tbe Crofton Gazette AND COWICHAN NEWS Devoted to the Mining and Agricultural Interests of , Texada Island, and Coast Mainland Districts.

VOL. 1. CROFTON, B. C, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1902. NO. 11

PROGRESS HAS BEGUN. destined place as a metallurgical centre have been changed. (An editorial in the Victoria "Daily Colonist," April 27,1902.) The United States is choked with metal, and is spending more anxiety at present in reducing the output at home than in T has long been understood and appreciated tbat Vancouver increasing it abroad. Alaska and the Northwest and Northern Island is, so far as the metallurgical industry is concerned, are giving indications of a large available I the pivotal point on the Pacific Coast of North America. supply of metalliferous ore. Most important of all, a local There is not a metallurgist of any eminence on the continent supply of ore to serve as a base to the industry has been who has ever given his attention to the question of smelting developed. There are some people who say that we will have on the Pacific Coast but has recognized the paramount a furnace capacity of 500 tons daily in operation at Crofton superiority of Vancouver Island as a smelting centre. The and Ladysmith by next fall, and that the mines reason is so apparent that he who runs may read. Vancouver are incapahle of a steady production of 500 tons a day. They Mand has the fuel and the fluxes, has deep sea transportation argue in this way simply because they understand the question to and from all points, and any number of land-locked har­ neither as it affects the country nor, we are sorry to say, as bors. There have been certain causes which have militated it affects themselves. Our coal and lumber ships come to against the establishment of this industry on Vancouver British Columbia in ballast. There are thousands of tons of

To CARRY ORE TO THE CROFTON SMELTER—TRAIN ON THE MT. SICKER RAILWAY,

Island. One of these was that metal producers in the pro­ good South American and Alaskan pebbles lying at the bottom tected market of the United States were under no Inducement of our harbours. It will not be difficult to substitute ore for to ship ore out of the United States for treatment; while, that ballast, and that ore will give exactly what is necessary possessing a mononpoly of the United States ore, the smelting for satisfactory commerce —a bulky freight coming in to companies there were able to attract scattered lots from balance a bulky freight going out. It is an absolutely sober British Columbia, Old Mexico and iSouth America, on terms statement of fact that within a few years the mineral re­ with wrhich British Columbia could not compete. Another sources not merely of the coast of British 'Columbia, but of reason was that while Vancouver Island was geographically Mexico and South America will he made tributary to the central, the northern portion of the seaboard had given no industry of Vancouver Island. The process by which this is indications of being an ore-producing country. A third reason to be done is already in operation; its outcome is logical and was that while fuel and fluxes existed on Vancouver Island in inevitable. This will have a reciprocally stimulative effect abundance, there was no local supply of ore to form a smelt­ upon the development of our own mineral resources. It will ing base. We have been talking about superb prospects and cause a large investment of capital and the growth of a popu­ magnificent mineral resources for a long time past —some lation interested in and dependent on mining and metallurgy. years, in fact. But superb prospects and magnificent re­ A very similar problem, with an ultimately similar solution, sources will not feed a furnace which eats up several hundred confronts us in relation to the smelting of iron ore nnd the tons of rock every day. Within the last year and a half these manufacture of pig iron and steel. There is, however, a conditions which prevented Vancouver Island from taking its difference. We can enter every market in the world, excep't THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS.

that of the United States, with our copper, silver lead and MOUNT SICKER AND DISTRICT NOTES. their various products; while with pig iron and steel we have only the Pacific Ocean market. But that is ours beyond the Messrs. J. H. and F. M. Little are paying a short visit to shadow of a doubt, provided we do not permit it to slip their homes at Port Townsend They are doing a good deal through our hands. Hero, then, we have one process of Indus- of work on their Mount Sicker claims. trial development actually begun and visible before our eyes, The Messrs. A. & M. Howe, of Chemaiuus, who have while another is capable of initiatory development within a been working some claims on the north side of Mount Sicker, comparatively short time. • What it all means to the people have struck some good pay ore. living on Vancouver Island at the present time is this, that Development work on Mr. Creeden's claims on Mount we had best either quit talking about our resources altogether, Brenton is proceeding very satisfactorily. or welcome and encourage specific instances of their develop­ Mr. Lewis, secretary to the Yreka Copper Company at ment, The resources must belong in the long run to those Tacoma, has been visiting the Yreka mine on Mount Richards, who have the energy, courage and faith necessary to develop and is very enthusiastic about the development work his com­ them. pany has taken in hand there.

