8 PREFACE
When I first went to the islands the Hudson
Bay Company’s agent was the only European at
Massett. To-day there are over three hundred
pre-emptors, and at least one thousand Europeans
and Japanese.
The “Charlottes” deserve to be appreciated
by both would-be Colonists and by Capitalists
more than they have hitherto been, as vast natural
resources are here lying dormant, awaiting develop-
ment by men of experience backed by the necessary
capital.
I am indebted for some of the information con-
tained in this book to the reports and writings of
the following authors :—
Captain George Dixon, “ Voyage Round the
World,” 1789.

Sir George M. Dawson, Report on the Queen
Charlotte Islands, 1890.

Dr. Wilfred H. Osgood, “ Natural History of
the Queen Charlotte Islands,” 1901.

Dr. Ells, of the Geological Survey Department,
Ottawa, with whom I was associated during
his visit to the islands in 1905.

G. J. A. MacKenzie, Canadian Geological
Survey Report, 1916.