F
N
A Monthly Publicity Organ Devoted to the Interests of the Interior of British Columbia
and Distributed in all Parts of the World
Vol. 1. No. 4
VERNON, SEPTEMBER 1911
Price 10 cents
SOME OKANAGAN BENCH LANDS, WHERE FRUIT FLOURISHES
Canadian Northern Railway Will
Develop Couteau Power Scheme
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0 1911
KAMLOOPS- VANCOUVER TRUST Co.
I M IT E I)
We handle all classes of
LAND INVESTMENTS
including Farm Lands, Fruit Lands, Timber Lands and Town Property.
Our Standing as a Financial Institution is suffi- cient guarantee of our ability to please.
Our staff comprises men competent to give good fair valuations and in dealing with us you get advantage that you cannot get elsewhere.
Our foreign connections as well as British con- nections are most satisfastory and we invite correspondence.
KAMLOOPS-VANCOUVER TRUST Co., LTD.
F. M. LOGAN, Manager
KAMLOOPS, B.C.
Agents for B. C. Permanent Loan and Savings Co.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Okanagan
Fruit
Ranches
WRITE FOR PARTICULARS
— Agents for —
Coldstream Estate
(Lord Aberdeen's Ranch) and other large estates.
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MSSsKS^a Kiiffii
DICKSON LAND CO., LTD. Headv°EffiReN"oN)Bc
The Lucas Trust and Investment Company, Limited
75-76 Exchange Building Phone 6537
Vancouver, B. C.
Capital, authorized . . . $100,000.00 Capital, paid up .... 50,000.00
«J LIST YOUR REAL ESTATE, FRUIT OR FARM LANDS WITH US FOR QUICK : : ACTION AND FAIR DEALINGS : :
A. B. MORRIS
Managing Director
THE NEW EMPIRE
Smokestacks and Payrolls
The need of the I,ast West; A demand that will be answered .* at the new industrial city of the province — &
EAST PRINCETON
2,000 MEN— wage-earners and wage-spenders — will be employed in EAST PRINCETON mills and mines before the end of the year! Do you know what that means? It means homes for the men to live in and shops to support their homes. And it's men and shops and homes that make cities. And they always come where there are industries, mineral wealth, unde- veloped natural resources, water power, railroads — opportunities!
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY will employ 300 men in the EAST PRINCETON works as soon as the plant is in full operation.
THE UNITED EMPIRE COMPANY at East Princeton will employ 150 men in their coal and
Copper mines. THE PRINCETON COAL AND LAND COMPANY employs 150 men— NOW!
THE COLUMBIA COAL AND COKE COMPANY is spending over $2,000,000 in development work and is building 100 coke ovens near East Princeton — NOW!
EVERYWHERE IN AND AROUND EAST PRINCETON new factories are rising up. New industries are coming, and with them will come more and more men — skilled workerswhoare paid high wages. Houses must be built to give them places to live in ; shops must be built to give them places to spend their wages.
WHENEVER POPULATION INCREASES land values increase. That's a natural self-enforc- ing law as old as the world itself.
LOCATION — East Princeton COAL — East Princeton lies on
the edge of a coal basin hav- ing an area of approximately 50 square miles and four workable seams of coal, giv- ing a total thickness of solid coal out-crop of highest quality — a seam capable of producing 2500 tons of coal per day for 1-40 years.
is just below the confluence of the Similkameen and the Tulameen Rivers, in a fertile valley, hemmed in by moun- tains in whose depths lie for- tunes in gold and the other minerals of the province.
MINERAL WEALTH — Placer mining around East Princeton is an industry that has attracted mining men from every corner of the continent. Assays have shown from $1.00 to $:i4.00 per cubic yard. The prop- erties of the Xickel Plate Gold Mines — the largest in Canada — are a very short distance from East Prince- ton and have direct rail con- nections.
CEMENT— The British Co- lumbia Portland Cement Company has located an enormous plant at East Princeton on One-mile creek. Their holdings comprise HO acres on which are ample de- posits of limestone and shale of the best quality for the manufacture .of cement, also clay suitable for the manu- facture of vitrified and pressed brick of the best
RAILWAY S— The Great Northern Railway supplies transportation facilities for the Similkameen Valley and when its line is completed to Vancouver, East Princeton will be within five hours by rail of the British Columbia Metropolis. The Kettle Val- ley Railroad, which is a part of the C. P. R., will enter East Princeton from the north. The completion of this line will give railway transportation from East Princeton, not only to Van- couver, but to Northern British Columbia.
PROPERTY VALUES— The general prices includecement sidewalks and the installa- tion of a complete water system. - - Business Lots, $150 and up ; Residential Lots, $-200 and up.
quality.
All the men who have made vast fortunes in real estate are the men who "got in at the beginning of things" — the far-sighted, keen-brained men who anticipated growth.
Make your profits out of East Princeton's certain tomorrow by buying today. For particulars apply to
R. E. WARD, Sole Agent
724 Pacific Building. VANCOUVER, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
WE ARE PREPARED
to supply your every BUILDING WANT
SASHES, DOORS, MOULDINGS, and all kinds of rough and dressed lumber.
QUOTATIONS furnished on all kinds of BUILDING MATERIAL WE ARE AGENTS for the famous RUBEROID ROOFING.
S. C Smith Lumber Co.
PENTICTON, B. C.
Sash and Door Factory Lumber Yards Mill
VER1NOIN F»ENTICTOIN INA.RAMA.TA
WE HAVE THE PROPERTY
BUSINESS PROPERTY
ORCHARD LANDS
RESIDENTAL PSOPERTY
We can convince you by showing you. Write us when considering investments.
MITCHELL & ERASER Real Estate and Insurance
Agent C. P. R. Lands. PENTICTON, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Okanagan Fruit and Farm Lands
For richness of soil, equality of climate and general environment Okanagan valley ha^ no superior. Results prove that. It will pay you to write today if you want to buy either for settlement or investment. Or better still, come and see for yourself.
I will gladly furnish illustrated and descriptive literature.
R. FITZMAURICE
Real Estate : Insurance : Notary Public Box 15. VERNON, B. C.
When in Kamloops, Stop at
THE DOMINION HOTEL
One of the oldest and best hostelries in the town. Service is satisfactory and Rates
are reasonable from $2.00 per day and up. FREE BUS MEETS ALL TRAINS
LAPP AN & CORSON, Proprietors
KAMLOOPS, B. C.
WHY ARE LECKIE SHOES LIKE GOOD REALTY?
Because :
They Are a Good Investment For the Logger
For the Miner
For the Prospector
For the Palace
You never make a mistake when you buy Leckie Shoes because you get real good value for your money. Try our mail order department for satisfactory service.
AGENTS
J. S. MORGAN & SON
MERRITT, - - - - B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
THE ECONOMY WAY
It pays to economize in this world of competition and careful exam- ination shows that
Economy Gas Makes Your House a Home
Not Better than the Best But Better than the Rest
Absolutely Automatic— No Clockwork to Wind.
The Economy Gas Machine has
no superiors, either for lighting,
heating or cooking
A reasonably priced system that always please?.
W. R. MEGAW
VERNON, B. C.
Agent for British Columbia Gas Machine Co.
731 Fort Street, VICTORIA, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Cmptre
(Published at Vernon, B. C.)
SEPTEMBER, 1911
A Monthly Publicity Organ Devoted to the Interests of the
Interior of British Columbia.
Advertising Rates on Application.
Subscription, ... fl.OO Per Annum
Address all communications to
S. N. DANCEY,
Vernon, B. C.
EVEN the most optimistic of us can hardly esti- mate the wonderful possibilities surrounding the Couteau Power Co. scheme. The people of the Okanagan valley learned with interest and pleasure that the property had passed into the hands of the Canadian Northern railway for this in itself is more reassuring.
It is possible to develop at Shuswap Falls power adequate to operate electric lines throughout the length and breadth of Okanagan valley as well as to furnish an abundance of light and power. For some time past the directors of the Couteau Power Co. have labored indefatigably with the financial side of the problem for this, after all, was the great obstacle in the way of actual development work.
But this difficulty has been removed with the passing of the holding interests into the hands of Messrs. McKen/.ie & Mann. These powerful nation builders must appreciate the value of the asset and what its development and utility mean not alone to themselves but to the Okanagan valley and its as- sociated interests.
It is a patent fact that the Canadian Northern railway will build a branch line south from Kam- loops to tap the Okanagan valley, and it begins to look as though a well organized system of electric lines penetrating every part of the valley will be used as a feeder for the lateral. Of course we have no definite announcement to this effect but after all it is the only deduction we can draw.
Transportation is a serious problem with Okan- agan valley. At the present time we have good service at the hands of the Canadian Pacific railway, but competition amongst the carrier companies is what we are seeking. This alone can tend to place transportation tariffs on a moderate footing. The Couteau Power scheme will be an important factor in solving the transportation problems facing the people of the Okanagan valley, and the policy of Messrs. McKenzie & Mann will be awaited with keen interest.
'E have every reason to feel pleased and satis- fied with the success that has attended The New Empire during the few months that it has been before the public. The generous character of the patronage extended as well as the sympathy and
encouragement that we have found at the hands of the general public have tended to make pleasant our paths and to serve as an incentive to greater and largei efforts.
The provincial press has treated us most hos- pitably and one has but to review the many kindly sentiments found in old country papers to know that The New Empire has made good in the mother land. There is a wonderful field before us and it requires earnest and consistent effort. Publicity is a difficult force to handle at times but we believe that we have the proper agencies and adequate sup- port to make The New Empire a powerful publicity force' at home and abroad.
SPEAKING editorially the Fruit Magazine has the following to say in the current issue : "After a careful survey of the chief fruit-growing districts of British Columbia, we are able to state with a fair degree of certainty that the apple yield, while of good quality, will not exceed two-thirds of a full crop this year. Peaches are practically nil, Penticton being the only point from which any con- siderable quantity may be shipped. Cherries were good, particularly in the Kootenays. Plums and prunes are a fair crop, and apricots, though not ex- tensively grown, are good. The Okanagan valley will probably ship about 300 cars of fruit all told."
EKRlTT and Nicola valley will earn a won- derful advantage as a result of the policy of the Kettle Valley railway to operate a train service up the Coklwater river valley this autumn. There is a wonderfully large and productive district up the Coldwater valley and the installation of train service means that Merritt will become more valu- able as a distributing centre. The agricultural re- sources of the Coldwater district are not yet fully developed but there is the makings of a wonder- fully productive district.
^
ET is not generally known, but the amount of land under cultivation in British Columbia and der voted exclusively to fruit represents 140,000 acres or an investment of easily forty million dollars. To say that one million acres of land is still avail- able for fruit culture is to draw a conservative esti- mate. Of the lands under cultivation only fifteen per cent, are yet bearing, so that we can reason- ably look for a yearly production of 7,000 cars when all the present orchards are producing.
THE immigration figures as they affect Canada this year are somewhat startling in their mag- nitude. Canada is the land of opportunity, and thousands there are who are finding new homes here. But it is interesting to know that as great as is the volume of immigration there is room in Can- ada for many more millions of good industrious set- tlers and the tide of immigration can go on increas- ing from year to year with full justification.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Do You Want To Make Money?
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE
We can give you an oppor- tunity to increase your bank account and it will not re- quire much of your time.
Address Publisher, THE NEW EMPIRE, VERNON, B. C
THE NEW EMPIRE
VIEW OF KtLOWNA ONION FIELD-Where a Farmer Raised Thirty Tons to the Acre and •old them for $35.00 per ton, making 93,750 off his five Acres.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Coldwater Valley Offers Wealth of Opportunities ~
BY S. N. D ANCEY
i
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I
Kettle Valley Railway Will Open Up Rich Land.
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WITH the institution of rail- road service up through the Coldwater river val- ley leading out of Merrltt a new era will dawn for the settlers of that district. For years 'I.liey have labored in the midst of conditions that were anything but encouraging but perseverance has triumphed be- fore and it will triumph again.
Many there are who think of the Coldwater valley as a barren field where the ravages of winter sap the life blood of the ordinary white man and where the summer frosts kill off vegetation and growth to such a de- gree that cultivation is well nigh an impossibility. But a more far- sical theory it would be difficult to conceive.
One has but to study conditions up the Coldwater to know that it is a productive valley and that its soil is rich in quality and volume so much so that the few ranchers who have lived and la-bored there for years have been able to produce wheat and other products on a par with some of the better known valleys of the pro- vince. One rancher who lives twenty miles from Merritt and whose land is situated at an altitude of nearly
four thousand feet owns and oper- ates an orchard that would do credit to some of the exclusive fruit grow- ing districts. This man is Martin Olson and in every department of his ranch he has created a good record so much so that many and tempting have been the offers for his property.
Even up towards the headwaters of the Coldwater vegetation is a real live issue. 'Del King owns a ranch just six miles this side of Railway Pass where the Kettle Valley railway crosses to the Tulameen and Otter river valleys. He grows hay and grain 'in abundance and his only diffi- culty in the past has been the ab- sence of transportation.
Another rancher, William Hicks, still several miles farther up the valley, has made the same favorable showing and conclusive is the evi- dence of the resourcefulness and richness of the district in its plant and vegetable life. Of course no one contends that the more tender varieties of fruit will grow success- fully in the Coldwater valley; but for mixed farming, for wheat or vegetation, for hardy fruits or for live stock raising the Coldwater val- ley has few equals and no superiors.
The Olson Ranch.
Transportation has been the prob- lem of the past. The farmers have been face to face with long heavy hauls in order to market their pro- duce and for years they have waited patiently by until the railroads would come to open up the district and to place it in touch with the outside world. The very hills have cried out for transportation for timber and mineral wealth abound there as weTi, and now that the Kettle Valley rail- way has opened up the door to let in the sunshine of modernism wilh all its conveniences and agencies the Coldwater valley will find an im- portant place amongst the producing valleys of this fertile province.