The usual (Sunday excursion from Victoria to Crofton and MINING NEWS. back by the Victoria Terminal & Sidney Railway and the steamer Iroquois is announced for Sunday next. Fare for MOUNT SICKER & BRENTON MINES, LIMITED. the round trip, $1,50. No more charming excursion than this can be made. This company owns some nine claims on Mount Sicker and Mount Brenton. The Copper Canyon is perhaps the best known of these properties. Here a tunnel has been driven AMERICAN CAPITAL FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND. for 150 feet. This, running east and west, follows one of the Mr, J. F. Bledsoe, the eminent mining engineer, is en route ore bodies. North of it is another ledge, 4% feet wide; north to Alberni iHe reports from the outside a growing interest again another, 5% feet wide; and yet a fourth, 12 to 14 feet in Vancouver Island affairs, and states that several American wide. One hundred and twenty feet from the mouth of the capitalists are discussing the advantages that may be reaped tunnel a crosscut has been made for a distance of G5 feet, by the opening up of the interior of the Island by railway* and will be continued until the outer ledge is struck. On the Victoria claim some 300 feet of tunnelling has been made. The ore is a chalcopyrite, carrying gold, silver and copper values Transportation from these mines to the Crofton THE LONDON "MINING JOURNAL" ON THE STATE smelter will be effected by the spur line which Mr. Croft is OF THE COPPER MARKET. laying from the Mount iSicker Railway. This will be about (Condensed.) a mile in length. Mr. W. A. Dier, the managing director of these mines, has been up ehe mountain organizing further de­ O the mere " man in the street" it must be a matter velopments. Mr. W. Lewis, who has had much experience in of no little difficulty to reconcile the reported increased charge of Kootenay mines, is the local superintendent for the T consumption and decreased production with the price Mount Sicker & Brenton Company, and he states that he has of copper at present ruling. Every symptom of recovery has already uncovered sufficient ore to prove that the rich promise been so carefully stifled by the Amalgamated Company's repre­ of the surface indications is being more than fulfilled at depth. sentatives as to make it abundantly evident that the much Assays show that even at tho present artificially reduced price •desired entente amongst American producers is still a long ot copper, very considerable profits can yet be made by the way from realization. It is scarcely possible yet to accurately treatment of the ores from these properties at the local Crofton gauge the full effect on the market of the very large dales smelter. Two or three mining financiers of Tacoma are inter­ which brought about the heavy drop in copper. Had the whole est ing themselves in these mines, and nn extension of mining of the offerings been taken by actual consumers, such exten­ operations may be expected in the near future. sive absorption of the metal must already have found its reflection in higher prices. It is exceedingly probable, there­ fore, that the speculative element still hangs over the market, to a certain extent, as a dead weight; the Avhole of the MINING AT SIDNEY INLET, WEST COAST, V. I. copper sold may not be delivered, and should prices continue Dr. T. R. Marshall, the distinguished metallurgist, has to languish as at present, the position of the Amalgamated boon carrying on mining operations for a long time past on the Company may be relieved from time to time by realization of Prince group of claims, belonging to himself, at Sidney Inlet, tired " bulls." Existing conditions, however, cannot continue north of Clayoquot Sound. The ore there he describes as a indefinitely, as a prolongation of the fight must bring many copper and magnetite association. It has never been tested hitherto prosperous mining ventures to grief. It is quite pos­ at any great depth, but from his experience Dr. Marshall con­ sible that the Amalgamated interests deliberately calculate on siders that the magnetite j showings of the West Coast are acquiring at low values properties which may be compelled to really of great, importance. The geology of the country at close. iSuch a scheme involves the starvation of their share­ Sidney Inlet he describes as "metamorphic shales and lime- holders in the meantime, and great as the finaucial resources Stor.es, traversed by granite and porphyry dykes, which are of the combine may be, it is only practicable in a certain responsible for the deposition of economic minerals. Although degree. If copper occurred only in certain regions, or one I have not yet attained a great depth, I have discovered, particular continent, the self-imposed task of the ring would underlying tbe magnetite, rich bornite ore and yellow copper. be comparatively easy; but the metal is distributed through­ From present appearances the copper leads have continuity out eAcry portion of the globe, discoveries of large ore bodies laterally and in depth. This success should encourage other's are being constantly reported, and tbe supply, humanly speak­ to explore the great magnetite showings which are to be found ing, is inexhaustible. Though temporary success may attend in many localities along tlie west coast of Vancouver Island." such an attempt, we