ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF MINES, FOE THE YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 1884 BEING AN ACCOUNT OF MINING OPERATIONS FOR GOLD, COAL, &G. , VA/V.j IN THE flntoina d §xittBk GMttmbitt. VICTORIA: Trintccl by Richard Wolfenden, Government Prints?, .it the Government Printing Office, James' Bay. 1885. PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. TABLE Showing the actually known and estimated yield of gold; the number of miners employed; and their average earnings per man, per year, from 1858 to 1884. 1858 (6 months) 1859 1860 1801 1862 1863 1864 1865 1806 1867 1868 1869 1S70 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1S77 1S7S 1879 1880 1881 - 1882 1883 1884 Amount actually known to have been exported by Banks, &c. 8 390,266 1,211,304 1,071,410 1,999,589 3,184,700 2,801,888 2,618,404 1,990,580 1,800,051 1,779,729 1,331,234 1,002,717 1,349,5S0 1,208,229 979,312 1,383,404 1,850,178 1,339,9S0 1,206,130 1,002,670 1,075,049 844,856 872,281 795,071 661,877 613,304 Add one-third more, estimate of gold carried away in private hands. $ 130,0S8 403,768 557,133 066,529 1,061,566 933,902 S72.801 005,520 020,217 593,243 443,744 334,239 449,860 402,743 326,437 461,154 018,726 446,602 402,045 l-5th 212,534 215,009 108,971 174,450 159,014 132,375 122,861 Number of Miners employed. 9 520,353 1,015,072 2,228,543 2,606,118 4,246,200 3,735,850 3,491,205 2,002,106 2,480,80S 2,372,972 1,774,978 1,330,950 1,799,440 1,010,972 1,305,749 1,844,018 2,474,904 1,786,648 1,608,182 1,275,204 1,290,058 1,013,827 1,046,737 954,085 794,252 736,165 S 48,672,128 3,000 4,000 4,400 4,200 4,100 4,400 4,400 4,294 2,982 3,044 2,390 2,369 2,348 2,450 2,400 2,300 2,868 2,024 2,282 1,960 1,883 2,124 1,955 1,898 1,738 1,965 1,858 Average yearly earnings per man. 8 173 403 500 G34 517 482 849 S13 893 S14 992 749 509 734 071 567 043 1,222 783 S20 077 007 518 551 548 404 396 48 Vic. Report of the Minister of Mines. . 416 REPORT OP THE MINISTER OF MINES FOE THE YEAR 1884. To His Honour Clement Francis Cornwall, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia. May it please Your Honour: The Annual Report of the Mining Industries of the Province for the year 1884, is herewith respectfully submitted. JNO. ROBSON, Provincial Secretary & Minister of Mines. Provincial Secretary's Office, 23rd February, 1885. 48 Vic. Report of the Minister of Mines. 417 REPORT. GOLD. The value of the Gold exported by the Banks at Victoria, during the year 1884, is as follows:—■ Bank of British Columbia $ 249,077 Bank of British North America 61,088 Garesche, Green, & Co 303,139 S 613,304 CARIBOO. Mr. Bowron s Report. " Richfield, 25th November, 1884. "To the Hon. the Minister of Mines, Victoria: "Sir,—I have the honour, herewith, to transmit the mining statistics of the Cariboo District for the current year; and, for your further information, to submit the following report:— " The accompanying statistics will be found to show a slight decline in the product of the mines the present year, as also a decrease in the number of white miners, with a corresponding increase in the number of Chinese. "Although the gold yield has been quite large, yet the season has been one of disappointment to a majority of the white miners, fully three-fourths of the total amount having been produced by Chinese. " But little prospecting for new mines lias been undertaken. I have, consequently, little to say respecting ' explorations.' One party only received Government assistance in procuring their outfit, and that but to a limited extent. A copy of the report handed in by this party will be found herewith enclosed. " I may state that the impression here very generally prevails, that the fund voted by Government for explorations would bo much better applied if given upon certain prescribed conditions to assist some properly organized company to test the value of the deep ground on, say Slough Creek, or some other expensive but promising enterprise near the centre of the present gold-producing sections; while others would favour devoting the amount apportioned to this district towards inducing a thoroughly competent and reliable quartz miner, or expert, to spend a season examining our ledges, as it is thought, with the work now accomplished on many of the old ledges, and the discovery of new veins made within the past two or three years, a, competent person would have no difficulty in soon forming a very decided opinion as to their value. As it is at present, whatever work is being done on ledges is little better than so much labour thrown away. "Williams Creek has produced less the present than any season for the past twenty-four years. Thefact is, the creek is about worked out, except, perhaps, the lower portion (which requires & different system of working from that at present in vogue to make it remunerative) and possibly a few of the hill claims which may continue to pay a fair return for a time longer. 418 Report of the Minister of Mines. 