The timber wealth of the Cold- water valley is wor:hy of serious consideration. For miles one can travel through a country covered with the finest class of timber and the installation of mills will now be but a matter of organization. The Brooks-Scanlon timber interests have long since controlled the tim- ber resources of this district and they plan to operate on a progres- sive basis. At one time they organ- ized for the building of a large saw- mill with a big capacity but then the problem of transportation loomed up on the horizon of the future and obliterated all plans.
Other lim'ber interests went into the district and came out convinced that the timber wealth was para- mount, but they too met the same difficulties and treaterl them in the same manner. But at last that great engine of development and op- portunity has come in the railroad and U will only be a few months 'be- fore huge sawmills will be operating at different points in the valley. The erection of large mills would be fully justified because the timber resources of the district are exceed- ingly extensive. Even when these have been exhausted there are a number of tributary valleys that offer the same opportunities for the lumber king and the logs could be brought to the cutting 'base with great ease and with little expense.
But agriculture and timber are not the only things that enter into a consideration of the future of the Coldwater valley. For years it has
10
THE NEW EMPIRE
been known that coal existed in large quantities but the operators did not feel justified in making a very large sacrifice 'because of their inability to reach the outside mar- kets. Other minerals have been found in large quantities as well. Then too the railroad will provide an outlet for the mineral interests situ- ated in the Tulameen district and at the head of Granite Creek.
Aspen Grove is rich in mineral and agriculturaJ wealth and the Kettle Valley railway will give the much needed transportation. Some of the better known mining engineers who have studied conditions say .hat the Aspen Grove copper camp is one of the largest and wealthiest in the west and the results that have been accomplished by tlie men who have exploited the district fully confirm this theory.
The railroad will 'build a spur into the mining camp and it is reported on good authority that one of the larger of the holding companies will build a smel:er in treat the ores. The outside world little knows what transpires in some of these more re- mote camps, remote not so muc.i in actual mileage as in the difficulty wi:h which they are reached, but it is a matter of actual rccor.l that nearly one million dollars has al- ready been spent in developing some of the copper properties of the Aspen Grove district. There are close onto .six hundred claims in all and the district has been a generous con- tributor to the revenue of the pro- vince as represented in licenses and tolls.
Then too the Voght valley is tributary to the Cold water and many and valuable are the ranching prop- erties there. But one could spend hours and pages in doing justice to the Coldwater and its tributary val- leys. Suffice to say that the intro- duction of the railroad will open up a wonderful district, rich in mineral, timber and agriucltural wealth, and will but to furnish another evidence of the wonderful wealth of British Columbia as it is wrapped up in val- leys that are not known to the world because of the absence of a means of reaching them with facility and studying conditions. The government has spent thousands of dollars in building roads up the Coldwater val- ley and wagon roads are as import- ant as railroads. The greater and more extensive the utilities placed at the disposal of the settlers the sooner will the resources of the Cold- water valley 'be made known lo the outside word.
It was Edward Blake who said that British Columbia was a sea of mountains and a first glance would
give that impression, but when you seek out the inner recesses of those hills and penetrate the valleys you find soil that will grow the best of everything and you come face to face witu conditions that offer un- limited opportunities for the farmer, the prospector, the live stock breeder or any man of industry or enterprise. The Coldwater valley must come into its own.
The addition to the Kalamalka hotel at Vernon has been complete! and this hostelry is now amongst the finest in the upper country. Modern conveniences have been installed in all parts of the building and the color effect of the exterior decora- tions is particularly striking. .Mine Host McAuley is always apace with the times and the travelling public appreciates his industry and pro- gressiveness.
T.iis summer a rancher at Pentlc- ton gathered .">,300 pounds of apri- cots from 100 trees. After payin; ;he cost of boxing and packing he realized a little over eight cents a pound for his crop.
•What on earth's the matter? Cut yoursslf while shaving?"
"\o-o. I should say that 1 shaved myself while cutting."
The late Sylvanus Miller, civil en- gineer, who was engaged in a rail- road enterprise in Central America, was seeking local support for a road and attempted to give the matter point. He asked a native:
"How long does it take you to carry your goods to market by mule- back?"
"Three days," was the reply.
"There's the point," sa'id Miller. "With our road in operation you could take your goods to market and be back home in one day."
"Very good, senor," answered the native. "But what would we do with the other two days?"
A laiy in a Southern town was approached by her colored maid.
"Well, Jenny?" she asked, seeing that something was in the air.
"Please, Mis' Mary, might I have the aft'noon off three weeks frum Wednesday?" Then, noticing an un- ?eci^ed look in her mistress's face, she added hastily — "I want to go to my fiance's fun'ral."
"Goodness me," answered the lady — "Your fiance's funeral! Why, you don't know that he's even going to die, let alone the date of his funeral. That is something we can't any of us be sure about — when we are going to die."
"Yes'm," said the girl doubtfully. Then, with a triumphant note in her \o;ce — "I'se sure about him, Mis', 'cos he's going to be hung!"
When In Vancouver
you generally meet a friend who wants a game of Bil- liards &> Pool
Well Just visit the
UNION POOL ROOM
Everything is new and mod- ern and it is a pleasant place to spend a few hours
Kenny & Parker
PROPRIETORS
131 Hastings Street W. (upstairs)
VANCOUVER, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
11
Thousands of Dollars To Loan
tjj It needs money to promote the different enterprises in the Okanagan Valley and a man has to figure out where he can get his money on the best terms.
<I We have lots of money to loan on good security and at reasonable rates.
BOX L, - NEW EMPIRE
VERNON, B. C.
12
THE NEW EMPIRE
NICOLA VALLEY - The
Valley of Sunshine
SETTLER'S ATTENTION!
Farm Lands suitable for Mixed Farming, Dairying, Fruit Growing, Market Gar- dening and Chicken Raising All Land under Irrigation.
NICOIA RIVER FLOWS THROUGH THE PROPERTY- ALONG THE LINE OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RY.
10 to 20 Acre Farms in one of the richest and most fertile valleys in British Columbia. Prices
$125 to $200 per Acre
An excellent investment and a splendid opportunity for the man looking for small holdings.
Other people are calling.
Don't miss this opportunity — write now.
SOUTHERN 6. C. LANDS & MINES, Limited
Merrilt, B. C.
Kinrlly sen! me your maps, illus- tratel literature, etc.
NAME
ADDRESS.
Southern B.C. Lands & Mines, Ltd.
MERRITT, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
13
*
fMerritt and Nicola Valleys Are Prospering Well I | — — J
| Past Month Shows Splendid Activity in all Branches of Industry |
********44*4*t4*$4$#**#****»$44«»$#****$$*$#*$*«$
CONDITIONS throughout the Nicola valley during the past month have been fully reas- suring. In every branch of social and industrial life there lias been splendid activity and though it may have been a little quiet in realty circles still this was more than satis- fied by the record of other branches.
Not for years have the crops been as good as they are this year and the farmers are happy and contented. There has been lots of moisture and warm sunshine to promote growth, and the result is an unusually large yield in almost every quarter. This will have a healthy effect on busi- ness and commercial interesvs throughout the valley.
In business circles conditions have been a little quiet but this is usual for this time of the year. Merritt merchants report an improvement c'uring the past week or so and there is every prospect of an increased volume of business for the fall and winter seasons. The fact that con- struction has been moved so far from the city has had something to do with the slack but the town is fast recovering.
In mining circles there is good healthy report. The various coal properties are as busy as they can be and shipments from this port are increasing all the time. The Dia- ironl Vale is not doing much in the way cf shipping but plans are well Inil for big operations in the near future. In other branches of min- ing there has been a noticeable ac- tivity and this is particularly true of the gypsum where large foreign in- crests have secured control of the properties and are organizing for ex- tensive work.
Railroad construction is pretty well removed from the city. Twenty miles of steel has been laid out of Merritt and the thirty mile section will be completed by the end of Sep- tember. Not until next spring will work be resumed at this end and then it will go ahead vigorously. The Kettle Valley announce that they will instal a train service up the Coldwater in the early autumn and this will mean a mighty con- venience as well as a boom to Mer- ritt and its varied interests.
A fine new stable has been erected by the Nicola Valley Livery Co. in Nicola. 'For some time past the busi- ness of this well known concern has been growing so rapidly that the quarters that have serve I for so many years were far inadequate to cope with conditions. Traffic out the Princeton road has reached large proportions and in order to take care of this department as well as the general business an increase was necessary.
Just to show what a little honest effort will do if well placed the di- rectors of the Nicola Valley Agri- cultural association have announced their second fall show for September 7 on bigger an I better lines than ever. This institution is but in its second year and if its past re~,or ! can be accepted as a criterion there is surely a 'bright anl profitable' future before it.
Rober: Henderson's gypsum prop- erties in the vicinity of Merritt have been sold to an English syndicate and operation on an elaborate basis is promised. The capitalists are seeking to purchase all gypsum prop- erties in the district and there are quite a few of them. This industry promises to have a premier position amongst the industries of Nicola valley before many moons.
With the Pooley ranch just out- FI *e X'cola sub-divided homes will 'be provided for many new settlers with their families. There is no finer piece of land in the district, and cut up into ten and twenty acre blocks it will 'be possible to operate successfully either in agriculture or live stock raising.
Still another church building has 'been placed at the sen'ce of the citizens of Merritt. It w?s only a few Sundays ago that the members of the Catholic faith opene I up a fiuo new deifice for wors'. ip anl .his makes in all four churches in the new town.
The headwaters of the Tulameen and 'Granite creek are beckoning many prospectors these days and it is reported that rich and extensive mineral deposits exist there. One prospector says that there is more ground for mineral east of the Hope mountains than in 'Steamboat dis- tritc.
English capital is interested in a poultry farm located between iNicola and Quilchena and a large number of birds have already been imported. The plans of the company are to pro- duce at least 500 eggs every week. Tlie place is well adapted to chicken raising it being very productive in feed.
A telegraph line is being installed in the Coldwater river valley and it will extend from Merritt to Rrook- vile, a distance of thirty miles. This should prove a wonderful conveni- ence not alone for the railway com- pany but for the residents of the valley.
NICOLA MINKS HL'SY.
The mines of the Nicola Valley Coal and Coke Co. at Middlesboro continue to work on a growing scale. Upwards of seven hundred tons of coal are being mined daily and with the recent discovery of a new and well stocked seam it will not be long before the daily production will be well within the thousand ton mark. Coal Hill Syndicate is also shipping considerable coal every week and when the plans of the operators have been fully matured this well known property should be well up on the shipping list. Work on the Diamond Vale properties will shortly be of a considerable magnitude and taken all in all the conditions surrounding the Nicola Valley coal fields are fully reassuring.
Merritt now boasts a moving pic- ture theatre. The citizens of the Nicola valley capital are surely pro- gressive in spirit.
The little town of Savona on the shores of Kamloops lake is a busy place these days with the C. N. R. construction in full swing. Labor- ers are pouring into the town every day and buildings are being erected. Permanent camp quarters have been placed across the river,
II
THE N EW EMPIRE
Canadian Northern Is Rushing Construction |
" X
Tracklaying Already in Progress on Some Sections of Line |
X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~^^
Track laying on the main line of the Canadian Northern Railway from Port Kells eastward towards Hope was started a few days ago. A mod- ern track laying machine is being utilized. The company has thus far not built the six mile gap between Port .Mann and Port Kells, the delay being ascribed to a deal now pending whereby the Canadian Northern will acquire tlie line of the Great North- ern Railway now connecting those places. The line in question is vir- tually no longer needed by the Hill road as its trains to and from the -south are route:! by the new cut off via Boundary Bay.
The Canadian Northern track lay- ing sang lias laid the main line track the first day half a mile east of Port Kells and work is now being concentrated on the laying of a spur into an adjacent gravel bank where a steam shovel is fast making a large opening. The gravel to be extracted will be used in ballasting the main line eastward. A week will probably line eastward. Track laying on the main line has been 'resume:! and will be pushed with despatch as far as Sumas, where a few rock cuts re- main to be complete.! before a deal- way for the graders will extend to Chilliwack. Ninety-eight per cent of the grading between Port Kells and Chilliwack has been completed.
Mr. T. H. White, chief engineer of the Canadian Northern, is in the up- per country where large camps in connection with construction are be- ing established. Carloads of plant and horses are also being unloaded at convenient points along the C. P. R. for distribution along the route. A start at actual construction has been made by section gangs at various points, but at least two or three weeks will elapse before operations are in full swing. Ashcroft and Savona as a result of the extensive work to be carried out are enjoying a veritable boom. The population is growing every hour and hotel accom- modations are at a premium. Scores of shacks are being built and several uundred people now find shelter in tents.
News of the rapid progress of con- struction on the main line of the Canadian Northern Railway west of Edmonton was conveyed by Andrew Laidlaw, a well known mining oper- ator of Spokane, who returned from an inspection of his coal mining in- terests in Jasper Park, in the foot- hills of the Rockies.
Taking advantage of the facilities afforded by the (Irand Trunk Pacific for shipping in material and sup- plies the rival line has 'been able to make relatively faster speed than the former. According to Mr. Laidlaw,
the Canadian Northern line has now- been graded and track laid to a point forty miles west of Edmonton and only eighty-five miles from Yellow- head Pass which it is said will be reached late this fall. Both roads parallel each other for miles, especially in the last stages of the route to the summit of the Rockies.
Johnny Williams had been "bad" again.
"Ah me, Johnny!" sighed his Sun- day school teacher, "I am afraid we shall never meet in Heaven."
"What have you been doin'?" asked Johnny, with a grin.
"One can accomplish much by utilizing spare moments." "That's right. That tall girl yonder has read seven summer novels this season while she was dummy at bridge."
