TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT British COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE 1900. VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA. With Illustrated Supplement, "Victoria, Past and Present." TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE British Columbia Board of Trabe, Together with Various Appendices, List of Members, Office Bearers, Commercial Charges, Etc. AND ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT, "VICTORIA, PAST AND PRESENT." OFFICE: BOARD-OF TRADE BUILDING, VICTORIA, B. C. OCTOBER, 1900 INCORPORATED OCTOBER 28th, 1878. Victoria, B. C. The Colonist Printing and Publishing Co., Ltd. 1900. CONTENTS. PAGE Salmon Pack 48 B. C. Sealing: Catch, 1899 50 Exports from B. C 51 Imports into B. C 52 Customs Statistics, Imports for year ending 30th June, 1900 56 Customs Statistics, Exports for year ending1 30th June, 1900 57 Imports into B. C. for 29 years ending" June 30th, 1900 58 Exports from B. C. for 29 years ending" June 30th, 1900 59 Shipping" 6x Game Protection Act of B. C 62 Inland Revenue, Canada, Divisions No. 37 . and 38 64 Area of British Columbia 64 Statement of Timber Cut during 1899. 64 Postal Statistics 65 Land Return 66 Climate 67 Average Monthly and Annual Rainfall and Snowfall 68 Comparative Table of Average Rainfall 68 Meteorological Register for one year at 13 Stations in B. C 69 Education 70 Scale of Commercial Charges 71 Rates on Storage of Merchandise 72 Mining Regulations 73 Provincial Government Lands 81 ILLUSTRATED SUPPLEMENT, VICTORIA, PAST AND PRESENT.' BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OP TRADE. OFFICERS 1900-1901, W. A. WARD, L. G. McQuade, F. Elworthy, President Vice-President Secretary J. G. Cox, H. M . Grahame, S. Le ISER, A. G. McCandless, H. J. Scott, J. G. Cox, Benj. Gordon, D. R Ker, F. B. Pemberton, COUNCIL: Lindley Crease, D. R. Ker, C. H. Lugrin, T. W. Patterson, J. Thomson, BOARD OF ARBITRATION Lindley Crease, H. M. Grahame, G. A. Kirk, J. J. Shallcross, A. B. Fraser, G. A. Kirk, J. A. Mara, E. G. Prior, C. F. Todd. F. C. Davidge, C. A. Holland, L. G. McQuade, C. F. Todd. STANDING COMMITTEES. FISHERIES: B. C. Mess, C. F. Todd, Beaumont Boggs, Walter Morris, D. J. Munn. MANUFACTURES: D. R. Ker, J. J- Shallcross, John A. Hall, H. J. Scott, Ed. Pearson. HARBOURS AND NAVIGATION: F. W. Vincent, J. G. Cox, Chas. E. Clarke, Capt. Wm. Grant, N. Hardie. PUBLIC WORKS AND RAILWAYS: B. W. Pearse, T. W. Patterson, C. H. Lugrin, H. F. Bullen, J. A. Mara. FINANCE: H. B. Wilson, Geo. Gillespie, G. A. Taylor. MINING AND PROPERTY: Hy. Croft, F. J. Claxton, Lindley Crease. AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY: John Nicholles, |I Baker, John Earsman. AUDITORS: Beaumont Boggs, R- S. Day, Harrie G. Ross. Officers of tlie Chamber of Commerce of Victoria, Vancouver Island,. FROM 1863 TO DATE OF INCORPORATION, OCT. 28th, 1878. VICE-PRESIDENT. Jules David ules David James Lowe , Henry Rhodes Gustav Sutro , Gustav Sutro Gustav Sutro Gustav Sutro Gustav Sutro E. Grancini T. L. Stahlschmidt T. L. Stahlschmidt T. L. Stahlschmidt T. L. Stahlschmidt T. L. Stahlschmidt T. L. Stahlschmidt SECRETARY. A. F. Main. A. F. Main. A. F. Main. A. F. Main. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Robert Plummer. Officers and lemliersliip of tlie Britisli ColnmMa Board of Trade, FROM DATE OF INCORPORATION, OCT. 28th, 1878, TO JUNE, 1900. YEAR. PRESIDENT.' VICE-PRESIDENT. SECRETARY. Oct 28th, ~| 1878, to V July 3, '80 J 1880-I . . . I88I-2 . .. 1882-3 . . . 1883-4 . . . 1884-5 • • • 1885-6 . . . 1886-7 . . . 1887-8 . . . 1888-9 . . 1889-90 , . 1890-1 . . . 1891-2 . . . 1892-3 . . . 1893-4 • • 1894-5 . . . 1895-6 . . . 1896-7 . . . 1897-8 . . . R. P. Rithet, J. P.. William Charles E. Crow Baker. R. P. Rithet, J. P.. R. P. Rithet, [. P. . R. P. Rithet, "[. P.. R. P. Rithet, J. P.. R. P. Rithet, J. P.. Jacob H. Todd, J. P Jacob H. Todd, J". P Robert' Ward, J. P.. Robert Ward, J". P.. Robert Ward, I. P. Robert Ward, J. P. Thomas B. Hall.... Thomas B. Hall.... A. C. Flumerfelt... A. C. Flumerfelt... D. R. Ker Wjlliam Charles .... Roderick Finlayson.. Roderick Finlayson . Mat. T. Johnston.... . Edgar Crow Baker... . Thos. Earle E. Crow Baker. E. Crow Baker. E. Crow Baker. E. Crow Baker. E. Crow Baker. Wm. Monteith. Wm. Monteith. T. R. Smith . Thos. Earle Wm. Monteith. Wm. Monteith. . Thomas B. Hall . Thomas B. Hall . A. C. Flumerfelt A. C. Flumerfelt.... . C. E. Renouf. Wm. Monteith. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. D. R. Ker . G. Leiser, G. A. Kirk. . W.A.Ward . W. A. Ward . L. G. McQuade G. A. Kirk F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. F. Elworthy. 1898-9 . . . 1899-1900 G. A. Kirk W. A. Ward J-§'iJ8^i!ifc_S«ii MEMBERSHIP ROLL. NAME. FIRM. BUSINESS. Aikman, H. B. W Drake, Jackson'& H Barrister-at-Law. Anderson, W. J Builder. Andrews, W. T B Baker, M R. Baker & Son Barnard, F. S B. C. Elec. Ry. Co., Ld... Beckwith, J. L Beeton, H. C 33 Finsbury Circus Bell, H. P Belyea, A. L Bethune, J. T White Horse, Y. T Billinghurst, E. E B.C. Development Co.... Bodwell, Ernest V Bodwell & Duff Boggs, Beaumont Bone, W. H T. N. Hibben & Co Bostock, Hewitt, M.P Brenchley, A F. R. Stewart & Co Brown, George McL Canadian Pacific Ry Brown, P. R The Colonist Bryce, Jas Victoria Truck & Dray Co. Bryden, Jno Albion Iron Works Bullen, H. F B. C. Marine Ry. Co Bullen, W. F., J. P Esquimalt Marine Ry Burns, Gavin H Bk. Brit. North America.. Hay and Grain. Managing Director. Commission Agt. London. Civil Engineer. Barrister-at-Law. Mining Broker. Agent. Barrister-at-Law. Insur. and Gen. Agt. Bookseller and Statn'r. Manager. Executive Agent. Manager. Managing Director. Director. Ship Builder. Manager. Manager. . Cassidy, Robert Barrister-at-Law. Challoner, W. L Challoner, Mitchell & Co. Jeweler. Christie, Wm...'; C. P. R. Telegraph Co.... Manager. Clarke, Chas. E Harbour Master. Claxton, Fred. J Land ASent- Cohen, H. Hirschell Cassiar Central Ry Man. Director. 6 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. NAME. FIRM. BUSINESS. Coigdarippe, J Retired. Courtney, Geo. L Esq. & Nanaimo Ry Traffic Manager. Cox, Capt. J. G E. B. Marvin & Co Ship Chandler. Crease, Lindley Crease & Crease Barrister-at-Law. Croft, Henry, J. P Consulting Engineer. Davidge, F. C Davidge & Co., Ltd Shipping Agent. Day, Robert S Architect. Dewdney, Hon. Edgar Dunsmuir, James, M.P.P.. Union Collieries President. Dupont, Major C. T Retired. Earle, Thos., M.P Merchant. Earsman, John Earsman & Co Commission Agent. Eberts, Hon. D.M.,M.P.P. Eberts & Taylor Barrister-at-Law. Ellis, W. H Elworthy, F B. C. Board of Trade Secretary. Erskine, R Erskine, Wall & Co Grocer. Ewen, Alexander Ewen & Co. (Westminster) Canner. Flint, A. St. G Insurance and Gen. Agt. Flumerfelt, A. C, J. P.... Granby Smelter, (Greenwood). Forrester, J. L Paints, etc. Foster, F. W., J. P (Ashcroft, B. C.) Merchant. Foulkes, J. F J. F. Foulkes & Co Mining Broker. Fraser, A. B Merchant. G Bank of Montreal Manager. Galletly, A. J. C Giffen, J. B R. G. Dun & Co Gillespie, George Bk. of British Columbia. Goodacre, Lawrence Queen's Market (Meat).. Gordon, B Hiram Walker & Sons . Gowen, C. N Vic. Brew & Ice Co., Ld Grahame, H. M Grant, Capt. Wm Ship Owner Greenwood, A. E G., Smith & Randolph ... Printer. Greer, B. W Canadian Pacific Ry Agent. Manager. Supt. of B. C. Branches. Proprietor. Agent. Director. Real Estate. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. NAME. Hall, R. H., J. P Hall, Richard, M. P. P... Hall, John A Hardie, Norman Harvey, J. S Hayward, Charles Helmcken, H. D., M.P.P. Henderson, A Henderson, Wm Higgins, Hon. D. W Hinton, Jno. A Holland, C. A Holland, Joshua Hunter, Joseph, M. P. P... H FIRM. Hudson's Bay Co Hall & Goepel Victoria Chemical Wks.... Dodwell, Carlill & Co F. C. Davidge & Co., Ld. Drake, Jackson & H Vic. Transfer Co., Ltd.... Henderson Bros BUSINESS. In charge. General Agent. Managing Director. Agent. Vice-President. Contractor and Builder. Barrister-at-Law. Superintendent. Druggist. Hinton Electric Co., Ltd.. Electrician. B. C. Land & Invt. Agy.. Managing Director. Insurance Agent. E. & N. Railway General Supt. I Irving, Capt. J Can. Pac. Nav. Co. Manager. Jamieson, Robt Jensen, William Dawson Hotel Proprietor. Johnson, E. M Financial Agent. Johnston, M. T Findlay, Durham & B Merchant. Jones, A. W Insurance Agent. Jones, Stephen Dominion Hotel Proprietor. K Ker, D. R Brackman & Ker Mill Co., Ltd., Man. Director. King. Chas. R Manfg. Agent. Kirk, G. A Turner, Beeton & Co Merchant. Langley, W. H Martin & Langley Barrister-at-Law. Leiser, Simon S. Leiser & Co Wholesale Grocer. Lenz, M Lenz & Leiser Lindsay, Jas. A R. Dunsmuir & Son Loewen, Joseph Vic. Brew. & Ice Co., Ld. Lubbe, T Lugrin, C. H Daily Colonist Wholesale Dry Goods. Auditor. Director. Furs and Skins. Editor. Luxton, A. P Davie, Pooley & Luxton.. Barrister-at-Law. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. M NAME. FIRM. Macaulay, H. C Macaulay, Norman Maclure, J. C Robt. Ward & Co Mara, J. A Marvin, E. B E. B. Marvin & Co Mason, C. Dubois Mason & Bradburn McAlister, John (San Jose, Cal.) McCandless, A. G, McCandless Bros McGregor, M McGregor & Jeeves McQuade, L. G P. McQuade & Sons Mess, Bernhard C Findlay, D. & Brodie Milne, G. L Mitchell, James More, A. W A. W. More & Co Morris, Walter Federation Brand Salmon Munn, D. J (New Westminster) Munsie, W Shawnigan Lake Lum. Co. BUSINESS. Merchant. Merchant. Joint Manager. Merchant. Ship Chandler. Barrister-at-Law. Clothier. Contractor. Ship Chandler. Assistant Manager. Physician and Surgeon. Manufacturers' Agent. Ins. and Mining Broker. Can. Co., President. Cannery Proprietor. Manager. N Nicholles, Major John... Norris, Fred'k Nicholles & Renouf, Ltd., H'dw'r and Ag'l Imp's. Saddler & Harness Mkr. Palmer, E. J Patterson, Jas Patterson, T. W Payne, Robert Home Pearse, B. W Pearson, Ed., J. P Pemberton, F. B Pendray, Wm. J Peters, Hon. Fred Piercy, J Pike, M. Warburton Pither, Luke Pooley, Hon. C. E., Q. C. Prior, Lt.-Col. Hon. E. G. Vic. Lum. and Mfg. Co., Ld. (Chemainus), Mgr. The Patterson Shoe Co.... Managing Director. Victoria & Sidney Ry Manager. Sperling & Co., 8 Austin Friars, London. Retired. Clarke & Pearson Hardware. Pemberton & Son Financial Agent. Pendray & Co Soap Manufacturer. Tupper & Peters Barrister-at-Law. J. Piercy & Co Wholesale Dry Goods. Explorer. Pither & Leiser Wine Merchant. , M. P. P Barrister-at-Law. , M. P., E. G. Prior & Co., Ld., Hardware, etc. Redfern, Chas. E. Rithet, R. P R. P. Rithet & Co., Ld. Manufacturing Jeweler. Mer. and Shipping Agt. _B@Sl*il BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. 9 NAME. FIRM. BUSINESS. Robertson, Arthur Martin & Robertson Commission Agent. Robertson, A. Stuart Globe Can. & Mill. Co. (Claxton, B. C), Manager. Robins, S. M Van. Coal Co. (Nanaimo).. Superintendent. Ross, Harrie G Dixie H. Ross & Co Grocer. Sayward, J. A . Scott, H.J Hamilton Powder W'ks... Seabrook, R R. P. Rithet & Co Sehl, Jacob B. C. Furniture Co Shallcross, J.J Shallcross, Macaulay & Co. Shotbolt, Thomas, J. P .. Smith, H M. R. Smith & Co Smith, Thos. R Robt. Ward & Co., Ltd... Spencer, C David Spencer Spratt, C. J. V Victoria Machinery Depot. Stemler, Louis Stemler & Earle Swinerton, R. H Swinerton & Oddy Lumber Merchant. Manager. Vice-President. Manager. Merchant. Druggist. Biscuit Manufacturer. Merchant and Shipper. Dry Goods. Proprietor. Coffee and Spice Mills. Land Agent. Taylor, Geo. A Mer. Bank of Halifax Manager. •Temple, Ernest Hickman Tye Co., Ltd.. . Manager. Templeman, Hon. Wm... Times Printing Co., Ltd. . Managing Editor. Thomson, Jas Hudson's Bay Co Manager. Todd, C. F J. H. Todd & Son Wholesale Grocer. Turner, Hon. J. H.',M.P.P. Turner, Beeton & Co Merchant. Vincent, F. W Voss, J. C C. P. N. Co Asst. Manager. Victoria and Queen's Hotel, Proprietor. w Walker, Walter Coal Merchant. Ward W. A Merchant and Shipper. Ward, Robt 70 Basinghall Street London, E. C. Warren, Jas. D., Capt General Agent. Weiler, Otto Weiler Bros Furniture Manufacturer. Welsh, E. E B. C. Market Manager. Wey, W. G Bradstreet Co Superintendent. Wilkinson, C. H S3 New Broad Street London. Williams, B Land Agent* 10 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. NAME. FIRM. BUSINESS. Williams, Robert T Publisher. Wilson, William W. & J. Wilson Clothier. Wilson, H. B. Molson's Bank Manager. Woolley, Clive Phillips Barrister. Wootton, E. E McPhillips, Wootton & B.. Barrister-at-Law. Memo.—All members of the Board, unless otherwise' herein shown, reside at Victoria, B. C. SCENE IN BEACON HILL PARK, VICTORIA, B. C. Twenty-first Annual Report The British Columbia Board of Trade JULY 1st, 1599, TO JUNE 50th, 1900. To the Members of the British Columbia Board of Trade : Gentlemen,—For twenty years past our predecessors, when retiring, have presented the Board with a brief resume of the conditions and leading commercial events of British Columbia during their respective terms of office. It is our privilege to submit for your consideration a similar report covering the past twelve months. Mining. Of the various industries, mining continues to occupy the place of first importance and its uniform yearly growth for so new an enterprise is certainly very encouraging, the following table of production during the ten years ending 1899 speaking for itself: Production for Each Year from 1890 to 1899 (inclusive). AMOUNT. YEAR _ ^ - o 1890 $2,608,803 1891 3'52^102 1892 2'9fs'53° l893 3'588'413 .894 4'225'717 12 * BRITISH COLUMAIA BOARD OF TRADE. YEAR. AMOUNT. 1895 $ 5,643,042 1896 7.507,9S6 1897 10,455,268 1898 I0,906,86l I899 12,356,555 The increase of 13^ per cent, during 1899, compared with the previous year, is due to a large output of gold (placer and lode), copper and coal. The output of silver and lead shows a falling off, due principally to the closing down of galena mines in the Slocan district, consequent upon the failure of the mine owners and miners to agree on average schedule. Although the shortage in 1899 amounted to $879,480, the result of the actual workings has strengthened the belief, previously expressed, in the richness and permanency of the mines in the Slocan district. Trail Creek. Notwithstanding labour troubles and closing down for a time of the two principal mines, the Trail Creek division holds its leading position as a producer, last year's shipments totalling 180,300 tons of ore, valued at $3,229,086. Six mines contributed 178,600 tons of this quantity and 1,700 tons represent the output of other properties, of which there are over twenty where development works are proceeding worthy of note. The outlook for this division is good, now that a satisfactory agreement has been arrived at between the miners and mine owners. Boundary The country to the west of Trail Creek is known Creek. as Boundary Creek and embraces Grand Forks and Kettle River. It is highly mineralized, principally in gold and copper. The shipments so far have been small, the ore being mostly low grade, rendering long transportation unprofitable. This difficulty will soon be overcome by the erection of smelters near the mines and two are now nearly completed. In the meantime much development work has been done and it is claimed that on one property alone ore to the gross value of over eleven million dollars has been revealed. A large area of the Boundary Creek country is not yet properly prospected and it is complained that there are no maps annual report. 13 of that portion north of Kettle River. The number of free miners' certificates issued during 1899 was 2,359, nearly double the number issued in the previous year. These figures, however, do not accurately indicate the increased mining activity in Boundary Creek, for it must be remembered that during the 1899 session of the legislature the mining law was amended to make it unnecessary for a miner working in a mine to take out the certificate, which was previously compulsory. Osoyoos. In Osoyoos, the country west of and adjoining that mentioned, the character of the ore bodies is varied and besides gold and copper includes galena and free milling ores. There are several stamp mills working and one company has already received in dividends a return of about 50 per cent, of their capital. A large area of this mining division has not yet been properly prospected and quite recently many deposits have been discovered, said to be rich in silver and lead. During 1899 there were 1,053 mineral locations recorded, against only 496 in 1898. Nelson. The value of the Nelson division output has not yet reached the million dollar mark, but shows an increase compared with previous years and would have been larger had the differences between the mine owners and miners not interfered with production. In this division there were 1,869 certificates of work issued, representing the number of claims under development, but not yet advanced sufficiently to secure a Crown Grant, and furnishing an indication of what may be expected from the Nelson division when these properties are put on a shipping basis. East Kootenay. The District of East Kootenay includes a very large area practically unprospected. Recent discoveries to the west of Windermere, on the east slope of the Gold range, promise to become a valuable addition to those previously located and being developed. The difficulties of the prospector in East Kootenay, like in other districts, are increased from lack of proper communications, but it is expected chat the work now progressing will result in the construction of several branch lines of railway and more waggon roads and H BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. trails and induce capitalists to provide the funds necessary to prove the numerous prospects. Slocan. The output of the Slocan division, $1,740,372, was nearly 50 per cent, under that of 1897, due entirely to differences between the mine owners and miners and the closing down of the principal mines for some months. Happily these differences appear on the eve of disappearing and there are indications of an early return of activity equal to, if not exceeding, anything heretofore experienced. Cariboo. Mining in Cariboo is still confined to hydraulic- ing and placer but on a larger scale. The increased capital invested in hydraulic works during 1899, together with the experience gained in previous workings, augurs well for the future of Cariboo. The knowledge that twenty million dollars in gold was taken from two and a half miles of Williams Creek, while two miles of Lightning Creek yielded twelve millions additional, is still fresh in the memory of the operators, many of whom believe that the riches of that district are yet untold. It is to be regretted that quartz mining does not receive more attention in Cariboo as experts are unanimous in their belief that all the natural conditions exist to ensure a rich reward for such enterprise, when better means of communication are provided. Unfortunately, the district is at present served by only one good waggon road. Cassiar and Of Cassiar and Omineca not so much is heard Omineca. as °f some of the Districts mentioned, but their mineral value is not lost sight of by the prospectors, whose number appears small simply on account of the great territory over which they are scattered. Important hy- draulicing works are being carried out in Omineca, the conditions being similar to those in Cariboo. Atlin. The placer mines of Atlin yielded $800,000 dur ing 1899. The open season extends over about only four months and last year the early part of it was lost, in many cases, owing to the confusion between rival claim owners. Upon arrival, at the scene, of a Judge of the Supreme Court, ANNUAL REPORT. 