IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {iAT-3) 1.0 ^^m m Ki I.I 11.25 ^ 1^ U 11.6 ^ 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation :/. i^ s^ P 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14980 (716) 873-4503 l4> ;V CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection da microfiches. j Canadian Institute for Historical Microraproductions Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquaa 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquas at bibliographlquaa T tc Tha Inatltuta haa attamptad to obtain tha bast original copy avallabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibiiographicaliy uniaua, which may altar any of tha Imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may •ignificantly changa tha usual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. 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' "wi* ^iml";^4^ fc .^^l^^^i:^>^^'4i lli. {^•^.ITTcCj :;73-Jov, 5* H ''••-<''=- . -»- ''"-W ...«■»■ ^, »" ^•: fev tJ"- tfrtar tMom - LiTM WlSr-SHOKtllTH roitTiAfio on- VICTORIA. B.C. THB WEST SHOKBL mm-' Mum 182213 THE WEST SHOKEL THE WEST SHORE. 273 TBB PROVINOB OF BRITTSH COLUMBIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA i^ u .'rovincn of tlio Dominion of Canndd, and in tlio'cmly lU'poniU'ncy of tlio JtritiHli Crown l)()rtlprinf{ the Piicitic Oeoan on tiit> woHt const of Anioric^H. No otli«r moni!)or of that groat con- foiloratioii has rosourcoH k > rich, varied and inoxliauHti- 1)Ih; a climate ho hoaltliful, invi|^orating and ngronalth^; a coaHt line so niagnilicent, ahounding in oxcs^lltint iiarbors, wife entrances to navigahh* streams and K>ng stretches of inland se:t, or sheltered gulfs, Hoiinds, bays and inlets; Bucli n wealth of economic and precious metals, timber, coal and tish; none for which Nt.Uire has done so much and man so little. Now comparatively easy of access from the great centers of population —and soon, by the completion of the great Canadian Pacific Railway, to be rendered even more so— Britisli Columbia stands with doors wide open, inviting the enterprising capitalist, the enliglitened farmer, the skilled artisan, the frugal and industrious laborer, and all who understand the use of hands and brains, to enter and participate in the work of developing her dormant resources, increase her budding industries, and make for themselves homes where they may enjoy the comforts, and, in time, even the luxuries, of life. Nor is this invitation extended simply to the subjects of Great Britain alone, for the intelligent, indus- trious and law-abiiling of every nation will meet with a cordial reception, and will find his rights of person and property as well, and often better, protecteil as they were in his native land. Citi/^enship, with all its righL, privi- leges ajid honors, is crdering the c Province is reached the land has a gentle sloiHi towards the Arctic Ocean, Peace River and «»ther streams of the Arctic watershed finding their sources there. Such are the general features of the interior- - hitih mountain ridges on the east and west, enclosing n high plateau, down the center of which fiows the Fraser River, its general C4)urse lioing south until almost to the international line, where it turns sharply to tiie west and enters the ocean. The other great streams of the interior afe Thompson River, entering the Fraser from the east, and the Okanagan, Columbia and Kootenay, the liwt two having very eccentric courses. The Columbia rises almost in the extreme southeastern corner, sweeps north- erly around the upper end of the Selkirk Range, and then fiows directly south between the Selkirk and Gold mountains into the United States. The Kootenay has its source in the same region as the Columbia, makes a long sweep to the south, crossing the boundary line, and, re- turning again, discharges its waters into the Columbia. One peculiarity of this region is that nearly every stream of consequence has its origin in, or passes through, one or more long, narrow lakes, consisting in many places of simply a broadening of tiie river, and at others a well- defin.3d lake of considerable area. Such are Shuswap Lake, whence tlows the Tliompsou, and Lake Kamloops, through which the same stream passes; also Upper and Lower Columbia and Upper and Lower Arrow lakes along the course of the Columbia, and Lakes Kootenay and Okanagan, features of le streams thus christened. Lakes and water courses aLjuml from one end of the Province to the other, many of them navigable by steam- ers of a light draught for groat distances. The coast line is ti:e most wonderful in the world. The mountains border closely upon the sea, the shore being indented by a multitude of bays and inlets and fringed by countless small islands, between which run tortuous, but safe and navigable, channels. Outside of these, and protecting these inland channels for nearly the entire length of the coast, are a series of large islands, the greatest and most southerly of which is that of Vancouver, on which Victoria is situated. In refer- ring to this peculiarity the Earl of Dufferin, at that time Governor-General of Canada, said, in a speech delivered at Victoria on the 10th of September, 1870: "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, pro- montories and peninsulas for thousands of miles, un- rufiled by the slightest swell from the adjoining ocean, and presenting at every turn an ever-shifting combina- tion of rock, verdure, forest, glacier and snow-capped mountain of unrivaled 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 oauoe, fringes the entire seaboard of your 274 THE WEST SHORE. Province niiil (>oiuiiiiiiiicHtiniB, Hoiiii'tiinoH inoro tlinu n limulrntl inileH from thn coiiHt, with n iiiiiltituili> of vitllpyH HtrntchiiiK oaHtwnnl into tli(» intfiri«»r, wliile iit tin* Hiiiiio tiiiii' it in ftirniHiiod with inniimerHblA harlMirH on nithnr hand, ono iu Uwt in Hilininition nt tlin fiicilitioM for intor-cninniuniciitiiin whi(-h nro thuH providril for tlit* futiiro inhiihitiiiitH of tliin womlcrftil ro^ion." Hovoriil HpiiniHh unil Kn^lish nx|>lorin({ nxpiMlitionH ooHHtod alon^ tiin I'rovincn and laudnd at variouH piact>H to taktt formal posMOHsion of thit country in tl'o naino of tlioir Hovoroij^nH lioforn any actual effort waH inadn at colonization. Finally, in 17HS, an EngliHh fur trader, who, for commercial reaHonn, wa« nailinfj; under the Por- tu(;ueHe tla^;, built a Hmall houHe at N(K>tka Hound, on the went coaHt of VancouviM' iHland, then cy biHween Hpain and Enijlaud, nearly pri^cipitating a war between those powerful nations, which culminated in a treaty in 17'.K), by which Spain resigned to her rival all claim upon Nootka Sound, without prejudice to her (gen- eral rif^hts in that region. Uodega y (juadra was np- |)ointed commissioner on the part of Spain to surrender the |M)rt to England, and Captain C^eorge Vancouver was dispatithnd by the English governmont to receive the transfer and make careful explorations in that portion of the Pacific. Vancouver arrived in 17!)'2, explored Puget Sound and the Oulf of (leorgia, bestowing the names now borne by the most prominent objects in that regiim, and calling the country " New Georgia." In 17S)3 ho met Quadra at Nootka and received the formal surrender of the port. At that time the two commissioners agreed to name the large island, for such they had learned it to l>e, in their own lumor, and both entered it niwn their charts as the " Island of Vancouver and Quadra," though in after years the Spaniard's name was dropped from the title. During the year 17!t3, while Vancouver was exploring the inlets and bays of the Gulf of Georgia, Alexander Mackenzie, one of the partners of the Northwest Com- pany, made the tii-st «)verland journey to the Pacific. He started the previous October from Fort Chipewyan, the advance post of the great fur company he repreQente CD O THE WEST SHORE. 275 i t this are included some 30,000 Indians and from 8,000 to 10,000 Cliiniimen. Tlio white populiitioii is inoit»iisin}» at a rapid ratio, and it is impossible to determine its num- ber within a few thousands. Of this class the majority are of Euglish estr.iotiou, coming from the mother coun- try or some of the numerous dependencies of the crown. There are also French, Germans, Italians and representa- tives of every European nation, as well as many from different porti«)n8 of the United States. Apparently in- congruous as these elements are, the preponderance of English iutluence molds them into a harmonious whole, find the general and local governments are conducted in the true British manner, the laws impartially enforced and justice and protection accorded alike to all. The magnitude of the Indian population may seem a source of danger t<} one accustomed to perusing romantic Indian literature or to reading of the frequent outbreaks among the native tribes living south of the line. Such is not the fact. No Indian war has ever called the citizen to arms, nor, in the nature of things, is it ever likely to do so. The great Hudson's Bay Company pursued a policy of justice temijered with firmness. They were treated kindly, and no white man was permitted to do them an injustice without being punished for his conduct. In- stances are not wanting of the hanging of a white man for the murder of an Indian. At the same time they were given to understand that swift and certain punish- ment would follow any wrong-doing on their part. They were alsf) given employment in pursuits suited to their nature, which brought to them food, trinkets and cloth- ing they had not before enjoyed, which soon taught them the value of preserving friendly relations with the whites. This wise policy has been pursued by the Government with the effect above noted. Indians derive a consider- able income from their labors in various occujiations, and it may be said that but for their aid several flourishing industries would cease to exist, or, at least, labor under serious disadvantages. They engage quite extensively in farming and stock raising on their own account. The policy of the United States of purchasing the InC'.an title to the soil and making annual vippropriations foi tlieir support, thus maintaining them as a race of paupers, with its demoralizing effects, official peculations and fre- quent wars, has not been pursued in the Dominion. On the contrary, the Indian title has never been recognized; but certain tracts most prized by them have been set aside for their exclusive use, while, at the same time, they were made to understand that they must earn their own living the same as the white men they saw around them. The result fully sustains the wisdom of the iwlicy. In a recent speech his Excellency the Governor-General used the following language on this subject: "Besides the climate, which is so greatly in your favor, you have another great advantage in the tractability and gooii con- duct of your Indian population. I believe I have seen the Indians of almost every tribe throughout the Domin- ion, and nowhere can you find any who are so trusiirorthy in regard to conduct, so willing to assist the white set- tlers by their labor, ao independent and anxious to learn the secret of the white man's power. Where elsewhere you meet constant demands for assistance, your Indians never ask for anything, for in the interview given to the chiefs their whole desire seemed to be for scIuxjIs and schoolmasters; and in reply to questimis as to whether they would assist themselves in securing such institu- tions, they invariably replied that they would be glrnl to pay for them. It is certainly much to be desireI.'e n shelter where a dry bed may be found by the animals iluring the rainy weather. Vancouver Island cannot, however, be termed a stock country, since the land is more valuable for agricultural purposes. The quality of beef, mutton and pork is equal to that produced in England. Attention might be called to the various sections of the island upon which settlements can be advantageously mailo. The Alborni District lies 130 miles above Vic- toria. Tho arable portion is eight by four and one-half miles in dimensions. There are a score of settlers there now, and a hundred more could find good locations. Salmon lliver, sixty miles further north, has much desir- able land oj)en for occupation and purchase. There are also the Cowichan, Saanich, Chemainus and Sominoes districts, all on the east side. On the west side practi- cally no settlements have been made, though along the multitude of bays and inlets there are many acres of valu- able land, besides which lumber, fish and coal are there in abundance. The chief drawback is a lack of sufficient communication with Victoria, which will probably be obviated in the near future by the establishment of a regular steamer route. During the next decade Vancou- ver Island will settle up rapidly, and the close of that period will see a continuous line of flourishing settle- ments encircling the island, with extended railway and steamer transportation routes linking them together. Victoria, the chief city and seat of government of the Province, is situated at tlie southeastern extremity of the island, and occupies a commanding commercial position. The harbor of the city proper ofifers accommodation oidy for vessels drawing eighteen feet of water and under, but improvements are continually "being made, and the adjacent and supplementary harbor of Esquimalt sup- plies all that may be lacking here. A fine macadamized road connects the two ports, along which also is stretched a telephone line. These ports are by no means strangers to deep water craft from the four corners of the world; and when the oompletion of the great Canadian Paoifio Railway shall furnish a new trans-American route for the commerce of Asia and Australia, vessels from every Pacific jKirt will find their way hither, and the flags of every maritime nation will be seen floating from the masthead of ships lying at anchor in tho Royal Roads, just without the entrance to Esquimalt. , The universal verdict of travelers is that Victoria is the most pleasing and delightful city on the Pacific Coast. There are several which are larger, possess more imposing structures, and are more noisy and bustling, exhibiting in its widest scope that general spirit of "rush" which is so dominant in the American character; but none so charming in all its adjuncts and surround- ing, so delightful as a place of residence or so attractive to visitors. Not that there is no business transacted there, for an examination of her commercial enterprises will show them to be numerous and extensive ; but there is a pleasant absence of that hurly-burly which attends the transaction of business on the American side, and that general restlessness which seems to pervade even the loungers on the streets. The avenues of the city furnish most excellent drives, while splendid roads have been constructed in every direction, leading through the most charming of scenery and to many elevated points, whence views of the Straits of Fuca and the white-capped Olympic Range, on the one hand,^ie in picturesqueness with tho island-ilotted Gulf of Georgia and its back- ground of Cascade Mountains. The Gorge, reached by a charming drive from the city, is but one of the many attractive sjjots frequented by natives and visitors. From the time the Hudson's Bay Company first established a post here, Victoria has been the general supply point for the whole Province of British Columbia. She sprang suddenly into great commercial activity in 1858, when the endless throng of miners poured into the Eraser River gold fields, 30,000 of whom wintered in and around the city. When, as the excitement abated, the greater portion of them departed, and the tented city vanished like the camp of a moving array, it was demon- strated that a city had been founded which was destined to live, to grow with the Province, and to become metro- politan as the resources of the surrounding region were developed. From that time its history has been one of steady progress. Population has increased, business has expanded and property values have steadily ascended. The steamer lines of the Province all center in Victoria, whence they reach all the coast ports where sufficient settlements have been made, and penetrate far into the interior by ascending the Fraser River. The trade of all this extended region centers in the metropolis, and in- creases annually as the tributary settlements and indus- tries expand. The business portion of the city is, in the main, well built of stone and brick, numerous substantial edifices testifying to the solid character of its commercial enter- prises. The numerous public buildings are also of a superior character, some of them displaying much taste and architectural skill. The Government buildings, on James' Bay, are five in number, and are constructed o£ THE WEST SHORE. 