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REPO RT 
 
 AND 
 
 DOCUMENTS IN REFERENCE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY 
 
 SANDFORD FLEMING, C.M.G., 
 
 hAUIAAb'Ji-JA. UIIIEF. 
 
 1880. 
 
 OTTAWA: 
 PRINTED 13Y MACLEAN, UOOER & CO., WELLINaTON bTUKKl 
 
 1880. 
 
/f. 
 
 
 2977 7'/ 
 
 ToL 
 
 c 
 
 May 
 
 1 
 
 Engir 
 oxatni 
 that 11 
 
To His Excellency the Rjijht Honorable Sir John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 
 Marquis of Lome, me of Her Majesty's Privy Council, Knight of the Most Ancient 
 and Most Aoble Ordet of the Thistle, and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distin- 
 gushed Order of iSaint Michael and Haint George, Governor General of Canada, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the savie. 
 
 Mat it Pleask Your Excellency : 
 
 The undei-Hignod has tho honor to prosont to Your Excellency the Ileport of the 
 
 Engineor-iu<:!hiof of tbo Canadian Pacific Eailway, on tho various HurvoyH and 
 
 oxatninations raado during tho past season, and on other matters in connection with 
 
 that undertaking. 
 
 I have the honor to be Y^our Excellency's 
 
 Most obedient servant, 
 
 CHARLES TUPPER, 
 
 Minister of Railways (Mid Canak. 
 
Tot] 
 
 Gove 
 *hep 
 tion 
 
Canadian Pacipio Kailwav, 
 To tho H n hi Office of the ENQiNEEii-rN-CHiEP. 
 
 Sir Charles Tppper, K.C.M.G., C.B,, 
 
 Minister of iiailways and Canals. 
 SrB,-I have the honor to submit, for the information of His i^^xcolloncy the 
 tZ:'!r'\ ''' 'T'' ''' --'-^^^"^' «^^P-^ on the .n-voys n.ade li J 
 tion with tho Canadian Pacific Railway. 
 
 I liare tho honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 RANDFOTil) FLEMING, 
 
 Enyinter-in-Ckief, 
 
Fj 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS, 
 
 PAOE 
 
 General Eei'ort 1 
 
 Exj)lorutioiis in Northern Lrilitsh Columbia and Poaco Rivor DiHtrict 1 
 
 The Yellow HoaU Pass 2 
 
 RoutON Diverging WoHtorly 2 
 
 Explorations in the Poai!0 River District 3 
 
 Explorations in tbo Skeena and Pine Rivor Districts 3 
 
 Views in 1878 on Selection of Route 3 
 
 Additional Explorations recoinmcnded 4 
 
 Additional Northern Explorations decided on . ... 5 
 
 Extent of Territory Embraced 5 
 
 Objoclfl of Examination 6 
 
 Port Simpson and Wark Inlet 6 
 
 Route to Burrard Inlet confirmed 6 
 
 Results of Northern Examinations ti 
 
 RoutoH from Uazelton Eas^t ward 7 
 
 Comparison of Dinlances with Burrard Inlet Route 7 
 
 Results of Explorations East of Mountains . 8 
 
 Peace River Plateau 8 
 
 Country East of Smoky River and Southward to the Athabaska 9 
 
 Character of the Soil 9 
 
 The Chraalo of Peace Rivor 10 
 
 Coal 11 
 
 The Agricultural Capabilities of Queen Charlotte Islands and Vancouver 
 
 Island. 11 
 
 Comparison of Cnnadiaii Pacific Lino with United States Lines 12 
 
 Military Views on the Burrard Inlet Route 12 
 
 Explorations in tiio Prairie Region 12 
 
 General Railway Scheme recommended 12 
 
 Extcnl of Country to bo Examined 13 
 
 Explorer.^ Appointed 13 
 
 Instructions and Character of the Examinations 14 
 
 General resuKs 14 
 
 North of SuHkalchowan, West of Cumbeiland House 14 
 
 Northern Tamils of Available Land 15 
 
 Saskatchewan North to Beaver River, West of Longitude 107° 30 15 
 
Vlll 
 
 TAOB 
 ExploratioDs in the I-rairio Region — C'jntinued. 
 
 KuHt and North of Lac la Bid.. 16 
 
 Northern Limits ot(io'j<l Laud 16 
 
 South ol'LoHHcr .Slave Lake 16 
 
 Noiih 01 Edmontmi 16 
 
 South of the Sa-*katcho\v.m, Katit of Fort d la Corne 11 
 
 North of liu'yXppeilc and We.sl of As.sinniboine 17 
 
 Ea.il of Thoasani, File and Touchwood llilU 17 
 
 The Quill Lakes 18 
 
 West of the Touchwood Hills 18 
 
 The <rrc:it Plains between 51st parallel and Battle River 19 
 
 Th.'Biarand Kagle Hills 19 
 
 The Hand Hills 20 
 
 The Neutral Hills 20 
 
 Country around Battleford ... 20 
 
 Bow River District 21 
 
 Fort Calg.ury 21 
 
 Between Battle RivM- and the North Saskatchewan 22 
 
 Timber 22 
 
 Coal and Iron 22 
 
 General Results of Explorations 23 
 
 Land Suitable for Agriculture and Stock-raising 23 
 
 The Railway Route West of Red River 23 
 
 Old Located Line Abaad'<nod 23 
 
 Line Adopted South of Lake Manitoba , 23 
 
 First 100 mJe> Section West of Rod River 23 
 
 Second 100 miles Section West of Red River 24 
 
 Alternative Line West of Batilcford 24 
 
 Bridging Red River 24 
 
 Point of Cros.sing for the Pacifio Railway 24 
 
 General Conditions for Uridging Red Ilivor 25 
 
 Surveys and fixploratioi;.'? in the Woodland Region 25 
 
 Canada Central Extension 25 
 
 Preliminary Location South-oast Bay, North-westerly 25 
 
 Survey of French Rivor 25 
 
 Exploration North of Luke Nipissing towards Sault St. Mary 25 
 
 Result of Examination , 26 
 
 Advantages of Lino to Sault St. Mary 26 
 
 Connections with Railways of Wisconsin and Minnesota 27 
 
 Surveys East of Thunder Bay to Long Lake 28 
 
 C(l 
 
 Rol 
 
 <jr;H 
 
 c;on 
 
 The 
 
ix 
 
 rAoc 
 
 . 16 
 
 . 16 
 
 . 16 
 
 . 16 
 
 . n 
 
 . 17 
 
 . 17 
 
 . 18 
 
 ,. 18 
 
 ,. 19 
 19 
 
 ,. 20 
 
 . 20 
 
 . 20 
 
 .. 21 
 
 .. 21 
 
 . 22 
 
 . 22 
 
 .. 22 
 
 .. 23 
 
 .. 23 
 
 .. 23 
 
 .. 23 
 
 .. 23 
 
 .. 23 
 
 ,.. 24 
 
 ... 24 
 
 ... 24 
 
 ... 24 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 25 
 
 ... 26 
 
 ... 2« 
 ... 27 
 ... 28 
 
 VAOK 
 
 Construetiaii ; — 
 
 Eurly Contracts eiitoiod into 28 
 
 ri\>grof4s of (.'i)ii8t ruction 29 
 
 Length of Lint' under Contruct 29 
 
 Milt's of fliiilrt Ijiijii ami openod for Traffic 30 
 
 Tlio Line between 8eliiiri< iind Liiiie Superior 30 
 
 Tlio Question of Cheap Tninisportation 30 
 
 Favorublo Gratlients Adopted .30 
 
 The Features of the Lino in Hritish Columbia 30 
 
 Rolling Stock: — 
 
 ytaiidard types suggested IJOd 
 
 Steps taken to secure uniformity unti efticiency oOtJ 
 
 Gonoral .Sorviees : — - * 
 
 Water Stations Mh 
 
 Engine housed and Machine .Shops H06 
 
 Elevators an<l Grain Stoies 306 
 
 Station-houses an! auxiliai-v buildings 3ii/< 
 
 Contracts : — 
 
 Xo-^. 13 I' •)" inolusivo ;iOi 
 
 Spec. a! j'ovi-ion in I'cc" ' ( 'out r.uts for Sections ."'.O.' 
 
 Total !•>:•:. 111. liluro ur,der v;(>n1racts .30./ 
 
 l^^liInal^• of llie whole fjino .30(/ 
 
 The Pacitic IJnilwny Tele^^iapli .iOd 
 
 lis present condition 30^ 
 
 Ncce.-sity ot establishing the telegraph 30e 
 
 DilTeienl modes of completing the telegraph.... 30/ 
 
 Suggested sub-inaiiiie cxtei.siou to .isia ,, .30f 
 
 The .'^ubmuiine tables already laid 30^ 
 
 Telegraphic trat\ieof the world 30j 
 
 Obstacles to sub-niaiiuo telegraphy in southern latitudes of ihe Pacitic... ,3i)^ 
 
 K;ivorablo plateau of the Xorth Pacitic 30« 
 
 Vaiict)nver Island to .Fapan 30A 
 
 .AiKautagos resulting from .'in .\.-iaiic connection Mi 
 
 Vi3-B 
 
API' KN DICKS. 
 
 Al'PKNDIX No. 1 
 
 I'Aac 
 
 IriHtt ii' Toris (.1 lliti Kii(firi()<!r in fjtii«)f" in roiinic'iirii willi l''><i)l'<r.'iliMii.i ir 
 
 Noitlniri Hi iti- h Co!uiiil;iii urn! tin; Pcico IJit^r l>ihtiii't 
 
 31 
 
 AlM'Kiyiiix N'l. 2 : — 
 
 li<;j»orl. on an lOxpl'iiation lioni I'Mrt •Siiii|ii()ri, i-iri I Ik; KivdC Skc^ina, 
 Iji:!:"- IJ.'iMnt! aiui S't.!W;iit, unil llio fcu'-i? ajid Cinti lilviu- I'asm'.^, to 
 Ii»)si^<:f Sla\'o Iiai<i!. ill llio yi;;ir Mtl.f. futiiluiU d liv .\fr. H. ,1, (!iuiilii(>, '{8 
 
 Al'r'ENDIX No, 'il: — 
 
 I{o]iorl oil {'Ixitioi al ioii-i maiio liolwitcii I'orl, Sinij) on, 15.''.^ ■,,],. [ MhUIi-- 
 foi-il. N'.W.'l'., (■/(/ llio Vaili:y of I'icuo Kivui-, cliiriii;^ tin! snnhdh of 
 lH7!t, liy Mr. Ij.-nry .\ V. .MacL.'o.l W 
 
 Ai't'KNitrx No. 4 
 
 R<i|ioi'l oil llii; 'I'riiil l.oc.iiioij Siirvtiy from ln;a'! of Wailc Inlnt up lli 
 
 iSI<i'ciia K'ivcr. Iiy Mr 'iooi/^o A. I\('t:f 
 
 71 
 
 Ai'I'Knuix No. '» -- 
 
 KtMiorl oC Mr ('liiiilc I loi'rl /.l.y ii|i'<ii •■ui 11 %|iloi ,il ion I Iiiohl^Ii Ui 
 
 Noi'lliiih iiorliiMi iilHiiii li ( 'oliiciliin ill t 
 
 ii; .ira-.o!! 1 1 
 
 r l«7!' 
 
 75 
 
 Al'l-KNDl.V No (I. — 
 
 Moni<iriiiMliiiii rii^adliii;,;' a iimiiiry from \ i' loria, V.i., ai:r(>'-s Norllmiii 
 Hrilinli ( '(iliiinlil'i fi.i l'";i<'(' Itivor I'.i.-h, Io Ivimonloii, liy llm Kov, i>. 
 
 M. (;oi.l.,ii, ]i.\i 
 
 m 
 
 Ai'i'KNnix .N'o. 7 
 
 Il()|iort on llic^ ( 'limali iiiiil A,;jri'iiliiu al Valm;, ■ iirral ' iioli^LTi'iil !•'( atiii t!i 
 and .Miiiciai.M of (icoiHMiiir iiii|ii)i lntint of p.ir of llic iioitin'rii |MUlioi 
 of BriliMli ( 'oluinliia .'iiiii of iIk! I'caci! Iiivc. 'iiiitilry, by (n'oigi* M . 
 Duw-'Oi,, |).S,, ,\.|{.S..M.. r'.'J.S,, A^-ihlunt liirciloi' (Jnoluinral Survey 
 
 1 ■■'■'■■■|.,' 
 
 of Camula. 107 
 
 Ai'i'i.Niii.x No. H: 
 
 |{(|ioil on llid A^i ii-.nltiiral < 'npaliilii ic . of \'aii';oii\i!i' Ifilaml, liy Mr. 
 
 Jo Ml,, I, 1 1 nil (or 132 
 
 Api'Kmhx No, !) 
 
 Momoraniliiin 'jii iIim <^uooii CliarloUt: Inlah'!^, lirilinli Colnmliia, hy 
 (U'ltv'^'i' l\T. OinvMon, l).S,, A.K.S..M., Iv'i.S., ArtMiMt.iinl bii'm'tor, 
 (ionloj^'ii'iil Stiivny of Cliniiila 139 
 
XI 
 
 'ittiuiiH in 
 
 Al'PKNDiX No. 10; — 
 
 NotoM on IIk! Ufdilo of llio Oii'.H'liim I'licifif l!:iilw;i>- lluoi _;li iirilish 
 (Joliimbiii, \>y Maior-^ioriur.'il Mo'xly, K.K., (ornHii ly <■ nirnun<lin^ 
 Hoyjil I'ln^irMMiih ill [{litinli ('olumhiii I4t 
 
 Ari'KMUx i\o. 11 — 
 
 NoloH on un Hxumiiiation of tin' llurlx)rM and Xorlliciii < 'on- 1 •.! liiiiidi 
 (Vduinliiii, iiy Cupluin J. (.'. Biiindigc, diiioil I'.nl Siiij, on, IJlli 
 Marcli, IHHO 15:{ 
 
 Ai'i'KNiiix No. I'J : — 
 
 Mol<!Oiol<iiri('jil ()bnoi'Viiliiin>, !{;u.)inflor uinl TlnTiiionidi:! IJiailin^s n' 
 l-'ork'' ot Skconii KiviM' \iy J'ms. Mr. Toinlin-oi 
 
 HJH 
 
 AlTKNiii X No. 1.'! : — 
 
 Tho I'liyhiciil ( Miui!i(^|i;i ol'ili'- i'mirin Hc^gion ciliiu'n •! rnmi .•uiiIumiI ;<■ 
 
 Hi)tiic<'-*, I'.ornpilctl liy Mr. 'rii'iiniw {{idonl HJl) 
 
 A I'I'K.NIH.X .Vo II : — 
 
 <M)liiTill liiin,ll-l<:, uh tin; Iillhil, \\ ' i< ,(\ ml WuIli )l ill' .\' Hi li- \Vi"'l I'fl I 
 loiinx, iVoMi lip' I02nil lo (In liniii Mofidiiin, und l>c|\vci'n llio .'il. 
 and .'f.;!'!! paiiilMd'' id' l/util ii !'■, Ii\ ,1 ilin .Mai'cinn. I'.L.S 
 
 2:tf 
 
 Al'l'KNIil.\ .No 15 .— 
 
 |{(.'|por(M in icli Tci.ci- In [,\\(: IiO<;utioll 'tlllic •(•((in I I(ll| im lo'i -crl ion .Vo."! 
 
 >!' I.'i-d luv< 
 
 24<; 
 
 l'"<iil.iir()M 
 II jioiiion 
 
 l^ AlM'KNDI.X No. K; 
 
 |)(M'iiiii('nt-^ in ri-l'iMcMU'i; lo IIh' iJrid^in;; ol Kijil l{is'< r, 
 
 Al'I'KM)! \ N< 
 
 U.'iiorl on .Siirvov of I'^iimmI, |{iv, ; diiiii.,: IHT'd, l.v ,Mi. li I'. II 
 
 ZiH 
 
 >M 
 
 AlM'KNDIX No, l.S : — 
 
 Ito|iorl.-< III. I'lviiminal ioii'i iiiadii noildi aiil wn- 1 o!' l/iiKi' N ipis ini^infon- 
 iioclion Willi l,li« iirojcclnl Uiiiiway l'].xU;ndoii lo l.lic ca-ilei ii mid m| 
 
 liuko .Sii|iOiior, 
 
 •>'.W 
 
 Al'I'KNIil.v No. 19- 
 
 U»'|)oi-( on llio rla^M oi Ijoi'oiiiipi ivt) Kiiyiii"' |ii('|io-i'd lo In.' jidi'i'U' I un a 
 
 HlHuduriJ on tlio (.'mimlian I'arillc UiiiJway, ly Mr. Cliaili •■ liln'd<woll. 397 
 
XII 
 
 I'AOB 
 
 Ai'i'KNKix X'). JO: 
 
 A (luH('ri|iU()ii ol llut .soviMiil t 'iintnii'lH onloriHl into, with llio nitoN iirid 
 pricoH, ((II llio Hii|i|ily <it' iiiuliti'iiilM anil uxu<Miliiiii ol' woi Ic (U) (lio 
 ('iiiiiuliiin i'ac.ilii; Uiiilwii}' hjiko MiiitIi, 1H79, U) tliti prcHoiit <imo. 
 A (loNorijilinii c)|' iliti (,'iiiii riiclh |ii'<ivii)iiNly onloritd iiiln, will Im ruiiinl 
 ill IJio lii|MiitHi)r I'diriiiir} , 1M77, pimon '.\H',\ |o :i!M!, iiinj o| April, 
 
 iH7'.», piiK-M ijc to i;i(; :iii 
 
 Al'PKNKIX No. 21 
 
 JAii'iii (if CiMidiicl. I'or (Jnuliii^, jtiidjnii^r, Trin'U liiyiiif^, IIiiPhhUiii', .\( 
 
 lU 
 
 loptoii ill all cn-.i'h sinco Nnvfiiilior, 1H7H :i2H 
 
 Al'I'KNIilX Nil. \ii 
 
 liinl n|'(7(iii(,i-unlH anil Hum iiiary III l'a}'iiii>iils ina<lo mi wu'.oiiiit of work 
 (ioii<< up III .'UhI. Diroiiilior, 1S7'.I, ami appioxiiiiatu l'lMUiiia(«i ol' 
 
 xpiiiiililiii'o iiivii 
 
 lv(ul 
 
 Ari'KNOiX No. 2.'^ ; 
 
 l''.;iliiiinto I'ol'oi'ri'il III ill i'lirlifiiiHiil, ir>(li April IHHO, hy Mic llniioriiliii 
 
 I liii MiiiiHliir ol' l'ail\N'n\'s nml i 'miiiiIh. 
 
 .'{50 
 
 •AM 
 
 Al'I'KNIilX No. iu'l ;•— ( 'oiriiH|ioiiiliiir(> on llin iilijiicl lit" a Siili inariiu' 'rulcf^rajili 
 liolwcon llio wi'hIiW'II coiihI III ('niiHila on tlio I'nr.ilii'. ( )i'<':in iiml lint 
 'IV!(>/,'rti|ili HVf'loiu ol Asia .'{57 
 
J'l.A'l IlS. 
 
 I'ami 
 
 No. I. SI(ol<'li ot <iX|ilf)fiitii.tiH ill tlii« SkiM'iia /irul I'l'inn KivrT I (jnl imcIh. .. I 
 
 No. li. I'lolilcH of liic lllli'O idlllcH CNIiliil cd Iclwrch l'\il( Sitildllrlicwail 
 
 mill I'orl .Snn|iMoii 
 
 No .'I. I)ia;.^iiirii of I'rodlcH riini|iiii'iii/j; lint ( 'uriiiiliiiii I'licilic Uiiilway vvillt 
 
 lim loiii' Ti'MiiK colli iiMMiliii ifaiiioiulM oC the |iiiit(r<l ,Slnl<»'H. 
 
 No. •!. i'l.'iii of purl ol I lio Liiii' (it Lociil.ioh 'A' llic < 'imu'lian I'acirK', 
 
 IJiiiiway, wthI of IjiiIoi Sii|icii()r. 
 
 No. r». Map f-liowin/^ I lni ;^oo;i;r(i|)liiciil po.silion oC iho (!iiriailiiiii I'ai'j 
 
 III'. 
 
 Itailvvay 'ritli7(i'Hpli, in ii'ltitinii lo tlio HiiliriiKriiK^ olncliic Itilo 
 ^^iii|iliH JioUvciiii AHiii, Auhtrariii, Aiiiirii'a idhI i'liiropn 
 
 ;io/i 
 
 No. r>. Loii^rihiiJiiial ,S»irlioii of !>ril Kivcr, iVoin llin ''ily oj' Wiiiiiipo;; lo 
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 I'"Io.mIh, \c L'70 
 
 .No. 7- .M.'ip oC ijic I'riiiric Uni^iMii^ iIi-Iiiumii 'liin;.^ IIih i/iihmuI pKyHiiiil 
 clmracliir oC Ijid coiiiiliy mi llii^ loiilc* Collowcil \>y 'lillniciil 
 
 I'Lvploriirn mill Scinniilii' 'I'lavi'lloi ■' 
 
 No. H. Mil]) ol" ill! I'rniiio {{■■f^iuii, indii aliii^j ;'Cfi('iiiiiy lln- liiiiil,M vvil.liiii 
 wliii'li (.miimI land im known lo ii.\ihl ln'.i wi'.t'ii ,Mmiiliil)a ami llin 
 KonUy MoiinlaiiiH IMS 
 
 12:i-- 
 
134 
 
 133 
 
 132 
 
 131 
 
 13C 
 
 12B 
 
 126 
 
 T 
 
 T 
 
 56 
 
 CANADIAN PAOIFIO RAILWAY. 
 
 
 Bx:FL0K.^Ti03srs i]sr the sicEEnsr-^ 
 
 Ji.2STT3 
 
 PEACE RIVER DISTRICTS. 
 
 133 
 
 132 
 
 131 
 
 130 
 
 120 
 
 128 
 
 127 
 
126 
 
 127 
 
 126 
 
 125 
 
 124 
 
 123 
 
 128 
 
 J21 
 
 r 
 
 EAILWAT. 
 
 HE SKIEEISrA. 
 
 STRICTS. 
 
125 
 
 t24 
 
 118 
 
 118 
 
Plate No. 1. To accompany Report of the Engineerin-Chief, Canadian Pacific Railway, i^ou. 
 
 PHOTO LITH BY Tht aURLAND UTH CO MONTRtAL 
 
f So. 1. To accompany Report of the Engiiteerin-Chie/, Canadian Pacific Railway, 1880. 
 
 
 PHOTO LITH BY THE auRLAND LITH CO MONTREAL 
 
way, 1880. 
 
 56 
 
 HEVOAN 
 
 54 
 
 ^-- 
 
 er. 
 
 S3 
 
 ;0 MONTREAL 
 
 CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 «T 
 
 THE ENGINEER IN CHIEF, 
 
 ADDBI8BBD TO 
 
 THE HON. THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND CANALS, 
 
 Canadian Pacific Railwat, 
 
 Office of the Enoineer-inChiif, 
 
 Ottiiwn, 8th April, 1880. 
 
 The Honorable 
 
 Sir Charles T upper, K.C.M.G., C.B., 
 
 Minister of Railways and Canals. 
 
 Sir,— 1 have the honor to report on the various surveys and examinations made 
 during the payt soaHon, and on other matters in connection with the Canadian Pacific 
 Railway. 
 
 These several pointi- have been briefly reviewed by mo in the I'oi ra required for 
 the general report of the Department to be laid befoi'e Parliament. It now becomes 
 my duty more fully to discuss them. 
 
 EXPLORATIONS IN NORTUERN BRITISH COL JMBIA AND THE PEACE RIVER DISTRICT. 
 
 In the reports which, from time to time, I have had the honor to make, I have 
 submitted, with the explanatory detail, the information obtained respecting the seve- 
 ral routes to the Pacitic Coast, and the character of thQ harbors which have been pro- 
 posed as suitable for the terminus. 
 123-1 
 
M 
 
 // 
 
 It was oarly soen that tho Yellow Iload V&t^s offered rao"o than usual advantageH 
 for a line of railway crOf»8iiig tho K.^eky Mountains, and that according to the infor- 
 mation wo pos'^os8«l, that pass might bo held to bo a definite /jjovorning point by 
 which tho whole location would be controlled. 
 
 The inost peisiHtciit efforts were made for several years to discover a line running 
 direct iy we- 1 irotn Vullow Head Pass to tho coast. They were fruitless. It was 
 uv'ciitually establishod, that on the railway reaching Tote Jaurie Cache, a point Home 
 liHy niilcH west of tho Yellow iluad Pass, two routes only could be advantageonslj 
 taken. 
 
 The one, following a north-westerly course to a point near Fort George, turned 
 south-westerly to gain the Valley of the Homathco, by which it found a passage 
 tiirough the Cascade liango to tide-water at Waddington Harbor. From Waddington 
 it was projecled to follow tho rocky and precipitous side of Bute Inlet, and it 
 was piojiosed to form a connection with Vancouver Island across tho Strait of 
 Georgia. Three subsidiary lines woio suggested in connection with this routo. One 
 to leave the lino near Fort George, and to run to Dean Channel ; tho second on a 
 more westerly course to reach ♦l>e Pacific at Gardner Inlet ; a third following a 
 north-westorly direction, to find an outlet by tho Valley of the Eiver Skeena. Of 
 those four lines, tho location which lod to Bute Inlet, as giving' assurance of a possi- 
 ble railway connection with Vancouver Island, was the only one which obtained 
 any genci-al local support. 
 
 Tho second line, on leaving Tete Jaune Cache, followed the Valley of tho Elvers 
 Albredii and Thompson lo Kamloops, and proceeded by Lytton at the junction of the 
 Thonijio on with the Fraser, dosceuding tho Fraser to Bui'rard Inlet. 
 
 Although tho Yellow Head Pass was rocognizod as an important objective point 
 aftbrding an easy entrance from tho oast into British Columbia, through mountains 
 previously pronounced iin penetrable, the more northern passes of tho Peace and Pine 
 iiivcrs attractoi attention, and opinions wore expressed that thoy offered a natnral 
 jjassagc for tho railway through a fertile district with a salubrious climato. 
 
 This territory had been partially explored. Sir Alexander Mackenzie discovered 
 the Peace Eivor, and traced it to its soun o in 1793. Sir George Simpson followed it 
 
I point 
 
 Itains 
 
 Pine 
 
 ittnral 
 
 pred 
 
 led it 
 
 in 1828. It« gonomi foaturos accordingly were to somo extent known. The first 
 examination under my direction win made in 1872, when I pasnetl over the lino from 
 Lake Superior to the Pacific. In Augast of that year, when at Fort Edmonton, I 
 detailed Mr. Iloretzky and Professor Macoun to proceed by way of Peace River t« 
 the Pacific Coast, to invostif^'ute as far an practicable the physical character of the 
 region, and to obtain information respecting the nature of the soil, tho Jiora, and the 
 climate of tie country examined. 
 
 A second exploration of portions of tho northern district were made in 1377. 
 Tho River Skeena wa.s followed by Mr. Cambio from its mouth to the country 
 drained by its south branch, the Watsonquah. The examination terminated at Fort 
 George. The mountains themselves were crossed by Mr. Ilunter in tho same season 
 by the Pine River Pass. 
 
 There was this distinction between the exiiminutions of the routes to Bute Inlet 
 and to Burrard Inlet, and the norihern Peace and Skeena route. The two former 
 had been surveyed in the usual form in which preliminary and location surveys are 
 carried on, and definite data respecting them had thus been obtained ; while the 
 passes of the Peace and Pine Rivers hiui boon explored ouiy in a general way, as a 
 reconnaissance, and the information obtained was consequently limited. 
 
 In niy former reports I submitted tho rcsult<i of those examination.*, and the 
 characteristics of tho several routes examined. 
 
 My own views on tho selection of a route wore thus given in 1878 : — " Upon 
 carefully viewing the engineering features of each route, and weighing every com- 
 mercial consideration, I am forced to the conclusion that, if those alone are to govern 
 a selection, if a decision cannot bo postponed until further examinations bo made, if 
 the construction of tho railway must at once bo procoodei' with, tho line to Van- 
 couver Island should, for tho present, be rejoctod, and that tho Government should 
 select the route by the Rivers Thompson ami Frasor to Biuriirl Inlet." 
 
 The subject was again alluded to in my report of 1870 : — 
 
 "Much has boon said for and against every route that has boon projected, baton 
 
 carefully considering the engineering and commercial features in each case, tho cou- 
 123— IJ 
 
cliiHidii wan forcod ii|toii iriy iniml that llifl railway itt^olt' would ho I«fiNt difflcult U> 
 (tD.inliiicI, llial. wiion onlahiinliiid il. would bo oiiHJuMt ujiortitod, and that ^oi'orul 
 iiiUuttHln would ho iiiohL cuii-ullod, hy (idluwin^ tlio routo Id liurrard Inlot." 
 
 « 
 
 I wtin iiwuro llial. tliiH i)|iiriioii would not inuol willi goiiucal Ciivor, and in 
 llio Itiht iiaiiiiid i'(i|ioi'r I |ircM';Oodcd to Hay : 
 
 " It (^ariiioMju Hiiid lliiit iho Hdloction of Ituriai'd Inlot an ti tortninun, haH ^ivon 
 gonoriil mitiHl'iKUion in l(riti»li <!oluiiihiii. On tho contrary, a claim \im hoon lulvunood 
 in thai, I'rovinco that anolhnr luiitti and lorniinun aro jtroi'orahlo. It iw thoroCoro Ui 
 ho ciinHidcrol il addilional tiX|dut'alionH Hhould ho nia<lo and nioro i-oiitpiuto iiilorntU- 
 tiiin uhtainod Willi ro^^ard lo tho norUiorn <',ountiy, mo that it may ho dolinitoly 
 di:tiu inihDil h' a roiiln morn donirahlo con ho Ibiind. Aoooi'dingly I HUgfrotit 
 that Iho iinox|iloriil ic//,ion, i^ing- lK(lwo(m l''ort ( 'oimolly and Krtrt Moljood, in Hi-itihU 
 ('ohiiiihia, and iIioho lar^o liaclnol vacant lorritury oant (jf tho llocky MountuiuH, in 
 thoiaiiiiili) of l'iiU<'o Itivor, which havo novor yot hocui travorwod hy Mciontilin 
 travolloiM, ho c.xiilorod and acnualo data ohlaiiicd roHpocting tho I'oaMihility oCa rail- 
 way throu^di that rcT^ion t'. tlio I'acilic coaht." 
 
 The Hiinard liilitl, roiilc wai> Imowii lo ho majiiod hy many liilliciiltioH, and Ix) 
 invojsd nil cnoinioiiri outlay, hut wilh all l,hn dmiulvantiigcM which it proHOtitH, 
 J lonhidcrcil ihai, il, wan cnlillod to lint proloronco. 
 
 l''or hix conMiciilivo ycai'M, and at an oxi;n|itionally f^rtiat coHt, uru'omitting 
 und Hyislcmaiir cUorlM hud hocn njiido without Hiicccrtrs lo lind a hdlor and Iomh ox- 
 |»cii.iiv'o line. Indcrd llioic t-ccnnd no allcrnalivo but ihc adoplion of that routo, 
 unlo»<> riirlhcr o,xaiiiiii:iiniii ol'llio noilliorn coiiiil ry mado it a|i|)ai'ont that n hotloi* 
 and iiiMin cji^ihli', local Mill cuiildlic louiid under cundilioiiH ho lavoruhlu that i I would 
 cotii'iiand ready acce|)laiico. 
 
 Owin;,^, ill h(nne de^rcui, lo iho liicl, iliat I, he norlh(Uii diiitrictH ol Itnlihh (Joliinihia 
 aio iciiMilo IVoin ll.o ui'oan of |io|iulal,ion, a northern route (ditained hut littio utton- 
 tion ilimii/,'; the early hIii^om ol'llio -urvoy, It wan only when it wan found that no lino 
 lould lie horiiiitd in Iho more Hoiithurn latilii>le, ux(;e|il at /.(roat outlay, tintt a northorn 
 roulu < anie |tiomineiii|^ into notico, uiid that, inoie extondod uxaminatioiiH hocumo 
 
 «J«Mll'KblM 
 
ft wnH ii HOrloiiN reHporiNiliilily for iiny (Wi^iiiMor lo iihHiirnn Id i-ocoiiimu'imI 
 thiit coiiMlrii' lion uliiiiilil In) coriiiiU'iKtiil on lit i IhhMm Hiiiriiicl Ihlnl, willirii ^l;^,t 
 lihviii^ oxIiuiihIciI nil llic hiiiii'i'iiri III' iiii|iiii'y ii|ii'ii li> iis i I'l^lt llnti vvi'-JkhiM cltmrly 
 afi'l II II mint 11 Uo't Illy ini<liM'Htitiii| lint <'ii|iuhiliti<»i iiini |iii-<-tiliiliiici-< ul iln- iimiiIici'm iii;>i'iii ; 
 t.hul. wtt mIkmiIiI oliliiiii ilalu lo ilithinniiut if ii niilway lini; I'liii'l lir >jiil:iiiiii.| iliii)iiir|) 
 il ; lliat wti pIiuiiIiI Kmiw llm ( lnit'iirlci uf lint niiiln, ami lluti \v<i -IhkiIiI jiiku' :< lull 
 
 inloriliutioll Willi >"i'^:iri| In lliti (^llhlllln, HMil ai|i| ra|illliilll y liir rrt.l|i'iii<tlil, Iti^lnii III*' 
 
 (Jovoniiiionl lutcaiao ii'i'c.viii'.iibly i->iiniiiil!<til l.<t iUi: \ni^i> oxjh ii'liium ai.l.iMi<laiii. mi 
 l.liit uitii|il|iiii III iihy I iiiil.it. 
 
 It iri t-an) III lie. llll<l<'rril.iiiii| I hitl if, hlllliniii|i|itht ly lit t liii riiiif I rili'liilli nf I liit iailwiiy 
 'III till) hiiuUinrii ruiil.r, il Mlioulii ltd iliMCiniti'fl lliiil a ii'irllitti n liiu; t niilil liaMi liitnii 
 uiii|i-,i'titl<<tii ul a gi'itilt ly i(ii|iiit<'i| I'litl, uiiil lliriiiif;ii it ruiinlry, in riinjinrl of nnW and 
 I'liniuUi, Niulalili) liir |ii'on|Htr>iii i m-LI Iniiinnt, a ^I'u'^rt aiiu ii i onitt'tialili: urritr wuiilil 
 liiivi; liuoii I'liiiiiiiil.l.i^il, iio-iniMy t^vitc l.u ho <li'|ilur(;il, 
 
 Ailiiilioiitil iiurl.lioi'ii ox|ilitriitii>iiN, IliitroCoro, Mttoiiiml In nm in Im it<l\ iiiilili', wlwil- 
 uvor tliit rupiill oIiIiiiikkI. I liiilur itiiy I'li'ciiiip'lani'itn, il. wa^ itviilnnl I luil. I lut inloi niai ion 
 //aiiioil, ovoii il III' iiu;{utivt* viiluo, vvuiihl ho inijioiL ml m a Miii^ i.<i uur |iiiailive 
 kiiitwlttd^o (it l.liti l.fi ritiiiy. 
 
 In Ajitil laHl, i wan iiulilictii llial llitt liiivitiniiittnl liail iloi'i<li)i|, |ii'(ivi<>iiM t<i Iho 
 iluUti'iiiiiiaUiiii III. my roulu, l.i inaltti iKlitil.i'intil (ixaiiiinitliiiiii mI lln; iiutllii'i n |iiii,i(tti, 
 uiiil ol lliit I'liiiiilry wliicJi t]>i.iil<M IxiLli hi'lurt dIiIii- lanunl.uiiii). 
 
 TliOHO uxaiiiiiiatiniiH il svtii |ii'ii|iuhit<l no to rairy on Lliai. Um inrni'tiiaUoii wtiiltl 
 Im) hynloiiiutintlly aii<l iiijiiilly f^iiinttd, lluil il luiiM al m i n lit> inlinl nii, anil lliu 
 clioiou ul lliu liicalioii ttinl Lhu cuiniauiii'itiuMiit ol loiinlruilioii lio im lun^^or ilolayoil, 
 
 Thu tixiDiil ol' U)rrit.4)i-y ttiiilirtictxl wun llio cioiinlry Ixriwiin Uir lon^iliulu of 
 K/liiioiiloii, (tiirti of l.lii' Uncky Moiinlaiim, ami I'oil Siiii|iMon, on Urn I'aiilii I'oil 
 NiinjiMoM Ii'kI ali'oiiity Ijouii r(t|)orlivl lo \m un iixnillonl liitriioi'. Il wan Idinwii lliitl 
 a liiiitji vvalttr HI III 111 llio hon, imniiil Wark Inli'l, Moiim il;') niilci in Imi^ili, ii.xUmiiIiiI 
 lo Iha utiNl of I'orl Siiii|r<on, ill Hid iliniilioii ol lint Kivit :SI<iM-iiii , Wailt Inlnl lining 
 hit|iui-altKl from lliu iSkitoiia liy a iiunow inUiiniin ol no groal ulovulioii, 
 
6 
 
 The objects of tho oxaininatioii wore to discover the moat favorable route fiom 
 the coast to tho Peace Eiver District, on tJie eastern sidooftlie mountains, And thence 
 to the line already located near Edmonton ; to gain full information with regard to Port 
 Simpson, its advantages and disadvantages as a harbor ; to verify the reports as to Wark 
 Inlet being navigable by ocean sailing ships; to ascertain how far the country lying 
 between the head of that shoot of water and the River Skeena, and the Yalley of the 
 Skeena itself were suitable for a railway line ; and to obtain such definite information 
 respecting the nature of a portion of tho line accessible to stoamors from tho ocean, 
 as would admit of a contract for construction being at once lot, in the event of a 
 northern route being chosen. 
 
 This examination really involved the determination of tho problem whether the 
 choice of the Burrard Inlet route should be sustaiu'id or abandoned ; and if construc- 
 tion should bo immediately commenced on tho southern or on a northern line. 
 
 The service was consequently one of importance. The instructions to the 
 officers selected, togethei* with their reports, are given in full in the appendix.* 
 
 As time was an element in the problem, it was arranged that the examinations 
 should be energetically carried out, and that so soon as the information was obtained, 
 a synopsis of it should bo sent by telegraph from Edmonton to Ottawa. 
 Before the end of September tho information was received and laid 
 before the Government. On tho Ith of October, an Order in Council was passed rati- 
 fying tho adoption of the route vid the Yeilowhead Puss to Burrard Inlei, and I was 
 directed to take steps for immediately placing under contract 125 miles >f the most 
 difficult portion, from near Yale to Savona's P'erry. 
 
 The examinations made during tho past season have established that Port 
 
 Simpson is a commodious, woli-sholtored harbor. It has a large area of smooth water 
 
 anchorage; it is to somo extent exposed to south-west winds, but tho roll of tho ocean 
 
 is broken on tho reefs which here form a natural breakwater. It has good approaches, 
 
 and is easy of access at all cimditions of tho tide. I A railway can bo carried from Port 
 
 • VtJe Ajijiondix No. 1, pa^p :)1, In8tr\icti()n9. 
 
 " No. -i, " .18, Kei.orl by Mr. ir. J. Cambin. 
 " No. 3, " 1)7, " Mr. H. A. V. MiK'lHod. 
 
 " No. 4, " 71, " Mr. 0(<or(f« A. Kcef.T. 
 
 " No. 8, " 75, " Mr. Charles Horoi7,ky. 
 
 t Vidi Apnendii No. 11, page 153, .Votei on ttn>xainiuftllon of tUe Northern Ooa»t and Harbori, 
 B.O.) b/ Capt. lirundige. 
 
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Simpson, bj' way of Wark Inlet, to tlio T^iver iSkootia, ami tlicnco by tlio viillev of 
 that rivor, a liiHtanco of .fiO miioH, to lla/.eltoii at thi- Fprk-<. A t.ii:i! looati jn (;; 60 
 miles of the line was mado from the iiavi^^alilo waters of W.irk Iiiioi, pln-is ami 
 profiioH wore jnoparO'l, ami approximate quantitiod coinputoil, witli ;!i'' vmw of 
 placing u Heclion under contract, had a northoin route l>eoti adopted. 
 
 From Iliizelton several practicable routes can bo obtained castwaid. 
 
 A'') 1. — On leaving the Forks, tlii-, route follows the Itiver Watsonquah to its 
 heaii, and by a tributary it reaches the main River Kraser near Foit (ieorgc, whence 
 it follows that i-iver to Tote Jauiie Cache, wheic it intersects the line locat'd liy the 
 Yellow Head Pass to the prairie region. 
 
 JVo. 2. — FollowH in the same cour^-o, the VV'atsoiKiuah Valley, to Fort Fra-MT, 
 at which point, deflecting from the route above dustiilioil, it rtms norlli-ciistei'ly, rid 
 Port8t. James and Fort McLood, to Pino River Pass, and thence eastward acriss the 
 Poaoo liivor District. 
 
 No. 3. — Ascends the Skcena above the Forlcs about :]i\ miles; tlu-nce by !he 
 Biver Babino ar\(l the Jvolsine I'ass, crosses Driftwood River. It then passes over a 
 second divide and follows the Omenica River to Peaco Jiiver Pass, and thence pui'suu.s 
 a course to join No. 'J on the plateau of Peace Rivor. 
 
 Possibly a fourth line nuiy be available by branching from Xo. 3 a little to tho 
 north of iJabine T;ake, lunning toward.-^ that lake to I-\)it Baliine. cno.siig ovei' to 
 Tacla Lake, and following thu vallc}- of Middlo R:v(>r to Ti-iMnfilriii' L.ilvi' tV.>ni 
 which point it intiy t'c carried by iln.' Nation jiiid Par-nip Rivers, ■\r po.s-ibly more 
 directly by l-\>rt Meln'od, to Pino River Pass. 
 
 It is eonsidi'red that, although the intonnalion is of a general character, 
 the three first routes have been established to be iH';ielicable. The relative elevti- 
 tiouH attained on each is.hown on the sections ( L*late No. 2), The distaneo by 
 oaoh as compared with tin; line to Burrai-d Inlet, is roughly estimated as follows .— 
 
 Miles. 
 
 Lake Superior to Port Moody, Tkiriiud Inlet l.'.'b') (nuwiirod.) 
 
 " to Pol t Simpson by No. 1 ^^',170 (esiiniated.) 
 
 <« ♦' '• 2 2,200 '• 
 
 « n " :? 2,i;ir) '' 
 
.A rfordinu'ly, tlic shortest of the threo northern roiUeH, irt that by Peaco Rivw. 
 Startir,"' ['rem a common point, Huth as Fort Sa.^katcho\van, oast of tho moun- 
 tninn, all exceed in length the line to Burrcpl Inlot. 
 
 To Port Simpson, vid Peace Ri vol Pass Is.... if>0 milo.s longer. 
 « i< " Yellow Head Pass, is.... 225 
 <c .< " Pine River Pass. IS 255 " " 
 
 All are equally atlected by ;iiniatic ron;,uler.aions, which, in this latitude, are 
 of paramount imi^rtuncc. Tliero i^ no .iiillMvnco ol opiiiioi. among tho «-yr)lorers 
 respecting tho extent ut' l.-rtiic iand. U'ost ot the Ikocky Mountains it is inconsider- 
 able. The fertile tracts are indeed the cm 'piion. To the east of the mountain chain 
 the Peace Uiver phueau i-5 maiked l)y great fertility ot soil over a wide area. 
 
 The Peace River region, as f.ir a.-, ex'imined, may be considered to extend from 
 tho foot hills of tho Rocky Mountains easterly to Lesser Slave Lake, and trotn latitude 
 64'' to latitude 57°. The whole area witliin those boundaries is not fertile, but they 
 set forth generally the limit within whii h tiie I'ogion of tertility i.-. found. To the 
 north of this, however, hordoring the valley of the Peaco River, even to latitude 
 59'', there is a considerable irai' ot country that is reported to bo tortile; but, 
 as this northern district, though properly speaking included in the Peace River 
 country, has not yet been examined, and as it w!i.-< not embraced in tho explorations 
 of the past season, it is not hero further referred to, 
 
 The fertile district is doHcribcd i\s a plateau elevated generally aMut 2,000 foot 
 above the soa. The rivers which piws through, oi- have their sources in tho Rocky 
 Moutains, and which drain tho plateau, run in deeply onxied channels, ranging in 
 many places from 600 to TOO feel below the general level. Peace River itself rises 
 in Northern British Columbia and flows through the Rocky Mountains by a low pan- 
 sago about Latitude 5ti''. It is described as a noble stream, indeed onoofthemoHt 
 beautiful of rivers. It is tod from the Kjuth by a number of tributaries, tho chiei' 
 of which are Pino River and .SuK-ky River, its confluence witii the former being 
 about longitude 120' 30', and with the latter alx)Ut throe degrees further east. 
 
 West of .Smoky River, both to the M)uih ami north of Peace River, there are 
 extensive areas of prjiirio countiy, oil lior perfocliy open and covorcvd with moi-e or 
 less luxuriant grafts, or Uottod with patches of copse and trees. 
 
The romaiiulor of tho Hurlaco is gonenilly (jccupiod by Hucond growth forcf^l, 
 more or loss donse. Some putchos of tho original furu-^t remain, j)urtiouljirIy in tho 
 rivor valleyH. Thoy aro cotnjxisiMl of much larger troo-*, chiijfly coiiiforous, among 
 which the blaok npruce is mont al)undant. {laii'Isomo grovos ol' old and large 
 balsam fioplars aro aJHO to bo found in uome of tlio vulloy^. Though a large jiropor- 
 tion of the prairie land is immediately available from an agricultural point of view, 
 much of tho reginn now covi'rcd witli Hecotnl gi-o'.vlli and forost will oventuuliy bo 
 et^ually valuable. 
 
 "ust of tho SmoK'}' River and -outhwani towards the A thaha-"ca, the prairie 
 country is insignificant in extent, the region being characierized by second growth 
 woods in every stage of development. 
 
 The largest tract of poor land ih that bordering the vailey of the Athabasca. South 
 of Lesser Slave Lake it rises lo a considerable heiglil. This region is also very 
 ewampy in many places, ami for a width of -0 lo 2.) miles on 'ho trail from Sturgeon 
 Jjake to the Athabasca is (j^uite unsuited for agriculture, though in many places it 
 would furnish good pasture were the timber cleared away. 
 
 To the northwarr", e;nt of Smoky River, peaty and other swamps occupy part of 
 the surface. Land of his cliaracler maybe regarded as permanently unsuited for 
 ligriculturo. 
 
 The luxuriance of the natural vegetation on tho prairies is described as truly 
 wonderful, and indicates not only the fertility of the soil, but tho i.ccurreiice of suffi- 
 cient rain-fall. 
 
 Tho explorers unit(> in the opinion that tho lertile area is of great extent, 
 and tiuil the whole region is certainly well adapted tor ntoik raising. But 
 the exploratiiins do not establish beyi)nd tjuostion il- aduptai)ility in- the --yst-o- 
 matic growth of tiie higher cereals. Cultivation lias been attempted mi a limited 
 Hcale at tho lludsonV Hay Forts, in sheltered spots in the valley ol tho I'eaoe 
 River, but no pmlion ol tho plateau has been placed under lultis'ation, with the 
 exception of very limited areas in the vicinity of Lesser Slave Lake and of Siiirgeon 
 L'ike. SufHcient data li;ive not been obtained to admit of any reliable comparison 
 between this district and the better known fertile portions ot the NorthWe.st. and it 
 
10 
 
 would be picmaluro to pronounoo a positive (opinion upon its ;;rnin.growing capn- 
 cities, although the uncortuint} which has always U-cn Ml in ihis i-ospct hiw boon 
 partially removed by the expc-ifnco of lust reason. 
 
 Dr. (i. M. i)a\sM>n, ol the <;eolo^n('al Survoy, is of .>]iinioii ilial thu iiscertainod 
 facts leave no .l.nibt -m the subject nfthe sutflc-ioiu |.>n:,'tli and Nvarmth of tho sonson 
 to ripen wheat, oat> ami barley, widi ail ordinary toot nops and vegetables. Tho 
 only point which may admit ot" quo-: ion is, \o what extent tl..' o-'currmico of late 
 and early frosts may interfere with their iri-owtfi. F^asl year -unn t frns' ,<x,"<.'un\Kl 
 at ditforcnl times . they wore severe in the latter part ot Augu>t, iid dii' consider- 
 able injury to tho growing crjps around somo of tho Hudson s Ba Toinpa ly's Forte. 
 
 It is pniba'-'e tluit the season (if Is'T'J may have been oxct oi.al, .ind that tho 
 aveia of other years may .,'ivc more favorable dodllctioIl^ , I'lil nto cannot sei 
 aside d ta whitl' have been obtaiiied. 
 
 The evidence slows that ihrouuiiout the whole country osplored, summer frosts 
 were experienced. The explorers spent tlie montti of August ii' tlie Peace River 
 district. The wheat patches around the Itu'ison's Bay Forts, a., th<.' liott( .n of tho 
 valley at Hudson's Hope and i'linvoLraii. were injureil In- frost. On tho plati m there 
 was frost on three 'HicJiaious in August , on the "Jl-t, at points a liuntlrt(i miles 
 apart 12' and 1 4'' of Irosi wei'e recorded. No frost was ex[)oriencoil in Augu.^t last 
 year near Edmonton, a tact which sugijosth that the Teact' liivi-r district cannot be con- 
 sidered eijual to tho .Saskatchewan in poin' of I'limate. Hut it woull Ih> premature 
 to as-umc ihat >iiirh i.>absoliit ly ;!io case. As cultivation advanco and drainage 
 relieves the land from superabundant water, ilie t limate may lie moditiod. 
 
 It may be rcmend)ered that the motooidlogical phen.)mena of last year wona 
 at variance with ex])erience in many parts ot tho world. In portions of the 
 easierii liemis])hcie the humidity wa.^ oxco-^sive and unlavourabio to agncullure. 
 influencc'ibat IiMle undiTstoo i. may have intoivtme'l to give an oupress less favoraltle 
 to the tharacter ot tin' Peace lliver di-tini than is warranted. Thu oUsorvations ot' 
 a aeries o[' years may establish the jicrfect capability of this district for agricultural 
 parpoHos , but we have not the tact- t'rom whi.h wo can gonoralizo with conlidonce. 
 Whilo the fertility i.)f the sm' i-. a recognized fact, and it may hereat'ter be establisho*! 
 
11 
 
 ihat the Peace Kivor roginn U well jwlnptod for the gmwtli of ffiain, its tittiesrf for 
 wheat culture i.>- not yet fully coiilirmod; coi-tuinly not so fully a.i that of tho riiwkat- 
 chcwjin di>trii t (o tho mmUIi. Tln.'fo can, liowovof, ho rio iloubt of the tart that 
 equally with tLo Sartkaichowan it enjoy.s immunity from tho "lovastattnj,' vi-^its of 
 i^raisihoppcrs. 
 
 Uv. Dawson has oxprossotl the opiiiinn that bcil.-t of coal i4' n woi'Uahle ehaincter 
 'Kcur in (.iiffoniit jtarts uf iho E'oaco Kivof ro^'ii.ti. lii' do^cfibis tho coal ;,oains 
 ;ms occurring in t \v(> sofien of rock.-!. In the lowor oi CivfacootH zone, bods of >jood 
 quality wero ob.'-o vod a varitMis points a littK' oast 'A' tho mountains tho seams vary- 
 ing from a few i.ichos to two loot iu thickiuMb, 
 
 Numerous instan(;os of localities showiuii; coal or lij^nito in tho u[)por sorios lira 
 laentionod, tho diiof being iti tho vallo^' uf ilio Athabasca Jind its soutiiern tribtiiaries. 
 A seam was observed at one place from nine to ten foot in ihickness. 
 
 I rtubmit the report*) of the oxplorer- with full detail in tho Aiipcndix ; likewise 
 notes of Dr. <i. M. Dawson* on tho agrii iiliiital rapability, |tho climate, and the 
 economic minerals of t le district, together with a descriptive memorandum by the 
 Rev. i). M. (fordon.f 
 
 As everything relating to tho I'haractor of the soil and climate of every portion of 
 Canada on tho Pacific Coast, and its possibilities as a tiold for settlement is of deep 
 interest, I deem it proper tocnd;raci: in the Appendix notes ok the a^rtcultiiral capa- 
 bililio. of (^uoon Cliarlitto I>'atid->. lurnished by l>r. ti. M. I):iw-.<)ii,; and a report on 
 the ar:.blo lands ot Vtiicovivtr l.-laiul, by Mr. ,b>seiil 11 iiitrr ;^ 
 
 Tho location ol' the rtiilway being iiow dtstiiiitely tixed ttnd contracts awarded 
 on the line to IJurraiil Inlet, there is no longer an* neces>ity. in tho intcrost of the 
 railwaj-, for continu.ng examinations in tlio iiortl orn districts. M.-uiy yoars must 
 elapse before the great areas of ;iv!iil;d)lo laiiiis botifceii Manitoba tuid tho ru')c.ntains 
 
 • I'l/e Appendir Vo. 7, piiRr 107, Report on Ui« climiite, agricultural value, ecoaoir.n miiicrHl?, 
 etc , by Dr. Ueorap M. Dhw.ou. 
 
 t Vi'i* Appendix No. i>, ptipfo St', MfmoruinliiDi r<'S|ii'Cting n.)iili«^i-n U.C. an.l I'e.icc RiTcr, by 
 Rev. I). VI, (roriou. 
 
 t i'Ue Appeiulii N'o. '.», pa^e IM\ Vtemorandum vu the tiiie( n CImilotte lalaadd, liy Ur. G. M 
 Dkwsou 
 
 § VV/p Appendix No. S, pape 132, Report on ttn.^ utiriciilfnal cupal'ilitiea oi \aucoii7er laland, 
 by Mr. Joseph Hunter. 
 
12 
 
 are fully occupied, and by thi« pori^i the capability of tho Poiico River District 
 will havo been tested. Meatiwliik'. tli.' charactor an 1 oxtorit of railway traific and 
 its rciuiieraontrt nill bo known Tho .iiioMi-n will tiioii pro.-out itnelf, how tbi. 
 traffiL- can best bo dealt with. Should it bo desirable to c .nstnici a branch to Peace 
 Kiver from some poiiii on tho inaiu huv .a-t or west of Ivlinonion, tho lato exami. 
 cations have o^tablishod that such a lino in perfectly leiusibio. 
 
 In former i-cpoits I have contrasted the Canadian Pacific Railway with tho line run- 
 nini? from ^^?w York to San Francisco. 1 now beg ieavo to nubmit a comparisun with 
 all the lines projected across the United States. Tho accompanying diagram (Plato No. 
 3) prepared from authentic information will establish beyond ciueslion, the advantages 
 in rospecl to the lojuling ougineoiing features which the lino adopted tn Hurrard 
 Inlet possesHos. Of ihelliur lines stretching across tho C')nliiient, wilhiti the limit^i 
 ot the United States, no uiie is rajirlieii by general oummiUi so !ow or gradienta 
 80 moderate as the line to Burrard Jtilet. 
 
 In the Appendix will l>e found notes on the route of tho railway through British 
 Columbia, by Major (ieneral Moody, R.H., t(>rmorly commanding tholioyal Engineers 
 in British Columbia, and forwarded to the l)opartment. They give the views of this 
 distinguished utliccr on the .luot-iiou of sulecting Biirranl Inlet as a terminus for 
 the irans-continental railway.* 
 
 EXPLORATIONS IN THE I'RAtRIE REGION. 
 
 In my roj>ort vt iubt ye;.r 1 ^ubmittetl that the locuti> i, not only of the main 
 line, but of all iho subsidary lines in the North- West, shoiil 1 !>o tho subject of earnest 
 ooHKideration, a.id tliat tho l<ication of all lines of oommunicution. whether constructed 
 and workfl by private companies or nut, should be directly controlkMi by the Gov- 
 ernment. I beg leave to repeat the recommeuduUou. 
 
 In order that tho Government may be in u position wisely to exercise the control 
 over tho railway system of the Xorth-West, a broad general sdiemo should bo laid 
 down for future trmdanie. li may. porhaps, be impossibbi to adhere, in every 
 respect, lo any pre-arranged jilaii, however car(!tull y it may be conceived, but it stuauld 
 
 /, , *, y^f Appcniii N'c III paga 144, Notes oa the route of the Pacific lUilway through Britith 
 Columbia, by Major Geueial Moooy, R,E. 
 
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Plate No. 3. To accompany Report of the En 
 
 DIA.GRAM OF PROFILES 
 
 COMPARIM THE 
 
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 WITH 
 
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Plate No. 3. To accompany Re 
 
 DIAGRAM OF PROFILE 
 
 COMPARING THE 
 
 CANADIAN PACIFIC RA 
 
 WITH 
 
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3 No. 3, To accompany Report of the Engineer-in-Ghief, Canadian Pacific Railway, 1880. 
 
 .e,ooa 
 
 VI OF PROFILES 
 
 OM PARING THE 
 
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 WITH 
 
 ;-CONTINENTAL RAILROADS 
 
 OF THB 
 
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13 
 
 bo tho polk'y to fdllow it in its main fbaturos. Ttic ^'moral iiitofents of the cuuuiry. 
 »nd the people who arc U> occupy ii, domaiul thul ftlorls should now bo made U) 
 determine tiio lending avenue-- of t 'aflic. Any ^c'lenie will be inadequate unlets it 
 taken into view the country, with its capabilitioa and possible requirements an a 
 whole. 
 
 The first rftep is to obtain t^enoral information rospcoting tho jtrineipfd features 
 ot thb ■■.ountry, the character ul'the soil, the climate and its minerals. I pointed out 
 hint year, that although the jjrairio region had been seen Ijy many travellers, and 
 that the country casi of tiio Rodcy Mountains had been ti-averwed on many trails, 
 and a great deal (if info 'inalion colloctod, still the territory is of such vast extent 
 that comparatively little of it was known. 
 
 I felt it my duly, Uioivtore, to roeornmend that ever-, otTort should be made by 
 additional explorations to gain information and gather data to admit of correct con 
 cluBions being drawn. 
 
 In conforraitv with my reeommcndatit)n, these explorations were authorized. 
 Thoy included the country north of the olst jwrallel of latitude, to the Churchill 
 River district reaching iho SOth jiarallel, and to the 57th parallel in tlie Peace Eiver 
 district, Tl.ey extended fron\ the Uo-ky .\Lountain.-, easterly to thu meridian 
 which passes thiuu.^h Lake WinnipegOHis. 
 
 The examination was divided into tivc sections: 
 
 1, Dr. . John Smith wa^ appointed t> examine the tract north of tin; telegraph 
 lino, a^ it runs west ol :v.rthc.jte, included beLwi'cn the lliver Saskatchewan and 
 Luho Winnipegosit*. 
 
 Mr. I). ('. O'lsrelle explored the tract i)Oun led on the south by the Uiver .S;i,v 
 katcli-nvan, between ("umberlatul House and Caricbm. mi the we.st by the litid.sons 
 Bay roulc, e.stending from t'arleton northerly, (."<• Lake roiic-in to Isle .i la Crosso , 
 on the I orlh liy the Churchill Kivor. 
 
 ;{. Mr. I'lberls was delatlod to tb.> cxpU«:'alion of the distrbt bounded on the 
 m.uth by the road IV.mi ("atb'ton to l.ac la Hiche, on tb.t we<t by the llJUi meridian, 
 and on the east and north l>y the lliu'.son's .Buy route from Cailelon .,urt Luke Pelican 
 and Methy Porl^ifo. 
 
14 
 
 i 
 ■i* 
 
 4. Pfoli'-ior M.'icoun w;i> :i|i|iointi'.l to explun- tlio oounlry lyiiij; north of tlie 
 51st ])arallol of lalitii.li', uiui >oiitli ot' ilio ti'iogrii|)li lino fmni Livingslono to 
 Edmonton. 
 
 Tho instnirtions to tlieso gcntlcincn \'^or(' to dirocl tlu'ir attention more par- 
 t'u'uhu'ly to tiiodi ■tiMc't> on tho in:i|t whicn Inid not prcvi msly In-ott travorsml :i id do8- 
 tribed, to ni;iko lull and ••oniplot ■ oxai linations, r<o thai a Icn'j.v'uxigc oi the j) lysical 
 charactoi' of tiio oountiy .shon! 1 ho whlaiiiod. Tho int'onnation \va> to ornbrace 
 the nature otthe ■'oil. tlie suhM)il, the extent ot'jirairie an^l tiinb<'i- land, tho charai^ter 
 o{ tho flora, the tlow of fivers and ereekn, and all point^ bearing on the water Hupply, 
 the ptOfjeuoe of economic minerals, and all features of importance. 
 
 Instructions were also given that a daily record shoulil bo kept showing the 
 rainl'all, tho dow. the temperature and goiipral condition ot' the atino>pliero, and 
 that all facts bearing upon the elimatie ^'onditionsof each locality, and its titnoss for 
 agricultural purposos should be earet'ully noted. 
 
 These reports are to(' lengthy ii' be iii-ertoil in full, but synopses, amply eXjilana- 
 t<jry. are given in the appendix. The general results may be thin stated. 
 
 Tho country examined by Me. ( >'[\eftVc. north oi' the Saska chowan, we.st of 
 Cumberland House to I uiLciiude 107' ■Jit. is described as containing, tracts of fertile 
 tKiil. np to the ri4th parallel : near the lOiilh meridian they extend halt a dogroo 
 further north. 
 
 The country withlti those limits -.'uerally produce- in abundanr • all the various 
 forest plant.-, and giver evjdeme of a pidjnii; -,oil. A con am brealih is, liowcviM', 
 diversitied by sand ri>lgos, takes, iniir-hy inca.iow.-, and inu>kegs. A .^lret( h oi' sand 
 hille and ridges, variable m width, eonimences ahoul live miles north of the Sas- 
 katchewan, at i'liu'c Albeit, arrl e.xleiio . ea-uvard to wilhin seven miles of l'\)r> a 
 la CoriK-, It i^ inlersper-ied ^^illl la-lts ui' good rich luiid. Ivisi of Fori a la 
 Corne ihe iaii'i uiimodiately lyljoimng 'he river i^- lor the im^st p iit siiiidy to the 
 103rd meridian. 
 
 Much line timber was i bserved. In tho -outh wc-.torn ,ia.i, ;.oplnr copso 
 prevails, grudiiully merging iuu. conimuou} loplar lore^t, which attains its g nates i 
 
 11 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 
 lievel' 
 large 
 
 I 
 frofpu 
 hWiun 
 :5iink- 
 diair 
 
i» 
 
 development to the oast of StinkiriL^ Luke. The lalriarn and jioplai- in j^rn-en is of 
 largo nizo, 111 munv (■!l■.<.'-^ two !bot in (iiariiotor. 
 
 P^xtondiii;!^ t>a>twani from SlinUina and Pelican Jjakes tii o groves of spnioe aro 
 fVoqnently n''Xod with a>])en and i)alsain-),'.»plar, aiid, m the borders ot the 
 hw.'unp-^, ^•rovc'- of iatnara( oi all si/.c- up to 18 iiK-hos in dianic'er urt'^ found. 
 IJanksian pirn is prtvalcni on ilio >an(l liills and ;'id^i'-., Ijiii seldom attains a foot in 
 diair ^lor. Hindi ana willow are nuincrt.ms, hut ot little value except lor fuel. 
 
 A line, which genorully may he described a.s running fi'otn Cuniboriuud Hoase 
 along the 54th jiarallel lo the 105lh nioiidian and thonco bending northerly to r)!"* 30' 
 on the Bavcr Rivor, M\ay bo considered at- the northern limit within whith land, fairly 
 good, is jound. 
 
 North of this lino up to latitude 5.S''' the I'ountry consists of a werios of 
 largo lakes, high saml ridges, roundi.nl hills and wiiio stretches of bare sand with 
 frequent nutrsl.fs pro hieing coarse grass. The only jixality where good land was 
 observed wa:' .some d^tar.co south of tl.o Stanley Mission on C'lmr'. hid Kiver about 
 longitude Ui4'' •{if. Hero some small [latches wore cultivated as gardens. 
 
 Nordi )f hiiili It f);')'^ aiu! o.iten ling to (Jiiurrhill River the whole country is 
 described ;.-> ben ; Isulntely barren consisting ot Laiu't'niian rocks wiiti mobsy 
 muskegs, ■mdy ' .st^'s and numerous large lakes. 
 
 i5anksian pines ot sm;ill si-^ie, scattered over the rocks and here and there 
 grovoH of smull sj)nice ii, marshy spots vs'oro met with. 
 
 The exploration we.it of longitude IU7° .'>0' was geiu-rally eMilined to tho district 
 extending from the Saskatchewan, noiih to Ijcaver River and to abuu! iliirlydivu 
 miles north of Lac la Ihche. 
 
 Within these limits tin- e<aintry is described a;- vai'ied in eiiaiacler. There .sre 
 ixttnsive portions covered with rich dark ioaui. oapaMe of i roducing line ri'i..[ir. 
 Other tracts arc sandy and poo;' ; ami to the ea.st, south of Beaver I'lver. a large extent 
 of wot and marshy land is met. 
 
 Tho ludi'-alions suggest that tho whole ol' this district was originally forest ; but nt 
 proienl a Hirij) of tiom live to twenty miles along tho Sawkatchowai is ihiefly prairio. 
 
— ^■■ ^ I'—i 
 
 t^mwm ti m tmm»mm m wm ■■>— - 
 
 16 
 
 To Iho north Ihigo open tractu iiro intoifsporsod through the forest land Tho standing 
 timb< r eonsi'^te of |K)pi.ir ami spruce ul good flizo with Baukhian pmeon Handy soil. 
 
 Mr. Klvrtf oxanunod ihocoiUiMy 10 iho east and t(n- 35 milen north of Lac la 
 Bieho. llt> loporlb tho good land to terminate tive milos north of tho Lake. 
 
 From information obtaine<l frona vnrioue sources, ho considers that tho gononil 
 northern limit of g(H'.d land ..i this district in.iy ho taken as extending from ahou» 
 latitude 54"" M in longitude lOS"-' north-vresterly to Lav la Bieho in latitude 55°. 
 
 Of the country noith (>f this line to Cloarwator River and west U> tho Athabasca 
 the onl} mformatioii is that ohtainwl from tho Hudson Bay otticers ant] others who 
 have hunteti in the lilstrict. They d-^Kribe it an sandy and marshy, with o<3caaional 
 
 tracts of alluvial land along tho stroam^. 
 
 Tho country lying to the south of J^ac la Bieho :ind Lessor Slave Lake and 
 between tin- 112tli iind llf.th meridian ha.s not been fully examined. Its character 
 along tho Saskatchewan antl for some liistanee nortii imd west ot I'ldmonton is be'ter 
 known. This region ha,- heen traversed in two or three direction.-', but ihero are 
 wide intervening .-jmccs which remain unvisitod. 
 
 It is generally a W(H)ded distric: with some open prairie and copse wood, the 
 latter ehiet'y bnrdoiing on the Saskatchewan. 
 
 To the south ol Lesser Slave Lake the country is iiilly and In-oken, and along the 
 margin of liic lake swampy. From the outlet <>1 the lake south-east to tho 
 Athabasca liie land is described a,- low with sonic tracts ofg(M)d sanly Inam. On the 
 Athabasca tin- hank'^ arc more elevated, and as fui as examined the sdil is light 
 and ol' a \-aiiabh> '[iiaiity. It is covered here and there ^vith luxuriant pasture 
 anri is LTcnorally lightly limbered. F»ir about ^cventv miles north of Edmonton 
 tho country is deserilied ah in every way inviting, the soil '\> rich, with tall grass aiid 
 pea-vine, well watered by slreams and occasionally dotted with aspen cop.so. Ap 
 proachiiig Kdiuontoii th<: soil is excc|)li()nally g'JO<l with liixuiiant hay meadows and 
 gcntiv rolling wheal lands of great t'ertility. Large fiohis of \c!:i ,if 'vrie <iuring the 
 past year successfully (.uliivated in this quarter. 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
17 
 
 
 Mui:li tiiu- sj. nuo >vali orc;iM.)!ial Imi 'li oriar^'r -i/,.- i> t')iiiiiJ in ili.' vaUoy- otl.ho 
 AlhaJmsia aii<l it- 'ribir.ui.-.-. 'Yin: ■*(nl is claeiiy siii'ly luaiii, !)>it, i^'ravul ri'lite-* and 
 sand liiU- iiitorvciH' al Naiiuu- p'liii'-. 
 
 The di>ti-ict .•xt.'ii<iinu; w.-t ul Iah-.,!- Slave- li'ike is alhi-lod to in the awouut 
 of tho oxj.loraUoii-it. Nor' hen. Hriti-h I'ulmnhiu un^l th- Peace River re^^ioii. 
 
 Tlie>ee!H.ii south ot the H:i.-kat<'ho\va.., ea^ oi' Tni'l a hi < ' <nio, woM of Lake 
 \VitMiii.cg..-is and no;-lh "I iho :)it,d [.arallol, in -icMTihed by [)r. .lohn Siriiih. 
 
 Tho lilt. 'I'ioK't thi.-, di.-trirl ivMKUii- -till unexplored, bal ih.< Poreiipine and 
 na>.,nia HiiN are kiu.wn to orw.i,,y an o:.!.ri-ivo area, aii 1 are sai-i t. be eoverod witi> 
 huivy f"re>is.>itira, poplar. >pruco and lamaruc. To ll'.e .-a^t ot thes- hills, and 
 bordering' ..„ ih. Saskatelunv.an an.l Lake Wmnipe-o-i- llieie i- alinv^i a .onliuii jiH 
 mar.h, but to the ,,utii ea.t .,r P<.rcup;ne llilU, .n the S^-au iiiver. there is a largo 
 extent of tine lernle lar.d. \Ve-,t of the Pon-ufine Ildl>, a. lar as the 103^ meridian, 
 the country,, s„ nir as oxamined, is (hr, .vilh exien-i^-e ~wam;.s and nuislcec^>. M'kK 
 of the .oil ;s nrlu and, where draira-e r- po.-d)!e, will n ) do.b. beoo-ne of value. 
 
 \\V,tward 01 Ih.' lu;r iii.-ridian lh.> e .imt-y. alllu)a_;h ;i >! i'r^^o iVoin s.van:ps, 
 
 beeouie^ nued, dri.r The -dl i. :; hm I Ibrtile, of a dark r .1 .r.d loam ol great 
 
 depth. In ;!h; valley of tho farro- I'iv.'r M.e Ian 1 i , eK :ee liu-ly rieh. 
 
 Thedi^tri:'! 1^ generally eovere i vvith iMuber. exe.-p! the soulh-svesl portion, 
 which is prairie. 
 
 ^? 
 
 The diMnvl north o;' the i^f Appelh- a'ut '.ves-. of the A-inii.oiuo Is do.erii,ed an 
 variab.e. Xear the A-^siniboIne an.l Fort Kili.-c ihe:v is a p^or and s:u:dy tra.'t. 
 |;„,.,i„>, \ve>t the soil, allhuir:!. lii^ht. proves !o be fair n. .pulity. 
 
 To the ea<t, ul I'hea.ant, file and Toaelivv .o<l lliiU the.o is a line irart of lan.l, 
 ,,,i„,,j,,,lly prairie on the -nuh and ea-t, bat -raduaMy ..n.^in^ into a more th.ekiy 
 wooded and m-re elevaie.< e -untry to the ..rlh. Tae noriher:; pa. t of ihi^ tract h 
 well watered wO,h runuin- ^Lreanis, bat towar.is the souili, late in the sea>>n, water 
 is obtaineii wiiii ditUeulty. 
 12:^ li 
 
18 
 
 ProfoHM:)!' Maoouri do>rn'lK\s iho sriil ii> ;i rich bliu'Ic loam, about lf» inclios i ■. 
 doplli, ci'iituit.inL; '^tnnll !j:r:iiiis (iri|iiartz :itul litn»\iioiic;m.i otiior pobblos. Ajinroach- 
 iiig tlii> Fiio aii-i TiMiiiiwii ) 1 Hills it> it';ir«i.'t('f iinperrfptibly cbun^yH into lighter 
 t'olorc'l -aniiy luam. I'hi' siibMui, into wliirh pitn wort! *lu:,' at various iiointx, is 
 gonor.iliy a light ooloro 1 inaily .lay; iii tlio riM^'os it passes into _rravol, (■oat(»(J 
 M'ith carboiiato of Iwno. HuuMor- aro nunioi'ous in some loralitios, but at no points 
 are ilioy s > cr iwdo.l as ti> prcv',>at successful culiivation. 
 
 ^Vo^l ot iliosc liilis tlu" rill) soil ooos not tiTuiinnto until it roachos tlio salt 
 dfjiiv.s.sion wiiieii oxioiuls troin tho lu-ad o{ Loiiir I.ako tn (lio (^uill Liikos. This nalt 
 plain is still uiuK-iiih'.l . but Mi'. Maroun statt>> that it is only a tow hundred yards 
 wide liivciiy nortli i>! I.onj; I/il<e. and about 12 inilos in width whoro it is crossed 
 by ihotiail Iroin Cai'lton to Touchwood ilills. 
 
 It i' p:obalilo that llio ri-ook '.vhiidi tMit(MN Tyoiiij Lake at its north-oastorn oxtrfl- 
 rnity may ijo tlio oiitlot olt^uiil Lakes, or was so originally. 
 
 Although in cariy siirniiioi' liio wMn- ,m tho Touchwood Hills is nearly all gotxl, 
 many ol' iho pools in iho isolatol depressions, later in the rioa.sc)n, are partially 
 evap;.U'aie i, atnl the i-es|,nio in Septoiuhor and Ociol>er becomes until tor u.se. 
 
 Tile water in the -^uli de|.ressio!i, west ami nortli ot tiie Toucbwoud Hills, is 
 genorally, bad. Many line sireani- ^i pure w.iler eiilei- the l^uill Lakes from the 
 nurlh Ihi; the water oi liio lakes is always brackish and untit I'ur culinary purposeb. 
 
 Firewoihl in .suillciont ipmnilties tor liie Use of Settlers is found in the northern 
 nil ! ea.slern portion., oi ihe .i)■^ll let, but in the noiith to the e ist oi' I'hea.sant and l'"ile 
 Hills, il 1.S SI an;e. I'iie aua lo the west, with ihe exception ot the hills, (ui which 
 good liiuber lur hniiding piri. .ses may be found, is altogether without wood. 
 
 'Ihecuntry lu.iiii ,.tthe (^lApjjeiie, as ih.^ South Saskatchewan is approached, 
 uppeiirs t.' be cliaia<teri/.ed by extensive sandy tracts. This locality is compara- 
 tively iirid. It ixteii.ls norihwiiid along the South Saskatchewan for bomo distance, 
 
 an i a!', ni latitude .-)1" ;;u becmnes hilly and broken. 
 
 r 
 
 Ti.e land is dcseribeii as of little \aiue as far muah as,thc 52nd parallel. Further 
 bo llic 1....: ! h thti Hoil bocoms of fair (juaiily. Ijelween latitude 52* 30', or thereabouts, 
 
 f 
 
19 
 
 
 s- 
 
 iit,.l I', It .1 la (V.nu., tluMv ,,a lu.-o uiva .,l' tine li-i, couti'iy, c^mparativoly well 
 woi/dfd, Jiiiil iribTspofhoii w itii jionds oltm.-li waUi'. 
 
 At ttio Klhow (if 'li.. Souih SM>k:it.lic\\;m, tl)(' .-a-il}-, aiiJ tracf rcforred 
 to, may 1.,. said i,, cxitrM! wv-t wart al.out i',^r|it rnilo-^ k-yoiHl tlio Hvor 
 anil |.i.w,.i.dir,:,r nortliward, it hut. a>cs in vi.iil, -wiUiS, the w.'^toiti .side 'il tho rivor 
 till it gains lin- vicimty nltl,,' Elho.vul \hv N-rth S.i^kaUhiMvaii, 
 
 Xortli Ml laiitiid.' r>:r20'. li.t\v-i'i'ii tlic tvvMSa-Kati'h.'wans, (lie country iinpi-f.vo-i. 
 It i.s do^erii.ed in lu>, tor ih.- nios- jiaii, oi liirfil saiid\ I. win., haviiii,' tVecjuentlv on its 
 RUi-fiK'o Ilunloroll^- i.i<)iildri>. Duck Lako si'tlLiinent is siiuau'd in tf.i-i tract, uLoiit 
 midway Iwft'.cotTi I lie riviuM. 
 
 ^iortli'Wi'-i'.varii liie pcni'i^-ia Ih'' wcon ;ln two SaskatidnwanH, l)ocoraos iHi)io 
 rollin^% It loniinu.'s oi'a siindy ioiun lor 1>< miles I'l on) Duck fiaki', wlion it merges 
 into a ri'W^o foui' mii-'h wuir. o| altno.-.! |.!iic sand, l! i.s in ;iii.-. jocuiity that rho I'l incc 
 A llMri -( tLiitmciit coin.icrnos uhono'it cxtcii I- lor I'J tnilcs. Tin' count i^- i^A of 
 ricli, dark -andv loam,int(M'-.|)ci -rd wdli ridL^i-;, i^tovos oI tindicr, jiomls and marshes. 
 
 l'^ot■os-^^l■ MHrouii (.'XainiiH'd Ihc irfM' j.'uiin • !_\ iiiu' '».•• wreii ihc .'iN* jcralirj and 
 Hallio IJivor, whirl, exlcnd tro'n i he lo;th inciidiaii i^) the Illih i:ioridia-i. 
 
 'flio^c jdain- A'cns at oin- time coiiMdc •' d a- of no sahu'. Tlcy have \<ol'\ referred 
 to Ireiniontly and lic.-ci-du'd a^' litt'c licttcr tnan ati arid doci'i liccent oxplorationa 
 do imt "■uuliiin iIicm' \ ii-ws, 
 
 idle I'VploixT Iravor-cd tin' son'dn-iti pai ! oi ihi- o\lci;'-:vi di-tticl kcojiitig ahoiit 
 twenty miles lo tlie north of th.' i}\>i parallel, il.,- to,!nd the comHrv withoul, 
 wood ami comparatively iovel, isnlil lowar 1.^ ihe \vesi, \vl;en it heeaine a series of 
 I'oliiiig hills. 
 
 The soil i., u-vnioially a slroiii: IVitiliie ej.iy, pfodiici'i';^- !tixiifiatd j^ras-^e.s, A'nin- 
 d;liicc of fre-h waiei w.i-- iri.|uTai!y fiunii in July and An^iisl iti ponds, luit no run- 
 ning stre;ims wore oh-(rved. Th" ea.-te;n |iort:i)i:, t,, the iict'di-wo-l of ijed Hoer 
 Luke, to ihe l>eiii ildls. ainml lal.iudc .")_' \ :.- describe! a.-, a ..'oiiniry woll suited I'ur 
 agrieuliiire. 
 
"% 
 
 20 
 
 Tlio Boar Hills !Uii! tlie \vo>t.M'ii -^Lipos 1)1 tlio lvi>;K> IlilU, altliou^li roii^'h, coti- 
 (uiii -'imo t>.\i\!K'iU Miil, ijodJ pa.-tiiii' ami almiulaiu'.o el' tVo.sli w;Uor. Wood in jjlonty 
 is to bt! t'ouiiil oil llio ilagU Hills. 
 
 M,' .M.iroii!> ira\'or-." i iln' i^i'i'ai jilaiii ^o!itli-u\sitMly im^n nauUifoi-il towanis 
 th>> Ilaii 1 llill>, aiiii loiiii.i a i.vlih- anil almost lovol jilain t-xKMulmix toi' 40 inilrs 
 Houih west oi till' I'atrlo iMl<, 11h> coiintry ln'i-o lionunt' rollint,' aiul liilly, Init no bad 
 soil wM-mcL Willi uiiiil about tin- llllh inori.lian. 
 
 Thoro yet iviuain^ a lar^o oxtoM of ibo tiroat Pla-tis iiih>x|iloroii, but as tar as 
 Hi'i'ii (.asl of (111- llllh nioiidian tlu'V aiv (ifsriibiHl as con.^istiiii,' of a Klron^'; rirli olay 
 or 'lay loam, on aliao>t ovoi-y Imalily I'xaiiiinoil. 
 
 Fri,-.!) waliM- in pools \va< louiid llnMUijt\oui in Auicusl anil Sl^pttM^^b^•^, iiiid iVoin 
 itiaiiis found m the ii.inds. Mr. Macoun lei'ls assiiiod tlial llio siii^dy ol watxir is 
 jioi iiianoni. 
 
 ( >iiiv oil'.' ■Ti'ck ot I'liiiniiii; \vat(«r was soi'ii on tbis j)lain. MaiiV riull lakos or 
 jiond- won' aUo found am mi;- tlic bdl in the uiuitriil and -oiiUv \vo.^ll'l■n jioilion No 
 Mt;i\s o! aiidity vuusfd by i liiiiaU' wore obsoi'vivl. On t\( ry pan ol tbo liuit souUi 
 nf laiiliidi' ')-' ixri.'lirnt ai'ablf or pasture land provuilod. 
 
 Noiib ol llii^ Ni iilial 11 ill- aiiotil lat. r»J"' id an i loni;iludi> II H' .'!(»' and cxIhiuIim;^ 
 \vo>(wa; 1 to v.i'lun .') imb'- of Ball lo ivivor i-< a traot ot' poor •^andy land, changing to 
 itu' nortiiw'ird lo j^'oud ,siady loam. 
 
 I.iu'bt :Mi'i lioavy .■^niidy I lani is ihc jirov.iiiing riiaravtor ol tin' soil botwcu.i i tm 
 52iivi puralli'l and IJai'k' Uivur. 
 
 Ntai IVil llf'.o; li linn aro and lulls rovirin^ a limilt'd nii ,i. Willi ibis and 
 MoiiU' olIiiM o.'iiopli'iii- ilu' wliolo d!-<lrn't i-^ tli'-riibod ah siiiiabli' for a^rii'iilliiri'. 
 
 I\ o oodiiigl) r I'll s'hI i~ loiiiid III llic \ ii'imiy "I Miuiilo l<al<o some sixty iiuUi.i 
 lu die woht ol' l»atlli(foid 
 
 i'or soiiu! disi'iiu'i' to ibc wi'-l of ilu' 1 1 lib .Mi'iiliaii and t,o tbu north and cast 
 of iiovl ih%y liivnr llio voiinlry i-< arid, ibo soil boiii^ goiuiriilly ^iiivolly or hiin baked 
 
1 
 
 IIU'D.I 
 
 1 
 
 Sm'oral crocks of fVi-sli wMlor tiiii tliroiitrli 'l)i.-. distrirt, Iti'To :ui> i\!^'> nunuMoiii 
 alkiilitio iiiiirHhos ;iiul ikhuI-'. Tln'i'lains ,)io1iiin' iiulitli'iiMil piisinio. Ai'tonii-ii aii'l 
 Cactus iii-n proiniriiHit, aiTiMiiif Wn'ih-.i ol' tlii>i dislricl . 
 
 Mucli cl'tliOMdil tin Dm.! llaiui liUl.-; uboni ialitiKif,') I .'.O' an,! lui the I'K'V.'itC'l latuis 
 I'oiiLMalK' is ((flail' charactiM , \vi!ti a irrowth ol'oxti'lli'iil ''lass. J'oiid:i ol' ^'dol Iroslx 
 wiitor aro frfiUviit. 
 
 'To tlio iu):t!i or alidul ilu'rtL'ii'l paralli'I (lie rliaracU-r ..f ImUi liio cuuMiiy airl 
 soil iinprnviw Miii-1, tromi l:itul ainl viM'V lair I iiln'r is srcii arnimil fail (.'I'cck ln^lwooil 
 loiii^iiuilc 11-^ aii'l ll.'i.'-' 'I'Ih' i''Mi!it.ry oxI'Mi'i'iii;- iiorlli to llaitir Kisi-r is well -^uiUMl 
 for aiTirultiirc. ' i'l'o lln' 'ia^twanl Uic .--oil is iiulilli'rciiL aiul the --urfa'.o mori; hrokou 
 I'lil tlio rouiitry is snitt-d \'nv pastiiro. 
 
 Tlio I'oimtry in-rlli nf lalilu.U' r>'J^' i- woll walcivtl wil li niiiuiiii; si roaiiH, ami 
 cuntnius inoie or U-.-^s wooilianl, 1 ut Ihu ■:;!'o\>'s aro no wlici'i- coiiliimoiis. 
 
 VVost of Uoii IVa'f IJivof, ill liiu dirortion ol' lh(> lilaik'ool rro^-^rini-:. llio coiinlry 
 is lovel for Hi'vcral ruilt's. In't Huiii','- foliiii.,-- ami iimn' l>rok-<Mi to tli.,- MMiilpvard as 
 How Ivivof is ainiroarhi'd. ^ 
 
 Tlio land bi'lwoco tiio two nvors is i,^Mioi'ally -andy loam an < api^'ar- to l.avo a 
 liglil ram tall. 
 
 A iilMo \^^•^t of (.i„> orossiiii,' wi'liiiillio IJlacki'ool Uf.oivc is a r.L;i:;ti of sand lulls, 
 whicli u|iiiaioiilly oxloud miiiIi of ilio liiVi-r. 
 
 From tl.is imin'. lo al"'Ul 2(1 mil.-, wo-^l of VnV. Calirirry. a dislan.v of 80 miles, 
 tl.o 'and iHd.'M'fil.od as noarly all til f.r tin i'lnM;;'li nt, holli sido-: -f Mow IJi.ci-. On 
 ,!,„ „o,.tl. of tl.o rivoi hclwoon Uk Hlackloot ( Vo-MDy, and < 'al:,^aiT_\ , walor was fnund 
 ditlhull to ol'taiii. 
 
 Ai.])ron(diin- th.- IJo. ky Mountains tl„- <'o'iMlry hrrom.- Lrukm l.y l.if'l. lulls 
 •uul lo.rai'od nd-rs, lull il,o wlmlo -I ihis Ian I, ihruirh roMjjii, p.odm.'stino |.:istui-o 
 and i-. widl adiiptiul for 8loi k-iaisini:. 
 
 l.',.rtralL;ur.-y is siUmi.hI al...ut laiaudo M ', lon.nlnd. Ill . IkM.v.'m ll.al p. ml 
 ttl.a Ka.uoMt.... 11,0 land for a v.iy co, sidmaM. broa 1:1, is ^^M.onilly udurli .olourod 
 
22 
 
 clay or Munly loam woli siiitol ('>i .'ii^n-iiMiltiiro, ox'optinir wlioio il is too \wt. Murli 
 of this dist riot noiali o!' latitude ."iJ' i-^ ."illur covcrcii with willow hu->li(>.s or sriuiii 
 poplar, with occa-iional ^rovos of i,MocJ-siz.'.i ipi'uco and haUam jtoplar aloiiir ihc rivors. 
 
 The coiiiiliy iH'iwoeii Baiilo Kiwr and tin." Xorlli Sa.-.kalchi'waii is <k'scriljod as 
 gonomlly good. The groalor porlion i.-. wt'li >iiji|diod wiih iVcsh wa'cr, wiili sulliciout 
 wood tor fih'i and h'lirir.L:-. 'I'licii' arc localilic,-, u horr walcr is scarce aid iii 
 other paits brackish. 
 
 The district k'twtMMi iho Bcavor lldls and h'orl I'ill uivc-< indications of jicjiic/ 
 wot and ro'iuiring draina^-c. The same may I'c .sail -d' ihc vicinity of the Willow 
 Hills, hut taken us a whole, the ( ouniry hctwceii Ivlm.inton and Uaillciord .on-iisis 
 gO!R'raliy ol' good auM-ieiilini'al hind. 
 
 Timber, 
 
 The country lying to the -oulh of the Wl\\\ parallel is devoid ot" timhor. Thi.^ 
 disadvantage may he said Idapjily !.) the wh'do distriei c.\iending wo.tc-rlv li'>m the 
 
 'i'nllchwood Illl!.- to the I'enlhi!!- (if' the i{(,ci<y .\I, .11 litai ll.s, a distance of llllly 4(»0 
 
 miles. Within this spate no wood is fnund except in tlic valleys ■•( the lar-e riveis 
 and 111 u h w gullies. 
 
 iMuch lino timher consisting ..t s|,ruce and Douglas |mik\ is t'oiuid aliMi^r the 
 flank> ot the Ko(ky Moui-taiiis, fnun whence n may he lloaled d .w;i many ..I" the 
 larger rivers. Thi- tindier shouli !.,■ careiiilly hushan led, In .1 lew years it 
 will he of' imnicnsi' \alue lor huilding pnrposo.s to the .Soiilers on the plains. 
 
 '""17/ .;/((/ Iron. 
 
 On the Isorili Saskiitehewan at Kdmonton, and fuiMher down the river near 
 Victoria, coal (d' tair .|tialitv is kno^'ii t.. exist Kxposurcs have he.^n ,d. served on 
 tliis river a.s tiir a-^ the Uocky .Moimii.n, Mouse, and one s(.ain of 1 s |,, jo f,.ot \*. 
 menliom'ti hy .Mr, Melwyn of the lioulogioiij Survey, 
 
 Mr. .Macoun loan 1 coa' l.-.n mile- oa~i .d' I: ..d^y Mountain iloii^e on an iitllueiit 
 of Jiattle K'iver, Il !« a-ain sem Hid miles M,ulh and ha* been trai ed to lie 
 
?3 
 
 Blackfoot croHsiiig on How Kivor', wlicro tlioro arc HCiinis IVoin thice to si\ fccL iliirk'. 
 South of Bow River iiiuiiy tiiio hOiiins liave boon i'oiuid, and luur 1m)1'1 MriAo'. coal 
 is now I'cgiilarly workoJ. 
 
 Brown nndulai' ifi)n-«tr>iio is re|>(M'to(i from various localilios in cotiiic'tiou with 
 (ioal and shaloH, but not a." yot in woricablo ."[uantitios. 
 
 Details of tiio ox[ilorat.ions (•(HidiK'teii last season, de^criliinsj: llio ]iii\>ieal 
 characttM' of tbo Prairie Region examined, are arranged in fyslcinaiie onler in iho 
 appendix.* ^ro^e•r;^ -r Maeoun lias ailempted to generalize ilie results obiaine! from 
 all authentic sonreei in a oejuiralt! re[K>'l, als(j apjjended.j" lie estimates that. 
 between Muniloba and the Kweky .Mountains there are at least l.")!* UOU,000 acn s of 
 laud Huitablo for agrieuilure and slnek raising. 
 
 TlIK llAtliW.VY RorTK WKsT oF UEI) ItlVKR, 
 
 The railway route west of Ued Kiver, reeommen led in firmer report^., lollowed a 
 course north west from Sellvirk, erii-.;-ed L;die M iiiiiolia a! tlie Narrows, ai\d skirled 
 (ho northe''n sjiurs ol' the Ihiek iMnuntain>, it pa-s(>d thioagh a de|nession in llio 
 elevated ground, and roaein-l the ora'rie plateau near the si)ur(e tif the Assinibniiie. 
 'I'hiH loealinn is, however, ab.andoned. 1 he (iuvernineiit have giv.M. the pietereiieo 
 to a line whieh will pass to the south n\ Lake Manil.iha. and follow the ecurse of 
 prosont brtltloniont south and west of the Killing .Mduntaiiis. 
 
 It was determined early m the season to place under eotitract the fu's! Imi ndles 
 tieotion west of lied River, including a br.i u-h lo the t'liy of Winnipci^. The 
 extremely level charactcv of the jiortionol the Province of Manitt>ba, to he traver-ed, 
 roDilorod it an ea>y maltei' to carry the line in any direction. It wa:«, h>weve! , an 
 objoet to find a dry locrititm, and to seh'i t a r^utc which prnmi-ed lo lie ol groatest 
 pernianoiit advaulage, and which would invulvi! least charge inr the right ..|' way. 
 
 In June last, surveys were eommriiced to eslabli-h the ruite fmm the w.'sterii 
 lH)undary of the l'ro\ince of Manitoba, and ihenee not lh-«e>lerly towards the Rivor 
 
 • Viif .V jipfntlix Ne. i;i, I'ftK'' I'W. KpiloiiH' of iiiforiiiiui.ni iVi'in uulliriilic ^mirf" , HMtoiMiitioilly 
 arrmitri'd, Jiy Mr. Tlu)Uiii9 tlidoul. 
 
 t Vide Ai.pemli.K No. 11, I'Ugu 2,)f., Ucucral reuiiiiks ou tlio liuid, woul uid 't.Ufr, by VivWisot 
 Macuun. 
 
2\ 
 
 SnskiiUliewiir, A go.uTa! n co;i-.aiN>:u.< o .4' tl..' .li Uic! ha- L.-m. tna.le, a,,,; two 
 lines .suivoy.xl . one ninnin^' xvo^t, and tonninatinK four miles Ley.-i.-i Kurt Kllieo, 
 (M> the AssiniLoino , tl,c Hvon.i. on loavin;: the I'lovince ol' Mnnitoha, lakin- a 
 m>rtli-we^!eily e.,ur>e to Ro.ltail Creek. A lliiid was projerted to rui, IVoin the 
 eommon siarling-point to the ( ..ntluenee of the Little SanvaUhewan and the Uh-ev 
 Afsiniboino. This lino i^ave i.r.inise of tavoiMl>le -radiei.ts ui, a -eetjon whieh 
 iiltimaloly ini-rht he use.! t-i- coal ifatlie. htil ilie fn>t had the advantai^e in ros|,oct to 
 mileage on the tliiiiu;,'h rule. 
 
 TheGovenunent held that it was nioie inii.oi'tant to -ontinne tlio lino which 
 followed tlio n'enenil eour.-io nf -el ilemen; alon,ir tii , western -lope of the Kidin^' 
 Mountain, espoeiailv as it inovod i^ In- "Jli miles shorter than the soiitiieni roiito. 
 The north-westein :nute was liieiolore adopted liy Oi-dei' ir Conneil, dateii 'J2n(l Jan. 
 last, aiKt tender.- were invited lor a --eeond lOO miles seetion west ut' Hed itivor. A 
 dercii| thai vl' the lines .■-urv<'yed ai'd piojeeted i>- t'lveii in the appendix,*-' 
 
 Uurinu tlic pa-t s.'i.son Mr. Mar hen I traced a route which will materially h's.-,t>n 
 the work and cost ol' iho line between Ikilllcl'ord airi VcUow iiead Pass. On iho 
 old location there arc dilliculnes of coiistriiclion, of some maginiude, at, iho ei'ossing 
 (if the .SaskateJiewan and its ajipriMelx's, also at While Mud, Ihiltalo and (irizzly Mear 
 tjiulloys. lie repoiis iliat the lallci' three enu he entirely obviated and IIk' mainri\or 
 eroHsed •vitii trroater oa.so by followinir a tnoro northerly coursi' west (d' Hattleford to 
 Fort Sa.-kaidiewan, and then pa—pig u]) ihe valley .if Sturircon River, linally inlor-eel- 
 ing tlie old line near llh' iliver I'embimi, When eonslru( tion approaches this section 
 the deviation can ho kepi in view ami the lo>ation amendiHl, 
 
 iminoiNr, kki) iuvkii. 
 
 Selkirk has been reeonimended by ino a.^ the poitii at whicli Ht;d Uivoi' can 
 most advantiigooiisly he bri liToil. This point of cios.sing ha-i been rccominoiHled svilh 
 the view ol'avoidiiig sdl eoiilingency of interruption to iratllchy inundations, .'uhI llm 
 poHwihlo c(»st of re(ron,siru('ti<)n ' ot' woi ks nwepl awa\' by tloods and Im oilier rea.soitrt 
 which I huvo sot fmlh. 
 
 Vi!'. A|ipet»dix .N'o l!i, |ii>[^i' '211), Uuimrid un lortilioii of 'iii'l lOfi tnilcj .lection west of Itfd IllTer' 
 
108 
 
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 107 
 
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 loa 
 
 105 
 
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 Stii>lnv!tL(^ 
 
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 55 
 
 
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108 
 
 107 
 
 105 
 
 104 
 
 ' Priiciinrc 
 
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Plate No. 4. To ucr.omjxtnif Rpfiort nj thf Eii<i'uii'vr-iii-(.'liii/, Cunndiun Paci/ir liaiUcaijy 1880. 
 
 PHOTO LITH BY THt BURLAND UTH CO MONTREAL 
 
; 
 
Tlio t^ubjoct ib full}' <liscu.-j>t'(i in my ro)ioi't of >^tIl IW.embor, 1S70, which, willi 
 othordocumoiits on tho sumo snhjool, is nppondod.* The qnestion being still umlor 
 con.sidenilion by tho GovoriimcDt, tbo Corporation of WiniiiiH';^ have determined to 
 constnu't :i brid/^o opposite that city at their own cost, assuming all risk uud 
 rosponsibility in connection with the structure, 
 
 (Jcneral conditions have boon laid down by tho (rovernment which may bo hold to 
 apply to tlio construction oi a bridge across tho Rod Kivor at dny point noiLli of tho 
 International boundary lino, as follows : — 
 
 Isl. That the silo of tiie l)ridL'0 shall bo at a struii^ht part of the rivci-, .".nd not 
 near a bond. 
 
 2nd. That tho free tlow of tho livoi at all times shall bo intorforod with as 
 little as possible. 
 
 3rd. That any obstruction to the flow of tho wattn- caused by piers, shall bo com- 
 pensated as I'nv as practicable by increasing tho naler-way. 
 
 4th. Tiiat tho underside ol' tho bridge shall bo higher than tho highest known 
 flood level. 
 
 5th. Thut ihe navigation of ibe rivor shall not be obstructed. 
 
 8U11VEYS AND EXPI.oK.VTIOVS IN TIIK WOODLAND REOION. 
 
 Hurveys have boon cotitinuod to establish the most desirable location tin- the 
 subaidiztMi section of tho Canada Conlral Railway. Tho necossity tor dotormining the 
 point at Lidio .Vipissing, at which connoction with the main line can be advantago- 
 ously made, became more urgcnl as the work advanced. 
 
 The Canada Central Ivxtonsion commoncos at Pembroko, where it connects with 
 
 tho presonl railway system. Tho line ruti-^ parallel to tho IJivor Ottawa, at no groat 
 distance from it, until it gains the village of Mattawa, thonco it follows a westorly 
 
 course until it reaches Lake Nipissing. 
 
 ♦ VUc Appcndij: No. 10, [laj^'' 204, Documeats in reference to the bridj{iag of Itod River. 
 
96 
 
 The int'ormntion pievi.nisly obtninoi ix)ii)ted to South-K:wt Bay, n« the most 
 dci^inihlo toiminal point im l.akc Nipi^sing, and all siii-v.-ys liavo .xinco boon luider- 
 takon on die assinnption tliat SoudiF-a^l Bay woukl li-nu llio |i(iint of oonnet'tion 
 botwoon the railway ami naviiiution. Tbo Canada (.Vntriil IJailway Survoyw liavo bocii 
 direclod to tliis point. 
 
 A preliminary location ,-iii-ver lias boon made IVoin Sou»h-Kaht Bay, north- 
 westorly, along Lake Xipis^ing, to a point on Slurgooii Uivor, about tJO niilos distant. 
 
 Surveys have boon niailo ol From li Hivor, with the Tiow ot' rendering it navig- 
 able I y tlio oon^triiciion nl' lock-- and lams and a line of Lunai where roquirotl. It 
 was a' one tinio thought that the tormalion ot a oanul by way ol" From li River would 
 •^e preferable lor the purpose of reaobing Lake lliircin f) the construction of tlie 
 Oeorgian Bay Branch. A report on tlu' siu voy is appended.* 
 
 Ex])lorationa liave been made in the ilireclion of Sault St. Mary, on u route 
 north of Lake Xipi-sing. The.so examinations liave boon undertaken in order to 
 HHcertuin if the main lino of the railwa;, can bo so located as to admit ofa connection 
 being satisfftctorily made with .Sault .St. Mary without unduly prolonging eitLer the 
 length ol tho main or the connecting lino, on ground fiavorablo for conntruction ; 
 in other words, to OFtablish whetlioi' il be possible for the two lines to run over a 
 common route for any great distance. IJoport.s on these examinations will bo found 
 appended, t 
 
 The examii\ation has cstabli.>hed that a common location north of Lake Nipissing 
 can bo followed fioin near Soulh-East Bay for iJO or 70 miles, and that a favorable route 
 can bo obtained for a brau'li to the outlet of Lake Superior. 
 
 The project ot connecting the railway syhioin of the Dominion by a branch lino 
 with Luke Superior, will extend desirable facilities to traffic, and must oxerciao an 
 important influence on tho settlement of the X'urth-\Vo.-,t coiintr^,-. Such a scheme 
 will admit of tho construction of ^teainoi's of large draught to navigate Lake Su])orior, 
 the use of which will greatly reduce tho cost of transit for freight and jmssongers. 
 
 • Vtde Appendix No. IT, page 2st>, Repuri oti a, survi.y of French RiTer, b>- Mr. E. 1'. Beiidur. 
 
 t'uV Appenilix No l.s, p.ige 2'Ji), Reports ou txiiminulioQa uorlb iind wesi of Lake Nipissing, 
 Oj MeJiirs. Austia, liruntl iiQd Murdoch. 
 

 Tlio pri'soiil (Icptli of water availaldc fi^r iinviLfatioii froru por'.-. mi the lower lakes is 
 liiniU'<l. Tiie Ris-er St. Mary ati 1 the Hhtillnw wator-i of Lake St. Clair present a 
 bar to any erafl ofdoop (Irauyht. Vessois wliicli would he conliticd to the navigation 
 of Lake Su|)tirior may he huill of any draught and size that ehoi.p transportation 
 Uiay diitale. 
 
 On tho eomplotion of the line from Fort William to Selkirk, a riilwny from the 
 onst to Snidt St. .Mary, lo connei't with e(jrnmo.liiHi;^ >teami'is on Lake Superior, 
 would greatly faeilitato the introdiiotion oi'-^eltkMs lo ihe Xorlh-Wost. During the 
 soa.soii of navigation, lhi>< line would otli I' irri'ai advanlatre'. It would he the most 
 direct route; it would he suhjcci lo no d(>lays and inronvinienrex from Customs reg- 
 ulations; and it Would provi.'.e more ellirioni me.ans of rai)id anu cheap transit than 
 could bo obtained olsowlioro. 
 
 We have not yet sufficient data to speak of t ho period of the opening and closing 
 of navigation on ^ uko Superior, noi' o| tlu' extent to whieh thai lake may be iiavigaled 
 duringthe winti'r- months. It is no! improhnMe thai owing i) itsdoep and open water, 
 the seafion ol' na\ ligation may ho ptolon;;('<i to a later date than on the rivei's and 
 canals whieii eitnneit the lower lakes. 
 
 There is ground tor tlie belief that tho construction of a line to the navigable 
 waters ;>f the eastern end of Lake Superior, would attra'l iratlie from Oululh and the 
 new harbors whirh aie rising up ai'ound the I'nitod States shore of the lake. Even 
 now grain is brought by Canadian sioamors from Duluth. With enlarged cajiacity 
 for carry in :.'. ati'l la(ilitie»i for lapid diseharLTe and speely transit to tidewater, tliu 
 Sault St. .Mary line would be aide to comi)ete with luoi-e southern I'ouies, ;ind thus 
 in an important ilegree promote the interests of the lower St. Lawrence uavigition. 
 Cars loaded at Jjako Superior woidd tollow a course direct lo .\L>ntreal and (.Quebec, 
 
 The facilities for bridgitig the KiverSt, Mary will doubtless s<k)|; lead lo the estuh- 
 lishmeiiL of railway con net ions ex tend mil: through the iioi-the: n pan ol' Michigan and 
 through Wisconsin to .M ir,nesotii. Alreaiiy the railways ot' tlio I'liiled .States south 
 Ot'Lako Superior extend lo Kscaiiabj, .n point not more than L"»0 miles ti()m Saull St. 
 Mary. It iippearrj al.Mi, I'l-'un iate inlormaiioii, that a line is under coiitnii't and in 
 process of construction easterly to the Strait ot Mackinaw. This line will reach 
 
2& 
 
 within forty mi loH of Siiult St. Miiry. A I'ailwjiy on thi.- sliofl distanoo, with tho 
 Sault St.. Murv hrancli, wcnid i'oih'.ihi tin- iiiilway ^y.-<t^'Il1■< ot' thi> Norih-AYo.storn 
 StutOHwitli I:'.;ir^toi'n Canailii. .\i! tlio .'Oiirilry iiortii ai.U wo.st of dvovn Bay and St. 
 FiUil wor.lil have a olioioo ut' nr.i:.'ts. Tho Cafiiulian outlot would In* 'tiore direct 
 thiv.i an\ r >utt' im Cliira^^o and tlio sowOi .-liotv of Lako Micliigati. it w.Mild 
 consequi'iiily i(;iriiiaiiJ tl)i>, iratlic at .•dl jica.^aii.s ot tho year from i>vi'iy jxniu n'>rth 
 of the latiludo of St. i'aul. 
 
 Surveys have Ihoii I'oiuinmd oast of Tauiuler Bay to Xopi,i,on Hay, and thcnco 
 ofwteilj' via tlio -lorlli oiA jf Lon^' Lake. The cxainiiiatioi... have boon con- 
 tinuc<i duririi,' ihe wintoiv i'lil! roi'iins have not, al ihi.s dale, hoen received, but 
 so I'ur as asc'ortniiie<l tlie H'lrvoys iiavo o.stablislio<.i tliat a line, ol' a inodoratoly 
 favorable ehurailer, can In- obtained. 
 
 fr 
 
 CONSTIIUCTION. 
 
 Tho first exiiondituvo on lonsd uction was towards l!io end of 18Tf. Coiitruetw 
 were then entered into t'lr tlio telf^raph troin Lake Superior to Rritich t'oluinbiu 
 aJong the route of 'ho la !\va}-, includiTig the cloiirini,' of the I'orest land to a width of 
 132 foot. Tho line w;;,s divided into (oui sections, on three ot whiidi llie work wiw 
 prouoeuled wiih vi^ur, hi * the lele^nip'-. completed t'rum ForlWdliani to Kdinonton, 
 L200 miles, su that mcssaijes couhl be tran-mitted. Tim remainini; Hection acrosH 
 the mountainK 'o British t'olumbia renia us inednijilete. 
 
 In the same your 1S74. the j^i-iUtMit,' ol' the I'embin.'k IJraneh for ()!! niiies iinrth of 
 the Intei'iiaiiunal Hounujii'j- was i'oinm(!nced. in l.s77, tho griulin)^ wuh oxtotided to 
 Selkirk under the same lonlraet and in IS7"\ the traek was laid on tl,o wliole leiigtli 
 85 miles. 
 
 In 1H74, he exiensiou of the t.'anada tVntiiil liuilway to the oastern tcrniiiiurt 
 near Lake !Nijii-<sing was subsid'xed. 
 
 Towards the end of lt<7l, .'"lO.OtM) tons of steel rails with the nooowsary liwtou- 
 ing» were jnin based ll,(l()0 ton- ol which were .-ubseijuonily traii.sl'o''ro«.l to tho 
 Intercolonial Kailway 
 
 Knrly in i.s7r) tw » heclionH \ver(> plaied under i oMracl. No, 13 txtendin.; wont of 
 l-'ort William, llie Wiuk tcriniiiaiin!.' at .Sunuhine Crock 'S.i milos distant , ami No. U 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
29 
 
 from Selkirk oa^t to Cross Lako, 76 niiloM. Tlicso (.•ontracts ombriicod ^'riKiiiig, 
 oulvorts and bridging. 
 
 An oxtotiHion onel of Cross lako 'M'> inilos lo Koowatiii, at liio outlet of Lake of 
 tho Woods, was |iiaced iiiidei- conlraet in January, 1S77. Tiiis eonlcaci (Xo. 15) 
 iriMiided tlio grading on .Sc'tiDn 15, and tlio iraek laying and ballasting on yoctions 
 14 and 15, in all ll'J nlile,^ east of Selkirk. 
 
 In 187t) a contract (No. 25) \va.s niado J'or an extension from Sunshine Crock west 
 tt) Knglir,l» River. (80 miles) embracing tho grading and bridging for that distance, 
 together with (rack-laying and ballasting on SecUon l.'J. The whole distance from 
 Kort William to h'nglish Jiiver being 11, { miles. 
 
 In 1.S7.S the (ieorgiiUi Bay Branch wa.s undertaken. This work wa,sHubso<iuontIy 
 abundoneu. 
 
 The ongi .10 house at Fort William wivs contract.5<l torinl87»i; that at Selkirk 
 in 1878. 
 
 In the Spring nf 187'.> tl\elino between Hnglish River and Iveewatin, 185 inilea 
 \va.- let in two (Contracts, Nos. 41 and tJ, tiir iding, l.ndgiiig and track-laying. 
 
 In the, .vMinnier (d 1S7'.\ a section ol KK) rniU-^ wosL of Rod Uivor. ineliuling a 
 branch li'uni the ni.'iin line lo the ''ity of Winnipeg was placed nndiM' t'ontract. 
 
 An ;uiditi iiial Mipply ot lli.nOt) ti-ns oi stei'l rails ai.tl fa<t(niings was wcured in 
 1879. 
 
 The grading, bridging, track-laying ami ba'lasting in Hi'llish Columbia, from 
 near Yal(> loSavona',- i'eri'}-, a distance of about 1-7 nules, were placed under oontract 
 towards iho close of 187'.'. 
 
 The length of line now under C'Mitrai't "nn-i^ts of tl'.c I'ollovving sccti.uis: 
 
 I'orl \Vdlian\ to Selkirk, ( in:i'n line) Ill' miles.* 
 
 Selkirk to Emerson, (^Pembina branch) 85 " 
 
 West ol Krd itiver (mait\ line .'ind Winnipeg branch). . lOtt " 
 In HrilishColnmbia, (^nmin lino) 1-7 " 
 
 Tiilal under construction 7-- " 
 
 • Tlh' loi'KliuM iH liririg nmeuili'ii mi tSi'oiiJii II, bv wliidi it i;i expoctiil (iiu diiitRucc will ho lo- 
 lOed frum 3 lu 4 uiduu. 
 
30 
 
 Tenders i\w now itiviuii i;ir a -.t'ooiiil 100 milos .section vvohI ot' licl Kivor. Tliis 
 will make a total lonirdi of S2w' uiiit*-. uinlor cnusfai'liDU, consisting ul main lino 
 720 niiloM, I'onibina niui WiiiD^po;; bran.lios 102 miles. 
 
 The rail.s aio lai>i 13o niilo.-j west i>f' Fni't Williani, unl 00 luilc-' ou."*! of Sel- 
 kirk, TralUo trains arc rci,nilarly vwu iVoni iuncrson to Orus.s Lake, Itll miles. 
 
 The imiHirtancc of securing' cli.^ap tran-jior'ation between ih- Praii'iti Kos^ion 
 anJ the eantefn mai'ki't> lias been kt']it jji-ominently in view in cstahasliing thi> rail- 
 way between Selkiik and Lake ."Snperinr. 1 h.ive in |)ievi'<ns rejiortu desorlbed iho 
 effortrt made trom the beginnin;^ uf th'- .'survey Ic attain this ul'jiict.i 
 
 In my roport of la.si y«ar (]\ IS), I referred at some length lo tlu> .subject, and 
 drew attoution to the fact iha! the Ciovornmenl had placed under contract the whole 
 distance east jf Itod Kiver on a location doriiiitoly ostablishod with gradients «o light 
 and favorablo that cheap tran.sportatiun ia ivsHiirol for all time to tome. 
 
 This important condition \h not attained without ditlu u!ty. Ai son\e jioints it ban 
 involved heavier works th, n WduKl have been rendered necessary Irul steeper gradiontH 
 bceri employed; but these I'omts are remarkably few, and the lnclea^ed e.>!j>enditure, 
 compared with that ot" the whole line is small. The advantage gained will amply 
 ( onipeiisati' foi'tbe exira e.vpenditiuo incut ri-cl ; and the results in bo attained --an be 
 easily understood by refeieiuc lo i|u> Hcjiort on Kolling Stock appended. > it can 
 there l>e -^eeii that I he same engine whieli \vniiid tran.spnri I',! eai> with a paying 
 ioa.l of r.liMons, I'ver a 111)'' with the oniiiiar\ gradients, would take ii" e;irs with 
 370 Ions load ovei the raeiile iiiiilv,,iy with the gradients olilaiiied. Moreover, it 
 is ealculaled ili.it the "' eoiisolitialion ' ( la-s oi' loenmotives pinjio^ed l<i be broii^bi 
 into use ullimalel}, will bi' capable ot liaiilii :, from Manitoba Nward.- Lake .Superior, 
 on the .•iiadiiiiis ostablisjifd, a.s miich is T'i.'t (oris of pa\ing I jad. 
 
 Low gradients are i:i,i cotisi.leivd of,.(|iial im].orianee on ui iici s.-ctioiiMif the line, 
 it is not prup,,sed loadheie to il,,, pn, .ipK, i„ lint i..h t'olunibia. The giiuies mi.I 
 curves will be there detennitied by ii,e physi al ol„iriieii„nh wbiel, present ihcmseUuM. 
 The limita'ion observed wih take a much wider raiij^e, in or,|er to avoid e.xpendilure, 
 
 t Vii'' np]HnU 1«74, ir? rtiid IS7t*. 
 
 not 
 I r< 
 
 »e, 
 
 I 
 
30a 
 
 nil 
 
 ll 
 
 ior, 
 
 iiio. 
 
 ,rul 
 
 .OH. 
 110, 
 
 Mr. 
 
 and it is proponed, uh lar um praclioaldo, (o lighlon tho worlc dy accommodaling the 
 aligiimont uiui gradiciili<, ;ih far a.'- this can l>o done, to the I'eaturos of the ground. 
 
 RnI,I,lNH STOCK. 
 
 [n providing the roiling Mtook foi' railwayh, a point of groat importance bjia 
 not always boon sutHciontly obsorvod on tlio lines in Canada and tho United States. 
 I rofor to tho conKtruction of looomntivos anil rollini^ s'ook gonorally, according to 
 epocilic, vvoU-chortcn standards. The locomotives on tho same lino are commonly 
 of ditloront typos and t.ioir parts ol various patterns. This is due to tho fact that 
 each individual maker is gonorally allowed Uj -siipidy loooraotivoH according to his 
 own designs — a practice in every r'lv-pect disadvantageous, and the effect of which is 
 to add to the difficulty in making repairs and conseiiuontly to increase tho working 
 oxponsos. 
 
 It oarly appeiire<l to mo important Id endeavor I'y every available means to 
 avoid the iticonvenienee and expense altondant on the working of a miseoUunoous 
 collection of locomotives and other rolling stock tor the Pacific Jiailway, and to aim 
 at having engines !um cars of the I'cst ilesign, uniform in detail as well as in general 
 eharacler. It wa- felt, iliai, ;ilitiiMi<,'li this might iiwolve tho exercise of care ami 
 judgment in selecting llie best types, in preparing the plans and working drawings, 
 ami in tarnishing gnages and tem-jilales of all the working parts to ditVorent manu- 
 factureis, in order !<> seiiirc luiiformity, iho oiiject was in all respects will worth 
 the etVort. 
 
 Stops iiave accordingly been taken to iK'termine the hesi standard for the rolling 
 stoik, ll i- impni lani to have hut one, or at most two, type-, of locomotive, •-o that tho 
 parts n\ay he of a constant paticm aiid iniei-changeahle. With other kinil> of lulling 
 nlock, as Willi locomolivo, it i> desirable to have a-, little variation ot' details as 
 practicable, so that in liie event ot injury, the damaged portions may readily he 
 rojdaced trom the general store, with us little labor in fitting as j)osMhle. 
 
 Actiim- iiiuhr the aiilhoiilN- given me, Mr. Charles illarkwell was instniclod to 
 visit tho several locomotive ami car establishments and ilie railway workshops in 
 Canada and tho United States, and to rcjioiion the character of rolling stock best 
 adapted for this work. 
 
3{)b 
 
 Tho oxperienco oi' Mr. Tandy, In.-|'i;(-U)r uf roiling stock on liic intiM'colorii;iI 
 Railway, was also enlisted. 
 
 Thoir rcporla aj-o appended, t^ Pluiib and s|.ocilications, and worliin^' drawinj^s of 
 tlie standard locomotive, and tho dill'oroni cla^5rt^)« of cuis ai't* in coorso of prepa- 
 ration. 
 
 Tendeiv will lie rceoived on tiie Isl ol' July foi tho rolling htock which will bo 
 required during tho next four years. Q 
 
 UENEaAl- SERVICES. 
 
 Tho following HcrvicoH alno call for consideration at an early period : 
 
 1. Watering stationti at iroquent iniervulii along liie lino. 
 
 2. Additional engine-houfOH to bo at points from 100 to 150 miles apart, to moot 
 the exigencies of tralJio. 
 
 3. Machine and raj)air shops. 
 
 •4. Klovators and giiiin ftoies ill ihc terminus on I.aUo ^upei'ior. 
 
 5. Sui'sidiary station olevatois for collecting grain, iw noooBHily may dclormino. 
 
 6, Siation-Lou.sos and auxiliary bnildingH. 
 
 All these works, on a defined and >utli(ient Katiis, ;ire indisponsniilo i<i tho su •- 
 coBfiful working cif the line, and tn iho at comtnodation ot public U'tUlic, With ihoHO 
 reHulta in view thoir provision cannot ho long delayed. 
 
 CONTRACT,'. 
 
 At tho (late of my report of la-^t year (fith April), tho sevoral conlractH were 
 42 in nunilicr; s tjien 25 additional contra< (s havi> been enteiod into, viz. ; — 
 
 Contrail >. 13. — Fm Kfpiipjiing and wurkuii;- llie Pomi>iiia Hranch. 
 '• 44 Supply of L',0(IO Unn stool rails and finh-platos. 
 
 l.-VfO '! " 
 
 " 1,500 " •' 
 
 47 " bolls and niits. 
 
 " " 45 
 " " 4(5 
 
 \ ilk Aj)) I'tulix Ni). I'l, pajjt ;tiO, R. |oii <in tin- staiulard nasmTWcr mitj )'rfit«ht oiigrinfg pro 
 [)09ca for the C I'. K., by Mesars. Ulftckwoli m-I Tandy. 
 
30c 
 
 Contiatt No. 4S.—rM)!- Grading and traclc-Iayitig, first 100 mi! 
 
 OH section, 
 
 II II 
 
 so 
 
 07 
 
 58 
 
 " r»!t 
 
 (JO 
 
 (i;! 
 
 (i.) 
 
 (i«i 
 
 ti? 
 
 wcsi. of Rod River. 
 
 4!» Krootion of station buiidingn, Pembina Branch. 
 
 r)(t -Suj)!)!}- of 700 ton.s of .spikes. 
 
 *"•' " 35 tons of bolts and nuts. 
 
 52 Transportation of 1,000 ton.s of rail., and fastenings 
 
 to Fort William. 
 
 _i4 [ Supply of 34,000 tons ol .steel lail^ and fastenings 
 
 An a-im iirulgo tin- the Pembina Branch. 
 
 fjupjily of railway switcli-frogs and nw itch-gearing. 
 
 Furnishiiig ;in.| erecting Tmn-tablet>. 
 
 100,000 ties lor second 100 miles sect 
 
 ion 
 
 west of Rod River. 
 
 <;ra<liiig and bridging, from )iear Vale to Region Bar 
 " '' Uoston Bar lo Lytton. 
 
 " " Lytton to Jiinctioh Plat. 
 
 " " .Junction Flat to Savona's i'"eri\-. 
 
 '>4 Tein|iuiaiy briilge ovir Ped I 
 
 Uvrv at Winnipeg 
 
 I'oiii' lii'.sU'his.s 'ai-s and one "llicial ear. 
 (ii'uding and '.tack lavin-- second lOO n 
 
 ules .-eelion, 
 
 west Ol' l{ed Kiv 
 
 viver, 
 
 MNly lio.v freight cars and sixty plalt'uitn tVelglil rans. 
 
 A de>eri|.iinn .>l tiioe .-eveial contract,^, with |n ices, t ondition> and otJior inl.ii in- 
 alion is appended.* 
 
 All the cnntrai'ts entered inio lor graiim,;,, liridgiiig, ti nek L'lViiig, etc, .-iisco 
 the beginning of ISTH, liav.' speeial |>rovisiuns tor i;ii aiding the |iiil lie niloie.-ls, om- 
 poworing the (uivernmeiii, under lerlain r..nliihxoiirio.s to lai^o ilie work imi of tlio 
 (^uiiiraetnr's hands, ami iii<ewi e to piweni an} exj)oii litiiiv over .a spoeilie :-iuu. 
 
 " I'l/f Apjioiulix No. 20, pftffelill, DcJcrii'tiuii i.l udii iinM.-i tutrrcil Jatu .liiico lln' hi (riiiiiinjr of 
 1HV9. « MitrHct No. tiO lor tliu aiuT 1"0 uiilcd soctloii wi-m of lU'd lUitr, i-xuculeil Iji'toio uimu to niesB. 
 ii also uul mild. ' K « 1 ^". 
 
30<2 
 
 These npociai onaition:- aro cml.riK'od in \\w ( unlnu'ts for the following HOt-tioiis, 
 
 %'iz.: — 
 
 Sotti '11 No. tl. l''iiirli-li lviv"f t(^ Eiii^lv KiviT US inilos. 
 
 " -IL'. Iviglu Kivor to Koi'Wiiiin 1)7 ' 
 
 -IS. First Kill iiul(>s \\'(!st of Kcl I{iM>r lUO " 
 
 •' (iu. Km. "y< Bur to H..>toii Wnv 2;t " 
 
 »;]. |J..,-iInli n.ll' t') Lyttnii -'' " 
 
 " ():i. Lytt'>n ;o JiuK'tioii Flat -^i " 
 
 " (j;j. .Iuiii'ii(>n i''l:ii lo L.iko K:iinloops 40J 
 
 " (K). .Secoml ll>i) milos Wosl ol' Hdl llivor... 100 " 
 
 Those soctions, in mII :.12 inilos. aro to l>o c'onsirn<t.'ii nmUv tho saim lorm -.1' 
 contiaa, a coyiv of whu-'ii '-^ a].].<ihli»l.-'' 
 
 A schedule nt'ail lln' (.•i)inr:icl> cnloi(»'l into, with the amounts paid in uaoh case, 
 logcliier with liic |ir(.li.ible iV'^ii'Miditiirc iivnlv.'d, i^ apiiondod.t The total araoiiut 
 oxpondcd and. 1 iho si'V\'ral eontiacis lo .>i.il Dci'L-mbor, IS71>, is 81'. 486,5(55. 03. 
 
 An I -timiir of iIh" fos! i>t 'ponmg ilic \.holo lino to the Pucitio Coat^il, is ulho 
 ujipendLvl I 
 
 niE IVMHt U.VIl \\ \v TKl.KOll.VlMI. 
 
 1 liavo ii'lonod. iii prov.on- ri'|ior',-, td tho coii litiuii of ihv lino cf idograph lo 
 Li.i nO' I llio ?M.)\into^ .)n llu; Atlantic and I'acific coa^tr^. W:lh tho cxcoptiun of tlio 
 coiitiari i'lii' the -ocii'in 'lolwocn Llni uton and Cacdio Civuk, in I5r:ti:ih Coliuni.iia, 
 wliieii lia^ liocn -an'^ncl 'iwin^ '." tho !in-<alinlac.Loiy progivs.s niado liy tho ch 
 iiacl'-r. iiic lino ;.'cn"i!: ly hpoaking is in ilio con liiiiin which I do.'^ci'ihod a year ago. 
 
 Tic t.ioirr.ijiii liii> hcccnu a ii. '.cosily iti the win'lcing of railways, and when, 
 ovo«Im:ii1\', l!io l'a<';i'c Railway -ludl have l-ocn ec,n-.tnicle.|, the adlitam of tho lolo- 
 uTa|.li w mid loil.e.v ;is a niatlor..fe.iiUMi. \\n{. nndi • the . ircniuitancos whioh obtain 
 
 ' tV/f .^|.lu.rnll.\ .Vc. .1, |m({«> 3.'«, Komi of cinirnnt for h'militiK, iHi 
 
 I I'l .'■■ Ajpiicti'ln Nil. 22, iiB(;o .^.'lO, ,Siimrrmry of inkyinmiM mii.|i« on » !! cotitrficu, oU: 
 
 { I'l /r Ai'iit«iil .V No i\ paui' .i-Vi, l)oiiiiiieui,< ri-fciiiiiit lo Uie cost of oiiouiu« the riiiiw«y froi* 
 th» fa»r>rii IVoviru'Cn of tlio Di.iiimldn i) liio I'Hcilic t'onni 
 
30f 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 in llio prosonl in-tanco, it ippoain l<> nio osv.miUiiI tli:H tlio rnii-'ru.'ti.di ot' tlu' l';Io. 
 jrraph .shdulil jtrocoiif tlic lailw.iy. Friin iho viHldi-taiue-i wlii'li iti'.crv.no luUvvoon 
 tho soat of OovoriiiiU'iit .•tiri llio [xhii;^ wiioio i.iiiwi;y oxjion liMuo is tn ho m;i i.\ tlu 
 tclegnijili iiiii}- lio viowo'l a- oiio ot tiio muiii auxiliaries in con' fdilitm- t!ij oullay. 
 Even iiiiJcr tlii- oiio a-^poi'I, ajKU'i tVim i!io oilier lundit-* wliuli it WjuI'I oouf';!-, ilio 
 coiupletioi) oi llu' lL'icii,rapii ^lioulil ih'I, m mv judgmoiil, Ijo loii^' pji'piiic 1. 
 
 Tho ooiistnu'tion o!" the ruilwiiy iti !}:'ili-li Ci'liinil.iia, some of ihe lioavio-' ->i'c'- 
 tioiisi't' vvliii.li arc now iin.loi' :'onli'ai (. aid tl.c many i|',ioiti 'Us vvhich w'll con-taritly 
 arise duriiiLf tho pivigroN.^ ot' tlic work, will <nako t'ro'juui.t tdo^'iapliic euiumiinica- 
 tion hotwccn llu- l*a<niu- coa^i ami UliaAU a noo-^iiy. Thu nc/ii-conipiotion of tho 
 tclograph in Canadian toi'ritory, will, iliiMef< I'c, can-io iii" invoni<>noc and sorii/u.s 
 oxponsi'. All telt'<^isms will iiavcl o hv "■cni by Califoi'nia l''(>ri-i,L;ii < oni|);,ni','s will 
 rt,'ap llio i'1'in'tit ot liic Irallic, whilo iho ponion (jt our own lino in oporaiion to 
 Edniunlon will roiuam (or liio most part unemployed and nnromuneijiive. as the 
 merely local truffle is I'mitod rind in>n!li'ieni ;.'• nu'ci t)n> cxp(Mi-cK of operating' and 
 liiuinteimiH'(\ There are, th(»rcfore, .-Iron^- leaM-n?? for the coiniuctiun ot tho telegraph 
 nt IvInionVon witii ihe s3-dteni in operation in Hrilish (.■o:iiial)i:i. In its iirosenl 
 incomplole condition, tho capital m) faicxjien leii in its eon ^tnieti m remaiirs nnjtro- 
 diK'tivo, and liiin;.;s no projioriionati' licncfit, Ii.'volop d ail place I upi.in a pn) er 
 basih the lino would ho tif givat jiiiblie -orvice. With I'l'- coniuetii-ns lo which 1 .-hall 
 prcsonlly refer, 1 ho'ieve that it would iiliiina'ely heeome highly reimincralivo. 
 
 1. have (liMtissed in former reports the iliil'icn", molo-vot establishing lolei^raphie. 
 comniunicatiun lieivvoeii Koi't William, L'lkv Sii]»eri t and the -cat of (iMverniiienl. 
 
 i''0. 
 
 »,)m! mcihod is to .-vuhmerge, iiorth o, ihe C'ounlics of itrey :(nd Uriieo, ealdos 
 across Lako^ Superior and Huron to Tobeiiie>r;iy in tho Inlian i'onin-uhi, with intei- 
 mediati land line^ acrcss the peiiiiiMila at Snr't St. Mai'\. and over Maiiitoiilin 
 J^lnnd, a land '•onne''tiipn iViwu Tohci-nioray being male with S^aiilnimpton or (.)wi n 
 iSound. 
 
 Another |dan is to csi;i! lish the lino for the iaih\ii\' from Ihe north ide of l.iii<e 
 Hnpi'rior to Lake Nip'.ssing. luul to const ■iml n l-iml leh,i;ra[ih oi (h.il lino, m:d<in..' a 
 oonnoclio.i at hake Niiussitig, liy ilio oxtonlod Caiuvda (.'eiUra! Kailway from 0(ia-\a. 
 
30 f 
 
 Another means ol' olttninini,' lontiniians toloifniphii' <'(iiTitnunicatioii, witliout 
 jinssihg ihroii^'li :i t'ort'i:.'!! (■.•un'iT, i-* iillonleil in roniii-ctiou willi the projoctod rail- 
 way to S;iiill St. .M:uy. I'hr ti^leti;i';ijih may bei'iiiTii'il ;ili):i^' tlu) r.uito <ji iliis railway 
 to tlio oasleru on i nl' Lak.' Siijierinr, willi a siilmierire I lino across the hike to lue 
 telegraph at Thunder liay. 
 
 In n»y ri-pwit nl la^i year. I -uhinlttet f.'r coartiiler.u ion two m 'des hy wliieh the 
 Pacific teieiifrapli line mii,'ht h.' e()mp!i'te(l an I rendv'red aserni ; — 
 
 1. To eMinjili'te it a- i ( i.>vei'Mmea' \v 'rk. and op -rate it lire Miy un Iim' a Depart- 
 ment, as in (ireai liritain, I'r; '' an' 'her lountrii's with iin'torm low scales i if 
 cliarije>. 
 
 2. To transler the l.L'idi miles < .n.^trucc ■■ -o som^' e.i)mi)any wliicdi woidd mnier- 
 take tiecniplele an i iperato the \vh".e line on eondilinns to lie dcteriniael. 
 
 If it he deemed exjiedieiit th.'it tin' tfoverninent sh luiii Ije relieve.l of the work, 
 there would pos-ihly h • im; iittlv ulliciity in nr^Mnizim; a eomptiny whicdi wonid 
 ashuiric the task OI eompieiinu the desired conin'ctinn on lorms aeeeptahle to llic jiuhlic 
 
 I 
 
 'ft 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 Sul'-Miirinc Extejision to Aula. 
 
 Tli'^ telegraph eoiriph't,>d tin! in nprraiion iVom ocean ti> iiccan, opens up a pros 
 ]K"'Ct of oxteiried iiselulness, ;iiid prurni^e.s advanlaijes which do not alone ('(jtieorn 
 Canada. 
 
 A map of the Wmld, setlin;,' ioi-th the great icU^gi-ajdi linos in operation, .sho^s 
 ■hat Canada is situate I milvvay i.ciwecii tlu; ma' ~es of jiopnlation in I'lu rope and 
 '^nia, and eHtahlislit's ijni |)eeiiiiiirly impu. lant iro)graphieal position which the 
 '.'anadian I'aeilic teh'gra|)h line will ccrupy. 
 
 Seven submarine cid)lcs imve hceii laid across the Atlamic,, of whi(di twonronoi 
 no^v in working order. (>( uw r,viiiainder, three an' laniled "n the sliores of Canada. 
 One, after tir.-,t touidun- tin' I'lenc', Mand, Si, Pierre Nli.pndim, is carried to the 
 Unitod Stales, The ifi li lin. in u-e cM^mhU Iimhi i'oriii-.al v'u't .Madi'iiti. and St 
 Yinccnl to Brazil. 
 
 If 
 
30^ 
 
 Rnr()|)0 irt connooloii with Asia liy f'uir miiin tele^'raph linos. Ono by way of 
 Portugal, Spain, Malta, Egypt and tho limi Soa. A Hecoud passing tlirough France, 
 Italy and Greoco, also tbllows tlic Hod Soa. A tliiid Inivorsos Gonnany, Austria, 
 Turkey and Persia. A foin-lh passes through Russia, and follows the Iliver Amoor to 
 tho Soa of Okhotsk. Tiio tw'> lir^t Lowh at Aden, at thu entrance to the Rod Soa, 
 from which point a subinai-ine line (."xtends lo Zanzibar, Natal and tho Capo Co onies. 
 From AdiMi tho uia in linos aio txtcnduii to India. From India two Hoparato lino'^ 
 have boi;n carried to Singapore. From Singapore conno'-tions are established north- 
 eastorly to Uong Kong and .lapun, and s.)uth-e;isterly to Australia and Xew Zoiland. 
 
 Tho rapidity with which the tolograph cables a<r<)ss the Atlantio have boon 
 multiplied, and tho con.struction ot moi'o than 400,000 miles of land and submarine 
 telograph.i over tho globo, alford cvideiioo of tho work whirh the ,.i "died uj)on to 
 porfoi'm. Tho few years in which Ihoso results have been "ainc ■ indicate tho 
 rapidly growing magnituiic of telegraphic traffic, and circ lO'Soc'ices conclusively 
 jioinl to a demand for vastly iiu'reasod lacilitios of eornnuinicatio. ot'voen the groat 
 centres of jiopulation and commeri o ot the world. 
 
 While, on the ono hand, tho telegraph has o.Ktended easterly across Europe and 
 Asia, and, on tho other band, westerly across the Atlantic, "the Pacitic Ocean remains 
 untraversod. Tho e.Kj)lanation may lie to a great extent in iho fact that the charae- 
 ter of the bed of a great pai't of the ocean forbids the attempt. In im)re southern 
 latitudes, the great central area of the Pacitio Ocean is mai'ked by sub-aqiioous nu-ky 
 ledges and coi'al roofs, the existence of which has deterroil any lelographic enter- 
 ])ri80 from lieing carried out. Snl)nKuino cables have atdill'orent times boon j)ro|eclo<l 
 to cross tlie P.'U'itic. ono of which wiw to have started from San Francisco, to touch 
 at the Sandwicli Island-; but on aocoant of tin- broken and unsuiiabb^ charaotorof 
 the ocean bod, the projooi afXer considii able expense had been inonrroil was even- 
 tually abai loned. 
 