have absolutely no faith in any syndicate, however powerful, acquiring anything like effective and per­ manent control of the copper market. THE WRECK BAY PLACERS. As to the future of the copper market, there appears to be no adequate grounds for pessimism either in regard to the Dr. Green and Mr. .T. Rifenburg, two mining capitalists mining industry or tho copper trade generally; the present from San Francisco, have just paid a visit of inspection to artificial situation will right itself. Never in the world's his­ Wreck Bay, with a view to the purchase of certain claims. tory has copper been utilized for a greater variety of purposes. It is probable that the whole of the black sand placer workings Having regard to cost and efficiency, tho metal seems unlikely will be amalgamated under an influential American syndicate, to bo supplanted by any other for electrical purposes, anil in which case work on a very large scale will bo undertaken. electricity as a lighting agent and motive power appears capable of indefinite development. There is absolutely no reason to anticipate any diminution of the world's consump­ FORT RENFREW NEWS. tion, whilst it is positively certain that, at anything like pvesent market values, the production of copper must be A good deal of litigation is brewing with regard to mining speedily and seriously curtailed. properties in the San Juan district, and this is temporarily retarding mining development; but prospects are very favour­ able. Minorable claims in the Gordon and San Juan valleys are being secured by very wide-awake parties. NEEDS OF FARMERS. A sign of the times in the San Juan district is the attention that is being paid to it by timber cruisers, and large acreages N Okanagan agricultural correspondent writes to the of very valuable timber limits are being purchased. Timber Vancouver "World," under the above beading, his in this locality is not oily excellent in size and quality, but is A views on means to develop the country : and many fairly easy of approach and transport to salt water." It is farmers in the Cowichan district will doubtless agree with understood that tho Ellison sawmill at Port Renfrew is about him : " It is surprising." writes the "World's" correspondent, to be taken over by an American syndicate, who will start it " how little the old-timers and the land department of the running at onoc. Go\ernment knew of the agricultural resources and possible The hotel being built by. Mr. Newton, of the Golden Eagle development of this country. Ten years ago if one had asked Company, at Port Renfrew, will shortly be opened. th» Government authorities or an old-timer if there wns any THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. good unoccupied land to be had, you would get a reply much as follows: ' No; all the land of any use is gone. This is too dry; that is claimed by So-and-So; over that divide it is all THE WESTSIDE alkali land; up yonder draw the soil is so bad snakes can't live there; you had better try some district where irrigation THE GREAT MAIL ORDER HOUSE. is not required.' But all those who settled here and did not take tho cold shoulder are prospering. As an instance there is tho farm of 300 acres now owned by Dougald Gillespie, SHOPPING BY MAIL !! which nobody seemed to want six years ago. To-day Mr. Out-of-town Customers can shop very easily by mail if they only care to use Gillespie has many acres of the richest black loam bottom and the advantages of our Mail-Order System. If you can't come in person write bench land which requires but little irrigation, a thrifty for anything you want, a post card will bring you samples and information. Ex­ orchard in which apricots and poaches are common, besides perienced clerks will execute order the same day as received. MONEY BACK IF all the more ordinary fruits. Of course, he has had to do a NOT SATISFIED. power of work, but it shows what the whole country is MAIL ORDER ADDRESS: capable of by the exercise of brain and muscle. " It is high time the Provincial Government should awaken THE HUTCHESON CO., LTD. to the necessity of giving the land to the settler free, as is done in other parts of the Dominion. Right here in British 80 GOVERNMENT STREET, VICTORIA, B. C. Columbia all the Dominion lands are given free to the actual settler; then why in the name of common or horse sense are not provincial lands similarly disposed of ? If the Govern­ ment, invites settlers to British Columbia, they ought to make the terms of settlement as easy as the Northwest, where there R P. RITHET&Co.Ltd. is neither irrigation nor land clearing to burden the settler. The lumberman, miner and fisherman pay a nominal license fee to the government for the privilege of working the natural WHOLESALE MERCHANTS. resources of the country; then why should the actual settler be required to pay entry fee, taxes, interest, besides .$1 per acre for his natural resources ? It isn't fair to discriminate thus. What is killing British Golumbia to-day is the fact that the product of the farm is not at all equal to the demand, GROCERIES, WINES, LIQUORS, CEMENT, hence the country is impoverished by the amount of money CUMBERLAND COAL. sent away for farm produce. And yet the Government en­ courages this state of things by withholding liberal induce­ ments to the bona fide settler." VICTORIA, B. C.