15 matters were set right and general satisfaction was expressed with the decisions and promptness with which they were delivered. This district is reached during the summer by rail and lake steamers within twenty-four hours of leaving the ocean steamships. This convenience together with the excellent climate and comparatively cheap living has brought wages down to an average of $5.00 per day. The placer claims are 100 feet long by the entire width of the creek upon which located. The representatives of several companies were on the spot early and purchased, from the locators, groups of them with the intention of hydraulicing. This will necessitate the importation of heavy plants, the cost of which will be greatly increased by transportation, the rail charges alone between ocean navigation and Lake Bennett amounting to $60.00 per ton. It is hoped that the railway company may see it to their own interest to reduce the freight on mining plants. Prospecting for quartz is progressing with encouraging results, some well defined fissure veins having been discovered containing gold with iron, copper and lead. It is probable that there will be great development in quartz mining in the Atlin district. It would be a great advantage to the Atlin district if increased powers were vested in the Gold Commissioner. In the past, Gold Commissioners have exercised the powers desired in a manner generally satisfactory, as evidenced by the few appeals against their decisions. Vancouver In the case of Vancouver Island a departure |s|andi can be made by mentioning the Lenora mine. This ' property is situated south of Chemainus, about six miles from the Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway, with which it is connected by three miles of waggon road and the remainder tramway. Development consists of a tunnel over 500 feet and there are 400 feet of crosscuts, drifts and upraises. The shaft is down 200 feet with a crosscut at the bottom 150 feet. This mine gives employment to 80 men. The output is now 50 tons per day and could be greatly increased if better means of communication to the railway existed. The ore, which contains gold, silver and copper, is easily mined in consequence of the country rock being very soft. It has been treated at the Texada .^_-_-_M-£-_£_-iuc4< i6 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. Island smelter and after paying all mining, transportation and smelting charges returned a profit of about $10.00 per ton. A company has recently been formed and $100,000 subscribed for developing the adjoining property on the north, known as the Tyhee. Another company has commenced work on the same vein but adjoining the Lenora on the south. There are other excellent prospects nearer Victoria. On the Ralph claim, distant about 12 miles, some 200 tons of ore has been taken out in development which is expected to average 15 per cent, copper, with gold and silver. There are many claims upon which development work has been done in the San Juan valley, west of Victoria, but it is too limited to comment upon further than to remark that the results have encouraged owners to continue to exploit their property. Alberni is the oldest lode mining district on Vancouver Island and on some of the properties extensive works have been performed underground while on hundreds of others assessment work is proceeding with the object of obtaining Crown grants. All along the west coast, to the north end of the island, mineral locations have been recorded and the aggregate of the various works is yearly increasing. In the opinion of some experts who have visited the various camps on the west coast of Vancouver Island the indications of values are equal to anything found on the mainland under similar development. That these views are also shared by owners is shown in the extensive improvements made on properties near Alberni where some of them will very soon be in a condition to commence shipping. Most of the claims are near navigable salt water, afforded by the numerous inlets with which the coast is indented. This will prove, of great advantage in the early stages of the development of these properties and all the necessary fluxes have been formed for smelting on the spot as soon as plants are erected. ^tgjBland Coast. These remarks will mostly apply to the mainland coast as well, where, some $75,000 was expended in development work during 1899. ANNUAL REPORT. 17 Texada and On Texada Island prospecting and develop- ■ Other Islands, ment work increased during 1899 and at the close "of the year 1,016 mineral claims stood on the records as in good standing. The shaft of the Van Anda mine has reached the 400 foot level and is now being sunk another 100 feet. As the company smelted their own ore, returns of value are not available further than, "The matte contained about 50 per cent, of copper and very good values in gold and silver." The openings in British Columbia for mining investments are practically unlimited and varied to an extent seldom met with. The mining laws are liberal, allowing any person to stake a claim 1,500 ft. by 1,500 ft., about 50 acres, and hold it by improving to the value of only $100 per annum. After five such annual improvements, the survey being reckoned an improvement worth $100, a Crown grant can be obtained. Thousands of claims are in the hands of locators who have not the means to prove values. Such are freely offered for sale outright, but in some cases the owners insist upon retaining an interest. It is desired to urge upon holders of claims, when seeking capital, the necessity of putting the property in the best possible condition for estimating its worth. Complaints are too common when visiting mining claims with the object of purchase that the improvements made are either insufficient or of a character which do not afford much assistance in arriving at conclusions. If the full benefit of the mining industry is to accrue to the Province, the owners of claims for sale must conform to the requirements of capitalists and their agents. The ease with which claims can be re-staked without doing any work upon them is a matter which the Government should consider without delay as there is no doubt much valuable property is thus locked up and remaining unimproved. Coal. During 1899 the Vancouver Island collieries gave employment to 3,317 hands and the Crow's Nest collieries 371 additional. The total output of 1,306,324 tons was the largest on record. About half of this quantity was exported to California, representing over one-third of the importations into that state and fully up to the average of pre- i8 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. vious years. Other shipments were made to Alaska and elsewhere. Hitherto a large number of Chinese and Japanese have been employed in the Vancouver Island collieries. Messrs. R. Dunsmuir & Son have recently decided to employ only white labor and the Mongolians are being relieved as fast as possible. The benefits which Vancouver Island will receive in consequence are important. The Crow's Nest collieries produced 103,000 tons of coal, which was mostly consumed in Canada. For the first year's output this* may be considered satisfactory in view of the limited local demand. The very high grade of this coal will undoubtedly commend itself in more distant fields in the near future and supplant that now offering. It has been used on H. M. warships and understood to have given satisfaction, but the official report is not yet available. Coke. Kootenay was supplied with coke from the Crow's Nest collieries. This was only to be expected from the proximity of those collieries to the smelters when compared with the collieries of Vancouver Island. As there is a market for coke in California the Vancouver Island collieries are likely to be fully employed in serving our neighbors to the south. The output of coke during 1899 was 34,251 tons. Other Minerals. So far only gold, silver, copper, lead and coal have been referred to. It is now desired to direct attention to deposits of iron, gypsum, mica, plumbago, quicksilver and asbestos, none of which are yet developed. It is expected that the saving of platinum in placer workings will hereafter receive more attention. In dealing with the foregoing the very excellent report of the Minister of Mines has been consulted and the statements herein made are generally confirmed by that work. It is to be regretted that official returns are published only once a year and it has been repeatedly urged that the annual report of the Minister of Mines should be supplemented by bulletins issued at least quarterly. In the absence of such official documents it can only be stated generally that the mining industry has pro- ANNUAL REPORT. I9 gressed steadily during the past six months, and that it is expected the output during 1900 will result in a substantial increase. Smelters. The investment of much capital in the estab lishment of smelters in British Columbia supports the belief that the permanency of the mining industry is beyond question. Two new plants are almost ready to "blow in," one at Grand Forks and the other at Greenwood, in the Boundary Creek country. The first named, erected by the Granby Smelting Co., is practically an adjunct to the Old Ironsides, Knob Hill and City of Paris mines, in the first two of which it is claimed that nearly a million and a half tons of ore are in sight above tunnels. The B. C. Copper Co., which has erected the smelter at Greenwood, also own mineral claims. Their plant has been constructed to treat 250 tons per day, to start with, and will be extended later as may be required. The Trail smelter is the largest in Canada, the total capacity being about ' 1,000 tons per day. The main construction is for the treatment of copper-gold ores, but there are also lead stacks and it is intended to add a lead refinery. A copper refinery forms part of the existing plant. The Hall Mines smelter at Nelson can treat 300 tons of ore daily and has both copper-gold and lead- silver plants. The Pilot Bay smelter can handle only lead- silver ores. The Van Anda smelter, a copper-gold plant, is not so large as those mentioned, but meets the coast requirements where the mines are not extensively developed. Concentrators. The principal mines in Slocan are equipped with concentrators or are conveniently near customs plants. Salmon The salmon pack of 1899 was the second FlShTs. ^rgest since the industry was established, the ———* figures being : _, _,. 480,383 Fraser River "* S ° '' Cohoes (estimated) 30,000 _. 108,026 Skeena River Rivers Inlet -71'079 42,949 Other places H '^y Total cases 732,437 __££_U£-a_-Li^i^£---ek_&*s£ 20 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. Shipments to Australia, 41,518 cases, were larger than in any previous year. In eastern Canada, too, the consumption was above the average. Prices for the entire pack were well maintained, and stocks are reported as small. For some years past this Board has repeatedly urged the necessity of establishing additional fish hatcheries on the Fraser River and that hatcheries should also be erected on the Skeena and Naas Rivers and at Rivers Inlet. The Department of Marine and Fisheries recently deputed Mr. W. W. Stumbles to visit this Province and in his report to the Dominion Government he has recommended the additional hatcheries asked for. There is no apparent reason why these important works have been so long delayed. The following figures are taken from the Auditor-General's report for the year ending June 30th, 1899 : Fisheries Revenue, British Columbia— 3,675 Salmon Licenses @ $10. $36,750 00 All other receipts , 9.051 75 $45,8oi 75 Fisheries Expenditures, British Columbia : Salaries, etc $ 8,459 47 Fraser River Hatchery 3>736 14 12,195 61 Unexpended balance in favor of British Columbia. .$33,606 14 Fisheries Revenue— Total collections in Canada outside British Columbia.. .$ 39,701 10 Expenditure in Maritime Provinces alone are— On account of fishing bounty $150,459 00 Cost of distributing same 5,°34 73 $155,493 73 British Columbia is clearly entitled to a much larger expenditure by the Dominion Government. Trap fishing in Puget Sound continues much to the detriment of British Columbia salmon fisheries. Several changes were made last season in the rules and regulations governing salmon fishing and others will come into force this year. ANNUAL REPORT. 21 The canners on the Fraser River have formed an association amongst themselves for regulating the disposal of the pack and governing the prices to be paid for fish. The fishermen have also combined for the protection of their interests. Deep Sea There is not much change to report in the deep Fisheries. sea fisheries. The shipments of fresh halibut have continued and on a larger scale than previously but the deep sea fisheries are practically undeveloped. There is no lack of excellent food fish on this coast, and if markets could be provided another important industry would flourish in British Columbia. It is thought that considerable trade could be done on the west coast of Central and South America if a direct steamship service was provided. The Dominion Government was asked to subsidize such a line two years ago, but without result. On account of high tariff the United States market is closed. Sealing. The sealing catch of 1899 was larger than in either of the two previous years. Twenty-six schooners were engaged and secured 35,471 skins. It is estimated that Indians in canoes took 1,000 additional. At the October sales, made in Victoria, 11,000 skins realized $11.00 each, but the London sales, in December last and in March of this year, netted $14.00 per skin. This advance induced owners to fit out additional schooners this year and the spring catch was 17,480 skins, against only 10,472 in 1899. Prices so far have been maintained and the European demand, especially in France, continuing strong no great change is expected. Thirty- seven schooners have fitted out and left for Behring Sea. Although these figures are encouraging they show a very serious falling compared with 1894, when the catch totalled 97,474 skins. Lumber. The lumber industry shows steady growth as will be seen from the following table : 22 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. 1897. Cuts on Crown lands 61,961,647 feet. 1 timber leaseholds 39,014,010 j I private property 4,963,740 | 105,939,397 feet. 1898. (11 MONTHS ONLY.) Cuts on Crown lands 70,755,866 feet. " timber leaseholds 42,192,178 | " private property 11,598,614 j 124,546,658 feet. 1899. Cuts on Crown lands 89,258,757 feet. i timber leaseholds 49,526,306 " " private property 23,115,400 " 161,900,463 feet. These figures do not include lumber cut on Dominion and the Esquimalt and Nanaimo railway lands. During the past six months exports have increased, notwithstanding the scarcity of vessels on the spot and consequent higher freights. Prices have materially increased. Particulars of cargoes and destinations of the lumber fleet will be found in the appendices. The annual cut of lumber is scarcely appreciable when the entire forest wealth of British Columbia is considered. Agriculture. Good average crops of hay, roots and grain were raised during 1899, but rains at harvest time impaired the quality of the wheat and oats and caused discoloration. For this reason the importations of wheat from Alberta were larger than in the previous year. Importations of American flour were greatly reduced, the provincial mills having correspondingly increased their production. Remunerative prices were realized for all agricultural products and stocks are low. Fruit crops, with the exception of the stone varieties, were fair. Shipments to eastern Canada as far as Winnipeg continued, and the remainder was readily disposed of at good prices for immediate local consumption and preserving. Fruit pre- ANNUAL REPORT. 