 The chart of the United States survey^ o| the northern ]);irt of tho Pacitic Ocean 
 (1817), shows that a line fiom the noiib end of Vaneouvor I-<lan 1 to (Ik* .Moutian 
 Islands, and IVom the Aleutian I-lanils to .Ia.p;in r.d the Kurilo Islands, has a depth 
 avei'aging from 2,000 to 'J.fiOO fathoms, and tho -io.indings rovo.d a -^olt, no/.y bottom, 
 
3(»'i 
 
 p.'e- ntitig f^iinilai i .nulitinn-. id ilio ivMlh Allftntic Ocean, on tho plateau of which 
 cablob iiave T'oori Muccf'srully laid. 
 
 From hor t(oogrn|ihio;il positiun. I'aiiala has uiiu«;iiiii I'ucilitiut for takiii;^ aiJvan- 
 tago of tliL'-e favuui'abie i-oii litioiii, anl tlio l>clief i?i wa/rantod tint wlion usubmarino 
 leiegrapli is lai'l fioni Aiiioi'l^'a t' Asi;>, its lorali(«n will naltually bo in connec- 
 tion with tiio Caiiadiaii ovi" i:i:i'l Lclograih to llio Pacuic con.>!t. 
 
 Tiio caMc may viari tVnni .mo of U\o doop-wator inlots at tho iioiih end of 
 Vanconvoi i.-hii"l. nu'l l)0 ^imk iii a dicoct i onrso to Japan,(ii' iiinav 'ouch about mid- 
 day. Ainlia, oneof tho Alciitian i>iand^. At Te/.o, in .laiKiii, tho contu«ctio ii would bo 
 made with the Asiati'.- icleirrapli-.. As an altornaiive n/ulo liio submurino line may 
 land on one (>f fiio Kufiic i>lavds. north of Japan, and thenco oxtoud direct to llontr 
 Kontj. Kihci- '■•riijst.' w.'uld c. inpleti) tho Connection with tho \v hole eastern tolo- 
 gra|)h systoii). :un! orlcci ii-.ipoftant results. 
 
 1. It would connt-ot .San Francisco, Chicago, T.ir.>ut(», Novr York, .Montreal, 
 Bo-'.'.n, and all the groat bu-inoss centres of America with ("hina, and tho piincinal 
 ports of Asia, much more iiiretly than by tho |jresci,„ linos of telegraph by way ot 
 Europe. 
 
 2. It would opoa a new moans of communication between America and Asia 
 to bo employed fiji- purpu-o-. ■>f general oomnierct- ;it much lower rates than by 
 existing channels. 
 
 3. It would obviaic the objection U) linos which pass through countries wliere 
 ditlorent laiiguagijh arc sp.ikon. a circumstanco wnich often causes error in the trans- 
 mission of messages Tho now lino would be employed lor tho most part by the 
 it-ngllsh-.speaking people of both homispheros. and conse'iuet)tly one language only 
 need bo used by rhe toiograph operators. Thus a fruitial sourco of mistakes would 
 be avoided and the 'barges f.r transmission would l-o iroed Imm all incidental 
 additions, and reduced to tho lowest remunerative rates. 
 
 4. It would .'Oinplote the telegraphic circuit of thoglobo, ami would bo avaihiblo 
 for highly itnjini'tunt rtcioniiiic iiivostiixalions. 
 
 ■( 
 
30 I' 
 
 5. It woiiM (.ring Grejit Britain, Canada, la.i.a, Australia. .Vow Zealand, South 
 Africa, indeed a'l the outer Pruvin.-OH and the colonial possetwicns of Great BritaiL 
 in unbroken telographif communication with each «thor, in entiro ind.«poDdonce of 
 the linos wluoh pasH through foreign European countrioH. 
 
 6. It cotild scarcely fail to prove -f very great advantage for p^rpo^e. of Siato 
 08 the line might be so oHtai.li.hod uh U, .emain under Government control, to bo 
 iir.modiatcly servieoable on any jruorgency. 
 
 F appon.i corrcsj-ondciue in which ihe imiwrtancc, practicability, cost and 
 remunerative prospects ol the Canadiat, I'acitio te'egraph extonicl to Asia are 
 considcro*!.* 
 
 I rospcotfully submit that, whatever arrangements may uitin.uiely be made for 
 carrying out the undertaking, it ,s obviou.s that much of the a.lvanlag6S, pulitical 
 and commercial, wluch undoubtedly must i-e.sult, will accrue to Canada, 
 
 I have the honur to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient Hervunt, 
 
 SAXPFOKD FLEMING, 
 
 Eixgimcr-in-Chitj. 
 
 ' t'ii< Appeuil;^ No. 2i, page 357. 
 
aeeom 
 
 JioMtJ 
 
 3^ 
 
 'tA 
 
 ^. 
 
!•' 
 
 aeeompany Report of the Enginetr-in-Chw/, Canadian Paeifie Railway, 1880. 
 
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 ,^ ^^'n::er Kus.'-iaii'rt<ri-unty 
 
 
 
 MAP SHOWING THE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF 
 
 THE GANIDUN PACIFIC RMLWiY TELEfiRAPH 
 
 IN RELATION TO THE SUBMARINE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS BETWEEN 
 
 egfej ASIA, AUSTRALIA, AMERICA, and EUROifE. 
 
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 APPENDIX No. 1. 
 
 STIirCTION'S <>F TUV, ENOINEEU-IN-CIHKI-' IN" CONXKCTmN WITH EXPI.OUATIO.NS IN 
 NORXHEIIN iiUITiSn COLUMIUA AND TUE PEACE KIVKK OISTRKJT. 
 
 Canadian Pacific Eailwav, 
 
 Office ok tiiv, Enoineeimn-Ciiiei', 
 
 12Lh May, IS19. 
 
 Memorandum of instrnotiotis for Mr. 11. I. (.'diiihic, Enyimer in charge of Surucys in 
 
 British Columbia. 
 
 1. Tho object of the exiimination t.) bo \uulortakcri ir, to olituin dorinite data to 
 dotoimiiie it a ncjrthoru route can b(5 f'ovind by Peace River and tbc Rivor Skeona oi- 
 any of their tributariofi, to Port Simpson 
 
 2. The Eti<fineor-iu-Cliici bas at .some lensftb, |icrHonally, given oxpianatiori on 
 ttiin (^abject, and he ha?* gi^•otl in detail biM own views an to the best mode of obtain- 
 ing the result desired, 
 
 3. Mr. Cam.bio is aware of the Lbaracio)' i-if the iii'rangeiaent made for the de- 
 livery of the biipplios at Fort St. Jame8. lie will him.self proceed with Ma.sBrH. Mac- 
 Leod, Keofer and (i(;rdon to Port Simp^^on by stcamei-. It i« dosi'^able (hut port^oual 
 examination be matlo of the Harbor and Wark lalel. II he ■■^an lead (.lie captain of 
 the steamboat 1o phuo it at hi>i dis])0!<al foi- (<o doing, it will be desirable lo enter into 
 ;in arrangement to that etlVct. Bni .sluudd it even unt. be ])os8ibl(( to do so, ••iteps 
 mu8t be taken by which tiio cbameter of tlii^< navigation may be fully known. It i« 
 particular!}' of importance to Icarr. if any ,seii(iii,> dilUeuitie.s present themselves 
 in entering Wark Inlet from the ocean. 
 
 4. .Mr. ("anibie will leave Mf. (lOO. Keefer and ll:■^ htatV in the neighborhood of 
 Port SimpHOn to imike certain examinations hei-atter referred to; and he, Mr. 
 (.^ambie, will himself ascend the River h^keena to Fort.*-'' .lames, accompanied by 
 Messrs. MacLeod and (Tordon. 
 
 .O. Mr. lloretzky lias been instructed to exi)i()rc ilie country b -ween Fort 
 Connelly and Fort MeLeod, more ]»articularly that portion north ' the River 
 Nation, and so to ascorlain if a ))ns.-<age for a railw.iy line, oi a salisfai liaraeter, 
 
 can be found between one side (d the ciMmtry and the oil\(ir, either by br;nu'h of 
 
 the iSkceiuiiu the immediate neighborhood df Fort (.'onnelly and the Fin: i tributary 
 of Peace River, or by tiny ether branch oi iirunehci leadini.' liirotigb I iho Omenica 
 District. 
 
 (!. M.r. lloret'/ky will extend his examinations ovei- ilio whole < nilry betwoou 
 the Skeenn and the Pe.ace Rivers in thi;4 district as far south as the Nation, Me wiil 
 make sueh mea,siirements as may bti necessary lo est:iblisli the natn t' the country, 
 and in order to determine wliat routes siiitalile l<'r a railway, jire ;> uiiable. 
 
 7. I have given Mr. lloretzky verbal instructions to make full and exhaustive 
 exandnations of this district. It', on ihe complelion of the work, lime will admit, 
 ho will explore the country !'elwo(!n Fort t'oiinelly and River Xasse to the ocean, 
 
 8. Although Mr. lloret/ky ha,s been specially detailed for the service reCui^ed 
 to, lie will. Ill any (piestio'i oi'loabi that may aiise, refer to you. He has been in- 
 formed that lie must look to vnu as the senior otUcer in charge of all the o\amiiui- 
 Lions in Hrilish ("ohinibia, and be governed liy your views an<l dii'octions, both with. 
 regard to the exploraliuiw, the matter of supplies and the means of triui lorl. 
 
 23— a 
 
32 
 
 9. It is the dt>sire of lIio Government tliat tlic countiy should, with as little 
 delay as pusHillo, be thoroughly exiiiored, mo that l.hc f^hortcit digihlo route between 
 the lliver Siieena and the liivor reuoe, or its tributary, Pine Kivcr, may be fully 
 dotermined. 
 
 10. Instructions have been sent to Messrs MacLeod and (n)rdon to accompany 
 Mr. Cambio and to eo-0])craie with liim in this examination. 
 
 11. Mr. Dawson, ot the i iool(.»gical Survey, will also on-, operate with the Pacitio 
 Railway Stall' in the exaniinations of this season, more osjiecially in the Rocky 
 Mountains and along the e!\stern (latdi of the niountainr^. Every assistance will bo 
 rendered Mr. J>awson in the service in vvhich h<' will bo engaged. 
 
 12. Mr. (^'anibie. having made full ai'raiigemcnts to cany out the details as set 
 forth, will jirobably nuset Mr. Dawson at F(jfL St. James, dv possiblj'' before reaching 
 thai point, and will proceed with him and Mewsi's. MacLeod and (iordon to the Peace 
 River. Mr. MacLeod has insiructions what course to take, having arrived at this 
 locality. Mr. iJambie himself will return by ihe i'ine Jiiver Pass, so that acoiupiote 
 and thorough exploration can be made ot this district. 
 
 13. ArrangenKals are made to send Ml. Tupper from Winni[ieg to Edmonton, 
 and theiico as direvily as )iossible to Dunvegun. The animals in this pack train will be 
 available to bring b.ack the inlormation which may by this lime, have been gathoi'ed, 
 Conee'inently, M<.'ssrs. C!;imbie and MacLei)d will prepare a full re{iort, up to 
 date, which will be foi'warded liy Mr. (rordon, who will relurn at once by the pack 
 tj'ain to Ed'nonton. He will likewise convey to the nearest telegra|)h station 
 (possibly at i'ldmonion) a condensed ac<'onnl of operations, wiiich, in tho form of a 
 tolegra)iii report, can bo sent to Batlletord and ihencc by telegraj)h to Ottawa. 
 
 .Mr. J). M. (Jordon will be altachcd to the expedition to assist as above set forth 
 and to carry out certain sjiocial instructions which lie has received. 
 
 Mr, Oeoi'go Major will accompany Mr. Carnbie to I'ritish Colunibia asaccountant, 
 and liis services will be made UNaioible in connection will; the operations ot Mr. (ieo. 
 Kect'ei-, rcspecl'ng which special instructions will bo furnished. 
 
 Should any additional assis.anis be required, Mr. Cambie will use his own •Ub 
 'tretion in emtiloying or ro-cngaging any gentleman available in Ihitish Columl'ia. 
 Any not required, who jnay now be employed ■'. 11 be relieved of tlielr duties and 
 paid oil. 
 
 Mr Cambie will report a.s frequently as possible during the progress oi' the 
 examinations. 
 
 S. F. 
 
 12th .May, 1S79. 
 
 Memoravdum of insirucHom for Mr, If. A. f. MacLeod. 
 
 Mr. 'L A. F, MiicLe<(d will accompany Mr. t'ambie tVom Catiada, and will act in 
 i'oncirl ill the examinations urilcred by tiie Kiigineer.in-Chief, between Port Simpson 
 and tho Peace Rivcj'. 
 
 1. Wark Inlet; — Its character ; the nature of tho current; its anchorage : and 
 tiio feasibility ol'a connection, at the head of tho inlet, for sea-going ves.sele, with a 
 railway line up tho Jliver Skeena. 
 
 2. A cot 'lection by railway between Port Simpson and the isthmus at the iiositl 
 of Wark Inlet. 
 
 3. The feiusibility iit ,i railway liy the valley of the Ffiver Skeena to the centre 
 plateau of British Columbia, suid thence across tho mou'-iains to tho Peace .River 
 Oistriel. 
 
 4. Mr. MacLeod will remain in eomptmy with Mr. Cambio, acting wi'.h him. ob- 
 serving all the points to bo iiot<id, making himself acquainted with the cuintry unlii 
 Ihoy reach l>unvegau on the Peace iiiver. 
 
88 
 
 of the 
 
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 iiim. ob- 
 
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 I 
 
 5. Mr. Catntiie htw received full instructions as to Iho dutio:? o!' Mr. MacLcoiJ ; of 
 his acting with hiin till tiie ])oin1 of J)unvt.'>;;ui i.s reachci, and lias boon further in- 
 formed as to the iustruetiona given t'> Mr. MacLeod to make himself master of all the 
 data known. 
 
 6. Mr. G. M. Dawson, of tho (roological Survey, has received instructionm to co- 
 oj)erate in (he examination now being made of thin northern district to detormino 
 ilH fcaHihility lor a line of railway. 
 
 7. Jjiinvegan has been udo[)ied ay a point of rendozvou^^, Mr. Dawson reaching 
 iL by way of Pine 'Kiver J'ass; Messrs. MacLeod, Carabie and Gordon by way of 
 Peace River; Mr. Tapper by way of Edmonton. 
 
 8. From Dun vegan Mr. Canibie will return to IJritisb Columbia by way of Pine 
 River Pass; Mr. Gordon will ju-oceed to Kdmonton. iMr. Tapper will be available 
 for cxaminationt* on both sides of Peace River, UMi-tlt of latitude atP, 
 
 ',). J<rom Dunvegan M^ssi'.s. Dawson and MacLeod will make as thorough e.v- 
 amillatioll^ as possible of the country between Peace Rivor and Lcssei' Slave Lake, 
 and the Rocky Mountains, to the Houth and west, extending their examinationsi to 
 the locjited line w^st of Kdmonton. It may be i<jund advisable to trace .Smoky 
 River, and the other tributaries of Peace River, from the south until ti o mountains 
 are reached. 
 
 10. It is ossontial tlu't the information obtained as to the crossing if the valleys, 
 bo full and reliabl(>. The information must embrace the width of the valley, the 
 depth, the approaches, the volume of the water of the stream, the depth of the water, 
 and such information as is Ubual in railway examinations. 
 
 IL Tlds examination must be obtained from exploration. The Engineer-in- 
 Chief, trusting in the experience, zeal and discretion of those engaged, appends no 
 dotiiilsus to the mode in which information should be gathered, l-it while full and 
 ombracing the several points in 'olvod, ho enjoin.s thai it must -be obtained rapidly 
 nud without extraordinary ex]ioKso. 
 
 P2. The object fur which this examination is being n": 'l.> !ust be borne in mind: 
 it is lo det'imino what route can be found feasible for ru'.vay con-^truction. If, 
 thei'efore, loca.lilJes prosei\l themselves in which excessive grades nr heavj' work are 
 th"eatened, an examination must be made to tletermine if these suggestive difficulties 
 !irc abs>)lute, <n- if there be tlie means of passiag liioin by, by a dciour of the route or 
 other mean:?, or whether such objectionable features ai'c iDsupor.'ible, .md form a part 
 of this route, not lo be sol aside. 
 
 13. The ivigineer-iu-Chiot trusts that .Mr. .MacLeod, with the a-<sistanee of Mr. 
 Dawson, wi'.l be able to report full}- on the whole region lying south of the fifty-sixth 
 parallel, and oast of the mountains to the ll2th mcidian. having special regard to 
 the j)rav-ticabiiity of a railwiiy by the shortest line from L;.v la liich(5 to the Peace 
 liiver 01' Pine River Passes, and al.-u, from the located lino westoi Ivlmonton, say at 
 Southesk, ac.oss norih-wosterly to Pine Jiiver Pass. 
 
 14. Mr. Tupper has been instructed to jtroeoed by Winnipeg to I'Mmonton, 
 thence in a direct cour.se from Soalhesk (Dirt Lake), aci'o.ss tiic Rivers McLend and 
 Athiibasca to Dunvegan. It may be interred that .Mr. MacLeod will mci.'t Mr. 
 Tupper at Dunvegan, dv botwoon Dunvegan and the River Athaba.sca. 
 
 On meeting Mr. Tup))er, Mr. MacLood will transmit su(di reports as he and .Ur. 
 C'ambie may have j)reparcd nftiic proceedings up lodate, and a synupsi.i ot' his report 
 is to be sent as a tol'-:rr.>m. Mr. tJordon will cany the.se des[>atfhes by the roiurning 
 pack train, and will forward the short report from the nearest telegraj)h stati^in 
 probably Edmonton. 
 
 Mr. Maclieod will insfruet Mr. Tapper to explore the country lying to the north 
 of the 5i;il\ parallel, i>n both '<ides of I'eaee Uivei- ; he will pi>MCe the cumfry to tho 
 riidit and left to ascertain how far, good land extends, and before his i-olurn ho will 
 ta.-* every means in his powei' ivl'gaiidng .ns comjileft^ a knowledge as possible of tho 
 pfu sical eharaeier of 1 ue unexjdoi'cd countiy as fai' north a> the latatudo of Ijalto 
 Athabasca ho will \mj down tvU iho tructs ol iiis exploration with reasonable accuracy 
 123~oi 
 
34 
 
 on the map, and dosoribe fully all the features of tlie country which he may person- 
 ally examine. 
 
 1 have givon Mr. Gordon verba! .nstructions with respect to the dutio.^ expected 
 of him, iioth before and after reach:' g Edmonton. 
 
 S. F. 
 
 May 10th, 1879. 
 
 LaToUCIIE Tui'l'EK, E.-i(l. 
 
 J)kar S:k, — Ml'. FIciuinp; liii-i diioctcd ine to send you to moot me from the east, 
 H(»me\vhoro in the nci^liliorliontl of lM)rt l)iitivci;;u). I'oac.o Jiivei'. 
 
 You will, (lu'reforo. bo good enougli lo ];rocccd as quickly as poHsiblo to Winni- 
 peg, whore you will moot Mr. .John j'-rown, who will accompany you on the Journey. 
 
 Your route from W'innijjDi;' should bo by iho best i xite to luhnonton, tlionco lo 
 Dirt L:d<o, on the Jiolislick JJivor, and thcnco on n course as ncai'ly as practicable 
 noj-th 47'" west due, or north 73"^ wesl hia>jnctic, the variation of the compass being 
 U'..'Ut 2ii^ east. 
 
 While keeping as near the aliovo general course as the nature of the country 
 will admil, you will, with the assistance of Mr. Brown, endeavor to find the best 
 ground for your trail, following openings in tlie woods where they maintain the 
 jiroper direction. 
 
 Mark your trail veil in the woods with blazes, and in the open by polos, set up 
 at intervals, writing firquently your name and the date on which you pass the jjartic- 
 ular ])oint. Should you cross any of my trails, you will find them marked in the 
 same way. 
 
 You will estimate the distances you travel as nearly as possible, also the depths 
 ol valleys, lieighls of hills and size of rivers and streams, keeping a regular diary of 
 eacJi day's work. Xote also the characler of the soil, timber and country generally, 
 and the extent, as far as practicable, on each side of the trail. 
 
 Keep a good look-out Cor signs ol Mr. Dawson's, or any party, when you get to 
 the neighborhood of Peace liiver, and .signal your presence by firing guns or by 
 making sinoko. when opportunity otf'ois. 
 
 Take with yon, intact, ironi Winnipeg to the neighborhood of J^rt Dunvegan, 
 su])pl'es for 15 men tor one month, amounting to about i>n() lbs. flour and 700 lbs. of 
 best bacon, with a i)i-opei' proportion of beans, dried apples, tea, sugar, etc. And 
 leave at Edmonton a like (juautity of each ai-ticlo, to be ii.sed on the return. None 
 of the above . >;viplios are to be uscil till you meet mo or Mr. Dawson li-om the west. 
 
 You shuUKi take with you lor your use on tlie journey, about live months' supplies 
 for, say. 5 men, amounting to 1,5(J0 lbs, of tiour and 1,'JuO lbs. ol' best bacon, with 
 other necessaries in proportion. And take a sullicient iiumbor ol horses and carts, 
 with ])acking gear, as Mr. Brown may judge necessary, -.o carry out the above 
 programme. 
 
 Should Mr. Brown judge that the country over which you will psiss to the north- 
 west of Dirt Lake be too rough to carry tiic nxMith's supplies with you, you will leave 
 them at Lake St. Anne's, and when you lind th.at the trail is pi'aciicable to the open 
 country about Peace River, you will send back and get them brought on. 
 
 ■^ on will endeavor to push forwar'l as quickly as po-sible, having due regard to 
 the animals, and keej) yourself fully engaged in exatniuing the country, 
 
 1 am, yours truly, 
 
 (Signed) HENRY A. F. MacI.KOI). 
 
 AdJemla bij the KngineeMn-Chicf. 
 
 12th May, 1879. 
 
 It is important that Mr. Tapper should roach Dutivogan, on Peace River, by the 
 time Mr. MacLeod arrives at that point from the Pacific Coast. Mr. Tupper will 
 accordingly push forward with all speed. It is equally important that Lo should 
 
35 
 
 trf'.vel as rioarly iii prat'ticablo in a direct cmir.so fi-omSoiithcHlc (Dit-t LuKo.i to Diinve- 
 guii, liiU as the fouto is luitravolled, lie ^lioiiM ^o iiirht irom Edniunlon, ho will thore- 
 foro leuvo the main |)ai't ot (liosu|);)lie.s, ssiy, ut Ivlinoriton. Mr. MacLooil is instnu.-led 
 to send doBpatclio- (<) me ii'im Dunvci,';ui ; lio will :u;.;ordingiy .■jcnd back. Brown aa 
 far M Edmonton to rciiira with thesnjjplies loft there. 
 
 S. F. 
 
 12th May, 1879. 
 Memorandum of Supplementary histnictions i\>r Mr, II. J. Camhie. 
 
 1, Beforo loaving tho coasi in the noif^hlnjrhood of Port Simpson, Mr. Cambie 
 will instruct Mr. (Jeo. Kcoferto make a survey from the lioad of Wark Inlet across 
 the isthmus of some six miles to the River Skeena, He will select a |)oinf for tho 
 (onmienceinent o( ihissurvoj' that could hest l)e reached hy sea-j^oini^ ship<, ho that 
 jnalcrinls tor construction could he transferred direct fi'om vessels to the railway 
 
 2. The survey will extend from the isthmus hy the best fri-oun<l up the valley of 
 the Skeena, and should be of such a character as will admit of an estimate boinij 
 formed of the work which may be reiiuired 1o consliuct a railway. 
 
 ;■{. The survey will be made m ten niilo sections, Mi. plan^ und proliles will bo 
 plotted in camp, and immediately on the completion ol the first section often mims, 
 Mr. Koefer will forward tracings of plan and profile, and appi'oximato full bill of 
 works for that section to the umlorsigned, at Ottawa. As the survey advances, each 
 succeeding ten miles will ho similarl)- r(^portod, and Mr. Keefor will be careful in 
 estimating the qiuintilies, tliuL liberal allowances be made to cover contingencies. 
 
 4 The survey will bo continued u]) the River Skeena ;is far as time will allow, 
 but Mr. Keef'er will bear in mind the imporiance of etfecting, during the season, an 
 examination of Wark Inlet, with sufficient immbor of soundings to establish any 
 shoal that may exist. 
 
 5. It is itniior'ant that a- lull knowlodjre be obtninod of tho nature of thocurrentrt 
 and of the character ot the aixdiorages in \V trk Inlv't and its approaches. 
 
 6. Mr. Keefer will likewise make su 'h examinati(m as may bo necessary to 
 detormiiio the feasibility of carrying the r. 
 
 7. Mr. Keofer wiil make cveiy enquiry 
 other climatic features. 
 
 H. In Mr. Cainbie's absence in the interior, Mr. Keefor will le good enough to 
 repoi't to tho undersignetl as Ircquenily as pussiblc. He will lose no time in for- 
 warding plans, jirotiles and (quantities of the first ten-mile seetion, and all information 
 he may gather and opinions he may fo;m respecting Port Simpson as a harbor, and 
 Wark Inlet as n lomi)orary point of connection with u line of railway. 
 
 S. F. 
 
 .-ay along Wark Inlet to Port Simpson, 
 viih respect to fogs, ice, rain, snow and 
 
 13th May, 1879. 
 Memorandum nf Sujiphmentart/ h.-itrurtionsfor ^fr. IT. F. MacLeod. 
 
 The instructions which were sent to yoti yesterday, were hurriedly ))reparod, 
 and lest the undersigiu^i] may imt have fully explained his views and the immediate 
 object of the examination, tho following is tidded : — 
 
 It is cif the utmost importance that th(> (iovernmont should be placed in posses- 
 sion of certain information, at the (iarliest moment, in order that a judgment may bo 
 formed rospocting the several routes to the Pucitic Coa.st. 
 
36 
 
 The result of the examination this season will form an important element in the 
 conflideration of the qi.eHtion, and I look to Mi'. Carabie and yourself to furnish with- 
 out (lolay information on the loading points. 
 
 1. Reforrin;^ to iho accumpanyiiig map, wo have information which goes to 
 show that a railway can l)e built by the rod line from Fort froorgo to tho p'jint A, on 
 Pino River, on tho oantorn side <>(' rin" Hive;' Pa.^-; ; but wo liave to ostiiblisli wliothor 
 or no, a railway fan bo built fi-om A, on or near tho rod lino, to Lesser Slave Lake, or 
 whether or no, if would bo oxporifiivo, or with favi-rablo or unfavorable i^radiontH. 
 
 2. On the map I havt> drawn a blue lino from A to tlie lociited lino in the neigh- 
 biu'hood of So'.tbo-k or tho crossiiiir of ibo I'otnbina River. This, for some nia.sons, is 
 thought to bo a dosir.ablo location tor tho railway, and possibly on or near this line, 
 tho (loop valleys on the red lino, above referred to, from A to Lesser Slave Lake, may 
 in part bo avoidod. 
 
 3. Wo require definite information with rcf^pect to both lines, and the undersign- 
 ed would wish you, with the , o-oporalion of Mr. Dawson, to endeavor to get some 
 goiioral information which you oan send by Jlr. (ioi'don. 
 
 As.-^uining that }'ou v.'ill roa>li Dunvogan botbro Mr. Dawson roai'hestho point A, 
 you could possibly communicate with him and induce hitn to turn at A and proceed 
 south-easterly on tho general direction of the blue line until you moot him. In the 
 moantimo, Mr. (.^imbio and yourself could divide iho woi'k of examination between A 
 and Lessor Slave Lake (B), on tho ret! lino; ifr. Camb'O beginning at one end, your- 
 self at the other, mooting midway then joining Mi'. Dawson on the blue lino "ud 
 following its general direction- i)robably. until tho Athabasca is reached. 
 
 This course is suggested in order that the inloi'mation roquii'od be obtained as 
 speedily as possible. On meeting .Mr. Cambie, at tho middle of the red line, there 
 would bo no necessity tor him continuing with you southerly; he could then, assum- 
 ing that ho began the examination near B, continue westerly through Pine liiver 
 Pass, according to his original instructions. 
 
 An exact copy of the enclosed map will be kept here in the office, so that when 
 you refer, in the repoit you will send by Mr. Gordon, vid FIdmonton, to tho blue or 
 the red lines east of tho mountains, your telegraph messages will be understood. 
 
 With regard to the blue line t>om Fort St. .Tamos lo Fort McLood, j'ou will, I 
 trust, be able to say if it be practicable (u- favorable. Perhaps you may bo able to 
 indicate if there be loasonably fair prospects of getting a shorter route between the 
 Peace River and the Skeona. 
 
 We already know that we can j-each Port Simpson vid Yellow Ileatl Pass and 
 Fort George. The undersigned trusts that the present examinations will enable you 
 to report by Mr. (Jordon if a lino bo feasible by way of Edmonton and Pino River 
 Pass, how it will compare in re^jjoct to distance with the lino rid Yellow Head Pass 
 and Fort George, arid what sort of country it will pass through. 
 
 You will also be able to say something about the red lino from A to B, but east 
 of B, you will, at tho date of Mr. Gordon's leaving you, have no information. 
 
 S. P. 
 
 P.S. — A copy of this memo., with map, is sent by Mr. Tapper for his informa- 
 tion, along with the enclosed note. 
 
 Cth June, 1879. 
 
 Memorandum of Instructions for Captain J. C. Brundige. 
 
 Having represented to the Honorable tho Minister oi Railv/ays and Canals the 
 necessity of jtrocuring additional information respecting the coast of British 
 Columbia, the Mpproaclios by sea, and the several harbors available for a terminus for 
 the Pacific Railway, tho Minister has appoiuted you to proceed to British Columbia 
 aud undertake an examiualiou. 
 
37 
 
 I have furnished you with copies of my Pacific Raiiway report-^, embracinij the 
 testimony of ditt'oront naval autliorilies. i)ti ponisint^ them you will lind that our 
 knowledge of the noi'lhorti pnrtions of the loast of Bi-iiish Colunibia is deticient. It 
 in important that we KJiould, as fai' as pmciieahle ami as soon as possible, make good 
 tlio deficiency. You will, a< coniin^^ly, lose no lime in proceeding to British Oolumhin 
 and find vour way north, to where the enquiry is to be made. In ((jnversations 
 which you have hud with tlie Ministei- and mysidf, you have been made aware of the 
 nature of the infoi-mation which we require, and you will mnkc every effort to 
 procure it. When you roach the River Skeena, you will tind that surveying 
 and exploring ; arties, under Uie general charge of Mi'. H. J. Cambie, have entered 
 the interior in that latitude. 
 
 iSonie time will elaiise hoflire Mr. tJamhio'.s return to the coast, but you will probably 
 find one party on the ijiver Skecna, in charge of ,Mr. Geo. Keefer. Should you be in 
 need of assistance, yoti can a{)p!y to ih.'it gentleman ; but as iiis duties are quite dis- 
 tinct fruiu yours, you need not go out of your way to meet him, unlosa you find it 
 necessary to do so. 
 
 While you will gather inform.ition from ('very source, you will take special care 
 to form your own opiiuon: I'rom your own observations, free fi-om all preconceived 
 ideas, and you will, once a fortnight, or as fre(iuently as you have an opportunity after 
 leavifig Victoi'ia, convey to ine an account of vour progrisss and the impressions you 
 may form both with respect to the harbors, the approaches I'rom sea, and the climate. 
 At MetlahkathUi, and wherever you can gain reliable int^rmation, you will make 
 particular oiupiirios re-^peoling the wintor.s, their length, severity, th> prevalence of 
 winds, logs, snow, ice., etc., and how the climate may compare with Nova Scotia, 
 the west coast of Scotland, Denmark, or that of other well-known parts (d the world 
 in corresponding latiludos. 
 
 (Signed) SAXDFORD FLEMING, 
 
 Engine et'iH' Chief, 
 
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APPENDIX No. 2. 
 
 EEPOUT ON AV EXPLORATION FROM P(>RT SIMPSON VIA THE RIVEft SKEEXA, LAKES 
 BABINB ANT) STKWART AND THE TEAPE AND PINE HIVEU PASSKS TO I.nWER Sl-AVE 
 I^KE, IN 1IIK VBAR 187'J, CONULCTEU IIY MR. H. .1. CAMBIE. 
 
 New Westminster, 
 
 British Columbia, Jan. 20, 1880. 
 
 .Sir, — I have tho lionor to submit tlie foUowincf report on the survey and explor 
 ations inado, diiriiifx tlio siiininor of 187'.^ to (Joterniino if u northern route c.ouKi bo 
 fuiiiiii by Peace River .-mhI Uio River Skeonu, or any of tiieir (ributarie.s, to Port 
 Simpson on the coast of Bi'iiisU Columbia 
 
 Messrs. Maclooil, Kcefer, (iorclon and myself left Ottjuva on May 12th and 
 reached Victoria, Hritisii Cdiumbia, on tho 24th. Dr. U. M, Dawson, of tho Geologi- 
 cal Survey, und Mr. lluiel/Jv'V, ha^'ing joined us at San Francisco on the 19th. 
 
 We s|Kiit ten days in Vii'toria making jireparations, and on June 3rd sailed 
 northward in the Hudson Buy Company's steamer '• Princess I;ouiso." 
 
 The moii and supplies were landed at I'ort Kssington on the .Tth and tho steamer 
 was then placeil at our dispo.^td for the examination of Port Simpson and tho Wark 
 Inlet. 
 
 Wo proceeded tho same oveidng to Metlahkailah, where wo had the advice and 
 assistance of Mr. Duncan, the Church of Kngiand Missionary, in engaging Indion.s 
 with their canoes to take \is up tho Slceena. whore wo anchored for tho night. 
 
 MET1.AHKATI.AH. 
 
 This ia apoor harbor for largo vessels, tho channel being narrow and tortuous, and 
 tho inner part is so small as to afl'ord but a vor}' limited an^ount of accommodation. 
 It is, however, admirabi} adapted for the use dfcanoos, as it is connected with a number 
 of land-locked channels by which the .Skoona Kiver can bo reached without facing 
 the open sea. 
 
 PORT SIMPSON. 
 
 The following morning wo got under way about 3 a.m., and passing northwards 
 between Fiidayson fsliind and the miiinland, entered Port Simpson In the channel to 
 the eastward nf tlie shmil known as Harbor IJcofs. We remained in the harbor for 
 about two hours and, (he tiile being "Ut. had at. opportunity of observing that, within 
 the dotted cirde marked on llie charts arnund II;irbor Roofs, and which is there 
 sliown as being largely composed of kelp, the gi'calor part was left l)are at low water. 
 By inspecting (he chart it will be seen that within liie southern partof tlic harbor, pro- 
 tected by this reef from the oroan swell tliei'o is an area ol about one half mile l)y two. 
 In tho northern part tlioro is a woll-shellered bay inside Hirnie Island, about three 
 
 Juarters of ii mile s(juaro. These, with the land-bH'ktnl bay east of Fiidayson's 
 sland, afVord about live miles of water frontage on the mainland, besides a large 
 extout on tho surrounding islnnds. 
 
 •*; 
 
 prot 
 sli^oj 
 but 
 are 
 
 iulaf 
 
 sno\4 
 
 Quel] 
 and 
 way I 
 
 who I 
 29.5, 
 bar 1m 
 
S9 
 
 Tbe ieilandfi and roof's which incloHO the harbour being low, vcanols would not bo 
 protO'tod from wind sfaoiild it blow a galo from tho west. '£[w, in the case of small 
 m1oo|»-^, such as thoso which now trade aloni,' the coast, niii/ht cauHO inconvenienco, 
 but largo vessels may be (.onsiilerod safi/ when in calm water, and westerly winds 
 are not the prevailing ones in the winter wlien gales most freiiucnlly ocur. 
 
 Tlie shores of Port Simpson rise gently from tlio water's edge and are well 
 mlapted for tlio site of a city. 
 
 There is much rain in tinmmer and froiiuent snow storms occur in winter, but the 
 snow seldom lies on the ground for n\ore than ii few davs. 
 
 Were suitalde lighthouses tnid fog-signals erected on someof the northern points of 
 Queen Cluirlotte Islands and southern puinls of \luska, iis well us on otlier rocks 
 and points nean.'r the harbor, it seems to mo that Port Simpson would be in every 
 way suited for the Uumitnis of the Canadian Pacific Railway. 
 
 In this opinion I am partially borne out by Commander Pemler, the naval otHcer 
 who conducted the survey of that part of the eoa-t. See the report of 1877, page 
 2i)5, where, in rcplj- to quoHtion 25, he describes Port Simpson as tlie " tiiu»st 
 iiarbor north of Beaver Harbor in Vancouver Island." 
 
 On page 297, of the same report, in reply to question 28, Admiral Cochrane 
 raontions that " little or no difference was found in the temperature ol the sea at that 
 latitude (Port Simpson) and at Vancouver," an I mentions this fact amongst others to 
 show that the climate is temj)ered by ocean enrronts. 
 
 Wo left Port Simpson liy the Inskip passage, which is a raagidficent entrance, 
 being about iialf a mile wide and free from strong currents or obstru'jtions cd' any 
 kind, and steamed around to Wark inlet. 
 
 WAKK INLET. 
 
 A nautical survey of the coast of Northern British Columbia was made by Com- 
 mander Pender, and no doubt the entrance is correctly placed on the Ailnjiralty 
 Charts, but the (diannel itself has not been surveyed, and is incorrectly sketched. 
 
 Point Wales is situuted opposite the entrance, and wcndd appear, from the chart, 
 to be oidv about ;hree and a half miles distant, while in reality it is little, it any thing, 
 short of eiii'lit nnles distant. This is a mi'tterof some impoi'tance, for it is the southern 
 extremity of Ala-ku, and were it as close as is shown, a battery placed there by the 
 Government of the United States could prevent vessels entering or leaving 
 Wark Inlet. 
 
 Wark Inlet is I'asily approached, there beiitg plenty of sea room; the entrance 
 is 1,500 (U- 2,')0it feel wi le ; a mile I'arlher in, it narrows to about 1,000 feet, 
 but soon opens lUit again, and tnei\ averages one mile in width all the way to its 
 head. 
 
 There is an 18 feet rise and fall of tide, which causes a swift current in the narrow 
 entrance, but we saw no sign of eddies, thou,irli wo passed through at about throe- 
 quarter obb. wlu'n it had a velocity of, perhaps, four miles per hour. 
 
 Wo tried a few soundings and found Ixdtom at dS fathoms, about four miles 
 inside the entrance, but failed to tltid it agjiin, with 7f> fathoms of line, till within lialf 
 a mile of the licad of the inlet, where it is 58 fathoms deep, sloping gradually from 
 that point to the beach, so that the space tittod lor anehoi'age is very small. 
 
 Th» shores aio well suited for the building of wharves, and would all'ord about 
 two mile.s of water freuitage; but their construction would l>o expensive, as the rock 
 botl,om would pi'cvont the ii,.e of piles. Tlie area ol" land siiitiddc for a town site, 
 is very limited, the hills rising alcuptly from tlie shore on both sides of the channel, 
 '{'he only re;ill\- available sni'ce is in a v.'ilhy leading from the head of the inlet to 
 the Skoenn, not exceeding half a mile in widlli. 
 
 If it sh )idd at any lime be determined lo Ituild a line of iMllway by the valley ol 
 the Skeena to Pint SitniiMin, tin- hea.i of Wai'k Inlol could be used as a 
 temporary terminus ; but the accomodation both for railway and shipping would be 
 very muchcontraclod. 
 
40 
 
 In extending such a line down the T'Sirapsoan Pomiisala to Port Simpson, it 
 would have lo follow closely b^- the shore of VVark Inlot, and as the hills rino 
 "diieclly from tlio water's cdpi at slopes of one in two or one in tlu'co,oxcept for about 
 four mileK nearly op|)0>-itc the (^uaitooii [idol, wiiero they avcra^'e perhaps one in 
 one, much curvature woulii be roi|uiied aud iho excavation would be in rock, hut; would 
 not be excessive in quantity, except for the four miles aliove referred to, where there are 
 also >ome snow-slides to bo provided a:^ainst ; (hcse come, however, froai hei^jjhts of 
 only 15(10 to 400 fet!*, and should not lie classed with the avalanclM courses met with 
 in th(^ valleys Icaditi;:; to Dean's Canal, Bute Inlot or on the River Skoena. 
 
 In roar of Port Simpson is a low tract of country extending across to Wark 
 Itilet, so that a line ( ould ini broughl lo any part of the port with ca-ic. 
 
 Having finished our examination eai'ly In the afternoon, we steamed around to 
 the Skecna the same evenini,' and landed at Port Hssington about 7 p.m. 
 
 The canoi»s whii h had been engaged at Metlaiikatlah tlic day previous were 
 there wailing our arrival. 
 
 SIttKNA RIVEIl. 
 
 On the next liay, .Tune tth, we parted from Mr. G. A. Koofer. who, with his 
 
 iiarly, was to make a trial location lor a line of railway from the head of Wark 
 [niol across to the Skecna, and up its vadey as far as the season would permit; 
 Mr. Horetzky remained behind at Port E.ssington to complete his prepara- 
 tions for exploring the country between the Skcena and Peace Rivers ; 
 and Messrs. McLeod, Dawson, (iordon and 1 started up the Skecna Uivor in two 
 cauoes, manned by tive Indians each, making all possible speed to reach Fort McLood, 
 on the head waters of the Peai'c, where oin' more important work was to commence. 
 
 Our progress was slow, for the river was in a high stage of flood, and we did not 
 roach the " Forks ofSkeena" till tiio -It^t. 
 
 It is unnecessary for me to enter into any description of the Skecna Valley, as I 
 have already expressed my views i-ogarding its ft>asibility as a railway route, in a 
 memorandum dated April 23rd, 1878, and published in your report for that year, 
 page ;^8. My o|iinions are borne out by the result of Mr. Koefer's survey, of 
 which the plans, profiles and estimates for sixty miles, with his report, are now 
 submitted to you. In that momoramlum 1 mentioned to you that some of the 
 residents at the J''orks were growing oats for the first time, and had just obtained a 
 small her<l of caltle. They have since hurvostod Iwc good ci-ops of oats, and found 
 thatcattle can he kept with profit. 
 
 On my former trip up ihc Skoena, in 1877, 1 ascertained that it was practicable 
 to construct a line of railway from the " Korks" lo Fort George, b^' way of the Watr 
 womjuah and Ne<diiiioh Kivers, and so to connect the Skecna with the line which had 
 been already located from that juiiiit to tlie eastward by the 'ii'ellow Head Pa.ss. But 
 the object of this examination being to aseertain if there was a practicable route from 
 the Skeensi to the Peace Itivor, we enga;:;ed a number of fndians to puck onr camp, 
 eijuipago and Hiip|dics, and travelled eastward by tho Susquah Iliver trail, which 
 brought us to Habiue Lake, close to its outlet, 
 
 TRAIL FROM HKEENA TO BABINB. 
 
 Tlie summit of the vallc}' through which this trail passes is about 3,700 feet 
 above the sea, and < ould be crossed by a line of railway, but would entail gradients 
 of 100 feet to tho mile, or even stoopor, accompaniod by heavy works of construction. 
 
 DABINB LAKE. 
 
 At tho nortliern end of Babino Lake the land slopes gently up from tho 
 pliorcs, and the mountains are some nulos bacdi, presenting in this respect a marked 
 oualrtMt lo most of the lakes which 1 have seen in British Columbia. 
 
41 
 
 From a hill on tho eastern side of the Hahino Rivor, we got a view (l(»wn it to 
 the north for u long distance, and could distinguish that for about twelve miles it 
 waa flowing in a wide valley. We also saw tho gap in the mountains t.irough which 
 it empties into tho Skoona about forty miles above the Forks. 
 
 Judging from our observations on this occasion, and what wo had j)roviously 
 seen of tho Skeonu Valley by looking north-ens'wards up it from th'.' Forks, there 
 seemed to be a fair promise of a practicablo line being found by these valleys. Mr. 
 Horetzky having been selected to make !i detailed examination (jf this ]iai'l oi the 
 country, wo pushed on without delay. 
 
 On Monday, 30th Juno, wo made an curly start south-eastwards up the lake, in 
 two small Cottonwood canoes, and readied Fort Babine the same day. 
 
 In this distance of perhaps thirty miles the lake averages one mile in wiilth, and 
 wo wore surprised to find the land i"ising in easy slopes from it on both sides. On 
 tho east there is a ridge running nearl}' parallel to it about two miles disimit, and 
 increasing from 500 feet at its northern end to 2,000 feet in height near the fort. On 
 the west side there is a high range of mountains, but between their base and tho lake 
 there is a tract of undulating land from three to eight miles in width, which is in 
 some places heavily timbered with spruce ; in others there is a light growth of poplar 
 and spruce, and much of it would no doubt be found suitable for agriculLuro if the 
 clitnato is not too severe. 
 
 Southward from P'ort Babine for about forty miles, tho lake varies from two to 
 seven miles in width, and the shores <ontimie of the same undulating character, 
 ■with mountains from four to ten miles distant, covered with a light growth 
 of poplar and spruce. 
 
 For tho remaining thirty miles to tho heail of the lake, it averages 1J miles wide 
 with bold, rocky shores, and tho land can never be of value for agruullurc, though 
 it may be used for pastui-e. 
 
 Judging from what is known of the climate of Stewart's Lake, and its position 
 in regard to Babine, it is not likely that the latter will be found suited for tho culti- 
 vation of wheat, but only for the hai-dier vegetables, witii rye, and possibly oats and 
 barley. 
 
 PASSES TO TUK EASTWARD. 
 
 A day was spent examining a pass situated opposite tho fort, ami Icaditig to 
 Tacla Lake. Tho summit is about four miles from Babine Lalce and 070 feel above 
 it. No doubt a favourable liiu^ can ))e found to connect this pass with the 
 valley of the Babine River by leaving tho latter about six miles btslow the outlet ofliie 
 lake, and then following a chain i;f small lakes and rivers in asouth-eastoily dii'oction 
 to tho head of the bay on which stands tho fort; but whether it can be continued 
 eastward to the head of the Nation or any other branch of the I'eaco Uiver, by a 
 route practicable (or a railway, I am not iti a position to state fronv ])nrsonal i>bscrvn- 
 tion, though several routes were described to us, and their advantages set forth in 
 most glowing terms by persons who know the country well. 
 
 One of these is said to be by a jmss leading eastward from Tacla fiake about six 
 miles above its outlet, to tho Nation; another very low pass leading from tho 
 north-eastern end of Trembleur Lake to a ditferent luanch of the N'alion. 
 
 About thirty miles south of Fort Babine is a vall<\v leading to 'rrcmbleur Lake, 
 which is, apparently, at its highest |)oint, not more than 500 foot above the lake. 
 A waggon road was built through it in 1871 to facilitate travel to the Oiwineca gold 
 fields. 
 
 rORTAGE TO 8TF.WAUT S LAKK. 
 
 From tho head of Babino Lake wo crossed over to Stewart's Lako, by tho ITudHon 
 Bay Company's cart trail, about seven miles in length. Thi> lakes are on nearly tho 
 samo elevation, '2,200 feet above the ,sea, and the highest point on tho trail between 
 thorn is about 400 foot. 
 
Wo arrived at Stowarfn Lnko at 1 p.m. on July 4th, and at 10 tho same o\onin^ 
 Mr. (t. R. Mujor arrived v.'itli !> boat to take us to Fort St. Juincs, wliitli v,;im most 
 fiituuato, a.i tlioro was a ditlicuUy in obtaining Hiiitublo canoos to proceed. 
 
 .Stewart's i.ake. 
 
 Next murnintc, July .5tii, wo got under way at .5.30 a.m. and reached Fort .St. 
 Jan\e.s at 10.20 p.m., whoro wo met liio pack trains with an outlit for the exploration 
 of the Peace River country. 
 
 Stewart Lm(<o is iibout forty miles in length, and varioH from one to isix miloH in 
 widdi. At many places along iis sh<.r«>s tliere is level or undulating land, extending 
 back (br several miles, covered with poplar and spruce. 
 
 Jiain wa.s tailing heavily and a gale ot wind blowing during part of our trip 
 down the lake, and we coiiseiiuently did not see the adjacent coiiutiy as well as could 
 be wished. 
 
 PREPARATtONS FOR .lOURNET. 
 
 One day wa.s spent at Port St. James in rearranging provisions. A small pack 
 train, consi.sling of soventeon animals and throe men, was loft under chai'ge of Mr. 
 Walter Dewciney to attend on Mr. lloretzky ai\d take sujiplie-s to meet him at any 
 point ho might require thorn during the .surnmo". 
 
 Our party, for the exploration of the IVacc River country, then consisted of six 
 on the stall', fourteen packers, besiiies two men and five Indians, who were to assist 
 in boating, cutting trail, etc., being lwont3'-soven in all, and our train consisted of 
 sovonty-two pack mules with twenty-three riding anin'als. 
 
 This largo number of animals was required because wo proposed travelling 
 whoro no trails existed, and thoy could carry but light loiuls. 
 
 Leaving Fort St. James on the morning of July 8th, wo reached Fort McLood 
 on the 14th, about oij^hty miles. Wove we divided our party, Mr. Daw.son going 
 oast with the mulo trai' Pino River Pa.ss, while we made arrangements for the 
 rest of the paity to descend Peace Jiivor in a boat whicli was obtained from the 
 Hudson Bay Company. 
 
 PACK RIVER. 
 
 Messrs. McLeod, Gonlon and myself, accompanied by Mr. (r. R. Major and four 
 men, started <lown tho Pack River on the afternoon of July 16th and I'cachod its 
 junction with the Parsnip next day, 
 
 The Pack River is about 150 foot wide, with a current of two to four miles per 
 hour ; it has low banks and could be bridgeil without dilHculty at any point for five 
 miles below Fort McLeod. 
 
 There are some fine ])rairieH with luxuriant grass near tho fort. The foi'ost 
 consists (tf spruce and poplar, with cottonwood next the river, and a few Douglas firs 
 on the hill sides. This appears to bo the northern limit of that tree, so far as our 
 oxporionco is coucornod. 
 
 PARSNIP RIVER. 
 
 On tho I8th and I'Jth July wo ascended tho Parsnip, with much difficulty, 
 owing to tho swift current, ius tiir as the mouth of tho Misinchinca, about twelve 
 miles, where wo ferried Mr. Dawson, his men and supplies across, and swam tho 
 animals, and having appointed to moot him, if i»ossible, at Fort Dunvegan, about 
 Sept. 1st, returned tho same evening to our previous camp at the mouth ol" tho I'ack 
 Rivor. This portion of tho Parsnip Rivor is 500 foot broad and flows in u valley 
 about ono-half mile in width. 
 
48 
 
 At some of the bonds it washes the huso of chiy and gravel bankn, which at 
 certain times when Rtitunitod with wafer, appear to slide in large masttesand are then 
 washed away by the current. The.so blutt'i vary IVoni 100 to 200 feet in lieight, 
 being on the level of the a<Jjacent country, which continue.- of the same general 
 elevation on the eastern side for about eight miles back, till it moots tho wosternmoat 
 spurs or foot hills of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 On tho western side between the Parsnip and Pack Rivers, there is a range of 
 bills running nearly parallel to tho farmer, ilio peaks of which would not exceed 
 1,000 feet in height alx)ve tho river. Through this range there is a low valley nearly 
 opposite ihe mouth of the Misinchinca, by whicli our pack train had come. 
 
 On the bank.s of the river there are a few ojien prairies with rich grass, but tho 
 country generally is covci'od with a thick growtli of spruce, poplar, birch and 
 Cottonwood, 
 
 On the 21st wocontinuclour journey north-westwards down the Parsnip, stopping 
 for lunch opposite the mouth of the Nation Kiver, and lo this jjoint, about thirty-two 
 milos, the foregoing de.sc.'ption of tho valley would ajiply m almost every 
 particular. 
 
 Tho foot hills of tho Kocky Mountains wore seen only three times, and at 
 distances estimated to be eight, twelve, and si.K milos rospeetividy ; tho valley of 
 tho river being now some 20 to 25 miles across. 
 
 About liftocn miles west of the Parsnip the Nation emerges from the mountains, 
 through a wide valley ; and if a lino of railway should ever ho projected by that route 
 it could probably bo continued towards the Pino River Pass without any serious 
 difficulty. In order to avoid land slides it might be kept a cont iderablo distance 
 back from the Parsnip, exctspt at the crossing, for which there is a favoui-ablo j)lace, 
 about five miles above its junction with the Nation, where it is only about 300 foot 
 wide with an exposure of rock on the left ban f. 
 
 Tho river valley continues in the same direction and isul'the same character f(tr 
 about forty-live miles further, or to tho junction of tho Parsnip ami thePinlay Rivers, 
 ]hit rocky hilU ot 500 to 800 foot in height abut on it in a few jilacea and would add 
 much to the difficulty of ex'cndiug a line eastward from the Nation by way ol' tho 
 Peace River Pass. 
 
 The land iu the rivor bottoms of tho Pack River and tho Parsnip is generally 
 rich, but that on tho benches gravelly and poor. 
 
 The climate seems to bo cold and damp, and tho timbei" consists of spruce and 
 poplar, with cotton wood on tho islands and flats. 
 
 I'EACE IIIVER I'ASS. 
 
 The Parsnip and Kinlay Rivers are oaeii about ')0(» feet wide ai llieir contlucncc, 
 and below that point tho united stream is iaiown as the IVace Kiver.aud iiiiniediat(.ly 
 enters the ])as^of that name. This pass i.i bounded f' ■• aljoiil tliiiiy miles by mountains 
 rising I'rtun 4,000 to 5,000 foot above tho water on each side, leaving a valley about 
 half a mile wide between their buses, through which the rivor ((100 to !^00 t'eet wide) 
 winds from side to side, having bcnebo.s tir.st on oru' side, then on the olhrr, varying 
 in height iVoni 20 to SO and somelinies even lo lOU feel. 
 
 sou 
 
 I 
 
 "^',»^" — ' - - 
 
 Tliough at a few [loints tlie northern i-ide mii;ht appear the more l'av(>rable, tho 
 ...jtliern or right bank is the best suited ['ov a railway lino; on tiiis, tho work would 
 lO principally in gravel and very heavy, owing to the ditlicully in getting from ono 
 bench lo another, where they differ -o much in elevation. 
 
 The only phu'O where the acluul niouiiiain sIojk's abiil ou ilie I'iver is for tliree- 
 (|uarlers ol' a mile at the base of Mount Selwyn, which is liiore bold and rocky, and 
 rises at an average slope ot one in three. 
 
 This would, of course, entail some heavy rock excavation'; and about half a mile 
 
 further oast, a short tunnel would bo rei[uirod to pass nuiler an aval...: 
 which sweeps from the same mountain, Thoio is a good view oi' the 
 
 1(0 course 
 mountain. 
 
44 
 
 bliowing the rot'ky slopos'above rofeiTod to, at page 42 of the 'Jooloerical Report for 
 1875-7tJ, from u j)h')t( graph by Mr. Solwj'n, the Director of the Survey. 
 
 Aliotit tive miles oant of Mount Soiwyii, astrcam ab mt tlO feotwitlo comos in from 
 the south ; ami i'2 miles farther oastaiiolhcr Htroam, about (iO foetwido, and thoClear- 
 wator, about 120 leof wide, also como in from the same direction. They are the only 
 streams ot' im|)ortaiic'o to be bridged on the section under coimiderafion. 
 
 The low thith are timbered with cottonwood, and the hillsides and benches with 
 spruce, poplar and birch. 
 
 At the Cluarwater the widihof the valley from the base of the mountains at one 
 side, to those at the other, is abijut half a mile, and between their summitd, perhaps, 
 four miles. From that point efu^iward, to the head of the Jtocky Mountiiin portage, about 
 40 miles, therdiaraclorot the court ly changes, the valley widens out to about two miles 
 between the base.", and about six or seven miles between the summits of the moun- 
 tains, which gradually decroaso in height to about 1,200 or 1,000 feet, and thoirslopos 
 become less -^tecp and rugged. The benches are generally lower, being from 10 to-lO 
 feet above the river, and at three points only do liigb ones abut on it, amounting in 
 the aggregate to about a mile and a hiilf ; these, however, occur at places where the 
 river is wile, and it would be possible to jnotect an embankment along the water 
 edge: consequently the iliffioultiea of railway construclion would not be great. 
 
 Five streams have to bo crossed, the two largest of which are respectively 150 
 and 50 feet in width. 
 
 The climate and vegetation show a marked change to the eastward of the 
 Clearwater Kiver, the slopes facing the south and many of the flats have some small 
 clumps of spruce and poplar copse, anil a large ])roportion of prairie producing good 
 grass and ))ea vino. 
 
 N'ear the Kocky Mountain portago there is some of the small variety of sago 
 (Artemisic frijUla), which is so characteristic of the dry southern portion of the 
 intci'ior of British L'olumbia. 
 
 We examined two of the low benches and found the soil to oonsiHt of a good 
 sand} loam, but the upjjcr ones appeared lO be gravelly and poor. 
 
 ROOKY MOLNTAIN CANON. 
 
 Three days were spent in cros.sing the portage with the aid of horses Iwrrowed 
 from tin Hudson Hay Post at Hudson's Hope. 
 
 The pui Inge.iioarly \'l miles in lenj^'th, runs r.eaily oust and west, and was made for 
 the i)urjiose of avoiding the Ko Uy Moiimain Canon, through which the Peace Kiver 
 takes a semi-circular bond to the south, about twenty-live miles in length. 
 
 To ha\e f(dlowcd it round would havo entailed a delay of several days, as there 
 is no trail, so we decided that Mr. McLeod should cross over to Hudson's Hope with 
 the tirst loads and examine as much as possible of it from that end, while I did the same 
 from the upper end. 
 
 In pursuance of Mi is plan, T followed down its loft bank for about 'bur miles, and 
 had a good view for about four miles fuither. 
 
 In this liistani'o the river runs generally through a gorge about 400 to 600 feet 
 wide with sandstone blulTs "rising perpendienlarly from lOtJ to 300 feet on either 
 side. The surrounding hi'ls vary from l.OiK) to 2,500 foot in height ub(.pve 
 the river, and slope down to the precipice at the rate of one in two to one in live; 
 they are also muidi broken by ravines, so that ft line of railway would require many 
 sharj) curves, high bridges and long tuiniels, and the expense of construction would 
 be excessive. 
 
 Prom the junction of the Parsnip aiul the Finlay, the Peace Kiver flows nearly 
 due oa^t for uj wanls of 250 miles, to the mouth of Smoky River, where it turns 
 sharply to the north and leaves the section of country embraced i' our examination. 
 
 Hudson's Hope may be said to lie on the eastern edge ot the foothills ol the 
 Eov ky Mountains, their base then extending in a south-easterly direction past tho 
 
46 
 
 li)wor end of Mobeily'n Luke, crossing Pine Uivor a little to the west of the main 
 fork, 
 
 HUDSON'S noPK TO I'lNB BIVER. 
 
 The country oast of Uudson's Ilope is generally a great plain or jdaloau averag- 
 ing uliDut 1, 900 feet iilujve sea iov'-l, thruiigh which lli" Teace River tl'iws in a trimgli 
 or va'ley ubout Tt'O feet <loop at lirst, increasing to upwarls ol 900 feel in the neigli- 
 horliool utkSinoky i?iver. 
 
 Af< far oast as thv> nioutli ol' Pino Kiver, about tifty inilos, the valley varies from 
 one and a half to three miles in width at the level of the jilatoau, and one-half to two 
 iniios in tho bottom 
 
 The river varies I'rom iMtO to 1,-00 feet in width, ami wherever it washes tho 
 base ot the hills on eiliicr side, extensive land slides occur. Those of recent date, on 
 the south side, amountin tho aggregate to more than two miles, beside a much greater 
 extent of olil ones, which may start again any day. They otter an almost insupor- 
 ablo obstacle to railway construciion close to Peace Itiver, for if it were attempted to 
 huihl an embankment in the water at their b:ise, it might bo overwhelmed at any 
 moment by great masse-^ of earth ; while the tributary streams have cut such 
 deoj) lateral valleys, thai if a lino vvore taken up suUicienily high to pass behind tho 
 land slides, tho crossing of each little brook would require a structure of gigantic 
 proportions. 
 
 Tlio earth in this soction^of country contains a large proportion of alkali, and I 
 cannot help associating its presence with tho land slides. When saturated with 
 water, it dissolves and facilitates tho movement; of the mass of earth which may 
 happen lo rest on it. 
 
 iOO foot 
 either 
 alxivc 
 live ; 
 many 
 would 
 
 I'lNB aiVER TO DINVEOAM. 
 
 The valley of Peace Pivoi', from its junction with Pine Kivor to t'ort Dunvogan 
 (about ninety n\iles), varies froin half a mile to three miles in width at tho level of 
 the [ilateau, aoif from a quarter of a mile to two mites in the bottom ; the rlvei' varies 
 from 800 to l,50u feet wide, and winds from side to side. 
 
 Tho hanks are of tho same oluiracter, many land slides occurring, though not so 
 frequently as west of Pine itiver ; and each stream which empties into the Poacj has 
 cut out a valley for it^'<ell hundi'cds of feet deep and of groat width, so that the dith- 
 culties to be overcome in the construction of a railway can hardly be over-estimated. 
 
 We ascended lo tho level of the plateau at four points between Hudson's Hope 
 and Dunvegan, and each time found it to be of the same general elevation, and ex- 
 tending in a nearly level plain as lar as the eye could reach in each direction. 
 
 The slopes of tho valUy facing tho .south an* eveiywhere covered with poplar 
 coj)8e and [uairic, with ixood grass, and a small quantity otsago and cactus. 
 
 Tho slopes facing the north wore invariably ti'nberod witii spruce and poplar, 
 and the plateau, so far as sjcn from the edge of the valley, was gerierally covered by 
 a similar Iwrest, with otdy a vi^ry small pinportion of prairie. The land appeared 
 rch and well suited lor agiiculluro, the limber, being small, coi.ld be cleared with 
 a very small amount of labor. 
 
 DUNVKOAN TO SMOKV RlVfiK. 
 
 Wo reached Port Dunvegan on August IsL, and at ('Uce made arrangements with 
 ilr. ivennedy, the otticer in charge, to be sujjplieii with pack•hol^es fur nur explora- 
 tions till Mr. Dawsoii should arrive with our mule train. There was sumo dilllcuity 
 and delay in linding the animals, so we did ikH get olf till the oih, aial then (uily 
 eight wore available. Mr. Macieo I and I loilc four each— a number so small as Co 
 preclude the p )6.>il)ility of riding— and travelled tcgether lu a soutii-oasLerlydirectiou 
 lor throe days, till we reached ?Jmoky Kiver, about forty-live miles, 
 
46 
 
 The first four niilen, while ascondiiif^ to (ho phitoiui, woro through timber, and 
 llio soil aiipoarod colli iiti't wot. Aj^mIii, tVom about the twonty-tirnt to tlio Iwonty- 
 third mill', we passod over a low ridgo lirnberod with poplar, spnioe and willow, 
 whom tho land was cold and wot. 
 
 The balaiice ofilio forty iivo iniJoH ^va^ (hroiij^h prairio and poplar copse, with a 
 few willows in Iww plai'cs; Iho proportions wore abont i>no-tliir<l copso to two-thirds 
 j)rairi'". with i^rass twelve inches hi^li, growiuj^ siitliciertiy close to form u sod. 
 
 The trail follows the more open parth of tlie country, and it is pi-obablo that the 
 proportion of wooiiod land at some distance to oithor side would be greater. 
 
 The soil, with the oxioplioi;-j alM)ve nionti( nod, is a groy Hilt, with a few inches 
 of vegetable mould 
 
 About twelve miles from Dunvcgan we came upon Ghost Creek, twelve foot wido, 
 a branch of the Ijrulo Jlivei-, which we fro.sscd at about iiinoteon miles ilio latter iH 
 tifty foot wide, and omptios into the IVace tif'oen miles to the east of Dunvogan. 
 
 At the thirty-ninth mile we crossed the liid Heart Iv'.vor, sixty feet wido, in a 
 valley 25'l feet deep, a qMarter of a milo wide in the bottom, and nearly half a milo 
 wide at the level of the plateau. From where we oros.sed, it flows in a north-east 
 course for about tivo miles, and empties into Smoky l{ivor. 
 
 A straight line ilrawn from the forks of Pino River to Lesser Slave Lake would 
 cro8.s the .Sm<>ky River near this point, and wo selected it as tho most advantageous 
 ph.ce to bridge that river, on a lino of railway between those points, not only because 
 of its proximity to the siraight line, but because the valley of tho Bad Heart atfoixts 
 an a|)proach on tho west side, while immediately opposite the Smoky Rivor takes u 
 bend of several miles neail^- duo east, giving an opjwrtunity to ajtproach it from tho 
 other side. 
 
 The works (or about three miles on each side would bo exceedingly heavy, 
 continuing to bo of a formidable cliaiacler tor sovoi-al miles further. 
 
 Smoky Rivoi* is hero about 1,H)I) feel above soa level, IbO foot wide at high 
 walci, with Ji current ot tl\ree miles per hour. To i^jlievo tho grades a bridge should 
 be built about ItiO foot in height : even then it is probable they could not be kej)t 
 quite within a maximum of one jior hundred. 
 
 Next day I p;irted compiiny viih Mr. MaeL<H)d, he. making a swoop round to 
 the ^outli-wesi on his way lo Pine Rivoi', while I i)ur|)osod travelling to Lessor Slave 
 Lake in as direct a line as circumstances would admit, under tho direction ot an Lidian 
 guide, whom Mr. Kennedy hjul engaged for me at Dunvegan. 
 
 undul 
 little 
 
 r 
 
 with 
 
 and I 
 
 8.M0KV RIVER TO HTCRUEON LAKE, 
 
 We found a parly of Creos and halt-breeds hunting on Smoky liiver, who feri-iod 
 us across in a cmoe at a point about eight miles south of the Had Heart. 
 
 The valley is there -I.")!) feet devp and two miles wido at the level of tho plateau. 
 
 Tho wottei'ii bank has an in'tgnlar slope with many small hollows ct)ntaiuing 
 pools, caused by a series of liind slides. 
 
 My guide kept travelling south-east and insiste<l be was taking tuo shortest route 
 to Lesser Slave Lake, but alter ftunlays ho brought us to Sturgeon Lake, five miles 
 long by four broad, elevation above sca iovoi about 1,1)00 tool ; where there is a settle- 
 ment ol' ( 'ices. 
 
 I estimated that we had Iravelled iluring the four days only about forty-one 
 miles. A very large |)roportion of the country is flooded by beaver, and we s])ent 
 hours picking our way between |Kmds, wading acros.s swami>s, and bridging small 
 slroams with muddy banks in order to get our liorsespver. No -,1 reams of imjiortanco 
 were crossed. 
 
 There are numerous swamp mead )ws, but very little if any ti no ]iiairio ; tho 
 timber is poplar, spruce, birch, wil!<>w .iiwl black pine (pinu.)< ••.<>)it<'rlit) all of small 
 size, ill a few ciutes nine to twelve inches, and two small gi'ovos ol spruce nine lo 
 eighteen inches diameter were noticed. 
 
i1 
 
 Tho hij^host point |iiis>o(l over was nl)Out 2.100 feet nbovo Hoa level, tho country 
 undnlatos (gently, ami iC llio bouvcr (ianis wuro ciil away il couUl be drained with very 
 littlo labour, tho soil is while silt with tour to six in' 'les of vegetablo mould. 
 
 The boulderH and shingle on the boach of iSturgoon Lake were all granilo and 
 with them was* a quantity of white 'luartzoso sand. 
 
 rriod 
 
 .iteau. 
 
 rouio 
 
 miles 
 
 scltk- 
 
 ly-onu 
 •^j)ent 
 r>mall 
 
 'tauoo 
 
 ; tho 
 mnall 
 no to 
 
 STUROEON LAKE TO LITTLE 8M0KT RIVER. 
 
 It was very annojing to find that 1 had boon le I many miles out of my (^ourso 
 and through swamps, to this lake in order th:it my guide might have tho pleasure of 
 visiting some of his Imlian friends ; nevertheless su(di was the fact, and we had now 
 to take a direction at right angles to our former one and travel north-eastwards towards 
 Tjcsser Slave Lake. 
 
 About thirty miles brought us to Littlo Smoky River, 100 foot wide, in a valloy 
 250 feet dcttp and one and a half miles bioad, at the level of tho plateau. The 
 estimated elevation above sea level is l.GOO feet, depth two and a hall feet, current 
 four mi'es pei' hour. 
 
 Surgeon Lake is one of the feeders of this river, but its principal source is in 
 tho ran^e of mountains to the .south ot Les.ser Slave Lake, and it discdiarges into the 
 main Snioky, about fifteen miles below the mouth of the Batl Heart Itiver, before 
 referred to. 
 
 The beach and bars of this river consist of well rounded boulders and shingle of 
 granite, with some lu'ge masses of san<l.stone, not much water-worn ; al>o numerous 
 pieces of lignite, but nu rock was soeu in beds, and there were no moans of ascertain- 
 ing from what distance they had drifted. 
 
 It is worth menticming that a little before wo reached this stream a stone about 
 tho size of my fist was met on the trail, and all the members of my tittle party stopped 
 to examine it, not having .seen (me of any kind for daj's before. 
 
 LITTLE SMOKY RIVEIl TO LE.sSER SLAVE LAKE; 
 
 Continuing the same course, at about .seven miles we passed Iroquois Lake, one 
 and a half miles long and three-quarters of a n\ile wile. 
 
 It discharges into Little Smoky River, being about 230 feet higher, and 'is 
 separated only by a swamp from another lake of the same name, which empties into 
 L" .cr Slave Lake. 
 
 Ai)out seventeen miles from the Little Smoky, we crossed Sotith Heart River, 60 
 feet wide, siialiow, and with a current of two miles pei' hour, running in a valley a 
 quarter of a mile wide and (50 feet deep. 
 
 Still continuing th(^ same north-east course for about eleven miles, with tho 
 river not far to our right, we re died, August l[)[\\, the western end ol J^esser Slave 
 Lake, into which it discharges. 
 
 The coimtry from Stui'geon Lake to South Heart [{ivor is not so swampy or so 
 much flooded by beaver as between Smoky Itiver and that lake, but tho timber and 
 soil are precisely similar. 
 
 For one and n half miles after crossing South Heart River, we jjassed through a 
 bolt (d black pine, on poor sandy soil, and then aci'oss a tatnarac swanip half a mile 
 in width , bu; from that point to the head of Lo.-'Sim' Slave Lake, our ])iith lay along 
 the face of a genllo slope facing the southeast, through a prairie of good gra,s8, pea- 
 vine and some small s'lge, with iiojdar and willow cop.se. 
 
 The soil is grey silt, with several inches of black vegetable mould. 
 
 LESSER SLAVE LAKE. 
 
 We reached th- western end of Lesser Slave Lake, 1.80(1 feet above sea level, on 
 August 10th, and next day walked round tho head uf tho hiko, about seven miles, to 
 the Hudson Bay Company's fort of tho same name. Our path led us across Salt Creek, 
 123—4 
 
48 
 
 f)0 feet wide, oominic in from tho norlhwoMt, which i.-t lionlercd for n milo on each 
 t^ide liy i ieh miir^ii im-adowfi. They ari; .--uhjeit in overflow in ^priiiy and during tho 
 early putt of Biinimer, but at tiie lime of our vi:<it tliey were nearly dry, and on 
 many } aiti* a mowini; niaeliine mi^'iit l)avo been u^ed to advantage. 
 
 The gi'ass is loarso in tjuality, but is said to bo very nulritiou!*, and a large 
 quantity ot hay per aero niiglit bo wived. 
 
 Tho wesict II extremity of LeH^icr Slave Lake is a circular pond, about four milos 
 in diameter, which is eonneited by a not work of channels about a milo in length, 
 with anotler pond of nearly the Name size, which in it.slurn iseonnectod with tho main 
 lake by a channel al)oul three miles in lei.gth. The.^e ponds aro ijuifo shallow, seldom 
 exceeding four feet in depth, niu' between them as well as to the soutii of thorn, 
 marshes similar in every lespecl to that next .Salt Creek stretch away lor miles. 
 
 Tho tort stands just at the outlet of the tirf.t pond ; tho upland is there light and 
 sandy, with a t-mall growth ot po])lar, sprmo, alder and willow. 
 
 A lino of railway crossing the Smoky Hivor at the mouth of tho Bad Iloart, ftH 
 before de^clibed, should rise !o tho level of tho })lateau as lapidly as possible, and 
 then, continuing eastward I'or some miles, deseond giadually into tho valley of Little 
 Smoky JJiver, cross it, and pass oy way of Iroijuois lakes to Lessor Slave Lake, 
 following its .>f>uthci'n shore to tiie east. 
 
 From tho route which • had travelled, no hills wore soon in the direction of Little 
 Smoky liiver, and it is not likely that any serious difficulty would bo mot with on 
 the line described. 
 
 LESSER 8LAVE LAKE TO PEACE RIVEH. 
 
 At Lessor Slave Lake wo wore j)resentod with a supply of white fish, weighing 
 from three to four pounds each, similar ill every respect to those found in tho great 
 North American lakes. 
 
 We left there August 21st, on our homeward jfuirney, following tho ^Hudson 
 Bay Compaiiy'r. can frail in a i.orth-westoil}- tlirection towards Peace River. 
 
 About elev(!n miles from llio lake we cros.^od the South Heart Hivor, which was 
 there 40 feet wide, coming from tho north-east, and followed up some of its smaller 
 tributaiios to the twentieth mile. 
 
 Throe miles tiirthor we crossed a eroek about 8 feet wide which flows into the 
 North Heart River and followed tho general direction of that stream to its confluence 
 with the IVacc, three miles below (ho mouth of Smoky River, and titty-five from the 
 western end of Lessor Slave Lake. 
 
 In tho Hist Ave miles from tho lake tho trail ascends 400 feet and then descends 
 gradually with many unim|)ortant undulations towards Peace River, which is there 
 about not* feet above sea l«;vel, I,;!0(» feet wide, its imiuediato valley being 7iiO feet deep. 
 We cro.s.>ed a muskeg one mile wide, and travelle.l along the margi'> of aiiotiior 
 for half a mile, beside many small swamps which could be drained without difficulty, 
 passing through <jiie strij) of jirairie ten miles in length with rich soil and luxuri- 
 ant grass and peavino, alst) si>mo smaller ])i-aiiios on slopes facing the south. Tho 
 other jtoitions of the road lay through groves of poplar an<l spruce, generally of 
 small size, .i to 12 inches in diameter, on soil of grey silt with 2 to 4 inches of vege- 
 table mould. 
 
 CROSSINO OF PEACE RtVER TO DUNVEGAN. 
 
 At the mouth of tho North ITearl River the Hudson Hay Comjiany have an 
 extensive storehouse, from which are distribuled (ho sujiplies, &c., destined for tho 
 Lower Peace River, and the posts far north on the Mnckenzie. 
 
 Here wo crosseJ tlu' Peace, and coiifinued our journey up its left bank on an open 
 bench with poor gravelly soil, to (he old trading post opp').-ito Smoky River, estab- 
 lisiunl in 17!t2 by Sir Alexander .Mackenzie, which has now been abandoned ; and 
 then ascending to the plateau by the cart trail, followed it to Dunvogan, nearly titty 
 miles in all. 
 
41) 
 
 on each 
 iriiif^ tho 
 V, ami on 
 
 , a large 
 
 LMir miloa 
 1 length, 
 tho main 
 ,v, Holtlom 
 of thorn, 
 lies. 
 light and 
 
 Iloart, art 
 
 'ibic, and 
 
 of Li till! 
 
 ive Lake, 
 
 1 of Little 
 , with on 
 
 weighing 
 tho groat 
 
 Hudson 
 
 fhich was 
 smaller 
 
 3 1 
 
 nto the 
 ntluence 
 from the 
 
 doseonda 
 
 is there 
 
 lei't deep. 
 
 aiiotlioi" 
 
 litUciiUy, 
 
 (1 liixuri- 
 
 Ih. Tho 
 
 I orally of 
 
 of vogo- 
 
 havc an 
 jd lor tho 
 
 1 an open 
 )r, o-tab- 
 icd i and 
 irly titty 
 
 The trail takes a moderately 'iiruct courso, ami is at one point ahou* twelve miles 
 distant fiom tho valley of I'eaee River. It led us througli a neurly ;Ovel eourilry, 
 having an aveiiigo elevation ot \.'Mh) teet above sea level, with very rich soil, al)Out 
 ono-tifth praine and tour-tit'ths iK)|)iar and willow copse, the timber being too small to 
 bo oi value excejit for liivwcMxi and feneing. 
 
 Of the twenty miles next to Dunvegan, tifteen are in largo open prairies, with 
 rich grass, and such a doplh oi bbuk vegetable mould that prodding with a stick to 
 the (lepth of a foot wo failed to loach ibe >ubsoil. 
 
 BelweoM the Smoky liiver |)ost and Uunvegan, forty tive miles, wo crossed one 
 running stream, the North Hrule, 1(1 feet wide, 12 incites deep, witii a swilt current, 
 beside two small watercourses with stagnant pools, and we passed a lake ono mile iiHig 
 by half a mile wide. 
 
 Tho supply of water is scanty, but the route of the trail seems to have been 
 specially selected, wi'h the view of passing between the heads of tho stieains drain- 
 ing south into I'oace River direct, and those draining north into a river which joins 
 the i'oace a few miles below 8in,iky River. 
 
 In the whole trip from Dunvegan to Le-ser Slave Lake and back, about 260 
 miles, solid iMck was onl}' seen once at the crossing fif Peace River ; very few boul- 
 ders wore noticed ; and tliough a(jmc oi' the land is light, by far the greater proportion 
 18 rich, and will become a splendid farming country if tho climate provcM suitable. 
 
 ABBANOEMENTS FOR QOMEWAIID JOURNEY. 
 
 On my return to Dunvegan, August 28tli, 1 foun 1 that Mr. <iordon had got 
 back a few hours previously tVom an exploration to the north lbat|Mr. Daw-^on with 
 the mule trains had arrived 12 days before and was then e.'iploring Smuky River with 
 a small parly. lie returned on tho ;JOth, and Mr. Macleod, on September Jst, and all 
 tho members of our expedition were once more together. 
 
 By next afternoon we had agreed upon a short report to be lbi'ward(«l to you by 
 telegraph, and Mr. (rordon started e;islwai(i at once, carrying il with hitii to tho 
 nearest telegraph ofiiee. 
 
 Messrs. .Maeleod and Dawson had thoroughly examinetl the country <outh of tho 
 Peace from Pino Jlivor to Smoky Eiver. It therefore seemed unnecessary that 1 
 should travel homeward over the same route which they followed, and so Idso a good 
 opportunitj' (U' gaining information of some of the vast tracts which were still 
 unexplored. 
 
 1, therefore, determined to semi Mr (i. [{. Major with most of the men and n.ules 
 by tho ilirect route, instructing him to wait for me on Pine River, about 25 miles from 
 the main forks, while 1, with a small party, should travel on the north side of i'eaco 
 Eiver to iludsoii's lio|te , there ci'oss over, follow the trail to Mobei ly's Lake and find 
 my way as best 1 could to the ))arty with Mr. Major. 
 
 At liosser Slave Lake I had been much disappninled to learn that Mr. Tapper 
 had not loft iidrnonlon on August 2nd, so there was no hojAi of his party being 
 aviiilablo for tbrwarding my fellow travellers on their explorations to tho southward 
 and ea.slwanl ; they had con.-eqiiently to lake f(>ur of the men who li.ui come with us 
 from British Columbia on with ihetu. 
 
 They had also enga;,'ed two half-bieeds at Dunvegan to go with them as far as 
 Edmonton, and when wo were all ready for a start, on Seiiiomber 5tli, ono of these 
 turned out worthlessand impertinent, and liie party for i'ine River, having left llieday 
 Ijofore, our only resource was to transfer to them the most reliable nuxn of my litilo 
 party, VVm. McXeil, from Victoria, an arrangraent which left mc rather short-handed. 
 
 This somewhat delayed my progicss. and it wai siiU fui thcr impeded ly the fact 
 that tho Indian who undertook to guide mo to Kort St. John did not know tho 
 couulry. 
 
 123-4i 
 
60 
 
 nt'NVKflAN TO FORT ST. JOHN. 
 
 From |)unvc<jiiii \vi' ti'.ivi'llo t i oriliwiinl I'lr a (iii\ aiiti a half, say .'>n inilos, ami 
 tlion wosiward at an avi ra^'O distance ot If) inilos li\)ni IV:'.ro J{ivor to Fort St. John, 
 rouclnn:^ it on tho ll-'lli. 
 
 For ilii* wlmlii tii^laiKT, nearly IJO rni'<'>, (lio ]ilau'aii iiiulnlatos oonsiiloriibly, 
 rnni^iiif,' t'roni 1, !•()() to 'J, KtO loot alMtvo xalovi'l. Aiul tor -40 n)ilo^, nftor tiiriiini^ 
 to tlio wost, (lioiv was a iaiiici< of liills a li>\v uiiKv-* to our fii^ltt, lisiiii; t'roni (KM) to 
 ],r)Oil loi't altovo (Ik> adjaront ioimtry. My iriiidc inf'oi-niod mo lliat tlu' stccams 
 i>n llio oilier >ide of that ridu'c liaiiu'd into (he liallle and Tjiaid Ilivers. 
 
 Fle\eii .streatn-, tVoin 12 lo K( feet in widih were ei-o-^sed, he^ides numerous 
 snialiei' ones, and Fine llivii' Niuth, wliieli is situided ahuut ,six miles fnuii h'orl St, 
 John, an.l was then '.oil teid wide hy two foet deep, ful ai liiL'-h watei- must ho ."iOO 
 toet wide, i'l a Milley 7"" feet doeji and a (juarie:- ni a mile wide in the bottom. The 
 hlojios on h>th side.'^ are niueh hroken hy oM land .--li le>. 
 
 On the west thiuv is a liiiilf ol deeom)io-.e 1 sh:ile, iind on the faee of the euslorn 
 nlope ni.'inv lod^;os of .•^aiidslmie in nearly lioi'i/.oiual heds. 
 
 We saw a few small opoii n.uske^--, and had tocross one ■•ilt'iut oih^ mile in width 
 whieh iJeluj-tHl us moro than tour hours. 
 
 Tlie soil is eonijiosod o( while silt with a ^ood eoverinLC nf ve;,'elaltle mould, liut 
 for one stroteh ot' 14 miles, this has boon eomiilelely burnt olV. We also jiassod ovor 
 two l: ravel ly rid^-es. 
 
 A lew larj^i' pr.'iiries wimo seen, and many small ones interspersed with ]ioplar 
 jind willow eop.se. 
 
 Twenly-tive ]>ei- eeiit. of the di.-,(anee, lay through wonds .if small ])o)ilar, spruce 
 and blai'k pine near i'lne Uiver Xortli, lhe.ro was also a boll throe miles witio ol 
 8prueo six to tilteen inelies in diameter. 
 
 roIlT ST. .loll.N TO limSON'S IIOI'K. 
 
 My ii'i]i from Itimvei^an In ('orl St. .lohn had ocenpied n hniue- time ihan had 
 boon antieipated, and llu' season w.as now so lar aiUaneed iha! I did no| dare lo linger 
 > II the road, but hurried on, Ivei'piiiiT the trail to llml^t n'.-. Mope, Most ol (he 
 way it followed (he valley of the n^er .iiid was on (he |i|;iteau only lor iL' miles after 
 ieaviiiLr For( St. John, for ahoui three miles near Middle liiver, hall'-w.ay lielween tho 
 two plaet's. and ai,'ain for a shor! disiaiiee about six miles i'a->t ol lliidson'rt Uopo. 
 
 I'he soil is fieli at o.'ii h of these plaee--, with ]iiairieaiid poplar and willow eopse, 
 nlso a few small ijroves ot' poplar and sjiruee lour lo iwelvo inches m d :imeter. 
 
 0\. (he benches m^xi iho river, the soil is in some plai'c.- hijiil. and between 
 .Midille liix'er and Iliid nn's Hope, there is one slietch, si.\ miles in length, irravelly 
 !Mul almost barren, Thai de-i'riplion of land also o.\leiids iho whole way across tho 
 Ivieky i'liountain portage. 
 
 'iV,. cro.-^^ed only .'.lie stream of im].oi(aii( o, Middle K'ivcr. whhh was then 4 
 IbeLdc'; ''V If)!) foet wido, .and at iinuol lVe>hi>i l.'iil feet wile, besides three others 
 iVoni 1'.. !■; .'.. foet across, with a few \eiv small oiies, 
 
 '\ M • oii.,<t liiiie of Midtlle Hiver and alioiil lifleen miles Xortli of the Feaco, 
 I' ran<e oi hills 1,(100 or l.,")iUt Icel lii:;h was observed ruiiiin;^ nearly easi ami west. 
 
 "■i- y .-"rt' r.i^'inii; iii the bu-.h in many jilaces, and we h.id lo ride ihroiinh one 
 I 'it .'< u'oiidti hurmiii;- briskly at the lime, which we diii with diUlcully as the smoUo 
 .I'.iJ. ....lies Wore blindiiifi', and tho heal was very ijreal , lorlunitoly, the limber w.a • 
 fairly open or we shou'd liav«! Iieon stojiped. 
 
 I{e(.^ardiiii; the eouiilry norlliof Feace River, I noliced (hat from the iMi.storn 
 base of (he l{o'k\ Mountains, about (woiUy miles norlli of Hudson'-. Hope, a rani;o 
 ol hills e\U"ids, nearly due e,is( (ill ii meeis ihe F.ace Fiver, abo\il iwdve miles 
 below its jiii.etioii with Sniokv Km or. 
 
 'I'lie tract of eoiintry lyiii^ soudi of ihat lati^'o, and between il and tho 
 Feace, is getieiiJIy fertile, Imt that portion of il wost of the loiigiLudo of Dutivegiiii 
 
51 
 
 is inmc !iMilnl:iti!i;r '""1 I't !' '*liirli!ly liitjlu'i- olovatioii (luui flio otiior portions of (ho 
 
 
 ilali'iiii Ml llu- 
 ibit 
 
 poi 
 I'iMiir li'ivcr lii-iiici, w Jiii Ji 1 hii'l travolloil over, uiul luis 
 
 il 
 
 uri 
 
 ajM)rot.iublo jn'r ci.'1iI;il;o I't' [loor t.oil 
 
 IIVPsON's IIOPE TO IMNK UIVEH. 
 
 ■\Vo nvxiuvl HmlsoiiV Hii|>c Si'nicinl'iM- l"iili, nn^i triivl t() olitnin a i,'iiiilo to (ako iis 
 I.. Pino l{i\HT. ImiI lail.Ml, a-^ tlu' lniiian.-> woiv all ahsont ; m'cnnlin^'ly wo U-lt noxl. 
 inoi'innL>' anij toilciwod a liiinlinix """il *'> Mxlioi'ly's liako. Tliis tiail asi'omlM ffoni Pcuoo 
 liiviT liy iv hi'rii'> '>t' IxMiclics, ami at oiu' ami iilitilt' miles ^(>a^^ilos ilu' plaloau, wliicli 
 is tlioro altout 2.0l)0 (bi t ali >\t' --"a lovol. an^l i-onlinucs at tlio sunio elevation to tii.» 
 til'lli mile, it llion |ias^o> oNor a riili'c I'lliMi'ol almvo i1h> j)la((<aii aiiM alon^ a >(<■('(» 
 hill siili' lo llio ■.oniliwcsIiMti (Micl ol' MmIiciI y',v liiko, a( an csliniaU'ii riovation ot" 
 2, Of)'! foot ahovo >(S-1 lovol 
 
 Aoooi'dinir >o tlu> I'l*--! >oiiicos of inti>i'niatiMn at my disjjosal, Moliorly'H Lako 
 shiitiM liav( \\roH siiiia!o(l l\v i-'liiiils n! llio way across tVoin tlit' I'oaoo to Pino I\ivoi", 
 and in a ooiintry tittod lor sotllomonl. tli>iui;li N.-nu'whal hilly ami with lar^o aroas 
 of praiiio ianil 
 
 (iroat was my siiipriso, tliorotofr, lo lind myolfnnly nino milos frnm Hudson's 
 llopo, and hommt'd in hy hilU, rising; from ii.OdO lo |,r)llit foot ahovo soa lovol, tho 
 oidy lovid land 'isililo, hoim; in iho vallov of Moliorly'.-- |{ivor wliioti ompti(>s into iho 
 lake tVom iho west ; ami fiirtlioi-, that htUwoon m<' and Pino Uivoi- lay a ranijo of 
 mountains al loiNt sixloon M)ilos hi'oa'J, rondoi'od alniosi injp:i.>salilo hyfalloii tindmr, 
 (ho <)nl3' prairios lioin;f on llio slopos of sloop hills f'aoimj,- Iho sonth. 
 
 Tlioro was n'> |)ii>-.il.ilil_\ (d rotroat iho |)arty on Piin« iJivi-r was wait inj^ for us ; 
 and, haviii!^ only a limiioil (jiiantily t)l' pi'ovi-^ions, dolay niiijjht provo diisaslroiiis t*) 
 both iiartuv. 
 
 I'ortunatoly, I was aldo to rcinforoo my liltlo hand hy oiii^aLiint,' tho s(>rvioos of 
 an Irirdiman namod Armsironic, whom wo toiiml liuilditiL; a shanty I'ur himsoll in 
 order lo hunt durin;^ llio winlor, ho had spoi.t jiart ot tho siiminor at tho iako, 
 hmitin;,', prospoi titiij tor sroM, and oatoliinij lish tor I In* siippiiil of i iminbor ofsloij^h 
 doM;s i'oloni:inL^ to (ho Hudson May (.'iMn|ia;iy. 
 
 Whito tisli woro thon, S(>p(onihor 17lh, \'ory ahundant, and ho f,MVO us ail wo 
 could rai ry. Thoy varud tVom 1 to (! lbs. In woiijhl, wo ro voiy liil and Hoomod lo mo 
 ijuilo o(|Ual lo Iho far-famod whiti' llsli of Ijako Huron. 
 
 Wo ti)llo\\od tho valloy id' Mohi>rly's b'ivor, south-wosiwards, I'oroi^jjht niilos and 
 tluMi luriM'd southwards ii|) a small trilnilary. Al'lor liiur days, durim; whndi wo had 
 thoppod oui way tlironi;h lallon limlor Irom day-li^hi to dark, I found mysolf in ii 
 h^inall ba.-in wiih hills risinu" slocjily l,iU)il lo 1,'JlMI Icot. (Ui holh sides and in front, 
 and ilii'so, where not iieiually pr(>cipiious, \v(>ro so strewn with fallen limhor of lar^o 
 HJ/.o, that il soomed a hopeless task to alienipl lo iiit our way throui^h without iiid|). 
 I ihorol'oro soiit two men ahead to Ijnd ^!r. M.ijor and eid >omo of his pai'iy ti> 
 oiuno lo our a-sisiaoi'o, while 1 remaino I hehind to lake oaio ol iho mule", assislod 
 liy Armstrong, who had oul his limt with an axo. 
 
 .My fuossonjiors roliirnod throiMJays afiorwards wilh six hkmi, and on Soplornbor 
 'Jlth wo roaolioil I'ino River and joiiu'd tho main parly. 
 
 1 oslimalod that \\e worolhon onlv ,- ventoon milos iVom Mohorly's Ijako, l)ut 
 h.'nl trav(>llod nearly thirty, ,'ind in Mie la->i lour miles had passotl ovor a mountain 
 l,2lHI fool al ovo M'a hivol. N\ f weic aNo aliout twenty miles wost o|'thi> point whi'i'o 
 I OXpeeted to tilld luyholf. 
 
 In the tiisi livo milos from lluds,,n Hopo wo Ik. I oross(>d two small lamarao 
 swamjih and siune htrei(dies ol li;;lil, sand;, soil, with ,i .small trrowth of poplar ami 
 S|»ruoo. 
 
 Wo had a^aiii mot with some lovol laml in the vall(>y of Mohorly's Uivor, whioli 
 f(U- nino milos above the lake avora;;os nearly half a milo in width in tho bottom. 
 Somo portions o( this ;. 10 ^;;ravol!y ami barron, and othoih l(>rlile, wilh a low small 
 
B2 
 
 prairies producing rich grass. Thoro are also some fine prairies at the lake, on 
 slopes facing the miuUi. 
 
 Botwoeri Mohorly's Lake and Pino River thoro is now a young growth of spruce, 
 black pine and poplar, but tho j)iles of fallen timber proved the exisitence not long 
 ago of spruce forests of moderate size, and a few belts of that limber, 6 in. to 2-» in. 
 diameter, having escaped the ravages of lire, are still standing. 
 
 PINE RIVER TO THE SUMMIT OF THE PASS. 
 
 the 
 the 
 
 tluit 
 
 Pine 
 one 
 Wat^ 
 only 
 
 The general characterislic« of the country, from this point westward to Stewart 
 Lake, have been full}' descrihcd by Mr. Hunter in your report of 1878 (Appendix G) ; 
 and as I am prepared to endorse that description, it seems unnecessary for mo to 
 touch on any but the more salient features, as seen from an engineering point of 
 view, in connection with railway con-^truction. 
 
 The valley of Pine Iliver, where I entered it, is lialf a mile wide, from the base 
 of one hill to that of the other; and in i's westward course continues of the same size 
 for eii;hteen_milos; it then narrows to a fjuarter of a mile, and n mains so, with a few 
 ti'ifliiig exceptions, all the way to tiio summit, about seventeen miles farther. 
 
 At a few points, whore the river washes tho base of tho mountains, expensive 
 woi-ks of protection might he required, and heavy excavations in getting from one 
 bench to another, when they differ much in elevation. 
 
 One mile east of the summit there is a preci]iice 180 foot in height, reaching 
 right across the valley, and below it for many miles Pine Iliver falls about thirty 
 feet per mile, so that to gain the summit with grades of one per hundred, there 
 would require to be over seven miles of side-hill woi-k, principally in rock, and very 
 heavy. These hills are, however, thickly timbei'ed, and no fears need bo entertained 
 in I'ctrard to avalanches. 
 
 The other portions of this section oll'or no serious obstructions to j-ailway con- 
 struction. 
 
 for 
 up 
 
 pi )0 
 
 gene 
 
 PINE RIVER PASS TO PORT MACLEOD. 
 
 Just at the summit, which we ascertained to be about 2,800 feet above sea level, thoro 
 is an open spaco which -^'lows indications of the annual dejjosit of largo quantities 
 of snow, which slide each winter from tho mountiiin on tho south eastern side of 
 the pass. 
 
 This feature would entail the construction of a tunnel in rock about 1,200 feet 
 iu length. 
 
 Proceeding westward, Azuz(^tta Lake discharges its waters by a small stream, 
 tho Atenaiche. which descends JO(t feci in two miles to the Misinchinca, and thati 
 river, below the point of junction, has a fall of more than twcsnty-fivo feel per mile. 
 
 To keep the grades on this sertion within a maximum of one per hundred would 
 require much sharp curvature and excessively heavy work. 
 
 The valley of the Atonal' ho is a mere gorge; and immodintely below its mouth, 
 on the northern bank of the Misinchinca, there is a high gravel slide, followed by 
 rough and rocky slopes, which extend for six or seven miles down the river, rendering 
 the building of a lino along their f (u e very expensive. 
 
 Further to tho westward, ilio de.>icent is gradual, and the valley sutHciently wide 
 to admit of railway coiistruciion without nuicl' diHi'MiUy 
 
 At ilie junction of tho Mi>'iiicliinc;i and Parsnij) rivers, tho lattyor is 500 feet wide 
 and aboui eight feel <leep ; half a mile higher up our mules forded it October Ist, in 
 three feel of water. 
 
 On the west side there is a grivvol bench 120 feet above the water, which con- 
 tinues on the same level lor two miles to tho weslwai-d, and iheu descends gradually 
 to Tulia Lake. 
 
58 
 
 on 
 
 of 
 eon 
 
 The crossing of tho Parsnip would require a hifjjh bridf^e and a heavy cutting o 
 the west side. There would also l)e somo heavy work in doscendinfj along tlio f;ico c 
 the hills on tho eastern shore of Tutia liake, so as to cross tho Paclc Eiver betwec 
 thill lake and Fort McLood. 
 
 There aro pri)babiy several ront(^s by whicli a line coming \vestward throug 
 Pine Kiver Pass could be carried to Port Simpson, on the Pacihc coast ; biii the 
 one which 1 have i)orsonall3' examined thnmghout is that via Fraser Lake, 
 
 h tho 
 only 
 
 Watsonquah and Skeena Kisors. I shall thoreioro confine my description to that one 
 only. 
 
 FORT MCI.E0D TO STEWART RIVV.R. 
 
 TIio eoction ofcountr}' between the Pa(dc River and the Stewart is not favoi-ablo 
 for railway construction ; it bus been well describoil by Mr. Hunter as being broken 
 uj) b}' san<ly and gravelly ridges, low, boggy Hats and d-pressions containing stagnant 
 pools, with small lakes and sluggish •treams. The timber is of littlo value, being 
 generally black |.iine, spruce and balsam of small size. 
 
 No doubl a line of railway could be con>tr'ucted between tho two rivers, and iu 
 the neiirhborii')i>d of the li-ail frnm Foil .McLeod to Foit St. James. 
 
 In leaving the tormor pl.n'e it ascends nearly "00 I'oct in t«'(!l\(; miles, the grade, 
 however, could be somewhat eased bv crossing the Pack River, 150 feet wide, four or 
 five mdes below the fort and ascending along the side of tho hills facing on that 
 river and the Long liake River. Continuing eastward, with some l>oavy indulations 
 ill the I'.rossing of Salmon and Swamp Ilivors, it would have to descend about 500 foot 
 in Iwclve miles to the Stewart liiver. 
 
 The general course ot such a line would be modoratoly direct. It would, 
 however, require many local windings, and the wjrks would be hoavy near both 
 ends, though princi])ally in gravel. 
 
 8TEWAUT RIVER TO rB.\SER I.aKE. 
 
 To continue the lino westwards, the Stewart River, 600 loot wide, should lio crossed 
 several miles Uelow Fort St. James. Then making a bond to the south in (irdor to 
 ascend with moderate grades, (JOO feet, lo tho summit of tho ridge between it and tho 
 Xechacoh, the road could bo carried al mg tlic northern sl.)j)es of the valley of that 
 river to Fraser Lake, and in so far us one couKl form an o|)inion by looking at tho 
 slopes relerred to iVi>m a distance of eight or nine miles, without serious difficulty in 
 regard to grades, curves or works of construction. 
 
 In your report for 1873, Appeitdix C, I have already oxprossod tho opinion that 
 a lino from Fraser I;ake by Intaipiah and Watsoiujuah Rivei's to tho Skeena would 
 have easj' grades and modorute works, and nothing has since occarrod to cause mo to 
 altor that statement. 
 
 WINTHV WKATIIER. 
 
 When WO roachod tho summit of Pino River Pass, on Saturday, Septombor 27tli 
 the weather was lovely, and only one small patch of bnow was to be seen on tho 
 northern side of one of tho liigher [)eak^. 
 
 Next moi'ning, at 4 a.m., 1 found (bat tho barometer wai going] ilown, that 
 heavy rain was falling in the valley, and ^•\^w on the mounlam sides, so 1 called up 
 the camp at once, and pushing on with all sjieed, travelled as many hours por day a.«i 
 the mules could stand. 
 
 Wo did not relax our otforts till tho Hottloments woro reached, whero food could 
 bo pur(dias(!d and the tram might bi^ considerd safe, 
 
 During September "iHth tho rain changed to unow, even in tho valloy ; and 
 ultermiting wiln hail and slool, il full ou thirteen out of tho following twenty-two 
 daytj. 
 
54 
 
 Had wo boon a week later or ovon loss in reaohirif; the pass, I feel convit\co'l that 
 the miilos would all ha%'o perished and wo ourselves might have oxporionood many 
 hardships. 
 
 When we reachod tlie Xeehacoli rlvor, they wore so leg weary and weakened by 
 want of fooi CK>'' the gnisscN in that northern country do not retain their succulent 
 qualities when tVozen, as the bunch grass orsouthoiii Mriiisii Coluinbiadoes), that I do- 
 terir»ino<l to ligiiten tliem and tak-ing evorything which could be spared with me in 
 a boat beli)ngiiig to the Hudson Bay Company, followed that river to Fort (ioorgo, 
 and theni c by the Fraser Iiivcr to t^uesnel Mouth, which place I rerirhed on October 
 ITth, and at onco hii'fd two hoi'ses, loaded them with grain and sent theinout to moot 
 the train. 
 
 This was a groat assistance to Iho weaker ones, and all got to Quo'^nol in safety, 
 though one died three days afterwards when on the road to their winter quarters at 
 Ii.amlooj)s. During '':o season we had luoved camp ono hundred and ouo times. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 Climate is a subject on which it is difficult to form correct conclusions from the 
 experience of ono season. And the summer of 1879 having boon an exceptionally 
 cold and wot ono renders it more than usually so. 
 
 The following statement ot tho crops, ete.> seen at the various Hudson Bay 
 posts throws a little light on the matter. 
 
 At Fort St. .lames, .July otli — 8ih ^'o found most kinds of garden vegetables and 
 barley, all looking well. On t^cluber 8th, there wiis snow on tho hills ,; id adjacent 
 country, but none near the .shores of Stewart Lake, the pooplo at liio I'ort were busy 
 digging potatoes, other vogetabios and grain having been housed sometime previously. 
 A small herd oi cattle and lior.ses are kept hero, hay for their sustenance during tho 
 winter being <ut in some of tho luiturai meadows. 
 
 Fort Macleod, .Tuly 14th — l(!th. Here we saw somo sicklydooking potatoes, the 
 vines of which had been frozen to the ground in Juno. A fine crop of peas and carrots, 
 with a lew miserable onions. 
 
 Tlio soil of the garden is light and probably had not boon manured for a groat 
 many j'oars. The latitude is only half a ilegree farthoi' north than Fort St. .Tamos, and 
 the elevation HOO feel less, which should nearly compensate for the dilferonco in lati- 
 tude, but tho climate seems colder, more danip, txnti' less suited for agriculture, owing 
 probably to its closer pro.ximity to tho Rocky M;nn. tains. On October 2nd, all the 
 vegetables were housed aiul three inches of wot snow lay on tho ground. 
 
 Hudson's Hope, July 27th — 2i^th. Tho soil in tho garden is a good sandy loam, 
 and onions were very tine; all other croj)s had boon injured by « severe frost about 
 May 1.5th, beans were killed, so were the potatoe vines, but they had started afresh. 
 A little patch of wheal had boon frozen, but had grown up again, and a few stalks were 
 forming ears ; carrots and cabbage looked well. It was said that the frost in May 
 was contined to the valley, and did not extend to tho plateau. 
 
 Horses have wintered in the oy)eu air fur many years, but in tho winter of 1875- 
 6 twenty out of a band of twenty four perished on account of the deep snow. 
 
 l{oturning ibiu'c, .September 1 lih-lOlh, wc found the potntoos had produced only 
 a voiy pooi- crop, and the wheat had been again frozen, while the grain wa" in the 
 milk stage, renoeiing it useless. 
 
 Fort St. John, July .'lOth. Tho garden contained somo good potatoes, onions and 
 turnips, and a negro named i.>aniel Williams had a small patch of 
 excellent barley. On September TJih, the crops wei'o all ripe, and excellent both as 
 regards quanlit}- and mnilil^', but the Itarloy bad been tro'lden down by animals and 
 much of it ei'ton, the owner having been arrested and taken to Edmonton on some 
 criminal chsirgc. 
 
 Fort Dunvegan, August lst-.5lli. In tho garden of tho fort there were fine crops 
 of wheat, barli'v, potatoes, lieets, cucumbers and squash ; while at the R. C. Mission 
 close by, there were lino jiotatoes, onions, carrots, and ii luxuriant but very backward 
 
55 
 
 I 
 
 crop of wheat, a comiition of tliiiif,'.s whifli Mr. Tr>.>'ior, the priest, expluinod to us had 
 resulted from a Ion;,' drouijlit, ciusing In lie in the <;rinind without sproutini;- th i^rain 
 till sonno Ir^avy rain uccurrod at the etui of M:iy. From Auijust liSth, to September r)th, 
 the wheat at the fort was cut, hut the grain was not perfeetly ripe; that at the 
 Mission, was injured by frost and lliLit- was wk hoj'O of its ri|)ening, oilier croj>s had 
 succeeded well. 
 
 Lesser Slave Lake, August 2(Hh. [n the garden of I ho fort woro peas, beans, 
 turnips, carrots, potatoes and rliubaib, all looking well. And in the garden at the 
 R. C. Mission wore the same vegetables, also onions, (•;ibl)age-<, barhn* (good) with 
 some very fine wheat almost ripe and (juilo beyimd the reaeli »f any fi''»t likely to 
 occur at that season. The success of these ciojis at an altitude ot 1,800 feet above the 
 sea, and therefore nearly on the general level o( the plateau, east of the Rocky 
 Mountains, is a iDaltor of some importance, though the pi'oximity of the lake may 
 have influenced tlio tomi»eralure. 
 
 The gardens at Hudson's Hope, Fort S(. John, and Dunvegan, are in the 
 valley of Peace River, many hundred feet below that level, and they have also the 
 advantage of a great deal of heat, reflected from the adj;icent hills. In this connection 
 it is right to mention that all the seed used by the peo]ile in the F*eac(; River ilistriet 
 has been grown year after year in the same ground, and generally without manure, 
 al.so that they have not the most imju'oved and earliest varieties of eitlior grain or 
 vegetables. 
 
 Eastward of Hudson's Ho])o it is said that snow seldom lies to a irreatei- depth 
 than two feet, and hoi'ses winter in the open air; when it attains that thickness, 
 however, they resort to the slopes of the valley facing the s lutii, where the snow 
 drifts off, leaving the grass bare. 
 
 Wo had been in the valley of Peace River, from the mountains to Dunvegan, in 
 the latter part of July, and the weather was then warm and mild. 
 
 The month of August was spent between Dunvegan and Lesser Slave Lake, 
 and twonty-threo days of it on the plateau. 
 
 During that timo there was frost on the morning of the 6th, though the thermo- 
 meter ot 5 a.m. had risen to 4'.)". 
 
 Again, (m the 26th, when it was still 5° below the freezing point at 5 a.m., and 
 on the 27th when it had risen to 3'3° at 4.30 a.m. 
 
 On the other twent}^ days the lowest reading, between 4.30 and 5 a.m., was 39" 
 and the highest 6o°. The weather was clear and tine and in the afternoon, it was 
 often warm enough to send the thermonieler up to SO"^ in the shade. 
 
 From the time of leaving Dunvegan, September filh, till we passed Moberly's 
 Lake, on the IHth, we were on the ku'el of the plaieau, and might still bo considered 
 east of the mountains. There was frost on light nights out of the twelve. 
 
 While breakfasting ut 5 a.m. on the ilth, tlie thorni'imeter still stood at 20*, and 
 on three odier mornings it had not risen above the tree/.ing point at that hour. 
 During that time the weather was general Iv clear and bright. 
 
 We had tine but cold weather from the 17tli till the summit of i'ino River Pass 
 was crossed 'n 2S(h and from that time till we reached Quosnel on October 17th, il 
 was decidedly wintry, with hard frosts. 
 
 UENERAL RESULTS. 
 
 As the result of 'ho season's explorations, the following conclusions may bo ar- 
 rived at: that a northern route for a railway can be Ibuml from Port .Simpsim uid 
 tiio Rivers Skeena, Riiiiino, Ihiftwood, Oinenic;i and Finl.iy to the PoaceRiver Pass.; 
 and that some other, though more circuitous routes are avaihilile bj- which the same 
 ])ass coiibl be reaeiie<l. 
 
 The Peace River which is the !owe<I known jiass through the Roi ky Moiintaittg 
 offers a wonderfully fasorable line fir a railway through that range, an ' '•- 
 sixty miles east of its main summits. 
 
 or 
 
56 
 
 Beyond that point, the liocky Mountain Canon, oxtonsive landnlides, ami lateral 
 valleys of great depth render the constriKtion of a line of railway immediately along 
 the sides of the i-iver very difficult, if not iinprjn'ticalilc. 
 
 There are, however, ^-rounds foi' the belief that an avai!.".blo lino may be secured 
 by leaving the actual valley near tiie head of the canon, and ])a>sing to the south ot 
 it, and by the noi'lhern end of Moberley's Lake, crossing Pine liiver, a few miles 
 north of the main fork, and continuing eastward to Lossei- Slave Lake, or to 
 Tklmonton, by some of the routes explored this year. 
 
 The Pine River Pass is also a remarkable one, and though the elevation is much 
 greater than that by the Peace River, the works in passing through "the mountain 
 range would be lighter. A favorable line can be found frum the valley of the 
 Skeena via the Watsonquah River, Fraser Lake and Fort McLeod to connect with 
 this pass, but such a line would be veiy circuitous and many miles longer than the 
 northern one. 
 
 Without taking into consideration the ground gone over bv the other members 
 of our expedition when we separated, I can slate that there is a tract of great forlility 
 extending eastward from the foot hills of the Rocky i.' jiitains at iiudsou's Hope to 
 Lesser Slave Lake. 
 
 Moisrs. McLcod and Dawson have examined it south westwards to tlio base of the 
 Rocky Mountains, and will inform you of its precise extent in thai direction. How lar 
 it reaches to the noilh is still undetermined, but I ^aw, athl can speak fron\ peisotuil 
 observation ol the strip just referred to, two hundred miles long by lifty wide, which, 
 if the climate proves suitable, can hardly l)e surpassed as an agricultural district. 
 
 On the last point I have furnished you willi all the information at my disposal, 
 and my own impression is that this country will befoun<iwell suited for stock raising, 
 cattle being housed in winter, for the growth ot all kinds of vegetables, and the 
 hardier cereals and ]>robably of wheat, proviiled'that varieties are used which come to 
 maturity before the frosts in awly autumn. No doubt partial failures will occasion- 
 ally occur, but that has been the case during the |)ast year in many parts of the 
 northern hemisphere, which are usually most |)roduclive. 
 
 In conclusion I beg to state that all our packers, boatmon and other assistants 
 worked with a will and helped us as far as lay in tiieir j)ower. 
 
 To the officers of the Hudson Bay Company, generally, we are much indebted 
 for assistance. 
 
 Our ihank.s are os|)ecially due to Mr. Alexander, of Fort St. James, the Superin- 
 tendent of New Caledonia District, and Mr. Keiniedy, of Dunvegan, who spared no 
 ti'oublo to furnish us with guides, with boats and with horses. 
 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. J. CAMBIE. 
 
 Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., 
 
 Engineer-inChief, Canadian Pacific Railway, 
 Ottawa. 
 
St 
 
 APPENDIX No. 3. 
 
 REPORT ON EXPLORATIONS MADE BETWEEN PORT SIMPSON B.C., AND BATTLEFORD N.-W. T. 
 VIA THE VALLEY OF PEACE RIVER, DUUI.N'O THK SEASON OV ISTJ, BY HENRY A. F. 
 MACLEOD. 
 
 Ottawa, Tlh robruai y, 1880. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to roport thai I mado nn ox]ilnr.itian of the rountry 
 lying botwoen Port Hinipsou, B.C., iind I'jilrnoiitDii N.-W.T , hy wiiy ot'Peiice Rivor, 
 in uco.on.iaiico witii your in-'trut'tionH 'iiUcI 1-lh aiiii \Mi May, 1871I. 
 
 1 wiis (lirectod to co-operate will» Mr. (Jainhio in tin.' oxaniiniitions from Port 
 Simpson to Shive I;ako, und with Dr. G. M. [)aw,s()ii .if the tieoh/gical Siirvo\'. from 
 Pino River to Edmonton und Lac Lii Biche. Mr. R. L. Tiippei- wa^ ilire'Heil to 
 proceed via Winnipeg to Edmonton, thenco aerrss the country following approxi- 
 matei}' a given liirection to Dunvegan on Peace River, at wliivh ])lnco it was 
 expected that all the parties would arrive about tiie same time. 
 
 The main object of the exploration \va,s to determine liow far i*, was fousilile to 
 construct the railway passing through the Pine River or Peace Kiver Pa.ssos 
 in the direction of Lac La Biche or Edmonion, and to ascertain the approximate 
 di.stanooH to enable a comparison to be made with the routes alioady surveyed via 
 Ytl'ow Head Pass. 
 
 At the .same time it was required to make a general e>:arait;ation of the Harbor 
 of Port Simpson, of Work Inlet, and the approaches to thorn from the Skeena River, 
 also an exploitation from the mouth of the Skeena to the Forks, and thence via Fort 
 St. James through the Pino and Peace River Pas.-e.s. 
 
 The capabilities of the countiy, in an agi'icultural jioint of view, along the pro- 
 posed routes were to be noted, particularly in the Peaee River country. 
 
 The party left Toronto on the 13th May, arrived at San Franci.sco on the P.1th, 
 and at Victoria on the 24th. 
 
 It being necessary to wait here i-on^o days to make urrangoments, J crossed to 
 see Burrurd Inlet, I also ascended the Frasor to Y/do, and drove over the waggon 
 road to Boston Bar, so as to enable mo tr, form a comparison between that route und the 
 one pro])Obed up the valley ol the Skeena. 
 
 Having made final arrangements for forwarding sui)plies by trail to Fort St. 
 James to meet us, we sailed on the 3rd ,lune for Port Simpson, arriving there on the 
 6th. In passing Metlahkatluh, wo engaged Indians and ranoes lor the journey up 
 the Skeeua. 
 
 POUT SIMPSON. 
 
 The steamer, drawing 10 feet, entered the harbor of Port Simpson at low tide 
 by the southern entrance, after waiting for an hour she i>assed out by the northern 
 onlranco The main entrance is from the west between Uirnie Island and extensive 
 reefs lying to the south about a mih* distant, many of these reefs are uncovered at 
 low tide and lot m a good breakwater to the western sea. 
 
 The haiboi is good, and is shrll(>retl Irom the S, \V. roun<l I'v .south to the N.W. 
 Westerly wiuds would sweep with considerable torco aci'Oss the harbor, but would 
 not be accompanied by much sea. (,'aptain Lewis of the Hudson's Bay Co., wlu^ lived 
 there for some time and has hiid long experience on the coa.st, considers it a very 
 
68 
 
 fine harbour lie says the most prevalent galos are from tfio S.E. in Hummcr and from 
 da' N. 10. ill winter. The ^'rounil is nol lii;;^h anniml llio sliuros niid is siifficiontly 
 t'VtH) fur tlic sito of ii lar^o town. 
 
 The aiijiroac^ii from Uio owan is good, the rock-^ known as the Pointers aro 
 rather to the souiii ot the track takon by vessels from the oeean, and can he utilized 
 as sites foi* light-houses, no soundings being obtainable exeept within a short 
 distanec of the eiitr,in''e in the harijour. 
 
 On leaving I'm-t Simpson we sailed to (he entranee and uj) to the he;id of Wark 
 Inlet. The month oi the inlet is narrfiw and doeji. and the eurrent wi'di elib tide was 
 about four miles an houi-. The width increases in-*ide from one to two miles, and the 
 depth of water is eon-^iderable ; near the cntran.'e the sounding was 2!^ fathoms, 
 thenee to within threo-fouiths of a mile, of the head no bottom was found at 76 
 fiithorns, at 5'i() f."t from the shore the de|)th is 25 fathoms, so that we found no part 
 of the iidet suitable f 'r anehorage. 
 
 Ai>out three miles from the entrance there is a low pass to I'ort Simpson between 
 the hills — thence, going south-e.'i-terij- there aro benches near the .^hore line, which 
 disappear, and are succeeded by side hills, getting stcej)er as the head of the inlet is 
 reached. In this latter portion tivo small tree-slides were noticed, 5tt to 200 leet 
 wide, extending from .'JOO to 400 feet iij) the hill >vh:. 
 
 There i,s hardly any level land at the head of Wark Itdet, but there is probably 
 a length of a mile where wharves can bo built to advantage. 
 
 The pass from the head of the inlet to the Skeena River, running in a south-east- 
 erly <lireetion, does not appear to bo high. 
 
 J'i'om Wark inlet we returned b}' steamer to Port Essington. and commenced the 
 ascent of the Skeena on the 7th of .June. The strong currents with each tide, and tlio 
 ice from the Skeena and Exstall Inlet, will interfere with the anchorage here at cer- 
 tain seasons. 
 
 
 SKEENA RIVER. 
 
 Looking at the pass from the Skoena towards Wark Iidot, about nine miles from 
 Port P]ssington, the v&lley is wide witii even slopes for a considerable distance, and 
 following up the main valley of the Skeen:i,, the slopes are of the same character, and 
 Ihei'e are trequenlly e\en benches e.Ktending about .dv miles along the north shore. 
 In the next four mihis ihe Iiills become steej)er, and tlie mountains ju-e nearer the 
 shore, but the water at the loot and for some distance from the shore line is shallow. 
 A ii'ee-siide about 500 feet wide, extending SCO fec^t up the hill was noted in thif^ part 
 of the valley. 
 
 In tlie next mile tlie slopes are very bold, risingdiroctly from the water, at al)out 
 one in t!)i'ee-'iu;u ters. The ro(d<s aie in many places piite bai'e and polished, and 
 there is a heavy -now-slulo down a clitt in the rocks about 100 feet wile. 
 
 The water at the base, however, is shoal, and there is space abundant to admit of 
 encroachment on the tide way. In this respect the construction of the railway in 
 this valley would have a great alvantage ovcu- that in the valley of the Prasor. 
 
 Continuing the a^eent of the river, for about ten mile-', the head of the tide is 
 reached, about 'M miles from Port R-i^in^^rton. In ihis interval there aro on the north 
 shore eight bold points of rock a|ii>roaching the water, with intervening valleys, and 
 small flats and islands separated by small .<loughs. The water is shoal in front of 
 these points, except in one or two caso-i. There are also eight snosv-slides, throe of 
 which will havi! to Ik- !j:iiard(M| against. 
 
 Tiii'oughout the fodowing six miles there are seven rock points, two c' which aro 
 heavy with di'cp water in front ainj stiung current; also five snow-slides, one of 
 which will i'0i)uire attention. For the rest of the distance, there are small benches 
 and valleys, with islands and small sloughs. 
 
 in the course of the 11 miles following, the valle,' ussnnies a more even character 
 and the hills become more thickly covered with wooils to the top. The benches at 
 
59 
 
 the foot of the lull.-> aro mere frei]iient ami continuous. Only two rook points a[y 
 nroach tiio water, ono of tliciu ^'-ill )(i-olijil)|y reiiniro a .-.liort tunnel. Five snow-.^lides 
 (K'fur, OIK! ol' whicli will tequiro parlioiiiai' altoiition. At tin- nnuilh of the Kslume 
 Eivor a ba}- six teet dou)) and SUO feet wide inu.>t Ijo (.ros>ud, luiving a hridgo of lUO 
 foot oponini^. 
 
 The valloy continues to widen out on llio next ten mile.--, and tlio flats aro wider 
 and more extensive. AbMiit one liuu-th tlte disiarico lieavy side liills and hollows. 
 Xo Hnow-.-«l!des lonie near the water. The current of th'j I'iver is swifter, and tho 
 asceids more difficult. The K.stnow IJiver will require an openiiii; of 30 feet. 
 
 The work on the following IS miles would he moderately light on bench, flats 
 and islands separated by small sloughs. At seven points ol' rock and side lull, thci'c 
 will be aiiout two and a half miles of heavy work. TheSimaguan and Kitsumgallum 
 IJivers will require about -ItiO feet of bridging. The Mumford Landing, at tho head 
 of tSimselas ('anyoii, is near this point. 
 
 On the next 11 miles the work is goiierully moderately light o" honclies, flatci 
 and islandn with narrow sloughs. At the Ksipkoeagh Falls, which are about five 
 feet high, there will be heavy woi'k in following round a deep narrow bay. Also at 
 two rocky jioints and bay- near the mouth of the Zymoots iiiver, in all about ono 
 ar.d a half miles of iieavy work. The river is very rapid, and the banks and benches 
 of gravel towards tho upper end aro 70 feet high. 
 
 In tho course of the .>ix miles following tho work is moderately heavy, particu- 
 larly at the Kitsalns Canjon and some distance on each side of it, or about twomdes 
 of heavy work. The sides of tho canyon are perpendicular, and about 70 foot high 
 and 300 foct apart. There aro two portages, and tho water lalls about 15 feet. For 
 the rest of the distance there are flats and benches from 10 to 70 feet above tho rivor 
 which bore is about 800 feet wide. 
 
 Tho mountains recede from the i-iver in tho following nine miles, with small 
 detaclied liills in front, behind which ho line can )>> located to advantage in several 
 pluc(!s. The h(!ight of the mountains near tho river aro from I to 2,000 feet. Tho 
 work on this portion will be modeirilely light on flats, and gi'avcll}' benches, except 
 in ascending to some high benches, and in jiassing two ro( ky points and a rocky 
 side hill, in all about one mile of henry work, riicio are h)ur stroams requiring 
 bridgiv-i from ':J0 to 50 feet an 1 one '20u feet. 
 
 The woik on the succeeding 1 1 miles will bo gonorall}' moderately light. At 
 seven points tiie woik will be heavj-, in passing rocky jioint- and side hills, in all 
 about two mi lus. At (^uatsuilix Canyi n ihe rocks aro 200 feet high, but tho lino 
 may be perhajis behiml the knolU and save a mile el heavy work. There an) three largo 
 streams, requiring from 100 to 300 feel biidgos each, one of them opposite Keaval 
 Bluff is from a glacier in view, four miles distant. There are also three small 
 streams. 
 
 l\ the next !!• mile-> to lvitwung;in YilhiL'o, the valley widens out, and tho 
 country improves in appeai'ince — there are some good flats with giassand pea vine — 
 heavy woi'k will occur in about 10 places, wheie there are rock points, side hills, and 
 clay binll', also in changing from low flats to high terraces, and at the crossings of 
 four streams, in all about six iiiiles. Tw> streams will require bridges of 101) and 
 200 feet each, and three of ,")i) feet each. The main river continues very swift, with 
 stronir rapids. 
 
 The banks of the river foi- 11 miles following are rough and broken, with points 
 of rocks, side hilh'i and bold bluffs of clay and gravel, alternating with narrow flats 
 and beticlics from liO to 1(10 feet above the river. A lim.^ may possibly be found, 
 keeping about four miles bark from the river, oiherwi.-e there will be about six miles 
 of heav\ roidt and clay work, paiticnlarh' in the vicinity of Kilsigucle Canyon, for 
 the restof the <listanee work woub' be moderately light. At one poiiil in thoeaiiyoii tho 
 rivor is about 400 feet wide, but generally the width is 800 feet, Tho current is yc^'y 
 swift and rapid. 
 
 In the next eight miles to the Forks, or Ila/.lelon Village, the vulley widens out, 
 and there tiro some flats with grass and pea vino. Tlie banks aro of clay and gravel 
 
60 
 
 friiitt 60 to T'l feet hi>ili, anil (hero are two clay blutV-^, which requiro about a milo o{ 
 heavy work, the lest moileiatol}' light. The lino will, howovoi-, be Kumo miles back 
 from the river, as it will be ncco-^sary to follow the Skeena li'ivor whicli bends to the 
 north to the mouth of the Babirie River HH^ miles, unless the route by the telegraph 
 trail is adopted. There are two streams in this distance, requiting 50 feet of bridging 
 each. 
 
 grazml 
 niouthl 
 suitabi 
 
 PORKS OF THE SKEENA TO LAKE HABII^E. 
 
 The trail followed from the Forks of the Skeena to Babino Lake, passes up the 
 north side of the valley of the Wat.-soiiquah Kiver, then the Susqua, and lastly, the 
 Ouatsardeo to the summit. All these streams arc tributaries lo the Skeena. It then 
 descends lajiidly to the foot of Babine Lake, crossinj; a large stream from a lake, 
 which discharges itswaters both easterly and westerly at the summit. 
 
 The character of the country ivs rougli and mountainous, unlit for railway coti- 
 Btruction, with deep tranverse valley's in uian_y placo». 
 
 The distance from the Porks to the summit is about 35 miles, thence to Lake 
 Babine seven miles, and the watershed 750 feet below the trail summit i-i 3, '250 feet 
 alMno the Forks, and 1,450 feet above Lake Babine. There, is s(.imo fair soil on the 
 plateaux about the Forks and at Lake Babine, and some good pasturage in the 
 valleys. 
 
 BABtNE LAKE i"0 FORT ST. JAMES. 
 
 The journey to Fort St. James from this point, was by canoe to the head of 
 Babino Lake abmit lOO miles, thence by portage over a waggon road to Stewart Lake 
 eight and a half miles, and thence by boat lo Fort St. James, at the foot of Stewart 
 Lake, 39 miles. 
 
 The banks of the northern i)ait of Babino Lake are generall}' low, from 50 lo 
 200 feet, rising genth- to hilN in the rear from 400 to L'.OdO feet above the !ake. As 
 the bay at P\ut Babino runs inland about 10 miles, it will be necessary for the rail- 
 way t«i leave the Babine River some miles below the foot of the lake, and follow a 
 valley leading to the head ot the bay ubove mentioned. 
 
 This valley runs pMiallel to the lake, and the watershed in it is about 400 feet 
 higher than the lake. Ju the south side of the bay and opposite to Fort Babino 
 is a pass, leailing to Tatla Lake, the summit of which is about 970 feet above Lake 
 Babine. The approach to this pass from ihc valley, along the side hill, does not 
 appear to be veiy difficult. It is probable that a practicable lino may bo found from 
 Tatlii Lake to the >'aiioii Kiver. We wore inforntod that boats have been taken 
 through the pass. 
 
 On leaving F'ort Babine we were coni])cllcd, by numerous islands and deep bays, 
 to keep at a distance of fmrn one to tlve mile-- from the easterly shore. There did 
 not seem to be much ditliculty in contiuuing the line near the shore for about 30 
 miles to tho south of Fort Babine. At this point there is a low pass to Tromblour or 
 Cross Lake. About 14 miles south ot Fort Babino there is another place where the 
 hills are low. To the south of tho jiass to Tromblcur Lake, tho banks of Babine Lake 
 become high, and the hills alon.; tho eastern reach, at the south ot tho lake, are bold 
 and high, rising directly from tho water. 
 
 Tlie road between Babine and Stewart Lakes ptusses over the waterghed between 
 tho Skeena an<l Fraser Rivers, at a height of about 300 feet above Lake Babine, with 
 high ground north and south. Stewart Lake is about 3') feet lower than Babino. 
 The Yokooche, a stream of con.^idorablo size, Aovf> into tho bead of Stewart Luke 
 from the west through a wide valley with high hills on each side. 
 
 The hills at each Olid of Stewart Lako are high and bold, towards the centre 
 near the outlet of Tachc River the ground is more oven. Mear tho west end there is 
 tt bay about 14 miles long, running in to tho north-west,, surrouudod by high hills, 
 The head of this bay is about 4 miles from Tremblour Lake, 
 
 I 
 
61 
 
 From tho foot of Lake Babino to Fort Biibine tho hill sitloa appear to bo suitabio for 
 grazing, uNo at each end of llio road belwoon tho lakes. There aro some 9atH about tho 
 mouth of Tache Rivor, and uroiiud Ttwcar Lake and Rivor, which may prove to be 
 suitable for agriculture. 
 
 STEWART LAKE TO MACLEOD's LAKE. 
 
 At Fort St. James, Stewart Lake, on tho 5th of July, wo mot tho pack trains 
 ordered from Kaniloops, and with them we made the journey by trail to McLeod's 
 Lake, about liS miles 
 
 This route would form part of the lino from tho Skoona via the telegraph trail 
 to the Pino Pass. 
 
 Tho trail follows the vallo)- of Saw Mill Creek for about 9 miles, then passes 
 over a low watershed to a stream running to Toscar Lake, west of Fort St. James, 
 at 9^ miles. In ihis distance tho ascent from Stewart Lake is about 350 feet. Tho 
 ground is even and undulating. 
 
 In the next 17 miles to Salmon Kivor the country is undulating and hilly. Up 
 to Carrier Lake tho umiulations aro small and the btreains How northward. The 
 trail then crosses the watornhod of Salmon Hiver ascending about 350 feot above 
 Carrier Lake, it then do-'.;onds about 250 to Salmon River. On this latter portion 
 the undulations are from (iO to 100 foot. 
 
 Tho trail follows Salmon Rivor for 2 miles, and then crosses to a tributary stream 
 of tho same river, keeping in this valley to the watershed of Swamp River. It 
 then descends to Swamp Rivor, distance in all 10 miles. This portion is hilly and 
 unilulaling, rising about 340 feet to the watershed, and descending about 90 to 
 Swamp River. Tho undulations aro from 100 to 200 feet. 
 
 From Swamp River to Carp Lake, about 11 miles, tho country is even and level, 
 passim.' over tho watershed between tho i'acitic and Arctic waters 80 feet above 
 Swamp River, and falling 140 feet to Carp Lake. 
 
 For the rest of tho distance to ilcLeod's Lake, 21 miles, the line will follow tho 
 shores of (Jarp Lake, Long Lake and tho valley of Long Lake fiiver. Tho banks of 
 the lakes arc hilly and undulating, and the valley of Long Lake River broken and 
 hilly, with deep tranvei>e valleys. The descent from Loig Lake to McLeod's Lake 
 is about 530 feet in 12^ miles. 
 
 The heaviest work between Fort St. James and McLeod's Lake will he in the 
 valley of Long Lake Rivor, principally in heavy gravel hills. Tho grades will be 
 long and sleej). From Carrier Lake to Swamp Rivor tho work and grades will be 
 heavy. For the I'ost of tho ilihtanco, modeiately light. 
 
 There is some fair soil about Fort St. James which will probably bo found suit- 
 able lor agriculture, but the rest of the country is barren, sandy and gravelly soil, 
 wilii a small growth of pojihir and spruce. 
 
 Tho watercourses on this section are generally small, Salmon River will require 
 a bridge of 00 feet, and Swamp River 30 feot ; other streams from 10 to 20 feet 
 openings. 
 
 .MCLEOD'S LAKE TO DUNVEGAN. 
 
 Between McLeod's Lake and Dunvegan, the party divided, Dr. Dawson with tho 
 piick trains g()ing by Pine Pass, and the rest of the party b}' boat, down tho Parsnip 
 and Peace River to the portage, and by raft to Dunvegan. 
 
 On the 17th .luly we descended Pack Rivor, and on tho ISth and 19th ascended 
 the Parsnip, to the mouth of tho Missinchinca River, where we ferried Dr. Dawson 
 and the cai'goes across the Parsnip. 
 
 The most suitable crossing of Pack River will bo near tho head of Trout Lake, 
 and will require a bridge about 300 foot long. Thence to near the crossing of the 
 Parsnip above the Missinchinca, tho construction will not be difficult. Tho approach 
 
62 
 
 to tho Pnr.-'nip will !«• lioavy on tlic west sido ; tho bank is 120 feet high, and con- 
 tinui!> liitfh tor two u\'\\v* ilnwn ll < lisor. Tho water-way roqiiirecl will bo atoul 
 500 foct. 
 
 ShouM it 1)0 iiecof^sary to hriiii; the lino down Pack Hivor theio would not ho 
 much ditliiultv in doin^ m), as the bunk> are t,'"norally \<>\v, from lU to 30 foot, and 
 thoro aro many llats. On tho lott bank, near tho F'ai.inip liivor, tho hanks aro stoop, 
 and ri-^o fi-oni 100 to -'00 foot. Tlioro aro M'voral ])lac.es where tho lino lould oasily 
 cros-. F'ack River Imlow Trout Lake. Tho diutanco from McLeod's Lake to tho Pars- 
 nip is abiiut 18 tniles. 
 
 From tho mouth of tho Mi-'sincliinca Rivt>r to the Nation Ilivor, a distance of 
 41 mill-*, tho ground on tho i>a>t si<lo of tho Parsnip Itivor is well suited for railway 
 construction, consisting' principally of cxtonsivo tlats along tho base of tho foothills, 
 to witliiti four miles ol' the Nation River, 
 
 In this portion at seven jtlace-j, banks from 50 to 100 feet high approach tho 
 river, causing about three miles of heavy work. 
 
 At four miles above tiio Nation River thero is a good crossing with rock banks. 
 The water is, however, doop and rapid. Tho length of the bridge would bo .'iOO foot. 
 
 From this point to a flat half a milo tVom the Nation, tho banks aro generally 
 close to tho river and arefiomliO to lOOteet high, with terraces above. On ascending 
 tho cast, bank of the Parsnip we had a good view uj) the valley of tho Nation. Tho 
 mountains ajii)earel to be about 10 miles distant, and tho lower part of tho valley 
 was ('om posed of terraces 50 to 200 toot high. On tho east sido of the Parsnip the 
 mountains aro about 8 miles distant. 
 
 Prom tho Nation to Finluy River, /{f miles, there are extensive flats on each sido 
 of tho Parsnip, alternating with bold bnrdvs of clay and gravel, with rock occasionally 
 near tho water. Tho banks rise to a height of from 100 to 200 feet, and in a few 
 places are not stable. The Finlay River is about HOO foot wide, and at tho forks 
 where the river becomes ilio Peace River, it is alH)ut 500 feet wide, deep and swift. 
 
 The Peace River )):isses through tli-,' main chain of tho Rocky Mountains between 
 Fitdav liivor and Clear Water River, in a distance of abo. 25 miles. There aro 
 flats and benches with occasioiial bliitfs of cia}' and gravel for nine miles to Wicked 
 River. Thonco to Clear Water River tho mountains approach close to the river, but 
 even hero thero aro narrow tints and bencluM alterniiting with bliitis of clay, gravel 
 and rock; sonui (d'tho clay banks sliding, also two snow-slides, causing heavy work 
 for a distance of about six miles. 
 
 The width of the river is from 500 to 800 foot, and from top to top of the moun- 
 tains throe to four miles. 
 
 The scenery, in passing through this gorge, is magnificent. 
 
