The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-22 00:00:00

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

(From the Weekly Colonist, Aug. 26.)
The following extract frrom a report received
this day from the Assistant Gold Commissioner of
the Cariboo district is herewith published for gene-
ral information.
WILLIAM A. G. YOUNG.
Colonial Secretary's•oflice, Aug. 20.

"MR. ELWYN TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
" Williams' Creek, July 13.

"At the time of my visit to Lightning there wore nearly
1,000 wen on that creek and its tributaries, some engaged
in opening out their claims, the majority prospecting.
Lightning is considered a difficult creek to work, its waters
being affected
an afternoon by every shower of rain; a rise of two feet
during
is by no means an uncommon oc-
oc-
currence.
" In spite of this disadvantage, the creek, I am convinced,
will be most extensively worked. At the time of my visit
the claim owners had not commenced to take out gold, and
I am, therefore, unable to report with certainty as to the
richness of the claims. I have no hesitation, however, in
stating as my firm belief that Lightning will be found
second only in importance to the creek from which I write.
At the junction of Van Winkle with Lightning Creek a
town has already sprung up, and, unless I am greatly mis-
taken, will become the depot for the whole of the present
mining district.

" The rich lead on this (Williams') creek, hitherto only
found in Steel and Co.'s and a few other claims near the
town, has at last been struck' at a point on the right bank
of the creek, about a mile above where the lead was lost.
In addition to this the lead has also been found at twe points
between and in a straight line with the places above men-
tioned, showing almost conclusively that the lead runs the
entire distance, and most probably beyond,as far as the Bald
Mountain, from which the creek takes its rise, a distance of
about three miles and a half.

"The importance of this discovery can hardly be over-
estimated. I believe most firmly that in a month's time
gold will be taken out of this creek to the value of at least
£20,000 per diem. Such is the confidence men now have in
Williams' Creek lead that claims in a line with those lately
discovered are selling as high as £BOO, though unprospected.
"On Antler Creek the claims are being rapidly opened
and worked with great success.

"A great many new creeks, most of them supposed to be
rich, have been discovered since the date of my last report.
" I would submit that, as a gold-field, the prospects of the
country could hardly be better. Many old miners have
stated to me as their belief that British Columbia will sur-
pass both Australia and California.

On the other hand I regret to report that the great scar-
city, and consequent high price of provisions,is, for the pre-
sent, not only crippling every man in the mines, but forcing
very many to return. I fear that few will be able to pass
the winter in Cariboo this winter for want of provisions.
The present rate of supply by no means equals the demand,
and I am at a loss to conceive how any surplus stock can
be laid in for winter use. By far the majority of the claims
on this creek are in the bank, and, could provisions by any
means be brought up, claims would be worked (tunnel) all
the year round, and many men unsuccessful during the
summer could then get employment during the winter
months,

" There is a report up here that merchants do not wish
to send up supplies because as yet no money has been
taken out to pay for them. I can har By believe that an
idea so absurd can have had any weight either with the
British Columbia or Victoria merchants. Not one sack of
flour has been sold in the district this season without cash
payment.

" I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
" T. ELWYN."

The
RECTORSHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY.—
Morning Journal of Thursday says that the Liberal
party of the University of Glasgow propose to nominate
Lord Palmerston to the office of Lord Rector at the forth-
coming election in that university.
EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPE.—On Sunday morning
as the 10 o'clock fast train OR the North Kent line was
nearing Erith station on the way to Stroud the engine-
driver saw a boy, of about 12 or 13 years of age, being pur-
sued by a bull from the adjoining marshes. The boy got on
the line, calculating that the animal would not venture on
the metals. He judged wrongly, however, for the animal
dashed over the fence, and had just reached the down
metals, when the noise of the whistle caused it to hesitate
for a moment and incline its head towards the engine, and
at the instant it was struck on the right shoulder by the
near buffer, and the guard-iron in front, having entered the
body, tore it up in such a manner that death must
havl
been instantaneous. The engine passed on uninjured, t
and
the boy Lad been fortunately delivered from his danger,