Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-01-17
LETTER FROM BRITISH 90.
LUMAIA.
NEW wEsrx1NsrEa, BRITISH CoI'BIA,
January 4, 1864. !
PROGRESSION.

-- PROGRESSION. --
Editor Ns,os: After four years absence
from this, the Capital of British Columbia,
I, few weeks since revisited 1t, ana
found it to be the same as Of yore' Llttie
or no improvement has been made and
certainly but few have been added to Its
population. Unlike Victoria, which has
grown surprisingly, there seems TO DC no
energy, no ambition among its people, who
are mostly composed of Canadians Tor, as
they are facetiOusly styled here Nortn
American Chinamen). When Twas here
before, the cause of its inacton was Ialo
to the policy pursued by Governor Doug
las, who they argued laid out their means
and exerted his energies to build up VIC
toria at the expense Of British Coiumola'
But no, he has been long since removed
and new one appointed, and YET II is the
same. Considering that since that perloa'
they have issued and adopted a paper cur
rency, which entirely has taken the place
of gold; it is my impression that things
are worse. The government OF the colony
exert themselves considerably IN grading
and making roads, but they don't seem to
excite the peopla to action. This city is
located about lG miles from the mouth OF
the Fraser, on high, wooded ground ana
of course out of danger of overfiows OF
the river. should judge the white popu-
lation to be less than l,O0O-but cannot
attempt to compute the colored, VINO OF
course are of the Indian race. Cinnamon
are here too-simon-pure Johns-ano
must say with regret, the whites must
take their ideas Of progression from them
THE WEATHER.
Atpresent the weather is pretty severe
heavy falls of snow having taken place.
and the Fraser, about fifteen miles from
here, beng frozen over. Navigation has
been suspended, and even the steamers
from Victoria, which is some 70 miles dis
tant, have ceased their semi-weekly trips,
and now only make one. We expected
the river here to be frozen, but thaw has
just set in, which most likely will disap-
point us.
TELEGRAPH.
We are daily in expectation of having
the telegraph extended here. Of course,
you know, it is the line of the Russo
American Company, which is intended
to pass through this Colony on to Behring
Straits. But l can't see how this place
will support it, and imagine that It must
draw its sustenance from elsewhere.
NEW WESTMINSTER TO SAN FRANCISCO.
We are also going to have direct COM
munication between here by steamers to
San Francisco, instead of as now going to
Victoria to meet the ocean steamers. A
scheme for this object is now under con-
sideration by the Governor and Council.
learn that sum of money will be ap-
propriated to subsidise them.
GAME.
Plenty of the finest deer, grouse, geese,
ducks (without the green peas,) now
abound in the market; fish also is plenty
In fact we have everything that nature
sends, but nothing more, may say.
HANGING BY LAW.
An Indian execution took place since
my arrival, which did not cause any ex-
citement-in fact, the culprit was the
least concerned of any. He stated, un.
derstand, that if he lived the smallpox
would kill him, and it was far easier tc
die by the rope-so he preferred it-whc
wouldn't: He only murdered a white
man, because, as he stated through his
interpreter, the same disease was to xii
him, too. Five were hung for the MUIR
der of white men one day last month at
the mouth of Quesnel river, but they
acted far different from the above, as they
crayed for mercy to the last.
PROSPECTING.
In the Government Gazette notice il
published offering $500 to any one who
will discover any new leads of gold, coal
silver or quartz, in this Colony. No mat
ter who he be, if he discovers any one o.
the minerals, he will get his $500. Where
are your prospectors
NEWSPAPERS.
There are two papers published here
the British Columbian and the North Pa
cifc Times, and at the camp, about mile
from here, where the Governor resides
is issued from the Government Printing
Office, a weekly Government Gd=ette-the
latter the best paying concern of the lot
The others are semi-weekly, and like every
thing else in this now-progressive place,
drag their existence along. Four dailies
are now published in Victoria.
KooTENAY.
The new mines in Kootenay are going
to be the attraction this coming spring.
Three exploring expeditions are now out
in the government employ surveying for
the best routes, and as soon as the best
one is discovered, large numbers of men
will be put on to make good and conve-
nient modes Of reaching the mines. 1t is
expected that the town of Hope, situated
on the Frazer, about fifty miles from here,
will be starting point. On account Of
Cariboo having disappointed great many
the past year, there will be very small
number who will go there. Kootenay is
the halcyon cry with all. 1t is considered
to be about 400 miles from hereof
course, "distance lends enchantment to
the view."
EXPRESS COMMUNICATIONS
Is poor here-aye, miserable poor-noth-
ing like the admirable one of Wells, Far
go & Co. They charge for single letter
to Victoria, distance 10 miles or SO, the
sum of twenty-five cents,-carried by the
mail steamer, I suppose, but only sup
pose so, for two weeks ago sent letter
there requesting an immediate answer, and
by its date when received it, 1t was only
six days on the trip! To San Francisco
they only charge fifty cents! In place Of
Wells. FARGO 3 Co.'S celebrated Pony Ex-