VANCOUVER ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 537, 15 March 1862, Page 5

VANCOUVER ISLAND.

{A Ha California, 14th Jan.) Victoria, 6th January, 1802. The steamer Cortez, to our great surprise, arrived this morninx, and leaves a^ain at mid-day, giving but a short time to write— fortunately there i's but little to be said. CARIBOO AND THE IMMIGRATION, Snow, three or four feet in depth, covers the mines of Cariboo, but "though lost to sight, to memory dear." It is now generally agreed that a greater number than three thousand miners arriving at the diggings next year, will prove more injurious than beneficial to the country. It is reported that at least double that number arc bent upon coming ; it is to be hoped that the statement may be incorrect. The gold is abundant enough, and the couutty sufficiently large for all, hut the difficulty will be the supply of provisions and the other etceteras. It will be useless, however, to give any advice upon this score, because those who intend going to Cariboo will go in spite of everything—that is to say. if the excitement be a-s gieat below as it is hereabouts. One thing; is certain, vu., the utter uselessnets of beinu ;>.t Caribo o heforo May next. Those who have claims may and v.\ll be there earlier, but the case of those who have to find their holes is a very different matter The labor market of Victoria and British Columbia, is well supplied »t the piesent time, so that if parties expect to make sufficient hure to carry them to tho mines, they *ill be disappointed— much better that they come provided for the eonte.sfc. Travelling will be cheap and the roads decent, still a stock of provisions must be had. i