A toydrochondrlac friend from the country, who was staying with a doctor at the shore in the hope of ob- taining relief from dyspepsia, was one day taking a walk along the beach with his host. "1 .have de- rived relief from drinking a tumbler of salt water fresh from the tide," said the invalid, solemnly. "Do you think I might take a second?" The doctor put on an intent expression, and glanced out across the wide ex- panse of rolling surf. "Well," said he with eqal seriousness, "I think a second would not be missed."
Pii-kmi; Strawberries on Kelowna Item-lies.
THE NEW EMPIRE 15
fl OWNA IS fClNW
\L^\J/ v v i ™A\ ii ^jj n^ 11 1 N! v\ji <•>
The finest fruit grown in British Columbia comes from the Kelowna district in the heart of the Okanagan Valley.
You have but to see the district to know its wonder- ful superiority as a fruit grow- ing centre.
Thousands of acres of land already in orchard but there is lots of room yet.
It will pay you to write or interview
G. A. FISHER, Secretary
Kelowna Board of Trade. Kelowna, B. C.
16
THE NEW EMPIRE {~x~XK~XKK~XK~x~x~XKK^~x~x~x~x~x~x~xKK~x~x~M«x^
1 On the Benchland Around Kelowna |
Where Fruit and Sunshine Abound
BY J F SMITH In VERNON NEWS
ONE of the show sections of Kelowna which every visitor should see and, which, in- deed, it is very safe to say, nearly every visitor does make it a point to see, is that known as the K. L. O. bench, a fine area developed and placed on the market by the Kelowna Land and Orchard Company When this company was incorporated in l!K)4. the splendid tract of fruit land that now bears ;heir name com- prised a extent of mere undeveloped e:l bare cattle range, bordering the bare cattle IT. use, bordering the quime Iiay meadows which separated i! from the town. Wi:h that eye of faith and optimistic foresight which is the one essential characteristic of the ioneer in land development, the promoters of ::he company, looked forward to the day. when* these ranging places of cattle herds, these unappreciated pasture benches and bottoms, woul.l be subjected to the arts of :he fruit grower and the gar- dener, and would repay his care and attention by furnishing an abundant means of livelihood. The days of the fullest maturity are not yet with us, but, sufficient progress lias already been made to fill the mind of the old resident with won.lor at the formerly unguessed but now realixel possibili-
ties of the district, and fully to justi- fy the confidence of those who took Che first steps towards development. The greater part of the property has been subdivided and sold, and or- chards, at various stages of advance- ment, but all showing evidences of healthy growth, present to the visitor a most pleasing and promising series of converging vistas.
The K. L. O. estate comprises some 8000 acres, of which over 6,- 500 is fertile bench land, overlooking the lake and commanding a number of the splendid views of land and water, so characteristic of this por- tion of British Columbia. The com- pany has reserved some 577 acres of this high land for use as a com- mercial orchard, thus not only show- ing their confidence an their own pro- position, but providing an object-les- son in the capabilities of soil and climate on this property, which has been as convincing to intending set- tlers 'in the past as it will be valuable to themselves in the years to come. Partly as the result, no doubt, of this practical policy, much the greater part of the two benches has already been disposed of, and everywhere we see striking evidences of the diligent efforts, which are preparing to make this section one of the most produc- tive in the Kelowna district. Two
hundred and ten acres of the com- pany's reserve has already been set out In trees, and it is the intention to clear the timbered portion, and plant it all out. With this in view, a regular and systematic increase is made in the orchard area every year. The main feature of the orchard, of course, will be apples, though a certain quantity of pears, plums and cherries will also be grown. It may be said, incidentally, that this year's cherry crop has been most satisfac- tory, the trees being simply loaded with the lucious fruit. Of the pre- sent 200 acre orchard, some 160 are apples, 20, cherries, 20 pears and 10 plums. The apple orchards are set with Crrb or Jonathan fillers, the management being very strongly of the opinion that it is a sheer waste of valuable land not to grow quickly producing varieties, while the slower kinds are maturing. The Crab and .Tohnathan fillers materially add to the profits of the ranch during the period of waiting, and the fact that they require much the same kind of tillage and irrigation as the main apple trees tends to economy in handling. Such varieties as the Nor- thern Spy, for instance mature so slowly that years of opportunity and substantial returns would be lost, if f'e filler system were not adopted.
A Sweep of Kelowna Bench Lands.
THE NEW EMPIRE
17
Other varieties which are planted in the K. L. O. Company's orchard are the Mackintosh, Spitzenberg, New- toun, Wealthy, etc.
The company supply their own seed for nursery stock and also the big demand by the K. L. O. lot-hold- ers from their own nurseries, which, however, specialize on apples and pears, and do not touch the field of ornamental trees at all. Nor do they do much in cherries or plums, for which there is comparatively littlo demand. The seedlings are obtained from France in February, they are placed in the ground as soonas spring opens, are budded in July, and are ready for sale by the fall or the spr- ing of the following year. Some "iSO,- 000 plants, of which 200,000 are ap- ples, will be ready for the market this year.
The K. L. O. estate also produces hay for the feeding of its own stock, and to a limited extent, for the mar- ket. The crops attained are, in gen- eral, most satisfactory, 3 crops giving 6 tons of Alfalfa to the acre, and 2 crops of clover and timothy not in- frequently producing 3 tons to the acre. As it does not cost more than $3.50 to put up and stack, and as the price of hay ranges commonly from $20 to $30 and higher per ton, it is easily seen that the man with hay land is by no means the least fortunate of the dwellers in the Ok- anagan. In fact, conversation with a large number of ranchers in vari- ous parts of the valley has made it
clear to the writer, that there is a very general tendency to a high de- gree of optimism as to the future of hay. The tendency to intensive farm- ing on a ten or twenty acre orchard, is certain to increase the local de- mand, while, it, as certainly decreas- es the supply, and, all things consid- ered, the owner of productive mea- daw lands has a good or better pro- position than the fruit man.
The K. L. O. benches are supplied with water by a irrigation system, under the management of a subsi- dary company, the Canyon Creek Ir- rigation Company. The water is brought from a reservoir, 20 miles distant, on the headwaters of Canyon Creek, at the foot of the Little White Mountain, just a few miles away from the reservoir of the Southern Okanagan Land Company. Another reservoir is now being .built about a quarter of a mile above it, and the system is so 'planned that still fur- ther storage basins may be construct- ed later on to keep pace with the de- velopment of the property. It com- prises about 3 miles of concrete main, as well as about 9 miles of ditches. Domestic water is laid on all over the benches, derived also from Canyon Creek, but conducted by special pipes, and, incidentally, it may be said that it is considered one of the best domestic water supplies in the Okanagan.
The K. L. O. bench, is perhaps the oldest of the newer fruit growing sections surrounding Kelowna, leav-
ing out of consideration such pioneer orchards as those of Messrs. Stirling ami Piidham, etx. Its commandin? position, the splendid outlook obtain- able from so many of its sites, its comparative freedom from spring frosts, and the mildnes which permits flowers to bloom there from three to four weeks later than on the flat, are some of its distinctive features. It may also be noted that, an account of the maturity of a great many of its orchards, clean cultivation, that goal of the hopeful horticulturist, is much more generally practised than in less advanced districts, and, indeed may be said to be rather the rule than the exception. It boasts also some properties, for instance, those of Major Lindsay and Mr. J. S. Ree- kie, which have reached a stage of growth and productiveness, in which satisfactory returns may be depended upon, and which afford to the enthu- siastic Okanaganite most concrete evidence of the splendid possibilities of this valley. It is when inspecting estates of this kind, orchards which are now coming as it were into itheir own, that one begins to realize ihe glorious future before the fruit-grow- ing industry, and to feel the full force of the conviction that, when the years of waiting for maturity are over in so many developing proper- ties all over the district, the Okan- agan will, indeed, be the Happy Val- ley, the garden section of the pro- vince, a land of general prosperity and increasing productiveness.
OKANAGAN
INVESTMENTS
I can place money for you on security of first mortgage on improved property, agreements of sale, yielding net revenue not less than 7 °/o on
Kelowna Lands
Have also some excellent buys of properties, fruit lands for develop- ment, in tracts of one thousand acres up.
For full particulars, literature and general information apply
G. A. FISHER
REFERENCE, BANK OF MONTREAL, KELOWNA, B.C.
FIRE, LIFE, ACCIDENT AND FIDELITY INSURANCE.
THE NEW EMPIRE
A Well Laden Branch.
The It. X. Kiinch.
THE NEW EMPIRE
19
Value of Fruit Land
£ Victoria Times Makes Interesting Comment on H. P. Lee's Article. J
•!• 'l»
i**«»j^*^*^*^j^j^*«j,*j#*j^~j»»j^j^^j^j^j^j»*j~j^j«#^j~^^j~*^»»j~^^^*^^j~*^
THAT the special article pre- pared by H. P. Lee of the Wood Lake Fruitlands Co. under the title of "Are Fruit Lands Worth Three Hundred Dollars an Acre" has attracted widespread at- tention is evidenced by the effort of the Victoria Times which devoted upwards of one column of editorial space to a discussion of Mr. Lee's arguments. This goes to prove that the fruit land question is a live one in British Columbia and particular- ly so as it affects the Okanagan and Kootenay valleys. The Times edi- torial is herewith reproduce:! in part:
In a carefully argued and well written article in the July number of The New Empire, published at Vernon, Mr. H. P. Lee answers the question "Is Fruit Land Worth Three Hundred Dollars an Acre?" Mr. Lee argues, of course, concern- ing the land in the Okanagan valley and the substance of his demonstra- tion, which by the way is conclusive, is that the land is worth that much because it produces results which pay good interest on money invested at that price. Xo one who has studied the fruit land question in the province will be disposed to contro- vert his argument, but many will be inclined to ask why is fruit land not selling for much more than $300 per acre? Lands in the Kootenay lake valleys sold recently for as much as $1,000 per acre, though it must be admitted that the residential ad- vantages of the locality somewhat enhanced the price.
But there is no reason why all the fruit lands in the province should not, in the near future, sell for $1,000 per acre. Fruit lands in the Wenatchee valley, less than half a thousand miles south of British Co- lumbia and in the same parallels of longitude, sell for from $1,200 to $2,000 per acre and for the same reason that lands in this province sell for high values — because they pay high interest on the investment. As is the case in every economic question, 'there must be reason for this remarkable contrast in values. It does not lie in the productive power of the land nor in the quality o-f the fruit produced, because, in
the first case, the provincial lands are equal in producing power, and in the second case the foreign fruit is not only not superior but is ac- tually inferior in quality. Both these statements can be proved, the first by a reference to the productive returns and the second by the fact that the fruits of the province, and especially those of the Okanagan and Kootenay valleys, have taken the i'ighest prizes repeatedly in competi- tion in the world centres w:ih the fruit products of the world.
I'.arring the fact — soon to be over- come— that the Washington fruit lands have been longer cultivated and orchards are more mature, the whole question is one of free mar- kets. Freight rates to Winnipeg and the eastern markets are no more favorable from Spokane than they are from Vernon. If they are, the fault is not with the fruit growers and does not affect the question in the matter of our argument.
The fac; is that the Washington producer has an open market and can ship his fruit anywhere he likes without combatting the handicap of a tariff duty. He, therefore, ships
his best fruits to the eastern mar- kets and compels the Canadian im- porter to be contented with his sec- ond and third grades. The Canadian consumer must have these or go without fruit, and when he imports them he i.-i compelled to pay the duty. It is always the consumer who pays the duty when other com- petition is equal.
Lytton is busier this year than it lias been for some time. The influx into the Lillooe; country is large this season and this combined with the activity preliminary to construc- tion work on the Canadian Northern railway has tended to bring about the improved conditions. It is ex- pected that the Canadian Northern will use Lytton as one of the bases of operations.
•ASSKI) AKOl'M).
"What are you looking so glum about, old man?" "Somebody stole Dawson's umbrella." "But should that worry you?" "It was stolen from me."
YOUNG TI5KK IX IJKAHIXG AT KKLOAVXA.
20
THE NEW EMPIRE
Okanagan Lake Frontage is Limited
On the other hand the demand for it is not.
Obviously then LAKE FRONTAGE is good buying — I make a specialty of this class of property, improved and unimproved — and keep a launch for the special benefit of clients wishing to see such a property.
I have spent seven years cruising about every part of the Lake and have invested thousands of dollars for clients abroad. My list of properties for sale is exceptionally comprehensive, comprising ns it does, proper- ties varying in size from 1 acre to 2000 acres and in price from
$15.00 per acre to upwards of $1000.00 per acre.
Let me know what you are looking for — If I cannot suit you I will say so.
Q. A. BATCH ELOR
PEACH UAIND, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
.
| Couteau Power Will Develop Wonderful |
? T?£>C1l1tc £r\r f^lriiniirfiiri \/ii11^\7 Canadian Northern Railway Secures $
X IVOOU-llO 1U1 VyJVdllClgClll Y dllOy Control and Progressive Policy will Be Operated $
£~X~:~:~:~X~:~:~X~:~MK~X~:~:~:K^^
NE of the most important an-
Onountemenls of the year af- fecting the Okanagan valley was given out \vhe_i it was made pub- lic that Messrs. MeKenzie & Mann, of the Canadian Northern railway, had purchased the Couteau Power Co. There is much significance in th-c an- nouncement Tor it means .he early consummation cf a scheme in wMe'h ts wrapped up untoli possibilites for "lie district. It means that the elec- tric railway from Shuswap Falls .o Vernon with tlie latter as a radiating centre reaching all parts of the \ al- ley will not long be dc'layel anl that the Canadian Northern will uss this line as a feeder for its great transcontinental system. It was 'only the other day that Messrs. Mc- Kenzie & Mann announced that their branch line from Kamloops through the Okanagan valley would be realy for operation as soon as the main line anl it begins to look as though the acquisition of the Couteau Power
Co. is a definite part of the great scheme.
