_Article 50_--That Factor Archibald McDonald be authorized to make the necessary and proper arrangements for the summer business of the District, season 1879, and change the disposal of clerks if he may think it is necessary. (_Note_--Articles 51 to 107 of the Minutes are of a similar nature to the foregoing.) LITTLE JOURNEYS TO FUR TRADE POSTS OF THE HUDSON'S BAY CO. Hudson's Hope Post, B.C. By JOHN GREGG The Post is situated at the head of navigation on the Peace river. From here to Vermillion there is good water for stern-wheelers and gasoline boats, for five hundred fifty miles. Immediately to the west is the famous Rocky Mountain canyon, which makes a horseshoe of twenty-five miles; and from the head of the canyon to Finlay Forks there is another good stretch of water. The Peace river here cuts through the Butler range, the most easterly range of the Rockies. The climate is excellent. In winter chinook winds break up the cold snaps. The extreme minimum last winter was 45 below on two nights. In summer, the maximum sometimes rises over 90. One peculiarity is that during winter there are no winds excepting the warm chinooks. The country generally is well wooded. Many streams are unexcelled for fly-fishing. At Moberly Lake (15 miles south) trout very often scale more than 35 pounds. The "town" consists of the Honourable Company's buildings, postoffice, telegraph, police offices and the freighter. Close in are several homesteaders. There is also a meteorological station, deputy mining recorder's post and hydrometric station. During the summer business is brisk, for usually there are government geological parties in the field, tourists passing through and trappers going outside to "blow in their wads." In winter things are somewhat dull, for there are not enough Indians to keep business steady. Then it is that the violin, gramophone and H.B.C. library are called on to relieve _ennui_ in the evenings, for there is no theatre nearer than Edmonton. For industrial possibilities, Hudson's Hope undoubtedly occupies a strategic position. It is known that extensive bodies of the hardest soft coal in the world are in the immediate vicinity, but owing to lack of transport facilities they have not been worked to any extent. Some gold is found forty miles west on Branham Flat and a few outfits will be in this summer to work there. A marvellous mountain of copper and silver was reported up north some two years ago, but for some reason or another nothing definite has transpired regarding it. For the past three years government geologists have been examining the vicinity for oil possibilities and their reports have been so good as to lead one or two drilling outfits this way. Although all grains and vegetables grow here to perfection the agricultural aspect of the country is not to be enthused over, for the arable land is along the river bank only. A cattle ranch has started on the south fork of the Halfway river.