Handbook to the new Gold-fields | Page 9

also running regularly between Victoria and Fort Hope,
which is one hundred miles above the mouth of Fraser River. In the last
week of June the arrivals by steamers and vessels at the various ports of
British Columbia reached the large daily average of one thousand,
while those who have lately travelled through the mountains say that
the principal roads in the interior present an appearance similar to the
retreat of a routed army. Stages, express waggons, and vehicles of
every character, are called into requisition for the immediate
emergency, and all are crammed, while whole battalions are pressing
forward on horse or mule back, and on foot. Of course, the shipments
of merchandise from San Francisco and other ports are very large, to
keep pace with this almost instantaneous emigration of thousands to a
region totally unsupplied with the commodities necessary for their use
and sustenance. Up to the present no outbreak or disturbance has
occurred, and a certain degree of order has already been established in

the mining region, through the judicious measures adopted by the
governor. Justices of the peace and other officials have been appointed,
and a system protective of the territorial interests organised. Licences,
on the principle of those granted in Australia, are issued; the price, five
dollars per month, to be exacted from every miner. There was a good
deal of talk, as to the right or propriety of levying this tax when it was
first proposed, and some of the Francisco papers were load in their
denunciations; others took a calmer view. It is satisfactory to add that
little difficulty has so far been experienced on this head. As a body, the
miners are reported to be a steady set of men, well conducted, and
respectful of the law.
CHAPTER TWO.
CLIMATE, PRODUCTIONS, AND SOIL.
Next to the extent and richness of the gold mines, the most important
inquiry is as to the character of the climate and soil. And in this respect
the Fraser River settlement does not lose any of its attractions, for,
though seven hundred miles north of San Francisco, it is still one or
two degrees south of the latitude of London, and apparently with a
climate of a mildness equal to that of the southern shores of England,
being free from all extremes, both of heat and cold. One hundred and
fifty miles back from the Pacific, indeed, there lies a range of
mountains reaching up to the regions of perpetual snow. But between
that and the coast the average temperature is fifty-four degrees for the
year round. Snow seldom lies more than three days. Fruit trees blossom
early in April, and salad goes to head by the middle of May on
Vancouver's Island. In parts of this region wheat yields twenty to thirty
bushels to the acre. Apples, pears, pease, and grains of all kinds do well.
The trees are of gigantic growth. Iron and copper abound, as does also
coal in Vancouver's Island, so that altogether it bids fair to realise in a
short time the description applied to it by the colonial secretary (Sir
E.B. Lytton), of "a magnificent abode for the human race."
When introducing the "Government of New Caledonia bill," on 9th
July, the Colonial Secretary said in his place in the House of

Commons:--"The Thompson River district is described as one of the
finest countries in the British dominions, with a climate far superior to
that of countries in the same latitude on the other side of the mountains.
Mr Cooper, who gave valuable evidence before our committee on this
district, with which he is thoroughly acquainted, recently addressed to
me a letter, in which he states that `its fisheries are most valuable, its
timber the finest in the world for marine purposes; it abounds with
bituminous coal, well fitted for the generation of steam; from
Thompson River and Colville districts to the Rocky Mountains, and
from the 49th parallel some 350 miles north, a more beautiful country
does not exist. It is in every way suitable for colonisation.' Therefore,
apart from the gold fields, this country affords every promise of a
flourishing and important colony."
The Times special correspondent, in a letter from Vancouver's Island,
published on 10th August, says, "Productive fisheries, prolific whaling
waters, extensive coalfields, a country well timbered in some parts,
susceptible of every agricultural improvement in ethers, with rich gold
fields on the very borders--these are some of the many advantages
enjoyed by the colony of Vancouver's Island and its fortunate
possessors. When I add that the island boasts a climate of great
salubrity, with a winter temperature resembling that of England, and a
summer little inferior to that of Paris, I need say no more, lest my
picture be suspected of sharing too deeply of couleur de rose."