IU Crofton Gazette and COWICHAN NEWS Devoted to the Mining and Agricultural Interests of Vancouver Island, Texada Island, and Coast Mainland Districts. VOL. 1. CROFTON, B. C, THURSDAY, JUNE IU, 1902. NO. 17 THE COWICHAN INDIANS AJND THE POTLAjTCH. TffT E cannot perhaps better preface a report of the potlatch yflf now proceeding at the Cowichan Indian reservation than by quoting the ""Legend of the Cowitchau Indians," as told by Mr. James Deans in Vol. 1, No. 1 of the British Columbia Natural History Society's publication. Mr. Deans writes : The subjoined legend of the Cowitchan Indians, called by themselves the Whull-e-niooch, or dwellers by Puget Sound, seems to me worth preserving. I give it as I heard it from the Indians in 1881: "There was a time v3ry long ago our fathers used to tell us when the Whull-e-mooch lived a long way further south than we, their children, do now. Northward the whole country from the sea to the farthest mountains was covered by snow and ice so deep that the heat of summer failed to melt it. The old folk tell us that their fathers did not like the land they lived in, and wished to move away, but were at a loss where to go to. Southward lived a that at a very remote period the whole land was full of ice and snow, is not apparent. Taking the legend in its simplicity, the inference perhaps is that this part of the North American continent was inhabited at a time when an Arctic climate prevailed much further south than at present; that the Indians believe the change in climate to have boon wrought for their benefit by "Spaul," the raven, in whose image these people believe that the Almighty is in the habit of appearing to men. The legend is a very pretty one; and certainly, taking the weather that is being enjoyed by the thousands of Indians who are attending Bill Whulatesailok's potlatch at the Qt amichan reservation, on the banks of the Cowichan River, at the present moment, the Cowichan Indians of to-dny have nothing to fear from Arctic rigours of climate. For more than a week now Bill Whulatesailok, or Gentleman Bill, as he is called, has been having a great time. A potlatch seems to be a general collection of debts, associated with reloans and renewed mortgage*. Gentleman Bill has been receiving Cowichan River at Duncans, Showing Weir. people whom they feared because they were stronger than they, our fathers, were; northward the snow and ice prevented them moving. While they were discussing what to do, the 'Spaul' (raven) came suddenly amongst them. After listening to their grievances, he said: 'I will soon settle that difficulty.' So saying, he turned all the snow and ice into Pekulkun, or mountain goats, and sent them to make their home in the fastness of the highest mountains, where there would be food for them, while their wool would make clothing for the Whull-e-mooch for ever. After this transformation of snow into goats the climate became warmer and the country drier, which enabled the Whull-e-mooch to move northward to where we, their children, now live, and have lived ever since.'" Mr. Deans remarks that this legend is the more remarkable as the migrations spoken of seem to have taken place in or about the glacial period. Whether these migrations actually took place, as above mentioned, or whether the numerous ice grooves and scratches which everywhere abound on this portion of Vancouver Island have given the natives an idea blankets by hundreds, rifles, canoes and other things, most of which he is giving away again to the members of the numerous tribes assembled at his call. These so-called gifts are, it appears, in reality only loans, and must be repaid to him at some future potlatch. Thus does the Indian do his banking. Amongst the tribe* assembled at the Quamichan reservation besides the different tribes of Cowichan Indians, arc the Songhees from Victoria, tho Saanich Indians, the Peuelaquet of Kuper Island, the Lyacksum of Valdez Island, the Chemainus and Hellelt Indians, as well as the Nanainios, Comox and 'Euclataws. Tho early part of tho proceedings were devoted to the return of tbe debts, and they were accompanied by various games, sports and dances, weird rites and much noise of drums and harsh musical instruments. The official result of the races held last week is as follows: .Foot race (professional)—1st, Willie Good, $3 and a rifle; 2nd, Good, $2; 3rd, Donett, $1; 4th, J. Hulkalatza, 50 cents; 5th, Edward, 50 cents. Foot race (amateur)—1st, Gus Underwood, $3; 2nd, Geo. Mitchell, $2; 3rd, Charlie, $1; 4th, Alec, 50 cents; 5th, Johnnie, 50 cents; 6th, Billic, 50 cents. t'Timn—^3 THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. Foot race (18 years and under) 100 yards —1st, Isaac, $2; 2nd, Peter, $1: 3rd, Andrew, 50 cents; 4th and 5th, Isaac and .Joseph, 25 cents. Foot race —1st, Andrew, two blankets; 2nd, Isaac, two blankets; 3rd, Ernest, one blanket. Sack race, 100 yards —1st, Moses, $2; 2nd, Andrew, $1.50; 3rd, (Jus Underwood, 5(1 cents. Boys' race (under 10) — 1st, Abraham, two blankets; 2nd, Tommy, one blanket. Boys under S —1st, Joseph, $1; 2nd, Tommy, 50 cents; 3rd, Charlie, 25 cents. Baseball, winners .