No. 69, Miscellaneous
5th September 1864
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that I have within a few days visited the Sooke District where gold has been recently discovered.
Between 300 and 400 men have taken out licences and a much larger number are at work in various ways. The men are at present generally confining themselves to working on the bed of the river and I saw themtakingManuscript image taking out from three to thirty dollars worth of gold per day each without other appliances than a pick and shovel. I have every hope from the formation of the country that gold will be found over a large extent of it. The miners are content with their present gains and future prospects.
I have had trails cut from Sooke Harbour to the Mines, and connecting the latter with Victoria, 25 miles. Pack horses are carrying up provisions and supplies of all kinds at prices but little in advance of those prevailing at Victoria.TheManuscript image The discovery has already given a great impetus to trade.
I enclose a number of photographic views which convey a very good idea of the character of the country where the gold is found.
I have the honor to be,
Sir
Your very obedient Servant
A.E. Kennedy
Governor
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
Ack: rect.
ABd 20 Oct
TFE 20/10
EC 20
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Photographs of the mining activities at Leech River, each with descriptive captions, three pages, thirteen photographs.
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 5 September 1864, CO 305:23, no. 9633, 218. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V64169.html.

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