Charles Augustus Semlin served as the 12th Premier of British Columbia, Canada, from August 1898 to June 1900. He was a member of the Liberal Party and served as the leader of the opposition from 1892 to 1898 before becoming premier. Semlin's tenure as premier was marked by the Klondike Gold Rush and the introduction of the first income tax in British Columbia. He resigned from office in June 1900 due to a scandal involving the sale of crown lands.

During Charles Augustus Semlin's administration as the 12th Premier of British Columbia, several notable events occurred. Some of these include: The Klondike Gold Rush: This event, which began in 1896, brought a large number of prospectors and settlers to the Yukon Territory and adjacent areas in British Columbia and Alaska. This led to a significant increase in population and economic activity in the region, and also brought attention to the need for better transportation and communication infrastructure.

Introduction of income tax: In 1899, Semlin's government introduced the first income tax in British Columbia. This was done as a means of raising revenue to fund public services and infrastructure development.

Scandal involving the sale of crown lands: In 1900, Semlin resigned from office due to a scandal involving the sale of crown lands. It was alleged that the government had sold land to a group of businessmen at a fraction of its true value. This scandal contributed to the downfall of Semlin's administration.

Construction of the Kettle Valley Railway: The Kettle Valley Railway was a major railway project that was undertaken during Semlin's administration. This railway, which ran from Hope to Penticton, was built to serve the mining and agricultural regions of the southern interior of British Columbia.

The crown land scandal was a major issue that occurred during Charles Augustus Semlin's administration as the 12th Premier of British Columbia. It was alleged that the government had sold crown lands to a group of businessmen at a fraction of their true value. This scandal contributed to the downfall of Semlin's administration and his resignation as premier.

The scandal broke out in June 1900, when it was revealed that the government had sold over 200,000 acres of crown land in the Kootenay region of the province to a group of businessmen for just $1 per acre. This was well below the market value of the land, which was estimated to be worth several dollars per acre. The sale of these lands was carried out without a public auction or any other competitive bidding process.

The scandal led to widespread public outrage and calls for Semlin's resignation. It also sparked an investigation by a royal commission, which found that the sale of the crown lands was corrupt and that Semlin and his government had acted improperly.

As a result of the scandal, Semlin resigned as premier on June 13, 1900. He was succeeded by his successor, James Dunsmuir, who was elected as the 13th premier of British Columbia.

The scandal damaged the reputation of the Liberal Party and the government, and contributed to the defeat of the Liberal party in the next election.