$10 —Pcnnlakicts, 1st; Saanich and Victoria, who were second, get nine blankets. Tug-of-war—First team, 20 blankets; losers, 10 blankets; captains, two blankets. « Tug-of-war—Second team, ten blankets and $5; captains, two blankets. Canoe races (four poles, distance half-mile)—1st, Nanai- nios, twelve blankets; 2nd, Penelaquets, eight blankets; 3rd, Euclataws, four blankets. Four-paddle canoes—1st, Saanich, $2 and eight blankets; 2nd, Penelaquets, $2 and four blankets; 3rd, Saanich, four blankets. Four paddles (boys' race) — 1st, Nanaimo, $2 and four bit nkets; 2nd, Penelaquets, four blankets; 3rd, Songhees, $1. Two paddles—.1st, Capt. Moise, box of tea and two blankets; 2nd, James, two blankets; 3rd, Euclataws, two blankets. The donors of the prizes were : Bill Whulates-ailok, 100 blankets; Johnnie Selahpult, 20 blankets; Somenos Vel- age, 7 blankets and $2.50; Charlie Tsilpamult, one rifle: John Mitalatza, five blankets; Mrs. Jaynes, box of tea, and other cash subscriptions. During the latter part of the proceedings, the re-loaning of the blankets, rifles, canoes, etc., has been in progress, and feasting and merriment have been supreme throughout. Scrambles for various kinds of articles are a great feature, but the result is not the same as that when in England one throws pennies to street boys and the strongest boy makes the most money. Amongst the Indians the article scrambled for is seized by all who can lay hands on it, and each man's right to his portion is bought outbythe ultimate possessor. Blanket-cutting is a unique ceremony. Blankets are thrown amongst the crowd, and each man is entitled to cut off as much as he can grasp in his hands. The roads all round Duncans are crowded with merrymaking Indians driving about in gaily-bedecked rigs of various kinds, and the days and nights are given up to feasting and revelry. One of the most exciting events of the potlatch was tho baseball match between the Songhees of Victoria and the Penelaquets of Kuper Island, in which, after a splendid tustle, the Songhees won by a score of S to 4. It was a swift game of ball, and Avas watched by nearly as many whites as Indians. Indeed, the potlatch is a groat time for the white kodak fiend with his camera. He has latterly been sAvavming in the Cowichan district, and the picturesque and novel sights and scenes in and around the Quamichan village during the present proceedings have been as interesting to the mere photographer perhaps as to the more erudite folk-lorist. Mr. W. R. Robertson, the Indian agent, has been kept very busy as "guide, philosopher and friend" of his proteges. MINING NEWS. SHIPMENT OF ORE FROM QUATSINO. MESSRS. N. S. Clarke and A. F. Gwin reached Victoria on Tuesday on the steamer "Otter," which brought down some 3(10 tons of ore from tho Yreka Copper Company's property on Comstock Mountain. It is only 70 (bys since the Yreka Copper Company put a pick into this property, hut in that time the company has made a camp, built roads from it to salt water, ami developed those really wonderful mineral claims, with the result of 300 tons of ore going to tho Tacoma smelter to-day, and thousands of tons more already lying on the dump. Assay values of this ore give .$20 to tho ton. When tho Yreka Copper Company started operations on Quatsino Sound, the population of that district of the Island was some seven or eight persons. It is now about 75 persons, of whom 40 are employed by the company. Prospectors, naturally enough, are thronging into a district which is already yielding far beyond the merely promising stage of mining industry. Mr. W. M. Brewer, who is interested in securing ores for tho Crofton smelter, visited the property with Messrs. Clarke and Gwin. and wrs much impressed with tho magnitude of the ore body in sight. An aerial tramway of a length approaching three-quarters of a mile is being surveyed to connect tbe workings with salt wafer, and this will probably bo in operation within three months' time. It is the intention of the Yreka company tl instal machinery and to develop this mine thoroughly on an extensive scale. The steamer "Queen City" will probably be able to bring down another three or four hundred tons of ore on her next trip. As soon as the Crofton smelter is ready to receive ore, there will bo almost a daily supply from this mine alone. We understand, however, that the Yreka Copper Company propose to erect a smelter of their own at Quatsino Sound at an early date. THE BLUE GROUSE CLAIMS. The mineral properties staked out by Messrs. Clarke, Gwin and Lea, and separate from the Yreka Copper Company's claims, have been named the Blue Grouse. Prospecting work has boon done on them with very satisfactory results, and development work is now being proceeded with. The ore body on these claims has much the same formation and characteristics as those on the Yreka Copper Company's property, MOUNT SICKER NOTES. The new machinery ordered by the Lenora and Tyee mines is being rapidly installed. On the former the new Holman compressor plant is in active operation (the first English compressor plant used in British Columbia, we believe), and on the latter tho double-drum hoist lately put in place has superseded, with excellent results, the two single heists employed up to date. At the Lenora mine a new 100 horse-power boiler is being installed, and a quantity of ore-sampling machinery is being put ir. position to facilitate the handling of the enormous quantities of ore lying on the dumps and being daily added to from the mine workings. At the Key City mine, Capt. Wasson is installing «t 40 horse-power boiler and up-to-date mining machinery, and it will not be long before this mine becomes a shipper. Mr. W. Buxton, foreman of the (Lenora mine, is taking a holiday in Victoria. He reports prospects very bright forthe Mount Sicker mining camp. _ A wedding took place on the mountain last week and Avas signalized by a mighty serenade. All the empty coal oil tins in the district were brought into requisition, and the happy couple were