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- 32 VICTORIA ILLUSTRATED.
of about the same number. The Convent of St. Ann occupies nearly a block of ground, and has extensive gardens ; the structure is a beautiful
one, and was commenced by the erection of one of the present wings, in 1871, the body and main wing being completed ten years later. All
the appurtenances are commodious, the rooms of the boarders, the school rooms and the music hall being especially light and airy. There is
a branch at Cowichan, where the orphans are sent.
PROVINCIAL MUSEUM.
Visitors to Victoria are generally very pleasantly surprised by one of the prettiest little museums on the American continent ; it is
thoroughly unique and did our visitors but know its history they would be amazed rather than surprised. The Provincial Museum was founded
by the Provincial Government four years ago for the purpose of making a thorough collection of the wild animals, birds and insects native
to the Province of British Columbia, as also a collection of minerals, shells and other objects of interest. They were very fortunate in
the acquisition of Mr. John Fannin, who had for nearly thirty years previous collected and made a study of the habits of animals and birds.
The museum was started in a small room with the limited collection then owned by Mr. Fannin, and the principal part of the work has been
done in the past two years with that gentleman in charge. The museum has continually called for enlargement until, even now, although
occupying fine quarters in one of the Parliament buildings, further extensions will soon be required. Mr. Fannin makes bi-yearly excursions
to the favorite game haunts in search of new specimens, and he and his friends have contributed a vast number of the animals and birds
adorning the museum. There are to-day mineral exhibits from every mining camp in the Province, some 320 different species of birds, about
400 shells of various kinds and a great collection of insects. The deer, elk, moose, sheep, goat and bear families are fully represented,
and there are many other trophies such as the musk ox, the lynx, the wolf and the cunning wolverine. Mr. Fannin has personally done or
superintended the taxidermy of every animal and bird and his labors have met with such great success that his name is known among
naturalists and sportsmen all over North America.
THE EXHIBITION.
The British Columbia Agricultural Association was organized fifteen years ago, having in view the advancement of the agricultural, mining,
manufacturing and fishing interests of the Province. Until the past two years an exhibition has been held alternately on the Mainland and
the Island, but on account of the increase in population and the advancement of the interests of the Province it was found necessary to
hold annual exhibitions here. It has until this year been held in buildings adjoining Beacon Hill Park, but this year it was decided to
erect the present handsome structure at the driving park. A by-law was put before the tax payers and the sum of $25,000 granted towards
the construction which amounted to $45,000, a great part of the balance being furnished from the Association's funds and from private
subscription. The building is one of the handsomest pieces of architecture on the Pacific Coast and was commenced and finished in
sixty-five days. The display consists in part of all kinds of stock and poultry, which are confined in buildings attached to the main
building, in which latter are exhibited, on the main floor, agricultural products of every kind and the displays of leading manufacturers
and merchants. Above the main floor are two broad galleries, running around the interior of the building; on the first gallery are exhibited
horticultural displays and ladies' fancy work, while the second gallery is used for the art department. The duration of the exhibit is one
week ; prizes are awarded in every branch, music is discoursed by Professor Pferdner's orchestra, races and sports of all kinds consume the
day while the display of fireworks in the evenings is worthy of especial note. It may be said, by the way, that the race track is the best
half-mile track on the Coast. The exposition this year was largely attended and a pronounced financial success. The officers for the past
year were D. R. Ker, President ; W. H. Ladner, First Vice Pres't ;. Sandover, Second Vice President ; G. A. McTavish, Treasurer ; C. E.
Renouf, Secretary, and W. H. Bain-bridge, Assistant Sccretary. The officers for the ensuing year are : W. H. Ellis, President; E. Hutcheson,
First Vice President ; J. P. Mcllmoyl, Second Vice President W. H. Bainbridge, Secretary, and G. A. McTavish, Treas.
CAREY CASTLE, LIEUT.-GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.
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