The Couteau Power Company found its inception in the efforts of W. C. Ricardo, G. A. Henderson and other prominent residents of the Okanagan cistrict to provile a ct.eap and adequate means of transporta- tion for the fruit grown in the fer- - ile region through which it will rass, and to furnis'i cheap electric ;>ower for industrial an I manufac- turing purposes. A charter was ob- tained some years ago from the Pro- vincial Government, anl since then the promoters have been endeavor- ing to secure the capital necessary to carry forward this big undertaking.
A visit was made to Montreal last winter by Messrs. Ricardo, Hender- son, Agur anl Ashcroft, anl as a re- sult of their representations, Mr. Xeilson, a well known engineer, came out to investigate and report upon the scheme. 1: i.s understool that his report was eminently satis-
Vernon' s Popular Hostelry
THE ROYAL HOTEL
HOME OF THE TOURIST
HOME OF THE TRAVELLER
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EVERYTHING 13 FIRST-CLASS
RATES : $3.00 PER DAY UP Long Distance Phones — Hot and Cold Water in Every Room
SUITES AVAILABLE
Wire or write for Room Reservation.
A. AUSTIN - Proprietor
P. O. BOX 12
VERNON, B. C.
factory; but for various reasons no action was taken, and this is the first intimation so far received that Mc- Kenzie & Mann were interested in the project.
Tiie power for the line will be en- gendered at Shuswap Falls, about 26 n-iles from Vernon, and the electric real will p?.ss through White Valley ml Col.lstream on to this city, and thence link up the various Okanagan towns, prncce'ing onward to En- 'crby on the north and Kelowna on the south. Cheap power and clieap light are leti.'ing features of the plan, anl he great impetus which it will give to all lines of business ac- tivity is too apparent to require comment.
It will be remembered also that McKenzie & Mann have repeatedly announced their inten:ion of build- ing a brand: line of the Canadian Northern Railway into the Okan- agan from Kamloops, and have re- ceived a promise from Premier Mc- Bride that the government will as- sist them in this enterprise to the same etxent that hey accorded them for heir main line through the pro- vince. The fact that this enterpris- ing firm of railway builders have now secure-l the Couteau charter seems to indicate beyond all doubt that they ha\e determined to push forward their entry to the Okanagan, anl make the electric line a feeder for their r?'lway.
All this spells progress and pros- perity in .he biggest kind of letters, an! the residents of the Okanagan have good cause to rejoice over this extremely important announcement whic'li means more to the c'istrict than can be easily cst'mated at t!ic first glance. It means :i big jump ahead along the line of prosperity for the whole valley, and will make Vernon an impotrant railway centre for competing lines.
Ar Irishman with one side of his face bally swollen stepped into Dr. Wichten's offcs and inquired if the dentist was in.
"I am the dentist," said the doctor.
"Well, then, I want ye to see what's the matter wid me tooth."
The doctor examined the offending molar, and explained: —
"The nerve is dead; that's what's the matter."
"Thin, be the powers!" the Irish- man exclaimed, "the other teeth must be houldin' a wake over it!"
2-> 10
THE NEW EMPIRE
\
Farming and Horticulture $£
Great Progress Made by These Industries in British Columbia
THE following extracts from the last budget speech of the Hon. Price Ellison. minister of finance and agriculture, indicate in no uncertain manner the rapid strides which agriculture in all its branches is making in British Co- lumbia:
In farming and horticulture 1 H 1 U was the biggest year the province has ever had. Last year Hon. Mr. Bowser n his budget speech was very pleased to announce that the produce of British Columbia under this head amounted to $S, 500,00(1. That, I believe, was a too conserva- tive estimate, but it was a good out- put for a comparatively poor year. This year 1 am please:! to announce* that the department of agriculture can show an output of home produc- tion of $14,399,000, or an increase of nearly six millions of dollars. It is very difficult to arrive at exact figures, as the department must ilo- pend upon so many sources of in- formation in order to arrive at an approximate result, but I think I am safe in saying that the amount I have given is well within the mark and may be depended upon. The of- ficials of the department first took the figures they had received from the railways and express companies and dealers i:i farm products and from returns from farmers' insti- tutes, and then checked tr-esc up i'.i several independent ways, and in each instance the first estimate was substantially confirmed.
The xery large home production and the increase over the preceding year are very gratifying indeed, especially to a farmer like myself who has always banked on our farm- ing possibilities. I have here the de- tails of production classified under the various heads, and I shall give them to the press, but I do not want to tire the House with them. Briefly these totals are:
Live stock $2,571,865
Dairy produce, butter,
eggs, etc 3,645,40.r>
Grain and hay 5,347,630
Fruit 1,939,110
Meats 675,475
Eggs and honey 159,447
Miscellaneous 60,162
Total $14. 399 OOfl
We have in the above such large items as horses, over $600,000; cat- tle, $1,136,000; poultry, $335,375; butter, over $1,000,000; fruit, near- ly $2,000,000; ha>, almost $4,000,- 000; and grain almost $1,500,000; bacon and hams,, over $360,000; and milk, cream, etc., over $2,500,000.
What in one sense is not, perhaps, so gratifying is that the imports of agricultural produce have been still greater than the home production, an:l amounted to $14,060,904.
Comparing, however, the figures with those submitted last year by the minister of finance, the home pro- duction lias almo-t caught up with the imported articles, despite the fact that the latter were over three and a half millions more than the year previous. The figures altogether sliow that thi re has been a great ex- pansion of population in the pro- vince, because the total consumption of farm products in 1010 amounted to nearly $28,300,000 in value, and in 1000 it was only about $20,000.- 000, and in the latter 1 am allowing $2,000.00(1 for what I believe to have been an underestimate last year. It means that there was at least $8,500,000 more consumed by the population in 1010 than in 1909. If we figure $80 as the consumption of agricultural products per head of the population and allow for the in- creased price of farm products it means that we added between 75,000 and 100,000 to the population in 1910, or a number e(|u:'.l to the en- tire population of 25 years ago. It is regrettable, of course, that we do not supply more of the home con- sumption than we do, but, however fast we may produce in view of the increasing population it will be a long time yet before we can fully supply the home market, and in any event there will always be a very considerable amount of agricultural articles in one form or another that we shall import.
We exported not more than $1.- 000,000 worth of agricultural pro- ducts, made up mainly of fruit. The fruit growing industry of the pro- vince is developing at a very rapid rate and bids fair soon to become the most important branch of agricul- ture. The lotal
I
Product ion of Fruit
was far in excess of any previous year and amounted to about $2,000,- 000. The quality of t'.ie fruit was all that could be desired and the marked improvement was shown in the packing and grading of thesame. Prices were, however, lower than usual.
The estimated area of fruit trees under cultivation in the province for 1911 is about 100,000 acres, of which there is something like 60,000 acres of bearing trees.
A glance at the figures of imports of poultry and eggs convince one of the great future there is for this most important branch of farming. $1,113.400 worth of poultry was im- ported and $335,375 produced in the province. In eggs, the importation was $285,682, and home production $156,247. The imports of cattle show $2,271,640 against $1,135,820 home production. This discrepancy between imports and home produc- tion is explained by the fact that out- side some of the interior ranges of the province cattle breeding for beef is not extensively practised in the province, and a number of the large ranches have been subdivided and the cattle sold for beef.
The dairying industry is on a very progressive plane at present, the total dairying output amounting to about $950,000, and it is anticipated the success of this important phase of agricultural industry will secure for the dairyman the highest market prices possible to be secured by any individual or organization in com- petiton anywhere throughout the Dominion, and this should prove a great incentive towards 1/ae rapid de- velopment and further increase of creameries throughout the province. Hops are also grown in consider- able quantities in the province, but there are no available statistics as to the production.
It s very gratifying to note that very active work is being conducted in the local improvement of stock breeding, and that a decrease in the number of horses and cattle in the province imported from outside points during 1910 has been record- ed in comparison with 1909.
(('(in! inued on I 'age '!". )
THE NEW EMPIRE
23
ZINC PLANT FOH NKLSON.
French's Complex Ore Reducton Company, Limited, will erect in Nel- son a plant for the treatment of the zinc ores of this district on a com- mercial scale by a process invented by A. Gordon French, the well- known metallurgical chemist, accord- ing to a statement made last night by Mr. French, says the Nelson News, who 'has just returned from Victoria, where he held a conference with the directors of the company, when this decision was arrived at.
In addition to the zinc plant a fac- tory will be built for the making of dry batteries from the zinc produced and from the black manganese oxide, which is a valuable by-product of Mr. French's process, while it s the in- tention to build a third plant for the manufacture of zinc pigment from the pure metal saved from the ores.
For the past year Mr. French has been operating a demonstration plant with a capacity of from four to rive tons per day at the old city power station on Cottonwood creek, with the result that >he was able last week to announce both t'.ie success of t!ie process from ;i commercial point of \iew and the decision on the part of his company to build a smelter here and the factories in connection, which will give employment to a large force of men.
Figures produced by .Mr. French indicate that the new process will make profitable the operation of many properties in the district which are at present lying idle owing to the heavy penalty placed upon complex zinc ores by the smelters.
Obtains Zinc and Miing-nese.
The process, detail, of which the fomous inventor is unable to divulge until certain patents have been se- cured, results in the zinc and t^e •rcangnese oxide being saved from the ore, while the residue, contain- ing the silver, lead and ot'rer mineral values, will in all probability be shipped to Trail or to some other smelter within easy reach of Nelson. The zinc is obtained in the pure met- allic form and the black manganese oxide is saved in the same condition of chemical purity.
"The zinc obtained reaches the highest practical point in the saving of the metal and reaches well up to- ward the theoretical values," said Mr French when questioned as to the percentage of zinc obtained from the ores 'by his process.
Plant in Steady Operation.
Under the manpgement of Georga Fletcher, for some years with t::e Hall Mines company, Mr. French's
demonstration „ lant is daily turning out zinc and black manganese oxide, largely from the complex ores ship- ped into Nelson by the Snyder elec- trical zinc smelter, which was built here in 1908, but which did not prove the success that was anticipat- ed,
"The directors of the company were delighted to 'hear of the success of the process when I was at Victoria last' week and showed then the pro- ducts," said Mr. French as he point- ed to a glass phial containing a sam- ple of the manganese oxide and to a heavy piece of pure zinc, "and came to the conclusion to go ahead with the preparation of plans for the building of the plant and the factories."
Statement in Plntiiiiiin Discovery. Regarding the discovery of the platinum group of metals in the grp.nite-Poorman mine, which he made some months ago. Mr. Frencii said: "The latest experiments prove that there are platinum, palladium anl irridium, the t'.-.ree important metals of the platinum group, i" payable quantities in the Granite- Poorman mine." Yesterday Thomas Gough, as a result of assays ma ie under direction from Mr. Fren-h, had in his possession a comparative- ly large button, in which irridium predominated, obtained from ore from the dyke in which the metals were found by Mr. French.
KAKMlIN<; AND HORTICUI/TUHK.
(Continued from Page 22.)
The imports under the heads are estimated as follows:
Live stock $ 5,254,286
Dairy produce 2,701,946
Eggs, etc 306,893
Hay anl grain (inc.
r.-.ait. ) ,j,381,544
Meats 974.129
Fruit 163,620
Miscellaneous 180,486
Total $14,962,904
Of this large sum $2,353,623 worth was imported through the cus- toms and paid duty. The rest came from Eastern Canadian points. The largest items were for sheep, bacon and hams, lard, eggs and butter, hay, grain and, strange as it >may seem, $163,620 worth of fresh fruits, such as we grow in this country. It should be borne in mind that about five-sixths of the imported goods came from the Middle West and Eastern Canada, and that British Co- lumbia is the most profitable cus- tomer the farmers of Eastern Can- ada havo.
AGRICULTURE IN B. C.
British Columbia is usually refer- red to as a mining, lumbering and fiE'hing province. In speaking of that part of the west it is seldom associated with agriculture. Some parts — in fact, many parts — of Bri- tish Columbia are very well suited to the growth of various grains, ve- getables and fruit. A great deal is being done for the promotion of agri- cultural societies there, and one of The Commercial correspondents at the coast has brought our attention to tiie work being done by the Chilli- wack Agricultural Society, which will hold its 39th annual exhibition on September 20 and 21.
A large sum of money has been set aside for prizes in the various classes and special competitions. The offices and members have planned to make this a first-class agricultural exhibition, and one who sees the pro- gramme for the occasion must get away from the thought t'.iat all west- ern agricultural exhibitions belong to the prairie country.
British Columbia is rapidly forg- ing to the front as a fruit growing country, and it is only a matter of a few years until British Columbia fruit will be a very large factor in the tracie of the central part of the Dominion. Most of the fruit used in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Al- berta now conies from the east and south, and when t'.ie British Colum- bia article is a little further develop- ed and the growers there get reason- able freight and express rates, each season's crop there will be awaited with even more interest than the eastern and southern crops to Jay.- - Winnipeg Commercial.
T. S. KAliMS.
United States census returns show that there are 6. 340, 357 farms in the United States, with an aggregate acreage of 873, 72!), 000. Reciprocity gives the Canadian farmer six mil- lion American competitors, in ad- dition to t'-e millions of farmers of the favore.! nations and t'.ie British Empire.
H. C. SALMON PACK.
The pack of all kinds of salmcn in British Columb'a this season will fall not far short of 750,000 cases. This is the opinion of a canner largely in- terested in the industry on the Fraser river and in the northern part of the province. It is estimated that the total pack of sockeye on the Fraser river and in the north ap- proximates 365,000 cases. The pack of springs, humpbacks raid cohoes will, it is expected, more than equal the output of sockeyes.
24
THE NEW EMPIRE
BUILDING IN VKRNON.
