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- VICTORIA ILLUSTRATED.
united under the name of British Columbia, and entered into Confederation with the Dominion in 1871. Since then the development of the
Province has been phenomenal ; its transcontinental line has given it a great impetus, and the past few years have witnessed remarkable
changes. In the early part of the present century, the Hudson's Bay Company established a post here, and in 1847 made Fort Victoria, named
in honor of Queen Victoria, the head-quarters for its vast trade.
THE ISLAND RAILWAY.
A by no means small --indeed, a very important-- factor in the prosperity of the City of Victoria and of the Island of Vancouver, is the
Esquimalt and Nanaimo Rail-way. It connects the commercial capital of the Province with the immense coal regions of what is known as the
Nanaimo Basin. For many years its construction was recommended and strenuously advocated as advisable in the interests of commerce and
settlement ; but it was only when it became essential as a matter of public policy, that actual work upon it was undertaken. Its building
was a part of the celebrated Carnarvon terms of compensation for the delay in completing the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Upon more than one occasion it had previously been endeavored to make it a part of the trans-continental system ; but the Parliament at
Ottawa were not content to treat it as such. However, under the Settlement Bill of 1882, its construction was assured, but it was only begun
in the Fall of 1884, the late Hon. Robert Dunsmuir having, at the suggestion of the Marquis of Lorne, then Gov.-General, and other prominent
persons, consented to assume the responsibility. Under the Settlement Bill, the Dominion Government were pledged to grant $750,000 towards
the work of building, and the Provincial Government the lands that are known as the Railway Reserve.
Under Mr. Dunsmuir's contract, the railway was to be running by June loth, 1887 ; but with such energy was the undertaking prosecuted, that
on the loth August, 1886, the last rail was laid, and on the 13th of that month the last spike was driven by the late Right Hon. Sir John
A. Macdonald, then and for many years Premier of the Dominion. It is understood that to build and equip the road, whose total length is
78 miles, cost over $2,940,000. That the work was so successfully carried on, was almost entirely owing to Mr. Dunsmuir's sagacity and
perseverance, he with some difficulty having interested some of the wealthiest capitalists of California, who, in addition to the practically
unlimited means at their disposal, were large consumers of coal. A matter worthy of note in this connection is that not a single share of
railway stock was floated, and cash was paid down on the nail the moment it was required. As will be apparent to any one who travels over
the road, its construction involved the removal of many engineering difficulties. There was a large quantity of very heavy rock work ;
exceptionally high bridges and trestles had to be constructed, and the amount of filling that had to be done was remarkably great. But,
despite all this, according to competent judges, the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway is one of the best built roads on the continent.
The scenery all along the line is bold, grand and impressive, broken at times by some of the most charming bits of landscape that could be
imagined. The effects are panoramic--so abrupt are some of the transitions, while other views for long stretches follow in their succession
like one harmonious whole. The building of this line has given rapid and convenient connection between Victoria and a number of important
points that from a business point of view were practically in-accessible. A number of flourishing business and agricultural centres have
been opened up and given an outlet for the valuable products with which they abound. Valuable building stone is plentiful all along the
route ; some of the timber is really magnificent, and the quantity of this material may be said to be almost inexhaustible. Rich
silver-bearing quartz ledges have been prospected and will doubtless be developed in the early future. That there are valuable farming
lands hereabouts is shown by the number of agricultural settlements which are brought to light in almost every break in the forest. There
are extensive saw mills at Shawnigan, Chemainus, Cowichan, Nanaimo and other points, which have been rendered possible of successful
operation by the means of transport which the railway has afforded.
The railway, moreover, in addition to being an important local enterprise, is regarded by many as being a leading link in a through
transcontinental system. Already freight and passengers from the East by the C. P. R. find it practicable to cross over from Vancouver
to Nanaimo by steamer, thence reaching Victoria by the E. & N. Railway.
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