Viptorla is, a free port, and the increase of steam communication with the American Territories has already attracted an equal increase of business. The island is rich in minerals, gold, copper, iron, and coal. Its extensive coalfields, stretching a long distance on the east side of th§ island and the main land, give it an eanecjal interest and importance to San Francisco. Tfle town is well laid out, with beautiful suburban scenery and drives. For eight months in the year the climate cannot be surpassed, and as a summer resort for tourists and invalids it js unexceptionable. The town contains many hand seme buildings and substantial wharves, and its municipal affairs »re regulated by a Council and Mayor," Nanaimo is situated about 80 miles north of Vic toria, and is said by the authority above quoted to be the only point in the interior of Vancouver Island which has assumed the pretensions of a town. It has a splendid bay opening from the Gulf of Georgia, which is well buoyed, and capable of admitting the largest class of men-of-war. It is only 30 miles from Burrard Injet, whjoh ig rapidly coming into promin ency for its superior lumber. It is a fine agricultural district ; the principal interest, however, is coal, the Vancouver Company coal mine being located here. New Westminster, the present capital of the United Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, ' b situated on Frazer river about 20 mjles above the entrance proper, and is the p,njy port of entry in the cqlo.ny. Its population is estimated at 1,000. The magnitude and commercial importance of the Frazer is second only to the Columbia on the north-west coast of America, if we except the Kvichpak in the Russian territory, and at some future time will give much importance to New Westminster. The town contains a number of excellent buildings, wharves, and private residences, Tale is a small town at the head of navigation on the frazer, and does a good business receiving and forwarding goods to the mines. The most consider able mining towns are Barkerville, Camerontown, Clinton, Kootenay, Ijytton, Queaneliemouth, and Richfield. The value of a territory containing such resources and settlements, and such an assimilative population as British Columbia, would not be merely prospec tive. 