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«With the exception of the surveyed portion of the Bulkley and Nechaco Valleys
very little is known of the surrounding country. There is not a reliable map in exist-
ence that shows anywhere near the number of lakes and valleys that exist in that
section. The advent of a railway will change much of this, and a great deal of whatis
now only guess work will become absolute knowledge. A stranger coming through
British Columbia over the line of the Canadian Pacific Railway and gazing from the
window cars, would not be very deeply impressed with the agricultural possibilities of
this country. The future wealth and prospects of British Columbia lie in the great
valleys to the north, and a trip over the old Telegraph Trail from Hazelton to Quesnel,
will convince anyone of this. At present the travelling is hard and difficult, but the
day is coming when it will be possible to make the journey comfortably seated in a
Pullman car. The spring of the year is the best time to go, and the most expeditious
route is by steamer from Port Essington to Hazelton.

“There are, in fact, three ways into the Bulkley sail Nechaco Valleys. The first by
way of the Skeena River to Hazelton, then south over the Telegraph Trail ; the second
one via Gardner Inlet, and the third via Quesnel. Of the three the first named is
probably the best, as ordinarily it involves less difficulties in the shape of transportation
of supplies. ‘Starting from Port Essington, a steamer can run at favourable stages of
the river as far as Hazelton, the only difficult piece of navigation being the Kitsilas
Canyon. The blasting of a few rocks, which could be done when the river is low, and
the employment of powerful steamers would easily remedy that, and communication
with Hazelton could be kept up the entire year.

““There are several islands in the lower part of the Skeena covered with timber,
principally poplar, the soil being a rich black loam. Some of these are probal ly
flooded during the freshet season. There are several open places along the banks of the
river, suitable for farming, and the climate for about eighty miles up is similar to that
at the Coast, gradually getting drier towards Hazelton.”

SOU IIIA NO WAIL IEIT SC VAINGDY ©x@eNSyN T/A

ARLY in 1892 a movement was set on foot in Vancouver City to colonise the

Bulkley, and after preliminary organisation and negotiations with the Govcrn-

ment it was decided to send in a delegation representing the proposed colonists, to report

on its general suitability for settlement on terms that had been conditionally arranged.

The Government, on its own behalf, sent a representative to make an independent RO

and to ascertain the cost of building a waggon road from Hazelton, on the Skecna
River, southward to a point that might be selected for settlement.

BS ey eee agent :
The result of their investigations is given in what follows, which cont

ains extracts
setting forth the salient points, a number of minor details not necess

fil dee tn ary for general use
eing omitted. The two reports submitted are practically unanimous in regard to the

conclusions arrived at by the delegations. Both practically agree that the valley is one