aroused from their slumbers by a noise that would awake the dead. This was outside the hotel, and the proprietor eventually distributed dollars to restore quiet. The next night the bride and bridegroom spent at their new house in Mount Sicker, and here again the din was re-commenced and proceeded with until all the wedding presents, or their equivalent in value, had been distributed amongst the crowcJ! Thus only Avere the too ardent attentions of the serenaders diverted. Mr. Dier, of the Copper Canyon mine, states that work in the main tunnel is proceeding, and the ore body recently met is showing up well, being from 4 to 4% feet in Avidtii and carrying high values in copper. An exhibit of this ore assaying over 20 per cent, copper, may be seen at Mr. Gra- hames office, Government street, Victoria. A RICH STRIKE AT CROFTON. Rumour has it that a rich strike of mineral has been made Avithin a short distance of Crofton; but particulars are being kept as dark as night. It is more than probable that lie rumour is true, as tho railway line from Crofton to Westholme runs nearly its whole length over well-defined ledges of mineral-bearing rock. PACIFIC COAST LUMBER CONDITIONS. MANY Pugot Sound millmen have boon exploring the Coast for cedar limits, and the result has not been nt all promising. With few exceptions they have returned without making any purchases. Some of'them complained that brokers and owners misrepresented the limits to them before they looked rt them, and that they had certainly th- impression forced upon thorn that there were few good cedar limits for sale in British Columbia: that cedar logging in British Columbia was an expensive proposition. One mill- man who has stayed with the game for two months has this to say about tbe matter. He found that the price asked for fhe timber was not cxoe«siAre, that the cedar he had seen was first-class, that he never s,«vw better, and that the haul was as good as on the Sound, if not better. Distance made little difference, as the haul was straight and sheltered nearly all the way. The timber, however, was in a different position than it was in Puget Sound. There tbe country Avas level, and it was an easy proposition to get it into the water. Here in Vancouver an owner will tell a possible purchaser that his claim is a good logging proposition, and that the logs can be got into the water at from ,$2 to ,$3. When the claim is examined, however, it is found that it often runs almost straight up, and timber would he smashed to pieces getting it out. Claims reported on as first-class have been turned down 4 )\ THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. by such men as Hy Hewett, whose shreAvdness in sizing up claims has enabled him to make more than $1,000,000 several times over. There might be many propositions in British Columbia that could be Avorked to advantage, and no doubt there are, but they are not being offered very readily for sale. The situation, then, is rather serious. At Puget Sound the cedar is being held by a few, and the majority of the mills are in a bad way for cedar. They must go somewhere else for it, and British Columbia is the only place offering. It is, hoAvever, very expensive getting out the cedar on the Canadian side —so expensive that loggers who are getting from $8 to .$11 for logs, the last-named price being actually paid, say they cannot make it pay. It means that the price for shingles must go up. The mills in British Columbia are ruining half time,"and many of them occasionally shut doAvn, not for lack of orders—for they have far more than they can attend to—but for the lack of cedar logs and bolts, owing to there not being enough loggers and bolt-cutters in the business to supply the demand. For some time to come the situation may be saved someAvhat from the fact that there are yet millions of acres of ci-oavu grant lands from which cedar can be exported to the States, but it is likely that the day will come Avhen the limit men of Puget Sound will con- trnet Avith the mills to cut for them so many hundred thousand shingles at so much, and there will be close figuring among the mills to get this work. As far as the difference iii wages paid shingle bolt men here and on tbe Sound, it was explained that the Sound man Avas really better off. He got .$1 a cord for bolts, but he did not have to take out the heart or trim. On this side $1.40 Avas paid, but trimming and cutting out the heart Avas included, so that $1.40 a cord is not nearly so big as it looks—The Commercial, Winnipeg. THE UTAH PRES® ASSOCIATION'S EXCURSION. About forty members of this party took the round trip from Victoria to Mount Sicker by E. & N. Railway to Westholme and the Mount .Sicker Railway the rest of the way, and Mr. A. B. Fraser, treasurer of the Tourist Association, of Victoria, accompanied the party. At the Mount Sicker siding near Westholme Mr. Croft had a train in Avaiting for thorn, and arriving up the mountain they were met by Messrs. J. Croft and F. Wilmer, and entertained at lunch at the Mount Sicker Hotel by the hospitality of Mr. Henry Oroit. The party buzzed about the hill townsite like bees and inspected the mines, and about 2 p.m. took train again en route for Crofton. TJie journey doAvn seemed to interest and delight our felloAv-pressmen immensely, especially the switeh- biicks on Mount Richards. Arrived at Crofton, they were enchanted by the beauty of the toAvnsite, and scattered about inspecting the smelter Avorks and the building operations in progress. The steamer "Unican" did not arrive to take them away until 8 p. m., but they