mining in “the Couteau and Fraser’s River District” of 1858 confirms London’s determination not to repeat the Ballarat problems. Although much of the wording remained the same — for example, that Sunday was to be observed as a day of rest — there were significant differences. Licences were non-transferable in British Columbia and the size of claims increased dramatically. Victorian regulations limited a group of four miners to 576 square feet. That size was more than doubled to 1,600 square feet in British Columbia.
The Gold Fields Act of 1859 was another example of building on colonial experience. Chief Justice Matthew Begbie claimed to have based it “on the model of the New Zealand mining laws: with some modifications.” Governor Douglas, however, told Sir Henry Barkley, his counterpart in Victoria, that the act had “been framed on the experience of the Australian Colonies, and principally on that of Victoria.” There would be no repeat of the Eureka Stockade. American miner James Bell was just one who commented on “the simplicity, promptness, and honesty with which government business was managed” in British Columbia.
Douglas and Begbie deserve high praise for the prompt establishment of law and order. Not only were the laws effective, but Begbie himself made stop after stop on his circuit through the colony to meet with miners and explain their rights and changes in the laws. By taking such steps, he ensured that lawlessness was kept to a minimum.
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