18S5 A new hydraulic claim was opened on the hill side, between the Black Jack claim and Conklin Gulch, by Mr. Nason, which, I learn, promises well. With this exception, nothing new has been attempted on this creek the present season. " The benches of Lower Antler Creek, now mined exclusively by Chinese, continue to yield fair returns. On the upper portion of the creek, the Yellow Lion Co.'s claim has paid very well for the amount of work accomplished. The difficulty of procuring a supply of water during the dry season of the year is a serious drawback to this company. The Nason Co., which has now the most complete and effective .machinery on any mine in the district, is at the present time just starting work underground. The shareholders in this company have pushed ahead their extensive works during the season with vigour, and now believe that they will be successful in finally proving the value of their ground during the coining winter. " The Waverly Hydraulic Co., of Grouse Creek, has made good progress during the season, and, judging from the appearance of the gravel in the ' face,' have at last reached ground that will pay; but, owing to a large cave late in the fall, they were unable to make a 'wash-up.' Little is to bo said regarding Lightning Creek, or its tributaries. The Cypress claim, on Dunbar Flat (purchased last year by the Chinese), has paid exceedingly well, and is, perhaps, the only claim on the creek paying over fair wages. Legislation would appear to be required in view of the large extent of ground held on Lightning Creek by absentees, under a 'real estate' title, whereby the project of bringing up a bed-rock drain is completely blocked. It is definitely known that a very large extent of this ground, from the town of Stanley down, would yield handsome returns, were the same properly drained. " On Slough Creek and Devil's Caiion, discoveries on the high benches, and in some instances well up the sides of the mountain, continue to be made. A large number of Chinese have worked here during the summer, in some instances taking out exceedingly good pay, A few whites have taken up claims which they will work by hydraulic pressure, where a supply of water can be secured. One company on Slough Creek is at present running a tunnel for a hill channel, which is thought to exist. I regret to say the company who, last season, applied for and obtained from the Government permission to lease a large extent of the deep ground on Slough Creek, has failed, so far, to effect an organization. " Returns sent in from the Quesnellemouth Polling Division show a slight increase in the gold product of that division over last season. " The closing of the Assay Office at Barkerville is felt to be a severe loss to the community. It not only occasions a direct loss to the miner in a depreciation in the value of his gold dust, but will have a tendency to discourage quartz prospecting, as it leaves us without the means of testing the value of any minerals which may be found. The office having become so nearly self-sustaining, it is hoped that the Government will succeed in finding a properly qualified assaycr,and cause the office to bo again opened. " The following is an approximate estimate of the gold yield of the district for the year 1884, exclusive of Omineca :— Barkerville Polling Division §153,600 Lightning Creek „ 78,000 Quesnellemouth ,, 77,060 Keithley Creek ,, 89,595 Estimated yield from date to 31st December 25,000 $423,855 " But little has been done in the way of developing our quartz mining industry during the season. The Burns Mountain Quartz Mining Co. (limited) indeed pushed ahead their tunnel to a point whore it was expected the lodge would bo found, but, failing to strike which, the work was suddenly stopped for some time. They have, however, just resumed operations, and will continue the tunnel some distance further. "The Dominion Quartz Ledge Co., whose mine is situated some 30 miles south of Barkerville (referred to in my report of last year) sent out prospectors during the summer, who succeeded in sinking on the ledge 12 foot, and cross-cutting it at that depth. They brought in some of the rock, which it is proposed to send to San Francisco for a test. " It is reported that the Messrs. Girod, late of Quesnelle, now in France, have succeeded in bonding the Sadoux quartz mine near Mosquito Creek, to a company of French capitalists, and that work will be shortly commenced on the mine. 48 Vic. Report of the Minister of Mines. 419 "In view of the early completion of the Canadian Pacific Railroad,.many old Caribooites continue to leave the district, with the object of making themselves homes somewhere along the line of railway, while but few new comers appear to take their place in the mines. This state of affairs may be expected to continue until the completion of the railroad, when a reaction will probably take place. So far, the construction and maintenance of the railroad has been most injurious to the interests of this district, as, while the works of construction have attracted away a large number of our most enterprising miners and prospectors, the maintenance of that portion of the line over which the cars now run has actually, owing to the exorbitant tariff', increased the prices of all kinds of supplies in Cariboo. This fact will be better understood when it is known that before any railroad works were commenced a sufficient number of ox-teams and pack-trains were employed on the road between Yale and Cariboo to meet all requirements. But, anticipating a fall in the rates for freight, many of the carriers disposed of their stock till, at the present time, the carrying trade is in the