277 red brick iu the Swiss style of architecture. They are reached by a substantial bridge across the bay. An obelisk of gray granite stands at tlie foot of the well-kept lawn, erected in memory of Sir James Douglas, first Gov- ernor of the colony. The buildings belonging to tlie Dominion, comprising the Custiim House, Post Office and Marine Hospital, are F.olid, serviceable structures. The school buildings and churches are also attractive edifices. The public school, which is under the general supervision of a board of trustees and has an efficient corps of instructors, occupies a two story brick building command- ing a fine view of the harbor. The class room.s, i)lay grounds, etc., are well appointed. The school is main- tained free of expense to the parents of children attend- ing. A high school, where all the advanced grades are taught, occupies a large and handsome brick edifice recently completed. From this school are graduated many of the teachers of the Province. There are se ral private seminaries, and a movement is now well ^)ro- gressed for the erection of commodious buildings in which to establish a college, under the auspices of the Anglican Church. Tlie Sisterhood of St. Ann have an excellent institution for the education of girls, occupying a large and attractive structure in the southern purlieus of the city. Eleven religious congregations, representing various denominations, are regularly organized, nearly all of them having good houses of worship. They are divided as follows: Two Anglican, one Reformed E{)isco- l)alian, two Roman Catholic, two Presbyterian, two Methodist, one Baptist and one Jewish synagogiie. The general air of the city is one of neatness, cleanliness and quiet taste. The residences, notably that of the Lieuten- ant-Governor, are attractive and often elegant, both as regards the buildings and tlieir surroundings. Lawns are well kept, flowers abound c u every side, and shade and fruit trees exist in j;; jfusion. Great building activ- ity is now being displayed on all sides, both in the matter of business structures and residences. A stock company has just subscribed $.50,000 for the erection of an imposing opera house, wliieh will be commenced im- mediately. The Driard House will also begin the erec- tion of a building adjoining the one now occupied, which will give them double the present capacity. Tourists will find superior hotel accommcnlations in Victoria. Victoria is well servud with newspapers, the various journals being large, well conducted and enterprising, furnishing complete local and telegraphic news. The Colonisf, daily and weekly, is the most complete estab- lishment in the Northwest. It occupies all of a now and handsome building recently erected by the proprietor, and does a general job printing business, a specialty being the printing of the hundrcsds of thousands of colored salmon labels used by the canneries of British Columbia. The SIdiiild.rd is a well-established daily and weekly journal, and the Post is an evening daily, well conducted. The Times, daily and weekly, has recently been founded, and exhibits enterprise, neatness an.l good business ability in the management. The llvsourccs of British Columbia is a monthly illu.,trated journal, devoted to the development of tlie Province, and is doing good work in making known its advantages lH)th at home and abroad. The city enjoys the fullest mail, telegraph and tele- phone facilities, is connected witli San Francistni by n regular line of sttiamers, and with Portland by tlio way of Pugot Sound an retard the settlement, as nothing but squatter rights could be acquired. The project has, for various causes, re- mained dormant for several years, but recently a conipany was organized by Mr. Robert Dunsmuir, n well-known capitalist of Victoria, and Mr. Charles Crocker, of Snn Francisco, which will at once begin the construction of the road uad complete it to Nanaimo as speedily as possi- ble. This will result in throwing the lands, greatly en- hanced in value by the railway, open to occupation, and the rapid settlement of the agricultural districts along the route will follow, as well as the springing up of many new industries. The advantages of such a road to Vic- toria, Nanaimo, and, in fact, the whole island, cannot be overestimated. NEW WESTMINSTEU DISTRICT. The District of New Westminster consists of the country lying on both sides of the Fraser River for a distance of 100 miles above its mouth, extending on the south to the international line. In it is embraced some of the most extensive and valuable tracts of arable land in the Province, which are spoken of elsewhere. The lumber and fishing interests are also very great. Through it runs the terminal division of the Canadian Pacific Railway, already constructed. The largest settleiqent in the district, and the second most im[)()rtant in tlio Pniviuce, is tlie city of New AVcst- minster, lying on the north bank of Fi'aser River, fifteen miles above its mouth. Its advantageous situation as the natural commercial center of the district has'given it a steady and permanent growth, its business increasing with the development of the surrounding country. Nor is this the only ^element of prosperity, for the whole region of Fraser River is, in a measure, tributary to it The town was an outgrowth of the gold excitement in 1857-8, which filled the country with miners, and ren- dered a government necessary. Vancouver Island iHung at that time a separate colony, the seat of government for the mainland was located at Lower Langley,.or Derby, but in IHf)!) was removed to Now Westminster. In IMfW, the two colonies having been united, the cai)it(d was located at Victoria. Loss of the capital had no effect upon New Westminster as a business point Several roads connect it with Burrard Inlet, the ciiosen terminus of the Canadian Pacific, and a charter has been granted to a com])any for a branch line from New Westminster tsing structures belonging to the Dominion and Provincial governments, which add much t« the general ajjpearanco of the city. The building recently erected for the Post Office and other Federal offices is constructed of brick, with stone facings, and is three stories high, surmounted by a mansard roof. The Provincial Penitentiary stands on an eminence in the northeastern portion .)f the city, and is a substantial stone structure of pleasing architec- ture. The Insane Asylum is a brick and stone building, commanding a fine view of the river. About these two are quite extensive grounds, well lai, is perfectly iand-locketl and free from g.des or rough water. The ground is g.Mitly uu hilating, receding gradually from the water on an easy gra l.i. and covers many thousands of acres of l.ind, njt .v«ry heavily timbered, which can be cleared at a trifling cost aa compared with other localities. Mr. Van Horne is confident that the terminal city will be one of the two largest cities on the Pacific Coast— San Francisco being the other. It is the intention of the company to dredge out False Creek, so as to give tiiem inner docks in the center of the city. On the completitui of the line in 1885 a line of ])owerful steamers are to ply to the Orient in connection with the railway. No effort will be spared by either the British or Canadian governments to induce an extensive traffic for this route, which will be many hundreds of miles nearer the Atlantic seaboard cities of New York, Bostim and Pliiladelphia than any r)tlier line that crosses the continent. The public works to be carried (m at Coal Harbor will entail an expendi- ture of many millions, as the wharves, docks, the immense wm-kshops, etc., to be constructed and erected by the railway company and tiie Dominion Government will be first class in every partiiiular. Tlie site is being surveyed into lots, which will be jiut on the market in a few weeks. The terminal town has been named " Vancouver." The Municipality of Richmond embraces nearly all tliat region about the delta of Fraser River commonly known as the " Nortli Arm," which is the name of the post oftice. The general occui)ation of the 1500 people residing permanently in the settlement is agriculture and dairying. Tiiere are two salmon canneries, employing 500 men in the i)ackiiig season, and a cheese factory. The municipality possesses a Town Hall, used also 1>y the public school, and a church stands just witiiout tiie limits, where services are held by various denominations. Tiie Delta Municipality consists of that portion of the low lands along Fraser River and the coast lying south of tlie South Arm of the river, embracing 40,000 acres of rich delta lands. Agriculture is the one great industry, though fcmr canneries in tiie fishing season give employ- ment to about 800 men. The chief outlet of the settle- ment is Ladner's Landing, a small village on Fraser River, whence are shipped large quantities of salmon and farm i)roducts. There are a church, post office, store, hotel and cannery at this p;)int. Another church and a public school ai'e maintained in the settlement. Just east of the South Arm settlement, and extending from Fraser River to Bouiuliry Bay and the interna- tional line, is the Muuicip;ility of Surrey. There are three iistinct settlements— Hall's Prairie, Clover Valley and Mud Bay, the first being situated three miles inland, on Campbell River, a stream discharging into Semiahmoo Bay near the boundary line. Clover Valley lies north of the Nicom^kl River, which flj.vs into Mud Biy and is navigable by large vessels a distance of ten miles above its mouth. Mud Bay is the iiaiiie of an eastern extension of Boundary Biy, also of a settlement lying between Nicomekl and Serpoiitine rivers. In tliis settlement there is a post office. Mud Bay possesses fine oyster beds, and supplies a large quantity of salmon fi-zr tiie canneries on tlie river. Maple Ridge Municiiiality lies above New Westmin- ster, on the north bank of Fraser River, between Pitt and Stave rivers. The Canadian Pacific runs through its ,' THE WEST SHORE. mm\ THE WEST SHi VVIST OF MARY STR[ET. , . . t'' r „ ..... il^v^f'^HJ^J^Hi^-i::;.:^-;^^ V^ CASr iJF MAKY STRCCT. NEW WESTMINSTE 'HE WEST SHORE. mm^^k; LwV'''V)v>; = :. WESTMINSTER. B.C. '■*t,M SM*ft*'tl''*\ THE WEST SHORE. \ NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. wrtrsHOHCinu THE WEST SHORE. 285 t pntiro leiiRtli, Bome Hixtoen milos, n Htiitioii linvtnp; boon eBtnblisl.nd nt Port Hnmmond, wliidi is ii liindiiijj |)t>int for nil river HtoninorH plying nbovo Now WostmiiiHlor; abovo this point tiioro is a publit? wliarf wlioro tlio mails aro landoil, and whore storos aro situatoil. TIkmo aro in Maplo lli(l<;o throe chnrclios, a ^ooil public school and a chooso factory. Agriciilturo and dairyinj^ aro tho head- ing pursuits. Lant^loy Municipality has a frontago of ton niilos on tiio south sido of Fraser Rivor, and is a most pros[)orons as:;ricultural settloment. Salmon and Niconiokl rivors flow through it in oppositn dirtictlons. Fort Limgloy, tiio outlet, is situated on Frasor llivor, sovonteeri inihw above New Westminster, and is a regular stopping place for river steamers. A church, two public schools, two stores, a sawmill and a grist mdl are adjuncts of the settlement. (3iiilliwhack is tho name of a municipality lying along both sides of the Fraser Kiver, just east of Lringloy and Maple lliilge. It contains a number of goud agricultural settlements, most of them south of tho river and back from it some distance, hiilden from the view of travelers on the steamers and cars. At Popcum, in the upper end, are a sawmill, tannery and a handsome residence. As most of the land in that \icinity is Indian Ileserve but little is cultivated. This is a regular steamer landing. Two miles below is the Indian village of Cheam, consist- ing of good wooden cottages and huts and a neat church. Eight miles from this p.)int is Clieam School District, r. the center of the most thickly settled jjortion of this region. Near by is the Episcopalian Church of St. Michael. Four miles below is the village of Centerville, at ft regular lauding on the river. It contains two churches, hotel, flouring mill, town hall, sttiros and a good public school. Tho steamboat landing for Chilliwhack is just ft.mile distant, where there are three stores, a liotel and post office. A short distance below Centerville is a settlement in which are a grist mill and shingle mill. Seven miles below is the scattered settlement of Ljwer Sumas. At the steamboat landing there are n store and post office. There is a good school in the settlement. Dairying and stock raising are the chief occupations, the land being subject to occasional overflow from the river. Below this point the valley is partly occupied by a large shallow lake. Upper Sumas, or York's, is about ten miles south, where there are a government school, hotel and store and n number of good farms. There is from this point a trail across the mountains to Wade's Land- ing, on the Fraser, where there are a hotel and store. Seven miles from York's, on the road to Laugley, is the settlement and post office of Matsqui, or Riverside, in (juite an extensive stretch of good arable land, but par- tially occupied. The rnilway runs down the north side of the river, passing througii the settlements of Ferny Coombe, Harrison Mouth, Nicoamen and St. Mary's Mission. There is much good unoccupied land on that side of the river, settlemants in the past having been chiefly confined to the south side of the stream. The railway, hoivever, is now attracting many settlers to that portion of the district. At the Mission is a good flour mill. YALE niHTRIPT. Yale District inprisos more than one-half tho south- (>rn int(>rior, oxtondin<^ from the Frasor to tho Cohnnbia, and from tiie international lino to tiio lifty-tirst parallel, embracing an area of '24,000 sipiaro miles. Tiirough it run the Thompson, Nicola