Buildings, & c. - The Indians of this agency are gradually putting up better dwellings and very great care is taken of both their own farming implements and those given them by the department, which are housed or put under sheds for the winter.

Kootenay Industrial-school. - The past year has been one of progress and this very useful institution continues to do good work under the care of the Rev. Principal Coccola, and the Rev. Sisters of Charity. There are at present at the school fifty-five pupils, whose moral and religious training is carefully looked after. For the first time in the history of the school, there are now attending it children from all the bands in the agency. The pupils speak English and most of them very correctly. The girls have been instructed in house-work, cooking, baking, laundry and dairy-work, mending and making clothes; and their school work is carefully looked after.

Besides the ordinary school-work, the boys have been taught carpentry, shoemaking, farming, gardening and care of stock. All the boots and shoes used at the school were made by the pupils under the trades instructor.

The educational work is under the care of the Reverend Sisters Bertha and Jacob, both trained teachers who understand the modern methods of instruction. The school is well equipped with globes, maps, blackboards, & c., and a good supply of text books is always on hand. Discipline and order are well maintained, and such a thing, as insubordination is unknown. The parents visit the school from there to time, and appear to take a great interest in the progress of their children.

Religion. - All the Indians of the agency belong to the Roman Catholic Church. They are very attentive to their religious duties and assemble regularly at St. Eugene's Mission for instruction.

Temperance and Morality. - I am pleased to be able to bear testimony to the temperate habits of the several bands. Intemperance and immorality are almost unknown, which is in a great measure due to admirable Christian work done amongst them by the Reverend Fathers of the Oblate Order.

General Remarks. - In conclusion I may say that excellent work has been done at the industrial-school by the Rev. Sisters of Mercy. One and all have been painstaking, zealous and efficient in the discharge of their several duties, and the work done by them will, I am sure, have an influence for good in helping to build up the character of the pupils and those with whom they may associate or live amongst after leaving this admirably-managed institution.

I have, & c.,
R.L.T. GALBRAITH,
Indian Agent.
BRITISH COLUMBIA,
KWAWKEWLTH AGENCY,
CAPE MUDGE, 3rd August, 1896.

The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.

SIR, - I have the honour to forward my annual report, together with tabular statement and list of Government property in my charge to the 30th June, 1896.

Agency. - This agency is known as the Kwawkewlth Agency, and contains fourteen Indian bands, who occupy villages at different points between Cape Mudge and Smith's Sound, and also on the west coast of Vancouver Island. To reach all the villages a distance of quite one thousand miles has to be traversed by water, and to inspect each reserve some four hundred miles must be added to this.