THE DAIRYMEN'S AND LIV1E STOCK ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the executive committee of this association TZOUHALEM HOTEL, has been called to consider the suggested retirement of Mr. iL. Paisley, of Chilliwack, from the secretaryship, and the appointment of Mr. G. H. Hadwen, of Duncans, in his place. DUNCANS, It was a great surprise and disappointment to many people that Mr. G. H. Hadwen was not re-appointed to the secre­ taryship at the last general meeting held. The good work he PRICE BROS.,,' PROPRIETORS. had already done for the association in this capacity certainly warranted his re-election. The Government have now come to the conclusion that the best interests of the Dairymen's and Live Stock Association are not being furthered by the FELL & COMPANY, LIMITED LIABILITY, continuance of the new secretary in office, and thev have accordingly, in including in the estimates a grant of $1,200 to GROCERS, the association, coupled it with the condition that Mr. Paisley shall be superseded by Mr. G. H. Hadwen in the secretary­ WINES AND LIQUORS. ship. The executive meeting is called to discuss the situation. VICTORIA, B. C.

CLIPPINGS. One ton of coal is about the equivalent for steam-making of two cords of dry pine wood. Thorpe's Ginger Ale Silver is the best conductor known for electricity, copper is second, gold third and aluminum fourth. Poultry manure if mixed with six times its bulk of per­ PRIZE MEDAL fectly dry soil, and kept in a dry place, is excellent as a top dressing for fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. WORLD'S FAIR. A cubic foot of water heated to a temperature correspond­ ing to 00 pounds pressure has as much explosive energy as a pound of gunpowder. It has been said that water could be VICTORIA. VANCOUVER. boiled iu a paper bag. Juniper when it can be had makes an excellent charcoal NELSON. for mine blacksmiths' work. Willow and alder also make a superior charcoal. Pine, fir, spruce, cedar and oak are desir­ able in about the order named. In using insecticides on plants and trees, all preparations containing petroleum should be applied in the evening; if used MEN'S CLOTHING STORE in the morning, and bright sun follows, the leaves may be seri­ ously injured by scorching. HATS AND UNDERWEAR In mine-timbering it is calculated that square timbers are about one-fourth stronger than round ones of the same diameter. The safe load of a timber column is 000 pounds -AT— per square inch for heights less than 20 feet. Freshly cut timbers are from 25 per cent, to 40 per cent, weaker than when seasoned. ARTHUR HOLMES' When sharpening and tempering drills, leave the sets on the forge until all are finished, then heat the bits cherry (red, but not the body of the steel; dip in clean water, moving 78 YATES ST., CORNER BROAD, slowly down, then out, leaving heat enough in the body of the drills to toughen the bits by starting temper to show colour. Check colour by cooling in slack tub. VICTORIA, B. C. THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS.

made, we cannot see how either the Dominion or the Provin­ THE CROFTON GAZETTE cial governments can reasonably or fairly come to any conclu­ AND COWICHAN NEWS sion as to which route would best promote the development of tbe Island. PUBLISHED BY

THE CROFTON PUBLISHING CO. (From Kamloops comes news that a malthouse is about to be established in that city, also a flour mill. Would it be MANAGER, H. MORTIMER LAMB impracticable to start one or other of these in Duncans ? The EDITOR, HENRY H. NEWILL importation of malt, for instance, into the province is grow­ ing steadily every year. The value of malt imported in 1898 was $49,925; in 1900 it was $54,590; and in 1902 it will be RATES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS: considerable more. In the Cowichan district a good deal of $1.00 per inch per insertion. barley is already grown, and much more might be produced Larger spaces at a reduction by arrangement. if inducements offered. The breweries in Victoria alone re­ quire considerable supplies of this product. To provide the constituents for the making of good malt, barley ought for SUBSCRIPTION, |2.00 PER ANNUM. preference to be grown in a light calcareous or gravelly soil. A rich loamy soil, however, produces an excellent crop, and All communications for the present to P. 0. Box 645, Victoria, even sandy soil if well manured will yield a suitable growth. P. O. Duncans and Crofton. There is thus a large choice of soil before the farmer, and in one of the naturally richest agricultural districts of the prov­ THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1902. ince, we do not see why our sole industrial undertaking should be a creamery, excellent and invaluable and withal profitable as that is. LENORA-MOUNT SICKER RAILWAY EXTENSION. HE last spike has been driven on the Lenora-Mount There is a movement on foot to call a public meeting to Sicker Railway extension, aud this wonderful little line petition the Post Office authorities for the institution of a T now provides direct communication between the mines second mail service between Crofton and Westholme or some of Mount Sicker and district and the Crofton smelter. The other point on the E. & N. Railway. Every Croftonian is iu social ceremony with which 'Mr. Henry Croft and a party of thorough sympathy with this movement, and we think that friends celebrated the completion of the work would alone have the Post Office authorities, for their own credit's sake, will distinguished the occasion, but far deeper thoughts occur to us lose no time in hastening this necessary improvement. The in connection with this important accomplishment. Direct service via the V. T. & IS. Railway and steamer is admirable, communication is now established between the foremost mining but this in the natural order of things cannot deal expedi­ district on the Island and the Crofton smelter, whereby tiously with our inland correspondence. The stage which copper ores may now be transported in a few hours runs daily from Westholme, meeting all trains, ought also to aud with a minimum of cost to the works that will be subsidized to carry a Crofton mail bag. reduce them to blister copper. The days of waiting are over. Mine-owners need no longer make provision for in­ numerable delays in transportation and large costs likely to be incurred ill shipping their mineral products to far-off foreign The "Queen City" is now starting a weekly service up smelters. These delays and this expenditure have hitherto the West Coast. This is the welcome result of the subsidy contributed to render impossible the shipment of low-grade ores granted to the C. P. N. Co. by the Dominion Government. from many otherwise promising mines, and the mere thought and dread of them has militated against de­ velopment work on new mineral claims. This condition of affairs has now changed. The smelting industry has been practically inaugurated on Vancouver Island. VICTORIA & SIDNEY RAILWAY And what does this mean, especially to the Cowichan district ? To the mining industry it means a new stimulus, fresh develop­ ments, and a correspondingly increased output. It provides Trains will run between Central Station Victoria, and brighter hopes for prospectors, with a better chance of dispos­ Sidney as follows: , ing of their claims, because capitalists will now be more ready to invest in the country. Eor labour it means DAILY: more hands at work and the certainty of the con­ tinuance of work. In a word it spells prosperity. To Leave Victoria at 8.00 a. m. 4.00 p. m. the farmer it promises new markets for his agricultural " Sidneyat 9.00 " 5.45 " products, and to the merchant it opens an avenue of steady sale for his merchandise. To the languishing mining broker and the hard-up real estate agent it equally means business. In a word, again we repeat it foreshadows prosperity. The SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: dining of the last spike of the Lenora-Mount Sicker Railway Leave Victoria at 8.00 a. m. 2.00 p. m. extersion on the smelter site at Crofton last week will be a memorable event in the industrial annals of tbe Island. " Sidneyat 9.00 " 5.45 ««