 Wicked River and Clear Water River would reijuiro a wator-way of 100 feet each, 
 Thero are also seine sniallor streams from 20 to 40 foot wide. 
 
 In tho next 41 miles to the Rocky Mountain Portage tho mountains recede from 
 tho river. The hills on the north side are covered with grass, and arc wooded on tho 
 
 HOUth. 
 
 Thero are extensive flats and benches .)n this portion of Peace River, particularly 
 towards tho 'ortage, and in the neighborhood of tho Otter Tail River, Eight Mifo 
 Creek, and • 'lior hiteral streams. There are also some hold blutTs of clay and gravel, 
 sliding in a few places, and small ex])osures of rock close to the water, mc-tly near 
 Clear Water River. At the rapid "Qui no paric pas," tho river is aliou 400 feet 
 wide, in other ])laccs from 500 to 1,000 feet. Throe stj-oaras would require bridges 
 from 400 to 500 foot each. 
 
 ROOKY MOtlNTAIN PORTAOE AM) OAXTONS. 
 
 To carry tho line down through tho canyons of Peace River would ho a very 
 difficult and costly tindertaking. The distance is about 20 miles, and tho bankK aro 
 vor}' stoop, leading up to hills 500 to 1000 foot high with deep valleys intervening, 
 i n many places tho rocks are perpendicular standing from 40 to 250 feet above the river 
 
63 
 
 nd oon- 
 
 alout 
 
 1 not bo 
 ?ot, an J 
 
 rtloop, 
 
 1 easily 
 ic Parl- 
 ance of 
 railway 
 'oothill;>, 
 
 )ftch the 
 
 k banks. 
 ;jOO foot, 
 enerally 
 rtconding 
 m. The 
 10 valley 
 [•snip ilic 
 
 each side 
 
 asionally 
 
 in a few 
 
 the forkH 
 
 md swift. 
 
 i between 
 
 MuM-o are 
 
 Wicked 
 
 ver, but 
 
 , gravel 
 
 vy work 
 
 le moun- 
 
 Icetoach. 
 
 Icdo from 
 led on the 
 
 [tioularly 
 
 [gilt Mile 
 
 11 gravel, 
 
 -tly near 
 
 400 feet 
 
 bridges 
 
 a very 
 ImkK are 
 Irvoning, 
 Ithei-ivor 
 
 involving tnnno!-<, and hoavy ror-k-w-vrk. Tlio width of the rivor iti parts of the 
 canyoHN i- almul "Joii t'cot, with d«.-ep \:\\>\d water. 
 
 Ai-ro^s the portage l'» IJiid-on's llopi-. ;ilMuit lU miles, the ground is rough ami 
 hillv t\'V I'lnr miles, rising m lerraoos and lull of hollows, to a height of about ICO 
 
 fit r. It then fails evenly -AO i\ 
 
 the hi-li b.iicli nbove IVace ijiver, and then in 
 
 two steps or benches TOO f«'et more to the w.itcr of tin- river. There is no lower 
 ground between I'orlagi' Mountain and iJull Iliad Mountain. lto<k appears in tho 
 hank oi the river and in the upper teirate. The width ot Peace Kiver at Hudson'.^ 
 ll,,j..: .s 7i».'^f>.e1. 
 
 Bctwt'en Mudsun's Hope and i>uiivegini, 1.12 mile.-, the valhy of Poacro l^iver is 
 uit.-dile foi- ruiiwiiy con^lrueli'in. iVi'tn the rou^hiie-s and heii^ht of the 
 
 ni)r- %erv h 
 
 batdvs ;inil ihe deep laliTal valhys. Though liiore are numerous rials and benches on 
 either sideot the i-iver, there are also a great many phiees wiiore land and mud slides 
 exist, jiartiouhuly in tho lower |)art towards Dnnvegan where the banks are more 
 contracted. The gcncial widih of llnM'i^'cr is from "OD to l.Of'l) feet, o<'casiona!ly 
 
 widening in >hall<iw places to 
 
 >ne mile, and from to]) to t<)p of plateau from one mile 
 h 
 
 to three; the current from three to si;ven miS-s [ii«i- houi 
 
 Several large stre.'ims in deep v!ll'cy■^ (1 )vv into llui Peace I{iver from eaidi side ; 
 on the south, Moheily llivir about 10(1 ieet wide, Pine lliver HtlO feet. Mud Itiver 400 
 foet, D'Eehafaud JJiver idO feet, and Miiskrai Ifiver lUO fe<'t, also three streams from 
 •20 to 50 feel wide. «)n the north side. Middle Hivcr 200 feet, Pine Kiver North 300 
 feet, and several smaller streiirns from 20 to ,')0 feel wide. 
 
 There is not much land on tho Parsnij* suitable for agriculture, though some 
 of it may be used fornasiurt. 
 
 Between Clear Water liiver and the F'ortage there are some flats which may bo 
 cultivated, though the .-'oil is light and gravelly ; a large area of the side hills and flats 
 is suitable tor pii.sturago. 
 
 Across the Portage the soil is sandy and gravelly. 
 
 Between lludsoivs Hope and St. John the soil itn]iro\'es and is cveiywhore fit 
 for piisturage, and in many places rich and suitable fur agriculture. 
 
 From St. .John to |)iiiuegan the soil is rich and suitable lor agriculture for a 
 lerable distance on oa(di side of Pt>ace Kivcr. Seed lime cimiMnnces about the 
 
 consK 
 eni 
 
 dM 
 
 ay 
 
 Til 
 
 e sei'vico 
 
 errv is \ei 
 
 •y abundaiil in the iieiglJiourlioo 1 of Dunv^ 
 
 ■an 
 
 ami St. John, and large tcam*'; moose and bear are numerous. A few InitValo are 
 reported to have been .seen in the Spriny- near Mud River. 
 
 The timber on the llats and side hills of Pack Piver, Ihe i'arsiiip iind Peace 
 Kiver is spruce, cotton wood, poplar, black pino and birch , large anil of tine 
 (juality towards MacLeod's fjuke, and decreasing in size towards Dunvegan, where 
 the wood is principally second growth jioplar, eottonwood and spruce. 
 
 PINK UtVlUt TOWAKD." SLAVE LAKE. 
 
 On the 5th of August, in compiniy with ^[r. Cambie. f left Dinvc'giin, crossing 
 over by land to a point, on Smoky Riser, tear the [irojecied line from Piiie River lo 
 Slave Lake. 
 
 Having selected ;i ero^-sing ai Smoky River, .Mr, Cambie eotiliiiucd the e.xplora- 
 tion to Slave Lake, and I prooeoiled to Pine River, making a circuit to Iho south 
 through a part of the "(Jraiide Pr:iirie," turning north about, the longitude of 
 Dunvegan, and then westerly in the direction of the jirojeeted line above mentioned 
 to Pine River. 
 
 I met Dr. Dawson, who had come over the Pino Pa.ss with the pack trains, on 
 the inth August, at a point west of Muski-at River. 
 
 Commencing near the lower forks of Pine River, it will be necos.saty to deflect 
 tho line about milos to tho north to avoid high ground lying lo iheiasl. 
 
 There is a good crossing of the river about hali'-amile below the P(U'ks, with a 
 bank about 00 feet higli leading to it on the west side, extending uj) to near iho 
 canyon above the Forks. 
 r23— 5 
 
64 
 
 Tlio hank on > lo jsisf siilo is alii>ut (10 loot lii^'li, in iVont ot' high iii-ouinl, iVoin r)00 
 to (500 loot iihovo tho rivor. 
 
 Tho hfiiliro shouM huvo r)00 loot of watorway niul bo alioiit T<> fool abovo tho 
 rivor. tho hotioin dI' which is iiu-k. 
 
 Fcir S inilos alnnji Iho oa^' hank tho work will ho lioavy with a i^rado of 1 por 
 100. Tho .-l'<])os (if (lio banU ai'o not ililliiiili oxcopl in a tow |ii;icos. Samlstono 
 rook oiups out at a iioiiijht ol iioni 100 to TxlO toot. anJ tho slopo al»(.vo is gras.sy or 
 wot)doi.l. Thoro iiro no hu'tjo sti-oanis or dooj^ ooolo's in this .iislanio. 
 
 Tho lino will tbon cntor Uio valloy of Kavol's (.^-ook ami oiMilinue in il to its 
 soiirco, a ili.-«tani'o of about 7 niilos ; horo thoro is a stioain tlowint,' iiorth-oastoi'l^- lo 
 Poaoo iJivor. 'I'his siiinniitis about T'lO fool aboM' tlm ciossin^ of I'ino lvi\or. Tlio 
 vailoy of i'avol's Crooic is alHUil u niilo wido, ^oltitit;' narrowor towards I'liu- Jiivor. 
 Tho bolloni is wido and Mat, but narrow with hit,'h iiaiiks as it noars tho rivor. Tho 
 giMund to south and nortli is inti(-li highor, oMonding tor a oonsidcrablo di:?tunco in 
 onrli (liroctioii. 
 
 BotW'XMi this summit and Mud River, aboui ll> milos, ibo lino is oai'riod still fur- 
 thor 111 . ihward. passin;^ round tho foot ol a rantco of hiiU. Tiio oountry is noarlv 
 L'.uito within ft niiios of .Mu 1 Ikivor, and tiio work will bo lii^ht. Tho ajiproach to 
 Mud Hivor on tho wost is oa>y. Tho oro.ssin^ of HutValo Crcoiv will ro(juiro a bridge 
 about fxi toot. W ith tho oxi jption of a stroani 20 foot wido, tho cost arc small. 
 
 Tho orossing of Mutl liivor will ro(iuiro a bi'idgo of 400 tool. 00 loot abovo tlio 
 rivor. 
 
 T') ovoroomo tho summit oast of Mud Kivor, whioh is about o4(l foot abovo tho 
 orossii g, kooping tiio gradt* down to 1 jior UM), it is nooossary to loiiglhon tho lino to 
 r> milos, by plaoing the orossing somo distanoo up Miid l{i\or; this part t)f tho work 
 will bo lioavy in placos. 
 
 Ki'om lbi-< summit tho lino t'cllows ilown tho valley of Dawson's Hivor lo tho 
 l>'10ohafaud, and down th.it rivor to tho oi'ossing. a distani'o ol'ahout 10 milos, do- 
 soonding about TOO tool. Tho vailoy of Oawsun's IJivor is wido, witli ovon s1o])oh 
 and hills on oaoh sido. The work will ho light. D'hlohafand IJivor has liaiiks i.'iO foot 
 high, Xi}vy stoop in plaoos, and work will bo lioavy in approaohing tho orossing, pro- 
 b;ifily loi- o milos. It Will roipiiio a bridgo ;U)0 foot long, and about CO foot abovo 
 I ho rivor. 
 
 l''rom tho orossing tho lino will koopon llio oast sido of llio livor for a distanoo 
 ol [I milos I.) a latoral stroam, whioh it will follow to tho noxt summit, '22 milos. Tho 
 iwcenl in this distance is about (100 foot. 
 
 I'iio lower part of tho vailoy ot' this latoral siroam has high banks, sliding in 
 plaoos, will) some doop oooio's onloring from tho south, Tho work in the iVKehataud 
 vailoy, and for soiuo milos u|» tho siroam, will ho heavy. Tho ground is even for 
 tho romalning (listaiieo. 
 
 Tho eounli-y lying to tho east of this walorshod is oven and undulating, tho only 
 clitMeiilty being tho cros.'ing of siioams, some of them with deep valleys. 
 
 About miles t'roin tin* summit thoro is a siroam, with a vailoy Oil foot doop and 
 narrow, reipitring an oiioning of M) foot Tho lino is jihu ed to i ho south of a bramdi 
 ot'tiic same stn^atn, from tho wi'st, running jiaiallol lo it. Tho doMont to this jxiint 
 is about liliO foot. 
 
 A branch of Miiskrat llivor i,s crossed in about (J miloH in a small vailoy will) a 
 bridge of SO dot. Tlu' lino will tlion keep to tho soiiih of this braiudi to sociiro a 
 lavoarablo oro.s>ing of Mii>kral iJivor, distant .'iboul ,'> miles. Wherotho (rail erosses 
 this liver, below the l'\)rks, the valley is LI III t'oel deep and oib-tlnrd (d a mih^ wido 
 at lop. The line oros>iiig wiii ])robably bo nariow, and about 100 loot doop, with a 
 bridge (d" SiM'eot opeiiin;;-. Tho dosoont in th(> lied 1 1 miles is about 200 foot. 
 
 Iletwoon Muskrat Hiv(U' and (iliosl Hivor, about" miles, tho ground is nearly 
 lovol, tho lino passes .'ouiid to the north of somo high ground rising lo the .south, Jind 
 tlion follows a moro Houtherly coiirso to Sinoky l{i\or. 
 
 The valley of tihost Kivor is small ; it will r0([uiro a bridge of 50 loot, about ;{() 
 foot high. 
 
G5 
 
 IVoin 500 
 XIVO llio 
 )f I per 
 
 il (o ils 
 
 n: The 
 10 Jvivor. 
 .p. Tl.o 
 ,tiiiu'0 in 
 
 still fur- 
 ls Hourly 
 proiU'h to 
 ;v liridj^o 
 lali. 
 
 ,'OOVO till' 
 
 iliovo tho 
 ho lino to 
 tho work 
 
 iir to tho 
 mil OS, do- 
 
 Ml KllopOS 
 
 s IM toot 
 iiiii;, jiro- 
 ol iibovo 
 
 distaiu'o 
 lilos. Tho 
 
 Islidiiig in 
 Kohatainl 
 oven lor 
 
 tlio only 
 
 I (loop and 
 |u hranoh 
 I his point 
 
 |y with a 
 :^o^u^c a 
 lil orossos 
 inilo wi.lo 
 ji, with a 
 II. 
 
 trt iioaily 
 l)iith, ami 
 
 about ;}0 
 
 Between Gho-t Eivor and Briil^ Hivor, ahont six niiloi^, the f.urfaoo riwos 00 foot 
 
 in one ami one third n»ilos, then Uoops about tho satno level to tiio banks ctl' ll 
 
 10 
 
 rivor, 
 
 Tin 
 
 uniti'>' is yonth' iii.didati^'i;. 
 
 The vaili-y of Hiuk ilivor is about mu-third of a niilo from bank to 1 ank, nml 
 .'50 feet ileop. A bridtre ot 50 trot opouiiij; and 70 loot high will be reqwiiod. Tho 
 api)i"oaoh on the west wdl bo heavy lor about a mile. 
 
 On leaving Hi-ulo l\iver, tho lino will pas; over a water-shod between Peace Iliver 
 
 and 8mokv River, ihe groumi rising ]'M) fool in about tour mile 
 
 It then ileseend.s 
 
 into the valley ol Katool I'rooic and Wukc I iliver, which Hows into .Smoky Jtivor, 
 near tho ))ro|)osed oro>siiig, in all about 'J.i> miles. 
 
 Work will bo heavy for a milo east of Hrule Kiver, then light over tho water- 
 shed and down the valley of Katoot ("reek ibr a considofable distance. This valley 
 is wide and oven until it a]iproaches Wicked J\iver, when it becomes deep and narrow 
 with bold lands and occaMnnal laud slides. The vallev ol Wicked River is also of tho 
 same ditlicult I'haracter to its Jiiiu'lion with Hmoky Ifisor. 
 
 The descent Irom the water-shed above mentioned tn the level of Smoky Kiver 
 is about 700 toot in '22 miles. 
 
 Jn tho vicinity of the mouth of Wicked River, (he valley of Smoky River is from 
 400 to 500 foot deep, about a mile wide from top to top, with an interval or flat from 
 one-fourth to one-half a mile wide on ciihci- side of the river. The slopes of tho liunks 
 are generally go<iil and stable, with ledges of sandstone appearing occasionally. 
 
 Where there are sharp bends, and Ihe current approaches the bank.s, there aro 
 pomctimos land slides Irom 50 to 100 feet high. 
 
 The bridge is ]n-oposed to bo 100 foot high with a water-way ol 750 feet. 
 
 On crossing the river the line will tnllovv the right bank, keeping in the valley 
 throngii a long reach ti) the eastwanl, or until tho level of the plateau is gained. Tho 
 grades west and east of the river will exceed 1 per liiO, and the works will bo very 
 heavy for at least three miles on each side ot the bi'idge. 
 
 The remainder of the route to Slave Lid<e, wjis examined by ^fr. ('aml)ie, who 
 then returned to British Columbia ri<i the Tine Pass. A'/i roi/'i ho examined tho 
 country lying to the north of the Peace River to Hudson's Hope, tlieue(i across by 
 Moborfy'.H Lake to Pine River. 
 
 As the sousoii was now well ii<lvaiui'd (5ih September), and the prospect of meet- 
 ing Mr. Ti'.pjicr U'' '.iie west of the Athabasca wtis very uncertain, he being still at 
 Kdmonton on the 2nd ol August. Wo decided that tho leinainder of the exploialioii 
 east vard should be divided between [>r. I>a'vs()n and iuy>cll. Pr. Oaw-on undertook 
 the examimdiiiu rid Slave Laki to Lac i,a Biclic, and I coiuimied south-easterly 
 
 from the upper crossing ot Smoky River, the position of which Wi 
 
 uid 
 
 ii'ovio 
 
 usiy 
 
 moo to 
 
 lecidod, towards Dirt Lake. 
 
 Dr. Dawson ai'compauiod me to Ihe Athabasca, thence he travelled by o; 
 Slave Lake, having sent his a-<sislant by the 11. 15. route to examine tho couutij 
 north ol tolave Lake. We met at I'Aimonton on the :.'Oili of October. 
 
 I'lNH lUVEH ToW.VUns DlUl l,.\lvK. 
 
 From the crossing of Pine River near ilio Liuvcr Forks tor adistauce ol alioul 50 
 inilos, this line will be common to the one leading to .Slave liakc, except that it will 
 keep tho south side of Dawson's Kiver. 
 
 It will then lollow up llie south bank oftlie ea^l or mam branch of D'lMdiafiiud 
 ]{ivor to tho watersluvl between it ami Smoky River, tihout "JS miles. 
 
 The ground is about 100 feet lower at 50 miles than tln> t.ummit west of tho 
 D'Piidiafaud, and the line will preserve nearly the same level for two miles lo tho 
 croHsiiig ol a considerable stream contiiig in from the south. An opening ol 50 loot 
 will be icipiirod here, and the approaches on eadi sido will bo very heavy. 
 
 Tho liiu^ will then a-cend the east branch, rising about I'OH foci in I'J miles. A few 
 milcd at tho lower ond will be dillicult of coiisiruciion, as tho biinkrt aro high, rough 
 12J— 5i 
 
66 
 
 and brokpn, with rack cxponnivs in pl.-icos. Tlu> cmmfry in (ho north und sondi ]•* 
 hii^h imd liiolu'M, I'isitij^ (nun tUMI to S(l(l (('(>(. iiIm)vi> tlu" vallo}'^. 
 
 I'm- ll\<' r.'-'l 1)1' thi' distance to tlic wiitcisliivi ll 
 
 IC \ill|l' 
 
 M'ork will }.;iMuirall\' lit> lii,dil. Tin' ii'niaindci' oC 
 
 III 
 
 inoro tn 
 
 I'll, and (ho 
 
 i^fiori's is aliiaa 47'* Ci'i't. 
 
 On ]iassini,' llio Hiiminit the lino will tnjlow iho valley oC l^ejiver Ijodi^e ,Hivoi 
 
 lor 1 I miles, tlien passing over a li 
 
 < I i v i 
 
 to lii-ar IJivor and <ronsiti>; it the line 
 
 will tiillow its north hank to iiw juiiplion with I'lik l{iv«(r, whieh Htrciun it- will t'ollow 
 
 lo >Sinol<y l\'iv( 
 
 III al 
 
 dtoiil 
 
 ll .»( inilOH. 
 
 'I'he vnlleys ol these slieaiOM are wi 
 
 Kle with even hIoih 
 
 n, exeepl the lowor jiart oi 
 
 l'',lk Kivor, where the hanks ar(^ sleep and hold. 'I'he work will iu> li^liL, oxeopt for 
 
 houl two null's as ahove 
 
 The irroiiiidi (alls ahunt 10(1 feet in two and a half inilos lo tlio e,rosHiii;:ij of 
 J^'nver l/odi^e iiiver. This stream will rei]niro an openin^c "' jdioiit Tilt Ceol. 
 
 Tho deseellt to tji 
 
 do hetween (his and |t( ar Uivei is aliniit L'70 teet, und tiio 
 
 remainder ot'lhe de^eenl to Smoky iliver, ahoiit sf)!! lin^t. 
 
 Hear i\'iverwill iee,nire an openin,!^' of HO led, and another slroam (lowing ind 
 Bear Lake 30 feel, 
 
 Tho host erossiiie- of Smoky i\iver is at tho mouth of l",lk- Kivor, where lln^ 
 hridfjjo will ho f)!!!) teet, alioiil ,"t) t'eiU ahove the river, Tiio hanks hoio aro from 
 .'{ilO to ■100 feet hiuh and ahdiit three (piai tors of a mile (loni tup (d top. |n man}- 
 jilai'os where (lie, slroam toiiehes the haso ol' the sIojh'h, the land slides from tJO tn 
 'iOO feet hiuli. There nvo ^enornlly tials on »'ilhor side of the river, 
 
 Tho liiu' will lollow tho east hank (iir two miles (o tho mnutli of.Sinionotto Fiivor , 
 ahoiii a (jnarter of a mile of this will lie lu'avy on account of land-slides, 
 
 I'rom Smoky Jilivor to fjiltle Smoky IJivcr tlie ijreatt'r part ot'lhe work will ho 
 easy, as tlu; eoiinlry is (>ven and undulalinu;. The line will cross Simoiietto Iviver, and 
 havitii^ ascoiiik'd to tho plateau lo\el, will folluw the rivor's course for a eoiisidorahli' 
 distnnco, then tho vmIIi'v (i| a trilmlaiy sl.ioam to its s(Uiroo, within oi;j;lil miles of 
 JiittleSmoky Hivor. Tlioro aro a low lur;i;ocoolo'scultiiiir throuj^h (ho north hank of 
 Siinonede iJivcr, an! it will ho necessary to keep the line near ihc i)o(tom of the 
 valley till they an> crossed, 'i'he hanks nf Simniu'lti^ K'i\'or arc |00 feeli liii^h, 'J,ll<iO 
 foot ajiarl, and the work will he hoavy in jdaces till tho u|tpor level is rea(dieil. The 
 lu'id^'o will he 50 i foot water-way and .'iO foot hi^h. 'iho distance from Smoky 
 Kivor (o tho walershod ol Little Smoky Kivor is about (18 miles, und the asconi 
 
 in 
 
 distan 
 
 ihout 1.100 foot. 
 
 The line will tiieii descend lo the crossin,','of Littlo Smoky Kivor, fallinu; ahout l,'t() 
 foelin I'J miles. This val'ey is ahout 100 f(;et dee]), and trom ti iinarlor lo a Inilf iiiilo 
 witlo. 'Iho li;inks j.ro i;onerallv oven, with occasional land slides and siuiio rook 
 oxposures. The stream will ro(piiro a hridiro ilOO feet oiieninj^ .and .'{0 loot hiifli. 
 
 Kclwoen ];iille Smoky Kivor and tho Athahiuca, there is a lii!;h ridtj;e of hills, 
 oxtondinix i" i> north easterly direction, and 
 
 favor 
 
 ll 10 pass III the iieii 
 
 illel to (he i\lliahasca, 'i'ln; most 
 irho'd ol our Ir.ail ii hy liio valley of Marsh Head Kivor. 
 
 Tiioi'c aro, however, two other vallex's iikmo to Mie ninth, or low(>r down LiMlo 
 that ol Sninky Kivcr, ilio stroam (low iii;^; IImmu.^Ii the l';osw•a^•un Lake, and also o( 
 (loose liivor, wdicri' tiivorahle lines may he (i und to the Athah:isc,'i. 
 
 These liilU rise to a hoi,).rh( of ahout 'K^ii feel ahove fjilllo Smoky liiver, and (100 
 fool ahove tho ,\thaliasc;i. 
 
 'J'<. r 
 
 each ilic viillov of .March Jload Iv'ivor, it will ho iie( cssary to d<'tiect tl 
 
 lino lo iho south for 10 miles, wliero tho ili\idin.i^ ridi,fo is aiionl TjoO foot ahovo Liltlo 
 
 Sm 
 
 okv Iv'ivor. It will then doscond tho v.-illey ot' .Marsh lliii 1 h'iver lo its junction 
 
 with the Athaha.-ca, lalliiiu- ah(Uil 100 feet 
 
 III 
 
 H) mil 
 
 he \'!ilio\' ol 
 
 M; 
 
 Head 
 
 Jviver is hroad, ami tlu' .slopes ^ood, Ihc huUnm (lal ami maisliy. The \vork on this 
 
 loi'tioii wi 
 
 h 
 
 mnilcralely hea\y, llioic Ijoiii;.; snine i.lc(^p cross \alleyi 
 
 The Alhahascii is a lar/j;o rapid rivor, in a di'op valley, from tliroo lo four niilos 
 wide at to|i, and ahout luilfa milo in tho holtoni. Thoro arc) iiiinierons islands, (lals, and 
 hoiicheH slandiiifi from .'iO to 100 foci abovo llio river. The crossin;^ will ho I'oar Iho 
 mouth o( Atarsh Jload Jtivor, and will reipiiro a bridge of (!00 foot opoiiing, .'JO foot 
 
6T 
 
 Botwoon tlio Atl»ai)aH(',uiin(l Mc[jo(mI Kivors, iho loiuitry is vory hilly and In'okcn. 
 lintnciliMtiily to (lio ciist i>r tlic Aili;iliasc;i tin' liill* ai'd '.'1)0 foot hIjovi' llio rivof, 
 nu'i-''asiiti;' in Ihm^IiI Io tlio somiIi, ami uIsd J.owanis lli« M( Lco-i. Ono of tlm riiltfOH 
 piissi'd ovor nil llm ti-ail is 14(I(» I'tn't aliovo tin' A ilialia <i-:i, Tlu^ i n I erven i lit; valloys 
 iii'i) iVoin ;{()()((> ()()() leel (let'|i. TKUarils tlm nuilli ilic liiil> iniidually dccroiw** in 
 liciikdit, arul lornunatc near ilio Alliiil»asc,!i. 
 
 'I'd iPNorfcnic Mhsc dilllciill ii's il will \h\ necessary to loiluw u (;irciii*.<)ii-, eoiirne, 
 iiorlliwanl, pa-iHin^ found the .liMiildiiN nri|n' IuIIm, ;iiid n\> the valleyn. Tliu 
 iindiilalioiiH will l)e ahoiil '.HH) I'rel and the i^rndcs nearly I per I'M) tliroiiijlioiit llie 
 f^realer |iail, oC the distanee, r)H miles. The work will t;((nerally he h« avy, pari im- 
 laily at ihp <'roMsin;f o|' il lar;,'e rapid i-i ri'ain, tlowin^c into the Meljeod, wliicdi will 
 reipiire a lirid^f^ H'O feel Inni; and 100 Ici't hi'di. Three <il her streams will reipiiro 
 hridf^es from liO to lOI) lecl ea<di. 
 
 A praeliejihle line may also in) found hy followiim down the V'alh^y ol" llio 
 Athahaska, Io near the eiiiil!uen< e nf ihe Meljeod, then up the laUer river Io the 
 erossin;^. This eoiirs(> will riuil I ho litems via ' Jnose lii\or, or I'loswiiguii l.uk'o ahovo 
 iiKMil lolled. 
 
 WIkmh^ Ihe line erosses the i\tel,eod, I he .;.'roMnd is idiout 200 foot hi;j;ii(e' tiniri iil 
 llu» Alhahasea erossiiij;. A Ini It^e 'M)>) |i'el lon^j; und U> ti'ei iii^li will he re(|iiiied. 
 'I'll" valley is wide and even, and the h'lnks of ih<! .ivei 100 feel, iii>^h, with oci asional 
 low llats. Sandstono roek ,'ippears in many pliices. 
 
 h'ive miles west ot' the AIclitMid wtM-taehed Mr. Tapper's trail, and a^'cerlained 
 Ihat he had returned In l''jdnionloii, in eonHe(|iieiiee of the dillieiilty o) I'litljn^ through 
 Ihi^ windfallH, iind iiein;^ short of provisions. 
 
 The trail was made fm- some miles I'iiiIIkm' west, and .-.oim' of the. party had gono 
 on foot to liie, Athahasen, and had hd'i, a memoiamliim at ihe river, whieh Dr. Daw.soii 
 (iiiind, on liiK |oiiriiey down. 
 
 The line, on leiiviiif; ijie MeLivid, will asn-nd Io Ihe wal.ershc^d of Ihe Loli.HlieIc, 
 7 I'lile.s wilh a rise nf .'fOO feet, Inllowin^'; the valley ot ;i small stream. Un ahoiiL a 
 mile of this, near the .Mi |;(>od, tiie work will ho heavy and the re.l light. 
 
 It will iheii deseeiiil hy t he north-west hraiudi of Ihe li(disl.iid< to l)irl,Tjako 
 I'eaehing it in )■") miles, and falling ahoul. ;iOO feel. The valley of this stream is 
 hioiul and Hwampy, oxtendiiiH' a eonsidurahle dislanee to the south. To \.\\r noi l,h 
 the eoiintry is high and hilly, apiiaririlly for a lonjr dis.,anee. Work will generally 
 he liirhl to hii'l Lake, c^xeept tint eros^ing of three si reiuus roipiiring hridi^^es of iil) 
 loot. 
 
 From liie head of |)irl Lalce to the loi.aled line, the railway will Ibllovv llio 
 north shore, and iros the ri(d>stiek near Ihe lower end of (lie hiUo, ihoneo along Iho 
 south sido of the linh.-^liek , in all ahoiil 'JO miles. The fall in this distanee will not 
 t^xeeeil 50 leet. 
 
 Tie" niu'lh \M'~ lerii shor(> of I )ir(. Tiake i.- hold and hroken, rising Io high hillH 
 lor two-lhirds of tlnUength of Ihe lake, (au.iiig liiMvy wmk. for Ihe reinainiog 
 distance, the ground i.s oven, but marshy, and ilio work will he light. 
 'Pho liohstick will re(|iiiro a hridge 100 walcr-way and HO feet high. 
 The total distance from Pim^ River to the located line, as ah'ive, in 'Ml iniloH, 
 joining ihe loeaUnl line near the 1,27-nd mile, or stalinn 2iiH of laicim' Survey. 
 
 All disiances given in this rep(M'Mue cslimateil, in mosl cases hy llio varioilH 
 rales ol'ti'avel, checked oec'iisionalty hy oh.servalions for laiiliidc ; Iml as the cuiiiiti'y 
 traversed is Viu-y rough, and filled with windlall.s and hriilis, jiariicularly from I'ino 
 
 Uiver (o the I 
 
 iOli,- liciv, llie\' ^||nu 
 
 i| lie con-iji 
 
 lere 1 a-* only approximalely correct. 
 
 The rise and lall are laken from conslant. readings nl ;i -mall aneroid, wdiicli 
 method can only he riilied (Hi for compaiaiive heighls, l,akon ul short inter\al.s of 
 liino. 
 
 HOII., TIMnKU, &'), 
 
 The land most Hiiilalile for agiicnllure is (imnd in llie plnleaiix of Iho valley of 
 I'oace Jiivoi' and its irihiilarioH. Thesio j[jlaleuux extend I'runi 'i Io «0 luiloH on uuch 
 
68 
 
 eido of the bunks of the rivers, decrotiKin^ in widtii towards the sources, and are 
 tjoparated from each other by tangos of hilly broken country forming the wutorshoJs 
 between tlio tributmics. 
 
 The best })art of the country may be comprised in the space between latitude 
 54^ 30' and Sti'' 30', and between longitude 117" and 121°, in ihe shape of an A, with 
 its apex near Hudson's Hope. Avery coubidoruble poitioii of this urea is taken up 
 with the I'anges of hills above sjntUen of. 
 
 The plateaux stands from 800 to 1,0()0 feet above Peace River, and at leaser 
 heights above the tributary streams, according to their distance fnjm the main river. 
 The soil is vei'y lieh, resting on a sub soil ol silt, but the surface appeared wot and 
 cold, caused probably by recent heavy rains. 
 
 On the ridges tlie soil is generally light, and in some parts sandy. 
 
 The surface of the plateaux is undulating and occasionally hilly, with openings 
 or prairies varying from a mile to 5 miles in width covered vviih grass, pea vine, &c. 
 
 The rest of the country is coveted with woods, generally second growth, of 
 |i>.iplar, Cottonwood, spruce, ])i(ch pine, birch and tainarac. '"here are large areas 
 of brules, and windfalls, making it a very diftieult countiy to explore. 
 
 The spruce and cottonwool! in the river bottoms, and occa.'^ionally on the high 
 lands is large, and of good cpiality. 
 
 From Little Smoky River to the located line at the Lobstick, the soil in the 
 Valleys and side hills is generally good, though freiiuently wet and marshy. On the 
 high ground light, sometimes sand}', and barren, with moss and muskegs. 
 
 There are a few smnll prairies in tlie Lobstick V^allcy, the rest of the country is 
 covered with poplar, cotlonwood, spruce, pitch pine, bii'ch and tamaiac, mostly 
 of the original growth, a large proportion being ol good size and tine quality. Erules 
 and windfalls are numerous, and very extensive in this section of the country. 
 
 A seam of coal S inches thick was found near the water level of Pine River. 
 Small blocks wore found in the gravel of other streams, widly separated from each 
 other. 
 
 watel 
 valk] 
 Isles I 
 avoi(| 
 Bit 
 
 the rl 
 the III 
 the 
 line 
 Ilillsl 
 
 Ste. 
 
 OMMiVTE. 
 
 So little has been done in the Peace River country in the way of grain raising, it 
 is not easy to forni a correct opinion, as to its capabilities in that respect. 
 
 ^Vheat has been grown successfully at Hud.son's Hope, Dunvegun, and Slave 
 Lake, liarley, oats, and roots may bo considered a sure crop, and the ordinary 
 garden vegetables thrive well. 
 
 JJuring our slay in the country (Angustl we experienced frost occasionally. On 
 the (jth, ice formed in the water bucket at night, and on the lilst there were 14° of 
 frost four miles west of Mud River, and about twenty miles south of Peace River. 
 During the day, the sun was hot and powerful. We were infoimed that frosts occur 
 occasionally in .June, but very .seldom. In .luly in the " (.rrand Prairie," lying eouth 
 of high ground and to the south of Peace River, summer frosts are said to bo less 
 frofiuont. A comparison of the foliage, in the earlj' part of September, appeared to 
 confirm this, 
 
 The snow-fall is said to be from 18 to 30 inches, it ban very rarely been known 
 to bo much deejier. Horses winter out well on the side hills, where shelter is near 
 at hand. 
 
 PEMIHNA KIVER TO THP 'rir.I-OW 'HILLS. WEST OF BATTLEFOIID VIA SASKATCHEWAN. 
 
 Continuing my journey to Edmonton and Baltloford, T made an examination for 
 an alternative line between the Pembina River and the Willow Hills, with tlie object 
 ofavoidintr lieavy work on the lino surveyed in 1875, at va.ious jK/int'. viz: 
 
 The diiluult country between White Ijake and the North Saskatchewan; the 
 crossing ol Ibis river; also the crossings and aj)proaches to White Mud, Butl'alo and 
 Cirizzly Boar Coole's. 
 
69 
 
 The proposed line will leavo the piosotit location near tho l,2t»5th milo, at the 
 walcr-slieil between I lie Pcniliin.'i and .Suirgeon Uiver. If will then doi'-oiul the 
 valley of iho latter I'iver, kct'|)in^' aloni,' liie nui'tii shorea ol' IJoiind Lake, Lae dei 
 Isles and Lav Ste. Ann. The line will pinljahly rioss the Slni-.ijeon three times to 
 avoid long hends in the river to tin.' north and Mtiiiii, the east crushing heing bolew 
 Big Jjakc, near Si Alberts. 
 
 From this place it will pass over a low divide to the Saskatchewan, crossing 
 the river, Fort Saskatchewan, about 20 miles below Fort lidinonton. Thenee round 
 the north shoulder of the Heaver Hills to tho chain of lakes and V^crmilion liiver, 
 the vallc}- of which il will follow till the stream takes a northcily diieclidn. The 
 litie will then leave this valley, iu\d pa.-sing round the north side of tiio Four Blackfoot 
 Hills, it will again |(«in the ^urvcytd line ni'ar the l,t)3t)tli mi e in tho Willow Hills. 
 
 The length of this deviation will be about 2^10 miles, and will probably be a few 
 miles shorter than the lino ot 1875. 
 
 Tho upper part of Sturgeon Kivor Valley is wide and oven to the outlet of Ijac 
 Ste. Ann. Tho bottom is marsh}' and the hills rise wiili even slopes on eacli side. 
 
 At a lew bold points on the north shore of Ijac des Isles, and on the stream 
 between this lake and Lac Ste. Ann, ilu; work will be moderately heavy and the re- 
 mainder light. The de>centin this distance is small. 
 
 From Lac Ste. Ann to tlu^ tir-^t crossing of the Sturgeon, the valley is narrow, 
 with high ground to tho noi'th. The descent here is more rapid and the work will bo 
 moderately heavy. The banks at the crofsing aio about ;U) teet high. 
 
 Between the first and third crossings, the valley i> wider and evon, and the work 
 will bo light, ])assing o\er undulating ))lains I'isini^ to the south up to the second 
 crossirtg, and to the north between tho second and tiiii'd. TIk' descent in the river in 
 this distance is sinidl. The banks at the lower crossing are about 7" ieot h gh and 
 a quarter of a mile apart. Bridges lOo frei ertch will be required at the crossings. 
 
 From St. Alljort to the Saskatchewan the grontid is even and undulating, ami tho 
 work will be light. 
 
 The propo.-ed crossing is to an island fmnied by a shnigh about 100 feet wide. 
 Tho baidis stand from 20 to 80 foot above the water on each side and aro Hrm and 
 jiermancnt. On the west side there is a tlal about two miles long and half a milo 
 wide, rising by an evofi slope to the ])latcau level, about l,")tl feet above the rivei'. On 
 the east .side, on leaving tin island the Hat is narrow, and tho gi'ound rises to 70 feet 
 above the river, and contin les to ascend slowly to the Meavor Hills, which are hero 
 about five milos distant. A bridge with u water-way of hOO feoi, will bo required 
 ai'i'o.ss the main channel, and an()ther ot lUO feel acro.-s the slough. The appuouchea 
 on each side will be moderately heavy for about a mile. 
 
 On leaving tho .Saskatchewan the line will follow a north easterly course for about 
 20 miles to the n(.>rth end o| thy Heaver Hills, The as( eni in the tirst 10 miles is 
 about 2r»0 feet, tlien nearly level. Tho ground is even and undulating, and the work 
 will be light. 
 
 From tho end of the Beaver Hills tho direction 
 Vermilion Kiver, about I-iO miles. 
 
 A stream .'30 feet wide is cro.ssed in about 10 miles, running north to tho Saskafc 
 chowan. The va lie}' is a (pnirter of a mile wide, and tJOI'eei, dc.qi. Tho wator-shod 
 to Vermilion Uiver is two miles east of this streiim. 
 
 The de.scont of the Vermilion Hiver is snndl, anil tho mlcrvoning country is un- 
 dulating, witii oci'asioinil lulls to north and south. The work will be light. 
 
 The line will Inllow the valley of A'ciinilioii Kivir southerly lor about 40 milos, 
 keeping on ili.' nori.li side, along the shores of the chaiinif lakes. The valle}' is about 
 one mile wide at biltom two at lop, and from lOO to 1."jO feet deep; the slopes aro 
 even, and there are few places where heavy work will bo icquired, The fall of the 
 btroam i.s srn.'ill throughout this disiiiiici . 
 
 To the south the (ountry lise-i in small hills and lidgcs to a height of 300 to 400 
 feel above tho river, The V'erinili(Ui will require a bridge with an opening of 100 
 feet. There aro no lai'go streams llowing in from the north. 
 
 is more easterly to tho valley of 
 
 ling ni 
 tJOI'eei. dcp. 
 
TO 
 
 On croHsin/x <ho rivor (lio lino will follow a vciy direct easterly course to iho 
 surveyed lino of 187"). Tlio work, in umco ruling to the plaloaii lovoi, will bo mod o- 
 riitely lit'iivy for aliout two miles. In ahoul. 80 milcrt the lino will jianH over the 
 water-»h('(! (o Mattle Rivoi", rising about l!r>0 feel in tliut distaneo. 
 
 In this ]iart of the counlry, the ground rises to tho south towards the Four 
 BlacUloot Hills, and is liill}- and rolling, wiili winliilatioiis IVom 40 to 150 foot. Tho 
 hills are detached, and thoro will probalily bo no ditllculty in finding a satisfactory' line, 
 by keeping to tho north of tho trail, where there seems to bo a valley running in tho 
 direction of the projjoseil line. This courso will also lie tho most diioot, while ovon 
 in the Tioighb>)rliiio(i of the li'ail a jiracticable line can be f(jund. The work .vill gene- 
 rally be light, and occasionally, moderately heavy. 
 
 From the JJattle liivor water-shed to the located line, tho country is oven and 
 undulating, and the work will be light. 
 
 Tho lino above describeil, between tho Siskatchewan Rivor and tho 8urve5'e(l 
 lino at Willow Hills is circuitous, and it is probable that, on further o.xaminatioii, a 
 shorter line can be found by crossing the Heaver Hills mort* directly and following a 
 coiiise loatling to the south bend of tho Vermilion River, theiicc to Ihe same point or 
 junction with the line of I'^Tf) in the Willow Hdls. This line would cross lh" Vctf 
 milion near its source, where the v;illey is probiibl}' sm.'dl, with a bridge of (10 foo- 
 o])ening, and would bo considerably shorter than tlio surveyed lino. Tho grades 
 would i>ot be excessive, but tho work would occasional!}' bo heavier. 
 
 hvM 
 
 Sandf 
 
 SOIL, TIMBER, ETC. 
 
 Belwoon tlio Pembina and Willow Hills, on this route, the soil, with very little 
 exception, m.ay be describcvl as excellent farming land, particularly in the neighbor- 
 liood of I'^dmonton and tlu^ Heaver Hills. 
 
 To the east of Kgg Lake the soil \h lighter, but still good. Towanls the Willow 
 Hills it improves, and is very good. On the slojtes and tojis of lulls it is light and 
 clayey, with boulders occasionally. 
 
 The aiipcar.'ince ol the country has improved very much in the last three years 
 in the vicinity of Edmonton. There ai'o now «;xtonsive farms b(>tween Ltie Sle. Ann 
 and the Heaver Hills, growing wheat and other grain in large (luantitios. Several 
 Hpocimotisot grain and straw were obtaineil from tho settlors, who seemed to be well 
 pleased with their jirospects. Potatoes and root crops are very 8ucco.ssfully culti- 
 vated. 
 
 The country is wooded to a point a few milos oast of Lac Sto. Ann ; then opiui 
 prairi(>s, alternating with cojises of woods to near Kgg Tiako, and thence to the 
 Willow Hills, |irairi(> land predominates and wood is generally scarce. 
 
 .Second growth poplai, cottotiwood, spruce and bindi . -ire the prevailing woo<ls, 
 but round the shore.-, of Lac Stc. Ann, there is .-oino tino largo spruce and cottonwood 
 of good (]uality. 
 
 We arrived at Winnipeg on the 2nd December, liaving exporiencod voiy c<ild 
 weather Jbotween EilmoiUun and Winnipeg. 
 
 I have the honor to bo, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 HENin' A. F. MacI.KOD, 
 
 M. ftisf. (\ E. 
 
 Sandford Fleming, Esq , (^M.G.,. 
 
 Engiuoor-in-Chiof. 
 
APPENDIX No. 4. 
 
 UEl'ORT ON THR TRIAf- LOCATION SIIHVEY, FROM IIKAD OF WORK INLKT 11' THE 
 HICEENA HrVER, MY MR. (iKORdE A. KEEFER. 
 
 New WESTMiNSTiii., B. C, 
 
 Jaiiuaiy 23 nl, 1880. 
 
 SandpoRD Pleminh. E.iq., C.M.fJ. 
 Kngiiicoi--in-Cliic)r. 
 
 Dear Sir, — In acconlnnw witli (ho hiiIwIsimco of yo'H' instriiction^^, my woik foi- 
 the paMt KcaKf)ii iiJiM Ijin'ii coiiliiieil to a ti i.il location liom tlio head of the Wurk 
 Inliit lliroii^li the "ilivide" to the Hkcetia liivcr, ami Llieine as far eastward, 
 I'ollovvir)!^' till' nortli or riirht hardv of the i-iver, as the season wmild admit; also 
 ombraciii^f an examination id Ihe sjiores of Wark Inlet with a view to the iiUimatu 
 cxtormion of the line to I'ort kSiinpson, and a j^encral opinion us to the adaptability of 
 that point as a lecminal harbor for the Canadian Paeilic Railway. 
 
 On the 3i\i of June iusi, in (•om|)any with Messrs. Cambie and McLood, I left 
 for Vii.!toria on the Hudson Hay (>)'s. steamer " I'rineess Loui>e," landint: my party 
 and sup|)!ies at I'orl Essinj,'ton on the 5tb. 
 
 P(Mt Kssiiiijjton or Sjiiicksute is a small ln<lian villaj^e or tradin/jj post at tho 
 mouth of the .Skeena, and about nine miles b<dow the southern or Skeena entrance to 
 tho divide, leadin^^ to Wark Inlet. 
 
 On tho followini,' day, — Mr Cambin havin^r>-(>cured the steamer for that ])urpose — 
 an examination of For! Simpson and Wark Iidet was made, and returning- to E^jrt 
 lisMinj^ton, I joined my party the same evenintf. 
 
 Ah Mr. (.'ambie has in bis leport /^iven a lull ami exhaustive description of tho 
 i)oiiits embraced in tiiat part of your inslruetions relating; to Port Simpson and Wark 
 Inlet, it will be unnecessary for me to ,1,'ive it more than a brief notice, eoidininj^ 
 myself more jiarticul.'irly to the jioition co\-(>red by my trial location. 
 
 .\s all nautical authorities have !ii,'reed upon the adviinta^'os of Pm't Simpson 
 over any oxistinn- harbors on the northern coast, tiiere oidy remains th'' que-tion of 
 itH capacity and the facilities of its land ap|»roaebos, to determine wbethci- it may be 
 fonsidored as a fi( terminal point, for ai\ important railway, and if filling;- the require- 
 motits conseipient upon such an impoitaiil selection. 
 
 The area of the liarbur is ^iillicietit f'lr I be pui'|tose, pusses-in:,' an aiudiora^o of 
 overfoui si|uaie miles, It is sheltered to the north and west by the shores ami out- 
 lying islands, bi't is exjioscd in pnrt to the S.W. wind ; tbe--ea, however, is broken by 
 a reef or kel|( bed f irmim; a naturid breakwater, but which does not prevent the full 
 force of the wind beim^ fell li'ou) that direction, and would plls•^iMy prove awkwaixl 
 for ves.sels e.\po.-ed to it-. I'ull force, but there is still a cutu|iaralively l.-irire area of 
 sheltered ancliora,i,fu left. 
 
 The siiorcH are low, -tlopinj; back !j;radually, easy of approa(di and suitable for 
 extensive wharfaffo, ami possisssing a buildim,''area of sidlleie!!! extent to meet any 
 reiiuiri^ments (d'tbe future. 
 
 The entrance to Wark Inlet from the P.)r(laiid f 'b.'innel, sotne eit^'bt miles wide at 
 thi» point, is easy ol'ap|iroach, but not exc.eedinj^ ■J,(lO'l feet in width, with deep water 
 to the base of the bliifl's tiirminj.; tho sjioros on either sidi\ 
 
 III tho extension ol the line from my initial point at tho head of Wark Inlet 
 northward to Port Simpson, some lij, miies, tho work may he classed as very heavy, 
 und soino aix luilob cxcoHsively HO, Tho outline of the shore, iillliough gouerally 
 
w 
 
 direct, is vory inofnilar, slmip indiMitiitioTis arc frcxinent, vai-iod by projtH'tini; points 
 ot I'itlii'r rock or liroUcii I'ock-y side liill, in prolilo varyini:; iVoni slope-* one, mie and 
 a liult' and iwo to ont). Altliou^^h tlio tide rises atid lails sonic is tec t, there is no 
 mur{;in or lieacli available tor tlio einijanictneiit, and tlio line nnist Iheret'oio 
 be almost onlirely ii\ ciitlin;;, wliicb will be lieavy and tliroiinb vi<ry 
 expcn.sive material, as I lancy little but solid roidv wiMild lie (Micoiinlered 
 ill its coiistniction . A deprcs.-ion tbrdiii^h \vlii(di the line can be carried witlioiit 
 (liHicalty, runs from the harbour ol' I'ort Simjisnii thn>ui(h to W'.oU' Inlet. 
 
 The head ollhe inlet cannot bo considi'red as in any way suitatjic as a torniiniis, 
 even as a teinpoiary one it has i>^any disadvantaj^cs. 1'ho area ol" ancliora!;o 
 assumed at 'M fathoms, exists only at Lln^ extreme end, ami is dl'vei-y limited extent, 
 havinii oidy a tVontMij" ofidiout a mile in length and a width :iol excecdinfj ."jOO foot 
 from tlie sliore. The bottom is nl' rock and bail ho!di:iM- irroimd, and con^ctimintly 
 artilicial means in the sbajie ot^ an(di.)rinij; i)Uoys would have Ui be provided, iind int 
 vosseicniild approa(li iter anchorage nndor sail with safety. 
 
 From the same cause, the wiiartin^^ would have to be of cribbini,', as T juivo no 
 idea that piles of any description could be used succcssfidly. The shores arc so pre- 
 ci|)itotis that but little room can be found for buildini( |nir]ioscs. In the vallc}- of 
 the two streams emptj-inij^ into the inlet at this point, there is u small area, but the 
 gren'ior portion of this ^pacc Wi)uld l)e re(pured for the railway. 
 
 Wo are unforttinatel3'oblif.ced lo leave tide-water witli a heavy i^ra le and sharp 
 curvature to reach the summit of the "divide." This divide consists of a !j;a|) in the 
 mountiiins forminir the north shore of the Skccna, ^ivini;' access to the head of the 
 inlet. There is a summit of some -<(!) feet between the wat(>rsoflho Skeona I{iv(M' 
 and those ot Wark Inlet, lying alioiit eipiidislant t'rom lioth waters. A large and 
 rapid stream, the •• Kla-aii-mah," hoailing in the sm.all lakes and sw.imjis of the 
 "sunimit," discliiirgcs into Wark Inlet, and a similar one, but smaller, the Kla alnhdi, 
 iiiii< the .Skcena River. Tlio ili>tance, taken in a direct lino fioni the inlet to tlie 
 Skecna, is about 8 miles. Untiirtunalely for our purpose, the summit consists of a 
 ewampy flat nearly tlireo miles across, thus reducing the distance to overcome the 
 ascent from the inlet to four and a halt miles. The fall of the creek is too rapid to 
 adniilot following it with the line, co'isoiiuently we iire thrown on the side hill for 
 grade, whicli is steep, broken and rocky; .and our conncctit)n witii the waters of the 
 inlet is a mile north of its actual head or the mouth of tiie Kla ah-mali, and on the 
 western side. A line back frnm this point, and sweeping round the head o\' the inlet, 
 would be the most advantagi'ous tor a line of wharfing for a temporary terminu", as 
 also necessary to connect with the ground upon which buildings and shops could bo 
 erected. In the docent towards the Skeena, a maximum graile of 1 pei' U)() oblige-' 
 us to adhere tothosiile hill, which is even more broken tiian that ascended from the 
 inlet, antl also necessitates swinging up the valle}' of the Skeeux, — a largo tributary 
 of the 8ke(uia, — lo attain a proper elcval'oii I'^r crossing thai river, after which we 
 emerge on the valley ot the Skeena ju'oper. a distance of some lii^ miles from my 
 initial point. Wore a steeper grade admissable, say 1.40 per lOD, it would enable us 
 to cro-ss the Skeeux at its nioiilh, and j nning ihe foi'iiier line at I'b^ miles, elt'oet a 
 saving in distance of n\ei' 'Ih miles, besid"sgiving bettor alignment and lighter work. 
 
 The Sk"ena River is, at this |)oint, about 1^ miles in width, with the same varia- 
 tion of tidt as at the head of Wark lidci, viz, 'is (eel, and iiMhough ihe shores aro 
 abrujit and rocdij-, there is a margin of from 201) to of)0 loot at low tide. 
 
 The lino follows the shore as closely as lU'acticahle, with a grade averaging 10 
 feet iibovo extreme floiid, I have endeavdii-il sd tn phu'c it as lo economise n-ateiial 
 tis murli as |iiis-;il)le, and to make the .uttings fui'insh materiid sntlieienl lor the baidvs, 
 a grout jiortion of which will bo reached by high tide. As the material is rock, there 
 will be no protection Deeded. There w.as no ap|)cai':iiice of any abra- 
 sion on either trees or lianlc by the action of ice, and am saiilied that the einhankmonts 
 will "ced no fiirtlier protection than iliat afforded by the material couipisii:^' them. 
 Hliifl's occur at fro.'^uent intervals, in many cases with a depth of water at tludr base 
 tiiat renders it necessary to keep the lino in cutting. 
 
•73 
 
 Glacial Htroums, subject loHnow-^lido-'.wliich would otTcct tlic lino, have boon crossod 
 at an clovuli.jii adinitiing of Uiiincliin^. Tlio lihill'>, as a general thiiifj, are of bare, 
 Kmootb rocK-, otVerinji; no chance lor an accunnilation of ^n(>w siitHcient to en- 
 daii^^er tlio \vorl<, and wliicii would slide bcfori! acijuiritiir any di'plli oi- weiji^bt; still a 
 covering of woino Uuid would bavc to bo piuvidcd to prevent the track tilling durinij 
 a hucces.sjon of beavy falls. 
 
 The hboren are, in all cascn, steep and heavily limborcd, and with very lar^'o 
 trees, jirincijially spruce, cedar and berniock. The ;;i(iund is covered wilb a gre.'d 
 quantity of lallen tiinlior and dense uuilorbrusb, nnd<inif |U'o,i;fess di tlic ill t and slow. 
 
 These general characteristics exist up to the ;J4ib mile, or the exirenie point at. 
 wliicb llio action of tlood tide was |ierc(;ptd)lo. l-'riun this point there is an irnpi'ovo- 
 inentin tiio general features of ihe (H)uiitr3', the LIull's become more lare, and lai'ge flats 
 ,<i'ionsi(lerablo extent tncjie frocjuei.'l ; lliese llatsare, in all cases, heavily liuibei'ed, but, 
 with few exceptions, are slightly < '.'ertlowed at extreme high water. 
 
 The width of iho river lied continues ab(Uit llu; same, aveiaging from 1 J to '1 miU^s 
 in widtli, the main channel alteriialing from side to side ; a ii;icut portion ot the betl 
 of the river being filled with islands covered with popular and spruce and iiilorsccted 
 by ininimorable high water sloughs in all directions. 
 
 There is a gradual but marked diminution in lhe((uantitio.s and conse pient co.st 
 in each section ol 10 miles up to the 5()th mile; liie last section located from the r)(lth 
 to the (KHh mile may safely be l;iken as a fairaverage, possibly a little in excess ofthe 
 (luantilios for a corresponding dibtanco as far as my examination extended, or to the 
 80 1 h mile. 
 
 Upon the receii)t of 30ur su|)plemcntary instriiction.s under date of September 
 20th, and received on the 2.')th October, f made immediate |)reparalions for an ex- 
 amination of the river to the point renuired, some ten miles above the point roa(died 
 b}' the steamer Miimford in 18(!(J. The lateness of the season and a letter from ('ap- 
 tain Lewis of the steamer " I'lincess Jjoui.se," stating that he would be at I'ori Ivssing- 
 ton on his iasldown trip ofthe season on the 8th November, gave ine but little time to 
 devote to this porti )n of the work. 
 
 As it was impossible to reach this point with tlie line, I loft the main party in 
 charge of Mr. J' II. Gray to continue location, and with a small force began a micro- 
 meter traverse of tlie river, which woiikl enable me to form an general iilea of tho 
 comparative (juantities of cue work. As 1 have before stateil, the general batures of 
 the river remain the samo, but with a larger projiortion of flats, which would etl'ect 
 a saving in qiiantitieH. Therefore the last ten miles, as located, may safely bo taken 
 as un estimate for the succeeding soelioiis. 
 
 As far as the navigation of the river i^n concerned I do not know that it can bo 
 extended above the j)oint indicated at tho 7'b'd mile, as reached in 18(i(I. The cur- 
 rent at this point, and in the bend immediately abo\e, is rapid aiul the water deep, 
 and at the 7<ith mile a contraction in the river, called the Ksip-keeagh Falls would 
 arrest furtiier j)rogress during the stage of water most desiiable tor navigaticni. In 
 low water the tails disappear, and a switt current, with rocks showing in the channel, 
 would prove an <H|Ual barrier to large boats As my examination only extended some 
 four miles above (his point, 1 am unalile lospeak ol' what the river is like higliei' up. 
 The Kilsalas Canyon would, 1 understand, be another objectionable point. 1 think, 
 therefore, tiiat for all practical jjiirjioses Ivitsumgalliim, at the 72nd mile, may 
 bo assumed as the iiead of steamboat navigation on the river Skeena, amt tor ibis 
 purjiose boats of light drati, with powerful engines would be renuireil. Although 
 the point mentioned was reached by a comparatively poor boat, a great ileal of 
 trouble was experienced, and in many cases she had to be warped over the fre>iuent 
 " rilllcs." 
 
 My intention was to continue my examination some miles further east or as 
 fill' as Kilsalas, Imt on leaining liiat an ice jim iiuiucdiately above the mouth of 
 the Zymoels some two miles ahead, was moving, iikkIc further delay a ri-k hlid not 
 care to incur, a.s the jam once below mo, and a change in the weather, of which 
 there wan every indication, our exit would have been rendered a matter of some 
 
14 
 
 diftiiiilty, if not iinpossiMo in cjin'H's. This Htiit.o of affairs ontiriOy pnivontcMl t!ii> 
 iiossiliility "f an oxaminalioii of iho viillcy of tlic [ialxclsd to tlu> iioail "f (lio 
 Kiiiinal. F^iil irom all tlio int'ornialioti 1 coiiltl ijailior iVom tlio In.Jians, and iVi'tn my 
 own i>l)^or\ali(in, I iiill-r llicro is no (lit1icull\', — -^li'iiiiil it i-ViM' !•(> ilcsiraliUi, — nl' carty- 
 iiij; a lino llii-oii^li tins valley to tlic iicaii (>! (iai-ilncr Inlol. A rorrosp.iM'linii,- valley- 
 to till' nuiMli ol ilic Ski'ona, or rallior a cunliniiation ol (iio samo valli-y Nortliwanl, 
 woiilii si'oni to otlor fiiual tsicilitiv'.-. lor t'f;i-i>ss t.> tli(> Xaai Kivi-r, -ilionM smli u rmito 
 in tlio I'lilurc ovfi roinc nn(i(.'r consiilt-ration. 
 
 The iliniaU' of this poilion ot'tlu' I'onnti'y ilurinj; tin- HninnnM' inonilis i-< not an iit- 
 tractive imo. the jiredoniiiiatin^ feature hoinij i .lin ; jios-ihly in keepin:; with the uriMlef 
 piirtion ol ihis I'mvinee, tho reason of '7',) \va-< i-xeeptiunaiU' eoM ami vvt>t. From 
 the ijato of my (iisi ^oin^ into eanip on June dili, to the l.Mli i.f, Inly, the r.i'n was 
 continnous anil hoavy ; from that limo to tlio hoi^inniny of AiiLriist, iho wonther was 
 fino with oc('a>*ional showers, alter which ther(> was no break in Ihoirimoral hiimi- 
 idiiy, until varied by snow on iho l.'ith and ITlh of Oel , a heavy fall of somo 14 
 inclu's occiirrinLt on the laltoi-datc, whicii, allhoni^h followed by heavy rain-t, nin'cr 
 disapjioared in tho wooiio<i countiy, and \i|ito the dale of our sli>|)pini; worU, on Iho 
 Nov. 2nd, fully six inolios of snow runiainod. This was ut a distanco of Homo fifty 
 miles lron\ llio coast, Tho lirsl l'ri-<t ex|)oriencod was on tlio lllhOot ; this 
 com]iarativoly lato dale may be attrib' tod to our low ultilndo atid the intluonco 
 of the sea. From this time until the '_'"'ih of (>>•(., (lioiii:;li excessively cold 
 and wot, but lillle frost nccurri'd , willi the advenlof November, howevci-, a chanj^o 
 into cold with sovoro fro.slH closiiii^ up the lessor channels and -^hiuuhs, 'javo uiimis- 
 takcablo indications of tho near apjiroach of winter. The snowfall must lio viu-y 
 lieavy in this rottion, and if tho losiimony of tho Indians is reliable, and which tho 
 nppoaiance of the small trees and biish si'cm to eoi lirm, it musl lio .at a dejitb Irom 
 six to ei^^li! feet. Ibil few Indiins wintoi' on this pdrlimi ol'liio river; one family 
 at Kit.'-nmii;allum, and another at Kitsaias, lelt in chartco of ranciios and for the pur- 
 pose ot trapping during the winter, seem to comprise tho onliro pi>iiulation (or a 
 di.staiieo ot over one hundred mibw. 
 
 On my return to the coast on the iitul and .'!rd November, tlio indica'ions of tho 
 roeotit ^now tall remaim'd with us for ;, jout 2l) mile-", oi- to within ;!(» miles of Port 
 Essiiiglon wli(>re it eiitii oly di.saii]ic;.re(l. l''ro this point, ,vo again ex|)erionced tho 
 alino.-.t constant rains of this seclionot'the counlry. During niyslay in i'orl i'ls-ington, 
 tho rain was constant, tiiough light, ami the woaihor mlM. On Iho liillowingday, Nov- 
 ombor Uh, I paid olf tho linli.ins, iuid embarking in tl.o " Pi'ineoss Louise" on the 
 morning ol the !<lh, readied Vii'loi-ia after .i r;>unh trip on the 12tii. 
 
 'I'ho result ofmy -e;i'<on';i work may be assumed as demonstrating t!ie entire fea.-i- 
 bilily of this |i()rlion ol tho river iSkeona as a practicable route for a railway. The 
 work on tho .Skeona pro])or is mA oxeo.ssivoly heavy, Iho cost being nioro owittg |o 
 Iho natui-e of the material than Irom any great excess of <|uanlitios. The tributaries 
 crossed are ea.--ily bridged and in all caMs have but a slighl depth of water, 
 
 Witii the entrarKc to the '• divide " and i>xteiision to I'orl Sim|)-i(Ui the work 
 becomes rather fomidaltle, but with iiolhiii.i; exceptionally dillicull in cunsirnction. 
 
 .Should any future necessity occur for reaiddng (lardner Inlet, as a terminal 
 point, tho \alley of tho Lakelso oilers o.isy access to that point from tho valley ol Iho 
 ykoona. and similarly, the X;ias can be re'ai'hed throaub the v.alley ol Kit>umgallum 
 Eivof. to the nortii, and (hroiigh whicli th(<re is a trail to that jxiint in ])rcsont uso. 
 
 The extent of my work was noi as greal as 1 should have liked, but the deten- 
 tion in the divide, in which trails had to be cut and supplies packed, tho dillicull. side 
 hill, and hoavy timber all proved (dislacles to ra])i(l progress ; but I trust enough has 
 been doDO todemonstralo satisfai'torily the comjiaralive co.-<t and (luai'titios embraeod 
 in a distance oi' some SO mile^ easiward from my initial point or tiie tomjiortiry 
 terminus at the bead of Wark Inlot. 
 
 1 hnvo tho honor to be. Sir, 
 
 Your obedient. Horvanf, 
 
 <JK()J{t;F; A.KEEFPUt. 
 
T6 
 
 APPENDIX No. 5. 
 
 KEIiilir tiK I IIAKLE.S IliiKKT/.KY I 1" i.M AN K \ I'l.OH ATION TIlKnl (ill TIIK N'iKTIlKUN PmU- 
 TlUN tiF imiJISIl rol.l',MlllA IN TlIK SKAHON oK 1H7J. 
 
 Ottawa, 2Mh February, 1880. 
 
 Siu, — 111 act'iiiiliiiH'o with iiistrwlioiis loccivcil lust Mu}', to proceed lo Miiliuli 
 ( 'oliimliiiv ;ii!(i in.iki- an cxploialory Hiirvcy of iho norllioni portion of lluil I'rovitico, 
 lictwton (liii rivt!i> SkccMi.i ami Oiiiiiinii, in us direct a line as possihlo, wilh ilio vi(!W 
 <i|' ascciMaiiiui^ llio praclicalnlily oC a railway roii(c in coniicctic ii willi a lino from 
 |>'orl. Siinii^oii (o llii! Km ks of SUt'cna, boiwi'i-n llm laxl-naincd ji lint, and (tii^ I'oaco 
 J{i\or I'asH of llu! UncKy .Miuintaiiis, I prociMMJcd to \'ictoriii iind rra( lied llazr-ltuti 
 (llm I'ork's of SUciMia) on liic 2.'iih ol' Jitno. Mc^si^ (y'ainliic, Dawson, McLeod and 
 tiic, IJcvorciid Mr. (ioiiloii liail pruteilcd riic by a few days, and wore then midway 
 hotwcon lIay.<'lton and l.aUc l'ial>ino, on 1h(^ now cxcollciil trail over wliicb 1 li.'ul 
 i.asscil on my journey iVoni the I'eaci' IJiver t,o Ijm I'acitic (.'oa.-it in Decembor, l.'"72. 
 
 As you are aware, before enHMin^ upon ibis work 1 had but lillU^ belief in the 
 evistenc'e ol" any practicable pavsa/fe throutfli tln^ c"nlral lani^e of mountains l3'inf^ 
 between Lake,-' liabine and Talla, north of the latter, altlioiif^ha hasty oxaniinalion of" 
 lIu! couiitiy liiii in^r ttie wiittei- of 1S72 and IST'i had ieil riu; (•) bdieve in tin' possi- 
 bilifv ol" ii rjiite from riid<e Haliiiu* t,o the south of Lake. 'I'alf , towards the Nalioii 
 Lakt! rcLriuu and south branch ol tiie I'eai'c IJiver. (Jiir e.xisiini^ kiutwlelge of the 
 countrv assii'i"''' '" "" b»r e.Kaniination niioii this occasion wa.'-, o( coui'se, va;^uo and 
 iiiiHatiM'actory, and iiiidor tlio circumstariecN it became ab.stdiilely noeossary to make 
 a pi'eiiininary j.^irncy of" rcconnoissance emln ;icinf,f the nnk'i:owii reirion iiudiidfid 
 belwci'n the l.iver Skeena, Hear Lake, the \aliey of lh«3 Drifiwood Kiver ami the 
 l-'i'sin^ fan i'ass, for, wilhin liiaL area, the l<ey to the j)assa;^e f"roin tiie Skeena east 
 w:ird had to be .soiif^lit. 
 
 Tliis proliniinary work pi'o-ented no sli^^ht dilliculty, it boin^; of primary 
 imiioi'iaiice that no lime slioi.kl bo lo.^t in what miLrht uliimaii'ly provi; lo Ixj iisfde-'s 
 i>,xaniinati'ins, wliih' the knowbd^i- p )*■!• -c I Iiy the Indian trii)es o( ilie couiilry was 
 coiiliiied to mountain trails uttei ly uiisuiled fiir the object in \iew. Foitiinat(;ly, I 
 hiid d iwn ile^ cour,~c of a joui lun' vshich eniibled me in the H|iace of tliriie weeks lo 
 decide n|ion the ^I'lici'ai line of route iicst worthy of examination, and after several 
 il;i\-: -|.,.iii in colli'ctin:^ all avadablo inlorinat i(Ui, I dccii[i>il upon ;i journey from 
 lla/.cllon n;i the .Skcciia to the I'viskar/^ isse Viliaifc, on tlio lower ])orlion of the Kiver 
 il.diine, th'.uc(> nortiiward '•'>/ the Ainali I'ass lo Hear fj d<e, south-eastward to Lake 
 Talla, and llu'ncc liac.k to Ha/elbni. iiy this proci'dui'c I hoped lo find out, ail tlie 
 available m.uint.'iiii passes. 
 
 An iuiport.'int feature in tiie work about fo bo undertaken wa- the delorminatioii 
 of a vdiain of levels across ihe moiint'iiiioH e luii'.iy indicate I. H''ith this f)bject in 
 view. I piovided three mercurial cist(MTi liarometei's and tlie otl>er muHissary a|)- 
 plianci^- lor ob',ain;n.( a I'oiTeet sei'ies of .-imullane )u < meteorological observations at 
 dill'ereni ■ lation<, wiumee reliable bypsoinetrical results could ullimately bo deduced. 
 Hourly readji'i^s were at onci irisfiiuied, and !<cpt up Ijy two members of the party 
 until the month of .Seplemlier, by which lime. d,ua for all the most important levels 
 were secured. 
 
 On the lirsl ilay of .Fuly every preoiiration having boon eoinpbftod, I took my 
 denarlurc from Ila/.leton r.ii route tor iviskarga.sso, an Indian villfigo on the lower 
 
w 
 
 lUlimo h'ivor. Wo loaclioil tit.il i)la('(> on (ho fonrlli i\ny, liaviti;; tnivollod so far ii|Viii 
 II faifly l)oaloii Imliaii trail which lollows iho h't't bank of the liivor Skooiia iiiitil (ip 
 posiio ihi' mi'iiih i)| Iho Hiihiiu' liivor, whi'iico it i-* ouitIoiI ovor lovol toiTuro>< to tho 
 iippor Ki>kai.,':i->s(' N'ill.i^o >ilu:iloil ii|hiii llio rii^ht hank oC t he IVihino |{i vor, I'urty miles 
 tiistant licin lla/.lolnii. aiiil -ix hiiiiilio(l tool iihtvo that datum, to which all tho lovols 
 
 aro 
 
 luMHOtinlh r«'tofro<l. Tito t(>|i():;ra|)hical l'oatiifo> ol' tho vallov dC tho Sko 
 
 otia 
 
 I'rom lla/.ohori to tlio l{aliino Uivor. a ilisiancoiirtliii-ty-iiii-oo inilo'J, roiiuii'o iiominiilo 
 
 iloMTijitiiin lioi'o, 
 
 as liiov will ho rolorioil to taiMJi 
 
 or on. 
 
 Tho I 
 
 •woi' portion of tlio 
 
 Hahiiio Valley, tVom tho rivor moiilh t(> tho iippof viliiii^o of Ki-'kai'ifa-^H**, in open 
 tine, I'l'oail and level toffaces pro.-cntini; n p:irk iiko and vory jtlousini; uspoot, arid 
 comparini; most t'avorahly with the valley id ilio Skeona. 
 
 The lower villai^e ot Iviskart^aino is siluatel upon a terrace 75 foot ahovo the 
 level of Iho Bahino liiver; the land I'oro is of u semi-prairio chiinKdor, and from this 
 point thoro is a uiaijiiiticent view lo ih(> northeastward of tho Ainah nioiintains, of 
 which the hii^ho^t lu-ak^. some t»'ii miles distiint, riso to elevations ol'at least 9, (H)(» foot 
 ahovi' sea. A coii|)lo of miles hii^lior nn is ■itiialod tlio upper vilia!,'e, cunsisLini^ of a 
 
 <io7. 
 
 en larifo li^niso> 
 
 •h wo reached hv nioaus ot a vorv pi 
 
 pi ocanoiis-iookiii^ siispon- 
 sion hridifo swiuiicovor iho entire hreatlth of tho Mahiue, hiMV a soothiiijn; cataract and 
 mass of foam, which hoih^d and roared beneath at a j^roat depth botwoen 
 porjiondicular walls id' slate rock. Tho villaijo stati'is at loast lilO loot higher tlian 
 the liriili^e upon a tine, love! tiM'raro, wliiidi ( xteiuls both up and down for a consider- 
 ahlo way. 
 
 Tho iiidiatirt hero aro a wild and treachonms sot. and ajipoanMl to i>o indinod to 
 throw obstacles in our way, Thoy woro especially jealous of my Krazor Rivor 
 Indians (1 had bionght tivo men with mo from tho Krazor J{ivor") wlioin thoy looked 
 upon as intruders. Itolayin^; as short a time as possible anion<^st those filthy savages, 
 wo pioceodod on (>iir way. haviiii^ tii-st siH'ured tho services of a couplo of Indians ot 
 the place as packers. Tho trail, if such it may bo called, from Kiskar^^jcasso to Uoar 
 Lako. usctMuis the slojies of the Atiiali Mountains immediately afior ioaviii'^ the 
 villaiio, and wo ono;impod some six miles from tho latter, hii^h up on tho mountain. 
 On Iho Sth .Inly. Sund.iy, wo inov<'d hii^hor up and camped again al noon just boyonil 
 the 1 mit of tho I'oiost, ;it a'l clovation of f). 000 toot above tho sea, and proliabiy al)out 
 eitrht miles t'roFn Kisk'ari,asso, which horoS.W. | S. ma;/. Althoui^ii in the midst of'sum- 
 mor, our camp was surrounded by Inri^o, and in some places, \ory tloep patches of 
 8I10W, which, under the intliionce of tho July sun, was rapidly mollini^ fiway, giving 
 lise to iiimiinerablo rivulets of ieo cold vvater which saturato<l tho ground in every 
 diroclion and cjiused walking lo be anything but a ploasant |)astiino. To tho north- 
 ^vard, the pass of the .Vtnah. 'hroiigh which our way lay, could he soon still higher 
 than our caiuj). thinkod on eac h side by high hootling mourilaiiis covored with 
 ])orpotual snow. Looking southwards, and across tho valley of tho Bahino Kivor, a 
 lofty, serrated and >now clad range of nuuntains could bo tracdl from tho loH bank 
 of tho Skeona eastward towards Ijako Hahino complololy filling up tho immense area 
 botwoen the Babino and .Skoona Rivers, while 10 the west and Houth-wost tho sanio 
 monotonous and dreary wildornoss ot peaks and utter desolation mot tho oyo. Tho 
 only striking chango in tho laiidsoapo was to the eastward, whore, some fifloen or 
 twenty miles distant, thoro appeared to boa low depression covered with tlonso forest, 
 evidently the valley o|" some hrgo slroam. 
 
 On tho morning of the Tth, we ilocainpo I at ') a.m. and began the ascent of tho 
 Pass. Although thoro was every promise ot a vory tine d.'i}'. a douse fog onvolopod 
 the mount.'iins and wet us to the sivin as we trudged along through water and snow. 
 A little lake l:iy not far from tho summit, hut we skirted its ico Itoiind shores, along 
 which wore piled ill endless confusion huge blocks of ice and debris from the ora^s 
 above, wiiilo now and then we wore startled by tho crash ot uewl}' disintegrated 
 portions which, sometimes rolled across our p:ilh. At 7^ a m. wo crossed tho 
 summit [il,t)()0 feet abovosea] in the mid.-tof a polling rain. On the noinhorn slopoour 
 Avay lay along a vory extensive and dangoroiis snowbank which sloped downwards 
 at a steep angle and some five hundred feet below torniinatiVk at, and hung over, tho 
 
 edge II 
 soflcli 
 wav wt| 
 • T\\ 
 
 wil'd-- 
 (if till- 
 not lia\| 
 elcvati' 
 cloud o 
 
 jioloW l| 
 
 at 2 p i| 
 west. 
 ,)^^utrl'' 
 over lh| 
 and 't 
 (an i'd'i| 
 ^Mnah 
 most tr 
 wind sv 
 wet spo 
 impos-i 
 the onl, 
 within 
 
 Km 
 ciiiinti \ 
 a iiorthi 
 the latl 
 miles III 
 
 Fn 
 tamped 
 lino and 
 to the V 
 forniida 
 
 Kill 
 another 
 
 Fol 
 glacial 
 
11 
 
 t'll./o (ifii ])iTC'i|iifo. Fortunately lor im tlm toniporaturo was MiiiTicicnIly liij^'h to 
 x.ju'ii llio sii'>\v ami ciialilo us to ol»tairi j^oott t'ooth<)l<l. ami hy ('uruliilly teolitij^ our 
 w;iv wt' <io-st'(l in t-al'i'iy. 
 
 'I'lic Iiiiiiiitis say, lliai Imtc, diirini; Xhc winter, Mtm'tns vn^u' fonrfiilly, ai.<l ilio 
 winds Mow with ^Ul•ll vioionco lliat sh.no- nrf attiially lilciwii alioul. In ••onliiination 
 iit'tlii'* statcincnl we saw many loose IVaj^rncntM cniliiviileij in tlio siiovv, vvliicli couM 
 n<it have Ihm'ii placivl tlioro l»y any othor ai;ency. Al '.• a.m. W(^ hail dei-ruuscd our 
 eie\aliiin eons'deraliy. and hailed for hreaklast, whii h we di-eu.-sed in a |)ert'e('t 
 eloud ol nios'initos, alih()n:,di still al>oV(( the snow limit. Tweiitv lists hundiod t'eot 
 heliiw the sumniit level we t'ordc 1 .i lar;,^e I"iiimiI tlnwin^ to the ea^it south east, and 
 :it 2 II. m. were luniiifht to ;i staml still hy a lormidahh; f^laeial torrent, tVora the north- 
 west. This wo worn r)hli^ed to hi'jil^e, an O|ieratioii of' no nii^ht, dillietilt v, a.s (i-ee.s 
 olsiitlieient length had to ho cut and Iniided I'rom a lonix distamc. A day was spent 
 over this work and the morning af'ti-r we etVeetod a erossinir. i''i'oin this hrid/^o, niiio 
 and a halt hoiiis roi.tinnous nninhin^ hrouf^ht ih to the snnimil ofa third run;^e, 
 ( iin interior iinniit had heen eros>ed diirinj^ the interval) even hi!j;ht.'r than llio 
 ^\tn;ih I'ass, ami whence the Hear Lake mountains were vinihlt^ This, one of Iho 
 MioHt Iryinj^ days ot Iho season, was divoi'sitied hy chaii^e.s from swamp ami Ibrest to 
 wind swept heif^hts covered with eternal hiiow, the lower Hlopes Itein;,' .sodden like a 
 wet sponge, and exuding eo])ious streams of ice cold water, which rendei'ed it utterly 
 inipos-ihle for us to keep dry. In fact, 1 may say, that from Kisi<ai'gaHso to Hear Jiake 
 liio (udy <lry places were the snow patciioH, which we eagerly souj.;hl whenovor 
 within access. 
 
 h'rom the last mentioned HUtnmit there opened out a rnaf^niticant view of the. 
 (■niintr\ lo theSo\itli. The low lyiiii,' and apjiarenlly level valley o( the Neelkitquah, 
 ;i northein trihulaiy of the liiver Hahine, lisiii!.: in ah'ait latitude 51)"^, and onlerinf^ 
 the latter a few niih;s htdow the outlet ol Lake Bahine, could bo traced for many 
 miles of its course. 
 
 Kroni this Hirnmil numerous glaciers could [)o seen lo the noi'th-we.st. Wo 
 camped 1,0IH) feet lower down, on the di-i(!st spot avtiilahle, jiisl htdow the tiinhor 
 line and in the sh(dter of ;i titt le i^ rove of sinntod pines. Thi(c-([uartors oi'amile 
 to the wislw.trd there /^listened a glacier of lini;e proportions, the source} of a rath(!r 
 loi'iuidahle stream which we forded ne.vt nmrn'ng. 
 
 From this camp, the southern end of liear Lake bore ahout N. hy K. mag., hut 
 another high lange yet inlervenisd, 
 
 Following U]i the valley of tho Neelkitnuali into wlii(di draintsd several largo 
 giaeial torrents Irom the N.W., we loft that stream and cros.-ed a wateishod, 
 descending afterwards inLo the salley of Mriftwood liivor. Crossing thrs stream, wo 
 ascended the (tth)ri,nge hounding Mear li.akeonllio wo.st, and reached the lake 
 shoie in the aftornoon of the I'Jlhof July. Tho formation throughout, from tho 
 JiahiiH- to Hear Lake, ajtpoars to he slato. 
 
 i5car Lake lies at .m elevation of \,H'U feet ahove, IL'izclton, oi-, iippro.ximatoly 
 2,1)01 feet ahove si>a level. It. is a nariovv sheet o| water extending tVom the pai'.ailel 
 ol Oo" 57' for ahout twelve miles, in a X. hy \V. direction, with a width varying 
 (iom a (|uailiM-. loone mile, itdisidiarges into ihoSkeemi. Tho liUke lies apparently 
 in an aniiclinal fracture, tho general .strike; of tho stnita, which are exceedingly well 
 marko I on the eastern side, heing ahout W.N.W. mag. 
 
 Tlu- nionnlaiirs, hy which the lake is oncompassiKJ iiro iVoni .'),l)(»l) to 4,000 foot high 
 on tho wt'stern side, ri-ing hack to ;is groa'. an elevation in tho opjiosiLo dir3Ction. 
 'I'o the North, the country aj)|ieiii's very rough, iietoro descending to tho lake shore, 
 we took tho prociiu'ion to make a smoke sign:d. which tbrtunately (or us attrncted 
 immedialo attention at Foit t-'onnoll}-, some ten miles distant, as (imr hours latoi' ii 
 canoe arrived at ourcamp. It is as well to remai'k hei'o, that, from the heights lo 
 the southeast ol Bear's Lake we had a i'apit;d view o| the valley of the Jh'iftwood 
 Uiver; the \ipper end of Lake Tatla was al.^o visible ;U» miles distant. 
 
 After i)aying a visit to the Ilud.son liay Company'H post at tho lower end o 
 BoarLake, and making oxten-ivo etiquiry, I abandoned tho idea of any oxainitiatioii 
 
IB 
 
 to tlie iiorthwiird, much a< I shoiiUl have wished, Imh timo wa.«. vvi'.vriiii,' (in, and lioir 
 I iiKiy taki- tlu: occasiiin t<t say tliai orio nt' ilio t^ioutosi diliiciiltios aiti'inliiii^ ilii., 
 
 s*>as()ri s ii](('raliiiii> \\ 
 Oiii- (l(.'!a\f- iiimimera''lo 
 
 us Itl tlcciililli,' wluTi 
 
 I liad niivv J.OCII 
 
 )l U) ijo, as ov.'iy il.iy was luiH-inus, ami 
 
 li 
 
 IVO.I valleys, 
 
 ami felt siiiv tliai it ihoj'o (>\islo(l a tairlv 
 
 |)i III lulls dt' ilio Hal i no and X 
 
 It' 
 
 ll<il( 
 
 (Hia 
 
 pratlicabli) |iaM-> (Jiroii^li Jh 
 
 iiioiiiitHiiin iviiitj Liorwoou tlio Xi'oiliitqiuili and l>rit'i\v<)i«t l{ivi'r.>', tlio iirolilom ot 
 
 .11. * *" !• .1 Itl ^ Tl H^.l lit .. ■. .. '. 
 
 fiiuiip 
 
 a pa< 
 
 ;o IVum the SIcocna to Lalvo Tatia wdiild de satis('aci'«rilv solvod. 
 
 IJiiiiii;- tiii'O Hu\ali iiii|ilai diiixoii's, wo retiacfd our way to tlio uppei' oiid oi 
 
 ako, in 
 
 Ilio thi- |ioir;iuo Ii'tin tiio laiior into Ilio I>ritiwo.>d Iiivoi, ;tnd ran tl 
 
 iiWM 
 
 Boar I 
 
 to Laivc Tatla at a rut(! wliioh comjioiisiitod lo s(;nio oxteiU Ihv niir slow ju-ofri'oss Ik- 
 
 twoon Iviskai'i;a.-se and Boai' L:ii<o. 
 
 Tli<i ■' r)i'itiwood." altlioti^'-h at. u low ^tagc, was vot voi-y swift, Uio avoi'ai^o fall 
 in tlio ii|i])or portion I'oing at ioast l.i loot poi' inii;>. Tlio iJistaiuo from Boat' Ijako 
 to i ako 'I'atla, by Collowiiif^ ilio siiiiiosiiios of tlii^ siroam. i' alioni thii- y-tivo milos. 
 
 Old iho dilloi'oiuo 01 
 
 ■ lovol 
 
 i-oi.'ii tlio 1,'ikos is li'.V.. 
 
 >t. T 
 
 lio valloy ot I In 
 
 Drift 
 
 W> )l K 
 
 is low, wide and I'i'a t^onoialiy oasy oliaraotor, Dm Iho western side it is flaiikoi I13- 
 :ui olovalod rungt! of m>iiiiitains, extonditi^- troiii lua;' l.ako Lo tlio Kolsino Uivor ; 
 ,'liih' on the oasi, (lii^ ^unind rises hy ensy gradutimis in a lesser elevation, formiii!,', 
 
 POI" 
 
 on (ir lwol\i.' iiiilos listanl, what I lia\i' dosii'nated as the •' 
 
 rliaiii of linv luountainn or, more apjiinpiTitoly 
 
 MUMii''a ratif^'o, a 
 
 inri)Mj;li whioli, in si>ver;il 
 
 jilai ,'-;, there! appear til bo low juissos to (he OnuMiioa Valley. Untbrtimatoly, tiic 
 valloy of the Diiflwond. liavin^r a south-oasterly diivoliop atliwar: liie ooiirso 
 (<t';ho l^ne I \va.- in search of, is, witli the oxooptioii ol'its lower portion, uiiavailaOlo. 
 'iiiiifilown loiho parallel of T)")'^ 45', [ sawa trap in th»- rangi' to the westward. 
 
 .lino a 
 
 tributarv (dlho Diiflvvoi.d, oallod tin 
 
 Kot 
 
 siiio. 
 
 tl. 
 
 CO .■^uniinit, anoilur -tioatn tlowi^d into iho Xoolki((|iiah. Sue! 
 
 \Vost\vai\i, h-oin 
 
 1 was 
 
 iiitbr ; uion ^alhorod I'rom a lioar Lake Indian whmn 1 had with me. This |ms8, 
 Mdiich ,)roved attorwards to ho fully tiltoen miles dintaiil, I loiighly gue.ssod to bi.< 
 ahoiv; ,i,0()(l fool above -oa lovol, but iotbrrinj; its examination to !i fiiiuroop|)ortiiiiity, 
 iui'.tonod on to Lake T.itia, the while anxiously scannini; the raiiifo to the ea,stward 
 for indications of a pa-s lo the (Inijiiioa. 
 
 Hero it inav bo lomai ko 1 that the ohaiii of navigaldo waters oxtoiidinij south- 
 eastward from Fort (Joniiolly, iuaboul latitude 5(!- li' north, to the Detroit or narrows 
 of Lake Tatla, in latitude 55'' I)' HU'", a distance of cij'hty miles, is Hanked on both 
 sides by a neai ly oontii.uous raai;;e of mountains, that on tiie wt'storn side lioinif the 
 biu'hor and more- procipitons, but iirokoii in two places by tlie Driftwootl and Kotsiuo 
 Hivi'r vt.lloys, the latter beiiiij' the key to the route (li>k'<)vorod ihis season. On the 
 eastern side ol this iji'oat tronoh (as tlio depression in which those waters lie may 
 not inaptly bo termed), as has boon remarked, the mourdaiiions chain is of n much 
 lower aiiiluue, and is pieieod at several points by comparatively low jiasse.s, of which 
 the idwost are: one behind the site of Buckley IToiiso uml comniiinioating with the 
 Oinonioa by the (^luoiiica-Silloca, the otlior the pass at present used by raiiiofH, 
 which connocis Lake Tatla with the Omonica by the valioy of the Fall Rivor, The 
 latter 1 adoptid further on in the sea>on as boiiiii- in all iiroliability, the lowest, most 
 direct, ftiid easiest of tieoess from the low valley of the l)rittwood Uiver, 
 
 The luily known route to the norlhwai'd of Fort Habine. a<'ross the western or 
 central I'ange separating Tiake Tatla frinn l;ake i^abino, i.s that ol the " Fryinj^ Pan 
 Pas's", a low dopressiui) nearly r),()(lO feet above sea, poi'foctly unsuited for a railway, 
 and at the best, hut a wreleheil ])ass even t'or loot passen^'ors. From ihp.so facts, it 
 will be .seen that, but for t'i>do])roHsion oftlio Kotsiiio Pa.ssin lal, fir)" t5' a direct line 
 
 from tin Skeena lu the 1^ 
 
 Hivor wmild \w inipossililo, and I iiave no bosit.ali 
 
 on in 
 
 sa 
 
 yiiii; that the rmite now laid down itti the Kolsino Pass is the 'Mily one at all suil^ 
 
 thi 
 
 able tor a railway north from MiiUilo liiver, of, the outlet of Tjiike Tatla. 
 
 Fr>i;. Tatla Laiuliiifj; to the village on IJabine Luke (Vif llio " Frying Pan Paws, 
 distiinci by the trail isperliaps tidrty live miles, but cortniidy not." in ire than twenty, 
 seven as the crow llics. With the oxi'eption of a little good land near the lakes, the 
 country is wortitloss lor ugricullure, and vciy much broken. On ojich bide of the " Fry- 
 
19 
 
 . anil liori' 
 lie ling this 
 iK'iDu.s, ariii 
 t('ll<il<Hiu!i 
 
 ItOUs^ll !hr 
 
 ifoi'loin (>l 
 • Ivoil. 
 
 iper ond of 
 
 run down 
 
 iMgrcss li('- 
 
 ■tifugo fall 
 
 ■tivo n>ili'H. 
 DriftvvoiMi 
 fliii.Ui'.i by 
 nc Ifivor; 
 I, lurriiiii!,'-, 
 i" mngo, ii 
 in sovei'al 
 utoiy, tlio 
 lio roiir-^o 
 tiaviiilablo. 
 
 WOstWill'il. 
 
 v'uiNi, from 
 was tlio 
 Til it* pusH, 
 tsoii to bi> 
 portiinity, 
 eiislwai'd 
 
 ni( south- 
 In' n.iri'ows 
 on Ixilli 
 iboing tho 
 Id liotsino 
 On Iho 
 lie may 
 a muuh 
 oi' which 
 with tho 
 • minors, 
 ■or. Tho 
 est, most 
 
 ii>toni or 
 
 [ying Van 
 
 railway, 
 
 t'lUUS, It 
 
 irot'l line 
 
 lialion in 
 
 all Hwiir 
 
 aHH," tho 
 
 twonly- 
 
 likes, tho 
 
 Hi" Fry- 
 
 ipir Pan PflHs" the mountains arc his^h, one peak heing at least 3,000 feel above tho eye, 
 or ^^,000 Icet above sea, and iVom the Ivolsine I'ass to tho Detroit, near tho lower end of 
 Lake Tatla, the entire distance belvveon tho two lakes isoociii)iod, with Hcavcely .'i brouk 
 in its eoniinuitj-, by an irreirularly disposed and lofty mountain chain. 
 
 On roatdiing Lake Babine on (he 2()tli July, 1 t'outul one of my meteorological 
 observers in cani|i. I'e luid arrived on the 4th, and siiieo then had kept an hourly 
 rejri^tor of buroinotrieal and ihernioinelricai lluctiiaiions, while another was similarly 
 engaged at llsizleton. 
 
 Ijeaving tho Mabitie observation camp oi; the 22nd. I encamped a littlo to tho 
 westward of tho Susqiia Summit, in order to ol)tain simultaneous roiidings for diilbr- 
 enco ot level, being somewhat doubtful of tho accu/aey of my aneroid readings of 
 Deoomhor, 1872. Tlie result proved m^' former estimate to be too high, tho true 
 elevation now ascertained being 1,400 feel uln>ve the level of Lake iiabine. From 
 the summit we roaehed llazloton easily in two da^s, passing on tho way four camps 
 of tiie f'eaco River part}-. 
 
 Having now acquired a general idea of the topogru|)liieal features of 
 tho region through whiidi a lino seemed loasiiile, I determined to ascond 
 the li'ivor Hkeena in a canoe for tho ]iuri)ose of making a inicr<.)metrical survey 
 as far as the niouftJi of the Babine llivor. It was, however, impossible to 
 obtain assistance from tho Skeena llivor Indians, who were afraid to risk 
 the dangerous navigation of tfj Upper Skeena. Fortunately 1 was enabled 
 10 secure tho services and canoo of a Motlahkatlah Lidiaii, who had recently como 
 uj) from tho coast and was willing, for a ccMisideralion, to accejii all risks. 
 My own men were excelhMit canoe moii, wi that I now felt (piito independent 
 of tho natives. We reached the mouth ot the liitbine Hiver after se\en days arduous 
 and extremely dangerous navigation, tho distance made during that time being liS^ 
 ixiilos. I was fortunate in choosing our time, tho 8koona being then at a 
 good stage, a week earlier it would have been im]io,ssiblo to ascend it, the river being 
 a continuous chain of bad rapids, and flowing in many places through narrow canons, 
 in several of which we i)asr.ed hundreds of Indians busily engaged in the s;ilmon 
 tisheiy. The oxi'itenient. created aniong.st them by the passage of our solitary canoo 
 was intense, ours being the first over to ascend so far in safot}-. Some of the K iskaigasso 
 Indians even went so far iis to encourage us with charcoal iliawiiigs on tree slumps, 
 representing our canoo botiom up, with all its occupants swimming for their lives. 
 Indeed, the jealousy manifested by tlmse savages was very great, and at one tiino 
 promised to lead us into troid4o. We got along very well, however, until the Babine 
 Kiver was reaidied, when a eold-bhjndcd murder was committed by ii Ki^-karga.sso 
 Indian, and during the excitement consequent iijion this, we were warned not to 
 ascend to tho village. 1 pushed on, noverlheles.s, but my crew beginning to manitost 
 signs of discontent, and the nwner of the canoe tially refusing to go iv .-tcp further, 
 ho having yciiis ago taken the liki ol a Iviskargasse, and now tearing retaliation, I 
 finally turned b.'ick, tu_\ inteiUion having been to eontiiuie the survey of the Babine 
 upwards as far as the lake outlet. 
 
 Heturning to llazloton, 1 determined upon a survey of the Babine from the lake 
 outlet ilownwards. Before doiii'': .-o, I was, howe\i'r, imlui ed to attempt a passago 
 from the Skeena to t'le Habiiie, by the valley of the Skeguiiiah, an eastern Iribntjiry 
 of tho Skeena, entering the latter a little above Kyspyo.x, ami its valley i)resenting 
 a veiy tiivorable appeaittiice trom the last iianuid \illage. 'I'iie idiject was to jivoid 
 tho enorn\oiis bend of the River Babine, which, in tho event of the ^keguniah jwoving 
 a failure, presented t'le only means ofacee,<s to tho eastward. Accordingly, I (Uigaged 
 tho services of an Awkilget l-idian, i.iul sol out again from lla/.leton on the 7th 
 August, with the intention ot penctra.ing the maze ot'mountains a- far as tho River 
 Babit\e, on a course parallel to, lu.i norlli Ironi, tho valley ol the Siis(piali. 
 
 Ascending the valley of the 8l<eguiiiah, 1 loiiiid ii ti' be of so rough a eliarac!er 
 that W(^ were obliged to abaiuhui the adventure and strike over the nmunlainrt 
 i'or Lake Babine, where wo reached the obsorvation camp eight days later, tho 
 entire parly completely knuckod up I'rom fatigue afid over ctertiou, but now 
 
 1^3— «; 
 
M 
 
 >i ol llio •i''iin\t.' Know IimIji' iI\\i (1i,-i>i'1\ w'u Cumh (Iii> Iuvim SI'i'^'Mt '• 
 
 I ht' <>;i I « 
 
 ;(iii i ■> llii i)^';,^ tl\i> HiImiio \ •iiIh\ 
 
 I hoji;!'" llic •^ilr\ •>) "I (lii> H;ll'\i\i' IjiviM nn llii- ImU \tiii_n-l. ■\\\A :\i'\i-\ iMnKii 
 
 ini<'ll'M\l'll il'M' I 1"1\ .TO li 
 
 .1.-: \•,^\,^\\ til.' li) 
 
 \iM \ . I'viiniM' 
 
 illHlonri' il<*\VI\, I III iMlli'.l I > )i>;(rl\ tln' ii{i 
 lhi> \.lll"\ \\.i>, l\.>ni\i'i, •;i'i'n I. 
 
 |\ 1 .1, |l;r;l ^,^ \ in Inn 
 
 tlli> \ ;ll|i'\ I'ni M.<nii> 
 l^niiK «ll01r\olll I'l 
 
 i-niMo tiM- |t> 'lull' t l\;it it I's ini'l i' I'l '"'' "'i ''l'" ('" 
 
 rM'lw.'W . ;ii 
 
 lI'iMlfili i>| ;i ii>n;'h il\!\li> li'l I'M )Miib 
 
 ilii\ ;l 
 
 Ml nnic 1 mIiii\ i> I \\<' iiiini'i 
 
 \-iilriji<> 
 
 I K I'-)!-'!!;!::!' ■.(• TiMiu ilu' t-^i<tiiii"'l lunmitnin m liililnilo i\rt" .'ISi' h.m t||, nn 
 
 slljilllU Wt-.l 1ron\ ll\i' \i>('lli Hiin.ili, 1 r.'iiiMini.l.'.l ri \'.'V\ "1 ll|i> llu'l'"in |(:m I|> 
 
 on 1(!iIm' n!ili;iM> in. I ot tin' iiM\ I'l 
 
 Itll' 
 
 111- \ MliiM , -III' 
 
 I l>\\ wnin , il'i n>i-iil\i>ii w 
 
 lh.' 
 
 'I .M I'll.r H:(l 
 
 I 111' I 111' I '\ I'l 
 
 !|l| ll'l|l,ol\ 1 111' \ illlllM' 111 
 
 •11 ri'i'MifniiMlili'. Mclii'v 
 
 ,'von«(< iM hi'ivlil iiniil " 1 
 
 ii>n. (iMi'i'ii nnl.'i 
 
 lliivv < lii'l w ii'ii lii\\ liriiiK'i. w liicli fnmlii'ill \ 
 >" l^>^^ II. I li"\ I i-ii' 111 I'li'V 111 JMiH 
 
 M '.'i'm^ I'l .'iilOli'ol, !iiiil iniiivt^o |iiiiI>mIi1\ )ii I'OO ii'i'i \\ lii'ii v>iiliiii liiill i( ilii7('ii mill 
 
 ill <lio liin'cr \ ili.Ui 
 
 'I Ki-, 
 
 )r;ir).M^ 
 
 Alv 
 
 (lie (.'Mill' iiiii'ii wliii'li |lii> ImIIiH 
 
 itlt-i(oi1. till' ii<;)il Ivliilv. ii'\('ii'il v\illi 'li 
 tho lUi'inii Mill" iii'iiiii'i liMii;. I'mi I'ni It. 
 
 m ;|i (m I'.J . I 1 
 
 .1. 
 
 'It ■! tii'ili'i !itiv nil liii't) Kill 
 
 H 
 
 iMiiy 
 
 )ii-ii, 
 !;Ui'«1i<'i| ■A'* li I 
 
 li> li'iwil'illl \ 
 
 'I till' IImI 
 
 illi'i I 
 
 t rl III iii'i 
 
 1 ;il. .' nihlii(\ nil't hIioiIU ill'lor r.'iiiiin'lii 
 
 I mill imii'l 1 I'lil 'Mil ( ii\ 
 
 I 1^ 
 i| (111 
 
 l\i\(>i Ni'i'lKiii^mih. iiji wliirli ill 
 
 rl \ ci >■ V!\]^ 
 
 ■-t I I'Miil. i|i:liiini. 
 
 :i I'll 
 
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 ii'ii i; 
 
 til 111' !■ 
 
 I'll 
 
 iiii'!i, 'iii'l ii.i'i\iiiii intmi'iMiiM ("I'Ii'imI 
 
 t I ll'lll •DM' ■. s,i\('l'.'ll .'I «lllrll W .' Il't.l .•|.i.;mi'.I iin I'lll' |'lllllli'\ I" jli'lll I I'l |. 
 
 .\( ill is t 
 
 imo Il'i \\ .'111 1 1 w I'M 
 
 IV, 'llli' Ml' Wl'll' i'll!l I'll'.l ll IMi I'lul |l Mltll tUi 
 
 iin<;Mlll's. I'llirlV I'lii' miltvi (ViMIl il-i mnnili \\ ■' l.'rirln'il m lillli' ntii'Mm 'iiini' ni'il In 
 I'omo riiim llio Ivi'l^iiii' I'll '. MUil iili'iiiiliiiiiiiji iiiii- I'litiiii' , \vi' pii lu'l iiniili i'm 'u'lnl 
 
 ihniiifjli llio 
 
 Jl'-IMIll 
 
 ll, hill I'm II 
 
 liili'.l |i'\VMI''|. till' l''|i'; till' ilimiil'l I'l v\liiili |i 
 
 mi 
 
 ,\ -mill -,1 
 
 I i'!im lli'w ■ 1 1 •'111 I 111' iimmii " 
 
 •;( M 111 ll iiitii t 111' Ni'i'liiml 
 
 i^ilMll, IMII ImII" ii'(.' I 1h' irilli'l '.''1111' ili'diUU'i' 'll' i\'i' iiitl rilimi' i'Mm|i lliw jiilwi, 
 
 aillviiiili ."Willi;! I'll' 1 'I !i iMi ii\ :n . I Ml IV I'll t'\ I'lii iimII v tn lii> -^n'r CI III ll 11 til 1 1 I'll li'i'l liifiliri 
 
 tli.'di I hrtii nnHiMp'iii'il rin'iu i> iii tlio Pi lOwii'nl Ui\i'r«i' rmiii'l 
 
 Ml \V(1\ wHIl ;i I ('III 
 
 il'ffli iiliv. Kis'm I il.i' r.itl.'t. t 
 
 \i> I'liii 111 I \ 'V ■! J 1' \ tmi Ml 
 
 ■ I I'.if 111" ' II. 
 
 I' 
 
 liiWIl llli' V:illi'\ .'1 (111' I'itll |{|\i'i I.' lIli' I >iili'lli.'ii, '111' illMi'V I'l'ill.ii ll'.'' j;lll |. 
 
 'li^-^o ,'ll lIio lUiMtili .i| ( ii'i mriii'^i'il ( 'i I'i'l . \ 
 
 nriilviMx 
 
 n iii'i' \ 'imi iii'il 
 
 'I \ ciiix 111'; \v. .1. I 111' 111 i( ii;\illOil j'l'itll tlM I till' 
 
 ll i"tli nl -lI'iMtl ''ll \- mill"! 
 
 l"ll'l' Ivll I'l , IV 111 
 
 ll I IV 'I'l 
 lllV\l'li> li> ft>!(i'l\ I'Wi'ljr 1,1 iliii \> lilt i»( i',.tiiiii'J iinil (111' Iflli'imw^ . llli> HCtl'i Ml llmv 
 
 vi\(>l', ;iilhiMU*ll ll >\.>illii ' iNi' I'i'i'il ili'^ilt ;ll>li> t iin|ili'li' till' iiitinv .11 Itii , ll i'l It 
 
 m:U(i»l Ot lidli' imj'iM tiini'i' llio |M ..rl ir^llnlil \ iil'llii* limi'l pi'iliiiil nl llio t (mi'tiiril fm 
 l'fliS\.'l\ I'lll ji >so'< I'l'lll.; lii'Xi'ti.l ;i ili'iil'l Hi'liMi' iii'iM.; I'lilln'l. I hIiiiII limv |i|iii.i'i'l 
 
 (o ;t lio-i I ipl n>ll I't (hi' wli'ilti llt1i> i'\ .|niltii'il, (ill'iilii ii|i I'Mi'li |iiiilii'ii >i|' llm imili 
 ,v'(»-i,)y,»«i. t'l-i'm llMj'li'ldni ivi^iw .'ifii ii> (tiM niiiii'i II i'mtU 
 
 V* Hill l\ti\.' bci'ii .oiUlii'i 0.1 I'li'm ili(> ('i)i oiiiiinii /I'Nidiir 111 llio -ii'HJiin''' iiiihi Mliim i 
 
 llio Ivihiiii' \m1 
 
 ('r''tii ll:iy.'n'(ii|i imi iIm' S|,o,'ii,.i 
 
 |iii' .('111'* ilic iiiilv n\ iiiljililo ii|'|ii ii.'ii 
 
 |i ll. llio r.'iii'.' Uivoi I' 
 
 r 
 
 10 Slfiilll'lll \ lilOV !.* H, 
 
 iii'i Iv Mi'liiMo I'm- n iiMi.l. lino nliilo llio iiii|ii> rut lli 
 
 lU^'liqiL't iii'il'' 'Vi'ii'i I 111 I II \ \ o'li : ll;'' 'm I 'll' \\'." I'M II I ' 
 
 •I'l. I. 
 
 ill 
 
 MOH illimi-l:lli:ll>i\ otilu'f |.i llio I'liio jvivoi i>t NolLvv lloitil I'i|"Mii| llio 
 UltUMllix .Vlitlrl I'liim llio 1:1 M lui'tii U'lli'il imilo, (liolo Jm mh 'Vii\ »iiiiIIi linin 
 
 \ .'ll.OV .>! ill.' W 
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 Ha/;iM<n >il nviohn., Hio ro'iio lvivi",.'iil mv I'u n i" pi 'iiil 
 
 vMiii 'ii»ivol\ lli,'(i I'l'iim llii/li'iiin ii.ii ilivv nil (.' llio Kwoi UmIimio, ti liiili mihI hi.. mm 
 
 I lill.i|l« i'!\!>in |i|ii>'l\s up H\\\ |>,'H'<lUf>' d' (In" on IW it I, vvllilo ll'i l ll VV llt il limil lliii 
 KlViM '-..lil IH>, llio illlh' OtlllM' VVIIV 111 nil p.l^.i|l>l\ IIV Mlllllllo VMHiM Im ll\ llio |l|l{ll.| 
 
 Mil 1 111 I III •li'!|'..l|| .lll.i .1 
 
 Skooiiik. ,'«K'si,.iii an. I O 
 
 'lU'iiioa nv I'fi, iM 
 
 l.\ III. I I, 
 
 ll llio III ll V Ml I 
 
 vi\:U>_\, Kidi I'lMilv''" In l.ti i.i.i oiri'itilnti'^, an. I 111 it .ii llio .'!o"(iiiii |iiiili'ilil\ ijnilo jini.l 
 miitsihUv 
 
 Ki'iMi^ Mn;rlo(.Mi. iiin ihw « i, 
 
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 'I III 
 
 illll Inl loll Ml I VVi'K O 
 
 mil 
 
 i«> \v.>ii!.i li<i pvM I'oi 1 ' loa^iMiv llio ii,';lii liiinK lioini, |iiiiliili|y llio ojimi i , Imi mIimv . 
 
 I III' Hiimn 
 iilim (1 1 1 'I'/ 
 
 III >4iiii||| Mh 
 
 ihni ,1 woiilii, I llunk, 1"' iivK iHnliIti lo I'lnry i( iiluti;; tlio lull Imiilt, wlin I. iill'ni't ■ Nitii. vory f' 
 
fit 
 
 (H (>fl 
 
 (of llll'ililll") ('>1 ■! IllMll I'lMin n!l7|l'ltMtl til till' |l\lll|l|l "(' (|l 
 
 HmImIh- (linrn 
 
 l^plli It 1)11 imi III I .(I fi-i.i. Im .10... (vliirli li'lly 
 
 iMII't'l'i'" v<'i|ilil 1m> I i'i|i|i i i"I, 'ill Ii'HimIi, <| r.iii|.:i>^ murli \V"i|M 'li'lu'lil iipMli Im'ii I iili, 
 
 \'i<n •>!■ iM)il\t I II' '11' ■' V '11 \ 111" III I 
 
 || Mill II l> 
 
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 l.li I 
 
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 I'll' 'lll'll 
 
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 \[ ill" Ui^i'l Mlliiii" ill" ||"II"imI 
 
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 ^1- 
 
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 ill IM'II"! Ill ll 'illfr 
 
 'iiiiliimM 
 
 H,,lii III iM'i ili'itiliM'" III" ''l(""iiii iv:iili"i til" •v"olt>i n liM'-o'i n| lln 
 , ii|iliiiii"'l ill ill" It iiiiii!ill'ir mill |iniiii'|i"l li\ i|.'..|| l|ii> HiliiiH Ui-,(>i. 'Ml I llii> 'xiillny 
 111 (ll(i .'■'il'iiiiill. M nil Mnlilinnim iiirirliiiili'r'll Inn nl 'li'ivv "liul |i('mI<" (■nv"ritiir (ll li'M"! !{! 
 iiiilin i> iiiil"'^ I'lViiW i> tiiili'ii iilin' i> ||'i',rlii"ii till- 'iilli'v it t ll" '■J|(cftiii c'imI I •!( t-i I'l 
 
 Hill" " y I "III , Mini ill" I i ' I I i I ( 1 'H i|"'ll I !■ I nil lil.iwl M I I III II li'll 1 'I'V ( 'I III III I 'i III' I "Ml If '4 
 
 'lli'Mlllv l|lllll|il, Mll'l \lll\ "nil ;ii|i I mIiI \ Ml l|'i|;lll, 111" tl '"I, wll'll •ll"-V 
 
 ■Ml, lii'ilic ■ iiiiictiini'i init T'l't -ill"-," ill 
 
 III III 
 
 f'linnii ;..,| I iMli^i (I liii 
 
 H .illlil. ill III" t I M '"'■I ll" "Ml I i' ll imini' ll' 4l|lli"(' liMi'lf. Illlil l||i'|i| lliii wlinj.', il IlldV I'" 
 
 iii'iii'il iliiii III" \v"i 1(11 ill (liiij vmIIi'v wiiii|i| jituI'Mihtrlhi li" iii lidjivv n" ii|inn innfur 
 
 I I l.'IW I'l III" I I \ "I I'i'l 11 "I'll l\ I 
 
 K it' "Unu in t i||i 
 
 ll Il'iyl'l, 
 
 ■|'!iii Inii'T I'i'iiii.ii -'t III" Idtliiii" lliv"i I fill \ 
 
 iliii-,l' 
 
 v rv 
 
 Im nil 
 
 ) \villi 
 
 lli'i* nt I lii> 'il'i'i'tiii, 1' i'l" 'iii'i tiMi'l Iwinlii"! Ill Id , iH'f'M "'1 . "I I'll vil ll 1 1| '•III id III '■'•jfi'Ifi 
 
 liilll, I'V 
 
 mil" 
 
 l"lli|iiii' I 
 
 )' ll ntll I III 
 
 I nn(|l||.|il I' 
 
 .r III" I- 
 
 In II 
 
 I" 'l|i|'"I '.lll'ljro i| 
 
 lin- 'll l| 
 
 Kill 
 
 \l lli".l/l|i mill', 'I ii'iv i)l|iii| iilldUn nl (r||i'ii|l nii|iiii, "ninitijr linfii tl|ii finiltli, 
 (inli'i'i till' lliil'iii" I'll" l"\i>l lii'ii. |i ii|inii ',vlpi ll •,liiii'|-i III" ii|i|i"i i'il|ii(rii n(' Ki.|:(ii 
 
 |t||ilH|', ill 'llmlll I IIU liM.j iilniv" III" ll' "I nl I I 'i/|.'ln|i, t.vlli'll i-l .K".'l/I|lf'7 I'l |i(> 7''."» I""' 
 IlllilV" «i'li \ li'i" Vlii'ill I, lin'vi'il't, I'lii'W l||i> H'lliiri" lti."i' (it l|ii- l,i'»v"i '.'illMfn', nr 
 
 HMV lit III" ■''■'III mil", 'ml lIli'lKO nni'l'llij III" ii('ll* I'HIil' 'I 'll" l'"l It|"i|l III" llil'll 
 
 li'ii'i'i', iiinil tli(> ii|i|i"i villii/i", Mini lliciic" ii|i I'l til" (I'llli rnil" vvli'ii"" il vvnil'l 
 .•I iiilii'ilU' iiii'i "I'l" ill 'Ii'jImiii " ti nni III" I i , "1 . 'ii'il i'il'''ii ii'ii til .vfii I "Mill •'(' M/'rn-i'- Ihfi 
 
 I'l till' I '1 11 I I'i'I'.vi "11 1 1'" lilt I. i Ml. 11 11. 1 M""l|.:i|.|'i'il, l(i-"i J, ill In ill" ■,'il|i'V .1 Ml" l;il|"i-, 
 
 ill" lilllllMlit nl lliK I'lliln I'Ml I 111 ll, ' l"l ' nl Hi" l-;nl'|l "I Vinllirillll I- I'll '111 ' '.(I'l '""I, 
 
 lliiM n II 'I'.'li'liiii, I ll 
 • yri'i'ilini', I r> jii'i 
 
 'tl"l III |i 1 'I'li'.lll 'I (1 n|t 
 
 nil (^Jiiifi 
 
 In III 
 
 tun 
 
 iiiii> ili' Ifini " iilii " |v !• k'ni(.'ii'i'iii III" t 
 
 iii'iii /ll '.''/»'•'// rml 
 
 "1 1 ii"i'-i 
 
 ilnil li|n|ii' I I'll; ilij. tln>i| |.|l|l'", wllil" t|l"ll.'"l ll'i.V-l ^'t";"!!!! lMirnll'"l f' "' Ili'lnvV 
 
 III 111" llijl ill" : I'pil 
 I 
 
 (• /' 
 
 •I'll 
 
 lii'ii' ll I 1 1 inl'"l I'l f 
 
 I n|(i '.viini ' li^f" il|i 
 
 iiiJi"! lull li In till, niniinl iiiii..i, nil (hi'mI i|'lt''ii't ',■ i>J nn I i"i |i)il 
 
 I'M 'I I ill I'd rri 
 
 In |i|. I'l nuHinl, imtiilil^, ||n' i,'il|i"i Ini iriiltil'l" I'liii'iit ii'i .vlii'li '" liiiill t\ In i<l(.(r 
 
 III" ^'lli .liili , nil mil W'ly In lli'Mi lull; 
 
 I'll 
 
 III \ 111 ill" Ni'ill; |l(|iifili i': ('nnidlil" f' 
 
 il'A','i-> (r iifi III ' Y't'li " 
 
 III II 
 
 II I'liiiiini'iii 
 
 III 
 
 11 III lull --I \- ll nm I ll" K nt liii" ^!ii'iiii 
 
 iji" ii'iiil^.i rii" ',(' fn 
 
 iii"l" I'li'viiiinii 'Mill ijii' !i I i'iiniii(.^ i_n'iiMii| 1. injc Iilli'v' I"' I Ai iili'i'i' III" 7Vili rrnlo 
 III" 'ill" l'il;''H II Mill I ll mill I M I'll "niii "(• nil til" v'li'c V 'll "1" 1 1 i ''ill 'ir y 1 'iiriiiij^ f 1 'ifri tlio 
 K"Ninn .''iiniiiiii , will' ll i-i I i"i"lii"l nl I |i" '^.li'l tfilli> f I'lnri 11 /.iMnn Mm ", Hifi f i-i m 
 i;ii|i ill till' "I'll! I'll 1 iMi/iii III III" \V""iii| II lin-n nl' 'Vlin ll til" M"n||(iti|ii'ili fl n.v ' '("li" r'llo 
 III ini mil I'liiin nm i jin'in iiiin|i in lli" "iiminit WM"I(iI|im innyii lliiin ' |i"" I'i'l, liit hy 
 lir''|iiii/.f well n|i nn t|i" lii|ili (jfi'nin'l fi'iin fil.nnt t|i" Y-'i'ti "hI", -"i "is hi iti't *Ii" (hi-im 
 'll III! I'li'Vllll'ili 111 I'd li'i'l 'ilin'i' ll|i. Ini'dl n| Mil. Nnn|l<|liji|:ili, Mi'i (f ifl' I i"llt (fiMy \i'\ 
 
 v"i y mi 
 
 n ll ll 
 
 'I'lin i'liiviili"n III III" I 
 
 vniinii" iimm' 
 
 I 'tlif lii/lir'if ji'iinf ■■ifi llii" f'Kih 
 
 I H, nc. 
 
 rmiili'ly, 'yV'> I'""! nlin\i. I|'r/.i.|l'ni, ii|i(ii'i\-Mri)il"l y '..'i'm f""t nli'ivi •"» U'vl. 
 'I'll" |iiiw'i i'l Iiu'mimIiI" \ kmIc HI' in'ir" m "imli li'l" of Mm 'iirnrnif it m "I n lfv/"l, 
 'i.vMni|iy rliiiiii'ii'i , Mii'l in ll'" i"iiin\V"'i |ilii' " Mm in'iiiii ifiiii Ii'im"^ ai'fi fiifirly n friiln 
 i'|iii|l ( )ii I ll" winilli •4ii|i' Mill iiniiiiiliiifi" ii-n t'l liii^h rilrn'riii'iriM, hiiriff iirnli'ihjy 
 l.tllllt m l.ttilK I'l'i'l iili'ivn Ijm nyc. 'I'In. fH^^nr [(■ii'^i'm ri-i'* in Mm ffi'ii|iitfiiri.' n. lilMi 
 Inmiiilli Mini "II'I nl III" ' iiiriinil, iirnl Mll"r Mfi nn^U'vly r.nnrnr. i,\' nli iiif iivilm rr)il"M 
 fiiiinnt llm l>i ill '.vnnil |!i',"r in liiijtinl" Ti'i ' iH' 'fin linn ijntw rifii f'llliTV th" K'll- 
 Minn vtMv f:ii . I'll' li"iiil'-i ''iiiMi nfmtwnnl lovni'l-i Mi" iippfr nf|.| if fiftko 'fMtla, '.vith 
 
 m 114 
 
:-9. 
 
 \ho !«•< i'.'M olin'i't .>1 Ifi'i 
 
 llio iliMV (' I Milo iiil ii I he 1 1| ill \vi 'i>'l Ui\ I'l \ !|llr\ , Mii.l 
 
 M Coll. 
 
 Koi- 
 
 X\ U>i> !> Ill' •'! ' • '"' 
 
 m.> (.> Hiii>l<l.«\ lli'ii^.' At (111- '.',ti.l mill' ilii' li 
 
 H(> I't 11 .:(>'-l I I 
 
 iin> Siuicn. n wumtni \ 
 
 (o ( lu' Iv iHniiiiMiiiil ;il I 111" I 01 .( null' (iii< I 'i ilM\ mul Hi 
 
 i-i (iVlrllO.i. TMo I'l o^'ill^i, llOM' WiMil.l niiil>!llil\ I<|> mI'-miI I.iKIO i..('( (iliiMO (lii> |i<vi>l ..| 
 
 Uni>.i'l(iMi I'l Mil (111' K ' I nil' nil 
 
 null 111 llii' l>i HI w I'i'il li 
 
 111' I (111' nl'|i!l'-l will 
 
 iiKi'h lv> liiVM \ . Ill Mii\ r.i I' tll''\ IV 
 
 II l< 
 
 ( 111' K nl'.illi' Nil il.' I til till. I l| lit w I 
 
 fln< ImkI Ol'llu iniliw piiOviMx I I'.jllll iHfi. M ;ii :\'lliM I i>l ' p.i |iul I 'i mm-h !!•; t li.. i nl |,. ^ 
 o( r;lh<> '1\h1m. :\liil |i||:'<ilU; tlii« ili- nl l'nrlili>\ llmi i' -W ill.' Ilirilli mill'. )l|.< Iiim 
 >VOIll 1 M^ri'tl.i ill!' iiUlllli'l 11 'I'I'i' I I'l I lii> Ollli'lliril lillli'i' i'l II ilil(n>lllll ililiM'linil I. 
 
 ihi' '-ninini 
 ;»i'ini itioix 
 
 n\:i 
 
 1 I'T ilii< lliM'.i'm Ti* ' t I'll' ll^'li mill' I'lu' olin nliiin nl llii'i Miniinnl 
 
 \:\ I'.M't mIiii\ 1' 11; 
 
 1 1ti? Ii'i'i iilii«\ I' I ,:il,i> Tut 
 
 i,-i\ , :i,.ri^ tool :ii' 
 
 ti, mill, iippi II 'i 
 
 It !■< llOpi'll lllMl Im i1iI-.^11I!; lllC 1 'l ill W 'III! Iv 
 
 V I'l •!( •! 11 
 
 iiM I'l, HIM fr* I'l 
 I "I Hiii'Uli'x 11.11 
 
 nliiM 1' llill Ol \,;(Ui> I'.lthl, Mi'il Kiirpill;! wollnp llii'l.'pi li'll 1 
 
 (lii> ' Uii'iom ■ P;>'-i m:\\ III' ii!l>'lii''l \> itli iM iiitii'iil 1 It'll .iM'i'i'iliiiji I Ti pi'i- Hill | 
 
 tlii> .li-i!\ii<'i' iViim HiiilsU'v H' 
 
 111 
 
 It . I III' I 
 
 t<ti 
 
 (Mtlli' JUi'l I in I'r.'.l >\ Il 11 li'i I'-il , ''111' 111 1 M 'I 'il I r-ini'i i iihiimi'i, I In niiiili hiii'i :il i 
 
 M llM 
 
 in'iiilt 'iili H|iipi'-4 tn .1 i|iiili, 
 miiii"! 
 
 pr<>'-0!iun;, iilwiiii 
 
 >1 :lil\ MIM;' iiilllili' 
 
 '1 \M !lK 
 
 liw, :! 
 
 r 
 
 ■II', lll'll. 
 
 il0<\ II \ ho i>l';l 
 « 1 I I'l' m'l'tvifrll > 
 
 in.i^i' nmi'iinl i'l I'Milli i' \r:i\ ;|i uni 
 
 llii'iiii'll 'I 
 
 II i'\ I't \ 1 O'ill 
 
 I'l'l I 111' .'ll'-lll l\ !|- I'l'lll II I'lll I III 1 
 
 III iiiiim I.I |,i<,.| 
 III 'iiiiniiiil 'i\\ .|i||| 
 
 I iiii> hi ill 
 
 i , iii\ II 
 
 "i «iii 1 
 
 ii' miii'li i''i~ii'i t 
 
 1\ \u iliiii i.mxmmN 111.' Kill 
 
 Jiiiiiiiiii, Mini in lii'ili 
 
 nppl^V•^^'ho'^ 111 till' I' W li>\ I'l ot 1 :ll>i' T'ltln, II will piiil'ill'U 111' nil" .' ilillli III! 1 1 . ikhiIi,,, 
 llio lil'iiiii'-J M It Inn ri':wi'ii!\l'li' linnt'' ili'iii mi ;iii\ I'llim piiillnn I'l tin' imili' linluii'ii 
 llsifi'lii'ii rniii iln' Onii'iMi'M ^lli^' \!illi'\ i'l tin' i n m Miiliiiin pi'ilnp'i i'vi'ii|i|ii,| i 
 .V'' m.'UI.Mi !l\iV lh."*i' pn-'-i'i jlllil lln'ir uppii'M. Iii"i Min \ m \ niiiili i'.'lti'i tlinti rniij.l 
 \-.»,i'ii'nr\I>l\ li.'Ur I'oon KiiiUivl ("iir 
 
 ]''i.Mi\ till' ' lli'iii'm ■ '<iiinm\i, till' ili'-ii'i'til. lilt iiii.i'li (111' xiilliM nl llm l''!ill Klvm i.i 
 iho Oini'iin'.'i, i -i I'liiupiti .'ilixoU i':l-_\ , I In' in r».lii'l\l'i li.ini; in (iniii'i :il iini.ldi nln In mni 
 n; in.' pltii'i'i, linwi'v I'r. >^hi>n, "^iill vn 'iili"-' nl '' pm 'I'l' nnn I'l' liniiiil hiimn imiImMi', 
 (,'iM\ I'otw I'l'n tln> out li'l nl .'^•ii'inn.l I I'lUi' mmI Hi>mv m t 'i i'i'l< , tin. I ;i..i,.nii lii.| iv.'.'ii I Iih 
 i llio l:(|l)i nnli' In iill nllinl ii'ipnil'i tlin I'mII Knin \'mII.'\ Im 
 
 iin 
 
 l,'i,'inl m:li' Mil 
 
 oVv'Oi'.l nulx rnvnriiM 
 
 iV,< )\ 
 
 >.>'«' m " 'U till' 1 111 1 1 null' Mil' I I'll I III' 1 11', 111 I 'It I ill lit I III' Km I'l 1 » 
 
 iiii'iii. II, 
 
 l.Sl"' I'l'.'l ; I'l'X ,' ill,. Ii'\ I'' .'T lii(,'i.l! 
 
 Inn I'l , npprnx iin;\li'l \ 
 
 ill |i...| llliilVl 
 
 S. ini' \ (''iv . Hi;-.', w lll'll tin' Oninnirn .^.ilil ilijutinirM sp. nn|i inl.i nx i'llnnni' wlml 
 
 Ktlinv n ;(.; ■ Old lin;-.'m W ;1 
 
 I 111' i^lli 
 
 'I Mi'vmnl iL'tiliiifi r.lnii'.i, Miiil II Hill I .il' I'l. mil 
 
 \nn><('i'\ n\in>>t>. !in.1 I'llii'i' '•imiliVi I \ inn'ri' -ii'il Tnil.'M n iiiini'.l <li;nii\ i'l nil llnil 
 Vi'mstti'- of u 
 
 I'lu' --pli'n.iniir 'ind (ilnt \ nl N''\\ ll.i:;i'iii/' ''iin:iii'.l Ini mili'. I'liilln.! ilnwn 11... 
 
 Vi\t>' , .'\pp.';il tnl\:)\,' I'i'on nl' '(llrXiMl ni.'li' I'V .mi'^i'.'lll \ll|.||i., I.n il-i miIi> I'-i .i|i|\' 
 
 iVv'ni;ni?;»Mo I'V .•il'mti ;in ,'\i 1 1' ni ■ i mnp'j. t Im .'In \ i>-j| im' nl iinni'i I'm nn<i pinMiinii' 
 ,\ihi \ol, bnl ti t't'W Xi':!'.'.' iifrn, I'.'lli pl,'n-<"- Wi'in liiti\ Inninl'^ N'nw lln'\ mio Innxlin 
 
 wiMci iu>s'<o>i, aliliiMuvli. oxi'ti (n.litx. n 
 
 li'ii nri'il«inn;lll\ 
 
 ll\ p.'i'ii lip (in. I il.iwn 111.' 
 OiMiMiu'H Willi .i^iij'pinvs f.'i till' inui li iinpnv m i .In-.l ^nil.l niiin'i .•! M;inimi im.l 
 (iVt II .'ll"<<'n Oi-i'.'lvs, \\ lu'i 1'. p.. I Imp- . .1 .nil pin •-. .11 1' .i| lililici'. rkn mil iiii ns iilnni'i' Mil. I, 
 wiilivi' V (,'v\ . y.'v'pi miw, Ivir. 1\ inin.-iiii' in K,i(<|i nni nl'ili'lii, ()|.| llivncin i-i iilmni 
 ;> iirli'* I'l'l.'W llu' 111 ulli i'l l''ill lv\«'i ^ilvi'i *'ii'(l« ImIU mill iln< Oninninii iilimil u 
 null' IvliMv I'r.Mii l'';iil IJivm m i.i'nn.m -iii t 'i noK, di ilm lil^tli iniln, llm Millns il' 
 
 tin' v>iiu>nu';» !•< liiv oui'.'i 
 
 Ml' (. 
 
 r iiilhviw ('.'11 -Inirlinn. in In I l'\ l;ii llm inuil rnviiiii'iilil. 
 
 jvivimn nl llio « hnlo is'iiU' «'\niniiu><l. Tho xiillnv i. ni.in, pinliiiMx' hvi'imjiii 
 
 milo. aivl iliO 
 
 milo 
 
 1(1, n 
 
 iii'>> onl so jjoiuln ilH, nnl HI iil. )irnl>,ilii iii \ In ii\ii>,'| ;i m II (imi poi 
 
 Ixonxiion l-\'ii', i\i\i'r .'iiiil t I'criiK'iiisi'n t'li'i'k, vvln'in llm I'li'viilimi nl lln' ninniiii:! 
 i,« «pp;'n\.ii\rtl(',\ l,7.'<'^' I'oi'l nbnx «> ll.'C/i'linn, nr '2.*."»T iilmvn n'lii, llm iIimI iino in nniii Iv 
 tniiv nllU>^ In tnilnxvin.ij: ilu- sinii'^iiii'!* n( ilin Onmnn'M xxliicliii rnnliiniiiHv I'lninninij 
 iff I'li.tiinol. llio Inxv han.l mul ^inxol lmnlv<, lu'ivxcini xxlm li ii IIuxnh, (■oinlily frixiiif; 
 »xv«x ;o iho iinivuioiis bul smnoih iMiriciu. 
 
«.1 
 
 Viilli'V, mill 
 
 I lll> llM I'l n\ 
 
 j','fi'!(>'i nill 
 
 ' l»i \i\\\ I, 
 
 •; 111.. \;il|,.v' 
 ih>. Ilio liiM. 
 iln I'lti.ui In 
 ' Miiiiniiil JM^ 
 
 111, M|i|ll n li 
 i'l<l>'\ llnii-i.. 
 
 \i\o In „l| 
 "* nil' i|iiii« 
 i'i!il imiiiiui 
 
 '< 'li>i in |(,.,.|) 
 Mill •a\.|i,i|> 
 >l ihc Miili 
 
 • III in linil, 
 
 ll (m I'lnilliiii 
 ill' linlwi'i'ii 
 
 l'VI'|i|l(,.,| ) 
 
 I lillli I'liilM 
 
 mII \('\\ I'l 1,1 
 Mli> In uiiK 
 nil\ niiliililo, 
 li'l VVi'i'll tllo 
 ' \'llllr\ '\^ 
 
 ' • Mni'liini, 
 
 V l« m'll 
 
 I' will) I II 
 
 ll' I'l'inli'/ 
 
 Ih nil Hull. 
 
 I 'I'MV II ( I..' 
 Ii> IJ niijv 
 
 II .Ul(.||. ,• 
 
 I ' 1 1 1 1 u I i 1 1 1 ' 
 1 low II III.' 
 
 Ill HMi M,i| 
 
 ii'iM I' mill, 
 
 111 i-< iiliiiiii 
 
 ll iiliiiiii ,1 
 
 ' MiiiiM ..r 
 
 I'm nil! iilij,' 
 
 I'l 'llMII)' 11 
 
 I' ll'I'l lll'l 
 < >nii'liir:l 
 
 1' II IICIII l\ 
 
 I liiimiiiMij 
 il.V Jfiviiiij 
 
 Till' \illli'\' nf (111' nii'i'iriril i'l \ (>| \' lii'Mlil ilill, iiihl III!' liiniintHin'i vlij' ll lii'iri i| ifl 
 
 .11 i>!iili Miili'. Ill I 111 'II I'll, ill Miiiv (If I (V'l I'll Ml'". Ill' i-iin"ii|"i iilili' "li"')i' i"ii, i|'i nil' ii'i'i'idMH 
 
 ll,o li'iri I'll ivilil M|i|ii"ii "iin I' •-11 I liiii ,'iiliii i <( i,. ii( llii' mimv ' Iml ih'mI;" nl Hi 
 
 I' 
 
 > Ski "iifi 
 
 111! 
 
 I 111' I'MIII I I \ 
 
 I I \ I II I'l' I , ( 1 llll I i'iIm. 'I'll I 
 
 I ("I'l WMI 
 
 i|. II .1 
 
 III 
 
 |i| |i(rn in I III' /^I'l'i'l !l 
 
 |. iii'i'l llll 111 inl I \ I' i|ii|ii' iiiirM I'lil I I'll;" 'I'll 1)1 mI'^m !iiiii('iii I 111 mill'' II 1 ll" li( 
 
 I'lirii'il I. 
 
 'fi 
 
 ill lll'l jiKiii'ifMi'ii I'll lll'l I II '11, I' I'l' I I 'I'll 1 1 11(1 "I 'lie lii'inijT iirciluniiiiiinl mi iin I'H"! ' il". (iK 
 il i'l 111 1', I lii'lii'\i', ii\i>i (I I'nnMiildi iilili' 1" li'iil '.I l||i. ii.jii'iii 111 llll' (>iimI Wlii'l, rn Cnf 
 •I'l llll' l{'"'l; s Mmitil iiin I'lmln .Am Im i nli i -iil v I" in icmimi K-i- 1, lIn- 'mmvi'V wm'j no! 
 
 ,| I'li'-I 1.1 ' 
 
 I I ni'iii I'M 
 
 I riimlinii . I'lil I ll 
 
 I I' 1', iif> I I'li'Jiin 
 
 111 ll mill llll. I 
 
 II ■.'iiiii iilild 
 
 I'li'ii III I I'l nl till' I )niiinii'i| I'l'hvri'n 'i 
 Kivi'i 
 
 t I'l III 'I I I'll' 1 1 I /Mill 1 1 n^ ii nil I lie nil 111 III ol I li" I'in'llti y 
 
 ll U II 
 
 Hi'linv I Ji'iiniiii'ii'n ( 'i "I'lt Iin. nini'iiii'i |ii(<'ii>ivi"i 'i ni<'iil\' iiltii li| iiiiiimh llimiii'li 
 In \ lilli'\', llll I (i ui ''I inilo'i, til I'' I will ell it In '(1111104 1 11 11 I'l, 11 ml (i (iinnn, ('(iliii I'l'llijn 
 
 I'liiiilrJi i" lii.i;li ^viilni, liiil |ii|' ' |il(> I'll llll- li'illiil I ii'i'ic whi'ii (ll i| lii'v .jl'iin.^ inlci 
 
 Vl'lll' I 
 
 'I'll 
 
 \ 
 
 Miini'i III 
 
 i'l 111.. 
 Imni-'l 
 
 ■ I'll. I,'' ni'nl; ( 
 
 ■ I lliilli'i'.i 'Willi NmiH, |,.ini| 
 
 Mi'il 
 
 ■I 
 
 li'l Ik'Hi II 
 
 III',- I 
 
 11 )ini ll III 
 
 (.I'l iiiMii"i'ii I 'Miiliii" llll 11 I'l \ ii'iiiii' ill 'I wi\-'iii!ill cMnni', mill lli'il tlic ((itiiin wfilN 
 llll' nil I lii(.i;'i. Ill III 111 I'l \ mil iiiiii " I limi '7fi li'd, '.v it li (iin )ili' 1 mu'i nn ml lii.r njilo ('nr i(iai| 
 iiiii 11'.. ("I llrliivv I lie I'mi'iii II I ilii. rini|lii\ nimilli i ' 'i|i|.ii"i('lii i|, I III! ('(iiinlt V i'^ 'if 
 !i ( I'M liM\ .'iiiil li'Vi'l I'liiti tn li'i 1 1 i'i I lll'l I'l HI " i| 11 ill' II 1 1 [I'l I lilt I llll I nil (iliMim 1(1.1 (iC 
 
 llll V iiii|iiii Im 
 
 I I'l' w ' ml 
 
 \ 
 
 1 I I'n'ii 
 
 I'. II 
 
 'I' 
 
 .1. nil I -.villi 
 
 ll lull 111 1(1 ll'li 
 
 11! Ill lll'l II IH'V '11111 11' 
 
 I )i"i I I'lil "I I 111. ( Jirii'iiii'li, it. 
 