and Okanngan rivors, with their many tributary streams and lak(>s, and along oitlior side flow the Frasor and ('olundiia. Tlio (^ascado Moun- tains occui)y tho southwest section and the Hold Itango lies along tho oaHt<'rn end. Rotwoon those li(>s a high plateau loO miles in width. The surface of thi> plateau is broken by short ranges and detached groups of moun- tains crossing and recro.ssing each other, rendering it very broken and irn>gular, ami (M'l'ating nniny narrow va)I(>ys, through which run the stri^ams, generally in (' 'oply eroded i)e(ls, or in which lio nniny long, narrow lakes, some of them alkaline. On the Ixiiiches, which rise in terraces from the streams and lakes, is giMxl soil, .veil situated for agriculture, being an admixture of boulder clay and alluvium. Above this the general char actor of the soil is boulder clay, fertile in its nature, but situated too high for successful cultivation. Here and there the soil is impregnated with, alkali. Runcli grass covers nearly the entire surface below an altitude of 2,(MK) feet, and sage brush abounds. Timber is not abundant, being confined to limited groves of rod pine on the uj)- 'ands, and cottonwood and aspen along the streams. There is considerable mineral land in the district, which will be spoken of on another pnge. Stock raising is at I)resent the leading occui)fttion. Moilerately good roads, constructed by the government, lead tiirough tho district, connecting tho various settlements. Tho Canadian Paci- fic runs through the western and northern ends, following the cour.se of the Eraser and Thompson rivers. For about twenty-one miles above Yale the Fras(ir is not navigable, but from that point it is passable by steamers for soma distance. The Thompson, also, beginning twenty miles above S|)ence'8 Bridge, is navigable through Kam- loops Lake as far as the Clearwater on North Thompson, and up the S nith Thompson through Shuswap Lake to a considerable distance up Spallumcheen River, whence a canal of sixteen miles would give the steamers access to Lake Okanagan. The other streams in the distrit-t cannot be classed as navigaV)le. Tho most considerable town in the district, and, next to New Westminster, the largest and most important in the interior, is Yale, situated on the west bank of Fraser River 110 miles above its moutli. The city has a white population of about l,00t), and an Inrlian village is close by, whoso occupants engage in salmon fishing and supply the town with firewood. This was an old post of the Hudson's Bay Company, and was named in honor of one of its well-known oflicers. Besidt^s the oflici>s of tho government, there are several wholesale and retail stores, a number of gcxnl hotels, Episcopalian and Catholic chnrches, an excellent jjublic school, post office, tolegniph office, etc. The town is constructed entirely of wchmI, and is protected from fire by a good .engine. Its location is among some of , the, grandest of the remarkable scenery of 286 THE WEST SHORE. tlio rivor, nn \h iiidiciitod Uy (iiir nnKraviiiR. Itw pimition fit tliii vnry niitniiicn tu tin* vast intfrinr nivcs to it Hpociitl iiiti'i'trnt mill mlviinta^i'rt hh a ('oiuinorciiil |H)iiit, <>h|)o- (•iiilly as it Ih at tlio jicail of nitvi^Htioii nii tlit> Lowor Frawr. .Sta^;t'H Imivo tliin point for CaiilMHi on tlin north nnil Okana^an on tlio Hoiitli. Alroaijy tlin railway lian Inien conHtrin'tt'd licyoml Vm1i>, from tlu> wt'Ht, anti has liot-n phu'i'd in o|>ciation. A fjsw miles hidow Yaln is Kmory, whom a Hawmill is in operation. 'I'lii' town of Uopi> lies on tlio sontli sido of Frawr IliviT, nearly 100 miles iiIm>v() its month, and is a most thi'lvin^ business community. A sawmill, stn'oral storos, hotels and churches, a telegraph otlice, post otlici* and tiXcelliMit school arc features of tliH town. Thn site con- HistH of a l»(>autiful Hat on a bend in tim river, opposite which passes the railway. There is quite an i^xttMisive mineral region tributary to Hope, as well as a consider- able area of n^ricMiltural and tindior hinds. Tlie f^rnat hit^hway liMidinfT north from Yale is that t)f tho Yale-Carib(H> Wagon lload, constructed by the Colo- nial ( lovornment in 1H()2 -3 at nn oxpenso of over !*.">()0,()00, and maintained in repair at an annual cost of many thou- sands. It extends north to the Cariboo mines, making a grndod highway over 400 miles in length, tho great main artery of the interifyr. Twelve miles abovti Yalo it crosses theJFraser by the Trutch suspension bridge. l)uilt at n cost of SryO.OOO, and stamling eighty-eight feet above low water mark. I'Vom this point nearly to Lytton, fifty- seven miles from Y'ale, and just below tho mouth of Tliompst)n Iliver, tlu^ wag(m road and railway run on o])l)osite sides of the stream, through a grand and pic- turesque canyon. liytton was named in honor of Lord Lytton, formerly Colonial Secretary, and owing to its location is a prosperous business point. Great quantities of Hour and dry goods are sold there annually, the pur- chasers being tho groat number of Indians in that region and tho inhabitants of outlying district's, especially of the rich LiUooet country further up the Fraser. The trade of freight teams is also a large item in tlie general busi- ness of the place. Tlie town consists of several large stores, hotels, shop.s, livery stables and warehouses, a sawmill, grist mill, post ottice, telegraph olHce, railway station, public school, court house and many neat resi- dences. Beyond Lytton the road turns up Thompson Biver, and crossing the Nicoinin roaches Cook's Ferry, or Si)ence's Bridge, twenty-three miles beyond, where it ci'osses the Thompson. Hero are a post oilioe, telegraph ollice, hotel, stores, shops, railway station, etc. A road runs up tho Nicola Iliver to tiie valley and lake of tho same name, forty-seven miles southeast, from which region the town di\rives much suppoi't. Cook's Ferry has always been an important station on the (^aribiw) route, und t\w miners who crowded the trail in the early days made tho fortune of the lirst |)ropriotor. Tho river, which is here ;K)0 fei^t wide, is spanned by a substantial bridge resting on several piers. Here tho wagt)n road ci'osses and fol- lows up the north bank to Cache Creek, jyassing sevei-fd fine eatateB, the most notable that of Cornwall Brothers at .\Hhcrfift, the home of the Liontenjint-Oovornor of thfl Province. At tho mouth of the Bonaparte, of which (!ache Crook is a tributary, is a Hour mill and steamer landing, where produce is brought by steamers from far up the Thompson and Spallumcheen. There is tpiite n settlement around Cache Crook, as well as shops and n schiKil. From this point the Cariboo road continues northward anH out of the district. Twonty-two miles oast of Cache Cre«'k is Havona's Ferry, at the lower end of Kamloops Jjiiko, where there ar<« a good store, hotels, steiimer landing, eti*. A road passes around the north side of the lake by which the Trancpiille Yalley is reached, where is (piito n settle- ment, containing a Hour mill and sawmill. Another road (Tosses the Thompson just l)olow the lake iind follows up the south side. A third route of travel is up the lake by steamer. By all these Fort Kamloops, a Hudson's Bay |x>st at the upper ond of the lake, is reached, and just south of it tho town of Kamloops. ()p|)osite this point is the junction of tho North and South Thompson, and, conseuuontly, this is an im|M)rtant place on the steamer nmtos of both of those streams. Several st tlio wowt, whero the tnoHt ext«>iiHivn furiiiiiiK in ItritiHli CnlmnMa in cnrricd on. From KiinihMnw to Spnlluniclit'on by wiij^nii roftd it iH Hixty-tivn niilt»H, and 1'2"» by tlio Htoaincr ro\it<'. (h'nnd Prairio lios Htill furtiior to tlio woHt, tliiity-tivo iniloH HoutlioaHt of Kainloops and HovtMitoon from n land- ing on Soiitli Tliompson, witli both of wliicli it \h con- n(!otod by a ^immI road. It coiituins Hov*>ral thounand ucreH of arabh> prairio hind, not all HottU'd u|M)n. ()l tlio south- east to discharge int , Okanagan River. There is tnuch good agricultural r.vA gra^iing land in the valley. A flour mill, two stores an I blacksmitli shop reju-owent the busi- ness industries Gold is found al>itg the sUeam and nmny rich but und.>vt*loped quartz l«>dg«'H have Iwen l(K'ated. (liMitls are packed from Fort Hope to Kero- meeoH, the chief settlement, a distance of UK) miles. KOOTKNAV DIHTIIKT. The southeast portion of Dritish Columbia, known as the KootiMiay country, has of late attracted considcrabln attention by roason of the efforts of a trnnsjiortation company t^i secMire charter and land grants for a railroad and steand)oat line to op(>n it up and develop its re. sources. For years it has been known to the men con- necU'd with tiie gri>at Hudson's Hay Company, and more than twenty years ago attracted general notice through- out the West by the discovery of valuable placer diggings. Placer mining has lieen carried on idong the Kootcnay River (piite extensively «n'er since, and the discovery of exceedingly rich ps north again, across the international line, and discharges its waters into Kootenay liake, and thence again into the Colundiia. The project of the company is to navigate the lake and tho v'olumbia River with steamers, and to connect the two by a railroad forty-five miles in length. The farming country ccmsists of a belt ah)ng the Koote- nay River from the forty-ninth parallel north fit'ty miles, with a varying width of two to ten miles, being rolling hills and bottom lands, covered with bunch grass, and having a light, sandy soil. Along a series t)f lakes near the river is a valley thirty by fifteen miles, one of the most beautiful portions of British Columbia, having a rich soil, good grass, water and timber. Wheat, oats, potatoes, corn, onions, beans and all kindred pnuhnits of the finest quality can be produced in abundance. Salmon roach this point in countless numbers from the Columbia, despite the rapids and falls that are encountered on their journey from the ocean. The severe winter of 1882 was the only one in tho two decades of its settlement that cattle and horses did not survive in good condition with- out other feed than tho ranges supply. The few Indians who live there are friendly, peaceful and self-sustaining, do a little farming, and raise cattle and horses. They hunt in winter, tho surnmnding region abounding in bear, deer, elk, mountain sheep, white goat, fox, fisher, mink, marten, beaver, lynx and otter, and the streams in salmon, salmon trout and the delicious mountain trout. Timber of the finest quality "tands on the hills in abundance. A company of English capitalists are engaged in a reclamation scheme in the valley of tho lower Kootenay. The vm11(\v iii that [joint is about five miles wid(s and is, for the must part, subji^ct to overflow in the spring, wiitcr rising over twenty foot It is proposed to reduce the Volume of water in two ways: first, by cutting a canal from the river to Columbia Lake, where the two ai)i)roach within less than a mile of each other; second, by widen- ing the outlet of Lake Kootenay. These improvements wil) cost between $100,000 and $150,000, and will roclaim msmm mm 288 THE WEST SHORE, 40,000 ftcres of splendid rilluvial Innd. Tlie compnny's representfttive thus Htntes tho object aimed at: " Con- coniiiif; our intoiitioiiH regarding tlio river lands, which wo have leased, witli tlie option of purchase from tho (toveriiinoiit, I may say that wo i)roposo forminfj on them tlio Kootenay colony for immif?rants of the best class — tiiat is, men of moans, chiefly English army officers who have capital of their own, and wlio desire to live in a beautiful country under tlie English crown, where sport is of such exceptional oxcollenco as it is around Kooto- niiy." Tho other agricultural portion of the district is the valley along Columbia Lako, in which there are many tliousand acres of p.rable and grazing lands open to settle- ment. Within less than two years tho Canulian Pacific will have been constructed across the district, some dis- tance north of these agricultural portions, and will render them much more accessible than at present. The projected lines erf tlie Columbia vicinity, and the future may witness a groat change for the bettor in its fortunes. Two miles south is n good flouring mill. At the south end of tiiis valley is Seton Lake, fifteen miles in length, connected with Lake Anderson by a mile portage. The greater portion of the arable land in this region is occu- pied, except in Poniberton Meadows, on Lillooet Lake, lying Si)uthwost of L ike Anderson, and connected with it by M isquito River. Lillooet District embraces also Bridge Rivor, a stream entering the Eraser north of the valley, as well as 100 miles of the Eraser itself, along which there are auriferous deposits which are being worked, though not on an extensive scale. The govern- ment maintains a wagon road to Clinton, a point on the Cariboo road f'fty miles to the northeast, by which mail is received. There is a trail down the river to Lytton, tlie sui)ply point for goods. The town of Clinton lies in Cut-off, or Clinton, Valley, oil the wagon road to Carlhto, 120 miles north of Yale. It was laid out on a magnificent scale in 18()'2, during tho milling excitement, but its great hopes were never real- m\\. Lt is now an important p.)lnt on Mie stage lino, and a distribuLing point for mails to tho surrounding settle- ments. The p(H)ulation somewhat exceeds 100. The altitude of the v lUey is 15,000 feet, yet agriculture is car- ried on very successfully, vegetables, and especially pota- toes, being quite prolific. The valley of the Bonaparte, a neighboring and tributary region, contains much valua- ble agi'icultural and grazing land. Pavilion Mountain, on the road to Lillooet, is another agricultural district. At Big Slide, Dog Creek and Big B'lr, on the Eraser, are many settlers engaged in both farming and mining. The numerous lakes, streams, gorges and mountain peaks in the vicir ity render this a region of most picturesque beauty. CAllIBOO a!:d CASaiAU. Cariboo District embraces the whole region of the upper Eraser above tho Lake La Hache country, ond since 1801 has been noted as the great mining region of British Columbia, since which time fully $40,000,000 have been taken from the ground. Mining is still being cai- ried on, the annu .1 product exceeding )j?o00,000. Near the southern end of the district is Lake (Juesnel, a long, narrow body of water, with two arms branching out to the east and north. Blany o^her lakes, though much smaller in size, are scalt ''od through the district. The chief town is Barker vill.', on Williams Creek, at the northi'in terminus of the wagon road from Yale. The population, including Chinese and Indians, is about 300. Three hotels, seven stores, six saloons, several sho])s, a school, two churches, post and telegraph offices, a hospi- tal, theater and a good iire brigade are features of the town. In the flush times of mining Barkerville was a bustling place, and even now the business transacted is very large in proportion to the population and building improvements. At Richfield, one mile south on tho same creek, are the court house and Government f)ffice for tho district, a saw mill, a church and the usual ad- juncts of a small town. Thirteen miles distant is Stan- ley, on Lightning Creek, once a very thriving business place, and still an important mining camp. At the con- fluence of the Quesnel with the Eraser is Quesnel, a town of aboiit 100 inhabitants. There are two hotels, four stores, three Chinese stores, two saloons, shops, telegraph and post offices, and a school. This is a central depot for the Hudson's Bay Company, and furs are collected here from the surrounding country for many miles in all directions. A steamer plys from this ])oint down the Eraser to Soda Creek, fifty-three miles below, passing Alexandria, an old Hudson's Bay post, about midway. Soda Creek has two hotels, stores, shops, telegraph and post offices, and a flour mill. West of the Eraser for many miles is an elevated, rolling plateau known as the " Chilcotin Cimntry," through which runs a river of the same name. It is a vast tract of rolling prairie and lightly tunbered country almost wholly unoccujued. The chief agricultural section of the distri(^t it: I'P'ii U.t -outh- orn ond, including the himl along the beautiful Lako La Hache, San Jose River and Lake Williams, and at Soda Crook and Alexandria. At tlie One Hundred and Eiffy Milo House, near Lako Williams, is a flouring mill. Abimt sixty miles northeast is a small town at the forks of the Quesnel, chiefly, populated by (^hinese. THE WEST SHORE. 