British Columbia.

Manawatu Herald, 12 August 1897, Page 3

British Columbia.

_ i In our leading article of 28ih July last we gave a somewhat detailed account of the gold-mining industry in British Columbia, with especial reference to the rich finds reported from the basin of the Upper Yukon. ) Since writing the description referred ' to we have learnt further particulars from a former prospector and mining fc^ent in Canada and British Columbia who is now visiting this colony. We gither from him that the winter is if anything the best time for transparting stores and other commodities la those regions. The men in charge must of necessity be thoroughly equipped with all the required outfit, but if they have the usual quantity Of sheepskins, of mittens and tipß for the protection of the extremities from frostbite, of dark glass to neutralise the glare of the sun upon the mow, and, above all, a good •apply of food, they would be able to get over the ground much moTe comfortably and expeditiously in Winter than in summer. Steamers of almost any draught can proceed op Christian Sound to the head of Lynn Canal until about the end of October or the beginning of Novem bar, before which date the salt water in the fiords and sounds does not freeze. Arrangements could be mads immediately upon landing to form a sleighing party to convey the imports t"> the scene of the new camps. The sleighs needed are about 12ft long, and could be made on the spot or brought in pieces with the produce. The draught animals used in the country are either horses, mules, or dogs. The horses are Bmall, sturdy bronchos, and could be procured from Indians in the neighbourhood at a very low prioe. Mules could, if r squired be picked up at Seattle or oq tho neighbouring coast, where numbers of them are used at the coal-pits. Dogs are very plentiful with the Indians, and could be prooured in almost any numbers, while the Indians of the district are apparently docile and faithful if properly treated. In sleighs, our informant assures us that by a system of relays upwards of 60 miles can evsily be covered in a day. The route would be down the Lewi3 River to its junction with the Yukon (a distance of about 300 miles), where there is an abandoned fort of the Hudson Bay Company, known as Fort Selkirk. From there the dis tance is short to the Stewart Biver (about 150 miles) and the heart < f the Upper Yukon gold district. Pmbably if the boom lasts other means of transport will be created, but even as matters stand at present, increased information only tends to i confirm the possibility of our establishing useful commercial relations with the new goldfields. The expense of bringing necessaries by rail from Eastern Canada is so enormous that our produce would probably coat less to put upon the Klondyke market than Canadian. —Post.