The correspondent of the Times on the Skeena, sends the following budget of news by the steamer Boscowitz, which arrived here on Sunday evening:

Every cannery on the Skeena is now fully prepared for the pack of 1894, and in the old Indian saying, “plenty of snow, plenty of fish” is correct this will be the biggest season ever known on the Skeena river.  Never in the history of the oldest native has so much snow been seen on the hill tops—at this season of the year

The warm weather of the past three weeks(some of the warmest days ever experienced) has caused the flood gates of nature to open, and let mountain streams flow to their full capacity.  The Skeena is higher than ever known before.  Old hunters who for years used hunting grounds on the banks of the upper Skeena had to return home on account of the high water preventing them from making a landing.  Cord wood that had been piled up high on the banks had been washed away and carried towards the sea with immense snags and trees.

The Hudson Bay Company’s steamer Caledonia, which went up the Skeena some three weeks ago, has been reported to have reached Hazelton, her destination, all right, but she is unable to return for the balance of her freight, on account of the high water in Kits-a-lass canyon, and unless some cold weather sets in she is likely to remain where she is for two or three months.

One of R. Cunningham & Sons’ freight canoes, manned by six old river men, all Indians, attempted to come down through the canyon last week, and all that was ever seen of them afterward was pieces of canoe that came out through the rapids below.** 

The local politician is about to take the stump and probably before the election is over there will be some fine work done on both sides.  Although Captain Irving is not here in person to advocate his cause, he has many friends who are doing good work for him, while Mr. Dalby’s friends think he has an even chance.  The general impression is that Captain Irving will carry the polls by a large majority.  If he doesn’t, it won’t be for the want of good hard work by his friends.

The steamer Nell has been kept busy for the past few weeks towing rafts of saw logs to Georgetown Mills and delivering boxes to canneries on the Skeena river.

J. H. Carthew has his new salmon saltery well under way and will put up from 1200 to 1500 barrels of salt fish, which are reported a good price in market at present.

Professor King, of the Alaska boundary survey, came down on the Nell from Simpson to catch the boat for Victoria. 

The 24^th of May was celebrated at Port Essington with boat and canoe races and a general good time, ending with a dance at the Port Essington hotel. 

The only son of Captain Bonser, of the steamer Caledonia, died at Metlakatlah on Saturday, June 2.  He was a bright lad, about ten years of age, and a general favorite with everyone on the coast.  His father is on his steamer up the Skeena and will not hear of the sad news for some time.  He has the heartfelt sympathy of everyone on the coast.

R. Cunningham & Sons’ dog fish cannery closed down on Friday last until after the salmon run.

A fine large fish boat was stolen from the beach at Inverness last week.  It was the property of a Japanese and was supposed to be taken by a Hydah Indian who broke out of the jail at Essington.  A reward has been offered for the return of same.

A report from Queen Charlotte Island says the dog fish are plentiful both at Skidegate and Clue.

A new coal find is also reported.

Word from Massett says the schooner which young Bower and party started from here in last January has not reached that place, and all hopes of her are now given up.

Several new ranches are opened up in the “Ox Stall” (Ecstall) (an arm of the Skeena), and the ranchers expect next season to reap a large harvest with good profits.   R.◀

** No mention of this in R.G. Cunningham’s diary kept at Port Essington.