Vernon is experiencing a 'buil^ng boom at the present time. Many new homes are in course of construc- tion but aside from that the import- ance of some of the larger contracts recently awarded i-s worthy ofserious consideration. Only a few days ago the contract for the new 0. P. R. station was given to T. E. Crowell, the well known local contractor, and work has already been instituted on an elaborate basis. The new post- office Inr'Hing is rapidly Hearing completion r.n 1 in ils finishe.1 form it will be a distinct credit to the city. The new fire hall will be ready for occupation before the snow flies an1 with its completion the purchase of modern fire equipment will be- come a serious consideration. Pre- liminary work on the new court iiouse has been commenced but the magnitude of this undertaking will bring the conclusion of the work well into next spring. Other large con- tracts are well advanced and with the opening of 1 !i 1 2 Vernon will boast many tine new public build- ings.
The Royal Hank is building a fine new home for itself in the city of Kelowna. The building is of brick and presents a fine exterior appear- ance. The contractors are rushing the interior work and it is expected that occupation will occur before the end of September. It is pleasing to note the ocnfiflence and good faitli with which these large financial in- stitutions regard the future of the Okanagan towns and Kelowna has every reason to feel satisfied with the active character of its home banking houses.
With the inauguration of actual construction on the Kettle Valley railway Penticton has become a busy centre and the local business houses report a big volume of trade. Pen- ticton will be an important working base for the new road and with con- struction in full swing conditions will 'become unusually brisk.
Pew hotels there are that boast of long distance telephone communi- cation in each room, but this is true of the Royal Hotel in Vernon. It is now possible for the guests to talk with outside points without being subjected to the Inconvenience of going to the exchange or even to the hotel office. The proprietor of the hotel, A. Austin, Is sparing no ef- fort to make his house one of the best on the road and his efforts are meeting with success.
Nice
[l^^l^Lgp'V^^S^J [iSbl^^x^V^j&d] ffg^.
pr^^(LQ^rt£s3] [ir^gcg^ggj) prf "
imperial
FIRE and PLATE
HEAD OFFICE
SECURITY TO 1
$450,i
HON. PRICE ELLISON, President
G. ALERS-HANKEY, vice-President
A. WARING GILES, Managing Director
Insurance on all classes of property carried at lowest rates. See that your polic
F. BILLIN F. ]. HAR' T. W. STI1
THE NEW EMPIRE
25
I . kr.
r^sJti^g C-^j] pr^ggi
rtter* Corporation
LASS INSURANCE
LICY HOLDERS:
wo.oo
VERNON, B. C.
ING
HON. RICHARD McBRIDE, K. C. W. CRAWLEY RICARDO W. T. SHATFORD
are in the strong Home Company and avoid delay in the settlement of your loss.
NEW BANK BUILDING.
The new home of the Imperial Bank in the city of Karaloops is one of the finest of its kind in the upper country. Of substantial pressed brick the structure gives the appear- ance of permanency and symbolizes the sollrl basis on which is builded the business interests of the Inland capital. (Since coming to Kamloops the Imperial Bank has grown an I expanded with the town and no bet- ter evidence of the success of this thriving community could be hal than in a study of the career of the local banking institutions.
The C. P. R. will not move \u tracks from Main street in Kamloops until early next year. Tliis will be an important undertaking arid it is reported in well authorized circles that it is but part of a large pro- gramme that the railway company has planned for Kamloops for next season.
British Columbia's new university will be opened to the public in two years, according to Hon. Richard McUride. The university will be complete in every department and will offer to the people of British Columbia educational facilities that have no superior on the continent.
Work on the new station at Ver- non is well under way and the C. P. R. officials announce that it will be ready for occupation by the end of the year. Tenders are being called for the new provincial court house. This will be one of the finest build- ings in the interior of British Colum- bia and will cost in the neighbor- hood of $165,000.
Vernon is spending a lot of money in rebuilding the roadbed of its main business thoroughfare and when completed it will be as good as ma- cadamized. Vernon is progressive in every department of its civic ad- ministration and after all this is the spirit that builds a city and makes it great.
"The Prodical Son" was the sub- ject of the Sunday school lesson, and the teacher was dwelling on t)he char- acter of the elder brother.
"But amid all the rejoicing," said the teacher, "there was one to whom the preparation of the feast brought no joy, to whom the prodigal's re- turn gave no happiness, only bitter- ness; one who did not approve of the feas.t and had no wish to attend it. Now, who can tell me who this was?"
Silence for several moments; then a hand raised and a small, sym- pathetic voice:
"Please ma'am, it was the fatted calf."
26
THE NEW EMPIRE
GOOD IK ) \ Us. (From the Scientific American.)
Chief among the qualities of a good road is that of durability, and durability can be assured only by first-class work in construction an! by ceaseless vigilance in maintaining the road in perfect condition. It goes without saying that the high- ways of America, considered as a whole, are not to be compared with those of the older European coun- tries. After a motor car tour through Europe, the American becomes pain- iiilly aware of the fact that in this most important matter, his country, even if we allow for its comparative youthfulness, is many decades be- liind that stage of development to which its wealth and enterprise ^l.ould have carried it long ago. Al- though we say this with full appreci- ation of the fact that some of our States, and notably Xew Jersey and Massachusetts, have done effective work in building up a sys;em of highways, the fact remains that, taken as a whole, the United Sta'es ha-; not done much more in tins mat- ter of good roads than make a be- ginning— the work has yet to be done.
It is not that we have been parsi- monious in the matter of appropri- ations. Had the money which has been vote! by legislatures and county boards, and the enormous amount of work which has been done 1111 ier the as-essment method, been expended wisely in the first place, i'-ii 1 followed up by intelligent irethods of maintenance and repair — in other words had we built our roads and cared for them as they buil.l an 1 maintain them in Europe, >vp :'.n nnt hesitate to say that for :i:c money ml energy expended, our roa(!s would have been in a: least cue h-inirel ner cent, better con- dition t'.ian they are today.
The fundamental requirements of a good road are an ample foundation an! good drainage. Without these, the most carefully leveled and smoothly rolled top surface is noth- ing more than a delusion and a snare. Furthermore, a road which has been built with deep founda- tions, good drainage, and an ample depth of suitable top dressing — un- less it be watched and tended with the most solicitous attention — will go to pieces only a little less rapidly than the cheap product of the scraper and horse roller.
We have long believed that in those districts where scarcity of travel and financial inability to pro- \ide the necessary funds prohibit the construction of a lirst-dnss ma-
cadam road, it would be better to in- vest the time and money in con- structing short sections of durable road, leaving the traffic to fight it out with "chuck-holes," deep ruts and mud over the balance of t'ae highway during the winter months. The endurance of a few years of dis- comfort would be repaid by the ulti- mate possession of a permanent first- class highway. Moreover, the us« of oil or some other of the many ex- cellent "binders" that are now avail- able would make it possible to main- tain the unimproved roadway in as good, if not better, condition than that of the old s.craper-an-d-roller highway, which invariably went to pieces after the first two or three frosts and rains of the winter.
In districts where financial condi- tions and the amount of traffic has warranted the construction of ex- pensive roads, millions of dollars have been thrown away because of the absolutely absurd system of maintenance (if it can 'be called such ) which has been followed. There is no method of construction upon which eternal vigilance is so necessary as on that of the modern macadam highway. This has long been recognized in Europe, where the roadways are divided into coni- paritively short sections, each of which is controlled by a section gang, provided with a supply of broken rock, gravel, sand, or other road mending material, conveniently distributed in piles along the road- way. Each member of the gang has his wheelbarrow, pick and shovel, and as soon as the slightest indica- tion of breakdown, such as a rut or iiollow. is detected, repairs are made before the 'amage can proceed any further. A century of experience 1-as prove! that this is the only way in which a road can be maintaine.1 always in absolutely first-class con- dition: never was the truth of oil age adage "A stitch in time saves nine" more strikingly true than in this matter of the upkeep of public thoroughfares.
OKANAGAN KIVKK IHSKDGING.
Three years of dredging and im- provement of the Okanagan River Is having the desire 1 effect on the waterway and the land adjoinging. It is estimated that the land reclaimed will amount to 120 acres, anl that in all over 250 acres have been bene- fltted by drainage, through the deep- ening of the river and the removal of the bars from its mouth. At the Lake Shaka end perhaps the mos.1 difficult part of the scheme has been tackled. At the mouth of the river, on the west side, a breakwater is in
course of construction, about 500ft. out in the lake, which when finished will cause a scour from the river to keep the bar clear, and to allow boats of fair draft to enter at any season.
When the dredging was commenc- ed there were predictions that the river and the Okanagan Lake would suffer, but the only result has been to lawer the level of the river about six inches. The consequence is that a quantity of marsh land lying along the 'banks, that previously was of lie- tie practical value, has been fitted for the producton of crops of any knd, and at places beauty spots have been created where ideal homes can be erected. A mile of piling, brusvi and matrass work has been erected to keep up the banks, and to guide the current in the stream. All the old trees and snags, that have ac- cumulated there for generations, will be removed, and at certain shallow corners the river wll be still further deepened.
At least 70 acres have been re- claimed and made fit for cul- tivation, and now comprises some of the finest land around Penticton. Mr. Joe McDonald, who is in charge of the improvements, has about a dozen men workng on the break- water. He estimates the cost so far as amounting to $28,500, and, to the end of the working year, the total outlay will approximate to $35,000. Considering the productive possibili- ties of the property reclaimed, the outlay is infinitesimal in comparison with the thousands of dollars that will eventually be taken from the land.
CAXAIt.VS HANKING SYSTEM.
Canada has 30 charterel banks, with 2. 1 78 branches. Ontario lead- Ing with 948; Quebec, 337; Marl- time Provinces, 184; f.-.e West, 659; outside Canada, .">().
Pank clearings, 1909, 14 cities, $5,204,000,000 — Increase over a bil- lion over 1908. Clearings in eight cities. 1901, only $1,871,000,000.
Canadian banks had, on Dec. 31, 1909, $97,808,617 of paid-up cap- ital; $81,325,732 of bank notes In circulation; reserve funds, $77,847,- 333.
Bank assets, $1,157,783,629; lia- bilities, $970,926,157.
Total deposits, Dec. 31, 1909, $835,438,910.
Current loans in Canada, 834 mil- lions.
"It isn't what a man earns that makes him rich," said t'he moralizer.
"No," rejoined the demoralizer, "It's usually what his l':it aer savfifl."
THE NEW EMPIRE
Okanagan Fruit Lands
Fruit Properties
We have always on our lists the choicest of the fruit ranches being offered for sale, improved and unimproved, and are always pleased to give full information to enquirers, and to show visitors thoroughly over the district.
The Vernon district has, we believe, ad- vantages to offer the fruit grower, not en- joyed by any other district in the Province, as careful investigation will prove.
Vernon City Property
At present Vernon is a city of 3000 people, with every prospect of a very rapid increase in population. It is the natural commercial centre of the whole Okanagan Valley, and with the rapid settlement going on should develop into an important dis- tributing centre for the Interior.
As a residential city it is unequalled among the smaller cities of the Province, and an investment in city property, at present prices, is sure to give gratifying results.
IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING FULL INFORMATION ABOUT VERNON AND DISTRICT WRITE FOR MAPS, BOOKLETS, ETC., TO
MUTRIE & MUTRIE
REAL ESTATE
VERNON, B.C
We Cater to the Tourist . . .
Delightful Environment
All Modern Conveniences
In the Heart of the Residential District
THE GRANGE HOTEL
VERNON - - B. C-
Headquarters for Tourists
A Real Family Home
Rates: $2.50 per Day--- Terms by the Week and Month
oooooooo
CHAS. MOTT, Proprietor
VERNON, B.C
28
Do You Want
SASH
-AND
DOORS
We also manufacture- Screens
Cabinets of all kinds
Tables
Mouldings
Turnings
Store and Bar Fixtures
Church Seats and Pulpits
Window and Door Frames and all kinds of Rough and Finished Lum- ber
OURGOODSARE
OF SUPERIOR
CLASS
Slabsforsale-$3.00 per cord
S. C SMITH
LUMBER CO., LTD.
VERNON, B.C.
THE NEW EMPIRE MORK LAND KOK 8KTTLKRS.
llruslrs Lake Itanrli Will He Cut I ;> Into sm ill Holdings.
Plans for Lhe development of the 110,000-acre ranch of the Douglas Lake Cattle Company, Ltd., near Douglas (Lake, in the Nicola district, south of Kamloops, recently acquire.! by a group of 'London financiers, will soon be formulated. This is the announcement made 'by .Mr. R. M. Palmer, former deputy minister of agriculture and now managing di- rector of the British Columbia Fruit Lands Ltd. owning large tracts near Kamloops and in the Okanagan dis- trict. Mr. Palmer is closely associ- ated with the new owners who in- clude Mr. A. C. Johnstone, managing director of the Britisli Canadian In- vestment Company of London, Eng.
"The Douglas Lake ranch is prO'b- ably the finest in Canada if not on the continent. It comprises a very diversified country and controls vast areas of grazing lands, hay meadows and an abundant supply of water," said Mr. Palmer.
"This property has large possi- bilities in ;he way of development of mixed farming, an! in this respect very little has been done in the past. Ideal conditions for installing an ir- rigation system exisit. There are also fine possibilities for coal min- ing, the ranch not being far from the Nicola Valley where coal mining is in progress.
"A detailed plan of development will be adopted. Of course, it can not be carried out in a day or a year for the area is enormous. The ranch has over 12,000 head of cattle and horses. This live stock has also been acquired by the new owners who will proba'bly extend that branch of the business.
"An irrigation system is being in- stalled on the holdings of the Britisii Columbia Fruit Lands Ltd., north of Kamloops, through which the Cana- dian Northern main line will run for eight miles. The system is a con- crete-lined canal with metal fluming whenever needed. The main ditch will be completed this fall and will render available next season one-half of the company's holdings of 6000 acres."
HOPK STILL BUSY.
Just to give an idea of the way real estate has soared in the town of 'Hope one enthusiastic correspond- ent sends out the information that a lot a little removed from the busi- ness district brought the magnificent sum of four hundred dollars. In the business district as high as ten thou- sand dollars has been paid for cor- ner lots.
