Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-06-25

Olympies paled from rose to purple,
and dusk we entered the little land
locked harbor and experienced the
sensation Of being in foreign country.
VICTORIA, B. c.
Is city of about 25OOO people. AS
we start out for stroll about the city
We are impressed with the number of
fine buildings. The new Parliament
half million dollars not including the
valuable site is worthy of notice.
Several handsome churches, and school
| buildings do credit to the city. A fine
city hall, a public library containing
| 5000 volumes, three hospitals, one OF
which, the Provincial Royal Jubilee
hospital cost $4,000. The provincial
museum, convent, city hall and a
number Of hotels, evidence Of wealth
and prosperity. The estimated value
of Victoria property is $23; 1867 800.
ESQU1MALT AND MACAULEY POINT.
Here are located the immense dry
dock and land Notifications that are
of war. Esquimalt is the supply station
of the British fleet in northern Pacific
waters.
The Fortifcations are the reverse of
imposing, but illustrate the most
modern system of defense works, and
in combination with the navel force
always at command on the station
render the harbors Of Victoria and
| EsQuimat safe from the possibility OF
successful attack by the strongest com
bined fleet that might under any
circumstances be sent to menace them.
| The works so far as the general public
! comprehend them, consist chiefly of a
| series Of wells or shafts subterraneally
connected, in each Of which is mounted
one of the latest and best pieces OF
artillery. These are placed on EsWick
! hydropneumatic disappearing carriages
which rise from the earth with the
guns and their operating crews or firing
| squads remain exposed only long
enough for the sighting and firing OF
the piece, then sinking into the safety
the earth, the maximum Of eXecu-
ton thus being obtained with a
minimum of exposure for the defenders
Of the station. The line Of fire from
| these new Notifications extends up
wards of four miles, so that their
Importance may be realized. Attached
| to this department Of British force in
| Victoria are number of men of the
1lOS al ll1S W GI1 dS Vi IllG
Royal Engineers, their snowy uniforms
and stalWart figures being familiar
enough on the city streets.
Vancouver Island on which Victoria
is situated is about 800 miles long by 20
miles wide.
Biologists affirm this was at one time
part of the main land and represents
a submerged range of mountains. 1t
has extensive coal deposits and timber
area. The history of the island is
practically the history of British
Columbia. 1t was the seat of the
Hudson Bay COmpany's government.
Furs and gold founded the city.
British enterprise and thrift utilized its
resources and today it stands a proud
city builded upon rock, city well
| worth tourists attention, while its
characteristics are distinctly British,
| the shops (stOTes) have few points of
! difference, the customs, amusements,
and daily life Of the average Victorian
differs little from our own people. In
speech we quickly note the prOvinci-
alisms. The street cars are called the
train" stores are spoken of as shops,
etc. IN the "bakers" and green
| grocers are sold cross buns, pork pies
and other distinCtively English dainties
After spending week in this
beautiful city l returned by the eastern
route, /. e. on the eastern side via
Whatcome, Anacortes and through the
San Juan County. The islands COM
prising this county are becoming noted
for their fine fruit. Honey also has
very superior flavor made from the
wild flowers SO abundant as are also
plums, apples, cherries and all kinds
of berries
From Canada to the Gulf of Mexico
or from British Columbia TO the
Mexican line from the Atlantic to the
Pacific l know of no place where a
days outing on steamer Will give a
fairer view of magnificent mountain
and water effects. L. w. 9.