Separate

Nothing of much importance, beyond the ordinary routine of
events, has occurred in British Columbia, since I had the honor of addressing Your Grace on the 16th July last, with the exception of a cruel Murder which was lately committed by some parties unknown near the Forks of Quesnelle river. The victims
of this crime were three persons, Merchants and Packers, who
were travelling in confident security inspired by the tranquil
state of the country, from Carribou to the Forks of Quesnelle, with a considerable amount of Gold Dust valued at £3000, the
whole of which was carried off by the assassins.

2. The most active search is being made after the perpetrators
of this crime, and several persons have been taken into custody on
suspicion, but as yet there exists no direct evidence of their
complicity. For the interests of humanity I trust that these
exertions will be crowned with success, and that those who have
so signally outraged the laws of God and Man will be brought to
exemplary punishment.

3. I have received advices from Commissioner O'Reilly, dated
Carribou, Lightning Creek, 15th July. The report of that Officer is satisfactory so far as respects the tranquil state of the Country and the prosperous condition of the Miners. The opening of many new
mining works had increased the demand for labour, and wages had
gone up to ten dollars a day for ordinary hands. The country was
still however inadequately supplied with food which was selling at
exorbitant prices and occasionally, as Mr O'Reilly remarks, not
a pound of flour could be had at any price. This is partly
ascribable to a deficiency in the means of transport and to the
excessive charges made by Packers for the carriage of goods to
the mines. The new roads which are being made will, in a great
measure, put an end to that species of oppression which is really
the most formidable obstacle to the progress and development of
the Colony.