 Iltl'l IH'I.II 111. I'M 
 
 Hull III li 
 
 lll'i.n li'lli'llliir t 111. I'll. 'Ill il .11 I, ' I r/ fi...! ||I|, 
 
 H 
 
 I" -/KM, 
 
 Nl 
 
 'V, II Miiiniii," 1 1 
 
 level iilliliele nl ll.e I' 
 
 'I til ll 
 
 I iiii|lii V lit '111' ll I'l 
 
 III' l,'/ltll ll'I'l iiliiive iii'ii ('iiul I Hiilil: llii'i (" lie nil mi li'i e ■ 1 1 nnile ). 
 
 ■yi' (ilii'iin 11 
 
 ililli 
 
 I mill' I 
 
 ll |i.\.'l e,|l|'ll In •/'.■/ ll'I'l 
 
 PlHi ll, (",'enl 
 
 ■liilml.'l lliiniii-lin'il Hi 
 
 inlei vi'liin,.! 'li'slmiee, ," i\ I '1 II •- m v ninlei iile imliniil mti, mi ,' nl \'i |i 
 Illl\l Hill II I Hii'' 'leni I' llimi' (Mil III' V I'l \' lil I le i nun I if 'Inn 1 1' 
 
 |i"i null-, •((» 
 
 'I'lie I'm i.(Miiiiii 'lemi i|itinn will lie Imllei ilti'lefilnnil liy teleicntc I 1 Hl<« 
 i|i.|'iini|ilin\in|", |i|ii|i|e tlti'l |ilmi. Il|i> lllllei .liinvn In Hi" wenle 'iC ,,, I,,,,,, nr H,l)'ll| |ei'(, 
 (11 mi ill ll, U'llii'll wlinW'-l fl vet \' III 1/1 e I ml 1 I'll I n( In I lie I In Mill lei ',Vii ( "'iiil I y Iltl'l 
 I' , ji'llilii, II 111 I ll III MiillHi. I'l 1 nil I'l'tii I I'll; e III III' llirle Tili In I i.'il;e It etiilileiii in liti I it'ln 
 Ti I ' •'•:! ( iiHii'Mvi'ii' IdinWII ilil'i'ii-'; I I'llte ). mill Itntn lln/iMnfi In ( ief mil tiiefi f'leelj 
 inel (III ee ill'i't eoj ilT |illl(i,il l|i|l> llli'in (1,1- | it ' iD I M e v |i 1 1 li I e ( , HlO 'I i'lt lllicrv ll'lin l'"'lf|, 
 
 Mini|iMnn 'n H|(i licinl nl the Ifniky Mniinliiiti ('miiiii n( tlie I'eji'n (M'df ')•* |K;! ttiiI'M, 
 ll in nl'iii \viillli\' III lenillik llitit, mi III" '"(I'llinjr rii'i|H n| Itfili-ili ' !■ i|i|m Inn., Hi'i 
 iiiiilinn n( eiii|iili'\- eyi|iniiiei| liy nie lliij nein'in li'i-i liei'li "ilnli'.ni| \y liii'l 'Imvti ll" t'l 
 I'llilii'le, till' line |ii|.,il e ne; nl Hi ill l/illc, I'm 1;!",' Il'ii|i'', lilnl Tl ■' 111 Me'ii ((il:e, l.i.injf 
 ll elll III In l,'"l lllinnll'H 111' llll |l l|i|e III' It e In Hi" li'li 111 Hlllti ll'"V' lll'l' Hl"t "nil 'tlinWll 
 
 llelni" liiiliiiiliii tliiw In id' i|"'iei 1 |il inn 'n 11 1 |n-i , it ml',' li" 'veil I'l tI'M Hill.t. 
 Iinliilil ie|iii|l iiiiinl'<lii 11 v'iimI I'ldenl nl (jii" |iiliil|i> enntilfyi iintn'i'liiilel / l( Hin 
 tint Hnv'Hi ll III' (I'liil ('ntini'lly, wlinli e nli.i -,iiii| I'l ">ft"n'l mnjlwiu'l I'l Hns ii|i|inr 
 Fiii'lliiN Hi'. I I , 'Mill iim I ll \ III i|, nn'.M'i' 'I'l llll I ' i-i mill li I'l li" t ejrrei lo'l Hi til cift ntn- 
 
 Mlmieee |ii||i!|i|i' nny lillelnlil I'l 'li'e e'.'eii Hie .iliiHiliwI |i'irlinfi 'il Hll-i i (i Im eit.i tl^ 
 lei'imi, vvliieli, il iN eXMleiii I' lie imil, |it" iimiIm 11 •iliiitii'e iiti.i innl 'y- in •nn li ji nniiin- 
 ImIiiiiii I I mini 1 \ 
 
 hill iter iii\ 'I'lil (n Mm nil <;i"(l(^ I 111 ,(, lifii'tio'l fi'iin tl ffiiiini V7h'» 
 ll'ii'i'llileil Hie li' I'l iiii'lhl^ ■nine \ iitl f4 llifn , Hull i I. i ^ 11 (rill^lti Ili'lUi I i(.t"lltfi, iiltrifmt 
 IllejiMlliin. in ili'lli'lei I'll liiliny liile-i, Willi IniV, level liMni.'-i, liml l!'ii.Viriji; lnii|nst.if',- 
 
 iilly tlifii'iiHi It vvi le viilley 'ii Hie wedmn llll." 'll' tint ff.'i'l<y ,\f(itiriliiiri ''Iniin \\,n 
 il|i|ii'i In II III III"! iliiiin Hie |iiiiiiin ie|fi III iili'ivn lolniic'l In. 
 
 'I'lil I iiiiHiiinl III" 'vlinlii ili'iliini" limn lln/.clt'in to ' rei fmin-ien ''leek, Hm r'liito 
 
 lull I II I llll I liei'li 1 1 ,iii'i| I 111 'ii|,el| II ileii'i'l V '.I'ln |i"| teiiinii ( )|| Hie v/'^-i^lvll ftOrl i'/fi, i.f!,, 
 
 I'lnm 1 1 1. I'l 1 1 III lull I liw II III, mil veil i||i III" v;tll 'V "I ^\<i' I'l'/tn lltil'Hi'i, Hin fm "nl, tnvirij/ 
 III 111" liiiini'lil' iiT Hm ilininli', i iiliini'ii in' it "ly f^i unri, Iml lieyml Hin furitriil rrt,rii.(fi, 
 lllliie ii|i>ii''t in till' I ll ill W'lii I, 'I'lill Kivi'i lltrl '(tiielili'l 111 'I'f v/jilley-i iur.'c linnri 
 ili'iimlnil liy life. 'I'lie I'liest 111 Hin< iini'lliniii ingmn (I'ti'-i nnl, {inmofit, n ^rniit vnrnity 
 
P4 
 
 oi wooii-j- llio |>vitH'i]inl ino (In* spnno fir, (liC' Il'inlminii jniio in tlio dry iiii'dlitii'M i 
 i'ii|1i>n wood mill ii^noM nliinji il((> nxiMw iu\ii l;il<(W A IiMv hiii'li tiivw word '^i'imi in 
 ll\(» vl<'ii\nsi(> (iC l.aUc r:»ii;i, tiM.i tl>i'i(> I h.-hv, nnu l> (i» my MMi|)rii(>, ii vciilnlili' hin'li 
 bnrU cniii^o, iho pn^piMix n( ;)n Imlijin. 
 
 Tilt' HjM\ii>> lir iM, liinvt'\(>i , tnoi'i' nniviM'rillx ili'^hilxif I'd I l)t(in^;li (Ms iiiuiin(:iiiimis 
 
 \\'\ lilt' itnmtM'niH hI ii'inii'^ 
 
 vosjiiMi I htui nny iitlii'i' Mi'i>'I. WiM I'niiiM nrn plt'nlid 
 
 It't'in wii 
 
 h lisl, 
 
 \ \ (M'V liivjit' pnviii^n <»r (1\i> t'l'UMtt y ''tMMi i-j ijiiili' )insnil:<lilt> tur iu','i'ii'>i'liut<, iIim 
 onusivi ht'injr in t'lMtnin lofMtiiit'vi, iri'(>;u t>lt'\ :n iiin, in ulluii^ \v;in1 i>t i;i>iid noil im\i| 
 Ho\tMiiy .>i' I'iiniiilt'. iM', pidjiiMly Hiitvikinir, 'lit> h1\i>iI ilni!ili'>i\ nl NiiininiT. 1 U".\<\ in- 
 tit^oii, thm i'\o\u this tun"!* t|\(> inh,vn(ii>M ■)! iiny l>ni lln- Icininwi cmimiIs will lit' ini 
 1-.ofi«il>lt\ ullliiiiijili il i" liinicnli (i» sM\ \vli!)( t'lVt'fl iiiijulit lit' prmhifi'il liy I'li'imiiii'i' 
 iiiid '^iHtlt'ni'Mii At I^'Mi IjiKi', Hi'ii'ti'lv i\nv n(li>iii|ii Ikh liilln'ilt) Ih'i'd iii;iiIi' (<i 
 .iillivMii' iiii>ti' iliiiii !1 Ci'w pi'liih't's mill uMi'lt'ii V('iii't!ilili'^. mill I'vt'ii (liiwt' linvi' iinl 
 pri>\ I'll .1 snt't'i'HS ; si ill, I 1m iu'v tMli;i< wiili |Mi>pi>r i'tww jjniil lim Im mi id pni.'iliuH miff hi 
 ln> arown ilu'vtv 
 
 At l.'^ki' H'lhiiM' -Jiinu' piit:iliii' p;t(i'ln"< \Vt'ri< fniiiplcli'U- iVn/.i';! mIkhiI ihi' 
 lii>!)innin<: lit' A iiLiH^t , this \\ iw. hinvi'viT, in n j^ifjit iin'sisiiit' tliif In llu' Inn t'liwt> prnv 
 nnii\ ii< the tjai'tit'ii 111 Iht' hikt'. In ji l;ii;|HM IniMl hin lliw iiffiilt'iit wnulil, in all 
 prt>lv\liiliiy, till! hn\t> tifriiri cd. Unrini!; I lie ninnlli i>l Aiu;iHt si'\i'H' iini'l iirind (Vnsls 
 Woiv til I'lVi^iH'iil iH'i'iirrt'iit't' in ihi> \ ;ill('\ < id lht< H;il>i|ui Miid N;ilUili)iiMh UiM>i>t. Il 
 \vn«,'liinvt>vi>r. vtMniii Kt'd lli:»l on tlu' iiplnnd- \ firt'iMiinn ni>vi>r HiilVt'ii'd li mn ihid t'luiMn 
 111 Fiit'li !in t'MiMil iw in iht' (di'-.', dt't'p \Miliiy(J nrmpit'd liy wiiIit. i )ii I|ii> 2lnl. "I 
 ,\nirii>-l Iht' fi Id \v:is ^ii jrrtV'ii !i ' III I'lHin ii't< si ipimiiT id mii iindi lhi(d< til my cmini' 
 t>miip 1^1 ihi' l\i\i'i H.iliiiit' nhih' KhM't't'. hi-ihtT, tin lln' Midi- Imnl. llif wild I'liiiii 
 wt'it' '^I'm'fi'ly iiMiilit'd l'\ iViii^l 1 idw('|\i'd, iH mNii did Ml M:n'(inn, llii'< phi'iinini' 
 nmi nil lht> rt'.ict' Hivt'r in lIu' .'iiminin nl' ISyj. li i-t t':wil\ t'xpliiiiii'd llu' iiplmidM 
 ci\'<iy tlnriiii; llu' dny ii m'OMli'r pnrlinn nl' siinli.uhl llutn tlu' \idh'\s, mitl ninn'in in- llif 
 winds oM'ct'isn n lu';iiiiiii; mniit'iit't' nvt>r llif snil ,mid \ t'ui'liilinii, \vhili> llu'\ nllcn luil 
 In rt'iit'h tilt' xnllt'vs m ;ill, wlmri' llu' iindisim hi'd jind Mi!t;;n:nil nlmn-*plit>rt< iirciliH- 
 poso^ (n tVti'-l . 
 
 Al Ha/t'litMi. nil iht' Skt'cnii, timing Iho ninnlli o\' .Iiily, ^ronl vit'inniduii'M nl' 
 U'liij'tMnlinv Wt'it' tihsorv t'ti, iiilt'tiso h(»Ml pro\ iiilinytlnrinn- I lu> di^-, wliilf til niuhl tin' 
 mininuiin lIu>rn\niioi('r it'll very hnv imlt't'd. .'intl nn lln' .'UsI nl .liily iu rt'cnnli'il " tl^'^^h 
 Kiniw tin till' nit'iiiiiMinh, " lUi nlwi'ivnlinn wliitdi linwtn it tit'sni xi'm nn '^pi'idtil nnlit'i', 
 lilt' ^!»nit' plu'iinnit'tiiin tnknii; ]il(iit' nil lht> \ t'.'tr rt'iintl nl inlt'iviilf, Ihinii^hnul Ihi' 
 loiigih and lnvadUi oi ilif prnxint't'. 
 
 hi iht' OniiiiifH tpimlt'V. mill m tlitx vnllfy td Ihni rivfr, dmint!; iln' nmnih <\\' 
 St'i'lt'nihi'r, Vt'iv t'nki :.ii i iVnsly woullior \vM« oxpt'iit'iift'tl. (>nlht''JlNl nl Si'ptt>nilii'r 
 iht' jinjil.'ir rnlinjr,' \v!\k nl iho dfcpt'si yt'llnw. mid llif milninn wn><, I sln'iild siiy, nl 
 Ifa.-^t nut' niiMilli in jiilv niit'c td' niii iisiuil t'spt'iiciit't' in Iht' vnllfy nl' tlif Ollnwn, 
 
 Wlidt' t'n thi^ snhjt'ol nl cliinad', 1 ii\:iv nu'iilinn llinl llif nit'lt'inlnnii'dl nlint'i \ ii 
 (inns nt ihis srinmit'r, nntlt'ilnki'ii fhifllv h'r h\ psniiu'trifiil pin pnsos, nrf tmw luiiiij; 
 tahiilntt't) xv'.lh llifxiou t't t'htninin^ snnm inf-if;hl inin ih' t Innnlii' fniitliliniiH nl'lhis 
 n>>iit'>n. 
 
 ATttM llu' loiinu'ntinn t'l' the st'.isi'nV wnik, 1 >.fnl my innn l'Mtd( In llic 
 t^ti.'ist ?■/.) tht' Skt't'im K'lvt'v, nit'it'ly rosorviiifi-n t'nii|di' In at'ii'm|im\> nn' nn my way In 
 «,^iu'>siU'lU', wlut h ^^■as rt'a< hoti. i-ni SlowmCs litiko, nn tht' \'Ja\\ ( »i|nht'i-. Omin^ my 
 wavtltiwii, 1 niatit' a iui<'rtimt'(.rital Mirvt'y nl ihf cast Mhnit'nr l/akn 'I'nlln mitl til' n 
 ptMiiiin tM Mitldlo Uivor, 
 
 .\n i'\aiii;n;>luin was nNn mndt' nt' iho mhiiIu'i n t'lid nf Ijalc Tatht, having; in 
 vit^w a pt-issihio lino iVi'in St .Inhn'-i Hay'nii lakf I<nl'int>, 
 
 In IS'L* 1 ivjiiMlod that tlic idiain nl' Inkfs Ivim; imnu'tlinlcly I" tlm t'lHlward "f 
 Lako lialnno pivsouU'd a t'avnrahh' nppnrluniiy inr iln' pas .a^f nt a railway IVnm 
 llio tiiivonon i^t' llu' niuU't t^f Lakt' Hahiuf. and lli,'ii iho wnndi'tl Inll-t whit ii (lank 
 Si. Jiilm's I^HV on tho fast mis-ht in all pi-t>hahilily hi' Kt'alfil hy a railway. l>iiiint( 
 llu.' pa^l softht'n ^Il•. ('amino, t . his way up LaUo Ihibiiu'. walki.'iJ up tlio trail wliiiii 
 
 (■) lUHC 
 
 tin ' tl 
 
 I cniMi 
 
 •dllm 
 N)iii 
 hy (1 
 In lilt' 
 
 I'Xll I 
 
 Al'ifi 
 
 fVi'l- 
 
 nni' 
 nnd II 
 ll'ihin 
 
 11. di 
 Kivi 
 
,,,,JH(W (1m>'<" Ili'I'), !"lil f'lillnl |i\' IIIIc>ImM Hint llm cl^v-ltliitl lll'l ll"' cyiool t,(MI(l fi'i't, 
 
 ■III I llmt tli'>':i' lii'N Mii> (|iiit(' |ir;i''lii' iMc Sii'li ln'irn.; tli" ch'-'I', I (•xtifiiinol (m .'ih'Mily 
 
 I I'inin K"i 
 
 I till. .;m||I||I'I !l ('!l<| nj I , 'I I. I' 'I'll I I " I l| i'J CI HI II nc I i 
 
 'I'iiIIk* t'flslWIII'l III (III' ^Mllll'lll 
 
 l;lkl< 'rilllll till' CKIIIllrV MpllCMI'i liiW 
 
 ihll'iMull "till V" V lini'li liiiil.i'li, I'lii'iP lii;i\ li" HMiiH' ilil I'i't |>!iMsi|ir(. (liclHC I'" til 
 
 Niiti''ii l/il<i"i. I'll! I imi 
 
 il< (lull 
 
 liu HI 'iI'Ik line nniiM I"' ("iiiii| 
 
 liy i, 
 
 'vint; |Ik< Miijilli' Mu'imim | i|. c Tcwin Ii|< iir, Mini •l;iilin)j iH linillii'itl 'ilioioH 
 
 til iIk' JiHV viilli'V "' " Niniill hlii'iiin v\liiili (iilU into IimI-'- 'riunililiMii iit Km (iiiti'in 
 
 (>y(i I'liiil \ 
 
 Til 
 
 I lii'l 
 
 |i'\'c M ll|l'^'<ll!i:l> 
 
 iiiiLrlit lie |i»miil i'i\v:iii|-i McliPd'! I nk<». 
 
 Alt 
 
 ci 
 
 M V( 
 
 IV f'MII'I'lli mIiI'Iv lit llli^ ?|lp| I lll'lll ll'('i"!l. I 
 
 Mill llinip 
 
 (•\ i<r iM)iiviiii 
 
 J ll'lll lll« liuili 
 
 till- K .1- 
 
 I 
 
 (l^-i i-i (he iiiii\' ll'\'ii 
 
 llifltl 
 hil.lo 
 
 ilii> (Viilli till" SIc'i'iiji (n 111!' I'c'ii !■ Rivnr I'ni'^ iif llii' lfoil<y M'iMiilfiili 
 ml tliMt till' unlit lll'lll niic ri,i l||i. 'I'lil ImI'IIH l< III iliiii'i i>( liil<(>-<, (||(> pii'iM ii[i|iii':il(' C 
 
 oil 
 
 |l:iliiiii', mill MiiMli' l?i\i'r Inwunln l/)ilci> Mi'IiixmI. uliiih Ijo'^ |ii(ili;ilil y •■'uciil \ fi v(i 
 iipli-j line <'iiMt liMiii I /:il<i' 'I'l I'liililniii-. wiiiilil mil \ lie iimi.(ii| in ((iihk.i | um with I lio I'iiid 
 Kivci I'lisu (n i\ liii li I 'li I'W I III- Ml li'iii I'll! MJI III' ({iivoiiiiiii'iil III l*^?:'. 
 
 Till' iH('li'iM"liij;i"Ml I ii'-i'i \ iit'i'iiM niii'li' ihiriiitf tl.i' iiihI ^-iiiiifiiii , iIIhi nnricti'il mm 
 tlii'\- iiniivni'liilil y wi'i". (lie iiiisiil iHlticliiry i\i (|iil:i fur iirilviiiir (i( iiioii> t| 
 11 l'iini;lt rsli'iiM'o iil' llii' riiiiiiilii' c iii'lil i'iii>. ol I lin ici^iuli 
 
 I, 'III 
 
 iixiiiiinic 
 
 I'Vl'lllll'll'HM it IIIMV I"' l"IMIirl<i' 
 
 liMslily 
 
 lli(< I ciriMtcr '~li('WN 
 HiiiiH' iiili'ii"<tiiitr I li(<i niMinct liciil ililV"i"ii("M whidi i hIimII (riv Ih'ic. Siimil 
 
 iMtlCi'MH limillv li'l|i|ill[rM illM'in^ tlio lllulilli n''.ll|l\ slii'W (I ilill'i'lclli I' nl' Imil (lci;i(i(W 
 
 lit I'mii'IiIu'II lii'i wi'i'ii liii/.i'lliin iiiiil I;'il<i' IimImih', IIh' I'ii imr ms'mmii'iI I'> \><> Ti^t iVi'il 
 
 niiiixo Mil' "jf 
 
 III 
 
 M, the liittcr l,fU7 f'i'"l liiijlu'i Tli" liiirjicr li'iii|i''iiiiiii n i 
 
 iM IMS nt 
 
 I|:i;m'IIiiii Sifiiiliu- I I'liiliii^^ III I,mI<i"< Miiliiii" Miiil 'I'jiil.i '-li'iw ilil'i'i"m'('-< oC ;i ili'jfip"') 
 lit I'Mii'iilirii. tliK lii/ilicr (i'iii|ii'iiiliii (' lii'lnt: iii \ inUv 'I'iiIIm, 
 
 'I'll!' I'liiiiiilc III I "ir l(iil<i> fill M fi'w iImv" ill .liliv, (•'< <''iiii|i;ir("l with llmt lA' 
 
 1Im/i'IIiiIi. is ill liki' iiiiiiiiicr, mIm'Wii In I 
 
 IC .j(.\i'|i l|i>;ri'(i(in I'lllijl'l 
 
 'I'lic iii'i'-l fri'iiidl iliiiiMli' si'i'iii'i tunliliiiii III, IjmI;(i 'I'mHm, iiii'I I mMy h(iri< ri'inifk 
 
 i!il. in Miy ii|iHMiiM, till' miisl, IiKiik^ mi'iim Im mi'IHimiu'mI ni mim I'liltino m'cm l|l•?•||l^ 
 1(1 si'M'^iiii is ill (he (I'lii^h I'l till' Itiitt vviKiil I'ivi'i mii'I iiMl<('H 'I'lit Im, 'I'l'rmlili'iir nii'l 
 
 lIlMl. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Slcwiiil, \vlii'i(i ;i ('iiiiuii|('i!ihli' ("■■li'iit III liiiii Imi"! i-i 111 III! liiiiii'l ill i-iii'it-i [ hiivn no 
 il'iiihl lliiil lln'ri> Ml i> aho (V f'l'w rii\ i'imIiU' I'lciiliiii'M on l,iil((' liiiliinc, mm iIi'ti" iirc in Iho 
 viciiiily <•(' llii/.cllon mikI KvN|iy".v, Iml flNcwhni (\ with Hijiiirly Miiy cxcniition, Iho 
 I'liiiiilry JH III (no olcvMlnil luiil nioimlainiiiiH m clniriiitiir in he Ml nil lit loi n^i iciiltiiic. 
 
 I hM\i' thn 111. nor to he, Mir, 
 
 Your mo;t ohndiont Horvnnt, 
 
 (;. IKKJK'IVKY. 
 
 Sanhfoho l''i.t!',Mi\(i, I'Ihij., 
 
 l'/ii(fitii>i'r in ( 'hidl, ('nimdiiiii rmilli ffMilwny, 
 OtdiwM. 
 
86 
 
 ArrENi)i\ No. 0. 
 
 (Imii 
 (KM'M- 
 
 ■ li'H 
 
 
 •^ NnKinvnN nil' lull 
 
 n M ilninii'N, II i>. 
 
 la i'iMH)i:m\ wiili \to^s\--<. « "MtulMo iin.l M.'l .vi.l, .n' ( l\o ( 'MiiMiliiin l'iii'il!f Wiiihvti\ 
 Survox.Mn.i Pr. »i M. Omv-iiMi. <i( ilio (<<>i'l<>!;ii'iil S\ii \ (>\ , llu' wnior loll \' mMki in on 
 Tiu»'*<'ax . .'<1^i .linu". 1 ■> V'V l\v ■it>vmu>r "t>l\in|>in,' («iiu't< fiillcil (hi> "riiuii-MM 
 l.oniso.' > ciMnm.-uiiloii In «';ini!iin l,o\\i>-, Wiio is ri>.i<,Miili'il mn |Iii> iiin'-i i>\|ii'i i.'inoil 
 iiMvijiMli'i iM llio « 'iiuM.iian r:u'tlii' i'i>;is(. 
 
 \(';iM '-iivmuiio i|\voiit;li ilu' f-iu:nls oi' jl-uo xvc |niKm'i| noi i Inviii il iM'twi'on N'lin 
 OiMivtM .Mnii llu' ^nvilloi isliimi ■ liijii -.iiiil tlio '^iniil'" o( ( M>oi-|>i(i, iinlil. loin iiiij (ln< 
 iii>ril".oi n (<Nn(>mi! y >M \ miuimiv or. \vi< onii'i i il i lio s<>i ioti ol' rluinm Im i Inl dn iili> I he 
 lli:Uliifllul t\\Mli i]\(> ioHi; >urii'svii,in i>l imImmiN w luili I'l n<j;t> llu> ii'H'-l witli nimiucU 
 nii> inliM'Hi|Mii<n !»H iiir MS AImsUm. I'In-i l:ni(i li>i'l,i>il siij|i ot' ivcim lliiil Hlri'ldioM 
 !\liM.'"-t miln-.iki'ii nlono- oiir P.MiMlii' comsI liiiin S:in ,Iii;in |i> I'l'il Slin)i-<.>n, is uno ul 
 llio ino^i sin;;nl;n \vu((<i \va\s in ih<>\v.irM (>n llio \V(>si(>ii\ shmi-s <il Niiininn oi 
 jin.t I't tlu> I'liMin <M' '-laiiiis \\ iiio m i lio noi 1 1\ tl\i> w mv os .i(' I lir I'.ii'Hii' luoiiU \vi 1 1\ iin 
 liiii-onsiiio roi! , h\\{ luMiV iii'-i'lo I lio l>ri','i-l\V(>i K o{ i^hiiiils. !in<l Ih'Ivvim-ii lln'n\iiiiii 
 t!io lUM'nlMiiil, ilio s,\t IS icnuniinU iis siwooih n-' m i'miimI. il is iloop i>iii)ii/;li |i>r i|ii» 
 l!\rs;ost man <ii wnr, o\imi wnluii m short liistunco ol iho shoio. (iinl yd llio liiii(>sl 
 stoani y,'\i"lii inns no \isU oi' riMi.oh wiitcr. l''or |ih>;ismi> siniiiiir ihis iloop, Hinoolh, 
 SMl»>, sp.'U'ions, l.iiui loi'ktvl I'hnmu'l, oi so' los ot iliannols. is |iroliiilil\ wiihonl ii ii\iil 
 Now il hnijuloiis lo ,'i xvuiih ol scvoriil luilos, juhl aoain ii nnnows lo n njiiin ol n Imv 
 hnndrotl yar Is, iho nnmlvi ol' i-liiii.ls oimMmij; .hu' l* sh;u\c> his conrso o\i>r culm 
 wator in ainiosl any \Vi\'Ulior. whiloon I'voi \ lianil one in n'll l>\ vinio'l ttml allrac 
 livo sv\Mioi"V. I'or oomnii'n Kil ]nir|>osoH, wlion iho iniiios nloiiij llio t>asl(>i n soalioiinl 
 ol" \ anoonvov Iwonio nioi(> t'lilly >l<>\ otopoil, aiiii llio ciiaslin;; irailo incrcii'Mis, I ho 
 ^■a!no of snoli wHtoi' ooininnmoitlion. |iossossiiifr all iho adx aiiiiuics ol doop noa iiiivi 
 frauon. vol jiroioouvi l\v a lino ol hroakwaloi-s iVoin all ihi> ilanoois ol iho soa, tan 
 liardly ho <ivor osliinad'd. Only ai Iwo plaoos isii os|>i>s<<ii lo iho jnilos ol' llii« I'ai'ilio, 
 and lliovi^ only lo lh<>'>olVinn Ihi' \V(>s|, vi^.. iVoin llionorlh oiiil ol \aiiooii\or I iliiml iih 
 yon viMind Oapo (''aniKMi. a <iislanoo ol ahoul ihirtv' niilos, iiinl attain lor iihoiil, Inn 
 niilos wlion ivissmix Mi'ihanK Somiii. Ai tw<> plaoos also, I^o.IiI'h Nairows, noiir llin 
 ontraiiio lit \anainio. and al Soxinom'-' \ai rows, iiol\> oon \ .aiioom or ittiil Vnlii(>H 
 Islands, Ihon^ is, al ooriam oon.nlions ol' liio iido, a stroii;;' oiinoiii, soinoiimoK I'loni 
 tour til oit^hl nvlos an Ivoiir. whioh niij;hi o,iiisi< dt'lav lor iwo hours al lh(> nlinosl lo 
 an onl'.narv stoamor. l'"oi ihi' losi ihoii> is no inoro liillii'iili \ lliaii woiiM ho mol 
 will) on a doop, uni iitUod laktv Tho disoomlorl to whioh iho Iravollor nloiifr Ijna 
 coast is luiisl ox}>osod is iho nioisl olimalo, whii'h pn'vails whon yon pass hoyond lh(> 
 jii'Otootion ot' tho nvMintains of N'anoonvor. I'nlil yon a|»proaoh Iho imrlhorn ox 
 ti'Ofnitx iit'thal island its l^^lly hills, soino ol'w hioh ai(> o\i>r sommi llioM-;iiid loot in 
 lioiu'ht. intoroopt tho showors that dril'i landward I'roin tho Pai ilio, so thai |Iiomi> I'all 
 on tho wofdorn slopi>s ol' iluMslaiid. lioiu'i> ilu' oasiiMii ooasi liiim N'loioria norlhwanl 
 Olijo\s A n\osl doli};htt'iil oliin.ilo Hiii whon \>>ii h:i\o pusHod \ iin<'oi.,-or tho islniHln 
 1»> llio iiovll' ni> lono;tM' SOI \o in ll)o saino lioj^roo lo mloroi'pl tho oltnidH, 'I'hoso roll 
 inland until thoy sli'iko Iho lofly slopos of Iho Coasl oi- Tasi ado fan;:;o, whioh inns 
 oli'vso 111 Iho si'ahoai'd aiopt^its wholo lont;th, and iionoo llu> iioiihoiii pari ol llioooast, 
 oniiiy.s — Of ralhor oiuiiiros — a muoh f;r«'alor iMinl'all Ihaii vmHioi tho OHhl ouhhI of 
 Yiuuvnvor Islaini or iho soiilhoni porlion ol' llio iniiinlauil. 
 
81 
 
 ||l>\ill|(l ||h« wIh'IIim m( V'linrninil 111.' Wl'llllli'l lii'i'Mllll'. Il'l Wi' lul'l l-v jui ll.'l^ 
 (Iki'mIimIU liliiiil. A 'll i/./lill/f I Mill ulna iIiimI, Ini llii. Iiini>, Milt vioWM iil ivlllll, (imiii 
 
 iili'iii'l iinh^l 
 
 Wlnii Mk' Infiil.'fi 
 
 nri'llMiiilini (Miin|i'iri, \vi« iiiii'il'"! ii\u-'i i"> iiiti/' ihim ■•ill 'i iim'I v 
 
 IIIJmI IV'lIlM lit! Wl'i'MlM MC III!' lull I, iMiv I'MIl' liml |il I I i Ilil'ilIM, l;n\v iV'P'ii|i"l Mini 
 
 wl.lpitlf.>, III'"' (lilliMll llllVl'il IHl'l IMPIVV ' !lp|ir'l, iMlll't IIIM"! Ill(l' M Willi 111 ll'lllllllin'. 
 
 ili'lyiii;; llii« Wiivi>m, iiinl MjiMili ilrl'l liy (|pi>|i imimw ll'iiil in ('ii|(M'I 
 
 On ' I'll II I ill II \', II I "111 I liniiii. UK I I'MiliiwI I'm I I'l'i'iiiijrdiii III I l|i> tiI'Mllll 'il' llio Mkoi'iill, 
 •1 ilj-diiHi- m| 'iIhuH I'iII mill'" liMiii \ nil. Il'l Till' villii(M> fill' ImI'i 111' "iiiiii. lil'ti'iii ni- 
 
 h\ i'MI \ Ih'II' '• 1, I 111' !"■ I 'il (V III ill II M I'liplrMJ |.\ I 111. .ml it Ml \' IV III I I' t I II III 'if 'III. |.I||IM>, 
 
 I III) llllll'l M liy I III I JM 1 11 'I I II' I llil'l 'ilM|i|i. Ill I I (I'll., \vlli< It in mI'III I 111' I llil'l III I M ll> 'il 
 
 (iniil, in "iiliiiiiii, I'll Im'Ii" Mil i'|.i.'.vliii i> nl'i|i(r tlii> iiDml, Miilliinii i-i I'lini'l III '.yliM 
 ■ iri|iiilii\ iiliiinillliii'i', mill ililliii(^ till- (iiliiiiir Ki'MHuii (III. Ill i'l ii ii'iiily limilirl I'm llii'in 
 mI I 111' "IiimII < Miiiii'l y. M IIH 111 (I'll I II 111 I liiH, l< tiii'A'li ii-i \V illiii Inrli, ><il|i'i| iilwn Wn'i'l 
 <'.ii|('-i I II 11' I ill/' , 111 I ini'i iH'i':. 'llil'l I ■ j.i ',-i'i y III I il. Imii'I 111 till' .1' mil ,■ III I'h i nil i ii 
 liiifi, llii' riiiiiilry lining Im llm iiii.l |iiil i iij^/i i| iiimI iii'iiiiiliiiiniii'i , Iml llii.ii. mih 
 ex roll I'll I I I 'I 111 I Iiiii'mIm I'll 111. Ml IiiimI, ii I ii I I lull ill' I II '"'I mi i nti'i |ii iMiiic lii iii I'l Imii'I 
 
 II m(i'MIII"I lull' mini' ii'iiiM M(;ii, (Im il 'Vmm |iii'i>iilili< In liiinc ( ln' ciiintii";, .t' . Iii-in 
 iniirc "M'll y I Iimii 'I'lliir i milil Im' roini'yi'il In Virl'iiiii, liiil llii> |i' Ice <>( liili'ini khuIii 
 III!' vi'iiliiii' M I'll" I \' llil'l iiii'iiii I i"i"|ii I mil' 
 
 I'.. I nmnii iIi'jImI'i I' ll'ilii llin liiiuilli ii( llm li'.ri llii' ' !''iil "in •.viil'i m 'Ii ((ijmii'.'l 
 liy IIii'iImiI' \vii Il'l 1 'i| I III' ,' 1|( I'i'Iiii , ili'lii"!, I li'i livi'i «-.|.( iim In pii |i li'nU l|ii. .cm 
 rill III' I t Iimii In Miii'l wil li il, Im nil linii|f|i I lii.| " iii i' I lio imiimI I iilnl viii i'll I'lim, i- '■ pn-i n^f 
 Ml l'i\v vTiili'i- M |iiii(;li liciirli ill I'liiMl nl llii' vtllM)i;i', yd III" wiiIit hi. hi IIi" slmrii ih 
 illlllii'l |ii.|l<'illy It i'hIi, llil'l JM l'(ll|'^llllll I V II'""' I'll ' ii'iUiiiC. Mii'l nlli'H il'iiiii'- I u |.iii 
 
 I II >"("'. Till' lilifnt liiiy 'I'll' ii'i'i'iv"" llii' wnlii-i 'i| III" li'i'i (illniil'i (rii'i'l iiii'lim m(;i>, 
 ml il r.niiinl 11" iiilli"! n i^'iii'l liMiliniii, Im ii'il iiiiiv i'l III" ii'-' mm limn ili" mi)i 
 uniiH'wIi'il ililiirilli', lull ilniilij^ llii' wiiiliT Mi'Mi-nii it ix li|ni'l<i'i| villi i' M III nii/'lil i|iiVV(l 
 \\\ l||i' i'-i|(i'i'liii Ailjiiri'lll i'llMiiil'i |iri'\i'lil llin Wiili'M III llii' I'lliili' li'ilii liiivili;' iruM II 
 I'Hi'i'l iiiinii lliii liliy, fxci'lil ill llii' I im> Mini ImH nl I Im liil", (iii'l mm il ii'ii iv<\.t 'ltd 
 vvnli'i'H iiT II Iniiji' liyiT lliiil in wmli'i- mh' i''i' I'lj'l iii'l I'l iijii'iiil I ',• lilniifcl vi'li I'n 
 flni'H, ItiiH liil\, i|lilil<i' I III' /.ni'ill iiiM|'ii il V 'i| I III' I IMS' I nil III' I'll' llii I 'iM»l , i-; i' ' li'.iiii'l 
 (ill II iinrl nl' I III' V'"'"' 
 
 r mm I 'ml I'wmiii.i'I nn wi> hIi'iiuh'iI mi In I 'ml Mini iiwnn, iili'.n I fill ini I" f'u i Ini inn lli^ 
 viHiliii(( nil niir wny llii' lii'liiin viliii/'f nl' Mnl liilikiii liili, ih ni'li'i In ■.;ii( nin < icw-i iiri'l 
 cMiKii'H Inr mil jiiiii li"y n|i I III' S Iii'l nil Mi'Mililnil liili i- i liii'dy |{|in'<vn llii/iii(;|i I lin r() 
 niiiiI'Ml'li' iiii'-'imi i'mImIiIiuIiciI Inii', in inii.. ' Imn li'ilii I lii' 'Iliiiiili 'iC l'',(iif|(in'l.liy Mi 
 Win I Iiiiu'Mii ( )I Ih'i inini mii' in I Iii. I nil in i.", Iml li I'l 'ilc-iliinl nn'l II'ikimii ' iilli'.ji' ,/. <imI 
 in llriliHJi ( 'oliifiiliin, linl il i" im iIh|iiii iii'i'iiiiiii l'> ilii'in lo -imv "i'iI h' ik' '.I lln'in Inivo 
 iiiincil H'l Miici'nH'ilnl MM lln' inji'iimi ul Mnl Inliloil liili Tli'' I •.iiii|i>("iin-', iim llm lii'liniiH 
 
 III lliiil 'li'il li'l, iim riilli'il, vvi'ii' III llio liinn v;lii'n Mi lliin'iin ciiirii^ lunmi/f Midrn, 
 Hi'Vonli'cii yi'Mi H iiK", "" III'"", I III liiili'iil , IHl'l nil' lids Id iim 'iny nl' Hi" 'i' Ini i niiMl Irilum, 
 tinl, "xri'lililifi; III" lliiiilili'i ; wli"i"in ini'v llir r liii'il i I y 'il I Im '."mnin, l|i<i •"ilifKif y 
 liiiil Hleiuly iniJHiliy "!' Ili" mi'ii, lli" lln'l'i innl ' I' miiIiihwi ai' nil ii'ii'lcr- l|i<'ii ij'lljd 
 ini'iil 111" i'i|iiiil, III III"-:" i(M|ii'rN, nl iilni'i'l iiiiy |ili'" 'i( III" HiMii" si/.n ill 111'' "M-il<irri 
 |iiii\ llil'l"^. Mr I >iiniMn i|"'.in"l rrniiillin lir-il I'l'lniw in tlin Iri'liiirw f'lrirri >,'(iM"r<y| 
 lli' IiIi'Im tilmi,if III" "iiiihI In niic ciuiii", »i |iliin '.vlii' h inif'li' W'lik wil in Mii-* ')imrt*w 
 wIh'IT III" lii'liiiniK III" i|ii(i(l\' liy ri"lini|i;, nl' Irm/li il 'nul'l ii'it. lin "frii"'! n'lt iri 'h'l 
 MMinc Wiiy iiiiimi;i; lli" (ii'linii'i nl' llm '.vhii'Im 'ir nt Hi" iiniiri".-!, wd'i |ivn 'hinfly hy 
 liliiiliii;i;. I |i. I Imi" ' 4 I li" ("iil i n nl 'iiicnil inn-i llm lili|" I li'lidn viiidc" of Mdlllili 
 I'lll ImIi, will 'I" III IIimI li:ii"iilini|l 111! y |iiM 'inii'i Willi) 1 1 VI iitf, liii'l li" li'iM (ilr-Kuly i^iit luiif-'l 
 iii'iiiinl hiiii iniliiiiii li'ini iiilJiKi'iil iliMlii"lH l<» 111" tnunli"!' '>( hIi'hiI ii itifniiiiri'l, iitmn 
 wh'iin li" liii: lii'i'ii nlili' I') I'. I'l I M li'ini' Mini 'Infuly in(|ii"n(" fl". Iiuiififi'l lli'-ir 
 liin^iiiii;", inii'l" il iivvniii'ri JMii/nii/"', (iii'l ii'i w I'ln li« i il I'l I 'i"rn (.'fdrnrfuit I' ftlhy , 
 wliil" in ■! nil I iii/i; I lii'iii nl') in I'lniMi li II'' l"iiiiiii| 'idvi'iiil 1 1 m'I"m lluit h" rnii/li', 
 iiinl I iirl llmiM, mill Hdiil • mni' n( I Ih'hi In V i"l"i id lo ji'iiri. ti(i/i"t Iti.'it t.liiiy id i^ lit jri liirri 
 lii'i'iini" III I i^.'in l"iii|i"iM. TIi'iIiiiiIk nl l Inn- ImIi'i'.i, licyiri'l wlnit (ir'i r"/|iiii"'l i'>r 
 
 tlioir own iiiuiiiUiimiM'o iiii'l cuiiilori, miu "xilwtri^ijff lor hikIi c'/fiirriO'liiicn in llio way 
 
88 
 
 of ilotliin:;', provision, etc., as they can ])i'<vniro from ^''ictorin, niul (lu-<o nro furiiisliod 
 ul an oxci'lloiit >lio|i ill lli« vill^i^'i', wliicii. iMKlcr tli(> irii-sii'nar\''s (iiroclion, is iiian- 
 a*;*'*! Iiv Iniiian ck-rk.--. A lai'i^o niiii l>oaiiiilnl cliurelt, a onnunodidiH si'luml-lioiisd, 
 an oxtciisivo tradint; -tmo, i'((!nrnii;Lliii' dwcliiin^-, a saw mi ill, and mimoruiis Wdik- 
 shop-i ui'o aiiioii;^ tli(.' oiiiw.iid and vi'-ii'le o\ ilcncc'^ d' iho sii>'r(^-s of i'k' niissin!!. 
 Wo i'ni,'!ifiod two cicw.s Iil'H', and loiind llu'in lo ln' cxri'll^ ,il Ci'll .w-. aclivo, lioiiiwtj 
 aii-l kindly ; ti.cy wt-rc acrnslnnii'd caidi ovcnini^ In liavo piayer- in tlii'ii- own Ian- 
 giiagi', anil tlio man wim led their dcvolions was ilio Ltiavo-l, liest-tcniprn'od, and 
 most hUilfiil lioatinan of tlioin ail. 
 
 On acfoiint ot' iinr diday at I'oi't lOssintijton an I Mollahicaiiali. wo did not enter 
 tlio liai'lioiir of I'di't Sinip--on till d!ivlii""i'' ,)ii l''iiday, the "tli- 
 
 I'oi't Simpson ,s a .-in a 11 villai,'e lliat lias i;'atliered ar mnd an i>ld IIiidson's'MayConi- 
 pany's post (Ironi wliicii it issoinoiimo cailcii |<\)rt Siinp-on), and !-< nccu|)i(' 1 almost 
 entirely liy Indians. 'I'ho liai'liour is most faxoiirnldy silnaled. l'/i-_y of acc<'-s for steam 
 iiavigaiion, tliioii :li llio channel hy which weonloied it from I lui south, it is oasy ofii'- 
 cesM tor sailing ships or steamers jipproachini,' from the west, throui^li Dison Straits, 
 that sej^vrate the i^).ieen Vli'ii loi ie 1 daiids from Alaska; and it is us safeas it is accossilile. 
 Fa. 'ini;- the west ii has two approaclies — Dodd I'as>a^e, IrotwtH'ii the soiithwesioin 
 extremity ot' I lie harlioiir and ;i reel ot iocl\s. and In^kip I'a-;s:ii;o, whii'li separatu.s 
 this reet o( i-o(dvs en its northern side from Hiriiie Island. Ik'twcen Hirni(« Island tiiul 
 the northern oxtromity of the liarlioin. there is a choked jtassai^ro not til . r any 
 navitralion, save that of canoes or other lit^ht craft. This reel of rocks, thoiiLjh hidden 
 at l)ij.jh tide, is tiaceal'le ai low water on account of the kelp attached to it, and it 
 serves as .a pai lial hiealiwater for any sea tli:it iniiiiit roll in tVom the I'.icifii', whilo 
 Jiirnio Island coin|il"'tes the prolcclion (d the harbour on the western side. Tho 
 exlcnt ot the liailioar may he set down at not loss than three n>ilos in length, with an 
 avorui^o lireadih of iie;irly one mile. Its only exposure is to the west, especially throii>r|i 
 the approai h knowii as In^kip I'a,ssai;e, hiil no severe ^ales ever visit it from that 
 ;juarlor. I"'iidayson [■-land and the I>undas Islands ])ioiecl it lo the south-west and 
 Hotith, while an_\ -ales from llie iiorth-e:ist, ea-t oc south easi (^tlie pievailiiii^ (piartors 
 for high winds in ihis locality^ I'aii scareeU' havoaiiy iniluence on its waters, as it is so 
 well dolended on those sides by the high tsurpouiuling land. The anchoi-ago in 
 reported by ('a]itain Lewis to be excellent 
 
 From I'ort Simpson we visited Work (.'luiimel, an inlet of IVl miles in lengtii, 
 which mils from t'ajie Ma-^kelync, li\e miles north of Port Simpson, in a s-outherly 
 direction, making a |ie'iinsula, known as the Tsimpscan I'enisulu, of tin average 
 breadth of twelve miles, trom near the mouth of the Skecna to Capo Mnskelyno. 
 This chaniRl liaa ne\er been fully surveyed. It seems lo be similar t(.> many others 
 of the deep iiiKMs, that run inio the mountains .along this I'oast and that have often 
 bo(Mi lil-.encd ti) the tiorils of Noi-way. Tho iiorth-oasterl}' iiank is more pi'eci|)itoua 
 than the other, the hills rising for tho most part very Hteep and abrupt from the 
 water's k'd^i', and although almost uniformly covered with a growth of small codar, 
 yet when occasional snow-slides or j)erpcndicnh"'' blutfs disidosed their rocky 
 character, it beoamo a matter of surjirise liow anything could grow upon their 
 sui'face. About 22 miles from the entrance tho north-eastern bank is cut through 
 by a narrow tiord called (^ualoon Inlet, wlioro tho bare rocks Kooinod to yawn in 
 order to allow a glimpse of some snow-cajtpod summits and rugged clitfs. more 
 imposing than tho scenery at any other part of the channel. At tho bead or Houth- 
 eustern extremity of the channel a stream enters Irom the south; up tho valley of 
 this stream there is a pass at low allitudo, connecting, by a few miles, Work Channel 
 with tli(> IJiver Skecna. 
 
 The south-westerly bank in not marked by hills of the same prei'ipitouscharactor 
 as tliose on the other side, except foi' two or threo miles from a point opposite Quatoon 
 Iiilot, towards the head of the (diannel. iiere the descent to tho water's oilge is very 
 alirupt, although, even here, there is an almost unbroken growth of small cedar, witii 
 oiicasional patches of Cottonwood in the ritts bolwoon the hills, a.s fully advanced in 
 leaf, at tho time of our visit, as the Cottonwood trees near Victoria. For the rest, 
 
 i 
 
89 
 
 the filopos along the Houtli-wostorn l);ink aro pontic, ami fioquontly terminato in a 
 loilgo or lioiicli of Hon.o cotiwidoriihli! widlli, ah'uit \'nv\y foot al";v<) lii^li vvjitor. 
 
 As wo wore roliirniiii; In I'oit. Sinipnoti, nud wlu^ii half-way (Imwii Woi'k Channol, 
 thedfizy.lmn rain, whidi had I'allon mmo or loss utoailily sinco Wcilnosdiiy innrnin;:;, 
 loawod, tho clouds hiokc away, Iho j-ky ;,'i'ow idoar, :ind tho <i;iy iK'canm hi'if^ht atijain 
 as an l''ngli>li Mayday, yioarninp aioiind ('apo Maskolyno. wo could soo alon^ tlio 
 coaHt of Alaska for many niilos, and as wo tnrnod soutiiand passed I'orl Simpson, tho 
 liarliour and its snnoiindinjjs appeared much more attractico than llicy had dono in 
 tho di>af;r(>cali)o dri/./Jo of tins niorninr 'I'ho ^^ca wa^ calm, and ii-* the aflenioon W(/ro 
 on, tho day corilinuud hriglit, whiU; wo licld on our course for I'ort I'lssiiij^ton. It 
 soomod as if this northernmost piu'lion of tho I'acilic coast was as fair and favourahlo, 
 in regard to sconory and climate, as tho coast of Vancouver, or of Ifio soulhorn ])or- 
 tion of tho lUiiiidand ; and yet tho testimony of all whom we mot, capahle of giving 
 evidence, tends to prove that the climati! hiuo is exceedingly moi-,1. Mr. Duncan, of 
 Meilatkatlah, k(!pl a ri-cord of idimaiie. changes fur one .-reason of seven months, from 
 OetoluM' to April, and found that oidy an average of's((ven days jicr inoulh wtu-o fair; 
 aial after a residoix'o of Hoviuitocn years in tlli^^ locality, ho thinks that this is a 
 reliahU^ proporti(Ui for tliat part of tho year, hut that the ]U'oportion of wel weather, 
 during tho remaining nujiiths, is not so iaige. During one season, in which Ito was 
 teaching night seiiool it was necessary for iiim, each evening, to cai'ry a lighted 
 lam]) from his house, a few steps fi'om tho school ; and he ol)^orv(>d that foj- twcnty- 
 ono consecutive nights, ho roipiired to carry an nml)rclla oviu- the lam]) lo juotoct it, 
 from the rain. Mr. A. McAli.-^ter, who l)uilt a steamiu- at l'(u-t l'',ssingt(ui, an intelli- 
 gent and reliahle witnosH, says that sometimes in July thoro is lim> weather, hut littlo 
 during the lest of tho year. Oa])l. Lewis, and rosidon's at Port Sitnjison give similar 
 rojjorls, and yet from our own exjieruMu'o of what is !icce](led as " wot " weather, it 
 is not heavy rain that ]U'ovails here, but rather light and trc(pient driz/.h . with cloudy 
 skies, like that wliich one exiiorionces so often on tho wijst coast of Scot land. 
 At any rate, whatever ho the extent of tho rain fall, the olimato seems to bo a 
 healthy one, if we may Judge from tho fresh and vigorous a])i)earance of th(! ])eo])h) ; 
 and ihoso resident hero say that the cold is not more f-evoie than in tlio southern 
 parts of the I'roviiico. l''ogs are not very frequent, not. much more so than at tlio 
 lower end of the Straits of (ieorgia, while the dense smoko from bush tires, of wdiich 
 pilot.s further south somoiimoM c<)m])lain in summoi-, is (juite unk'nown here. 
 
 Around Mollahkatlah as well as around Port Sim])s()n, ^ome atlemi)ts uro made 
 at gardening; vegetables aro grown with fair success, es])eeially ])otatoos, hut tho 
 soil neai" the >oa is tor the most ]>ai't boggy, while further i'rom tho slioro it is rooky ; 
 in eitlier case, with tin' exce|ition of a few occasiotnil ])atch(^s it js said to he ultei-ly 
 unfit for cultivation. There is a good ileal of timber, jiarticnlarly rod and yellow 
 codur (the so-called yellow cedar being, more accurately, cyiiress), and sonie trees 
 grow to a large size, but they ai'O not much usedoxcoj)t by the Indians for ])roducing 
 sawn or hewn boards of which they generally build theii' liouses, or for making their 
 canoes, wliich aro sim])ly logs of cedar, dug out and sha])ed to the reipiirod model. 
 noy(Mid this there is at jiresont no inaiket for this timbei", which apiiears to be tho 
 only valuable jiroduct of tho soil in thi.s part of the I'l-ovince, the wealth ol' tho 
 district being rather in its oxtonsivo fisheries of seal, sea-olloi", salmon, halibut, 
 whale, hiM-ring' etc. Thoro are very few i^eltlements, and fow inducements for,' ittlors. 
 Tho whole country seemed to be wrrpjied in silence, with scai-i'el}' a sign of life, 
 except some siilmon-canning establishtiients or a few Indian villiiges thut have grown 
 up in localities well favcuired for shooting or fishing, (jr tliat have clu'^tore<l around 
 the posts of tho Hudson'.^ JJay Com|)any 
 
 Wo left I'oi'l K-^singtoii on the 7th Juno, oui- proposed route being uj) tho 
 Skoena to the Forks, theneo across tho country, to Habino, up Lake Babino, 
 down Ijake Siewart to Fort St, James, lln> central lludsun',-, Ba^' I'ost of norlhei-n 
 British I'olumbia From Fort St, .lames we would follow the trail lo Fort McLeod, 
 and theneo [troceed by boat, canoe or raft, down I'eace liivor through tho 
 
90 
 
 T*i)( Uy Mdiiiitain- to niiiivo^'ai), ami, at'lor >|ienili(i<; Huno timo in tin* Poaco llivoi 
 
 COllllllV 
 
 Inn 
 
 t>' ca-lu anl liy way o 
 
 )f K.l 
 
 llioillull 
 
 tn W 
 
 1111111)1';^. 
 
 (listui 
 
 U\ ((h-orvalioiiN iM.nh* in |iai-l, liy inn ruim-tcT and in pari: l>3' (rack survey, tl 
 
 U) 
 
 iH'o fr'Hii Poi t I'lM^irmioii ti)lli(i villiiiri) (if lla/.dlKii, Iioiut known a-^ the l*'ork-( 
 
 (if Si<»H)n!i, 111' |i\ ii^ iiitliati uainc Kiuiniii i.\, is I'lK miles; tiiis rna>- li 
 
 J 
 
 iH, 
 
 at Ica.-t, a|i|iii)\inia(((ly i'ditoi 
 
 I. 'I'lio aiiitmlo iif lla/Kiiii) ai'ovi' ili 
 
 a is aljoiil <i5l) 
 
 foot. Oniinai'y li'lo walor rcaoii'. 
 aro foil >-ovei'al riiiios fiiiliioi-. 
 
 iljuiti 
 
 inilos ali'ivo I'lirt I'ls-^ini^toii ; (<j)rin:f li.los 
 
 Til 
 
 o cnrront i^ alwa^-s sd-nnif aliovi 
 
 boin^jf scaiToly any roaolios of oalni wale 
 tiuuiilly iH-qiiiro;!. 
 
 lith' mark', "uiiil sornctimo-^ vn-y Vi\t\' 
 Of, so lliiil, "_[i)ilin,i,' " and " (raoking 
 
 ar< 
 
 tho 
 fr. 
 
 10 
 
 l''or sonio (ii>i:inoo iViin iln^ niMiiLh ot' tiii> rivor, say fiO mile-', tlio hanks on hotli 
 
 sidos afo stoi'ji, sohioliniiv-^ almost jirooi|ii!i)M ., Iiui aloiii^ llio j^roator jiart 
 
 laiioo, osjiooi.'illv on tlio rioillioi n 
 
 riLflU liank of 
 
 io;c> runs a 
 
 rtat 
 
 his (lis- 
 or low 
 
 lionoli (il varying; width, wliilo at lln^ samoiimo (iio river is so sjiallow near the sliiro 
 
 lost without intorriiiiUon. When l.iio tide is ont llio lioaeh 
 
 iis to ad mil of 
 
 oiniL'' aim 
 
 is cxposo 1 for a eoiisidoralilo widtli alin;^ tho lower i)orlion of tho river. On (ho 
 Mull's and hiifJi liiiU, visihlo from the I'isor, (lie etVools ot' snow-slidos and laml slides 
 
 m;i 
 
 y oce.asioialiy 
 
 oh-.erV(sl, couiinic in .a Uwv iiistaneos o\{_'i\ to tho w.aler's odi'o. 
 
 In l>i(>t! liio sieimiei' MniHiord a.-et'iidod tlio SkoiMia alviui 7<> miles, (o a po nt 
 11 lidlo .ahi'Ve thi^ villat;e of K itsumicallum. This point is roijardod us tho head of 
 4eam navii^aliiui, a- any iiavit^ahle .stretehes o( water uhovo (his are in(orrup(ed hy 
 
 Heavy rapils. Tlui Muiiiford was employed hy the Western Union Tole^i-aph 
 ( ompany of the l'ni(ed Slates to e()nv(.'y sU|)|)lios fiir tho men who woro en^M^^cd on 
 (ho lino that h;il hren projeelei! through part of Hiil ish ('oliimhia. Tint company 
 I'ommonced o:<jil(iiations in IStlft, with a view (owards (ho- cons(riK'(ion of an ovei-- 
 land (oioi^niph, whi(di, hy way of IJehriiii^ S(raits, was to unite tho Old and New 
 "Worlds, lin( iitter tho expendituie of (hreo millions o) ihillars tho H(diemo was ahan- 
 tlonoi owiiii,' to th() success of (lie Atlantic ciililo, Fopaliout SO miles from tho coast 
 the Skeeiia is diHed widi islands (hat have lioon formed hy rich alluvial iloposits 
 born-' down hy (he s(ream, and iliat ai'o now eovere 1 b^' a luxuri;int i^i'owlh of limbor, 
 chielly of coUon wood, while (he hanks of (he river are iVinijed in many parts liy 
 fliU.s that are ,also densL'ly woo.led. In som(> insianeos (lie islands are so near (Fio 
 hIuijo that the (diannel helweon them ami the hank miiiht, if any jfon 1 purpose woro 
 to he served by it, .sueh as the reclamation of I iiul, bj vo'-y easily tilhxl and the water 
 diverteil into the main channel. As the river euls i(s way throuL;h the Cascaio 
 lian^'e, which is here more Aljiino in character than the ran;:;e of the Iio(d{y Mountain.^ 
 in (ho same parallel, we woro frenuondy in (ho miilst of wild and atti-aciivo scenery. 
 Tho hills are lotty, serrated, sn.nv-eap|Kd ; somolimos we could see a ^iaeior, enclosed 
 in a shell-shaped valley and .-.urroundod hv an amphitheatre of po.aks ; while the 
 wooded i.-laniis ami tlals. in I heir v.-irio I shades of ^roen, (orin a ploasin^j,' foie^'round 
 for every view. 
 
 Occasionally we passed an Indian villaifo, consisliu!^ ot a few rude houses made of 
 r(iui,'h cedar boards. Kaoh house aeeoinmodales tvvo or mor<^ families, ami in some of 
 Iho villaujes each house is adorned by a curiously curved door-post. 'IMio fit(uros in- 
 geniously cut upon those door-)iosts arc sujijiosod to lie tho heraldic hoarint;sot tho 
 
 I' (heso Indians is as mysiorious as (ho 
 
 family, but to tlie uninitiate i the !u>raldrv o 
 heraldry ot'the Eniflish nobility. FroL^s, !iears, beavers, whales, salmon, seals, eagles, 
 men, soinolimesmen tapering into (ish like the tabulous merman, aro thotigures most 
 fre(|Ui'n(ly seen. Sovera! of (hose may be (iiund on oaidi post, tho jiost being abou( 
 thirty leo( hi<.rli, and two feo( in diatnider at (ho base. In many cases more labour 
 Is exj>endod on (his post than upon all (ho rest of (he house ; .sometimes it is largo 
 enougli to udmit of a hole being cut throuL'li it siilU'ii^nt to serve as a doorway, an<l 
 in this Ciiso tho opetiing i.s usutdly by some (jiniint coneoit made to represent the 
 mout'i of one of the carved figures; froipiently, however, it is (piito distinct from tho 
 house, standing in front of it like a Hagstall'. No( far from (ho village may usu;illy 
 be luund a little graveyiird with carved and painted monuments, but very often tho 
 
 gra 
 mai 
 of 
 
 gro 
 rtHi 
 wlii 
 
 her( 
 
 sal 
 
 the 
 
 sal 
 
 the 
 
 as 
 
 taki 
 
 of 
 
 the 
 inv: 
 
01 
 
 Rivor 
 
 .^•nvo of th'' Ttnliiin is HO]i:ifrtti)(t fi'om till' i^ravcs of his kinHmon, ami in commonly 
 tii:irk(!ii liy liiH t'anoi^ m- his i^un, or, in tin- smitlu'in p.ii't ot'tlic i>rf)vinco, liy lliohido 
 oflii-i hoi'H', liis own r(Mr):iiii-i liciiii^ ciicln icd in ;i kmiltIi hnx, laiii -oiiiclimi's iijimm llio 
 tfroutiil, roinuliiiir^s iiitorti'l a linv ^^•(^t. AinniLj smmic of \\n'. Skroiia Indians tlio 
 roniains o| iIki dead iiio cirnnti'd, ilic 'hairi'd Imni's .iml a-iho-^ iioinif piai'inl in a Imx 
 wliitdi is left t'Xi)<)si'(l iu>ar llii; nntsUirts ot"llio villa^o. 
 
 Nonr alnicist cvory viila^o utf (Dtin i nicn on^^ui^ed in fisliint^, for, as wo p.issod 
 hoi'o alxHil tin- nii<iillo of Jnnc, tlio tirst run <>f salmon had alii'ady forntnenct'd, and 
 rtalinon lioini^ alMindanl. in tin! S1<(h iia, un in (ivcry otluir livcr id' Mi-itisli ('i)iiiniliiu, is 
 the stajilc, ajino.-^t tlic. I'xclii-^ivi', ai'iiiic n'' Imid aninn^ tho lndian,-<. Wlit'ti tlio 
 Hulinon taiJH. as it, lias sonlolinK^«l dinio, llitMlistross and ihi^titution arc very fj;i'oal, for 
 tho natives seldom rai^(! any kind of voicctaldes, (ho (di;i racier of the country, as well 
 as of thu pcojihi, hcin^ adverse to a^ri<ulturo. When, however, the salmon can ho 
 taken in the ordinary ahiindanco, a man may in loss than a tnontli lay in his sujjply 
 ot'lood foi' the year. 
 
 Advatiiin<^ Mji the river tliore is an incr-easini^ pri>porti(,?i oi'iilaleaii or flat alonfj 
 the l)anks, oica.-ioiialiy, IIioul,'1> not often, inlirnipted iiy icdi^es of rock, and almost 
 in\ai'ial)ly wlioro siudi (lals arc not found, the hills --iope tjenily towards tho water. 
 
 Tiie mouidains hctvvc^on tho coast linn and the Lakclso Valley, which joins tho 
 valley o( the Skt'cria ahoui "•'> miles from Port l>sin,i,(ton, are not so lofty nor so 
 marked hy jicaks and seri'aUid ridges a-; those ihal hccome visi hie on further f)rof^rcsH 
 into the interior. Indeed, a general deiiression may he li'aced, in a (lireetion 
 somt'what siinHar to that of the coast line, along the \alley ot tho upper watei-s of 
 the Nas.-e and hy th<^ streams and lakes wiiich, at Kjtsumf{allum,corinoct it with tho 
 Skeeiui, thencouy the Ijakelso Valley to Kitimat on the northern ariTi of (iaidncr 
 Inlet. This de))iessio!i ;.s not clearly indicated on any iJiiMisji. I ma)) of British 
 Columbia; it cannot ])rojKM'Iy he called a valley, hut if we ma^- -njiposo tho gen(U"al 
 love! of the country to ho loweied 15l)d feet (and the aveiage level of Hritish 
 ("olumhia, ox( lusivo of the I'oactj .Rivor country, is ostimated a' 8,000 feet abi.^ : tho 
 rtoa), there would he tracoahlc amon;^ tho rem.'iiniiii^ elov;iti!d ridi^os, a valley or 
 chain of valleys in tho direction indicatcil. Through this Ijakelso A'alley thoro 
 appears to !.(> :i jiiiss at a comiiar.atividy low altitude, cc.nnecting the waters of tho 
 Skeena witli the waters ot'the racilic at Kitimat on ( iardner Inhd, 
 
 Throughout, the course of tho river, aUuiidarice of timhi-r is louml along the flats 
 atid the lower slojies of the neighhourintr hills. Cottonwood grows to a largo si/.o on 
 the islantls; spruce, sometiau's as much as six feet in diiimcter, hemlock of a 
 huj)0iior size and (lujilily, ceilai' and asjien aliound, and Ic'-s freijuentU' r)ouglas pine, 
 hirch and mountain asli. The fhits are usually ru h with |icavines or vetches, struw- 
 hcrrics, I'asjdjerrics, gooseherries and with a gicat variety of wild flowers, sueh as tho 
 I'ose, coluinliine, linea, violet, anemone, saxilrage, otc. 
 
 There is scarcely any land (Ml (ho lower part ot tho river fit lor cultivation, as 
 the islands, although rich, are anparently liahlo to inundation, and the flats along tliis 
 ]iart filllli:^ll lillle more than occasional ]i, itches suilahio for the growth "i' pol;U')es. 
 Abov"' [{ilsilas, howi vor, >' i:., ti'oni ain'Ut il'l miles aliove I'ort K---inglon the flats or 
 plateaux aie larger, tnoro elevated and more uid)roken. Thev are ot a light, sandy 
 loam, covering a .sandy soil about two or three feet in dejith upon a gravel bed, and 
 wherever they have bc(!n cidiivaled, as at the scaiterod Indian villages along tho 
 jiver side, they seem to yield good I'rops. especially root cimjis. I'^roni Ivilwongah to 
 the l''ork's, on th.e norlh sid<' ot tic Sk(^'n:i, a distaiuc of about 21 miles, thoro is an 
 almost coiilinnous strel<li of plateau and appioetdly a valley lunning \n an almost 
 direct lino between these iwo |)laces. s(,>me di^taIlco back from the valley of tho river. 
 Tho distri<'t enclosed between these two valleys, with the ox'i'c.'ption al' a hill ri.sing 
 out of tho ( entro of it, seems to bo suitable for cultivation throughout. Around tho 
 Kork' there is cvid(!ntly a good proportion of cultivable soil, although at pi-osent 
 thon! is but a small amount ol il under ciop. Ne;ir the village there are several 
 fairly tilled tiidds, and f<>r sonic distance aiouiid il there are jilalcaux similar to fho.se 
 already referred to. Wheat has not yet boon successfully cullivatod in the neighbour- 
 
92 
 
 hood, hut t'xccllf'nt ciops of oafs Mild potatoes are raisod horo. Probal)l_y thi:^ part 
 
 ot the cotiiUrv may conipaic liivourably 
 manv of'tho rostr' 
 
 in 
 
 I'espoft In aiifi 
 
 lluiiil rosourcoa with 
 
 )oon very littlo do 
 
 ■iiliivalod parts of Biitisli (.'oliimbia, but as yet there has 
 ^re by whites in tho way ot'aLcrii'iilluro, and the .^rnall ]iotato 
 paiciios ut'tiio ludiiii 1 not siip|)ly siitliriont data to warrant any docidcd o])inioii. 
 Tho tlimiite of th. ■ -ona Valley is by no moans as t'a%-onral>lo as that of the 
 southern i)ai't of tho pi ..inee, yor, niiieh liott(;r than it8 hitiitide might h'ad one 
 to expect. Dui'ing the time occupied in our Journey tVom Port Kssington to 
 tlio Korks (from Saturday, 7ih June, till Salunla}-, lilsl June, both days iiielusivu) wo 
 
 had 
 
 mo: 
 
 a cnjoyahh^ weather. On four days, the llth, llilh, ItUh ;ind llOth, wo 
 
 had slight rain , for the lomainder, allii>)Ugh the sky was ofton overcast, tlie weather 
 was uniformly tine. Those resi(h'nt near the coast iv|v(rt that in tho viciiut}- of 
 I'orl lissiMgton there is a hirge propor'tion ot wet weather, but after passing Ihvougii 
 the llrst range of mountains (which it Hot a separate range are a separate portion of 
 Iho Cascade raifge, disdded t'rom tlio lai 
 
 f>'er nioun 
 
 tains ot tlie intei'ior portion of this 
 
 range by the depression already referred to passirii.' along the Lakelso Valley), the 
 
 wcaiher is much less moist, 
 
 The 
 
 snow-tali near the coast is 
 
 lieav 
 
 lev 
 
 y, avci-aging on 
 
 tho 
 
 el, in some seas( 
 
 ins seven or ei^^ht toot, so fai' a.s couM he asceriaincd, but diminish- 
 
 ing iMward the iiileii<n' ami not e.vceeding two leet at the I'oiks. Horses have been 
 wintered out here, altiiough it was nece.ssary to shovel away a (luantity ot snow in 
 order that they might bo able to crop the grass beneath. But although the snow- 
 fall at the Korks is liglit, the e dd is sev-ere, frequently falling to ;,{0" below zero and 
 ■some;; ""s mucii iowoi-, wliib! the thei'inometer rises in summer to 0(P in tho shade, 
 and sometimes higher, a vaiiatii)M oi ti'inpeiaturo no; i.iilike that of some parts of 
 Eastern Oulr.rio and (j>uebee. but mucli greater than thai, of the souihern jnirts of 
 Briiisli ('olumhia. Near ihe coast tho temperature is 
 
 nuicli more eiiuame 
 
 lb 
 
 On our wav tVom l\)rt Kssington to the Forks wo found that the minimum at 
 
 niiTbt ranged from 
 
 ;")■' to .'">(i', tlie averajj:e minimum for the 15 niirhls beinii: 4;-J.'lf)'- 
 
 while ai, i> )> m. tin.' temperaiure rangi.d from U)' to t!,i''. 
 
 No gdid has yet been timnd along the banks of the iSkeena further liii'ii tho 
 " colour" ol gold, which ina^ be fii iiul in the sand of this, as ofalntost every other 
 river in Briiish t'olumbia. Near Iv't/.igeiichlali, about 12 miles below tho Forks, wo 
 (di,^ei ved a vein of cai'b(Miaceous slate, with a .•mall proportion of true coal, and eoal 
 has heel) found <ui the Watsompnih — whicdi Jnins l.ie SlM'ona at the [\)rks— al'out 20 
 miles from the Forks, Further examination mav ju'ove the existence of some valuable 
 Ciial measures in this vicinity. 
 
 There are scarcely any white men living in the valley of tlie 8keena, there 
 being only tlwee white families at the Forks and one at I'ort Fssii.gton, with iiono 
 between. The Indian pi>pulalion at ilie seal leied \illage.s along tho river is very 
 smel!, jvobably iinl more than .'JOit, ali hough at tlu> Forks there are about 'J.")fl and 
 at ,\chwilget (three miles distam; Ifiit, while the Indians al Kis])yox, further up Iho 
 t-tream, are numerous For a time the "I'ork-'' was looktid on as a ju'omising 
 village, it being the |)oiiii from which a '.arg(\ proportion ol sujiplies wore portaged 
 to the mining distriet of Oineiiiea. Had the mines turned out as well as was at tirst 
 expected, the prmnise of the growth and importance id the village might Inive been 
 reali/.etl, hut the (.'a.s,>i ,r gohl liclds drew away the miners, the Oinenica distriet 
 was found to he scaicely worth working, and alth.'i .xU liiere a 'o still about (id white 
 nu'ii and 20 Chinamen there, yet they are meeting with littlo suceoss and the mines 
 of th.'it region will |)idbaldy be abandcmed ere long. 
 
 Many of ihe Indians (it this and oiJur parts of the interior are s'ill pagan, 
 although an increasing niimbei are Chrislians, I hey all seem peaceaMe and well- 
 d'sposed, and although .'it times they are apt to charge exorbitant prices lor their 
 !f<'niur -d to take advantage of any ditheiilty in which 'heir omjil lyer ntay be 
 placed, and to desert hitn it lie does nut accede to their terms, yet as they ai'O 
 gradually brought iindtu' Christiini/.ing and civilii'.ing inilueiices, they may equal tho 
 IiKliaiis ot'ihe coast aipl of the soiitluun parts ol'the jirovince in setiUid imlustry, a« 
 thoy ecpial, if tliey do not excel them iu natural ability. 
 
 ^::::> : — 
 
93 
 
 Thoi'o is as vet no waj,'L,'oii roiui from tlio Knrks of Skoctia to the interior, but an 
 
 ixcollcnt trail, ^'ood eiicimh for a niiilo train, io.uls to Laivo Babiiuv 
 
 Tl 
 
 us trail IS a 
 
 portion of liicoiily road Icailin^' from tiio 8l<ooiia by Babino, tho Frying Pan Pass, 
 l.ak" Tiitia and the IrilMitarics of tho Oinoniea Kivor, to tho Oiiieniea ^old 
 tiekls, 'JOd miles from tlie Forks, ami as liu! only rival roiilo to this district from tho 
 (.•oa.-t is till more expiMisivo one ot tho wai^n'on road aloiiL;; tho Fraser Rivor ami tho 
 trail from (inesiiol, this trail from the Skooiia is the highway for a good deal of 
 traffic. 
 
 Wo left the Forks on Monday ,'J;!rvl June, with a pack train of Indians, as no 
 iniilos are kopt al the villago. The trail led us at oiifo to tho piatoaii in roar of liio 
 \illa,ni.- from which wo had excellent views of tho Xil khi-aw-itah, or Roche Doboule, 
 Mountain (>o called fi'(,)m a l)i'okoii mass of i-ock at itf> base in tho canyon ot tho 
 Watsominah) that rises iiboiit (i.liOt) foot above the sou. 
 
 About 'J V miles from tho Forks wo struck tho old telogra()h trail whieh runs 
 through tho valley of the Walsonqiiah, to Fort Stager about 4(1 miles above this, having 
 hooii cut for the purj)oso of forwarding siipplios in connection witii tho lojograph lino 
 that had boon jirojcclcd and attorwards aliandonod by ihc We^ioi'ii Union Tidograph 
 Company; utter follow mg this liia foramileourcoursolcd up tho valley ol ihoSus(piah, 
 which flows into tho \Val>onc(uah a little above tho Junction of that rivor witli tlio 
 Skooiui,pa^sing over low rolling liills that aio separated liy narrow valleys, the (diannels 
 of wild and |iicturos(pio streams. On tho bank ol one of those streams we loniul a vein 
 of carhonacoods shale, in which a small i[iiantity of coal could be dotectod, another iruii- 
 c ion of the possibility of lindiiig coal measures in this jmrt of tlie country. Itero 
 and there wo saw small |ial(dio- that might be ciiliivalod, and liio hill slopes, where 
 cleared ot timber, abouiui in ))oavine, wild grass and bii>lios, adording oven in their 
 present condition, pasture tiir mules or cattle. The valley ot the Susipiah however is 
 not as rich as the valley ot' the \VatM)ii(|uah ; tiiero the grass is particularly good, 
 but with the ext'ciilum of that and of tlio laiul which wo saw around the Forks, 
 there is very little in lhi> sicinity that is ht for solllement, and I'von of that portion 
 one caniioi yet speak with conlidenco on account o| the limited olTorts in iho 
 way ot ciillivation, and the probable climatic ditbculties. 
 
 After II few miles the trail leaves the valley of the .Siisquah, and leads up tho 
 \,illoy o( a tributary stioam, the Oo-:it/,-andi. As we ascend, tho views looking west, 
 waids aliMig the coiir.-o by whiidi wc bail come, grow tnore and more altractivt\ On 
 the opj)o>itc side of the river stands the Na-talt-sul. a cliislor ol' peak^, the loftiest o{ 
 which cannot be lo>s than 7,000 or 8,0(1(1 foot in height, oiiclosing a small glaricr in tho 
 shell-shapeil valley that receives tho snow and ri»nlets (roin I lioir scarped and rugged 
 sides, I'lom iheso westwaril there is a range o ' peaks and sorra(ed ridges along tho 
 bno of the .Siisciiiah. while Ihc view is closed by liio Uoelu^ D'lioiilo, that stands mas- 
 sivo and compact, a soiiliiiol ol the Skconii. Soineliinos Ihc sccmory becomes Alpino 
 in chai ::-'er, altliough it has not (ho su-lained grandeur of (he moitnl.'iins of .Swit/.- 
 01 land. Any one 'vho, fron, the Righi, has soon the Obcrland Alps, or from ihctiorner- 
 triat, has seen (he Mattorhorn, .Nbmto Rosa, and i>thci' sinnmits in Jlu> simw I'apped 
 group I hat I'licircic ZiMiijai;, will seek in vain tor similar otlecls among our ( "aninlian 
 .\lps — at least in (li.'il noi'lhcrn portion which wo wore traversing. l''iiriliei sdiiih, 
 alonii' the valley oi'llic lloinatbco, (he (.Cascade Range is said to bo grander than on 
 the JSUei'jia. while (he Ricky jMoiintains are miieh higher near otir soiilhorn bound- 
 ary (hiin (hey arc near (he J'oaco JJivor. Hut the Cascades are less impressive than 
 (be Swiss Alps, on accuuni of (he dis(anco (hat divides (heir loltiost peaks and idim- 
 levs ; they aio not so closely grouped as their Fiiiipcan rivals, anil llc'y lose still 
 moi in this comparison by (lie fact dial tho 'ow ranges of intervening bdls are 
 commonly covered wiih bnriK and b;'ancliless timber, which has in par( boeiisirowii 
 liy the wind, but which, for (he most part, is still standing, blackened by the ihiinos 
 ■■•• '•' '■■-' '"• ■•"'" I -^'•" " picture of desolation without sublimity and of 
 
 sun, a 
 
 (U- bleacheil by rain aiii 
 barrenness witlioul relief 
 
 \V\' did noi reai b the .snnimit bclwecii tho Skecna anil l.tiko Hablno until the 
 utlernoon of Thursday, tho 2(llh. On the way wo obsei'vod iv protusioii of wikl 
 
94 
 
 flowers, and on tho opposite side of tho Ooatzanli, some small Efrassy meadows. The 
 Hummil is about 4,a(li) tei't above tho soa level, or 3,850 above tho Forkb ; but about 
 7.") ) loot l)eli)W (ho summit, there is .'i small lake from whieh flow the waters of the 
 Ooatzanli westwaids, and those of u stream that flt)ws eastwards into Lake Babino. 
 The level of this lake, which is about 3, 100 feet above the Korks.and about ],3")0 feet 
 above Lake Babino, is really tho lowest altitude of llio past4. The distanco from this 
 to tho Fi)rks is about 38 miles, and to tho meadow that fringes Babino Lake, about 
 seven miles. 
 
 There is a striking absence of life on those hills, exce})t of insect life, for mosqui- 
 toes and black flies are very abundant ; later on in the year boars and cariboo mif^ht 
 be found heie, but an occasional partridge is all tho game to bo mot with at this 
 season. 
 
 Near tho foot of tho hill tho trail crosses tho stream that flows into Babino 
 from tho small lake near the summit, and from this to tho water's edge there is a 
 meadow, fully half a mile in length, slightly woo led with groves of poplar and 
 spruce, and rich with wild hay, vetches, Ac. If the climate permitted, a good farm, 
 or at least good gra.-'jng land inigiit be mmle of this tnoa<low, but the climate seems to 
 be toosevoi-e for farming, and tho long winter, duririj^' which cattle would require to be 
 housed and fed, would be unfavoui-ahle tor stock raising. Potatoes, oats aiul barley, 
 however, are succi'ssfull}' cultivated around Babine Lake. 
 
 Wo arrived at the lake on Friday, the 27th, but were notable to leave until tho 
 following Monday, as a strong wind, accoinpanio'i by occasional showers, for a time 
 prevented us from venturing in the cottonwood canoes which are the only method of 
 conveyance on the lakes of the interior. 
 
 During lliis delay wo were able not only to arrange for crows ami canoes to take 
 us to the head of tlie lake, bui also to examino some (if the surrounding country. 
 The lake ilischarges its waters into the Skeena by the Babino River, which flows in a 
 north-westerly and westerly course. We could notf'ollow it, but we learned from 
 those familiar with it, that although its canyons .are precipitioiis they are not very 
 lofty, and thai a winter trail runs .along tho Iwnches thiit skirl the river. Near the 
 Indian vill.age, ;it the lowei' end of Ihc^ lake, stai-ls the iridl to Lake Tatla, which leads 
 over low rolling liills easiward by the Kiying Vnu (or {''irojiiin) Pass, through snow- 
 clatl ranges lowarils Omenica. alioiii l.'xi niile^ from JJaliine. This dJHti'ic.t, likosorne 
 other parts of Mritisji Columbia, wasidnvosi unknown except to Intliansand ilud.son's 
 Bay tJompany oflicials, until it was explor(>d by tnincrs in search of gold. (Jold was 
 discovcM'od ill DuKsnica in 187-, iiiid tor ii time the new mines attracted a good deal of 
 attention ; supplies wore re<]iiirc(l, Indians weri' employed as porters, and times were 
 brisk about Baniiie i3ul the glory has lo a great extent departed, the mines have nut 
 rii.'ili/.ed the expectations formed regarding tlnun, only a lew of tin* eagar crowd are 
 left there now , cajiitalists have not yet thought it worth while to begin qiiarlz; 
 criishiiig, and the whole district seems to be falling back into the siloiice and still- 
 ness of former years. 
 
 lnd(>pendcnlly, hoft-ev<M', of the gold bearing deposits, there is a possible source 
 of I'lilure wealth in the argentifei'oiis galena ot this district. As ye(, this rei^ion has 
 not been examined by any of the (ieological Surveying Staff, liut valuniile specimens 
 of this galena have been found, and although under the present ditliculties ofact'es» to 
 Omenica, the prodintion of silver and lead would not be remanerativtv yet. if facili- 
 ties for (■oiiimtiiiicatioii were increaseil, there might pcrlnips be a prolitid)lc 
 industry established here. Occassional indications, (oo, ot'co.d, or at least, of' lignite, 
 have been disiovcred through the northern part of the Province, in rock formations, 
 somewhat similar to those in which tho coid lields of Vancouver Island are found. 
 Therefore, although tho prospects of successful farming are b}' no means as good as in 
 the hoiilliei'ii J. art of tin Province, or in the Peace Kiviu' District, ye) Iheio is sonm 
 slight ground foi' the hope thai a source of wealth iniiy t>V(Mitually be opened up in 
 the mineral resources of the district, 
 
 We left the lower end of Lake Babine, on Monday, the 30th, and came that day 
 25 miles to Fort Babine, a Jludsoii's Bay post on the eiistorn side of tho lake, Tho 
 
95 
 
 lakii for this (listanro lias an iivovnfro width of iiljout, a milo ; tlio hanks rise very 
 cei/llv iVfiiii tlu! wati'i'-^ (ul^e and whiio thi-ro is little or no iiiarr-h. Micro i-< a ^■(i.kI 
 
 (leal of lovol aiul low-lyiti^' iaii'l t 
 
 nri^rin 
 
 llio hiUo. Tiioro is no titnhor alont; itrt 
 
 siJi.'H i-xoepl Btuall poplar anci spriico, and the lightly wt)0(lcd slopo'*, backeii hy 
 undiihitinjj; hills, t,'ivo pla^o occasionally to lart^o tracts of oxccUonl ]iastiiro land. 
 Wore it not for the lofty siinnnits that liore and there rftr(>tcli up in tlio bacl(i!;roniid, 
 ouo woidd luivo lilllo idea that he was in a eoiintry that has been for tiie must part 
 tilly doscriheil a.i a " sea of niomitains. ' 
 
 ContiniiiiifX oiir j"urnoy uj) the lake wo found the scenery nuich llio same in 
 t hara'ter as that which we had previously passed, altiiuuifh the hanks areoceasiiuiall}' 
 more precipitous, some ot thorn hcin^^ sheer and rocky. The lake stretejies to a width 
 in .sotno pc'.its of live miles, while near it» shoi-es there nro niimerou'^ islands that 
 increuso not only its hctauty but also its sat'ety lor canoe naviif.itiuii. Its course is 
 
 in a soi!lh-ou>teilv direction ; then it beds abrii])tly in an 
 
 '-() miles 
 
 Htraiiih 
 
 flit for about SO mi 
 
 cas'orly or norlh-easterly diiection, I'ontinuiiig thus to the iiead, a) 
 further. The upper ]»art is somewhat holder than that near the lower end, blutfs of 
 iXranite and nt'niMiblo and liasaliic columns bein^ visible at some points; but here, as 
 liirlher down, there is ik j.^oi(d limbiu" near the lake, althou^-li smiuo large limber i-* to 
 bo found helween tlu' lake and !lio \Val-oiMjii;ili \'^alley. 
 
 On Thursday, ,'iid July, we ixiudicd tbe head ol" the lake and cro^-ed partly over 
 the purtiige that conneits it with .SIcvvari's Lake, aliout 7 inilo distant. Tlie coiiiitiy 
 between these two lakes is low-lying, uii(]ulatiiig, with freipuuil pasture.' land, and at 
 the bead ol Slewart'f Lake, which we reached on Friday, there is a (arm owiied and 
 
 cll 
 
 llivaled b\' ail Indian who lai.ses excellent ,--ioek, as wel 
 'tabl( 
 
 )ps of hay, oats and 
 
 On .Saliirdav, 511) .liilv, we saileddown S(owart's [„ake in the b:>at of the Hudson's 
 
 u.«. 
 
 'I'l 
 
 ic little stream 
 
 Bay t'o., whii b had been sent trom Kort St. .laines to meet 
 known as the Ye koo (ch(i, which (lows into the u|i]icr part of Sfevvart's Lake, ri>e:i 
 very near the streams that, How into J^diino. The levels of the two lakes are very 
 iiearlv' the same, about :j,;i(l() I'cci above the ^ea ; but I>,ibiiie diseliargos its writers into 
 
 the Skeena, while ilie waiers of . Stewart's Lake llow into the l'\i!ser, bi>th eventually 
 
 reacliing the I'ai ilie, but abouf -irxi miles apart, To lii 
 
 I la of Stewart's 
 
 Lake theri; is a chain or ratiier a net-woik o( lakes, .xome of which dis- 
 llunr waters l>v the I'cace River into tbe Arctic Ocean, and some into 
 
 cbarg 
 
 llie I'aiilic hv the Skecna or the l-Vaser. lndec<l, witlon a range of twenlv 
 
 III! 
 
 i^s, one can touch the waters o 
 
 f L 
 
 ;(ki 
 
 ISab 
 
 wbieh flow by the Skecna into thi 
 
 Pacilie, the waters of Lake Tatia, which flow by tbe l-'niser into the I'.acilic, 4."i0 
 miles further south, and (he uppt •• waters of (he Omeiiica, a (rihulary of the I'eaco 
 Itiver thai empties into (ho iVrctic (h'ean, wiiile oiie small lake near Koii Coniielly 
 drains bolh ways, at one end into a li'iliiitary of llie Skecna, at the other into a 
 tributary ol the I'eace. 
 
 Ar<uind l"'cul Si„ .iame^ theio is a good deal o!'eiiltivabli> land, while immedialoly 
 111 the rear of the h' 'I'l there is an excellent garden witli a good variety of vegetubles ; 
 but hero as olsi where; througii this northern j^art. the summer t'rosis jirevont the 
 h of wheal, althotigh root crop-, o:iti and barley are very su( ccssliilly 
 
 -row I 
 
 cu 
 
 Itivalud. I'olatocs are ii-iially planted 
 
 the (ir>( or scrcmd wo»'k 
 
 in 
 
 Mav, and (ho aveiirge temperature of the summer seems to 
 
 not unlike 
 
 thai ol the Atlantic j'rininces, but owing to its elevation above sea level, even 
 more (ban (o i(s norlliern huilude. (he country in (his viciidty is less 
 promising in an agiiciillural point of view than some o)' the .-outlvrn jMutions 
 of (lie I'rov ince. Comparatively lilile, however, lun a- yet been d'Uie to deter- 
 mine the agrii iilluial lapabilities '<\' Ibis region 'I'lie >urcv>>.ful cullivalion of 
 
 liiiy, oats ami vcgeta 
 
 hi, 
 
 It lliid^onH U 
 
 f 
 
 nsls; (lie growth ol c'ood caillo III 
 
 thoHO posts, and sometimes al o .m iho farms of Indians, who are here gi'oally 
 behind the Lillooets and other Indians oi' -nuiluMii liritish (joluinhia in I'arming ; (ho 
 vvide -II etches ot level or gently midulatiug- land thai fringe l!i(\ lakes, lVe(|aenlly to 
 
 be Width of several miles 
 
 va 
 
 11. 
 
 lltH 
 
 I hill slopes eovored with [lea vino, wiK 
 
■S6 
 
 hay imd otlior oxrellont ])ti.s'Hro; thcso are the most fa.vonrablo features of tho 
 foiiiUrv Iroin iui ii^i'icMillural point of view. But iVi^ainst theso, the siimmor tVo^ts 
 atiil li!uk\v;ii<l >oa-'Oiis iiiciilontal to the oloviition ahove sea level must bo eonsidered ; 
 ami yet, whilo this northern phiteau, if it tuay ho so ealleil, that seems to oorivspond 
 to the soealli-il suuthtMu interior plateau, is not as promising as man}* pai'ts of tlie 
 more ferlih' Provinees of Canada are known to ho, yet it maj- oompure favourably 
 with some of tlie cultivated |)arts of tlie Province of (^uelieo. 
 
 Fort St. James is iieaulifuliy situated on a hroael ])hit.eau, about 20 feet above tlie 
 beach, at the lower end ot .Stewart's Lake, \vhi( Ii strelciies its waters westwards 40 
 
 m 
 
 ilos. It has a comniandiim outlook, with views ol'scenery that remind one t^re 
 
 atly 
 
 of the Scottish Hiffhiands. 'riicre are no snow-cup])ed summits visible, but, look in 
 any direction you may, there isa Itacki^iound ot iiillsthat in some pai'ts border on 
 the lake, and in other |):irt-i are scjiai'atod from it by wooded phueaux or by gently 
 uuddlatint,^ slopes (hat erdiance the varied lieauty of the scenery, while, under the 
 ]ii'(n'ading westoi'ly winds, the wutei's of the lake bieak upon the beach with the 
 musical invmotone of the sea. 
 
 We reacbed the Fort on tlie day on which, when leaving the coast, wo thought w- 
 might possibly do, if wo were favoured by weatlier and by absence otuid'oreseen acci- 
 dents. The distance travelled had nut been gi'oat, yet tbe delays and disappoint 
 ments to wbiidi om; is exposed in a country whore means of communication aro oi' 
 tbe most primitive kind and wbere, as far as Iravel is eonrcrned, alii.ost everything 
 is uiHorlain except the flight, of time, m;idc us jiarticularly thankful foi'so prosperous 
 a journey. Here we were met by friends wbo had come up from Victoria, or rather 
 from Yale, by the great highway which follows the valley of 'ho Frascr tbi'ougli 
 central Brilisb Columliia. They were accompanied b^- a muhvtrain laden with 
 stores, etc.; so at Fort St. .lames we rested tor a day to replenish and rearrange our 
 supplii^s, to write letters lo our friends in tbo east, wbicb would go by way ol' 
 ^'ictoria and San Francisco, and to jirepare for the next stage of our journey, which 
 was to include a lidewitb a mulo-train to i'ort McLeod and a voyage by boat through 
 the Ki>cky Mounlair.s, boi'iie onward by the broad waters of the Peace JAivor. 
 
 We lelt Fort St. .lames for Fort .McLeod on Tuesday, Slh .ful}-, accompanied h\ 
 the pack train wbiidi had come up by the Fi'a^er route, and wbich was to proeeed by 
 May of Piiiv' Kiver i'ass towards Dunvegan. The oidy route connecting theso two 
 foiis is a bridle-path, which leads sometimes over low lulls, somotimos by the margin 
 of small lakes, somelimes through thick wood or over treacherous swam|»s, where 
 we were freipieiiMy delayi;il by tlio nceossity of '•brushing" the trail, ibat is, ot' 
 laying large braticlies across tbo path, so as to alford some tooting for oin- ln)rses 
 and for our pack mules. Aboiil live miles from Fort St. .lames we pas.scd the trail 
 wbich lends northward to Omeni(.'a, the rival route to that by way of the Skcoi a. 
 Eabine and tbo Frying Pun I'uss for rtiudiing tho (.)moni(;a goKl tields. For aboui 
 ten miles from Stewart's fiuke our trail led t broiigh cxeisllent pastuie land, the 
 soil being genei'ally rich, with (dumps of aspen and s|irueo; then for uIkmiI eighteen 
 miles it pass<> I through pixu' land, eovi'ied with lirewicd and burnt limber, willi 
 occasional groves of black pine. 
 
 Our ]irogress wtis shiw, for even on a ,;ood trail llt'tcen miles a day is considercl 
 fair travelling, when each mule cari'ies |r un two hundred to three hundred pound.-, — 
 and the tiail in this easo was not uniiornuy good; yet we found li lor the most part 
 pleasant , even altboughs<.metime~ the woods were so thiidi thai billi li;'nds wei'e 
 re()uired to press jiside the branches, \vbieh woiiM oiherwist* strike the face. Tiie 
 jirofiision ol wild flowers, the glimpses of stream oi lakelet seen through the timber, 
 the broad views caught from some rising ground \vhi(di the (Ire had cdeareil, the pro- 
 cession of ridiu's, moving Indii)-' h'-:, now slo\(|\ ;ind carefully over bog and roidv or 
 windfall, now bretdving inti> a canter where the trail perrndted ibis treedom, eoii\bined 
 to make I hi.- oaii ol our ioiirney dill'ereut Irom all tiial lial iirecedcd it. 
 
 ■J' 
 
 P 
 
 On Thursday, alter crossing Salmon Uivcr, we reached the heigbl ot land h 
 
 t ween Stewart's Ijtike and Lake .\l' L 
 
 Taken by aueroi<l, the summit is nboul 
 
 ,700 tcot above .^eu level, and r)0() t'eol above Fort St. James. The view, in ho fur a'i 
 
97 
 
 !S of till' 
 
 jr tVo>t.> 
 isiilcfod ; 
 
 iTl'i^pOlld 
 
 tri of tlio 
 voiirably 
 
 ibovo tlio 
 wards 40 
 10 >i;ro:itly 
 I, look ill 
 )ordor on 
 )y fTcnily 
 iiidoi' llic 
 I with tlio 
 
 louj^ht W" 
 .>soon acci- 
 i.sappoiiit 
 lOii tiro of 
 vorythinij; 
 irosporoiis 
 or ratln'v 
 r tliroui^h 
 utoii wit.!', 
 •raiigo 01 IV 
 by way of 
 loy, whioli 
 il ihrougli 
 9r. 
 itmiod by 
 rttci'od liy 
 llioso \\\>' 
 H' inafj,'in 
 
 \])-i, wlllMl' 
 
 \at is, of 
 11 r hoi'HCs 
 iho trail 
 
 f Skcoi a. 
 
 "or aboip 
 and. lilt' 
 ('ii!;liliHMi 
 
 i)OI', Willi 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 'otiHidoi'tvi 
 poiiiidi — 
 most pari 
 lids WiM'o 
 
 aco. Til'' 
 limber, 
 tho pro- 
 1 rook or 
 niti^binod 
 
 land bi- 
 ll is aboiil 
 HO fur -M 
 
 it is not obscnrod by burnt timber, it* of a fjjontly midiilating country, tlio only visible 
 hills of marked altiliido bein^' tho Pope's Cr;i(llc Mountain, near Fori St. James, and 
 two mouutainn lyin_i( towards tiio north, near tho trail that loads to Omenica. 
 Although the land looks as if in some parts it mii^ht be lit foi' at^rieulturo, yet its 
 elevation above sea level and its i->x|ii>.siiro t'> summer t'rosis apjiarently render it 
 mitit for anylliin;.; but pastura<.^e. An altiiude of 2,i)0l) feet may generally bo 
 regarded as tho maximum limit of tlu- eiikivabie land in British Columbia, any 
 arable lands above that level, siudi as ihoso in the immediate % ieinily of Foi't St. 
 James, being excei>tional ; and hardier varieties ( f vegetabh^s and cereals than ihoso 
 now cultivated in the Province would bo rociuired bofoie farming could be profitably 
 eonduftod throughout this northern ptM-tion ot' ibc I'l-ovinco, except in favourably 
 situated localities. Indeed, tho agricultur.il resources of IJritish (,'olumbia, as well as 
 its richobi mineral lands and its most valuable forests, seem to bo contiuod mainly 
 to the southern part of the Province. 
 
 Althoujrh the highot*f land between Stowurt's Lake and McLeod Lake is found a 
 little north east of Salmon River, yet tbiii is not tho watorslied between the two 
 lakes. This is found some miles further on between Carp jjake and Long Lake. 
 Beyond Salmon River the land is somelimes boggy, sometimes dry and lightly 
 liinbered, and tho trail is frofjueiitly heavy. Having crossed C'arp Lake on 
 a raft, wo found tho trail load close to its banks for over two miles, and 
 then for half a milo through the shallow 'vater of the margin of the lake. Beyond 
 this wo passed a number of largo liolii I wrt or basins that inuk- us if they had been 
 scooped out of the land. They are ol ilitriMont sizes, for ihe most part circular, and 
 varying in width from .50 to 100 yards from rim to rim, pinbably they have rather 
 lieen built up around tho ledges than hollowed out of the level, ami all hough the burnt 
 limbor in Ihem shows that the}' have long been dry, yet they have maniicslly boon 
 exposed to tho itirtuoiico of water, and may jiorhaps have boon produceil by tho 
 moraine deposits of afar past glaci.al perioil of which frciiuent traces have been found 
 tb.roughout tho Province. 
 
 Between t'arp Lake and Long Lake wo passed the divide that scjiarales tho 
 watei's fh)Wing into the Pacific from those that How through Ptsaco River into the 
 Arctic Sou. From Long Lake an excellent trout stream, known as I^oiig Lake 
 liivor, flows into .McLeod Lake ; its descent is very rapid, and i-; its c.our-e there is u 
 waloi'l'all ol great beauty, ostiinalod at L30 toot in height. \ little further on is 
 L'oquois Creek, near which there is al'Uiidancc of pasture, and a few miles furl hei', 
 in tho course of which the trail passes o\('r a height aboiii T.jO teet above MiiiOod 
 Lake, we reach Fort McLeod. Jiaving rested near Irfxpiois Creek on I ho lUth, wo 
 did not roach Fort McLeod until Monday the 1 ith July, tho whole distance from Fort 
 St. James being estimated at 70 miles. 
 
 Fort McLeod, although ihe oldest of the Iliid.son's Bay Company's posts in 
 J^ritish Columbia, is one of the plainest and most unpretending ; ii is sai>l to have had 
 its davs ol greatness, when it was surrounded by a palisade, and hud other visible 
 signs of importance, but tho.»e are gone. It is boautiluUy situated ai the lower end of 
 MacLeod Lake, with abundance of excellent pasture on the plaleau around it, and 
 with a garden attached that seems capable ot raiding anything llial can withstand 
 occasional summer frosls. The-suow fall hero is heavier than at Fort St. James, 
 averaging about five feet , the lake usually I'rcc/os sibout the mi. idle of November, 
 and opens about thi; middle of May. All the trallic, between Peace River and Frascr 
 River jiiisses this way, as tho ronto from the Parsnip (as the soiitlici'u branch of tho 
 Peace is called) up the Pack Rivei-, wbiib Hows into it t'roni l,ak(> McLeod, througli 
 Luke McTiCod and Summit Lake, anil over the (iiscombe Ptu'tagc to the Frascr. is 
 much shorter than tho route by tho head waters of the Parsnip ami the heuil waters 
 of the Kraser. 
 
 At Fort McLood our party was divided, according to instruclions, some to go 
 
 down by tlie Pack River, the Parsnip, and the Peaco tu Dunvegan, some to go wiih 
 
 the mule train across the Parsnip, up the vallo)' of the .M.isiiichinca, and by the Pino 
 
 Hiver route towards Dunvegan. We wore forlunate enough to secure a comiuodioua 
 
 Jii:{— 7i 
 
flft 
 
 ho:n iVnin ili<^ lliiilson's H;i\ ''(>nipiii\y, at, Foil Mfljcod. The l)oat wa-i t.-ihoti ilow n 
 1li.> l';i.lc Kivor 1(1 il^' ininlinM willi llic I'lirsriiji. jiliniil 17 inil(\s, tlioii 'iii tlu> rMrsiii|i. 
 iiliiHii rj mill'-, 111 iiidt'i' 111 ;is-;iw.t ill Iimi yiiiL? !H rn^s llio I*;ii--Jiii|i ilio siijipluis, .Vc, lliiii 
 wtM'o I'oin;;' ('iiiivcycil liy llu' iinilo Ir.'iiii tnwiinis I'iiic KImm' I'.-ims. Wlioii tliiri was 
 <'oi>i|>lcti'<l. llio iKdiy tli.il wt'ic 1(1 coiitiiiiio ilicir jrnuncy hy I'liic I{iv(>r, nndoc tl 
 (lirocliiiii el I'l'. li. M I'nw.xiii, muk^ 
 
 oIIhT"* )iiii'--ii(>(i llii'ii 
 
 (•(Hii,<i' down llio r 
 
 ■tl on llii! ii(> 
 
 rill li.'iiik "f llio I'lii'Miii). 'I'l 
 
 l-'f. 
 
 Ill II 
 
 ■;illlili(it (iIIIh' -.iiillluMii liaiilv ()| tli( 
 
 I'ar 
 
 lidlo al>()\(' tlic .MiMiiiliiiica, is r-iHtinl liiirli, an ('x((Mi-<i 
 
 snip wjiicli. al tlic ('l■llH^inif a 
 
 (' \ low 
 
 1'^ 
 
 >i' iiKiii\' niii(^s I 111' C' nil 
 
 '1' 
 
 'iu>'l to llid noi-ili 
 
 it ry a|>)icars lo lio t1al, olivalcd, well \V()()(1('(I, wliilc (t\va\- 
 beyond, to llio oaMi and nortlioasi, llio liori/.on is loiindod liy a. ran;.;o ol IkIIh — 
 8pur>' or t'oolliiiis (>f' tlio Motdvy MoiiiilaiiiM 
 
 Tlio lianlvs ot llio rivor toi" 8omo dislano' (■oiiliniio 100 loot in Iioii^lit, aiul arc, 
 iroiurally liaro, showing oxiiosiiro.-- (ifsand, clay arid jMiivol, wliicli lia\i' I'oi'm ^toovoi! 
 arid worn into I'anlaslio sliapO'> ; tlion I lioy gradually dro|i lo a iiiiudi lower level, iunl 
 <or sonio dii-lniico abovo the inonili ol l'a( !< Hivor tlioy nro only a tow I'eet above , ■.- 
 ■\val(M'. Sorni'f iiiK's they are oovorod witli luxuriant pastiiio, HoniotiiiK's with ri( h 
 ^rov(>,s ol'spiiico, oottoiiwooil, and ocea.sional liireli, wliilisoii tlio liijxhor slopes tlun a.'^poii 
 pitjilar ialvo.-- tlie place ol'llio (■oltoii\voo(|. 
 
 Tlu> river inaiiitain.s juclty evenly a widlh ot' l.")0 y.ard-*, and a ema'iMii of'tlirco 
 or four inilo an liour. Hejow llio mouth ol I'ai l< IJiver, wlii(d) is not inoro than HO 
 foot wide, the islaiuU liecdiiio luiinofoiis and iIk? ImmUs varied, li^vol^ of pa.sturo land 
 •alU'rnai im; willi voliiiii, country, low wooded lii'ls, N'ei>ps of san I and iiiilural(!il clay, 
 Willi croppiiiL;'', here ''.:'.. i ilu'io, of sjiiiiUtoiio jiid of liuic-'t(Uie. SoiiieliiiuM tho river 
 divides MO evenly at IIk^ upper oiul.-< ot the islands ihat il is diUliull to dis(iiii;ui-h the 
 main (diaiuiel while, al I Ik; same t iine, tliort! are many sloughs-— or " hlows." ^o ealliMl — ■ 
 wlior(i part of liio n\-orlIoAs li\- .--oino (Icvioiis aiiil haltdtiddeii course, Ih.al 'niiclii, 
 where llu>y lileiui aj^.-iin with tlu\ main cm rent, he inistaNoii for iriliutary streams. 
 Tlio \ oya^eiirs ()|is,'rv(M'liaii^e-- (Ui llie liver from yo.ar to ye;ir, llu? eours(> ot the 
 Mtream iiiul tlu' ap|iearaiic(> ol" its hanks havin.i porceplihiy allered. The soil boiiiu; 
 lii,dii aiid san.ly is inisily washed ilown hv the cuironi in sjiriii;r, wdioii the river tIm's 
 1,'» or 'JO loot, ahov(> its lowi"-l summer level ; the slioi I's are (ail into new eii rvcH ; barn 
 (if '•and and i^rjUHd are remo\ed Iroiii oih' hreality and built up in aiiollior; tho islands 
 are worn away t(hovi> and increased by (le|)',)sils I'urlh'i' down, and the slojies and 
 laishos alo U!: the hanks have, in sonio places, l)oeii Hfripjicd by lire of much ol'lheir 
 loliauo, w liile in olhoi > they have Ih^mi e()V( red by new ;;ro\\ llis of litis h or 1 1 in;. 
 
 The Naiioii l\ner joins the I'aisiiip from ihe west, alioiii ;;;i miles holow the 
 mouth (it llie Pack i'livor; it recoivos thi> waters of numerous lakes thai lio lo Ihe 
 Hoiilli ot ilio (Jmeiiiea dislriel betwoeii Uabiiie and IIk^ I'arsni]), a roi(ioii iiol yjl sur- 
 veyed, hardly es'oii explored, and little Icnowii (>xei'pt to the Indians. Krorn tho 
 Misiiiehiiic.a lo llu^ Nalioii iraeesof liixnito hav(> luam found. re:;-ardiiiL; which. Mr, 
 iSelwyn, liiiecior ol llie (ieoloojcal Siiivoy, wdio ex.imiiiod ihis pan of llu; eiiuiilr\ 
 III !>T"», says- •■ ,Som>' of iho bhadis foiiiid aloii;,' ilm shores of iho Parsnip were of 
 lar,'.;(' size and siillbioiiMy |)iii'e and eonin.iei lo he of value as fuel, it fouiin in thick 
 seams," [(rni'i':/i,;il Siiyrci/ /I'fjioi f for 1^7") 70, /■ 71) i-aiidiiif( ne.aily opposito 
 themoulhof ihe JS'alioii liiver wc found the soil y-o.id, Ihe hand undulalin^, cov- 
 ered with a rich crop ot wiM hay and peaviiie, from wlii(di il may reasonably bo infer- 
 red thai many of Ihe llals and slopes .iloii!.^ th(> river, and perhaps also Ihe upper 
 plaioaii.x, Wdulil allord oxoolloiii aiici ahiiiKlaiil jia^lui'ano. 
 
 Ikdow tho mouth ol iho N.ilion tho hills .-it some disianeo lo the ("ast and norlli 
 east, appear more |ioaked and lotty '.haM those thai we saw when hii;lier iiji iIm; 
 tlio river, Wo passed by " bars" whore itold has been found year after yiMir, all hoiiifh 
 not in vi'ry laitve ipianlilies, pnibahl-, Im au' down by ihc) (airreiit Ironi Iho rocks 
 III tho neighbourhood of tbnoni'ai. We mi<l slra!;'!i;liii,j, minors eiii;aj,;e(l in prospeei- 
 ing, and some fur traders oomiiotinu; wiili llie Hudson's l^ay (;om[»aiiy; for (lie 
 j'est tho couulry apiioarod to bo uiiionaiilod. 
 
59 
 
 ,'iUnn (low II 
 ho l';irsiii|i, 
 11.1, iVc, iliiit 
 on tliis \v;iM 
 , iindor tim 
 ■Mii[>. Tlic 
 
 iTomiiiif n 
 ) tlio norili. 
 .vliilc iiM'iiv 
 
 ol ll,]|H-~ 
 
 It, iiml !in 
 oil ^'I'OOVcd 
 !• U'Vcl, nrul 
 aliovo . ••> 
 widi I'ii Ii 
 s (lie ns|H'ic 
 
 III 'if tln\i! 
 )!•<) thiin HO 
 sinio luii'l 
 fill I'll ('iay, 
 -< llio rivor 
 iii;iii-)i till' 
 ,-.M r'alli'd- ■ 
 lijit 'niijlii, 
 •y sliM'iniis. 
 iirsi< ot lli(> 
 soil lioiiii^ 
 rivor ri^cH 
 rvi'H ; liai'H 
 I ho island ■• 
 dopiw and 
 I'll ol' tlicir 
 
 I row. 
 l)olow tlh' 
 
 li(< lo tli(> 
 il y.M Mir- 
 
 l''ii'in dill 
 viii.li. Ml, 
 ic ruuiilrv 
 1)) Worn ol' 
 M in lliit'k 
 )|i|iosit(i 
 
 II [l\iX. cov- 
 y lio iiit'iT- 
 
 I III.' Il|)|)01' 
 
 Approacliin;^ tlio I''orl(s wln-rn lli<< I'^inlay'iuid I'arsnij) Tiiocit, kohio 7^ miloH bolow 
 
 iiortli 
 ll|) llio 
 
 alllioii,t;'li 
 tin' locks 
 
 pi'OS|H'{'t- 
 
 ; for lIu) 
 
 
 I'.'ick Uivcr, wo vaiit,'lil lo lli 
 
 » iioi'i ll oa-^t, tJK! 
 
 lir.-l t^iitM]»-t\ lii^rti up I'.inoiiL: dus hi!l 
 
 l-jis. ol' llu' i^up l)olwo(Mi tlio inoiiiilaiii^ t liroiii^h w liidi tin) I'oaci' l{iv(.i- clcjiviis in 
 
 way; liio hills liciiiL; hnio nioii.' nii.'j4<'d an 1 
 
 morn 
 
 ly inassod than anytliini; \\< 
 
 had scon sinco wo lid'l l,ho Si^ei-na, wliiK' u ■ca-ional ^now p«;ak-* cuild ho seon i^lislori- 
 
 111'' amon;i 
 
 ihotn 
 
 'I'ho l''inlav drai 
 
 I a irt 
 
 (lal, poiliori of Oinoiiica hv ono Itramli, whilo h}- aiuitlioc 
 
 il i-o(HMV('-< lh<i waiiM'-* olaii unoxploind i-i'ifion to Iho noitli ot' Ui 
 
 il. For full 
 
 ;{()() inilo.s hotbro il join.s ilio I'iir.Miiji it lias Iwi.-icd itnd roiled it.scH by in.iny u 
 
 ri.t;^"'' iii'Mintiiin iiiii;j;o iiiiil Ihrou^fli many a rocky caiiyou, rt)ccivin<j !is its trilni 
 
 tiii'io.s Hdoiini.s wlio.so Hiuid.s trIitU'r with t^old. Horn its (low itsgoiillo, lull IJD milns 
 
 • ■if wo I on l( I sen lioid snow Oil j»pod inoii III ill iH that t(dl of iho chiiracUn' ot" tho i nunlry 
 throiiL^li which il lias ciirvod its was". And tho I'arsidp, ore llm two rivors hlond, 
 liii.^ flowed noaily as far us l.lio l-"inliiy by many a cm ve from tho uplands where its 
 horn'oo-^ lio noiir Uio heiid waters of the l'V;i'<er. A-j thtiy meet llieir Wiilorts broiidon 
 into !i Hiiiall hinooth lake, js ■ I thiin nisii down a roui^b and slormy (.•urrcnl, tioarly 
 half a niilo in h^ni^tii and some .SOO feel in width, known as Finlay Iliipids. lioyond 
 this I'le riamos Piirsnip and l'"iiilay are droppe I ; tho rapid known by tho naino of 
 tho wilder ii\or has blended their wa'eis beyond all rocoi^iiition. Fi-om this on- 
 ward till it meets, near Foi't, Olii|)ewyati, the WJitors (hiit oin|it,y Jjtii<e AUuiba.seii, 
 lllOd miles from Uiis, the united river is knriwn us tho I'o.aeo. Tho Si(!iiiiios ciill it 
 thoTso-ta-idtiili, " the river Ihatgoo.s inlotho mountain." The IJouvors, who live east 
 of the Rocky Moiinlains, etill it the irneha^'ah, " 'I'ho I'eace," t'or on ils biuiks wun 
 Holtled, once for .ill, a fend that had lon;f been wai;ci.| helweeii them anil the ( 'roes. 
 
 About il inilo below the rapid the river linns suddenly to ih.; eastward; at tlii.s 
 bond it is fringed, on both banks, by penile slopes iind iriof^iilar boiiehes, beyond 
 which rise tho bills, at first not more lliiiii li,<)Oi) lo 2,500 foot in hei;^ht, .some sciirpoj 
 by ravines, some easlelhildd with retjnlar nlrata of ro(d<, but for (bo most. p;irt lij^btly 
 wooded. This is tho ho/,;iiniin;.f of the Poace Jiiver I'ass. Almost irnmodiatel}' be- 
 low the onlrance Mount .Selwyn rises t) the ri^bt 4,r>70 feet iibovo the river, li, 220 
 feet ubovi? the sou. It is ii massive pyriimid, nankoil by ii lid^e of rock on either 
 side, ils lower slopes formed by delrittis washed down from side and summil, partly 
 covoreil bj' burnt timber iiiid diifed by froijuenl piitches of <rriiss; itn iijipor slopes, io 
 part moss-covered, in pail bare iis polisheil ujriuiile, broken ;ind iiroi.cular as if shat- 
 lorod by fire and fiost; il8 sidrs, now .•^helvinjL^, now prei^ipilnus, i^rooved and soaiuod 
 by lorronl and by avalanche, its vjij^ib rii;^i.fod and soriJited, till it terminates in a sol- 
 itary snow-olad jioak. Alon^ the northern Miile the hill.-^ are ^ronjied in endlosH variety 
 of form, the irrej^nlar masHos lookinj^us if they biid lieen fliin^ there at Homo tori'iblo 
 convulsion of nature to show into how m;iny .--hapes moiinlaiiis (ran bo cast. Nearly 
 op|)ositi' Mount Solwyn the Wicked liivor, a .stre.'un cloiir as cr\'slid and noisy as a 
 ca.scado, flows in on the left biink throu;rh a '^nrt^o beiweon tin.'- hills. To ri^^lit and 
 loft allornately sweep the bioad curves of the main river, while tho ridji^i'.s Uitwoen 
 which it winds ajipears to bo dovetailed an you look down the pass. The view 
 chfini^eH with each bend of the curriMit ; here a rui,%fed shouldo'-, biife and hard as 
 adamant, biillin^r upwiird for recotrnilion, there a fiowniiii^ precipice with no trace of 
 ve;u;oladon. or u wooded knoll, solid biuiealh but with a fair j^ieeii Mirfiiee, iiere a wild 
 ravine, there a ^reat shell-shaped valley, while slnichiiiLr far U|) are the peaks that 
 loftii a resliiif^-place for the ea^le ainl the cloud. The da}' boinj.; tine thoro wan a 
 perpetual pl.ay of liirhl and shale on river and hill, and .->i), iis we weio swept on by 
 the ciii't'eiit. cloud, niouiit;iiii| and rivei', pciilc, bluil' and wooded bank were woven 
 into eoiindess iind evcrcbaiiniiie' coinbinatioiis. 
 
 'I'htuo was little snow to be ■-eon even on the lii;xbost poiiks, much less Ihnr wo 
 had expected ; indeed in this respect Iho Kocky Mountains here are les.s impro-sivo 
 than the ('a-ende li'aiiii'o, thioii.rh which we came when ascoiidii>L,' iho Skeeiia, and 
 thoro are ^limpsivs of scenery on the Skeena (grander than anything on tho Poaco. 
 But here the Rocky Mountains are much lower than they are furllier south, while 
 the poiiUs arc musuod and clu.'s'.orod much more closely than oa tho yiieoua. Gradu- 
 
100 
 
 nU\ MM \\ (^ \\ iMi' li.>i '!(> .M\w!ii'l, \vi> i.tiin<l tlii> i'hMvni'<rr nl tin' Iiilln ('ltnn(rin>x, iii'^d'ni) 
 
 o\ lii>iU!> l>;iiil, lIUil )i«>lll>i' i, •pill «i>MM|i>,l, |ln«V IIIC coViMi"! ^\■|lll \V'"1iI-j(c) ||((> ■Jiimmit ; 
 
 ih«> \Mliov l>i>tifiiH 'i> wi'liMi . lit till' ni^liI nutw Mmitil (inrtu'i Wnln'li'V, lln- lii-fi I'l llic 
 I'nni^o t 1(m( ^im'his, wii li hIimih oiloiw. (n iloiivo l ln> ^Ivn . 'rhuiioli i lii> i im'T |>n<H(M vim iIh 
 !tvi>iMu:o \viillli !>(' '.'.^<* yiitil'i. vol llio |>l.'Ut>!iiix (111 iiduM Hi(l> lip>;icli<n till llio liill't nro 
 siM nl''>M< two iiiiltw ;ipii(, t'lmn norlli to «(>iii|\. Minnmil Iroiii ■JMinmit. \Vi> i I'cuiriiir.o 
 thai Ml liMxi" ]iii-''.'.i, iVitm wr-'t to oit-il, tin' l?oi'l<v Mi'Miiinin ir'niyK tlinMijih m iuimm 
 nK^ilt 2'.' M\ili>>i 11, i(Mij;!li, liiMiH" p'oii^rtn' l\- iiloiii; m l\ liir>;i« Ix'iil il|ion lie wiilcM 111 lli(> 
 ;(VOi\t l'n« l\Mt;i<li- 
 
 r.'issiii;)- I III' ( 'li'Mrwriii'i. :niil 'jnni.' nl lior "iiimII Inluilni ii"J, nlio''!' rtV'ilMl ]iiiii(v i^ 
 m nvii'l.oii I i'iitr;isi « iih ilu- lin ImiI f^r;\\ isli culni nt il\i' I'cmi'i', wo niii willi k.'iso iiiiil 
 ^nl'oiv tho Fdrlo INh l{;i|iiil, '.o onlloil lionnwo ii im not lioniii l,ii ii|i iln> inor, iinil Ptm 
 JiO olovolv .'ijUM'iVli lioii liotoro il IM r0'O,i;i\l/i>il nn t\ tliiiii;^ roil) li i M|iiii lli-lovv IMm 
 \\ o Ibvl tliU^ mill lii'iul\ox in iiliDiwI niiliioj. on wiiooiM^ion, wi i olijiinf;; ln'i vvoon I lio i ivor 
 nnil iho now rooi'.lm.i;; lulls, somo ol iliotn linll n nnio in wnllli, wlion Iomm lliiin lliirf \' 
 tool ;ib(%\o tlio w'Uoi'-* O'lu'o, Willi noli xml Miiil tiiMiriMiit jiiishno I'lio lmnl<'<, witon* 
 rot |ir ikon li\- llio iMinvni iIimI in |iliioof« Iuh (>\|iii-<oil llio wmil. oImv . or in m vol lioil, itro 
 jrroon Willi ;:ri'-'', kiiuii IdnniK, iiiiii|ioi-. low roil oo.ltn. \oilio-4. miil i lio I '1111111111 
 silv 01 1 on \ )\lnnl \ loiijr lioi li «iii(>'< o( ilio ri\ 01 1 hi to mio I 01 imiox iii I ii'i 111 mil I ioi , 
 ».-.imo \\ illi :\-i olo.'ir oiu oiljviw :|, it'tliov liHil liooil ilioiinl tm loi 1 1 iwsiw, ol |\orM (li>i| itiot I y 
 in.uKoii Imt wooiioil loiiooii tlioso Ioiimoo" rnriii. lor ni;iny iiiiloM,. n >i|iikiiiii; nini 
 lio.'UiliCiii loiitiifo in iho l:in>l-io;i|io. H-ivino- it jin (ipi'o irsiiioo ol' oiiHiviil imi, 'I'Iiumo 011 
 llio no|\( IviilK Mi-o nliiiOMt lillitormh liinhoiol, lli.iso on llio noiili luink 01 11 "V Ml: I 
 Kiiioolli, t hoiv willow oooM'iioiiMlK- "oiiniO'l In oM ImlVtilo 1 1 ml'*. I'nr llmu^h ( lio I m (I'm in Iiiim 
 no( lioon «oon lioio I'oi inui\ \ onv, iIuh wmn 01100 llio iMb^iiio Iiiml tor liin^.' Iioi N llnil 
 loniiil liiM'o llion woHloni liniii Tlio j^ononil iiiniotii iiiuo on oillioi litunl. m-j I'lir n« 
 llio )ioiti\ji' • ot' tlio Moimliiin oi Kooks 111 1 lio liotiii of llio onnynn, ninl |i;ii lioiilin I v on 
 tlio north snio wlior«> ihoio \^^ lilllo liinhor. (iini ih'ii ohiolU oojimoh nj iH|ion, ix ihiit <>{' 
 n na^loral ooiinlr\ Sonio ot lhi> il;i(s nnil lowor slopon lui/jhl liirnih iiiiihlo hnins, 
 ollior-;, .'It (hi^i so.'lson oi lh>' \ o;ir, ;t|i|io;n' siiitol lor ^lock riiisiiiy, wliilo llio low, 
 ^r!i>i>.\ hilN voniiiiil oiu> .t' soino 01' llio shoop tniininir jioitioiiH ol Soolliiiiil. 
 
 \\'<>ro if nooos«rti \- or ovpo, liont 10 liiul ;i ooiirso Coitho i'lii ilio Kiiilwin', tin Inr 
 n h M>; 1I10 Toi. o IxiviM Tass, n oonipiii'!ili\ oly oiiHyJroiito in oMorcil in (IiIm ilirnr 
 tion. 1>'\ on !i\ iho wiMoi^i mui iiio'.t riiirjvcil iviiIm ot" tlu* piiws, iho nioinilmim nr(» 
 nlriv>>>t iii\ Ml i'lMy trinijoii li\ i1;il-- or hy fi'Oiiilo slopos ot viiryiiiij wi ith. (tno orlwn 
 nvrtltiiioho ooiif'^O'^, :\ li<w riuiiios, niul oooti-nonnl priijootioiis ol 100k woiiM ruriii Iho 
 ohiot' dil^ioiihios, wiiu'h nro :i|i|i(irontlv iiiu> h loss sonoiis IIkiii m:iii\ olwinolos tlnit. 
 h:i\ o hoon ovorooino on oihor ( ';in:vli.'iii 1 iiilwiiys. .\i ils hi^;hoi- or \vosl(>i 11 oxli oiiiiiy 
 tlio ]>;»•-»■ i'i not iVioro th;in l.(i,"iO tool .ihovo lhi> s(>;i lo\ol,;inil llio 1 himmiI ol' Iho nvi>f, 
 \vli,i>h i,-. \ oi\ oipi:ihlo, IS iitM 111010 (!i;ni (ioin I'oiir lo livo milo-i im lioni.whoroil oiiIb 
 Ihrouj^li iho woiiiiljiin i:iiitio, IviM ol' llio ]i!i^s. )'or tilty iiiih--, till iho oMiiyoii Iij 
 ivHoliO'i, tho oii>>;inooniifi; (lilMonUiOH woiiM |iiol>,'iM\ ho not miuh /jroalor thiin tlioHo 
 ■(•irosonloti hy Jin o\wv iir.'iuio. Mni llio ohiol ijillioiilly on (hi* i-milo woiilil ho loiiiiii 
 nt llio ofiiuon whoro iho 1 1\ or ■^^w oops rouiii llio lins*' ol' 11 Holil;ir\- iii!issi\o hill, known 
 R.s tho Moiiiiljiin o( l\ooks .i|- lht> ror(:i);;o Moiiniain. jiiMt iiho\(> IIiiiIsoii'm Mopo; vol. 
 ovoii hovo. .MUliongh 1 ho work WiMiki ho lioiU \ . ilio iliHioullio^ wiuihl ho hv no imomiih 
 inMi]ior)ihlo. Tins rout t> 1111 t;h I ho ot 8i>f\ ii'(> il u Imo woio ooiis(nioU>i| ihroiitih Iho 
 t,">iiioiii»'a liistruM to soino 11011I1O111 r.'ioiiio torininii'-, mu h ns Port SMii|moii {''or iiny 
 lino, lunvov or, llmt w>ir,l>l <'ro'-s noithorn l^nti>-h I'lihiiiihiii, ,soiilli ot' Iho (>iiioiin'ii (lis 
 tiiot., whollior li\ tlio N;Uio!i Kivor, UiiImiio !iii(i Skooiin, to IVni Simpson, or hy any 
 mo'v soiithoily loiito. ilio rnu> Kivor r!i>,s, wlii>'li is kiMwii lo ho praot ii iihlo, woiihi 
 olVor « i«h.ii-lor ooiirso iliiiii that hy tlio Toaoo i\ivor Tass. 
 
 Tho oaiiyon ol Toaoo K'xor. wliit'li, at its uppoi oNiioinity, i-- ahoiil fiO inilos tmsl 
 ol" tlio Kooky MiMintaiiis. is iihoiit 'Jri iiiihvs in longth . tho ii\i'r is lioro a wild tmd 
 bi'okoti toiroiit SvMiio '.N^il foot in wuitli, that, no tar as known, has novof hoiMi iiavi- 
 patod oxoopt by tho Innjiiois orow that aooomjuvniiHl Su- (ioiir/,'o Siiiipsmi on his 
 expodilion to tho Puoitic in IS'JS. Tlio oliiVs aro in sonio nlaoo;< hrokon ii\lt> (ornu'OH, 
 
 in III I 
 i-i lll'< 
 
 I any 
 
 liloll),' 
 
 si'Min 
 
 HMIldH 
 
 Iho II 
 iiidii'i 
 
I'll 
 
 ill III lii'iH • Iii>\' riwK hIi'-ci- Mil' I |iM"i|iH I'HiK Cm iivi-i 'Z'lU lc< t 'i'lin run i ho nC I fw i i vr>r 
 in nhviiyH inivi''! u" il iIh';|ic« filiiTii(ili>l y In rijriil iiikI I'M, wliiln ('r'lm (ind to cfil Ih" 
 ijinvK" •ill iii« iiiio ffii III ciirvn iiiiliiil IliM liiiKi' 'il the I'oiint;" Mniiiildii. ( 'liiititKiiin; 
 iilniii; lliM Itl'l' 111 llin I lilV ill |iiiiIm vlmif ii ((imiIimM wiih |i»ihhiIi|i> v, ?• foniiij li iiiiil'ivv 
 mlilll III liiliiliiiiiMtm ciiiil mIimiiI j 'ill l-i-l iilimn ||m> wiifcr, I'l <i|i|ii iij^ mil iiiiimitr I lid 
 HiiiiilHlmii' III' k. AiH'llii'i Hiniii, MJimil Ivo |i c! Illicit wlimi- m>(|i()>c(|, wm'^iiM'i I'nin.l in 
 till' iM«if.i;l)l"'nili"iM|, (w vvi'll fiM II Mciiin III lii^iiilM II i-i tin' iin|irMlialili', liom t|ii'H« 
 iiiilii'.nliMiiH, Mini iiliiiiii|iiiMi> III' I'mil (•xi-'lH m llii' viiiiiily 
 
 'I'liii (■(uivnii in llir mil\- i'IimI ni'i imi In llic iiiivijriil imi nl Uin rivir fur •<fiv('i(il 
 liMHilri'il ' 'il mill"! I'li'iii III!' lii'M'l 'if III" lunyiili <<< lli" irimilli ol' I'd' k 
 Hi\ IT t lull i>iii|ii IfH I lii> wiiii'i" "f M'l,i''ii| I i)il;»i, nr 'ivcii liiillim- m|' i|i" l'iiis(ii|i, 
 llii' rivdi' I" iinvittfilili' fill' 'j'i''Hiii'i>i iif li'i^lil ill Miii'lil 'I'lic I'lirli' I'hm iinil llio Kinlny 
 l(ii|ii'ln MIC I lie niilv rii|iiiln iif iiii\' cmi-<ci|iichi" , I Iicho i "iiI'I K'' i un .villi cii-c iiriil Kilcly, 
 Mini ' iiil'l 111' "III in'iiiiil'"l wilhmit. mil' h 'lilU'iilly liy w/ir|iiiitj llic Ixifil (i(,MiifiHt 
 111!' Miiri"il MH iu 'Imic mi IicmvIci iii"I mm'- tmhimi" iii|iii|u <iri Min 
 lill"";'. I'"l'iiii IIiI'Ihiiu'm I|ii|ii'. hI IIh- Imvi I'li'l 111 llic (filiy'ili f I'-' iriil'-M liy llio 
 
 |i'>ilM).;ii iiiiil li'iiii llic ii|i|iii cii'l "T III'' ciiiiv'i'' ), llicrc i» nn dlilni' ii'iii 
 
 wlinl 
 
 i>VI'.f l'» 
 
 i-liMiin riiivij^Ml 
 
 111 till 111" \ "I inilimi lull :ii • 
 
 I CM' 
 
 lic'l H'lmc r»llO riiilcn Inwur 'Jowii 
 
 M 
 
 Mil Miiiiin iIImImiicc licjinv \'ciiiiilimi :i l''v iiiilc-i "I Imii'I (''iinrniiiii''Hlriiiii woiilil bo 
 
 iciiiiiicil I'lin'iiil I lie iMpi'ln on SI'ivn Ui-ii- ;il m iiImi '■ cmIIcI Mih l''iv(< l''irt 
 
 HJJOH ; 
 
 wlicn llii-i iM |iilMnc(| llic l■i^•c|• in 'i|ii-|i I" Ihumt wIcmiih'I-i fl'LVii Im IIio Ardic W«fl. 
 'I'licic ivMijIij lliii-i lie liiil llii'c lircMlf' II) III" 'iifilihii'iii'^ il'^iiiii iiM vi^mi'iii ('I'uri lli» 
 liHMllli"! I'm l< l(i\ I'C, 'huvii llic l';|iKiii|i, l|ic I'ciicc, llic SImV" liri'l 111" MMckcii/.id 
 
 lily "lie wiil"icmiiMC), thnl, in, 
 
 lii'. I'lM ( ivliii 11, I limiirli ihll 
 
 CMII(i- III IIMIIM', 111 C III II II 
 
 liiiiii iimllicrii liiili-ili I 'olijiiiliiii till iiiiii;li llic Ifii'ky M'ciiiliiiii'', liy llic fcililc Cchci 
 |{n CI ili-jl ricl, ImIIi" An M'' Sen, n 'liMljintc in (ill, li\ wMlcr nl not lf«H-<lliHri 2,5(10 
 niilcH. 
 
 Wo v^i'ic I 'iiiiiiillcil I'l li'ir (• mil Ii'imI III III" iiii|i' r en I 'il Ilic (Miuon. iiii'l lieiiitj 
 
 llile I. 
 
 I' 
 
 ifll Ml' I Mil 
 
 It IIihI- 
 
 ipe, WD mini" M I Mil 'III 7 
 
 lli"l 
 
 I 'A' II 
 
 (Idtllc'i ijinvii III" livcf III hiiii\ Cf.nili, lilimil I I'l inilei, |CM"|iiii(^ I >i|fi . c(jjifi fill llc' lit. 
 Au/vihI, n liiilMi^ijIil iil'ler linviii;^ I'm I ,M<li"ii'l ;\ I IFiiilsmi'-' ll'ipc, llin fcililo [iurt 
 
 III llio I'eiicc Uiver ijilricl (ilHy lie Hlliil I'l I 'iinili"'iCe, ini m};'iV« IIio cuiiym 
 
 Iho Ihii'I iiiiliililc 111 liiiiniii;r i» liniiicl. i'l'im iImh |i'iint tlic river vviii'l') 
 •Ih cuin'sc ('^ciill\ Mill I '.'inly, hhiimI hii'm U'iil' i li i i.^ I'i M 'IiMIi oI liillf (i Ffiii'i, 
 clicircliii^r i^lanils in ils I\i>m, Iml f'c i|||. m i.' |'.'iil |i|-c-i rviiiff (in (ivcuiirf) 
 lircii'llli 111 limn ^fii) In .Vit) yiml-i 'i ln' liiink- .vliidi. IV'in lu'iw t'l firmv, 
 llic ii'j|iiill\' iili'iiil I III ec liiiii I liM III II iinji ii|iMri. lire low < iil liy iMvincn, no'A' Mfdcpcil 
 inlu Vllllc\H, nnvv li.Mic'l liy ImihIsIi'Icm, icr.v iM MH** tC'''iWli 'il' Wmilcil. l/'iokeil (it fl'ifd 
 llic |iliilc(iii, wli ill lilrclrlici mil on c I r \- Iimii I n! in fillilil'lc 'if movccmI liiiii'lro'l Icct, 
 mIiiivc llic ' I VI I lc\cl Iliciisii| -iC"iiii mIiii'isI m^ ic^fiiliir iiii'l iiiiif'otiri fis ft ciiiiftl cut 
 llii'migli (1 viihI, c ^iiMiis'' III I'l'iiiiic On i-imiMlly, llimi^';li scl'loin, I'lW hills oliHtriift I ho 
 
 vcivvin mn< ilirecl imi m i iIkm', IiiiI ffiiin 1 1 ii'Umi'-' llujic, 'm-jI wiici, MJ'inj; Ui'i coiir.xo 
 
 111 I lie river, iiihI Im nninv iiiilcn mi ciilici kI'Ic, lliih |)Imic;iii is iin iilrri'iHt nnln'ikcn level 
 III Cxcclleiil Miil. .Mmneiirit, in I iiiilicii'l, mm cur I'ly* Imiiviiy ) sonio of it. is opc.n 
 liraiiii' I'lvcrci! willi I'IihImic, 
 
 Tlic lliiil'iin'H Hiiy p'wiH, M li'W nii-'ni'ii uliihmi-;, find Ivo 'ir Itircn " fV'ci rii'l f>r^ " 
 cMlMlili-j|iincii|n inn till' nnly |iliii'es (icru|iici| liy '.vliito ;n'!n tlirmiijtiont, ihi.M vast, 
 nm llici II I iiiinliy IJiMl \vc H|i(>(ik 'if iihIIic I'diic lii'.'ir fli-itri''l, (imi llictc (iro imi- 
 Iminly (mini mi llie lerlile llnlw n"Mr Ilio livci'.'i c(|k(i, (in tli'c" flsils t\\'\ h(i'i\ in 
 ii--iiiill V I'l llie ricliiwt "Ini in Icr. 
 