FARM LANDS
Suitable for mixed farming, live stock, dairy- ing or fruit growing.
I can place a settler in comfortable circum- stances and I can give him a first class invest- ment.
With a record of one of the largest and most successful real estate businesses in the upper country I solicit your business.
City property listed and sold. Some good buys always available.
Write for maps, il- lustrated literature, etc.
05CX3XIDO
J.T. ROBINSON
Real Estate
Insurance
Financial Broker
KAMLOOPS, B.C.
THENEWEMPIRE 29
DO YOU Vv ant Farm Lands?
If you are looking for farm lands, I want to talk business with you for my listings include some of the finest properties in the province.
I have a personal knowledge of conditions through the province and am in a position to place you where others fail. It will pay you to get in touch with me if you mean business.
I also make a specialty of town lots and can give you some real profitable investments. My clients can testify to my ability to give satis- faction.
EVANDER McLEOD
REAL ESTATE :: LOANS :: INSURANCE
HEAD OFFICE AT KAMLOOPS, B. C. P. O. DRAWER 388
Offices at Vancouver and Victoria.
THE NEW EMPIRE
Lots of <;< oil di'ii/iiiu l,;ui(l- ill the
On tin- i;- in h l.iiiuls at l'i Mini n
THE NEW EMPIRE
I To See Ourselves as Others See Us
»{«
I: Special Correspondent in "Canada'
•!•
Pays High Tribute to KamUps and its interests
I
I
IN a current issue of "Canada," a weekly journal published in Lon- don, England, and devoted ex- clusively to Canadian interests, a special writer paid a warm tribute to the city of Kamloops and its as- sociated industries. Seldom it is that an English periodical is so gen- erous in its treatment of one par- ticular district, but British Colum- bia owes much to "Canada" for the thorough and consistent manner in which it places local conditions be- fore its thousands of readers in all parts of the universe. British Co- lumbia needs all the publicity in the o-ld country that it can possibly secure and it is to papers of the type of "Canada" that she must look. The story as prepared by the special correspondent is reproduced in full below:
There is no more delightful little city in all the great Dominion of Canada than Kamloops. You will find it in the centre of Southern British- Columbia, -its latitude cor- responding identically with that of Southampton. Kamloops is, at the moment, only a tiny city of 4500 in- habitants, but it is calculated that during the next few years its growth and prosperity will attain pretty con- siderable importance. Such calcu- lation is based upon the fact that Kamloops is soon to become a great railway centre — in all probability, the greatest railway centre in the interior of British Columbia. It is already a divisional point on the Canadian Pacific railway, which means, among other ..hings, that Icoorrotlves p.re channel here. This necessitates the existence of a roun '-house, where engines may be rlsane!, slops where they r.:ay undergo minor repair?, coal chut:s, a water tower ani pumping station, a considerable staff, and a fairly large pay roll.
With the arrival a: Kamloops of the Canadian Northern lailway on its wr.y from Yellowheail Pass to Vancouver circumstances an 1 local con'iticiis woul '. seem to suggest to the engineers of the new_ transcon- llnen ?.l the necessity cf establish:'!!-? a divisional point here also. Thrt the Granl Trunk Pacific: will even- tually build from Yellowhead Pass to Kamloops appears extremely prob- able, whilst a branch may be thrown
from this line to the Cariboo gold- fields. A charter has been granted for a railway between Midway and Vernon on the Okanagan lake, and this charter has since been extend- ed to Kamloops. The Canadian Northern Company also proposes the construction of a railroad from their main line at Kamloops to Princeton in the Similkameen valley, 100 miles to Ite south, there to connect with the -Great Northern system. This all goes to show that, before the worl 1 is very much older, Kamloops will become, at the very least, a great, busy, bustling railway centre.
Its Natural Assets. But this is not all its natural as- sets. Kamloops is the centre of a district endowed by nature with many valuable assets, awaiting only capital, enterprise 'and itransporta- tion for their complete development. Before me 1 have a map of this part of British Columbia ; immediately to the north of Kamloops I see printed, in different districts, gold, silver, copper, cinnabar, timber, and bunch grass; to the immediate south, cop- per, gold, silver, coal, and bunch grass; to the east, timber; to the west, iron; and to the north-east, gold, silver, lead and timber. The whole within a radius of fifty miles. Nature has most emphatically select- ed Kamloops as a field for a special display of her beneficence for, in ad- dition to immense mineral and for- est display, its endowments of cli- mate, scenery, situation, suitability for fruit growing and cattle ranch- ing, rivers and lakes, are almost un- surpassed.
It is nearly a century — to be. pr.e- c'se. !)8 years — since Kamloops had its beginning. The great Hudson's Hay Company established a trading post here in 1818 an I called it Fort Thompson. No hing now remains of the fort, but it was situated on the north side of the Thompson river in the cistrlct now known as "Fruit- Ir-n-'s." A few years la er the name wr.s changed .o Fort Kamloops, the ln'lr.11 name for tlie locality, which, being interpreted, means "The Meet- inss of the Waters" — the waters being the North and South Thomp- son rivers. In 1863 the company vacated this post and erected larger buildings on the opposite side of the river, thereby giving considerable
impetus to the growth of the present city of Kamloops. To carry the com- pany's local history a little further, it is interesting to note that a still larger building was put up an 1 oc- cupied in 1885. Nine years later, however, ihis was abandonel in favor of newer and more com- modious stores on Main street.
Mines !iinl Minerals.
As in the past, so also In the future, the prosperity and well-being of Karrloops tlepenl pretty con- siderably, though by no means wholly, on the mining industry. De- velopments in this direction are, however, retarded by two serious, drawback; — want of capital an;', pro- hibitive freight rr.tcs en ore to the nearest point of treatment. The principal group of mines in the Kara- loops division is that of the Coal Hill district, to the south of the city, and covering an area of about forty square miles. Copper, gold, silver and iron of proven values exist in this district, and much preliminary work has been done on many mines, the best known of which is the Iron Mask. This mine has already ship- ped some 25,000 tons of copper ore. A few miles north-west of Kamloops, near Copper Creek, cinnabar mines have been worked at intervals for several years, producing a goodly amount of quicksilver. To the northwest also lies ;he King Edward group of gold bearing quartz mines. In the .Cotton Belt group to the north-east, and the Fortuna group to the north, development work is slowly going on in expectation of the early provision of suitable trans- portation facilities, and valuable de- posits of gold, silver, lead an 1 cop- per have been revealed. Coal of good quality exists in the North Thompson valley, some six y miles from Kamloops. The advent of the C. N. R. through the valley will bo of most inestimable value in the de- velopment of the vast mineral an 1 forest weal.h of the 200 miles of territory lying between Yellowhea 1 Pass anl Kamloops. But the de- velopment will not be restricted to this particular area. In 'bringing coal from the North Thompson val- ley to Kamloops the railway will prove contributory to the develop-
( Continued on Page 3S.)
32
THE NEW EMPIRE
OKANAGAN VALLEY Deer Park Fruit Lands
ENDERBY
NO IRRIGATION REQUIRED
These lands are situated on the benches near Knderby and are especially suited for Fruit and Vegetables, and having been in crop are in splendid condition for planting.
An experienced fruit grower is in charge and will give advice free of charge.
zo-acre lots are now on the market at $150 per acre.
School, public hall and post office; 5^. miles to Knderby, 6 to Armstrong.
—APPI.Y TO—
GEO. PACKAM
Deer Park Land Office. ENDERBY, B. C.
FRUIT LANDS
IN THE
Fruit Growing Section
OF THE
Famous Okanagan Valley
For further information and particulars, write me.
J A MELDRUM
OPPOSITE C. P. R. STATION
VERNON, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
33
MILES OF NEW SETTLERS.
Immigration Figures for British Co- liinibia Are Rather Surprising'.
That each succeeding year sees an increase of immigration to British Columbia and that 1911 lias made a new record is the statement of P. W. Peters, assistant to Sir William Whyte, vice-president of the C. P. R. The interior of the province reaps largely of this in'flur.
"A 'bright statistician in our of- fices has calculated that if all the British immigrants transported west- ward by the C. P. R. alone from Montreal during the last three months were to march in a single line two-and-a-half feet apart, tak- ing a step of thirty inches apart, and travelling at the rate of three miles an hour, it would take nearly twenty-eight hours for the line to pass a given point," said Mr. Peters. "Most of the immigrants went to British Columbia and the western prairie provinces.
"We hear much in these days of the amount of capital that has been introduced into Canada by settlers from the United States, but it should be remembered that the new type of British settler is by no means an im- pecunious individual. It has been
SUMMERLAND
The worcT'Summerland" spells the best of the fruit growing districts of the famous Okana- gan valley.
Our fruit has scored the highest ar.d the fact that most of the land has already been taken up tells a convincing story. But there is some acreage yet to dispose of and it will pay you to write to me.
G. A. Me Williams
Summerland, B. C.
computed by a competent authority that the 90,000 immigrants referred to by the statistician took into the country a sum of at least $27,000,- 000. Therefore it is noi to be won- dered at that the Dominion, provin- cial and transportation authorities are increasing, if possible, tlieir ac- tivities in the United Kingdom."
Mr. Peters spoke also interestingly on the crop outlook in the prairie provinces, which he believes has never been equalled and he predicts that the wheat yield will exceed 200,- 000,000 bushels. Flax also promises tribe especially abundant and "There will be millions of dollars in circu- lation tills fall, thus adding to the general prosperity now prevailing and British Columbia will share in the benefits owing :to increased orders for lumber and other pro- ducts," is Mr. Peters' hopeful pro- phecy.
That the C. P. R. is also adding daily to its present equipment to handle the expected bumper crop was likewise learned from Mr. Peters, who does not anticipate any car shortage. "As the volume of traffic to be handled will beat all records." said hi,, "there i.s every indication that considerable grain will seek an outlet near Vancouver and we have been doubling here our elevator and grain handling facil- ities. My advices are that Mexico owing to the recent political disturb- ances will be a larger importer of Alberta wheat than ever."
BRITISH CAPITAL COMING.
I.' : (1 ii Financier Siiys British C - Imiihin Is (Joi'd Field.
British capital w'll soon be pour- ing into British Columbia and a Inrge share oT it will be coming to the upper country, according to R. M. Bauer, a prominent London financier. Mr. Bauer has large in- teres's in laiuls an 1 mines in this province, in fac' his- boilings repre- sent seven figures. He iias recently been out here :.o look into his inter- ests and it was then that he toll of the value of British Columbia as an investmt nt.
Mineral wealth has a particular fascination for Mr. Bauer, an 1 while be is very reticent in discussing his immediate plans along this line, he permitted it to be gleaned from his conversation that British Columbia will soon see a heavy invasion of British capital for the development of its mining interests, particularly the gold prospects in the north. "Beyond the fact that British Co- lumbia has more than a passing in- terest to me on account of my large
financial connections with various interests, and the admission that I am here to look over certain prop- erties which have been favorably re- ported upon by my agent, I cannot speak more definitely at this time," said Mr. Bauer in discussing the ob- ject of his visit during an interview in Vancouver. "Only a blind man could pass over British Columbia as the most promising field for invest- ment at present and Vancouver's growth alone is sufficient to convince the most skeptical."
The big Lowe ranch just outside of Keremeos has been sold to a syndicate headed by Richard Caws- ton and will be sub-divided. The purchase price was two hundred thousand dollars. The property is one of the fines: for many miles around.
When in Hope
stop at the
Coquhalla
Hotel
It is the oldest in the town and the service is : : the best : :
PARNABY & WILSON
PROPRIETORS
34 THENEWEMPIRE
Penticton Fruit Lands are Just
Like Money in the Bank of England
They are a good safe investment and you will save money in buying them. There are thousands of acres of the very choic- est lands, both bench and bottom lands, and they are suitable for the best classes of fruit culture. Penticton forms the southern part of the famous Okanagan
Fruit Farms of Ten Acres Upwards
We are agents for some of the best prop- erties in the district. Our connections fi- nancially are the best and we can furnish A 1 credentials.
Write today for particulars and literature.
RATHVON & CARLESS
Real Estate :: Insurance :: Financial Broker
PENTICTON, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
35
TOBACCO INDUSTRY
IS \ALUABLK ONK
l\rliMYM.-i Handier Doing Much to Create Interest in Growing.
The possibilities surrounding the tobacco industry in the Okanagan valley are rapidly finding a favorable impression with the outside world and after all it is sympathy and en- couragement that accelerates indus- try. It was only a few days ago that The Merrltt Herald employed the greater part of its editorial page in a discussion of the tobacco industry and it is interesting to note the confi- dence and optimism with which the problem was treated.
Here is what The Herald editor had to say:
"Mr. Louis Holman, a successful tobacco planter of Kelowna, has much to say in favor of British Co- lumbia agriculturists going in ex- tensively for this important industry and in order that ranchers may give it a trial has offered to provide 200 planst free of charge except the ex- press from his own plantation, where he has made as much as $537 per acre over all expenses in a good sea- son, a figure not many fruit growers in the province are able to show. Mr. Holman states that with White Hurley leaf he can hold his own with any tobacco planter in America, north or south, and instances the fact that last year another Kelowna rancher netted $487 for one load, declaring it the biggest price ever received by him for a load of any- thing. To encourage the industry Mr. Holman is willing in addition to providing free plants to come and show ranchers exactly what proced- ure to take in planting, cultivating and harvesting their crops.
"The tobacco industry has been taken up with considerable success on Vancouver Island, where 42 men are busily engaged in the business, more especially in the immediate vicinity of Nanaimo. The interior district is said to be superior for tobacco raising both in soil and cli- mate to Vancouver Island, and if they find it profitable for the growth of "my lady Nicotine" it should prove a veritable gold mine to the rancher taking it up over here. According to Mr. Holman we have the same kind of soil here as is found in the to- bacco districts of Cuba and with cul- tivation could get the same fine flavor to our products.