one and all declared that they were charmed with the opportunity of spending several hours in and about the neAv tOAvn at Osborne Bay. The most charming experience of the whole, say many of them, was the srfl down to Sidney through the Islands by moonlight. No more enchanting experience can be imagined for a party of friends. Croftonians having heard that many of the visitors were Mormons, at first felt a little alarmed at the invasion, but •they said good-bye to their visitors with a firm impression that no pleasanter or more congenial acquaintanceship could they Avish to make than that with their Mormon invaders. Mr. M. J. Conlin, of the Crofton Hotel, is very busy organizing the baseball team that is to play Duncans on Coronation Day. Dominion Hotel, VICTORIA, B.C. BETTER than the rates indicate. Board and room $1.25 and up per day. Room only 50 cents to $1.50 per day. THE WESTSIDE THE GREAT MAIL ORDER HOUSE SHOPPING BY MAIL ! ! Out-of-town Customers can shop very easily hy mail if they only care to use the advantages of our Mail-Order System. If you can't come in person write for anything you want, a post card will hring you samples and information. Experienced clerks will execute order the same day as received. MoNBV Back if not Satisfied. MAIL ORDER ADDRESS: THE HUTCHESON CO., Ltd. 80 Government Street, VICTORIA, B. C. R P. RITHET&Co.Ltd. WHOLESALE MERCHANTS. GROCERIES, WINES, LIQUORS, CEMENT, CUMBERLAND COAL. Victoria, B. C. tzouhalem hotel, DUNCANS, Stage to Lakeside Hotel, Cowichan Lake, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Price Bros., Proprietors. FELL & COMPANY, Limited Liability, GROCERS, WINES AND LIQUORS. Victoria, B. C. Thorpe's Ginger Ale Prize Medal World's Fair. VICTORIA. VANCOUVER. NELSON. MEN'S CLOTHING STORE. HATS AND UNDERWEAR — AT— ARTHUR HOLMES' 78 Yates St., Corner Broad, VICTORIA, B. C. THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. The Crofton Gazette and COWICHAN NEWS PUBLISHED BY The Crofton Publishing Co. Managing Editor, - Henry II. Newill RATES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS: $1.00 per inch per insertion. Larger spaces and contracts by arrangement. SUBSCRIPTION. $2.00 PER ANNUM. All communications for the present to P. 0. Duncans or Crofton. THURSDAY. JUNE 19, 1902. PACIFIC COAST JjUMBER CONDITIONS. AN article under the above heading which we publish in another column, reprinted from the "Commercial," Winnipeg, is interesting reading, showing as it does the opinion that our Manitoba brethren have already formed, or are likely to form, of British Columbia as a great timber reserve. British Columbia is a province of vast extent, and it may be that, as the writer of this article states, tbere are many places Avhere the Jand rises so steeply that timber might be damaged in its descent to salt water. Now, there are two objections that occur to us with regard to this theory — we advisedly call it a theory, because we do not think the conclusions drawn are quite practical. The first lies in the main fact that the best timber is not found growing on these steep lands, which are invariably rocky; tbe second is that a fairly steep declivity need be no detriment, but on the other hand perhaps rather an advantage to the working of a capably constructed timber slide. It seems to us that the propinquity of our fine timber to salt water is one of the greatest advantages which British Columbia offers to lumbermen. We venture to make this comment with all due deference to the eminent authority who is referred to in the article as having "turned down" otherwise first-class timber claims for this very reason. We think there must have been some other reason. Our readers will find this article not only interesting, but instructive. THE CORONATION CELEBRATION. This day week Duncans will be en fete. Final preparations are being made for the celebration of the coronation of King Edward VII.; and the committees who have been appointed to arrange a programme of sports and to make a judicious expenditure of the generous subscriptions that have been received, are working with a will to make the celebration a great success. Tho reception committee may be trusted to ensure a really good time to all our visitors. The ceremonial of the day will be the special service hold in St. Peter's Church by the Rev. J. A. .Leakey, and attended by the Municipal Council, friendly societies, and no doubt all our most influential residents. In the afternoon the chief sporting event will be the baseball match between Duncans and Crofton, and both teams are now practising for the encounter. The other sporting events will be varied and well contested. A basket picnic will be held on the recreation ground if fine, or in the Agricultural Hall if the day should unfortunately prove to be wet. An informal picnic like this, organized as it \t ill be in Duncans, is in itself one of the most charming pleasures of an outing in a lovely country which just at the present moment is in the full flush of its summer beauty of foliage, meadow and stream. The bonfire that is to be lighted ou Mount Prevost Avill be a beacon of loyalty to the whole Cowichan district, and a ball in the evening will wind up what promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable as well as memorable event. The result of the trespass case brought by Capt. Barkley against six Nanaimo visitors for trespassing and Ashing on hie property is, we think, very satisfactory. The law with regard to trespass has not been efficiently enforced in the past, but if it is to remain on our statute books at all, it