No. 95

There remains nothing of much importance to communicate by
the present Mail respecting the state of British Columbia, as
I have already mentioned to you the return of the Lieutenant
Governor to this place, and result of the expedition to Yale.

2. I have not yet received a return of the Expenditure
incurred for the conveyance of the Troops, and the transport
of the Stores for the use of the Expeditionary force employed
on that occassion, but I understand that the outlay has been
considerable; caused in a great measure by the high rates paid
to the River Steam Boats, for passengers and transport, a species
of imposition to which the Government will inevitably be exposed
on all occasions whenever Troops or Stores are moved, as may be
often necessary, from place to place in the Colony, until such
service can be performed without the intervention of the Steam Boat.

3. To limit and fix by enactment, the rates chargeable on
stores and passages for public account on Fraser's River, would
be an impolitic and perhaps oppressive interference with private
rights. I have therefore to propose another measure which will
be equally effective in protecting the public interests, while it
will probably also be less repugnant to public feeling, and more
compatible with the true dignity of Her Majesty's Government.

4. That measure would be either to purchase, or build in
this country, a strong powerful River Steamer for the public
Service of British Columbia.

5. The first cost of a Boat adapted in all repects for that
Service would not exceed the Sum of £10,000 Sterling. Her current
expenses for maintenance would be inconsiderable, as beyond a very
small regular crew. To keep her in perfect order, she might be
manned on occasions of emergency from any of Her Majesty's Ships in Port.

6. A Boat adapted of that Class well manned, and armed with two
serviceable guns, would perform all the public transport, protect the
revenue, and command every Mining Bar on Fraser's River below Fort Yale, and to Port Douglas on the Harrison's River. She would thus
become an invaluable instrument, if necessary, for reducing the
refractory to obedience and restoring the authority of the Law.

7. The importance of having means at our disposal for the rapid
conveyance of Troops on Fraser's River has been long apparent, and
I was restrained from providing such means only by the fear of being
plunged into financial difficulties.

8. I am of opinion that our attention should be immediately
diverted to that object, and providing the measure meets with the
approval of my Executive Council, we shall probably undertake without
delay the construction of a Vessel for the navigation of Fraser's
River, such as I have described, trusting to defray the cost of her
construction out of the Revenues of British Columbia, and, should
they prove insufficient to meet that and other public expenditures;
that Her Majesty's Government will, in such a case, protect any Bills
we may be compelled to draw on the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury, in order to cover any temporary deficit so caused.

9. Before closing this subject I beg further to observe that
the River Steam Boat herein referred to, is not intended to supercede
the demand made in my Despatch No 37 of the 27th November Last,
for Two small Boats of light draught, which are intended more especially
for coast service, and are probably from their build and small steam
power not adapted for river service.

*

10. Advices have been received from Fort Yale to the 26th
of January.

11. Mr Commissioner Brew reports that he had succeeded in
collecting the Miner's Licence Tax on Hills Bar, amounting to
292 1/2 Dollars, and that 150 Dollars for a Licensed House was to be
paid a few days afterwards, and the collection of the Miner's
Licence was to be further continued on the other Mining Bars.

12. Mr Brew suggests a reduction of the Mining Tax to
quarterly payment of 25/s by every Miner, instead of the present
Monthly Tax of 21/s on each claim holder, and other modifications
of the Mining Regulations which will have due consideration.

13. It also appears that the Trading Licence at Fort Yale
with two exceptions, had all been paid for the previous month.

14. Mr Brew also reports that the migration of miners to
the interior country beyond Fort Yale had commenced on an extensive
scale, several crowded Boats from below, having passed on the
25th and on the previous day a great number of men had started
from Fort Yale, by land and in Boats for the Fountain, for Bridge
River, and for the Canoe Country. Mr Brew is of opinion that
5000 Miners will soon be collected in those Districts, and
recommends the appointment of an Assistant Gold Commissioner
to be stationed at the Fountain.

15. Mr Brew's report contains nothing further of importance.

16. The numbers of the Victoria Gazette, as per margin

**

are forwarded for your information.