23 serving is a growing industry. The aims of the canners are a high standard of quality and the product is in good demand. Both agricultural and fruit crops this year are exceptionally All that is wanted is suitable harvest weather. good Butter making is keeping pace with the local demand. The progress made during the past few years by the creameries is most encouraging. The creameries were established on the most improved methods of dairying with the result that the output is taken in preference to imported butter and higher prices paid for it. This Board is indebted to the Honourable J. D. Prentice, Minister of Agriculture, for the following information : "Among the numerous resources of this Province of the Dominion, agriculture has to take about a fourth place. Mining, of course, has precedence, while lumbering and fishing come in as second and third. This industry is handicapped in having the almost boundless prairies of the Territories on the eastern border in competition with the heavily timbered areas west of the Cascade Mountains. Prospective settlers, seeing the prairie country when most attractive, do not take into consideration the important item of climate, and therefore in nine cases out of ten, prefer the open rather than encounter the heavy forest lands of the mainland coast and Vancouver Island. Especially is this the case with European immigrants. For the above reasons, among others that might be mentioned, our agricultural population is not, at present, increasing in the same ratio as the mining, mechanical, laboring, &c, &c. " It cannot be too forcibly impressed upon agricultural communities in the other Provinces and other countries that the general and far-reaching mining activity of British Columbia is ensuring home markets at good prices for all the farm produce that can be raised in scores of localities where, only a few years ago, the cost of freight to the uncertain markets of the few towns and cities amounted to all or more than could be realized for it. 24 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. I Generally speaking, so far as the mainland is concerned, the major portion of the most desirable land is taken up ; but there are numerous outlying valleys, more or less timbered, tributary to the Kootenays, Okanagan, West Yale and even New Westminster where, in view of the grand future in store for the Pacific Province, locations worth having can yet be obtained from both the Dominion and Provincial Governments at a mere nominal price. Comparatively, there is more government land available on Vancouver Island, the whole of which may be included in the southern zone, than on the mainland. It must be borne in mind, however, that both island and coast mainland valleys are mostly covered with timber, often of gigantic proportions ; but usually those valleys are interspersed with grassy swamps and alder bottoms, of greater or lesser extent, and this is the kind of land settlers are looking after and locating upon. "The great central zone ofthe Province, in which are the Peace, Blackwater, Nechaco, Bulkeley, lower Skeena and lower Naas, including Queen Charlotte Islands, has scarcely been touched by the incoming wave of settlement. Here may be found large areas of ideal stock ranges, particularly in the Bulkeley and Nechaco valleys. In many localities throughout this extensive region mixed farming also could be successfully carried on; and thus, when means of communication are established, help to supply the almost neighbouring mining communities of Atlin and the upper Yukon with most of the necessaries of life. "In the Atlin District, which so far is the best known portion of the northern zone, there are partially open stretches of country that might be profitably utilized for stock raising; and many sheltered valleys where hardy vegetables and grain could be produced. In view of the well established and permanent character ofthe rich placer and hydraulic deposits, as well as immense bodies of smelting ores, copper included, the population of Atlin is bound to increase as other localities have done under similar circumstances. The development, therefore, of the farming and grazing lands within easy reach of the camps ANNUAL REPORT. 25 and towns which are springing up will benefit equally both the producer and consumer, and it will be difficult to say whether the successful miner or the fortunate occupant of the soil will secure the most profit. Some of the ranches in the Kettle River District are already perfect bonanzas to the owners, and it is quite possible that the same thing may happen in Atlin if the right sort of vegetable and poultry raising, farming and cattle grazing settlers take up and cultivate the land available for occupation. "The labor market stringency of a few years ago has entirely disappeared, and supply now is not in excess of demand in nearly all skilled and unskilled lines. There is a constantly growing demand for experienced miners in gold, silver, lead, copper, iron and other ores. Coal miners also are required, together with underground and above ground workers ; especially since the recent decision of Hon. James Dunsmuir,. head of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway and Colliery syndicate, and- now Premier of the Provincial Government, to substitute white for Oriental labor in all his collieries This decision, of course, affects the other collieries, so that experienced coal cutters desirous of coming to British Columbia can depend upon getting employment at good wages with little or no loss of time. Ship and other carpenters are likewise in demand at present, both in the coast cities and on the navigable waters of the northern mines. I A large amount of British Columbia printed matter continues to be issued from the Immigration Office in reply to correspondents seeking information relating to the Province ; the letters, of course, are answered in detail. These enquiries, as between the United States and Canada, are about equally divided, while many are from the British Islands and the continent of Europe, Germany mostly. South American republics are also well represented. Scandinavian correspondence for some time past has been nearly discontinued." -The Provincial Government is entitled to credit for their efforts in assisting in agricultural development. By the organization of Farmer's Institutes, the creation and main- 26 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. tenance of the Board of Horticulture and the assistance to Agricultural Associations, a better spirit has been developed and better methods set in operation. The advancement during the past ten years, though gradual, has been most marked' and substantial. There is a good deal yet to do that will now undoubtedly receive consideration. Owing to the varying conditions which exist the necessity of local experimental farms, on a small scale, has become apparent, the Dominion station at Agassiz being too isolated and too general in results to be of much benefit to the Province at large. Assistance and co-operation in a cold storage system in the interior for the range beef would be of great benefit. These two are among the most important, but there are other matters requiring attention, such as the encouragement of cheaper and better methods of clearing land, and the improving of communication in the remote districts. Education. British Columbia affords excellent educational opportunities, the schools' being free and undenominational. In 1899 there were 244 common, 32 graded, and four high schools, under the supervision of trustees elected by the ratepayers, at a cost to the Provincial Government of $268,653.46. New school districts can be created by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council as soon as there are fifteen children between six and sixteen years of age within the limits prescribed. For outlying agricultural districts and mining camps this arrangement is very advantageous. A movement has been initiated in the east ursine* the Dominion Government to establish technical schools throusfh- out Canada. This Board is in hearty sympathy with "the recommendation, and has endorsed the memorial to His Excellency the Governor-General in Council. Forestry. The subject of Forestry may be referred to as of increasing importance. Not only is the preservation of forests of vital moment, but reforestration and diversificMon are possible, and would augment and perpetuate one of the chief of our natural resources. ANNUAL REPORT. 27 Wood Pulp. In eastern Canada the manufacture of wood pulp has made rapid strides, and there are now 35 mills in operation, with between fifteen and twenty million dollars of capital invested. In 1899 the United States imported from Canada pulp to the value of one and a half million dollars. This is an industry which should prosper in British Columbia. At the north end of Vancouver Island and on the mainland there is considerable spruce. The Douglas fir, which is stated to be a good pulp wood, abounds all over the Province. Hemlock, also a good pulp tree, is plentiful on the northern coasts. An important factor in the profitable manufacture of wood pulp is water power, and no doubt there are numbers of mill sites in British Columbia conveniently near the forests, where all the natural advantages exist for generating as much power as may be desired. Opportunities Besides the manufacture of wood pulp, atten- for Invest- tion is directed to British Columbia as offering a 7™ good field for the establishment of a wool factory, 2— a s-love and mitt factory, cold storage in the in- terior and sheep farming. The demand for woollen goods has greatly increased, due to the requirements of the northern gold fields trade. Gloves and mitts are now brought in large quantities from eastern Canada for the same trade. The Council have recently looked into this last matter, and the information gathered is available upon request. The establishment of cold storage in the interior should be a profitable investment for the promoters as well as a benefit to the Province. In the selection of sites the cattle trade should be considered. Sheep raising should be conducted on a far more extensive scale. During the twelve months ending 30th June, 1899. 37,545 sheep were imported, upon which $1.00 per head duty was collected, which does not include the imports from the Northwest Territory. Attention is directed to the frequent complaints which have reached this Board in regard to the difficulty in finding the. Provincial Agent General's office in London, and the lack of information available there. These complaints were commum- 28 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. cated to the late Government, but, so far as known, without result. Such conditions should not be allowed to continue. Several of the mainland Boards of Trade are also desirous of securing proper Provincial representation in London, and no time should be lost in organizing another joint request for the much needed change in location of the office, and that it be furnished with ample reliable information upon all British Columbia matters. Railways. The railway between Robson and Midway, in the Boundary country was opened for traffic in September last. Short branches to the principal mines have also been constructed. About 16 miles of the Kootenay Lake and Arrowhead railway have been graded. The object of this line is to connect Lardo, on Kootenay Lake, with the C. P. R. system at Arrowhead. The Kaslo and Lardo-Duncan railway, a branch of the Kootenay Railway and Navigation Company's system, will extend up the Duncan River to the mining camps at Hall Creek and West Fork, where many promising mineral properties exist. Twelve miles is graded between Argenta, on Kootenay Lake, and Howser (lately known as Duncan City), and a bridge 2,000 feet in length, at the foot of Howser Lake, is almost completed. It is probable that this line and also the Kootenay Lake and Arrowhead railway would have been open for traffic ere this but for the disturbed conditions experienced in consequence of the differences between the mine owners and miners. Too much stress can hardly be laid upon the importance of opening up the Province with additional railways. .A direct line from the coast into Kootenay is urgently needed, as such a railway would reduce the distance by about one-half of the present circuitous route. A railway to the north end of Vancouver Island would not only develop the country through which it would pass, but would be of great importance in securing the trade of the northern gold fields. Cariboo should be connected with the coast by a railway. The great cost of getting hy- ANNUAL REPORT. 29 draulic plants into that country is a serious obstacle to proper development. These three lines may be considered the most pressing and immediate requirements of British Columbia, and there is no doubt, had the Province received from the Dominion Government the aid which is justly due in return for the very large annual contributions in the form of customs and other taxations, these railways would to-day be well advanced towards completion. It is recommended that the in-coming Council should organize further joint representations by the Provincial Government and Boards of Trade throughout British Columbia, and that such representations should not cease until the Province secures a fair measure of justice in the matter of railway subsidies. The benefits which would result from such railway construction would extend throughout Canada in consequence of the greatly increased demand for goods which cannot be produced in British Columbia. As a matter of fact, the building of the Crow's Nest Pass railway, with terminus in Kootenay, has been of the greatest advantage to eastern Canada. Eastern merchants have to-day an advantage in freight rates in supplying many of the mining centres in Kootenay. If the greatest advantage is to accrue to British Columbia from the opening up of the interior of the Province the railways and waggon roads must start from the coast. Public Works. The usual repairs to roads and bridges throughout British Columbia have been carried out by the Provincial Government. Some additional school houses have been erected. The court house at Victoria is undergoing extensive alterations, and a court house at Rossland to cost $38,500 is partly constructed. A land registry office has been provided at Nelson. Tf|ese constitute the most important public works by the Provincial Government. The Province has suffered a loss in the destruction by fire of Government House, at Victoria. It is expected that during the approaching session of the legislature the funds will be voted for the erection of a building which will be a credit to the Province. The Dominion Government have continued improvements at the William's Head quarantine station. The drill hall at Van- 3° BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. couver and public building at New Westminster are in course of construction and public buildings are to be. erected at Nelson and Rossland. Harbour improvements have been carried on at Nanaimo and dredging in Victoria inner harbour has been resumed. Telegraphs. A matter of importance, since the previous annual report, is the operation of the telegraph line from the head of Lynn Canal to Dawson. At present telegrams are sent by ocean steamers to Skagway, but the sum of $130,000 has been placed in the Dominion supplementary estimates for the establishment of a line through this Province to connect with the Dawson system, and as soon as this is accomplished a saving of some days will be effected in getting messages to the northern country. British Columbia is served by two strong telegraph companies, the Canadian Pacific Railway and Great Northwestern systems. The line between Alberni and Cape Beale has been open for several months, but there have been interruptions in the service The old line between Victoria and the Cape is kept up, but complaints have been made of difficulties in reporting shipping. The Dominion Government are taking action which it is hoped will secure a more satisfactory service hereafter. The weather forecasts have been continued regularly twice daily. Ocean Trade. There is not much change in the ocean trade. The Canadian Pacific Railway " Empress " steamships engaged in the China-Japan trade continue their regular service every three weeks in the summer and monthly during the winter, and it has been found necessary to put additional steamships on the route occasionally. The Northern Pacific Steamship Company have four vessels and the Japan Mail Steamship Company, running in connection with the Great Northern railway, three engaged in the same trade. All these call at Victoria on both inward and outward voyasres. ANNUAL REPORT. 31 The Canadian Pacific Railway Company have three steamships on the Australasian route, giving a monthly service, and calling at Honolulu, Brisbane (Queensland) and Sydney (New South Wales). Navigation. The lighthouses at Dryad Point, Milbank Sound and at Pointer Island were first operated in October and November, 1899. The contract for a lighthouse at the Ballinac Islands has been awarded. Beacons have been established at Trincomalie Channel, Gabriola, Shute and Atkins Reefs. New buoys have been placed on Celia Reef, West Rock and in Clayoquot Sound. Repairs and improvements to the aids to navrgation previously established were carried out. Alaska A matter of great importance, not only to Brit- Boundary. ish Columbia but to the whole of Canada, is the unsettled Alaska boundary. The loss of trade can already be counted in millions of dollars and it is imperative that an all-Canadian route to the Atlin and Yukon gold fields be provided. If this cannot be secured by the recognition of the Canadian contention in regard to the disputed territory, a railway must be built starting from the coast at a point south of Lynn Canal. Mr. Robert Ward, who represented this Board at the Fourth Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, was requested to urge upon that assembly the importance of getting the Alaska boundary question settled without further delav. but there has not been sufficient time to receive a report from Mr. Ward. Trade and While the trade and commerce of the province Commerce, have increased during the past twelve months, it ——— is generally conceded that commercial prosperity equal to that experienced in eastern Canada has not been enjoyed. Disturbing influences have been felt, notably the now settled differences between the mine owners and miners. It is worthy of note, however, as evidence of the firm basis upon which that industry is established, that the mineral output should have increased while many of the shipping properties were closed. 32 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. Nor should it be forgotten, that much of the vast natural resources of the Province is inaccessible. The Dominion Government must share the responsibility for this in withholding from British Columbia the reasonable railway subsidies annually asked for and which the provincial contribution to the federal exchequer amply warrants. Subsidies aggregating about three and a half million dollars have just been voted of which only $96,000 is for British Columbia. The following collections have been made in British Columbia during the past twelve months for Dominion customs and inland revenue : Victoriaand Bennett Duty $1,203,731 88 Vancouver " 911,81107 Nelson | 188,19885 Rossland " 164,835 11 New Westminster '* I35>659 80 Nanaimo " 88,108 78 Kaslo I 29,400 50 $2,721,745 99 Vancouver (all outports in B. C. except Vancouver Is.) Inland Rev 323,486 25 Victoria (Vancouver Is. only) Inland Rev. 182,954 83 $3,228,187 07 The Province also contributed large sums through the fisheries and other federal departments. Trade with the northern gold fields, largely controlled by United States merchants during the Klondike rush, has been diverted and during 1899 British vessels carried 87^ % of the freights between Victoria and Skagway. In 1897 Victoria's share of that trade amounted to only $273,000, but in 1899 it exceeded two million dollars. The vexatious United States customs regulations at Skagway have been removed and proper bonding facilities now exist. United States operators in the Yukon find it to their advantage to purchase supplies in Canada. Capital has been fairly plentiful, but for a time was withheld. Recent activity on the part of capitalists seeking invest- ANNUAL REPORT. *S53it ments may be taken as an indication that confidence is being restored and is a hopeful sign for the future. Attention is again directed to the openings for investment in the manufacture of wood pulp, a wool factory, gloves and mitts manufacture and cold storage in the interior. The provincial and civic bonds and debentures have maintained their high standing in financial centres. The statistical information appended hereto, as far as possible, has been brought down to date. It is gratifying to record that the business of the Board has continued to receive due attention, the attendances at both council and general meetings having been well maintained. The field of the Board's usefulness is enlarging annually, and increased vigilance and activity will be required to keep pace with the demands which will result from the expansion of the provincial trade and commerce which is confidently anticipated. All of which is respectfully submitted. W. A. WARD, President. L. G. McQUADE, Vice-President. F. ELWORTHY, Secretary. Victoria, B. C, July 13th, 1900. 