289 3cially pota- Bonaparte, much valuii- 1 Mountain, iral district. > Frnser, are lining. The tin peaks in picturesque ;gion of tlie sountry, and ng ref^ion of M0,000 have 1 being car- ),000. Near ssnel, ft long, jhing out to lough much istrict. Tlie reek, at the Yale. The is about 300. sral shops, a ices, a hospi- tures of the srville was a ansacted is md building uth on tlie nineut office le usual ad- tant is Stan- ng business At the con- snel, a town hotels, four 78, telegraph ntral depot re collected miles in all t down tlie ow, passing )ut midway, egraph and Fraser for own as the iver of the prairie and upied. The [l.-. I'OUtll- il Lake La and at Soda and l-'ifty uring mill. at the forks - The districc of Cassiar occupies the upper end of the Province, that lying north of the fifty-fourth parallel and west and north of Fraser Iliver. It is bordoreil on tiio coast side for nearly its entire length by the United States Alaskan ixjssessions. Through it run tlio Stickoen, Skeena, Nass and other streams f>dling int a number of ('uite extensive tracts of bottom lands i-eip.ir- ing only to be cleared to render them fit for agricultuie or grazing. Further up the stream there are a number of good h)cations, and several settlements have been made. Gold is found in small quantities along the river, and it is probable that thorough prospecting would reveal the presence of the metal in paying quantities. A special feature of the Province is the outlying group of large islands known as the Quetm C'harlotte Islands, the upi)er end lying nearly opposite the southern extremity of Alaska. They are three in numb(^r Graham, Moresby and Provost — and are about 170 miles long and 100 wide. They ar j mountainous and h(>avily timbered, and the climate is more genial and the rainfall less than on th*' mainland coast. Ahmg th ^ northern end of Graham, the most northerly of the gi'oup, is a tract of low lands thirty-five miles in extent, and much level, arable land is to be ff)und elsewhere, which only requires clearing. There are also many extensive marshy flats requiring drainage to render them tit for cultivation. The mineral reaourcea of the isluuda are undoubtedly 290 THE WEST SHORE. groat. The Government linH dispntched severnl explor- ing parties into tliis i-c;,'i()ii, one of wliicli Jkih Immmi cii- gaj^nd ill tlio Work wince early in tlie snmnier. Tliere will uniloubtodly Hoon he considerable development of its ri'soiirceH Tiie only industry now estahlished is the works of the Skid(>fj;ate Oil (.Company, on Skidegate Island, in a good harbor at the southern end of Graham Island. In conni>ction with this is a store. The Hud- son's Bay Conii)any has a store and trading post at Mas- stitt, near the upj)er end of Graham Island, where there are a Protestant mission and a large Indian village. There are several villages on each of th« islands of the gronj), occupied by the Hydah Indians, the most intelligent of till' aboriginal inhabitants of the coast. CLIMATE OF DHITISH COLUMBIA. One of the first considerations of a person contem- plating a complete change of residence — a location for life in a new and distant country — is that of climate. Is it radically diiferent from that to which he is accus- tomed; is that difference in the direction of an improve- ment or the reverse; and what effect will thu change j)robably hav(! upon the health of the individual? These ari! the leading questions to be considered. The writer will not unilertake to decide these points, but simply to supply tliC data by which a decision may be reached by com[)etent authority. He will give a plain statement of meteorological facts, permitting each inquirer to compare them with those o^ his own locality and decide for him- si'lf, or to submit them to a physician for a professional opinion. In the first place, it must be understood that the climate varies considerably, owing to atmospheric condi- tions and local causes. The Province is naturally divided into two districts, insular and continental— and these, owing to the vast area and nnnintainous surface, are again subdivided into districts with more or less distinctly de- fined boundaries. Taken as a whole, the climate is much more moileratc! and equable than that of any other por- tion of Canada, each district enjoying cooler summers anil milder winters than any region of a corresponding altitude lying east of the Ilo iky Mountains. Primarily the one great cause of this jirevailing characteristic^is the great ocean stream of warm water known to hyilrogra- phers as the " Japan current." This great volume of com- paratively warm water fiows northerly from the Japan coast until it strikes tiie islands of the Aleutian Archipel- ago, when it is deflected eastward, crossing south of the Alaskan Sea and striking the upper end of the Queen Charlotte Islands, where its course is again changed, and it passes south alimg the coast of British Columbia. Perpetual summer reigns wherever the full influence of this great ocean river is fiilt. Even in the midst of win- ter, when Hy[)erborean blasts sweep the plains east of the llocky Mountains, the warm breezes from the sea sti'al over the islanils and nminland, and penetrate "ar into the interior among the many valleys of the moun- tains, their modifying intiueuce gradually lessening as they advance. lu the regions fully subject to them flowers bloom, vegetation remains green and bright, and thei'e is little save the almanac to inform the stranger that winter is at hand, tliough the native knows it from the increased rainfall. The warm, moisture-laden cur- rents of air coming from the southwest meet the colder atniosph(>re from the north, and the result is frequent and copious rains during the winter season, tl.e rainfall bei'ig much more abundant on the mainland coast than on the islands or in the interior. Observations taken at the meteorological station at Esquimalt, near Victoria, for the tiiree successive years of IHTi-o-fi, show the follow- ing resiilts: in n g S8 S S 3 S ■i .■: I- J-. — 5 S -5 -|i fC » S $ 3E £-: S S S ' .. tfi •■C Si ri -f 1 ^ 1 '« s i X R a-- « t- g s, 1 '"' s — £ . 1 n V- ■H >■ . 1 ?? p, ^ H a '/: i " 1 -.»(-» O M t* M « -^ WWW 5 3 S 9 !$ $ S Z4 :J 5 ;* S M K :?' 3 g O C z: o> t^ 5 ^ =2 O — I* ,-i c-i uj I". I- X 1 _ a as 5-. cj «i « CS 0-. Oi s s s - 3; - - _ J^ s s S S C' a 31 oa oa ^ s a 3 3 ^ C-. ?c - ,^ •2 I- 'S 5- 3 Of the climate the Marquis of Lome said in 1882: " No words can be too strong to express the charm of this delighful land, where the climate, softer and more constant than that of the south of England, insures, at all times of the year, a full enjoyment of the wonderful love- liness oi. Nature around you. Agreeable as I think the steady and dry cold of an Eastern winter is, yet there are very many who would undoubtedly prefer the tempera- ture enjoyed by those who live west of the mountains. Even where it is coldest, spring comes in February, and THE WEST SHORE. vflAT sMOIH ■ Lirn THE WEST SHORE. THE WEST SHORE. 291 the country is so divided into districts of greater dryness or greater moisture, tliat a man may always choose whether to have a rainfall small or great." The climate of the southeastern portion of Vancouver Island, the region in which Victoria is situated, is uni- versally conceded to be the most delightful on the Pacific Coast. Here much less rain falls than on the adjacent mainland or upon the island further north, or the numer- ous small ones and the large ones of the (Jueen Charlotte group still further to the northward. Much of the mois- ture is taken from the atmosphere by the mountains lying between Victoria and the ocean, and the second precipation does not occur until the winds strike the high lands of the opposite coast. Snow ^. ' lom falls, and then lies but a short time. The climal of that point is truly delightful, and is at all times invigorating, the rainy season never having the depressing and enervating effect so often observed in regions possessing somewhat simi- lar climatic conditions. The climate of the mainland coast opposite Vancou- ver Island differs somewhat from that just described. In the summer the temperature averages slightly higher and in winter somewhat lower, wuile the rainfall is greater immediately along the coast, decreasing towards the interior. The lower Fraser Valley (New Westmin- ster District) does not receive in summer the cold breezes from the Olympian Mountains which blow across Vic- toria, nor does it receive in winter so much of the genial warmth of the warm ocean air. As a general thing ice forms on the river for a short time, and snow begins to fall in January and continues to do so intermittently till March, the ground not being continuously covered with it. There are occasional severe winters, so called by the residents, though by no means severe as that term is understood on the eastern slope of the continent. The rainfall at New Westminster is somewhat greater than on the flats at the mouth of Fraser River. It is also less as the river is ascended until Hope is reached, where it is about the same as at New Westminster. These varia- tions are due solely to local causes. Above Yale it decreases rapidly as tlie interior is penetrated. Observa- tions for seven consecutive years — 1874 to 1880 — at New Westminster give the following means and extremes: Ili'uheitt Lowest Mean Moximmn Minimum ^fean Kainfall* Temp, Temp, Temp, Iiirheii, January 57.0 '(.O M.a 8.1(1 February 57.0 IB.O 37.8 7.1U March B5.0 18.0 89.7 tl.27 April 81.0 ao.O 47.9 2.92 May 82.0 84. S 54.2 3.49 Jane , 90.0 38.0 58.0 2.32 July 92.1) 45.5 «3.8 1.78 Augtwt 84.0 44.0 HO. 2 1.1« Hi'ptomber 81.5 89.5 5«.5 3.44 Ootolwr 75.0 ai.O 48.1 5.70 November 59.0 14.0 39.9 8.95 December 5«.0 8.5 35.8 9.48 Total mean .... .... 59.08 •InoluiUng snow roduceil to water. Greatest yearly rainfall, 89.15; least, 49.43. Qreiitest yearly snowfall, 101.3 in.; leaiit, 1.7 in. Mean for seven years. 51.2, Greatest in one day, 11.5. The climate of the interior, that portion of the Pro- vince lying above and to the east of Yale, is radically different from that of the coast, being drier and subject to greater extremes of temperature, though not entirely beyond the soft iniiuences of the Japan current In the Province the Coast Range Mountains are, so far as loca- tion is coiieornod, a priictical I'Diitiiiuntion of tlic Cns- cades, the whole having a general trend towards tlie nortliwest. To tlie east of tliis the general surface of the country is more elevated tliaii on the west, and tlie atmos- phere much drier, as tlie mountains relieve the air of its load of moisture. Tlie flora is difft>rent, tiie trees of smaller size, and everytiiing indiciites :i cliMiigc in cli- matic conditions. The mean annual tenipiTature does not differ much from that of the coast region, but the summer and winter extremes are much greater, mid tiiere is also much variation in different districts, owing to situation and local causes. The total [jrecipitation of rain and snow is very small. Wlierever tiiere occurs a mountain barrier, there tiie fall of rain and snow is heavier at its western base and correspondingly light on the lee side. In tlio (lold and Selkirk ranges, in tlie southeastern portion of the Province, tiie winters are more severe and snowfall heavier than in tiie lower and more open portions. In that part which may be classed as the "Southern luteior," the climate, as a wiioie, is milder than the more northern districts. In summer the heat is sometimes very great, though sunstrokes are un- known, and the evenings and nights arc rendered com- fortable by cooling breezes. Winter weather continues about four months, the remainder of the year being (juite agreeable and enjoyable. Snow seldom exceeds two and one-half feet in the open, and occasionally, in some local- ities, stock lemain out the entire sea.'^on, tliough the prudent farmer keeps a good supply of food for their use when necessary. As comi)ared witli Eastern Canada the snowfall is much lighter, the "colil snaps" are less severe and of shorter duration, and the winter season is by no means so long. Observations made in 1875 at Speuce's Bridge, on Thompson River, are contrasted in the subjoined table witli those at Estjuimalt during the same period: I M.\xiMiM Minimum Mkan Months. | TKMi'Kii.\TmiK. TKMi'KiurmiK. Tkmi'kiixti'HK. I .S. if. fBi;. OU'F. IIKT. KXTUKMl'H. .lanuHry. . ., Fel)ruary . . Mari'li .Xj.ril May June .July AuKust ' 9».o SMpieinber ' 84.0 October j 73. II Novemlier ■ 8'.i.0 Oocemtier 82.0 32.0 52.0 54.0 82.0 78.0 88.0 9H.0 47 49.0 4N.0 81.1 IMI.U 89.9 79.4 78.9 89.9 88.9 .■il.O 51.9 ; N. K. t'l^ij. .S. /(. /•.«-/. s-. H. /•-'■"/. ■2».0 8,0 0.7 29.9 81,0 311. U 4.0 21 9 24.1 39 48,0 24.1 0.0 2«,8 34.5 39.5 48,0 19.4 15.0 28.1 .MI.O 47.5 87.0 38.0 35.0 37 1 51.7 50.2 41.0 29.8 40.0 41.8 81.9 .'.4.7 48.0 28.8 47.0 4.-.. 4 71.8 80.9 51.(1 34.0 : 43.0 4r..4 89.8 59.1 51.0 31.5 45.0 42.9 81.2 !>3.8 39.0 27.0 ; 81.0 39.1 51.9 51.3 42.0 27.8 120 22.1 24 II 40.8 rio.o 32.8 -12.11 29.1 32,7 42.8 74.0 25.8 Extreme rauKe of lliurmomutur; Spunce's llridxu, 127.0; Kxquimalt, 71.4. The climate changes materially as we proceed north from the region just consideretl. The general surface of the country has a higher elevatitm, nad the Cariboo and other mountain masses render it quite broken and rug- ged. The summers are quite warm, but of shorUu- dura- tion; winter continues longer, and the fall of snow and rain is heavier. The forests are denser and the trees of a larger growth. In the valley of tiie Fraser, within this district, the climate is milder than that of the surround- ing higher altitudes, and the atmosphere is drier, the valley and the benches and rolling hills and valleys of the western tributaries being covered with bunch grass. 