"Despite the bar placed on the weed in cities, states and countries, it is intprpstins to note that, tlio con-
sumption of tobacco increases every year, while, on he other hand, the supply is diminishing and it is harder each season for the manufacturers to meet the demand and the big houses are sending men all over the world to discover new fields. A director of the Imperial Tobacco Co., of London, recently visited Mr. Holman's ranch, expressed himself as both surprised and pleased at the quality of the to- bacco grown and wished to sign up a contract there and then for 2,000,- 000 pounds a year but had to be satisfied with a smaller contract as Mr. Holman could not guarantee de- livery of such a large order. The Imperial representative had just come up from Kentucky, where he closed a deal for over $100,000 worth of the staple brand of that state, which is only suitable for pipe use, whereas the British Columbia variety is distinctly a ctgar tobacco and na- turally of a higher grade.
"This Kelowna rancher has also received recently offers of contracts from two Montreal firms, one calling for 500,000 and the other for 600,- 000 pounds a year. He is of the opinion that 5,000,000 pounds can be raised between Salmon Arm and Keremeos, estimating it to bring the growers 14 or 15 cents a pound.
"Another important point to ranchers in this matter is that in the case of fruit culture they have to wait four or five years for their in- itial crop, whereas in the case of tobacco they can harvest their crop the year it is planted. Tobacco growers down in frigid Quebec make pretty good money out of a rough- leaf variety and we see no reason why the industry should not be given a fair trial in this province under obviously more auspicious con- ditions."
GATEWAY TO THE CARIBOO
All traffic to the famous Cariboo country must pass through Ashcroft
For good service and general satis- faction most of the travelling public stops at the
ASHCROFT HOTEL
McGillivary & Veasev
+J
PROPRIETORS
ASHCROFT, B, C.
You ask a Traveler where he stops in Vernon and he will tell you ^^-
The Kalamalka Hotel
The good service he gets, the general environment as well as the congenially of conditions beckons him to the popular hostelry.
Large addition being built that will place the Kalamalka Hotel in the fore rank of hotels in the Interior.
Rates $2.50 per day up.
Kalamalka Hotel Co., Ltd.
A. McAuley, Manager VERNON, B. C.
36
THE NEW EMPIRE
THE NEW EMPIRE
THE KETTLE VALLEY
Line Will Be in Operation Up Cold- water This Fall.
The Kettle Valley line has award- ed to Messrs. 'L. M. Rice & Co., of Vancouver and Seattle, a contract for the construction of a fory-mile section from Penticton at the south end of Okanagan Lake westward to Ausprey Lake summit. Grading out- fits have already been shipped to Penticton and grading will be in pro- gress within a few weeks.
The gap from the summit at Aus- prey Lake to the Otter summit, thirty miles south of Merritt in Nicola Valley, is seventy-five miles. From Merritt the rails have been laid for twenly miles. Grading on the re- maining ten miles to Otter summit is now in progress and will soon he finished. Later in the season a train service will be established between Merritt and Otter summit whence the main line will also be continued west over the mountains to Hope, where the Fraser River will be bridged to afford connection with the main line of the C. P. R.
From Mddway in the Boundary district northward along the west fork of Kettle River twenty miles of track have been laid and ten addi- tional miles have been gradel.
After the stress of busi- ness there is nothing like a little
RECREATION
Our arrangements for Pool and Billiards are FIRST CLASS
Rooms cool and well ventilated.
Full Stock of TOBACCOS
CIGARETTES
and CIGARS
THE OKANAGAN BILLIARD PARLOR
V. A. Hagerman, Prop.
Main St. PENTICTON
Farther up the stream thirty-five miles of the same line are under con- struction. The western limit of this contract which is likewise being exe- cuted by Messrs. Rice & Co. is known as the Kettle Valley summit which is only forty-five miles from Penlicton on the other side of the divide.
The railway company also plans to build a four-mile spur from Pen- ticton south to Dog Lake and will operate a steamer on that lake, thus affording communication to one of the 'finest agricultural and fruit- growing sections of the province. Later on when conditions justify the step the railway will be extended south from the lower end of Dog Lake to the international boundary.
With the rapidity displayed by the railway in building its main line it will not be more than two oi1 th'.'te yrars before !he uncompletel iar>3 will be finished, thus afford Jug ;'ire.H rail communication between il.c Kootenays and the coast aiul tap- ping tlie Boundary, Okanngan, Xicoln anil Similkameen districts.
COAL COMPANY GROWING.
THK C. N. R. AT KAMLOOPS.
Canadian Pacific Will Likely Handle Supplies from That Point.
It is generally understood that t'.ie Canadian Pacific Railway will at once commence the construction of a spur line to the river so that the C. X. R. contrac'.ors may have every facility in handling their outfits and supplies from this point rather than from Savona, says the Kamloops Standard. The case which was pui up by the Board of Trade was strong enough to convince the company that it would be to their interest to see that goods were handled via Kamloops ra;her than via Savona or other small stations further west. There is no doubt, however, that this move would have been considered Vy the C. P. R. without any urging from !he Board of Trade or otherwise. They have the facilities here, there is already a wharf here.
The water haul :s easier to imv point from here ti> the foot of the lake and the spur would be useful for other purposes. If this spur is built an 1 there is every reason to believe that it will be, there will 'be- no ercuse for the C. X. R. continu- ing to pass up Kamloops in the man- ner in which :he company and con- tractors evidently desire to do.
What is more if the spur is con- structed it woul 1 not be at all un- likely thai the C. P. R. would be making the dirt fly on the oNrth Thompson before the C. X. R. has commenced that part of its work. The rumors to that effect are cer- tainly most persistent.
Columbia Coal and Coke Co. Will Ship 2000 Tons Daily.
The Columbia Coal and Coke Co. at Coalmont means business of an elaborate order. Work is being rushed on the tunnels and already the bore is in fourteen hundred feet in the larger one. Contracts have been let for a large and modern tip- ple as well as other equipment and it will not >be long before coal will be shipped. The company announce plans for the installation of two hun- dred coke ovens early next spring, and taken altogether the programme is a progressive one. The V. V. and E. is rushing construtcion of its line into the coal metropolis and it will not be long before communication is available. This will give connection with ihe boundary districts and pro- vide n goo 1 market for the coke. It is also rumored that a smelter will lie built in the vicinity of Princeton to treat the ores from ;he surround- ing nistrict an:! if this shceme ma- terializes tliere will be a home mar- ket as well for the product of the coke ovens. Taken altogether (he expenditure of the coal company will lie well over the three-quarter mil- lion mark and t'.ie daily output will lie pOOO tons.
Hotel Penticton
Unequalled Situation
overlooking beautiful
Okanagan lake.
Headquarters for the tourist and commercial man.
Rates $2.50 a day
Special rates by the week or month.
Mrs. A. Barnes
Proprietress PEEINTICTOIX. B.C.
3S
THE NEW EMPIRE
TO SKK OritSKLVKS
AS OTHKHS SKK l"S
(Continued from Page 31.)
raent of the whole Kamloops mining division — north, south, east anl west. Smelters, ironworks anl fac- tories will spring rapidly into exist- ence in and around quiet little Kam- loops on the arrival of "King Coal"; and mineral propositions which hitherto have remained undevelop- ed owing to the enormous cost of hundreds of miles of expensivetrans- portation will blosson into flourish- ing, profitable enterprises. A dis- covery of opals was made near Kam- loops on January 31st of last year.
Lumbering ami Kanrliing. The lumbering industry con- tributes very largely to the prosper- ity of Kamloops. Four large mills are at work near the cKy. Of these, the Arrow Lakes mill, with i:s daily capacity cf l.">0.000 feet.. is the larg- est and most important. The source of supply for these mills is the val- ley of the North Thompson, and the slopes of : lie hills running down to the long, narrow Shuswap lake, anl to the equally long and narrow Adams lake. The trees of inland Hritish Columbia do not attain the size of the gigantic firs and cedars
Penticton - Keremeos AUTO STAGE
SAFE SURE SPEEDY
Automobile meets all trains at Keremeos and all boats at Penticton.
Round Trip Daily
Schedule
IvV. Penticton 7:00 a.m. daily AT. Keremeos 10:20 a. m. Lv. Keremeos 4:30 p. m. daily Ar. Penticton 7:00 p. m. Fare: Single $6.00; Return $10
Address all communications to
S. M. Studebaker
care Penticton Hotel Penticton, - - B. C.
of the coast regions, but iheir slower growth tends to make the wood proportionately harder. I noticed in the yards of the Arrow Lakes mill that nearly all ,he sawn lumber pill logs was confined to three kinds cf trees — cedar, fir and red pine. This is pretty generally the case at the other mills also.
Cattle ranching and farming have been successfully carried on in the Kamloops district from the early day;: of the Victorian era. Many Clyde-i- dale horses and Shorthorn cattle, born and bred here, have taken valu- able prizes at Calgary, 400 miles away, whither they have been sent to compete with the best of the three prairie provinces. Large crops of hay, oats (which can be cut anl liarvested before the end of July), tomatoes, melons and Indian corn are special features of the farming acres of the valley radiating from Kamloops; bu: during the last few years considerable interest and much attention have been centered in fruit growing. Capital to the extent of many tens of thousands of pounds has already been inves.ed in the industry, and large areas of land covered with young frui; trees may now be seen in the neighborhood of I'.ie city. The principal of these fruit growing estates is known as Fruitland. Less than ten years ago Kr-.ii land was nothing more than n flat, arid waste of sand, sage brush and tufts of tough grass, lying at the apex of the western triangle formed by the junction of the North anl Sou h Thompson rivers anl the mountains between them. Now a considerable portion of this estate of GOOO acres is devoted to orchards of healthy fruit trees, gardens produc- ing the very finest of vegetables of all descriptions, poultry ranches, poplar an-.l fir trees, and comfortable little villas. What magic influence lias been at work to produce such a vast change in this hitherto minia- ture desert? Nothing more .nan artificial irrigation. The same magic wand that lias worked such wonders in other parts of Rritish Columbia, in Alber.a, in the "dry belt" of the United States, in Egypt, in Afghan- istan, in India, and Ceylon, in China, and, generally, in most of the dry spots of the earth.
The average Englishman seems to have formed a prejudicial anti- pathy to -the very word "irrigation." It brings to his mind thoughts of desert and sand, hot, dry weather, and such like, in contrast to the humid atmosphere, green pastures, and prolific crops to which he has been accustomed. He forgets that a controlled water supply must be the best source of moisture for his
farm, seeing that it entirely elimi- nates the chances of damage by drought or flood.
("Minute and Scenery. The glorious climate of Kamloops and all that I heard about it im- pressed me very forcibly. The place migh: almost be called the "City of Eternal Sunshine." When I was there at the end of January the weather was warm enough to dis- pense with an overcoat. The sun shone brightly every day, and, hav- ing done its day's work in Kam- loops, sank to rest behind the great snow-capped mountains with such a vivid display of rapidly changing colors as only Nature herself could paint. Kamloops is not saturate:! with moisture, like the coast, In January; it is not covered with snow at that time like a great portion of British Columbia, the prairie pro- vinces and eastern Canada; its tem- perature in the winter docs not drop to 40 degrees below zero, like that
(Continued on Page 42.)
Harrison Hot Springs
Easily the finest pleas- ure and health resort in America.
J*
Patrons are its best ad- vertisers.
j*
ST. ALICE HOTEL
O|*-n all llie. Year. Sleam Heated
and Electric Lighted. Long Distance Telephone and Tele- graph Service.
Automobiles and Stages Meet All Trains at Agassiz Station.
J«
Rates are reasonable. Write or wire for rooms
Harrison Hot Springs Co.
LIMITED
G. K. Harkness, Mgr. Harrison Hot Springs, B. C.
THE NEW EMPIRE
39
THK CODLING MOTH.
Inspectors Say That Local Fruit Is Free From Pest.
All orchardists, and especially those who have visited the badly in- fested districts of the east, are aware of the terrible menace to the apple industry presented by the codling moth. Happily fruit growers in this province have not as yet this handi- cap to contend with, thanks to the vigorous system of inspection of everything likely to carry the in- fection.
An interesting account was given recently 'by Mr. Thomas Cunning- ham, provincial fruit inspector, of the determined manner in which the B. C. 'Government met an accidental introduction of the pest into the Kamloops district. Mr. Cunningham says: "The codling moth is now fortunately no more in B. C."
"Some years ago a Christmas present of Ontario apples was sent out to some railway men at Kam-
loops. This was not a shipment for commercial purposes, and so was not inspected. After the apples had been used the barrels, always dangerous for harboring the larvae of the codling moth, were thrown outdoors. The moths hatched out and quickly found food and condition quite favorable for reproduction, so that within a year or two many fruit trees of Kamloops became badly in- fested. We first were in doub; of the identity of the pest, and it was not until after several of them were artificially bred that we fully real- ized the gravity of the infestation. We began by spraying with arsenical spraying mixtures, paris green, .Lon- don purple and finally arsenate of lead. Bantling the trees for trap- ping the larvae was also resorted to. and whilst we did have a measure of s:ucre?s, we barely prevented t!io in- fection from spreading.
"In one orchar.l I foun 1 infection had been carried there by using old fruit boxes from the Kamloops stores. I agreed with the owner of
the orchard to have every bit of fruit in the orchard gathered and destroyed, cutting off the supply of food for the larvae. We never found the slightest trace of infection afterwards. This experiment pointed the way to deal with Kamloops or- chards, and I advised the government to repeat the experiment that I ha1 tested in the Schafer orchard, name- ly, the purchase of all the apples, pears, crabs and quince growing in Kamloops last season. This was agreed to and when the fruit had at- tained one-third of its size I had Mr. Coatham, of Chilliwack, a reliable horticulturist, take charge of 'the picking of the fruit, and in two weeks the fruit in Kamloops was all cremate.! at the burner of the Kam- loops Sawmill Company.