34 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. Lieutenant-Governor's Address in Reply to the Foregoing Report. ! Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Victoria Board of Trade: 11 feel certain that you understand that I take a deep interest in the proceedings, as well as in everything that is connected with the welfare aad prosperity in the future of British Columbia. I have now been listening as well as I could to the report that has been read, and it appears to me altogether of a most satisfactory and encouraging nature. "When the Yukon gold fields were opened first, I, as well as every Canadian who took an interest in the prosperity of the country, could not help deploring the fact that we derived so little benefit from it. It appeared to me from what I read in the papers at one time that nearly all the goods that were sent there did not come from Canadian sources. The ships that carried the goods were not Canadian ships; and altogether I felt anxious for the moment to know whether Canada —and British Columbia especially—would assert itself, and derive from the discovery of these new gold fields the advantage to which it appeared to be entitled. But I have just heard now that the amount of goods shipped from Victoria to the Yukon district amounted, if I remember right, to nearly two millions of dollars this year, while in 1897 they did not exceed a quarter of a million—that is, eight times as much in less than two years—and I think that should be a great satisfaction to you. Furthermore, as to the carrying of these goods, it must be a great satisfaction for you and all British Columbians to see that how such a considerable proportion of these goods—more than 87 per cent.—are carried in Canadian ships instead of American. I think this is as it ought to be. I think that Canadians ought to reap as much as possible of the advantages that they can derive from the bountiful supply of raw material the province has given them in every way. " Now, for instance, speaking of the pulp industry, which I see you are taking up, I hope that the hemlock and the Douglas fir will be found as favorable for the manufacture of pulp as we find the spruce in the Eastern provinces. We have not the Douglas fir in the East, but there is an abundance of hemlock. I do not BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. think it has been decided so far whether the hemlock is quite as advantageous in the production of pulp as the white spruce. "There is one thing, however, which I want to take the liberty of drawing your attention to. I think when we see so many hundreds and thousands of our young men—especially in the East—leaving Canada and going to our neighbors to beg work, and when we think how nature has given us such bountiful materials by which we can give them the means of earning their living, and keeping them here—to raise their families here—I think we ought by all means to understand it is our duty to profit by what Providence has done for us. When you think of the hundreds of thousands of cords of wood that are sent from our Eastern provinces into the United States to be manufactured into pulp; when you think that each of those cords of pulp leaves only about $3 or $3.50 in Canada to the man who has gone into the woods, who has cut down and sawn that wood, who has carted it to the wharf from which it was sent to the United States; when you think it leaves in our country only about $3.50, and the same kind of pulp manufactured in one of our pulp mills in Canada leaves $16 dollars of work—I do not mean $16 profit to the owner of the pulp mill—I mean to say that the work of building the pulp mill and the labor of the men who work in the pulp mill—the whole thing together—leaves $16 in Canada, instead of $3.50. I hppe this will be understood here as well as it ought to be in the other provinces. I am glad to say they are beginning to understand it in the other provinces, and there are two ways which they have adopted there which I think will concentrate the manufacture of pulp in Canada. I must tell you that in the Eastern provinces nearly all the timber is manufactured in Crown mills; the quantity manufactured in private mills is so small it is not worth mentioning. All logs produced on Crown lands in Ontario must be manufactured in that province. So far as pulp wood is concerned in Quebec, an end should soon be put to the waste in sending hundreds of thousands of cords of wood away. When the pulp is manufactured in the Province of Quebec it pays, if I remember right, $40 a cord, while when it is exported it pays $ 1.90 for exportation. In other words, it is a complete prohibition of the exportation of pulp-wood. I do not know whether it is $1.90, but I know the difference is so enormous that it is bound to put an end to the exportation of pulp-wood. There is no doubt, especially if it is found that the hemlock and the Douglas fir can be utilized for the successful manufacture of pulp-wood, you will have an enormous source of prosperity in the province of British Columbia. I Now, of course, I am not in a position to say anything about your great industries, about mining, which is the first one, except to express the pleasure with which I hear that, notwithstanding the difficulties which have arisen, nevertheless the yield of the mines, and the results of the mining industry for this year, have been in advance of last year. 'Neither am I in a position to give my opinion about the fisheries, but when I look at that fish in the glass case, it shows me that you have certainly got the materials to make an abundant harvest, which, I hope, will reward all those who are engaged in it, whether fishermen or cannerymen. APPENDICES. 37 & Now, there is another branch in which I, as well as everybody I could point to, take a great deal of interest in agriculture. Of course, with such an enormous mining wealth as you have got in this country, you cannot expect that every inch of ground will be fit for agriculture, but nevertheless, I have been informed that there are a number of valleys with rich alluvial soil. There is one branch which 1 have taken a great deal of interest in, namely, the growing and manufacture of tobacco. The Kelowna Union, I think, have found a means of raising an excellent tobacco. There is no doubt there is something both in your soil and climate that is more beneficial to the growing of tobacco than in the East, for in the raw state it seems to be more carefully cured and nearer perfect than the tobacco that we grow back in Quebec. But we have not made much progress in home-grown tobacco, and that is the reason I have come to the conclusion that it should be a great source of revenue to Canada in the future. "As for the dairying industry, I am glad to hear that the provincial government is doing what they ean in that direction. I suppose in British Columbia you are too modest to think of your agricultural facilities, but let me tell you that a few years ago I found a market in Quebec flooded with the most beautiful butter, on which was written the letters " B. C." I was much astonished to think that such a quantity of butter should be sent from British Columbia, three thousand miles, all the way to Quebec. It was utterly beyond all the ideas I conceived of the dairying facilities of British Columbia. A few days afterwards I went to visit a butter factory in the neighborhood of Quebec, when I found that the butter came from the Bay of Chaleur, all butter (laughter) coming from that district being marked with the letters " B. C." Still, I hope by and by we will see the day when we can get British Columbia butter in Quebec ; but if not in Quebec, that all the butter used in Rjjitsh Columbia will be produced here. " The secretary spoke of technical education. There is a branch of technical education in which I took a good deal of interest during the four years which I was connected with the inland revenue department. I have just placed myself in communication with those in England who are trying to introduce the metric system. I have also placed myself in communication with the treasury department at Washington and others who are doing their best to introduce the metric system there. It is a new thing, but nevertheless, I think it my duty to prepare the people of Canada for the speedy introduction of the metric system, and I will tell you why. In England a special committee of the House of Commons, as far back as 1895, recommended its compulsory introduction in two years. They do not proceed quite as fast in England, and so far they have not made it compulsory, but have legalized it, and now all inspectdrs of weights and measures in England are familiar with the weights and measures ofthe metric system, so as to be able to inspect all their measures according to that system. They are doing exactly the same at Washington and have introduced a bill to make it compulsory as soon as possible. Well, it is our duty in Canada to try and make ourselves acquainted with that system, so that when the United States and England have adopted it we will be ready to adopt it too; and I consider it my duty now, having once begun that work to corj&ue it. I have written to Ottawa to get a collection of 3« BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. all the systems of weights and measures for your hall, Mr. President, and some day if you can stand a short conference with me I will do myself the pleasure of showing how simple it is. " I thank you, Mr. President and gentlemen, for having been so patient." (Loud applause.) POST OFFICE, VICTORIA, B. C. APPENDICES. Mining Statistics. Report of Minister of Mines, December 31st, 1899. 39 TABLE I. Total Production for all Years up to and including 1899. Gold, placer $ 61,305,719 Gold, lode 9>359>479 Silver 11,340,609 Lead 4,928,069 Copper 2,747,294 Coal and Coke 44,396,387 Building stone, bricks, etc 1,700,000 Other metals 32,900 Total $ 135,810,457 TABLE II. Production for each Year from 1890 to 1899 (inclusive.) Year. Amount. 1890 $ 2,608,803 1891 3,521,102 1892 2,978,530 1893 3,588,413 1894 4,225,717 1895 5-643.042 1896 7>S°7,9S6 1897 10,455,268 1898 10,906,861 1899 12,393,131 Table III gives a statement in detail of the amount and value of the different mineral products for the years 1897, 1898 and 1899. As it has been impossible as yet to collect accurate statistics regarding building stone, lime, bricks, tiles, etc., these are estimated. 40 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. TABLE III. Amount and Value of Mineral Products for 1898 and 1899. Customary Measure. 1898. 1899. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Ounces Tons, 2,240 lbs.. 32.167 110,061 4,292,401 7,271,678 3r.693.S59 B135,065 35'°°° $ 643,346 2,201,217 2,375.841 874,78' 1,077,581 3.407.595 175,000 i5r.5oo 67,245 I3o,315 2,939,413 7,722,591 21,862,436 1,306,324 34-251 $ 1,344,900 2>857>573 1,663,708 Coal Coke i.3Sx»4S3 878,870 3,918,972 I7I>255 206,400 $10,906,861 $12,393. J3T TABLE IV. Production of Metals by Districts and Divisions. Name. Divisions. Districts. 1898. 1899. 1898. 1899. $ 389,360 $ 38l,900 $ 94,500 37,000 •28,000 214,860 11,000 •s 180,000 193.300 8,600 Quesnellemouth " Omineca {Land Recording" Div.) 107,300 133.368 6,042,975 819,380 66,294 6,187,859 Kootenay, West 694,880 2,619,852 2,470,811 97*631 297,930 879,185 1.740.372 3,229,086 41,286 Lillooet 47,814 432,512 69.55-3 364.112 7»56o 60,840 234,167 6,609 75.089 19.437 Other Districts 1 $ 255.648 $ 7.172.766 8,096,504 Placer Gold. Table V continues the yearly production of placer gold to date, as determined by the returns, sent in by the banks and express companies, of gold transmitted by them to the mints, and from returns sent in by the Gold Commissioners and Mining Recorders. To these yearly amounts, one-third was added up to the year 1878, and from then to 1895 and for 1898 and 1899, one-fifth, which pro- APPENDICES. 41 portions are considered to represent, approximately, the amount of gold sold of which there is no record. This placer gold contains from 10 to 25 per cent, silver, but the silver value has not been separated from the totals, as it would be insignificant. TABLE V. Yield of Placer Gold per Year to Date. 1858 $ 705,000 1859 1,615,070 i860 2,228,543 1861 2,666,118 1862 2,656,903 1863 3.9'3,563 1864 3.735.8SO 1865 3,491,205 1866 2,662,106 1867 2,480,868 1868 3.372,972 1869 1.774,978 1870 i,336,956 1871 1,799.440 1872 1,610,972 1873---- 1.305,749 1874 1,844,618 1875 2,474,004 1876 1,786,648 1877 1,608,182 1878 1,275,204 1879 1880. 1881. 1882. 1883. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1887. 1888. 1889. 1890. 1891. 1892. 1893- 1894. 1895. 1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. Total. 1,290,058 1,013,827 1,046,737 954,085 794,252 736,165 713,738 903,6^ 693,709 616,731 588,923 490,435 429,811 399,526 356,131 405,516 481,683 544,026 513,520 643,346 1,344,900 51,305.719 TABLE VI. The information as to production in the earlier years is obtained from the Mineral Statistics and Mines for 1896," Geological Survey of Canada. Production of Lode Mines. ti Gold. Silver. Lead. Copper. Total Values. < > Oz. Value. Oz. Value. $ *7.33*- 75,000 47.873 73,948 4,000 66,935 195,000 470,219 977.229 2,100,685 3,272,836 2.375.841 1.663,708 :$ii,34o,6o9 Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. 1887 $ 17,690 79,780 53.!92 70.427 4.5°° 77.l6° 227,000 746.379 1,496.522 3.135.343 5,472,971 4,292,401 2.939.413 204,800 674,500 165,100 Nil. Nil. 808,420 2,135,023 5,662,523 '6,475,464 24,199,977 38,841,135 31,693,559 21,862,436 $ 9.216 29,813 6,498 Nil. Nil. 33.064 78,996 169,875 532.255 721,384 1,390.5*7 1.077,581 878.870 $ 26,547 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 104,813 54.371 73.948 4,000 99.999 1,170 6,252 39.264 62,259 106,141 110,061 138,315 463,462 23.404 125,014 785.27*■ 1,244,180 2,122,820 2,201,217 r. a.r, r^i, 2,057,573 297,400 781,342 2.342,397 4.257. J79 7,052,431 6,529,420 6,751,604 324,680 952,840 3.818,556 5,325,180 7,271,678 7.722,591 16,234 47,642 190,926 266,258 874,781 1,351.453 S 9,359.479 18,612,778 142,722,937 $4,928,069 25,415.525 $2,747,294 $28,375,451 42 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. TABLE VII. Production in Detail of the Metalliferous c rt I 1 Gold—Placer. Gold—Lode. District. Tons. Ounces. Value. Ounces. Value. $ $ 1898 1899 1898 1899 1898 1899 • 59.500 180,000 214,860 193.300 15,000 8,600 io.743 9.665 75o 430 1898 1899 1898 1899 75.000 800,000 32,300 19.380 40,000 1,615 1898 1899 1899 *i7,ooo *io,ooo 716 18 500 .898 1899 1898 1899 1898 1899 1898 1899 1898 1899 1.738 3.760 52,762 58.302 30,691 21,507 111,282 172,665 91 3.823 16,569 60 14 87.343 102,976 346 118 i,888 Nelson " i 76,459 342,308 1,194 284 1,746,861 2,127,482 6,923 2,439 11,040 6,000 (Revelstoke, Trout Lake, Lar- deau.) 294 300 1898 1899 9OO J»557 2,130 2,135 42,614 42,700 260 1,300 5.208 26,850 Osoyoos Division i (Grand Forks, Kettle River.) 1898 1899 1898 1899 1898 1899 14,820 13,084 1 538 382 180 378 33° 3.042 3>736 7.632 3,600 7.560 6,600 60,840 74.720 17,824 11,086 356,480 229,028 (Vernon.) 2 45 Coast and Other Districts (Nanaimo, Alberni, West Coast 1898 1899 1898 1899 1898 "899 *.*59 14,901 405 6.159 V. I., Victoria.) 127,241 (Building: stone, brick, etc., other metals, etc.) 32.167 67.245 215.944 287,343 $ 643,346 Jl344,900 110,061 $ 2,201,217 2.857,573 ! Estimated. f 100 oz. Platinur 3 = Ipi ,500. APPENDICES. 43 Mines for 1898 and 1899. Silver. Copper. Lead. Totals for Divisions. Totals for Districts. Ounces. Value. Pounds. Value. Pounds. Value. 1898. $ 1899, 1898. 1899. 1 $ $ $ j $ 389.360 $ 381,900 159.500 180,000 214,860 193,300 15,000 8,600 107,300 819,380 75.000 800,000 19.380 32,300 133.368 66,294 69,780 33.5!6 1,627 38,623 l8,970 92 X 2,286,603 881,167 22,6^3 77.745 35.423 911 133.368 69 64.393 1,901 397 6,042,975 6,187,859 167,147 268,165 692,367 483.659 3,068,648 1,891,025 170,804 185,818 1 1 24 1,978,297 3.588,577 67,262 144,261 159,801 151,781 297.930 879,185 t <■**•■* ^8-. 235.196 239.840 629,411 996.431 196 694,880 2,619,852 2,470,811 273.751 L370.5I3 1,070,320 94.539 5.232.011 "^.m 5.693,889 67.256 579.245 27.063,595 16,660,910 23,286 920,162 669.768 3,229,086 365,064 129,884 12,412 5.221 97.63* 48,46;- 41,286 *7>43" 47,814 69,558 47,814 69,558 432,512 31.5,865 364,112 1.539 9 234,167 6,609 2,719 7.560 16 60,84c 27 1,187 13.787 75.009 47 84,381 654.972 10,15c 114,62c 19.437 19,437 255.648 2,145 24.358 25S.648 206,400 150,00c 150,00c 206,400 4,292,401 * 2,375.84 1,663,70: 7,271,67' $.$ 874.78 3---»693'559: I»°77»58i 7,322,76* > $8,302,904 $7,322,761 $8,302,904 2,939-4I3 5 7.722.59 I>351,45. 1 1 ** Building stone, etc., $200,000; Platinum, 55 oz., $825; Iron ore, 2,071 tons, $5,575. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. TABLE VIII. Coal and Coke Production per Year to Date. COAL. (Tons 2,240 lbs.) 10,000 $ 25,396. 1,989. 14,246. 13,774 l8,Il8. 45- 21 ,j 28,632. 32,819. 25.115- 31,239. 44,005. 35,802 29,843. 2-3 i48,549- 8i,547- 110,145. 139,192. 154,052. 170,846. 241,301. 267,595. 228,357. 282,139. 213,299 imi 265,596. 326,636. 413,360. 489,301. 579,830- 678,140. 1,029,097. 826 978,294. I,OI2,953 939,654- 896,222. 882,854. 1,135,865. 1,306,324, Total 14,523,876 tons. COKE. (Tons 2,240 lbs.) 1,565 .... I7,83L 35,000 34,251 88,647 tons. Value. 40,000 101,592 7,956 56,988 55,096 72,472 85,38o 115,528 131,276 100,460 124,956 176,020 143,208 "9,372 493,836 244,641 330,435 417,576 462,156 512,538 723,903 802,785 685,071 846,417 639,897 I,l82,2I0 796,788 979,908 1,240,080 1,467,903 1,739,490 2,034,420 3,087,291 2,479,005 2,934,882 3,038,859 2,818.962 2,688,666 2,648,562 3-407,595 3,9i8,972 $43 ,953,152 Value. $ 7,825 89,155 175,000 171,255 $ 443,23.5 appendices. 