NINING. Mining is the principal industry of the province. Placer mining for gold was car ried on extensively as early as 1857 along the Fraser River and its tributaries. In 1863 the output reached $3,900,000. a large part being obtained from the northern interior, about the headwaters of the Fraser. called the Caribou District. The output then diminished, reaching the minimum of $380,000 in 1893. The intro duction of hydraulic methods and machinery produced a revival of industry and so increased the output. that in 1900 the product exceeded $4,700,000 in value, nearly three-fou•ths of which was obtained from the lode mines. Silver and lead are obtained from the same ores in the southeastern part of the province, and they have consequently land a parallel development. The silver output increased in value from $73,000 in 1890 to $2,400,000 in 1900, while the value of the lead for the latter year slightly exceeded that. amount. Copper-mining is one of the most recent. in development, but one of the most promising in its outlook. This, too, is obtained from the southeastern portion of the province, where extensive operations began about 1890. in the Kootenay district. From $111,000 in 1896, the value of the output increased to $1,600.000 in 1900. The output of coal (bituminous) doubled in value during the decade, being $4,300.000 in
1900. This, however, is mined almost exclusively from Vancouver island. Vast resources of coal exist in the eastern foothills of the Rockies.
Ft$11ERIES. The position of British Columbia upon the Pacific coast, giving her the advantage of the enormous quantities of fish which fre quent the coast waters and streams, is another important source of wealth to the province. British Columbia is se011111 to Nova So it in alone in the importance of her fisheries. The exports of tish exceeded $1,000,000 for the first. time in 1882. and exceeded $2.000,000 in 1890, while in the nineties the exports averaged about $3, 500,000. The total value of the product in 1899 was $5.200.000. of which $4,000,000 represented the salmon-tisheries. The salmon-fisheries are most extensive along the Fraser River. On this river only nets are allowed, which, together with other stringent regulations, has prevented the depletion of the supply. Seal-fishing is not so important as in former years. The catch in creased from 9000 in 1883 to 95,000 in 1894. when it declined to 35,500 in 19C0. The greater por tion of the catch was from pelagic fishing. her ring, sturgeon, halibut, oolaehan, and cod are among the fishery products.