Pie Pe

22 _ The Fraser River Mines.
FAT ue SET ES NTN OG CO GUE AUASTS a unto Ceara ST 2c) ie BC ED SIR na Ook

I could fill pages of such complaints against Mr. Travillott.
Your Excellency requires no more than what I have stated to convince
you how business is carried on above here.

I would most strongly recommend an Englishman to the Office at
Lytton, one acquainted with mining and that can and will command
respect. Your Excellency will, instead of blame, receive the thanks of
the community.

The fees charged by Justice of the Peace require your serious
consideration. The charges are most cruel; justice is frustrated by
such imposition. The fees in Fort Yale alone must amount to many
thousand dollars per annum. Mr. Whannell’s office must be more
lucrative than the Governor of the Colony. He little remembers his
Own condition when he kept a low liquor-shop at Shaw’s Flat, Cali-
fornia, or he would pity poor miners instead of exacting from their
industry to keep him in luxury.°?

I must beg to apologise for these remarks which I am sure Your
Excellency will excuse.

I would at all times sooner complain to you right out than through
Newspapers—this at all times is the proper course.

I have the honor to be
Your Most Obt. Servt.

(Sgd.) Ricuarp Hicxs.

(62) See further, as to ‘ Captain” Whannell’s earlier life, the letter from Lieutenant-
Colonel Ross dated May 9, 1859, post, p. 58.