Pee aay wae I Rv ed oP ot OR ODN gE MONG Ser Tar eRe SE Se se a

4 The Fraser River Mines.

could be done to relieve his sufferings have been done; he is under
the care of Dr. Fifer,* of this Town. In prosecutions so very distant
from Victoria, will it be required to send witnesses or will Affidavits
taken and made here answer the ends of Justice? I forward Your
Excellency the copies of the examination and I committed the Prisoner
to Victoria to await the result of the prosecution. W. Kirby® will
deliver him over to the authorities at Victoria.

Last evening and about an hour after the excitement of the above
had in some degree abated, Officers Carey® and McLane were informed
that the notorious Joseph Foster was coming up with a Canoe-load of
liquor; they waited for him, and he came boldly up to the landing
expecting he would not be noticed. He was asked for the permit. He
replied that he would get it in a few minutes and took the Officers up
in Town for that purpose. Foster in the meantime orders his Indians
down the river, etc. This is the third time Foster has been known to
Peay smuggle Liquors into Fort Yale, but always evaded
io be raterzed to reasons the officers until now. I have committed him to

: Victoria for trial. The proceedings taken in these
two cases have given general satisfaction and every confidence is felt
that Justice will take its course and life and property be protected.

Mr. Pearkes’ will be pleased to advise me by return what further
action will be required.

I received a notice from Mr. Collector Anderson$ that all licences
were for the future not collected at Victoria. I will have copies made
and posted in different parts of my district.

I have been with Mr. Pemberton® and his assistant, Mr. Wells,
half the week, and the great pressure of business at Fort Yale, and
being constantly obliged to visit different parts of the mines, I have
not been able to finish the collecting of the miners’ licences; about 4
miles above here will complete my district.

Your Excellency stated that alterations were in contemplation
with respect to the collection of miners’ licences. I would most respect-
fully suggest that a quarterly licence of five dollars be collected instead
of monthly, which will realize a larger revenue because we can then
make all pay, rich and poor claims; as it is now, the great bulk of the

on (4) M. W. Fifer, M.D., a physician then practising at Yale. He was later murdered at
ale.
(5) William Kirby, one of the police force at Yale. He had lived in Australia before coming
to the gold-diggings of British Columbia. He soon left the service.
Ses (6) Joseph W. Carey, one of police force at Yale. He was later a well-known resident of
ctoria.
; (7) George Pearkes, the Crown solicitor of Vancouver Island, but acting for British Colum-
ia also.
(8) Alexander Caulfield Anderson, for many years in the employment of the Hudson’s Bay
Company and at this time Collector of Customs at Victoria.
(9) John Despard Pemberton, Surveyor-General of Vancouver Island, but then engaged in
surveying the townsite of Yale.