45 Table Showing Source of California's Coal Supply, 1896-1899. The principal foreign markets for Vancouver Island coal are San Francisco and southern ports of California, the Hawaiian Islands, and ports in Alaska. The China and Australian steamships are also large consumers of fuel. The sources of supply of coal for the State of California, from 1896 to 1899, are shown in the following; table : British Columbia Australia English and Welsh Scotch Eastern Cumberland and Anthracite Seattle, Washington Tacoma, " Mount Diablo, Coos Bay and Tesla. Japan and Rocky Mountain (by rail) Totals 1896. Tons. 551,852 273,851 156,368 8,356 17,907 128,919 255,923 110,237 2,247 ,505,660 1897. Tons. 558,372 281,666 107,969 4,081 21,335 220,175 286,205 115,15° 6,587 1,601,540 1898. Tons. 651,208 201,931 75,H5 5,056 37,56° 283,963 348,474 172,506 26,560 1,802,373 Tons. 623,133 139,333 93,263 None. 38,951 271,694 355,756 189,507 28,390 1,740,027 The proportion of the above coal that was delivered in 1899 by water at the southern ports of California, viz., Los Angeles and San Diego, amounted to 184,747 tons, largely derived from British Columbia. Coke. During the past year, the coke ovens at Union only turned out 5,000 tons of coke, which was sold on the coast and in San Francisco, where it met with a favorable reception. The Kootenay coke market being so much nearer Crow's Nest will, of course, be supplied by that colliery, so that Vancouver Island coke will have to find a market elsewhere. The coke imported into California in 1899 amounted to 31,091 tons, and as the ovens at Union are to be run to their full capacity, a large proportion of this trade may, in 1900, be expected for British Columbia. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 47 48 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 49 50 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. British Columbia Sealing Catch, 1899. Schooners. Ainoko Arietis Beatrice Borealis City of San Diego Diana Dora Siewerd Emma Louisa Enterprise Favorite Geneva Hatzic Ida Etta Libbie Mary Taylor Mermaid Minnie Ocean Belle Otto Penelope , Teresa Umbrina Victoria Viva Walter L. Rich Zillah May Indian canoes (estimated). Spring. 449 392 310 200 776 319 601 271 1,582 393 162 1,318 236 705 725 613 441 442 537 1,000 Total sealskins II 11 472 Behring Sea. Total. 1,123 1,572 1,214 1,606 768 1,078 602 802 930 930 776 1,234 ItS_3 913 913 1,208 1,809 1.148 1,419 871 2,453 927 1,320 1,189 1,189 779 779 54 216 817 976 756 980 612 1,021 1,782 M°3 1,267 5i3 912 23,999 2>l3S 1,212 1,461 1.705 1,225 1,021 2,223 1,403 1,709 513 1.449 1,000 55,471 The Sealing Catch for the Past Eleven Years has Been : 1889 35,3io 1890 43,325 1891 52,365 1892 49,743 1893 70,592 1894 97,474 1895 74-124 1896 55,677 1897 5°>4io 1898 28,552 1899 35,47i APPENDICES. Exports from British Columbia. utside of Canada of Products of Agricult s, for Three Years Ending 30th June, flf (The Exports to the other Provinces of the Dominion are not included.) To Countries Outside of Canada of Products of Agriculture and its Branches, for Three Years Ending 30th June, 1899. Live Stock. Horses head Horned Cattle " Swine " Poultry and other animals. " Meats, Etc. Hides, horns & skins (not fur).' Bacon lbs Beef I Hams .... " Pork I Sheep pelts No. Wool lbs Grain, Seeds, Breadstuffs and Products of. Bran cwt. Barley bush. Oats I Peas I Wheat I Flour bbls. Biscuits and Bread cwt. Oatmeal and all other . .bbls. Fruits and Vegetables. Apples (green) bbls. Fruits (canned) lbs. Other fruit " Potatoes bush. All other vegetables Dairy Products. lbs. Butter Cheese " Eggs doz. Hay tons Trees and bushes Hops lbs. Bones cwt. Tallow lbs. Honey '' Other articles Total. Year ending- June 30th, 1897. Quantity. 97 1 86,385 984 i,4i9 38,347 166,111 7i 63.471 19,880 m 1 516 4 254 211 442 3,J72 6,845 29 4 15.264 98 37,92o 22 Value. $ 4-395 3o 260 86,385 118 253 12,958 I5,56i 20 34 23,97o 76,548 1,140 7 956 4 254 151 442 979 969 13 25 161 1,924 20 824 6 Year ending- June Year ending June 30th, 1898. 30th, 228,407 Quantity. Value. 104 4,67: 290 85,556 1,741 271 2,062 148 1,989 286 457| 39 32,005 12,314 3,886 224 6 769 4,380 9,391 24 n J I-i I 6 390 264 7,732 6,532 280 130 82,193 2 22,146 4,966 52,449 17 421 77 208 56 177 1,869 918 39 2,394 37 11,762 665 180,404 Quantity. 63 4 1 Value 6,466 I,8oo 200! 6,800 61,819 2 399 3,306 60 1,211 6,856 I 56 159 2,531 2,300 l6o IO 5,147 126,199 58l 91 21 378 14,885 240 1,415 21 1.805 14,874 7,095 8 70,450 688 28,195 3 309 881 70 1,706 1,106 586 2,524 1,009 93 6 22,690 1,101 6,816 220,348 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 53 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 55 56 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 57 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. Imports into the Province of British Columbia for Twenty-Nine Years ending June 30th, 1900. Value of Total Imports. To 30th June, 1872 $1,790,352 From Canada 22,215 To 30th June, 1873 2,191,011 From Canada 75,604 To 30th June, 1874 2,085,560 from Canada .... 66 104 To 30th June, 1875 2.543,552 From Canada 117,054 To 30th June, 1876 2,997,597 From Canada 129,735 To 30th June, 1877 2,220,968 From Canada 163,142 To 30th June, 1878 2,244,503 From Canada 144,754 To 30th June, 1879 2,440,781 From Canada 184,951 To 30th June, 1880 1,698,394 From Canada 208,072 To 30th June, 1881 2,489,643 From Canada 387,111 To 30th June, 1882 2,899,223 From Canada 449,768 To 30th June, 1883 3,937,536 From Canada 624,207 To 30th June, 1884 4,142,486 From Canada 789,287 To 30th June, 1885 4,089,492 From Canada 927,054 To 30th June, 1886 3,953,299 To 30th June, 1887 3,547,852 To 30th June, 1888 3,509,951 To 30th June, 1889 3,763,127 To 30th June, 1890 4,379,272 To 30th June, 1891 5,478,883 To 30th June, 1892 6,495,598 To 30th June, 1893 3,934,066 To 30th June, 1894 5,320,615 To 30th June, 1895 4,403,976 To 30th June, 1896 5,563,095 To 30th June, 1897 7,130 381 To 30th June, 1898 8,548,375 To 30th June, 1899 8,714,733 To 30th June, 1900 1,255,697 Goods Entered for Home Consumption. Dutiahle Free Duty Goods. Goods. Total. Collected. $1,600,361 § 166,707 $1,767,068 § 342,400 48 22,215 22,215 1,569,112 507,364 2,076,476 302,147 65 75,604 75,604 1,676,792 377,544 2,048,336 336,494 47 66,104 66,104 1,924,482 566,111 2,490,593 413,921 50 117,054 117,054 2,237,072 707,906 2,944,978 488,384 52 129,735 ' 129,735 1,820,391- 346,318 2,166,709 403,520 20 163,142 163,142 1,905,201 367,926 2,273,127 426,125 14 144,754 144,754 1,997,125 320,326 2,317,454 484,704 04 184,951 184,951 1,614,165 122,451 2,457,116 450,175 43 208,072 208,072 2,214,153 242,963 1,736,616 589,403 62 387,111 387,111 2,472,174 404,287 2,875,461 678,104 53 449,768 449,768 3,331,023 550,833 3,866,855 907,655 54 624,207 624,207 3,337,642 702,693 4,040,335 884,076 21 789,287 789,287 3,458,529 564,923 4,023,452 966,143 54 927,054 . 927,054 2,851,379 1,060,347 4,011,726 880,266 65 3,065,791 560,348 3,626,139 883,421 53 2,674,941 729,266 3,401,207 861,465 14 2.002.646 807,140 3,809,786 974,675 69 3,357,111 1,030,375 4,287,486 1,075,215 20 4,261,207 1,074,983 5,336,190 1,346,059 42 4,423,414 1,803,005 6,226,419 1,412,878 00 3,662,673 1,255,495 5,918,168 1,366,250 32 3,582,333 1,738,282 5,336,961 1,308,63123 3,131,490 1,236,935 4,368,425 1,137,727 49 3,963,650 1,532,840 5,526,490 1,406,931 91 5,048,755 2,028,653 7,087,048 1,701,507 16 6,493,123 2,024,749 8,517,872 2,064,527 76 7.063.647 1,612,998 8,376,645 2,350,738 87 8,684,590 2,513,631 11,198,221 2,721,745 99 APPENDICES. 59 Exports the Produce of Canada, from the Province of British Columbia for Twenty-Nine Years ending June 30th, 1900. Animals and their Agric'l Miscel- Year. The Mine. F isheries. Forest. Produce. Products. aneous. Total. 1872... . $ 1,389,585 $ 37,707 $214,377 $214,700 $ 142 $ 1,540 $ 1,858,050 1873... 1,224,362 43,361 211,026 259,292 2,885 1197 1,742,123 1874... . 1,351,145 114,118 260,116 320,625 5,296 443 2,051,743 1875..-. . 1,929,294 133,986 292,468 - 411,810 9,727 2,777,285 1876... 2,032,139 71,338 273,430 329,027 3,080 68 2,709,082 1877... . 1,708,848 105,603 287,042 230,893 3,083 1,500 2,346,969 1878... . 1,759,171 423,840 327,360 257,314 462 2,768,147 1879... . 1,530,812 633,493 273,366 268,271 2,505 57 2,708,848 1880.. . 1,664,626 317,410 258,804 339,218 3,843 100 2,584,001 1881.. . 1,317,079 400,984 172,647 350,474 248 22 2,231,554 1882.. . 1,437,072 976,903 362,875 300,429 946 2,616 3,080,841 1883.. . 1,309,646 1,332,385 407,624 287,394 6,791 443 3,345,263 1884.. . 1,441,052 899,371 458,365 271,796 1,745 1,413 3,100,404 1885.. .. * 1,759,512 727,672 262,071 414,364 2,324 5,948 3,172,391 1886.. .. 1,720,335 643,052 194,488 329,248 1,907 2,811 2,891,811 1887.. .. 1,832,827 910,559 235,913 380,126 10,265 1,911 3,371,601 1888 .. 1,889,805 1,164,019 441,957 318,839 27,631 85,826 3,928,077 1889.. .. 2,377,052 993,623 449,026 397,685 14,831 102,089 4,334,306 1890.. .. 2,375,770 2,374,717 325,881 346,159 9,823 113,271 5,545,621 1891.. .. 2,030,229 2,274,686 374,996 294,646 5,017 20,434 6,257,158 1892.. .. 2,979,470 2,351,083 425,278 390,584 25,018 31,976 6,574,989 1893. .. 2,898,947 1,501,831 454,994 310,621 30,173 446,231 5,642,797 1894. .. 3,521,543 3,541,305 411,623 149,269 23,323 196,895 7,843,958 1895. .. 4,615,452 3,264,501 500,080 457,373 21,774 261,918 9,121,098 1896. .. 5,763,253 3,288,776 685,746 437,864 61,414. 338,471 10,576,524 1897. ... 8,909,592 3,567 815 742,173 307,845 104,744 552,539 14,017,568 1898. ... 11,973,671 3,846,951 425,751 285,007 78,977 262,834 19,919,717 1899 1900. ... 10,467,502 ... 11,946,815 2,740,124 3,442,997 527,820 710,883 355,323 484,027 61,239 77,116 420,689 40,653 14,748,025 17,843,906 60 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. Exports for Each Year from 1872 to 1900, Inclusive. Scale—$1,COO,000.00 = \ inch. 1872-$ 1,858,050 ■ 1873— 1,742,123 ■ 1874— 2,051,743 ■ 1875— 2,777,285 1876— 2,709,082 ■ 1877 — 2,346,969 1878— 2,768,147 < 1879- 2,708,848 1880- 2,584,001 1881— 2,231,554 1882— 3,080,841 1883- 3,345,236 1884— 3,100 404 1885- 3,172,391 1886— 2,891,811 1887— 3,371,601 1888— 3,928,077 1889— 4,334,306 1890- 5,545,621 1891— 6,257,158 1892— 6,574,989 1893— 5,642,797 1894- 7,843,958 1895— 9,121,098 1896— 10,576,524 1897— 14,017,568 1898— 16,919,717 1899— 14,748,025 1900— 17,843,906 -i APPENDICES. Shipping. 6r This Board is indebted to the courtesy and kindness of the Collectors of Customs at the ports mentioned, for the following information : Vessels employed in the coasting trade of the Dominion of Canada, arrived at and departed from the undermentioned Ports during the year ending 30th June, 1900. Vessels Arrived. Vessels Departed. ■ A £ 1 I ^ — — I No. No. No. No. Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Victoria 1,545 533,849 36. "9 L557 548,725 36,280 Vancouver 2,266 474,715 31,877 2,266 499,209 33,726 Nanaimo 1,072 265,360 12,457 1,095 265,714 12,528 New Westminster 573 116,124 6,699 584 116,246 6,735 Vessels entered inwards from sea during year ending June 30th, 1900. With Cargo. In Ballast. i 1 I I 1 -> ' No. No. No. No. Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Victoria 725 S4L97I 31,325 347 364,660 17,576 Vancouver 354 306.SSS 18,263 223 138,091 6,646 Nanaimo 35 52,347 854 212 249,922 5,453 New Westminster 131 5>I27 522 105 14-73° 56o Vessels entered outwards for sea during the year ending June 30th, 1900. With Cargo. In Ballast. ^nI | N^ ' N°* „No" Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Vessels. Tonnage. Crew. Victoria 526 439,993 24,076 537 449,7°7 24,519 Vancouver 447 412,966 21,408 164 ,64,793 3,513 Nanaimo 241 308,074 6,853 3° 4,3°4 436 New Westminster 40 14,788 394 '98 4,839 5»7 Number and tonnage of vessels built and registered during year ending June 3°th' I9°°- Built. Registered. , , A -. r No. Tonnage. No. Tonnage. Victoria m 79 T_„ H o 422 24 107,994 Vancouver y n _ 2 9 Nanaimo *' ' . (.~f. „c 833-35 102,337.50 Spirits, exported " 1,911.21 447-74 Malt lbs. 1,407,221 2,395,330 Manufactured Tobacco | 145,111^ 239,047 I " exported " 4,790)4 369 Raw Leaf Tobacco | 33,429 68,723 I I I exported " 5,H9 3,061 Cigars, ex-warehouse No. 256,475 480,300 I ex-factory 1 1,258,475 3-330,477 Malt Liquor galls. 514,475 994,122 Petroleum " Nil. 11,480 Total receipts $182,954.83 $323,486.25 * Vancouver Island only. t All outports in British Columbia except Vancouver Island. This Board is indebted to the kindness and courtesy of the Collectors of Inland Revenue at Victoria and Vancouver for the above information. Area of British Columbia. Land * 382,300 square miles. Water 1,000 " " Total 383.300 1 I Wood area, estimated 285,554 I ■ Statement Showing the Timber Cut during 1899, Not including that from the Dominion and the Esquimalt and Nanaiftio Railway lands. FEET. On Crown lands 89,258,757 On timber leaseholds 49,526,306 On private property 23,115,400 $161,900,463 APPENDICES. 6**, Postal Statistics. Statement showing'the accounting offices in operation, the gross postal revenue; the number and amount of money orders issued and paid; the amount of commission thereon, during the year ending 30th June, 1899 ! Name of Office. Vancouver Victoria Rossland Nelson New Westminster Nanaimo Kaslo Other offices Total, 1899.. Total, 1898.. Gross Postal Revenue. $ 49,767 20 47,804 42 13,828 6; 13,190 55 10,298 75 7,103 85 3,828 48 96,513 29 242 19 247,282 17 Number of Money Orders Issued. 12,054 13,655 4,501 3,793 4,761 6,381 1,230 51,387 Total Amount of Money Orders Issued. $ 190,440 49 162,259 90 68,473 °° 70,013 75 63,043 54 91,764 58 17,212 92 969,935 68 97,762 1,633,143 86 90.674 1,396,604 69 11,839 13 Total Commission Received from Public. 63^ 612 1,845 6l 1,720 24 85 76 571 70 845 42 149 43 7,269 59 Total Amount of Money Orders Paid. 184,940 48 182,748 04 28,507 09 32,920 05 74, 62 13,648 60 35>001 75 9.292 18 206,586 41 754,329 62 705,468 40 Table showing the number of post offices in operation, estimated number of letters and other articles of mail matter posted in British Columbia during the years ending June 30th, 1897, 1898 and 1899: 1897. 1898. 1896 Number of offices in operation on ist July.. 293 311 343 Estimated number of letters and other articles of mail matter posted in British Columbia during the years ending 30th June, 1897, 1898 and 1899: Letters 4,850,000 6,700,000 7,650,000 PostCards 505,000 525>000 520,000 Registered Letters 142,000 165,000 210,000 Free Letters 148,500 156,000 170,000 Number of transient Newspapers arid Periodicals, Packets, Circulars, Samples, Patterns, etc 400,000 625,000 835,000 Number of packages of Printers' Copy, Photographs, Deeds, Insurance Policies, etc.. 100,000 145,000 205,000 Number of packets of Fifth Class Matter, Ordinary Merchandise, open to examination 46,500 48,000 85,000 Number of Closed Parcels for the United Kingdom and other countries 1,850 2,900 2,200 66 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. APPENDICES. 67 Climate. No general description will serve the purpose in speaking of the climate of British Columbia. On the coast it varies considerably, while in the interior the variations are yet more plainly marked. Dr. Bryce, in "The Climate and Health Resorts of Canada," says : "In all this country," from the south of Vancouver Island to the Queen Charlotte Islands, "the fruits of temperate climates grow well, and farm animals live out doors the year round. The rich bottoms of the Fraser delta have long been famous for their great hay crops and pasture lands; but here the extreme of rainfall is met, the mean for six years being 59.66 inches at New Westminster. The climate of the great Island of Vancouver, running north-west across two degrees of longitude and two degrees of latitude, presents every variety from that at the sea coast, with as at Esquimalt, a very low daily range, and no annual extremes—the lowest temperature in two years being 8 degrees F., the lowest monthly average being 20 degs. F., and the highest in summer being 82 degs. F.—to that as above Alberni on the west coast, where the Vancouver range rises first into a plateau to 4,000 feet, and even to 7,500 feet in Victoria Peak." I Apart from the mineral wealth of Vancouver Island, its climate, with every variation possible, becomes most attractive. Its seashore climate is milder than many parts of England, with less rain and less seasonal variations." Attention is directed to the following tables : CITY HALL, VICTORIA, B. C. .•■...-■ tiLi^iiJyJ*: 68 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. AVERAGE MONTHLY AND ANNUAL RAINFALL AND SNOWFALL In inches at ten principal stations in British Columbia, derived from a group of years. O 1 g £) 1 O | rr. ■*-*! < < ■4 Upper Mainland — A ■d 1 o o o o Lower Mainland . ■ • B North-West Coast... O +3 73 "co tH O Pi o bo G0.3 §73 CD 4> _ Vancouver Island ... D p a 33 GO 8m CD CD Gulf Islands B c H3 CD tH O cc M k o e3 ffl 0.48 0.94 0.51 1.57 1.64 2.12 0.89 1.32 3.13 0.38 1.02 2.76 0.48 1.05 3.02 1.51 1.95 3.18 APPENDICES. 69 -***, KH PQ r< 0 t-i O O hH t-H cn > Z cd O «-H 3 H V) -. ci I § -t"J I 3 pi wT i ^, W j^ !> _ !—< Ix} 33 J_; cd O '0 Pi O O P-H s f—1 c* W T3 I _ c/> ""a t-H g w O 1 ___( i 1 0 t-H O O 1 •O QS O W | ■* »C3 -^ ^ •r*< _^ Ca CO a *pn_tsi jradna; °oo 0 00 tr*^ CO ~ *rf Oi -cr_ p- 1 >*, •r 00 ^ i-H -cfi 1—1 -t- 0 >c*> c3 i 00 0 OS -ft Ha CO ca 1 •O c5 C3 ca 0 •-jaiui sj-aATU >o •*■* oq 00 _*- ca »o cq _. *o CO " irf CO i-H s t^ © >o OS rH *****H 1-1 Oi l-H O 0 « 0 'ft _r- 1 ■""■ O g t5 ca -j -* T-H t_ OS CO CO CM CO rH rH CM CO .-I W5 CO ^ T-i V •9I981S ?-i°_; ***. °c* ca O CD 1 S'S ca =; . CO © CQ CO a CO 0 i t-H B H CO O ca rH rH O _° CO V '-ten's A norsstpi C*-l • r4 °_S I*--- CO -**H g =5 -(J ft © CQ P 1-5 (M 0 JZi. rH ft < 1—, t- CO £2 ca T-i Cl oq a •8JaTJll8Z_IJ cs CO 06 T« _0 ca =°5 CO Oi •*-3 r** fH <0 00 °oo 1 CM tH i-H rH © O 1-0 O i 1 h^ co ■O »o O 00 IM CO tH ca CO (M oq JO- 0 •uosdtntg ^jo _,- >, 1-* °oo t-H t- iH l>- © CQ O Pi hi Jt>> 00 -cn w r_| O —H i-H CM ^> V ■anps.J85lJ'Ba ; 0 °-***ri 0 oi ~ od •^ ~o +2 0 0 » •8 a 0 00 CO CO i-H ca © rH. s pj CO 1 rH CQ Hj CQ !§ ca 00 OS _>- ws ca r-l V aSpt ja s.oouadg O ^ 0 CO ca ^th CO *~c^ c3 CO z0- CO 0 CO 0 "ft 0 c3 CO >= ca 1—1 7 O i z _> 00 T-H ca c^ ca ^N ^ 0 0 CO CO _. 1—< >=H -°J S> W5 a •pjo-fscioqqv '. 0S» CO CO CO *" ^ iH >0 S "c> i-h ca c "p, 0 eg s lo 0 i z i-S Jt- CO 00 i-H <3 T—l tH ca cq O a •zxss'bSy 0 rH rH *nH C 'ft O £ P 1 0 O ^ r5 1-5 © : 1 . O • s * u ; ; *> ti . K * co CO _ For disbursements of vessels by consignees without funds on hand • • • 5 For procuring freight or passengers 5 For chartering vessels on amount of freight, actual or estimated, to be considered. as due when the " charter parlies," or memorandum of their conditions, etc., are signed 5 On giving bonds for vessels under attachment iMitigated cases, on amount of the liability 2/£ For landing and re-shipping goods from vessels in distress on invoice value, or in its absence, on market value 5 25. For receiving and forwarding goods on invoice amount 2>_ 11 12 14 IS 16 17 19. 