should be respected. The new Amendment Act makes it more stringent si ill, and Ave certainly think that the measure is a wise one. No country can be really free where private rights are not legally safeguarded. The Alderlea Fire Company have asked for the use of our columns to thank very cordially the ladies and gentlemen of the Cowichan Amateur Dramatic Society, who so kindly gave that most delightful performance, "Jane," at Duncans on the 5th instant, in aid of the funds of the company, as also the municipality for their kind assistance, and others who have interested themselves in the matter. As Coronation Day will fall on Thursday next, our publishing day, and as the members of the staff of the Crofton Gazette one and all have expressed a yearning to be present at the Duncans celebration, we will publish our next number on Wednesday instead of Thursday, and give them a well deserved holiday. We have received two or three contributions for our "Sale and Exchange" column, but too late for publication, so they Avill be held over until next Aveek. VICTORIA & SIDNEY RAILWAY Trains will run between Central Station Victoria, and Sidney as follows: DAILY: Leave Victoria at 8.oo a. m. 4.00 p. m. " Sidneyat 9.00 " 5.45 " SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: Leave Victoria at 8.00 a. m. 2.00 p, m. " Sidneyat 9.00 " 5.45 «• STEAMER "UNICAN" Connects at Sidney with morning train DAILY for CROFTON. Returning connects with evening train for Victoria. Special Sunday Excursion to Crofton leaves Victoria 9 a. m. Fare, round trip, $1.50 J. ANDERSON, General Manager. THE CROFTON GTAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. Crofton lap to Date. ♦»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»» RAILWAY COMPLETED TO WHAHF. THE first car of the train lately brought over by ferry loaded with machinery for tho Northwestern Smelting & Refining Company reached the smelter site last week. The long line of laden cars had been lying for some days on the wharf, just as they were landed, delay in their removal being caused by a scarcity of rails to make the rail- wav connections. This Avant, however, being supplied, the necessary double line combining the narrow and broad-gauge svsiems was rapidly laid to the wharf. Trains are now, carrying machinery and other freight, as fast as it is disembarked, from the wharf direct to the smelter buildings. Heavy freight can now be handled at tbe Crofton wharf nnd forwarded direct by the Lenora-Mount Sicker Railway into the heart of the mining district. ACTIVITY AT THE SMELTER WORKS. The smelter company's officials and employees are all as busv as they can be placing the machinery which is daily arriving for the smelter works. A great deal of inconvenience aud considerable expense has "been caused to the Northwestern Smelting & Refining Company by the late fires and strikes at the Allis-Chalmers machinery works, and the exceptional glut of work which has tended to shelve even an order running to $00,000, which we believe is the amount of that placed in this one department for the Crofton smelter. Delays, of course, mean less, and the smelter company are consequently duplicating much of their machinery from the sources which they ca.i tap expeditiously, and thus get to work at once. Keast's Livery Stable. DUNCAN, B. C. Operating Crofton and Mt. Sicker Stages. WESTHOLME to CROFTON, Daily connecting with all E. & N. Railway Trains. DUNCAN to MT. SICKER, Daily, Sundays excepted. H. KEAST Proprietor. E. M. SKINNER, Civil Engineer and Provincial Land Surveyor. DUNCANS. Quamichan Hotel DUNCANS. A BUSH FIRE. Last week a serious bush fire threatened to lay the town of Crofton in ashes. The origin of it is unknown, but it spread in the bush behind the smelter reserve. Volunteers from amongst the smelter employees and others of Croftou's citizens, amongst whom was Mr. M. J. Conlin, late assistant chief of the Victoria Fire Department, hurried to the burning p NELSON scene, and with strenuous efforts managed to smother the ' ' advancing conflagration, beating it back with boughs and sticks. It was hot work and well done. No doubt this threat of disaster will serve as a timely Avarning to Crofton- ians to perfect their arrangements for fire subjection. Now Open for Guests. Entirely Re-built and Re-furnished throughout. Heated by Hot Air. Sample Room for Commercial Travellers. Meet all Trains. Boats for Fishing on Somenos Lake. J J J J X + + Proprietor The Flour that makes the Best Bread is sold by THE 'BASEBALL MATCH. The team which is to represent the Crofton Crushers against the Duncans Diehards in a mortal baseball conflict has been practising nearly every evening of late on a piece of ground at the back of the smelter site. The names of the players as finally selected are not to hand yet, but they will make a good showing. They are all residents or employees on the works at Crofton, and tbe team will not include (as has been rumoured) any imported players from Victoria. Subscriptions for a baseball outfit, as also for the improvement of the playing ground and its establishment as a permanent recreation ground, are being received by Mr. M. J. Conlin, of the Crofton Hotel. A list will be published in our next issue. Croftonians want to be in a position in their turn to invite tbe Duncanites to a return match. LOCAL NOTES. Mrs. Elworthy, of Victoria, is spending a week or ten days in Crofton, and is registered at the Osborne Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Rombauer and family are residing at the Osborne Hotel. Mr. Rombauer is head chemist to the smelter