. It is sufficient to
say that thousands of pleasure-seekers have already been attracted thither, and that improved
facilities of access and accommodation will soon make the province one of the most famous summer
resorts on the continent. The mildness of the coast climate in winter, also, will be attractive to
many. New ground — a new world almost — will be opened for travel by the Canadian Pacific.
Railway. The invalid, the tourist, the artist, the sportsman, and Alpine climber will find all
that they desire in a country which, in the words of His Excellency the Marquis of Lome, " pos*
" sesses scenes of such perfect beauty on its forest-laden coast, in its tranquil gulfs, and amid its
" glorious mountains. I would strongly advise you to.cultivate the attractions held out to the
" travelling public by the magnificence of your scenery. Let this country become what Switzer-
" land is for Europe."

Canadian Government Agencies,

000

IN THE UNITED KING-DOM.

ONDON. .Sir Charles Tupper, K.C.M,G., &c, High Commissioner for the Do-
minion, 9 Victoria Chambers, London, S. W.
Mr. J. Colmer, Secretary, High Commissioner's Office ; and Mr. C,
C, Chipman, Assistant. -Secretary, (address as Above),

LIVERPOOL . .Mr. John Dyke, 15 Water Street.

GLASGOW 7 Mr. Thomas Grahame, *0 St. Enoch Square,

BELFAST Mr. Charles Foy, 20 Victoria Place.

DUBLIN Mr. Thomas Connolly, Northumberland House.

BRISTOL Mr. J, W. Down, Bath Bridge.

IN THE OLD PROVINCES OF CANADA,

QUEBEC Mr. L, Stafford, Point Levis, Quebec,

TORONTO Mr. J. A, Donaldson, Straehan Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.

OTTAWA Mr. W. J. Wills, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

MONTREAL. . .Mr. J. J, Daley, Bonaventure Street, Montreal, Province of Quebec,
KINGSTON. ...Mr. R, Macpherson, William Street, Kingston, Ontario.
HAMILTON . . . Mr. John Smith, Great Western Railway Station, Hamilton, Ontario,

LONDON Mr. A. G, Smyth, London, Ontario,

HALIFAX Mr. E. McC. Clay, Halifax, Nova Scotia

ST. JOHN Mr. S, Gardner, St. John, New Brunswick,

IN MANITOBA AND THE NORTH-WEST.

WINNIPEG. ....... .Ma. W. C. B. Grahame, (Mr. H, J. Maas, German Assistant),

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

EMERSON Mr. J. E. Tetc, Railway Station, Emerson, Manitoba,

BRANDON Mr. Thos. Bennett, Office at the Railway Station,

Qu'APPELLE Mr. A. J. Baker.

PRINCE ARTHUR.. Mr. J, McGovern.

IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.

VICTORIA Mr. John Jessop.

Agencies of Provincial Government of British Columbia.

LONDON (England) Mr. H. C. Beeton, Agent-General for the

Province, 36 Finsbury Circus,

EDINBURGH (Scotland) Mr. C. S. Jones, 34 Mayfield Road, New

ington.

PARIS (France) Mr. J, S. K. deKnevett, 17 Boulevard de

la Madeleine.

TORONTO (Ontario). Mr. George Faulkner.

WINNIPEG (Manitoba) .Mr. S. G. Rowbothom.

NEW WESTMINSTER (British Columbia . Mr. John Sprott.