The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-07
RICH VANCOUVER ISLAND.
4 New Commercial Center Started at
the Head of Alberni Canal.
Mr.. lanes O,NeilI, OF Victoria. Speaks
Concerning tho Latent wealth.
of British Columbus.

Mr.. James O'Neili, of the real estate
firm of O'Neill & Cowie, of Victoria Is In
the city. Mr.. O'Neill was formerly the
local agent of the Posi- IYrELLIGEScER at
Victoria, and in that capacity the rela-
tions of this paper with him were most
agreeable and satisfactory. The same en-
ergy and business ability which character
lied him as the agent OF this paper in VIC
toria is also a feature of his new vocation,
and promises him unqualified success.
Mr.. O'Neill reports business fairly good III
British Columbia for the season OF
the wear. Considerable real estate
is changing hands. Mr.. ONelu
Is very sanguine OF the future
of the province, and is of opinion that the
resources of the province, fully deveiopes',
will support a popuiationi OF at leaSs
100000. AS to Vancouver island, he
regards it most favorably situated Tor
commerce, and the richest island IN natu-
raj resources for its size of her majesty's
possessions. He says there is to be at an
early date a great manufacturing ana
commercial center at the head OF Al0erni
canal, near the center of the island anq
on the west coast. This harbor Is
commodious and one of the Iinest on the
Pacific coast, and is more favorably situated
for the Oriental and coast trade than any
other. Ii has vast natural resources be-
hind it in the shape of agricultural land,
timber, coal, iron, manganese ore, white
lime, brick and terra Gotta clay, etc, while
off the coast seal, salmon and doglsh
abound. An abundance of fresh water
and water power are features of the local
ity 1t is at this point that the British
Columbia paper mill is being erected.
Blast furnaces also for the manufacture OF
Bessemer steel are TO be erected, which
will employ from 500 to 1000 hands
each This point being within easy
reach Of China, Japan and Australia, trade
is to be opened up with these countries IN
lumber, pig iron, steel, machinery and
farming implements. Parties will soon be
in the field surveying three different rail-
way routes 10 this point. One party Is in
the employ of an American company.
As for the mainland, Mr.. O'Neill is of
the opinion that the Kaslo-Slocan district,
West kootenay, and lying between SLOGAN
lake and kaslo City, kootenay lake, is the
richest district in silver III the world.
Within the radius of four miles
something over 100 claims have been 10
Gated, the assays ranging from 125 TO 300
ounces to the ton. The impression is
general throughout the province that kaslo
City will be the second Denver. The
wealthiest men of the province as well as
capitalists from the American side are in
terested in this district. kaslo City is the
only outlet by rail and water to this new
found Fl Dorado, and it Will be the termi-
nus of travel from Bonner's Ferry, Spokane
Falls and Reyelstoke. 1t is esti-
mated by the most conservative that
no less than 5000 people will find their
way to the kaslo-Slocan district in the
spring. A company has been formed in
New York city which is buying up mines
here and mining property. Property is
changing hands rapidly; everybody seems
TO want to get. interested in this section.
The knowledge of this section is becoming
general throughout the Eastern states and
Canada. An excellent typographical map
has been prepared by Mr. John Keen, c.
f., Victoria and Seattle, and will shortly
be on sale. This map will give better
idea of the district than any other map
heretofore published.
British Columbia is waking up" said
Mr.. ONeill, in conclusion. "She is bound
TO be the great attraction in the future to
all persons, whether farmers, miners or
manufacturers, and to those who would
engage in commerce. Unquestionably, as
field for investment she has no equal on
the Coast"