company. Amongst other names registered at the Osborne Hotel during the week are: Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Kent and Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Irwin, of Vancouver; Mr. O. A. Wey, of Vancouver; Mr. J. H. Frank, of Victoria; Mr. and Mrs. Robert- fcor. and family and Mr. and Mrs. Castley and family, of Duncans. Mr. H. C. Bellinger went clown to the smelter works on Tuesday last. The delay in the arrival of his smelter machinery is not going to put his syndicate so very much behind in their work, for these enterprising gentlemen are simply Avalldng round the unforeseen delays that are confronting them by the immediate purchase of duplicate machinery. It is announced that a special meeting and service of the Presbytery of Victoria will be held to-night in St. Andrew's Church in connection with the ordination of Mr. W. iN. Carr, Avho has already won general respect, both at Mount Sicker and in Crofton, where he has latterly been conducting divine service on Sunday evenings in one of the stores in the Croft Block. MOWAT & WALLACE, VICTORIA, B.C. Try it. Moose Jaw is the brand. Established 1878. W P. JAYNES, Wholesale Importer and Dealer in All Kinds ok Merchandise. Depot for Giant Powder Co. B. C. Pottery Co. Duncans. Quamichan. W. DYKE, Pioneer Merchant, DRY GOODS, BOOTS AND SHOES. Confectionery a Specialty. Agent Crofton GAZETTE. Joan Avenue, - - - CROFTON, B. C. FURNITURE, CARPETS, WALL PAPER, CROCKERY, AND Complete Housefurnishings, For Hotel, Store or Home. Write for Catalogue. Weiler Bros., Victoria, B.C. 6 THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. .•-■ ♦.♦,♦♦ ♦♦♦♦»♦♦■»♦.»♦♦+♦♦♦♦, . . . . » »»»44+++4++4 may not encourage others to trespass, shoot or ifish on my property, as in that case they will come under the new Act, ; Duncans anb Cowichan local mews. { *a i \m v^n>^mtaa wmirm<>7 vws SSI l and $50 on Sundays." ' THE NORTH COWICHAN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. THE Municipal Council of North Cowichan met on the 14th instant—a week earlier than the usual date—in order to facilitate the passing of the Duncans Waterworks By-Law. There were present the Reeve (Mr. J. N. Evans), Councillors H. Bonsall, A. A. B. Herd, C. Dobson, and the Clerk of the Council, Mr. James Norcross. A petition was present, signed by about 20 ratepayers, against the construction of Speck's road. Consideration of this petition was laid over until next meeting, awaiting report of committee appointed to get information about this road. The petition was returned to the petitioners to get more signatures to it if they wished. The Rev. J. A. Leakey waited on the Council, inviting them to attend the Coronation service at St. Peter's on tbe 2(ith instant, and also to inform them that the Library Committee were ready to go on with the new library building on the municipal lot at Duncans, as agreed upon. The invitation to attend the service was accepted by the Council. Several contracts for road repairs and construction were let. The by-law establishing a continuation of Wicks' road, and also a road at Chemainus from Oak street to the Vietoria- Nnnaimo trunk road, was reconsidered and finally passed, and ordered gazetted according to law. The by-law amendment increasing peddlers' licenses to $28 for six months was read a third time. The Sanitary Inspectors reported everything satisfactory throughout the district. Messrs. Price and Peterson interviewed the Council on behalf of the Finance Committee of the Coronation Celebration, and $26 was donated to that fund. Incidentally the Councillors cheerfully handed over their small contributions for the same purpose. Mr. Herd brought up the matter of a public cemetery. Ht thought it very necessary and desirable that steps should Be taken by the corporation to obtain and set aside land for this purpose in some suitable location. At present the burying places were all denominational. That belonging to the Methodist Church at Somenos had been used as a potter's held by the Council, and was willingly thrown open to the public for interment, but the extent of available land for a cemetery was limited and rapidly decreasing, and what was left might reasonably be reserved by adherents of the church in the near future. The increasing population of the district Would not long refrain from pressing this want of a public cemetery upon the Council, and it would be well to be prepared to meet this demand. It was finally decided to bring up the matter at the annual public meeting. The 28th instant was fixed for taking the vote on the Waterworks By-Law, Mr. J. Norcross to be returning officer; and the Council adjourned to the call of the Reeve. John Nelson, one of the oldest pioneers of this district, and one of the most popular and respected of men, died on Sunday last at the Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, and was buried at Cobble Hill on Wednesday. THE LICENSING BOARD. Messrs. J. Norcross, D. Alexander and D. McPhcrson, Licensing Commissioners for Cowichan district, sat at the Court House, Duncans, on the 14th instant, to consider applications for renewals and new licenses. A license was granted to Mr. J. Bebeau for his hotel on Mount Sicker, to take effect when the building has been inspected and pronounced satisfactory by the Chief License Inspector, Mr. A. II. Lomas. Mrs. Koenig was provisionally empowered to continue tho business of the Shawnigan Lake Hotel until the license can ho transferred to her. All the applications for- renewal wore granted, as there were no complaints against any of the