 'I'hc jiiiiilcii ;il llie l|ii)ie \ il \i\t cK' I llciit |i')l(ilii( M, 'iniofH, licctn, fuiil 'dlicr vcj^c- 
 ImIiIci, (IS well i\n liMilcv' Mii'l wIicmI, ihi) secij ,,| |ii^ yciii's ci'ip linviiiif Ijcc.n idi.so'l 
 Irmn M *<nii^l(« tiriiiii, ivliich i>nm(H, llic (i^cnl, fmiinl ((cci'lcnljilly iiinm • snrnc rico. 
 On M Miiiiiliir tiiil Ml full -It. .Inliii, mImiiiI Id iiiilcs tiirllicr il'.wn itic river, f'Mrlcy arid 
 wliciit, (IS W(dl tiM II ^.ninl vMiinly .if vc;/cIiiIiI.m, (irc -iicccf-diliy cnilivdt.ed, whdc a 
 Hiill gi'ciilor viiricly, iiicliidiii/_f ciMiitnliei •', arc iry<)W\t '\\t\\ even (froiiter huc-cohh at 
 niiMvc/'.iiii, 7'l mill"; licfnv l''iiil .SI. I'lliii, v\lii M) vvlical lia.^ Iiccri rained as long ft;^o (w 
 
102 
 
 IS'i*^. ll is llto saiin' !il all tlu> iiinisnirH May po^ls alniij; ilio Viilloy. Sil\i;itc(l tf* 
 crallv noai' tho nvoi" lov«'i, lliosc slalions ot' llu> ('iMuiiaiiv liavc i-acli ilicir trar.it 
 
 (' i-ach llicii' ^ar.HMi, 
 
 with, ill Homo tahos, a Miiiall farm iilUK-lnvj, ami in ili«'si> alin<>i4 ovory vfirtMiiljIo nnj 
 corotil cimiiiuMilv cuilivatt^ii in Caiiaiia, <'an In* rai^ivi with hiici'osm. Whoal in f^t'own 
 JIM till' iicM'lli a-^ l'"i'it SiniiisDii, at !hi' mmiili ot (lie Lianl. lai : <Il" imrtli aii'l il in 
 
 Han 
 
 1 lli:.l 
 
 otniiit's ai'f iTfowii at I'oii (hk 
 
 <i il 
 
 lU'o, noai 
 
 tiio iiidiitli <>! iho ,M icUcnzi 
 
 N^'lioat aiiit liai loy ,u:''''Wii III tlio « 'lii|u'vv>'aii Mission, li.ilvi' AtliaWasfa, laliiu'ii! "iM'^, 
 
 41i' nortii, 
 
 ivcd a mi'(|al Hi iln> l'liila(li'l|>liia < Ji'iiionniiil lixliHiilion of isyii 
 
 It is not, li()\v<'\or, jiy the I'liaractcr ami laiiacity of tho soil on tin- t'orlilc flaln 
 
 nronml ilic ilmi^ 
 
 \\: 
 
 ly < iiii\|iany s j 
 
 osir. iliat iIh. inorits ol'tlio i'oaco !{; 
 
 r Uisi.i idt 
 
 iiinsi 1)0 ti'sli'd, as i|i,>,>o tl.'ils ai (' ((ini|Kii'ativ('ly iV-w ami s'liali. 'i'ho (list.rirt proiicr 
 loii^-ist-. iiC iIk' oxicnsix (' jilaloaii wliicli ,-tnHi'lu's away I'M- many iniio.s on oitlnu' 
 eiiio of (li<< ri\or, at an altilii'lo at l>,ii\<'i,'.ii> of alinni Sou fn't aiiovo lln> I'iviM", uii 
 
 iininihiu's lo liisH llian a luindicil loci f'iHI milos tin llionlowii 
 
 Mltiiti<I«> liiat griithia 
 llio rivor. 
 
 lyd, 
 
 Our partv spoiii the nionili of Aiiijii ' in ovaniinin^x liorlions of Ihi.s oxlonsivi 
 
 |)laioaii ill ilitl'.'roMi il.iocli.ins tiMin i>iinv( 
 
 an. 'I'll • laviliiios for railwav ronsiruc- 
 
 lii 
 
 lion I'roiu I,osm>i Sla\i' I/ilvO vvosl wai'd. ami Ironi a ^iiilaMo rrosMinij o!' Smoky Itivor 
 Tiorlliwanls iii tlio iJiri'olion of |'iiii\ llivoi- I'a-s, as woll as llio charactor o|' (hat |iass, 
 iiro imlioatoil in liio roporls I'rit rolt.'r sjiocialls- to iho-o .siilijooi-. l''roin I'lno Kivor 
 I'astwanl to Los.sor Slavo Lakiv an I from Ihinvoiran norihward ahout 70 niilos to 
 rnttio .l»'i\i'r. and t-omliwaid lo iho riSih para lol, tho oxaminaiioii was tolorahl}' 
 tlior. 'Ui!;li. 'riuMii.jiioal llio \vliol(> oi Iho di-'tri.l (ra\orsi'd in Uio<o o\|iloraliohH, 
 will) \ cry fow o\i'o|ilions, Iho soil was found lo ho oxoidlon', wiili noh hoiha^jo, 
 hix'uriant wild hay and poavino, and in some parts a n-n^al ahuiidam o of saHkaliim, or 
 t^orvioodioriy hiishos ,Si)mo Irai'ls l\ ino;ii()rlli of I'oaoo l{ivor appoar p(>oiiliarly foriilo, 
 vhilo Iho di-tiiot known as " |j:i (Iraiido I'lairio," lyiii.i:; htilwoon Smoky Uwor and 
 I'ino IJivor, tVom .15 to 70 mih'S soiilii of i)anvoi;an, is o>;o<>plioiially <;ooii. I'lvoii 
 tlio>o purl.i that arr swampy, siitdi as a portion o| iho ooiiniry hoiwoon Smoky liivor 
 and liossor .Slav o Lak-o, ini^hl he dr.-ii nod and nialo lit for oiiUivatioii with no groal 
 ditlk'iiUy by Iho romov;il nf" hoavor dams, i-io. Emioavoiiring to asoortain iho 
 oliaraotor of siicli portions ;is w-o ooidd nol pnsMliIy examino, wo wi>ro roli.ihly in 
 I'onnod that, foll'iwin;; th(> iiorih and wost hank of the* Foaoo llivor, llio soil is ox- 
 OoHont tor a liisiaiii'o ol' li'om L'."> lo 70 milos IVoin iliori\or; th.-it from Hudson's 
 JIopo lo Fort ::l .lojin, with low inlorriiptioiis.it is heavily wooilod ; that holow Fori 
 >Sl .folin iho open prairio altornatos wiih oopso of aspon ami oihor li^rhl woods, tor 
 120 milos, to Smoky liivor; thai from Smoky HivtM' to old Fort Vormilioii, a 
 tlisianoo hy iho rivor (ll' metro than ;50il milos, Ihoro is moro woodland than opon 
 iiraiiio. alihoiiy;h tlio soil i^ ,'^ood lor ahoiit fo milos Imok from iho main river; thai 
 bolow Vormillion, lor a hell ol from l."> to 40 milos, tho soil is foriilo, will- occasional 
 iniorni|itionsj Mioh as Iho I'arihoo .Moiiiitaiiis, at loast as far aa Iho Salt Sprint's on 
 k>lavo Kivor. Followini,Mho south and oast bank of Poaoo Hivor, flio platoaii from 
 .llndsv)n'> Hojio, tliouirli tortile, is, for tho most part, lli dcly wooiloil as far as I'ino 
 JJiver, which flows into tho i'oaoo ahoiil I milo- hoh'W Fori St. .Joliii. liov'Mid that, 
 jls far as SiiKiky Ivivor, tlioro is a hioadi-iiiiiir oxpanso of' oiiltivablo land, partly 
 ■woinlod and partly opon, which, inclndiiu; tho Miraiiilo Frairio.' is in some parts at 
 least 70 miloH in width from north to south. Thoro, boiidinuj willi Iho rivor, tho 
 bolt of fortilo soil ooiiijiuios for an avoraLCo it is said, of about, JO milos from tho 
 rivor, as far as Fort Vormilioii, and for a narrower boll I'rom Vortnilion to Lako 
 Athabasca Ivast iind soiilh of this belt, however. thi> creator iiorlMUi of Iho oouniiy 
 ( lelosod betwoon l\-.\\' J{ivcr on the west and iiorlli, ami licsser Slave hako and 
 . ith;ibasoa Hivor on iji,- -o uli and oast, is said to I o brokon by hills, lakes, Htroams 
 and marshes that rondo.- 't. to a i,n'(>ai domee, unlit for tiirmin:;'. This oiiv.'l<wuro in 
 one of llio best huniini^-ifroiiiids for boavoi' known to tlu> '.liidson's Bav Co., H.OOO 
 bcavor skins haviii;.; boon roi.'oi\ed last yo;ir at ll > ]Iiulsoi''s Bay post at Jjosser Slave 
 Lako, taken almost oniiroly troin thi.sdi-stn,. i, 
 
 III 
 
 tills if 
 liecii n| 
 il iipp 
 kaowil 
 il 
 
loa 
 
 I'll licss |.) till' MMitli (>r I'f.'ico Ivivor, iiiclinliiif; wli;it is 
 
 It would lio (lifflciill t<t f'trm nny toliiililo e.Htim.ito ol iho aiMii '•(' uinl»Io Iiiml in 
 thi.-i I'i'ju'o Uiv(>r ili-iirifi. wiliiuiil iiiiii'li in.yio (art'lul Dsatiiinulinii lliiiii iiiii yi't 
 lii'i'ii tiiiiil I ; liiil il is iiiniiiro-i ili;il lli(' oxU'iil ol' li'i'liii) soil i-, vory ^ii' H, ilic Ik-I, of 
 it !i|i|';iiiMiily I'l'iii:; tl\:ii wliirli lies.- 
 ii;ii)\vii II -t " l/ii (Jniibic riMiiic' 
 
 'I'lirmi^li iliiM iliNlrict llicro is a ;^i ciil ;iliini'l:iiii'i> of ni'id/^c :v\A Im-iic. Ilio moono 
 bnirif^ lion! l>> tlic lii.liiiii ulmost I'voiyiliiii;; iha! (Iio ImII'.iI • i^ i.u llr luiiilor ul' llio 
 ]i|aii;s. 'I'Ik- (1. hIi i-< his eliii't'arl ''lo of ('.'oil , ilic nUin. wIkmi liiiini!'!, i.s llin jjroat 
 mali'i'ial I'T il:'tv>s, at ioast |nr wmU'i' cu^liiini', wliilo iiPiiimii'<l il i-* iik«v| (or a ;n'i'uL 
 varioiy "I' li'iiini.-i'-i , niM'.iif; oi lu-i's a,s llm CDVoiiiiiC I'"' I'H l<'i>l i<r topco ; imd, cut 
 iiil^i Hli'ip.s Mil wlii<'li ruiin II il known a-i .-liatciiMjiiii ), il mm'Vos in almost cvi^ry 
 m an II t lie I II U', and lor all Kinds of rc|ia'is W'liiln ■^ni \\ lai'LCc i;aini' rontiinio iilfiililul 
 it !W vain to (!.\|u'ct llial iIk' indiaii« will taivo lo a --('iilcd lilr, ■>!• will ciillivatu llio 
 
 II. ! rt > ill It i*' \T.> IK-I I I lUfei I IIV^ I II' Mitl I « IV I O t.l IVIT Ml il '11' I 1 I ft 1 I I n , ' i| will l.lll I 1 1 «li IT I tl'J 
 
 Hod, as Hoiiio of ili(> Indians ol' ilm |iluin.s arc liciii;; tor.'cd lo d'l l.^■ iln! f^radniil ox- 
 tine lion of till- I'lillalo. I'At'ii at the lliidso'i's i<ay |)o,si.- I liron;;lioiit. I Ins distiii't, wlit'io 
 iiiM-lof llir \ ('(.(I'laliU's and itircai- ;riown in Ontario can lie laisml with siii-cisss, Iho 
 nt,'('nls and half liri'cds aro alniO'.| cndi dy dcjicndiMil on tlii'ir hunters for t'ood. 'I'li'iy 
 coidd laiso caitli! and croiis voiy easily ; wild hay is pluiitifiil in tlm vicintity of many 
 (if ihoforls ; llui rciiirn of potaloos is livi|iii'iilly us liii;h its I'ofly lo oiii!, twcnty-livo 
 kc^'i III' ))olalo(iH at, i)i..ivciran h.iviii^ vioflrd oni! Ihoiisaiid Uc!^"', and yi'l iiiany of 
 till' llii'lsoii'.-i H.'iy a;;(Wil'' dc|ieiid llir I Ikmi' sii|i|ily offuol very lii'iu'elv '>M 'ho lalioui's 
 (it the li.dian hiin'ci's that aio alt le.hed l<» each post riicii' nci^loct o( a,.N'ii'(iltiii'o is 
 duo, no duulil, to the policy whi'li llni ('oinpaiiy have loiiti; piiisiicd o| Ice in^ tlu) 
 coUHliy a.H a l'iirl>t.'arm;f i leservi', fin-' liuinj^ ol inoro iinpoi'iaiice lo iliem than t'ai'iii- 
 iiii; ; !tnd it is duo also, in rtoiiie deLli'et', to the frtiijiiein", with whif'li ihe at;ei)ts aro 
 novod IVoin one post to another, whu'li discoiira;:;es Ihi'in froip iniikiiiLr any miprove- 
 inent on iho land, or fioni nndi'itakin;.'- work- (jom which they may piohaiily ruap no 
 I'e.sulis. One coiiseipieiico, however, o| this dojjendinci! on thcii hiinteis lor siip|dioft 
 is, that when, as has sotnelinies occiirre.l, stivoral weeks jias.s in winler without any 
 Hiiow, and there is no chance ot' triickiii^i; the dei-r, the people at smno of the poslH 
 may lie reduced lo ihi! vi^rye ol'staivalion. Two years at^o, at llinlson'.'j llop(% Iho 
 H^eiil. and hih family were force I, tor a limi", to snlisist on tlu' iinlaiined inooNehido 
 which had .-erved as window panes, and Iheir chii^l i'oiii|>laint was that Miey hud not 
 enoii.t^h of il. 
 
 No attempt luiH yet hecn made lo cidlivate any ]iortion il this va'^t plalcau, 
 with the oxci'pLi.)n of a verj- limited area in the vicinily of Lessor Slave I^ake , Iho 
 only eultisiited parts throiii^doul ihe whoh^ ilislriil h(!in;,' sdne of Iho flats !iot more 
 than -5 or ;>i) ('(ut ahove Ine river ItniiMht, tlu'iclore, he pif^niatiire, in Me; ahsoiM o 
 rjf actual oxperiiiKint to |ironourici) oven the most fertile pc; ions of this phUeaii suit, 
 nhle for the giowtli of grain. Vet tliore aro various (oiisiderati'iiis that seoni to war- 
 rant the conclusion tliat ihe climatic conditions of the plateau arc not less fiuourablo 
 to iho I'ullure of wheal Ihantho-e'd the lliils near ihe river h'Vel. Wheal thrivoH 
 and rip'Uis .-u Hudson's Hojie. l""ort Si. ,lohn and l)unve;^an, aii'l also at Lcvser .^lavo 
 l.ake, u iiieh i.-i on the h vol of the plateau, eviMi althouifli siim nmr frosts occur occasion- 
 ally in Juno and sometimes oven in July ai Ihose iocaiilic^, while this year thero wuh 
 frost at J)iinve^'-;in, as well ati on Ihe plateau li> ihe north and south, durit.if the latlor 
 part of Aui^Ust. Though no record ha* heeti k(^]it of the changes of leinpi.-i'titnro on 
 the p'aleau by which tluiy could hi' < ' mi pared with those in the valh.^v, ye', it usually 
 ccems to ho as wa'in on the plateau us it is neaior the river. Kro-.t .soiuetirnoH 
 occurs in the val'oy when it is not felt in ihe jihi'oau. Ilors(\s an; kk'jd out all winicT 
 upon the plateau, oven althoiiii;li the ihcrmometor s'jmclime' lails to f)*' helow zero, 
 
 ..j.-r.. -..V. |.....v^t>.., ^.,^y., ,«l,,|.y'l^*l VI,... < , 1 , ' I I 11 > r ' < < «.. UV^ ■ .^ ^ .., \ ....... • ....,.' . ■ .r. ..^ ^, 
 
 heing ahlo to p.iw aw.'iy Iho li,j;lil snow, which avt^ia^-'-s I^ feet in depth, henoath 
 svhii II tlii'V fiial aliundance of exiiclh lit gvas.. (.'atlle .ue usually Iioiik! fed from iho 
 lailer part of Noveinhoi' till the midd.i* of .Maich, lur;;'i' iii;aiiliti(js ol hay heiii!^ pro- 
 curod from the patches of iiieado",v laml found hero and tlieie upon the plateau, and, 
 no doubt, I he Iiay crop .could be indetinilely ineroa.sod if seed were only yown in 
 -uitablo looalilics. Although the ;j;rowth in early aunimoi' is iisuully rooro udvanceJ 
 
104 
 
 in the vulley than on the phitoiiu, yof, as the nioihturc lln^ors lontjor on the uppei' 
 lovel, the ^Towth ilimv scorns to pii'^ross inoi'c ^lt'lnlily whi^n it lias omcvj hc^^iui, 
 wLiio very iiltle ditrerenco has hocu uLisorvoil between the ui»per nrni iowfrj^levols. In 
 regai'ii to the time oftjie riporiin^, (aiiin;^ ami t'allint^ of the i((avos. 
 
 The ice in tiie liver at Foi't lJnn\ci,'uti. wliich usually t'oi-nn about tlic tiist wi.i'k 
 in Deceniliei', has, dniing the i)ast tive your.i as shewn l)y the ei)mpany's jiiurnai.^, ictt 
 on the average about tiie ISth of April, that is, sovoral liays botoie the average date 
 of the opening of navigation at Ottawa. The average date tor pirn'iiig potatoes, 
 during the .same jioriod, has iieen the Uh May; the time fur diggi'ig jjotatoos being 
 usually about ihe23r<l Se))tenihor. 
 
 1 here are not hUlHeient data to institute a fair ('om])arison l)etwc'en tlio l\iac(.' 
 Eivor countiy and other fertile portions of the XorlliWest. Tiio soil seems as rieh 
 and the hd'hage as iuxuiianl as in some of the districts that are already known to be 
 admiralily adirjited to the growth of grain, but the tltnoss of the elimato, however 
 probable, can not yet be said to be deliuitely assured. Judging at least by the 
 expeiienco of the past summer the climate of Peace Uiver seems to lie scarcely as 
 reliabl(> as that ot the . dmonton distrn.t where n.> frosts occurred in August, and whore 
 an.excellent and abun hint wheat harvest has t!iis3-oar lieen reaped. It might be well, 
 even were (ioverninental action I'equired to secure it. to have ste|)s taken lo useertaiu 
 beyond doubt the wheut-growmg ca])aeity of this ''u-tro portion of the North- West. 
 M(;anwhile it seems rea,'«onable to su))iio.>e, even in the absence of positive experi- 
 mental knowledge, that a very laige proportion ol this fertile district, mist of whi<;li 
 is now ready I'or the pi ough, may prove to be an excidletit wheatgivwing country and 
 may thus |ii()ve to be a vet}' valuable ])ortion ol' whit is as j'et the iiiidevelo]iei! 
 interior of tne Dominion. In addition to its agricultural re.soiirees this district 
 appears to possess abundance ol coal, excellent specimens having been ti)unti, though 
 in narrow seams, (ui Elk Kiver (a tributary of .Smoky liiver) on Smoky liiverandon 
 J'eace River. There is abundance of good limber, chi(^tly spruce, within easy access 
 from the river, while the gre;i' f.i 'ilities for stoani navigation alf >rd.'d by the I'eace 
 liiver, and the large size of seveial of its tributaries furni.ih favourable means of coiri- 
 munication thioughout a larg j jwrtion oi the disti'ct. 
 
 Kvery liavcller through the Peace Kiver disti iet is surprised at the mildness of 
 th(! climate. ..Vlt!i(>ugli th. wiiit«.;r is severe, yet the summer is, generally, as 
 warm as that usually enjoyed ten degrees further .simth in Ontario or Queliec, 
 without tlie disciiinlbrt of opjirossively warm nights. There is a marked 
 change between the clim.ile on the east and that t>n the west side of the Kocky 
 Mountains, that on tln^ east being drier and much warmer. This is probably due lo 
 the facL that the prevailing westerly winds blowing from the ['acitic have, by the 
 time they coino so tar inl.ind, been relieved of nundi of their moisture, tirst [)}• the 
 Cascade J'iangu and then by the i^ange oi the Rocky Mountains, while al the same 
 time the general level of the country hero is lower than that of northern British 
 Columbia. Yet though the avoi'age Huminer tempemture is high there is a very great 
 dirt'erence between the teniperatuie of the (lay and that of the night. During the 
 first fortnight of August, '71', the average midday temperature at Fort Uunvegan was 
 77° above zero in t-> > shade, while the average minimum at night was -I'l^ 
 a fair example of the dirt'erence ordinarily observed between the summer 
 temperature of day and night, although sometimes the variation is much greater. 
 This depression of ttMnporature, lo whatever cause it is to be ascribed, produces a very 
 lieavy dew-fall whi(li i-cern: to assist in pn-moiing the growth of plants, and the 
 cliange after a warm dav i^ almost as rel'reshiiig as a breeze from the sea. 
 
 It was the writer'.-- eNpectatiun to have ccjiiie from Dunvegan to Edmontim by a 
 line as nearly as po.ssiblo direct to Southesk on the located route of the (Janadian 
 Pacific riailway, as it was e<pected thtit a trail wouM have been opened alongthis lino 
 diu'ing the past summer, but, as the opening ol this trail was long delayed ho camo 
 by way of Lesser .Slave T.aUo and tlie .\tliaba^ca Landing to FJdmontoii. This route 
 is now the ordinary one for the traftic of the lliidson'.s Hay Company between J<]<linon- 
 ton and I'eace River, Thei'o is a tolerably good cart road from the ilndsou'H Bavpost, 
 
 near th 
 S:a\e L 
 lake lai 
 down 
 the lak< 
 point k 
 lAlmon 
 Th 
 rion ot 
 liu'hily 
 
 inarsho; 
 staleii, 
 quant it 
 the lul, 
 and stri 
 widtli, 
 with af 
 li'pth SI 
 iis-er se 
 peavine 
 over a 
 still cl. 
 yards ■' 
 flow bu 
 eido is 
 slopes V 
 covered 
 Th( 
 grown t 
 beaver ; 
 that woi 
 on ward 
 iiassed 1 
 Atl 
 some di 
 iu>rlh-ei 
 elbow ii 
 stores, i 
 .\ihabai 
 road th: 
 iiig to J 
 Peace f 
 over tv 
 account 
 along t 
 route. 
 
 So< 
 Edmon 
 some d 
 bat afii 
 
105 
 
 noiir the junction of ibo Poaeo and -Smoky Rivers, 50 miles below Dimvoffiin, to L(iSKor 
 S.;i\o Lake, a (iistaiico of (JJ miles. From tlu; Fort no;ir tho westoiii oxtrcmity of the 
 i;ilu» largo .sail boats run with case amJ safely down tho lako, some 70 milos in liMigtIi, 
 down Lesser Slave Hiver, a stream ahont W miles in leii^clh, emptyini,' the waters of 
 the hike intoihe Alhahasea liiver — and down the Atiiiil>:isca Ibr ahoul 4."» mile.-* to a 
 point known in tlio Alhabaaea Landing, from whieli there is a waggon n^ad to 
 lAJmonton, 96 miles distant. 
 
 The eoiiniry between Smoky River ami Lessor Slave Lake, or at least that jjor- 
 rion of it through which the road passes is almost uniformly excellent, part being 
 liglitlv woodeii and part open jirairie. Around Lessor Slave Lake llieio arc largo 
 marshes yielding abundance of exiollent l»ay, and in this neighbourhood, a.s already 
 staled, wheat has been giown with marked success, jil'hnugh as yol in very sm.ill 
 quantity. To tho south of the lake tho country is hilly, though near the margin of 
 il,e lake tho land is very swampy ; to the north there are numei-ous marshes, lakelets 
 uml streams. The small rivei' that forms the oullrl id' the lake is about 25 yards in 
 widlii, very tortuous, hemmed in by low banks that are almost uniiormily wooded 
 with aspen copse and willow^ between which it winds with very gentle current at a 
 depth sufficient for laige H. 13. (J. boat.s heavily laden. Tiie -"il on either side near tt»o 
 river s~eems exeellont sandy loam, and where freeot timber abounds in rich grass und 
 peavine. P^re it joins the Athabasca the liver widens Ui a s|)iin of 50 yards ainl pas^es 
 over a series i.f gentle rapids, while its banks become m'>re varied in 'unrour tlnugh 
 still closely wooded. At the juncli.m of the two rivers the Athabasca is about liOO 
 VMi'ds wide with a currei\t ot ab.iul 'l\ miles an hour It br(.>aden-. out in its fui'ihei' 
 "flow but ita current coidinues much the same for many pules. Tho land on either 
 eido is wooded with jviplar intci'S|iersed with spruce; 'lie banks riso by gentle 
 blopes to a height varying from lOU to 200 teet ; tho soil seems good though light, 
 covered occasionally with luxuriant pasture, but for the mo.->l ])art lightlj- limbered. 
 
 Tlie woods were rich with many-Lintoi] foliage; the sIku'cs gravelly, gru.Js- 
 grown and sandy by turns. No signs of life were visible except an oceasi(Uial 
 beaver; aiid the Indian crew, knowing that there was ample time to meet the carts 
 that wore coming t'rom Edmonton to the Landing, allowed the boats to be borne 
 onward by the gentle cm rent, while, coiling themselves iindei' tlioir blankets, they 
 jiassed liour after lK)ur in sleep. 
 
 Athabasca Landing is at an elbiw of tho Athabasca, where, after flowing for 
 some distance in a southerly direction, tho river turns somewhat ,-harply to ilie 
 north-cast. This southward stielch from tlie mouth of Lesser Slave Lake to tiio 
 elbow is taken advantage of by the Hudson's l.5ay Com|)any for the transport of their 
 stores, furs. &.e., as the route down LesHor Slave Jiake, the Le^.ser Slave River ami tho 
 .'Vthabasca to tho Landing is a voiy direct otic, and, in connection with the waggmi 
 road that we traversed fium Smok}' iiiver Dei)ol, and a waggon road t'rom the Land- 
 ing to Edmonton, affords the most favourable route tor the transport of goods from 
 Peace River eastwards. Between the L.anding and Lake Athaba.sca'lhe river pa.s.ses 
 over two falls, where somewhat heavy portages would be required, and on tliirt 
 account fieight to Fort Uhipewyar; and tho northern districts, in.siead of pa.s.>ing 
 along this portion of the Athabasca, goes by tho Mothy Portage and tho Clearwater 
 route. 
 
 Soon after we had reached tho Landing the expecteil train of carts from 
 Edmonton arrived, and after utdoading their cargoes returned. Thefcountry for 
 some distance .south of tho Landing i.s broken into ridges, tlio .soil being at first poor, 
 but after twenty nules are pas.sed it becomes very attractive, rich with iuxuiiant 
 grass and poa-vinc, watered by frequent streams and lakelets, and occasionally 
 dotted with aspen copse. Apjuoaidiing Kdmonton, and parlicularly from the cro.-s- 
 Ing of Sturgeon Kiver, the soil is exceptionally i-ich, The road leads for miles by 
 luxuriant hay lueailows, and thnuigh gently rolling whea' lands of great lerlility. 
 Large fields of wheat had already been cut,- one field not far from Fdmonlon cover- 
 ing 100 acres, — and tho hearts of tho settlors were gladdened by ai: abundant harvest. 
 Wo oamo unexpectedly on a little clump of houses overlooki:.g the Saskatchewan, 
 
IOC 
 
 end a littlo lower down on tho rivor bunk wo entered the centre of the spttlement, 
 Foit Ivlnionto!!, tho mi)::*t imporiaiit Hudson's Hay t^^)ml)ally Post in thu Xoith \Vo>t 
 Territorie.-;. 
 
 in (inlor to roaoh the tologfaph station at Hay Lukes, it was necessary to di ivo 
 abtiut 35 niiips soulli of P\)rt Ivhronluii. Tlio road lies through a very beauiiiul and 
 most proniisiiif^ ti'ai:t ot'fouiitry, whoi'o setMors arc ah'oady roa|>iiii^ exeelleiit ero])s. 
 Indeed, ju igin;!' of the HdnioiUoii district b> tho country traversed in a|ii)n>:ichiiii; 
 tho Fort from the north, and fioni th;U iieiween tlie Fort and liay Lakes, as well as 
 b}' that which is seen from the old familiar ti'uil leadinLj eastward aioii,;^ the iiortli 
 bank of tho Saskatchewan, this di-HricL is one of tho vory bo->', if not uniiuoslionahly 
 the host of all the wheatraisin>^ portions of our North-West. 
 
 Tho writer came by ordinary trail from Fdnionton via Biittleford, Carlton, 
 Touchwood Hills and Kllico to Winnipeg, but has little to add to what has ;.lrealy 
 been presented in tho reports of tho ''aiiadian Pacirtc Railway ciieorning this por- 
 tion of the countiy, save only to confirm the ofl-rept-ated slatoinenls regarding tl»o 
 groat fertilit}' of a very large proportion of tho country traversed, and to express the 
 utmost conlidence in its possibilities and in its future. 
 
 DANIEL M. GORDON. 
 
 
 
107 
 
 APPENDIX No. 7. 
 
 EUPOUT ON THE CLIMATE A\D AGRICULTURAl, VALUE, OENERAL OEOLOOIOAL FEATURES 
 AM) .M1NBKAL8 oP KCONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF I'ART OF THE NORTIIEKN J'(JRT10N OF" 
 ErITLSH (VjMMIUA, AM) OF THE PeAOE KtVER OoUNTIlV, BY CtPORUE M. DaWSOW 
 
 D.S., A.RS.Al. F.O.S., assistant director qeolouical survey of Canada + 
 
 (1.) Climate and Agriculture . 
 
 The c'limalo of tlio coast of the northorn pnvt oi British Columbia, whiio not 
 subject to j^vciit cxtionios of tcniporaturc, i-* excessively lumiid, with mucli I'ain at all 
 seasons ot the year and occasional heavy Jails ol' snow in winter. Neither Ksrjui-^ 
 malt nor Now Wostniinsler, which aro the only regular inoleorolotcieal stations maln- 
 t;(iiHHl near the coast ot' the I'l'ovince i;ivo any cnlorion by \7hieh to arrive at a 
 kiiowletlije ot the climatic conditions of other districts ; tor l)oth t.hoso ))taces — but 
 opctialiy l'isquimalt--are shullered iViMn the exces>ive jtrecijiitation which ociurs 
 whore the moislnre-hearint,' winds tirsi strike the hii^'h coast lino. Observations main- 
 tained by mysolf while on^ajxed in a j^'coioijieal examination of tho(2iieon Cliarhnte 
 Islands, dunn«!; the summer of \S1H (published as an AinitMidix t;o the Riiport of I'fo- 
 gress of the tic logical Survey, lb7H-!l), fairly represent the climate of that r( ,,ioii 
 durinij: a low months. Observatirns kept up during many years at Silka, two and 
 a- half degrees north of Poll >Sim])s()i), and considerably further west, iloublle^a repre- 
 sent a climate consideiably woise than thai of tiiO northern part of tlio I'oast of 
 British Columbia. It may, liowiU'cr, be useful to extract from these the following 
 facts. I he latitude of iSitka is 57'' 3 , or about onodegree north of Glasgow ^Seollanll), 
 'rem|)eratiue observations extend over a period of tbrlj'tivo years with little inter- 
 ruption. "The mean temper, aiio of spring is ll'-J"; tor summer, 5t(i'-'; for 
 autumn, '14'!)° ; for winter, .)2'.'>°, and for the entire year, 43' {, l'"\ The extremes 
 of temporatnro lor 45 years are 878^ and -4-0", However, the mercury has fallen 
 below zero uf Fa reviheit in only four year-' out of tho 45, and has risen about 80° 
 during but "-i^veii years (d' that pericd. ' coldest month is .';iiiuary, the wannest 
 August ; .1 uiie is slightly warmer than Sepumbur." Tho mean of tho minima fur soven 
 years of 1Ih> above perioil is HSd'', iind of the maxima hu- seven 3'ears, 4 ^m"", shewing 
 a remarkably enuil>lo climate. The average annual amount of ram. melted snow aiul 
 hail from 18t7 to 18()4 (with the ext'ep'ion of the year 1855) was >^2(ii) inches, or 
 within 11 fraction of seven feet ; and the average annual number (d' days on which 
 I'ain, snow or hail tell, eu" heavy fogs prevailed, "vas two hiii.died and forty live, or 
 two d;iys out of three, while it does no' follow iJKit the other days have a clear sky. 
 Tables by Liilke, fi' un observations in 1S2H and 1^211, show that lui un average each 
 year there were 170 ilays calm, I ^'J days moderate winds, ami il,) days with stroiijr 
 winds. j- 
 
 The average annual jirecipitation of moi-;Hire nt the in.iuth ol" the Columbia 
 Kivi'i', eleven di'gices id latitude further south. is staled to be live inches greater 
 than ai .Siika, an 1 ii is ihorefon' pr ■bable .i prion that in the vicinity of i'orl Simp- 
 son and about the moulli of the Skei'iia, on that part of the coast of llu> mainland 
 
 • TniiHinilte'f \\>t |iiililicalioM in iiilvnac.'' of llic forltici'iniii^ dctHilod Rfpoit oi» tin; Ktplora» 
 dims nf lM7;i, by pi.-r iasioti ot' A. U. 0. Si'lwvii, K.liS., K,(4.8 , Oirfnlor Ui^olonical Burvoy of 
 (Jtiuaild. 
 
 t Alaukti Uonsl Pilot, 1860, aud Pacific Uoasl Pilot, Apiieudix I, 1079, p. :K). 
 
ins 
 
 Ivii"'^ o|H'n l.> lli(> wtvihM'iy winds luMwocii (j)iuvn ( 'li;ii-li>(lo !Mw| \ .'iiuoiivor Island' 
 ;ni.i mi llio wi st cua^l.-- ol' those islamls, (hat. llio |ir(>(M|iiiati<>n is at li>asl i>(|iiallv ^loai 
 ami aitMwnli t" Iu>I\voimi SO and 'M) iiu'lit's jut aiiiiiim. Tlii) ainomii nt |>n'ci|)i(atii>ii. 
 tlioii^li 'inall 111 iompari'<i'ii willi tlial of a low oNccplional pliici'son llio oar' li'sHiirtat c. 
 is liioator tliini lli.ii oliarailori/.iii).; ovoii llio \v<'sl(>iii -.lasls nt llio British l.jaiid 
 
 S, Willi 
 
 llio o\i'0|ilioii i>i"a low pooiiiiaily niuiali'd nu»uiitainous loci'litios, wiioro il is oxcoodod, 
 and liiii(> lo^s lliaii tiio iioaviost raiMlall on llio Norwogiiin onusl (JO inolion). 
 
 lio.ontly |Milili>-lioi nlistM-valinns Tor l''i>ii Tnnijass, Ihouirji oovorinu; a poriod of 
 hill lillloov(M-l wo yoars, must roiirosont llio oliinato ol'llio ro^noii in llio \ ioinily of I'orl 
 Simpson and ol i iu' l^>iiooii i'hai'lolto Islands pnMty olostdy, as Tonirass in siliiutod on 
 (ho north '^ido ol l>ixoii l''nlianoo. lilllo ovor lilly inilos iVoin I'ml Sinipson in a dii-ool 
 lino. Tiio moan loinporalnro is lioro Hio"-', orcoii-ndoraliiy wannor than SitUa. " riiis 
 may ho duo." Mr. W. 11. hall wiilos " to tlio i-ooojition in llio ojion ihi-oal of Dixon 
 Mniranoo of llio warm walors of llio Alaska Ciirront, (Vosli iVoin llio frroat north 
 I'acilir (iiill Slroani.'Tort Tonix.ass is ilio looalily ol (rroatost Uii'>\vn prooipilalion in 
 
 .M 
 
 ll 
 
 \o raiiilal 
 
 I oiJiyin;;' diirintj; llio \ cars ol ohsorvalion lis:> inoli 
 
 OS, on 
 
 whioh Mr Hall romarks, that olisoivalions p<iint to llio t^uoon CharloKo Islands, and 
 tho ro!.i:ion ahoiil l)i.\on Kniranco as llio most rainy pari of llio north wosi oojisl. 
 Al Toiii^ass ulioul 20()tlays a yonr aro oillior rainy or snowy, a proporlion agrooiii;.; 
 iioarly with that (d)sorvod .-il Silka,^ 
 
 'hio oxoossivo rainfall, oonsidorod in oonjiiiiilion with llio faot thai. Iho skv 
 lhroiif;lioat tho yoar is ossonlially oloiidy, provonliii;; r;i|iid ovaporalion and koopiiit: 
 tho dovv point no.ar tho aotual tompoiatnro of Iho air, .'iroounls for (ho poonliar 
 (diaiMolor of tho voi;t>talioii. anil llio I'aoi that oi'dintiry ooroals ojinnot li(>^rown in tho 
 di.'^ti iots i>xjiosod to Ihoso ooiidilions, At b'oi I Siniii.son, on iho wosI ooasf of (.ho 
 (^>iioon t'liailoiio Islands, and ols(>whoi'(^, many of tho hills aro lint partially oovorod 
 with foiosl. tho ri'inaindor o| tho siirtaco hiMiii;- oo(ii|ii(>d hy sphMf^iu^ms moss sovoral 
 loot ill doplli, and satiiralod Willi walor ovoii on sloop sloiios. Tho low norllioa.sti'rn 
 ]iart of tho t^Mioon ('harloMo J.-.laiids is in f^roat nioasuro sholtorod from tho raindioar- 
 in^r winds, and const i ml os, in faol, Iho only oxionsivo aron of land which appears to ho 
 
 Miitahlo lor a!,'riciilliii'0 on tho norllicrii \k\ 
 
 th 
 
 oasl. Mr. nniican, o| Motla 
 
 Ivatla, w 
 
 lO 
 
 nl .'1 m 
 
 'ioorolo:^ical roixistor lor some linio aflor his tirst arrival in th 
 
 (> 
 
 ooiinlrv .osiimatod that thoro woro on an avorat^o ahont sovon lino days in a month in 
 that place Tho hoh.avior ol tho winds and haromolor in hoth Vanooiivor ami tho 
 tiuooii CharloUo Islands, appear to indicalolhal tliooonlros of most storms, travolliii,i^' 
 from wosI to oast, pa.ss to tho noilhward of tho I'oasI of Hriiish ('oliimliia. This hoiii^ 
 so. it is piidiahlc that tho forco oi' tho <;alos is soinowlial ^roalor on (ho norlhorn 
 }Kir( of tho coast ol (ho )iro\inco than on tho soiiihorn. 
 
 I havo olsowhoro staled thai l'oi,'s do not seem lo occur with such froiiuoncy in 
 Iho vii'inity ol tiio (^iioon (.'harlotle Islands as in (ho soiilhorn p.arl of tho Sirail of 
 (iooi-j^ia. ll may I'o inlorostiiii;' toiiiiod', in (his ooniiootion, Iho lollowin;L,f slatomont, 
 by the fj;roal laii iinlorliiiiato navit;alor, i.a Poroure, hi>arinf,' on Iho northern ]iarl of 
 the west c(>ast. i lie writes: "! tiist tlioiif^ht those seas more l'o;4;!ry than those 
 whioh soparato Kiiiope and Aniorica, hul I should h.avo hocn ^'really niistaktMi to 
 havo irrovocalily omhraood this oiiinion. The fogs of Nova Scotia, Nowfoiiiidland, 
 and Hudson s Bay havo un inooiilostahlo claim (o pro-oininoiico from Ihoir I'oiiHtanl, 
 donsilv," 
 
 T 
 
 10 cause oi 
 
 10 
 
 (ho I'M'optional lulldiuv-is ol the olitnale of I, his region is to 1 
 t'oiind not alone in the tad ot'tiic proximity of the sea. hut in the ahiiormal warmth 
 of tho walor, duo lo tho KiiroSiwo or .la|tanoso (.'urroiit. Tho avonigo (omporadiro 
 ol (ho surtnoo of (ho soa, durinu; the summer monlh.s, in tho vicinity of tho liuooii 
 CharloKo Islands, as deduced from a iiumhor of ohservatioiis taken hy niysoll'in IS7H, 
 is riM'S\ l^otweon Victoria and Milhank Sound, hy lli(> inner idiaiiiicls, fron\ Miiy 
 28lh to ,luno ''ih. the average lemperatiiro of '.iiesiMi surlacowas f)4'l". In Iho imior 
 
 ciiimncl 
 le'id'ci'l 
 Olltl of 
 nerval ii' 
 ImI- llicl 
 ,.l Wall 
 .'.11 Iv ii| 
 soil ial 
 Those 
 water, 
 and diu 
 Uriiainl 
 Kiilainl 
 Culf StI 
 
 It 
 
 aniii>aif 
 iiiilueiKl 
 fiillowii 
 
 ol the '• 
 ing Iro 
 physica 
 coast, ll 
 ■ipiiaioi 
 .icciirs. 
 A. 
 the liiti 
 sphere, 
 arliial II 
 
 The 111. 
 
 same la 
 nil tho \ 
 111 a ni.'i 
 
 • PftOltio I'oftSt IMlol, ApptMldix I, lur. rit. 
 
 t Quoted by G. Diividsoii iu Alauku ("oiist I'llol. 
 
inn 
 
 ciiiumi'l-i iM'twccn I'orl Snii|v<iin and Mill);iiil< .'vmnil, Ih'Iwhimi Auf^ii'tl, 2!)(.h niul Sop- 
 Ictnl't'i' I'JIli, r)4i»", iiml rriim lli" liisl nwniiuiioil ilaU' to Octoln'r IHtli, iiliniit t ho iinrlli 
 I'liii 111' Viuii'iiiivcr Islatid, niiil lli<>iii'(> \>i V ii'lmia liy tlii> inrmi cliiimich, Ml'. ( Ih- 
 M'lvalii'Ms liy llii- I' mlc'l Sialc's' ( 'oiihI, Siirvi v, ni lH(i7, *" j^avo a iui'mii ti'tn|)(M'iit,ni'u 
 |(.r ilir siirl.-ii'i' ol'llii" K'li liclwci'ii Vicl(priii aiii| I'orl Siiti|i-"iii anil inil--iil(i tlin I'rincd 
 (iC \Vali"K ■» i'(|iip(>la;^i), liom I'^mt SiiiipHdii In Sjlloi.iii tlir lalter pail dC .Inly lui'i 
 narh' ill Ai.iinHl, (if f).!' 1^'. in tlumanuwir iiiK^ts nl' I lin i'iihhI, tim l(>mp(Miiini<) oC llio 
 ,(>a Vails, owin^; lo tiio i|imiilily nl' I'oM waU-r niiiiglfii willi it l>y llio ("iilnian;^ livci-K. 
 'i"lM>i(> ohsorval imm Norvo In nlmw t lu> ("xIkIoiii'o. till i iio I'naMt , nl ii ;ji;i'oal Imdy oC wiiriii 
 waior, iiini tilt* tcmpni'MliiroH cioHcly cnri-cspMnil wilii tliuso ronnil iri Hiiniiar il^lil.l|ll^>^^, 
 ami dill) I" lim (iiiir Si ream mid Norlii AIIimiI|i' smtiu'd drill, un tiio wohI, roaHl nl' 
 r.riiaiii. 'I'lii' aimiial a\ iTaiji' Icmpi'ial iitc of liuiHca f ii'lart) oil' |||i> wcwl, coiisl ol' 
 iliilaiii is Hiad'd an 4'.' ', wiiilc I lial ol' liir casliMii NoiUi At iiiiilic, inlliu'iiii'd hy tiio 
 (liiir Slioiim, VIII ii'M (Vitiii 'II" In r)J".| 
 
 ll will iio oiiHdrvivl tiial, llit« HimitiHir liunponitiiir ol' liii'i liod\ of warm walnr 
 aopt'iirH lo lie somiuviial lowor lliiui llic iikmiii Himmn'r ItMiipcraliini ol'Sillui. iIh 
 iiilliicncn on lilt' clmialo in not, liowrvor, a flircci oiu(, Iml ih rliicfly <>x(Mc'iMiid in llio 
 ruliowiiii; way. —'I'll'* pr(>vaiiiiii.f hoiiIIi-wi slt^rly winds, swi'0|iiiifi: ovor llio warm Hiirlaio 
 n| tlic n(ia nil* raised to its liMiipi-ratiirr, and licronH" Haliiiiilcd with moiHliirc, uliflract 
 inir Iroin il, as liioy do no, and rcnderiii^f lati'iil. in ronrorriidy witii wtdi iviiowii 
 iiiivsicai laws, a -dill irrcnln r|iiantily of lioal. Wiioii, on rcailiiiiif tim moiinlaino(m 
 c nasi, liiis nioiHliii'd jj. a','aiii rondi^nsccl and disrliarf^cd, llu' iulciil iical iM*(i)nus a/.^iin 
 •i|ipai'*Mil, and /^'rcaliy I'aiscs liic Icniiicratiiro ol ilin aiiiioMpinrc in wiiiili llio roiiction 
 
 ■ iri IlI'M, 
 
 Ai'rordiii;.^ I" i'ovc';. tallies, llie moan annual Inmpi^ratiire of a piae.e, sitiiatod in 
 tJK laliliido of lila.'<fiow, derived from tlie lemptMaliire of tlie wiioi(» norlhorii lioiiii- 
 HpiHMi', sliould iio iir» '. ()\viii:; to tiie. (Jiiif SireiiDi and HMiitlivvesloriy winds, llio 
 ;u liiai nii'iui annual leinpiMalureot (ilas^ow is aiioiil IVI'^, or exeeiidN IIk* normal iiy ir> '. 
 Tlie mean leinporaliiie ot liie f.riealMr pari of I lie \orlli ,\ meriean "'•nliiieiil, in tlic 
 sMiiie latitude is "i" lo I'J" helow l>ove'is noiinal lemperal lire, hiil lliat of llio rc^ioriH 
 nil I lie w(>sl I oast ol .\meriea - wlii<'li is i idaled l<i ihe ( oiiise ol Uk' .lapiiiiewt* (Iiii'i'oiit 
 ni a nianniM' -liinilar lo I liut of llie west coast of lairopo and t.iio linll Slroiim— iw 
 represented iiy tiio aliovo delailed olistii'valiolis lit Sitka, (ixcoe.drt tlm jri^iw'ral moan liy 
 einlil de);roeH. 'I'lio mean .■inniial tenip'oaliire of SiiUa l>eiii;^', in l.ael,, nearly lljii 
 same as llnii ol Montreal, '('ii do;;reos of laiitndo fiirllior himiiIi. 
 
 Many ol file islands lyin^ oil' tliii iioilimrii const <if l>ritis|i ( Idlmniiia, and liirrn- 
 iiit; llie threat areliipida^o wiiieii frinj^es it, are low; lint, llion^rli eovorod will) 
 liiN'iirionl fore.Hl, possess very litiic* soil, and ,'iro in many chmom romposofl /)| ainiosi 
 .solid rock, Alioiil Meliakalla and i'orl Simpson, Hinali palrdiCH of i^iniind am 
 cull ix'.iled liy llie Indians as potato jfardons, and i^oo(l crops sticiired ; Imi, iIk* lotai 
 urea of !ii-.'iiile land o\islJ;ii^ on tiiis part of tlie coiihI, Willi llio oxccption of iho 
 poiljon of ilio(/iioeii ( ,'liiirlolKi Isliinds lieloro loforrcd to, is mo ire onsiiloruMo us tr* he, 
 siais ely worth menti'iii. 
 
 'I'lie coast alioiit I'oit Simpson and tiie nioiiili of Ihc .Skceiia i. very itnperfei'tly 
 
 ■ iicllcrisl from llio rain liearini^ wi'ids liy I lie i^iieeii ( !harloile Islands, v\liilc llm islands 
 if the<oasl arcliipi'lano, iieiie.; for llio most pari, of modoriito elevation in this region, 
 alislracl linle moisiiire. Wliere lln^se winds first impiiu.^<) on the inominlairioim 
 maiidan I the heaviest precipilailon occurs, in oxiict (•.(trrospoiidonco willi the hoi(.'hl. 
 to which tiii^ moist ail is forced up inio liio hii^'iier reiiioiis of tlm atmosphcic, and 
 cooled tliero iiy its expansion ami losn o| hcit. hy ridiation. /^ s llie mounlains 
 III I a in a considerahlo elevation al lin^ coir- 1, and the iiicr.'asc, in (elevation of ihc peaks 
 
 • AIihIui I '(in 'I I'ilul IH(i;i, p. '.id. 
 
 I "Tlml |i(iriiiiri nl'llii! Knre-Siwo liiiviatf n. ti'iiipiTaliiro of ''I't'^ F., or iii'in-. iipiirdaclK'u lla^ fiaul 
 ef Niirlli wiHl Aiiirrii'ii in llic vlisiuly iif ViiiM'iiiiVi'r Itilmi'l, 'I'ln- |Fri'<;i|i;liilliin H n:r('iil<'r, kihI 'iiirlilfti 
 ini'|i'(iroli)(,;i(:iil (limiirliriiri'H iiiv iiKirc ciuiiiicin Ihhtccii bililn'lc ■I'l" aiiil .'lii'' N Ihun nn uiiy dIIht imn 
 1)1 ill" ('(III;!!, Hit I'm iix wp Kill)*. I)i]» llir wiliir im'Ri llic ininl H l("'^ IIikd ST." in luuip'iialiir';, arifl Itiiiy 
 avuriigi.' iiyl luiin! Ihiiii Mi", ' - racilic OohhI Pilot, A|.|ii'iiih» I, p. '.'I 
 
110 
 
 towanis the axis of the vango in compai-ativcly gvaflnal. tlie heavy rainfall of the 
 coast is not found to ho maintainetl in iravclliri<,' eastvvunl hy the Skeena River. At 
 foitj'-tive or tift\' miles ahovi! l'')i't, lv-isinsfton.ovi(lcni\M)f (iet'roasinj^ moisture is foiinii, 
 and i-- still more clearly iipjiaront when Kiisalas CanyoYi, abom iialf way from Furl, 
 
 H 
 
 >Mn<;lon til 
 
 the F 
 
 of Skeena. is i-c.'K'hed. The devil's eluh and slciink cahha;;!' 
 
 (^Erhmop' 
 
 utitx horriila and Lysichifon KdmtS'^hcit'^cnst:) luxuriant in the lower readies 
 
 of the river and indicative ot a humid climate, nu longer ahound. 
 
 At (^latsalix Canyon, ninoty-livo miles from the eo ist, the highest, summit of 
 the Coast Rtngo having lieo ]);iSM'd, the vegetation charaoteristie of the northern 
 interior <>t' Hiitisli t'uhnnh a may lie said to sot ii: . the western !>(;i'uli |iitieand asjien 
 (Pinua contorta uml P"j>ul'if^ trr-muloi'/ra) gniwing ahundantly on the thiH and slopes. 
 'I'he change i - so gradual, li<)vvever, and the hloniiiug ol' the <• )asl and interior floras 
 on the SUoena so e<)m|ilete that it i* ditlicult to af^sigi; the })reciso position ot the line. 
 
 With regard to the snowfall on the Skeena, Mr. II. J. Canibie iluring his survey 
 heie in 1877, gathered that from Port Ks.singloii to near the montli of the Liikelse 
 (5() miles), it was execedingi}- liea\ y, icaehing a depth of ten feet or more. From 
 thi^ place, to Ivi^^alas ( 'anyon it I'eaches, at icastocefisionally, •< depth (>f six leet. while 
 ahout Ki:-Wiingah, — si.vteen miles helow the Forks — it averages three feet. Ko t;ir 
 as information can be obtained from llie Indians it a|)pears to confirm those estimate.-. 
 Tic depth 00 tlie lierK Ih's about the i'orks is not over one fiiol, hut owing lo local 
 eircuui-tances the snowfail is lieie eon-idcrably h>ss than in any nei^'ldioring locality, 
 the average fur Ibis jiart of tli(> Skeena Valley bjing proiiably a little under two feet. 
 
 At aboiu twenty miles below the Foi-ks, ihe higher berudies at the sides of iln> 
 river and a few hundi'cd leel ab'ivn its level, extend several miles biek from it, and 
 show soil <if fair quality, com[to.scd of sandy loam with moio or less vegetable matter. 
 Jt i- reported that the Skeena valley eonlinue- to jireNont the same M|)pearance 
 f'urtber uit. and it i.' certiiinly wide and low t'or -ome distuneo aiiove ilie l-'oik-;, while 
 a c^n-iderable width of land suited lor agricnUiue i< al.^o tV)und in the valley of ihe 
 Kisp^ox 111 the north-westward, 
 summer temperature 
 hii 
 
 'Ihe 
 
 is oil en 
 
 tl 
 
 le lejiion 
 
 bout the Forks or llazeln 
 
 ;iiid !h(! rainfall by no means exccs-ive. According to Mr. 
 Ilaiikin, a ti'.ider who has ro-ided nuuiy years here, snow generally 
 tirsi falls in October, but melts ,ii;ain, the winter snow not coudng till about 
 the miildle ol December. The winter is in gener;d steadily cold, though there 
 is almo,-t always a thavv in Febi-uary. I'he thermometer has been known to !'oii(di 
 48' li low zero atid to lemrin for days at a time below — iM)'~ 
 
 T 
 
 ic wmler is \v 
 
 open nineh eariiiMv 
 
 fail about the same as that of.Stuart Ijidce, but the spring iss: 
 (irass I 
 
 tid I 
 iC'j'ins to "TOW L,'U'eii and soiue trees to lui.' out about tli 
 
 
 
 first week in April. Some cultivation i- carried on. Potatoes are occas:on;dly nipju'd 
 by frost in the spring and on two occasions have been etlected by summer frost 
 
 They ai 
 
 e g- 
 
 KY 
 
 Inirvesied in Ihe end ot September, but are rijio before that ti 
 
 nie, 
 
 and t'.'in beoi>iaiiied large enou^'h t'or u-e about tho first of July. Indian corn does not 
 
 ripen, and wheal Mi', llankin believes wo 
 
 >n!jr, and two si 
 
 an uncertinn croi 
 
 Tb 
 
 ipen, and wiicai .Mr. ii 
 187s; was exciptionally 
 fro.st ; the second being a ' volunteer croi n tavoi ible *easoiis, scjuashcs, cuciim- 
 
 ,-e crops of oats ripened before tl 
 
 season ol 
 
 le 
 
 her and other tender vegetables cmne to pc .'ction 
 
 A lew cattle and horses havi 
 
 been wintered here, the foiiner re, inning 
 
 fed lor live months, the latter have 
 
 been kiijit by cle 
 
 ai'iiii' 
 
 away the snow to a certain deptii in Htri[is to tillow them tt 
 
 ac 
 
 raj 
 
 )C Itir grass 
 
 I'he Skeeiwi usually op 
 
 Mis diirinir ilio last weel< in .April or first w 
 
 eel 
 
 .f M 
 
 ny 
 
 Jce begins to run in the rivei' (siirly in November, Itut the rivor does not generally 
 freeze till (he end ol December. The river lieing veiy nipid, the tic<asion of its 
 l"ec/ing is usually the occuianee of a thaw. This sets free gieat (jiiantitiosof unchoc 
 ice, sonuiliiuos very suddenly, blocking the I'iver and eau-ing it to frec^ze over. In 
 18<i7 the ri\er clo-ed on the 1,'Uli ol' NovismbiM', wbndi was excepliona ly early. The 
 river is generally highest in July, deriving ino.st of its water (loni the molLitig 
 BHOW on tlie mountains. It is lowest immediately after tho ico goon. 
 
Ill 
 
 iTall oftlio 
 Rivor. At 
 ix^ i^' fbiimi, 
 from Poi-t 
 k cabbiii^'o 
 lov fcaclii.'s 
 
 .summit of 
 e nortlieiri 
 ! find iisjion 
 iiul slopes. 
 .M'ioi' florfiis 
 ol the line, 
 hi.s KUi-vcy 
 lio Lakel.so 
 re. From 
 cot. while 
 ;t. Si) tai- 
 o.stimato.-. 
 ng 1.0 local 
 iLj liicality, 
 r two tVifl, 
 iijo.s oi' lln> 
 i>ni it, aii'l 
 >lo mattiu'. 
 ppoaraiif.'o 
 )rUs, wliilo 
 Hoy ol'ilio 
 
 Haze 1 1 on 
 g to Mr, 
 ,'onorally 
 ill aliout 
 i,-h there 
 to roach 
 
 is wiid (0 
 about (lie 
 ni|)|HMl 
 iVosl-, 
 lal tiiiio, 
 does not 
 ^oa'son ol 
 ■fore the 
 . eueum- 
 <es have 
 !ei' have 
 Ihoni to 
 
 ol' iMny. 
 
 eneraUy 
 >n of lis 
 
 t'unelior 
 Ivor. Ill 
 ly. Tho 
 
 niollinji 
 
 Without entering into details a.s to the natural vegetation of the region, it may 
 bo said that it appears to indicate that the rainCall is near!}' the yame as about (^uos- 
 nel, on the Fraser, while the climate i.s in general much like that of Quebec or 
 Montreal, with Iho exception of the winter, which, according to the statements 
 above given, though I'alhor shorter, is more sevei'e. 
 
 I am induced to think that Mr. Ilankin is wrong in supposing that wheat would 
 not succeed well about the Forks, but this must remain a matter for future 
 experiment. 
 
 Meteorological observations kept by myself while ou thoSkecna, from June 7th to 
 23rd, being taken en route from Port fi.ssington to the Forks, are necessarily imperfect, 
 and as we were engaged in travelling during the day it vvas impo.-isible to ascertain 
 the ma.Kimum ternporatui'e. The mean minimum tempeiature read on a go'id ther- 
 momotor carefully placed on nine nights; between Port Essington and Kitsalas Canyon 
 is 43 4"' F, the actual lowest reading being 3'.!". The mean of seven nights from the 
 Canyon to tho Forks, 43't>'', the actual lowest being 37'5^. The mean of observali'jn.^ 
 taken about fi a.m. and 6 p.m.; every day, on the tirst mentioned part of tho river is 
 60'8° ; on the upper pari part of the river, 528". The mean of morning readings 
 taken below Kitsalas Cannon is -15" of evening reading, 5G ■1:\ These reduced foi :ho 
 hour and time of tho year by Dove's table of corrections, derived from observations at 
 vSitka, indicate actual mean temperature of lO-l^' and SM"^, respectively. The moan 
 doubtless lies between these figures, btit their di.-iCor<l shows that we hiive already a 
 considerably greater range and a climate more coutinontal in character than that of 
 Sitka. Morning observations above tho Canyon indicate a mean oi'4'e6'^. Hvening 
 observations .'iS-O'^, which, corrected in the same way, yield 50-58° and 55'(i° as 
 approximations to the true mean tcmpcraturo. 
 
 Of the Walsonquah liiver, which joins tho Skcena from tho south-eastward at tho 
 Forks, Mr. (Gamble reports that the valley throughout it> entire length is in part prairie 
 and sustains a magnificent growth of grass, but is subject to frequent summer frosts 
 and unsiiited to agriculture. * Tho Sus kwa valley which joins the Watsonquah, and 
 up which the trail from tho Forks toward Babiiie Luke runs, contains no agricultural 
 land worth mention, hut its northern side has been in many jilaces very completely 
 burnt over, and is covered with exceedingly luxurient gra.ss and pea-vine, forming on 
 excellent summer range for cattle oi* hi>rses. 
 
 Babino aiul Stuart Lakes occupy portions of a single great valley, which is 
 bounded by mountainous country on either side, and communicates iiorlhward with tho 
 flat country of tho Lower Nechacco. Tho upper end of the lake rarely freezes 
 completely across, but this i-t due, nt t to t'*io mildness of the winter, but to the great 
 depth of the water. A similar circtumstance has alroadj' been reporlcf for Fraii(;ois 
 Lake, t A (erraco at a height of about 201) feet is specially prominent round tho 
 lake, and after rcif Mi.g this height tho land frv'quontly runs back .several m lis as a 
 level or gently undulating plain, In other places it slopes gradually up, reaching an 
 elevation of 500, (iOO, or 800 feet above tho lake at from two to live miles from it. 
 Tho valley is not oven then shut in by high mountains in its central part, but appears 
 to continue at nearlv the same, or a lower level in smno places for many miles. Tho 
 woods nro generally light, aspen and poplar frequently iireponderaling over spruce, 
 and considerable tracts with a southern exposure, from which fire has I'omovod tho 
 forest, aro covered with luxurient grass, pea vine, epilobium, (!ce. Tho portage 
 between Babino and Stuarl^Lakes is low, across wide spreading benches, and from half 
 to one third of tho surface apiicais fit lor cultivation. Considerable areas of low 
 hind also border Stuart Lake, 
 
 Tho aggregate area of land below the .1,000 feet contour lino, with light slopes 
 or nearly level, and which may be sujiposed to have some prospective value, is 
 groat; but it is impossible to form oven an approximately correct estimate of it till 
 tho maps aro further advanced. That in sight from tho lakes must exceed 500 .iquaro 
 
 • Caimdian PacHlc Railway Rrport, 1H7S, {i. . , 
 
 t Report of Progress, Ueoi, aur»ey ofOnnada, 1870-77 p, 47. 
 
 123—8 
 
UJ 
 
 miles. The soil is generally good, and tlio only romtviiiing (iuostion is in regard to 
 the chaiaclor of the (.'limato. 
 
 The nortliuin or imvor fxtrcTiiity ofBabino Lake being more closely hoinmed in 
 by snow-fliiJ tnoiintains, i,s evidently le^.s iiivt)riibly ^iu^aled thiin tin) renia'tulor of 
 this hike and 8tiiar( Lake, and vegetation wa>* I'nund to Ijo deeiiledly behind thai, (.if 
 the Su.s kwa Valley. Mr. Haiipere, who is in charge oi'two Uudtson Hay jiosts, one ut 
 the north end.tiie othei' at llii» fniddlo ofRabine Lake, .stales thatai the latter he can 
 gruw poUUocs and man}' kind of vegetables, and that Ins predi cessor gi-ew bailey, 
 "whiih ripened well. An Indian living on the portage between the two lake.s culti- 
 vates a little patch of land, ainl, ihoiigli very poorly atioiuied to, he had a line looking 
 crop of ])Otatoo.s and a little field of barley, the latter about three feet high and with 
 the earjii.st a|ij)earing at the date of our visit (.bily 4th) He also keeps i^ome eatth.> 
 here, cutting hay for theniin swamps ai'ound Smart J^ako, At Foit St, Janes we 
 found potatoes fioiiri.-.hing, but rather hde, having l»een cut down by a frost in June. 
 ]5arley was doing well, and has been grown as u regular croj) t'oi- many years, "'• 
 In the garden were peas, lettuce, beets, carrots, onions, garlic, turnips, cabbages 
 and caulifiowor.s, doing well enough, but not carefully cultivated. Wheat has bi-on 
 sown this year as an experiment, and had not suffered ficm fro.st at the date of our 
 visit (July Tth). 
 
 Temijeiatiire observations ko])t vvhile on Balnrie and Stuart Lakes, Juno 2*7t.h to 
 July 8lh, gave a mean minimum temperature of 402^. The mean of the early morn- 
 ing and everdng obscrvatioiiH is i)\-'f. The tem|ieratiire is here subject to greater 
 anil more rapid changes than in the Skeena Valley, and on the night of June liDlh we 
 experieni-ed a frost, the thermomcti'r regi-tering 2''/', near the northern end of B;i. 
 bine Lake, ami in <he viiinity of the ,-inow-el:id mountains already referred to. 
 
 In the valley of Mabino and Siu.art fjalces the summer season seems to bo sutri- 
 ciently lotig, and the absolute amoiint of boiit groat enougli lo bring all ordinary 
 cro|)s, including wheal, to maturity, but the question remains to what extent the 
 liability to summer frosts may inicrb'ro wiih the cultivation of some |ilanls, more 
 es|)eHnaliy wheat. Though this valle}* may be rogiird<Hl as a continuation of the 
 country of the Lower Xech.icco, its vicinity to mountains appears to render it somo- 
 wh:it inferior to that district in clunate, and places it in this regard, in my opinion, 
 nearly in tiio same position with (ho country bonlering on Frangois Lake. In pre- 
 vious reports j- I have described I III? flat countr}' of the Lower .Nochacco basin as 
 constituting the greatest connected region susceptible of cultivation in the Province 
 ot British (.'oltinibia. Its area has been e.->timaied at l,d(K» s([uare miles. It is based 
 on fine Avhite silt}- deposits of the later portion of the Glacial period, constituting a 
 soil almost uniformly fertile, and is reunite from higli snow-clad ranges. In the ali- 
 sencG of furiher information, I can merely repeat what was said of this rei,M<)n on a 
 former oceasii^n, viz., that svliile it is not. jiroliable that wheal can be grown over ;ill 
 jiarth o!itsaiea, it can scarcely be doubled that barley may be ripenc.Ml almost every 
 where in it, while wheat would .-iieceed in chosen spot.s. 'L'his I'egioti will, doubtless, 
 at some time siippoii a considerable jiopiilation, but it is to bo remarked that the 
 jiassago of a lailway through it would do little at present, toward seitling it ; for in 
 the first instance, the country ;o the eai-"t of the Uoeky Mountains, in the I'eaco River 
 or Saskatchewan Valleys, would oiler superior induccmonts to liiriners und stock 
 ]'ais(us. 
 
 The country lying in the /icinity of the trail between Fort St. James, on Stuart 
 Lake, and Fort McLood has alretuly b(;en descrilied by Mr. Selwyn ami by Mr, 
 JIuntor. I The elevation of Lho .vatershed which i.'a charaetcrii'.od by wide .sandy 
 
 • Itcpor' iii Progrosa Gnol, Survey ef Canailii, 1876-77, p,?!, 
 
 t liepoii of I'loirress Oi'ol. HiirToy ot Caiiiuiii, l87(i-77, p -iS, CHimdina Pncilio Kailway Report, 
 1877, p, 25J. ^ 1 . 
 
 X Report of Progrtss, GeoJ. ISnrvoy vi Cunuda, 1875-76, \\. M. Cnnndian Pacific Ry. Report, lP7,s 
 p, 73. 
 
113 
 
 i-Ofifard to 
 
 iirimed in 
 a'tuloi' of 
 
 1 Xluil (>? 
 
 ts, ono ;iL 
 
 iV llO Cilll 
 
 ,v bailey, 
 ey ciilti- 
 Inokint; 
 and with 
 m(! cult.li> 
 Ju'iios wo 
 L in Jutic. 
 ■ years. * 
 calibagos 
 , has Ik'oii 
 to of our 
 
 2'7th to 
 ,rly moi'ii- 
 
 1 tfrciiter 
 i 2!) ill w«> 
 mi ol" Ba- 
 to. 
 
 o 1)0 sutH- 
 i ordinary 
 xtciit t,ho 
 its, moro 
 111 of tlie 
 r it Home- 
 ly opinion, 
 In jiro- 
 iiasin m 
 Province 
 is baned 
 itnliti^' a. 
 n i1k' all- 
 !^ion on a 
 I over ;d'i 
 t ovoiy 
 lloubilc^s, 
 ii, it (lie: 
 It , tor in 
 lu'o Uis'or 
 u\d Mtoi'k 
 
 1)11 Sliiart 
 [l liy Air, 
 lio .sandy 
 
 liy Report, 
 [port, 187«| 
 
 tlafslifl about 2,81(1 foot, taking,' Llic heitriit of Stuart Lake at 2,200 foot. With tho 
 oxcoplion of a bolt a fow miles wido noar .Stuart Ijako, and risinii,- in places about 400 
 foot abovo it, this ici^ion is .sc'arctdy to be lon.sidered as of any agricultural vulue. It 
 lie.s to tho north of the Nochai'co banin previously nientioned. Its surface is consi- 
 derably broken and tho soil generally light, sandy or gravelly. It is at present 
 covered for tho most jiurt with burnt woods. A eoiisidertible area would doiihtloss 
 ho available tor pasture hind if the fonsst wore completely removed by tire, and 
 there are numerous swamps and meadows along streaTus 3icld'ng good natural hay. 
 A frost was ex; encnced on tlie nigiil of July V.Lh my thermometer going down to 
 li7^, on Inquois ("reek. Xo frost oceun'ed at I"'ort McLeod, nine miles otf, and between 
 400 and 5ilt» feet lower. 
 
 .^.t Fort McLood the potatoes had been cut dovvn bv frost in .liino, but had reco- 
 vered eonipleiely and were growing well in ,luly. The !^oil i.s. however, rather 
 poor, and the areti of eultivai)lo land noi extensive. 
 
 D. W. Harmon, in his " Voyages and Travels" published at Andover, Ma-s., in 
 1820, slates tliat the snowfall at Fort McLeod is .-oinetimes as much as five 
 feet, and this is contii-mcd by those now acijuainted with the region. At Fort St. 
 James the snow reaches a depth of about three feet. A dilferonce remarkably great 
 lor two jilai'es so close togolher. 
 
 From Fort McLeod to the Middle Forks'd' I'iin* fviver, seveHty-lwi.) miles distant, 
 u.ay be treated together as representing the liocky Mountains, including the loot hills 
 ot both slopes and tho liighor plateau attaching to those on the northeastward. 
 From July 17th to August Sth, the mean of the observed minima on this part of 
 tlio route is SH'T". The mean of tlio early morning and evening readings 
 of the thermometer, 4". •4'-'. This must bo much below the actuul nieiiu temperature, 
 for tho thermometer had seldom risen much above its minimum whei; oli^orvctl at 
 (i a.m. Tho heat was somotinus great in the luiddlo ol' the day, but as we wero 
 then always travelling, could not be registered. Tlireo irosts were oxfierieucei, ou 
 the nights of the 2nd, Hrd and 4lh cd' August, the thermometer reading 3i* 5^ 28^^ and 
 i!()-'5 on these mghts. Strong woslei'ly winds, falling calm at sundown, with a clear 
 sky wero the coiriiiions causing the fio.sls. Tiie (onintily ol aralile land in this 
 luouritaintnis zone is quite ineoiisideriible, being co/iliee I. on the route Idllowed, to 
 ihe aeiual valley of I'ino J{iver for a few milos above liie Middle Foik?. 
 
 '1 he portion of the Poiice J{iver countiy, for which the exploration of last season 
 enables pietty mcurate general inl'oinuilion to be given, m;i\ bo consiieretl as 
 extending eastward from the Middle Forks of Pino l\i\ei'. We-^t of this point, as 
 already stalled, the areas of ierlilo l:ind are small, being conliacd to certain river 
 valleys which ])eneti'ate tho toot hills of the Ilocky Mountains and high i)laleaii 
 attached to them. With this western limit, the region now to bodoscribed may lie con- 
 sidered r '.X);inded to the north Ijy the r»7th ])arallel, to its iiiterse<.'lion iMistuard with 
 the Poav 'liver. Thence the boand.iiy may be assumed to t'lllow the Peai i Piver 
 -outliward to tho ninuih c<[' Heart Ihook, near the contlueiue of the Smoky Piver. 
 Thence to run south-eastward to the extremity of fjesser Slavi; Lake, lo folio v tho 
 western border of tho hdly region lying to tho south of the lake id tlie Alhabaska 
 River ; thence to follow tho Athiibiiska westward to the foot hills, and skirting the foot- 
 hills to rati norlh-we.stward lo tho first, mentioned point on Pine Kivei.''^ 
 
 Tho tract included within the limit.s above given has nn urea t>f about ill, 050 
 square miles, and by far tho larger part of this area may bo clast-.e'l as fertile. Its 
 
 * la ivddilioi) to thr urea uIjdvh dcliniM!, uiy rxplorixtio'is ainl (lnHeof my <x.-aisunit, Nfr Me ('.inn ell, 
 diiritig tlie \m\M iiPiis.in, ini hided nn cjiiiiiiciulion ut' iwr nnp.T purt of the AUmb.ij'^n lo .\ lliiiluideiv l.iiiid- 
 irm, (if Ihc north u\u'\e t Lcsstr Hliive Liiki Hiid IjoaKer Slivo l.aki' ({ivtr, ut' n I'outi' from the t-ml md 
 of Lfisaer S'uve [.ulo: lo old ton .\'j.'*iii.'inMiio mid Unncf lo K Imonioii, iind of Uik ."oiid from Atlmbiwcft 
 bunding 1,0 K liiuinloii Al'Oofl'if AilmhieJPiv (Vom the Lmiding to tlie niouih of liic Itis'iore In iJi.'clio, 
 '>y llie vhIIi-v of tlie latter to bac In Bii'ln' iiud tlici.C!.^ lo Viuloriii (U.d Kfi,^ I.aki) .t'liu country <nain- 
 iiit'-d on liitsu lincM is not eiclndiHl in the ).ri'S(Mit ri'port, as ln'intr Ic:!;. Iioii'o^^iiiious in I'hira.'.lei" thaa 
 ll:e ureal rt'nion iibove dtl):ud, it nrpiirus to be treat'd ut jffuHti'r Icngili anil in more deiail It mny 
 8ufflc« for Ibe prcsenl lo Biaie that consideraMi' areus ot furiilc land aro touud lui'oiiglioat, but moro 
 particularly in the regioa Bonth of tho liuo of the Athabasca Uivm, 
 123— 8| 
 
114 
 
 '^^' !isi(. lally diversitlod, 
 ■i'y Hi it rOL'ks of llio 
 iM' 'aties I'lul ro|iresentiriir 
 (fi- .^noi'jilly slight, an.l 
 ' 'ui ks of tho btre.'tm-; 
 
 avera_£»o elevation may bo stated an little over 2,000 feet, and this is maintained with 
 C'i.>nsi(icrahio uniiocmiLy, lor though the general isnrlaee slopes slightly from tho north 
 and south towainl Peace IJiv M-, the I'egion as a wiiolo may be coiisidei'i'd as u pl'iteuu 
 through uhicti the great gorgo-liko valley of the Peaee has heen excavated. This valley 
 lias in gcruual a depth offJOO to StiO feet below that jiai lof the jilaleau bordei'ing it, uilli 
 a width of two to three miles from lim to rim. Its tributary streams at first nearly 
 on iho plateau level, flow in valleys of continually increasing depth as they approach 
 that of iho Peace Eivor. Those from tho south-eastern |H)rlion of the region ri.-c 
 cither in tho Rocky Mountains, or near the Athabaska, the iributarie.s i-eceived by 
 the latter stream from the north and north-west being — with the exception (jf the 
 liatislo — quite inci'ii.siderable in this (lart of its course. 
 
 Tho ridges and hills by which this reg- n is 
 appear in all cases to bo composed either of < vjo! 
 Cietaceous and Tertiarj or of arenaceous clays com r ;■<!;; 
 the boulder clays of the glacial jieriod. These eleviu "n*. 
 with exceedingly light and gradual slopes, the .-Cii: ; i 
 constituting mncli more importimt irregularities. Those ridjLV however, ol'teu 
 resemble detached portions of a higher phiteau and spread widely em, igh to occupy 
 in the aggregate a considerable area, of which the soil is not so uniform in character 
 as elsewhere. With ihoe exceptions, the soil ol the district may be de.Hcrib(;d as a 
 fine silt, resembling the white sills of the Nochucco basin previou-ly ret'erre I to, and nc, 
 dissimilar fiom the looss-lilce material coii.-tituting the sul.'soil ol' the l{e<li{iver Valley 
 in Manitoba. This silt, at a short distance below the surfac<;, is greyish or brownish 
 in color, but becomes mixed superlicially with a proportion of vegetable matter to a 
 varying de])th. It has evidently been depo--iled by a comparatively trantiuil body ot 
 •water not loaded with ic- , jirobably toward the close of the glacial jieriod, and lias 
 cither never been laid down on the lidges and mdulutions above referred to, or ha> 
 been since removed from ihein by natural processes of waste. A.s evidenced by llie 
 natural vegetation its fertility is great. 
 
 West of the Smoky Kiver, both to the south and north of Peace River, there are 
 extensive areas of prairie country, either jierl'oi'tly open and covered with a more or 
 less luxuriant growth of grass, or doited with palches ol' coppice and trees. 
 
 The mtrlhern banks of tlui Peace River Valley are also very generally opi^n ami 
 grassed, and ])arls of the valley of the Smoky and other rivers have a similar 
 character. The total area of piairie land west of the Smoky River, ■.•>iiy be 
 about iJ.OOO square miles. The remainder of the surface is generally oci.'upicd 
 by socond-gi'Kwth fore.-'t, ocasionally den>e, but more oiten open and composed >M' 
 aspen, binh, and coltonwood. with a greater or less proportion ot conilernus trees. 
 Some jialches ol'the original forest, lK>wever, remain, particularly in the river valleys, 
 and aro composed of much larger trees, chietly coniferous, among which tho black spruce 
 is most abundant. Handsome groves of old and large coltonwoo Is are iilso to be ioiind 
 in some of the valleys. Where the soil becomes locuHy sandy and poor, and more 
 p.'irtiriilarly in some of the more elevated parts ol'the ridges beloro described, a ihick 
 growth of scrub pine and black spruce, in which the individual trees aro small, is 
 found j and in swampy regions the taiiuuac is not wanting, and grows generally inter- 
 mixed with the black spruce. 
 
 Ka^t ot the Smoky River, and southward toward the Athabaska, the 
 prairie country is (piilo insigiiiticant in extent, the region being <'haracterizcd by 
 Hccond-giowth woods of ilie character just dcscrilied, which, on aiqiroaching the 
 Athab.'i.-ka, are replaced by extensive aini well nigh impashiljle tracts of brule and 
 ■wind fall, in which second grc^wlh forest is only beginning io struggle up, 
 
 Though the jirairies are most immciliatel}' available, from an agricultural point 
 of view, the regions now covered with second-growth and forest, wher<' the soil itself 
 is not inferior, will eventuail)- be equally valuable. The largest tract of poor land is 
 that bordering the valley ot the Athabaska on the north. This rises to an elevation 
 considerably greater than most of the region to tlie north and west, and apjiearsdiiring 
 tlic subinoi'gonco to which tho siiporticial de|)0sitH aro duo, to havo boon exposed to 
 
lined wi'Ji 
 I ho iior'.l] 
 
 riiis valley 
 nf,'i1, vvitli 
 rsf nearly 
 • iippioucli 
 vjXhm ri.-c 
 iceived by 
 oil Ijf tiu' 
 
 liversitlod, 
 ks of tljc 
 ircsentiiitr 
 light, und 
 btreams 
 vor, often 
 10 oeoiipy 
 chai-acier 
 riinid a.s a 
 Lo, and noi 
 vor Valley 
 ■ bmwtiiiih 
 uiltci' III a 
 lil body (if 
 d, and liaw 
 to, 01' has 
 cod by tlie 
 
 there ai'c 
 a more or 
 
 ojHMi and 
 similar 
 yuy be 
 occujjieil 
 ipO-sod iM' 
 us trees, 
 sr valleys, 
 k hprnce 
 iound 
 ml more 
 , a ihiek 
 small, is 
 y inter- 
 
 ska, tiio 
 rizcd by 
 ling the 
 
 irulo and 
 
 ral |ioini, 
 M)il itsell 
 land in 
 ilmutioti 
 rHdiii'ing 
 powod to 
 
 115 
 
 stronger currents which have provontod the deposition of the fine sill, causing it to be 
 replaced by a coarser ailt wliicdi passes in places with actual sand, and alternates with 
 ridges of boulder clay. This region is also often very swunpy, and for a width 
 .jf twenty to twenty live miles on th" trail trum Stnrjj-eon L.dce to the Athabaska 
 i- quite unsnited to agriciilitire, ll ougji still in many places caiiabh:' of yielding good 
 -unimer grazing when the forest has been completely removed by tire. To the noi th- 
 ward, more particulaily to the east of Smoky River, peaty and mossy swamps oecupy 
 )>art of the surface, and these maj- be regarded as permanently unsuite I ioagi'icultaro. 
 
 There is also a saiidy tract, though of small wiilth, along the lower ])art of the 
 l'"lk River neai- its junction with the ymnky. Deducting, as far as possible, all the 
 areas known to be inferior or useless, with about twenty' per cent, for the jiorlions of 
 the roLHon under consideration of which less is known, the total area of land, with 
 soil suited to agriculture, may be estimated as at least 23, .500 square mile.s. In the 
 absence of com|ilelc maps, such an ostimrito cannot bo otherwise th;in veiy rough, 
 Imt may serve to give some idea of the tact. 
 
 Whatever theory be adopted, and may have been advanced, to account for tho 
 wide j)rairios of the western portion of America further to the south, the origin of 
 the praiiies of the Peace l{iver is safli('iontly obvious. There can bo no doubt that 
 they have been produced and are maintained by tires. The country is naturally a 
 wooded one. and where tires have not run for a few yeai's, younuc trees begin rapiiily 
 t.i s|iriiig up. Tho tires are, of cHirse, ultimately attributable to human agency, 
 .■liid it i.s j)robal)le that betoi'e the country w.is inhabited by the Indians it w.as every- 
 where densely lorcst-clad. 'J'hat the date of origin oi' tho chief |)rairie tracts now 
 fuiuid is remote, is clearly evidenced by their ju-esenl ap])earance, and more particu- 
 larly by the fact that they are cvervwhere scored and i utted with old butlalo tracks, 
 while every suitable localitv i-- pitted with the saucer-shajK'd 'butlalo wallows.' ft 
 i> lepoiled that a few butl'aioes were seen last s'ear neai- I'ine River, but the animal 
 lias now become in the Peace River county jiractically e.xtini t ; an event which, 
 according to thi^ Indians, happened at a <iato not very remote, owing to a w^inler of 
 exce|itioual severity, during wbitdi tln> snow "reached to the butfaloos backs." 
 
 The luxuriance ol' the natu''al vegetation in these prairies is truly wtuiderful, 
 and inilicates, not alone the fertility of the sdil, )iut the occurence of a sufficient raiii- 
 fud. The service berry, or amalanchier, and the ch'd<c ( heny are vei-y abundant in 
 some jdaces, particulaily on the socalle<l Grande I'rairie, whiidi ccnstilutes the 
 great berry g:Uhoring ground of the Indians. 
 
 With regard to the climate of the Peace Bivor country, wo are without such 
 accurate inftu'matinn as might bo obtained from a careful meteorological record, 
 oinbracing oven a single year, and its character can at present be aseertair.cd merely 
 from notes and observations of a general charjicter and the appearance of tho natural 
 vegotalion. 
 
 It may bo staled at once that the ascertained facts leave no dinibl on the suhject 
 of the sufficient length ami warmth of the season, to ripen wheat, oats and barley, 
 w.th all the ordinaiy root crojis and vegctabk^s, tho mily p tint whiidi imi} admit of 
 question being to what extent the occurence ot late and early frdsts may interfere with 
 growth. This remark is intended to apfdy to the whole district previously detinod, 
 though it must bo rememliored, in cotisiilerinc tho subject, that tho conditions of 
 places situated in the bottom of the troughdiho rivor valley, and i^OO to 800 foot 
 IrIow the plateau, m:iy be considiU'!ibl\' dtllerent from those of its surface. 
 
 Tho ■-ummer season of 1S7!' was an unusual one, chai'acterized by excessively 
 heavy rain fall, with cold raw weather in the early summer months. These condi- 
 tions did not extend to tho wo.st of the Ilocdiy Mountains, but ajijiear to liavo been 
 felt over the entire area of the plains to the Red Rivor Valley. As a result of this, 
 the crrips generally throughout the North-west were later th/tn usual, and Iho mean 
 t.'mpei'aiuro f.U' even the lattc pai'tol'the sumnur appears to have been rather ubnor- 
 
 r.ially low, Is^)twithstanding this, on my a'-rival at Dunvogan, on the ItJth ot 
 August, small patches of wheat and barley in the garden of the fort presented a 
 remarkably lino appcarauco and were beginuiug to turn yellow. On my return to 
 
116 
 
 llirt fort on iVuifiwt 31^1 those wore being }iarvov«(o(i, (hoir comjjloto rif)otiing liavinir 
 bf«.'ii (Iclityed liy ')VcrL'a>t iiiui cliilly tvuiulitr whicli |>revuili3d Ujiwct'U tlieso clati'.-.. 
 At iho tirst-meutioned daU' potjiloos were (piilo rijje, with the balls formed ou the 
 (•tali;, and the ganlcu oonlaineil al.so lino cabl)ages, can ii lowers, bccN, carrots, onions, 
 k'Muco and tiiinips. Dwai-f beans, (.'ucunibois and j.(jna-lies were also tloiiri.-l)iiii:, 
 and ihoiiirli lliesu j)lants are » ai'licularly tei.dci'. sliowed no sign of frost. The two 
 last named having boon sown in thi( open giontid did Jioi, appear likely to perfect 
 their fruit. A few stalks of Indian eorn were also ^rowiii),', though it is improbable 
 tliat this plant would ri[)en its seed in this dis'.rict. 
 
 vV'hen this garden was agaiu vistod, on the last Jay of August, the beans, 
 cti'iiinbei's and sijuashes had been ent (lown by a tVosI, but not coni])leiely killed. 
 The potato lops weie aUu -liglitly injiped. 
 
 ile^. AI. iVssier, who has been at Dtmvegan as a missionary for some years, has 
 alway.s leen able to rijien small, bhuk biitier-beans, Imt in lomo seasons not without 
 dillieidty owing lo iiosts. He has also tried a lew grains i.f oats whi>di ho jiroeured 
 aeeidentallv, and obtiuned a return of asloidshing ahundanet'. About the d.ite just 
 rei ;rreti to ili' potatoe jilaiits at Sniol.y Itivei' ]ii'st ( I he Forks) were badl3'cal down 
 by trost, ilie iiibeis being, however, quite lipe, tine and large. 
 
 On the Ifjili Septembei. Mv. li. AleConn..'ll, my ast-islanl, found the potatoes in 
 the garden of the tort at the >vosl end of Lessor Slave Lake, and on the level of the 
 ]il:iteaii. little attecled by frost, with ■ tubers lart ' and rijie. Mr. IL J. Canibie also 
 aseertained that wlii'at thriven at this plaee. We found sonic rude attempt at oulti- 
 vatioii also at the MJree Settlement ' wliieb v-onsisls of a few log houses built l«y Indians 
 on the border of .Sturgeon Lake, about T't miies soulli-v.esi ut the w<!st end of J;e>ser Slave 
 Lake, and is at tiie average level of the country, with an elevation of about 2, '00 feet. 
 Here, on Se])teniber llih, the potatoe plants were slightly atl'eetod by frost, but uni 
 more so than (d>scrved aith those at liunvegan two wcjeks before. The tubers wvre 
 quite ripe, lint the Jndians did net in!(^nd to dig them for abi'Ut ten days. Turnips 
 were very line, and carrots, beets and onions were gocvi, though evidently- cultivated 
 witli very little jare. Two or three veiy srn.dl ](atclies <»f barley bad been almo.-i 
 completely destro3'ed by mice, but a f w stalks remaining wore quite ripe and witii 
 line beads. Tiio Indians here were very anxious to have a sii| ply of gaiden seeils, 
 which 1 have since been able to forwai'd to thiMn by the kindness of Messrs. Stobart, 
 Eden i CJo., of Winnipeg. 
 
 At Fort St. Jidm, i)5 miloK west of Dunvegan, and so mucV. nearer the 
 inonniaius, on July 2(Jth, iST"), Profe."5Hor .^'aeolln states that potatoes, oats, barley 
 and many varieties of vegetables were In a very flourishing state in ' Xigpor Dan's ' 
 garden. The oats stood nearlv live feet high and the barley had made nearly an 
 equal growth.* The barley and oats were Imth ripe iibout the Tith of August. Prof. 
 Macoun was informed by Charlette at Hudson's Hope, thirty miles still iiiri her west, 
 that in 1874 there was no frost from the L-^t of May until the Ifith of September. 
 In IbTo sowing commenced the last week in April. There appears to have been a 
 frost on Juno i'Sth, but the first autumn frost "ceurred on the 8th of September, and 
 Mr. Selwyn found the potato to|is still green in the middle (d" the month. Mi' 11. J. 
 Cambio saw wheat liourishing hen* in July last, but on hit) return in September it bad 
 been cut down by frost. 
 
 Sucdj ai-e the notOH that can be obtained on the growth of cereals and vegetables 
 in the district in (|uestion. From infonnation obtained at Dunvegan, it seems tiiat 
 the snow disappeais about the middle of A|tril. westerly winds sweeping itawa^-fast. 
 The river opens at about the s.nme nine, C'ultivation betiin^ iit about the end of 
 Ajiril 01 first of May. The river generally begins lo freeze in November. The depth 
 of snow, 1 was told, averages about ttvo i'eol, an estimate which agrees with Mr. 
 Horotzky's statement. f Mr. lloretzky was also told that Ihe plains were often nearly 
 bare uj) to the month of December, ihoiigh the winter usually sets iu with the month of 
 
 * Repoi-t of Progress, Gfol. iSiuTey of Ca.iadtt, l!?75-6, p, 164. 
 I CauRdtt on the Pacific Coast, p. 206. 
 
nr 
 
 ns; haviiiir 
 
 ICli oil liu' 
 
 [)t.s, onions, 
 
 loiiri.'^hini.', 
 
 The two 
 
 to I'OI'forl 
 
 min-(ibabli> 
 
 the beans, 
 ely killed. 
 
 years, lias 
 >t without 
 » procured 
 date jiist 
 >'cut down 
 
 lolatoes in 
 I! vol of the 
 anil)io aiho 
 >1 at oulti- 
 by Indians 
 e.-scr Slave 
 •J, '00 feel. 
 t, but hmi 
 jbers Were 
 Tui-ni|is 
 enltivaici 
 on alnuist 
 and wilii 
 den Kce(|s, 
 s. Stobart, 
 
 carer t!ir 
 Its, barUj- 
 •er Daii's 
 nearly an 
 
 t. Proi: 
 1 her west 
 'piembei 
 ve been u 
 nilier, and 
 
 Mr li. J. 
 bor it had 
 
 v'o^otabieM 
 leems tl):U 
 away last, 
 u end t)t' 
 Thedejiih 
 with .Mr. 
 Ion nearly 
 } month cil" 
 
 NovoRibcr. Sir .Moxaiider Ma(d<onzio remarked tho snnio ab^^cnoe of snow in the early 
 wintorinontlis <>( ITOJ. It was entirely i^one on April 5tli, 1T''"H, ami griatH and mosqui- 
 toes wore troublosomo on April liO/f^ llorses almost invariably winter out well without 
 rei|uirinif to bo fed. Hay should lie provided for eattle, to ennnro perfect safety, 
 fin' a period of thr-eo or t'lur month--, fhinii,'h in some seasons it is nocossary to feed 
 the aninnds lor a few weeU^ only. The Indians of tho '(,'reo Settlement ' on Stur- 
 geon Lake, jMcviously refei red to, winter their horsor* without any ditlie\illy round 
 the borders of a n(iitj;liboriiit( lake, tho shoi-o.s of which are parti}" open. From llad- 
 Fon'.s Hope, tho horses are sent southward to Moberlj-'s liake to winter. :md accordinfj 
 to Mr. Selwyn, do well there. LesHcr Slave Ijake, with it-s wonderful natural 
 meadows, has Ion,:,' boon known as an cMellont place fur winterin^^ Btock, and is 
 rel'erred to as such by Sii- .1. Iiichardsoti. 
 
 Some general idea of tho length and eliaractor of the seasons at Fort St. .Tohn 
 may be gained by an exiitninatiein of the extracts Iroin tlio journals i'roni ISfJtJ to 
 Ih"), publitihoil b}' Mr. Selwyn. t The dates of openiiiL,' and closing of Peace River, 
 beintr an important eluc to the mean tcmpcriilure ot ilie region, may bo quoted as 
 sununarizod by I'rof. Macoiiu in the .same report (p. loO). 
 
 Ice breaking lue drifting, first timo 
 
 1866 April l!) Nov. 7. 
 
 l.-t)7 " 21 " S. 
 
 1S(J8 " 20 " 7. 
 
 !-<•!:) " 2;5 " 8. 
 
 1870 " 2() no record. 
 
 1871 " IS "10. 
 
 1872 " 19 " S, 
 
 187:5 " 2;J " 4. 
 
 1871 '• i;i Oct. ;i!. 
 
 I87r> " Jt! 
 
 Tho average d.'ite of tho breaking up of the ice may th'is be stat()d to be 
 April 2]si ; thiit on which ice is running on the riverfor the !ir-t time, N^oveiiihor 7th. 
 Iti 171*2 and, !•'<, when wintering at the niontli ot Smolvy Hi\or, Sir A'exandor 
 'Mackonzio observed the ice to bo running for tho first timo on November litn, while 
 (ho river was clear of ice on tlie 2r)th April. I iiavc lieen unable to find any 
 ]iiecisc records of tho datea of closing and opyning of l!io Saskatchewan, but 
 J)r. iloclor stales these tire u;,:iiiiiy the sei'ond woelc of \oveinber and the second 
 week of Ajjril res^jcctivoly. Tho Saskatchewan is a more rapid btroam than tho 
 Peace. 
 
 With regard t<» the |.robal)le <titl'creiice between the actual valley of tho Peace 
 and the plateau forming tho genoial sui'face ot the coiuitry. Prof. Macoun observes, |; 
 speaking of the vicinity of Fort St, John, thai notwiihstiiinling the ditferoneo 
 in altitude the berricH on tho plateau ripeneil only about ti week lator than 
 those i".,ir tho river, while he wn.s int()i'med that there was about tlio 
 ituno difference in the time of di.sappoaranee of the isnow in spring. While 
 at Dunvegan, 1 ascertiiined that a simicar ditference was observed there, 
 but i( was added that this obtained chiefly with the wooded jiarts of tho 
 plateau, tho snow di'-appearing on the prairies much about the same timo art 
 in tho valley. In my liiary, under date September fjth, 1 find the following entry : — 
 " Aspens and hurry bushes jil)r)ut tlu; Peace River Valley now looking ([uitc 
 aulinnnal. On tho jilateau 800 or!MIO feet, higher, not nearly ho much so. Slight tingo 
 of yellow oidy on •■omo aspeti groves." This ditVerenee, through noi altogether con- 
 stant and depending much on diver.sity of soil, ai)j>ears to be actual. In October, 1872, 
 
 1 Ri'port el' Prugreas, Geol. Survey of Canada, 1875-76 p. 84. 
 
 Oji. at., p, 105, 
 
118 
 
 Mr. IToretzUy writos:-*' 'Wo observo'i that, curiously ftnoiiE;h, tlie vo^ctation 
 iipon those ii])!;uk1s did not n|)|)i';ir to have sutfoi'e I so inuih from tlio '.'tfoel:< of Irn^i, 
 this bciiii; prohiiMy <liio to tlio tact of tlio air in thi'so uji|)cr rt'i^ions btmg eon.slantiy 
 11 motion, whilo m the deop aiul capacious valley ot iho river the winds havo 
 c '"ten no «tl'e('t " 
 
 Tlio dittbrenco between the valley and the plateau being thus \-ery small, I havo 
 net trcateil scpiU'atoly the nbservation.s for toniporaliu'e taken ti}* myself in the 
 ditiTcnt >^ituafinns. Most of the obKoi-vations, however, I'efer to the plateau, and 
 iiK-.iidin;^ the wfiole time s|)eiit in the country, from the Mitldio Forks of Pine Jiivcr 
 to the bank of the Athabaska. cover a period of nearly two months. The mean mini- 
 mum temperature for the month of Aiii,nist, deduced from observations cxteiulin^ from 
 the tith to the iil>t of the month i.s 3nit'-'. The moan of observations at (> a. m. during 
 the same period is 42-:'.'-'. That ot the obsorvalii.ns at 6 p. m. f)'J f)'^. In September 
 the mean minimum temperauiro was ^S'l". The mean of morning observati(.ns 
 34;)^, of evening observatioim 51 -5^. I havo endeavored to deiluco from tiieso obser- 
 vations means temjjorature.s for the months in (jue.siion, by coi-recting them by the 
 tables of hourly variations in temperature given by V. A. Seholt in the Smithsonian 
 ConlrilHitions to h'nowledgo (Xo 277), but find it impossible to do so, as the daily 
 range is iiere so niu'h greater than that (tf any of the places representod by the tables, 
 which vcfer eiiicfly to the eastern portion of the continent. It would appear tluif, 
 while in most ])lacos the mean tetu]jeratnrc of the day is reached about 8 p. m., it is 
 found in the Peace River country not far from ti p. m., b}' reason of the increa.sed 
 ra].idit3' of loss of heat by radiation due to greater elevation and dryer ntmosphoro. 
 The maximum tomiiei-aturo was seldoni observed, but the daily range is very great, 
 and llie maximum probablj' several times reached 80° in August, and often sui'pasised 
 Id" in September 
 
 From the 6th to the 31st of August I registered two nights of frost, on the 13th and 
 2(*th of the month when the thei'mometer sh(jwed 32'^ and 2tJ' respectively Both of tliese 
 were ob.sorve.d on the plateau, but one at least of them (that of the 20th) must havo 
 oceured also in the valley, from the effects y^roduced Dunvegan on tender vege- 
 tation. These frosts oceured in very fine weather, following a da}' of strong westerly 
 wind, the result of which is to remove from the surface of the earth the whole of the 
 lower heated la^'er of the attnosphere. Thi.s, succeeded by a calm and cloudless night 
 with transparent .sky, cauMo.s tlio ihormomoter to sink below the freezing-poiut 
 before morning. When not precoeded by ntrong wind, mere transparency of the 
 atmosphere seemn seldom or never to lead to frost in August, in thisdistrict, as many 
 beautifully starlight nighla without an approach of the mercury to be freezing-point 
 were observed. 
 
 Though in some cases such frosts as those maybe general, and extend over a 
 ■wide district of country, it is moi-e usually found that they are ([uito local iv. charac- 
 ter. A few floating cloud.s, or light wreaths of mist, may arrest railiation so lar as 
 to prevent frost over the greater )iart of the country, while some spot accidentally 
 exposed during the whole night utidor a clear sk\' e.x'perienccs a tein[ieraturo below 
 32''. The contour, and character of vegetation of the country also have much to do 
 with the I'ccurrcnce of frosts, and 't is very fro'|uenlly the case that river valleys are 
 more subject to frosts than the upland districts. During the month of Sep..oiuber, 
 in a region for the Tnost pai't wooded, and oftcti above the average altitude, twtwoon 
 Dunvegan and the Athabaska, nineteen frosts were registered, the actually lowest 
 temperature bemg 20*^ on Septem'jer 18ih. 
 
 Through the kindness of Colonel Jarvis, of the North-west Mounted Police, I 
 have beeti able to secure a copy of records kept by Dr. Ilerkome;', of Fort Saskatche- 
 wan, on thi' Saskatchewan River, about twoiuy miles north-east of Kdraonton, For 
 comparison with the observed lem])eralurcs in the portion of the Peace River coun- 
 try now dis<'Us,sod, they are invaluabh* ; for iti the whole district surrounding Fort 
 Sa,<kaichewan and Ed nion ton we ni) w kno w from actual and rei)oatod experiment that 
 
 who 
 crop 
 that 
 Sask 
 liahl 
 who 
 
 The I 
 
 Canada on the PaciPc p. 44. 
 
Ill 
 
 over a 
 
 wheat and till other ordinary coreivl.s and %c:;otal)Ios thrive, and yield mnst abundant 
 crops. The diinato ia \\r* ^ro:it diurnal and Jinnual ranijo i'orro-*pofi(ls oxactly with 
 thatot'ihu Peace llivor toiuitry. Fort 8;iskat.cht'wan in siiuateii on tiio brow of the 
 Saskatcdiewaii Valley, about seventy feet above the river, and therefore probably iesa 
 liablo tofrostH than eitlioi- the bottom of the river valley or extensive flat lraet.>< ot'phjin 
 where there is little eireulation of air. Thi-t. wilh the po-liion oi the t|,ermonieter3 
 in re;;ard t) the buildinirs, loads to the lu'lief that it :it all in error, as reprejentinf^ 
 the climate of the ret^ion p^nerally, the indicated temperatiiret are slii;iitly loo threat. 
 The thermometer itppears to have been read in all eases to the nearest dei^ree >nly. 
 A comparison may be made between the temperature observed in the Peace River 
 coantry during Aiigiisl an 1 September, with those at Fort SasUatebewan, as follows. — 
 
 Peace River Country, mean of minima durint; August .SiJ' 9^ 
 
 " " " " September 2i- V 
 
 " FroatH oxporiencod durinuj August A 
 
 " " •' '"September 19 
 
 For Saskatchewan, mean of minima during August, 39' 3^ 
 
 " " " '■ September HI- 1' 
 
 " Frosts oxporiencod during August 
 
 «• " " September 15 
 
 Fort Saskatchewan, mean of maxima during August 77" 8° 
 
 '• '< " ' SeiJtember (!8- 1° 
 
 Fort Saskatchewan, deduced mean temperature of August fS- <)^ 
 
 " " " September 49- «* 
 
 The mean of maxima and actual mean temperature for the months cannot bo 
 stated for the Peace River country. The actual mean for Fort Saska'-cliewan is ob- 
 tained by adding the minima and maxima for each month together, and is ))robably 
 very nearly correct. 
 
 While regretving that the data at disposal for the determination of the agricul- 
 tural value of the Peace River eountr}' are not nioro ample, wo may ! believe, arrive 
 wilh considerable "ertainty at the general fact that it is great. From such com- 
 parison as can be made, it would lie premature to allow that the climate of the Peace River 
 is inferior to that of the region about i'jilmoiiton or the Saskatchewan, it i-s true that 
 in both the Saskatchewan and Peace River districts the sea.son is none too long for 
 the cultivation of wheat, but if the cro|) can be counted on as a sure one, — and experi- 
 ence heems to indicate that ii may — the occurrence of early and lati? frosts may be 
 regarded with comparative indirferonce, Theseason is at least equally short ihiotight- 
 out the whole fertile belt from the Peace River to Manitoba, though C'irly and lato 
 frosts are not so common in the low valley of the Rjd Jliver. The almost sim'iltano- 
 ous .'.ivatice "f spring along the whole lino of this tortile belt, is indicated oj' the 
 dales of the flowering of the various plants, a point referred to by me in .son\e detail 
 elsewhere.* It is further unquestionable that the winter is less severe, and not siii>jecij 
 to the sauio extremes in the Peace River and Upper Saskatchewan regions a.s in 
 Manitoba. 
 
 We have already found reason to believe that the early and Into frosts, and not 
 the absence of a sutHciont aggregate amount of he: constitutes the limiting condition 
 of wheat culture in the North-'vost; but that n. 'her the .Saskatchewan nor tho 
 Peace River <ountries lie upon the actual verge of lie- profitable culiivation of wheat 
 appears to be jiioved by the fact that oats succeed on the .Saskatchewan, and also 
 — in so far as (jue or two seasons can bo accepted as e\ idence — on the Peace River ; 
 while it is well known that this cereal is less tolerant of summer frost than wheat. 
 This IS further proved by the fact thai at Fort \''erinilioii an 1 Athabaska Lake, l.SU 
 and 300 miles respectively nortii-east of Dunvegan, Prof. .\Iacoun found wheat and 
 barley ripening well; but in this instance the fact is complicated by the circumstance 
 
 Qeology and Ueaourcea of the 49th Pariillcl 1875, p. 270. 
 
120 
 
 ol the vicoicasiiii; alUtndc of the count ly, wliich introdncoH a now conilition. As no 
 kni)\vk>(li;o h:i-' Ih'oii irnitUHl ot this country on tho Lowor ['oiuo in adilition lo Uuii 
 C'(illiu'lt\l by i'l'.tl, .Mi.">iiii in l.-ITo, ■ it is hot iiKdiid(.Ml in tiio iihove discussion, 
 ihoiif^h Iroin it aJdiliotiui i^ioal iircjis niiijrlit dotilil less ln' ii liioil to t ho t'oi'tiU> tiiu-t. 
 
 Kek'irin^,- to tin' journids kept at l-'ort ^1 .hihii, Mr. Selwyn, in tiic i-o|n)rt. ahvady 
 Kovorai tinn'.-> rrfeiTod to, foinos Ui tiio coindnsion that the clin\ato of the Poaco Hiver 
 coinjKircs la\ ^'".',. , wiih that id' tiio Sasl<alfho\van coiiiitrv, or AIontroaL 
 
 h, lias ol'lon hi'on stat(.'d in a iZi'in'ial way that tins <'aiist' of iho oxooiitiunrdlv 
 favoiabhi ciiniati.' (if iho Sa.-i<alriu'\\an and i'eai'o Ilivor i-oimliiivs, as cunijiaiod with 
 these i>l' tho oasU'i'ii jiori ion of Uio Aniciii-an conunont, is to l)0 tdiind in the prc- 
 valoneo of warm wosttM l^- winds tioni the I'acitic. Sir AiovanihM' Afttckon/ai) spoaks 
 ot Ihoso wosteriy winds in winter, wriii' i;- ; — ' i liad ahi'adj observed at ,\thabaska, 
 tliat this wind never tailed to brin^' iis clear mild weather, wliereas, when il blew 
 iVoia till- o])posii(' (piarlei', it pro Inee 1 snow. Here it i> nuieh :nn;t! ])ei'ee]itibie, for 
 it il bid.vs hard -^ontii-wcst for tour h'nu-. a tliaw is iho eonsoi)Ueiiee, and if the wind 
 is at mu til-east It l)rini,'s -loel and snow. To this eauso il may bts altribnted that, 
 Ihorc IS so lii.ie Minu' it) iliis p;ir( ot the world, 'i'iieso warm wind-" eomo oil tho 
 rac'ilie Ueean, which cannot, in a direct line, i.o v<n-y tar from us, the disuuuo boiniij 
 «) shml that, thouj^h they pass over nioumains covered with >now, ! hei'o is not time 
 foi- them to eooi." f 
 
 l''urlher south thoso sonlh-westerly enrrenl'^i arc kn.nvn ii.s '(.'hinook winds," 
 and .similar cons'"]ueiiees are nbsorveil to accompany ilieir oeeiirronee. Sir Alex- 
 ander Mackenzie, however, in the ,-ummer of 171'.'>. touiul the distance to the I'acitic 
 eoa,-t trum liis \\ intei'ln-^-jihice, at itie moutii "f Smoky Kivor, tri'oalcr Ihaii he 
 apjiears to have imagined at ilie time lie poiined the abcive qnnted remarkH, and it i> 
 dilhciili. ind( od, ti> understand hdw eiirreafs of, air, Idowimx f"'' ;d h.'ast 'A'M) miles 
 aci'o.ss a ei)untry which is lor the nm.st purl inounlainnm, should retain efioii^h 
 Avarmth to temper ctlectually, the climate of the plains to tho east. Thi.-^ dillicidiy 
 Avoiild ajipear to ho pai ticularly great in summer, w h'n ilie mountains nro largely 
 snow-clad and the mean lempcr.'iliireof the I'euce ami .'^a-k:il<diewan Valleys, is pro- 
 bably consider.'d'.ly in cxces.s (.f ihat ot tin- rogi<.>n inlerviMiiiig ln;tween them and tho 
 sea. 
 
 The complete explanation is to bo founil in the groat (piantity of heat rendered 
 hitont when moisture is evaporated f>r air expanded in \')lnmo. but which becomes 
 (Sensible again 'in condensation ot'the moi.-.iiire or coin|)ression ol't'.ie air. 
 
 'I'lio pressure in th(> i:pper legions of tho almo>pliero being so muidi loss than in 
 tho lower, a bxh- of ai'- lising ironi tlu' scadeve! lo ihe summit ot the coast moun- 
 tains must expand, wliicli implying mnlei'iilar work, !\'siili> in an ab>t)rplion ot' he.il 
 uikI consequent cooling, Tho anoun; of thi.^ ( oling has been oslimaied at al>oiit 1 ' 
 Contigrade i(U' 100 metres id' ascent when !he air is dry, but become- reduced lo J- 
 tlogieo wlu'ii tlie teijiperaiiiro hiis fallen to i he dew-point ot' the atniospb.oro and |i!'o 
 cijiilatinn of mnislure as idoud, rain oi" siu'w begin-; iho boat rosulling from thin 
 eonden^'llioll retiiKiiiig lo a certain degree ihc cooling due lo tho expansion oi' the 
 air. When the air descends again lUi ilie further side of the moiiulain range, 
 its conden-.ation leads to an inerea.-c of •(Ui.-.ible heat eipial lo l" (!. for e.ach lUi) 
 inotros. I [t is owing to this ci|■c^lm^lan^■c thai places in tho south of (Jreenlaud, on 
 iho west coa.st, during the previ.lcnco of soiith-e.Msioi ly winds wiiich flow over (ho 
 high inlet i(U' of the country, have been found, in winter, to oxperienee for a time a 
 temperature liigher than that of North llaly, or the soilli of l''raiie(>, I hough tho north 
 i\tlaniic Ocean from which the winds come can have been litllo above tho 
 frccKing-poiiit at llii-- M-.ison. Tho wind well known in the .\lps us the I'oehti, i.s 
 aiioihcr oxarnpio jf the same jihenomenon. 
 
 • Rej ■u-t of rroKro8B of Oeol. Survejr, Cauiidft, 1370.76. 
 
 I Vty(ir"H, p. I.IH. 
 
 t The CiKuri's (ni> Dr. Ilniiii's, i|uot(Ml by UoU'iueyer in tliu Daniah Gcoura|ihicrvl Soclcty'g Journal, 
 and rcpruduued \a Nature, Augiui, l>:^77, 
 
121 
 
 Tho data arc waiitiiij; fur an nci urate invcstiifation of the circiirnstancos of our 
 wost ciiust in this i-e^'ard, but a goiieial icli-a of tlio lai'l tuny lio ^aiiiod. Wo may 
 asHiime that tlio air at Iho isoa iovol is iiraciically hutiirated with nioistiirt', or alroaily 
 at its dowpoirit, that in <.T()-<«.ii)i; ilu- iii'UHiiaiiniiis louiiiii the tivoram.' lu^ij^ht to which 
 the air is cariicNl is al'nui :i,Oili) inoMc^ (ti.fxlii li'cl), an. I thai it (IoscimhI.s to a huol <>f 
 about 70(1 iiuMre-i (''.-iHi I't'ci) in the IVvni) iiivor t'Diiniry. 'I'lio loss ol'soiisiliU' huat 
 1)11 I'lovation would, in this taso, aninuiit to ll)-^ (\ (IH"" l>\) llio i,Miii on di>.--"Oiit to 
 tho iovol ol'T'"! milrosto l;j° ('. ("i;}-J" F.), Tiio ainonnt o( lical io>l by the air dnriiiij 
 itH passage aoross tlie mountainous rcijion, by rii'iialimi and ''cmlact willi tho snowy 
 poaiis, oaiinot be dotorminod. It is of ''oui^o much gri\'iter in winter tlinn in 
 summer, and depends, ai-m on the >p(!eil with wiiieii iho iMirreiit ot air travels. 
 Tal<injtj the mean summer lemporalure of the loasl at ab<iui 12° 0., ("i l'^ F.) and 
 allowini; several det^re(.'s lor lo-^s of radiation, it bocumes ea-.y to iin<ler>lanil huw tho 
 western prairiew may he flooded with air neai-l}' as warm as tiiul ot' the eoast, tboiiL(h 
 it has travelleii to them over a region eomparativt'ly cold. 
 
 Owint; to the great width of the mountain barrier, the main result i- > i>m|ilieate.l 
 by loea! details, rogiotis of ('()nsidi)rablo ;.reeipilation o( I'liriiiig ai each important 
 mountain ranne, with subsidiary iliier regions in the lee. 'i'he last ot these regions 
 of ))re(;ipitation is that ot'the ivocdvv Mountain range, projierly .lo-r.illcd. Hy ;hisa 
 further atidition of heat \:> made to (he air, whieli then tlows down as a dry and warn\ 
 eiirrenl to (he ea>t. 
 
 In addition to the I'avnrable elimatie. eondili( iis indieafed by tin* thermometer, 
 the length of the day in ,-ummrr in the higher nofthmii latitudes favours the rapid 
 and vigorous tjrowth ot vegetation, and laUe.> ihoplaee. to a eerlaiu exteiil.ol heat in this 
 ros|ievtt. This has been supposed \u lie the ease from the luxuriant vegetjuinn of some 
 north'.'rn region, but Alfonso de Candolle has put the matter beyond doubt by subjoet- 
 ing it to direct oxperimer.t. in latitude 5(5" which may be taken as repre-entinij 
 that of nuich of the Peace JJiver country, sunrise on Ulht June, oi-curs at Hh I'im., 
 sunset at Sh. 'jdni. ; while six degrees further south, in latitude fiiV', which 
 may bo assumed to repiesont Manitoba, sunrise occurs on the same day at .'fh. 4!>m., 
 sunset at Sh. Urn. Tho duratitui of sunlight, in the first ea^e, is 17h. I^Sm.; m tlio 
 second, Kill L'l m., or ono iiour iimi a ((uaiti'r in excess iti the n^rlhorn locality. 
 This excess of course decrea-'i.'s to zero at tho ^prUtg and autumn eqiiino.xes, and 
 the dilferoiice is reversed in the winter. 
 
 A further eiicunistarice giving to the I'oaee FJivercoiinlry and that fin iln> upjier 
 ]iart. of the Saskatcliewan, other tiling.^ being eipial, a value as tarming land acre for 
 acre consideiably groalor than lli»lot most jiarls of the JSorth-wesi, is the immunity 
 of tliiH region from the visits of tho devasuitiiig locust or grasshopper ((\j/(Y/^;;ii<.? 
 Al>retus). 1 liave olsewliere discussed iho ipiotion of locust in\iisions, in several 
 jiupers,* and it ha.N since lieeii taken uji by the United Stales iMilomological t'oinmis- 
 HJon.f It must sullict* to stale here, lliat while long si!ri(>s ot yc^ars may pa^H wiihoub 
 tho oecurronce of serious invasions, lhe>e niiist continue always, or tit lotist for a very 
 long time, to eonstilulo a drawback to the ^vlnde tenitory lyiii:- south id a lino 
 drawn about -ixty miles .'outh of Ivlmonlon, and thence iicaih- lollnwing the liurt.oi' 
 of I lie wuinled couniiy eastward and souiliward to Manitoba. 
 
 (2) Haurdl (reolo'jii' il fi'nti/i\x, ii/i./ Jlunrdls uf Ecou'iniir fniportdxre. 
 
 The rocks of the coast o\' the northern narl of Hritisli Ci lumlna and its adjae(>nt, 
 islaiuls, vnhomble thnsc u) the southern part o\' the coast, in the same line of strike, 
 and the V^icloria series of \'iiiieouvor Ishnid. The ago id' Ibeso rocks 1 Ixdiove to bo 
 not greater than I'aliu'o/oie, Ihougli iheir crystalline an 1 highly alicreil iippearaiico 
 might, at llrst sij,;hl, suggest a coinpari»on with shll ukUu' series. They may bo 
 
 •Uaniullaii Nfttiiri.li.<t, Vol. VHI., ]\\: lUi, 2ii7, .111 
 
 t Firit Annuttl Ui'jjori, Uuitcd SJtftlen Kutouiological Oemmisalou, 1879. 
 
123 
 
 dosnribcil, fronorally, as consistiiii^'of /^ncinscs, dioritos, mica and hornlilemlo-BchistH, 
 
 with 
 
 (.I'l'tisiuiiai liiinvsiones 
 
 and 
 
 irri; 
 
 111 
 
 iisses ot' ^craiiil.o or diiirito of iul, 
 
 l'lisn.'0 1)1,^111 
 
 AhoiU l.'ui-t .S.ii)|i-'Mi and Motia J\aila (hcso ruflcs arc.' prodoiuinantiy ^c•ld-^lo^v and 
 
 d 
 
 :irk in ctdoin 
 
 Mioa 
 
 Ni.'ln^t, ironora 
 
 iiy 
 
 I'atlior tiiio f^i'ainiMi and ot'U'ii ^ios.'-y, very 
 
 dark and coiitaiiiin^ soino jfrapliito, in (lio mit^t al)iindanv material 
 The dip of liu' beds is generally' nc)riii-oasl\vaid at. iii^'h 
 
 Tiic 
 
 icscin- 
 
 bianco of sonne of tiioso s(diisls to the amifci 
 
 •ou- 
 
 ks of Carilioo ami Tice<'li Ris-or, 
 
 Vancouver ifdatid, is ido>o, liui J canin,! learn tliat gold in payin;.c qiianlily has I 
 
 foil 
 
 lui m eiiiunH 
 
 lion with them on this part of i!ie cnasl, 
 
 1 
 
 inie-^loiie i< found 
 
 .)C(-n 
 
 Ml 
 
 !l^socialiorl with theiii in some jiiaces. Copper oios ap|)ear tooi'ciu' pretty fre(|Uenlly 
 
 in these or the a-isoLiatod ^niuissie rocky of the (.'oast Ka 
 
 hut tiiounh inuch pros- 
 
 pecting has lieon done no ])ernianeiit mines have been esLahii.-hed. A rather promts 
 ij; cupriferous vein has been discover" '. I>y Mr. .). \V. Mclvii3'on the slopo o( the h 
 
 in 
 
 luiiiu'di 
 
 111 
 
 iittdj- behind tiie IIikUoii Bay Jouipaiiy's buildings at l^ortSmi 
 
 )-on. 
 
 In Woi l{ ('haunt I the rocks apjiear lo be eiiietly schistose, like tliose of Port 
 Simpson, but massive granites or granitoid gneisses occur on the eastern shore and 
 
 KvS 
 
 probably constitute the ra'ige d' mountains which follow it. At i'ort Essinglon 
 the mouth <d'the Skecna, tiie io<dv is a grey hornblendic granili.i, traversed by dyiw^^ 
 nimilar in eoniposition but coarser in texture. Foi' about : xty mile iiji the .Skeena 
 from Ibis point, gii.'i.-^ic and schistose rocks, micaceous or borii'ilendie, aihl belong 
 ing to liie metaimirphic serii's of ihot^Joasi Itang.^s. continue !o prevail, and are shown 
 often in great bare mountain sides, on Avhich vegetation is prevented by the oeciirenco 
 of snow-slides. There is no doubt that if reonired, building stone of fair quality 
 could bo obtained in many places from the rt)cks of this series. 
 
 Abovt! tlie point iu>t indicated, the rocks bordering the ^>keona i hankie their 
 character, being (d' much newer a)i|iearaii<t', ehietly leUjiathic in composiiioii, and, 
 in fa''t, 1 (.'presenting with little doiibt the I'orphyiite group id' my rej»orts of 1875 
 and 1H7(). The rocks a'e greenish. ])urplish or gray, frequently Iragmental, forming 
 agglomerates, or )ia,ssing over int(t congli'meintes. The boulders and gravid of the 
 rivei' bed at t he same time ''liunge iheindiaiacle! , being oovv almost entirely composed 
 ot ihe^o ])()|■phyrlte^ while .Mr. Cambie informs me ihal the slones in the Zymoelz 
 are also sjmiiai'. nruvinj; that the porjihyritic rocks have here a wide extension. At 
 Ivsipkeei'.gh IJajiid, where a short portage is necessary, the rov'k o\er \vbi( h tho 
 canoe is (Iragged is a rather coar.-e grained gi'oy granite, probably iniriisive. It 
 apjiears capat)!!; 'd' being ijUiuried into blocks id lair size, breaking .'ilonjf pianos id' 
 joiiitage wliii h aie nearly viuiiral, ami run 1^, M'-' K., Y. 50" W,, m.ignetie. The iitige 
 of high mountains abiiaing on the riverabove Kripkcaghaiipear from a di-dance to be 
 composed of graniie, or some similar massive lock. At Kilsala.i e'anyon tlio rocks 
 seem to belong to the porphyriiio series, but are muidi confused and fractured. They 
 are hard, greenish, and felspatliie. with no apparent bedding. 
 
 T'u: Chimdi'mash liiver of the map, fmir miles ab)ve Kilsalas, appears to bo 
 that ki'i'wn al.o as Seba^ti]K)fd ( 'reek, and if so, is llie locality from whudi a specimen 
 of quart/, yieldihg jfl2. IH ol gold, fti;-l.2!» of silver to tho toii'wa- bioughi. 'Hie vein 
 yieidiiiir this ore lias, I believe, been esjilored to a small extent, but never .lysteinali- 
 cally worked. 
 
 Bi'tweenthiH nhiee tind (^>ua!salix ('auyon, rocks of tin porphyntic scries are pro- 
 liably most iibundantly r(>pii'>enled annuig the nxuii.laiiis gtuicrjilly, but liecome 
 associated with a cotisidorable and iiiena-'ing proportuui of ordiiuiry :<cdimentar} 
 sandslniios not .showing evidell(•(^ of volcanic ;i<lioii 
 
 Fossils jiImi iicciir in altcre.l ash rock". liKe those id' (he fltasyouco River,"*' in- 
 cluding bih.inniies, fiigoidas, and a coral. These rocks are prob.ihly of lh0i>ame ago 
 with ibosoof llie llt.asyoueo, which, though staled in a- pi'evioiis report to be ..lurassic, 
 .ill'. Whitea\'es i,s now inclined to regai'l a,- probably t.?reta;eous. in Ihi-ipail of (li(» 
 j'!\er l^\te^lslVll e.vposuros ol granite also oeeur, the tu.aleritil being without dotil't 
 
 .1 
 
 Roport of ri'ogrtM, Oeoi. Survey v(f C'unailii, 1870-77. 
 
 
 intru| 
 
 with 
 
 thosc| 
 
 1 
 Li-accl 
 the 111 
 and 
 re lire] 
 -My 
 tlie 11 
 fl.eeti 
 
 11 
 lowerl 
 prob:J 
 h watj 
 
 r. eksl 
 f .lid 
 ftod s( 
 
 Kivei 
 mint: 
 
 as .1 
 re ' 
 pprcNi 
 II' 
 las 
 
123 
 
 in 
 
 wi 
 
 trusivo. At QiiatHalix Canyon the rocks aro i,'roy liaid sand.stono or qiiartzites, 
 th liliif'Uihh .irf,M!lie>, often iiiTUiueou>, and i^enorully well boddod, and rosombl'.n^ 
 
 ii>se ') 
 
 [' I lie Neehaeco series ot my report of 1S76, 
 
 KocUs of tlie kind last niontiuned e«)ntinuo to prevail o the mouth of the Kitse- 
 ifiicela Hiver, where c!ii'bonafeoii:< shales were ohservod to be incJudeil in the series for 
 tiie fust lime, 'I'lieso are so honiogtMieoiis and dark in color that ihey resemble coals, 
 and on close examination small Iraiiinenls dcierving to be called coal, and jirobably 
 rcpfesentintf portions (.jf individual stems which have be(m imbeilded in llie formation 
 
 b( 
 
 Th 
 
 iti 
 
 ind 
 
 lacoous siiaies arc generally mor( 
 tlio roc(<s at this place are very much disturbed. !ron.>toiio in nodulos, and irregular 
 sheets is abundiint in some parts ot the fbrmaiion. 
 
 In the rugged mountainous country between the Forks oi" the Skeena and the 
 lower or nor'h end of Hubine Lake, the rocks seen in the viciidfy of the trail are 
 iiiubably entirely of Mesozoic age. and resen>ble those Hmnd on the Skeena from 
 Kwatsi.lix to the Forks. They are generally sandstones of tine or coarse grain, 
 occasiotuill} felspathic or replaced by porphyriledike and sometimes breeeiated 
 r.^cks. Carbonaceous shales and imbedded fragments of ])lants were uccahionally 
 1. .nd, and in one place a lew molluscs. The strike is generally neai'ly true north 
 a'ld south, but subject to great local irregularity. In the bed of the Tzcs-a-tzad<wa 
 J\iver, near ;he point at wliii h the trail from iho l''i>rks reaches Babine Lake, irag- 
 mcnts resembling coal wore (mind, but contain loo much earthy matter to be useful 
 as a fuel. l''rom the appearance ol'the mountains visible from ditlei'ent ]ioints in this 
 i\- on it seems probable that xMeso/.oic rocks of the kitKl described aie veiy widely 
 pprcid ill this pai't of tin. [H'ovince, a belief continued by a number of small speci- 
 ji collected by Mr. Uorct/.ky in neighbouring regions, during the expedition of 
 In-! sui.imor. 
 
 I'lC' isely what horizon these rocks represent it is, as present, impossifilo to tell, 
 or as 3''l to enter into any details as to iheir ;iriangement or thickness. Kiotn their 
 rclaiioM '» the I'oiphyrilc seric-- ab(A'e referred to, it appears, however, that 
 they mu-.i re|irescnt, at least in ]iarl, the coal-bearing series of the (iueen C'harlotie 
 Islands find L^uatsino .Sound, while ihey may even extend upvvani to include rocks of 
 tlie horizon of those ol Comox ami iS'anaimo. 
 
 'J'h>« mer«j cxisleiioc of rocks of this iige, is not necessaril}' in itself, to be regarded 
 as establishing a ■ obability ot the occurence of coal seams of economic value, Imt 
 the gcii'ial dis.>ien. 'ion over flic district of coaly sliales containing impure coal, 
 jioints to the occur; 'nco of cvindilions such as those reiprired for the depo.-<ition of 
 true coals, and iiidntiief the jjo,ssibility, if not the probability, of the occurrence of 
 coal beds of econonoc value in .some jiart of the region. Specimens of some ol iheso 
 coaly II, uerinis collected by my: elf hav(> not yet l.ieen subjected to examination, but 
 wo Coll tcte(i by Ml. lioret/ky, niitJ analysi-d at his leijuesl in the laboratory of the 
 j^iirvey, .-lie repot le<l on as follows by Mr. C. Hoffmann. 
 
 Spci'i/.irii hihcjliui yLi'cna, tSt(ifi''n .'.J7. nhn; mi'ifj ah"vi tlir l-'url.s. 
 
 Colour, black; lustre, (oi the greater part, brigiit, but eondiins occasional dull 
 layers, « .insisting .ippareiitly ol'cai biunucoiis siinle. ll is rather brittle, does not .soil 
 the titigeis ; Lakes : le in a lamp llame, I'livmng with a bright somewhat snndiy llatne, 
 and evolving an ( npyrumalie odour; in the closoil lube yields water and tarry 
 matter. (!olourof jio.vder, blade, wilha laint biownish tinge; the , sample comnxuni- 
 caled iio colorai ion to a boiling solution of c-austic potn-h. 
 
 I'e slow and I i~>l coking the I'ollowing results were obtained — 
 
 ijluw (I.jkiuj;. Fusi CokuiK. 
 
 Ilygro^eo|iic. w;iter I'Od I'Of) 
 
 Vobiiilo c nnbustible mailer irc;f."t rj'O:) 
 
 Fixed carbon .I'J 70 aSdtlJ 
 
 Ash 4il!lO 40v() 
 
 lUOoO lOO'DO 
 
 Ratio of v'>l!ilile combustible mailer lo 'ixcd 
 
 carU)u , I— 2-78 1— 2-04 
 
 /^ 
 
124 
 
 By slow coking tb^ under portion of the powder alone '.vii3 sintered, the middle 
 and upper portions remaining pulverulent. Fast coking gave a tirmer coko. Anh, 
 pale cream colour. 
 
 Spe(^ijnen lahdled Sktcna, Statim (5.5, tivmty iniks above the Frrks. 
 
 The .«})ccinion was nindc up of alteiMiato dull layers of what appeared to be 
 carho'iuceous shale, and a bright black co.il. OccaHionally these latter exhibited a 
 coticboidai fracture; but gi'iici-ally showed a very dintiiict columnar eiruc 
 ture, at right angles to (ho |)iane ol bedding. It does not soil the fingerH. In the 
 closed lube yields water, but scarcely an}- turi-y matter; evolves however, a faint 
 empyrum.'itic <id(Mir. Colour (/f the powder, black; communicates no color to a 
 boiiiny: solution of cnu.siic potash. 
 
 Analysis by .-■iow and tiist coking give the following resultb : — 
 
 SIo\r Coking. 
 
 Jlygro-scopic water 152 
 
 Volatile combustible matter .... l-ti'^i 
 
 Fixed carbon 4r)()l 
 
 Ash 45-24 
 
 1 00 00 
 Eatio of vol.iti'e combustible matter to 
 
 Fust Coking 
 
 152 
 
 
 7-20 
 
 
 4.'0l 
 
 
 45-24 
 
 
 10000 
 
 ri:<od carbon i--6-3i:i 1—507 
 
 Hoth slow and lust c-oking gave u pulverulent coke. Color of ash almost white. 
 
 In addilii>n ti tlic-^e, I leceive i from Mr. llankin, when at the Foi-ks of the 
 Skoena. a small spciuinen ol'truo ((>al, apparent of t.'xcellent quality. This material 
 came from a ])oint, in the W'aisonijuali iiiiver. about ciulilecri miles from the Forks, 
 
 and it. is 1 1 
 
 led l)y ' he Ind 
 
 lans Id occui" m .piantit^', 
 
 was iiiiable to vi- 
 
 it th(. 
 
 loc.dity, but. it lie.- nearly on the strike of llie carbonaceous beds s.'(>n in-ar the mouth 
 of the KUsegue<'la, on 'the iSkeena, and ma\' tliei-efore occur in a horizon neai-ly llio 
 same. Airmgenieiils -vore mai'c to |irocure a larger spci-imcn, b\it this has not yet 
 ariived. 
 
 .Mr. IlorVm.-inii has examined a Iragment ul' this I'oal, on which he reports a.s 
 follows. — 
 
 Very compact, homogeneous, hai-d -ind brittle. I>i->s not soil the tinger.s. (,'olor 
 
 black, but wit! 
 
 a just |ierci'ptiMc brownish tinge. 
 
 [j 
 
 1st re 
 
 d< 
 
 re-iuous. Fracture 
 
 com lioidal. 'J'.-ikes Hre in a l;im|i thimc, luirning with aliright ll.ime ( whii^di hovvisver 
 soon dies out, on removjd from the source ol' heat), witii (Muissiim of ,>moke and a slight 
 
 omnNi'umalic odour. 
 
 Heated in a covered crueifilo it iiidduees a lai>j:e am )Ui 
 
 Lof 
 
 II a 
 
 me. 
 
 111 tlie close 
 
 • 1 tul'C yi.'Ids a coiisideiable ipiantity of tarry jiroJuct. Us 
 powder di.i not impart the slightesl <i)loration to a broiling .■jolutiun of ouustic 
 
 P 
 
 (lash 
 A 
 
 ih 
 
 liy fast 
 
 the f( 
 
 dtf 
 
 11 analysis ii}' last coiiin!f gave llie tolhiwing re.-utls : — 
 
 Volatile matter 40-52 
 
 Fixed carbon 5~'.')1 
 
 Ash l-OT 
 
 100-00 
 
 A deterniin'.iion of the water gave 0-hi5 ])er cent,, as however, owing b) lack of 
 material, no ■• uiti-ol was mmi . ilm amount of this constituent is included in the num- 
 ber indicating volatile mat, 01. Ilipi ! '."uting gave a firm coke. The ash, which 
 was honicwbat bulky, iiad a sllg ■! ri'iiiiisli linw i color and agLdutinalt'd sbirhtly ar. a 
 bright I'i'd III at. Thid in an o-KcoiieLU *"uol aud clu.-joly rosembles a coal of the true 
 ooul luuuuuroH. 
 
125 
 
 In tlie proHcnt isoliiiol position of tli«^ norihofn interior of British Columbia, tiio 
 jiossiblo I'xistoiK'G of workalilo deposits of ooal is a matter of iiidiffoionco, but in the 
 (vont of th(( oponing of any route throu:,'ii it, it would bo excoo(lin,i;ly desirable to 
 Ikivo all parts of tiie exli!iisi\-e .Me.>oziiie area subjected to a geological examination 
 a^ close ais posj-ible. 
 
 (bd 1 has noi been fnund extensively, or in sutdi ouantity, as (o give rise to por- 
 uiuiiciit mining on the SUeeiKi oi' tiie Nas-c. 
 
