| Transcript |
- 24 VICTORIA ILLUSTRATED
The electric lighting of the city is also in the hands of the corporation, the lights used being the arc and incandescent. The fire
department of Victoria is a very efficient one, the total loss by fire last year being about $10,000 ; in consequence insurance companies
are well represented and the premiums on insurance are nowhere lighter on the Coast. The city's police is composed of 12 policemen, one
sergeant and Chief Henry Sheppard, and notwithstanding the smallness of the force it may be said that it is more than ample to perform the
duties required. The percentage of crime is remarkably low as compared with many of our Eastern cities.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
Under the Canadian system the country is possessed of the Central (Dominion) Government, with headquarters at Ottawa, and administrations
established at the capitals of each of the provinces. Each of these is responsible through a regular Parliamentary system to the people
through their duly selected representatives. The Parliament and Government buildings of British Columbia are picturesquely situated in a
beautiful Park at James Bay, Victoria. The head of the administration is Lieut.-Governor the Hon. Hugh Nelson, whose advisers consist of
Hon. John Robson, Premier, Provincial Secretary, and Minister of Mines and Education ; Hon. J. Herbert Turner, Provincial Treasurer and
Minister of Agriculture; Hon. Theodore Davie, Attorney-General ; Hon. Forbes G. Vernon, Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works ; and Hon.
C. E. Pooley, President of the Council. The House of Assembly consists of 33 members, whose deliberations are presided over by their
Speaker, Hon. D. W. Higgins. The sessions of the Provincial Parliament are held once a year, and during their continuance the debates
are many of them characterized by considerable animation and ability, the personnel of the House reflecting credit on the constituencies
which it represents. The Premier is the leader of the House, the movements of the Opposition being under the direction of Hon. Robert
Beaven. Party lines can hardly be said to be drawn straightly Liberal or Conservative?-measures and men having alike mind to do in
determining the distinctions. The session ordinarily lasts from ten to twelve weeks and as a rule is held early in the year.
FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.
In the Parliament sitting at Ottawa Victoria is represented by Mr. Thomas Earle and Col. E. G. Prior, both of whom are large wholesale
merchants and manufacturers of the Queen City. They are both Conservatives in politics.
BRITISH COLUMBIA BOARD OF TRADE.
This institution was incorporated October 28th, 1878, not for the purposes of trade, but solely those of encouragement to the industries
of Victoria and the Province and for the discussion of all matters pertaining to their welfare. The Board of Trade has shown great activity
in the past two years ; there are already over 150 members enrolled and this number is fast increasing. Its membership is composed of
leading merchants, manufacturers, bankers, professional men and capitalists, and is becoming more powerful every year. It is almost
unnecessary to say that such a collection of prominent men into a body can attain great results, and if not able to impress upon
oppressive railroad, steamship and other corporations a necessity of the observance of proper trade interests are able to demonstrate,
by a diversion of trade, the fact that such wrongs cannot long exist. There are, of course, other matters upon which the Board of Trade
is ever active, viz., the developement of fresh fields of enterprise, outlets for productions and the influencing of capital in various
directions. The Board publishes a yearly report embodying many interesting statistical figures of the Province, some of which are embodied
in this book. The officers for 1891-2 are Thomas B. Hall, President ; A. C. Flumerfelt, Vice-President, and F. Elworthy, Secretary.
There is also a council of twelve and an arbitration board of the same number.
SCHOOLS.
The educational department of British Columbia, as a whole, is under the supervision of Hon. John Robson,
PANDORA AVENUE METHODIST CHURCH.
|
|---|