The delegation that was sent to Ottawa to press the claims of the Alberni-Nanaimo route for a portion of the STEAMER ''MYSTERY" Cape Scott railway, and to suggest a subsidy from the Dominion Government for the same on condition that it passed Connects at Sidney with morning train DAILY for through Nanaimo, has been well received; but the mission has nevertheless proved unsuccessful. The reply of the CROFTON. Returning connects with Dominion Government was that nothing could be done in the matter tht6 year, and we are thoroughly at one with the evening train for Victoria. Don.inion Government in this decision. Until the promised survey of the alternative Cowichan Valley route has been S. F. MACKENZIE, General Manager. J. ANDERSON, Traffic Manager THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. Keast's Livery Stable. DUNCAN, B. C. THE LENORA-MOUNT SICKER RAILWAY EXTEN­ Operating Crofton and Mt. Sicker Stages. SION—DRIVING THE LAST SPIKE. Mr. Henry Croft brought a distinguished party to Crofton WESTHOLME TO CROFTON, on Friday last to celebrate the completion of the Mount Sicker Daily connecting with all E. & N. Railway Trains. Railway extension to the smelter site at Crofton. The cere­ mony of driving the last spike was performed by Mrs. Croft, in the presence of Sir iRichard and iLady Musgrave, Mrs. DUNCAN TO MT. SICKER, Snowden, Miss Bryden, Mr. and Mrs. D, S. Fotheringham, Admiral Rose, Capt. L. Thompson, P. L. S., Messrs. J. Croft, Daily, Sundays excepted. Fred. Young, George Williams, J. C. Lang and many others. Mr. Croft's party arrived from Mount Sicker in a gaily decor­ H. KEAST, PROPRIETOR. ated car and the scene was a bright one, the importance of the occasion being thus commemorated by a quiet but pretty social ceremonial. HAMILTON POWDER CO. The rails are now laid to the point on the smelter site (INCORPORATED 1861.) where the line will converge in two branches to the ore bins. Manufacturers of High Explosives, Stumping Powder, Blasting, To reach these it will be elevated the last part of the way on Mining and Sporting Powder. Dealers in Electric Blasting trestles, and the work of this construction is now proceeding. From a point a few hundred yards further back, railway con­ Apparatus, Safety Fuse, Detonators, etc. nection will be made with the wharf; and the town station Head office : Montreal. Branch office: Victoria. Local offices : will be situated at the foot of Joan Avenue, close to the Vancouver, Nelson, Rossland and Greenwood. Works: Nanaimo. shore. The rails will be laid here as soon as they are delivered, and they are daily expected. The importance of the work thus being completed can hardly as yet be estimated. The mineral properties of Mount MOORE & WHITTINGTON, •Sicker, Mount Brenton and Mount Richards are now connected with the Crofton smelter, which in a month's time will be CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS, receiving ores, and two months hence will be treating them, VICTORIA AND and a future of brilliant mining and industrial promise not only for the Cowichan district, but for the whole Island has CROFTON, B. C. been unobtrusively inaugurated by the little party of ladies If you are contemplating and gentlemen who, at Mr. Croft's invitation, journeyed down to see the new town and to grace the occasion. A year or building we shall be two hence, when the Crofton smelter will have fulfilled its pleased to give you an industrial promise, those who were present last week will estimate. doubtless look back upon their participation in this simple ceremony with vivid emotions of pride and pleasure. HEAD OFFICE : 159 YATES STREET,