bouses. FINES FOR TRESPASS. The six men from South Wellington summoned by Captain Barkley for trespass on his property were dealt with at Duncans on Saturday last at a court held by the stipendiary magistrate, J. Maitland-Dougall, Esq. Mr. A. H. Lomas, provincial constable, was in attendance. J. Hallorn, C. Godfrey. A. Godfrey, G. Richardson. W. Ellis and J. iBencher were the six men summoned for trespass and fishing on Capt. Berkley's property at Westholme. They all appeared in court, by counsel or in person, except Beadier, Avho fled the country.' Pleading guilty to tho indictment, all the accused were, at the special request of prosecutor, dealt with leniently and fined only $5 and costs. Tbe summonses were issued under the old Act. Capt. Barkley writes with reference to these cases : "I trust that my appeal for leniency on behalf of those men CORONATION DAY CELEBRATION. The arrangements for the Coronation Day celebration at Duncans on the 20th instant are well advanced, and the affair promises to be the most successful of its kind. Thousands of excursionists will probably visit beautiful Duncans oil the occasion, but the local hotels and the reception committee of the celebration will be amply prepared to receive them. The big potlatch now in full swing at the Quamichan Indian reservation will still probably be running its course; but the programme of events is itself a great inducement to visitors and to residents to turn out and contribute to make the day a memorable one in the annals of Duncans and the Cowichan district. The following programme was provisionally drawn up at a meeting of the Finance and Sports committees on the evening of the 14th instant : 7 a. m., Thursday, 20th — Every man possessing a gun to fire a salute. 10:45 a. m.—Coronation service at St. Peter's, attended by Reeve and Council, friendly societies and the public, of all denominations. 12:30 p. m.—'Basket picnic on the recreation grounds, if fine, at the Agricultural Hall, if Avet. The reception committee will rejoice to see baskets containing a liberal margin for strangers and the forlorn bachelor. AH Avill be warmly welcomed. 2 p. m— The great baseball match of the season, the "Duncans Diehards" vs. the '^Crofton Crushers," to be followed by athletic and old English sports, for Avhich a lengthy, varied and entertaining programme has been prepared. 9 p. m. — The great bonfire on Mount Prevost will be lit. There will also be a big bonfire at Duncans, and probably fireworks and a ball. " God Save the King." One of the chief sporting features of the day will be the baseball match with Crofton. The Duncan team has not yet been fully organized, but the following list approximates to the probable arrangement of places in it : Mr. H. Keast (captain), shortstop; Mr. Andy Peterson, pitcher; Mr. Arthur L. Spear, catcher; Mr. 0. Smythe, first base; Dr. D. G. Perry, second base; Mr. Alan Sutton, third base; Mr. F. Lomas, right field; Mr. C. Grassie, centre field; Mr. William Gate, left field. Spare men Avill be Messrs. D. Alexander Jr., H. Drummond, L. Hooper, and if Mr. H. P. Peterson returns in time from Cowichan Lake, he will probably secure a place. The match promises to be a keen and exciting one, and the visiting team are assured of a hot time during the match, but a really splendid time afterwards, whether they win or not. LOCAL NOTES. Mi*, and Mrs. T. Jackson have been spending a day or two in Duncans with Mrs. and Miss Hall. Mrs. Jackson's brother, Mr. H. W. Hall, left for Siam on Monday morning, Mr. J. E. Hall accompanying him as far as Victoria. Mr. Hall occupies a position of importance in a big teak company in Siam; in fact, speaking from a practical and not too literal point of view, we believe he is king of Siam. He found a six months' holiday pass all too quickly. Mr. Fred. Holmes has put in a siding on the E. & N. Railway between Duncans and Somenos, and is shipping three carloads of cordAvood weekly to Victoria. Mr. E. Hicks-Beach is back from tbe Queen Charlotte Islands. He is one of the best known pioneers of the Bulkley Valley. A general meeting of the Liberal-Conservative Association Avill be held on August 2nd, Avhen various matters of interest wil be fully discussed. Messrs. Pitt & Peterson, of Duncans Emporium, lost their delivery waggon last week. The horse took fright and dashed up the road into the bush, and nothing was ever seen of horse or waggon again. Captain Wasson. of the Key City mine, and Mr. Dier, of the Copper Canyon property, are "up the hill." TO LET. Several stores at Crofton, B. C. Apply to THE LENORA MOUNT SICKER COPPER MINING COMPANY, LIMITED, Non-Personal Liability. MacGregor Block, VICTORIA, B. C. THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. Mr. James Murchie's new house is going up rapidly, and is quite an imposing structure. Mr. T. Pitt's new residence is nearly completed. There was a special stage from Mount Sicker to -attend the Odd Fellows' Lodge meeting, as also to take the members back again. We are told that a well-known Duncanite "insisted on going into the Masonic Hall." We don't, however, quite understand the allusion. Mr. Harry Smith, best known of Duncanites, has just returned from the mines in which he has large interests at Cowichan Lake, and reports that prospects are very favourable indeed. Mr. W. F. Burton secured two fine steelheads in the river the other day, and lost three others. He reports that fish were simply swarming in tbe river. The Lakeside Hotel is full up, and fishing is reported good with minnow or spoon. Mrs. J. L. Tait, of Victoria, caught a monster