The mainland possesses Coal Harbour, at the entrance to Burrard Inlet. A few miles north of the Fraser River, between Coal Harbour and English Bay, is situated Vancouver City, the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, whence the ocean steamers for China and Australia start.

Undoubtedly much of the best land in the Province is already taken up, nevertheless there is still abundance left for sturdy British families who desire a new outlet for their energies and wish to remain under the old flag; and with its good climate and vast mineral resources it is probably one of the most promising places for British settlers. Land can still be acquired on very easy terms. As the output of gold in

the provinco increases, so will agriculture, cattle-raising, and other industries develop. It seems extraordinary that the surplus population of the mother country do not more readily avail themselves of the opportunity of transplanting themselves to the England of the Pacific coast, where they would enjoy the same freedom as in Great Britain, and where their children would be taught in schools as good as-I will not say superior to the modern schools of the old country.

Long may the distant province of the Pacific coast enjoy her prosperity, and as her population grows may her wealth increase.

APPENDIX

THE YUKON GOLD-FIELDS

SINCE the above lecture on British Columbia was delivered, there have been vast new discoveries of gold in British Columbia and the North-West Territories of the Dominion, which seem likely to bring a large increase of trade and population to British Columbia, and I have been asked to add to this sketch some particulars which I have been able to obtain respecting the marvellous discoveries of gold in the North-West Territories of

Canada, on the Yukon River and its tributary streams, more particularly on what is popularly called the Klondyke, but which, to describe it correctly, is the Thronduic Creek.

There is no doubt whatever of the richness of the Yukon gold-fields. The existence of gold reefs in the extreme north of British Columbia, as well as in the United States territory of Alaska, has been long known, and the Canadian Government surveyors have for some years been aware that the quartz mountains of the North-West Territories would, when the difficulties of reaching them were overcome, yield a rich harvest to gold-seekers. It cannot be said that these difficulties are materially diminished at present, but it is hoped that the arrangements in progress in the autumn of 1897 will result in making the Yukon as accessible as those districts of British Columbia which only a few years ago were deemed inaccessible, but are now served by competing railways.

It is probable that there will be a great rush to the Yukon gold-fields this year, much too large a rush in point of fact, for there will not be proper travelling facilities this year. Three companies have obtained charters to build railways from the coast to the head of inland navigable waters, but it is unlikely that the connection will be made in time for those who desire to work at the mines next summer.

I have just seen a friend who only arrived a few days ago from British Columbia. He gives me a more promising account of the prospects on the Yukon than I had expected to hear. He tells me, and I have perfect confidence in what he says, that the Dominion Government are not seeking to give too much prominence or publicity to the very favourable reports that they have received of the rich prospects; there is abundance of gold for all, but it is very undesirable that either prospectors or those seeking employment in the gold-fields should arrive in large numbers before there is sufficient supply of food available; late in the summer there will be plentiful supplies of provisions, and the gold will not be exhausted this season, nor for many years to come. There is an immense extent of gold-bearing rock in the district, which will take some years to prospect; but the Yukon gold-fields never will be poor man's diggings, companies will be formed in abundance for working claims this year. I trust that British speculators will not be too eager to invest in such mines until they have been

able to ascertain that they are being directed and carried on by trustworthy people. The exposure of the frauds in connection with the Central Klondyke Gold Mining and Trading Company, Limited, which is now in liquidation, will not, it is to be feared, deter other individuals with fraudulent intentions and designs upon the pockets of simple English investors or speculators, from putting forward schemes of an equally fraudulent character if they find an opportunity.

Those wishing to go out to the Yukon district must well consider the cost, and they must also think whether they are likely to be able to endure the climate, and whether they can exist upon the food which they get in such mining districts. I have been in the Cariboo myself, and I know what the sufferings are to those not inured to such a climate; what is called mountain fever is a terrible ordeal to go through. No one ought to start for Yukon River without ample means; in estimating expenses a considerable amount must be added for contingencies over and above railway and steamer fares, and the cost of food for at least six months must be taken into account. I know very well what I should consider sufficient myself, but then I should not be tempted to take such a journey unless I could do it in comfort and have something left for investment when I reached the Yukon. Information should be sought at the office of the High Commissioner for Canada, 17 Victoria Street, S. W., in preference to any other source, for the all-sufficient reason that more is known in that office than can be known by private individuals, and inquirers may rely upon having good practical advice given them, not only as to the way to reach the gold-fields by those who have knowledge and are ready and willing to impart it, but they will also be shown where there are desirable places for settlement if the search for gold does not yield them the satisfaction which they expected it would.

This appendix was written in February 1898. Much more is now known about Yukon than was at that time. I would recommend those who desire to know more about the Yukon River and how to get there to read the admirable paper on "Klondyke," read before the Royal Colonial Institute on 31st January last by Miss Flora Shaw, and the discussion which followed.

THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES

OF CANADA

BY SIDNEY G. B. CORYN

WESTWARD of Winnipeg the almost unbroken prairie stretches for 800 miles, traversed by the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway. South of the railway main line and of its branches is the United States frontier. To the north lie the illimitable plains of the North-West Territories. Of this vast plain of 190,000 square miles of land, the southern portion derives a special importance from the proximity of the railway, and the consequent intimate knowledge of its characteristics. This great fertile tract is divided into the provinces of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Athabasca. Beyond are other territories, as yet only partially explored, including the Yukon with its unknown gold wealth.

Along the line of the railway, settlement has proceeded apace for many years. To-day, a passenger from Winnipeg to the Rocky Mountains would see from the carriage-window a long succession of little prairie settlements with isolated homesteads scattered here and there. He would everywhere see abundant proof of the fertility of the soil and the prosperity of

the settlers.

The chief climatic characteristics of the North-West Territories are an almost continually clear atmosphere with warm summers and cold winters. Both rain and snow falls are moderate. The soil is for the most part a deep, rich, black loam, ideally adapted for

wheat-growing. By the system of land survey in force throughout the North-West Territories, any person who is the sole head of a family, or any male over 18 years of age, may acquire land to the extent of 160 acres free of all cost, with the exception of a registration fee of about £2. The whole territory is divided into townships 6 miles square. Each township contains 36 "sections" of 640 acres each, and these again are subdivided into quarter sections of 160 acres each. The 36 sections of each township are numbered consecutively from 1 to 36. The evennumbered sections in each township are reserved by the Government for free homestead entry, with the exception of sections 8 and 26, which are the property of the Hudson Bay Company. It will thus be evident that the quality of the free homestead land is the same as that of lands offered for sale. A road allowance, one chain wide, is provided for between each section north and south, and between every alternate section east and west. In every township sections II and 29 are reserved by the Government for school purposes. Education throughout the territories is compulsory and free. The Government grant is nearly 70 per cent. of the total cost. In 1887 there were III schools, 125 teachers, and 3144 pupils. At the end of 1896 there were 366 schools in operation, with a staff of 433 teachers, and the number of pupils enrolled was 12,796. The number of school districts organised up to 15th September 1896 is: Public schools, 430; Protestant, 3; Roman Catholic, 55. Total, 488.

The religious needs of the people are well attended to in the North-West Territories. Even in the newest settlements arrangements are made for the religious services of the various denominations.

The schools are altogether unsectarian, religion being taught, when desired, during hours specially