 The hills behind the Hudson '^ly post, on the east sido of the north or lower 
 end of Habine Lake, are ofs;;.ndstoues and line-grained eonglonioraies with a strike of 
 N. 1')° l'^- (iiiair.) and high north-woiierly di|)s, .S>Miie bods might toiMn good build- 
 in"' material if o|iened l)olo\v th" trost NhattiM-ed surlaco. For some distance south- 
 ward on Itie lake, similar rneks prevail, but froni Na-tabkuz, Mountain and the second 
 Hudson Iky post to the hoad of the lake, rocks which may bo referiod tothoCacho. 
 Cieok group of the interior of Rritish Columbia, and ate probaly Carboniferous in 
 age, appear to form the liubstrm turo of the country; while Tertiary volcanic 
 maferials lie upon them, and charaeteri/.e long sti'etches of the lake shore. liandeil 
 limestones and marbles occuton the north bank, nearihogreal bond ot the lake. 
 Tliv rocks of the jiortage, lor some miles from ]J;il)ino Ijako, appear to bo Tertiary, 
 wlido near the head of .Stuart Lake massive grey horiitiietidie granite occurs. In 
 iravelling down Stuart Lake, in hu-^to and with bad weather, very little cliance oc- 
 curred t'nr ttio examinaliitu of ihe rocks. The gratdte above referred to is .soon, 
 iiowevcr, r<;placed b\' a si histose greeni-^h ar.d greyi>h series, and in the hills north 
 of the J'inehi Rivei-, masiive limestnnc beds wc!o lirst made out. These run south- 
 ^a^Ivva^d forming the range along tlie north-east sido of the lake, an 1 culminating in 
 Nad<atl,or Pope's Cradie, 4:,.SUtl feet in iieight, a few miles from Fori St. James. The-o 
 limestones have already been dc.scrilied* and ar'c Icn.wn to be of (^arbnnifei'ous age. 
 
 ]?etween F<'il Si .launs, on .Stuai't Lake, .and Fort .Mi'Leol, the ^ntl'aee is almost 
 everywhere covcrcii wiili drift depudts, .ami con>eiiueraly, th'High travelling nearly 
 at right iingles to the general sli'iko of the rii(dvs I'l this |>ai t ol' the pi-ovince, little 
 can beasceriained as to theirchaructoi-. Ndther the Tertiary basin, previously outlined 
 oil lh(^ Lower Nechacco Kiver, nor that of the vicinity of Fort (ioige, iipjiears to 
 extend as far north as the line ol' route Just referred to. 'there a|i])(.'ar, liowevM', to 
 be outlying latchcs of'I'ei'liai-y \-(dcanic I'ocks, which rcist u|h)n the oMei- tiu-inations. 
 U'hese, as in lieaied chiefly by the ilebris and drift ol the surface, and stoiu"- t iimd iu 
 brooks, seem !o incdude rocks both of the (.'acdio C^reek and .Mesozoic >«ries. On Lonj? 
 liiike Kiver, near Iroquois (Veek, rocks with little doubt belonging to the first men- 
 tiiuieif series occur and include ftdspatliic materials and bancU of liniesiono. In the vicin- 
 ity of Fort Mi'T>eorl.roi ks >imilar lo these, bul with i.iicdNer bed.i of limestone, arc found. 
 A'oitli ol' I'ort McL(!od, on the I'ar.-nip, Mr, Selwyn ludievtis an area of Tertiary 
 ligtule-bearing i-ocks toexteiid a^ I'.ir as tlie moulh of the Nation River. Lignite wat* 
 ob-erved in places near the juncLion of the Fatdc, or McLeod's Lake River, with 
 the Parsnip, and loose blocks oi a qua ity likely to be Hci'viceable as fuel, were f'ound 
 scatlen'd further down, f 
 
 In conliniiiiig eastward from tln^ Parsnip River by tlu^ Misii 
 
 icliinc 
 
 a, the country, 
 
 to A/.onzetta Jj.dvoat the summit of the Pine River P:;,ss, is characteri/.eil by seliisto,so 
 and slaly rocks, with occasional liandsufijuartzito. The schists uro generally mica- 
 ceous and ol'leu very bright, with lustrous surlaces wiiich uro not unfreipiently 
 miiiut< ly wrinklcil. The.so together form a well marked series, and as they occupy 
 a bell of coutitry about twenty miles in widili, and are generally ai liigii angles, are 
 doubtless many limes re|ioaled by folding, TIicm! rocks ai»]iear to overlie the inassivo 
 iimeslones of the cent ral range oi'the Rock"}' Mountains, wliiidi appear to bo of (.'arboni- 
 lerous or Devotnan ago. From their lithological idemity there can be little doubt that 
 Ihey represent liie aunlrrous se/icsof (.'ariboo, but tlniy have not Imre been extensively 
 l)rosj)(>ctod, and no l)aying deposits of gold ha\'o been Co iud iu this part of tlio country, 
 
 ' Repdil of I'roir'-inh, ('.I'ol. Siirvny of Uiiiiailn 1876-77, pn({n f>5. 
 I report of Progress, Oool. Surrpy of Canaila, l875-7(t, y, Tl, 
 
12rt 
 
 On tho uppor part of ihe Misinchiiica. numerous 'colors' may be obtaino'.i on the bars 
 of the I'ivnr, :tn(l while it is possililr that rich aurifoi'ous dopoxitu may yot bo fouii^l 
 here, it hIiohM hv ineiitioiiO(i ihal tho rucks are not so extonhivolj" Iravoryeil by quartz 
 veins as in tho Cariboo region. 
 
 It is apjifn'cntly on iho north-western extension of this belt of Hcliistose rocks, 
 that tho Oniiiieca gold district is situated. Tho known auriforoas localities here lie 
 about tit'ly miles north o! a line ])a^sing westward from the Pine Pass by Por^s McLeod 
 and St. James. Theie are tliree routes by which Oiiionica may be roacdied. First from 
 the coast by the Skeona Itiver, Jiabine Portage and Firoi)an Pass. This route is 
 ti'avoiled b}* canoe arivl on foot. Second by trail trom Fort St. James, practicable for 
 pack animals; and third by caiioe or boat from the eastward by the Peace and Finlay 
 JJivers. Withmit enterintr into details, a /jjlance at tho map will show how com- 
 pletely isolated this district is, and account for the scarcity and high price of pro- 
 visions, which lias ])revonted tho working of any but good paying claims and hindered 
 tho thorough examination of tho country. 
 
 Some facts in connection with this district have been given by me in a previous 
 report,* but it has never been visited by any moinoer of the Geological Survey. The 
 main pr)inis which s(*om to hoiir on the possible future of thodistiict ai-e as follows ; — 
 Tho exislonco of rich deposits of gold, and the possibility that with greater facility 
 of access the known area covered by these would bo increased, and that it would be 
 come possible to work those of a lower grade. The occurreru-o of pellets of n.'ilive 
 silver or amalgam in association with the gold, It may not be found possible to 
 trace this material to veins of workaiilo dimensions, but its pro.sonco seems in some 
 degree to show tho gonorul argcntilerous character of the district. Thecliief promis. 
 of future imiiortance as a raining centre seeTiis to lie, however, in tho fact that highly 
 argentiferous galemi occur in soine abundance, and, ii is reported, in well-defined 
 and wide veins. These it is at present impossible to utilize, owing to the cost of labor 
 and carriage, but tho suojoincd particulars may servo to give some idea of tho char- 
 acter of the deposits. 
 
 According to Mr. Woodcock, of Victoria, some of the most important veins are 
 in tJio vicinity of a stream called BouKler (y'r'H'k, 
 
 That known as the " Arciic llircle " is said to ho abmit twenty foot wide, and to 
 show about four feet of highly molalliferous ore. it is ccposod by the brook in a 
 f'lco aliout fhiriy feet high. The claim adjoining this is called tho " Black Wariior," 
 and shows o ■.en eight feet wide of iieaiiy pure galer.a. Oih.er sjiecim;."!.-^' liavo been 
 oblainei' from jil., '-.i within a radius of eight miles Ironx this locality. 
 
 Near Lost Creok a vein known as the " (,'hiimpion Ledge 
 nearly parallel with the stream. Particulais as to its size are vyanting 
 vci i in the creek is reported to be twenty feet wide. 
 
 Mr. Woodcock has favored mo with copies of tho following analyses of two speci- 
 iiiens oi'the ores from this disti'ict, by Messrs. .Johnston, Matthy & Co., .l^ondon, Eug 
 land. 
 
 IS found, and runs 
 
 Another 
 
 Arctic Circle Vein. 
 
 Lead 2G80 
 
 Iron *2'5I) 
 
 Silver Ol.J 
 
 Sulphur I) 35 
 
 Silica (U-tiO 
 
 Alumina i'4() 
 
 Coinbi ;ied water il!)r> 
 
 Oxygon and loss O-'^t 
 
 Silver equal to 4J-2 oz. por ton of iiO owt. 
 
 • Bopori of ProgrogB, Geol. Survey of CftOftdtt) 1870-77, p. 116. 
 
127 
 
 on the bars 
 t be found 
 I by quartz 
 
 ?toHo rocks, 
 cs boie lie 
 v*H McLood 
 
 First from 
 s route i« 
 cticiible for 
 and Finlay 
 
 how com- 
 ico of pro- 
 id hindered 
 
 a pi'evious 
 rvey. The 
 
 follows : — 
 
 ter facility 
 t would bo 
 3 of native 
 jiortsiblo to 
 us in HOMio 
 lief protnis' 
 (bat hijL^bly 
 Arell-deriru'il 
 oHt of labor 
 )f the c bar- 
 ill veinH arc 
 
 <^, and to 
 I'ook in a 
 Warrior," 
 lave been 
 
 and runH 
 Another 
 
 wo apcci- 
 uloD, Kug- 
 
 A second analysis of the Arctic Circle oro, is by (j. W. Ilopkins, San Francisco, 
 and gives the tollowinir j-csult : — 
 
 Silver, per ton, 40'81 oz. or ^j^^G, 
 
 Gold, truce. 
 
 Pig lead would contain about 50 oz. to the ton. 
 
 Bla/'k Wiirnor Vein. 
 
 Load 20-25 
 
 Jron 2 15 
 
 Silver U 0;i 
 
 Suiphui ISO 
 
 Silica (Jit hO 
 
 Abmiiria loO 
 
 Comiiiiu'd walor 1-00 
 
 Oxygen and loos i-ll 
 
 100 00 
 
 Silver equal lo 20',S oz. f)cr tori of 20 rwt. 
 
 yV sooond assay of (bo " UUfk Warrior," by Messrs. l!'(li!), llonimo it Co., San 
 Fraiu'ihco, .-.howed iho sain|>b/ to oiuilain '.'•) oz. or S12i!./0 ol silvei' tu the ton, oijual 
 to ;J1^7•10 |)er ton nf pig load. 
 
 Two as.says of sjieoimens of ore from a deposit known as the " Mammoth Lodge," 
 gave iho folluwing results. Assay by Tlios. Fi ico, S.i?; Franoiico : — 
 
 Gold, per ton, ^\o-a $ 2.0G 
 
 Silver do a2j*3 oz tl.8'..» 
 
 Clean galena would assay, Sliil.FS. 
 
 Assay by Messrs. l{iebn, llcmine ct Co., San Francisco: — 
 
 Gold, per ton $ n-28 
 
 Silver do Ul 13 
 
 997-11 
 
 Pig load would contain 207 ounces to the ton. 
 
 A s])cciir.on of quartz will) icalena, troni a s:reani iioarManson Cicoic in ll>o i^anio 
 distrii't, was examined i>y .Mr. Ilntl'mann sr)nio years ago * and iiMin I to contain 8 071 
 oz. ot silver to ibo ion, vvilii traces of g )ld, Iml, as .Mi'. Ifotl'marui romai ks, tlie sdver is 
 conlined to the galiiria, <A which o?iIy a small <pi.intity occurs in the voinsloiie, and 
 which must con.scquentiy bo highly argenliforouM. An analysis of a-iampic of galena 
 from the Arctic Circle vein, separated as far as possihle from the gaiigiie in the 
 l;d)oralory ci the Survey, gave 12S oz, of silver to (he (on. A spccinu-n of oro iVom 
 the Chatnpion liod'jjo, iiichiding galena and ganguo, showed 20 oz. of silver to the 
 ton and a tiaco nt gold. 
 
 It would thus iippear tbiit. a (insidcrablo porcontago III' silver dCiurs in all the 
 galena ores examined from this district, and thU if the veins are sulliciently large 
 and constant in character, the region must be of imiiorianre when •atlficiiMit moans 
 of access to it are t rovided. 
 
 All these f-'s might, tiy oi'dinjiry pi'O 'css (4' drc-isoig and washing, bo raised 
 nearly io tl,egratio wbi'di i boy show when the picci.jus metals are calculated (o the 
 proportion of galena contairved. 
 
 J)urin ;■ the Hummor of 1870, ihori? were, as 1 havt^ l).^en informed, abmit sixty 
 white moi: vuigago'l iii mining a^ i ^'miinccM. with twenty ('liin;!rni>n, ami f^ixty to 
 
 Kcveiity liMians, the hitler ri'i'eivnm wn^es as lal oi's of $.; u d:iy. I am inolinodlo 
 
 believe, however, liiat t.hese ligures may he rather above iW luurk thaij below it. 
 
 • Report of I'rogreid, IriVO-TO, p. 430, 1878.77, \:. 
 
 lie. 
 
128 
 
 To tlio nortli-i'a8t of the wliisloso rocks, and ap])arently uiidcvl^-inrf them, aic 
 tlio ma>sivc limestones which form tho axial mountains of tl" llocky iloutitnin 
 jan"t.'. Tlii'M', in thoii- diroction of siriiio, vie jiaraiif! tolhof;< era! northwosteiiy 
 and .-oiilli-oar-torly trend of ihi- raiit^o. From llu- line of lh(^ Minimit, or Azonzi'tiM 
 Lake Valley, the width of llie limestones ami other <ild loeks meaMU'ed tiansvef^ely 
 is about live or six miles only. C.!n the noi th-eastward .litlo of the range, the iime- 
 Htones becomo associatetl with qtiartzites whicdi may bo of greater a^e, and wilii 
 LlaeUish shales an<l slaty rockrt holdint; Monoiis suhriri^ulans, and therefore to be 
 as>ii;'hed to the Triassie jieriod. 'i'lie^e loeks of the axis ul' the mountains ai'e not 
 known to be of any ecuiiomic imjiortance, th()ui;;li iti some places ca|)able of j'ioldiii:^' 
 building .>ltino of fair quality-. 'Colors' of gold inuj' bo obtaiiietl in the upper 
 part oi tho Pino River, as on the Mi>inchiiica. 
 
 From the point on tl)e upper Pine IJiver last described, rocks probal'ly for tho 
 most ]iarl oi Cretaeooiis age, but poH^;bly j)assing up into Tertiai-y in some ]ilaceH, 
 extend over the whole upper |iait of tiie Ini^in of the Peace J{iver. A line drawn 
 Irom this point north-north -tward to near the <<>ntlucnee of ; he Otter Tail Ki\or 
 Avith tiio P.!aco — a distance ot idjout forty-live miles — probably marks with apjiroxi- 
 mate accuracy, for a p(jrtion of its lenglh, the junction of these newer rocks with the 
 main ma'-s of the older rocks of the axis of llie mountain-^. There is evidence that 
 tills line is nearly that of the shore at the time of the deposit of the t'retaceous rocks, 
 and that the ]iresont axial elevations ol the Koi'ky Mouniitins have stood as an island 
 or i>lands abovo the Cietaceous sea. Cherty fragments, like those asr-ociated 
 Avith the limostones of the mountains, are lound abundantly in the conglomerate-; and 
 sandstones ot tlie newer scries. The cxistxmce of the remains of plants, ami of seams, 
 of coal in dilfen-nt parts of the newer I'ocks, show that the sea must have been a 
 sliailow one, and by occasional elevali(;ns, patches ai least of its bed were, from time 
 to time, conv . o ■! into la'id areas. 
 
 It is in these rocks, I'ormiiig a /.one to the east of the iJock-y Mountains, that the 
 most i»roirising coalfields of the North-west lie, and they are now known to bo 
 characterized by the ])rosenco of coal from tho Peace Kiver to tho 4!Mli jiarallel. 
 Their study is con>e(iuently attended with inler"st, and much additioiuil light has 
 been thrown u]ion it ly the exauiinalion of sections in the Peace Itivor region, last 
 summer. Till ma))s are complete, and tho whole of the ob.^ei vations properly dis- 
 cussed, it woidd be unwise to attempt to enter into detail, but .some points bearing on 
 the earboniferoiis ehaiaclor of the formation may bo given. 
 
 In tho vicinity of tho mountains, tho v rks are niiieh tlexed, but tho ntidulations 
 gradually les.seii as the mountains are loft behind, and the beils biu'ome at length 
 hoiizoiital, or ho nearly so that no inclination of a fixed character can be tlotectc(l by 
 ordinaiy methods. Near tho nHUiniains the rocks are almost entirely sandstones, 
 und often <[uito coarse and associated with conglomerates. Further «jft', shaly inter- 
 calations ap) ear, and even! ually two well marked and thick zones of dark coloivd 
 tdiales are found, sepaialed liy a zone of sand->tone and shales, and capped abo\e by a 
 sec(nid samUtonc and shale formation, which may po>sibly belong to the lower part 
 of the Tertiary. 
 
 In both tiiO horizons characterized by sandstones coal is found, and 
 while as abovd) stated the ujipor may represent a poiiion of tiio Tertiary, tlie lower is 
 • crtaiiily well down in the Cretaceous formation, This in itself i^^ a point of corsider- 
 abU' iinport.-iiK I , showing that liie cai bonilerous characier (tf (he rocks is not confined 
 to a single series ot beds, but recurs at two stages. It also, jirobably confirms the 
 view advanced liy Dr. Hector and supported by Mr. Selwyn, lor the Saskalchowan 
 country, its to tho. existoni'e ol a coal-inaring horizon in tho ( Jrotacoous of that region 
 in addition 'o that of the Tertiary or Laiatnie age. 
 
 The localities in which coal is known lo oeiur in (he lower or certainly Cietace- 
 ous zone are: — Table Mounlain, Coal I'.rook and vicinity, t'orlage Mountain and the 
 lower part of Smoky Piver. 
 
 Table Mountain is situated on the south bank of Pino River between tho Lower 
 and Middle Forks. It was examined l)y Mr. Solwyn in 1875, who describes the coul as 
 
 ,ai6% 
 
them, ato 
 
 ' Mountain 
 thwL'Hleilj 
 r Azoiizi'tia 
 ransvei'M'ly 
 L>, tlio liiiio- 
 !, imd Avilli 
 cloro, lo bo 
 liiis iii'o ridl 
 
 ot'yioliiiiijj; 
 
 the upper 
 
 My for tho 
 -omo placos, 
 lino drawn 
 Tail l{i\or 
 Ui apjtroxi- 
 ■k>s wiUi tlio 
 ■lence that 
 jooiiK rocUy, 
 a^ an it<hiiMl 
 
 as^OtMatlMl 
 
 ncralos and 
 id I )f seams, 
 ivo boon a 
 , from tinio 
 
 ns, that the 
 iDWn to bo 
 ih paralh'l. 
 1 li,i,dit has 
 
 OLcion, hist 
 iipi'ri}' di-^- 
 
 bearing on 
 
 iiidnhitior.s 
 at h;nglh 
 Mocted by 
 
 sandstones, 
 dy intor- 
 ; colored 
 
 abi)VO b_\- a 
 owor pari 
 
 >uiid, and 
 10 lower ir' 
 oiii sider- 
 1)1 ciintined 
 iitii'ins tiie 
 kalohcwaii 
 hat region 
 
 ly Cietaeo- 
 in and tiio 
 
 ho Lower 
 lhocoula.s 
 
 129 
 
 occurring in four seams, in dosconding order, six inches, oiglit inches, two feet and 
 six incl'os thick resiieotively. 
 
 The coal is stated lo bo of good quality, but has not boon analj'zod. 
 
 Coa! Mniok Joins the sniith branoli of Pino liiv.'r a tow miles I'rom tho Lower 
 luirks, and though a comparatively small slroani. ha> foi'moil numorous titio sections in 
 the soft Cretaceous i-ocks. Coal was disccn-orod hero by Mr. J. Hunter in 1S77, and is 
 niontiotioil by Idm in the Canailian Pacitio Railway Hojiort for 1878 (p. 7!1)- '^l'"- 
 Hunter tavorod me with specimons eolloetel ly him at tliis time, and 1 have Hinco 
 porsonally examined the Idoalit}-. Tlio rocks are jirobably noiirly on tho same 
 horixon as those of 'Table Mountain. The <'.oal is of good (piality and occurs in 
 Boveral bods, which are however, so far us observed, all very thin, tho thiidiost 
 nieasuring about six inches. Ooal also occurs on the south branch of Pino Itiviu" 
 above the mouth of Coal (,'reok, and there is much ground to hope for the ultimate 
 discovoiy of coal seams of workable thickness in ibis logion. 
 
 Portage Mountain i^ cut throULrh ly the canyon ot the Peace River above Hud- 
 son's Hope, 'i'he thitdiost soam obsorved ly Mi'. Solwyn in ibis place, was again but 
 tiix inches,* but in July lust Mr. 11. J. Cambio iiutiood ono about, two feet in thick- 
 ness. 
 
 Tho following analysis of a specimen of coal t'rom this place is published by Dr. 
 Ilarj'ington.f 
 
 Slow cuking. Fast coking. 
 
 Water -J 10 2 tO 
 
 Volatile combustible matter 21\"1- 2i)^V^ 
 
 Fixed carbon 7ld!;j tiS ti8 
 
 Aah 4-73 473 
 
 10000 
 
 1(JO-00 
 
 liatio of volatile to ti.xed combustible by slow coking l-,3'32, by fastcoking 1-2-71. 
 By rapiil lieating the coal yielded a line coke, and it may be rogarlel in all respects 
 ns a fuel of excolleid (juality, only r(,'ipiiriiig to be found in suilioiont cpiantity to 
 claim im))Oi'lance. 
 
 The coal referred lo as ocou' ring on this b()rizoii on the \n\\\r Smoky livM- is in 
 itself of no importance whatever, boitig but 2J; inches thick. With tho fa' jf the 
 abundance of imjire.ssions of roots and branches in the sandstone is shows mcix^ly the 
 car'.ioniforous character (d tho tlirmation to this point, it appears at the very sum- 
 Tuit of ihe series of sanilsioiies forming the lowe»" group, at their junction with tho 
 overlying blui.sh shales. 
 
 Un Rivioro Brulo, , near its mouth, about Ibiirloen miles from Itunvegan, my 
 assistant, Mi', Mv'tAmnoll, examined a reporlod coal soam, wdiich proved to be a 
 lignite coal of infei. or quality, .'Mill about twelve inidios only in ihickncss. Coal or 
 ligni!e is also reported to occur on Rat River ten or lifteen miles above Dunvcgan, 
 bit the locality was not visited. It is probable that in both tlio-e places it is tho 
 lower or distimtiN'oly (,'reiiiccous series of sandstone and slates which hold thcciial. 
 
 Of localities sh(>wing coal or lignite in the upper scries of sandslonos and 
 slates, which may, so tar as present ici >rmatioii goes, represent the upjiormost part 
 of ilio t^'olaceous, or tho overlying L^krainio group ; tho first discovered is .Mountain 
 Crock, joining KIk River, aboul fifty-i'ight miles in a dirocfion nearly due south from 
 Jiunvogan. Tho beds found here wore- again (luiui thin, but the bar.s in tho stream 
 are strewn with large blocks wliic'h -Jpias.'ir lo be ot' bituminous coal rather than lig- 
 nite, and are of good ijuality as ii fuel. These mils! bj derived from Ihickor beds 
 than those examined, but which may bo below tho water-lovol. 
 
 The banks of the iillk Jviver, above the m lulh of .Nb'Uiitain (.'reek, show similar 
 fragments (d' coal more or loss rounded, and on the .Smoky River, below the iiioutU 
 
 •llepori ol* I'rogross, Gcid, Survey of Cuiiieid, IST*)-?!!, n, 03. 
 fUcport of Progress, ticol. atirvcv ot Ciiuuda, 1876-77, tabie fmiag p 470, 
 123 -!)i 
 
130 
 
 of tho Elk. near iho base of tho tipper rtanrli^tone sones, ft seam of good coal five 
 inches in thiclcncsa was seen. Drill coal i'omid on the upper part, of the mi'.in Smoky 
 probably alwo belongs to this upper HatulHtono Hories. 
 
 .Sandstones and Mhales, whii h might represent cither the upper or lower series 
 above leferied to, occur on the i\tliabasca iiivei', and wore observed in many places 
 above Old Fort Assireboino t<' hold coal scams. Two of thu.-o were noticed to be 
 ofrcmaikahlo persistency, and though generally thin, the upper seam was found 
 in one place to measure ten feet in thickness, including however a lew shaly partr 
 i..gs which would reduce the thickness of good coal or lignite to nine feel two inches. 
 This is separated by about twenty leot of soft sandstone from the lower seiim, 
 which is compact and of good appearance and al.'wit three feet in thickness. 
 
 On a stream enteritig Lesser HIavo Lake from tho -'orth, near its eastern emi, 
 Mr. McConncll observed numerous fiagntents of lignite (..'ifood qnalily, but all con- 
 sidorubly rounded, sliowing ihut they had been brouuht irom -ome distance. 
 
 It would thus ap])far tluit while in the region lyin;.; between the Athabasca and 
 the Peace rivers, no coal sciams sulficicntly tliick to be ol great economic value have 
 yet been discovered, that coal and lignite of good .juality occur in two distinct 
 series of beds. Wherever nattiial sections of tl^'- ^ oi'cur in the vallej's of rivers and 
 Btioams, coal in greater or less qiiaiitit\' :'.-> loiiiid, and tho ]ieisi>lently carboniferous 
 cliaractcr of the licds thus i luindaiuly jiroven. Thei'e can be liMlednid)t thai beds (^f 
 tt workable character occur in ditlerent parts of this region ajid will be found by 
 further search. 
 
 On the extension of these formations to the south-eastward, a bed of coal, reported 
 to bo eight teet in tliickiies<, occurs near the projecicd railway crossing of the North 
 IVmbina I?iver, while between Fort bklmonton and the mouth of the IJrazeau Itiver, 
 on tlie Saskatchewan, a t.cain of coal fifleen Id twenty feet in thickness w>is dis- 
 covered by Mr. Selwyii in lS7i^ ;* other thick seams are reported on the upper 
 part of the Brazeau. 
 
 An analysis of the fuel from tho North Pembina Kivor made in 187-t by 
 Prof. Ilaanel, gives the l«'llowing composition: — 
 
 Water 11-88 
 
 Volatile combustible matter 2.S (if! 
 
 Fixed carbon oT'25 
 
 Ash 221 
 
 lOO'OO 
 
 Tho coai collected b}' Mr. Sclw^-n at iho place above referred to on tlie Saskat- 
 chewan yielded lo J>r. IJariinglon the following result on analysis bj- slow coking : — 
 
 Water 1009 
 
 Volatile combustible mutter liS (iO 
 
 Fixed carbon 5l-!t(; 
 
 Ash 545 
 
 10000 
 
 While'neither of these can be classed as true biltiminous coals, they are fuels of 
 gjTiit value, and compare closely with those brown coals used extensively on tho line 
 of the Union Pacific Hallway in the RucUj' Moimtain region. 
 
 In many l<uiiliti<'s on the Peace Kiver, and betwt on that slreatii and the A' a- 
 basca, cliiy iroTiMtone in nodiiies and nodul.'i.' sht-ct- is abundant , liii! generally lot 
 in siuh (juantity as lo juslify a belief in its economic iin]iortance. On the lower ]pait 
 of SmoUy liicer, however, gicat qnantities of ironstone apparently of exrelleni- quality 
 might be collected from the bai's ami lu^aches, ivhilo in lew places in tho banks, 
 zones largely composed of ironstone ami of considerable thickness occur. 
 
 • Report, of Progress, Ocol. Biirvej of Cnuftflft, I.'rr3-T4, ;i. 40. 
 
131 
 
 I coal fivo 
 :i>in Smoky 
 
 >wer series 
 uny places 
 ioed to be 
 wnis found 
 Hlialy jmrtr 
 two iiichci^. 
 wer seam, 
 lesH. 
 
 stern eno, 
 but all con- 
 e. 
 
 ib.'iMCii and 
 raluo have 
 .'0 ilistinct 
 j'ivei'h and 
 •li(»riif'ei'oiJM 
 lal beds of 
 found by 
 
 1. reported 
 • lie North 
 ■au Iliver, 
 
 i WHS (liN- 
 
 the upj)er 
 
 1874 by 
 
 S 
 b' 
 
 As already stated, gold in small quantity may bo found in both 
 and upper part of Pino iJiver, while as stated by Mr. Selwyo it has 
 
 both the Misinchinca 
 been tonnd froni 
 tiino to tiini', in various plai'cs and in payiii:^: i)ii:intitios b)ti» aiiini^thc Par-nip and 
 the Peace Riveis. Mr. .S.dwyn i-i'marks I hat liierc are n.> i;-()lddieaiini; viwU- }i\ the 
 Poaoo behiw Finlay Bi'aneh, and -ii :,';,'(.! -t.s that the tine f,'old of the lower part of the 
 river may have been originally dei'ived from roeks on the western sl< • e of the 
 mountains, or may have been carried from the l)olt of Laui-entian and other ry^tallino 
 rocks foi'mifLC the noi-lh-eastern bounihuy ot'thi' iiitcrinr basin, and stretchini.^ fi-om 
 Lake Sujierior to the Arctic Ocean. For the gold of Vm Parsnip and iipjxM' |>art of 
 tlie Peace, the forn)or appears to nve to be the most prob.iblo explanation, while to 
 that found in the Misinebinca, the Pine and other stream.- in the vicinity of the 
 mountains a local iM'igin must also be granted. 
 
 In all this region, below a certain contour lino and to tb- oast (^it, drift frara 
 the Laurentian axis, above referred to ift, in great abunilanee. The boight of this 
 <i>ni.jur line niaj' for the present be roughly stated at 'J,00(' feet. It is in this tract 
 to the e.ast, (duiracterized by Luui-entian (Mb/is that the pay ng gold-washings of the 
 .'Saskatchewan are situated, while in the direcli'ii of the ranuntains the ' j)ay' appears 
 to run out where the Laurentian drift ceases, (ndd has also been found in paying 
 quantities in the ])arts of the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers which traverse this 
 drift-covei'cd rcg on, and the evidence seems in bo strongly indicativ'e in all tlieso 
 ca-ses of an eastern or north-eastern source for the ju'ecitnis metal. It would thus 
 appear, that with the exception ufthe i'egions(jf the Parstiipand Upper Peace,the Ricky 
 Mountain zone in this part of its length has not so far been proveil to yield gold 
 in paying quantity, but that remunerative placer dcjMJsits supplied from the opposite 
 direction, occur ut a greater or less distance from the mountains on several rivers. 
 
 GEOEGE M. DAWSON. 
 
 
 
 lie Saskat- 
 I'okiui 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 ^a ■ 
 
 e finds of 
 n the line 
 
 the A a- 
 crally lot 
 ower ]iart 
 ni, quality 
 :ho banks, 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 4 
 
 
 .v^ 
 
 
 /. 
 
 f/. 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.1 
 
 1^128 |2.5 
 
 i lis IIIIIM 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 1.4 1.6 
 
 
 4 6" 
 
 ► 
 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WIST MAIN STREIT 
 
 WIBSTIR.N.Y. MSSO 
 
 (71f ) 873-4503 
 
 'A 
 
 i\ 
 
 iV 
 
 ^\ 
 
 
 O^ 
 
 '^* 
 
 -^ 
 
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 >^ 
 
 

132 
 
 APPENDIX No. 8. 
 
 HEPOBT ON TUE AaUlCTJLTURAL CAPABtl.TTIES OF VANCOtlVEB ISLAND, BY MR. 
 
 HUNTER, 
 
 JOSEPH 
 
 New Westminster, B.C., Dccombor, 1879. 
 
 Sir, — I beg to submit the followini^ report on tlio ajj^rienliural capabilities of 
 Vancouver It^land in complianoo widi your iribtrnctionf* of 2;Jnl Juno last. 
 
 Vancouvor Itslnnd, liow Iwtwoen N. latituilo 4S" 20 and 50^ 55', and W. longitude 
 123° 10" and 128" 20". Its oxtronie lc-nf,'tii may bo taken at 280 statuto miles, and its 
 Jivora:^o breadtb at 50 miles ; its area is, tliercforo, about 8,1) iO,00U acres. Its ex- 
 treme breadth oppo.-ile Nootka Sound is sO miles- 
 
 The sliuro lino, more juutieularly along liio west coast, is broken by numerous 
 arms or inlets of ( ho sea, Home ot' ihem runnini,' far into the inlerinr of the Island, 
 whieh can be crossed at several points in a cii.stance of land travel less than one- 
 third its breadth. 
 
 The interior of the I.sjand within certain limits, which will bo presently defined, 
 is rough and mountainfuis. 
 
 t^uatsii\o Soutid, and a line drawn fni'u its eastirn extremity to lAirt Rupert, 
 would form the tioriliern limit of the hiiriiest intei'ior mountain ranges, while their 
 
 southern limit mav be delined l)V !i li 
 
 no 
 
 ing Cowichan Harbour with Port San 
 
 juaii. 
 
 The surface of the Island, beyond the limits above (Inscribed, although occasion- 
 ally interr«])led by mountains of considerable altitude, is of a low, rolling or lumpy 
 (diaracler. Hetweeti the toot of llio mountain slopes and the southern and oasforn 
 coast lihes, siretihes a margin of compuiativejy Ihil land, varying from two to ten 
 miles in breiidlh. while tiie liversare bordered, in some instances, tor considerable 
 distaiHOs farther inland, by narrow flats. 
 
 Siieltered l.y the mo:int;iins of the interior, and protected by them from cxc 
 
 es- 
 
 sivo rainlull, ihe portion of the Island last ref "rod to, contains, as will aftervvards 
 appear, most ol tlio agricultural land known to exist, or siisooptible of protilable set- 
 tlement. 
 
 Reliable inlormation respiH'ting the interior of tiie Island, eonsidei'ing that tbo 
 more accessibh" jiortious have been settling u|i qiico 1.S58, is astonishingly meagre. 
 
 In the year ISiil an expcnlition was organized by the (Jovornnu^nt and people, 
 under (ho conimand of Pr. i{ol)erl Brown, f'l' the |Miipose ot exj)!oi'ing tln^ interior 
 of \'iincouver Island, This expedition, loniposc i in all of (!0 persons, and di\ided 
 into (iiirei\nt jiartie.s as I'li'cnmsiances dictated, oxidured during the season liio Icd- 
 lowing routOM ; 
 
 1. Acro.sH tho Island fron» tho mouth of the Cowiclian Rivei- to Nitinat. 
 
 2. From (he east end of (\)wi(hu(i Lake to Port Sat' Juan 
 
 3. l*"rom So<ike Ilarlior to Cowi'liaii Harbor. 
 
 4. Across the Isliind from ("oiiio.x by Alliei'iii, t,» Ihii' lay Sound. 
 
 5. A"ross (ho Island irom Nan.'iimo to Hard ly ."lound, 
 (i. Across the Island from Alheiiii tot^ualicnm. 
 
 On the first o| ihese routi's, embracing 75 »niles of land travel, it is reported, in 
 roferonco to iho lower Cowii ban I{iver, that, '■ the siiiiounding country i-- in most, 
 ])l!ices Ibil, with here and there opentru'ts, '{'he \\ holi> ot the spar lands ui'o o.\- 
 oellent, anij it would pay abuiiduiiily to ijloar tbem for tho value ofllio timber ulono." 
 
i;j;i 
 
 MR. JOSEPH 
 
 With roforenco to tho land iti tho interior, it is statod that " |)ati!ho8 of ^o<nl land are 
 fDUiul hero and t4>oro. On tho boidor of Koloy Creek there is much good hind thinl}' 
 coveied with niaphj." 
 
 On the set'iind route, extending; over -III miles, it in stated that "the eoiintry 
 travelled over i!- totally utilil loi' :tt,'iiriiliiiral set' lenient," .'ind ^'enerally itinimtain 
 jiine and cedar evoi-ywhere, harroti of grass and »oil ; a homo for thcdee, and herds of 
 i\obie elk, hut fit for nothing elxe. ' 
 
 On the third route, 3<t miles in length, after leaving tho vieinity of the mouth of 
 Sooke liivi-r, where the I'ountry is .said to he level and the soil good, " the C(juntry 
 lying to the westward eon^ists of oonieal hills coveriid with pine, very little level 
 land, To the eastward it is very I'liggod, eonsisting of rocky eminetiees wry thinly 
 tinihcred.'' The only mention of agricultural land on this route is in res])ect to tho 
 valley of a Hmall stream falling into S'>oke Lake which " seoms to contain good 
 soil."' 
 
 On the fcurth route, 70 miles, wdhoiit sjiccifying particular localities, thin 
 general statement is made: " We passed over much timher land tit to he hi'onght iuto 
 cultivation." 
 
 On the fifth./oute, (10 miles, Mr. Leech writes in reference to tho country near 
 the cast coast: "To the eastward, hetwoen the Xanaimo and ('hemaimis l{ivers, 
 there is an extensive jilaiii." " 1 have i\<> doubt but there is good agi-iiMiltural hmd 
 in this place." After crossing three distinct ranges of mountain--, on appronching tho 
 west coast, he says: " We iilso crossed the Mitinat iiivei-. which here Hows thr<nitrh 
 an ojten valley heavily timbered, '' aicJ two other good size' I -ti'cams (lowing through 
 veiy liru' valleys, in which 1 bcheve there aro consideialile patches ot good land.' 
 In referenco to tlie Sarita liiver, falling into IJa relay Sound, il is said that en ii lake at 
 its souice ' a delta of l.OltO acres is ibrmixi : it could bo very easily cloareil ami in:ido 
 avadahle for agriculture, at) would also the vallcv through which tho .Sarita River 
 ilows." 
 
 On the sixth route, 20 niiloH, it ia stated : " The first portifjn of our routo for 
 .six mile.« was through a very open, thinly wooded fern cout. try, well adajitcd lor 
 grazing." IJcj-ond this, no mention is made <d' any ;igricidtural lands on the route, 
 between tho head Alberni Canal and tho mouth ol' the Qu.alicum Kiver on tho 
 Strait of (ieorgia. 
 
 Mr. Leech passe<l accross the Island from the head Miichahit Arm, on tho west 
 coast to the mouth of Salmon River, on .Johnson .Strait, (5.') mdes, and, with tho excep- 
 tion of "a wide valley he;i\'ily timlwred, liist-i'ati' s»il," on Camin'on Creek, near the 
 summit, recorded the existence of no agricultural land in the interior. 
 
 .dr. Mohun. an engineer acting uiuler the instructions ot' tho (lovernment of 
 British (Columbia in 1874, to explore that part of the I^hiiid from Fort Rupert soulh- 
 waril to Meii/.ics Way, near Seymour Nariows, a distance of 12.') miles, penetrated at 
 viii'ious points into the interior, Jfe reports (),'J.'»l) acriv* of good l;ind near the soiircos 
 of the Nimki.di River, which " uid'ortuiiately is cut up iuto dotachel blocks by tho 
 mountain sours and gravel ridges which i iin down to the extreme," 
 
 With tlio exception of some land on the upper end ol' the Salmon J{iver, which 
 will be afterw.irds referred to, tho above is (he extent of agricultural latui in tho 
 intcnior which came under (ho ob.'?orvalion ot Mr. Molum during a hcason's 
 exploiiilion. 
 
 Mr. Todd, n gcntloman who has repeatedly rronsed tlie Island, and who has 
 seen " almost every portion ofihe bind and all th(> rivei's and sti'eams sonth of a lino 
 drawn trom Cowii lian River to the mouth ot' Alberni Canal," writes ; — •• Reyond tho 
 present settlementM theio is no land tit for .setthnnent except at the mouths of soino 
 (d' (he rivers." 
 
 All the iid'ormalion procurable at the outset of my exploration, regarding tho 
 agi'icullural land, referred to that |iortioM ot the Island south ui' I'^ort Kupert, which 
 J have described as )>rincipally occupied by the interior mountain ranges. Hcyorul 
 tlio ttorthern limit of these mountains, as ma}' bo noticed from tho dock of passing 
 stonmors, the countiy to the nortlicrn oxtrcmily of Vancouvor Iii!n;id i.s ciwipara* 
 
134 
 
 tivel)' flat, and I was in hopes that an exploration of this soclion would result in th*'- 
 disL'ovory of a considerable araouut ol agriculluijil land. Those expectations were 
 not realized. 
 
 llaviiiiT exajnined the east eoant to within a few miles of Cape Scott, f crossed 
 from Fort JJuport to Ilii|>ert Arm at, the lusid of t^iiatsino Sound, and thence hy the 
 west arm, traversed the eenti'c of the Islaad to wiihin a short distance of its northern 
 end, while explorations were also made from Hupert Arm southward. The ai-ea 
 thus examined rontains very little ai,'ricuilui'al land. Xeai' the ea.st coast, |)atehes uf 
 good lanti are met with, but they are so tar apart as to render them practically use- 
 less for a/.?riculture. The interior country cunsi.st:^ of low, rocUy and t^raveliy hills, 
 generally thii kly wooded, and inler^pcr.-'ed with small s\vam|)s and lakes. Open 
 tracts, which mij^ht be m;ido available fur pasture, are visible on the sides and 
 Bummils o) some of the hills. 
 
 The conclu.Nion at which I luue ari'ived from the forejjoing evidence, and from 
 othei' information furnished mo by those personally aiquaintod with nonw of the 
 localities referi'ed to, is, that the interior of Vancouver Island is destitute of any 
 induremcut to aifricultural settlement, but wilho it Imi^ an I laborious ex'plorations 
 it would be unwise to announce as a certainly that suidi is the case, and it may bo 
 farther remarked that, in conuoclion with llio va^t and raried mineral resources, 
 whicii are sure ofdovtdopment at no distant ilate, the area of cultivul)lo land in the 
 interior, small lhou,i,di it be, is ot the utmost imjiortance. 
 
 1 will now proceed to utilize the information acquired ijurint,' the exaniinalions of 
 hist season, in estimalinif the agriculiur:il capabilities of Vancouver Island ; in doing 
 which it will be convenient to nbsorve the followim^ divi^ionH : — 
 
 I. Tlie Northern divi.sion, embracing the l.-laiid from Cape .Scott on iho north to 
 a liiii' joining .Seymour Nari-ovvs anil Nootka Soiimi on the soiitli. 
 
 'J. The Central divi-ion, extending soutliward lo the Qualicum I^iver and 
 Alberni ( 'iiiial. 
 
 ;-i. The Southern division, embracing the remainder of the Island to the south- 
 ward. 
 
 The area of the tirst 01 Xorlhern 1) vision may be taken at 4,100,000 acres, of 
 which 1 eslimato that there are cultivable : — 
 
 Acres. 
 
 North of Fort Rupert, including land in the interior, and on 
 
 the west coast ." l.'>,000 
 
 On the Nimkish River h',5()0 
 
 On the Coki»h River and tributaries 2,000 
 
 On the Adams River 4,000 
 
 On the Salmon River L'5,000 
 
 52,000 
 Add for land in the interior, and on the west coast south of 
 
 Quatsino 25,000 
 
 Total cultivable land in the Northern division 77,000 
 
 Of this amount the land suitable for immediate settlement does not exceed 
 30,000 acres. The remainder is jjiirtl}- very dillicult of access frtun the seaboard, and 
 probably loo high tor successful cultivation, and partly situated on the north end of 
 tiio Island, wliore the temperature of tlie soil is kept low by the cold^northwest blasts 
 which sweep across it t'rom the North Pacitic Ocean. In this division, a little culti- 
 vai.ion has been done at I'Vjrt Rupert, and on the Chicksooway River a few miloB to 
 the southward. 
 
 The area of the second or Central division may betaken at 2,190,000 acres. It 
 ombruces tiie fertile and important settlement of Comox, and I estimate that it oon- 
 tains of cultivable land : — 
 
13& 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Boidorin^ on Monzios Buy 5,001) 
 
 Belweon Meiiziof hi\y and Ooniox sottloinent, iiu'lialiiig land 
 
 on Duncim ami (-'lunpln-ll Rivuis 20,000 
 
 In and nuar llie Cotno.^ .loitlomcnl, iiKludiiitr land iiiidor 
 
 cultivalioM fiOOO 
 
 From Comox lo Qaalii;um Hivor TjiiOO 
 
 :^7,ooo 
 
 Ad'l for laud in the interior and on tho \vosl coa.-^l 20,000 
 
 Total ataounl of cultivable land in tiu! second diri-<ion 57,000 
 
 Of this amount 30.000 acres ma}- ho (akon as tit for scltlomoiit. Ou tlio Duncan 
 and ('ani|iholl |{ivor.« there are p;'.lcl)c>, (d' open laud with (■i)i»>idciahle intervening 
 htrt'icho!^ covei'oil with li^'ht ni.iplo. i-a.-ilv .loariMJ. In the <Jniuox houlcincnt iiio.st 
 of the open land is occij|iied, bill in till! viruiiiy tlu-ic is a iai'.jje aica liirhtiy lini- 
 bercd, which mijL,'ht, nt a comparatively small outlay, be liroii'j;lil iindor cultivalicni. 
 From Comox to Qnalicum River llie country i> mostly tliirkly wMndmi. 
 
 The ai'ca of the third oi- southern division is ::;.ii7i',000 acres, and inclii les tho 
 settlements of Nanaimo, t'liwichan and Victoria ami neighbourhood. Tue extent of 
 cultivable land may be taken as tollows ; — 
 
 Acres. 
 From Qnalic 'im {{Ivor to Dejiarture Bay, including:; land on 
 
 En;,'li>liinan'8 Jfiver and Nanoose Bay 10,000 
 
 Departure Bay to Oyster ilai bor, inelndiii;^ land under culti- 
 vation in Nan.iimo '■etllemenl .'Ut.OOO 
 
 Oyster Harbor lu head of Saanich Arm, including .solllement 
 
 of Cowichon .'^ 75,(»00 
 
 From head of Saanich Arm to the Strait of Ftica, iiu hiding the 
 
 Saanich Peninsula I'-'ft.OOO 
 
 'J4i»,000 
 Add for land in the interior 15,000 
 
 Total amount of cultivable land iti Southern division. . 1255,000 
 
 ABSTRACT, 
 
 Extent of cultivable land in 1st, or Northern divi(<ion *J1,()00 
 
 « •' 2nd, or Central divisu.n 57,n00 
 
 " " 3rd, or Southern division 255,000 
 
 Total extent of cultivable land in Vancouver Jwland .... 380,000 
 
 It is safe to assume that of this extent, 300,000 neros arc etijinontly adapted, in 
 respect of situation and fertility, forromunerativo agriculture, 
 
 The following table, exhibiting a summary of detailed information ooUoclod 
 throughout the dil!eront HeltleraenlH during the huit seasijii, is helievetl to bo a near 
 ttpproximation to accuracy ; — 
 
136 
 
 
 6 
 as 
 
 < 
 
 oc 
 
 I-- 
 
 
 ■antAts; Jo jaqmnfj 
 
 
 (loans JO Jaqcanu 
 
 ■sasjojj JO jsqiunfj 
 
 •— fo 
 
 •8pi83 }0 Jdqmnjj 
 
 5. . cvi 
 
 BiBJvj uo pai(v<)03 
 Buusja^ JO jaquirij{ 
 
 •aonpojtl jfjmfj 
 JO an|HA i«ruay 
 
 ¥> 
 
 ■a]q«Aii 
 -jno laajxa \v\ox 
 
 00 
 
 to 
 
 •aoiiBAjiinD 
 I aapnn juatxa' ibiox 
 
 ^1 OS 
 
 o 
 
 •a 
 k. a 
 
 »* eta 
 
 £ u 2 
 — a, 
 
 (si fl 
 
 a 
 o 
 6- 
 
 ■v 
 
 *V* •• • 
 
 = = 3 
 ? '- 2 
 
 •»^ C Cm 
 
 o 
 
 a 
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 c> 
 
 8 
 
 o 
 
 >o 
 
 s 
 
 
 r>- 
 
 o 
 
 
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 T 
 
 d 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
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 f 
 
 -<J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ft) sS 
 D 'fl U 
 
 a 
 
 D 
 
 
 S ^ io 
 
 on 
 
 •gllOjl 
 
 l«tU3« Joj p<ti(iiia 
 -00 pnnq JO ii'ai*3 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 4j : 
 
 
 
 
 •3 
 
 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 
 
 
 
 4J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <J 
 
 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 a 
 
 : 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •-n 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 -s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 • i 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 
 1 a 
 
 a 
 
 J3 
 
 «9 
 
 i 
 
 c 
 
 > 'a 
 
 
 o g 
 
 
 . § 
 
 
 .ta 
 
 C 
 
 ) z, 
 
 « 
 
 t» 
 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 H 
 
 ploy, 
 popu 
 
 SllCf" 
 
 cnlti 
 ubie 
 30,0C 
 
 moni 
 
 root 
 
 conti 
 
 Puac 
 
 and 
 
 been 
 
m 
 
 From tho above tublo it appoiU's that l,2nr) persons iiro supported by and em- 
 ploy cxl in the cultivation of 8,751 aoros. but 1 am ot' opinion that the prosont tanning 
 population could, if tbo circuinstanccH o( the country either demanded or justified it, 
 successfully cultivate an extent of land 50 ])er cent, in exce,-.s of that already under 
 cultivation. This being the ca.-ie, it is c'a>y lo see that with M0fl,O0(t acres ot eiiltiv- 
 uble land, Vancouver Island could supjmrt an agricultural population of !i5,00() to 
 30,000. 
 
 In reference to the soil of Vancouver Island, it may bo said t])at it is uncom- 
 monl}' fertile and ailmirably adapted to the production of 1 he various cereals and 
 root crops, and instances aie not wanting where the land, aftoi- having been cropjiod 
 continuously for 15 ye:irs, with lit'lr, if any nianine, is still yielding fair crofis. 
 Peaches, melons, tomatoes and irrapes, ri]K'n in the opun air on tin.' Saanich peninsula 
 and other places, where the ox])osure is favdiirahle, and the hop vino has of late yoara 
 been succes-fully cultivated iii several localities. 
 
 The following may be taken as tht' average yield per acre of land in good order: 
 
 Wheat... 30 to 40 bushels. 
 
 Barley X) to 45 " 
 
 Oats 50 to f)0 " 
 
 Potatoes 150 to 200 " 
 
 Hay \h to -'i tons. 
 
 Turnips 20" to 25" " 
 
 I am assured S}' a gentleman farniing in Victoria district, that his land has pro- 
 duced as high as !)0 bushels of oats pci- acre ; atid in the Cowichan settlement I 
 met with one in^tance, at least, where the yield of turnips per acre wa- fully 45 tons. 
 
 Through nearly the whole Uland, excepting, of course, the mountainous portions, 
 I helieve cattle cm sujijiort themselves at certain seasons im the undergrowth antl 
 pasture of the forests, but as jmrtiai stall feeding is necessary during wi.iler, I do not 
 think that the j-astorai advantages, apart from thfir being valuable auxiliaries to 
 agriculture, are c»f much importance. 
 
 With respect to the climate I have tbo united testimony of the farming com- 
 munity, after a length}" experience, that with due ■tiligencc and care on their j)ait, 
 the crops will alwavs mature, and can ho gathered in good coiiilition ; iind a calamity 
 such as the loss ot'crojis fmm the waywardness of the climate is a thing unknown. 
 This assurance obviates tho necessity of attempting to establish the suitableness of 
 the climate liy scientitic data. 
 
 It must l>e confessed th.f the tabulated exhibit of actual agricultural operations 
 in the districts named, is chiefly remarkable for the smallncssof results ; and consider- 
 ing the ago of some of these Ncttlements, one is iifdeed forc'cd lo admit, what tho 
 fai mors themselves admit, that it is still the day of small things in so far as 
 agriculture on Vancouver Island is concerned. As will be seen, only about 1! |)er 
 cent, of tho avaii.ahle agricultural land on tho Island has lieeri lul-cn up, while of tho 
 ;i3, 570 acres taken up, oil ly 2ii jier cert, has been brought under culiivalion. It 
 seems but right that r-oino of the causes contrihuling to this state of ihings should bo 
 glanced at.. They are not to bo toiind in tho soil, for richer soil nowh(n'e exists; 
 nor are they traceable to the climate, for (liat has been assured from long experience, 
 while the farmers are thrify, energetic' ard iiidi'strKjus. They are chiotly a.s 
 follows : — 
 
 "J'he high prico of farm labmir. Tho (listinx e, and in sonu* instances, the in- 
 diUcrent communication between field ami market, and consequent margin necessary 
 tn cover hii:h freight charges, wharfage ami middle men's profits. 
 
 '1 he fact that when the market is reached, it is often found to no glutted hv surplus 
 produce sent in trom adjacent Unitod Stales (■■rrii'irv. at 'ess expense than I-land 
 produce. 
 
 A huge majorif}' lif iliose I'osMiting to British t ojumliia, having ''ome to ndiio 
 for the jtreciotis metals, c()mparatively fiiw have been f(:)iind willing lo betake them- 
 selves to the less e. veiling occupation of agriculture. 
 
138 
 
 With an incrouse of population, and the con^oqiiont competition in labour as well 
 an ill the prodiutioiis olMho sol), those 'iisadvantiiifus will tlisappear. and I am con- 
 fident that Vanfoiiver I-laiid possosso.s siitHfiont latent afji-ii-iillui-al resources lo 
 furnish, when itilized, a substantial eietne'il in contributing _to iho future prosperity 
 ofBriiish Colutnliia. 
 
 With the exception ot'a few openings, Vancouver Islaul i- densely wooded from 
 eniltocnd. ']Mi',! most valualile varieties of tirnlpcr. in a commercial vii-w, ^^tatud in 
 tlio order of ihc importance, aie tlio Douglas tir, tlie red cedar, the white pine, and 
 the spruce tir. 
 
 The tir-t named, somcdimes growing to an enormous size, is found throughout 
 the Island, hut more plenlit'ullj' in the southern and miildlc districts. It gradually 
 disapjioars up to latitude 52^ N., hcyond which it is .s"|ilom seen. The i.^tl cedar 
 and fpruce tir an^ widely distributed, but are most abundant near (he soa coast The 
 while pino IS cotilined to particular localities, gcnorallj' inland, to which uccose is 
 difficult. 
 
 On nearly every inlet on the west coast, valuable timber tracts have been found, 
 Alberni Canal aiid t^uat-ino S(/und scorn to be espcciall}- distinguished for the excel- 
 lence of the Douglas tir and sjirucc, with which tlu-ir shoios are line:l. The same 
 varieties are lound in al'undancc on the ea.-t coast, from Menzics liny to Coiaox, and 
 on the river.> that fall iiito the Strait of (leorgia, between these points. 
 
 On the higfier portion, of the valley of Campbell Hiverand on the Coniox River, 
 in addition to extensive ti acts of tir and spruce, then^ ai-e considerable ([uantities of 
 while pine. Lumbering ojuMJitions are being carried on to a considerable extent 
 between <'omo.v and N.'inaimo, mostly in the vicinity of l!ie coast. 
 
 On the Nanaimo itiver, I am informed by a practical lumberman, there arc sulTi- 
 cieut tir, spruce and pino to afford ton year.s' employment to a largo lumbering camp. 
 
 The lower poilion of the Chemainus I?iver valloj', in the (^)wichan district, is 
 covered with the hnest timijer, and I have been informed b}- the Hon. Jlr. Smitho 
 that, for thii'ty miles or more upward, this valle}' contains largo quantities of 
 excellent fir and spruce, while on the higher portions of the country, in the vicinity 
 of the rivor, are consideralile areas of white pine. 
 
 On the Cowichan River and Lake it is estimated that there is timber enough to 
 produce two thousand million feel board moasitroof marketable lumber. 
 
 Those are all the localities which seem to merit special notice as abounding in 
 timber of a serviceable character. On nearly ever part of Vancouver Island more or 
 less markeudile timber can bo found, a fact which certainly adds greatly to the value 
 of its industrial resources. 
 
 I om, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 fOSEPH HUNTER. 
 
 Sandford FiiEMiNO, Esq., C.M,G., 
 Ottawa. 
 
139 
 
 hour as woll 
 
 i am i'oij- 
 
 •osouroes to 
 
 ]»n).sj)ority 
 
 ^•^odod fi-om 
 ^ ^tatuil in 
 pine, iinj 
 
 throiiirhout 
 f gradually 
 lO I'.^il cedar 
 oa^r T];o 
 h UCC0.S8 is 
 
 been foiiiui, 
 tlic OXC'cl- 
 
 Tho samo 
 'uiiiox, and 
 
 iinx River, 
 anlilieM of 
 bio extent 
 
 e ai'e tjiiiH- 
 iiM;i;:earnp. 
 district, is 
 li'. Smitlio 
 iuitiliort of 
 e viciuity 
 
 enough to 
 
 unding ill 
 i more or 
 tho value 
 
 :ek 
 
 APPENDIX No. 9. 
 
 MEMORANDUM ON THE QITKEX CHARLOTTE ISLANDS, BRITISH COLCMIIIA, BY (lEORrtE M. 
 DAWSON, D.S., A.K.S.M., F.O..S., ASSISTANT DJUEC'TuR, GEOLOQICAL BUKVEY OF 
 CANADA.* 
 
 TIio Queen CliaHotto I^la^ds form a compact trronp, separated from tho mainhmd 
 and its adjacent iwlandt* ly wide water-ways, viz : —to tlio north by Dixon's Entrance 
 from tho Nouthern extremity of Ahi.si<a, to the oust by a strait ctilled II. cate Strait 
 (111 ^oine recent chtirts, from the mainhmd of Hrilish LVdumbia. The mounUiin range 
 forming the axis of these islands lies in a north-north-west, south-sonti. e.ist bearing, 
 and is liie nmtherly cnntimiati'^n ol'that of Vancouver Island ami the 01ymi)ian Moiin- 
 tainsof \^'ashillgtonTerrit^)ry. The extreme length of the islands from Cape St. James 
 to North Island is one hundred and tifty-live geographical miles, the width, at right- 
 angles to the bearing above given, in one place anoul tifiy miles. The area, owing 
 to tho uncertainly in longitude of pointt* on iho we.storu, as compared with tho 
 eastern coast, cannot be given wiih any aciairacy. 
 
 The group consists trom .south to north of thi'ce largo islands, named ,PrevoBt, 
 Moresby and Graham Islands, but also includes many smaller islands, islets and 
 rocks. The separation of the larger ishmds may be said to be accidental, as it <loo8 
 not depend or. an}' great structural feature, hut on the casu.'d inosciihition of inlets or 
 fiords, wjiich characterize both the easlorn and western coasts. Tiic highef parts of 
 tho mountainous axis of the islands is included botwoen latitudes b'2'' 30' and .'»:!'' 20', 
 extending from Juan Perez Sound to some distance north of Skidegate Inlel. Moun- 
 tains estimated at 4,000 feet in height Uic here numerous, and carry on their nortiiern 
 sides pretty extensive patches of wnow throughoul the summer A lew jieaks pro- 
 bably rcaoh 5,000 feet in elevation. It is doubtless to this part of tho range that tho 
 name Sierra d(! San Cristoval was applied by Juan rorez, the discoverer of these 
 islands. To tlic south tlie mountainous axis decreases in elevation, summits exceeding 
 '2,000 feet being quite exceptional about llnuston Stewart Channel. To tho north- 
 ward the range al.so continues with decreased heiglil, ami becomes diH'uso. Al tho 
 head of jrassot Inlet few of the mountains appear lo exceed 1,.")00 I'eet, an. I their forms 
 arc rounde.i ; near Xnrth Island, the hills do n.il sui'pass a few hundred feet. 
 
 From tho southern extremit}- ol' the islands to Cunishewa lidet, on tho oa.st 
 const, tliore is little flat laiul, and probably none suited to agriculture, th.uigh 
 tho Indians cultivate small j)otato patches in a number fif places close to tho 
 shore. The shores are generally bold arid I'ocky, an.l often ])lunge into deep 
 water witliout any boach, Tbe wji.ilo surface of the country, even where its rocky 
 ch.'iracter would seem most untav.)urablo to vegetation, is densely covcreil with oni- 
 forous trees, which, in sheltered valleys — especially on the eastei-n coast — frequently 
 attain a large size. The cisteiii coast, in tliis part of its length, was found to bo dis- 
 sected by inlets in a mai.ner not indicated on thoskclcli whicii has formerly appeared 
 on the chart. Those are for the tnost jiart deep an.l liord-like, an.l often walled in 
 by high mniintains. The western coast i)f this part of the islands is probably similar 
 in chiiractcr, wilh many inlets not 3'et o.xplorcii. 
 
 The |)romontory between Cunishewa and Skidcgato Inlets is low, nearly level,' 
 and densely wooded wilh trees which in ,-()uie places :ire of very tine growth. Tho 
 
 * Trananiitied for publication in udvnnco ot" tbe fortlicoming (letaileil report on the explorations of 
 1S78, by pernjiauioa of A. U. U. tithvyn, IMi.B., F.G.S., Diiveloi, Geological Survey ol'Uanado. 
 
140 
 
 shore forms two or three shallow lutj-^. It i.s low ami ntrowti with lx)iii<lorM, iind 
 fliUs lire Imred at low title ii loiij^ way olT. Skide^^aUi ('hannol, «fi)arn(iii^ Moroshy 
 aixl (irahaiii Islaruls, is vovy narmw I'm- some miles, with inaiiy rocks, ami is in fact 
 nearly dry at low watei- for a enn.siderahle di-taiHt(, and therid'oro <iiiile iinsnited as a 
 pas.-at^e fur aiiylliiii:,' l;iif^or lliaii a caioc ><r li.iai. From llie low land found near the 
 Hoiilhern (.nlrance to Skidcijalis Inlet, \\\<\ mountain-* i^ra dually increase in elevation 
 to the centre of the islaiid> ; lieyond which, lovvard the west coast, though ru;i;i(od 
 and with seareely a vesli^'O of soil, they seldom exceed :.',0(t(l feet in hoitjht. 
 
 (Jraham Island may he divided into two diHerently eharacterized regions by a 
 line diawti from Image Poini, Skidegate Inlet, to the mouth oC llio Jal-uii Hiver on 
 the north coast. To the south-westward td this liiw", is a country hilly and even 
 Tiiountaintiu^, hut ■n tar as ohserved almost always densely I'orost-elad, with trees 
 "\v!nch attain a huge size wheie not too iiundi expired. North-etistward lies a low, 
 flat or gently undulating country vvhi(di probahly seliiom exceeds ;{(I0 feol in eleva- 
 tion, and is based on wide-spread driit deposits and rocks ot Terti.::y ag(!. Tliis coun- 
 try is also densely wooded, ihe trees often attaining magniiicent dimensions. The 
 coast from .Skidegate to liose Point oi- Nai-kooii ai^l IheMce to the eid ranee to Masset, 
 is generally low, to the eastward often mai'ked by (ditfs of clay and sand but fringed 
 always by a sandy or gravelly beach, on whi< h the Indians frc([uently walk from the 
 Alasset villages to that of Skidegate. Hetween the shore ami the edge of the forest, 
 isgenei-ally a zone id' grass-covereil sand hills, produced by the action of the wind in 
 heaping together the saml t/om the shore. T^liese w.niM form good grazing lands, 
 but are unsiiited to agriculliii o. \\'\lh thisexceplion, and thai ol'swainps, there appears 
 to be no ])art of the countiy fi'ee from forest. The coast between Skidegate and 
 Masset being ex|)o.sed, without liarbors, and shoal, is dangerous of approach by 
 vessoLs, but the wooded eountrj' is rendered accessible by Mas.sot and Virago Soundh 
 and their connecteii waters. 
 
 The well-known Douglas fir does not occur on the Queon Charlotte Islands, find- 
 ing its iiorliiern limit on the outer coast at the north end of Vancou\er Island. The 
 forest is chiefly com|)osed of .Vlenzies s]»ruce {Ab'i.i Mi n^iesii'), thv wesitu'n cedar 
 {Thuja (/itjiinfi'd) and the western hemlock (Al'ies Mtrt('iisi'iH't), The3'ellow cypress 
 {Cuf)re.<f>i,'< X(illo(teii>n)<) alsoorcui's, Ihough seldom in larije groves, and generally sual- 
 tered over the more barren and rocky poiticins (.('the lull slopes. Of iho trees above 
 mentioned, Alenzics s|)ruce, the cedar and the (\\ press are the most valuable for hiin- 
 Ler, and ihough the fii'sl naimsl is not considered e'j'i.d to the Douglas fir for most 
 pur])oses, it nuisl ero long become valualile, and '..iii uo obtained of excellent ipiality, 
 and in almost inexhausiible ipriutity in the.-e islands. Skidegate lidet woidij bo 
 convenient in man}' ies|»ccts as a site for saw-miils, but Maden Harbor, or Alassel, 
 are belter situated for this purpose, affording easy access to a largo area of woodetl 
 coutdry. 
 
 The groat growth of Ihe trees anil the comparative immutdly of tho woodland 
 from forest tires depend, in grt-at measure, on itie damp character of the climate of 
 the islands, which is mIm> evinced in many othei' ways. The heaviest rain-fall is, 
 however, loc;d, t^diing place on tin; western niomilaiiious axis ; aiid it may often be 
 noted that while heavy rain i> there falling, the sky is comparatively clear over the 
 Btrait to the eastward. From this circum-tance the triangular area of low land 
 forming the northeastern part of (Jraham Island is not subject to an extremely 
 heavy rainfall, and would appear to be well suited to agriculture, but lor the denso 
 forest covering, wh!( h at the piesent time it wdl not pay to remove. The Hudson 
 liay Company have a |)ost at .Nlasset, where for some years cattle have beoii kept, or 
 rathor have kept themselves, grazing on tho sand-hills in the vicinity of the coast and 
 requiring »■■ atteidioti summ<M' or winter. Uetweeii .Masset and iSkidegale a consider- 
 able numbei of iinimals might live in this way, and it has been proposed to winter 
 mules and horses from Cassiai in this country, in winter the rain fall in the island.s 
 is generally very heavy, with persistently overcast sky, and gales more fref]uent and 
 violent than those exjierieneod on the coast further southward. Snow occasionally 
 falls to a considerable depth, but docs uul lie long, except in tho mouutains. In tho 
 
 a 
 
 have 
 
 (iold 
 
 liroug 
 
 an ex 
 
 obtaii 
 
 a nun 
 
 value 
 
 charai 
 
 ot Ih 
 
 sonlec 
 
 sup]>o 
 
141 
 
 winter nf 1877-73 no snow foil on the low landH. In tliat of 1873-70 snow lay on the 
 ifroiimi at Masset tor about amontli, ami it was tho must sovcro of which the natives 
 hi any kn()wk'(lg(\ 
 
 Various atlcinpts at minirii,' have been made in the (iueen Charlotte Inlands, but 
 have so far all proved unsatistactoiy. Tlio (list of those was in 18.j2 at Mitchell, or 
 (iold llai hour, on the west coast of Mnro.-by Islancj, wiieiice specimon-* of ^'old wore 
 hrou^'ht liy the natives. These failin.^- into the hatids of the llmlsoti Hay Company, 
 ail expedition was scrit to exainine the locality. A considerable ipiantily of gold was 
 obtained, but the vein, which was small, eventually dis;ip|)eared entirel}'. and though 
 !i mimhcr of minors have suhseiiucntly '• prospected" the locality, nothing further of 
 value has been discoverc<l. There are no alluvial de'])Osiis, and owing to the wooded 
 character of the country it is ditficult to examine farther than the shores, Tho rocks 
 of Ibis part of the islands appear, however, to be similar to those abundantly repro- 
 >onled elsewhere, osjwcially to the south andeasi, and it is not unreasonable to 
 Hupi>oso that oihor valuable auriferous localities may yet bo f )und. 
 
 At Skidegato a lai'ge sum of money has been spent inoiidoavouring toopen a coal 
 mine. The coal is anthiacite and ol excellent quality, but the seam where examined 
 is rather thin and irregular. Had more attention been devoted to tracing tho seam 
 from point to point on the surface ils true value would now bo better known. Tho 
 horizon which the coal occupies is a clearly <lolinoil one, and the general fact that it 
 continues to show more or less anthracite has been proved in several localities many 
 miles ajiart. Till further cxjilorations of a piw^tioal character have been carried out, 
 it will be difficult to speak detinitcl}' o( the value of the region. It may at least be 
 said to be promising, and in view of the importance attaching to the possible dis- 
 covery of exlonsivo deposits of anthracite on tlio PaciHc coast, worthy of further at- 
 tention. The total ((uantity uf coal so far extracted amounts to about 800 tons. 
 
 Itocks ol the coal-boaring fbrmalion occupy the north shore of Cum-hewa Inlet, 
 iUi<l tho greater part of both shores of Skidegato Inlet, and extend thence indefinitely 
 northwestward. They arc found again at the north-western extremity of Graham 
 Island and on North Island, hut nomowhat changed in character, atid with n(j appear- 
 ance of coal j which, in the form of thin seams, and small rounded masses included in 
 sandstone, is not wanting in many places in Skidegato and (.'umshewa Inlets. Tho 
 rocks, from attiludes nearly or ([uite vertical in tho vicinity of the mountainous axis, 
 where the anthraiMto has been found, become gently undulating and nearly horizmilal 
 eastward, wliere, should coal be discovered it may pn'b.'ibly bo Ibiind to be bituminous. 
 Lignite coals of Tertiary date have been found in the uppor part of Masset Inlet, 
 at Skoniin P(jint on the north coiust, and near tho entrance to Skidegato Inlet. 
 These, however, in a cnuntry so abundantly supplied with wood are comparatively 
 unimportant. 
 
 Traces of copper ores, in some cases associated with galona, havo boon found in 
 a number of |»la(os. An attempt to work a depo.-<it ot copper ha,^ been made at 
 Skiiiciittle, and a second at Copper May, between Skidegato and Cumshewa Inlets. 
 The latter appears to bo the nidst promising locality. Many others mi\y eventually 
 be found as tho islands become better known. 
 
 An .'ipparcntly im])ortant deposit of magnetic iron oreoccursat Harriet Harbour 
 Skincuttio Inlet. Specimens collected here have proved rich on analysis, containing 
 from 58 to li!t.8 ]ior <'ent. of iron. 
 
 Tho fur trade, and more pai'ticularl}- the trade in tho skins of tho soa-otter, timf 
 brought the (iueen Charlotte Islands into notice, and toward tho end of the last cen- 
 tury these islands and the adjacent coasts were freiiuently visited by vessels sailing 
 under the English, American and other fliigs. Tho natives, stimulated in tho pursuit 
 ol the sea-otter, soon rondercil it extromoi}- scar(^e, since which time few vessel?< but 
 small coasters engaged in Indian trade have resorted to the i.-lands. Tho fur trade 
 is now conijiaralively unimportant. Sea otter skins are still obtained in small num- 
 bers, with those of tho fur-seal and a limited number of skins of tho black bear, 
 martin and otter. 
 
142 
 
 The natives of (ho Qnecn Chiirlotto I.-slntKlK, known as Ilaiciuft, livo ulmrost 
 cntiioly on linh, cspociully haliliut. To tlie north of a lino diuwii Iroin iho ciitriim o 
 of Hkiniintlo Inloi noilhou.siwanl ac^(l^s Ileralo Strait, iho (h'plh oflho water noviii 
 cxceciU 1110 t'alhomf* ami is j,'i>iierally V(!ry much lews. A similar f hallow area, with 
 a prohahlo width often or twolvo miles, bonlcis (iiaham Island to the north, and it i-t 
 also |iiohalily com])aralively shoal for sorao distance off the west coast of the northern 
 part of the same island. These banks, swept hy slroiif^ tiilal cnrronts, with the 
 shore lines of the inlets and tioids, conswtiite the feeilinggroiinds of the halibut and 
 other lishes, and by ihoir exceptional extension account for the great abundance of 
 tish to be found in the vicinity of the IslundH. 
 
 The halibut is the most important, and though it has not yet boon found mar- 
 ketable either salted oi- canned, if means were adopted by which it might be carried 
 in a fresh stale to tlie southern markets, an exlotisivc fishery might be maintained. 
 
 The tlog-tish, f(rund in groat abundance, is taken for the maniit'acturo of oil, and 
 n small establishment is already at work in this business at Skidegate, besides less 
 systematic opoiations l)y the Indians. 
 
 Salmon of two or more species run up many of the stronma in large numbers, 
 OH|)ecially in tht! autumn. Tlu'y ate taken by the mitives in weirs and by sp^iring, 
 but as none of the rivers are iaige the opportunities ti>r eslaljlishing canneries are 
 not so gi>0(| as in other pai'ts of the I'rovince. Herrings are very al)undant in some 
 places, es|)ocially in the vicinity o( f^kidegate at certain seasons. A species of pol- 
 lock or coal-tish is c:mghl in lai'ge numbers in deep water in some parts of the west 
 and north coasts of the islnnds. It is prized by the llaidas as a source of edible oil 
 which .some tribes use inste^l of that ot thooidachen. The latter tish does not occur 
 in the vicinity of the i'^lands. Flomi lers and plaice abound iti some localities. A 
 true ' od, pi-'ibably the same species as that for wliich vessels sail from San Kranoisco 
 to the Dkiiotsk Sea, is found, l)ut is not sought after by the natives, though it may 
 occur abundantly on some banks at certain reasons. The .same remark applies to 
 the mackerel, of which a species is found. Smaller Hsh, such as the various species 
 of rock-cod and the shell lisli, which form at limes, an important item in the native 
 dietaiy, it is uiinece.-sarv to mention particularly. 
 
 There arc many good harbourn in the islands. Of these Rose Harbour on Houston 
 Stowait C^hannel is the most southern, and is easily entered either from the .south or 
 west coasts. Harriet Harbour, on Skincutile Inlet, is a good anchorage, with an 
 average depth of eight fathoms. Hcho Harbour, on Darwin Sound, is small but 
 remarkably well sheltered, the depth being from ten to lilteen fathoms. Rock-lish 
 Harbor, on Selwyn inlet, is easily entered and well land-locked; depth fvun thirteen 
 to twenty fathoms, with an aiichoratjo for small craft in less water. The entrance 
 to Cunishewa Inlet is over a bar on the north side, which, according to the sketch 
 published by the Admiralt}-, has a depth of .seven fathoms. Skidegate Inlet has been 
 carefully surveyed, and a map is published by the Admiralt}'. The entrance is 
 protected by a bar through which two channels pass with toast depths of eleven and 
 three and a-half fathoms respectively. Massot Sound must bo approached with cau- 
 tion, till a complete survey shall have been made ol'it. Virago Sound appears to bo 
 an excellent harbour, and within the bar — on which three to tliree and a-half 
 fathoms is found — it opens to Naden Harbor, a fine sheet of water, with an average 
 depth of about ton fathoms, and completely land-lockevl. On the west coa.st Port 
 Kui)cr has I'oen survej'ed, and a sketch of it j)ublitfhod by the Admiralty. Tasoo 
 Harbour, lurthcr south, is reputed to be extensive, and there are probably other 
 anchorages yet undiscovered. 
 
 The Uaidas, or natives of the Queen Charlotte Islands, probably now number 
 scarceiy 2,000, including all who call the islands their home, oven though seldom 
 rcsiiling there. They are of the same race with the Kaigani Indians of the southern 
 part of the Prince of Wales Islands of Alaska, who, according to a recent estimate, 
 number 300. Though unfortunately much demoralized, owing to the habit of fre- 
 quenting Victoria and other towns, the people are naturally more intelligent than 
 most of tiio natives of the coast. They appear to be peculiarly apt in the simpler 
 
143 
 
 moohanicHl arts, and am cxp. rt and hoM o«n..omon. Thev are frooncnf Iv employed 
 .n ro„H ,nK ve.si.|.., an, wuuli b^rossctial sor.i.o as asHintantH i,. ,.uli;or ti'honea 
 
 r,',", '. ,K I? ' r ;r n ^'.Tr '"'^■'^ y'-' '"•^"" '"^♦"' to.loawav wi,h thf Indian 
 t.llotothola-,d... thoQucon Charlnt.o Inlands. Small ira-ts of la.id have l,eon 
 K.-cur.MJ by Hpec.a punhaso in several inntan-.s, hut uwin^r to the stnct idoa^ »f 
 ow..er.lnp amon^ iho Iluidas, the n.a.uior of the aboluion ot the Indian title may be 
 
 VlrxoRiA, B.C. 
 30ih May, 1879 
 
 Gi:OJ{(iE M I'AVVSOX. 
 
 1>.J>., A.K..S.M., F.U.S. 
 
 123—10 
 
144 
 
 APPENDIX No. 10. 
 
 NOTES ON THE rtOUTE OK THE CANADIAN PACtnc llAILWAY TIIROUOH BRITISH COLUMIJIA, 
 BY MA.KiR-OENERAL MOUDY, K.E,, FORMEKI-Y COMMANDINO ROYAL ENUlNEBaH IN 
 HRlTISIl COLITMUXA, 
 
 Thowo ikUcs huvo rotcronco to tho following cousidorutionfl, viz. : — 
 
 1. Ovbi'land tniHsit of commorco, and puKScngera to and from Asiatic and othci 
 countries. 
 
 2. Dominion roquircmonts sih to extended occupation of Dominion, and dovolop 
 mont of its ])ermanout interests. 
 
 8. Cost of construction with costnf maintenance 
 
 4. Kjvonue towui-ils meeting cost of maintenance and interosf on borrowed 
 capital, including as part of capital tl>e accumulation ol annual oo«t of maintenance 
 that .shall not have hcon covered by revenue. 
 
 5. racitic ftrminus. 
 
 6. Inijieiial iiid especially Dominion interests under a poRwiblo temporary coiuli 
 tion of wai'. 
 
 These notes are confined to tho jiarl of tho Dominion extending from the Rocky 
 Mountains to the Pacific. 
 
 Attentively Considering Mr Sandfon! Fleining'H two reports, 1877 and 1S78, and 
 also his iulmirable jtapcr read helore t!ie Rouil t'olonial Institute; and having gone 
 through the oLiicr v;iiiial>le reports auil communications ac,comj)an\ ing his rej)ortH ; 
 recalling also my own local impressions as to wome of the most material points, 1 
 arrive at the sanie main conclusion au Mr. Saiidlord Fleming in his report of the2(ith 
 April. 1S78. 
 
 On some matters I have boon led, by local knowledge, to bo more optimist than 
 Mr. Sandford Fleming. 
 
 Three routes c.i'e considered. 
 
 I. Termiiiatimg in Port Simpso.i. 
 
 II. Teimiiiatiiig at head of Hiiloji let, or with continuation down Mute Inlet to 
 Frederick's Artn. thence by water (ferry) to Vancouver Island, and down east coa.«.t 
 of Vancouver l^laIul to Ksciuimault. 
 
 III. Teiininaiing in Ihirrard Inlet, or with addition of crossing by water (ferry) 
 to Js'aiiaimo, and t'roni tlicncc down e;i-' coast of Vancouver Island to Empiiinault. 
 
 If shortness ul distance to and froi.. Asiatic countries is to outweigh ail else, tho 
 northern Route I, terminating in Port .Simpson, would, no doubt, be found tho beat 
 for quickest transit of commerce and jiassengers. 
 
 For the development oi' the permaneiiL ititerests of the Dominion, ;ind for 
 revenue, there can scarcely bo a doubt this Route 1 would bo found interioi- to either 
 of the other two. 
 
 The cost of this Route I has not boon oatimateil, but its length has been approxi- 
 malely ascertaineil. Its Pacific termiuusi may bo considered suflflfiently satisfactory. 
 
 Of the three routes it is the only one that may bo considered secure froui dosul 
 lory attacks, but being so far north, it would be of comparatively small avail in do 
 fence of the Pruviiire, It is lo be noted also — under this consideration — that tho 
 port adjoins Alaska, United 8tutos Territory; with tho corresponding diaatl vantages 
 and advantagoa in war. 
 
145 
 
 Route 11. (No. 6 of Reports.) 
 
 Tt is evident that Runto II, in tuiyeompuriMon with the other two routes, must bo 
 tiiken UM teinnnaiiii^ at Ksqiiiniault. 
 
 A^ u practical qiU'.Mtion it sIhmiIi! lot ho vicwud othorwiso, nor is it ho ; ail, in 
 Irulli, c(iiisnlor it ah to pass (iowii wards in i'.xju niuiilt. Tu consider it as slojipin^ at 
 the head < f Huto liiU-t, would in any comparison \m parailol to considering Houto III 
 as stopping at Yalf or Ilojie, tlio head ot navigation on liio Fraser, 
 
 This Roiilo II, tcrminaling at l>(iiiiinaiili, is 287 miles hjngcr than ii :ute III, 
 terminating at I>nglisii I?a} , outside Burrard Inlot. 
 
 (Jompuling total di.-<taiices to Asiatic countries it would be lil7 miles longer. 
 Undei' consideration of extended occupation and de\elopment of permanent 
 interests ol' Province an<i Dominion, thesoulticrn and Ijest j)ortinii o|' the I'rovineo 
 would he altogether disregarded by this Kuuto 11. Tiiis point will ho further noticed 
 under Iloule III. 
 
 As to cost of coiiHtruction, with cost of niaintcnar.ce, the diffei-enee is something 
 immen.so. It appears the cost of construction of this Route II would ho 820.0()0,00t> 
 (rather rnoi-e than four million pounds), greater than Koute 111, carried down to 
 English iiay, outside Burrard Inlet. 
 
 The cost of maintonaiieo would ho proportioriato. It appears tiiat, If the present 
 trafTic ol Intercolonial iiailway he taken as a ilaiiim foi- comparison, the annual cost 
 of maintenance of the Kouie II, terminating in Esquimault, would be about JtJitH.OOO 
 (about 145,000 pounds) per annum, greater than the annmil co.it of lloute 111, ter- 
 minating ill (.!oal Ilarlicur inside, or Knglish I5a\' outside Burruid Inlet. 
 
 AVhile the <litl'ercn'e of annual interest on nwt of construction, added to annual 
 dilVerence on cost of inainli.Miance, amouiils to someliiing so extremely great, thoro arc 
 no Hafo grounds for hoping for a compensating amount ol revenue. 
 
 The ditl'orence of revenue either way will probably not bo great, and rao.-^t 
 asHuredly for many jears to come the revenue from the British Cobimbia j)ortioii of 
 the overland line cannot le expected to be very large. 
 
 Assuming biancli Unci to be constructed to either, 1 am under the impression 
 the total of rovonue will be found to bo in favor ot Route 111. 
 
 With icspect to iho Harbour of Esquimuult, no observation is necessary ; all 
 admit its excoUeuco. 
 
 It would be a mistake to a.-sumo that in tiru; of war, this Route IT (lino (5 of 
 rcport.s) would be secure from desultory atlucics and injury from an enlerprisiiig 
 enemy, thoroughly acquainted, be it remembered, with every spot of tiiat region, 
 laud and water, and perfectly familiar with all local circumstance.i of tides, weathor, 
 currents, f()gs, kv., &c. 
 
 The ingenuity and the onter])rise of .lurh possible enemy would not be les.s than 
 our own similar (pialities, both in rc|ieiling aiul in acting in like manner on their own 
 ground and in their own adjoining waters. Risks of tcm|iorar^ injury must be looked 
 for on both side-', though ihey would be duly jiiepared again-., as far as po.ssible, by 
 suitable pie-arrangemonis afloat and ashore. 
 
 1 am inclined io think the line down from head of Iiutc Inlet, 50 miles, unin- 
 habitable, anil close along shore, with tunnellitig here and there and other costly 
 works , then 15 miles of ferry to Vancouver Island ; and then<e down the coast of 
 Vancouver Island, IH.'< miles, to Ksijuimault — 24H miles in all — woulil be found more 
 liable to risks of injury, and iti more place.^, and sotTic much more dillicult to repair, 
 than the line fVom llope d>)wnwiirds fiO mil. s to Hunard Iidcl, through a densely 
 occu{>ied district, (U'ganisod lor dofence with a broad and deiensively occiipioil river 
 to cross. 
 
 In either case, however, injuries could be either more or Ics.h readily restored by 
 arrangements jireviously s^iHlematizod for that purpose by u disciplined local corps 
 of Volunteer Kngiiieers. 
 
 While this J{outc 11 (No. (! of reports) cannot be deemed Hocuro from injury, it 
 piiBHOt* so tar from tho frontier and all the Houthoru districts of tbo Proviucesou thd 
 123— lOi 
 
146 
 
 miiinlniDl, thiU for dofonoo or (\i <loHiriiM«0 count^r-ftltack ilH uul would bo very 
 limitotl. It would bo vory valuiinlo iw ii second lino ot Hupport, and some futuro day 
 it is lo bo oxpo«'to<l Uio incroanin^ dovolopmont of tlio I'rovinco will jiiHlify its con- 
 nU'uctioii. 
 
 Route 111. (A'o. 2 of Reports.) 
 
 Ix'duIo III (No. 'Jof Ibo roporfo), foiminating in nurrard Inlot, is, no douht- 
 intorior (o Route I, terminating in thooxtroino nortb of the I'rovineo in Fort Si in |i- 
 Hon, n^ (ti (luiiker transit from Asiatic countrioH, but not to nuob a dogroo as to Hit, 
 woigb its manifest advantages under condition of (be Province for a very long time 
 to come. 
 
 It is not improbable (bat by tbo goiiend diroclion of (bis lino, Route III, and its 
 no jiasHing down to llurraril lidet, some addition to general overland trafllc may bo 
 gained from the United States' side of tin* frontier, including in tbat somo of tbo 
 oversea I'acitic Initfic of tbo lJni(ed Stales. 
 
 Tlie United Stales' |»artially-execuled Nortb Pacitic lino, wben comploto*! and 
 witli it^ braiicbes up to tbo (ronlier, will be expected to counteract tbis, no doubt ; 
 yet, tbe advantages of sborter distance, witb less exnoiise, may eventually toll, in 
 some degree, in favor of tbo Uanadiiin P:icilic Route 111 (or a portion of tluH trafllc, 
 under some future inlernational bonding and tbroiigb-transit engagements. 
 
 If is also evident tbat, lo tbe gain of tbo railway and to tbo Province at largo, 
 trade, miifually |irolitable between tbo Uominion and tbe United States, all along 
 tbo frontier from the sea to tbe Rocky Mountain range, would bo foslorod aeid 
 oxpaiuled by tbis line (Route 111), and not bo confined alone t^ trading coaHlors from 
 port^ in Vancouver Island to ports in tbo Uniteil States. Siicb dovelopmont would 
 tend to settle up both sides ol tbe frontier, to tbo gain and prosperity of all tbat 
 region, Vaitcouvcr Island included. 
 
 IW Route HI, the interests of tbe part of tbo Province included in Vancouver 
 Island are . 'IN fail ly regardod as tbe rest of tbo Province; wbile by Route II, tbe 
 whole of tbe sontb |)orlion of mainland, from J?ocky Mountain range to sea coast, 
 wouKl bo disregarded. 
 
 One muNt kce[i in mind ihiit if Route 111 did not exist, the material intorosts, 
 piesent and future, of this vMluabl«> sontli portion of Mritisb Uolumbia, from the sea 
 board to RocUy Mountain range, v/ould gravitate inevitably to the foreign branch 
 lines of the United Stales' North Pacific Railway, such brandies coming up from 
 south lo dilVercnt points along tbo front ii>r, east and west of Uascade Range. 
 
 The const biimch up, from the luturegreat and iniporlant portof Holme's Harbor 
 (Uiiiti>d Stales), in the Straits officorgia, to Semiahmoo Porl (United Sltites), -15 to 
 50 miles, will reach to about iri milo.s from New Westminster, and, as a maltor of 
 course, in the jirogresnivo interchange of trade an<l communications botwoon the two 
 nations, will extend to Now Weslminshn'. 
 
 .\nothcr branch will probably also reach a point highei* up tbo F^'aaor, nenror 
 J lope. 
 
 In the absence of such line as lioiito III lorminat'iig in Rurrard Inlol, the 
 results, as stated above, are solfevident. Jt cannot be otherwise; they wiaild bo 
 ruled by the irrcsisiible law of self-interesl. Self interests becoming strong, estab- 
 lished in siK'h direction during |)eace limes, it ikhhIs but little sagacity to foresee bow 
 groai tbestrjiin on the -lense ol duly might be during a period of war amid what 
 would Hull be a more or less mixed population (however loyal) witb materia! 
 interests directed southwards. 
 
 .\ny results as above would not only bo otVectually counforaotod h}'' lino, lioutu 
 111, but, as before stated, additional gain may bo looked for from over the border. 
 
 Let it bo borne in mind also thai nolliing north of Route III can bo <lrawn away 
 anywhere else but lo branch lines upward from l{outo 111, and to any northerly linos 
 formed wiibiti tbe Province itself, from the coast, and connecting with the main over- 
 land lines somewhere. 
 
147 
 
 It Hooinsovidont that tlio iritorcHt,H of tho I'rovinco mfiy bo <ixpot'to'l to l-ooon- 
 Holitliitoil line] julvancod, toj^otlior ;im ii wholn, iiml in cotniiiuiiion with tho Doinitiion, 
 licllcrhy I?<)iit« III thnii l>y Itoiito II or hy Roiito I. 
 
 Tho confi^unition uf thu country provcntH Hiich a jxirfoclly Mutisfaclory main 
 lino ofdiroition iih on (ho ouhI oI' tlui l{')cky MountJiin liiinffo, l)iit thaiilfH lo Uk! Hkill, 
 intolligonco anil iioi-Hovuriinco of tho onginoor'H, it in u vory ^ood ono iii'lciofj, ftH u 
 f^'lanco at tho map will show, and fur hottor than could havo bocn ioitUod for ucroHH 
 Mich a diilicull oounlry. 
 
 It in aJMO to ho hopod that l)r-nn('h lirioH, north and HOiilh, will follow oarly, ^iv- 
 it»(,' fafilitioH (fir induciiif^ occMipiilioii ofitromiHing tracts of (ionntry siiitahio foi- por- 
 inanont Hotllomcnt — I moan Ihal hIihII I<o pormanont whon miniiij^ iiit(M(!Hts and thoir 
 iicoils may ho/^in to wano. It in vi:iy cortuin, howovor, tliiit mclaJM fprccioiiH metals 
 ini'luiiod) cxiMt, may almont lie said to ahonnd, in many parthol' UioProvinco, thoiij^h 
 at proHont, the (y'arihoo dintrii tin tho ono workod. 
 
 For iriany roasons oiffrcai importanco *•> tho I)<iminion. rh well uh to IIkj Pro- 
 vince in particular, it iH oxtrcmoly do^*iri^l)l(» at the. carl io^l period, with tho main lino 
 on tho mairdand, to coMHli'uclr alno a railway (HH iniloHj from l']M(juimalt to Nanainrio, 
 aH a |)ominion iindorlakini^ ; ami that ovoiy miian.s of cticouragomont ho also (^ivon 
 inducing H donso nettling up of tho oast nido ol' Iho inland, oqually ho with all tho 
 riouth jKirtions of tho mairdand, ospccially tho portion from tho coast to Yalo on both 
 HidoH of the FruHor. 
 
 lor, nonror 
 
 Soil and Climate. 
 
 Ah to Hoil and climato, and^'onoral (itnoss for aj^rioultural and jiaHtoruI occupa- 
 tion, it \h aHulijo<^t that would rorpiiro u HorioHof noU^s apart from those. 
 
 Ah cotnin^ from mysolf, it may b« HuUiciont lor mo to make tho fow following 
 obHorvationH- — 
 
 Tiio district on tho mainland on both nidosofthct FraHor, from coast to TTojio, 
 iravorsod by Rout.o III, taken generally, and tho land Huitablo lor occujtation on the 
 oaHt Hide of Vancouver Island, takon also in tho name general way, are rjuilo on a 
 par with each (tther; there will ho found no dilleronce either way <d'any moment. 
 
 On tho inaitdand the winters, though not longer, will, iw a I'liic^, be found somo- 
 what of a l()W(!r (empciratiirc than on the Island, though brighter; tho HutninerH in 
 Bome degieo warmer, and as clearing and occupation progress, with rather more 
 Bottled weather. 
 
 Carolul atid daily (at regular hours, 0.30 a.m., and ."i.'iO p.m., and maximum and 
 minimum, day and night) metoorological ohi.ei'valifins of every 'lescrijition, with 
 excellont instrumentH, gave advantages for lorming an opinion of the meteorology at 
 that time of this jiart of the lower I'^rahor, 
 
 In Ixith these districts, on Island and on maiidand, there are — as might bo 
 expected — places vaiyirig from oacli other in climate and soil. I''r<jm the configur'a- 
 tion and position of Vancouver Island it will prohalily be found that the local varia- 
 tions tiioro are the more nunu;rouH. 
 
 Decidedly lulvantagouus as l)oth districts are at j)reHi!nt f(n' douHo settlornont, 
 thoywill be Htill further improved as much of (he forests are cleared, marshoH 
 drained, rivers embard<o<i and soil cnltivated. It is ()f univerHul experionco how re- 
 markably groat and bermficial aro the changes, in all new coiintrioH, produced by 
 such operations. 
 
 In th(ml)ovo-montioneil <liHtrict on the mainland, tlie periodical annual rise and 
 fall oft ho Kiver Fi'iiser for the short pcu-iol in summer was cai'ofully observed, The 
 dates anil height to which it gradually rose, and then as graduallv receded, wore 
 romarkalily uniform, and could be relied on almost to a day, and to a matter of inchoH 
 day by day. 
 
 It would be a misapprohonsion to be under an impression that such portions aa 
 are ('cvoreil bv the rise of tho river, and then only for a short while, form an ajipro- 
 ciablo area of tho whole, or that such area is covered to a considerable depth. 
 
148 
 
 Piitohos iind nmtxi"'^ lioro iiitd tlioro aro doopor than iho rost, ami wator-eournoH 
 nml "sltioN," liry lor tt»o roiimiiulor ot'lho voar (ovnii in (io|>lli of win(tM), aro (illod 
 tx)lli« t'ull. This laUor liii'iiiiiMliiiKO will In; loiiiiii to l)0 a roiiHiiioi iil)l(' advantui^o, 
 nnd jiiNt al llio vorv timomoNt waiitod. 
 
 It sinnild aln<> 1k> Moled that thiMivcr, dnntij^ tho ]»t>riod it in riHJnfr and ^oiitiy 
 ovorrtowing portions o( iho low-lying nioa<low lands, deposits a sediniont of great 
 value. KnibanUmenlN lliat nhonld he inaile. and will he made, should he so contrived 
 jut lo aeee{>l tiie flood- waters at will and allow ihetleposit, and I lie?) to pass oil" i In ring or 
 after the suhsiding of the flood. In sliorl, to (^arry out what is Unown as "war])ing." 
 
 It should not he forgotten that, as these lands arc oiuhaidaui, the (inal height of 
 riso of river will he increased proj)oitionately. 
 
 Allowai\ee for this shouKi he made in the height of the onibankinonts and in 
 q\inys and jetties along the river Imtiks. 
 
 It will be found that the owners of ihesovory lands will value thorn probably at 
 th«i highest ligtii'e of all their lands. 
 
 The eharaetei" of tlu< n<gion from north to south, bolwoon Cascade Range ami 
 l^ockv Mounlam llange !ias been described by othiMs. 
 
 J>itrerences of o|)inion as to localities doubtli'ss exist according to information 
 given from this or that (piarier, but in the main such dilVerencos ai-e not material I 
 ihinU, however, it will be toin\d that the exteid tiivorabht tor close " settling up," in 
 cither agriculture or past ur<', in lht« soulhern half is gi-eater than it ajipeais is at, 
 present assumed, and that the climate is superioi' and on the whole more favorable 
 to such occupation (jiarlii iilarly as settleint'nt goes on) than the moi-e northerly 
 districts. Hoth, hi«wt>vcr, can be jusilv recinnnnuided (or scltU^inent. 
 
 That this should be received with some hesitation by persons not long per- 
 sonally actiuainted with the country, and not having had exj)erietMe there in n 
 jHU'severing oullivation ot" the soil and in rcai-ing stock, i.s not at all to be wondered 
 at. It will demand not a little thilh by those living in tln^ same parallels of latitude in 
 Kuro|)0 to believe thai wheat will ripen anywhere at all, at altitudes from J,,f>M^ to 
 3,000 t'eet, and other grain at even more. They v.'ill IIikI it diflicult to accej)t, the 
 truth that in a country known to consist mainly ol high |)lateaux, bouinlcd and 
 streaked with lofty mountain rangt>s, dotted with vast ((U-ests, can in such northerly 
 latitudes, he blessed with such corUinuous sunshine and high summer temporaltirc. 
 Nevertheless such Ih the fact. 
 
 In other countries besides British Oobnnbia it Iihh boon found ul first difficult 
 indoca to reconcile such facts with j)reviouH experiouces elsowhoro. 
 
 * * * :f * * * * 
 
 The cost of constructing this Route 111 (^No. 2 of reports), terminating in 
 Rurrard Inlet, has been shown to be $20,000,000 (four millio!! pounds) less than 
 Route 11 (No. (i of reports), and the cost ol' n\aintciuinco will l)e also proportion- 
 ately loss. 
 
 h IS to be noted also (hat iVoin water cariiageof considerable oxlont and existing 
 roads being lx)th available, this Uoute III can be conveniently and eccMiomically 
 constructetl in poi-tions along ilu' line, anil such portions be at once used l»y the 
 publ'c an well as fiy the engineers for the further lonslruclion between and onwards. 
 
 The economy thus to ho gained by Route 111 in various important items miisl be 
 very great. It has been considered in the est i mate. 
 
 The special advantage on lliis line of being able to complete and bring into use 
 8undr\ poi tions luily, will also bring earlier revenue ami aUo t>ncoiiiage and faiili- 
 tatc car li«>r settlement. The remiuieialive advimlages to the I'lovince of all this 
 will be t'omid nuK h urealer and much Kooiicrthan may al tlrst, perhaps, be siippoxnl. 
 There will be an acceleialing ratio of collective gam, lioth to Province and railway. 
 
 The alnive, (ouplcd with the immense diU'erence of cost of construction and cost 
 of *naititeiiance, form altogether an ovot whelming consideration in selecting this 
 Route III, Tho more so as there vi n be no doubt, even under the most ho|)el'ul view, 
 and with branch lines early added, water commuiiiciitions established ami waggon 
 I'oudb formed, all reaching to and ojioning up every suitable district for soltlomont, it 
 
14t> 
 
 o»l,H iind in 
 
 will hii n loti^ timo to corn^ in tluit I'luvirn r lioforc ii Ixilfinco can tuM-ffi'dcd hotwt'on 
 ji'Vi-niio ut)(l t|i(>('(iHt of irijiintcnnni'c!, with iiitrtoMt on ihc cuipitiil Itui-rowivi for- f.lio 
 I'liimlriU'lion of tlio railwa}-, me) in the, iticiinwliilc, it in to Ix; pivMiinuvl, liyrtDiac foi'm 
 ii|' |)'iiiiinion luxation. 
 
 W'crc) it. not (or lln) filial ailvanta/i^cH to ho gaincil to tin' i>otniiiion at lat^^'o Uy 
 llio ovi'ilami lino, conHiilcicil «h a whole from cti'l to 'nil, tho tohI orovttrconijn;^ tho 
 dit!i<'iiliioH ofi iho I'acilic nidc oi' tho l{ooKy Moiinlain ran^'o woiiM prohahly hiivo 
 (lotcni'f! tho tonnlni<'t ion of that porlion to Hotnc iii'Ictlnitc liitiir'o linio. 
 
 In ri!l'oiori('(! to llu> a|)|tr'ourhoM to tho Par ilic lisrniiriiis of lioiilc III at liiii;av(i 
 lnl((t, tlio oiiinionK which have hccn ox|.i'ohHo(l hy tiaval aiithoritios aro \-ciy |iioj)orly 
 ^iiai'iioii. Their roMpotiHihilitiort in >^ivin;^ opinions on Huch n tnattor nvr ^ri'cat Thoy 
 iioint out I'Vorythin^ I'l'l}'; thoy c()iiiiho1 caution and aMontion ; thoydo not comjonin. 
 
 Ha|)|iil_)' uIho lor tho piitilic Hcrvico, oan^l'iilly aciuiato ■<lll•v•oy^ ami lull ohartM, on 
 a liir^'o HI aU^, havo hoon mado hy the lioyal Navy, and arc [luhli- liod anii ai'o al-io 
 ai lornpunioi] hy c(|iially full pilot inslrnctioiiH, puiiliHhcd and u'-cossihio to every 
 ono. 
 
 Tho Adininiity havo accordod an invahiahh- Horvicr to lii itish ('oluinbiu in having 
 cauHod thirt to ho dono. 
 
 'i'ho main chaniul and innor cJiannol and all tho wator-wayc, aro now thoroughly 
 woll Unown, and tho tii'Ht iihimI hy vohholrt ofatiy < la^sorsizo It istiioono prolerrc<i, 
 I'ilotH, if winhcd for, munt also hy now ho many in numhor. 
 
 Suitiihio Micatn-tugs will, no douht, ho soon fiu'thcomin/.^ for i-,U(;h voHscds as may 
 need tJH^m. 
 
 Viiyy nnrnorDUH proofs have now accufnulatod of tho porfoot jiraotieahility of tho 
 roul( to IJurnird Inlet for vohhoIh of tho largest tonnage engaged in lommorce to arid 
 from any part (,f tho world. 
 
 For sundry rousons — of (^f)inmorco cliiofly — it may i)0 found convonicuit, hoth now 
 and horoalter, for many vohsoIs of all cIuhhoh to disi^hargo ( argoos in K.sfjiiimaiilt for 
 (raiishipment elHcwInu-o, mairdund included. 
 
 Uf the ((xcellenr'o of that haihor, no difference of o])iruon exists; and also of its 
 convenient pr»sitioti foi' tho needs i)f Vancoiivt^r Island, an 1 foi- communication from 
 thonco, with ollior distant ports, and to several nearer ones al^o, Jt will always 
 rcc^oivo its full hharo of pr()S])erity, and lortunately is a friend conveniently at liand 
 til any voshoIh, iai'ge or small, trading past it upwards to otlier poiMs in the straitH 
 (such US Hwi-rard inlet, for instance) neodingal any time hholtiir foi- tho moment. 
 
 It is possildo also that, for a while, it may ho found conviuiioni, in resp('ot to iho 
 overland communi^iution, for pasHcngors and light goods to he traiisiiipped at l'',Hqiii- 
 mault into local liisf BteamorH alongside!, and sord, on atoncoto Jjurrard Inhit terminus, 
 and for heavy goods 1o follow in other heavy etcamers. 
 
 It is also to he noted llial civil engino(!ring of ,-<iindry kinds, sucfiOSHively from 
 timo to (itne underlak(ui, can, at no extreme cost, fnithor impro\o the channels, i)oth 
 the main one and tho itinei' omi. TIh( immetino •iliides in practical ;ippliiations of 
 Bcionce, all vvill aid in the same direction. Klectric lights also UHod when and where 
 lound dosirahle, and so on. 
 
 It is to bo expected tho conntriiction of the railway between Ks']uiniaQ!t and 
 Nanaimo will not he long delayed; and ono may feel sure the engineering exj)erienco 
 and skill advancing HO rajiidly in those days will be found able to devise and con- 
 Hlriict a suitablo form of ferry vessels (douhlo vohsoI, probably) that shall be of size 
 huffleient'to convoy short trains aciv .hs to and from Hurrard Inlet and Nanaimo in 
 safety in almost any weather. Klectric lights on board and ashore, used on occasionH 
 when desirable. There is ample doiith of watev ai, both termini. 
 
 It may bo found advantageous henuifter (o carry out sucti an ai-rangomont, but 
 again, it is not a necessity, on account of (ho nature of the channel. 
 
 With ros|)e(!t to Murrard Inlet generally, whellior the outer harbor, Kngiish 
 Bay, or iimido in (Joal IIailK)r, or at I'ort Moody, all are approval of, and thoy aro, 
 each of them, capable of further improvement for roipnronu'nts of almost any magtii- 
 
160 
 
 tude. Port Moody is the least convenient, but from the chai't it would seem that 
 none of the three have lerts total area of anchorage than EHquimault, and that thoy 
 posseBS adjoining extensive additional capacity. In fact, the whole inlet may bo con- 
 sidered as a port. 
 
 At English Bay a strong pier of some length would be required. It would pro- 
 bably be constructed of timber. Plenty of the best material and of any scantling is 
 close at hand. 
 
 Taking all points into fall consideration, it will probably be found best to select 
 a terminus within the inlet. 
 
 I do not know that direct contrary opinion as to the " approaches " from outer 
 ocean to Burrard Inlet has ever been expressed. Tho ditteroncos have been solely of 
 degree and other contingencies, which may, after all, bo provided against. 
 
 On the engineering points connected with this mutter, Huch as tho aftbrding 
 increased facilities and tho currying out sundry improvements at any time, there can 
 be no material difference among engineers. 
 
 The loss of San .fuan Island is much to be regretted on many grounds. It, of 
 of course, strengthens tho position of an adjoining foreign power in case of war, but it 
 d as not necessarily giv<' buib posnibie enemy the actual command of tho water-way. 
 Q"he inner channel is practiciable and can bo further improved. Tho nearest point at 
 which vessels would have to pass, by inner channel, is tivo miles from the position on 
 which an enemy might probably place a shore battery. It is assumed vessels would 
 pass under steam or be towed. 
 
 Jt is to be observed, also, this inner pUHHage is not without the advantage of well 
 placed covering ytositions for defensive batteries. 
 
 The distance between such covering defensive |X)sitions and assumed positions in 
 opposition is from two and a halt to three miles. 
 
 IIo tilu vessels in passing throutrli main channel could pass at twj miloadistanco, 
 but seeking to force irmer channel would have to " run the gauntlet " of many posi- 
 tions halt a mile distant on either side, and some nou'or still. 
 
 It miiy be assumed tho etl'ectivo range ot ariillory will continue to increase as 
 time goes on ; but by the inner channel, even then, it hoems evident tire from hostile 
 shore batlei ies miiy be disregarded. 
 
 In retorence to passaf^e from Vancouver Island to the mainland, in a temporary 
 contingency of war, iiotice does not appe.ir to have boon taken of the advantages of 
 Saanich Inlet. There possilily may lie (1 do not know that it is so) sutuiry draw- 
 backs to the gereial utility of this inlet under onlinaiy cinumslances, but, under the 
 temporary iiaidont of war, a transhipment by short railwiy ("nvulo earl}-) Irom 
 Esquimaull to head of Saanich hilet fa tii«tunce of about eight miles, and commence- 
 ment ot projected railway to Nanaimo) would altogeiher avoid both the main and 
 the inner channels, pas.sii)g tho San Jnan group of ishiRLs. 
 
 This would oH'cr a con\enient altoi'iiativo during sui'.li temporary periml. Its 
 construction at once would not be a lui'ge expend Mine, and would bo iu furtherance 
 of the railway projected lietwcon Esquimaull and Nanaimo. 
 
 On completion of the railway through to .Naiiaimo, still further advantages, as 
 an alternative, in time of war wf)uld be gained. 
 
 It has already been obMorvod that a railway liy Route 11 and also by Route 111 
 would, in war with an energetic enemy, be liable to risk of temporary injury in 
 places tor a certain distance along either, and that such injuries could bo readily 
 restored by arrangements previously organized. It is to be expected also that eHoclivo 
 armed arrangements, both atloat (on Fraser as to Route 111) and ashore, would bo in 
 operation to watch, to repel and to counteract an attack. The Province ot British 
 Columbia would not be the only jiart of the Dominion or ot the world whore railways 
 are within a distance accessible to temporary injury by an enemy, but such liability 
 is not deemed a bar to their being so located. JNor should it be torgotten that in the 
 operations of war there are two sides to tho question. Railwa3's so placed, while 
 open to risks, are of aid in defence, and are of avail in combined forward movements. 
 
IBl 
 
 antasros as 
 
 Such a base of operations as a nuvigabto rivor, a railway not far distant running 
 behind it, and a toiorablo broadtii ol couiitry (in n.ssowsion) along tho front of it, 
 with both flanks securod — sou, oeciij)i('cl, ou ono side and lofty mountains on tho other 
 — \H not without vory considoniblc iulvantagos. 
 
 It may bo notod boro that botwot-n IIopo and Burrard Inlot, about 60 milos, tho 
 depth of frontier from whcnco raids might bo oxpw-tod would bo about 30 to 40 miles. 
 
 F'Vom neither flank of that distance, from local (•inumstances. would a movo- 
 nutit, however, be very likely, and from any point between, through a dense popu- 
 lation, previously organized, and acting with additional forces on land and on the 
 river, naval and artillery, the advance of a hostile force would not be altogether easy 
 work. 
 
 Burrard Inlot is remarkably adapte.l by nature foi' secure defence against any 
 force by sea. Jt is secure from land attacks from the north, and tho formation of the 
 whole neighborhooil .'•outh wards to the fronlior, and for many miles eastwards, is 
 siuch that an approach from the fr(jntier wuuld, under defence, be found all the way a 
 peculiarly troublesome matter by an enemy. 
 
 It is obvious a strong luival force will bo indispensable in the defence of this 
 portion of tho Dominion, no matter what lines of railway may be constructed. That 
 !:aval force will doubtless bo sup|)lemenled b\' an armed local flotilla of varied con- 
 sti'uction and armament, thoroughly hx-II commanded and directetl for the more 
 immediate deferure of the whole of the straits, and also for service on the Frasor 
 Eiver up to the highest navigable point. 
 
 This complete naval force will, doubtless, be used not alone for defence, but also 
 for attack, so as not to yield the command of the sUait.-^. It will doubtless, aLso, 
 where needed, give convoy to imjiorlant local commerco in and through the straits. 
 
 The naval authoi'ities will, no doubt, also move all concerned to bo early alive 
 to the importance of early local foi'matioii of naval volunteers, and wo may feel 
 assured that a« in the rest of tho I)')minion, so here, all best adapted precautions, 
 military and naval, will bo taken to moot the contingencies of war. 
 
 It IS evident tli.it if a foreign power holds the comrnaiuiitig naval power in this 
 region that not only will the lines of ajipi'oaches all through the straits from end to 
 end, north to south, Bute Inlet and Burrard Inlet, be hazardous, but also tho sixty or 
 seventy milos of a|>proa(di from outer ocean to Ks(juimuult included. For the Straits 
 of Fuea would be ecjiially, doubtless more e>.|iecially, otfensively occupied, and so 
 also would be tho approaches to tho outside harbors of Vancouver Island. 
 
 If, on ihe other hand, tho commanding naval power be with us, it would pro- 
 bably not be long before the straits be iti .i ponition to be kept clear from any hazard 
 afloat to vessels conveyed through to tlnnr dc-tination. 
 
 The armed flotilla on the Frasiu", with local land-forces, may bo expected al.-^o to 
 keep a good account of their charge. 
 
 The condition, in short, of this part of the Dominion and its communications 
 woulil be etiually liable^ to risk with oiher more iinportafit and e([ually vulneralde 
 portions of it cdsewhere, and be ctpially i;illed upon to meet the exigencies and enduro 
 the injuries of a temporary stale of conflict. 
 
 Tho value at which in thi> particular (juostion to estimate such risks and possible 
 injury under a contingency that may never occur, compared with all other solid and 
 progressive advintages, cannot l)e taken .as so grciut as to supersede the latter. 
 
 Connecled with ibis part of the whole subject it is well to urge the importance 
 as a Dominion and as an Impeiial c<Mi^ideratioii that this district along both sides of 
 tho Fraser, and also along tho east coast of Vancouver Island (especially between 
 lisquimault and Naiiaimo), and also the islanls in tho straits should be settled up in 
 tho fullest manner as e..rly iis possible. 
 
 The best eiicouiagetnent woiil I be tho liberal formation of roads and establish- 
 ment of villages or small towns. 
 
 Both roads and villages, as far as i)raclicable, in unison with general roads, to 
 have strategical principles in view. .Such roads, and well placed sites, in a fully 
 
162 
 
 poj.uIafcHi diHtrict would bo am,,,,^. tho vry host nf dofoMHivo works and lo eftWl 
 
 (Siynod) 
 
 ;i()tl) So|)totnl>or, 1S7S. 
 
 R. C. MOODY, 
 
153 
 
 APPENDIX No. 11. 
 
 N0TB9 ON AN BXAMIVATION OV TllK UAHBIUIIH VVI) ^<lla^lIK[lN COAST ( >•' imiTtStl 
 COLUMBIA, UY CAPTAIN ,1. 0. lUUINUKJE, DATED I'OHT SI.HrHoN, IUtM MAllOll, \HSO. 
 
 Captain Binindigo, in awnrdaiuo witli Uiclottor of inrtlriicaion from tho Knf^inoor 
 in-Cliier, Hailod frnrii Victoria on 27lli J mio, IH71>, tor tho nortluMii I'oaMt of Hiitirili 
 Columbia, an'ivod oil" tlio inoiitli of tim SUootiii on tln> l.'Mh .Inly, and procmodcd 
 at o.ico to make cari'lu. (ixamination ol' iIk! sovcriil liarlioi'H and roa^t lino of lljo 
 iior'.horn portion f)f tlio Provinco, with iIm^ sovoral a|>pina(lni« from soa, t-niliracini^ a 
 tlioroiigli examination of tho Dixon I'lntranco lo iho north of (^uocn Cha/lotto'rt 
 Iblands, and also tho a|)pi-oach from tho I'ac.itic, Hoiilhwani of this ^I'oiip. 
 
 Oujitain Bnindi^t- proHocutod lii.s Miirvoyh of the outor approaches until Nf)vom- 
 ber, whon tho woathor bccaino too wintry for thc-r further contitinaMce, sim-e which 
 time, and up lodatoof hirt report, llilh Mareli, 1S8(I, ho ban been enj^'Mgcd in malcing 
 further Honndingn in I'oi't Simpson, tidal measuromentM and full weather observiir 
 tionH lor tho months of November, December, Januaiy, Kebi-uary and th(! tirst part 
 of March, the tables of which, also published herewith, are of ^I'oat interest as show- 
 ing tho character of the winter months on tin.' nor' hern coast of Mritisb Columbia. 
 Tlio following notGH uro condermod from hiu re|)ort : — 
 
 PORT ESSINOTON. 
 
 Port Esfiim/ton is nituated on tho Hivor Slcoonu, about eleven milcH from tho 
 mouth. Hero tlniro is a larj^'o basin at)out 4 miles lonj^ and 2 wide, from I to 7 
 tathoms water, with mudijv' bottom. Tiile ru'is out from .'i to (! knots per hour, and 
 up from 3 to 4 knots. The Hpring tides vine arid fail iJO toet, ami the neap Ifi 
 foot. 
 
 A heavy cross-Hoa is caused by str-onjij winds from N.W. to S.K., and vess(dH 
 ridinfi at amdior in tho current here during a gale of wind, would be sure to foul and 
 trip their an(!bors. 
 
 I ascerluined from sovoral tra<lers and others, who had been in this locality 
 for many years, that during the months id" Decemlicr, Jarmary, l'\l)ruary, 
 and oven into April, heavy masses of ico with largo trees drift up and ilown 
 with tho tide, which would render this p >rt useless during the winter, and also (iauso 
 destruction to any wharves tiiat might bo constructed. 
 
 APPROACHES FROM HEA TO POUT ESSINaTON. 
 
 The entrance to tlie Skoena below Port Kssington, is divided into (hroo channoLi 
 by Mt'txrath and Kennedy Islands. They are designated North, .Middle and Tolo- 
 graj)li chanriols. 
 
 North (!!liaiinel is narrow, not l)cing more than three cables in width, several 
 surdvcn roL'ks, two and abalf fatlioius walor, and very swifl uuri-etit, only niiilublo for 
 bmall vessels. 
 
 Middle (^hannol is also duiigorous, being in somt; placijM vary narrow and 
 abounding with sand banks, whicli shift, at timod. Soumlings gave three U) foui fathoms, 
 and in some spots, eight fathoms. 
 
 ytoamors coming from the northj often tuko thi.s chunnol in order to touch at 
 Port Kii^ingtou on thoir voyajjo. 
 
164 
 
 Telegraph Channel is tho main channel. Did not find loss than six fathoms of 
 water, with a current of from two to three knots per hour. There is very gooij 
 anchorage in 10 to 20 fiithomH water in Cardina Bay, at tho south end of Konuody 
 Island, sliellcrod from west round to north and oast, but exposed to tho south ami 
 south-west winds. 
 
 PORT FLIHINO. 
 
 Between Kennedy Island and Greaville Channel, distance six miles, there are 
 three islands, Marack, Bedford and Gibson, and between these islands and the main- 
 land there is a go(xl harbor of even soundings fi-om three to seven fathoms, wiili 
 muddy liottom and very little current, as tho tides meet hero and form still water. 
 This basin I have named Port Fleming, it is sheltered from nil winds except tlio 
 north, which could not create any son, owing to the tide setting out through tin- 
 dirterent channels. Port Fleming would accomodate a large number of ships in 
 safety, and there would bo no difficulty in building wharves, as the water close to 
 the shore is from three to four fathoms deep. 
 
 On asking masters of steamers tho reason they did not anchor in this 
 place, their reply was, that they always thought the water shoal, and thatit wa-^ 
 out of the track for vessels bound north, as they came through Grenville Channel 
 and kept Gibsou Island on their starboard hand. 
 
 Captain Madden, an old trader and pilot, stated that he always found this harbor 
 good, well sheltered from wind, and tree from currents and sea, and considered 
 it the best betweeti Port .Simpson and Vancouver's Island for largo or small ships. 
 
 This is the only place that I could recommend for a terminus of the Canadian 
 Pacific Eailway nearer the mouth of the Skeena River than Port Simpson. I con- 
 sider there would be no difficulty in bringing the railway down past Essington. Tho 
 land presents a good site for a town, as it rises gradually back for some distanec. 
 
 APPROACHES TO PORT FLSMING. 
 
 I made n careful examination of the approaches from the sea to Port 
 Fleming. The first examined was Ogden Channel, which I found to be good 
 and with very little current, only one knot per hour, as the main current runs 
 through Arthur and Malacca Passages. The entrance to Ogden Channel is divided into 
 two channels by Spioer Island, which are named respectively Beaver and Schooner Pas- 
 sages, the former of which is the best, it is about one mile wide, from 40 to 50 fathoms 
 deep and free from rocks and shoals. With a light on White Eocks (northern point of 
 Banks Island) and a beacon light on Tree Island, ships could enter the channel in 
 all weathers. Schooner Passage is also very good ; it is narrow, with a cluster of 
 email islands, all above water, at its entrance. 
 
 I consider that there is not a bettor locality for ships to make the land on tho 
 whole coast than here. There is a small island outside, named Bonila, which 
 is a remarkably conspicuous object, leing dome ])eaked and unlike any other on 
 this coast, and may bo scon for 20 or 30 miles at sea. 
 
 There are other reasons for recommending ship-masters coming from the 
 south to make this point, viz.: there being no inlets for fifty miles, the tide sots re- 
 gularly along the coast ; there is deep water of from 60 to 70 fathoms, and as soon 
 as abreast of Bonila Island, about 35 fathoms, off White Rocks 70 fathoms, and a few 
 miles further 40 fathoms. This is named Browning Entrance on Pender'n chart. 
 
 Ships could sail in or out of Port Fleming with a good commanding broozo, the 
 distance being only IS to 20 miles. 
 
 The tomperatuie of the climate was found to be very even during a 15 day^ 
 (latter part of Julj') sojourn in this locality. Mean of thermometer from 54'^ to 58°; 
 no rain, excepting a shower for an hour or two, the weather being clear and free 
 from fog. 
 
lU 
 
 Q'ho appfoiich fo Port P'lomini^ from tho north is by Arthur PasHago, which 
 opoDrt into Chatham Sound. It in atniut two milt« wide, with a current of two knota 
 nor hour. Goal anchorage was found on west side of Smith's Island, opposite Mount 
 McGrath. 
 
 JfETI.An OATLAn. 
 
 Motlah Catlah is only fit for smnii vosscirt, us it is very narrow inside. Steamers 
 of any size aro obliged to remain some distance outside, 
 
 DUNCAN AND BIO BAY. 
 
 Duncan Bay is an open roadstead with fair anchorage; it is sheltered from the 
 cast round to south, but open to south-west round to north-wost. At north entrance to 
 this bay Hoilgson's Reef extends off shore two miles. Foul ground was found all 
 along this coast for six miles to the entrance to Hig Bay, at the bead of which there 
 was good anchorage in from four to ton fathoms, and fairly sheltered ; the entrance, 
 however, is not good, there being foul ground and sunken rocks all across tho mouth. 
 
 Ship-masters, unless well ac<iuaintod with it, should not attompt the entrance. 
 
 PORT 8IMP80N. 
 
 Port Simpson is tho most northern harbor of British Columbia, and is situated in 
 iiaitudo 54' 34' N., longitude 130° 25' W. It embraces over four square 
 miles of water, from four to twenty fathoms deep with muddy bottom 
 and good holding ground, and free from rocks and shoals. It possesses great 
 facilities for dockage, as the Ibur-fathom water is found close to the banke. It 
 iH easy of access from sea, having no current tide, but merel}' rise and fall, well 
 sholtorod from all winds except from tho west, which hero seldom blows. The prevail- 
 ing winds are south-west and north-west, from tho effects of which tho harbor is so 
 well protected that a little dingy boat can be rowed over it with safety in all seasons 
 of the year. Ships could lie along side of docks at all times, and would require no 
 towage either in entering or going to sea. 
 
 From iccurate measurements made through a period of three months tho rise and 
 fall of the tides was found to bo as follows : Spring tides 23 feet and neap from 15 to 
 16 feel, very regular and scarcely influenced by winds 
 
 During a residence of four months in the locality of Port Simpson and 
 f^halham Sound, I did not oxpeiience six hours of fog, and during that 
 period there wore only four parts of days and nights in which it would have been 
 impossible to see to navigate vessels into port. I have no hesitation in saying that it 
 is one of tho beat harbors I was over in. 
 
 APPEOAOUES TO PORT SIMPSON. 
 
 I made a careful examination of the approaches from sea to Port Simpson- 
 .A.bout four miles off tho harbor, there is a reef of rocks called the Pointers, about 
 30 feet above water, with no foul ground, 6t( fathoms was tho least depth found around 
 them. I then proceeded out through Dixon Entrance, but night coming on put into 
 :i small hari)or at the north end of Duudas Island. Jt was stated that there was no 
 anchorage hero, but I found a small river which extended into the island for fivo 
 miles or more, where I remained all night, and the next morning put to sea. At 
 the north end of I)unda.s Island, there are seven small islands named Gnarled Islands, 
 and reported to have foul ground, but this was found incorrect, as soundings shewed 
 not loss than 45 fathoms close to thorn all around. 
 
 To the west of Dundas Island is a small one named " Zayas," about 3^ miles 
 long and two miles broad ; there is a good channel between Dundas and this 
 island, which stoamors bouad to Queen Charlotte's Islauds frequently take. He 
 
156 
 
 then nrocociltKl soulli alon^ DiiiidaH iHlftn'J lo Rrown I*u.x?'ago, Noundoil arvl foiitid 
 riolhiii" iml !«>nu' small islandr* bvUvoon l>uiulttM arnl Miilillo Diiiuia.x Islamls, tln-ti 
 Ht'Kxl over to lio^c Spit, and sitflileil il, but wind feii calm ; tlio next day ran for Brown 
 Pjiwriugo and got ndumiingH uil aciMstt hero iVuin 2(1 to 5H tuthomn. 
 
 I made a cnielul examination of Biowti Passage, and found in the centre two 
 rcvkH. ( lianimur Koeks), just alxivo wuloi' , tlicy lie in tlio lino of the pttssagu, 
 with not les.- than 15 liithutiis close alongside of ihein. 
 
 Ah"iit tlicee miles south of iheso roiks is a small island called Osborno, iVom 
 which a reef runs west hy north I'oi- aUiul one mile, named North Breaker. .South •>! 
 this are the Hutterworlh Kocks. which 1 consider a dangerous root, situated lourmiK^s 
 W.S.W. of Tiee-noh Island ; these i-orks are above water and a light could be er«cl(vi 
 on them. Two and halt mile.-! north by compass from Centre or Hammer Rocks hty 
 Simjison liocks. 
 
 The abovo de.-crihos all the dangers of Brown Passage, the water is deep, with 
 a enrrenl of about U knots per hour. 
 
 Ships can enter this paMsago and nail direct Ui Port yirapson, or by Arthur Passage 
 to Port Fleming. 
 
 Chatham .Sound has very little current as far a.s the Pointers, to the north of Pori 
 SiTni)Hon. nut more than (Hio knot, and ships will not require to^rago to Port Simpso; , 
 and not even a pilot if they have a good chart. 
 
 A strong «ui rent set« out of Xasse and Wurk Channels into Chatham Sound an(l 
 fiweeps ))ast the Pointers and tlien flows out through Dixoi; Entrance, botwoci 
 Dundas Island and Alaska. The current is about 2^ kni>tH jjor hour. 
 
 1 examined J{ose Spit and iound a strong current of about two knots; this spir 
 or sand l)ank extends out ahout four or five miles, with boulders and timber or laigo 
 trees buried in the sand. Soundings were found to be gradual trom 40 fathon..- 
 down to Hve lathoms cloie alongside ; also, good evi ii soundings all the way to Mas.'^c'. 
 with sandy bottom. Ships coiild anchor under Capo liof-e with S.K. gale in fivo 
 to cigiil fathoms. 
 
 A1 asset is a bar harbor with not Icit.'^ than five fathoms, and is easy to approach ; 
 is atjoiit 50 !nile> west of Rose I'oint on the not th of Queen Charlotte's Islands. 1 
 found g< I soundings all along the cottst, and having head wind, sounded oil" and on; 
 had 3ti fathoms about eight miles from shore, wlien the kad dropped into deep water. 
 This whole coast is free from I'ocks with a beautiful sand beach, and the current is not 
 more than Ih knots. 
 
 Proceeding west, I then passed Virago Sound, and at a point halfway to Cape 
 ^oi'th got bottom in t)5 fathoms at about four miles from shore. 
 
 ShipH can apptoach close to Norili Inland or Cape; 1 found 30 fathoms close in 
 shore and got bottom some miles off in lt)(» fathoms. 
 
 I then sailed for Cape Mu/.on in Alaska. This is a barren blufl' point, with 
 deep water clo.-e to it. Landing at (his Cape I had a good observation, which 
 gave a lutitud > ^tl^ 42' 15 north and longitude 132" 40' 3(i" west, I found the cur- 
 rent here to be about one knot pm- hour, and think it is a little more at North Poiii'. 
 Capo .Mu/.on may bo easily kriOwi\ from soa, it is a long sharp bluH' with four smaii 
 islands on its luu'th-easl side. 
 
 I then sailed for Cajie do Chacon, and found it a dangerous point ; reefs 
 of rock extend out three or four miles, on which the sea breaks heavily. Wa;- 
 unable to obtain an observation as the weather was cloudy. The mariner should 
 not approach this cape within five miles, unles.s the weather is clear. 
 
 in I>ixon entrance the temperature of the water was found to bo ofY Rose Spit 
 50"", and off North Caj)e .^)4*-\ Mean of climate from the 14th July to 24th Augui-t, 
 58*, lowest 54*t', and highest ftS^. The above readings of the thermometer wore in 
 the shade, an 1 from the 27th Juno to the 24th August, I experienced only fourparls ot 
 days of rain and a little fog, the wind light and variable, this is the most even climate 
 I was over in. 
 
 On returning to Port Simpson, I sent tho sloop back to Victoria, she having 
 become leaky and unseaworthy. 1 then procured a canoe with a crew ot 
 
157 
 
 IniliiHiH, and returnoil to the Dixon onlraiice to snarch for tbo D«vil'9 Ridi^o 
 I found a Biinkon rock ul>out fonr mile n<jrtti-wostorly of ZayatJ Island 
 huvin^; only wix foot of water over it ul low w.iior it i.- about 20 foot 
 orohN, and appoarod to l't> round ; got 10 fathoms at alonu 15 trotn it, and 
 ohtain from 10 to 17 fatln^nis, and tlun dr»|)pod into di";p walor wi'li lo l>oltotri 
 ;tt 1*>0 fiitlioni'^. As noar as I coUil ja l^o, tlju roof is not inoiv Lliaii u'lu ucrc ; the 
 ■toiindings wore obtained on tlio south wo.->t side, but on iho riorth-oa^t sido I ran tho 
 iioso of tho canoo « lose to tho broakors iitul could find no botiom al lt!0 fathoms ; it is 
 evidently strai^'ht up and down. The tid<: hi-ro .sots h<iiiih-wi!-.l and n-irtli-oa.-«t, not 
 iiuire than oni; knot j)Or hour. With n. i,'ood bell buoy ancliored tIcm! ti" thi-' rock 
 '•hips I'ould nail in siifoty. I obtaiuod sfvoral i^ood observations, and tound it to 
 bo in lat-iludc 54°, 10' 15" north and longitude bU*-', 0^' IW wont, with tho following 
 bt)ariii:;s: Capo do Charon, b<^)re S.W. by W. ; (inarlod I>l;ind, K. by N.A N.; 
 Zayas Island, S.S.K,^ M, all magruUic. [ b.avc no doubt (jf Uiis boin^' tho Devil's 
 Uidge. I wiirt UjUI by several Jlydas r-hiefs, who bail been eros^in;^ here all their 
 lives, and their fathers before thorn, that tlioro is no other rock or roof in this locality, 
 and thoy direetml me to go whore I found the above roek. 
 
 Tiio Indians ulso informed ine that 1 would find one big sUine betwoon 
 Capos do Chacon and Northiimljerland. On showing them tho chart on which 
 this rock was marked, thoy replied, no storni there, but further in. So Laving camped 
 on Zayas Island, i put out to look lor tlie.se rocks in the position marked <m tho 
 chart, but after a diligent search, was unable' to tind them. It being calm, wo lay 
 to all night in the (anoo, much against the Indians' wish, who feared they would be 
 all lost, and in the morning, 21)tii August, (;onlinued on toward Capo do Chacon, but 
 Miw nothing. Wo then steered for the place indicated by the Indians, it being cloudy 
 but clear ; I Hoon saw something that looked like breakers; the wind wan now 
 blowing strong from ii.W., and as 1 neared, saw the sta breaking heavily at a dis- 
 tanco of about two miles otf. It being low water, 1 approached as near as possible, 
 and took the following bearings. Cajio de Chacon, B.W. b}- W. ; island oil Capo 
 Nortiiumberland. E. by N.^ N.; small island on wo.~.t .side of Clarence Straits, N. 
 \iW:^ W. The above bearings place this reef eight miles true north of where it is 
 ])lflced on tho chart, marked position doubtful. The breakers appeared to cover 
 a space fully one milo in extent. 
 
 WARK INLET. 
 
 I again returned to Port Simpson, where I wa.s told that thore was a rock a 
 few miles up in the centre of Wark Inlet. I proceeded out and found it just 
 visible at very low tide. This is described as a wonderful rock, very small at top, and 
 130 fathoms waicr close to it. Tho lead went down thump, thump, until I'M faihi»m!j 
 were run out, but no bottom fouml. I paldlod all around ii with tho line out. This 
 rock is situated abreast of Mount McNeal, and the p'linithat leads into the bay oppo- 
 site Port Simpson. 
 
 1 ran a line across from Wark [niet to Port Simpson Har bom*, a i tho lowest 
 part of the Peninsula, course was S 5o° W. 4,n00 t'ect distant from water to 
 water, summit about (iO feet. 1 cannot .see any dilliir.hy in br nginga line down tho 
 .south side of Wark Inlet and then across to Pnrt .Simpson at the above plai-o. 
 
 Wark Inlet i.s quite narrow at tho entrance, and only ,i2 falh(nns deep. 
 Entering about a mile tho water deepens to IGO, and above that all tho way u[), there 
 is no anchorage in any part of it, except the little bay opposite Port Simp.son, where I 
 ran line across. 
 
 QUEEN CIlARIiOTTE's I.SLANDS. 
 
 1 considered that my W'»rk would not be completed tinless I examined 
 tho entrance to the south of Cape St. .Tames, at the southern extremity of 
 Queen Obarlotto's Islands. 1 therefore obttiined the .sorvicos of a good pilot, Mr. 
 
158 
 
 Madden, of Port Essington, and lilted out a canoo with an Indian crow and on.' 
 month's proviHions, and left Port Simpson on )ho 25lh So|)toinhoi' for (.Viceii Char- 
 lolto's Iishirals. \V;is obliged to jiut into Mellah C-itlali, where I wu-^ detained \>v 
 contrary windfi and rain until 3(Uh 8ej)ieiiiber. when 1 made Rddy PaNsage aiMJ 
 campt^d on Pi-eseott It^land. I was ugam detained until the 5tii < >(-toher l)y .1 
 Htrong gal.) trom the b'>ulli. I>uriiig my doletitioii I examined tiie Kddy I^ussag.-, 
 and ibniid it more than a mile in widtti and tive mileH long, a good safe channel, free 
 from roeli^*, with water fioni 20 to HO fathonus, and very little current. On the (!ili 
 October, [ pu( out and made (Jneen Charluito's iMJandt*, at Skidigate Harlx-ur, aboi.f 
 CO mili!8 south from Jiose ^pil. 'J'henco runningalung the coast at al)out two inikv fioiu 
 shore, obtained soundings at intervals of from (tve to eight falhonis , the land is low 
 for some distance hack, with a beautiful Randy beach for a distance of 25 miios to 
 Cumshawa Harlxtur. 1 continued tny voyage to Capo St. James, and cxuminod the 
 coiijit very fully. It iH ti'inged with islands atlV.rding many places of shelter for vo»- 
 eolH, the interior hoing high rolling mountains covered with timlwr. 
 
 11th October — Mean of thormoinetor, 48^ 
 
 IMth October — Moan of thermometer, 51°, .ind water off c<iiist ,•54". 
 