PROGRESS OF THE SMELTER. ELECTRIC POWER. The ore bins are now practically completed. An error in PHONE A750. our last issue stated that they were six in number. It should have been sixteen, with a capacity of 100 tons each. Six are TRY OUR ARABIAN COFFEE. built in one block and ten in another, and the rock crusher and elevator are placed in between. The best part of a mil­ MOWAT & WALLACE, lion feet of lumber have been used in these constructions. _ The large excavation for the machinery buildings will be finished probably within a week, and Messrs. 'Smith & Sherbourne will GROCERS. then at length be able to run up the buildings, for which they have the lumber, etc., at hand, and they have already earned COR. YATES AND DOUGLAS STREETS, VICTORIA, B. C a reputation for lightning work. The three boilers have now been placed in the boiler house. The flue for carrying the fumes from the furnace has been solidly built in, and the brick­ Established 1878. work of the great stack commenced this week. All well, the N< rthwestern Refining & Smelting Company will be receiving W P. JAYNES, ores on the 1st June, and will be ready to blow in on the WHOLESALE IMPORTER AND DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF MER­ 1st July. CHANDISE. Depot for Giant Powder Co. B. C. Pottery Co. HOUSES FOR WORKMEN'S FAMILIES. DUNCANS. QUAMICHAN. A syndicate has been formed in Victoria to erect imme­ diately a number of small houses for rent, in a street probably at the back of the smelter reserve. These houses will consist DUNCANS FLOUR AND FEED MILLS of three or four rooms, and the rents will be moderate. A much-felt want will thus be supplied. Manufacturer of DAIRY CHOP AND ALL KINDS OF MILL STUFFS POR FEEDING PURPOSES. YACHT - BUILDING W. P. JAYNES, PROPRIETOR. The keel for a 24-foot racing yacht has just been laid down at Crofton. The new racer is to be called the "Copper Queen," and is being built by the smelter company. She is built on American lines, with great width of beam, and will have a steel centreboard. The owners have entered her for FURNITURE, CARPETS, the Victoria cups. Good luck to them ! WALL PAPER, CROCKERY,

The new water supply will be laid on in town this week. AND Mr. and Mrs. Condon and family, of , have rented one of Mrs. Greaves' houses, on Edmund Street. COMPLETE HOUSEFURNISHINGS, Mr. J. Croft is taking up his residence at the Crofton Hotel. He will take over the duties of townsite agent. Mr. J. C. 'Lang, to the regret of many friends, is returning For Hotel, Store or Home. to his assaying duties at the Lenora mine. Mr. Malcolm Thompson, from San Francisco, is going to Write for Catalogue. start a barber's chair at the Osborne Hotel this week. Mr. and Mrs. Croft and party took tea at the Osborne Hotel last week after the spike-driving ceremony on the railway. Weiler Bros., Victoria, B.C. 6 THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS.

Lumber Company. He expects to be out surveying mineral i claims all the summer. Duncans ano Cowicban local mews. A well-known fisherman from the city was on Sunday last the cause of much sympathy and amusement to several ladies >•»»»»••+•••••••••••»••»»••••••••••••••»•»••••••••••••••••••••-»»••»•••••»»•-»••• and gentlemen who were standing on the railway bridge over tbe Cowichan River. This grey-suited angler was seen trying THE DUNCANS WATERWORKS CO. to help himself up the river bank with the aid of a handy tree This newly-formed corporation is only awaiting its charter limb, and his efforts would have been perfectly successful if ere it proceeds very energetically to commence construction tho limb had not broken. As it was, ho promptly returned work for the necessary dam on Skinner's Creek and the laying into the water up to his waist, and this time spurning all other of water-pipes into the town. The company's application for support, he crawled up the bank on his hands and knees and rights and privileges will come up for consideration at the made tbe best of an awkward position, much to the admira­ next meeting of the North 'Cowichan Municipal Council on tbe tion of his spectators. 17th instant. Meanwhile Mr. E. M. Skinner, P. L. S., has taken the necessary levels and has laid out courses for the piping. The importance of having the new water supply in­ DEATH OF ANOTHER PIONEER. stalled in the town before the very dry weather aud the season of tii es cannot be over-estimated. Captain William Flett Sabiston has lately passed away from this world, at the age of 74 years, 54 of which he spent on this Coast. He was among the first of the white settlers MUNICIPAL NOTICES. who made their homes on Vancouver Island. Whilst in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company he performed the dan­ The Council of the municipality wish to appoint a pound- gerous feat of transporting himself and his familv in an keeper. Applications stating terms must be in the hands of Indian canoe all the way from Port Simpson to Nanaimo. Mr. J. Norcross, C. M. C, Somenos, not later than Friday, the 10th instant. Public notice is given that fences must not encroach on the statutory width of roadway, which in tbe case of munici­ LOG JOBBING. pal roads (with the exception of one or two short ones) is 33 feet. Fences must, therefore, be at a distance of not lesq A new movement is on foot in Vancouver which will in­ than 1(1% feet from the centre line of the road. terest loggers on this side of the Straits. Prominent business people in that city are forming a company to take an entirely new part In the logging industry — that of handling logs as jobbers_ and middlemen. The foreshore near Deadman's FARMERS BUSY. islanfl is being secured from the government as a site for a Fanners have been busy for the last three weeks, and big store boom The plan is that loggers will be given returns although delayed by the showery weather, the seeding through­ much quicker than by the present method through the mills. out the district is nearly completed. Ihe new company will have sorting booms here, handling different grades of logs, and the design is to practically con­ trol the market between the lumbermen and the mills (The THE COWICHAN LAKE STAGE. p-ure •mineral. With regard, however, to the class of ore latter will probably oppose the scheme as much as possible, This stage is now running three times a week each way, as it will tend to take the control of the situation out of thefr leaving the Tzouhalem Hotel, Duucans, on Mondays, Wednes­ hands. days and Fridays, and the Lakeside Hotel, Cowichan iLake, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