"Subsequent inspection a: Kam- loops dur'ng the season failed to dis- close any larvae. This has been prove ! beyond doubt, and I am en- ablej now to give Kamloops a clean bill of health."
K~>^
The Hudson's Bay Co/s New Store
< i « >
< > . •
The new and progressive policy initiated by the Hudson's Bay Co. is symbolized in the magnificent $65,000 structure now in course of erection at Vernon.
40
THE NEW EMPIRE
LLCrowdl
VERNON, B. C.
CONTRACTOR AND BUILDER
Plans, Specifications and Estimates Fur- nished for all classes of work.
BRICK FOR SALE
T.LCrowell
VERNON, B.C.
IN THE SUNSET OF MFE.
British Columbia Veterans Will Havs- Fine Home at Kamloops.
Plans have been completed for the east wing and the chapc-l, the first of the structures to be erected in the group of buildings to form the new Pioneers' Home in the city of Kam- loops. For many years the present buildings have served their purpose well, 'but the time has come when larger and more improved quarters are necessary and the government is cognizant of these conditions. A more beautiful situation for a home it would be difficult to fln:l, with large and well kept grounds just sufficiently shaded as to make the warm summer days as comforlabls as the cool evenings.
The matured plans will represent an expenditure of easily one-quarter of a million dollars but it is money well .spent for after all one of the first duties devolving upon the peo- ple of British Columbia is t;> ninke happy Ihe autumnal days of the men who blazed the trails and drove back the forests so that the present gen- eration might enjoy the fruits of their hard won victories. This same institution, in which a considerable number of the veterans who have spent their lives and strength in lay- ing a sure foundation for British Co- lumbia's dawning greatness are now enjoying their declining days in com- for; and tranquility — the un-grud'ged care of an appreciative province — will when the present reconstruction scheme is fully consummated pre- sent in many features a model as well as a modern home, in a sense and to an extent not realized in many such institutions the wide world over. Particularly is it in- tended by Hon. Dr. Young, the Home at Kamloops being among the public institutions committed particularly to his care, tha: it shall never fur- nish reason for such dread as fills the minds and makes doubly heavy the hearts of the less fortunate in older lands when mention of "the poor house" conjures an instant pic- ture of sundered domestic ties grown stronger with the passage of many years. The pathos of such separa- tions as of aged husband and wife, when assignel to different wards in the institution forming their retreat and shelter from the world's rough winls in the winter of their lives, has not failed to claim recogn'tlin anl sympathy in this far western province, and it is intended, in Hon. Dr. Young's present building plans, to devote the new east wing to aged and indigent couples, who will be provided for therein somewhat on
Mountain View Hotel
NORTH BEND
Convenient to the C. P. R. station and the popular home of the travelling public.
Ask the commercial man where he stays in North Bend and he will tell you that he stays at the
Mountain View
John Abray
Proprietor
NORTH BEND
the flat principle, man and wife not being separated and living out their lives as nearly as possible as if in a home entirely of their own — each oc- cupying the time in such congenial domestic vocations as strength and opportunity make possible and wel- come.
The B. C. Mining and Engineering Record says that the splendid results being achieved by the Hedley Gold Mining 'Company are the best kind of advertising for the mineral industry of British Columbia. With this com- pany paying dividends at the rate!of 20 per cent, the great investment possibilities of mining in British Co- lumbia are practically demonstrated. Since December the company has paid three dividends at the rate of 5 per cent, per quarter.
THE NEW EMPIRE
BUY DIRECT FROM THE OWNER
There is a decided advantage in buying direct from the owner, you get better satisfaction in every way, and then too
YOU SAVE THE MIDDLEMAN'S PROFIT
The property I own includes
Fruit Lands, Farm Lands, Timber Lands, Hay Lands, Etc.
Situated in the heart of the famous Okanagan Valley, in the vicinity of the city of Vernon.
I can save money for you, either in INVESTMENT or buying for SETTLEMENT. I make a specialty of PURCHASING AGENT, and nearly twenty years residence in the district has given me good experience as a VALUATOR of LAND. . . .
It will pay you to write to me for information.
J. F. SIMMONS
PURCHASING AGENT - REAL ESTATE. Phone 99, or 235— P. O. Box 104
OFFICE: Opposite Station VERNON, B. £.
42
THE NEW EMPIRE
W H V
are so few
Bearing
offered for sale
in the Okanagan Valley
Because owners recog-
nise that they have a
GOOD THING
and prefer to keep it.
But Listen!
Nangle & Hurt
AGENTS FOR
The ROLLING'S LAKE LAND CO.
have a few bearing or- chards to offer and much valuable ranch land suit- able for fruit growing.
Write Box 141 Vernon, or call for further partic- ulars.
TO SEE OURSELVES
AS OTHERS SEE US
(Continued from Page 38.)
of the prairie cities. Instead of all these doubtful blessings, I found when I awoke on the mid-winter morning after my arrival 'there In the middle of the preceding night, a charming little city of delightful villas, bathed in bright, warm sun- shine, and surrounded by big brown hills dotted all over with sombre looking flr trees, and beyond the tops of the hills, ranges of gi- gantic mountains, with their snow clad peaks in all directions — north, south, east and west.
That morning, I climbed to the top of one of the khaki-colored hills, and looked down upon the city, with its red roofs and rows of beautiful, though leafless, poplars, straight as arrows. Immediately in front of me, beyond the city, rose the twin mountains of St. Peter and St. Paul, everlasting sentinels of the pictur- esque valley where the waters of the North Thompson mingle with those of the South Thompson, and form a noble river, whose individaulity and career become lost in the great Fraser at Lytton, a hundred miles away ;o the west. Between the foot of St. Peter and the Thompson river I noticed the local Indian reserva- tion, with its church, school and neat wooden houses. Here and there along the road leading from Kam- loops to the reservation, and passing over the river by a big wooden bridge, clouds of dust betrayed the presence of vehicular traffic. I won- dered how many cities, or towns, or districts of Canada could raise clouds of dust on their thoroughfares at the end of January? Not many.
My next walk took me along Main street, and over a bridge 1000 feet long, at the western end of the city, leading directly into Frutiland. Here I saw the poultry farms, the vegetable gardens, the fruit or- chards, the flumes and canals, but, unfortunately, at the most uninter- esting time of the year.
The dry climate of the Kamloops district is beneficial, I -believe, In a marked degree, to those suffering from tuberculosis. A sanatorium where patients may undergo special treatment for this fell disease has been established by the provincial ..government at Transuille, eight miles west of the city. The Provin- cial Home for Pioneers, or, as It Is popularly known, the "Old Man's Home," is one of Kamloops' most interesting Institutions. Here are gathered together In a beautiful homelike building all the aged men
of the district upon whom fortune has not smiled, or having smiled, has afterwards withdrawn her fickle favors. Prospectors and miners out- number the other inmates, but there are no restrictions as to member- ship; any aged pioneer finding him- self without a home in the days when he most needs one is admitted. It was with the most genuine re- gret that I left Kamloops, its de- lightful climate, and its kindly citizens.
Pat worked for a niggardly man lost no chance to let the fact be known. Once a waggish friend, wishing to twit Pat, remarked:
"Pat, I hear your boss just gave you a brand new suit of clothes."
"No," said Pat, "only a part of a suit."
"What part?"
"The sleeves of the vest."
BELLA
VISTA
HOTEL
AGASSIZ, B. C
One of the finest
hostelries on
the road
We aim to please and
our service is as good as
you get in the best city
houses
E. PROBERT
Propieror AGASSIZ, B. C.
THENEWEMPIRE 43
A Word to the Wise Is Sufficient •
Merritt and Nicola Valley make one of the best investments in the
land. History proves that. City Property is increasing in value and will rank with the ixest
of them.
In farm lands and lands for livestock or dairying our opportunities
have no superior.
Write to me today for full information.
John Hutchison Co.
Real Estate Insurance MERRITT, B. C.
Realty Is a Good Investment
It matters not whether it is town property, farm lands, fruit lands or good safe mining property.
We handle all lines of investments.
Write Us for Vancouver Realty Figures or British
Columbia Farm Lands.
CROFT & ASH BY
Realty and Financial Broker Q^ ,
Winch Building. VANCOUVER, B. £
THE NEW EMPIRE
We Place Settlers
We have thousands of acres of good farm- ing land available for mixed farming, fruit growing, dairying or live stock.
We have some extra good buys, too, and it will pay you to consult us if you are looking for a farm. Our land is well adapted to settlement and we have placed scores of new settlers during the last few years.
Our best advertisers are our clients.
We also have some good timber land to sell.
W. E. GREEN
c|o General Agency Corporation = VANCOUVER, B. C,
'BASEMENT HENRY 'BIRKS & SONS STORE
THENEWEMPIRE 45
ALL EYES ARE ON
PENTICTON
The Hub of the Fertile Southern Okanagan Valley ITS FUTURE
Is now assured as a big RAILROAD CENTRE
and DISTRIBUTING POINT. Finest Domestic Water and Power System in the
Interior is being installed.
IDEAL
As a Residential Town.
Bathing, Boating, Fishing, Fine Climate, Splendid Scenery, Thousands of Acres of Splendid Fruit- lands.
We have properties in all parts of town and district on our lists.
We are specialists in
BUSINESS, RESIDENTIAL AND
ORCHARD PROPERTY
CORRESPONDENCE INVITED
Gahan & Kay
Real Estate = Insurance
Penticton, - E3. C.
46
THE NEW EMPIRE
What H. P. Lee Has To Say About The Okanagan Valley
I have always opposed the policy of selling land off a map or blue print, and I oppose it for this reason : Take in the ( )kanagan valley, the conditions change so (juickly that you may have a good proposition close in and another twenty miles out, but the land in between might be of very little value.
Xo man should buy land without seeing it and in- vestigating the water records, as good irrigation is necessarv to successful culture.
I don't want you to answer any of my advertise- ments for the simple reason that the bulk of the gen- eral public imagine that all of the land in the ( >kan- agan is the same. IT IS X()'J\
Come and see the property itself and compare it with others. T can show you property that is located between the Mission valley and the Coldstream valley along the shores of Wood lake, with ample irrigation, and the irrigation system owned and controlled by the purchasers of the land.
The land is in a district that is absolutely free of frost during the growing season. A PROOF — The district is less than four years old and we have been running a cannery for three successive seasons. Where else in Hritish Columbia in the older districts do they can tomatoes? ANSWER — Only in the favored districts. Our district is one of the favored ones.
H. P. LEE
WOOD LAKE FRUITLANDS.
VERNON, B. C.
THENEWEMPIRE
ALL EYES ON KAMLOOPS
Everyone Looking That Way
Two Transcontinental Railways, the Provin- cial government, the City of Kamloops, Banks and other Corporations will spend $2,500,000 in and around Kamloops this year.
t
- THERE'S A REASON
* Great Transcontinental Railways like the C. P. R. and the C. X. R. know what they are doing. The C. P. R. purchased $250,000 worth of prop- erty, to enlarge its shops, yards and round houses at Kamloops.
WHY?
They realize that Kamloops is to be the logical and great divisional point be- tween the two great Western Cities — Calgary and Vancouver. Situated as it is, on the Thompson River, its future as a manufacturing center is assured.
It is reasonable to come to the one natural conclusion — Kamloops with its present population of 4500 or 5000 people will double its population within fifteen months and will have 15,000 in a few years.
It will pay you to buy Kamloops property today
Write to
"d RE. SIMPSON
General Sales Agent. Kamloops, B. C.
48
THE NEW EMPIRE
THE CALIFORNIA OF CANADA
The far famed Okanagan Valley is fast developing into one of the greatest fruit pro- ducing districts on the continent. "' j '"
The settlement of the past few years is evidence of the worth of the district.
Five and Ten Acre Fruit Farms
in the very heart of the district, along the shores of Okanagan Lake and only a few miles from Peachland can be pur- chased at
Two Hundred Dollars Per Acre
All the Lands Are Irrigated
and ready for cultivation, so that you get the acreage in its improved state.
I twill pay you to look into this pro- position; terms can be arranged' that will suit your purse.
Okanagan Westshore Land Co.
LIMITED. /
Vancouver, B. C.
BASEMENT DOMINION
TRUST BUILDING
Men now-a-days are looking for
A Good Safe Investment
Careful investigation has convinced them that they cannot do better than use
MERRITT REALTY
In a little over one year values have trebled and opportunity to- day is just as great as it ever was.
All the lots in the old townsite have been sold. The new city cannot grow east, west or south. It must grow in a northerly direction.
For that reason people are demanding
THE CONKLIN ADDITION
It is the logical residential district and the finest residences in the city are already there. The municipal and federal buildings will likely go there and it adjoins the Bank of Montreal and other im- portant business properties.
In fact it is indispensible to the growth of Merritt.
Lots sell from $200 up.
TERMS ARE EASY.
For maps, literature, etc., address
The Merritt Townsite Co'y-
MERRITT, B. C.
OKANAGAN FRUIT LANDS
Okanagan Valley has a world- wide reputation as a fruit growing district. fl| Its rich soil, its congenial climate and its general adaptability to fruit culture have combined to give it the name of
THE CALIFORNIA OF CANADA
<I We have 8,000 acres of fruit lands in the immediate vicinity of Vernon city and served k by the irrigation system of the White Valley f ' Irrigation and Power Co., Limited, one of the largest and best systems in Canada.
C| Lots of water and good transportation facil- ities, the district being served by the Cana- dian Pacific Railway.
We will sell in blocks of from
5 ACRES UPWARDS
Reasonable Prices and Easy Terms
<I We also have a large acreage of lands
suitable for dairying or mixed farming, and
thousands of acres of good range land for sale
or lease.
If interested, write at once for prices and full information.
LAND AND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY Of CANADA
HEAD OFFICE
1 1, Place Leopold, Belgium
VERNON, B. C.
WINNIPEG OFFICE
300 Nanton Bldg.
t