The British Colonist

INDIAN RESERVES.Hon Robson moved an address to the Governor urging the desirability of having the Indian Reserves of the Colony reduced to what is necessary for the actual use of the natives and the have such reserves properly defined, the remainder to be thrown open to settlement. The hon gentleman said although he gave the President credit for having reduced the Hauls of some large reserves on the Thompson River and in other parts of the Colony, still extensive undefined reserves existed on the lower Fraser which had been neglected and the settlers complained bitterly. In the Chilliwack district which he had recently visited, and through which he would be enabled to furnish the House with some valuable statistics, there was a reservation which was supposed to be 1000 acres in extent, while the Indians numbered only about 300 men, women, and children and only occupied some 50 acres. These desirable lands being thus locked up were useless to the white settlers.

The case should be so represented as to enable the House to act intelligently. Hon southgate asked whether it was contemplated to pay the Indians for their land because this was a great question with the Indians on the Island, and the House could not be prepared to entertain such a proposition without full data being placed.

The resolution having been amended so as to confine the surveys to the lower Fraser was allowed to pass.