20. 21. 22. 24. 72 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. 26. For advancing on freight to be earned 5 Per cent- 27. For effecting marine insurance, on the amount insured J5_ 28. The foregoing commissions to be exclusive of brokerage, and every charge actually incurred. 29. Vessels to pay clerk hire and the labour on wharf, sorting and delivering cargo. 30. The receipt of bills of lading to be considered equivalent to receipt of goods. 31. Guarantee or security for contracts or liabilities 5 32. Acting as Trustee on assignments 5 33. On investments made on mortgage or otherwise 1 N. B.—Auctioneer's commission and brokerage to be charged when incurred. 34. Land agents for commission on sale and purchase of real estate 5 " 35. Interest on advances for duty, freight and lighterage, and on accounts current, per annum, 1 per cent, over current bank overdraft rates. RATES ON STORAGE OF MERCHANDISE. STORAGE PER MONTH. On measurement goods, 50 cents per ton of forty cubic feet (40 c. ft.) On heavy goods, 50 cents per ton of 2,240 pounds. Or iii either case, the amount actually paid, if more. The consignee to have the option of charging by measurement or weight. Any fraction of a month to be charged as a month. REGULATIONS. (a.) Concerning the delivery of merchandise, payment of freight, etc.: When no express stipulation exists per bill of lading, goods are to be considered as deliverable on shore. (..) Freight on all goods to be paid, or secured to the satisfaction of the captain or consignee of the vessel, prior to the delivery of the goods. (c.) After delivery to the purchaser of the goods sold, no claims for damage, deficiency or other cause shall be admissable after goods sold and delivered have once left the city. (d.) When foreign bills of lading expressly stipulate that the freights shall be paid in a specific coin, then the same must be procured if required, or its equivalent given, the rate to be determined by the current value at the time at the banks. The foregoing scale of Commercial Charges and Rules and Regulations were approved at the Quarterly General Meeting of the British Columbia Board of Trade, held October 21st, 1898. APPENDICES. 73 Mining Regulations. BRITISH COLUMBIA. The mining laws of British Columbia provide, with respect to coal mining, that a prospector for coal or petroleum on leased Crown lands in which the minerals are reserved, before obtaining a license, shall place a post at one angle of the land with his name and the initials of the angle, and pall post a notice of his application on the land and on the government office of the district for thirty days, and shall advertise it in the British Columbia Gazette and some local newspaper for thirty days. Security for damages must be given if the Crown lands in question have been leased or are covered by a timber license. After the expiration of thirty days, and within two months from the application in the Gazette, an application in duplicate (with a plan and a fee of $50 for • each and every license) must be sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Lands and , Works for a prospecting license for not more than one year, when the Chief Com- * missioner may grant the license. Such lands must be in one rectangular block with the sides running north, south, east and west, and of era not exceeding 640 acres. The license shall cease at its expiration, and a new license may be granted to a new applicant. On proving that he has bona fide explored for coal during the year he shall be entitled to an extension for a second year on payment of $50, and a further extension for a third year may be granted. License holders of adjoining lands, not exceeding ten, may work in partnership, when they need not prospect separately, provided the Chief Commissioner is satisfied with the prospecting done on the land of one of them. The licensee may use the .timber and stone on the land for the purpose of buildings on the land. Dispute as to the right of title shall be decided in the county court. No transfer for a prospecting license may be made without written notice to the Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may grant to a prospecting licensee a lease for five years at a rent of ten cents on proof that he has discovered coa on the land ; and if during this term, or three months hereafter he can show that he has continuously and vigorously carried on coal-mining he shall be entitled to purchase the land at $5 an acre, in one payment at time of sale. Before the lease is issued, a survey must have been made by the applicant Besides the ten cents rent a royalty of five cents a ton on coal and one cent abarrel L pet oleum must be paid. The lessee must carry on coal mining continuously Anytumber of persons, not exceeding ten, may work in partnership on adjoining 74 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. lands when it shall not be necessary to work each leasehold separately, provided work on one is done to the satisfaction of the Chief Commissioner. (Cons. Act, 1888, chap. 83, and amending acts; 1890, chap. 32; 1892, chap. 31 j 1895, chap. 37, and acts of 1897, 1898 and 1899. Proprietors of coal mines may acquire such portion of any Crown lands, or lands held under pre-emption or Crown grants, or lease or license, as may be necessary for a right of way to the sea shore, a river or public highway, together with a block not exceeding five acres on the shore, river or highway. Minerals are not to be conferred by the conveyance without the consent of the grantor. Compensation shall be paid by agreement or arbitration. (Cons. Acts, 1888, chap. 8^, amendment Act, 1890, chap. 32, and chap. 137, Acts of 1897.) Regulations of coal mines.—No boy under twelve, no woman or girl of any age, and no Chinaman or Japanese shall be employed underground in coal mines. Boys from thirteen to fourteen shall only be employed under ground in exceptional circumstances to be allowed by the Minister of Mines. There are various other regulations as to the employment of young persons. No wages shall be paid to employees of a coal mine in a public house or contiguous office or place. Coal getters must be paid by weight, unless exception is allowed by the Minister of Mines * and a check weigher may be appointed by them. There are a number of regulations to secure safety. (Cons. Acts, 1888, chap. 84; amending acts, 1890, chap. 33; 1894, chap. 5; 1895, chap. 38; and in 1897, chap. 138.) Mining, other than coal.—Persons over 18 years of age and joint stock companies may become "Free Miners" on taking out certificates (which are not transferable) for one year in case of joint stock companies, and for one or more years in case of individual miners. Every person or joint stock company mining (except for coal) must take out a free miner's ceiwScate under a penalty of $25. Owners and contractors shall pay the free miner's fees of their employees, deducting amount from them and giving a list to the Mining Recorder, under a penalty of $100. No person, unless he has an unexpired free miner's certificate, can hold any mineral claim, minerals or mining property. Free miners may prospect and mine (except for coal) upon any Crown lands or lands where minerals are reserved to the Crown, provided they may not locate or mine on land uncovered by hydraulic mining works for six months, and provided they must give security for damages to any occupier. APPENDICES. 75 FEES. For every free miner's certificate issued to an individual... .$ 5 oo For every free miner's certificate issued to a joint stock company-— (a.) Having a nominal capital of $100,000 or less 50 00 (b.) Having a nominal capital exceeding $100,000 100 00 Free miners may cut timber necessary for their mining upon Crown lands, even if covered by timber lease or reserved, and they may kill game for their own use at any time. A free miner may locate a mineral claim measuring 1,50c feet square as nearly rectangular as possible, marking it by two posts, 1 and 2, on the line of the vein not more than 1,500 feet apart, or a fractional mineral claim can also be marked out. On No. 1 post of a mineral claim shall be written the names of the locator and the claim, the date, the compass bearing of No. 2 post and the number of feet (of the 1,500) lying to the right and left respectively of this line; these particulars are to be furnished also to the Mining Recorder. He must mark the line by blazing trees or post planting, and place a post where he found rock "in place," and as near as possible to four corners of the claim. He is entitled to all the minerals within the claim. The claim is not to be recorded without an affidavit that mineral has been found "in place" on the claim, that the legal notes and posts have been put up, that ground is unoccupied, etc. A location made on Sunday or a holiday is not invalid. Where, from the nature of the ground the location cannot be thus mariied, posts may be set as near as possible, and the direction and distance recorded. The free miner shall record his claim with the Mining Recorder within 15 days, if his office is within 10 miles, with an additional day for every additional 10 miles. A claim recorded by error in the wrong district may be recorded anew in the right district with the original date. If left in the Recorder's absence, the applicant is entitled to a record of that date. The claim may be held from year to year on a certificate by the Gold Commissioner, or Mining Recorder that work has been done on it to the value of $100. Assessment work to be counted in certificate. A free miner or partners having adjoining claims may work them together, and may obtain certificates for all the claims for sufficient work done on one. A free miner may, in lieu of work, pay $100 to the Mining Recorder. Disputes as to titles are determined by priority. No free miner can hold (except by purchase) more than one claim on the same vein or lode, but he may hold by location a claim on any separate vein or lode. He may aDandon his claim by notice in writing to the Recorder and may remove his machinery and extracted ore ; he cannot re-locate the same claim (or one which he has not recorded in time) without written permission from the Gold Commissioner. Lodes discovered in a tunnel to develop a lode may be marked out as a mineral claim and recorded by the owner. The interest of a free miner in his claim is deemed a chattel interest. 76 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. The lawful owner of a mineral claim is entitled to a Crown grant on payment of $500 to the Government in lieu of expenditure (assessment work to be considered a part of $500) and after having obtained a certificate of improvements from the Gold Commissioner. With a certificate of improvement the owner need not take out a free miner's certificate, or work on the claim to hold it. With a certificate of improvement the owner of a claim .outside the railway belt is entitled to a Crown grant, and inside the railway belt on payment of $5 an acre to the Mining Recorder. The claim for the grant must be made within three months. The issue of the grant does not invalidate any previous lien. The grant covers all minerals except coal. Conveyances, mortgages, etc., of mineral claims shall be recorded or shall not be good against third parties, and transfers must be in writing. A free miner's claim shall not be open for location during his last illness, nor for twelve months after his death. The Gold Commissioner and official administrator administer miners' estates. A mill site may be located by a free miner, not over five acres in extent, on unoccupied and unreserved Crown lands not known to contain minerals. He may obtain a lease for one year, during its continuance, on proof of having expended $500 on machinery, and shall be entitled to a Crown grant for $5 an acre. This applies to former leases also. Minerals are not included in the grant. Tunnels or drains may be run for a free miner to work his claim by license from the Gold Commissioner. Water rights may be granted to him by the Gold Commissioner, and must be recorded, rights of miners working on the streams being safe. He may not sell the water, and the grant shall cease when the mine is no longer worked. Work must be begun within 60 days; and there must be no waste of water, and an outlet must be provided for superfluous water. Mining partnerships and limited liability companies are regulated by a number of clauses. The duties of Mining Recorders and Gold Commissioners are fully laid down. Free miners may elect by a two-thirds vote a Recorder, where there is none. County Courts have mining jurisdiction which is fully provided for. Any person contravening the Act or refusing to obey the lawful order of a Gold Commissioner or Judge is liable to a fine of $250 or three months' imprisonment. .An annual tax of 25 cents an acre is payable on every claim held under Crown grant. The tax shall be remitted on proof that the sum of $200 has been expended on the claim within the year. Mines and moneys invested in them are not exempt from provincial taxation. The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make orders to carry out the Act. APPENDICES. 77 (Cons. Act, 1888, ohap. 82, and amending Acts, 1889, chap. 16 (repealed) ; 1890, chap. 31 (repealed); 1891, chap. 25; 1892, chap. 32; 1893, chap. 29; 1894, chap. 32, and 1895, chap. 39 ; 1896, chap. 34; 1897, chap. 45 ; and Acts of 1898.) Placer Mining Act.—Every free miner holding a certificate may mine for gold or other precious metals on any land, except Government reserves for town- sites, lands occupied by buildings, curtilages and orchards, or for placer mining on Indian reserves. He must give security for damages. He may locate a placer claim on each separate creek, ravine or hill, but not more than two in the same locality, and only one a creek claim, but he may hold any number for purchase. A creek claim shall be 100 feet long, and in width from base to base of the hills; a bar diggings claim shall be a strip 100 feet long, and in width, from high water mark to the lowest water level; a dry diggings claim shall be 100 feet square, and the same for bench diggings and hill diggings. Discoverers of new mines shall be allowed : If one, a claim 300 feet long; if a party of two, 600 feet; if three, 800 feet; if four, 1000 feet; if more than four, ordinary claims. Placer claims shall be as nearly rectangular as possible. Posts shall be placed at the corners, and the initial post shall bear names and description. Locations on Sundays and holidays shall not be invalid. Placer claims must be recorded with the Mining Recorder. The removal of posts entails forfeiture. Records of placer claims may be renewed on payment of the fees, $2.50 a year. A placer claim gives no right to a vein or lode unless the ground is located and recorded as a mineral claim. A placer claim must be worked continuously by the holder or his employee, and shall be held abandoned and forfeited if unworked for 72 hours, except for reasonable cause, satisfying the Gold Commissioner. A years' leave of absence may be given if the sum of $1000 has been expended without reasonable return, or if all holders of the set of claims sign the application. Provisions as to the tunnels and drains, water rights (see 1879, cap. 45) partnerships, mining recorders, gold commissioners, county courts, penalties, paying free miner's fees for employees, are much the same as those regarding mineral claims. Provisions are made for " bed rock flumes." Free miners may obtain a lease of placer mining ground for 20 years, as follows -—Before application for lease, legal posts to be placed, with names and descriptions, and plans, etc., to be deposited with Mining Recorder; creek diggings, or abandoned or unworked creeks, half a mile in length; any other placer mining grounds, 80 acres; precious stone diggings, 10 acres. The lease may be renewed. The ground must be already occupied (without consent of occupiers) nor immediately available for agricultural purposes ; and only placer-mining must be carried /< BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. on. Consolidation of holdings into one not to exceed 640 acres is provided for by Act of 1898, amending the Placer-mining Act, 1891. Water may be granted by the Gold Commissioner for hydraulic workings on bench lands. Leases may be granted for twenty years of the bed of the river for dredging for a distance not over five miles. (Act, 1891, Chap. 26, and amending Acts, 1894, chap. 33, and 1895, chap. 40; 1896, chap. 35; 1897, chap. 29; 1897, chap. 45.) A Bill intituled "An Act to repeal an Act to aid the Development of Quart- Mines," and amending Act has been passed (1896, chap. 36.) An Act to amend the Placer-Mines Act (1891) was passed in the session of 1898. Counting the consolidated Acts of 1888 and subsequent amending Acts to 1898, there have been twenty-four British Columbia Acts relating to mining, without reckoning several special Acts concerning hydraulic mining companies. The Mineral Act, 1896, chap. 34, as amended by 1897, chap. 29, has been consolidated for convenience only. The Placer-mining Acts have been also consolidated. A Bureau of Mines was established in 1895, under the Minister of Mines, with a Provincial Mineralogist, whose duty it is to collect information relating to the mining industry and publish it. Besides a museum, there are to be lecture rooms, an assay office and laboratory, where assets and tests may be made according to a schedule of fees. Arrangements may be made for giving instructions to prospectors and others, and societies of arts and other societies may affiliate with the Mining Bureau for the instruction and examination of students. An Act intituled the "Inspection of Metaliferous Mines Act, 1897," amended in 1899, provides for the appointment of an Inspector, and contains rules and regulations for the safe working of mines other than coal. DOMINION. COAL. The Dominion Government have provided regulations for the disposal of coal lands the property of the Dominion in Manitoba and the North-west Territories. These regulations provide that locations of an area not exceeding 320 acres, may be reserved for an applicant for a period of sixty days to prospect for coal, on payment of a fee of $10 and an expenditure in prospecting of $2 a day. A location may be sold at the rate of $10 per acre (cash) unless the coal is anthracite, in which case the price is $20 per acre. H-_-___i_1_____^_^| __j_8_^ii^_-^_^jii APPENDICES. 