292 THE WEST SHORE. ^J Taken nH n, whole, the climate, wiilely differing as it dooH ill piiices, is Kiilubrions and invij^orating. No iigiie- breeding marshes nor miasmatic infection taint tlie atrnoripliere. Tiie individual may choose for himself the (character of climate he may prefer, feeling certain that everywhere, be it on the islands, ah)ng the coast or in the interior, ho will find one that is conducive to healtii, invigorating and calculated to inspire physical activity. AOmCULTUUE IN HUITISH COLL'MlilA. Although in proportion to the entire area of tlie Pro- vince the land suitable for agriculture is small, there are, in the aggregate, about 10,000 square miles of arable soil, so diverse in character, h nation and climatic condi- tions as U) bo suited to the production of every fruit, cereal, vegetable, plant and flower known to the temperate zone. The mind must bo primarily relieved of the idea, so common and so natural, that this region lies too far north for tlie success of general agriculture. The conditions are entirely distinct from those whicii exist on the Atlan- tic Slope of America, as will bo understood by reading the remarks on climate in these pages. The dilHculty encountered in the agricultural development of British Columbia has never been a climatic one, but has been the result of the extremely rugged and mountainous character of the country, rendering the agricultural areas compara- tively small, far removed from each other, and diflicxdt of access. Tliere are in the Province thousands upon thou- sands of acres of good fertile soil, to cultivate which has been impossible because of tlio absence of either a local marlci>t or facilities for shipping produce to any point where it is in demand. These conditions are now rapitlly clianging. New transportation routes are constantly being opened. Especially will a revolution be created by the Canadian PaciUc Railway, whose route passes from end to end through the very heart of the Province. Agriculture will share with other industries the beneficent effects of that great enterprise. The Government holds out most tempting induce- ments for settlement upon the public lands, requiring only good faith and compliance with the very liberal land ) s on the i)art of the settler. Tliere are two classes of !:id,— exclusive of minei'al land, which will not here be ■ 1 idered, — that belonging to the Province and that duiiiited to the Dominion Government in consideration of railway improvements. The latter consists of a belt forty miles wide, twenty each side of the Canadian Pacific Ilailway; outside of this the Province owns all land not now the property of private individuals or corporations, and all is open to settlement except certain tracts reserved to aid enterprises for the public benefit. The naturaliza- tion laws are very liberal, even more so than in the United States. All that is necessary to become a citizen, possessed of all political and other rights, is a declaration of intention to become such, supplemented by three years' residence and the oath of allegiance. An alien can transact business and hold real estate. A ijre-emptiou or homestead claim east c ' the Cas- cades, or Ouast Kange, is limited to 320 acres; west of the mountains to 100 acres. Partners to the number of four Clin jire-empt in one body not to exceed the above limit for each person. Any surveyed or unsurveyed Crown lands, not already occupied or recorded, may be entered as either a pre-emption or homestead by any head of a family, widow or single man over eighteen years of age, who is a British subject or an alien who has declared his intention tti become such. The homestead law protects duly registered real and personal property to the amount of $2,500 (X51IJ IBs. lid. sterling) from seizure and sale. The price of lands is $1 (4s. lAd. ster- ling) jier a(!re, payable in four annual installments, be- ginning at the end of the first year. Patent will be gi'anted when full payment has been made, ujion proof of continuous resilience upon the land, in person or by agent, for two years from date of record, and of the exist- ence of permanent improvements to the value of $2.50 per acre. Aliens must complete their naturalization be- fore they are entitled to receive a patent. Unsurveyed lands may bo purchased in tracts of not less than 100 acres, at $1 i)er acre, payable at time of purchase, land to be surveyed at the expense of the purchaser. A person is deemed to have resided continuously upon his land when his absence therefrom does not extend to two con- secutive months, or amount in the total to four months during the year. These are the princiiial features of the law, upon wliich the intending settler can readily more fully inform himself. The Government has agents in the various districts, who look after the interests of immi- grants who desire to settle upon the public lands. There is at Victoria a general Immigration Office, at which strangers should apply for information and advice. Here will be found Mr. W. M. Halpenny, the Government guide for Vancouver Island, who will not only supply all needed information, but will accompany parties into the country and aid them in selecting suitable locations. To one who has perused the preceding pages there is no need to again describe the location of the various agri- cultural districts. On Vancouver Island are to be found splendid locations for hundreds of families, and the opening of the railway reserve will supply humlreds more. It is estimated that there are 380,000 acres of arable land on the island, of which 300,000 are well suited for agriculture, the greater portion, however, being densely timbered. The nature of the soil and products has already been spoken of. This mammoth island and the numerous smaller ones along the coast will in a few years be settled upon by thousands. The ifew West- minster District, of which much has been said, is not exceeded in fertility by any tract of land on the Coast. The productiveness of the delta lands is marvelous. Statistics carefully prepared give the return, per acre, at 75 bushels of oats; hay, 3^ tons; barley, 40 bushels; tur- nips, 40 tfj 50 tons; potatoes, 30 tons. Hoots and vegeta- bles attain an enormous size, and the yield to the acre is prolific. The growing and ripening seasons being slow, the farmer is given ample time to prepare the soil to receive the seed, and, after it has ripenec'. to harvest and house the result of his labor and toil. n. ready market is i to tho mimbor of :o oxepod the above yod f)r iiuHurveyed r recorded, may be homestend by any man over eighteen or an alien who has ih. The homestead 1 personal property lid. sterling) from is $1 (4s. Ud. ster- al installments, be- )ar. Patent will be made, ujjon proof of 1, in person or by )rd, and of the exist- the value of $2.50 r naturalization be- atent. Unsurveyed E not less than 160 L)f purchase, land to irehaser. A person usly upon his land i extend to two cen- tal to four months ipal features of the r can readily more nt lias agents in the interests of imnii- [ublic lanils. There )n Office, at which and advice. Here the Government not only supply all iiy parties into the ble locations, ding pages there is f tlie various agri- nil are to be found families, and the supply humbeds 389,000 acres of (X)0 are well suited however, being soil and products umoth island and 3oast will in a few The IJew West- been saiil, is not ,nd on tho Coast, ds is marvelous, turn, per acre, at 40 bushels; tur- loots and vegeta- ^eld to the acre is sons being slow, pare the soil to '. to harvest and ready market is rrr THE WEST SHORE. 207 found almost (at his door for the products of his farm, at very good prices, as the following list of ruling rates will demonstrate : Hay, per ton, !1^15 to $18 ; wheat and oats, $40 to 150 ; barley, S35 to S40 ; potatoes, S;:30 to !j!85 ; carrots, $10 to $15 ; mangolds, $8. Tlie ilairy and poul- try business can be rendered exceedingly remunerative. Fresh eggs are always in demand at figures ranging from 40 to 75 cents per tlozen. A large quantity are imported annually. Chickens, by the dozen, realize $8 to $10 ; turkeys, 30 to 35 cents per pound ; geese, from $2.50 to $3.50 each ; dacks, $1 per pair ; dairy butter, 50 to 00 cents per pound ; cheese, 25 to 30 cents pei pound. The progress of settlement is very much retarded by the fact that a considerable quantity of the delta, as well as the alder, cedar and pine bottom lands, are held by speculators, who, beyond paying their taxes, do nothing by way of improvements. Many of these are anxious to sell, and pui'chasers, at times, can secure capital farms at fair figures. A considerable amount has been expended in dyking and reclaiming delta lands. Much in this way can still be done with profit to the investor and advan- tage to the country. In this district there are 250,000 acres of prairie, or lightly wooded lands, including some 15,000 acres lying between Chilliwhack and Ht)pe. The lands not already occupied are the property of the Dominion Government, being the railway lands. Many have alreatly locattid on these lands. Theii- claims, according to priority, will be duly considered. The great abundance of land open to settlement is in the interior, which has remained unoccupied, cliiefiy be- cause of its isolation from market. This will soon be changed by the completion of the groat railway, whose route, happily, is an intermediate one, affording an outlet to the greatest number of districts. Dr. G. M. Dawson, a man whose investigations make him the best authority on the subject, estimates the whole area of agricultural lands east of Fraser Iliver, in the southern portion of the Province, at 1,000 square miles, which may be easily util- ized. In the Spallumcheeu, Salmon, Okanagan, Kootenay and Columbia regions there are thousands upon thousands of acres of arable laud yet to be claimed. Some of this is so situated as to require irrigation, but the greater por- tion yields abundant crops without artificial watering of the soil. There are quite extensive bencii lands, where the soil is fertile, but the rainfall too light and the land too [high for successful irrigation. What can be done upon such lands by means of artesian wells has yet to be ascertained. They are, however, covered with the nutri- tious bunch grass peculiar to that portion of the American Continent, and make unexcelled ranges for cattle. The bunch grass cures on the roots, as it stands, and remains as hay until it is renewed in the spring ; cattle graze upon it all winter. They do not require other food except in exceptional seasons, when the snow may for a short time be too deep for them, or have a crust upon it. With a little food on hand for such emergencies, the stockman is prepared for the hardest winter. The grass is so nour- ishing that stock are fat and in condition for market early in the spring. Thp ranges in the southern p the purposes of more general agriculture. Fruits of the temperate zone grow to perfection on Vancouver Island, along the Jjower Fraser and in the mountain valleys of tlie interior. The Province is capa- ble of supplying the Dominion with the choicest of apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, cherries, etc., and, though no effort has been made to raise these for export, the market soon to be opened by the completion of the railway will no doubt stimulate the fruit industry and cause the planting of many extensive orchards. The settler who possesses a bearing orchard will find that he has a source of income his neighbors are deprived of. MINERAL RESOURCES. There exist within the limits of British Columbia large deposits of tho precious and useful metals, many of which have been systematically and profitably mined for years, while others are only awaiting the development of which 298 THE WEST SHORE. they are capable to become a source of gi-eat wealth to the Province. The list is a long one, embracing gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, lead, cinnabar, platinum, anti- mony, bismuth, plumbago, limestone, raarlile and salt. Of these the most extensively worked and valuable are gold and coal. Gold mining first brought this region into prominence, gave it population and started it upon the highway of prosperity. It was for years the only important industry, that upon which all others depended, and is to-day the leading one of the many that have sprung up around it. Mining first began on the I'raser abcmt 1H56, and this was the cause of the great Fraser River excitement which swept the Coast two years later. The gold on the river bars and benches is very fine, and rei^uires the use of quicksilver. From Hope to above Alexandria the river is bordered by a series of benches, one rising above another, througliout which this fine gold is found. The early miners, used to the coarse gold of the California gulches, were severely disappointed in their expectations, and this, combined with the fact that water in the rivor was high and prevented the working of the bars, causeil the majority of them to hasten back to their abandoned claims, loudly proclaiming Fraser River a humbug. Those who remained, however, took out large quantities of dust, and the Fraser still yields its annual supply -if gold. The mining along the stream at present is carried on chiefly by Cliiuamen and by the white settlers, who en- gage in it at favorable opportunities, at times when their labor is not required on their farms. It was soon noticed that the gold furtlier up the stream was coarser, and this led to prospecting, which discovered the Quesnel mines in 1859 and the rich gold fields of Cariboo in 1860. The report of this new discovery caused another excitement nearly as great as the first ojie. Cariboo lias remained to this day the great placer mining region of British Colum- bia. The Omineca mines, still further north than Cari- boo, have also added their quota to the gold product, but the amount of laud travel necessary to reach them, and the consequent high price of everything, has served to keep back their development. Rich diggings were dis- covered about ten years ago on Dease and Thibert creeks, in the Cassiar region, the extreme northwestern corner of the Province. These have since been worked with good results, being more accessible than Omineca. The route is by sea to Fort Wraugell, thence up the Stickeen river by steamer to within eighty-five miles of the mines. In the southern end of the province are the Similka- meen and Kootenay quartz regions. The former lies along the international line west of Osooyos lake, and has of late attracted great attention from quartz miners. Ex- ceedingly rich prospects have been found and capital from both sides of the line is being invested for their develop- ment. The same is true of the ledges of Kootenay, to reach which is the chief object of the transportation scheme spoken of in connection with that region on an- other page. Silver ore yielding high assays has been found near Hope and Yale, on the Fraser, at Cherry Oreek, a tributary of the Shuswap, at Omineca, Koote- nay, Upper Columbia and Similkameen. These prospects give every promise of development into rich silver mines in the future. Mining laws are liberal and strictly en- forced. Peace and order prevails in the mines, and the rights of all are fully protected by law. The era of quartz mining is just beginning to dawn in British Col- umbia, following the appearance of cheaper and quicker methods of transportation. The condition of mining in the Province is thus set forth by Dr. Dawson, the authority quoted on agricul- ture, whose practical knowledge and unrivalled opportu- nities make him the best authority on the subject : "The country is, to a large extent, covered with forests, which