LOCAL NOTES. TURNER, BEETON & Co., LTD,, Mr. 'William Hogg, who has been spending a day or two in Duncans and neighbourhood, is the Grand Master of the WHOLESALE, Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Lomas and family are moving into the residence known as "The Cottage," on the Maple Bay road. Mr. E. D. Lomas is the son-in-law of Mr. D, LIQUORS, CIGARS AND DRY GOODS. Alexander. It is reported that a cow belonging to the Edgson brothers, SOLE AGENTS FOR of Maple Bay, has lately thrown a brindled calf, blind of both eyes from birth. Both sire and dam are healthy and per­ ROBERT BROWN'S -Crown Scotch Whiskey. fectly sound animals, and the case is a curious one. 4 Mr. Harry Smith is expected back in Duncans on the lGth PLAYER'S Navy Cut Tobaccos and Cigarettes. instant. Not even the coronation could keep him away longer. We hear that his visit to the Old Country has been most successful from a business point of view. Mr. Henry Croft and a distinguished party, including Mrs. VICTORIA, B.C. Croft, Sir R. and Lady Musgrave, Mrs. 'Snowden, M'iss Bry- den. Admiral Rose, Mr. .1. Croft and others, have spent several days at Mount 'Sicker, Duncans and Cowichan Lake, fishing anil enjoying tho natural charms of these lovely resorts. SEND YOUR ORDERS We are sorry to hear that Mr. Parkie Calbert met with what might have been a very serious accident in the Tyee mine. He thought ho knew his ladder, but miscalculated the FOR- space between the rungs, aud fell 27 feet. Luckily his injuries are not very bad, and he will probably be back again at work in about 10 days. Amongst visitors at the Tzouhalem Hotel during the week' have been Mr. and Mrs. Henry Croft, Sir Richard and Lady Hay, Grain and Mill Feed Musgrave, Mrs. Snowden, Miss Bryden, Admiral Rose, and Messrs. .1. Croft or Crofton, T. Kiddie of Ladysmith, C. S. Baxter, J. II. Bowes, A. W. Jones, 0. J. Prior, A. 'S. Ashwell, TO and William Hogg, all of Victoria. Mr. C. Livingston, managing director, and Mr. Gardner, secretary of the Tyee Copper Company, together with (Messrs. T. A. Wood and W. E. Blythe, visited Mr. Thomas Kiddie, THE BPACKMAN-KER MILLING CO., the smelter manager, at Ladysmith, last week, to see the preparatory work that is being done for the Ladysmith smelter. Three of the largest stumps on the smelter site were blown (LIMITED) out for their edification, and photographs were taken of the process. The party adjourned to the Abbottsford Hotei MANUFACTURERS OF for tea. Mr. Harry Fry, P. L. S., arrived back in Duncans on Saturday last. He thought his trip to survey timber limits for the Cowichan 'Lumber Company was only going to take B. & K. ROLLED OATS. him four or five days, but it has lasted some weeks. All the best available timber limits between the Nitinat River and tho Shut?. Mr. Fry considers have been secured by the Cowichan VICTORTA- AND- -VANCOUVER. THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS.