hands of a few, who naturally make all they can out of the situation; while merchants, anticipating a fall in the freight rates on the completion of the railroad to Spence's Bridge, withheld their orders till late. Even with the scarcity of teams on the Cariboo road, I am informed that some of those actually go to Yale for their loads, travelling from Spence's Bridge to Yale and back, a distance of 160 miles, loaded one way only, and are able successfully to compete with the railway company's charges. " I have ventured to say this much to show that if the district appears to be on the decline, there are other than local causes affecting its prosperity, as, to my knowledge, quite a number of persons are leaving the district owing to the unusually high prices of provisions. I am informed by merchants here that the lowest freight rate from Victoria to Barkerville this fall has been 12|- cents per pound. It may, therefore, be inferred with what anxiety Cariboo looks forward to the early completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway; a consummation which, it is hoped, will bring about a different state of affairs. " Crops with the farmers in the lower part of the district have been exceedingly good. The wheat crop especially exceeds in quantity the production of any former year, notwithstanding which flour, at the present time, is selling at Soda Creek for 6| cents per pound, and at Barkerville for 12 cents. The mildness of the climate thus far this fall is unprecedented. There is not sufficient snow at Barkerville at the present writing to make good sleighing, and below Stanley waggoning is still good. " The following is the retail price, in Barkerville, of some of the principal articles of consumption :— "Flour, 12c. f*ib; Butter, 62|c.; Beef, 10c. to 15c; Mutton, 18c; Hams and Bacon, none in market; Dried Apples, 40c; Peaches, 50c; Rice, 20c; Potatoes, Turnips, Beets, Cabbage, and Carrots, 4 to 5c; Onions, 18 to 25c; Tea, $1 to $1.25; Coffee, ground, 75c, green, 55c; Raisins, 40c; Coal Oil, $19 per case; Candles, 40c by the box; Eggs, $1.25 per doz.; Gum Boots, $10 per pair: Giant Powder, $1.50 to $1.75 "# lb; Wheat, 8c; Oats, 6c; Timothy Hay, 3c; Wild Hay, 2c. f lb. " It is fondly hoped that these figures will bo materially reduced upon the advent of good sleighing " I have, &.c, (Signed) " Jno. Bowron, " Gold Commissioner." Report of Messes. Lanyon and D'Oepentigny. " Left Barkerville on the second of September, 1884, for the purpose of prospecting in the neighbourhood of the Mustang Valley, below Mustang Creek; arrived the following day, and prospected several small gulches for twelve clays; found a little gold, but not in sufficient quantities to pay, and concluded to go down the valley to Willow River; tried several creeks on the road, but found nothing. After striking Willow River, travelled down stream until we struck Valley River, emptying into the Willow. About six miles below Mustang Valley, prospected on three creeks and found a little gold on the first creek after leaving the Mustang- Valley; made a small ground-sluice and could find a little gold to every pan; started a shaft; got down ten feet, but not having proper tools, and striking large boulders, we could not go any deeper; could find a little gold in the bottom, but, not being able to find the bed-rock, 420 Report of the Minister of Mines. 1885 could not say whether it would pay or not, but think it was the most favourable looking creek we saw on the trip. After spending four clays, we started to return, by way of Valley River. Tried several creeks but found no gold, and arrived back at Sugar Creek, after being nine days on the trip. Still having some provisions left, we started to prospect at the head of Sugar Creek, going west toward Willow River, but found the snow too deep, there" being from two to three feet. Had to turn back and come to Hardscrabble Creek, and prospected the left fork. Found the bed-rock shallow at the head of the creek, and found a little gold. Came some distance down the creek, and found a little gold on the clay; sunk a shaft twenty feet from the clay; found very little gravel on the bottom and scarcely any gold on the bed-rock. Our provisions being then exhausted, we returned to Barkerville, after an absence of eight weeks. (Signed) "John Lanyon, "Oliver D'Orpentigny. "To John Bowron, Esq., " Gold. Commissioner." Mr. Stephenson's Report. "Forks of Quesnelle, B. C, "26th November, 1884. "To the Hon. the Minister of Mines. "Sir,—I have the honour to forward herewith the mining statistics of Keithley Division, Cariboo District, for 1884. Of the estimated yield of gold, there is a falling off from last year, which is chiefly owing to the decrease in the number of white miners, as many have left the mines and gone clown country to find employment on the railroad. "The season all through has been favourable for mining in this section, and I am well satisfied the Chinese have clone better this season than last, although they will not admit it; but the truth is something I do not expect froni a Chinaman, except by accident. Although there has not been any new diggings found, the Chinese seem to be more scattered over this section than for several years past, while their numbers are about the same; and wherever you find a Chinaman that has worked a few clays