79 Settlers at a distance from coal mines worked by purchasers may secure permits authorizing them to mine for domestic purposes, on payment of a royalty ot 20 cents for anthracite, and 15 cents for bituminous, and 10 cents for lignite coal. The regulations provide that the location shall be marked on the ground, that the frontage shall not exceed three chains, and the length ten chains ; that the appli- • cant shall within thirty days after marking his location, file application with the agent, who is to issue a permit at the rate of $5 an acre or fraction of an acre per annum. In the Yukon Territory all applications for coal lands are to be made to the Crown Timber and Land Agent, who is empowered to sell such lands at $40 an acre (cash) if the coal is anthracite, and $20 for any other coal. GOLD QUARTZ CLAIMS. Persons of 18 years and over, and joint stock companies holding a free miner's certificate may obtain entry for a mining location. A free miner's certificate (non-transferable) is granted for one year. The fee for an individual is $10, and to a joint stock company $50 to $100, according to capital. The holder of a free miner's certificate who has discovered mineral in place, may locate a claim 1,500 feet by 1,500 feet, by marking it with two legal posts, one at each end, on the line of the lode or vein, and marking out the line between. Upon each post shall be marked the name of the claim, the person locating and date, and the number of feet lying to the right and left of line. The claim shall be recorded with the Mining Recorder of the district within 15 days, if located within 10 miles of the office; one additional day allowed for every additional 10 miles or fraction. If a claim is more than 100 miles from a recorder's office, and situated where other claims are being located, five free miner's may appoint a Free Miner's Recorder ; but if the latter fails within three months to notify the nearest Government Mining Recorder of his appointment, the claims will not hold good. Fee for recording a claim is $5. At least $100 per year must be expended on the claim, or paid to the Mining Recorder in lieu. When $500 has been expended or paid, the locator may upon having a survey made and upon complying with certain other requirements, purchase the land at $5 per acre, cash, but if the surface rights have already been disposed of, at $2 an acre. A location for'mining iron and mica not exceeding 160 acres may be granted, but if therein other valuable mineral is discovered the miner's right is limited to the area prescribed for other minerals, the remainder reverting to the Crown. The§linisterofthe Interior may also grant 160 acres for copper mining in he Yukon Territory. The patent for a mining location reserves forever whatever royalty may hereafter be imposed on the sales, such royalty to be collected on sales made prior to issue of patent. BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. PLACER MINING—YUKON TERRITORY. Claims are creek, gulch, river and hill claims. Two hundred and fifty feet in length in the general direction of the creek or river, and from ioo to 2,000 feet wide, according to ground. Claims are marked by two legal posts, one at each end. Entry must be obtained within ten days if within ten miles of Mining Recorder's office. One extra day allowed for every additional ten or fraction. If the claims exceeds 100 miles from a Recorder's office, the same rule applies as in the quartz mining. The person or company must hold a Free Miner's certificate. Every alternate ten claims is reserved to the Crown. The discoverer of a claim is entitled to 500 feet in length. If the party consists of two, 1,000 feet; the rest ordinary claims only. Entry fee, $15. A royalty of 10 per cent, on the gross output of the gold mined. The sum of $5,000 will be deducted from the gross annual output of the claim. The holder of a creek, gulch or river claim may within 60 days after staking, obtain entry for a hill claim, adjoining it for the sum of $100. This permission is also given to the holder of a creek, gulch or river claim who prior to January, 1898, obtained an entry therefor, provided the hill claim is available when an application is made. No miner shall receive a grant of more than one mining claim in a mining district, the boundaries of which shall be defined by the Mining Recorder; but the same miner may also hold a hill claim and any number of claims by purchase, and miners may unite to work their claims in common. A claim shall be deemed to be abandoned when the same shall have remained unworked for three consecutive working days of 24 hours each, unless sickness or other reasonable cause be shown to the satisfaction of the Mining Recorder. It shall not only be necessary for a person or company working a quartz or placer claim to hold a Free Miner's certificate, but every person in his or its employment shall have a Free Miner's certificate unexpired. The regulations in force for dredging in Manitoba and the North-west Territories provide that a free miner can obtain two leases of five miles each for a term of 20 years, renewable. The lessees right is confined to the submerged beds or bars of the river below water mark. The rental is $10 per annum for each mile leased. The royalty to be paid is 2% per cent, on the output after it exceeds $10,000. In the Yukon Territory a free miner can obtain a lease of five miles of a river, but not more than six such leases can be given to one person or company. The rental is $100 per annum for each mile of river leased. The royalty to be paid*is 10 per cent, on the output in excess of $15,000 for each five miles of river leased. Other regulations are similar to those of the other Territories and Manitoba. APPENDICES. 8l Provincial Government Lands. I Crown lands in British Columbia are classified as either surveyed or unsurveyed lands, and may be acquired by entry at the Government Lands Office, preemption or purchase. The following persons may pre-empt Crown lands : Any person being the head of a family, a widow, or a single man over eighteen years of age, being a British subject, may record surveyed or unsurveyed Crown lands, which are unoccupied, or unreserved, and unrecorded (that is unreserved for Indians or others, or unrecorded in the name of any other applicant). Aliens may also record such surveyed or unsurveyed land on making a declaration of intention to become a British subject. The quantity of land that may be recorded or pre-empted is not to exceed 320 acres northward and eastward of the Cascade or Coast Mountains, or 160 acres in the rest of the province. No person can hold more than one pre-emption claim at a time. Prior record or pre-emption of one claim, and all rights under it, are forfeited by subsequent record or pre-emption of another claim. Land recorded or pre-empted cannot be transferred or conveyed till after a Crown grant has been issued. Such land, until the Crown grant is issued, is held by occupation. Such occupation must be a bona-fide personal residence of the settler or his family. The settler must enter into occupation of the land within thirty days after recording, and must continue to occupy it. Continuous absence for a longer period than two months consecutively of the settler or family is deemed cessation of occupation; but leave of absence may be granted not exceeding six months in any one year, inclusive of two months' absence. Land is considered abandoned if unoccupied for more than two nonths consecutively. If so abandoned the land becomes waste lands of the Crown. The fee on recording is two dollars (8s.) The settler shall have the land surveyed at his own instance (subject to the rectification of the boundaries) within five years from date of record. After survey has been made, upon proof, in declaration in writing of himself and two other persons, of occupation for two years from date of pre-emption, and 82 BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE. of having made permanent improvement on the land to the value of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, the settler on producing the pre-emption certificate, obtains a certificate of improvement. After obtaining the certificate of improvement and paying for the land the settler is entitled to a Crown grant in fee simple. He pays five dollars therefor. The price of Crown lands, pre-empted is one dollar (four shillings) per acre, which must be paid in four equal instalments, as follows: First instalment two years from date of record or pre-emption, and yearly thereafter, but the last instalment is not payable till after the survey, if the land is unsurveyed. Two, three or four settlers may enter into partnership with pre-emptions of 160 acres each, and reside on one homestead. Improvements amounting to $2.50 per acre made on some portion thereof will secure Crown grant for the whole. The Crown grant reserves to the Crown a royalty of five cents per ton on every ton of merchantable coal raised or gotten from the land, not including dross or fine slack, and fifty cents per M. on timber. All coal and petroleum Crown lands are now reserved under Land Act Amendment, 1899. No Crown grant can be issued to an alien who may have recorded or preempted by virtue of his declaring his intention to become a British subject, unless he has become naturalized. The heirs of devisees of the settler are entitled to the Crown grant on his decease. Crown lands may be purchased to the extent of 640 acres. Minimum price of first class land, $5 per acre; second class, $2.50 per acre ; third class, $1 per acre. No settlement duties are required on such land unless a second purchase is contemplated. In such a case the first purchase must be improved to the extent of $5 per acre for first class ; $2.50, second class ; and $1.00, third class. Leases of Crown lands in lots not exceeding 20 acres may be obtained ; and if requisite improvements are made at the expiration of lease, Crown grants are issued. Leases are also granted for hay lands for terms not exceeding ten years, and for any purpose whatsoever, except cutting hay, for a term not exceeding 21 years. Twenty-one years' timber leases are now subject to public competition, and the highest cash bonus is accepted, subject to the 50 cents per M. royalty above mentioned and an annual rental, in advance, of 15 cents per acre. The holder must put up a sawmill capable of cutting not less than 1,000 feet of lumber per day of 12 hours for every 400 acres of land in such lease ; and such mill shall be kept running for at least six months in every year. APPENDICES. 83 Pre-emptors of Crown lands who, at the time of the coming into force of this Act, are in arrear in the payments of instalments of purchase money required to be paid by section 24 of the " Land Act " shall, on conforming with the provisions of the " Land Act," except as hereby altered, be entitled to obtain Crown grants of their pre-emptions upon payment of twenty-five per cent, of such instalments in arrear on or before the 31st day of Decerpber, 1900, twenty-five per cent, on or before the 30th day of June, 1901, and twenty-five per cent, on or before the 31st day of December, 1901, and without any further payment of interest or arrears of interest, upon such instalments in arrear, and upon payment in full, according to the terms of the " Land Act," of the instalments not in arrear at the coming into force of this Act; or on payment in full of all instalments of unpaid purchase money, whether in arrear or not in arrear at the coming into force of this Act, but without any further payment of interest, or arrears of interest, if such payments be made after said 31st day of December, 1901, but on or before tha 30th day of June, 1902. •m- jt'.:: " ITISH COLUMBIA SALMON TROUT. J _X±l_Ek«Ss_ Bastion, Victoria Fort. outline would otherwise produce. The interior is occupied by the officers' houses, or apartments they should rather be called, stores, and a trading house in which smaller bargains are concluded, tools and agricultural implements, beads, shawls, blankets, and all the multifarious products of Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds are offered for sale." In 1852 Victoria was laid out in streets, then bounded on the west by'the harbour, on the east by the present Government Street, on the south by the old fort and on the north by Johnson Street. Beyond these boundaries were fields, As It Was in the all under cultivation. Outside the fort there were Fifties. but twelve houses within the city limit. In 1853 some two hundred additional colonists arrived and at the close of that year it is estimated that there were in Victoria and the vicinity three hundred whites. In 1861 the population had grown to 3,500 whites, English and Americans predominating. During the next Population Forty two following years considerable progress was Years Ago. made, as early in 1863 the population is reported at 6,000. The buildings numbered 1,500, including substantial warehouses, stores, commodious hotels, a " theatre, a hospital, five churches and five banking-houses." James Bay, Victoria Harbour. SS. Islander—Victoria and Vancouver. The sudden growth was the result of the discovery of gold on the Fraser River in 1858. Victoria was the first and last place of call for the miners, who arrived from California and else- Effect of Cold where in thousands. Of this floating population Mining. no notice has been taken in the figures given, but it may be stated in passing that 30,000 has been estimated as the number camping at one time at Victoria en route to the Fraser River. From the foregoing it will be seen that the importance of Victoria as a commercial centre was recognized from the first. Incorporation was effected in 1862, the city being divided into three wards. The population was then A City of about 5,000. To- Wealth. day the residents are more than five times that number and it is safe to assert that considered per capita Victoria is the wealthiest city on the Pacific Coast. From mercantile and trade reports it will be seen that nowhere is busi- Business ness conducted on Conditions. a more sound and profitable basis. The volume, too, ranks high. For comparison it may be stated that the shipping of Victoria is the fourth largest in the Dominion of Canada. SS. Victorian—Victoria and Seattle. tmxmi. Mi SS. Empress—Victoria and Orient. The question will arise, "What can 25,000 people do with so much merchandise in addition to what is produced on Vancouver Island?" The answer is easy, "They consume No Fear of the what they need and distribute the remainder." As Future. Victoria was the distributing centre par excellence fifty years ago, so to-day she is the chief distributing (5) ..' .!..'.t''tti- *-***--iiiMiyriir'rinii-i I .V: point for the whole of British Columbia. Victoria merchants supply goods to every part of the Province, including the northern 2-old fields of Atlin and the Yukon beyond. Although transcontinental railway cars do not enter the city, Victoria is under no disadvantage, for first class steamers meet the trains at the mainland termini every day and bring A Terminal freight and passengers from eastern Canada and Point. United States points, the rates being the same as if destined for railway terminals on the mainland.* At the close of the salmon canning season, fishermen and others come to Victoria and spend their earnings. It A Spending is in the fall of the year that the population is Point. increased largely, by the return of wage earners who have been out in all directions and who then come home to live in comfort during the winter months. Local industries, such as iron works, flour and feed mills, chemical, soap and paint factories, lumber mills An Industrial and several others, furnish employment for many Centre. hands. The proportion of factory hands and artizans is unusually large for a city of the size of Victoria. It is impossible to state whether the fur traders of the early forties selected Victoria's situation for other than geographical reasons, but it is certain that a more ideal site for a large city could hardly be found. Its natural beauty and A Beautiffl| adaptability to the purposes of commerce and resi- Natural Site. dence, are remarkable. The land undulating slightly gives easy grades to the streets and admits perfect drainage and sewerage. Within certain limits only stone or brick buildings can be erected, and the numerous recent additions of such structures furnish indications of confidence which the owners have in the future of the city. In one respect Victoria differs very materially from most cities inasmuch as the business blocks and dwelling houses are nearly all owned by residents. These are rented as freely Owned by Its as elsewhere, but the rents go into the pockets of Citizens. the inhabitants, and it is certainly a great-advantage to business men to pay to residents, instead of to some outside capitalists, as such rents return again either directly or indirectly in trade. •Arrangements are now completed whereby the cars of the Canadian Pacific and Great Northern Railways will come to Victoria. (6) Jefrta jiJiiir~*riiWii 0 CITY* HfJ*U> r$\ doVeiRNMehti' vS1 &UfSUDI/VG- ($) J)Uff$MDIR ®JSTCffOOU . K3J ^ omee-. Public Buildings and a Residence, ViettMi, B. 0. Some Churches and Schools, Victoria, B. i The city corporation has borrowed money for improvements, such as waterworks, sewerage, electric Public lighting, etc., but Works. here it will be found that the assets of the city are largely in excess of the liabilities. Taxation is very light compared with other cities in Canada or the United States. Excellent free and non- sectarian educational facilities exist for children six years and upwards, nor Educational is there any charge for advanced education in the Facilities. High School. These schools are controlled by trustees, of both sexes, elected by the ratepayers. Besides the public schools there are excellent private schools, day and boarding, including kindergartens. The liberality of the citizens, assisted by the Provincial Government and city corporation, has provided a hospital of fifty-six beds known as the Provincial Royal Jubilee Hospital. This was erected in 1890 in commemoration of Her Mai- .Provincial Boyal Jubilee Hospital. Hospital esty's Ju- Accommo- bilee, and dation. it ranks high in every branch of medical and surgical science. The private rooms, which are, of course, paid for, are frequently occupied by persons from all parts of the Province and neighboring State of