 On the 15th Oeiobor, I made Capo Si. James, at the south eml I'f (^ueen Chariotto's 
 Inlands, and aHcondod tho elitf, which was about 100 lectin height. The weather being 
 clear, had an extended view from north to oast, south and west, and .'ould tn t observe 
 any breakern. There a;-e four small islands oil the Capo from 100 Ix) 150 f't-ei high, of 
 which I made a careful survey, and found the outer island t^i bo in latitude 51" 52'. 04" 
 north. I sounded on tho south-west side of these, kvojiing about lour cables otf, and 
 got from 40 to 70 fathoms. I oxperienceii gr.^at; ditficulty in returning tnmi tliot^e 
 islands to tho Capo, and was >n groat danger of being swept out to sea. tho wind blow- 
 ing off shore, and the tide having turned and notting eouth-wost at fully throe knots 
 per hour, 
 
 (Captain JJrandigo gives in his report a very minute ami valuable dei-criptirm of 
 the east coiist of Queen Charlotte's Islands, but it is too voluminous for iusertion in 
 this ])lace.) 
 
 Fr(nii Cape St. James 1 i-oturned up the same coast, and crossed over to Port 
 Simpson, where J arrived on the '-'2nd October, having been given up as lost by 
 every ono there, as this October had boon tho most boistei'oiis oxperiencoii for many 
 years, 1 found very little change in iho tempei'uturo of the walor from July to tho 
 end of October, not more than u degree or two, tho mean being dii^. 
 
 as St 
 
 west 
 see 
 of W 
 
 to til 
 
 are 
 
 Ihoi 
 
 too 
 
 mil 
 
 Por 
 
 PORT SIMPSON. 
 
 Alter having made a thorough oxaminatiiui ol Port Simpsiui and its approaches 
 tVom the Pacific Ocean, I may say there are few harbors in t ho Ihiitod K ingdom of Groat 
 Britain and Ireland 10 equal it. 
 
 It is easy of access, by the Uixon Ciiannel, which is ton inikw in width at the 
 narrowest part. I consider this cntrnncc free from danger, witli the exception of the 
 Devil's Itidge, previously described, which only reiiuires a bell buoy to guide tho 
 mariner. 
 
 I would rather run throngii Dixon l^ntrance to Port Simpson on a dark night, 
 as it is, tlian the [Ncrlh Channel through the Mull of Cantire and its currents, or St. 
 George's Channel from the Tuskar Light 1,0 the Mull of Galway, with all the lights 
 and fog signals, and 1 tail to hee on what grounds the Naval ofli<.'ers founded tho views 
 sot forth in their report, namely, ''That llosoSpit wtuld always he a largo element 
 of danger m using this channel. ' 
 
 The Spit in (juestion is well delino \, but, of coureo, sis with the beach or rocks on 
 any shore, is not tho proper posillon f(<r any vo.ssel. Nk ship-master who knows 
 his duty would run his voi-sol 'jn tho shoal water at the Spit,, when there exists a channel 
 twenty-four miles wide, froo from shoals or other dangers, in which the lido is rogu 
 tttr ebb und flow. 
 
160 
 
 crow and ni,.. 
 
 ■ Qiicoii Clmr- 
 as (loUiiriod \iv 
 
 ■ PuNsa^'e aii,j 
 < >i"ti)l)or by :, 
 l''(i(iy PussMi,'", 
 
 channel, lict- 
 On tlio (Jiii 
 [ardour, al)oi>t 
 wr miles funn 
 \o liind iw low 
 '' i;'5 niiJes U) 
 exaniinod tlui 
 olt( r i'uv vii«- 
 
 m Oharlotto's 
 i^oal.lior boin^ 
 d net ob^o^vc 
 ' ffoi hi(j;li, ,,f 
 lo 5r' 52'.04" 
 al)le,s oH', an(! 
 ig from thowi) 
 10 wind blow- 
 f three Icnot^n 
 
 Of^cription of 
 iurtertion in 
 
 >vor to Porl, 
 ij.) an hwi by 
 od for many 
 1 July to tho 
 
 a])proachos 
 om of Groat 
 
 n'dtb at the 
 ption of tlio 
 o ^Miido tho 
 
 dark night, 
 onLs, or St. 
 tlio. li;^'htH 
 d tli(i viowt* 
 go oUiinont 
 
 •r rocks mi 
 lu) known 
 Mttchani'ol 
 do in rogu- 
 
 Ships cnminij from tho Houth and wo-st can mako Capo St. Jami's in Hafoty. just 
 as tihip>< tntiko ('apo Clear on oi'Ioriiti; Si. Uoorijo'.s or i^rislol (jhanni'i. 
 
 They will Ikim' ;i ;,'i>imI jii'idniink. tree troin all dMnn'i^i', and a l>oaiilifiil strait to 
 sail up in i^nod soiui'lin^", 25. 4it an. I 70 lailioni-'. As thiiy sail np ihoy can cntor 
 Of^don, I'Mdy or Hiovvn's Passai^os. oithor of which is superior to S:in Juan, having 
 very little curicnt and no foy, the currenls beini^ tho regulai- ebb and fl'>\v'. 
 
 1 believe if this coast wan pro|>erly surveyed, soundi'iifs would bo foumi to tho 
 west of (^lUHUi Cliarloilo's Islands to yiiide tlx' mariner in approaching tho iaii(1, a- 1 
 Boe tlio Naval oHlcors of the Cnited States re|»i'rt tinding a bank to tho west ol Prince 
 of Wales' Island, Alaska, on which they caught some tino codtish. This bank is just 
 to tho noi'lb of (Jraham Island, and 1 have no douht that it extends south. 
 
 This whole coast roijuires to bo surveyed and ro(harled, as none of the charts 
 are correct. It would m>i l)o much expense, with the |iro^eni inforniation, to havo 
 thorn corrected. I tool certain that l^ueon Ch;irlotte's Islands are jilacod some mile.'* 
 too lar oast, as 1 have taken sevoiwl lunar obsorvaiicns, and find from ton to twelve 
 miles out in different places. Tho latilude of Capo St. James is correct, as is also 
 Port Simpson. 
 
 2^otes on the Climate and Productions of the country. 
 
 CLI^IATE. 
 
 I wap reliably informed at Port Essiiigton that tho months of June, July 
 ami August aro the finest; that in September, October ud November there is 
 a considerable amount of rain, cloudy and strong winds, but with very little 
 fog, siinilar to tho north-west coast of Ireland. 
 
 During December, January and February, strong gales, cold and frost, rain and 
 snow, tiio latter falling sometimes to a depth of two foot, but does not remain long on 
 the ground. It is unusual for tho lhermonn>ter to fall below zero. 
 
 Marcli, April and May comprise tho ])rincipal rainy season at Port Essington, 
 but, strange to say, the climate varies ver}- mucli, tor ton to fifteen miles off it is 
 quite different. 
 
 1 again visitoil tho Skeona during tho latter part of Becombor, and found 
 largo quantities of ice drifting up and down tho river. Ships could not remain 
 at Port Essington during tho n\onths of J)ocombor, January, February and March 
 and well into April. The north channel of tho Skoeiui is blocked full of ice nearly 
 all winter, but it seldom reaches down as far as Kennedy Pslands. Port Fleming is 
 free from ico. 
 
 1 also visited Essington during the month of Februaiy for several days, and 
 found largo iiuantities ot ico in and around it. Tho snow-tall bore has been about 6 
 foot on tlie level. 1 raoasurod the snow at several j)laco.s and Ibuiul 3 feet at Port 
 Fleming, and 1^ foot at Inverness. 
 
 I herewith enclose weather table. It is to bo rogrottod that the winter I 
 havo passed hero has not boon nearer an average season, as the record of it may 
 deceive many. 
 
 This has boon tho most severe winter ever known hero. The severity of tho 
 weather has, according to tho opinions of residents ol 20 years' standing, never boon 
 equalled. 
 
 The average winter hero is mcist, and just as free from fog as this one has bi'on, 
 with north and south-east winds. Ten degrees of frost is considered a very low 
 temperature. So entirely wei'o the residents ur,,'vjpared I'or such unprocodonted 
 woaiher, that all the vegetables havo boon frozen, as none of the cellars wore con* 
 Htructod to guard against a temperature with tho therinometcr at zero. 
 
 Tho snowfall (^at Port Simp.son), although not very groat, has coutiuued on tbo 
 ground longer than known boloro. 
 123—11 
 
IRO 
 
 Mr. ilall, >)f (lie II>i<lson Ray Cornpiiny, for inslunco, records thobuddincj of tnio.s 
 jit Port Simpson on the lOtli Fcbi uary, 1878, and tit that time flowers wore in bloom 
 in hif^ ;,'ur(lon. 
 
 TIr oxti'omcly .sovoro weallior of tiio present wiiiior lias boon by no menus 
 local, as by aci'ounts rocoivod trom tbo mtrtli and south of uh, as well as from tlio 
 intoi'ior, such weather has never been l<ii(nvn. 
 
 Tlie snow-lall at Port Simpson diii'iiii:' this winter did not exceed 28 inches alto- 
 gethei'. anil tVi)ni inforniatiwn j^nihered respcctinLC other ivintors tlie average inaxinium 
 is ncit iriealer than 18 inches, and it never remains more than vi day or two. 
 
 'J'he mean teiuperatiire ot the water in the liarboui- was 31° during Decomb.T, 
 January and February ; it never fell to freezing point throughout these monlliH. 
 
 During all iJiis seven months the highest sea in the harbour was 9 inches, at the 
 tide pole, which is placed at the most e;ij)osed part ot the harbour. 
 
 VllliiJ 
 
 very 
 and ? 
 
 patcl 
 
 WINDS. 
 
 The prevailing winds throughout the year are from the south-east and north. 
 I see by Admiral Richard's coast pilot directions in and around V'^ancouver Island, 
 that sduth-east gales are from V^ to 'i'2 hours' duration, and tiorth and north-wcHl much 
 longer. 
 
 I have now been eight months on (his coast- an<l have closely observed the 
 wir\l8, and can stale that there has lieen during that period oidy one strong gale, and 
 that was on the I7lh October, and from the south-west, 1 tind that south-east gales 
 last from -1 to lli iiours, they then vere round to south-west with heavy squalls for a 
 few h(.iurs aud then calm. 
 
 PORT ESST.^'lTOV. 
 
 The soil aronfid Port Essington is of very limited extent, eoimistingonly of a few 
 garden patches in whi<h potatoe.-i grow very well ; the land can not bo utilizeil to 
 any extent, as there is such a quantity of turl and moss which causes the soil to be 
 damp. 
 
 There is a large quantity of sjiruce, hemlocl<, red cedar and yellow cedar or 
 C3'))ress. .The spruce grow^ to ii great si/.e and length, frecpn.'idly 3, 4 and 5 feet in 
 diameter, and trom It'O to lf»ll feet in height. The yellow cedar is a tine quality' ot' 
 wood, and valuable for ship-building, as it is veiy durable; it also makes beautiful 
 I'unilturo. 
 
 metlah oatlah. 
 
 An lixlinn village and mission. 
 
 The houses arc built in a civilized style, and there is a fine largo Church with 
 Schooliiouse and Mission htiise, 
 
 Ale.-srs, Duncan aiid C'olison are stationed hero; the former has been in the 
 country tor many years, and is the ((Uinilor of the Mission, The land around this 
 village seems n\ore suital'le lor ('uitivation and (he Indians have numerous gardens 
 in which they i'ai>>c siitlicient potatoes and vegcial)les t'or their own use. 
 
 Ai Big Pay there is a fine saw-mill, owned by Mr. (ieoige Williscroft, who sup- 
 plies the couidry aioiind with lumber, and also ships it to V'ictoriii, 
 
 ntul 
 
 POUT SIMI'SON, 
 
 This is one of the oldest Ilmlson Pay stations on this coast, and the company 
 Jiave here a large trading store. 
 
 The land >^uitable for cultivation is very limited. The Indians have garden 
 plots in whicli they ridse some fine potatoes, turnips and othoi vegetables. The 
 Hudson Pay Company cultivate several acres and ramo largo quautitios of garden 
 producliii. 
 
1«1 
 
 Tho timber is plontifiil, comi)ri8ing ro'l o(vlur, spruce, homlook, iiidor and 
 cypi'O!^''*' Tho ijpruco atul rod cedar iiro ot'gojd (quality, and grow to a groat r<ize. 
 
 ivs beautiful 
 
 'hiirch with 
 
 Q0EEN Cn\ttI.OTTES ISLANDy. 
 
 MasHct is situated on thonorthorii side of Graham Island Tlore there is nri Indian 
 viiliige and Hudson Bay |)ost. Mr. MrKenzie, tiio ollicer in idiarge, received mo 
 verv i<indly, and gave me much intormalion o| ihe country. I wont into the woods 
 iiiitl saw si'tni' very tino sprui.e, co hir, lietali>itk and a lillh) birch. 
 
 Tho soil was rich, level and free I'rom stone, and in many places considerable 
 patciios of prairie. I .saw some tinaothy-grass growing wild, which stood four feet 
 lugli, with heads seven inches long. The Hudson Bay Compari}' have here a nuni- 
 [lor of tine cattle, as tat an seals ; they run at larg.-, and a;'o not looked afler and not 
 houseil during winter. Snow very seldom falls, and only remains on the ground for 
 a day or two. 
 
 ilr. McKonzie, who is from Scotland, says he is confident that wheat, oats, 
 barley, potatoes and hay can be raised hoi-e equal to any grown in Scotland. 
 
 Skedigare is about GO miles .south of Rose Spit. 
 
 The Indians here grow some tine jiotatoos and turnips, but thoy do not cavo to 
 till the soil, as they live j»riucipally on salmon and fish eggs. 
 
 I was tolil that tiiero is plenty of red cedar, spiuce, homlook and beautiful 
 cypress in largo quantities. Those troos are abundant at several points visited on 
 the Islands. 
 
 At Spit Point, oft' Skodigato, the Indians have raised potatoes and turnips of 
 excellent qualit}'. 
 
 Ilore I found the prettiest grove of sprueo timber I ever saw for mast pieces 
 and yards, in fact, liioy look like tho red pine on tho Island of Corsica. The land is 
 low, and along the bench the grass arrows very tall. I saw what looked like plains 
 in the distance as I sailed along the coast. 
 
 This Group consists of throe principal inlands— Graliam, Moresby, 
 and Provost, the former being the most i.irthorn and (.'oiUaius the ^largest 
 area of land suitable lor agriculture, grass is ia abundance. 1 have no hesitation 
 in stating that nearly all kinds of grain, vegetables, and tho hardier fruits will grovr 
 well. 
 
 This part of the Island compares favorably with the County Donegal in the 
 north-west of Ireland, ha ing seldom an\- miow or fro.-,! and no ^'og, but pcrliaps a 
 little more rain during the vvin'or months. 
 
 There i.-> a considerable area of good land on the oust side of Moresby Island, 
 from Skodigato to Cumshowa. 
 
 The islands are well limbered with rod cedar, spruce, cypre.-s, hemlock and silder. 
 On the west side there are large tracts of land producing nothing but pine and largo 
 cypress. 
 
 I am informed ihatcoal is found in dillerent parts, and (if oxeeliont iiuality. Copper 
 and gold have also been discovered. 
 
 company 
 
 FISH. 
 
 The northern coast of Briiish Columbia, embracing Queen Cliarlolte's jsland.s. 
 abounds wiili tish ; (•almon, halilnil, cod, dogti-h, lu'iring, wliilingand oolachen 
 Of the above tho salmon is llu* only kind which at present \-* nlilizoil to any e.K- 
 leul, and this business has only sprung into importance during the last few years; 
 salmon curing and canning being now (Uie of the prineiiial industries of this Province. 
 
 The s.almon are o( superior qualily, and most alamdant, 
 
 Halibut is also very aluindanl, hut tiev<n' <'augbt except for horno consumption. 
 Tins tish is ot excellent llavm and attains a greai size. The Indians ualeh !argo 
 quautities and dry thorn lor winter tixxi. 
 
1fl2 
 
 iiol nnriro (liMi .'mv iidi'iilicii I)!1h liocn (ri\('n (o 'nvircl) (i\i( j(n IihiiiiIh ; ilmilidoMM |ihiiI«'j 
 will Ih< t'l'innl olVdiis civixl, wIhmc (horn' \\»h will lt(» I'siiiirlil in mImihiImik'o 
 
 A l>!iiil< is lojioilod l)y I'nid'd SIhIo^ iiiwal olHi'orn (<< lt!ivi> Ikumi rnuiiil In llic 
 west <>t rriiiii' n) \Vi\l(>'j IhImhiI, AIm'jUm, on wliirli niinto (iito I'od wci-o cnnjfli). 
 
 Yho JuM t iuir is (iniiiil nl 
 
 !tin HCMH'I'IW ol' t|)<< VtMU' flloiiij (li(i wIidIo I'nji'il 
 
 \iiinis. ri\(> luMrinji: 111' (1\i>ki> xvmIoim i-i n lilllc MntiilliT tliiin (hut nu tlit> Nii\ri 
 
 Si'oliiiU ■ oii-^l. I'n( 
 
 iillior\viM(< o( Htniilin' (|n;»liiv 
 
 Tho ^[iMwii <>i' I lio Ikmi ing ilopiv-iiltHl on (ln> rooUs luiil kolp isi ("ollcrlmi in m 
 
 iiioiiH nu!Ui( ilios Mnil Cot'iUN oii<> oC I ho m(!)|>I(' mlicloM ot I mlian too(|. 
 
 'I'h 
 
 lichen i-j can^ht (Iniinji thi< tJpring in in!in\' 
 
 ol III. 
 
 Ml ri'nnm, liiil no(h 
 
 tn;- I 
 
 tlo(ini(i'l\ Known o( iis InnmN oi halni'- 
 
 'M'l'pl I iml \( ,'i])|n>in s • 
 
 .1.1 
 
 only Mt (hi' ntoiM h 
 
 of Kovoial rivciM, usi'iMitls a «hor| ili.lan('(>, hiil not al)ovi» (iilnwat r. iJpawiH mihI 
 «liHnp]M'ai ■;. While in tho liviTH upawning. that iw tor ahoni tl(r(>(» wenlts. tli(> 
 i>(»lai'ln'n ran h<> oa\igh( in M(>ini>M or McoopcMl int(> hoat^. 'IMii^ lisli i^ in irr«>ftl r(>(|ni''il , 
 itudolioai'V of llavor hcing cipial (o (hi' Narilino. and its niitntimm ami wholc'^oiiin 
 »]nnlili«'s avo in\ilouli|(>il li lias not as yot lici'n introdncoil into an\- loi-oign nun ki'l i 
 At Woodt'oidv's IiMMdimr and at Canli'iia Uav thiMc ait> Halnion I'Mnning c^mlilisii 
 nuMitM, and al Skcdigato on the eawt i'oumI o(' (^tii.'on (Miarloiio i l-<laiidM (hon> is ,1 
 oonipnny ostjiMishod ^^r making oil I'nnn thodog(in)i, which itroducoH a lioiiiitilnlh 
 \iH\o a\id i^loai' f^il. 
 
163 
 
 llilllhllttHH llHIlhw 
 
 lll'O. 
 
 Ml ImIIMiI (o lllr 
 
 l'llMfr||(, 
 
 ' \vl|c)l(> (>n(ii| ill 
 
 I on (lie Nii\ii 
 
 lli'i'loil ill i;i ,r| 
 
 'A 
 
 br 
 
 oa 
 
 o 
 
 43 
 
 0^ 
 
 .3 
 
 e 
 
 ■pii(>r.> I" fij 
 
 -iiiia JO H.i 
 
 MIUI!< ,)0 IJ 
 
 'MltlJ (11 «. 
 
 
 •""j 
 
 
 H ^ 
 
 
 >§ 
 
 
 O rt 
 
 
 .—1 .n 
 
 
 •° f 
 
 
 ja" 
 
 
 5 S 
 
 
 0-9 
 
 
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 APPENDIX No. 12. 
 
 METEOROLOGIOAL OBSERVATIONS, HAR0METE11 AND THERMOMETER READINGS, BT REV. 
 MR. TOMUNSON, AT FORKS OF SKEENA lUVER, POftWAKPED BY GEO. R. MAJOR. 
 
 December. 1879. 
 
 5 
 •a 
 
 Weather. 
 
 IJiironieter. 
 
 -Mcru. 
 
 be 
 
 Evening. 
 
 I 
 
 IjCIoudy. ... 
 
 2 do 
 
 3,Fine 
 
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 5 Pine 
 
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 8 Fine 
 
 9 do 
 
 10 do 
 
 Ill do .... 
 
 12 Snow 
 
 13 do 
 
 14|Fine 
 
 15i do 
 
 IGI do 
 
 17 Very tine., 
 
 la'Fini! 
 
 19] Very fine.. 
 M do 
 
 21 do 
 
 22 Cloudr 
 
 23 Fine..." 
 
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 25 Olouiiy 
 
 26 Snijw. .. 
 27|Very tine 
 
 Snow. 
 
 do 
 Fine.. 
 
 29, Snow 
 30; do 
 31 Fine... 
 
 do 
 ' do ... 
 
 do .... 
 
 do 
 
 I do .... 
 Vt ly fine- 
 Snow 
 
 Fine 
 
 ' do 
 
 do .... 
 
 do 
 
 Snow. , 
 
 (Very fine. 
 
 do 
 
 I do .... 
 
 'Fine... 
 
 I Very fine. 
 
 I do 
 
 I do 
 
 Cloudy 
 
 Fine... ... 
 
 SnijW 
 
 j(;ioudy 
 
 Very iiuo. 
 Fine 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Very tine. 
 
 29-76 
 29-51) 
 29 :'9 
 29-36 
 
 29 !.•» 
 29 -.v. 
 29 6ii 
 
 29-H7 
 '.'9-97 
 2y-rJ2 
 29 .'.O 
 29 67 
 29 -.34 
 29-4IJ 
 29 99 
 30-10 
 30-09 
 ,30-18 
 :i9-9-i 
 iiOi'2 
 29-86 
 3012 
 :;o-u 
 29-57 
 29 -Mf. 
 29-73 
 
 January, 1880. 
 
 I Ther- 1 
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 u ll 
 
 e 
 o 
 'S I ic 
 
 29 60 
 29-13 
 29 39 
 
 28 18 
 29-1-1 
 
 29 ''yi 
 29 '1. 7 
 29 J7 
 29 93 
 29 67 
 29 6J 
 29-60 
 
 29 62 
 29-48 
 29 -HO 
 301 2 
 
 30 09 
 iO 18 
 !9 95 
 >i? 86 
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 30 01 
 iO 20 
 29 75 
 29 36 
 29 -li 
 29 S8 
 
 
 7 
 9 
 
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 24 
 
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 14!. 
 
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 30-09 
 
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 —25 
 
 —33 
 
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 —32 
 
 —20 
 
 29-9-i 
 
 2i?86 
 
 —■-4 
 
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 —22 
 
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 —34 
 
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 4 
 
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 21 
 
 20 
 
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 -10—29 I 
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 - ^,- 2;l 
 
 4' 111 
 101 4 
 
 
 Weather. 
 
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 Ther- 
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 • Ui 
 
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 do 
 
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 do I do 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 131 
 141 
 15 
 16', 
 
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 18: 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 21 
 
 22 I 
 
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 24 do Fine 
 
 2,^ do . ...jVei-y fine.. 
 
 26 V^ery fino. | Cloudy 
 
 271 do do 
 
 2^~ Snow Fine 
 
 29 Cioudy Snow 
 
 30 Fine. ICloudy..... 
 
 28-95 
 
 28 82 
 29-15 
 
 29 18 
 29 53 
 29 47 
 29 49 
 
 28-78 
 29-10 
 29 12 
 ■29 43 
 29 f}8 
 29 18 
 
 lOi 14 
 
 8|— 5 
 
 • 3, 
 
 ■ r- 7 
 
 ■24 —20 
 36!— 36 
 29-49 1—32 —30 
 
 Mercury frozen, 
 thermometer 
 tered —67^, 
 
 29-69 I 29 50 
 
 I -28 60 I 
 
 28-62 I 29-17 ! 
 29-93 i 29 00 ' 
 29-39 29-02 
 29-43 I 29-03 
 
 Spirit 
 reg.s- 
 
 -17i— 14 
 
 - 4;— 2 
 
 01 13 
 
 17| 11 
 
 30; 26 
 
 4| 4 
 
 17, :i 
 
 29-22 
 28-90 
 29-20 
 29-48 
 29-90 
 
 29-04 
 29-02 
 29-:32 
 29-66 
 29-89 
 
 30' 
 19;. 
 
 5| 
 
 28 
 - 6 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 -12 
 
 -25 — 4 
 
 31| do 
 
 Fine. 
 
 29-70 I 29-70 
 29-77 29 70 
 29-70 I 29-66 
 29-66 29-86 
 
 -25 1 
 
 ll 
 
 - 61 
 
 131 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 22 
 
 30 
 
«0g, BT BF.V. 
 .. MAJOR. 
 
 5 tor. 
 
 Tb 
 
 er- 
 
 raometer 
 
 bu 
 
 1 be 
 
 a 
 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 » 
 
 
 
 > 
 
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 28-78 
 
 10 
 
 14 
 
 .'9- 10 
 
 8 
 
 — 5 
 
 i912 I— 3, 
 >9 43 i— l'_ 7 
 !:■» 58 1—24 —26 
 !9 18 I— 361— HG 
 19-19 1—32 —30 
 
 fro-zen. Spirit 
 ijmeter reg.?- 
 
 -67^ 
 
 ;9 50 —171-14 
 |-4i- 2 
 
 8 60 
 ;9-17 i 
 
 9 00 I 
 9 -62 
 9-03 
 
 01 13 
 17| 11 
 
 9-04 
 &-()2 
 9-32 
 
 301 
 17, 
 
 26 
 4 
 
 :i 
 
 30. 28 
 19i— 5 
 
 5 1 16 
 
 12| 
 
 5'-l'2 
 
 9-66 
 
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 - 4 
 
 9-89 
 
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 - ) 
 
 2 
 
 9 70 
 
 ~ 6 
 
 10 
 
 9-66 
 
 13 
 
 22 
 
 • •86 
 
 34 
 
 30 
 
 169 
 
 APPENDIX No. 13. 
 
 THE PHYSICAL CHAEACTER OF THE PRATRFE REGION OBTAINED 
 
 FROM AUTHENTIC SOURCES. 
 
 Tho Prairie Region has been arbitrarily defined in provioub reports as extending 
 from the eastern boundary of Britic-h Columbia to a lino drawn northerly and 
 Bouiherly from Lake Winnipeg. Thiw great central area of Canada is not all prairie, 
 but a fonsideiable portion of it, especially towards the south, is of a prairie 
 character ; in other parts much of the Territory consists of woodland. It is, how- 
 ever, held convenient to retain for the whole extent the term of ' Prairie Region.' 
 
 Tho information in the following pages, compile*! vinder instructions from the 
 Engineer-in-Chief, by Mr. Thomas Ridout, C.E., is designed to embrace all impor- 
 tant information reported by the several Explorers during the year 1879, which, 
 together with that contained in Appendix No. 1 of last year's Report, is intended 
 to prei^ent in a concise form all the leading facts found on record, respecting the 
 physical characteristics of this Territory. 
 
no 
 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE. 
 
 The whole Territory is divided into sections, each section 
 one degree of ongitude in breadth by one degree of Latitude 
 in length. 
 
 The numerals in the marHn, in a fractional form, thus — ~ 
 
 ^ * 100 
 
 indicate the particular section in each case. The numerator 
 referring to the Latitude and the denominator to the Longitude. 
 
 Thus "55 " means the space l)ing between the 55th and 
 56th parallels of Latitude, while "100" refers to the space 
 between the looth and loist meridian. 
 
 The numbers printed in red on the map indicate the 
 several i^ections. 
 
 The information now furnished is from the Explorations of 1879 The 
 Examinations did not extend norik of lntitudtbQ^\ except in the vicinity of 
 
 Peace River where thy reached latitude 67". References to Sections ,' 
 
 no 
 110 
 
 100 
 
 inclusive, tvill be found in the Report c/lSTO. 
 
 FROM xne 117tii to tfie 122ni) meuipian, and ketween tiif, SGxit and 57th 
 
 PAaALuELS OF LAKT'IUi;. 
 
 si 
 
 117 Cimh'ip Krpbrifmu 1879. 
 
 ilr. ]1. J. Cambio, O.K. in j^oiii^ from LoHsei' Slave Iiako to Poaco Rivor, 
 trav.'lled iiorth-woHtorly Uirongl) tlso southern portion of the section. 
 
 Pussius,' tliroiiijli one >tri|) t)t' jiriiirio. 10 milos in longtii, with rich soil pro- 
 duoint,' luxuriant i;rasM iitid poii vine; also some small jirairies on slojx^s lacing 
 the M'Uth. Tlie other |M>i!ion ot tlu' roail lay ilirouirh irroves of poplai' ami 
 sprin'e. geiieially ot'.^niall size of !{ k) 12 inclios in diainetor, on soil of grey silt 
 vviih two to tour incho.s of vegetable mnuM." 
 
 Sti-ii, u]ho, ApptndiX Canadian Pacijic liailaaij lit'iwrt, ISliK 
 
171 
 
 56 
 
 I i8 Cimf'ie Exphration, 187!>. 
 
 Mr. Camliio passod wostorly (Vctn tlio inniith of ITt>;iit Rivor, oti tho north 
 side of I'eai'u Jiivcr, tlirouifli tin- r^diiiliurn portion ol' tlii- Moclioii. 
 
 At tli« mouth ot llic Nnrili Ht'iut Uivenho fIu<lson lJay(!ompimy havoan 
 
 oxtoti-iivii slorolioiisn. iVom wliii'li aic ili-M-iljiitoil tlui siipplii's, olc, (lontinoii f 
 
 or 
 
 tli(j Lower Poari) IJiver, and I ho \'ns\.> far iiortli 
 
 thi! Mai'koiizio. 
 
 Iforc vvd (.■ro>sod tlio I'cjaco, and coniiiiuod mir jourriL-y up its left bank on 
 
 im op 
 
 icn boncli wiih poor ";ravells' >'W, to ilio old trudin;' 
 
 poll op|iOHito ^rno 
 
 ^y 
 
 itivcr, e.'-tabli>hod in IT"- hy Sir Aloxandor Mackonzio, whic li has now hoc 
 iiliaiidonod ; and tlii'ti arC(MHlin<f to tho jihitoau by tiio cart trail, followed it to 
 Dutnc^aii, nearly till}' nii'es in all. 
 
 'I'lie trail lakes a moderately direct cor,rses and is al one point about twelve 
 miU.'H ilislant from the valley of I'eare IJivtM-. It led us tlu'ongh a nearly level 
 country, iiiiving an average elevation of l,!>00 feet above sen level, with very 
 rich soil, about one litth prairie and four fifths poplar and willow copso, the 
 timbor being too small to be of value except for (irewood ami loneing. 
 
 <.)f the twenty miles Tiexl to Dunvegan. fifteen arc in lai-ge open prairies, 
 with rich grass, and such a depth of black vegetable mould that prodding 
 with a Htick to the depth of a fiot, wo failed to reach the sub-8oil. 
 
 Between the .Smoky Jiiver Post and l)unvegan, fortv-five inilcs, wo cro.ssed 
 ono running (Stream, the North Briilo, 10 feet wide, 12 inidies iloep, with a swift 
 current, beside two small ^vatel•conr8e8 with stagnant pools, and wo panfjod a 
 lake one mile long by lialf a mile wide. 
 
 Thobujiply of water iw tscanty, but tiio route of the trail soera.- to have been 
 specially selected, with tho view of pusbing between the heads of tho streams 
 draining isouth into Peace JJiver direct, and tbofe draining north int<> a rivor 
 which joins tho Peace a few mile.s bolow Smoky River. 
 
 In the whole trip from Diinvegan to Lesser Slave Lake and back, about 
 2()0 miles, solid rock was oi ly seen once at the ci'Ossing of Peace River , very 
 few boulders were noticed; and though some ot the land is light, by far tho 
 greater proportion is rich, Jind will become a splendid farming country if tho 
 climate jirovoB suitable." 
 
 See, also, Appendix Par. My. Jiep., 1879. . 
 
 <iENEIt\L REMARKS ON WEATIIEU. 
 
 "The gardens at Hudson's Hope, Fort hJt. .John, and Dunvegan, are in the 
 valley of Peace iiiver, many hundred feet bolow that level, and they have also 
 tho advantage of a great deal f>f heal, rofleclod from th.^ adjacent hills. In this 
 connection it is right to mention that all the seed used by the peojjle ir. iho 
 Peace Kiver district has been grown year after year in the ham<' ground, and 
 generally without manure, rdso that they h.'ive not the mu.st improved and 
 earliest varieties of either grain or vegetables. 
 
 Eastward of lludson's Hope it is said tjiat snow seldom lies to a greater 
 depth than two feet, and horses winter in the open air; when it attains that 
 thickness, however, they resort to the slojies of the valley facing tho south, 
 where the snow drifts off, leaving the gr.nss bare. 
 
 Wo had l>een in the valley of L'eacc River, from tho mountains to Dunvegan, 
 in tho latter part of Jul}', and the weather was then warm and mild. 
 
 The month of August was spent between l)unvcgau and J;essor Slave Lake, 
 and twonty-throo days of it on the plateau. 
 
 l)uring that time there wa8 frost on tho morning of tho tith, though tho 
 thorraometor at 5 a.m. had risen to 4()°. 
 
Af^aiii, on tho 2i-th, when it was still 5" below the freezing point at 5 a.m,, 
 and on ilus 27th when it had risen to 3rf° iit 4.80 n,in. 
 
 On tho other twenty dayr* the lowest reading, between 4..'30 and 5 a.m., 
 was ^(•'■' ami tho highest (15''. Tho weather wa« clear and tine, and in the after- 
 noon it was often warm enough to eond the thormomoter up to 80° in tho 
 shade. 
 
 From tho time of leaving Dunvegan, Soptembor 5th, till wo passed Mob- 
 erly's Lake, on the l()th, we wore on tho level of the plateau, and might still 
 bo contiidered east of the mountains. There was frost on eight nights out of 
 tho twelve. 
 
 While breakfasting at 5 a.m. on tho 9th, the thermometer still stocxl at 20°, 
 and on throe other mornings it had not risen above the freezing point at that 
 hour. During that time the weather was generally clear and bright. 
 
 Wo had tine but cold weather from the ITth till tho summit of Pine Eivor 
 Pass was crossed on 28ih, and from that time till wo i"oachod Quosnel on Oct. 
 17th, it WHS decidedly wintry, with hard frosts." 
 
 II 9 MacLeod Erploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Henry A. F. MacLeod, M.I.C.E. travelled down Peace River from St. 
 John to i.»unvegan, across the southern part of this section. 
 
 " From St. John to l>unvegan the soil is rich and huitablo for agriculture for 
 a coiisiuerable (listanc(! on each side o( Peace Kiver. Tho seed time com- 
 mences about tuo end of May. The service berry is very abundant in (he 
 noighborlioml of Dunvegan and St. John, and largo game moose and bear are 
 numerous. A few bulfalo are reported to have boon seen in tho spring near 
 Mud liivor." 
 
 Cambie Exploration, 1B79. 
 
 DUNVEGAN TO FORT ST. .JOHN. 
 
 " From Dunvegan we travelled northward for a day and a lialf, say 30 miles, 
 and then westward at an a\erage distance of 15 miles I'rom Peace River to Fort 
 St. John, i-eaching it on the 12th. 
 
 For the wlu'lo liistance, neatly ll^lO miles, tho plateau undulates consider- 
 ably, ranging from 1,000 (o 2,400 feet above sea-level. And for 40 miles, after 
 turning to the west, there was a range of hills a few miles to our right, rising 
 from HOO to 1,500 foit above the adjacent coun'iy. My guide informed mo 
 tliat tho streatns Oil tho dtlicr side of that riilge drained into the Jiattlo and 
 Liard Uivois. 
 
 J'ileven streams, trotn 12 to 40 foot i'i widlh, wereoros.sed, besides nnmorou.s 
 smaller ones, and Pine River North, which is situated iiboul six miles from Fort 
 St. John, and was then lOO loot wide by tuo feet deep, but at high water must 
 bo 300 feet wide, in a valley 700 foot deep and a quarter of a mile wide in tho 
 bottom. Tho slojios on both sido'^ are much broUon by old land-slides. 
 
 Cmi tho west there is a blutf of decomposed shale, and on the tace of tho 
 eastern slope many ledges of sandstone in nearly horizontal beds. 
 
 We saw a tow stnall 0],ion muskegs, and had to cross one about one mile in 
 width which .Iclayed us moii> than four hours. 
 
 The .-'Oil is composed of wiuto sill with a gootl covoring'of vegetable mouM, 
 but for one sti etch of 14 miles, this has been coinplotoly burnt otl, We als(.i 
 passed over two gravelly rtdgos. 
 
 A few large prairie-^ were toon, and many small ones intorsporsod with 
 poplar and willon' copuo. 
 
m 
 
 Twonty-fivo jtor coiit ol' tlie iliniaiiLO lay Lhroiigli woixls ol .-iiniill jiopl 
 
 iiv, 
 
 no milo in 
 
 apruce ami Lilaok pine. Koar Pine River Xurtli thoro was also a belt throo 
 miloa wido of spruce six to fit'teen iiu:ho.s in diameter. 
 
 Fort l)inivoi,'an, Aiii,ni>*t Istotii. In tlio pii'don of the fort tlioro were tiiio 
 
 Oiops of wlii'at, hai-ley, potatoes, beet.- 
 
 ciK'iini 
 
 bers txiid squash, while at the U. 
 
 0. Mis.-^ioii I lore by ihen^ weie line j)otato(}s, onions, eanots, und a iuxuiiatit, 
 but very bacliward, crop ot whe.it, a eoi dition of things whieh Mr. Tessier, the 
 priest, explained to lis had resulted iVom a lon^^ drouj^ht, causiii;^ the grain to 
 lie in the ground without sjiroulitig till somi' heav}- rain oeeurreii at tlie end of 
 May. August 2Sth to September ;>tii, wheat at tlie fort was out. but was not 
 perfectly rijio; that at the .Mission was injured by fi'u8t, and no hope ol it8 
 rijiening; all other crops liad succiiedod well." 
 
 McConnell Exploration, 1879. 
 
 This information has lieen communicated by T)r. («. M. Dawson, Geological 
 Survey from iu)tes taken by his ansislant, Mr. K. MeConnel, 1870: — 
 
 Mr. R. MeConnell travelled northerlv through this section, on his way from 
 Dunvegan, on the Peace Kiver-, to Hatllo River oi the North, about 85 miles. 
 
 " For several miles alter reai'hing the jilateau level, the country passed 
 tiirough was somewhat rolling and dotted with aspen copse, but gradually tho 
 
 rr)lls ceased, and at a distance ot about six miles trom tin 
 
 iver tho country 
 
 becomes almost pei-i'ectly level; as litr as the eye could re.ach nothing met tho 
 view but a level jilain with hei'e and there a cluni)) of aspen. In no ])artof my 
 summer wanderings did 1 see any section of the county which, from an agricul- 
 tural j)oint of view, surpassed this. The soil displaced, where tln^ trail had 
 boen worn somewhat dee])l\', wa^* a heavy day covered with a rich black mould, 
 often ovei" a toot in depth. Neither swamps nor muskegs, and but two gullies 
 woi'c ])assod over <u- seen in ajiy direction. This style of country continued foi' 
 a distance of about 15 miles from the Peace River, and it then (iommenced 
 gradually to (dutnge for the worse. Approaching Hay Tjake, the country became 
 more svvampy arid woody, while with the aspen were now mixcil a considorablo 
 number ol sju'uce, a sure sign of n deterioration in theijimlity of the soil,' Aftor 
 passing through a rather broken counlry, and seeing two lakes of some size, 
 be cro>ses numerous swamjis and nm.-kegs and descends into the valley of tho 
 Wliilo .Mud River, about 45 miles from Dunvegan. 
 
 " PasHing with diflicully tbi'ough this swamp, whiidi is about three miloH in 
 width, the countiy gradually improved ; first swam]) and aspen bush alternating 
 with one anolluM'. then Jell aspen L)Usli, and at last an open prjiiiie. About six 
 miles from the fooi of the hills, we I'ame to a larire stream, called While Mud 
 River, about 50 feet in wiilth by aboul a foot iind a-half in dc|ith, it llow.s in an 
 easterly diivctiou and Iho country wo descended into ii|)p(^ared to be its valley, 
 which is about 15 miles in width, but seorns to riarrow westward, another 
 range of hill- running from Ihe south-east ajipeai'ing to jdmo'tt (dose it up. 
 lietween these two range.- of bills, ami sticlching cast\v;ird and onlli eastward, 
 as far as the eye could rc!i(di. is a large area ot niagniiicent (ounlry slightly 
 rolling, and covered here ami therewith clumps ol asjien and willow. This 
 reach of country, according to llall-Mreods reports, follows White Mud River to 
 its ni'iuth, and bears the -ame (duir;. 'ler throughout. This woukl make it about 
 50 miles in lenglh willi probably an average width of "JO miles. It appears io 
 be uboul the same height ;is the plaleau abovi' dunvegan." 
 
 " .M'ter leaving While Mud Prairie, the country grows wor.se, Ihe proportion 
 of swamjiy land being on Iho increa.se. al-o Iho prairie land giving way to aspen 
 bush; but getting past the water shed between White Mnd River .and JJattlo 
 River, it again improved, and fnuu lliis point on to U;illle River, a disMuve of 
 al>oiU 25 miles, it mainiained tho same gt'iicral character, conlaininn seaictdy 
 anj prairie, but being cv>vored with a ibiek growth of aspon and willow, nnd 
 with a very small proportion of swumjjy luud." 
 
174 
 
 " HatUo Uivor (Iowh in n vnllcy al)()iit ii milo U\ widlli and ivitoiit, 200 fcot in 
 ili'|it.li. Tliorivor ilstilfis, nt Imv wiXcr, !ii)i)iil 7") loot in wiiltli iiini al»iiii a toot (loop, 
 diiriii'^ lliiixls inuNt it boa lai'tro Htrt'ani ol'a ooiiplo of hiiiidi-ctl t'm'l wkUmukI tlinn 
 to loiii' li'ol dc('|>. A \va Iv (itNovoral iniU^s ii|i and do.vn llio Hireain disrovofcd 
 no Nliatdii'd rocks (>j .■<;/«,, ill. PMf^li st'voral hliillk woro noon Iroin 60 (<> 75 I'lot 
 liitjh, lull consiMliii/i prinripaily (>(' Maiiil.' 
 
 "According to I ho iicconnl ol'a('i'oc hunter vviioin wc met I hero, it roi'oivnn 
 two hrancluvs IVoin the houiIi, oach uh lariro hh ilscil', hcl'orc I'ollint; into I'oaci. 
 Uivor. which, according to him, wan two ilayn' journey from thin point, jiroi)- 
 uhly ahoMi 4(1 niilc.t, 
 
 "Ah a roagh t>nlimate of the amount ol'good land lying helweon I'oaeo River 
 iliid IJattle Kiver, a distaneo of .S'i miiiw, I tdioald say that fully throo-tjuarterF 
 ol'it is lit lor cultivation, tho rosl lading wet ; and 'icgroalor part of the foririer, 
 including the While Mud IJivor I'rairie, luung really lirstrelaHs land, eciual toany 
 fhat 1 have seen in any olfier place in llu> ,Norlh-\Vost. 
 
 At IJallle U'iver tlio tidl apj)ears to set in very oarly, although it was but 
 the '-'4th of August when we were tliero, yet tho leaves of tho iiH|)on wore all 
 (urneii yidlow and wei'o falling oiV. This appofus to have been duo to tho froNtof 
 the2(lth August, when the thermometer rogislered 12 di^groes of (;v;:-.i, as botiirn 
 thai they were quite green, and on our wav bacli, after ro crossing the iiills, wo 
 found tliem again compaiutively green. This frost, according to Hudson Bay 
 Oflicors' report, wa'^ quite exceptional in its sevetity at so early a 8ou»on ; but, 
 bonidort it, two other slight frosts woro oxporioucod on tho trip. ' 
 
 Soo, also, Appendix Pac, Ry. Rep., 187i). 
 
 120 -W<'t'-/^eo(/ Exploration, 1H79. 
 
 Mr. Macleod descondod tho P(>ace Rivor from Hudson's Ilopo to St. John. 
 " Between I'm. .son's Hope and St. .lohn the soil improves nud is ovorywimro 
 tit for jmsturago, and in many places ricli and suitable for agriculture." 
 
 Camlie Exploration, 1879. 
 
 PROM ST. JOHN TO lltrnSON 8 HOPE. 
 
 " My trip from Dunvegan to Fort St. .fohn had occupied a longoi" f imo than 
 antici))atod, and the season was now so far advancod that I ditl not daro to 
 linger on tho road, but hurried on. keeping tho trail to Hudson's Ilopo. Most 
 of tho way it followed the valley of the river and was on tho niatoau only for 
 twelve miles rftor leaving Fort St. John, for about throo milos near Middle 
 }{iver, half-way between the two plaooM, and again for a short distaneo about 
 six miles east of Jhulson's Hope. 
 
 The soil is rich at each of these ]»laces, with prairie and poplar and willow 
 copse, also a few small groves of poplar and spruce four to l-wolvo inches in 
 diameter. 
 
 iMi tho benches nexM the river, the soil is in some ]>lacos light, and botwoon 
 Middle Rivor and Jlutls(Mi's Uope, there ia oiio stroteh, si.x milos in iongth, 
 gravelly and almost iiarren. That description of land also oxtoiids tho whole 
 way across tho Rocky Mountain portage. 
 
 We cios.sed only oiui stream of importance, Middle Kivor, which was thou 
 fotir feet dee]i by 150 wide, ami at linte of freshet 4.5tl feet wide, bosidos throo 
 othei's from VI to 'J5 feet across, with a few very Bmall ones. 
 
 On tho east side of Middle Kiver, and about 16 milos north of tho PoatH', 
 a range of hills 1,000 or 1,500 fool high was observed running nearly east and 
 wo»t. 
 
vlioni, ^OOfcot in 
 
 l>i)ll| ;lt'(»Ot iloO|i, 
 
 I wnlnHiid (hiio 
 •ouni (li.srovori'il 
 1 60 to 7ft I'l'tst 
 
 licro, it roi'tiivoM 
 liii^ into I'oiuo 
 tliiM point, proli- 
 
 oon 1*011(10 li'wvr 
 y tlii'oo-(iaiiil(>i>' 
 rl of till! tuiincr, 
 mil, o(iual to any 
 
 Ui^li it was lint 
 asjicMi woro all 
 iiio to tl»o t'ro^t, of 
 !;v;;-ii, an botbi'o 
 iii^ tho liills, wo 
 to Hiui.son Bay 
 y a, Hou»on ; but, 
 
 po to St. Jolin. 
 (I in ovorywliflio 
 u Hiiro." 
 
 :irn^or I imo tlian 
 (lit! not daro to 
 Ilopo. iMoHt 
 latoau only for 
 iH noar Middlo 
 dintanco alKMit 
 
 •lar and willow 
 wolvo inchoH in 
 
 it, and botwoon 
 los in longtli, 
 uis the wliolo 
 
 II it'll waH thou 
 bortidos throo 
 
 of tho I'caco, 
 early oa»t and 
 
 175 
 
 Finw wofo ra^jiiig in tlio Imsli in many phuoH, and wo had to rido through 
 nno licit ol woDilh Ituiiiiiitf liiislcly ;il llio limn, wliidi wo did witli ditlioiilty, an 
 tho Hfjioko and ii>ili('H with Miiuliiitr, Hiid llio lii;:U viM-y grout, fortunately 
 tlio tinilior vv.'iM fairly ojion or \\i' Mhoiild liavo boon Htoppod. 
 
 Koi/arding llio I'oiinl ry north ol Pcaoo Hivor, I noiiood that from IhooiiHtorn 
 huso of tho Kocky MoiiiitaiiiH, ahniil twonly niilos north of lIiid.son'H Ilopo, ft 
 rango of liiiU (^xlcnds noarly due oasl lill il iiiootn tho I'oaco Kivor, about 
 twt'lvo iniUw Iiolow itf* jiiMclion vvilh Smoky lliv(;r. 
 
 Tlio tract ol counli-y lying ndnth of that rango, and htdwocii itamltho 
 I'oaoo, iH gonorally fi'rtil<\ but that portion of it west of tho longitiido of Dii'i- 
 vogan in moro undulating and al a slightly highor olovatioii ilian tlio olhor por- 
 tions of tho ))latoau in tho I'oaco Kivcr district, which 1 had travollod over, 
 and liaH an apiirociahlo porcont.ago nf puor soil. 
 
 Korl St. .. >hn, July '{Dili. Tho gardoii ootitainod Komo good potatooH, 
 onionH and turiiijih, and a nogro naniod Daniol Williams had a HinnU patch of 
 oxoollont barloy. <<n Soplomhor l.itrli tho crops woro ail ripe, and oxcollont 
 both as rogards (luan'ily and (juality, but llio barloy liswl Ik^oii trodden down by 
 animals and muoh of it oaten, tho ownor having boon arrostod and takon to 
 Edmonton on somo criminal cliargo." 
 
 Soo, also, Appe.ndw Pac. lii/. Hep., 1879. 
 
 " Hudson's Ifopo, .Fuly 27lh-29lli. Tho soil in thogaidon is a good sandy loam, 
 and onions woro voiy lino; all otlior crops had boon injiirud by a sovoro frost 
 about May ITjth; beans woro killed, so woro the potato vinos, but t.ioy bad 
 starlod afiosh. .\ littlo patch of wlioat had lioon frozen, but bad grown up 
 again, and a low stalks woro forming tuirs ; carrots and cabbago looked wolf. 
 Jt was said that tho froHt in May was continod to tho valley, una did not extend 
 to tho jilatoau. 
 
 IforsoH have wintorod in tho opon air for many years, but in tho winter of 
 187ri-() twenty out of a band of twonty-four perished on account of tho deep 
 snow. 
 
 liotiirnin- thoro SoptiMnbor lltli-l(>, wo found tho p'ltatoos had prodiiood 
 only a very pi. .>r crop, iind the wheat bad houn'again frozon while the grain wau 
 in the milk stage, rendering it useless." 
 
 See, also, Appendix Pac, liij, .ft<.p. 1879. 
 
 FROM "VIIR IOOtH to THE 12.'<K0 >fEIHI>IAN, ANfl nKTWKRN THE 55TII AND 66tU 
 
 PAUAt.lilSIiS OK hATWiriiK, 
 
 51 
 
 100 '"^oe Apj)endix Pac. Rij. Hep., 1870. 
 
 55 
 
 101 See Appendix Vac. By, Ik'p., l»7n. 
 
 123—1.2 
 
1*76 
 
 55 
 
 102 
 
 O'Keefre, Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr Clarice, Assistant to Mr. D. C. O'Kooffo, proceeding ^oiith-oastflrly from 
 Fro^ Portage to Cuml>erlui)d Houee, p;vssod through the south-western corner of 
 this section. 
 
 At JV'lioan Narrows, where there are Roman Catholic and Church of Entf- 
 land Missions, and also a Hudson's Bay I'ost, small gardens of potatoes were 
 seen. Soil clay, mixed with a good deal of sand. Into the northern arm of 
 Pelican liake tlows Hoar River, which takes its rise in a lake lying to the 
 east. Whole i-egion rocky and sterile. 
 
 See, also, Appendix Pac. Ry. Rep.^ 1879. 
 
 _S5 
 103 
 
 O'Keefe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, proceeding southeasterly from Isle La Crosse Lake to Cambev- 
 land llo;.-o, crossed the middle of the southern half of this section. 
 
 Prom Rapid Eiver to Fi'og Portage, whore he loft the English Eiver, tho 
 wliole countrj' was rocky and sterile. After ho loft Frog Portage the country 
 was of tlic same character nntil ho left this <oction. The wood eoon wu? 
 stunted as])on and birch. 
 
 See also Appendix Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 55. 
 104 
 
 O'Keeffe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke passed through this section south-easterly on his way to Frog 
 Portage from Lake La Crosse. 
 
 Along English Kiver, in this section, nothing but rock, sand and swamps 
 is recorded. 
 
 From the centre of the section, Mr. Clarke made a branch expedition south 
 of Lac La Ronge, which lioa at the southern extremity of it. This lake is full 
 of tine tish, as are all the lakes throughout the country. On the portage, at 
 the north end of the lake, some clay soil was soon, and pea vine and votch are 
 spoken of as growing in the liurnt timber. 
 
 Seo, also, Appendix Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 55. 
 
 lOCj OKeeffe Exploration, i879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke j)as-<ed through the middle of the northern half of this soclion 
 on hi.^ way from l>le La Crosse to Frog Portage. 
 
 He I'eports the river as consisting of lake oxpan.slnns and short rapiils. 
 Land of no value whatever. " The southern portion consisting of muskeg ami 
 small lakes." 
 
 106 
 
 Soo also Appendix Pa'\ Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 O'Keife Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke crossed the middloof the northern half of thissootiou, procotdiii^ 
 jriy on his way from Isle a lu Crosse to Frog I'ortago. 
 
 oiwtoriy 
 
Ill 
 
 if thifK Hoclion 
 
 Tho northern portion of this .section consists of syenito and gneis.s rock, 
 while the southern halt is occnpied with siorilc sandy plains, muskog and 
 small lakes. Small tir and jioplur, with Hard<sian pine, are the only trees. 
 
 In an excnrsion made from the Beaver llivcr ea~tward to Burnt Mountain, 
 Mr. Clarke cros.-<ed tho most southern portion of the section. 
 
 Lac J^a Plonge, which is situated partly in the south-western corner of thi.s 
 seation, is ,"{0 mdos long by 8 to 12 miles in broadth. 
 
 " From tho south-east end of iho lake, ^vki penetrated to Burnt Mountain, 
 first cro.ssing an extensive sand ridge, on whit'h was a fair growth of Banksian 
 pine, j)oplar and birch. At the ba,se, on each side forashort distance, tho wo(xi 
 IS tamarac." On leaving this ridge, tho country is described as being a plain 
 9 miles wide, consisting of rocks and boulders co.erod with moss in places to a 
 depth vf'A or 4 feet. Other sections are covereii with a little vegetable mould, 
 but no vegetation, except bhioberries. The country is similar for 20 miles north 
 and south. 
 
 There is a poor growth of stunted lianksian pine to be mot with generally. 
 
 A ridge covered with po[)lar, and having a sBrlaoe soil of sanay loam, was 
 passed, but tho countiy geneially, is as described above. 
 
 See also Appendix Pac. liy. Hep., 1819. 
 
 55. 
 
 107 O'Keeffe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke entered this section from the south on his way down Beaver 
 River from Green Lake to isle I^a t^rosse. 
 
 A little distance nrjrih of latitude 5.i°, the Beaver River assumes larger 
 proportions, and forms several marshy lakes, vai-ying in width from one to two 
 miles. Xearing Lake La (-rosso ho says, " Tho cimntry about here is sandy on 
 tho high ground, and muskeg on the low, timbered with Baidtsian ])ino and 
 popliir of poor (piality. Tlic marshes on each side of tho river ])roduce large 
 quantities of coarse grass. Arriving at Isle La Crosso Lake, the water presents 
 the same thick green appearance as Green Lake. This is caused by 
 small particles of gi'ccn vegetable matter." 
 
 " Near tho Hudson's Bay i'ost is a Roman Catholic Mission with a small 
 
 farm attached, on which they, with ditficulty, raise barley and potatoes for 
 
 their wants. Tho Hudson's Bay Company also tried to farm, but gave it up, 
 
 "except some small patches for potatoes and barley. The stiil consists of loam 
 
 mixol with a large proportion of white sand." 
 
 The northern portion of thi> section along English River, contains some 
 muskeg, but is generally extremely rocky, granite and gneiss being tho pro- 
 vaiUiig rocks. In the centre it is sandy, and continues so along tho shores of 
 isle La Crosse Lake, which arc thickly wooded with Banksian pine. Tho southern 
 portion consists of sandy plains, muslcegs Und tamarac swamps south and west 
 of Lac Ln I'longe. To tlie south and oast of Lac La I'longe, there are aomo 
 gootl tamariic and spruce. 
 
 See also Appendix Pac. Py. Rep., 1878. 
 
 55 
 108 
 
 See Appendix, Pac. By. Rop.,il87l.> 
 
 55. 
 
 109 Soo Appendix, I'ac. R}-. Rep., ISW. 
 123— Ui 
 
lis 
 
 55. 
 no 
 
 55. 
 Ill 
 
 Soo Ajipondix, Pac. Ry. Rop., 1879. 
 
 Eberfs Exploration, — 1879. 
 
 Mr. Molchior Eberts explored tho soiilh-woHt cornov of this section, and found 
 it to ho notliing but wind liills :ind iiiUHkog in tlie vfilioys, and no grass oxeept 
 on tiio bordurs of tlie lakes. Timbor consit-ted of Banksian pine, tamarac and 
 spruce, tbo latter covered with mosH. 
 
 See Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep,, 1879. 
 
 _55 
 
 1X2 McOmnell Exploratim, 1879. 
 
 Mr. McConnell crossed the south-easterly corner of this section, on his way 
 from A habasca to Lac hi Biihe. 
 
 " Leaving the Athabasca, at tho mouth of the Lac hi Bicho River, the road 
 pasHOs for about .5 milei? through an at^pen bush, an<l ascotidoti a sliglit olevatiou. 
 The country appeared to be almost level, and to be a more successiou of aspen 
 ridgos ami muskegs. Descending from this elevation, we found a large swamp 
 at the foot of it." 
 
 " A narrow strip of good land follows the river and explains w\y the road 
 hugs it -^o closely, but looking away from the river the country appears to bo a 
 mere worthless mass of muskegs, the good laiui intervening between them being 
 of too stnall extent to bo of any use.'' 
 
 " Lac la Bicho is aboi.. 15 miles in length, and \ to 5 in breadth near its 
 centre. The land around the lake, although not ct^ual to that in tiio vicinity of 
 Kdmonton, is yet very good. It a[,]»ear8 to rise uj; tVom tl\o lake to a height of 
 about 150 feet in 2 or 3 miles, ;ind is rather rough, and some of the higher 
 rolls are gravelly. Still, by far the greater parr, of the land lying round the 
 lake is fairly good, and will, no doubt, .somi' day, bo largely settled." 
 
 " The ett'eet of the Roman Catholic Mission at Ijhc la Bicho is seen in tho 
 number ol' small wooden houses and small patches of land fencod in, which are 
 seen nearly all round the lake, although these patches are usually small in them- 
 selves, yet in the aggi'egato they amount lo a good deid. Frfmi the stubble I 
 judged that the crops n\ust have been very good, .lUhoiigh I cduld obtfun no 
 statistics on this point owing to the inhabitants being all away engaged in tho 
 fisheries." 
 
 See Ajipendix, Pac, Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 .55 
 
 113 Gorrlon Exploration, 1H79. 
 
 The Rev. I). M. Gordon liassod dowi\ the Athalmsca from the mouth of 
 Little Slave River, in the south-western corner of this section. 
 
 '• Ai t!io junction of the two rivers the Athabasca is about 200 ^-nrds wide, 
 with a current ot about two and a half miles ])er hour. It broadens out in its 
 further flow, but its (iirr<'nt contin\ii!s much the same for many mi'es, 
 
 The land on either side is wooded with poplar, interspersed with spruce; 
 tho banks rise b}' gentle slopes to a height varying from 100 to 20(i toct ; the 
 soil .seems good, though light, covered occasioually with iuxuriaiit patitiu'os, but 
 for tho most part lightly tiinborcd." 
 
n9 
 
 McConnell Exploration, 1870, 
 
 Mr. McConnell orosHed tlio south-eastern corner of this section, on his 
 journey down tho Athiil asca from Athabasca Landinij to Lac la Bicho. 
 
 " The valley presented a nearly unH'orm character throughout, ranging from 
 a mile to two miles in hrcadth. The river winding (Voni one side of the valley 
 to the other caused the flat forming tho bottom to alternate from one side of 
 the stream to the other, A ratlier singular fact is tho decrease in the height 
 of tho plateau, which at tlio Landing is 350 fuet above the river, while, at liiver 
 La Biche, it is only 200 foot." This is an important fact, showing the general 
 fall of tho country towards the north, the same fall having boon observed on 
 the Peace liivor, by Mr. Mucoun. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. By. Hejj., 1879, 
 
 Tr4 Gordon E.qiloratim, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Gordon ])roeeeded down Lessor Slave Lake and River easterly to the 
 Athabasca, 
 
 ''Tho small river that forms the outlet of the lake is about 25 yards in 
 width, very tortuous, hemmed in by low banks that are almost uniformly 
 wooded with asj)en copso and willow, beiweon which it winds with very gentle 
 current at a depth sufficient for largo Jludson Hay Oom|iuny's boats heavily 
 l.aden. The soil on either side near the river socms excellent sandy loam, and 
 whore free of timber abounds in rich grass and pea vine. Ere it joins tho Atha- 
 basca the river wiflcns to a span of .50 j-ards, and passes over a series of gentlo 
 rapids, while its banks become moi'o varied in contour, though still closely 
 wooded." 
 
 McConnell Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. McConnell traversed the centre of the southern half of this section on 
 his way froni tho eastern end of Lesser Slave Lake to Fort Assiniboine, on the 
 Athabasca, 
 
 '* Leaving Lessor Slave Lake at its outlet, wo struck out in a south-easterly 
 direction for Fort Assiniboine. Atlor leaving the lake for a short distance tho 
 ground is marshy, but gradual]}' became firmer as wo advanced, opening into 
 a beautiful prairie several miles in width, covered with a luxuriant growth of 
 wild hay and yeavine. Mxiut six miles from the lake, came to a range of hills 
 running east and west. The crossing of these liills was extromols' difficult, 
 owing to almost continuous muskegs ami swamps, and at tho southern side a 
 largo stream flowing into the Athabasca was met with." 
 
 A few miles south of this stream a low ridgo was crossed, running from 
 east to west, which marked tho begiiming of quite an extensive reach of good 
 land, through tho centre of win. h flows u largo stream about, 75 feet wide. 
 Passing farther to tho south, unotlier siieara, flowing into tho first-named, is 
 crossed, and the valleys of both rivers siiolcen of as being ver}' fertile. 
 
 '' Near the latter stream tho country is almo.st entirely open, being merely 
 dotted here and there with clumps ol' willow, but away from the stream it 
 becomes densely wooded with la small growth of aspen. Through this aspen 
 bush w(» travel ied for about seven miles, a i;lin,pse from a sli;::ht elevation 
 revealing the same general (diaracler of countiy extending indefinitely east- 
 ward." 
 
 " Ton miles from tho river tho land again changed for the woi'so, and from 
 this point to Fort Assiniboine tho country generally 'vas swampy or sandy, and 
 of no value for agriculture." 
 
180 
 
 " Indeed, from tho outlet of Lewser Slave Luke to Fort AsHiniboine, on the 
 Athabasca, with the exception of a few miles on either Hide of the Ake-iiew-si-pi, 
 there is ecareely any part of tho entire distance ol' 65 miles at ail tit for 
 agricultua'al purpot-os." 
 
 Soo also Appendix, Pac. My. Rep., 1879. 
 
 55 
 
 115 Cambie Exploration, 18 
 
 Mr. II. J. Cambie de.scribes tho vicinity of Lessor Slave Lake : — 
 " We reaehi J the wontei-n erui of Les^cr Slave Lake, 1,800 foot above sea level, 
 on August liHh, and next day walked round the head of the lake, about Hovon 
 railcB, to the Hudson Bay Comjiany's fort ol' liie wirne name. Our path led us 
 across Suit Creek, 50 feet wide, coming in from t!ie norUi-west, which is bordered 
 fbr a mile on each side by riv'h marsh meadows. They are nubjoct to overflow 
 in spring and during the early part of the dimmer, but at the tirre of our 
 visit, they were nearly dry, and on many parl^ a mowing machine might have 
 been used to advantage. 
 
 Tho grass is coarse in quality, but is said to be very nutritious, and a 
 largo quantit}- of hay ])er aero might be saved. 
 
 Tho western extremity of Lesser Slave Lake is a circular pond, about four 
 miles in diameter, which is connected by a network of channels about a 
 mile in length, with another jiond of nearly the same size, which in its turn is 
 counected with the main lake by a channel about three miles in length. These 
 ponds are quite shallow, seldom exceeding four feet in depth, and between 
 them, as well as to tho south of them, marshes similar in every respect to that 
 next Salt Greek stretch away for miles. 
 
 Tho fort stands just at the outlet of the first pond ; the upland is thoro light 
 and sandy, with a small growth of poplar, spruce, alder and willow. 
 
 Lesser Slave Lake, August 20th. In the garden of the fort were po.as. 
 beans, turnips, carrot^i, potatoes and rhubarb, all looking well. And in the 
 
 ffardon at the R. C. Mission were the same vegetables, also onions, cabbages, 
 )arley (good), with some very tine wheat almost ripo, and quite beyond the 
 reach of any frost likely to occur at that season. The success of these crops 
 at an altitude of 1,800 teet above tho sea, and therefore nearly on the general 
 level of the plateau, oast of the Kocky Mountains, is a matter of some 
 importance." 
 
 Gordon Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Gordon speaks thus of the Leaser Slave Lake : — 
 
 "Around Lessor Slave Lake there <ire large marshes, yielding abundance of 
 excellent hay, and in this neigh lx)rho(xi wheat has been grown with marked 
 success, although as yet in very small quantity. To tho south of the lake the 
 country is hilly, though near the margin of the lake the land is very swampy; 
 to the north there are immerous marshes, lakelets and streams." 
 
 McConnell Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Ml'. McConnoll travelloii north through the western margin of this section 
 for a distance of 25 miles from the lliidMHi Bay Post, on Lessor Slave Lake. 
 
 " Foi' tho first 10 miles after having the lake, near the mouth of Salt 
 C'i'«ok, and going in a north-easterly direction, the frail leads partly through 
 opeii prairio and partly through a; pen copse ; the country is very rolling, tho 
 hollows being usually swamj)y and the soil on tho hij^her ground tolecably fair. 
 But from the trail largo muskegs could be seen 0.1 either side wholly worthless 
 for any purpose. The trail appears to wind along a ridge, and so to show more 
 
181 
 
 ^ood land than would appear from a lino taken straight north from the lake at 
 random. For the next ten miles the country i.s niin^h more woo'ly, the trees 
 )rincipally ef)nsisting of u.-pen with homo spruce, and Iho proportion of swampy 
 und being very evidently on the increase, until, ahoufiO miles north uf the lake, 
 itculminaled in what is called " Lo < Jiand Muskeg. " a helt of land 10 to 12 miles 
 wiil-^, running ca,>5t and west, and wholly given uptoswamps. Intothis wo caro- 
 full}- picked our w..y for three to four milo.s and then returned. Up to the 
 edge of ' Le Grand Mu.skeg " I should sr.y that ahout two-thirds of the land 
 patisod over wad fairly good tbo remainder being too .swampy to bo iiaoful for 
 any purpose." 
 
 Mr. McConnoll was informed that north of "Le Grai\d Mubkeg," the country 
 improved a little, and 'n the vicinity of White Fish Lake, situated a short 
 distance north of the largo muskeg, w jis somo very good land and a few 
 gardens. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Uy. Rep,, 1879. ; 
 
 55 
 
 II 6 Cambie Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Cambie crossed the centre of this section, proceeding north-easterly 
 from Little Smoky lliver to Le.sser Slave Lake. 
 
 " Continuing the same course, at about hoven miles wo j)assed L'o.^uois Lake, 
 one and a half miles long and thiee-quarters of a mile wide. 
 
 It discharges into Little Smoky liivor, being about 2;J0 feet higher, and is 
 separated only b^' a swamp from another lake of the same name, which empties 
 into Lessor Slave Lake. 
 
 About seventeen miles from the Littlo Smokj^ we crossed South Heart 
 River, 60 feet wide, shallow, and with a current of two miles per hour, running 
 in a valley a quarter of a mile wide and t!0 foot deep. 
 
 Still continuing the same north-east course for about eleven milos, withtho 
 river not far to our right, we reached, August l^>th, the western end of Lesser 
 Slave Lake, into which it discharges. 
 
 The country from Slurgeoti Lake to South Heart Kiver is not so swampy 
 or so much flooded by beaver as between Smoky River and that lake, but the 
 timber and soil are precisely similar. 
 
 For one and a half miles alter crossing South Heart River, we passed 
 through a belt of black pine, on poor sandy soil, and then across a taraarac 
 swamp half a mile in width ; but from that point to the head of Lesser Slave 
 Lake, our path lay along the face of a gentle slope faring the south-cast, through 
 a prairie of good grass, pea vine antl some small sage, with poplar and willow 
 copse. 
 
 The soil is grey silt, with several Inches of black vegetable mould." 
 Mr. Cambie travelled north-westerly through the northern half of this 
 section on his way from Lessor Slave L'lko to Peace River. 
 
 "At Les.ser Slave Lake we were presented with a supply of white fish, 
 iveighing from three lo four pcunds each, similar in ovei'y respect to those found 
 in the groat North American lakes. 
 
 We left there August 2l8t, on our homeward journey, following the Hudson 
 Bay Company's cart trail in a north-westorlj' direction to\varils Peace River. 
 
 About eleven miles from the lake we crossed the South Hcai t River, which 
 was there -10 feet wide, coming from the northeast, andfolK'Wed up some of its 
 smaller tributaries to the twentieth mile. 
 
 Three miles farther wo crossed a creek about 8 feet wide which flows into 
 the North Heart River, and followed the general direction of that stroana to its 
 confluence with the Peace, throe miles below the mouth of Smoky River, and 
 fifty-five from the western end of Lesser Slave Lake. 
 
182 
 
 In th<i first fivo miles from tho luke the trail asioiidH 400 feet and tlion 
 derfconds grsvJually with many mi important undiilatiDas towards Poaoo River, 
 which i.'^ there about HOG teet above sou ievid, 1, JOO fool wido, its immodi.itr 
 valley being 700 feet deep. Wo crossed a nuialcog one mile wide, and travelle 1 
 along the margin of another for half a mile, beside many small swamps whi'h 
 could bo drained without ditficulty." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac, Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 55. 
 
 117 Oambie Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Gamble crossed this section south-easterly on bis way to Lesser Slavo 
 Lake from Dunvegan. 
 
 ■' We found a party of Croes and half-breeds hunting on Smoky Fiiver, who 
 ferried us across in a canoe at a point about eight miles south of tho Bad Hoari. 
 
 Tho valley is there 450 teel deep and two miles wide at tho level of the 
 plateau. 
 
 The western bank was an irregular slope with many small h-dlows contain- 
 ing pools, caused by a series of land-slides. 
 
 My guide ko"', travelling youth-oast, and insisted ho was taking the shortest 
 route to Lessor Slave Lake, but alter four days he brought us to Sturgeon Lak.-, 
 live miles long by four broad, elevation above soa level about 1,'.>00 feet; where 
 there is n .settlement of Ciees. 
 
 1 estimated that wo iiad travelled during the four days only about forty- 
 one miles. A very largo pi'opoi'iion of the count ly is flooded by beaver, and 
 we spent hours picking our way between ponds, wading across swamps, and 
 bridging sm;ill streams with muddy banks in order to get our horses over. No 
 streams of importance were crossed. 
 
 There are numerous swamp meadows, but very little, if any, true prairie ; 
 the timber is pojilar, spruce, birch, willow and black pine ( Pinu? rontorta), all of 
 small size, in a few cases idne to twelve inches, and two small groves of spruce 
 nine to eighteen inches diameter were noticed. 
 
 The highest point passed over was about 2,100 feet above sea level ; tlio 
 country undulates gently, and if the boaver dams wore cut away it could ho 
 drained with very little labor ; tho soil is white silt with four to six inches of 
 vegetable mould. 
 
 The boulders and shingle on tho beach of Stui'geon Lake were all grauito 
 and with them was a quantity of white quartzosc sand." 
 
 Fi-om Sturgeon Lake in the centre of the southern portion, Mr. Gambie 
 travelled north easterly in the direction of Lesser Slave J<ake. 
 
 " [t was very annoying to find that 1 had been led many miles out of my 
 course and through swamps, to this lake, in order that my guide might have 
 the pleasure of visiting some of his Indian friends; nevertheless such was the 
 fact, and we had n'W to take a direction at right angles to our former one and 
 travel north-eastwards towards Lessei' Slave Lake. 
 
 About thirty miles brought us to liii!e Smoky llivcr, 400 feet wide, in a 
 valley ^.50 feet deep and one and a half miles broad, at tho level of tho plateau, 
 Tho estimated elevation above sea level is I,(i'JO feet, depth two and a half feet, 
 current 4 miles per hour. 
 
 Sturgeon Lake is one of tho feeders of this river, but its principal source is 
 in the range of mountains to the south of Ljsser Slave Lake, and it dischargos 
 into tho main Smoky, about 15 miles below the mouth of tho Bad Heart Kivor, 
 before referred to. 
 
 The beai'h and bars of this river consist of well rounded boulders and 
 shinglo of graiute, with some Urge masses of sandstone, not inui'li water-worn; 
 also nucnerous pieces of lig'r,'-_, but no rocks wei'o seen in beds, and there were 
 no means of a-ioertaiiung from what distance they had drifted. 
 
feet anil (hon 
 
 Ponce Rivcr, 
 
 its immeiii.iti' 
 
 , and travelle I 
 
 ivvaraps which 
 
 o L088er Slavf- 
 
 ky River, who 
 tho Bud Hoait. 
 ho level of ll>? 
 
 tUows contiiin- 
 
 :ig tho shortest 
 itiu'goon Lakt!, 
 '0 feet • where 
 
 ^ about forty- 
 
 y beaver, and 
 
 swamps, and 
 
 fses over. No 
 
 , true prairie ; 
 
 ontorta), allot' 
 3V0S of spriK 
 
 5ea level ; tlio 
 
 ay it could bo 
 
 six inchoa of 
 
 re all grauito 
 
 , Mr. Gamble 
 
 38 out of my 
 might h.'ivo 
 such was till- 
 mor OHO and 
 
 Jet wide, in a 
 r the platojtu. 
 1 a half loot, 
 
 pal source is 
 il dischurgoh 
 Iloari Kiver, 
 
 boulders and 
 vvatei'-wofii ; 
 J thoro woro 
 
 188 
 
 It is worth mentioning that a little belbro wo rouciie.i this stream a stono 
 abont ii'.osizo of my fist was met on the trail, and all the mcnibors of my little 
 party stopped to oxaniine il, not having seen one ot any kind for days boiore." 
 
 Dawson Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Dr. Dawson, crossed this section in its south-western part, on his way from 
 Pine Puss. 
 
 " East of the Smoky Riv-or and southward towanls tho Athabasca tho prairie 
 country is cjuite insigniiirunt in oxtont, tho region being chanu'torizoi,! by 
 second growth woods of small size, which on approaclung tho Al:habas(;a are 
 replaced l>y extensive ;md well nigh impussuble brules and wind-falls in which 
 second gi'owlh forest is ordy beginning in struggle u|). 
 
 Though the prairies are most immodiately available from an agricultural 
 point III view, tho regions now covered with si^cond growth ;uul forest where 
 the soil itself is not inferior vvill eventually bo equally valuable.' 
 
 Soo also Appendix, Pac. JRy. Rep., 1879." 
 
 55 
 
 118 Dawsm Exploration, 187ft. 
 
 Dr. (lo^. M. Dawson, D.rt., A.R.S.M., F.G.S., traversed this section from 
 west to east, south of its centre. 
 
 The country is described as high plateau to tho west of Sm"ky River, 
 with oxcensivc"area8 of prairie country, uither perfec". ly open and covered with 
 a more or less luxuriant growth of grass or dotted with patciies of coppice and 
 trees. What is not prairio or cop])ico is de.^cribed as being generally covered 
 with a dense growth of second growth aspen. On other parts some of tho old 
 forest remains and consists of large aspen and balsam poplar and spruce. 
 The better class of forest is found in the rivor valleys. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 _5i 
 
 1 19 Cambie Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Cambie, in travelling from Dunvegan to Lesser Slave Lake, traversed 
 the north-western corner of this section : — 
 
 "The first four miles, while ascending to tho plateau, were throniih timber, 
 and the soil apj)eared cold and wet. Again, Iroui about tho twonty-lir.st to 
 the Iweidy-third mile, wo passed over a low ridgo timbered with pojdar, spruce 
 and willow, wiioi'e the land was cold and wet. 
 
 The balance of the forty-five miles was through prairie and poplar copse, 
 with a few willows in low pbices ; the pio])ortions w^^ri^ about one-third copse 
 to two-thirds prairie, with grass twelve inches high, growing suificiontiy close 
 to form a sod. 
 
 The trail follows the more open pans of the couritry, and it is probable 
 that the proportion of wood land at some distance to either side would be 
 greater. 
 
 The soil, with the exceptions above niontionod, is a grey silt, with a few 
 inchoH of vegetable mould. 
 
 About twelve ir.iles front Dunvegan we came upon tihost Creek, twelve 
 feet wide, a branch of the Mrulo Rivei', which we crossed at about nineteen 
 miles ; the latter is fifty teet wide, and empties into tho Peace fifteen miles to tho 
 oaBt of Dunvegan. 
 
184 
 
 At the thirty-ninth railo wo crossed tho Hail Heart River, wixty feet wide, 
 ill a valie_) 230 t'o(>t <lee|), a qunrtor of a milo wide in tho liottom, and nearly 
 half a iiiiio wide ai the level of the ])latoaii. From where wo crossed, it flow's 
 in a north-east course for about five mile.-, and empties into Smoky Jiiver. 
 
 See section ■^^''g (or Dr. iJawson's description. 
 
 iSeo also Appendix, Pac. My. Hep, hST'J. 
 
 55. 
 
 120 Soo Sec. -jA^jf for Dr. Dawson's description. 
 
 Soo also Appendix, Pac. Jly. Rep,, 1879. 
 
 55. 
 
 121 Camhie E.rploratim, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Carabie entered this section at its north-western point, and travelled 
 south-easterly towards Pino Kiver. 
 
 HUDSON 8 HOPE TO PINE RIVER. 
 
 " We reach xl Hudson's Hope Septetnher 15th, and tried to obtain a guide to 
 take us to Pint- River, but iaileil, as the .'ndians wore all absent ; accordingly, 
 we left next inornint: aiid lollowed a hunting ti-ail to Moberly's Luke. Tliis 
 trail ascends from I'caco Eiver by a seiies of benches, and at one and a kalf 
 miles reaches the ])lat(':ni, which is there about 2,000 feet above sea level, and 
 contiimes at tho same clovaiiou to the titth mile ; it then ]>asses over a ridge 
 900 feet above the i)l;iteau and along a steep hill side to the .south-western end 
 of Moberly's Lake, at an e.-timated elevation of 2, 0.'iO feet above sea level. 
 
 In the til'^t live miles from Hudson's Hope wo had crossed two small tain- 
 arac sw.'imps and some stretches of light, sandy soil, with a small growth of 
 poplar and spruce. 
 
 We had again met with some level land in tho valley of Moborly'.s River, 
 which, for nine rules above tho lako, averages nearly half a mile in width in 
 tho bottom. Some portions of this are gravelly and ba-ren, ar.d others fertile, 
 with a few small prairies producing rich grass. There are also some tine 
 prairies at the lake, on slopes facing tho south. 
 
 Between Moberly's Lake and Pino River there is now a young growth of 
 spruce, black pine and poplar, but the piles of fallen timberprovoii the existence 
 not long ago of spruce torosts of moderate size, and a few belts of that timber, 
 6 in. to 24 in. in diameter, having escaped tho ravages of tire, are still 
 standing." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. By. Rep., 1879. 
 
 55. 
 
 122 '^e'o Appendix Pacilic Railway Eoport, 1879. 
 
feet wido, 
 and luai'ly 
 )d, it flows 
 [liver. 
 
 I travelled 
 
 a guide to 
 ['ordinglv, 
 k.^ Thm 
 nd a kalf 
 level, find 
 !• a I'idge 
 (Stern end 
 vel. 
 
 mall tatn- 
 ;n)wth of 
 
 '9 River, 
 width in 
 I's fV'itiie, 
 -ome tine 
 
 ;rowth of 
 
 existence 
 
 t tiinbei', 
 
 are still 
 
 186 
 
 TEOM THE 100th TO THE 11.>TU MEKMHAN, AND BKTWEKN THK 5 txri AND SStH 
 
 PAUALI.EI-6 OF LATITI. I'E. 
 
 54 
 
 100 See Appendix Paciflc lijiiiway lie])ort, 1879. 
 
 5i 
 
 1 1 -St'i^e Exploration, 1 879 . 
 
 Mr. Clurke paused throu!:,'h a Hni:ill portion of the soixtli-eahtern part of this 
 aeelion on liis way from Fiog Portage to (.'uniberLind ILmso. 
 
 Just bcl'oro entering thi-s soilioii Mr. Clarko pus.sed out of the granite and 
 entered at once iipc>n Siiuriiin limontuiu', which rises on all sides into cliilV 30 
 feet high, these are deeply pitted on the face. The hed of .Siurgoon L'iver is 
 one solid m;iss (if limestone. The cutintr}- on eaci) side of the river is low and 
 flat. From this ])oint to Cumherlund House the country is ncarlj all swamp. 
 At Cumberland FIou.se there is a farm of 8 to 10 acres, which produces gooJ 
 crops of various kinds. The soil consists of .sandy loam and in places stiff clay. 
 It is the only piece of good laud in the neighhurhood. 
 
 See also Pac. Ey. Rep., 1879. 
 
 5i 
 
 102 
 
 aKeeffe Exploration, ISI^. 
 
 Mr. Clai'ke passed through the north-eastern corner of this section on hi.s 
 way from Frog rortago to ''umbcrland House. 
 
 /larue pnsset 
 Frog Porta; 
 The north-west portion ^f this sccliou consists chiefly of granite ridges 
 with a scantj' growth of aspen and hircli, and in the vnlleys u poor coarse grass. 
 About the centre of Beaver Lake the formation changes from granite or syenite 
 to limestone. 
 
 In the southwest portion of this section are largo Inarshe^, '>ne on ea<'h 
 side of Swampy Kiver,. producing hay. Balsam poplar, tamarac and willow 
 are found heie. 
 
 See also Pac. By. Rep,, 1879. 
 
 51 
 
 103 O'Kteffc Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke reports that " the north portion of this section is chiefly com- 
 posed of samly riilgos, with marshy meadows close to Beiir liiver. Tlio east 
 central portion is sterile, consisting of a thin covering of niosson rock, growing 
 stunted poplar and birch. In the we>t centnd portion there is a good deal of 
 marshy meadow, and the south cast portion i-? of the ^ame churactei'. Along the 
 southern border is a tract of lair lamJ." 
 
 54 
 
 104 0' Keep Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, in his excursion soutl; of Lac LaEonge, examined the north-east 
 corner of tlii.^ section. Speaking of the northern purl 'if this stctifm, he says : 
 
 "The piincipal part oithis section is occupied with lakes, large and small, 
 and muskegs. In the niirthwcwt portion there are small sections of ftiir land south 
 of Lac La iiongo and surrounding Egg Lake. Around the latter lake there is a 
 belt of tine timber, consisting of tamarai, poplar and in places balsam. 
 
186 
 
 muskeg. 
 
 Mi\ O'KoetVe was informed by his guide McLean, that the east central 
 portion is oeeupiod with a range of sandy hills or mountains and a portion of 
 hear Lake. The soutiieastcin portion contains a quantity of marshy meadow 
 and some good land, while to the south-west lies a largo liact of 
 The timber of this part is small spruce and poplar." 
 
 ii 
 
 105 aKeeffe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke examiiie<l the north-wefctern part of this section and entered its 
 eastern side at Burnt Mountain Speaking of the whole of it, ho says ; 
 
 " The north half of this section consists entirely of lakes and muskegs, inter- 
 sected with sandy ridge>< , the latte)', for the most part, covered with small 
 birch and j)oplar and occasional spruce, 
 
 Mr. CKeoffe examined the southern half, and <iescribos it as follows: — 
 
 Almost centrally situated in this sction is the Mcmtrcal Mountain, the 
 slopes and crest ot which are composed of very good land, and j)roduce small 
 spruce and poplar. 
 
 The south hall consists of good land and some lakes, and the south-oastern 
 corner is almost wholly occupied by Montreal Lake." 
 
 54 
 106 
 
 O'Kefffe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. O'Koetfe, P. L.S., entered the south-western corner of this section, travell- 
 ing south-easterly. 
 
 The iKU'tion exj)lored was "mainly very fair land with some lakes and rivoi^ ' 
 The remainder ot the section is thus described : — "The northern portion of thi-* 
 section (;onsists of sterile sandy ]>lains and a good deal of mossy muskeg, the 
 timber,consisting ot stunted spruce, birch and poplar. 
 
 The central poi'tion is occupie<l by lakes, and th'S Hirch Kills, and has some 
 good tracts of land. Soil sandj loam, changing to sand. The timber is of fair 
 quality, often being a foot in diameter." 
 
 ii 
 107 
 
 54 
 108 
 
 O'Keeffe E iphration,l 1 879. 
 
 Mr. Clarke passed duo north through the centio ol this section, on his way 
 to Isle La Crosse Tiake. 
 
 "Tlic north-eastern and central portions of thissoction coi sist of good allu 
 vial land in jilaces along the Heaver Uiver, but inland a short distance the lainJ 
 is sandy and storile. The river hanks arc well wnodod with spruce. 
 
 Mr. ( )'Keell'e describes the southern portion .ilxnit (ircen Lake as being 
 generally gcH)d land and well suited for agricultural purposes. Tin\ber in the 
 sciilh-ciistern part of this section is of very fair quality, consisting ot spruce, 
 poplar ;ur1 tainarac." 
 
 ^ See also, Pac. By, 11, p,, 1879. 
 
 Ehfxts, Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. McK hior liberts travelled westerly through the southern portion of 
 this sectinn ; — 
 
 "At the IliHth milo again crossed the true forest limit, leaving it to the 
 north. Muskeg continued for about six miles in this section up to the 130lh 
 mile, where a delightl'iil change took place as we passed from the muskegs on 
 to a boHUtitul rolling prairie, light,ly timbered in spots with small poplar. 
 
 
he oast central 
 id a portion of 
 arnhy meadow 
 ct of" nmskcg. 
 
 find entered it« 
 
 ! says : 
 
 iiuskogs, intur- 
 3d witli small 
 
 ,8 tbllows : — 
 Mountain, tlio 
 produce bmttli 
 
 south-eastern 
 
 ection, travel I- 
 
 esand rivers '' 
 portion of this 
 / mu»kog, the 
 
 , and has hctoo 
 raber is of fair 
 
 n, on his way 
 
 of good iillii- 
 anoe the laiid 
 
 ICO. 
 
 jako as hoin^^r 
 rin\l)(M' in lliu 
 ing ot aprucn, 
 
 •n portion of 
 
 ving it Ui till' 
 to'lho nOili 
 a muHkogH on 
 poplar. 
 
 ■ »*» ..y.»^. > »ifc^ 
 
 l^Y 
 
 To the ponth. as far as could bo aeon, the country appeared the aanio. To 
 the north, from four to t*ix miles, the dark lino of the toroHt is soon. The land 
 through thi.s is very good, black and sandy ioauu', and in the botloras alhuium. 
 
 The fi irface is covered with mosl luxuriant griis808 and vclcho.s, oftontimos 
 80 matlwi and tuDglod that it was only by the greatest exertion one could push 
 throuirh thoin 
 
 This \iuvl hfUigood drainage. Numerous rapid si reams, from 10 to 40 foet 
 wide, with slony holtonis, woio crnssod, and judging tron\ the juirity of the 
 water, were, evidently, outloLs of lakes lyii)g io llio south; liieso all flowed 
 north towards the Eoavor liiver." 
 
 109 Eberts Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Travelling along the southern boundary of this section to about Ion. 10D° 
 30 , thonco struck north-we^t.jrly : — 
 
 " In the soulh-oasl corner of this section passed through a tjno rolling 
 country, sandy loam on the ridges and black loam in the bottoms; grass and 
 pea vine verj' abundant. From the centre of the southern part, anil running 
 noithward towards the Beaver Uiver, ih a range of high bills, pnnci|);dly of 
 sandy soil mixed with grivel and boulders on the ridi^es. 
 
 In ihi bottom were meadows producing luxuriant glasses; on the hills, 
 whiu'o latcl}" bui-nt over, vetches and lireveeil wore very heavy, the ir\nor tibre 
 of the latter, when gathert.d in the pr'>|>er season, makes a very strong rope, 
 similar in aji|iearance and etpuil to !ien\p." 
 
 Many largo tishing lakes occur among those hills, around which tho^Indiona 
 have their vegetable gardens, 
 
 The timber is principally poplar and spruce. Travelling to the western 
 side of this section the soil becomes poorer, grass thin and sickly-looking. 
 
 Survfijor-Ocneral of Dominion Lands Re/iurt, ISSO-—Q. A. Simpson I). L.t^t. 
 
 Mr. (I'corgo Simpson travelled north-westerly from Fori Piti to Cold Ijake, 
 a distance of DO miles. ,S|)eaking of the cou\itry north of Ki'og Lake, he says : 
 
 " ['"or twenty miles thee.onntry is low and swuinpy ; beyond that it is equal 
 if not superior to any 1 saw in the 'LVri'itor}-. The tinilier, poplar and lir, is of 
 gooti si/.c and stands in gro\e.s, tln^ soil is clay lnjini with clay sub-soil ; the 
 grass was Irom two ti> throe feet high and the water excclKnil, 
 
 I ma}' state thai, alter pa.^sing Fiog Lake, the water flows to the north, which 
 
 }s the wutor-shod here at latitude 5-r-'. Cold Lake, which has not yet been 
 
 makes 
 
 )wn on the tnap, _, ., , ,, . 
 
 could I'uko out from Chief Kinoosayoo, is jiear-shaped, iliesloni lying toward 
 "'■' south. 
 
 To the n(U'ih and \vest of Cold l^ako, ho informeil lue, is another lake 
 
 called (roi)soLake, about ten miles In diameter. Both these lakes have plenty 
 ofwhitefish in them. (tooso Lake is drained into Cold l,alfo, and Cold Lake 
 is draineii by a siroiim running n liMlo south (d easi, emptying into Jioavor 
 liiver, near Ihe II. U. Foit at t.ireen Lake. 
 
 Meaver lUvor, whiili runs about ^len miles south ot Cold Lake, is at the 
 crossing, about one hundi'od and lifty yards in width, it has high sleep banks, 
 well tindiered with large fir and jioplar. 
 
 It is hi're that a band oi liKbaiis iiolonging to the C'ltipjuHvayan tribe have 
 chosen their resnrvatitui. 
 
 I saw ploughing done by iheso Indians ecjual to what 1 have soon lit Home 
 of theplougliing matches in Ontario. 
 
188 
 
 Tlioy aro noted for their inilusify ; they have built two hri<lg08 over a I'lr;^'' 
 stroani which omiitiiiH into Uouver Kivor, and liiivo aiwo built for thomnoivi s 
 tw.'lvo tiini)oi' housoM. 
 
 'I'hi-y havo thrown a.side tho blanket and wear dothoH similar to the whito 
 man." 
 
 Sof aiw) Appendix Pac. h'y. Jicp., 1879. 
 
 110 JiUrlii b:.ri>l<mUion, 187!). 
 
 I'^ntorod tliiw Horlion ar al)out lat. 54° 13', travollitig north-wostorly l.. 
 Boater Hivoi-, thonoo Houth wostoi'ly ; — 
 
 " l<"or 10 miles (ho land i» of (jueslionabio value, j)riTK'i|)ally nand ; grnHHVii/ 
 liifht and small ; innHkei^s more frcciuent. Lakes ar<> numoituiH and well hIocIu'! 
 with tihii. Timhor, in places, large, of halnani, poplar, spruoo and, on the bor- 
 ders of swamj)s, tamu'-ac Thence, having jiassed. the IuIIh, entered on a love! 
 prairie, (he country improving in richnesH of woil and pasturage. Struck a cnrt 
 road at li^IJrd mile, and in tivo milcH reached the crossing of Meaver UiM r, 
 which is here IHO feet wide, flowing from west to east througli the centre .if 
 this section in a valley l,.')00 feet wide and 100 fool behnv tho general level of 
 the jnairie. ('old and (ii^oso Lakea, tho headnuartors of tho Chipvvoyan 
 Indians, lie to tho north. 
 
 At 24Sth mile reached Moose Orook, in a valley about 1,500 feet wide (itid 
 75 feet deep. With the e.xception o( three narrow belts ofsand, tiinl)ered will, 
 BanksiiUi pine, the soil is good and vegetation rank. Thence travelling soutli- 
 westiU'ly (o .Moose Lake and along its easlern sliores, passed somi> tine potale 
 gardens (frost of I'Jth August had nipped the leaves of some but did no hartuV 
 Thence I'Oiinding the southern end of the lake, roso on to a plateau (by anei'oid 
 1,()1H) feel abdve sea level), the liighost groiiml yi^l found. 
 
 In the siuithcrii p:ir( of this section, through arul Jilung tlie Moose Hills, 
 tho soil is |)riiicipally sand, supiMMting ii fair growth id' bunch grass, unlit for 
 c'ultivuticMi, tlHuigh a very dosir;ible summer range for caltlo." 
 
 See also Appendix, I'acjii' liaihoay Report, L^7!). 
 
 111 Eherii^ Exploration, 1873 
 
 Mr. I'^ibci'ti^ enteiu"! Ibis section, from Moose Lake, about latitude 5'1'' 20', 
 and travelled north-west to [jae La Bielie, and sul)so(iuently oxph)red the 
 northern portion. 
 
 " i\t 'J'i'Jnd mile, crossed the vidicy of IMienHanl Hill ( ■rc(d<, ll.OOO feel w Idc, 
 iind from 75 to 100 (i'ot deep near the bill of that name, and luissed ov(U- aruithcr 
 beautiful strctih of country lo the eart tr.'iil crossing of the Meavei' iiivei', 'JlHst 
 mile. The soil was ri(h and warm, and well adapted for seithnnont. Thonco 
 liir six miles over a sandy ridge, covered with Hanksian pine and small poplar, 
 to i''ull Lake. From this to Little Heaven" Kix'or, 2'1 n>ileH, was chiefly i'vi>r 
 I'idges of black and sandy loiimw, ilividing -wamps, lakes ami muskegs. '^I'hrci' 
 niiU'sfrom crossing of Little Heaver liiver is situated the farm of M)-. Pnid- 
 homme, wlio.se cn'iw ot barley, wheat and oats bad been entirely destroyed hy 
 iVost on tho 'J7th .luly, while the crojis on tho lake shore, 12 miles to the north, 
 wore uninjured. At Lac La Liclie, the lliulsdii's Bay post is situated ^120 milo^' 
 Irom t'arlton. On tho stiiith shore, (arming is cairied on sncei^issfully at llio 
 Komun <'iilholic Mission, and line crops of gi-ain wcro harvested in (Im lattei 
 part ot August. Tobacco lias also lK>en raised for some j'oars. Tho norlli shore 
 IS tliieki}' timbered with s[u-uce and poj)lftr. l''or fivo miles north of tho lake, 
 up lo tho cniseing ol"0\'l Kivor, tho tfoil in gocxi, but not woll julaptod lot 
 
yfOH ovor a l/n-iro 
 for tlioniHcIv, s 
 
 lar to the wliilo 
 
 •lh-wo8torly i, 
 
 iiml ; ^ruHB vary 
 t)d well HUnl<t;! 
 id, on tlio hor- 
 ;Oi'od on u lovi'l 
 Strui'k ii ciiri, 
 IJoiivor I{ivt>r, 
 li tin* contro of 
 (.'iioml I«'vol di 
 ho Chipvvoynn 
 
 ) fwl widu (uiil 
 tiinliorod wii!, 
 ivollin^ soiitfi- 
 mo tiiio |K)()i((i 
 . did no hiirm). 
 Ill (by anoroi(J 
 
 a MooHc Ililln, 
 ;rnss, imlii, lor 
 
 ifudo 54'^ W, 
 oxplorod I In 
 
 ,000 foot wl(|,>, 
 
 I OV(!f iUKltliiil- 
 
 r iiivor, lilHst 
 
 LMll. 
 
 Thon 
 
 NliUiU itojilai', 
 
 cliiotly («vi>r 
 
 ko/^'H. *Tlih<t' 
 
 of Mr. Priid. 
 lUmlKiynd l.y 
 
 (i> th(> IKMlll, 
 
 itod ;f:iu milo^ 
 dully at i!io 
 III (lio laltci 
 
 noi'lli nhorc 
 
 1 ol' I ho Ittkr, 
 mlaptod I'd 
 
 1R9 
 
 agricidturo, being very biokon and hiily. Atlor orcwHing Owl River, and 
 continuing north, pasHod nothing l)iit Hainrhiils and iniiHlcogH, with graHH only 
 on th« bordoi-B of tho lakoM. Tinibor conHiHts of J'atd?sian ])ino, tamarac and 
 8pni('o, tho lattor c'ovort'il with niosH." Mr. Ebortn tnivciiod from JIiidHon's IJay 
 noHt, on Lac. La Hicho, nortli-o;i.storly '25 milos tu Heart Ijako, paHhing ovor a 
 high, roiling country ot light, sandy soil, mixed with gravol and bouldorH, and 
 timlwrod with npruco and poplar. At tliis lake llc^ Indians hail gocnl vogotablo 
 gardonn. Jlonco oxploreil Nouth oi oast a« far aH tho Clear Water liivor, panHing 
 Homc large lakes well stoekeil with m.agnifieont whitefi.sh and Halmon-tnmt. 
 The Hoil on thiH jvirt becomes lighter, and the country is very tniich cut up with 
 Hwanips and muskegH; timber, poplar, spruce and tamarac. Tho Clear Water 
 here in TOO feet wide and two feet deep, with quielcsund bottom. 
 
 Seo alHO Appendix. Pac. Jiy. Hep., 1819. 
 
 Sci) Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rop., 1819. 
 
 54. 
 
 112 
 
 54 
 
 I '3 Gonlon Exploration, 1871). 
 
 Mr. <iordon travelled Houth throu/.,!i this Hoction from AthabaHca Landing 
 to Kdmonton. 
 
 " iSoon aftor wo had readied tho Landing the oxpcetcd train of carts from 
 Kdmonlon airivo<l, and after unloading tlieir cargoes, returned. The country 
 for somodiHtanco Houth of the Landing is broken into ridges, the soil being at 
 first |)Oor, but aftor twenty miles ai'o passed it becomes y*:ry attractive, rich 
 with Inxuriant grass and pea vino, watered by friHiuont streams and lakolers, 
 and occasionally dotted with asjjon copse. Approatdiing J'Mmonton, and 
 i)articiilarly from the crossing of iStui'geon Kiver, the soil is e.xceptionally rich. 
 The roail loads liu' miles by lu.KUi'iant bay meadows, and througli gently rolling 
 wlieat-lands of great fertility. Large tields ot wheat had alieaily luasn cut, — 
 one tield not far from Kdmontori covering 100 acres, — and the hearts of the 
 bottlers were gladdened by jin abundant harvest. Wo came unoxpoctedly on a 
 little clump of houses overlooking tho Saskatchewan, and a Ittlo lower down 
 on the river bank wo enti-reil tho centre of ihe settlement, I'ort Edmonton, tho 
 raobt imjiorlant Hudson Bay ('ompany's post in the North-West TorritorioH." 
 
 M<:CmneU Exploration, 1870. 
 
 Mr. McConnell describes thus the vicinityof Athabasca Landing: 
 
 On either side of the trail in the vicinity of Athabasca l.tiiiding the country 
 
 waB !dnK)st all a den.se growl h of small poplar or muskeg, the soil conhisting 
 
 ot sand and clay with a slight clothing of blacli muiild. A Ilall'brood 
 
 trader itifoi'inod him that this do.scriijtion of laml oxtoniled out t,o Lac la iJicho. 
 
 Seo also Apiicndix, Pac. Hi/, Hep,, 1870. 
 
 51 
 114 
 
 51 
 "5 
 
 Soo Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep., 1870. 
 
 See Appendix, Pao. Ry. i^ei),, l'<70. 
 
 Soo Soc. ^^'i ul8o Appoudix, l^ac. Ry. Rop., 1879. 
 
ro 
 
 54 
 117 
 
 A4 
 
 118 
 
 l>airson E.rploMtion, \>^T-K 
 
 Dr. l>a\vson, prorootiiutj; Houtli-oastorly, travorsod tliis stM^tioii oi» liin waj' 
 from I'iiii' I'aHK to tlio AMiuliaHua. 
 
 •'I'lio laruv-Hl tract cf [loor laiui is tliiit hoidcriii;^ tlu; valloy of tlio Atlia- 
 baHi'u oil tlui iKH'fli. Tliir) rises to an I'lovatioii CDn.siclorulily f^roalor tliun 
 incut ot llii; iH);,'-i()ti to tlio norlli and wcHt. 
 
 TluM iojj:iim is also vory H\vaiii|)y m many ))laco«, ami for a width of 20 to 
 25 niiloH ou llio trail from Stiir/:;oon Laku to llio AtliahuHca is ijuito iinsuitod to 
 af,ri('ulturo, tlioutjh in many plucos oiifahlo oi yioldiii;:: good summrr grazing 
 wluMc tlio foi'o.st Inw lioon comiilololy ivmovod liy tiros. 
 
 In tlio HouLlicrn part ot thiM section tho country h quiic olcvnti'd, and mopt 
 of tiio trihutiiries of tlio (Smoky K'ivor rino at a short dinitanco from the Atha- 
 baacii. Tho tributurioH of tho latter .stream iVom tho nortli boing, with tho 
 oxcojition of the MaptiHto, quilo inconsidorablo iT> thin partof ilw idurHO. 
 
 Tho riiigOM and hillH l>y whi( h this region is occasionally divorsdicd appear 
 in all cases to bo composod either of the g{;nerally soft rocks of tho cretacoouB 
 and tertiary, or of arenaceous clays containing erratics and representing tho 
 boulder i lays ot the glacial period. Tiioso elevations are generally slight, and 
 with ex'ct'cdingly light and gradual slopes to the scarped banks of tho streams 
 constituting much more iniporluut inequalities. 
 
 Tor description of northcrr part of this section, see j5j^. 
 See also Apjimdix, Pac, liy. luj., 187!>. 
 
 PROM THE IOOtI! TO THE UOtII MF,R[ni.\N AVE UKTWKKN THE .WRO AND 54Tn 
 
 PARALLELS OF LATITUDE. 
 
 53 
 100 
 
 53_ 
 loi 
 
 John .'^■■mili, M.n.;,Rrplor(Uioii, 1S7!>, 
 
 Mr. II. H Smith, (IK , on his way from the month of Carrot Jlivor to Lako 
 Winnijiegosis, jtasscd southeasterly and southerly through this section. 
 
 Of tlio iMiintry west of (.Vdar Lake, he says; — ''It is reported that tho 
 muskeg ov(>r which this portage passes (ho is speaking of Mossy or Cedar 
 l\irlage, which is all niiiskog), continues westward an indelinite (iislance. It 
 is also reported that at I'iiie MlutV, on the J^ver Saskatchewan, '15 miles below 
 tho ]'as Alission, canoes can ascend Pojilar I\ivor, be carried over a portiige of 
 two miles in length and ]ilacod in another stream which hills into Lako Winni- 
 pegosis at tho extreme north-western point of Dawson's Bay." 
 
 See also Aj^pcnilLv, Pa<\ liy. Jicp., 1879. 
 
 Dr. Smith E.rplorafio)i, 1870. 
 
 Mr. 11. H. vSmith crossed thiH section, in his voyago down Carrot Rivor, ia 
 a north-easterly iliicction. 
 
 '• I'Acept a narrow strip, soldotn over .'{()(( yards wide, on tho river bankf* 
 the coutitry is tot4illv untit tor settlement. 
 
 Carrot Uiver, wliere it enters tho Saskatchewan, is almost '200 loot wido 
 with low flat banks." 
 
 Soo also Appi-ndix, Fac. liy. Rep,, 1879. 
 
191 
 
 51 
 
 102 Dr. Smith Exploration, 18'79. 
 
 Ml'. II. Fi. Smith, in IiIh voyn/,'0 tJowii Carrot Rivor, paHScd almost through 
 the contio of Ihiw '•octifni in (i north oiistofly (iiroclion. 
 
 •• Shortly iif'tor ci'oHMiiit; the boiiiHliiry of this Hoclion a minoriii sprinij was 
 y»HHso(i, Mimiliir in tawto and color to tho Borlhwick Watrr at C)itawa. At thin 
 point uImo si^ns of a nwatnpy country iti tiio iiitcrioi- '.von; ap|»art;nt." 
 
 An Indian Hottloniont W!ih found at the foot of the rapids on a voiy [irotty 
 spot. " Tlioy havo built ninii nul).-<tai '.iul IiouHos, and aro I^UHJly oiif^ai^od cul;- 
 ting hay, raining potatooH and finhing. A canoo route nuiH northward from this 
 
 })oint to t'uinher'land, through a HorioH of marshy lakoM and crooks. Kroin in- 
 brmalion obtained lioro tiio (country on both sidos of the I'ivor, excepting a 
 narrow boltoi half'a mile in the vicinity of the rivor, i.-i one mass of marsh and 
 water, broken only at rare intervals by |KitchoH of good dry land." 
 
 About the middle of the Hection,at ll>o Hudson liay Company's post, the first 
 view of tlie Pas Mountains was obtained. They appoaie<l to tlie south about 18 
 miles off, rising boldly from the marshy plains to the height of 700 feot. It 
 iB reported they are densely wooded with large spru(;c, ])oplnr and tamarac. 
 The summit is principally muskegs and small lakes." 
 
 " A bram-h of the Saskatcliowan, 90 feet wide, ontors Carrot River near 
 the eastern border of the section, and from 20 miles above this point to it 
 enters the "Great River," it is navigable f)r steamers of light draught. The 
 rivor banks are alluvium, and aro well timbcuod with elms, maples, poplars and 
 spruce; outside of the rivor banks the country is marsh." 
 
 See ^,j for Mr. A. L. Russell's description. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry, Rep., 1K79. 
 
 53. 
 
 103 O'Keep. Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. O'Koulfe entered this section a lit,tle north of the middle on its western 
 side on an excursion from Oandlo Lake. 
 
 " Down the rivei" for 15 to 20 nnlcs the land on both sides of the rivor is 
 good clay, blacdc and sandy loam, clay and sand for subsoil. Land level on both 
 sides of the river, which is about (JO foot wide, and from 2 to z\ feel deep, 
 stony and gravelly fmttom ; timber, poplar, spruce, birch and willow." 
 
 McLean and Anderson, his guide-*, reported that between the Saskatchowati 
 and Sturgeon Rivers there was good land, particuhirly along tlie lastriamed 
 river. A bcdt of sandy country extends between the two rivers, and on each 
 side the iaml is good. To the north of Stui-gcon liivci' good land with marshy 
 meadows and some muskegs, and numerous large lakes is the rule. Un the 
 sandy country along the Saskatchewan stunted liaidisian pine is found, but 
 north the timber is as above. 
 
 Dr. Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. II. B. Smith, in his voyage down Carrot River, crossol the southern 
 part of this section, travelling norlli-casterly. 
 
 A little west of the boundary of this section tho river is only 4^ miles 
 from the Saskatchewan. 
 
 Where the river enters this section the baidis arc of considerable height, 
 but doorease nMich in altitude after the middle of tho section is passed, and 011 
 tho oastcrn side are only about 10 feet. 
 
 About tho middle of tho section many groves of lino timber, consisting of 
 upruco, Uaakuian pine, poplar, birch, tumarac and muplo, were uooa uftun over 
 123—13 
 
1(12 
 
 2A fool iti .liniuolor, ImiI niiioli ol' (ho omindv wmm a luiilo. A liUlo < !hI ■<(' llic 
 midillo oC (lio N(M>(iiiii (lio(ir>>l oxpo^^m !■ ol' im l< in ■'■ilh i'j no^mi. " An o\|iiiqiiro 
 <)( liiiios(.in(> wlafool ;i \wv\ moII iiiiliiro wsm neon on (lie si>,illi mjiIo." 
 
 An Cur as •ii'om (lio laiul hooiucI well sim.'il In; ciilliviitiun. iinil wn.i 
 covoroii witli a oonMmioiiN IhiohI nf llu- almv o monli'Uiol (roos. \ m (lio tMiHtcM n 
 8i(io (>(' tlio Hoctiiin, liowovor, wa+« a|t|ii't)a('lio<l I Iw lnrcMl l'c>ram«> uno nl aHjion 
 j)0]>lav ol' Hiuall «i7,o, anil lli(> ^oil li';l>i MnM M«n(l\ In pa^^in;; lliron^rii iIhh 
 
 iraol (l\i' nvoi hoil ih ;;i ('all y <>iu'ninl>oiO(l "with vci \ lar^^t IhhiIiIimh (<(' Ijmo 
 pfoiio, /);r">'>iio iniil >.\onilo," 
 
 Thn rivor i onsl;in(ly inoi <>a-io(l in \\ nil li aM In' croH'^oii iVoni wont (o oiihI, nml 
 bcforo tin' i'H|nilH woro toaolioil Mvoi'!itr<'(l oi^'ltt (ool in liopMi. 
 
 Soo ^"^'4 lor Mv, A. I/. U'nssoJl'M .u'si ri|)tion. 
 
 Soo nlso \ppf>ntii:(, PiU. l\ij. ti('i>., l.'^'J!'. 
 
 53. 
 
 104 O'Kri'fr Erplornfion. 1.^7 D. 
 
 Ml. O'Kocllo |iaMS(>il lor a ilislanoo olTit' iniloM mnlli llii'on;vli (I10 conlro of 
 lhi« scolicn io ramllc iiuKo, and llioin-o nm-lli went waul (o (iicai MiU.orn Ijiili •, 
 JIO niilon; oi\ liis rolnrn (Vom ('andlo iiako lo I'limo y\ll»or( In' pivtsoil KoMh- 
 wcwloriy a dislanoo ol'.'IJ nnion. 
 
 On I ho lino IVon\ l'"or( ala('orno to Canillo i.ako llto land va.i'io>4 vory 
 muoli in tpntlily, hut aliotn llio ono Irdr ofil in vory lair land " Tlio land on 
 (lie oaKlorn l\aU of IhiH soolion to alioiil hall way holwoon Iho SaHkalolunvan 
 and iStnrjiooti llivois in sandy and jiooi, In Iho vi«'inil,y of iSliirgonn liivor tl\o 
 land iinprovos and i'^ ^ood lor a^iionllnral purpoHOH." In (ho iiorlhorn part of 
 (ho NOilion, west and oasl oriKo head or('andlo haKo. Ihoi'o is Honic ;^oo(| land, 
 alno inuskoji; and sinno inoadow intirNlios , ninnocoiis lar^o lakon aro noallorod 
 nl<>n^ tho wosiorn sido in Iho north. Thoi'o i'^ Moino vory Niipciior Hpnioo 
 find lamarao in IhisHoolion, IM (o 2[ inohoM in diainolor. j)oplarn of iihoiil (ho 
 nanio .'^iro , plonly of whilo lish in (ho hilu'n and livorn. Tho ooimlry in 
 goiuM-al 18 !.:;onll_\ iMllmji (m- ainu)n( lovot. 
 
 Vr. Smith ICrfhrotion, IS"!'. 
 
 Or. Ntnilh onloivd lliis soolion ahoiu I ho coiitro ol i(h Hoiithoni lumiidary 
 uay from Swan Hivor to Fori a la Corim. 
 
 Tho liiMt l.'i inilos ol ',hi.'< dixtricl may lio ''la^iHod as imdnlalini;' pniirio, willi 
 hoil of tho I'ioho.'d oharaclt r. It is al,'^.) woii walorod l>y two iniporltnil HlroatnH, 
 tho Maplo ami Tairot Ki\oi>'. Tlio Majilo Itixcr, al (ho point o| cro.sMHf, Im 15 
 fool wuio and I wo fool doop, with oiay hanUs 1(1 fool hi;;h. 'riio Carrol l{ivor, at 
 I'oinI of oro(<sinfi, is -f) fi'ol widi' and liiroo fool deep, with < hiy hiinkssovon foot 
 liigh. From point ol orossinij for oiirhl tnilos low rioli land wiih ninnormiH 
 livkos until a riduo is roai'hod VH lo Kill (ool alio\o (ho prairio lovol, this i< sandy 
 nndoi>\orod willispnuo. t^no inilo of sandy moiI of no ;igiii'i>!(ural vatiio oxtonds 
 lo tho I'\»rl. 
 
 Mr. 11. H. Smith Iruvoliod oaslorly down Ciirrv)l Uivor iVoin Iho I'oiitro cf 
 tho sotilhorn jiarl (M'lhis soolion. 
 
 'Tho land on holh .si.los of tho rivor in pnili:illy 011011 and sli;4;htly iindiihit- 
 iiij;: al Iho point ol'doptirtnro. Tho .■-oil is of Iho nohoid possihh' oliiirtiolor, 
 bouiij clay loam fiom 0110 (o Ihroo toot doop with ii niiIi.mmI of t^lay. t'iiimpH of 
 Ptnajl ]'o|\lars intiy ho soon in nil diroolions. 'IMiroo iiiilo.'^ oust from tho point, 
 whoro Iho (rail orossoK Iho rivor, tho limltor oommonoos and ooniimioH all Iho 
 May down Iho rivor. 
 
 While croHsini,' Ihis soclion many oxposiiros of Iho rivor hanU woro 
 obboiwxl, which avcrngod Irom lour to live loot of liiublo diiy, bououlk whioh 
 
1<»,t 
 
 I' < i\h\ «(' (lie 
 'Vll (>v|iimnr(< 
 
 III. iiimI \vn:i 
 
 'I I1H> OIlHh'l II 
 'll(> ii) ||M|I(>II 
 
 llircii^rli iliiH 
 l(>rn i<i' liini' 
 
 , ((> i>uh(, Hiui 
 
 lioH n tlii<l< Mti'iihim n| cdnr^d (j:ifi\'<'l (iinl hoihI \^ fur at I'onld l>(> oIh(mvciI from 
 tlit< tiiji ol Imiiki, III!' Hill rniirnliiijr iKiiriliy w(H III li Mini lorliln iiiid (Voo li'i>m 
 
 K\VI1MI|IH filiil II|!I'<1<<"| 
 
 riii'ii\i| liir t||i> wlinli" ili-^iiiiK n i'l iii|iii| iimi IditiioiH, ity lnoiiillh vnii 
 
 OR 
 
 (Vmii lift lu fiO li>i't, mill iiMi|(>|illi in (he iii|(iil-4 niily '•< li'W iiuli 
 
 'I'll!' liiiiikH, 
 
 wliii M iilli-i Mill' ly 
 
 lin.v ill'll"!* 
 
 Ill fill 
 
 ll('« llll'l tjri'ldi tllnlMI roii-'lsl lli(f I'' |i'>|llnr, 
 
 I _ :. ,1". ._.. -. Ill I i 1 _i 'I 
 
 Hjiiuio llll'l liiink'^iiiii |iiiit> 'if \2 Iiii'Ih^h in ili(im«U»r, iivonij^i^ 10 fool. Iiigli 
 Ml KiiHHi'll <>x|iliii(i(l tlM>('(irml Kivnr iifist wHrd lliiitiij^li (IiIm Kocti'iii. 
 
 Iio ci'HlrK (if 
 
 i(li>l'li Idlii- •, 
 IftSHod Nillll). 
 
 Viifios very 
 'Iio ImihI on 
 iHkiilrliowHii 
 n l{iv(>i' tl\o 
 lorn |mr(. ol' 
 (> gnii(| |;inil, 
 it< Hontloi'oil 
 I'inr H|iriU't< 
 r iilxiiil tJio 
 ('iniiidy ill 
 
 lii'iiii«liiry 
 iiiiio, Willi 
 
 l( Hi I'OliniN, 
 
 ■iiir:, in 15 
 
 klVlM', III, 
 
 i'\ on \\w\ 
 
 nUIIHM'llllH 
 
 I i'l i < MM IK I y 
 
 lie OXl(»lllirt 
 
 I'iMifrc (>!' 
 
 iindtildt- 
 
 li.'iriu'loi', 
 
 'iiiinpH of 
 
 ho pnilit 
 
 H Mil 1 1)0 
 
 ijink woio 
 tJi which 
 
 I'''!!' IlliOIlt ^^fl 
 
 IiKwmri'TKiN fiK cAIIII'iT lUVRIl. 
 I'H ill (HI iiir liiin dun cmhI nl' I /!i( 'oilio, tlio < JniTof \i\vi\V 
 
 niiiH lliroiijfli u citili', wi'll \V'Midi>d nnd wnll w.'iiind cuiiritry; lint (iRiir rciu li- 
 iii(/ SIicimI l/iiki' Sod liiiiciit, ii iii'ilccl [iidiuii |iiiiudiNi>, (ili'iiinditi^f in IIkIi, diickfl, 
 
 tjccHc mill Hdiii 
 
 hii 
 d' (1 
 
 ('•' ^flll|(>, III! 
 
 li.'iiikH li;'r(itn'> lo\v<>r, find a wli'irt. di-tuncd in 
 
 (lio I'i'iir tlifioid' mo ("xlniinivi' fi'.Viiin|)-' hij^nufm mid lak<dots, Himdiir U) tlm 
 ('(Hintry fid|'iinin^ Uio S)inl<atrln>wiin Idvcr, IicUvimui ('iinihorliitid lIoiiRn nnd tlio 
 
 I « mill 
 
 I l{ 
 
 dim 
 
 Miiidi Imtci- I mill' r iw l<> li" hi'imi, nuirn n^^iiociiilly in Uio lovvor pHcl '»( Iho 
 riviT, mid ciinMiHl^ ur|iii|ilur, hjh nee, 'ultiiii wind, ?n(i|ilc, idm, kc, I'loni Indian 
 l'(<|iiir(H llid wikmIh cxlciid Imrk ti \i>u^'_ dislmiin rruiii (li(i rivrr. 
 
 VVIiili> nil tlio HiihiKcl, (if tinitior I iiiiiy rnmnik tJKit, (ho liir'li Hilln, hhiiIIi 
 111 Ijii ('(lino, I'lintnin niindi lar^^o |)n|ilm. Dnwn llio norlliorn sl')|i(i id' thoso hilU 
 (Idw MovornI Hinnll HtronniH, tlio liirj^OHl nt wliiidi in cailod Hiitnir or St'iny ('rook, 
 and 'III ilH i'(iiirsi> aro hovcisiI valiialili> null siioM. Hi'voinl mill sitin aio hImo to 
 lio tiiiind on tlio ( 'iiri'it Hivcr, v-. woll mm hii I'ino Crcok, a small .-.lioain orn|ity 
 in^; inlii Iho SaHkatidiowan Rivor noiir " 'I'ho l'"i)ik,M" 
 
 A Hloamhnal, Kitniliif to Ihono iiHod on IhoSaHkatidiowan Uivnr, ''(luid a-icond 
 rondily all Hiiminor tlio('ariol I'ivor Ironi Iho Pan VlisHion, loi' 7(> iiiiIoh ('t{\ in 
 an air liiH>) to wIoto an im|ioi'laii( foodcf, (ill I'col wido, cirni^. in fioin tlio north. 
 'JMiinii/^hoiil Iliin di^.taiico ili<> livor avora(;o-. :M() loot in width, and has a ciirront 
 oCrriiin ono In one nnd a hall niih's an hoiir. 
 
 l'"riiin Iho ahovo poinl iiiiwiird.-i tl 
 
 io livor in I'liokod in mini 
 
 y [' 
 
 iliioo-i 
 
 drit'twooil, and VZ niiloH faif-iitio) I'lirthor on thoro in a. vory hoi Iomm Imrrioi 
 ra|iidH vvilli a Call of ovor 'J<t loot in two niiloM. 
 
 with 
 of 
 
 Miout !i(t iiiiloH (11 air lino) iiii Irom tho main SaMKalohcwaii liivor thoi'O 
 
 coinoK II 
 
 :]: 
 
 n I'loin Iho north wost a (lianiml of tho Saskul' liowati, known an tho 
 Sn|iana/^ooHo, IK) loot, wido, whidi div'ori.o'H from Iho niuin stn^am ulxiul. .'50 rnilos 
 (no lino) Hoiith wohI. of Oiiiiiliorland 1 1 on so. 'j'ho (Iiirrol Kivor projior, th«rofor«, 
 lorminatos wlioio it iiiooIh th',- Sii|iana/.r(ii)so, iiii<l tlw l.wo > hiiniioi.H lorm a liirijo 
 island, ahoiil Hi.xlydivo inilos lon^, Hinilh ol (Iiinihorland lloiiso." 
 
 Soo iil.HO Ai>pin<li.i, I'lh . Ktj. /{r./'., |rt7!). 
 
 53. 
 
 105 (yh\M'ffi\ Kxplnmlion, lH7!t. 
 
 Mr, O'Kooll'o iravollod ri almonl ovory dirnidion thrcmj^h this Mcoiiori, and 
 (loyoiilKm it gonorally noitli of tho Saskatchewan for tlio whole tnoadth id' thin 
 t-ootion; "TIh^ land is Kinlod liir aLcriciiltiiial |iiir|ioHos a.s fui' north an 
 I;illlo lliltorn L.'iko (in lhl^ oa.--l, ami thoiii'o (liai^onally north-wcist Io Uc(l I>o,or 
 Liiko. North of hittlo Hillorn Lakt; tlnro is a iart^o tnarsh or nwamp wliioh 
 litis hotwoon tho iilmvo lake and (Jroat Hittorn liuko, to tho rioith-oa-,t. 
 
 Alon^r tho nortlHMii limindaiy of tho sootion, tho land is good and ext)nds 
 nfirthivai-d to tho tu[) ol iMontroal Mountain (sco /o'j). 
 
lU 
 
 About, 6 miles nort'i of Prirn^e Albert, a soi-ioM of sand IiIIIh utkI ridgos from 
 3 to 5 miles wicio, cxtond eaHtor'}' tbrniiirl) lliis section into llio noxl (seo ^'ff^). 
 This tract of eouiitiy, all lioiii;!) |)ritifi|iall3' ijiiito saiiily , contiiins many sniii!! 
 tracts of voiy ^ood laml. The pi-evai ling timber hero is Maiiksiaii pirio, but 
 mucb good aspcTi poplar i" likowiso sctsn. 
 
 Willi the except ion of tliis strip '»!' sandy country, all the otlvr Ikih a tlrsl- 
 class soil of a niivcd cbaracior, passing from rich liiack clay loam with or with- 
 out small pebbles and gritty sand into all varieties of loam till it pasHos into saud 
 in the ridges sj)oken of above. 
 
 North of I ho sand ridges aro largo quantities of very iine timher, consist, 
 ing of spruce, poplar and tamarac. Passing still furtb-r north, (he country 
 graduaiiy becomes bettor until it assumes a swam|ij- cli; I'acter in the neighbor- 
 hoivlof Bittern Lake. In the soiilh-etistertt j);irt, north of the rivers, are many 
 pino prairie;, interspersed with groves of iisp^n poplar. 
 
 On the western margin of the centre of this 8e<;tion, Mr. O'lCeeffo found a 
 small area under crop on the eastern side of .SturLTOon Lake, lat. 53*-' ;J(V. 
 Wheat, potatoes and barley were under cultivation, the former and the latter 
 being til lor harvesting (2l'nd Aug.) and most promising." 
 
 The potatoes coiiUl not be excelled for size or qualify anywhere. 
 
 Sec also Appendix, Pacific Railway Report, 1879. 
 
 Marais Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith, M.T.C.E., travelled eastward from l\nt Carlton to Fort 
 ft la Covne throtigh the southern portion of this section. 
 
 " Immediately beyond this the soil ;rr:proves, and scattered homesteads 
 appear; at about 3i> miles the trail crosses the Red Deer Creek , the soil beyond 
 this increases in richness and the homesteads aiMi more numerous. The main 
 settlement is on a tiat nearly opposite .Slurgeon Kiver. Farm homesteads, at 
 intervals, extend down the banks of the north branch of (ho river to the Forks, 
 and (here is a settlement on the south branch, iirineipally haH-brceds. 
 
 The soil is a rich, light loam, which produces crops of wheat aver.-tging 80 
 bushel-* to the acre. There are occasional low, Icvei H.'its on the margin of the 
 river ; further inland the land raises fully 21)0 feet above the level of the river; 
 it is rather lump}' and rough, broken with numerous ponds and lakelets fringed 
 with a-^jien and willows, 
 
 Tliese high lands cost more labor to gel Wn-m under cultivatioTi ; but \ w;ih 
 inforn ed they produce better crops than tlie low flats, On the uncullivated laniN 
 the natural crops of gra-^s. wild peas and vetches were so hetivy that if we Iclt 
 the trail we found great dilliculty in forcing our way through. 
 
 About 18 miles above the Forks the pcninsnla is cros,sed by another suiul- 
 bell about 4 miles wide, covered with jaidv jjine. On the point there are two 
 homesteads on whicdi there were good crops of wheat nearly ripe and good 
 kitchen gardens. 
 
 From the Forks down to Fort ;i la Corne we found the soil rather sandy in 
 eomo places near the i-iver, but further back it is fully equal, if not superior, 
 to Prince Albert. On (ho J'aonan Creek there several (arm homesteads taken up. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pacific Railway Report, 18711. 
 
 I06 O'Keeffe Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. O'Kecft'e iravolled through this section in every ouoction, and describes 
 it generally : — 
 
 " The southern part of the section is almost all prairie with a few alkaline 
 marshes iu the western comer. Passing north on the trail to isaudy Lake Mis 
 
195 
 
 irlion to Fort 
 
 and describes 
 
 nioii the land coiiHtnntly improvcn, nnd at the Minnion tlio woil in very rich 
 indecii. On tf)e trail from Carlton to Stiirj^eon Lako the land Ih also very good. 
 
 The valleys of Slioll ami B\^ rivers aro very rich, and ll](! whole land 
 enclosed hofwoon tiioi-o rivcrH pattake !ai-;.;ely of the same character. This tract 
 in (nix<«l prairi'.i and lorest and is ^rcncrally level. Sturgeon River, discharging 
 Stony Lake runs south-easterly through the northern half of the section. The 
 land throughout itH whole course to tlie Indian Ueservc, on both sideH of Iho 
 river, is first-claMs, though there aro a few mubkog.s and .-.wamps Hcattored 
 thi'ough it. 
 
 No finer country could be desired than the section above de^cribod. The 
 Avater iH pure and abundant and the land extremely rich. Pea vine, vctchos, 
 grasses, and, in fact, .-dl herbaceous j)lantH were luxuriant, but this statement 
 apjdies also to burnt disiricts. Very fltie li.sh are in all the rivers and !ak(;s of 
 the see* ion , the whitetlsh being extremely abundant, lai'go and of tine quality. 
 The timber on this secti'm is not so grtod as that cither eabt or west of it, but 
 many groves ot line timber were f)bs"rve<l scattered lhrouf.h it. 
 
 In tl:e north-western part of it the lan<l is very good but the timber iw not 
 of largo ftize, being nc.'iily all second growth as ti-e old timber had lieen burnt 
 down by tire some years ago. The whole soeti>)n may be clashed us lev<d ])laia 
 or gently lollitig land, no liili being seen higher than 50 foot except in the vici- 
 nity oi' lb"; Mission. 
 
 The land generail}- in tho vicinity of Sandy Lake Mishion is a rich loam, 
 containing a small [lorcentago of gravel, wiiich, indeed, is the prevailing 
 charactiM- of land for many miles. 
 
 At the Mission, saw a small field or two of the best .spring wheat I have 
 ever soon, which would bo lit to harvest in ton days (August 20th)." 
 
 Kberts Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr, Eborts, ti-avolling north-westerly from Fort Carlton towards Pelican 
 Lake, passed over tho south-wesloi'n portion of this section : — 
 
 " From hit. 53° to Shell River the country is principally ^irairie, lightly tim- 
 bered in places with small poplar, exceedingly rich and fertile, consisting of 
 sand and clay loams. A groat many hay meadows and small lakes aro mot 
 with, several of tho latter being slightlj' alkaliuo. 
 
 At .Sandy l^ake the Indians, under the supervision of Mr, Hinds, Church of 
 England AMis.sionary, wore cultivatii g successfully line fields of grain and rais- 
 ing vegetables. To the west of Shell Kiver, in tho hill.--, Ijie soil i.-- principally 
 sand with a mixture of gravel and Iwulders. Wherever the timber was burnt 
 ofl' the s\irfacc w " s covered with a thick growth of grass and vetches. 
 
 Shell JJiver valle}' is about two miie-< wide. Thisslr'.'am joins tho Sturgeon 
 River, which emplies into the Sa^kat<hcwan. 
 
 On tlio I4tli 0(;tober, snow fell to a deptli of 14 inches, but disappeared in 
 a week. 
 
 The snow-fall dtiring the winter does not oxcoed two foot ; horses winter 
 out, and when taken up in the spring aro in good order. Winter sots in about 
 tho 1st Movembcr and romuins steadily cold until A]»ril." 
 
 Soo also Appendix, Pacific Jiailu-'ii/ R<purt, 1879. 
 
 107 aKeRfe Report, 1870. 
 
 Mr. O'Koefl'e entered this section on his way north-wostorly from Sandy 
 Lake Missioi o Slinking and Pelican Lakes. 
 
 "Tho lam; from the .Mission wostvvard to Stinking Lako is generally very 
 good, but somowiiat broken by the creek valley, which forms tho head of Shell 
 
t?i\Ti', OiMiliniiiitf); nli'iitj SiinKmjj I.mKo m( llic iiniUi oinl, wo cnwHt'ii lli^ 
 Kivo!', It nt loaiii iil>iitil 10(1 )',.,>( \viil(>, mill "li'<i'li!ii)[jinjj llic wiiIotm <<!' llic ndovo 
 l;»k«<. I'"ri'm Iumo to I'clii'.'in lji)l<<> (In' ImihI i'' (n'noinllv !i'>"i|, willi n Hoil 
 vav\i(t7; tVoiu Mii4< i'Ihv Iivtiu (o huii'Iv l'>iim, mil>^c'il [jcnt'inllv cliiv "r Hiiml. 
 On til"- into ( lt<M<> 'M (I iromi l)<>lt (if Hpi'ticf" Mitil iiiittitiiti' ('i>i\iminMl cun- coiirHo 
 (llimij lln> <'!V>t ntt'i itiirtli si.ios iif 1'i>li<':tit I ,!iKi>. ( (trmifcili <|ii iii'k iiltil liltlini'(ti> 
 \V(tit.ix !>(' (iiio (iinlt.'f :\V(>i'ii!{iiiH; '2(t ituhi" lit iiitim'(<>i , lUfl I'inm ftOto (KMool 
 liifili, \\ hii'li ('i>iitiiiiii»il r<f (\vo ;iii'l n Icill mili>'<, (Iumi |i(1|i|;ii vvillt hircli. 'i|>riHM> 
 mii'i liuiini!n> j'n>\ Ktlt'il. 
 
 A (iiii> Ntioiim (id Ci'ct will)', .(itd (oin tit ii\<> I(M'( iii'('|i. (l.i.vn iiii( nl ilio InUi', 
 nnii ruif< t-t (lie tKntli-wo.twnul t.i lioa\i>r Wivcc. 
 
 l''\(iMttliii^ <>;i><\ « ill li ■': itm l\>lii>!\n I/mIm' t'l iioMi 1 V ( lti> »'(i'i((>rii «iil(' 111 (|ii« 
 soi'liiMt, :» ti!i('( ■'( voi\ |>i>i>r i-uiiilv Iiiiiii is l.iiiiiil 'Vo (jio 1,01 (It nl ( '|(>:if linko, it 
 oxtoinin tin' six niil(w, mmiI ,sittitl)\vt\i'<l to :>n iiitilotiiUMl iliHliiin'i>." 
 
 /■7.,T/.< /.'i;'/.tr.if)',))), 1S7'.». 
 
 Mr. I"',ltcr('< (Miio.cl iliii NOitimi nlioiil intiliiil«> r>.'l ' l!5',ni>il (ravcllo'I ttortli- 
 
 wostoilv to tlt< 
 
 >iltt it| \Vhi(('!i ill ;inil I'l'licMH l.'iKoH to iln iiortli wont ,iit;;l 
 
 10 ('i'iuilt\' !>(>( w i'(>i\ Sl)i>ll Mini Hilt r.vcru is (lie "i|i\i(|i>" ln'l tocit lli.> 
 
 S(i>ki\ii'lii>>v; 
 
 in MHit Itc.'tx or Uivorn 
 
 A( (Ito fiStli niiio (Voni ('inllnii, iiuhhoiI 
 
 Mis; Uivor, (ho oiitlol ot Sliiil. ii;-, I.aKo hi (ciw H(>o(ion. Wisiit^r iiitnioiliii(oly oiil 
 
 10 ootntdx Ui (Ito (i'Jdi iiiilo ij voi \- inilgli illlil liilly, 
 
 o\' tlto \ ,illo\ to I "td ioo(, I 
 
 rtti 
 
 > nuiiioi oil'- |io( iiojo-i, |to!\ii'i, i:il,(>') Miiil s\VMiii|iM ill :i|| iliroolinnq, (Ito noil 
 
 liooi'min;: litrlil 111 pi ooooiliny; imi 
 M t'oroH) >vliiol\ is l'.\ niiloH hoiohm 
 
 \( ( Ito (i'Jili inil(>, littidiilo rt:( ' t(f, oiiloioi! 
 I'lti'i iM (ho NiMiilioin limit ii( l|i(< triw jnriiHl.. 
 
 Tho liiiihor is liitjro, i'i>Msi>j( iit;;; ol" sintioo. hni'iiin, |io|iI,(i, Haitksijii) |into, iiitij n 
 
 iiiolioH in itiiinioloi', litil ii( piOM('ii( is of 
 
 low (l'00> ot' \ (> 
 
 II 
 
 til. 
 
 1 
 
 ino tVoin I'i to .'10 ii 
 
 iii'O lor ooi>noii\io ])urpo ;(is, t\ 
 
 s il lios too lar iioitli o|' I ho Siml<ii(<'ho\vaii 
 
 wator shoii. 'i'hfoiiuh thi' (orost (h(> noil impfovos, olay hoiitfr miNoil \vi<li tho 
 srtiiil. 
 