in a place, it is a sure thing he is making some money. "On the Horsefly River, where the Chinese thought they had found good pay last fall, it proved to be a failure, and consequently there has been very little done in the Horsefly section, only one company working through the season. "In conclusion, I may add that the outlook, though not bright, is not worse than it was a year ago; in fact, the Chinese traders must think it better, as their shipment of goods has been much heavier this fall than last. "I have, &c, (Signed) "W. Stephenson, "Government Agent." CASSIAR. Mr. Crimp's Report. "Laketon, Cassiar, "13th October, 1884. " To the Hon. the Minister of Mines. "Sir,—I have the honour herewith to forward the Mining Statistics for 1884, as well as my report upon the district. "Dease, Thibert, and McDame Creeks are all about worked out—that is the bed of the streams. The past summer a great many have been working over the bed of the streams the second and third time. "On Dease Creek there have been about ten white men and fifteen Chinamen, and the result of their labours has been alcut $10,000, as near as I can find out, and I think the estimate is pretty accurate. 48 Vic. Report of the Minister of Mines. 421 " On Thibert Creek there were twenty-two white miners and twenty-four Chinese miners, and the amount taken out was $30,000. This creek has a few fairly good hill claims, but they are getting pretty well worked out. " On McDame Creek and its tributaries the same may be said as of the before mentioned creeks; the amount for the year past $ 53,600 Dease Creek 10,000 Thibert Creek 30,000 Defot Creek 3,000 Desultory mining 5,000 Total $101,600 " I think the above amounts are pretty accurate as far as I have been able to ascertain. "There has not been any discoveries made the pastseason. There were seven white men and four Chinamen down the Liard River the past summer, but did not find anything that would pay wages. "There were about 180 miners in the district during the season—about equally divided— half white miners, and the other half Chinese; and it is fully expected that there will be about the same number next year. Of these, about 33 white men and 40 Chinamen will winter in the mines. "The health of the miners during the past season has been generally very good; only one death, and that was by the drowning of the late A. F. Black. " Law and order have been generally good in this district the past season. "The market is well supplied with everything that the miner wants; vegetables are abundant, at reasonable prices. "The crops have been good the past summer in the farming district, partly owing to the plentiful rainfall, the crop of hay was abundant. ******** " I have, &c, (Signed) "J. L. Crimp, "Gold Commissioner, &c. LILLOOET. Mr. Soues' Report. "Government Office, " Clinton, 12th Dec, 1884. " The Hon. John Robson, Minister of Mines, Victoria :— " Sir,—I have the honour to enclose herewith the mining statistics and my annual report for the district of Lillooet for 1884. "The total ascertained yield of gold for the district this year is $107,934, a very noticeable and gratifying increase over former years. " The figures given are from perfectly reliable and trustworthy sources. Seven-eighths of the amount named has been bought by Mr. Smith, Lillooet, and Messrs. Foster & Bell, Clinton. I make no estimate of the amount carried out of the district by Chinese and others. This amount is undoubtedly large, but no reliable account can bo had of it. For comparison, I give the ascertained yield of the district for the past four years, viz.:— 1881 $ 63,915 1882 54,295 1883 68,342 1884 107,934 A very large amount of this year's increase must be credited to Bridge River and its tributaries, and 1 have much pleasure in reporting that nearly the whole of the miners in that locality are white men, and have every reason to believe that the majority of them are well satisfied with their season's work, and nearly all intend returning there next spring. 422 Report of the Minister of Mines. 1885 " I have no new discoveries of gold to report in this district for the past year. A party of three prospectors, aided by Government, were out for three months in the eastern part of the district. Unfortunately, they kept too far to the north, having reached a point within a short distance of the head waters of Canoe River, a tributary of the Columbia. This expedition was entirely without results in the discovery of gold or other minerals. " In minerals other than gold, I have to report the discovery and location of a mica ledge at a high altitude on Clearwater River, a tributary of the North Thompson. A specimen (11 inches by 8 inches) of the mica in my office, taken from the exposed surface of the ledge, shows a large number of fractures, the result, I presume, of ages of alternate freezing and thawing. Should the mineral prove to be without fracture at a depth below the action of frost, it will undoubtedly be a most valuable addition to the resources of this Province. Mr. James McKinlay, of Lac La Hache, is the locator, and is most deserving of success, having spent two seasons, unaided, prospecting between Lac La Hache and the foothills of the Selkirks, a portion of this district in which there is ample room for others. "Mr. McKinlay has brought in a number of specimens of quartz,