makes it much more difficult to prospect for mines. Then the present cost of living, and the difficulty of getting at all to some of those places which are most promising in tiieir metalliferous deposits, and also, I may add, the fact tiiat many of the efforts made in the first instance have been very injudicious, and have led to the discouragement of the people of the country to prosecute further enter- prises of the same kind. Gold, however, is known to be almost universally distributed in the Province of British Columbia. There is scarcely a stream of any size in any part of the Province that one cannot wash a few ' colors,' as they say, out of, at tlie very least, and in 105 localities, which I catalogued in 1877, actual mining had been carried on for gold. The main auriferous belt of British Colum- bia runs from southeast to northwest, just inside the Rocky Mountains, and includes the mining localities which have basn called Kootenay, Big Band, Cariboo, Omineca and Cassiar. From south to north, from 1858 to 1882, the gold produced in British Columbia amounted to .M6,C85,33i (about i:'.),3B7,000 sterling) which is a great return, considering that the average population of the Province, taking the period altogether, would not ex- ceed about 10,000 whites. The average number of miners employed iu these placer diggings has been 2,940, and the average yield per man employed, obtained by dividing the total by the number of miners, SG83 per man per an- num. It should be also considered that these placer de- posits, are, as a rule, only to be worked in summer, and that the sum stated was earned in less than half the year of actual work. The greatest yield of any one year was in 1864, when $3,735,850 was sent out of the country. Last year the total yield was only $1,013,827. Since 1864, with occasional fluctuations, the yield of gold has shown a gen- eral tendency to decline, and the state of the country at present is simply this : The richer placer mines, so far discovered, having been more or less worked out, the yield is falling off. Such placers have been more or less completely exhausted early in the history of gold mining countries, as in Australia and California. Then the period comes when the miner goes to work ou the quartz lodes, whence the gold in the placer mines has been de- rived. That period has not arrived yet in British Colum- bia. There is not a single auriferous quartz vein worked there yet, and the present is the interim period between the full development of placer mines and the beginning of the quartz mining, which is a more permanent iudus- THE WEST SHORE. 299 luing the uartz de- luiu- arked iween ining udus- try. Tliere is no doubt tliat before long nuriferona quartz mines will bo worked. An attempt was made Home years ago to work them, but, as far as I know, tliere is no mine now in operation. The difficulties ar»> very great insume parts of the country, owing ehietly to the cost of transjjort and supplies. Until very lately, it cost from 7A to 1'2.\ cents a pound to freight goods and supi)lio8 to Cariboo from Yale, according to the season, and sucii prices are so heavy a tax on the expensive mining operations tliat it renders it impossible to work any but very liigli grade ores. In Omineca, still further north, it costs fifteen cents a pound to carry supplies into the district, and thus it is almost impossible for ijrivato miners to continue prospecting on their own resoui'cos, and, uidess they have a very rich claim which they can work, they must l^ave the country. One advantage of the construction of the railway and opening up of the interior will be that the px)rer placer deposits will lie extensively worked. It is my opinion that when the country is opened up and tiie cost of labor and supplies lessened, it will be found capa- ble of rapid development, and may soon take a first place as the raining province of the Dominion, and ultimately as second to no other country in North America." Coal mining is an industry which of late years has un- dergone a wonderful development. Coal has been found in places over a very wide area of both tiie mainland and islands. At Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, is found the best quality, and there the industry iias reached great proportions. The quality varies in different localities fi'om the common lignite to anthracite, the latter being on Queen Charlotte Islands, and the only vein of anthracite yet discovered on the Pacific Coast. No effort has yet been made to work it, however. The coal at Nanaimo is the best quality of bituminous coal to be found on the Coast, and is shipped in quantities to all points, San Francisco being the best market, Vancouver Island coal forming about two-thirds of the total imports of that ar- ticle, notwithstanding the high tariff. The quality of this coal especially adapts it for ocean steamships, as a ton will generate more steam than a like quantity of any other coal to be found on the Coast, thus economizing in the carrying space required. When the Island Railway shall have been completed, it is probable that Victoria will be- come a coaling station for steamers plying between San Francisco and China. The large steamers to be placed on the China route, to connect with the Canadian Pacific, will certainly draw their supplies from this source. The superiority of Vancouver coal has not only been settled by years of practical experience, but by an official test made by the War Department of the United States, in which it was ascertained that 1,800 pounds of it were equivalent in the production of steam to 2,400 pounds of Seattle coal, and 2,600 of Coos Bay or Monte Diablo coal. From 1860 to 1875, inclusive, there were imported int,o San Fran- cisco 320,000 tons. They began then to increase rapidly, and during the past five years the average has been 153,000 tons per annum. Cargoes are also sent to the Sandwich Islands and China. The mines producing this ■ coal are those of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Coke | Company and the Wellington Colliorios. The former are five in number and are situateil in Nanaimo and vicinity. The operations of tliis comjiany are very extensive. Their wiiarf at Nanaimo, which is supplied witii coal chutes, have a shipping capacity of 1,000 tons per day, and are connected with the mines by a narrow gauge railway. The company gives employment Ut about 800 men. It has a machine shop well supplied with machinery neces- sary for the rei)(dr of its engines and to utli bank of Fraser River, fcnir miles above New West- minster, on a tract of land donateil by Messrs. B. Haigli & Sons. The undoubted success of this effort of the Government to foster one of the most important iuilus- tries will enable the canning establishments to make improvements and invest additional capital with the assui'- auce of a permanent and liberal supply of fish. One establishment is a floating cannery and oil factory, com- bined, wliich can be moved about from place to place, and is known as "Spratt's Ark." On board are complete canning appliances, machinery for manufacturing oil from the offal of the fish caught, and accommodations for the hands. The vessel and its adjuncts cost §00,(X)0. The Bhipment of fresh salmein to the East in refrigerator cars will no doubt become an important feature of this industry as soon as the Canadian Pacific is completed, as the busi- ness has already been successfully inaugurated from the Columbia River, by way of the Northern Pacific. The next moat important fish, so far as present utility is concerned, is the oolachan, or candle fish. This is a small fish, alK)ut the size of a sardine, and is so oily that, when dried, it will burn like a candle, especially those caught in Nass River. They enter the Fraser in millions about the Ist of May. They are delicious whem fresh, smoke't''('aiii by the million for several wei^ks. The various Indian tribes of that region assemble (Hi its banks and catch them in iiiimeiise numbers. Tlu! fish are taken in purse nets, frecjuently a canoe load at a single haul, and are piled in bins on the shore. They are then placed in bins made of planks and having shettt iron bottoms holding from three to ilve barrels, and are boiled in water ahuut four hours. The concoction is then strained through baskets made from willow roots, and the oil is run into red cedar boxes of about fifteen gaUons capacity each. When the run of fish is good each tribe will put up about twenty boxes of oil. Before the introduction of sheet iron bottoms for their tanks the Indians boiled the fish by throwing heated stones into the tank. There is no doubt that this undeniably valuable article will soon become one of the regular products of the Province for exportation in quantity, as it is even now to a limited extent. Herring swarm in the waters of the bays and inlets during the spawning season in the spring. Tliey are not at that time of as gjod quality as wlien taken in nets from their permanent banks and feeding grounds. They are somewhat smaller than the herring of Europe, though fully ecpial in quality when taken in their i)rime. There is a factory on Burrard Inlet where herring oil is pressed out and fertilizers made from the dried scraps. Halibut are found iij great numbers, esjjecially off the west coast of Queen Charlotte Islands, where they are frequently taken upwards of 100 pounds in weight and often twice that size. Though a great many are caught and sent to market fresh or dried, halibut fishing has not yet became one of the regular industries. The Indians of that region catch and dry them for food. The same may be said of cod fish, which, no doubt, abound in the waters of the coast of British Columbia. There are a number of banks on the Alaska coast where (^od fishing is carried on by fishermen from San Francisco, who salt 2,000 tons annually. Similar banks no d(mbt exist further south. Deep sea fishing has not yet been introduced, though the Inspector reports that practical men from Newfoundland and Norway are investigating the iiuestion with the pur- pose of inaugurating deep sea fishing if they timl as favorable conditions as are believed to exist. The black cod, formerly ctdled " coal fish," abounds in the Avaters off Graham Island, where the Indians catch them in great numbers by the use of an ingeniously contrived spring hook. The fish are also known to frequent the waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island and as far south as Cape Flattery. Mr. Spencer F. Baird, United States Fish Commissioner, has taken great interest in this fish, and has secured a quantity through an assistant, Mr. James G. Swan, of Port Townsend. The fish is highly spoken of and is considered far superior to the cod of Newfound- land, the flesh being richer and of finer fiber. The Skidegate Oil Company is engaged in extracting oil from the livers of dog fish. The works are [located at Skidegate, at the southern end of Graham Island, and give employment to ten white men and a large number of Indians. In 1888 there were 400,000 fish caught, which yielded a total of 40,000 gallons, or an average of cue gallon of refined oil from the livers of ten fish. This oil is admitted to be superior to any other kind as a lubri- cant, and is chiefly shipped to the United States, where it pays a duty of 25 per cent, though small quantities are consumed in the Province or sent to Honolulu and I lored Huijerinr {n It JH of II wliitisli u lard, and is a VM'M tlit> liidiaiw py bo^in nimiiiif^ cntor tilt' ."t'caiii B various Indian banlvH and catcii re takt'n in purst^ 1(» haul, and arc on j)iac('d in l>iim iMittoniH lioldin^ I in water al)uut itrainod through IB oil in run into 18 oajjacity oacli. will put up about iductiou ol' HJKH't liauH boiled the tank. There is article will soon the Province for now to IV limited bays and inlets g. They are not en taken in nets ; f^roundw. They )f Euroi)e, though ir jniiue. There ingoil is pressed scriips. Halibut ff tliti west coast y are frequently t and often twice gilt and sent to not yet became ms of that region me may be said 10 waters of the number of banks carried on by salt 2,000 tons further south, ed, though the Newfoundland with the pur- if they find as xist. The black in the waters off h them in great lontrived spring it the waters oif as far south as ited States Fish in this fish, and mt, Mr. James highly spoken id of Newfound- [1 ler. in extracting are [located at im Island, and arge number of caught, which average of one fish. This oil nd as a lubri- i States, where mall quantities Honolulu and THE WEST SHORE. Custom House PbstOfficj. THE WEST SHORE. Chinft. Whnlo oil in ntj ing in not carricMl on oxtl deHcri|)tion aro found I of the arclii|«^liiKo tho III OU8, ami yiel'l ^»""'" *^'| Porpoise, hIho, yield a lil Sturgeon are fauglil frenh ; alwo fluch table I co(i, flounder and wliitiiJ etc. Lolwter in not nal being intnxbu'ed and wil are found in iiunieroiin / and inferior to those on I are being planted witlil will ere long Hupply tiJ The in'.nnd wtreams anJ ami the d(>liciou8 inounti BportBinen, and the fani thura, a mollusc, general abounds in the waters f cared and dried, make tl "beche de la nier," and where it is called " trepii be built up by iireparint Seals and sea ottei numbers (.ff the Straits Vanconver Island. In engaged in sealing, ei hunters, the latteV chief canoes. Over i),000 fur were captured, valued nt at i?10 and the latter at numerous and are very and skill in their captun a rifle, and at such long men succeed in killing tl valued at $50 each. The lumber resource great, and, as yet, coni] few companies are engaj scale, while south of thi dozen large export mills well as the adjacent niai growth of several kinds grows to immense size h climate. Here is a sc people may draw for gei varieties of timber foum are the most abundant: The Douglas pine oi as the " Oregon pine," possessing the greatest coast and islands in de as Skeena River on the in the interior, and inla It grows to gigantic pre influence of the contini phere. The trees are coarse grained, is excee standing great transver all sizes and shapes, an bridge timbers, etc. F adapted, and" its great peculiarly desirable fc been shipped which w( diameter, hewn octage trees, which stood 305 to Ottawa, whore it sta ion Parliament Buildi feet from the ground diameter. It is also THE WEST SHORE. 