, 1878-04-19
COM MuNICATED.
n-on onr snocinl Corre.nondent.l

the commercial centre OF tfalt. Lne Japl-
,al of a province with territory AS large
n. two or three of your States, or Terri
torics-and Panl Pry-ike, peeping
around. observing manners and customs,
and the way Our curious do thingS-listen
and looking for something to write about.
I iudre "a few days will do the city," as
Artenus Ward says, and still il one keeps
a MEM book and notes down what is seen,
heard and ielt, it may afford sufficient
number of texts for several letters or SER
mons. Let this suiliCe-as bretness is the
order of the day-for 4 preface to what a
friend may contribute to your columns
during his sojourn in British Columbia.
The location of Victoria is strkingly
siphtly-the scenery to be viewed from
Beacon Hill. charmingly beautiful, cannot
be surpassed on u clear day. from any
other point on the Pacific Coast have
visited. But again your readers. at all
events the most of them. have seen the
city and enyirons, aud we will discourse
on other matters.
The absorbing topics just now are the
Colonial Parliament, tariboo quartz, and
the new election. Wen, that Parliament
is no more Its dissolution was attended
with an imitation OF similar events in the
old country-the Lieut.. Governor, etc,
being encascd in their rgimental apparel,
prorogued this august legislative body on
the 10Th inst. Its session, | am told, was
n stormy one-a continual struggle be-
tween the ms and OUTS, daily marked
with charges of corruption and pertidy on
the pars of members from both sides of the
house. Just before the commencement OF
the session parties were equally divided.
AN alliance however. having been agreed
on between fair daughter of the Premier,
presto change, and the government party
had one majority; saving new quartz nm
ing act and one or two other uimportant
laws. tl c 20 sion resulted in nothing bene-
ficial to the Province. This quartz law Is
similar to that of the United States, giving
any person desiring to acquire mining
claim the right to locate Oh a ledge LOCO
feet by 600 feet wide.
The Legislature among its last acts IN
life, in order TO keep fabricated the ma
chinery OF Government until the 30tl OF
June next, passed the estimates, when
amount tn the pretty little sum OF $26O,-
900. mostly Tor salaries. This amount
for Province containing by the highest
estimate not more than 10000 white peo-
ple, illustrates the expensiveness OF Res-
ponsible Government (as 1t is now called.
rs administered by the party just ont ol
power and which, it Is claimed, were more
economical than their predecessor. what
think you would the people OF Washington
Territory say, or do, II II cost at the rate OF
$50 or 800 "A head to govern them? But
this Is not all the expenses OfGovernment-
there Is the Lieutenant-(iOyeriiO 3 salary,
that of three Judges Of the Supreme Court,
three Collectors of Customs and their ofii-
cials, and host of other Dominion ofii-
GERS amounting to 100000 more. True,
they are paid by the Dominion Govern
ment to which il turned over all the duties
collected on account of mportati0ns-Dut
comes out OF the peoples pockets. Juds-
ing from what | can hear. this people are
getting tired and heart-sick of Responsible
Government and are more than willing TO
return to a crown colony and free port
under which they alleged they were more
prosperous and happy.
The recent discovery In Carlboo OF gold
in its numerous quartz lodges, has caused
some excitement and speculation here
promoting the formation OF two stock
BOarls-British Columbia and the North
Pacific. The former has been In operation
some months or more and the way few
unsuslecting and credulous citizens have
been bitten by it. will be caution to
Others. There is nothing in this discovery
but what WAS knOwE years ago-so says
an old miner Of that district, and that the
present excitement has been gotten up by
ring of spectators who have nothing to
lose and everything to gain. Several
companies have been organized, their
stocks placed OH the market. and some
have brought cXtravagant prices, but near
ly all are now perfectly fiat. One com.
pany the Enterprise, whose stock has ruled
highest. and which, by the way, appears
most promising, have purchased a mill at
cost OF over $4,000, aud 1t ia now here
ready for shipment. This looks like bnsi-
ness. Every SUCCESS, | say, to CaribOo
quartz mining, but opine it will be two
or three years before anything comes out
In the way OF dividends.
Again il il announced that another gold
field has been found on Vancouver Island
this time on the banks of Aherni river,
that enptiea into the Sound by that name.
The ubiquitous Cinnamon In numbers.
with their traps and baggage, have gone to
this locality, and as they are on surface
diggings and said to pay from 80 cents to
81 per day, it is thought they will be salts
fled. OF this nationality, IL is asserted in
one OF the newspapers, there are now over
1000 in the city, and it sounds the alarm
unless the influx is checked by some law,
all the white labor will he driven out the
Province. Poor John. after being invited
Aere Is getting the cold shoulder; but he is
necessity and knows it, and not until
other labor Is williDgto to take his place, can
he be driven away.
Notwithstanding the rentdullness OF
businessin Victoria in a commercial point
OF view, many buildings are IN course OF
erection. The city has commenced on Its
hew Hail which will be very creditable