MINERAL AT SOOKE. JUST ReCEIiZGD A very promising discovery of mineral has been made ill the Sooke Mountains. Samples of the ore body taken out at A splendid stock of LAWN TENNIS GOODS made a depth of 11 feet assay 28 per cent, copper. It is reported by Wright & Ditson and Ayres, including Racquets, that. Mr. Thompson, of Messrs. Turner, Beeton & Co., Vic­ toria, is one of the lucky owners of this claim. Balls, Poles, Nets, Presses, etc. Croquet Sets and other summer games. Mr Charles J. Beltiner, from Vernon, (Manitoba, bought a lot on Saturday morning last, and on Monday his building was going up. M. W. WA1TT & CO., 44 Government St., VICTORIA. Mr. G. S. Williams, editor of the "B. C. Mining Ex- charge," visited Crofton on Sunday last and proceeded to Mount Sicker. He came to see for himself the great things QUEEN'S MARKET that are doing here. Cor. Govt, and Johnson Sts., Victoria, B. C. Tel. 32. P. O. Box 18. LAWRENCE GOODACRE & SONS, With very great pleasure we hear that Mr. J. Haggerty, who was badly injured in the leg by a heavy fall of stone in WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BUTCHERS. Contractors by appointment the quarries at Vesuvius Bay, opposite Crofton, is able to get to His Majesty's Royal Navy, The Dominion Government, etc. about again, although with the aid of a stick. Mr. Haggerty Shipping supplied at lowest rates. was superintending work relating to his contract for the sup­ ply of stone to the James Bay embankment works when the catastrophe occurred. One sturdy plant of any kind is worth ten tall weaklings, A. B. WHITTINGHAM, the result of overcrowding. Half an ounce of such small •seed as cabbage, cauliflowers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, PRIVATE BOARDING HOUSE, Savoys and turnips is ample for sowing broadcast over a bed of five square yards; but no one can err by sowing in drills Home Comforts. Moderate Rates. six inches apart and not more than aninch deep, the seeds not touching each other in them. JOAN AVENUE, - - - CROFTON, B. C Soot is an excellent manure, because rich in salts of ammonia, and it also contains salts of potash and soda, as well as sulphate of lime. Soot is used extensively and profit­ ably for onions, and is good for all root and green crops. It should not be applied with lime, or theammonia will be dissi- t lVated. It may be used at the rate of 40 to 60 bushels to A. HOWE, the acre. BUTCHER, NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that application will be made to the Legisla­ Established for six years at Chemainus. tive Assembly of the Province of British Columbia at its present session for an Act to incorporate a company with power to construct, equip, Best Meat at most liberal maintain and operate a single or double line of railway, to be operated by steam, electricity or any other mode of power, at and from the City of Victoria in the Province of British Columbia, thence northwest by prices. the most feasible route to a point at or near Seymour Narrows in the said Province of British Columbia ; and with power to construct, estab­ lish, maintain and continually operate a railway ferry steamship service JOAN AVENUE, - - CROFTON, B. C. for the purpose of transferring for reward, passengers and passenger and freight cars from the said point at or near Seymour Narrows in Van­ couver's Island to a point on the Mainland of the Province of British Columbia ; and with further powers to build, equip, maintain and op­ erate branches of the said railway from any point on the main line thereof to any point in Vancouver Island ; and with power to build BENNETT'S and operate tramways in connection with the said railway ; and with power to build, construct, equip, maintain and operate telegraph and CROWN BRAND telephone lines in connection with the said railways and branches ; and with power to generate electricity for the supply of light, heat and pow­ er, and for all, any and every other purpose mentioned in sections 8o, 8l, 82 and 83 of tbe " Water Clauses Consolidation Act, 1897," and to do everything necessaryor incidental to the carrying out of all or any GUTTA PERCHA FUSE of the objects referred to in the said sections ; and with power to exer­ AWARDED THE GREATER BRITAIN EX. cise all the powers given to the company by parts IV and V of the GOLD MEDAL, 1899. " Water Clauses Consolidation Act, 1897 ;" and with power to build, own and maintain saw-mills ; and to carry on a general express busi­ THIS POPULAR FAVORITE STILL LEADS. ness, and to build, maintain and operate bridges, roads, ways, ferries, wharves, docks, steamboats, steamships, coal bunkers and other works; and to make traffic or other arrangements with railway, steamship or steamboat and other companies ; and with power to expropriate lands for the purposes of the company and to acquire land bonuses, privileges Holman Bros. for other aid from any government or municipality, or other persons or bodies corporate, aud with power to build waggon roads to be used in the construction of such railway and in advance of same, and to levy and collect tolls from all persons using, and on all freight passing over Patent Rock Drill. any of such roads built by the company, whether before or after the AWARDED THE GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1900. construction of the railway, and with power to sell out its undertaking ; and with all other usual, necessary or incidental rights, or privileges as Drills and Accessories, Columns and Tripods, may be necessary or conducive to the above objects, or any of them. IN STOCK AT VICTORIA. . Dated at Victoria, B. C, this 24th day of March, A.D., 1902. ROBERTSON & ROBERTSON, 6-6 Solicitors for the applicants. Manufacturers of Air Compressors and all kinds of Mining Machinery. E. M. SKINNER, ESTIMATES ON APPLICATION. Gen A ent CIVIL ENGINEER AND PROVINCIAL LAND SURVEYOR. Rowland Machin, '' g ' DUNCANS. YATES STREET, VICTORIA,B. C. 1 8 THE CROFTON GAZETTE AND COWICHAN NEWS. CROFTON

The New Smelting Centre of the Pacific Coast. FOR LOTS

APPLY TO

Real Estate Brokers

AND The Lenora Mt. Sicker Copper Mining Co., Ltd. (Non-Personal Liability),

VICTORIA, B. C.

J. H. WHITTOME, SPECIAL NOTICE. By special arrangement with the B. C. MINING RECORD we are Agent for DUNCANS, V. I. able to offer particularly advantageous terms for combined subscription to that well known excellent periodical and the CROFTON GAZETTE for London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Co. $3.00 per annum. Subscriptions received by the CROFTON PUBLISHING Co., Crofton Royal Insurance Co. or the B. C. MINING^RECORD, P. 0. Box 645, Victoria.