The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-05-22
COAL MINES OF VANCOUVER IS
LAND.

The Inspector Of Mines OF British Co
luubia. in his last annual report. says
The coal mines Of Vancouver Island
have, during the year 1878. passed
through . period Of unprecedented dis
couragement, the prices at San Fran
cisco, the chief foreign market 70. these
Goals, having reached the lowest rate
yet att4ined- Indeed, while subjected
to 70 much depression ouly the most
sble commercial management, and the
utmost economy in carrying on the
works, have saved this important indus
try from entire cessation. The coal
mines which have been in active opera
ton during the past year, viz: the
Vancouver Coal Companys Douglas.
Chase River, and Fitzwillism mines.
and the Wellington Company's mine
have shown satisfactory progress. hsv-
ing produced upward OF Ill 600 tons of
coal during the year 1878. against 1884,
600 tons, the total output OF four pro-
prietories carrying on work in 1877. be-
ing an increase OF IL ,0n0 tons for 1878.
and the greater excess Of 32. 600 tons
over tho total output of 1875. In view
Of the extremely low rates obtained for
coal in San Francisco throughout the
past year. it is gratifying to find
that the shipments Of coal to that port
have not diminished, bat largely in
creased, thus msnifesting Q praiseworthy
determination on the part OF the man.
agers OF these mines not to be beaten
out of their accustomed channels Of
trade. During the year 1878. l64. 900
tons Of coal, the produce Of Voncouver
Island, have been shipped TO San Fran.
cisco and southern ports OF California.
Portland, Oregon. Seattle, Washington
Territory (gss coal). Ounalasks. Alaska,
Nexicsn ports. Haiwsiian' Islands, and
Hongkong, vessels belonging to various
navies. and to tho stesmships of the
several mail services. The foreign
shipments Of coal for 1873 show the re-
markabls increase Of nearly $4,000 tons
over the foreign shipments of 1877.
Undoubtedly the unfortunate stoppage
OF work at the Wellington Colliery les
sensd tho total output and shipments
of coal for the year 1877; but, on the
other hand. the idleness Of both the
Vancouver Coal Compsny's mines. and
the Wellington Compsny's mine during
portions Of several months OF the dull.
est times of 1878 equalize the actual
working time Of tho mines in the year
unds, comparison, and so justify the
deduction that the coal industry Of this
Province is in Q promising state OF de-
velopment and progress. The sales
Of coal for home consumption are small
in proportion TO the quantity exported.
These sales for 1878 were ,655 tens
more than those OF 1877. Several bore
holes have been put down by the va
rious coal companies, notably. ore by
the Vancouver Coal Company to depth
Of TAG feet by means of their diamond
drill; one by Dunsnuir. Diggle & Co.
to depth Of 500 feet one by the Bayne
Sound Coal Company to depth of 375
feet; and one on the Westwood Estate
to a depth Of 220 feet. The following
is statement showing tho amount OF
coal raised. and the number Of fatal and
non- fatal accidents that have occurred
during the last three years: lS16-l3l,-
i9i tons raised; 4 fatal, and 0 non-fatal
accidents; 3i.797 tons raised per life
lost. lSi7-l54, ,O52 tone raised: 5 fatal
and IA non-fatal accidents 3O.Sl0 tons
raised per life lost. lS7S-lS0. .496 tons
raised; 8 fatal. and I non-fatal acci-
dents 56.S32 tons raised per life lost.
From the above figures you will per-
ceive that in the past year there has
been about eighty -four per cent more
coal brought to the surface for each
life lost than there was during the pre-
ceding year. This. l think, ysu must
consider is . very satisfactory result
for the year 1873.