3 Geo. 5 Bureau of Provincial Information. M 27 REPORT OF THE BUREAU OF PROVINCIAL INFORMATION, 1912. Victoria, January 30th, 1913. The Honourable Price Ellison, Minister of Finance and Agriculture, Victoria, B.C. Sir,—I have the honour to present the Report of the Bureau of Provincial Information for the period ending December 31st, 1912. Since my last report the publications of the Bureau included :— Bulletin 10, Land and Agriculture , 40,500 ii 17, Game of British Columbia 10,000 „ 22, Few British Columbia 33,000 ,i 23, Handbook of British Columbia 45,000 ii 25, Game Fishes of British Columbia 5,000 „ 26, Columbia-Kootenay Valley 10,000 ii 27, Climate of British Columbia 5,000 Souvenirs of British Columbia 3,000 Inserts Bulletin No. 22 10,000 Circular letters 13,600 A total of 185,100 bulletins, circulars, etc., and 106,100 maps. In addition to the above, over 100,000 copies of Bulletins No. 10 and 23 and 100,000 maps of the Province were printed in England for distribution from the office of the Agent- General and at various exhibitions in Great Britain and Ireland. There are now in press and in course of compilation :— Bulletin 23, Handbook of British Columbia 25,000 ii 27, Climate of British Columbia (2nd edition) 5,000 Maps of British Columbia 50,000 Folders—" Facts about British Columbia " 250,000 There have been distributed 299,017 bulletins, folders, maps, etc. :— Boards of trade 602 Railway companies 15,528 Government Agents, etc 21,449 Progress Club, Vancouver 11,292 Agent-General, London 51,846 Fruit Exhibitions, Canada 44,215 Vancouver Island Development League, branches, etc 7,196 Exhibitions, New York and Chicago 34,617 176,745 Mailed to correspondents 56,772 Mailed to newspapers, magazines, libraries, clubs, hotels, transportation companies, etc 10,500 Distributed to callers at office 55,000 299,017 M 28 Bureau of Provincial Information. 1913 In addition to the regular publications of the Bureau, several thousand copies of departmental reports, Acts of the Legislature, boards of trade reports, pamphlets issued by municipalities, development and publicity associations (advertising the advantages of their respective districts), and a very considerable quantity of other miscellaneous printed matter were mailed to inquirers. There was a great demand for photographs on the part of illustrated magazines and weekly papers, and these requests were complied with as fully as possible; in many cases accompanied by special articles written by the Secretary, while in other instances material for articles on various subjects was provided. These illustrated articles appeared in some of the leading magazines and illustrated newspapers of America, Great Britain, Europe, Australia) New Zealand, Africa, and India; their great value as advertisements of British Columbia would be difficult to estimate. Another medium of widespread publicity wsS the loaning of sets of lantern-slides to volunteer lecturers on British Columbia in Eastern Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Several hundred slides were thus utilized, and conveyed to many thousands a correct knowledge of natural and industrial conditions in this Province. The Agent-General was also supplied with moving-picture films of the principal industries, which were used to great advantage at the annual exhibitions throughout the United Kingdom. Sets of enlarged photographs of standing timber, orchard, and fishing scenes were forwarded to the Agent-General, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and other transportation companies, and to various exhibitions on both sides of the Atlantic. Moving-picture films were also used to good purpose at several exhibitions in the south and east. All these several items in the work of publicity have served to stimulate unusual interest in British Columbia; and, combined with the efforts of transportation and land companies, immigration to the Province has nearly doubled in the past year. We secured in nine months of 1912, 56,817 from the United States and overseas, while the total immigration for the previous twelve months was 51,829. These figures do not include the influx of population from the sister Provinces, which was very large. There was a notable increase in the number of inquiries regarding British Columbia as a field for the investment of capital in the establishment of new industries and financial institutions ; and it is gratifying to state that in several instances the initiation of these new enterprises was directly the outcome of information and advice furnished by this Bureau. The number of persons seeking employment was not as large as usual, due, no doubt, to the demand for all classes of working-people, in consequence of the great activity in every branch of industry. It is regrettable that, owing to congestion in the public offices, the Bureau has been deprived of two rooms, and has had to do away with the permanent exhibition of fruit; flowers, timber specimens, etc., established two years ago. The number of communications received and answered was 64,558. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the valuable services of the staff of the Bureau. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, FRANK I. CLARKE, Secretary. VICTORIA, B.C.: Printed by William H. Cullin, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1913.