Washington, who come to Victoria for the greater skill than is found nearer their homes. The poor of the city are treated free. (9) The Gorge on Queen's Birthday. ,.l>A-ii_sjMaJs«^-g>Vy_V_ Climate is an important consideration when deciding upon a place of residence or a pleasure trip. The rain fall at Victoria is light compared with other parts of the Province. Snow is an infrequent visitor and even then seldom lies on the Perfect ground more than forty-eight hours. So it is easy to Climate. understand why four dollars per hour is charged for sleighing, which but at best is an apology for an eastern sleigh ride. Skating can be rarely indulged in and when possible is carried into the small hours of the morning, as those who enjoy skating must make the best of their opportunities. The prevailing winds in the summer are from the south-west, and passing over the snow-capped Olympians and the Straits of Fuca are comfortably tempered upon reaching the south end of Vancouver Island. Dr. Bryce in "The Climate and As a Health Health Resorts of Canada " says of Victoria : "The Resort. fruits of temperate climates grow well and farm animals live outdoors the year round. The climate is milder than in many parts of England, with less rain and less seasonal variations." Instead of spending holidays far from home in search of health many Victorians camp out on sea beaches near the city for some months each year. It is the common remark of visitors from the United States that Victorians have mastered the art of combining business with pleasure. It would, indeed, be surprising if such were not the case, for no one acquainted with Victoria and Paradise for surroundings would gainsay that there is not Pleasure Seekers. another spot on the Pacific Coast where nature has so abundantly provided for the pleasure seeker. Victoria has unequalled natural advantages in picturesque location and climate, and for commercial and industrial purposes is not less favorably situated. It would be beyond the scope of this article to attempt to describe the beauties of Beacon Hill park and the residential portion of Victoria. A feature of the residences is the spacious grounds in which they are set. The ordinary size of the Victoria lot is 60 by 120 feet, but the better class Beautiful of suburban houses stand in lovely grounds measured Homes. by acres. In many cases only a peep here and there can be obtained from the highways, trees and shrubs affording the privacy which seems so much desired. It is not difficult, however, to outline beautiful homes with tennis courts, well- kept lawns, trained ornamental trees and cosy arbors of evergreens. Many such residences command a view of the Straits of Fuca, (10) I- about seventeen miles wide, and the snow-capped Olympics beyond. The entire jhanges of scene, for instance, on Rockland Avenue are very remarkable, a little turn in the Panoramic and road bringing to view numbers of islands instead Picturesque. of the unbroken expanse of water. Ships being towed to the lumber mills, steamers speeding to all points of the coast and to the Orient and to Australia, and pleasureyachts flitting hither and thither, give life and peculiar interest to the scene. The brush of no artist could depict the beauties of such scenery under the ever changing lights. Victoria is the seat of the Provincial Government and the home of the Lieutenant-Governor, and in addition to the merchants and business men of Victoria there are a number of wealthy residents whose business interests lie in other parts of the Province, but who elect to live there in order to enjoy the social and other 'TmB&ttM Deadmans River. advantages of the capital. The Social Garrison Advantages. and Naval forces add a pleasant feature co Victoria society not elsewhere possessed on this In Drydoch. T Esquimalt Harbour. Victoria Harbour side of the continent. There are three social clubs in flourishing condition. Among the amateur organizations for purposes of entertainment it is dif- ficult to say which takes the lead, but the Arion Club, a musical society of some fifty male voices, is perhaps the best known and longest established. There are also local theatrical and orchestral so- A Music Loving cieties, and amateur theatricals and concerts People. 'n a'd of charities and other objects are numerous, and their success is best judged by the invariably large audiences which they attract. There is a first class cornet band in connection with the local militia organization and during the winter months there is a weekly promenade concert in the Drill Hall and in the summer two or three open air concerts are given every week in the park and adjacent resorts. (13) There are excellent golf links. Tennis, cricket, yachting, lacrosse, football, boating and canoeing are Athletics and among the fa- Sport, vorite summer amusements. Bicyclists and amateur photographers— their name is legion. There are so many attractive spots in the neighborhood of Victoria that it is really difficult to decide among them for superlative merit. If boating be selected a trip up the Gorge will probably be chosen. This is a stretch of about four miles Points of °f tidal water, varying in width from thirty feet at Attraction. tiie Gorge bridge to about a quarter of a mile. On either bank near the city are beautiful residences, with ample grounds and picturesque boat houses. Then come stretches of fir trees and rocks and further on cultivated fields. Picnic (1-) _ In the Park. il parties revel in the shade of the firs and there are as well many ideal open spaces for those who desire to use them. If we take the electric car to Oak Bay, three miles from the centre of the city—and by the way, to Victoria belongs the honour of being among the first cities on the continent to adopt electric cars—we shall find a well appointed summer hotel, and Oak Bay sheltered beaches where children may find delight in Resort. sunning themselves after paddling in the sea. Boats for hire are available and the surroundings generally are such as are sought by tourists. There are many residences at Oak Bay and along the route of the car line, and in addition to the resident population there is in the season a constant stream of visitors by car, carriage and bicycle. Frequent band concerts enliven the evenings there. One of the golf links and an enclosed park for lacrosse matches and bicycle races, for which a cinder path is provided, are located at this resort. Oak Bay is also reached by the Dallas Road, Near Macaulay Point. The Gorge. Oak Bay. a fine thoroughfare which skirts the sea all the way from the Outer Wharf, passing through Beacon Hill park and along the golf links. There is probably not another road on the Beautiful Pacific Coast possessing equal charms for driving Drives. or wheeling. It is good at all seasons of the year and the rare scenic effects are ever present and striking*. It would require the pages of a pretentious book to do justice to all the numerous drives within twenty miles of Victoria. These are always well kept and afford equal facilities for all popular modes of locomotion. (16) H Esquimalt, Her Majesty's naval station on the Pacific, is four miles from the post office, and is connected by electric cars which leave every fifteen minutes. The men-of-war, dry Her Majesty's dock, naval yard and canteen grounds are the Naval Station. principal attractions, but the scenery all along the car line and at the village of Esquimalt itself possesses a singular charm which never fails to make a lasting impression. Naptha launches and row boats can be hired and a visit made to the naval hospital, passing the marine railway en route. The water in the harbor is never rough. (17) Macaulay Point Barracks. The barracks at Macaulay Point are situated a short distance from the Esquimalt road. Visitors are not allowed inside the fort, but the scenery from the vicinity, embracing the entrance to Esquimalt harbor, the straits and the Olympias, is very beautiful indeed. Sealing Fleet. Two railways terminate at Victoria. The Victoria and Sidney runs to the end ofthe Saanich peninsula, distance seventeen miles, and is of value to the farmers of that district in marketing their products, and for tourist purposes. Sidney Railway and should be visited, as it is a very pretty spot Steamboat Connection. and some idea can be formed en route of the agricultural possibilities of the island. Hops, barley and fruit do remarkably well in this section. An hotel is situated near the railway terminus. Steamer connection (18) On the Beach, Dallas Road. is made between the railway and the gulf islands and points on Vancouver Island as far north as Nanaimo. The sea is rarely rough and the grand and everchanging panorama of view as the steamer winds its way in and out among the numerous islands must be witnessed to be fully appreciated. Camp on Cowichan River. SiBaaHBKWiPSS^' E. & N. Railway Views. The Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway at present has its terminus at Wellington, though its extension to the north end of Vancouver Island is contemplated in the very near future. It serves the finest collieries on the Pacific Coast. At Along the E. & N. Chemainus there is one of the largest and best Railway. appointed saw mills in British Columbia from which is marketed about half of the lumber exported from the entire province. Not far from Chemainus copper mines on Mt. Sicker are being opened up from which ore is being shipped. Large iron deposits are also being developed. (20) Near Chemainus, too, is the new town of Ladysmith, at which place are erected the coal bunkers for the output of the big extension coal mine at Alexandria, and where many of the miners have their residence. A railway to haul .the logs to the Chemainus mill has been built in this section and a tramway runs from the Mt. Sicker mine to Osborne Bay. Mineral deposits of copper and gold have been located at other points on the southern end of the island and Farming and development work is progressing with satisfactory Mining. results. Large stretches of farming lands are already under c u 1 tivati'on and much more remain to be opened up. All these important industries are tributary to Victoria, the head office of most of the collieries and railways and mining and lumber interests being «J established there*. The very beautiful scenery along the E. & N. Railway attracts many excursionists from Victoria. Sportsmen in quest of game and fish drop off at different places all along the line for miles, and The Sportsman, this is in season one of the favorite Saturday afternoon recreations. The steeplechase track at Colwood is distant eight miles. Hunting at Shawnigan Lake. (22) jgiif A Corner of the Prouincial Museum. Goldstream on the line is another favorite resort. There occasional band concerts amuse those who do not care for sport, and a well appointed hotel furnishes refreshments Coldstream, and accommodation for visitors. A trip to the waterpower works should be made while here. This power generates the electricity for Victoria's car service, private lighting and commercial purposes. Shawnigan, farther on, is a popular camping place, and is visited by numerous excursion parties. There are Shawnigan two good hotels, and small summer cottages can be Lake. rented. The lake furnishes good fishing and the surroundings are an entire change from the coast. It is a common practise to leave the train at Shawnigan and wheel to Duncan, fourteen miles further on. The road is shaded and parklike in places, with easy grades all the way. Duncan Numerous well kept farms adjoin on both sides, and Station, that portion which passes through the Indian reservation has especial interest. There are two hotels at Duncan close to the railway station, and it, too, is a very popular resort and the headquarters for many sportsmen. The river affords excellent fishing and of deer and birds there is an abundance. (24) The trip to Cowichan Lake from here should not be missed. The distance Cowichan is about Lake. 20 miles and the journey is made by stage. The attractions are hunting, fishing and scenery. The west COaSt Cowichan Riuer Bridge. of Vancouver Island is reached by rail to Nanaimo and thence by stage across to ! Alberni, or by steamers which leave Victoria , regularly at frequent intervals. All the south j and west coast of Vancouver Island is rich in i minerals—gold, copper, silver and iron. West Coast of the Island. One of the objects of great interest to all visitors to Victoria ; are the beautiful new parliament buildings, in which the people j of British Columbia take a special pride, and conspic- * Provincial uous among the attractions afforded by a visit to : Museum. these buildings is the Provincial Museum, which has j the distinction of being the best exposition of local | fauna and flora to be found anywhere on the continent. Suburban Camping. In the parliament buildings there is a Bureau of Provincial Information, also a complete collection of specimens of British Columbia minerals. * With so many important tributary resources the future of ■ Victoria is assured. Its present growth is steady, a fact which Prosperity. affords greater satisfaction than if a "boom" was experienced. Besides its com- The Basis of mercial growth the A Day's Catch. number who come here to reside is steadily increasing, and it will undoubtedly become the residential metropolis of the coast and especially of British Columbia. The tourist travel is a very important factor in the prosperity enjoyed by Victorians, and deservedly so. This may be divided into two classes, namely, The those who Tourist visit the Travel, city regularly every year, of whom there is a large number, and those whose visits are irregular and occasional!' Of the latter, passengers on the Australasian and Oriental steamers inwards and outwards, and visitors from eastern Canada and eastern parts of the United States swell the aggregate travel, which is yearly growing larger in volume. The object of this article is to interest the stranger in search of a good business, a desirable place of residence or an attractive tourist resort, and incidentally to refresh the Why This Little memory of persons acquainted with Victoria, but Book ? who are now living elsewhere. Victoria, the Capital city of British Columbia, can supply all the requirements of visitors, and any information of a specific character will be cheerfully imparted by F. ELWORTHY, Secretary, Board of Trade Building, British Columbia Board of Trade. Victoria, B. C. (26) Victoria Directory. POINTS OF INTEREST. Board of Trade, Bastion Square. Bureau of Provincial Information*, in the Parliament Buildings. City Hall, cor. Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue. Customs House, cor. Government and Courtenay Streets. ' Free Library, in City Hall. General Post Office, cor. Government and Courtenay Streets. Legislative Library, in the Parliament Buildings. Museum, in the Parliament Buildings. Parliament Buildings, Belleville Street, James Bay. EXPRESS OFFICES. Dominion Express Co., 26 Fort Street. Great Northern Express Co., 75 Government Street. Northern Pacific Express Co., 104^ Government Street. NAVIGATION OFFICES. Alaska Steamship Co., 100 Government Street. Canadian Pacific Navigation Co., 64 Wharf Street. Nippon Yusen Kaisha, 75 Government Street. Northern Pacific Steamship Co., 64 Government Street. Pacific Coast Steamship Co., 61 Wharf Street. Puget Sound Steamship Co., 100 Government Street. RAILWAY OFFICES. Canadian Pacific Railway Co., cor. Government and Fort Streets. Great Northern Railway Co., 75 Government Street. Northern Pacific Railway Co., 104 >£ Government Street. White Pass and Yukon Railway Co., 102 Government Street. RAILWAY TERMINI. Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, Depot and Offices, Store Street. Victoria and Sidney Railway, Depot and Offices, Hillside Avenue. TELEGRAPH OFFICES. Canadian Pacific Telegraph Office, 81 Government Street. Western Union Telegraph Office, 74 Government Street. NEWSPAPER OFFICES. Colonist Printing and Publishing Co , Broad Street, opp. Trounce. Times Printing and Publishing Co., Broad Street, opp. View. CHURCHES. BAPTIST. Baptist Church, Mary Street, Victoria West. Calvary Church, Herald Street. Emanuel Church, cor. North Chatham and Fern wood Road. CHURCH OF ENGLAND. Christ Church Cathedral, cor. Blanchard and Burdette Avenue. St. Barnabas' Church, cor. Caledonia Avenue and Cook Street. St. James' Church, cor. Quebec and St. John's Streets. St. John's Church, cor. Douglas and Fisguard Streets. 1 St. Mark's Church, Boleskin Road. St. Paul's Church, Esquimalt. St. Saviour's Church, Henry Street, Victoria West. CONGREGATIONAL. First Congregational Church, 47 Pandora Avenue. EPISCOPAL. > Reformed, cor. Maclure and Humboldt Streets. METHODIST. Centennial, Gorge Road. James Bay, cor. Menzies and Michigan. Metropolitan, cor. Pandora Avenue and Quadra Street. Methodist Church, Esquimalt Street, Victoria West. PRESBYTERIAN. First, cor. Pandora Avenue and Blanchard Street. Knox, Stanley Avenue. St. Andrew's, cor. Douglas and Broughton Streets. St. Columbia, cor. Hullon and Oak Bay Avenue. St. Paul's, Victoria West, Henry Street. ROMAN CATHOLIC. St. Andrew's Cathedral, cor. Blanchard and View Streets. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Central and High Schools, cor. School and Yates Streets. North Ward School, Douglas Street. South Park School, cor. St. Catherines and Michigan Streets. Spring Ridge School, cor. Chambers and North Chatham Streets. Victoria West School, Front Street. (28) fch-. VICTORIA CLUBS. Alexandria (Women's) Club, Broad Street. Badminton Club, 5 Gordon Street. James Bay Athletic Association, Belleville Street. Pacific Club, 45^ Fort Street. Union Club, cor. Douglas and Courtney Streets. HOSPITALS. Provincial Royal Jubilee, cor. Richmond and Cadboro Bay Roads. St. Joseph's, Collinson Street. CONSULS. French Consul, H. M. Grahame, 41 Government Street. Imperial German Consul, Carl Loewenberg, 83 Wharf Street. Norwegian Consul, W. A. Ward, Bastion Street. Swedish Consul, W. A. Ward, Bastion Street. United States Consul, Abraham E. Smith, 43^ Government Street. CAB RATES. Driving by the hour $1 5° To any place within one mile of postoffice from stand or stable— One or two persons 5° Each additional person 25 To or from steamers or trains, each person (not including special orders) 50 To and from balls and parties, calling at one house only, when hour of return is after midnight, per carriage 2 5° Two and from theatres, one or two persons 2 00 To and from theatres, three or four persons 2 5° To weddings, each carriage 4 00 To funerals, when the time does not exceed three hours 3 °°