301 China. Whnle oil ih nnothor nnxluot, thouKli wluilo HhIi- ing it* not cnrriod on nxtpiisivoly. WlmU^H of tlio lnr>,'ost deHcription iiro fomul on tlio outer const ; in tli« watorH of the (ircliip«'l(i(jo tho linniphack whiilo in (juito nninor- OUH, (ind yield from thirty to Hfty harrolH of oil euoli. PorpoiBG, hIho, yiold h largo amount of oil. 8tnrao(m are caught in grout number and mnrketed froHh ; lUHo Huch talilo KhIi aw an(^liovey, haddock, rock cod, Hounder and whiting, criib, prawn, cockleH, muHHolH, etc. Lolmtor is not native to tlie waterH there, but in being introduced and will woon be j)lentiful. Oyster i)eds are found in numorous places, but tiie biviilves are snniil and inferior to those on the Atlantic. Coast. Several beds are being planted with largo oysters from Hoston, and will ore lnug supply the market with a superior (piality. The in'.and streamH and lakes aliound in salmon trout and the d<>liciouH iiKmntain tr -ut, which are the delight of sportsmen, and the famous lako white tish, The holo- thura, a mollusc, generally known as the " sea cucund)er," abounds in the waters about the islands. These, when cured and dried, make the article of commerce known as "boche de la mor," and highly prized in (Miina for food, where it is called "trepang." A valuable industry might be built up by preparing this commodity for market Seals and sea otters are annually caught in groat numbers (.ff the Straits of Fuca and the west coast of Vancouver Island. In IS'-'M there were ten schooners engaged in sealing, employing fcn'ty sailors and 'JiX! hunters, the latteV chiefly Indians, who used 148 cedar canoes. Over '.),000 fur seals and about ;{,()()() hairy seals were captured, valued at $98,000. The former are valued at i?10 and the latter at 50 cents. Sea otters are not so numerous and are very wary, requiring much patience and skill in their capture. They are generally shot with a rifle, and at such long range that only the best marks- men succeed in killing them. But ninety-six were taken, valued at ^50 each. The lumber resources of British Columbia are very j?reat, and, as yet, comparatively undeveloped. Only a few companies are engaged in lumbering on an extensive scale, while south of the line, on Puget Sound, are a dozen large export mills. The islands along the coast, as well as the adjacent mainland, are covered with n dense growtli of several kinds of most valuable timber, which grows to immense size by reason of the moist and genial climate. Here is a source of wealth iijjon which the people may draw for generations t -, come. Of the various varieties of timber found in the Province, the following are the most abundant: The Douglas pine or fir {A. Dou(fJnsii) known also as the "Oregon pine," is the tree most abimdant and possessing the greatest commercial value. It covers the coast and islands in dense forests, extending as far north as Skeena River on the coast and Lakes Babine and Tatla in the interior, and inland as far as the Rocky Mountains. It grows to gigantic proportions on the coast, under the influence of the continuously warm and humid atmos- phere. The trees are straight, and the wood, though coarse grained, is exceedingly tough and tenacious, with- standing great transverse strain. It is cut into lumber of all sizes and shapes, and has few ecjuals for frames, ties, bridge timbers, etc. For ship budding it is especially adapted, and" its great length and toughness make it peculiarly desirable for masts and spars. Masts have been shipped which were IBO feet long and 42 inches in diameter, hewn octagonally. A section of one of these trees, which stood 305 feet high, was sent some time ago to Ottawa, whore it stands on the grounds of the Domin- ion Parliament Buildings. The section was cut twenty feet from the ground and is eight feet four inches in diameter. It is also very useful for butter boxes and similar ptirposes. Great quantities of this lumlier are shipped t<> South .Vmerica, Honoh 'u, China and .\un- tralia, while spars and masts are also sent t«) Europe in largo numbers. .AJMUit the Hfty-second parallel the fir begins to yield precedence to the spruce \ii nii-iiziosii) which |)redomi- nates for some distance furtlui' north, when it gradually gives way to the white, or Alaska cedar, a splendid finishing wood, It is of this the Indians make their carved heraldic columns. The red cedar ( htitfa (jiifiinfi'd) grows in special abundance on the lower coast, though it extends inland to the Hocky Mountains. It is in demand for railroad ties because of its great durability. Of it the Indians make their canoes, weave the fiber into blankets and roof their houses with the bark. The cypress of yellow cedar (riii)rr>*nim thi/oiih-s) is found on the coast from tlie southern end of tlie Province to Alaska. Owing to its strong odor the voracious toredo will not attack it, and for this reason, as well as its extreme toughness, it ia in demand for piling and all submarine purpose's. Juni- per, or pencil cedar, is found on the east coast of Vancouvor Island, and on the shores of lakes in the interior. The Weymcmth, or while pine, ( phiiiti ittrohun) is found on the liower Frnser, where it attains great size and beauty. The balsam pine attains a vigonms growth, but is of little value as timber. Yellow pine ( piinia pon- (Icromi) flourish<>s in the interior. The wood is close grained and durable, though very heavy. Scotch fir ( /);h».s Jidiilcith-idiKi) is found in the interior; also on Vancouver Island, though of a smaller growth. Another kind of spruce ( pirca KiUjcluuinii) is also found. Throughout the lower coast the liemlock (nbii-H Ctnm- (h'liHis) grows to large projKirtions, its bark being exceed- ingly valuid)lo ioY tanning purpo.ses. The western larch (ffin'.r occiilniffilin) grows to immense size in the bottoms along the internati(mal line. The yew (tn,viis l)rriu foils) is found on the coast and as far up the Frasor as Yale. It does not attain the size of English yew. The natives utilize it for bows. Oak {Q Gnn'iiann) grows abun- dantly on Vancouver Islands. It is t^mgh and serviceable. Alder grows along the streams of tho coast, and attains great size. It is useful for furniture. Maple is abun- dant on the islanels and coast up to latitnde ^t!) degrees. The wood is very useful for cabinet making. Vino maple, a very strong white wood, is confined to the coast. Crab ai)ple grows along the coast. Dogwood is found on Vancouver Island and opposite coast. The aspen poplar is found throughout the interior. Another variety of poi)lar abounds akmg the water courses near the coast, and is the kind so much in demand on Puget Sound for barrel staves. Two other kinds of pop .ir — all known as " Cottonwood "—as well as the mountain nvh, are found in the interior valleys. The seat of the greatest lumbering industries in the Province is Burrard Inlet, that great inland harbor, near the entrance to which the Canadian Pacific has its terminus. Here are two large mills manufacturing for foreign exportation. The Hastings Saw Mill Company outs about 15,000,000 feet annually, frequently filling orders for special timbers of enormous size. Some have been cut twenty-eight inches square and 110 feet long. The Moody ville Saw Mill Company cuts nearly 20,000,000 feet annually and employs about 100 men, having numer- ous electric lights for night work. Timber has been brought to this mill measuring seven feet six inches in diameter at the butt and five feet 130 feet from the base. This is the Douglas pine, or fir, and both companies own large tracts of that valuable timber. The Hastings Mill Co. own a forest close at hand which, it is estimated, will yield upwards of 400,000,000 feet, and constitutes a property of enormous value. Cargoes of lumber 182213 302 THE WEST SHORE. are sent to China, Australia, Sandwich Islands and all Pacific Coast ports, and spars to England. Another mill is located at Port Moody. The Rock Bay Sawmill, at Victoria, has a daily capa- city of 30,000 feet, and has good shipping facilities. At New Westminster are located the Dominion Sawmills, which have a daily capacity of 40,000 feet of lumber, 12,000 laths and 20,000 shingles. Adjoining this are the Royal City Planing Mills, which cut 35,000 feet of lum- ber, 8,000 laths and 25,000 shingles daily. These two companies make sash, doors, furniture, etc., in great quantities. At Nanaimo the Royal City Planing Mills nave a sawmill, which cuts 20,000 feet per day. There are a number of other mills at various points, chiefly in the interior, supplying the local demand for lumber. This industry is only in its infancy, comparatively speak- ing, and it is evident that it has many years of prosperity before it. CANADIAN PACIFIO RAILWAY. The mammoth enterprise upon which the future de- velopment of British Columbia's varied resources so much depends is the Canadian Pacific Railway, a through transcontinental line from Montreal to the Pacific, built urder the patronage of the Dominion Government, whose treasury aud credit supplied the means. The advantages, and even necessity, of such a connecting link between the Provinces was early recognized, and became more appa- rent than ever when British Columbia united with the Dominion. Such an undertaking was too gigantic for f>rivjite enterprise, since the countrj^ through which the ine would run west of Lake Superior was then almost entirely unoccupied, and must be gradually developed under the influence of the railway before it could furnish local traffic for its support. Private capital could not afford an investment requiring so long a time to render it productive. It was a great public necessity which only the Government could accomplish, and with this idea the Dominion began its construction. In 1871 sur- veying i)arties were sent out to explore the comparatively xxnknown region thi-ough which, if possible, it should I):iss, and report upon the most favorable route. Over $3,500,000 have been expended upon these preliminary surveys. The location of the road east of the Rocky Mountains oeing much the less difficult, the work of con- strucLi-'n'yas commenced on the Eastern Section in 1874, and 264 miles oomi)i«Lt-,'l and in operation in 1880; but from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast no less than eleven lines, aggi'eg:iting upwards of 10,000 miles, were surveyed before determining the best terminal point and route thereto. Port Moody, at the head of Burrard Inlet, was finally selected as the mainland terminus, and Kicking Horse Pass as the loute across the Rocky Moun- tains. Recently, however, Vancouver, a now town to be built on Coal Harbor, near the entrance to Burrard Inlet, has been chosen for the terminal point in place of Port Moody. In 1880 a contract and agreement was made between the Dominion of Canada and an incorporated company, known as the " Syndicate," for the construction, operation and ownership of the Canadiaii Pacific Railway. By the terms or this agreement, that portion of the railway to be constructed was divided into three sections; the first, extending from Callander Station, near the east end of Lake Nipissing, to a junction with the Lnke Superior section then being built by the GovernnuJit, wjs called the- Eastern Section; the second, extending t'r )m Si^lkirk, on the Red River, to Kamloops, at the Forks of the Thompson River, was called the Central Section, and the third, extending from Kamloops to Port Moody, at Bur- rard Inlet, the Western Section. The company agreed to lay out, construct and equip, in running order, the Eastern and '/Ontral Sections by the 1st day of May, 1891. The company also agreed to pay the Government the cost, according to existing contract, for the 100 miles of road then in course of construction from the city of Win- nipeg westward. The Government agreed to complete that portion of the Western Section between Kamloops and Yale by June 30, 1885, and also between Yale and Port Moody on or before the 1st day of May, 1891, and the Lake Superior Section according to contract. The railway, as constructed under the terms of the agreement, becomes the property of the company, and pending the completion of the Eastern and Central Sections, the pos- session and right to work and run the several j)ortions of the railway already constructed, or as the same, shall be completed, is given by the Government to the company. Upon the completion of the Eastern and Central Sections the Government agreed to convey to the company (exclu- sive']of shipment) those portions of the railway con- structed, or to be constructed by the Government, and upon completion of the remainder of ^he portion of rail, way to be constructed by the Government, to convey !-he same to the company, and the Cauadian Pacific Railway thereafter become the absolute property of the company, which agreed to forever efliciently maintain, work and run the same. The Government further agreed to grant the company a subsidy in money of !!$25,000,000, and in land of 25,000,000 acres. The Government also granted to the company the lands required for the re dbed of the railway, and for its'atations, station grounds, workshops, dock ground, and water frontage, buildings, yards, etc., and other appurtenances required for its convenient and effectual construction and operation, and agreed to admit, free of duty, all material to be used in the original con- struction of the railway, including bridges, and of a tele- gi'apli line in connection theroAvitii. The company have the right, from time to time, to lay out, construct, equip, maintain and work V)rancli lines of railway from any point or points within the territory of the Dominion. It was further agreed by the Dominion Parliament that for the period of twenty vears no railway should be constructed south of the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, excei)t such ;line as shall run southwest or to the westward of southwest, nor to within fifteen miles of latitude 49 degrees, and that all stations and station grounds, workshops, buildings, yards and other property, rolling stock aud appurtenances required and used for the construction and working thereof, and the capital stock of the company shall be f(n'ever free from taxation by the Dominion, or by any Province hereafter to be established, or by any municipal corporfiti(.r> therein, and the lands of the company in the Northwest +«rritory, until they are either sold or occupied, shall also be free from such taxation for twenty years after the grant thereof from the crown. Soon after the consummation of the agreement Mr. A. Onderdonk, an experienced railroad builder, became the managing contractor for the construction of that portion of the Western Division extending from Port Moody to Savon.1 Ferry, a distance of 212 miles. It presented greater difticulties than have ever been overcome in rail- way building. The Union and Central Pacific and other ''nes have goiu' over the mountains by gradual ascents, bui MO such way of climbing the Cascades was possible, and the wonderful undertaking of running through them, parallel with the great canyon of the Fraser, was deter- mined upon. For nearly sixty miles, from Yale to Lyt- ton, the river has cut through this lofty range thousands of feet beh^v the summits. Mountain spurs of granite rock, with perpendicular faces hundreds of feet in height, project at short intervals along the entire passage. Be- » fr^^O THE WEST SHOHE. 