trout up at Cowichan Lake last Aveek. The Quamichan Hotel, Duncans, is now open to visitors, but the formal opening with a dance and other festivities will take place on Coronation Day. At the Quamichan Hotel during the week have been registered: Mrs. W. F. Copley, Mount Sicker; Mrs. (Schuyler, Nanaimo; Capt. and Mrs. Wasson, the Rev. W. TJ. Carr, of Crofton; Mr. and Mrs. E. Gunns, from Mount Sicker; Mr. Harry Kay, the Rev. H. Butsch, of Kuper Island, and the Rev. J. Vulligho and the Rev. William Thompson, of Saanich; Mr. F. C. Harris, of NoAra Scotia: Mr. C. Prudam, of Nanaimo; Messrs. A. G. Fellowes and W. J. Tonkins, of Ontario; and Messrs. L. N. Nicholson, F. A. Galbraith, J. Graham and F. Landsberg, of Victoria. At tbe Tzouhalem Hotel, Duncans, during the Aveek have been registered: Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Kent, of Vancouver; Archdeacon and Mrs. Scriven; Mrs. Raymur and Miss Law- son. Mrs. Kiddie, Mr. G. R. Kiddie. Mr. and Mrs. W. Mclnnes, His Lordship Bishop Orth; Mr.' E. E. Clarke, of Australia; Messrs. W. F. and E. V. Mitchell, also Frank Ticehurst. from England; Mr. C. W. Wyllys. of H. M. S. Egeria; Lieut. G. V. Knox, R. N.. of H. M. S. Grafton; Messrs. E. A. Evans and S. H. Hathaway, of Seattle; Mr. L. iStormebrink, of Yokohama; Mr. Alex. Rennie, from Sydney, Australia; Mr. John Byers, from San Francisco; Mr. Duncan McRae, from Edinburgh, Scotland; Mr. Nelson Crone, of Toronto; Mr. J. B. Lowes, of Sausalito. Cab: Mr. S. B. Hoy. of Portland; Mr. Eric Molander, of Mount Sicker and Port Townsend; and Messrs. H. Mortimer Lamb. L. E. Blandy, F. J. Hall, Gordon Smith. William Monteith, Charles Rhodes, F. McGurn, G. C. Howell. W. E. Staneland. D. B. Netherby, W. F. Irwin. E. Hicks-Beach, W.' F. Burton. W. Andrews, H. Ruckle, Capt. Macdonald, the Rev. G. Dorval, and Mr. Abraham Smith, the American consul. Mr. Harry Kay has been down from Ladysmith to interview the Cowichan Indians with regard to the Dominion Day celebration, in which war canoe races wil be an important feature. Mr. S. Robinson is down at Victoria as a delegate from Duncans to the Grand Lodge of Free Masons, held in that city. Mr. and Mrs. A. Howe, of Chemainus, have been paying a short visit to Victoria. THE STEAMER SERVICE. The steamer Strathcona has arrived from Port Simpson, nnd all Croftonians are rejoiced at the thought of being able to travel in a really comfortable and fast boat on the beautiful passage between Sidney and Crofton. It is announced that Monday next will see the inauguration of the new steamer service between Sidney and Nanaimo, calling at Crofton and Chemainus. Mr. James Anderson, general manager of the Victoria Terminal & Sidney Railway, is making arrangements for special trains to be run in connection with tho new steamer service. The schedule is not yet publicly announced, but it is understood that the Strathcona will leave Nanaimo about 7 a.m., calling at Crofton about 10 a.m.. and arriving at Sidney about noon. At 2 p. m. she will leave the latter port, call in at Crofton about 4 p. m., and roach Nanaimo again in the evening about 7 p. m. She can steam 17 knots an hour if necessary, and with a considerable freight capacity, she can also carry some 2">0 passengers. From all accounts, it will be a luxury to travel in her. HAMILTON POWDER CO. (Incorporated i86i.) Manufacturers of High Explosives, Stumping Powder, Blasting, Mining and Sporting Powder. Dealers in Electric Blasting Apparatus, Safety Fuse, Detonators, etc. Head office : Montreal. Branch office: Victoria. Local offices : Vancouver, Nelson, Rossland and Greenwood. Works: Nanaimo. JUST RSCEiySD A splendid stock of LAWN TENNIS GOODS made by Wright & Ditson and Ayres, including Racquets, Balls, Poles, Nets, Presses, etc. Croquet Sets and other summer games. M. W. WA1TT & CO., 44 Government St., Victoria. QUEEN'S MARKET Cor. Govt, and Johnson Sts., Victoria, B. C. Tel. 32. P. O. Box 1 LAWRENCE GOODACRE & SONS, Wholesale and Retail Butchers. Contractors by appointmen to His Majesty's Royal Navy, The Dominion Government, etc. Shipping supplied at lowest rates. THE DOMINION HOUSE, PRIVATE BOARDING ESTABLISHMENT. Home Comforts. Moderate Rates. Joan Avenue, - - - CROFTON, B. C Proprietor, A. B. WHITTINGHAM. A. HOWE, BUTCHER, Established for six years at Chemainus. Best Meat at most liberal prices. Joan Avenue, - - Crofton, B. C. BENNETT'S CROWN BRAND GUTTA percha fuse AWARDED THE GREATER BRITAIN EX. GOLD MEDAL, 1899. THIS POPULAR FAVORITE STILL LEADS. Holman Bros. Patent Rock Drill. AWARDED THE GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1900. Drills and Accessories, Columns and Tripods, IN STOCK AT VICTORIA. Manufacturers of Air Compressors and all kinds of Mining Machinery. ESTIMATES ON APPLICATION. Rowland Machin, Gen'' Agent- YATES STREET, VICTORIA,B. C. 8 THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. CROFTON The New Smelting Centre of the Pacific Coast. FOR LOTS APPLY TO Real Estate Brokers AND The Lenora Mt. Sicker Copper Mining Co., Ltd. (Non-Personal Liability), VICTORIA, B. C. TO LET.—Several Stores at Crofton, B. C. Apply to above. tm J. H. WHITTOME, Agent for DUNCANS, V. I. London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Co. Royal Insurance Co. SPECIAL NOTICE. By special arrangement with the B. C. Mining Record we nre able to offer particularly advantageous terms for combined subscription to that well known excellent periodical and the Crofton Gazette for $3.00 per annum. Subscriptions received by the Crofton Publishing Co., Crofton or the B. C. Mining Record, P. O. Box 645, Victoria. ^mmm