Fonds consists of records which document the operations of the Vancouver Coal Mining and Land Company in the Nanaimo area. Photocopied materials predominate but the fonds also includes some original records. The fonds is arranged in three series 1) Administrative records; 2) Journals and 3) Financial records.

Fonds consists of records related to the estate of Mark Bate including probate papers, statements of estate expenditures and disbursements, bank records, and records relating to the sale and rental of properties owned by Mark Bate. Also includes correspondence among family members, chiefly between the executrix, Ada Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite (Bates' daughter) and other descendants. Fonds is arranged in three series: 1) Probate records; 2) Correspondence and notes and 3) Financial records.