303 iwny |c Rail- to the les of itatiou ipevty, led for ;apital xntion to be in, and Iritory, ]e free grant tween them are deep lateral gorges, canyons and plung- ing cataracts. On this sixty miles of tunnels, ro-k work and bridges the greater poijtion of Mr. OnderdonK's con- struction army of 7,000 men have been engaged since 1880. The loud roar of enormous discharges of giant powder has almost constantly reverberated among the mountains. Many tunnels have been bored, one 1,600 feet in length, and millions of tons of rock blasted and rolled with the noise of an avalanche into the rushing, boiling Fraser; workmen have been suspended by ropes hundreds of feet down the perpendicular sides of the mountains to blast a foothold; supplies have been packed in upon the backs of mules and horses f)ver trails where the Indians were accustomed to use ladders, and building materials landed upon the opposite bank of the river ut an enormous expense and crossed in Indian canoes. It is estimated that portions of this work have cost $1^0,000 to the mile. As the work progressed the cost of transportation by such means increased until Mr. Onderdonk determined to try and run a stealer through the Grand Canyon of the Fraser to the navigable waters above, t« supply the advance camps. For this purpose he built the steamer Skuzzy. Then came the difficulty of finding a captain able and willing to take her through. One after another went up and looked at the little boat, tlien nt the awful canyon, the rushing river and the swift, foaming rai)iil;<, and turned back, either pronouncing the ascent impossi- ble or refusing to undertake it. Finally Captains S. R. and David Smitli, brothers, were sent for, both well known for their remarkable feats of stenmboating on the xipper waters of the Columbia. It took them seven days to line through the Black Canyon, through which the waters rush at a speed of twenty miles an hour. The hardest tug was at China Riffl'>, where, in addition to the engines, the steam winch and fifteen men at the capstan, a force of 150 Cliinnmen upon a third line was required to pull her over. The captains received §2,250 for their work. It would fill cpiite a volume to describe in detail even the more irajjortant portions of Mr. Onderdonk's great work. All of the immense quantity f^f giant powder used is manufactui'ed on tlie line between Emory and Yale. One of the greatest feats accomplished was the con- struction of the cantilever bridge across the Fraser below the town of Lytton. Besides the one recently complv?ted across Niagara River, this is the only cantilever in America; and it is gratifying to know that the feat was accomplished by engineers of the Pacific Coast. The total length of the bridge is o.'SO feet, the central sjian being 315 feet long. The ends of the span rest ujwn piers of solid masonry, ninety-six feet high, and contain- ing 6,480 cubic yards of stone. The superstructure con- tains 1,200,000 pounds, or 6,000 tons, of cast steel and iron. The total cost was $280,00i). Though tlie bridge is not so long as the one at Niagara, the difficulty attend- ing its erection was much greater, owing to tlie fa<"> *^'>nt the site could be aj>proached from one end only. One- half the material was sent across the river on a steel cable 1^ inches in diameter, several pieces tlius transferred weighing over 5i tons each. In this rosjiect the bridge stands without a parallel in the world. The first iron was placed in position (m the 17th of Marcl), and on the 14th of June a train crossed over the comi)leted stru('ture; only seventy-three days, including those lost by reason of bad weather, were consumed in the transfer of iron across the stream and the erection of the entire bridge. As an example of speed and skill it is witiiout a parallel when the difficulties to be overcome are considered. This re- markable engineering accomplishment was performed by the San Francisco Bridge Company, the only firm of constructing eng'iieers on the Pacific Coast capably of erecting works of such magnitude. All the bridges on the Western Division of the road, aggregating fo^tv-se^■en spans, were constructed by this company, and the bridges which thoy have erected on the Coast, if placed end to end, would sjian a stream eleven miles wide. The com- pany has under construction at Roseburg, Or., a combina- tiiw pile foundation is an admirable device for bridge ftmndations, marine i)iers and lighthouses. They can be screwed into the bottom to any desired depth, and ofTei- ing the smallest possible resistance to the waves, make a reliable foundation. This device was adojjted and the work performed in the most scientific manner. The lighthouse cost $43,000, and is an imperishable monument to the engineering skill of the contractors. A_t the beginning of ♦lie ])reBent season the road had progressed 975 miles wc. t of Winnipeg, leaving only 300 miles to be built to the point where it uniles with the Western Division at K.uuloops. This is all iiKmnfaiin work, and will not be completed until the end of 1885, before wliich time Mr. Onderdonk, whose line has iilready been placed in running order as far as Yale, will have reached the point of junction. It is the ex]iectation that early in the spring of 1886 a througii route will be opened fi.)ni Coal Harbor to Montreal. This route will be much the shortest of any now running across the continent, tlie distances comparing as follows: Mile: ('oiU Harbor to MimtreHl a,«Ba CohI Harbor to Now York, via Moulrcal 11,211 Colli Hr.rbor to BoHton. "-in Montriml 8,197 ( 'oal ll^rljor to Liverpool, via Mont real (I,((78 San FranriHco to N«w York a,l)a) San FraiiciHco to BoHton 3,448 San Krancinco to Livorpool, via Now York ti,H30 Yokohama, .Tapaii, to Livflrpool, via Central Pacific 12,(i;i8 Yokohama, Japan, to Liverpool, via Caniulian Pacific lil,flft.1 It will thus be seen that from China and Japan this route to Liverpool is more than 1,000 miles shorter than the one by the Central Pacific; and with the line of ocean steamers that will be put on as soon as the road is completed, it requires no prophet to see that all the Canadian and Euglisii trade which crosses the continent will do so by the Canadian Pacific; and it '•emains to be seen, also, if the same will not be true of the New York and Boston ini[K)rtations from Asia. The grade* are much lighter and less numerous, and at no place df)e8 it reach half the altitude attained at four different points by the Central and Uiiion Pacific roads. Ijcss difficulty is expected from snow than is experienced Iv the Central Pacific in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, ^^ith a shorter route, easily operated, free from the burden of taxation, and without enormous interest charges to meet, this road must surelj become a dangerous rival to the older routes, and ought to lie able to give the Province such low rates of transportation as will foster her struggling industries, cause the immediate settlement of her vacant lands, and aid in the development of her varied te(K>urcee. 304 THE WEST SHORE. COAL HARBOR, The Western terminua of the Canadinn Pncific Railway, in British Columbia, is a magnificent Jsheet of water, about three and a Imlf miles long by from one to two miles wide, is completely land-locked and accessible at all stages of the tide by the largest vessels afloat. The following table of distances will give some idea of the advantages this place possesses over all others as the site for a commercial city. Taking a common point on the Asiatic Coast, Yokohama in Japan, the distance to points on the Western shores of Nt)rth America are (nautical miles): Yokfibamn to 8«n Frnnoiseo 4,470 I Yiikohnma to ( 'onl Iliirhor. 4,374 The distance from Yokohama to San Francisco by the route followed by all vossols is rt-nlly nearly 800 miles longer than the above, vessels taking an extreme northerly route in order to obtain the advantage nf certain winds and currents. This distance does not affect the route to Coal Harbor, but miould properly be adciod to the San Francisco route. The estimated distance from above points to Atlantic tide water and various places is as folh/ fs (s'. '"V miles): Hnn FmnriHco to Now York S.SIK) I Tonl Harbor to Now York, via Canadian Pacific Itnil «.r Ban FranciHco toJioKion S,448 Coal Harbor to noHton. The distance across the Atlantic is (nautical miles): I Coal If»ri)orto Montro'il. 3,241 3,197 'J,862 2,7(10 New York to LivorrHiol 3,040 I Montreal to Liverpool From the above we see that the distance from Yokohama to Liverjjool is (statute miles): Via Ban Francitico anil Now York 12,(B8 I Via ConI Harbor and Montroiil 11,111 Or 927 miles in fnvor of the Coal Harbor route; to this add the 800 miles above mentioned, making the total dis- tance by regular route, from Yokohama to Liverpool, via Coal Harbor and Montreal, nearly 1,800 miles shorter than the San Francisco route. In a few years a railroad to Hudson Bay will undoubtedly be in operation, making the distance by tliis short route about 2,G00 miles shorter than by San Francisco. Therefore, taking into consideration the fact that the Canadian Pacific Railway is the shortest and only one crossing the continent under one management, a glance at the above table of distances will show that this terminal city, from a commercial standpoint, cannot possibly have any successful competitors. The town site is all that could be desired, and it is doubtful if a more beautiful and picturesque location could be found on the continent. Looking north, across the harbor, a magnificent view of snow-capped mountains is obtained, and to the south Mount Baker is seen to better advantage than from any other point on the Coast; in fact look where you will, an entrancing view of woods, mountains and water meets the gaze. At the entrance to, an(' fronting on. Coal Harbor, and also on English Bay (a I'oadstead to tlie west), is a Government Reserve, whir, influential parties are now trying to obtain for park purposes. The land being higli, about 180 feet above ihr ;, a level, a grand view of Burrard Inlet, English Bay, Gulf of Georgia and surrounding country can be had. C th' west. • "^nplish Bay side of this Reserve, is situated the famous Siwash Rock. This park alone will yet ati nc( <•}• r,»ji,u':i t' pleasure seekers. Nature has done much, and when drives and squares have been laid out thi? !>.-■ \i Hi.J ';>jome as famous as some of the grand national parka in the distant interior of the continent. The to.vu cii'" 'p ,!'<"'•• uly undulating, with just sufficient slope for perfect drainage, find is covered with a growth of fir.e maple auQ : .^1- trees. The climate is undoubtedly the best on the Coast; days warm and pleasant, nights pleasantly cool, rainfall moderate. The country in this vicinity presents great attraction tc the sportsman, tlie lakes and streams being full of trout; in the woods deer, bears and smaller game, and on tlie mountains, nurabors of goats. Burrard Inlet and tlie adjoining waters of Gulf of Georgia and Howe Sound are unrivalled for yachting and boating. In fact, this district is the sportsman's paradise. General Manager Van Horno has stated that tiie Canadian Pacific will spenil many millions in this place in the erection of wharves, workshops, rolling mills and depot, and has given it as his opinion that the terminal city will becomi^ one of the two largest on the Pacific Coast. In the fall of 1885 the Canadian Pacific Railway will be in operation from Atlantic to Pacific, and, as these buildings will have +'> bo erected by the time the road is completed, the expenditure of so much money will certainly liave the effect of '' u: 1- ing up a large town in an unprecedentedly short time. The Canadian Pacific Railway will employ at least 2,0< ' 'ne;; in their different shops, and these will have to be supplied witli the necessaries of life, thus creating first ■!,' openings for business men of all classes. Within the next year and a half large wholesale and importing lioubuo will spring into existence here, also foundries, woolen factories, furniture factories, etc., and, as a great portion of the grain grown in the Northwest will be shipped from this port, it will necessitate elevators. Business men of all classes looking for good openings would do well to consider these points. Plans of il- • (own site are now being prepared and in a few days lots will be offered for sale, and, we must say, th.it b. t^e'- "liaKfes tor investment were never offered. Lots that can now bo bought for a few hunilred dollars will, «)yond n d 'i' , be worth as many thousands within a year or two. A large number of [icopji- m-o looking for this property to come on the market, and hundreds of thousands are awaiting investment here, uiid wo have no hesitation in staiing that lots must double in value within a few months after they are first placed on the morket. We would then^fore advise those looking for first class investments in real estate to come here and see for themselves, and wo feel sure that tho.se who do so, after a careful inspection, will be more than satisfied with the prospects, riivestinentsnowof a few hundred dollars will yet return fortunes to those who have the foresight to realize the future in st(n'e for this place. It is only once in a lifetime that the imblic have such a chance as the present, and we w(juld recommend those that have money to invest to investigate the merits of Vancouver, on Coal Harbor, before, making other investments. We will he pleaseel to furnish ap])licants with plans and price lists; also any particulars they would require, but would prefer to have intending investors pay Coal Harbor a visit, and then call and see us. In a few weeks we will open an office at the terminus, and will then be pleased to show visitors over the town site and give them every possible in- formation, but all letters sent to present address will always find us. Innes & Graveloy, Real Estate Brokers and Financial Agents, British Columbia Express Building, Victoria, B. C. [sheet of water, iccossible at all nil others as the istance to points 4,»74 learly 800 miles if certain winds dcicd to the San (V '"■'a" miles): ■ 3,2*1 ».197 2,862 2,7flO 11,111 IK the total dis- 10 miles shorter leration, making 3st and only one lat this terminal e location could id mountains it; le Coast; in fac*:, entrance to, an(i Reserve, whir. t above ilir ,:i>« ehad. O th. will yet atc.'P.ci n laid out thii- ent. The +o.vii 1 of fiT;e maple ]i!ensantly cool, I's and streams Irofits. Burrai'd d boating. In nadian Pacific and has given \w fall of 1885 will have ^' bo olToctof >i.; 1- east 2M ' •" : ing first '!.' jorting houh.o reat portion of ess men of nil are now being v(«tment wero Iworth as many In tho market, smust double those looking ise who do ho, iindrod dollni's [It is only onci' inve money to We will bo would prefer will open an y possible in- ictoria, B. C. THE WEST SHORE. m^^mw^ THE WEST SHORK m^ <:■'■■ "*«J > ■ " » • .1.' i' * ■ y ^ immi r C. D. RAND, Niitnrji I'uhlir, K. LIPSETr. RAND AND LIPSESTT, REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND GOVlRNMOflT 9T1tK«T, _ _ — — ♦ail. VICTORIA. B. G. VICTORIA, N€W WESTMINSTER, ^ -ad^GOAL HARBOR, PORT MOODY. XiViEMttoir "ITfitUo^p 'F^kOcicsoLjmm Fine OhaooM for tttrestment Cotistftiktiy Oecarring. CapitBliste, liiTestore, nnA Speciiiatoni trill do well to comiQtmivate with us. BAND BROf , Kew Westminster, B. 0. TURNER, BEETON &CO., VIOTOTIA, B. O. H. C. BEETON & CO.. B6 FINSBURV CIRCUSv LONDON. Commission Merchants and Importers Onarduai Fire Aiwiirance Oomyaay of London; North BritMi and Uei^wUUe JTii* lusarenoe Omnimny of Loudohj Cottuueroial ttunrMtoe Compnnjr, Mcrfne^ San ' FraooiMo. luiremdBs, Hetlakathlah and Balmoral Salbmon Canneries, Skeena River (Sifrer Medal, Ftsberiea BshiUHoa, Ijemdcm, Vf^ > Wanuck Salmon Cannery (Clipper Brand), Bivers Inlet PM mm! PaClMt Alee AyHli for lieeple*c Mtm Nai^l^itt^ iPemiMii!^ ■■■■■■eiMWiNMMMiiiaatHM^^ ef VickeriA, | ' 7- "■WW" BRITISH COLUMBIA ESTATE EXCHANGE VICTORIA, B. a RO BERTSON, McLAGAN & CO. WE BUY AND HELL ON COif MISSION, AND HAVE ON OUR LIST CITY AND SUBURBAN PROPERTIES FARMING, TIMBER AND MINERAL LANDS. !■ ■ I ' l ' i ' i i II ii i wj^ i Vn)^»j< T il t ii i i i i i ii ii ii "ii > iji x WE HA VE AL30 £VM iSi4M4^ £Jt^0^4Ma THE TM00^^.im»^'Sf'^i' FXWMm0tt i^jltQfjpt'^ji^siryg^coAL harbor, 1 4*P0STtrJfE Tjy- VICTORIA, B. C.