 Fcitm tho SOth itnlo to rolioan I,aUo, (hi< laml a;;Miii hooomos wonh- 
 loss, — saiiil riiJijos. hills aiiii ii>iisU(>jrs. Soino (ino lakos woro pasnoi|, atVonlJn/^ 
 a lair supply of lish. 
 
 On tho shiM'os lit' Polioan and Wliilolish laKos, whioh aro tho lai/ros| in 
 this soi'tioii. tho Indians in (avoiod spots mjow vojrotahlivt 
 
 Al iho lOiMli inilo, on tho "J(i(h .liilv, o^os^od I'olnaii IJivoi. It \vaH 
 swoUon, and rapid tVitin ihotooont hoa\ v rains, llonco to (ho iioi'th-woHd 
 oofiioi' ol this sootion, a distanro ol'ahoiil 'Jtt niilos, was (Ito most dilll'Mill part 
 ot' tho ooimdy soon, hoiiijj; otto vast nitisho;^, wilh hot(> and (Ikm'o a sand island, 
 or a fidgo lyiii/.; norlh .'iiid south (hu kly oovoiod \vi(h snuill spiii('(> and 
 pi'plai'. Tito >oil is M liito whiio ^iji, jind woiihio'.s. Niittioioii-- slioaniH won 
 TlU't wi ' 
 and ditVii till. 
 
 tit tiiMtt 10 to to loot 111 width, tho oiossinfr ol which wasdaiij^roidti.H 
 
 Ol 
 
 otiirn loiniiov, Mr. MhinMs (ijivonod oaslorlv thi'onirh tins NiMiioii lit 
 
 ahoii' i;>(lt:tdo M 
 
 tassin: 
 
 !i(h ol SiinUniir Lai 
 
 l.oa-.itiir Uirvh I .ako, and !ippi'.i;ii'ltiiti; iho 'I hiolvwood Hills, (ho ooimlry 
 
 poor, ihoiifli siroitji oiii)ii;;lt to siipporl In Niirianli 
 
 iiiiiMon. soil 
 
 hooojjn>s itilly and 
 
 gias^os. On tho south si.U> of SiiitUiiiij; haliO is :\ \:\viy iiioadow whioli oxIoikIh 
 
 lor tho wholo ionjjth oflht' lako, and (or somo inilos io ilo> south. 
 
 Altor loaviiiij (his lako. crossod ovor ji low ridjjo Io iho head wa((>rs ol" 
 hholl l?ivor. rin> coiirso was ooniinuod tiironj^h tho valley of tho rivor, whioli 
 oontiiiuod lit ii\oroasi> m width." 
 
 boo also Appnuii.i /'<i<\ A';/. A',7 ,. lS7i'. 
 
I '17 
 
 <tM lion iv(, 
 
 ^3. 
 
 Mr. Mliorlu oiiI.'mmI IK 
 
 •lioi) iil.iiiil hii r».".' .'Ml', till- ollli 
 
 inj; 'rmtlc, St'iiiy jiii'l llii'li liil((v<, mill 'li'^^'iilioM tint ffiiinly iiw lincurnifK.i; inoro 
 Icvi'l , "I'll I liiui^mtr (i> liliii l< Mini uiiiiilv Iniitrm |i; Mi(> ii<'i;rlili'ii IimikI kC IIio 
 liil(('« llii> '^(lil Ih voi-y lirli mii>I nt m»>ni (|(>pili, \i 'I'miMm IjmIo- HHinall i|tiHril>l.y 
 (»l liiirl"y wiirJ Hinvii ImmI »i|iiiii(; 'iml liiirv<"ili>il riii( I'wIiiH \', voKi'ltililoi (iti> (il-i(i 
 
 III 
 
 triH 
 
 iniiK"! mill, with llii> i|iiMiii ilii-M III whilo UmIi In |i»< ruiiiul in lliti liil<i'-4, Him I iifjiu 
 
 flic ill III' loMI III lltlll Vlllli>ll 
 
 109 .l-:i,cr(!>' i:<i'lnniti,>p, I«7'l. 
 
 Mr. l''li(>rtH III! liiii loliirn imii "oy ilriiil; lite \{{'\ l>i-)ii (fiv(>r, II miloq oaflf 
 of Knrf, I'ill,, linvi'lliiiK ''""i tlicnrr nIni'Kl il" I'liwl Im- 'Z<t iiiil(>M nvitr n nijlinf^ 
 iiidii in, lljrlill^ womli'il w it li H|iiii' n fiml |'|ilm. 'I'Ik' liil^dM of 11 light Muri'ly 
 Iniim iuhI I'Milty, lu>niiiiK H tM'fiHH coHKiiiliiin^' IpiuhIi (mumh. 
 
 Hurrri/i» <Ji iirfil of lhtffiiiti<m li<itil:\ llijiart, \WM —(), A Sni>/'Vin, l>.f,.M 
 
 Ml. ' M>iii|r(> Miiii|i^Mii l,rftvi>ll(Ml IViiiii lifiH.li^l'ii ii to I'mt l'il,l, ri'irlli-woHloi ly, 
 \inn\\t\n lldHli liiiil lii« MdyH 
 
 " I'll!' iil'iiil ':!() iiiiloM tlio Iriiil fVoin nMltliifuril tn T'lrt fit'. [ififm^M ovor n 
 H);lilr 'iiiiiily liiiiiii, (|i(< liiiili(>r in i-.iiiiill |i'i|»l(U' -tt/i'Mlin/r in (fT'ivfu, (ind llio w(it,<ir 
 
 friMU'i'lilly lifVH M liriM'kif I1 IiihIc Af'li'itlmt hn .!<» inilo« tlio mimI ih mirri'iwliftt, 
 lotlcr, tlii'ii tint lifiil p'lHHftH llii'iiigli 'iniiil IiIIIh for two rniloH ; Hoil •.vortliloftH nii'\ 
 li?»ili(>r Hrniill. I''iiiiii IIiuhmimI liiiJM In |''(»rl F'iM., a (li.^lHn''. 'if hIi'miI' ,!') rnil(w, 
 Mill mill iH lii^lit, liiit will, I lliink, pi-'xln' <> (f'l'iil i c'lji'' Tlii^ l-* tlif> IiohI, Hocti'jri 
 III r(ii|iiliy lyiiii; lii'lwi-r?i IJat l.|i>fiii'l iiii'l i'lrl rill,." 
 
 Siimci^'ir (imrritl of P'lviixiriti fii'Hilf:' lli/>'iil, \HHh--\\' r. h'm'/, n.T.'l 
 
 Mr, Kin/^, wli'i l,i(i'.i'li"il t-lii(iii;;li llli^ (mril/iry, IIiuh MpMiiUn (/iiKwrtHy 'if 
 lliiilunil wiiHt III llin |(»'M|| Vfi'i Ilium (ind sdiitli oC [{i^avr- Itivw 
 
 " Tlio i'(iiintr\ llirrp|i//|i wliii li I p.'iwu'l bmt. Hiirn»n<ii has lioon w> ofl^n 
 (lnMcrilinl lliiil il Ik iioi"IIi>-ii foi irir> ((• 'ipniik 'if it lioi-fi. Tho '/iiintry lyin^ li(v 
 Iwiii'ii {'"'III rill (inil l''iii' l''(ilriiiinliri, nI'Mit; tlin rVmrl.d'uitli l{(i.-!0 f.iriM, will l»o 
 (Ji'Hi iiIkiiI liy Mr AI'I'mih. H m HiiHicif-nt, (o H)iy (hiil, in my 'ipinion, thn trfi'f, 
 (if (^(Minliy c^xii mlin/^^ I'l'iui siimc ili-<tan'i> nmlli I'i' Hcavor \''.ivr,r HOiitliwarfl 
 nimily lo llin IclK^nipli lin'>, wii'^l 'iI'IIim I'»!(IIi Mnri'linn, \h not Ifi f>fi Hiirpu'wiwl 
 liy .iiiy pint 111 t|ii« Ndi III Woil 'r<wriroiy, viniti!/| l>y rn", for fort.ilily 'if moII fui'l 
 ii'laptiiliihty Inr Mcillnnionl.. I'lit, Honm fliMtan'o north '4' I'tiavM* Jiivdr, wi ^ot 
 into a coimlry aliniiii'liii/^ in iiinHko;.!;'', (iri'l th'irc, I think, -mrrirridr frris'x will \)e 
 n Hi'riniiH i)li-»t,ii|(' Id Mi>tl Inrorut, 0x1 iipt iri ihn vi' ifiity 'if tli'i lart^'i lakos Huch 
 IIH liMc la, liiclin, ('ol'l I, like, liir. 
 
 At Imf Ih MhIh' ami (it WhiloliMli f,ftk»i f;vhif.h in hitivn'-.n .'i!U la P.i'iho 
 nti'l V'iiliiri.'i) llioio iiii^ lar^D-i'ilJi'tnonlM. At tho forrn'irJ'diw.'i tliero is''v fl'-rnan 
 (.Jiilliolic .'hhI at till' Ifiitor a VVc.MJnyan Misfiion." 
 
 Hoc Hoc, f'f*,^ lor .Mr >Siin|)Mn'-< (l( .sfription •;( '.ortJiern part. 
 Soo iiIho A/iikwIi i: Pur. Uy. U'p., 1H79. 
 
198 
 
 53 
 
 I 10 Surveyor-General of Dominion Laiuis Report, 1380— Af. Aldous. D.TS. 
 
 Mr. AKious crossed this section from cast to weft on the 14th Base, 
 latitudo 53°. 35 . 52 . 
 
 '' Por the lirst h\% miles woHtward from the llOlh Meridian, Ihc country is 
 rough and hilly, and covered with pophir blutTs, the noil hoinj;; suniewhat light 
 and Hundy. Across ranges two, three and four, is a magtiiricent stretch of 
 country of the richest agriculturni character; ii is level iind entirely free from 
 ponds, and shows indications of having, in the near jia^'t, I'cen covered wiih 
 limhor; at present, it isg.jnerally covered with scattered low willow and poplar, 
 through the centre of it flows the Vermilion Jiiver, a fine stream of excellent 
 water. The vegetation is very luxuriant, wild pwi-vino anil vetches having a 
 remarkable growth. 
 
 At I'ungo five we strike a rough and hilly section of couidry, which con- 
 tinues across ranges tivc and six ; in places it is thickly timbered, but may 
 generally bo called a bUitty country." 
 
 See Appendix Puc. Ey. Eop., 1879. 
 
 53 
 
 III Surveyor-General oj Dominion Lands' Report, 1880— iTf. Aldous, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Aldous crossed this section from east to west on the 14th Base 
 latitude 53°. 35'. 52 . 
 
 " Across ranges seven, eight and nine, and up to the second crossing of the 
 Vermilion River, in range ton, the country is undulating, continuing bluffy, 
 and in some parts well timbered with poplar; throughout, even to the hill-tops, 
 the soil was found to heexccllent, nothing being exposed in building the mounds 
 but lich, black loam. Several small streams of good water run through this 
 section. 
 
 In i-ange 10, after crossing the Vermilion River, the country is more 
 thickly covered with blutfs of poplar, the ground gra(lually rising from the 
 river for several miles, soil continuing of the same excellent character. 
 Running iicross range 11 there is a dc^nse forest of pojilai', with numerous ponds 
 and muskegs. Range 12 is more open, but is hilly and broken with hdics and 
 small ponds. Across range 13 is a very rough country, chains of lakes lying 
 between a succestion of ridges, together with numerous muskegs, being the 
 principal features; it is jvII pretty well covered witii poplar and willow, together 
 with much dry timbtr and windiall." 
 
 See Appendix Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 51 
 
 112 
 
 Maconn Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Prof J. Macoun, F.L.S.,on his journey from Hay Lakes to Battlcford, crossed 
 the sonth-wesl portion of this section, and describes it as good liivel arable land, 
 much of it covered with willows and small poplars. Small lakes, ponds, and 
 grjiss marshes were numerous The soil generally was a heavy dark colored 
 clay loam, and only in one spot was an admixture of sand seen. Land nearly 
 level and water tirst-class, but it constantly got drier as they travelled easterly. 
 Continuing a southeast course and keeping the willow thickets and poplar 
 bluffs to the left, the countiy passed over had at one time been forest, but now 
 there was hardly a large tree left. Dried Meat Hill, a rounded eminence 
 
19f 
 
 standing alono, is not mom thnti .'0 foci l)i>;li, covi-rtMl n-ilh wiiod on tlio north 
 eido but (jiiito bare on iln' noutli. 'J'lic -iiri'oiindiiiu; country i.i a most beautiful 
 lovoi plain willi ugentlr (.lo]>o lowaixls iJattlo liivor. 
 
 Surveyor General of Dovu'nion Lands' Report, 1880 — M. AhloM, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. AldouHcroMsod this section from eaht to west on t ho 14th B.no, about 
 Latitude 53*. ;>5 . 52 . 
 
 "After iTo.ssin<( tiio V'cimiliDn Itivcr for tho tliinl lime, in tho tii-Mt miiein 
 llivn^o l~, tho country suddonl^- ( lian,L,'i>s , lioct; wo h;ivo a tino k-vol, partially 
 wooded nevtion, which conlinm^Ni., tlio Boavor Hill.-, a distance of thirty inilon. 
 
 This i.s a section of cuuntrj' particularly vvell ada](toil for sottlouicn' ; the 
 soil is good. To tho north of lU-avcr Luke there arc exloiHJvo hay inoadows, 
 aiid tho Boavor Hills contain an abun'lanco i f oxcoUont poj)lar, spruce, lainarac, 
 and rtomo bi'vh timber. The I4tli Base Line passes about four miles to tho 
 nortli of Hoavei- Lake; tlii- lake, 1 am informed, is about 15 miles in length, 
 by II) in breadth, tho water being of good quality, and containing several kinds 
 offish. 
 
 Rnnriing north on the meridian, between ranges 18 and 1!), the country is 
 comparativelj' open and level as fa.' as Beaver Creek, north of winch the 
 ground gi'adually rises to tlie north-east, and is more thickly wooded." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. liep., 1871!. 
 
 53 
 
 1 13 Macoun Exploration, 1879. 
 
 The south-eastern portion of this section is doscriliod as a country of 
 wonderful fertility, but very much broken by ponds, lakes and Tnarsbes. The 
 soil throughout is the usual black io;'m on the surface, and occasional ly more 
 sand}'. Willow thickets and pf>plar copse covered the country almo>t continu- 
 ouf-ly. The abundance of fresh water was a ver\- marked feature, and that 'his 
 was increasing was evident from tlic dead trees standing arnund tho margins of 
 the larger ])onds. Kven Bittern Lake, which has all the reatiires of a salt 'alo, 
 was fresh, and the trees aiding the southern end were dead. On the banks of 
 this lake, iron-stone nodules were observed. The soil in \\w neig' ' vrhood of 
 the Hay Lakes was a black loam iiicliiiing to cla\, about 15 inches deep, and 
 resting on a clay subsoil mixed with gi-avel. Mr. McKernan has commenced 
 to farm here. Near the telegraph station he has a small patch of |)otatoes of 
 two varieties, one of white, tho otlier o( [nirjilo , found a sample of the foinier 
 to measure ITJ incites in circumfen'iice. All the crops, consisting of barley, 
 wheat and oats, \ver<' very fine. Mr. Mclvernan had sunk a well near his 
 house and obtained bad water, He showed some crystals of seleiiile, which 
 indicated that he had sunk into the Cretaceous clay. It was suggoste 1 that ho 
 should sink another one close by, but on no account to go down to tho clay. 
 Ho did HO, and obtained excellent water. 
 
 Surveyor General 0/ Dominion Lands Report, 183G. — M. Ahloiis, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. A idous crossed this section from east to west in the 14th Correction 
 Line about Latitude 53'^. 4t>'. 29' . 
 
 "Westward, along the llth Correction Line, tho counlry is all of a similar 
 character, soil excellent, and for tho most part i/overed wi'li largo willow and 
 scatteioil jioplar. As we approach the Saskatchewan Kiver there are a few gi'oves 
 of good spruce and tamarac. Where the line crosses the north end of Beaver 
 Hills, the rise is hardly noliceablo, tho hills a|)pearing to terminate in about 
 this latitude. Tho country lying betwoon tho Sturgoon liivor and tlio Sas- 
 
200 
 
 kutchowan i« of the finest agricultural character, and is rapidly being "taken 
 I, ) " by sotllorp. 
 
 Jioidoring Big Lake, to the south and oast, there is much lieavy spruce 
 and poplar bush. Fnun Big Lake to iho 114th inoridian, the .^'I'O.md gradually 
 rises and is rough and broken, with swamps and muskegs, the soil being, for 
 the most part, light and of com])arativeiy interior quality. 
 
 In the wliok' distance surveyoil botwoen the 110th and 11 tth meridians, 
 we hiive not jiassed over a -ingle mile of what I deem worthies.' land ; there 
 are I'oMs, as ali'('a«ly montuned. of jiarlicular .M'tility, but even that which I 
 have not chiN-ed in this way miglit be cultivated to advantage. 
 
 The streams throughout contain clear, good water, and but very lew of the 
 lakes or j)onds ui'c alkaline. 
 
 The latter part of the season has been particularly fine and favorable for 
 survi^ying operations. At the time of writing (27th Nov. ) (here is not sut^ioient 
 snow to cover the ground. The greatest degree of cold has been 0° below 
 zero. On the lltli November the river froxo over and Indians (.rossed oi< foot,'' 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac, By, Rep., 1879. 
 
 53 
 
 1 14 See Appendix, Pac. Ey. Rep , 1870. 
 
 53. 
 
 115 See Appendix, Tac. Ily. Rep., 1879. 
 
 5i 
 
 lOI 
 
 53 
 
 116 
 
 53. 
 
 117 
 
 5.3 
 
 118 
 
 See Appendix, Pac. Ily. liep., 1879. 
 
 See Appendix, Pac. Ky. Rep., 1879. 
 
 See Appendix, Pae. liy. Rep., 1870. 
 
 FROM XIIE 100th to 119tII MEniDlAN AND BTHTWEKN THE 62nD AND 
 iWUD PAllALLBhS OP LATITUDK* 
 
 100 I>r. Smifh E.rploraUm, 18V9. 
 
 ' Mr. II. K Smith, on hi.^ way from Lake Winnipegosis to Fort I'eily, passod 
 riouthwoslerly through the western pv)rtion of this section. 
 
 "On (iruvel I'oiiit, a low, (lat promontory at Iho head of Dawson Bay, on 
 the ottsteni side, a French settler nannnl [jai'onde has located himself and 
 family. He I'cports the soil in his neighborhood vvhei'e it is dry rtH being 
 extromely^iei'iile, but thai a greatj.leaUjf swamp oxibted. 
 
201 
 
 ng " taken 
 
 avy sprucoi 
 
 1 gradujilly 
 
 being, for 
 
 merklians, 
 and ; thero 
 it whicli [ 
 
 ' few of the 
 
 'orably for 
 
 ^tKlltfiillOIlt 
 
 1 9° bolow 
 i)d oil loot.'' 
 
 y, passod 
 
 Buy, on 
 
 insole and 
 
 iiH being 
 
 " The eastern shore of the bay is low and flat, and in den.sely timbered with 
 poplar and spruce. Wliorever ;i landing was made, ranch marsh was observed 
 in the interior." 
 
 Shoal River, wliiih discharges Swan Lake, is about 200 feet wide, very 
 shallow and full of buuldovs. Swan Lake isab lut 14 miles by 5, aiul extremely 
 slialiow and full of islands. " The shores of both lake and river are low and 
 marshy but well timbered." The soil carried down by the Swan River from 
 the higher levels has been deposited at its ontrance into the lake, and thus a 
 promoiitory of nearly 3 miles long has gradually been formed. From the 
 Indian village to the "Store," a distance of iS tniles, along the banks of Swan 
 River, is liai'd, dry land of a sandj- .nature, timbered with small poplara and 
 spruce. Badi from the river the country is veiy swampy, 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. liy, Rep., 187i.'. 
 
 5i 
 
 lOI 
 
 Br. Smith Exploration, ISIO. 
 
 Tn\ Smith traversed the southern border of this section on his way from 
 the telograj)!i line to tlie second crossing of Swan River. 
 
 The In iian resei've a few miles west of Northcole and west of Swan River, 
 occupies a coiisidcrahlc poi'tioii of this region; (here is in it excellent fai-ming 
 '.and. Agriculture lias been, to some extent, engaged in by the Chief 
 Keasikongs, and some good buildings have been erected, and a few small tiekl*j 
 fairly well fenced and cultivated. A largo portion of the reserve, however, is 
 very wet, but might easily bo drained. 
 
 Careful cx|)loralion ol the count rv north of the reserve foi- 12 miles re- 
 vealed a magniticent district — land excellent, and much large poplar, 21 to ,'JO 
 inches in diameter. This v the characlor of all the region from the junc- 
 tion of the Thunder River wilh Woody River and far northward, while south- 
 ward there was a st,v>tch of rich but wet land extending to Swan River. 
 
 Westward of ho reserve the soil was excellent, and the country heavily 
 wooded with ver / line timb'ji'. poplar, spruce and tamarac A very large pro- 
 portion of the land was wot and much cut up by small sticams which had 
 their .■sources in I'orcupine Mountain. 
 
 Dr. Smith was informed that the Porcupine Mountain filled the gi'oater 
 part of this .Nection, and was densely wooded throughout its whole extent. 
 " Around the south-east end a shaking bog extends I'oi' many miles," 
 
 A severe frost occurred about tiio centre in lat. ^.52 07' on the night of July 
 27th or 2Hth, 1S70. 
 
 Mr. Jl. B. Smith, on his way from Swan Lake (o I'elly, passed across the 
 south-eiistern i.'orner of this section for 20 miles. 
 
 It is ]iartiallv open prairie, and very level. The soil is bimUar to the rich 
 black moulil of Manitoba. Several Indiaits have csiablished ihcnisclves in "his 
 district. Land of similar cluiraeter to the above is said to extend up to the 
 Porcupine iMountain. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. liy, lieji., IST-^. 
 
 Dr. Smith Erphration, 1870. 
 
 Dr. .Smith pas'<(vl jionh-westerly ihroui^'h this sociion on his way from 
 Swan iJivei' to Carrot Kivei. Tlu! ~in miles helween llv I'n^ierii IiouimI 'ly of 
 this section and Swan Ifiver is veiy fail land wilf an exiellvnt --'lil, Imi in 
 many places very wet. 
 
 The valley of Swan River at the ciossjug j.-, two inilos from one summit to 
 the other. The river lies in the middle '.l;iO feet below. It is very serpeniine, 
 uud -40 loot wide by ^4 in depth. 
 
202 
 
 From Swan Kivoi- to oainj) 15, n distain'o of 1 1 rnili)n, may l>o boHtdoHcrilicil 
 by tlu> torm iiuioli. A t'vw dry isliiiidN oi' mnall poplar and willows ai'o Kcal 
 torcd ihroiii;ii il, l>ut tlif prov ailiiii; I'liarariofiNtic is Hwainj) and nuihikoi;, and 
 sliakiiiix l)og. 
 
 'i'h(! noxt 11^ niiloH is dosi-rihod as marsli and intislcojui;, in (ho vicinity of 
 tlio line, (liinly liniln'i'cii wirli .sniall ]i'>p!.'ir, spnico rind aldorH. 
 
 \V».»twaiii of Noiili h',toinian)i Ijalvc ('> tho woston '.\m\l of l.his Hcction, at 
 Hig \'alli'y (-roi'k many small siicams wt^o ci'os-iod, ijiil tlio land wIhto dry 
 was very !j;ood. (tonoraiiy licavily timluMod wiili as])t\n, poplar and sprnco. 
 .Soil jirincipally liglil loam with a tow swamps and nmsltcifH. 
 
 S(<(> also Appenilix. Par. Ry. h'l'i'. 1S71\ 
 
 _52 
 
 103 
 
 Dr. Sviifli Exp!iiiati<m. IST'). 
 
 Or. Smith, on his way from Swan Hivor, onlcrod thissoi'tion about tho middle 
 and vrossiMJ it diai;-onallyon hisway to Fort a la(V)rno. Oircction, nortli-wosl.orly. 
 From till' t.imo he ontored tho siX'lion nntil ht> reached (IftM^n Lakc! about iiM 
 oonlri' iho land is described as cxrH'cdinijiy rich. The ^rotitcr part, had bocti 
 iat-ciy burned over, and wmn now ;^riiwini:;up witli \'(>\in;.; poplai", ha/.ol, cranbi'rry 
 anil raspberry bnslies. The iVuil of the lalloi- was fully ripe, very la r^e and 
 delicious, (ir.'iss and ])ea vine were thick and tall, and in the vicinity of the 
 lakes the Ibi'mer spi>>ad out into meadows of v.'ist extent. 
 
 Numerous outcrojis of limestono weie noticed in tho ntroara bods, which 
 will doubtless be >)( much value in the fuiure. For live miles norih-west of 
 (ireen Lake the country is \wy hilly and sandy, with many bouldfus in tho 
 soil. 
 
 At the crossing of Red Deer liiv(\r, Yellow (Quill's l)and have located them 
 selves, and liere foi' one mile east of the river tin* soil is e.seollent. 
 
 X(n'lh- westward from the erossinjj; <if [{(td Dchm' River to Mireh Knoll, 
 an isol.'Ued hill about 70 feet hi,:j;h, aiid about six m'!(\s from the river, t lie 
 coiiniry is levt 1, but quite .sandy. Many small tracts covered with bhioberrioK 
 wer(> obserxed here. After eroHsinti; iJe.'ivor I{iver Iho land improvtul, ami much 
 line land was soen e.vlciidini^ westward as far as ihe eye could n^ach. 
 
 Soo also Ap/wuU.v, Pac. Ry. Rcj,., 1870. 
 
 52 
 
 104 
 
 J?r. Smith E.yplnratwn, 1870. 
 
 Dr. Smith passed (hiou,!j;h (ho nor(h-we-(ern corner of this sootion north- 
 westerly, on his way from Swan Iv'iver to Porta la t^oriic). 
 
 The whole disttmee across (his section shows excolloni land, fil for all 
 a^ricultur.d purposes. The soil is a ric' black hnini of greaulepth, with 11 
 clay subsoil. It may be considered piiiiially open prairie, as the timber is 
 scattered in clumps over its siirtiice, Aspen popboli (o \l inches in diameter is 
 (recpient. Sniall lakos arc nnineroiis. ami a few alkaline ponds were neen. Tho 
 level 01 the country is generally uniform, jtliougli in Home places broken by 
 Umg Coulees. 
 
 Surrnjor-n antral of Dominion Laiuli' f.\iu>rt, \SHO— A. L. Ihmcll. .D.L.S. 
 
 Mr. Ale.viander Ku.ssdl ran a line north from the IKlh Hiise north of (iuill 
 LnkcH. 
 
 "As before stated, llu> meridifin of Ihi,' t^biill Ijak<<, north v\' Iho Klili liase, 
 runs through a swampy region thickly tiiuberotl witli small poplar.' At this 
 
lOHtdoHcribod 
 >\VH iu'o scat 
 musko^, and 
 
 vicinity of 
 
 iJH Heotion, at 
 lui wlicro lily 
 • ami Hpnu'o. 
 
 mt tho middle 
 >rtliwo.>iloiiy. 
 lice al)out it.s 
 art. iiad bocii 
 ',ol, craiiln'ri-y 
 nry \tu-^o and 
 I'iuity of tlii> 
 
 1 bodH, wliicli 
 
 iiori liwost of 
 uldor.s in tlio 
 
 local od UuMti 
 
 nii'cli Ivnoll, 
 tlio riviT, (Ik) 
 ;l) MaDlinriioH 
 ■oil, and mupji 
 ich. 
 
 soc'tioii TiorUi- 
 
 id, lit lor all 
 doplli, with u 
 tlio litndor is 
 111 (liaiiu'ler is 
 I'l'o soon. Tlio 
 :;os brulvcti i)y 
 
 O.L.S. 
 
 ortli of (iuiii 
 
 iio lOili Haso, 
 ur." At tluM 
 
 203 
 
 point tliici< and impassablo swatnps wore <(iii'oiintorod, which Hti'otchod north- 
 war<l lor Honio distanci.' towards tho cuntro of this sci!ti</ii. " To tb<.; souili- 
 (>astward from Litilc'^iiiii Lil<'; to Kceipilaiiow Hill, llii^ trail pas.Hod thioiigh 
 a niiiiilai'ly ;;ood < 'Muiti-y. " 
 
 Of tlio norili-W(?itoin cornor ol'lliis .section lio .says . " Xorth-oast and (sast 
 of VValorhon IjaUo claiinM liavo luion loi;atod, and a nunibor of lotj honscM built 
 and otlior itnprovomonl.s mado liy tlio sotlloiv, who appoarod woll ploitsod with 
 tho MOUHon'tt crops and tlio fntmi' prospoctH." 
 
 It/arrus Smith Exploration, 1H7!>. 
 
 Mr. M. .'^tnith passod ttiioii^di tho soiillioin part of thi.s soction, proceed- 
 ing ca.stoily from (Inmboldl to l'"oit FN'lly. 
 
 " Hotwi'oti Humboldt and the <^iiill fjakos the ooiintry is variable in somo 
 placid'', low ami swain|iy when' Ihoro is miu'h willow briudi, but eastward of 
 this point wIkm'o the liail ci'os.-oh lln". t(>lei.^rMpb line tlioi'n arc Hovcral miles of ii 
 beautiful parlc-liUo eonntiy, the ti'ail wandorini^ in open f.;lad«!s thron^'ii u'rovoH 
 of aspen. J'cfon; rojndiin^ ffii;; </,uill LaUo w eamo uponan o|)(!ri alkaline [dain 
 oxiendinu; northward to the tolet^iajih lino; this eonfiMiiON eastward nearly to 
 Fishing Lake, and probably alno to hoiiio oonHiilorable dihtaueo north of thoHO 
 liikoH " 
 
 See hIho Appendix, Pac Jiif. E^'porl, 187!». 
 
 51 
 
 Miiri'.us finUth Exiloration, 181',). 
 
 Mr, Hmilb (ravollod soutliorly through thin Mi^ction on his way from l''oit A 
 la (*i>rno to lliimboldt. 
 
 " Augiisi Hilh. — We travelled southward from Fort a la f 'orne to Koot Uivoi" 
 and np tho banks of the latter to its outlet from Water Jlen Lakt!. Hoio wo 
 found several fields of wheal with \'ei'y beav}' eroji* nearly rijie, and tw'i farm 
 hoiTiosteads. I examiii'id llio Will at one of tlioin and loiind a drjilli of .six foot 
 (d' biae.k' monlil on the lop, with HI footed' Htill'iday Inain to the bottom of tho 
 woll. Mr. Hobinson, tho proiiiiolor, iidbrmed mo that llii.s hiinim(;r there were 
 14. farms Koloeled, arid a niiml)er of settlorH were coming in next .spring. 
 
 Wo starlcd (rotii the lake on a course .'50'' east bcarin!.'- for LitMc ()n\\\ iiake, 
 and readied the sumniil oi the laniic wiiliont ditliciilly, aboiil I'.) mile- from tho 
 lak'o, in whifdi the rise i.s less fhanli'lO feet, 'i'ln? surface of tho ground is very 
 uniform, tho soil of the riidie-t <|ualily and :-,ovoral feel in dojith, it in equal t<> 
 llio best pai'tH of .Manitoba, chiefly [(rairie with .-catlerod ijnmp.s of poplar and 
 willow till near ihe summit of th(! ridge, which iw nearly all coveicil with a 
 l(>ruHl of popl.tr. 
 
 On tho Houthern tdoiio wc met with .so much l'alii;n timber wIhji'o tho woods 
 had been bui'iil, that we iiad to Liirn back, not bavin.,' sulliciont force to cut u 
 way thioiigh for tho carts 
 
 Htl 
 
 m 
 
 We went duo west al'itiir the northern slope of the rasfpiia riingo till wo 
 •U(d< a great, ni.irsh in the t'orm of an \i, the lon!(lh of the arms beingabout ID 
 ...^Icb each, and three to four miles bmad. Water Ifcn i.ake is on the nortli 
 una and the outlet, liooi River, is at the an:;le; it is about :iO loot wide. Wo 
 followed up liio Htream which flows into tho north arm, it rises to tho »outh of 
 tho range and (lows thi'ough adepressjon Houth of .Minitchina-s I[ill. The ascent 
 through tho pass is very easy bul the sides aro rather rough, covereil with lirush 
 and indented with lakelets. 
 
 Tho country bet ween .Minitchimiss and ilumboldi ,S(,ation i.s lumpy and 
 broken with ponds and lakololH of alkaline walei', tho hoi! is generally poorund 
 continues so westward to tho bond uf tho North iSaHkatchowiin, 
 
204 
 
 Siiriij^or-fifniriil cf Di'rninion Lnnds' /{(port, 1880 — A. A. /i'i/,w//, D.f/.S. 
 
 Mr UiiM,^(«ll ran (lio Ilitli Ita.^o (IjiI. 5'.;^'. fi.T . 27' .) (roin llio KK.th Moriili.in 
 oiis(WMi(l nci'onH I li(> iinrtlnMii |iiiit oT this hi'ct ion. 
 
 " Aloiif; ilm I'Jtli l'',Mo liiuMMHlwani IVom tlio .'lid Priti<i|iiil M(M-iiliiiii (or 70 
 iniloH, du' liiiiii \h iH>iirly all (iCvoiy j'lTiit I'oililily.uiul well woixlod and watorod. 
 
 Soc uIho Ai,jnnJu , PU' , Ily, 11 1>-, 1H7!). 
 
 52 
 
 ioS O'Kiiff I'Jrplnrafions 18TI». 
 
 Mr. O'Kooil'o ]»aHs«>d (lironKli tlio oo?itro (»!' tlu) nortln'in jmrl on IiIh way 
 fi'oni Tarlloii lo Samly KaUn Minsion. 
 
 'riit> land lioiiig f^oncially ni'siirio wnn rolliuf^ in ]»lar.0H, wi(li occuHional 
 «'luii\|)n .it'hinall willow'M and aJKalino lakoH and marhlioH. Woar tlio rivor tlio 
 land wan not, ho gooil but, in)j)r()vod uh ho wont north. 
 
 Marcus Smith Exploration, 187!>. 
 
 Mr. M. Sntilli (ravolli'd down tlio Sontli SaHkatchowan iVom noar tho Mooho 
 WooiJH (o llu> I'l'rry, and tluMico (o ('ai'llon and I'riino Allu'r-t. 
 
 " Wo t'ollonod llio fi;,nil l)ank ot tlio rivoi' nortlivvard to lln> (Carlton cart 
 trail. Tlio noil Ih poor, and tor i-onio tliioo or tour inilcH bacdt from tlio rivor it 
 in tliifkly ^tivwod willi lioiildoiH, t'oniiin^^ moundH and lon^, low rid^OH, cloHoly 
 puolvod. 
 
 liolwooii I h«> Konv and l'\trt (\'irlton llu'vo aro snvoral nfiualtorM, sottlod 
 Niiu't\ I passod in 1S"7, ami (juito a vili.n^o at Oiiclv Jiiilvo, cliistorod around tho 
 tradinji' ostalilisiinii'iit of Mohhih. Stidiart, Kdon it Co. Tliiw tirin lias uiuhu* 
 (Millivatioii a oonsidi'ialilo (|uantity of land, and wo Haw ^i lino tiold of wlioat 
 bogimiinj;- to ri|K'n wlioii wo panned it, on H(h Aii^iiHt. 
 
 Noar ImhI t'arilon llio ^ml in ratlior IIk''* i llionco on tlio trail to i'rinco 
 Alborl, for tln^ tirst IS iiiiIoh, wo pannod ovor a ploanaid, Hli^htly rollin/i; 
 • I'ounlry of prairio, intorspoi'Mod with j^rovoH of nojiiar. Soil, variahlo, hut 
 jj^oiuM'aily a lii:;h( loam. VVo llion oroHHod a naiKl lioli tour iiiilos wiilo, oovorod 
 with jui'U pine and a fow pnnooHH pino. It in H'lid Iho fj^raHHlioppci'H havo 
 novor oroHHod thin boll.'" 
 
 Soo alno Appendix, Par. Hf/. Ri/k, 1870. 
 
 107 Mai'inin Fxphralion, 187!t, 
 
 Mr. .Miii'onii ontorod tliih sootion about lon^itiido 107'-^ W, travelling north- 
 woHtorly towards Hattioford. 
 
 ■' Tolho noilli ot' l$oar Hills pasnod a largo laUo about tivo iniloHloiig, boliovod 
 to bo nalino. 'I'lionco, for throo nulos, ovor a bo^ny plain, in wliioh woro lluind 
 many H|)nn;;-.s ol udod wator, an. I a Hinall Htroani (lowing oantward into tho largo 
 lako. Al'lor pasning thih pl.'iin, aiiolhor raiig(> of hilln, in tho contro of wliioh 
 found a largo nail lai<i>. Xoariy all Iho land is good, but allogoihor without, 
 wood. In all tho vailoyn tho grasn wa.s of sullioioiit longtb tiir mowing, and 
 cxoollont livsh wator was found ovoiywhoro. Passing through thoHo hills, 
 oanio into a very broUi'U oouiilry, with many roundod oniinoncos oovorod with 
 boulders, and doop dopros.sions tilled with puro water. Tho soil ohangod 
 
 ruHs was 
 
 108 
 
 t'ro(iuoiilly, and at tinios was t*andy with a gravol Hubsoi' b.ii iii.< <i 
 always good. After nas.>*iiig the UM.h Ha.so Lino tlio soil hooaiiio vory poor lor 
 a mile or two, but this hoiui changoil, and tho oountry, ihougji broken and 
 coutainiug many bouldora, wuh vorj' rich. As u atocU-ruiMiMg region, tho laud 
 
205 
 
 (>lh MoridiJin 
 
 oriiliiiii for 7i) 
 and vvutorod. 
 
 en liJH wfiy 
 
 h oc'i'iiNionnl 
 lio rivor tlio 
 
 ar tho MooHo 
 ('arlt<iii caH. 
 
 il^CH, ('.l0Ht>ly 
 
 itui'H, aotdod 
 
 ui'oiiikI IIhi 
 
 n lias iiiidct' 
 
 (I of wlioat 
 
 (,<) I'riiico 
 tly rolliti;^ 
 •iablo, liiil, 
 0, covoriHl 
 
 IKM'H llllVO 
 
 ling north. 
 
 Iioliovod 
 were I'onnd 
 tiio lar^o 
 ul' wliif.li 
 witliout: 
 w'mg, anil 
 
 icsr liilirt, 
 
 civil with 
 changoil 
 
 XllUiH W!IS 
 
 loor for 
 okon and 
 Ihu laud 
 
 Hooii yoHlfi'daj' and fo-diiy, 27tli .Iidy, could not, bo oxcollo<l, as it. oontainH 
 o\'('(^llniil wiilor, a divor-iily of Hoil and f^'ood Hht.'ltcr in tho valioyH. Owin^ to 
 tho variahlo Hoil, iJH flora was coi'idspcitiilitii^ly divrr-<ili(>d. Thti fJiilisH^'H of iho 
 f'ortif'l wiM'o on thti hilU, whilo those; of (in! prairii' wcri- in tlu; valloys. Wood 
 was Hi'iMi to tlio light of (lie CMiirHo, iihoul Ihrctt iniln-, otV." 
 
 Ht.M: also Appendix. I'ac. liij. U' p., 1870. 
 
 I08 M'"''»in Expbrittinn, 1K7!>. 
 
 Macoiin (intcrod liiiH sof.iion ahoiit, lid. t)2'' \H\ travelling; norih-woHforly 
 towardH BatHc.l'ord. 
 
 "'I'ho ''oiiiitiy is VDiy niii'h hrokr'n with ridt^i'H, lakes and pondrt, with 
 hoiildcM'H, RK usual, on Mid hill t,o|i-!. Soil of th': vallo,s and nlopon v(!ry rich 
 and grass gcrnwully good. Many f'oniHl fh)vvoiH wcro H(!on on the prairio. 
 Thonco cntoring Mm woods which had hoon prcv. lusly soon to tho right, pasHcd 
 for many niilos through grovos of po,ilar «nd ulong tho margin of nurntiiouH 
 lakcliits ami swamps with "lades covered with tlii^ fiin'sl, pa- iiirago. The- fbrost 
 land is first (lass hut. nuicli orokcn and wet. l'roc(ieding, a small p(!rc(;ntagc of 
 sand onti^nid into Iho soil and this increased ho nnudi iri a few niilos that, the 
 soil changed to a light sandy loam, with considerahiy loss wood. A few ,nilos 
 further to the norlh, Ihroiigh a dry, hilly couutry, and I lie norlherri edgoof tho 
 Ka||];io Jlills was reacdiod, overlooking a wid(! valley and plain. On tlii! verge of 
 the hori/.on, throe or four white hoii->es could he seen, this was Hatflc.ford, 
 
 A|)proa(dnng Ilatlleford, the land he.camo Jnoro and nion; sandy, until 
 within half a mile of the(iovernor's house, woio sand <lun(^s, covered, howovcr, 
 with grass and ti'ailing juniper, and the hollows tilloil with hiiuiII popliirs and 
 hriish wood ; to the rioulh ol the hills lay ilie usual ac''i)in|)aiiimenl of .-alt 
 ponds. Descending 'ZDd feet, to IImj l(!V(d (d' llallhdord, \v<. passed through the 
 straggling st root and camped at its furlhoi' end near the t,«dcgra])h st.iition. 
 Mattleford, .'{(Ith .luly. — The police farm, situated on the point fif land 
 hetwecn Mattle Itiver and the Saskatehewan, is a sandy alluviutn and apjjcairs 
 to ho vei'\' dry and harreii. Ian it e('rtairily has prodiiecil good erops t.his year, 
 Three months aj^o it was barren prairio, now oats, hailey, potatoes and turnipH 
 are grovving luxuriantly . In the gaideii, also hi'oken up Ihi^ s[)ring, are cab- 
 bages, ( aiililloweiH and other vcgotaiiles ot the tiniest description. Timothy and 
 clover hail hocii sown to form a grass plot, and ihesi; were now in flower an<l 
 gave piomi.-e of |)roducing ahurulanc.e of seed. The tioveriior's fat in sii.uatcd 
 on the .sand hills to I he cast, of his residiuice, was also visited. Ibue the soil, 
 outside the fence, was lovercd with tlii' .diort prairie swan indicat-ive of dry- 
 ness, and svhich would have been [ii'jiiounc'.d as unlit for cultivlion by most 
 people, yet, within the fence wore exeollent oats, middling barley, short in the 
 oar, bill" grain fine, and first ck'HH wheat, (he latter standing thick on the 
 ground, m arly five feet hij^di, ami with I'orrespondingly long ears, nearly ripo. 
 liesides the e\iiher;iiit ^lowtli of most gr.'iiiis Ihere is u '.emarkable vitality 
 imparled to tlieiU in this region thai asloni^dic- a slranger, I am more and 
 more convinced that it is not soil which i-, the cjuise of tho astonishing crops 
 produced in the west, but the |)(!culiar climate. When digging up the prairio 
 s(ul, t;\en in the hardest clays, I could never go below the roots of t.ho k''1'sH, 
 ;ind lhe.se were so niimeroiis that tie'y sceiiuid to fill iho Moil. O'ving to tho 
 hcwei'e winter's frost and tln^ 'iK'b'' '"'iidall in spring, tho young roots aro 
 enabled to penetrate the soil to aihipth wholly beyond the belief of an eastorn 
 t'armiu'. 'flicy seem to follow the poi'es opened by the frost right into the sul> 
 soil and hence, inslead of ilrawing their iiourishiuent, f'r<>in :'our or five inches of 
 soil they draw il t'rom eighleon to iweiitydbur inches." 
 
 wow tot 
 
 Mr. Macoun left Mattlelbrd, Ulsi, .Inly, for the Hand llilK, travelling south- 
 erly. Crossing tho pluiu to Iho houlh ot Itatllelbrd. nt tho sovoiilh aiilo, 
 
208 
 
 bo^aii ilii^ iiscont of lli(\ M.i^lo Ililln utid, aftoi' throo tniloH iiioro, cainped outnido 
 of till' line of wood.'' wliii h marks ilm crost of llio IiIIIh. 
 
 " Tlio followini^ inoniin^, forahoiit (ivo iiiilos aftof Mtartini;, the soil was vari- 
 jil)l(\ will) a laif^o ailini.vtiiro of sand and sonio j^ravol, wlion it, ini|)rovcd to 
 tirsi-class. TluM'ountiy waw (^oni|iafativoly lovoi foi- oii^lit tnilns, until a dont) 
 comIoo was roaidu'd, 90 i'nt^t doop and nitd yards in width, a(diain of ijiK^onnectnd 
 jionds lay in tlio fontro of the (iopfossiiiM and woi-k, as ii-^ual, salino Fiii'IIilm- 
 to tin- s((iilli-cast, tlioso liocanio i-ontioctod, ami formed 'riam|>in,ti; J>ako, said to Ik; 
 Hf) mik's long. This coiiioo is tlio ro|)orlod soiireo of Iv'gio (!iook. Two milcn 
 boyond the c'ouieo was a salt lake ahont a mUo in hnglh. Three tests of tho 
 soil during the day produced similui' results a ritdi lilacdc loum witii a light 
 colored (day lean* sid)soil. There are nuniercus small houlders on the knolU 
 and in liie eouleo, but not suttieieul to interfere with tillage. Water is good 
 and ahimdaid, but there are no ereeks The prevailing grass is Vilfacuspidata, 
 a species indicative of moist subsoil, lledysarum borealo in bore also, a 
 prominent object peculiar to n moist climate. 
 
 A few miles turthor on crossed another coulee deeper and wider than t)(o 
 proviou.s one, anct the land for a short distance was not good, but it soon 
 changed to the usual quality on the Hurfaco, but with a little more sand in the 
 subsoil. Hills were sighted to the right which soon Khowed all along the 
 western horizon. The j)rairie now took the form of gi-eali wiives, nearly a mile 
 apart, but rising towards the west. The last dei)ieHBion was a clay plain about 
 three miles witle with a very rougli surface, being much cracked and dry, 
 alt hougi\ the grass was good. Thence, crossing a dry water course, the hills 
 rise with a gradual slope and extend southward as a series of rolling hills. 
 The ]ilain just crossed extends for 40 miles to the north without a bnsb and is 
 till tit for ti.e plougii. During the day on!} < I'ossod one .-•alt plain a quai'tor of 
 a mile wide. Water lias been abundant, but the indications arc that a dri«H- 
 climalo is l)eing ajiproached." 
 
 Mr. Mac'oun, on hi.s return journey to Biittlefbrd, entered this section about 
 hit. 5li", r>0 , travelling south-easterly. 
 
 " The couutiy w.is almost a pcn'fect level of good clay loam soil, and not a 
 h\ish bioke the monotony of the waving gr.uss to the south, BluH's of wood 
 were seen about six miles to the north on the borders oi' IJattle River, and at 
 length blue bills rose in the distance. At about the Idtli mile crossed the 
 valley of Manito (.'reek, wdiere water was obtained, but no wood except a few 
 willow twigs. Thence, foi* some distance over the same kind of country, keep- 
 ing along the heads of the coulees which ran fowi.'rds the river, came ujiun 
 ridges running north and soutli of light sandy loam, and struck the Sounding 
 Lake tr;iil In lat. 52*^, K)', 54". For the last 20 ' los, boulders have been com- 
 mon, and llie apinoaches to all creeks and couK -^lony, which indicates that 
 the sul)soil is drift, and that wtiter will be abundant and sweet, although 
 there <s none on the surtiice at tliis season, 11th October. Thence, travelling 
 along the trail easterly for an hour, reached the margin of the "/.agio Hills, and 
 wouiui for some miles through a bi'oken country, at last reached liallleford." 
 
 .Mr. Wilkins, IMj .S.,iMr. Macoun's assistant, returningf rom the wosttowardn 
 Mattlelord, entered this section about lat. i)2", 18', journeying north-easterly. 
 The country passed over to tin; Faglo Hills was a level or rolling prairie with 
 no wood, griiss and water abundant; ])assod a large boulder 12 feet high by 20 
 feet in length. For the first 25 miles the soil was a rich (lay loam, aud subsoil 
 a lightish clay containing (juatitities of lime. Approaching the; Eagle Hills, 
 the soil changed to a sandy loam, the proj)ortion of saiul increasing as the hills 
 were reiu'hed. He then descended into the plain, and crossing its belt of 
 sand hills, arrived at Batlleford 12th Seplembei', iHV.K 
 
 Mr. Wilkir.s subsequently proceeded (JO miles south fri)m llatlelbrd, ox- 
 iiminod tlie country, and fixed the ])osition of Tramping Lake, lie found the 
 soil to tho south of the Eagle HiIIh an oxcoUent clay loam, 
 
207 
 
 •am pod oiitsido 
 
 lesoil was vari- 
 it, im|)r()vc(i t<) 
 '4, until a (ioi'j) 
 of'un(',oniie(;tod 
 ilino Furtlior 
 LiiUo, said to li(! 
 (k. Two niilcH 
 
 00 losts of tlio 
 .in Willi a liglil 
 
 on Uio kiiolU 
 Water is good 
 Vdlacuspidata, 
 H I) ore alMO, a 
 
 wider than tho 
 »d, but it 800I1 
 ())'o sand iti llio 
 
 1 all along the 
 s, noarl)' a milo 
 ilay idain about 
 ltdtou and dry, 
 couriso, tho Ivills 
 of foiling hillH, 
 It a l)U8h and iH 
 II a quarter of 
 ve tliat a drior 
 
 iHBoctioii about 
 
 I moil, and not a 
 BIuIVh of wood 
 
 llivor, and at 
 ilo crosHcd tho 
 d oxcopt a fV>\f 
 
 country, keop- 
 er, camo upon 
 tlio Sounding 
 havo boon oom- 
 
 1 indicates that 
 weot, although 
 onco, travelling 
 ''.agio llillw, ami 
 Battloford," 
 
 10 wont towarils 
 north-oartterly. 
 g prairio with 
 fool high by liO 
 am, and snbHoil 
 io:Eaglo HillH, 
 iiig as tho hilln 
 ing ilrt belt of 
 
 iJ.iUlolbrd, ox- 
 Uo found tho 
 
 Surveyor-ffmeral of Domimon Lands Report, ISSO — Geo. A. Simpson, D.L.S. 
 
 " in Iho ruoMlh ol' .Soptoniltcr I mndo a trip from ]>attloford up to tho south 
 sido of Huttio Ei^-or, t()r tho j)arpoM' of surveying a I'osorvo for Chiol Striko* 
 him-on the-l)a<;lc. 
 
 [•'or about liffocn miics tlu! noil i- sandy loam, then '-onio sand hills for ten 
 miles, and west of thi- ii linn pi'airic country \vit!\ excollont soil. I beliovo 
 there ar<' al)out four iiundii'd s(puiro miles here of good farming land, with a 
 frontage on Battle River of from twenty to twcnty-tivo miles." 
 
 See also Ajjpmdir, Pn< , Rr. Jii'p., 187S). 
 
 log Maeoun Kxploraiivn, 187!>. 
 
 Mr. Maeoun entered this section on latitude ^2'^ 47', tn^voUing eastward. 
 "C'roBrting Ihi-eo Huccussive ranges of hills throui^h Ion-; grass and came upon 
 a phiioau, travelling over which leaehod tho iioad of Manito ]jake, and crossing 
 at tho west end of the lake a valley (M)ntaining soveial ponds of alkaline water 
 entcrcfl upon a rich level ]>lain. Manito Lake lies in a great ileprossion, about 
 liOO foot below the prairie h.'Vcl, extending for lUHny miles to the south-east and 
 was extremel}' saline at the lime (Ocloher). Heavy woods bounded it on all 
 sides, except tho noith, where tho banks aro perpendicular and the country 
 beyond all ])rairie and poplar copse. Travelling for seven miles eastward f>vftr 
 the plain, it was fouml to he almost a dead level covered with long grass an ' 
 clum])s of poplar and willow. This was the first land seen that sliowod a 
 
 I c'l' _ • ••_ -^ - • 
 
 oxoessive rain-fall diu'ing this expediiion. Thence passed for 8 miles through a 
 
 conrilry too broken i')v ugriculinrc, consisting of small rounded hills oi- narrow 
 : idge.- u'ith all the lioUows filled vvi'.h water. Many green trees on the mar- 
 gins of t.lio ponds stood in water, iin Heating that tho rain-fall of this year was 
 much heavier ihaii usual. Thence for six inili'.- over a rather hioken country, 
 when il bc( ame more level and drier. Xear the lOHtli meridian crossed a largo 
 valley conlidning a lake, the slope of counlry here being to the so.ilh. 
 
 Mr. Wilkins entered this section about Latitude 7t'i'^ 12', journeying cast' 
 ward. 
 
 Crossing a hirgo stream itO fee;, wide and nearly three feet deep, in a val cy 
 which was >trongly alkaline, and on both sides of which were sand lulls ex- 
 tending for two niih'S. Tl.c next 'J.') miles pas.-ied over a countiy of eith(;r 
 rolling ])rairie or rolling hills. Soil, a si.rong black clay loam, with here and 
 there Ijoulders on the hills ; no woods. Thence turning a little to the north- 
 east left the hills and (onlinued ovci' rolling prairie, the soil was an excellent 
 (day loam, with coiiid 'y well .-luited for fiuining. AlMiudance of wood wa.s 
 found in !i valley toward.^ east sidt' 'd' this section. 
 
 Mr. Maeoun, on hi.s journey from Baltlelor I toward- the Hand Hills, entered 
 this section id)out latitude .)'J' U)', tr;.v i'mg -•.onlh-W(;>lerly, ])!issed over an 
 Jiscending rolling country for 1') niib's wilhout walor, the soil being a strong 
 clay considerably bakeil, aiid the herbage stunted. 
 
 "Absence of w;iter was owing to the ciiaracter of ih.>. >od, as experienco 
 has lauglt us that waU-r could ne\ er be oxp 'itel where clay land predominates." 
 Thence leaving tho cla}' entered upon a tine uuiluhuing countiy with a giiidiial 
 ascent to the west, where w.'is abundance of water, and luxuriant vogetution, 
 with tho oxception of two narrow alkaline vidieys. 
 
 Sec also Appendix, Pac. Rij, R(p-, 187'J. 
 12-i— 11 
 
20fl 
 
 I lO .y.,.:.}ni Fipliiinfiiiii. IH7!». 
 
 Mr. Miii'iMiii iMiliTcd this H«('li(Mi, lalilndo 52*-^ 'M)\ triivollin^ HiMilli-ciiHlorly 
 In iSiiiiiiilmi.r liiiUc near llu' N<miIimI llilln. 
 
 " I'^or I- iiiil(>N llio liiiiil was imicli liroUon, aiul coiHaiiu'il a liii'jro porconlu^o 
 i<l -.iiiii! ; wiuhI V('I'>' Miiall ami Miini". Many Nail iiiarHJioH iiiid iaiit^H wore |>iihn('(1, 
 I'.^jH't iaily In lilt' oaKi nl Nnhc CicoU, wiin h llnws In ilic iini'lli llirniitcli tlio con 
 lii'nr llu< jinor uliTti'li, 1111(1 \H iiluml \J, IvH'l, wide and (\vn t'o<>( doop. l'ro<'«<odin;r 
 nil, ii;rl With nccasmnal t rai'ls nl' very f^nnd snil, ami in alioiiJ. hi-vom inlli'H |>!inH»'d 
 mil iit:;ii> \ Hills, aiiil ('iihTod nn a \vidi> iiiaii in wil linni a hiiHli. wliicli (■(inliiiiioil 
 I'nr '. lik' wiit'ii llu'lin(> n|' unnd.-i nl llu* NiMilral llill.s wa.s rnachiMJ. On tlio 
 •ii |inrii;i llu> snil iniprnvod, liiil sand hIiII priMlninimildd, yot iiiucliuril 
 
 (>, tii |4 lilla^'o. Mr. Macnim dismvoiod llinli Innisl in nn nign nl'gnod land in 
 linv, !,.• ti, ilu'jLjniid land lu'io lioiiij.^ wilhoiil wond, wliilo tlio pnor naiid liilU 
 i:a. ■ iiimi'd' t'o, llio liro tint \u'iii/ij aliic (o roacli lln> liit lor owing to tlio iibHomo 
 ornrnsH. '1" > lisluiH'o lia\oll(>d ,sini'i> louviiu^ Uallio Uivoi' was ulioiit 17 niilnH, 
 ■4(1 nl wliioli liaii licoii llirnii<j;li a cninparativcly poor rt>ginii, willi wood on all 
 lli(> ponr<'sl sand liilU, and liu> Imsl ii-arlH devoid nllimlu^r. I'^roin UiIh jioini, 
 nlniil live iiiil(>s nortli nl' Sonndiiir; l-ak«', Mr. Mai-oun triivollod lo Iho nortli- 
 oasl In ailain llic l.ililndo nl liallU<rni(l. l''or (ho (ii'Ht ll! niilcH pannod ovor tnio 
 prairu', nn( a hu-h nr lii'(> liciiif; socn, hut occasionnlly sniall iiatciic^ of wofvl 
 sli'wod nn ihc hori/.nn on oitlier nido. 'I'hoiico paMHiii!^ a cnxdv Hiippnn(>d to Iw 
 Amhiisii I'rrolv, llnwiiif^ into Manil(> Ijako, fami' upon an alkaliiio Hut, iind 
 shnrily after (•ntoii>d aninn;; a low Inw simd IiIIIh whoro abundanoo of wood wiih 
 tdiiaiiu'd. 
 
 The olovatinn nt'iho cnunlrv liocumo i roalor ]iro('o(>diii{j; north, witJi almiid- 
 ancent' wond and i;nnd wator, wiion tho ridges appoarod with royularity, riinninf; 
 eiisl and west. The eniiiitiy ini proved, ami thegr»<ater part of land jiassod over 
 wa.-iol fair ipialily. wilh soil Li;oiu>rally nl sandy loam. iMi". Miieown UHcondwl a 
 liiiCh ridge in whii h wore limr eoiiioos, whieh, nnited in ahouta niilo to (ho west, 
 seonied to lorni a ereok flowing to tho iiorth-weHl, prolmbly Kyo-Hrow IliilOroek 
 of I'alliser. Hero, in lu Imiij) of jioplars, a Kiir\oyor'H lino waH slriuk, wliicli 
 jnovod tnhelhe llClh nieridian line run by Mr. Aldous during iho puHt mim- 
 liior. The exact i,atiliide wa- fniind In bo b'A'-' 47' ;{<>''. 
 
 Mr. WilkiiiH enlerod this .seelion noiuh ol the" Noso " in aboutS'i'^ D',nnd 
 jirneeoded ea.slward, found very fair coil. I'as.sod within two iniloa ofa lako which 
 lay south of iho Noutrai Hills. Tlionco at about 18 inilos oast of tho "Noso," 
 ascended a .-icries of hills running north and south, and ontorcd u long valloy 
 which led lo Snuii ling Lake. 
 
 Soiindii.g I.ako is a sheet of brackish water about sovon niilos long and four 
 miles w ide, siirinunded on ils unrth, east and south sides with wood, tlio ])op- 
 lar averaging abniit si.\ iiudios in diainotor. South of Iho lako, as far a« oeuld 
 he seen, imlhing met I he (.')0 but conical hills. Hotwoon .Sounding liake 
 and tiiO " N>iHo, " ihe cnuntry is hilly, iuit contains good pasturo, wood and 
 water. Tiie hills generally have a black loamy soil, while tlio valloys aro 
 jirincinally clay or clay Inarn. Along tho north shoro of tlio lako tho country 
 is sandy, exioiuliiig about six niilos to tho oast, wlion heavy clay with dry grasH 
 is met with. The wond coasos as soon as tho sand is loft. iSonth of this lino 
 of travel a seiios of hills wore seen, which wore doubtlos.'i u continuation of thoso 
 crossed over bcforo reiiching irfouiiding Lako, 
 
 Sec also ipjHiidi.v, Pac, lly. Hep.. ISt'J. 
 
 II 
 
20!) 
 
 (nutli-oHHiorly 
 xiirli tl)o con 
 
 . I'l'()('00(lill;r 
 
 I iniK'H |iaHH('(| 
 icli «'(inliiiii(<(t 
 IhmI. On tlic^ 
 ol iiUK'li of ii 
 r^ood liiixl in 
 iioi' Hiin;l hills 
 
 tlio ubmini 
 l>i)Ut, 17 Miili'H, 
 h wood on ail 
 )in iliJH jioini, 
 to Iho iiorlii- 
 
 iHw\ iiv(>r (,ni(> 
 (clu'M of wood 
 
 ippoUCfl (.() |)() 
 
 ilino tial., and 
 
 1 ol wood WllH 
 
 , with nl)iiiicl- 
 irity, iiinniii^' 
 I p.'isHod ovor 
 III UHcoiidivl a 
 u lo tlio wchI, 
 )w UillCiook 
 (truck, whicli 
 Lbo piiHt Hum- 
 
 nt62« a',iuul 
 '.'ilako which 
 llio "NoHO," 
 a long viilloy 
 
 long and four 
 od, tho ])op- 
 ^ I'ar aw cciild 
 iindiiig Lnko 
 ro, wood and 
 1 valloyH arc 
 tho coiinlrv 
 ith dry griitm 
 h of tiuH lino 
 itioii of ihoso 
 
 III Marom ICipliirnlvm, IH7'.t. 
 
 Mr. Miiconn i)ii(ni('d Ihirt Hcction iilniiii lalilddo 5'i ' »()', procooding q 
 
 Honlli caNtoily <liriM'li(>n towai'd tlin Noulral IliilH. 
 
 Th 
 
 Ih 
 
 III 
 
 lil in H hlack I'lfiy |r»a?n. A cnntiniUpiiH poplar fore d slrrtclmH 
 
 an 
 
 luiiiiorii hoii/,oii 
 
 Imt 
 
 l! WO>/( 
 
 I IS 
 
 oil Ihc roll 
 
 avidk^d. llitiiort,( 
 
 lli(! dry lirdH of i recks ^(l(Mlll!li lo indicate Ihc (l'>w of walcr to ho lo the south, 
 hill now the nij^iis ol I he dicliai gc ol' walcr lo ( he noil h na.'^t hecaino a|)parent. 
 At ahoiit the tonlh mile alter- entering thiw soctioii, a large lake wum H(>cii in tho 
 diHtnnee In Iho north. 'J'ho land is ol lir*-t('la»s 'jiialily, hut owing lo the level 
 ohiira('l<5i' ol" Iho ('</unlry, wiit.<w Ih Hcanio. (/'oiilinuiiif^ on, crof-Hcd Iho Victoria 
 trail, and then at ahoiii midway acioHs llie section, ^^|•||ek a fiiiall hrook in a 
 deep viiliey diHoharging its waters lo the north 'I'IiIh was the fiiMt running 
 water noon since leaving Hay liiikes, a diHlunco ot over C>i) niilos. Tho eoiintry 
 contimiod tho name until a high hill (< )hhervation Hill of Pallisor ), Latitiido 
 r)li" .'IH' 'JO ', waH roa(died. Ihwice to iJatllo itiv it, Ih very mu<di hrokon with 
 
 lil Is, swam 
 
 ))s and lakes, ihe lalUw heing all Ir ,, e. pt one eloHo to tho rivor. 
 
 Several lino hiull'M oC wood W(U'e soon during 'j; i lie ; w 
 
 milcH. 
 
 iJatt' 
 
 ',ivor, 
 feot 
 
 at tho point c,roHs(!(l, IIowh Ihrough a valley u ut t. miles wido and 3(K/ 
 
 (loop, within whiidi waHi|uilo a larf^^o lake. .'^^ . her wi^h othor.4 olHrnallorMizo. 
 Tho rivor monndorH through a Homewhat .. ov suh-valh^y, hotwoon alluvial 
 lianks ahout Ion fVu^t high, and which are ovi(» ■ .y overflowed in the Hy)iing. 
 Tho rivor liore is 40 yards wide and Iohh than Iwo feci deep, with a gentio 
 current. 'I'Ikuo waw some good timl)er ^ ' in tho valley, prineipally halsanr, 
 poplar, it may lie Htated generally tlia, ! ilio c,f)untry seen lietweon Hay 
 LaluiH and IJalih^ Kivoi" Ih tit lor agriculture, ('ontinuing tho coulhc, and uh- 
 cending out 'd lh«i viilley, Hev<',ral fine hliilVs of poplar were |)aHsed,and Ihe land 
 HJiowcd adceiiled tendency to hecomo Handy, hii' lully oiK^-hall l-eiiig, at- proHont, 
 covcreil w'tli t'ore.'-.l, il liivirs a rich growlh of !;ra.-.s .'ind herhiiceoiis plants of 
 various Np(!eios. A hoiit lour miien east oflJatllc Itiviu', .'iiid lor a distance of 
 throe to tour niiien, tho country h(M'atne more ])icUiieMf|Uo, heing Htuddod with 
 poplai' copse wood, haro rounded hills, grassy slopes and small lakeletH of piiio 
 water, in and around which Hjiorled numerous (locks ofdiuks and geese, giving 
 animation to this heaiH ifiil panoiania. This land, though iiglit sandy loam, 
 was fairly good. A valliiy of hlowii -and, ^villl a skirling (jt jiophir woods, waH 
 then cntercMl, an<l the land hecaine poor and sandy. 
 
 Mr. VVilkinsentercd this soclion ahout Laliliido r)2'' IH , travelling easterly 
 lowardH tho Neutral Hills. l'"or about 15 rnih^s utrong clay, intermixed at timort 
 with consideiahle ipianlilii'.s (d gravel, was Iho prevailing soil, grass and water 
 abundant and good. 
 
 In conlees leading into Heaver iJam Orcck a -earn of coal nearly \ feel tliick 
 was fliiind, jjatitudc h~ 15' 42 ', re.-tiiig on the usual sandslono, and overlaid 
 with the dril'i, as Mr. jMnooun tound Iho coal soiiili (.f lied Deer Jiiver. Tho 
 valley <d' Houver I>am Ci'eek Ih al)out liOl) feet broad and 12.") feet ileep, yontain 
 ing a largo iiuantily of spruce and jioplar. 
 
 To the ' ast of liiis ereidc crossed a lii;^li i idgo, running duo north anrl 
 Houtli, pi'osonling many outcrops ofrandsloiK; and ligiiilo. llenco |o llio"NoMe," 
 « (liHtaiuo of about 24 miles, I lie country, whie.b was voi'y much cut, up with 
 CI ulces running north and soulli, was poor ainl gravidly, witli alkaline swampH, 
 inferior pastille, and lit) watei-. The " No.-e " Hill, al-out meridian 1 1 1 ', wafl 
 liiuiid to l»e aiioiit .'i.")0 fee; lii^li, qiiito .sleep, and coserel with abundanco 'if 
 poplar. From its top tliii iiand Hills wre visible to \\\v. soulii-we.it. To the 
 north and oant tho country was lu'okon, but much of it wtw covered with wood. 
 Kxcollenf water was t'oiind in all tho^-reeks, ljatitu<loof tho '-^n'oho," 52'' 09 52", 
 
 Sco also Appendu, Fac. liy. Rep., IbTD. 
 12g-l4i 
 
210 
 
 51 
 
 112 -l/i''"''«« Explorntion, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Macoun, in his journey to Hny Lakes, vinited Abrahfim Selwyn, a 
 fornu-r capiain of I[uit-Bico(l hunlors, who has Kcttloil on the bank-i of JButtlo 
 JJivoi', ill iho iiorih-wesL > oi nor of tills Ncction. Solwyn had ii tew fluids under 
 cultivation on tiie prairie, 'JUO foot above the river. Tho whole country at tinj 
 C'ro^iillf,f in well hi mated for .sotllemont, being loss oncumbored with wood than 
 a tow miics baci< from tho river. 
 
 Mr. .Macoun entered this section proceeding in Houth-oasterly direction to 
 the Noutjal IIjIIm, and passed through tho north-eastern corner. "During tlie 
 greater pail of tho day wo could see the wooded hills beyond Battle Rivor, but 
 they 'ided away towards evening. Water is very scarce now, but in the 
 spring it is quite abundant, as there are a considerable number of hay raarshos 
 scattered over tho country. Scarcely any growing wood passed to-day, all 
 the chimps being killed by tire within a year or two; no sandy soil seen to day, 
 and very few stones . 
 
 P'or eitrht miles after starting we travelled over a level plain having rich 
 soil, but almost wholly M-ithout wood at present owing to constant fires. 
 
 Wo now passed to moio elevated ground, and for tivo milos our course led 
 over a lovely plain studded with popular copse and willow thicket; nearly all 
 this wood was alive, though quite small. A descent of nearly 100 feet brought 
 us into a valley where there was a large grove of balsam poplar. Beyond tho 
 valley the soil changed and became a light sandy loam, which very soon changed 
 into the usual lilack clay loam. A continuous poplar forest keeps along our 
 northern horizon, but wood is scarce where we are travelling." 
 
 Mr. Wilkins entered this section about its centre on his way from the Hand 
 Hills to Tail Crook, proceeding north-wosterly. 
 
 " Tho forest line was entered about Lat. 52°. and froui thonce up to Tail 
 (Veek, over one-third ot tho laud was covered with wood. Numbers of the 
 trees were over a foot in diarnotoi, and everything indicated a fiiio country. 
 The soil geneially svasa rich black loam with a claj- or sandy subsoil, surface soil 
 ranging from 15 to 24 inches in depth, and found everywhere around Tail Creek 
 ;ind Hull Lfiko. Biroh, Elm, Maple {Neijunilo aceroides), Cottonwood (Popv'us 
 monilifera), Balm of (^ile.^d (Populus Oataamifera) and apruco of a very large 
 size and in considerable ijuantity wore found in tho valley of Red Deer River, 
 which hoi ran in a valley 2:^5 feet in depth and about half a mile wide. A 
 number of seams of very 'Uir lignite wore scon and specimens procured. 
 
 Turning castwaid at Tail Crook, Mr. Wilkins passed through the centre of 
 the soullioiii half of this section on his way to "The Nose." 
 
 Turning ea-^tward he found the same black loam extending to tho vicinity 
 of Sullivan's Lake, a fine shoot of water .nbout 20 miles long. East of this a 
 strong clay was the prevailing soil, water and grass were abundant and good ; 
 intermi,\ot with tho chiy there was at times considerable gravel, which made it 
 more friable and easier worked. 
 
 See also Appendix Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 1^3 Macoun Exploration, 1870. 
 
 .Mr. Macoun entered this section at its south-wost corner and travelled 
 nortli-westeilv to its novth-t ' ' 
 
 Is 
 
 ^ast angle. 
 
 - o — 
 
 " The hills jiassed to-day were steojier than those seen yestf^rday, and con- 
 tained more sand, but the land was genorally suited for the plough. Pasfnod 
 the Antler Hills on our right, and shortly alter sighted tho Rod Deer River on 
 our loft, keeping along it for six milos to tho crossing. The soil was good, and 
 
211 
 
 )m the Hand 
 
 the land fit for aajricultiire ; tho left bank ofthorivor w;in ololhod an far us wo 
 could Pee with poplai'. Fioin tho river to An'ier Dills \vh> st lovel plain. Tiis 
 river at tlio ciOK-.in;^ is nearly *JtM> yardH wido and about iwo loot douj), witli 
 clear water over a pebbly bed. On '.be ti )rtli side uf t'u river, entered u thick 
 forest of youii^ poplars, which allornatoil wiih thiiACtsof willow up to tho 
 Llindman's River. Tlie soil was goiKl, but became lij;liter an>l more .^andy as 
 we neared the latter streun- in buitude 52° 22' iiH". 
 
 Blindman'- Riser is aboutHO yard.-^ wide atiil 6 incdics deep. Afiercrossing 
 the river the soil became more sand}' and sonio gravel was seen, tbe lir&t since 
 leaving Deadman's River at Murleyville. 
 
 For nearly 5 miles tho trail wound over hills and slnposof sandy loam, and 
 then out upon a plain of great width, o.vtending to bills bounding Red Deer 
 River. The plain of Wolf Crock was covered with L)ng rich grass and occa- 
 sional clumps of tall willows. A tow alkaline marslies and swumpswore pas.sod, 
 but the greater \mvt was suited for settlctnent. 
 
 As we approached Wolf Creek, tlio soil became drier and more sandy, 
 and tho country was covered with willow. Crossing this, passed a lew swamps 
 containing a sprinkling of sfiruce and tainarac, and ihe'i ') miles ovei- a fertile 
 prairie to Battle River, which, at this crossing, is about as wide as Bliiidman'a 
 Rivor, but contains more water. Its banks ai"e only I') feet high, and wooded 
 to tho water's edge. All hoibaccous plants weio vvondorfnlly luxuriant, and 
 all of forest species." 
 
 Alter pa.s^ing Battle River the trail wound through low bills, sometimes 
 lorfning ridges and enclosing numbers ot small lakes of good water, and is 
 described as ''a rich farming count r}-, none of it being unsuitcl for tillage 
 except a little among tho lakes, tho sod being sandy loam." No hills of any 
 size were .seen except Boar's Hill, which is merely a low wooded eminence that 
 breaks the monotoriy of tho plain. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 5?. 
 114 
 
 See Appendix Pacific Railway Report, 1S79. 
 
 5^ 
 
 115 Seo A.pp6ndi.K Pacific Railway Report, 1879. 
 
 116 Soe Appendix Pacific Railway Koport, 1879. 
 
 52 
 
 117 See Appendix Pacific Railway Report, 1870. 
 
 52 
 118 
 
 Soe Appendix Pacific Railway Repiirt, 1879. 
 
212 
 
 FROM THE lOOXU TO THE IIGtIT MERIDIAN AND BETWEEN THE 5l3T AND 52nD 
 
 PAR^Vr.LEI,fl OP LATITUDE. 
 
 51 
 
 100 Marcus Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. MaiciKs Smith doscribeft tho south-west corner of this section : — 
 
 " The Duck ami Ridiii<]; .Mduntains are separated by a deep valley over a milo 
 
 in width, with fine .-^oil in the bottom. The slope of the latter is heavily 
 
 wooded, but tiiat of I)ik1< Mountain is open pasture and more precipitous on 
 
 tho (-outh-west side. On the north Hide there are bolts of spruce and tamarac. 
 
 See also Apjiendix, Pav. Ry. liep , 1879. 
 
 5L 
 
 10 1 Dr. SmUh Explorat>oiu 187!). 
 
 Dr. Smith travelled from Fort Polly on a north lino to Livingstone, and 
 thoneo north easterly through the north-westerly corner of this section : — 
 
 " In tho immediate vieinily of the I ort tho land is light, but good crops of 
 rootH and vegetables aio raised in tho garden. Timber is .siareo in tho imme- 
 diate vicinity of the Kort, but vnvy good timber for all purposes can be obtained 
 in the Duck Mountain, eight miles otf. 
 
 Between Pelly and Livingstone, a distance of 10 miles, tho countrj' is thickly 
 Bti'ewn with boulders, chiefly granite and tine limestone. The Siuike Creek, a 
 Btroam 25 feet wide and two deep, runs parallel with the trail ; its valley is very 
 wide and deep. In this valley wore many lino stacks of hay containing from 
 five to six tons each. 
 
 Livingstone, or Swan Hivor, barracks is situated on an elevated plateau, 
 which is a vast accumulation of boulders in a sandy.soil that carnot be used for 
 tillage but is .'idmirablc pasture land. On both side of Swan Eiver is land of 
 very fair quality, though light, with gravelly subsoil. It is generally of tho 
 nature of j)rairie, though timber is by no moans scarce, principally aspen pop- 
 lar. Many swamps were passed, some deep and difficult to cross." 
 
 Marcus Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith travelled through tho greater part of this section on his 
 way from Fort Pelly along the Assiniboine : — 
 
 " For 60 miles along the trail from Fort Pelly the soil is light, some por- 
 tions of it swampy and doited with ponds fringed with willows." 
 
 East of tho Assiniboine, on his way from Fort Ellice : — 
 
 " North of Shell Itiver, and extending from the Assiniboino to tho base of 
 Duck Mountain, is a beaut itul inclined plain, partially wooded and tho soil i.s 
 very rich, especially near Big Boggy L'reok, where we saw very heavy crops of 
 grass, wild peas and vetches." 
 
 Soo also Appendix, Pac. My. Hep., 1879. 
 
 5L 
 
 102 Marcus Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 .Mr, Marcus Smith crossed tho southern part of this section on his way from 
 Quill Lake. 
 
 " Tho valleys of the White Sand and Assiniboine Rivors merge into one and 
 form an extensive low, level plain, on which there is an Indian Reserve. At 
 tho conflueiico of the two rivers tho formoi" is about 80 foot and tho latter about 
 100 feet wide, and the banks about 20 feet high." 
 
 See also Appmdix,'Pac. Jiy. Hep., 1879. 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
213 
 
 ND 52no 
 
 on : — 
 over ainilo 
 is hoavily 
 3ci pilous on 
 i<1 tumarac. 
 
 s^Htono, and 
 Lion : — 
 o(J crops of 
 I the imino- 
 be obtained 
 
 y ia thickl}' 
 vo Crook, a 
 iliey is very 
 ining 
 
 from 
 
 od plateau, 
 be ut^ed for 
 r is land of 
 •ally of the 
 aspen pop- 
 
 ;tion on his 
 some por- 
 
 51 
 
 103 Mdrcus Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith, proceeding south-eiiterly, entered this section at its 
 north-wei^tern corner on hi-t way to Fori P'^''y. 
 
 " There it* abroad belt of tine counti; dotted with i^rov.^s and clump-* of 
 poplar, giving the country a pariv-liko iipii"oaran< c, streti'hing from the (^TAp- 
 
 {lello Lakch n(n'th\vard by the eastern slope of the Tmahwood liills and the 
 Wishing Lake to the head wat.ers of Red Deer IJiver. The ;ioil is generally a 
 light loam." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Hy. Rep., 1879. 
 
 104 
 
 Macoun Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Entering this section near its southeast corner and passing to the north of 
 Last Mountain, and in the direction of the north cndut the Last Mountain Lake, 
 Ml'. Macoun thus describes tho ••ountry ; — 
 
 " Wo now began to fK*l that wo were entering on the givat treeless plain 
 spoken of by Pallisor. Numcrou.s ridges containing gravel and white lime- 
 stone boulders were passe<i, and in the hollows between numerous saline lak-elets 
 were seen. Beyond this the land docends gra iiially towards Ij:'ng Lako. 
 From our camp or4tli July. West of u> La-st Mountain reared itsel' up about 
 10 miles away. To the north-west no high land could be seen, but northeast 
 the line of the Touchwood Hills was visible. Throughout the whole area pass- 
 ed over, the disiribution of plants was very limited. Otto day one or twoBpecios 
 will monopolize the whole soil, and the next day others and so on. Mush- 
 rooms arc abundant and of cnornious size."' 
 
 " I had a pit dug in the very liriest part of the hill, and found tirst-class 
 soil, althougli the surface was largely ^ovcrod with pebbles. After a few trials, 
 I discovered that the pebbles were no proof of a gmvelly :ioil. but were only 
 a remnant of the prairie fires." 
 
 "All travellei-s throughout the north-west, having soon indications of gravel, 
 have invariably noted the ^oil us being gravelly, whore in reality hardly any 
 could be found in the soil by digging." 
 
 "The top of Last Mountain was covered with wood, but its flanks wero por- 
 fectl}' bare and uaked. Flowers are a most conspicuous feature of thoso 
 prairies, being in clumps or scattered, but always in the greatest profusion. 
 
 :he base of 
 
 the soil is 
 
 vy crops of 
 
 way from 
 
 :.o one and 
 lerve. At 
 .tter about 
 
 OENER.\L DESCKIPTIOS OF DISTRIOT. 
 
 "Extending from the Qu'A]tpelle north-west by Pheasant, File 
 and I'ouchwood Hills to Quill Lakes, and eastward to tha vieinity of 
 Livingstone, and southward a little oast of the l()2nd meridian, is a tract of 
 country containing at least 7,000 square miles, or about 4^ million acres of 
 excollont soil. It is true that its western side is almost devoid of wood, but 
 to compensate for that, ibe hills e.vtonding all along this flank are covered 
 with trees. Pheasant Plain, which extends from the crossing of the Peliy Road 
 eastward for 25 miles, is altogether without wood, Lut the soil is exceedingly 
 rich, and at no point is the wood to the south-west 1<* miles distant. Procoea- 
 ing northward of the travelled road the country becomes tiiore broken, pond i 
 and marshes are numerous, and wood increases both in si;u< 'hi 1 quantity miiil 
 it merges into continuous forest south ot" the location ol the Canadi.in Pacific 
 Railway. A rich black loam, about 15 inches in acoth, containingsinidi grj'.'.iis, 
 of quartz or other rock, is the prevailing surface .-^ m1, but this inipiM'e,e;,itibly 
 passes into lighter colored sandy loam, as the tii'ibc • becomes more < ntinuoue 
 
:ii 
 
 jiiui il" !i I.Mij^oi' !;i(i\vlli . Tlic Niili--(iil i-i !-'*"'""'''*! I.> '• 'i^''' <'<>l<*>'Oil, luiirly oliiy, 
 Inii I hi,'* !i;;:iin, in tlio ri(|;',('-i p.issi's into ;;i:ivi'l, wliicli i-- j;i'iii'r;illy (;iH'in^4 CDVdriMl 
 Willi .'1 co.'UiiiL;' (ilCiii lnin;il<> 111' linit" . 
 
 I'liMU .'1 litllo wi^-'l (i| ilio Hti^iiil mcriili:m ImmIiUmm \v(>n> imiiikmoum tor about 
 '20 mill"-, inul oi'i'iisioiijilU- iilii'i-wniils, Imi 
 HUCOt'Nsl'iil niltivjiliiM) . 
 
 no soil WMH MO(Mi loo st(>iiy lof 
 
 At m.uiu' j>oiiil 
 
 (111';- into tlio Hiitwoll Mini timiil it m-i )iI)i>v(>, 'I'ontcd with 
 
 ai'iil il jliwMys .^iivt' iiiilii'.'ltioiis ol" ;i \i>iy l!iij';i> |u>n't>lit;iin> ol' ('iii-lioii:il(< of linu'. 
 Tho lrtili(if on tln> tijii'l |i,'i'.-ii><l over l>y ino is of vi'vy lit ll(< viilii(>, hiil ;ro(i(| 
 ])i>j)l;U' lor iniiMiii!;- |iiit|)OM.'H will |i(< t'oiiiiil in the hilU. ( )lliiM' (>x|>loii'rH who 
 travt'llcil lln> noiih.'i n iiinl o.'isi(>!ii port ion of ihjs --("ition, spcaK hij^hly •»!' itn 
 
 tiiul 
 
 ii'f, mill ot il-; hiMii;,'' in v'oiis|il(",':il 
 
 i|ii:inlil V. 
 
 S|>riii'(> in also loiiinl in II 
 
 north I'aslorii irincr ot il, lnil iiiikIi lino Mpriici' is siiro lo ho I' iiinl 
 waiors Ol tho As-iniilmiiui, ami can ho lloalod ilowii to any poiiit 
 
 on I 
 
 ho lit<ail 
 
 (ii'oii WMlor '^oonis to nro\:iil t hroii)'hi>iil Iho vvholo roirioii, allhonfrh thoio 
 
 ai'o tow i-'imnn;^ -.Iro.iin^, :inil lho-.i' 
 
 iiiito small. I.oMch Ijiiko homj' Ik'hIi walnr. 
 
 nuiy oontain tish. \> thoit' is Mhiinilanro 'i|' linihor in thai soolion, and irood 
 wator, .'i lari;;o s(>|ili-inonl will s|nin...'; up ihoio in a yoai'oi' two. 
 
 i'ho ijrass niarshos si« rn'i|in<ni i\ spokoii ol, ai (< ahiindanl in this Hoclioii, 
 and aro iVom thosiy.o ol a llowor plot up lo n nitinlior of a<'r(>H," 
 
 Soo alHO /l/'/'iW/.r, I'iU-. Uij. /uji., ISt'.i. 
 
 105 Ma\'U!i l\.v/'l(n'n'i(»i. IS7!V 
 
 rassiii;', ai-oiiiuI Iho tiorih oiid ot'I,asl Moimiain Lalut and IhtMico trav(«lliii(^ 
 Houlli-wosloi'iy. iliroiio;h iioai'ly iho inidilK> ol thoHoulli halCol" liiin soot ion, Mr. 
 Maooiin roports ol' il :- — 
 
 ' Last Mountain l/ako lios in a doprossion (hat had a ;;(>nllo d(>Hct<nt, IVom 
 tlio oast at lonsi 10 inilos; on tho wosl .sido Iho land t-ooniod to slono iipwiirds 
 to tlio wost as f^ontly as it did in tho oast. Tho plants ahoiit Iho laUo aro ol' 
 ft siilino oliafaotor, ami tln.< watm- sli>;liily braoluHl'." 
 
 " l\oiniiins ol' lish nit'iisiirnii,' 7/ iiiilioM aoross iho t>_\oh and llj ini'lios I'lom 
 ttii> intorsoi'lioii ol'tho nooii l(> tho oiid of Iho jaw, woro found al liiisl Moiiiilaiii 
 I,aki> aiul at ihi* s.anio plaoo polioans, irooso, dindis, walor Immis and 
 nunuM'ous lioanlitiil wiidors mako thoir iionio. Al'tor a oarofnl roviow of Iho 
 location smd C(mi lilion ot' tho (^MrAppollo Indiai'.s, I Imvo conin (o tho oonohiMion 
 dial thoiv arc morn lish and fowl around oy in this iako llvaii would supjiorl 
 tlicni in conil'oi't." '■ It is ipiilo ovidmil the Hudson's Hay Co.'h Ktnvanis know 
 littlo about il." I'assin!; !iroiiiid tho hoad ol' I/oiij;' |j;iko froni I lu* ^>a^^< , 
 Mr. Macoiin wiilos : " lloro wo found a crook a low yards wido, with a sln^ji'ish 
 curfiMit and vory miry bottom. Scarcoly a niilo Iroiu tho lir.st cfook wo ciiino 
 to iinolhor of a totally ditl'oionl charactof. This orooU had a ^'<'ntlo ciirronl of 
 olotir water, W.Ms nearly throe tool 111 dc|)lli and about oi^hUvMi wido. A lish 
 Nvior was ^o>.Il a short di.stanoo ,ihovo onr oio.'.sin;;-, sliowii;;.,' that Iho lisli ran up 
 sti'oiim in tho .spriiii;-. In liall'a niilo ci'ossod anothor i'ro(d(, but, iIiIm contained 
 miu'li loss wator than tho otln\r.' 
 
 " Tho middio (TOidv. which is miuli Iho lari!;ost and which <'ortaiiily contains 
 lish in llio Hprini;;, HO(>ms to bo tho stream which disidiar^os Widvoiino CriMiic, I 
 boliovo tho land on this suoain wili bo found of nni|m>s1ionablo valiio, as Iho 
 wnlor in till' crook was tiuito piiro. Il is i|iiilo possible that fiirlhor ovplora- 
 lion in Ihi* roi^ion will show that llu'ro aro lino lakes luni* contuininff lisli." 
 
 From tho head of tho lake to wboro bo crossod Iho lOfllh inoridian, Mr. 
 Muooiin d'-nribos the cotiniry as hoiii;;- ratbor roii^li, wilii ^i^ood Hi)il on tho 
 )iills and llio doprossions iniiio or loss jilkalino and niar.-liy, wilb vory loiii' tind 
 tliiok giu-s as lai west a^ LiMlo Arm ("rook. 
 
, iniirly nlay, 
 
 ■lU'lMS COVtM'nd 
 
 HUH Cor iiliiiiil 
 '(' stony Inr 
 
 Tout. '(I with 
 >ii.'ili> (>(' liinc. 
 Iiio, lull h-.xmI 
 xploioiH who 
 lii,','hly of it'( 
 IoiiikI in Iho 
 
 on lhi> h(>iii| 
 
 llioii.trh lh«i(> 
 IrcNh walor, 
 
 Ml, ,'111(1 ;r,)o(l 
 
 lliJM Hoclion, 
 
 CO (nVV»<lllli;' 
 
 s«»('l M)n, Mi-. 
 
 (>HC(vn| IVoni 
 'IK' n|)wiinl>< 
 InUo iin> oj' 
 
 Ini'luis fVoni 
 ^( iMoiuilain 
 r houH anil 
 viow (){' Iho 
 ' i'on''lnHion 
 iiM su|i|ior| 
 vanis Know 
 I ho i'aH<, 
 I II. slii/i;o'iK|, 
 il< wo I'liiini 
 1 ciirKini ())' 
 i<v A (JHh 
 li^h ran iip 
 M I'ontainoil 
 
 }■ <'nnliiins 
 o'Crocik. I 
 liio, as the 
 
 I'l' 0\-|lloi!l- 
 
 : iiMh." 
 
 liiliiiii, Mr, 
 Noil on Iho 
 y loii;.^ and 
 
 Mnr'iifi Sinifh Kxplorofiim, 1H7!'. 
 
 Mr. MaiTiH Smith, |iro(',iH-.|in;( norlli vvo.'^loi 1\- from (^ii' A |(|M)IIo liiil<(>'i to l.ho 
 MoDMo Wood', linvi'llod (lia/fonally lliroii;r|i this noi'lion. 
 
 " W(> ffoHNoil Hiiinc (r;iclH of j^iimI I.'ukI, Iml i^niiouiil)- ihc soil ih not ihiop, 
 rorttin^ on II, wtial inn of (rravcl iiii'l miiimI, mid ii hooii iicramo ililllciill to lind 
 Wiitor for this hoi'.t^n iiihI I'l-r ciiliimry iiiit|>oH(iH. 
 
 yMioiil 10 niiidh t'liiin l''ori ')n A|>i)illo wi', ciiMnod a liiiii|iy loiinlry, iiidontcd 
 with iiiiinoionK wnrtll poiidM, around whii'h iin^ ('liiin|iH ot" |io|iliii>4; HJioi'tly 
 iil'tcn wards we wtiw liio l-'^'i; llill^, 1(» lo ]'J, niilos lo Ihc^ koiiIIi womI,. Tlio 
 r.oiintry liccainn \w» lin<l<i'n Imt hIiII ioIIiiij.;, and at r>(l rnihrt wn iiiitorod on 
 R liaic |naiii(', nut a Im' h to hi' hikmi ii lar an tlin oyc coiiid muiji. \Vr worn 
 lU'iii ly aliioiiMl of llic wonI, (iinl of t ho 'I'oik Ii wood lliilM,aiid ontorinj^ on that 
 droary iilkalino phiin which ii nlinoil u donorl, I ho noil only yioldiiii^ ii M'.iinl 
 paMliiin;nv This dr<'ar>' plain o\lond,M lioni Iho 'roin h woul llilfi woHtwfird 
 m-iirly In ihr Soul h Sahldilrliow^ni, noiilhward lo lion;' \r\Ui' and iho iiiii)(n oC 
 liill.M whii h Ircdh Irom the head ol il In Ihr Soiiih ,Sa-dsaliliowaii, iioithward 
 hoyond till tolc/.naph liim and Imyond '^uill l,.'il(«ii. 
 
 SoH also A/ipi:iiilir I'ltr. luj. /irp., I-^7'I. 
 
 lOO Miiri'iiK Smith I'll jiloni lion, lK7'.i, 
 
 Mr. MiirciiH Sinilh, triivollinj^ norl.h woHtorly Irom (/u'AiipDlli) I.iikrM to Iho 
 MooMl^ VVoihIh, croHHdd tlm north nuMtiirn corner "I'lhi^ Hcction. 
 
 "The ran/;o cif hills liclwoi'ii Iho iioiid id I/oii); Ltikn and t.hn SaMiiutidKiwuii 
 is hrolicn up into ih'laihdd ;^ioiip<, ri>'iiiK aliiiipily iiOtl lo .'idO fret aliovn tlin 
 hnnl of tliii plaiiiM; thoy luo oniiidly hari',lho snialloil hiidi not to tio Sdon, hut, 
 t,li(iro ju'o niinioi'oiiH ponihi and lii'<(il(itH 'onio of ihnrii I'onluiiiin/j; (;ood wulor, 
 othoiH iiro \fvy sal' ami alkaliiii^. AIoiil; tlm noitlmin od/^o o( l.his riin^c Ihmn 
 ia a narrow .striji ol titio land, widl walorod, and \\n\ saw stivoral liordK of diuii , 
 
 WoHlriirk I ho .Soul h SuHkiili liivvan imar ihii north ondof tlm Mooso VVo(.»(l.-. 
 Wo had lio(>n noiim da)M vvilhoiil wood for <'()okin(( and vnry • horl ol walo'' ; 
 l.hal. whiidi wo d I ohtain from marsh), drio'l up poiiih> and worn lorccd to ii-,c, 
 wan aliominaliif, and somo of the par y as woll as tho hoisds sutlni'id from il. 
 Kvoii Iho Wolvoriiif. ('i'«)(ik, vvhirh rinoH away l,o tlm noilli of f.ho lohv^raph lino, 
 whorr tho wiilor in swoi't, huconMis, lioforo it roarlins l/m/; liako, irnprot^fialod 
 with iillc'di to Moimi oxicnl, thoiij^'h the walor \-. still not had and far lii'lii-r Ihiin 
 that 111 I Im otimr cirokH ill ihn iioi(.;hlioiiiliood, Home ol wlodi aii' iiidit loi \\m\. 
 
 Mihoun I'j.i iiloraliou, IH7!K 
 
 Mr. Mac.onii tiavoliod t.hrouijh tluM •(ndion imar l.tiiKirii ro oi tlm south hulf 
 of il, ci'OHHin;? tho SaskaUdifiwnn at "Mm Klhow," and ln'iirin),' llmiKM' norlhwoHl 
 to Iho mVih ni(n"idiaii, wlmi'(! it. inf.orsooJ .s Ito<l iJonr fjakm. 
 
 Thr (ouiilry h dwciM Mm lOflt.h imu'idi.an and lln- ICIhow of Mm Sout-h 
 Saskali'licw an wa^ loiind lo hav'i very li'Mo w i(.or iind no wo»d o.X'.npl, in th<; 
 sand IiiIIm l.o l.li<! Hoiil.h ■ asi of llm Mlhow, iiiid tlm sml to hr- poor, f^ravoll/, firid 
 N'ory dry. Spoakin'r ofihc valloyoftim SaHkut/'luiwan at i h'l I'llhow, Mr. Ma 
 I'oun '.ayn, " ash, id n, in:i|il". poplar, ilioko-c horry, and '-vliit.o thorn nro i n 
 fliiidiids or Mh fjo w Mil ' ill" (liit-i, liiit. iioi a Inish or l,rt:o is found on t.lio pruirio 
 on dillnu' sidti iif tlii' I'lV'cr." 
 
 RKi. \riVK, i,KVKi,s or (^if Ai'i'Ki,!,!'". ai VKii. .vwi> I UK .- iirrrt s\,sk,\ tciik^v as a r riiK ki.iiow . 
 
 " It has'iii/.^ lire I -uppo. 'd, an 1 rvmi siativl at .'i tai'i. diirintj my it.ay in 
 Winnipi'i;, Iha' iho w.il.i'i-. of tlm .Soui.li Sa'UalcJiiiA'an ■ould ho i:asily lit itdo 
 Iho <^u'App(illr Ri\'or, I oonsidnrod i* of so mm h inipoiianeo to a,(;ortairi lhr< 
 (.'orroot ncMS ol thih, hal my aH-istanl. an riiifinocr, lovollod hii':k 15 miles troni 
 
216 
 
 the Elbow, and found that at that point the water surface of thoQu'Appelle was 
 73 feet higher tJmn the Saskatchewan, on July i6th, 1879." 
 
 SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN. 
 
 "We pitched our camp on tho hill-top, about a mile and a half from the 
 river, near a good spi'inijf in :\ coulee. Beneath u.s lay the mighty Saskatchewan, 
 rolling itH turbid flood between bankn 250 feet high, seeming altogether out of 
 place in this arid region. The river at our crorsfiing "/an 770 yaids wide, and 
 the main cliannel over which our horses had to Hvviri wan not less than 500 
 yards. Shoiiln arid sandbai.'n were mimerouH, with occasional islands, but 
 nothing lo indicate that tlie river al this point Avas unsuited for navigation." 
 
 ■' Why the south branch should bo thought unfit for navigation, I cannot 
 understand. Mr. Hind, who passed down it in August, 1858, never speaks of 
 its depth as being less than seven and a-half feet, and tho current as never 
 more than throe miles an hour, except when close to ihe North Branch. 
 
 Palli^er, who cros.sed the river about 20 miles .above me, on 28th September, 
 1857, states that the water in tho middle of the channel, where they lost their 
 waggon, was -0 feet deep." 
 
 " While on the ])lains, I never heard of the I'iver bbing fordablo below tho 
 mouth ot the Ked Deer Hiver. I'alii^ier crossed it on a raft, 22nd July, 1859, 
 about si.Kty miles above that point where tho river was 250 yard>, wide, and 
 from live to eight feet deep. WhoTi at :he Blacktoot Crossing of the Bow River, 
 a branch of the South Saskatchewan. 27lh August, 1879, I found that it was 
 with the utmost ditficulty that horses couh;' cross without swimming. No 
 
 ferson over moiitions a rapid being anywhere in the river below this, so that 
 have come to the conclusion iliaf there is n<, thing to prevent all the supplies 
 wanted for tho southwest being sent up the South Sask.'itchewan. Coal is 
 abundant in the river banks at the Blackfooi (Jro-ising, and farther eastward, so 
 that there will bo no difficulty as to fuel for steamers. Should an attempt bo 
 made to navigate the river, it will be f>iund to have better wtiter for a longer 
 period of the year than the Xorth Saskatchowan as its iiead waters drain a 
 greater extent of the mountains." 
 
 After crossing the Saskatchewan, Mr. Macoun writes: " We reached the 
 prairie level, and kept on tor eight miles thioiigh sand h'lls and poor soil 
 until we were forced to .stop by hills of blown sand right ahead of us. While 
 tho horses wore feeding, I found a narrow valley between twi> high hills of pure 
 sand, tiironi.;h which we were enabled b> j).iss ti> the north-west of the hills, 
 These sand liills evlond all tho way from Sand Hill I/akv*, on the Qu'Apjielle, 
 around the head of thai valley, and thence acros^ the Saskutclnnvan, above tike 
 Elbow, and down tho west side for some distance from one to throe miles from 
 the river. 
 
 After we got through the bills, the country changed at once ; the hollows 
 produced long gras; , luui on tho level prairie it was tall and green. Water waM 
 Hcurte, tho country being too level to retain it. Noi u tree or btish was to be 
 soon in an\' direction, 
 
 During the forenoon (21at ,luly), passed over a low range of hills or 
 olovated ground, to J{ed Deci' Lake, wiiiili were covered with ri-di jrass suffi- 
 ciently long for good iiay, and amj)!/ disproved tho statement that this wab a 
 dry, arid country. The grass soon was not that ot' marshes, but good upland 
 meadow grass, and it was particularly noted that the old grass had not been 
 burned either flaring the last fall or spring, thus forming a mulch that retained 
 all the moisture lor this year's croo. These facts fully disprove the impression 
 that this regioti is arid and unproductive. 
 
 Soc also Ap/u'wld Poc. Pij. Ri-p., 1879. 
 
 Ilocent e.xplorAtiona indiofttp ilmt tin) Elbiw of ihe (^uuth Saskatoliewan is furtlier east, 
 ami till! Hanil IlilL-i luttlicr wi.'st, lluiii iihiv,vri uu iniiji accumpaMyiai; Uepoil of 1871'. 
 
 SurTnyB aro now in i>i'0(;rifH», wlijcti nrill dc'crmine wilL accuracy tholuugitudo of importuut 
 {loiuli 11 the Nurth-We.1t Territorieii. 
 
211 
 
 'Appelle was 
 
 uf fVora tho 
 uslvatchcwan, 
 smother out of 
 l^^ wide, aivl 
 ss than 500 
 islands, but 
 igation." 
 on, I cannot 
 er spoukrt of 
 nt a.t novor 
 inch. 
 
 1 Soptembor, 
 iy lost their 
 
 lo below tho 
 
 July, 1859, 
 
 \>> wide, and 
 
 How llivoij 
 
 that it was 
 
 niin;^. No 
 
 this, HO that 
 
 ;he Hupplios 
 
 m. Coal is 
 
 lastward, ho 
 
 attempt bo 
 
 .'or a longor 
 
 tei'8 tlniin a 
 
 •oachod the 
 d poor soil 
 "8. Whilo 
 litis of pure 
 ')f tho hills. 
 iirA|i](ollo, 
 , above Uu) 
 miles from 
 
 ho hollows 
 
 NVator was 
 
 1 was to be 
 
 ot hillb or 
 
 ^'fJlHS HUffl- 
 
 this wati a 
 X'd upland 
 t not boon 
 it retained 
 ninrossion 
 
 fuithep D08t, 
 )f imiiortiiut 
 
 107 MacouK Expbratiim, 1879. 
 
 From tho intersection of the 107th meridian with Eed Deer Lakes travelling 
 north-west to the centre of this section, Mr. Macoun thus reports: — 
 
 " Being determined to see if the lake had an outlet to the west, I walked 
 along its margin while the train kept the plain so as to shun the coulees which 
 were at least 150 feet dee]) at the lake. All tho depossions on tho plain con- 
 tained good water, and the land was excellent." 
 
 " Ohi,erve<l a large creek flowing into tho lake from the south." Speaking 
 of the country north-wesi of, and adjoining lied Deer Lake, Mr. Macoun Hays: 
 " Here wo were in a region, where i^alliser. 22 years before, found numerous 
 species of large animals and the grass eaten so low that he could not get 
 food for his horson, with (ho grass knee high, the wild animals all gone and the 
 poor Indians perishing of famine." 
 
 A careful examination A' PallLser's track shows that much of tho country, 
 thought by him to be arid, was made so by immense herds of butfalo that ate 
 up every green th.ng. " The valley of Red Deer Lakes contains very little 
 W0(id at present, and most of that is di-y, but ibo remains of larg;) trees were 
 soen on both sides in the coulees, showing that continuou_. fires were surely 
 doing their work." 
 
 " The range of hills, which seems to extend on both sides of the lakes is 
 exceedingly rich and iertile, and the grass upon Ihotn is just as green as wo 
 could lioe it in Maj- in Ontario. About ihree milc'i from whore wo took dinner 
 wo came on the western margin of them, and saw at our leet a wide jjlain 
 stretching away unto tho hoi'izon, peil'octly level, aiul seemingly without a 
 bound in that direction. To Iho north-oast we could see the Moose Woods. 
 Right on top of the hill wore the remains \>\' a camp, and heie both wheat and 
 barley were growing luxuriatitly. Tlie soil on this plain is a strong clay 
 covered with very rank green grass, whicli indicates a moist climate. We 
 havo now discovoied that want of rain is not tho cause i'" water being scarce, 
 but the Icvelness of the prairie. Wherever the country is rolling there water is (0 
 bo had in abundance. From the centre of tho section, north to the 52nd paral- 
 lel, the country is alternating prairie and rough hills with occasional sand 
 dunes with climatic indications similar to those above described. Mr. Macoun's 
 assistant, Mr. Wilkins, travelling fnmi tho centre of this .section in t\ zig-zag 
 course to near the south->-ost coi'uor of it found tho country as follows : — 
 
 ■' Up to tho foot of the Third Pi'airio Steppe, which advances into nearly tin' 
 centre ofthesonlh lialfot this section, receding towards the north-west, and sontii- 
 west, tho country is generally a level plain, the soil a strong clay and very 
 rough, being crac'cod up in many places, but the grass good everywhere." 
 " Water is generally scarce, but a creek with very good water runs nortb-eaMerly 
 from the south-west corner of tho section, almost across it, occasionally widen- 
 ing out info (piiie large lakes. At the base of tho steppe, the clay ('hanged into 
 a loamy soil, well suited tor farming jjurposcs ; the grass being rank and good. 
 In the south-west corner of tho section was ibund a lake about two miles long 
 and quite narrow." 
 
 Seo also il;)/»en^/.r, Pnc. Ry, Rep., 187;'. 
 
 11 
 
 108 Macoxm Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr, Macoun's ;!s>i>tant, Mr. Wilkins, tr'avolling west aci-oss the centre of 
 tlio south half of tlii^ section, says : — 
 
 "'Kntcred rolling bills with nnmerous lakelets of fresh water. Travelled all 
 day through the same description of country on a nearly due west course, and 
 
218 
 
 camped on the woHtern side of tho hilln, all gocxl pp.sture lands with excellent 
 giasH. Distance ti-!iveliotl, 19 milof. July 30tb, triiveiknl tltis f'oronoon over a 
 very level plain with a .stirt' eliiy noil, but liaviiii; oxceilont j^i'a>s and numerous 
 JjOoIm of i^uod water. During this afternoon, countiy rauoli ihv same. Camped 
 on the edge of a large coulee, very ditlicult of access. Di.stanee, 1!»^ miles. 
 
 ThiH coulee, running nearly nortli and ssoutli, was found to be 250 feet deep 
 and half a mile wide. Water flows through it in spring. Both water and soil 
 were found to be strongly alkaline in the coulee. West of i his coulee, to t. 
 l')!Uh meridian, tho country was the same as described above." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac, Ry. Rep., 187i). 
 
 109 Macoun Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Macoun's assistant, Mr. Wilkins, travelling west across the south 
 half of this section, found the country as follow.s : — 
 
 Shortly after crossing the lOOlh meridan, in about Lat. .51° 25', a valley, 
 150 feet in depth and half a mile wide, was crossed. Soil, strong clay all day 
 with i)lonty of good grass and water. From tho coulee mentioned above, 
 keeping nearly west, in leirs than an hoiu' left the plain and entered on rolling 
 hill.- and cain{)ed before crossing them. Soil on the hills, rich black loam with 
 excellent pasture and good water. Distance travelled, 17 miles. Thence travel- 
 ling due west, during ihv forenoon, tho country changed from hilly to ridges, 
 with gentle slopes of great length. The depressions bad the usual clay soil 
 and tho slopes a clay loam. Good grass everywhere. vStopj)ed tor dinner at a 
 range of small sand hills ; Lat. of f-and hills, 51° 17'. Entered the sand hills im- 
 mediately after stai-ting and saw some brushwood. 
 
 West of the sand hills, came on a saline valley, about the eighth of a mile 
 wide, containing a chain of saline ponds, which were, doubtless, the head of a 
 ci-eok flowing into Red Doer liivor. This valley was about 200 feet below the 
 level of the .••and hills, the.se being themselves below the level of the plateau 
 generally. The sand hills are iibout four miles wide, <'ontaining little grass but 
 many pools of' good water. After leaving the sand hills the land was of the 
 same ridgy character that it was in the t'orenoon, and conliimod tho same to 
 tho llOth :r"r;dian, wliich Mr. Wilkii)9 crosaed at about Lat. 51° IB'." 
 
 Surveyor-Qeneral of Dominion Land^' Report, 1880 — /I. P. Patrick, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Patrick travelled south-westerly from Battleford to Forks of Rod Doer 
 and South Sahkatchowan Rivers. 
 
 " I loft Hattloford tor the Forks of the Hod Door and South Saskatchewan 
 RivorB, on the *)th August, 1878. The country pasted over for the first 1^0 miles 
 may bo said to be fit for setthnnent. though the soil is light and nof.d is scarce. 
 From this point to the Forks the soil is fair, but dry, and, in niy opinion, unfit 
 for farming; no wood, and watei' is only to bo found at great distaiif-es. Tho 
 Forks of the Red Deer River 1 reached on tho 15tli August, the distance fr^mt 
 Battlcford being !tiS miles. I was fortunate enough to procure! an excellent 
 Half-ln'O'-Hl guiile at Hattl'^for.i ; his services proved indispensiible, as water was 
 to be found only in places known to lJalf-l)reeds and Indians My hor^^es, nut- 
 withstanding the dista.ico travolied, were in good condition. A small birch 
 bark canoe, which I had brought with mo from Hattlefbrd, was of the utmost 
 fiorvico crossing the Red De<M' Kiver ; it not only enabled the provisions to lie 
 k'^pl ])erfec(!y tliy, but was als,) tho nteans of saving time, .as otherwise \ shoidd 
 have been compelled to go several miles up the river bol'o?o reuehing s-imo ford- 
 able pel) t." 
 
 See also Appendix, Poc, Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
219 
 
 pith excellent 
 I'orioori over ;i 
 ind numerous 
 me. Camjiod 
 l!t+ miles. 
 25i) i'eot deep 
 ^;Uer and noil 
 i^oulee, to t, 
 
 ts the south 
 
 25', a valley, 
 ilay all daj 
 ionod above, 
 ed oil rolling 
 ik loam with 
 lionce travel- 
 lly to ridges, 
 ual clay hoII 
 dinner at a 
 land hills im- 
 
 ith of" a mile 
 
 10 head of a 
 
 i below- the 
 
 the plateau 
 
 tie grass but 
 
 was of the 
 
 the same to 
 
 8'." 
 
 \T.S, 
 
 ;)f Rod Doer 
 
 ska to lie wan 
 IrstHO milps 
 rid is scarce. 
 )iriion, untit 
 iMU'es. The 
 stance frin\ 
 :ui excellent 
 s water was 
 
 hfMMos, nct- 
 sniall birch 
 
 the utmost 
 isinns t(i lie 
 rise 1 should 
 j; some lord- 
 
 5L 
 
 jIO Macoun Exploration, 1870. 
 
 Mr. .Macoun's as.^i-tant, Mr. Wilkins, who crossed this section about the 
 middle III' lis south half from ea-t to we.-t, describes the country as follows : — 
 " August 4tli. Started on a due west course passing i-olliti;; hills until II a.m., 
 wluiii we took dinner at the edge of the hills. .Soil on the hills is excellent clay 
 loam." '' Now enter oii an alkaline plain and fur the afternoon were pa.ssing 
 through a broken country with numerous saline lakelets and sweet water ponds. 
 Soil very indilforont in (juality. Distance travelled 1^4 miles. 
 
 "Tothellith meridian the charaotorit'tics of the country are similar to 
 those above. No wood was seen." 
 
 Mr. >f acoun says : " From Mr. Wilkins' description of the country, it i« 
 quite evident that the soil is not too dry to produce good grain." 
 
 Cro.ssing the lldth meridian in about Tjat. 51° 50' and travelling south- 
 west, Mr. Macoun thus describes the country. "Starting from about the meridian 
 August 6th, an hour after starting attained the top of the range of hills and saw 
 another ahead. To the west ol us was a higher range with an abrupt escarp- 
 ment on its eastern face. Tliese ranges were both sandy and contained a little 
 brushwood. When wo reached the top of the next range we found many stoop 
 coulees branching nif in various directions. Availing ourselves of (hose, we extri- 
 cated ourselves from the hills with much difficulty and crcssod lo liioir western 
 side, where we found a valley of great breadth extending south-east and .north- 
 west ; a creek seemed to flow along its western side, as " cut banks " were seen 
 in that direction." 
 
 " After dinner wo kept up the valley, and passed over a spur of the hills on 
 the loft, anil then descended into the valhy again,'close to the creek. Whore we 
 crossed, it was seven feet wide with six inches of flowing water, Tho valley 
 was very dry on the north side and nuniorous small cactus grew in it. Two 
 miles beyond the creek we cainpeil, but were chagrined to tind that within 
 two miles of us to tho west we would have to cross again." 
 
 " Angu-^t 7tb Trussed the creek this mnrninii with little difficulty. AD 
 tho morning we were going u|> ridge over ridge under an inteib.ely hot su'' 
 surrounded by thousands- of • bulldogs.' Flies so bad at noon that the hii.-tf>s 
 could not eat. " I)urir g the afternoon we crossed a rolling country where 
 there were numbers of salt lakes in tho hollows, with excellent water in ilie 
 moi'C elevated ones. Lan i to-dav pas,sod over u'ood for little excepi pasture." 
 
 This brought Mr. Macoun to the 111th hum lian. 
 
 Seo also Appendix, Pac. My. Rep., 187^- 
 
 III Macoun Exphraii on, 187i>. 
 
 Entering this section at .'ihoul Latituil 
 to about the {•outre of tho south half of it ^\ 
 
 " For a mile or (wo .afler stai'ting tb 
 came dry and stony, with great munbei 
 Near the centre of the south half oi' this Ntn'M 
 ti:ul, which cros.sed it from east lo west, .Vr. 
 pashod for an hour over alkaline flats, cov 
 may lie said to be tlie "sage bru>h" of our- 1 
 chariieier, but passing at last into richer soil 
 country. Wo now began to ascend gently o\ 
 highest point. This is the llnest country 
 suited tor the plough. Soil a rich black clay 
 
 .)1" HO', and travelling south-wost 
 
 Macoun thus describe!' it: 
 
 ,ntry improved, but soon it bo- 
 
 i)()iilders on all tho lit-.!e hills." 
 
 on, having cotne on Mr. Wilkin's 
 
 .Macoun says : " Turning west wo 
 
 •rod with Artemisia cana, which 
 
 lains, tlien rolling hi'ls of the same 
 
 and beticr grass, with a fine iovol 
 
 er a line |)rairie, and camped ai i(8 
 
 1 have seen for a week and viA\ 
 
 '. lam with long grass that indi- 
 
220 
 
 catcd moiHture beneath ; nearly north of u.s is a chain of small lakes which are 
 brackish." 
 
 PasHiiig noith-wcnloriy from this [loint, Mr. Maeoun thus desc-ribos the 
 comitiy : " During ihc afiornoon the country was nearly level, except that ii 
 rose gently to the west, with occasional depressions nt little depth. This is the 
 driest region we have yet seen, as uuundanco of small cacti are growing on the 
 plain between tiie creeks. After we passed the third crook the land became 
 niuie (devatcd, ami tit our camp the giass was good with abundance of water. 
 About 5 miles from camp crossed a large creek with llowing water abuui, 7 feet 
 in widtii and *> inches in de|>th, and in bal^'an hour anoiher one. Hotwoen the 
 two creeks the ground is very rocky, boulders being thickly strewed over the 
 surface. Lato in tho evening reached Blood Indian Creek, with banks 150 feet 
 high." 
 
 The lines explored by Mr. Wilkin*, both north and south of Mr. Macoun's 
 lino, were of the same character as that described above. Mr. Maeoun in his 
 general report of this section, says : ''The dry arid tract now under considera- 
 tion has more creeks with flowing water in thom than arc to bo found in all 
 tho rest of tho plain. Here flowing water and cactus with dried up grass 
 and poor soil gavo another ])roof that tlie Cretaceous clay was a factor m mne 
 problems than one. In no section of the Cduntry did wo ever find the water 
 running in streams on the surface alter a storm except here, where it was so 
 dry." 
 
 GENERAL RE.MARKS ON TUB ORBAT I'l.AIN. 
 
 " After seeing the ' Great Plain.' lean state distinctly that tho rainfall 
 throughout tho whoU region is snlRcifUt for ihc growth of cereals. Coming, as 
 it does, in Juno and July, when the croj)s actually need it, and ceasing 
 when ripening commences. AVbeiovor tho soil was suiiable for ihe growth of 
 grasses, there they wore, rand (c.xcc])t moving sand) or griivel was no ex- 
 ception. But wherever the " banded clays," -pokon of by Hector, in Pallisor's 
 Report, page 22y, came to the surlacc, there was cactus and artemisia, with a 
 saline soil and an appearance of aridity not warranted by tl'.e climate. A more 
 minute examinati ..n <>t 'he country will locate these apparently unproductive 
 soils, and sIij^w that they aie a vor\ small percontagc oC the whole. yVftcr see- 
 ing the country at its worst, when it was sutlering trom inlense heat and dry 
 winds, I wrote : • Wherovor there was dritt without these clays there 
 wdH good glass, but wherever this soil prevailed, aridity showed 
 itself at oui^o.' Many of the bill-tops were dry and burnt up, but, had 
 they been ploughed in tho si>riiig, would have ^-ieldod a good crop, as the sun;- 
 \:\ov rains, which undoubtedly fall over thv' whole country, would have passed 
 into the soil, instead of running ott' or passing in a few Miourti into the air, as 
 they do under the present condition of things.' 
 
 See also Appendix I'ac Jicp., 1S7'J. 
 
 5L 
 
 112 Maeoun Exploration, 3870. 
 
 Crossing tho 112tli meridian at aboui Latitude ')\^ 2<i , and iroin*r we^t to 
 the discharge of Little Fish Lake, Mr Macouu says — 
 
 " Counti'y quite dry until we ctime wiiliiu th'-jj miles (^i \\v lake, when it 
 became more broken and changed into a series ol' oiling hills with excellent 
 water in the hollows unil very tine grass in the .■xumeious litrio valloys. Om 
 the level plain cactus was abundant and (he grass was burnt up , in the hills no 
 cact^us and gocxi grass. A chain of I'olling liill-i oxlv'uds liom lutrlh to south- 
 e»wt of the head ol' the lake, and ends abruptly near Ued Door liiver." 
 
ko8 which are 
 
 desc-ribos the 
 
 ;xeoiU that it 
 . This is thc! 
 •owiniij on the 
 land beoiiinc 
 uu'o of water, 
 r ai)i>iu. 7 fool 
 l?otwooti the 
 wed over the 
 janks 150 feet 
 
 kfr. Macoun's 
 acoui) in his 
 er con.sidera- 
 t'ound in all 
 led up grass 
 ictor in more 
 nd the water 
 ire it was ho 
 
 tho rainfall 
 
 Coming, as 
 
 and ceasing 
 
 10 growth of 
 
 wart no ox- 
 
 ti Palliser'ri 
 
 it^ia, with u 
 
 tte. A more 
 
 inproductivo 
 
 After line- 
 
 ■at and dry 
 
 clays there 
 
 ty ,Mhowe(i 
 
 ij), but, had 
 
 aa tho Huni- 
 
 have ))a,HHed 
 
 I tiic air, as 
 
 ing wetrt t(j 
 
 die, whon i' 
 h axooHejnt 
 allHys, On 
 I ho hilln 111) 
 Ih to aouth- 
 r.' 
 
 221 
 
 " Tho lake is over liiree miles in length by oiio in breadth, and contains 
 fresh water, but is so filled with a green confervoid growth that it is unfit for 
 use except in oxtronio cases. Numerous lisb are caught at the disciiargo of the 
 lake in .spring. About it-* (001)0, on tho north side, a small crook ontors which 
 discharges a larger lake l\'inif oast of the Hand Hills. Tlio horses found good 
 pasture "11 I ho -bores ot tho lake." Speaking oi tho country between Littlo 
 Fish Lake and tho IJed Door Jvivei', Mr. Macoun says : " The whole plain 
 between tiiis and the river was hard baked clay and very much cracked 
 The valleys are profound, but as tho oye rangos over the level plain, no break 
 can bo lietocted." 
 
 Travelling south from Little Kish .L;d(o to where tho 112th meridian inter- 
 sects tho Rod Door iiivor, Mr. Macoun says : — 
 
 ■■' I started for lied Deer Kiver, distant about seven miles, to the south. 
 Experienced much difliculty in reaching the river owing to the coulees which 
 ramify in ail directions from it; those being from 250 to liOO feet deep, 
 and their margins like cut banks. Tbo>o oou loo -i contain more or loss brush- 
 wood and a few trees, liut wore generally narrow uMil wo approached tho river, 
 then they widened out. Very little wood grows along tho rivor and that 
 close to it. Scarcely any vegetation was found in the valley except cactus and 
 artcraisia, which occupidi the greater part of the Hurfaco. It was tho hard 
 baked claj' that hindeied all other vegetable growth, and not tho dry climate." 
 " Tho valley was about 1,000 yards wide, the rivor itself about 140, and the 
 height of tho banks nearly 300 loot on tho oast side, but fully 200 higher on tho 
 west. The rivor valley as usual was very dry. Its right bank looked 
 from tho camp like the broken face of a very rugged mountain, rising in bare 
 rounded k.iolls one over the other fully 500 feet. A few very largo ti-ees 
 were in the valley whore wo crossed ■ <>uo j)Oj)lar was 13 feet in circumference, 
 and others nearly as largo." 
 
 Travollirig from about tho intc/. .ction of tho Eed Deer Eiver with the 
 112th meridian youthv.-est to tho 51st paral! 1, Mr. Macoun I'oports : — 
 
 " I had carefully e.xamincnl all the slides from tho valley, as we wont up tho 
 hill, and observed that this bank was the same its the other up to the limestone 
 exposure. Seeing a bold oscarpinent topping tho bank at a particular point, 
 I wont there and discovered a fine exposure of sandstone. The beds got harder 
 as I approached tho top, and for a few yards tho rock on its upper surfaco was 
 laid baro by tho washing away of a seam of soft shaly lignite which lay 
 immec "uloly above it. Tho seam was about four foot in depth, and above it 
 was a layer of quartzite gravel lollo\/ud by the usual prairie drift. I discov- 
 ered a very tine out-cro]^ of a first-cla.-s lignite, at least hvo feet thick, in a 
 small coulee opening into the 'Crawling Valley.' The beds scon at this point 
 agree in no particular with those seen by Dr. Hector further up tho rivor. He 
 states that tlu lignite soei) by him was nearly on a level with the water, 
 whereas this is on the sui face. I lielievo these strata are referable to tho same 
 bods as those occuring at I'orcupino Creek on the Boundary." See Di, Dawson's 
 Ileport, page i)S. 
 
 "Crawling Valley extends from lied Deer liivor to Bow liivor at tho 
 Elbow."' " As far as soon, nuniorous spiiugs of fine waterissued from itssidos." 
 
 From Roil Door Rivor, Mr. Macoun proceeded south-woslorly in tho 
 direction of Blackfoot Crossing, and thus speaks of the country; — "For two 
 miles after starting tho country was !<.'vel, but after that it boca;no rolling, and 
 iucreasod untd wo stoj)j)e<l for dinnor. After dinnei , tho deprossions between 
 tho hills were all clay, and, as usnal, much er.acked. Tho hills were rather 
 higher, and tho vidleys longer and wider, and frosh water scarcer, than in tho 
 forenoon. Tho soil on this side is much bettor than beyond the rivor, and, as 
 a consequonco, the grass is lunger. There is abundance of fresh wutor in tho 
 jwnds and marshes, and no sign of salt lakes. This counliy extends ton miles 
 t(\the southeast, and nflor that it becomes more sandy, passing ovontually into 
 sand hills." 
 
ooo 
 
 Mr. Wilkins ]msso(l north-vvo.stcrly thr«>ijg!i tlio northoi-n half of thiw 
 8C<.'licii, ai J reports. — "On the Itiiml llilln tlie innd wa.s found of fuir quality, 
 l)iu 1 lie pu.-tnro dry rtTid much pjirohod. Tho northe'-u faco containod some 
 pophii' ot a fair si/A'. MoUvi'fii tlio Hand IJilKs and 'ho S([uii real's lload Ui ■ 
 land ^^'a.^ fronerally a luirddiakod «day, intersocied l)v O'MiIpos, or i\ plain roverLMl 
 with ])oor f^rass and a i^ravolly fjoil. After oiilering the rcdliii^ liillw, at tho 
 Squirrel's llead, iho soil imjuoved, and tho vulloys wore filled wilh pKxl grans. 
 Tho clay, in.stoad of being halcod, became friable and hdtiU' suitod foi' farming 
 purposes," 
 
 Sec alhO Appendix, Fac. Ry. Rep., 1870. 
 
 51 
 
 ri3 
 
 Macoun Ejphratim, 1 87 3 . 
 
 Ml'. Macoun pa^soti wostorly through tho soutb-wcstorn corner of this 
 section on his way to (Jalgarry. 
 
 While crossing through thi.". section, Mr. Macoun passed over long s!op<\N 
 extending ca.stwani, with very lii tic dip til tho west. All the liinil scon was 
 sandy I'am, and all lit tor tho plough Occaj^ional putchos of boulderH ware 
 soon, but Miey wore not too abundant. 
 
 Soo also Appendij, Pac, Ry. Rep,, 187!). 
 
 _5L 
 
 ■^^4 Macoun Expbrat ion, \lSiy. 
 
 Entering this section at tho sniitli-oast corner, and kocjiing north of Bon- 
 Eivor, b'iivellod wostorly, towards old liow Fort. 
 
 " Pa>scil over long .sloi»os extending eastwards, wilh very little dip to the 
 west. Ail tin* land seen was sandy Unni, and all tit for the plough. 
 
 Two nidos before wis i(;a(hod the i'\)rt (< 'algarry,) wo stopped on the top "f 
 tho hist slope and looko'l over a .'-cono long to l>e lemo nboiod. At uur foot lav 
 How Itivei- and its beautiful valley. As ihe river wound trotn side to side it 
 loft wooded jioints on the outer margiti of all bends, and from our altitude, 
 water, wood and meadow .seemed so beautifully iuiorniixod that the l;indscapo 
 was more like an artist's ideal than a natural pii;tii)o, Standing by tho river's 
 margin, or feeding on tho green meadows, were, hundi-ods id'^'ittlo and horses; 
 thowe added to the luiturfd fe;iturcs and gave a pastoral cluiraelor to tho scene. 
 Only three short years ugo this same valley was tilled vvith countless herds of 
 butl'ulo, and tho Blackfoet and .Surcocs wore in tho midst of aOluenco. To-day, 
 the butlalo are dead or gone, and the Indian, bioken in spirit, either dies with 
 tho stoicism of bis race or partake.-^ of tho white nnin's bounty, ('algarry itsell 
 lay iiid<lon umong the distant trees, quietly nestling under a l)lutt of light 
 coloreni sandstone, while about a mile beyond, in a little gi'ovc, could be 
 scon the Catholic Mission, presided over b^- Father Sc<dlon. Outside the river 
 valley, the prairie extended roll over roll into tho hori/.on, dotted hero and 
 there with eluinj)s ol bushes, l)ut altogether without trees, except in the valleys 
 
 of tho small streams. Behind rose the I{ocky Mountains like a 
 
 ^va 
 
 II. 
 
 bounding llie horiKon to the west, and i.',iving a vastness to tho pieturu which tho 
 beholder could feel hut not describe." 
 
 '•Calgarry is siiuulod on the right bank of Bow Eivor, in tho angle formed 
 by KIbow or Swifi Iliver, where it joins tho tbrnior. It is merely a Htnc.kado, 
 about ten feel higli, onclnsing a tow huts, but would bo very little protoclioii 
 if the IndiuuH wore Iroubletiome. ' 
 
lialC of ihirt 
 
 fjiir qimlity, 
 
 rituitiO'i some 
 
 a's Iload Hi • 
 
 plitin covoi-od 
 
 liillM, ill tlu) 
 
 ih (rood griiHH. 
 
 1 for farming 
 
 sornor of this 
 
 II" long HlopOH 
 
 iind Hcon wni* 
 loulderH waro 
 
 orth of Bow 
 
 lo dip to the 
 
 li. 
 
 I on tho top of 
 
 I nur feot l.'iy 
 do to side it 
 
 oiii' altitudo, 
 ic l.-uidscajjc 
 hy tlio rivci'M 
 D and liorHO.M ; 
 lo tho scone. 
 loH.s hinds of 
 rice. To-day, 
 or dioH with 
 ■algarry itsell 
 
 tiutt oi' light 
 
 OVC, COldd 1)0 
 
 ndo tho rivor 
 to t horo and 
 n Hio valleys 
 iiko a wall, 
 ui-'j which tho 
 
 anglo flirnu'il 
 a Hto^ikado, 
 lo proioolioii 
 
 '423 
 
 B:w River, at the crossing, is a finostroam. 100 yards wide, of clear, cold 
 water, running with a strong ourrer.t over a pelihly t)ed, and oonlains an 
 abuadance offish, — trout and piko. 
 
 KIbow Rivi.li- is a ntu! tnountain sti'oam, iil)out 40 yaids wide. All the 
 streams discharging intu How ilivor are full ot lish, prini'i|ially of throo varieties 
 of trout. " Tho wholcconnlry from tho H!ackloet (;ros-,ing lo Fori Oalgarry, 
 except tho sand hills in Iho Hlackfcoi Uosoivo, s llrst-cla-ts as regards -ioil." 
 
 Ist Septemher, Joiin (Jhui's farm on Fish Crock, ahout ■^ix milos .Mtuth of 
 tho fort. " Horo, (jik-n had 5, 000 ca'nhagos all comiuoncing luhoal. and without 
 doubt tho finest, lot 1 had over s(;on. Hailoy and oats in thf same lioM wore ex- 
 cellent, and potatoes very tino, Mr. Fjivingstono, another fannoi' living a tow miles 
 off had also oxoellent oroi»s, and all united in saying that, tho <!limato was moirtt 
 enough to grow anything." (Jlen's grain waf- scarcely tit to cut, and I suspect 
 that proximity to the Mountains has a tendency to cool Iho rnghts, and hence 
 slower growth than farther east. All thi.' land seemed to be either a sandy 
 or claj' loam, and very fertile. At tho Roman (Catholic Misssion all kinds of 
 grain and vegetables had been raised, and although most of the ground had 
 been bi'okon up this spring, tho crops wore generally good. Tho Father and 
 his brotlier had done all the work Ihomsolvc.", and done it well. 
 
 2nd So])tember. This was the first time tho mercury reached tho freezing- 
 point since we starteil. Potatoes nd beans .M'ghtly loijched Started to-day 
 for Morleyvillo, and camped about eight milo» out. Tho connlry ))assod over 
 was generally very good, liul tho hills increased r.n much in altitude that one 
 WHS almost templed to call thotn the Foothills ofiho Jtcxd^y M ninlains. Wil- 
 low bushes now became a marked feature in the counti'3', and indicates an 
 abutidant rain fall as well as a cooler climato' From our camp, the iiigh land, 
 which forms tho Foothills on the south side of the river, wa* plainly visible, 
 rising tfi tho wost in sinTos^ive ridges, and finally rm I'iiig into the liluo hazo 
 whioli liung aiDunil the liaso of the tnountains. Water abnndan! and good. 
 
 ;-ird Soplond)er. l'^)l■ two bonis after starting, our course was over fine 
 jirairio covered at li no> with willow brn.^h, and then dosi-eudod into the valloy 
 of Bow Ilivor, and p iss( d the remains id" an old poplar lore->t. tho balsam being 
 quiio largo. ^Vtter ri ■ .ing llio livor valley wo cro.^scd I'i no and wo other 
 crooks. 
 
 The counlry now began to assume a niouniainoii-. char;u;tor, liio hills rising 
 nearly GOO feel above the river with < >■! rcs|)ondingly deep valleys. Still 
 ajiproaching nearer to tho mountains, ])as>ed over much good soil covered with 
 willows, as well as other land of w.ry inl'eiii.ir iiuaUi}'. Th<'. land now becamo 
 toi'raced idong tho liver, and was gonorally up to iM How Fort, and beyond 
 nothing but m;)sHe^ of shingle and ijuaitzile gravel, with a ihin co; ting 
 of earth, or none at all. 
 
 Tho approach to Doadman's River, a mountain stioam about 30 yards wido, 
 ami tvvi) loot dooi> at present, is stci'p and dangtuous. (.'losr-ii g this siicam at 
 its contliienco with liow Ivivcr, we asccndfd ihi^ two terraces iiu,'ain, an<l drovo 
 five miles to aMoi'leyville over a very good road, but land "vholl)- un.Miiiod i'ov 
 agriculture. TlxMoad was on one of' the rivoi' terra: c , but to iln right the 
 ground ro.-e in gras.'.y slopes over 200 foot, anil i.i ll.i-. nppci' trail m-oc situated 
 tiio lands suiteil for agriculture, liovond the rivei' the lainl seemed to be much 
 bottoi', tho hills wtMo lower and faithcr itV, and wood was in coiisi'lcrablo 
 quantities. Olisorvod patches of sprueo on tho higher and more oxji.i.-ed lull 
 lops, aial occasional pines clingii:g to tho rocky clitV- of How Rive;'. 
 
 Morleyville is sitinilod in a most admirable locality and the s,'.(>nory i.s 
 iiiisurjiassod in tho Noi'th-Wcsi. The hills and valleys are covered with nutri- 
 tionsgrass, which is as .availablo in witiloi-a.s in summjr owing to the "('hin(jok" 
 winds, whi(d) fViMpientiy blow ai that -oa^on, ovapor.ding tho snow and leaving 
 tho grass as good as il was in August. During the warm, dry weather of 
 August, tho grass of tho whole plains bocoraos dry except u small poitiou in 
 123— li 
 
224 
 
 the c'cntro ofeacli litilo luff, ami, as Ihore in sciirocly any rain oithor in SojitiMn- 
 her or Uctoher. when tlio snow tklLs towartls the oud of tho latter month it sjltH 
 clown among tlio dried trrass, not moistening it in tho least ; here tho rtnow 
 lies uti'il tho " (!hinook-," a warn, dry wind swco]aPig along tho hase ol" iho 
 l{')ck\ Moiiiitaiiis, lako-i it nwiy. .Vl;>i'le)viilo i-» ju-fll}- cclebiated I'oritH exi'cl- 
 lent (•.iltle run-, Imt llio adviuitages ii lia^s over the (jroat Plaill^^ coirsiist in ji, 
 hrook- and tllllnl•^ull^s >|)riiig>., an i the many sheltered valloy.s loading up iVoin 
 IJow ivivc" 'I'hnre is not tho slightest diil'eienco heiweon the piuiture grasses 
 I'l' Mn -jeyx iile aii'l thosi.^ of Port {''.llice, (illO miles to the east. 
 
 liir.v lar the elfecls oi' tho "('hiiiook " windM extend eastward is unknown 
 o,it. ihe lact 'if ihe(iieat Plain.-, around the Hand Hills, being the winteiin;; 
 plaeo of tho hitllalo tiir untold age,s, leave,- no doubt that thi- suowdall is eillior 
 ".s-ry light or (|uickly melted. It niii-t not be forgottoti, in di-cu-Hing tho quos- 
 lioi. of wiiilering .-tocdc on tho jilains, that no water is needed, tho hdow eatoi) 
 with the grass being suttleient. 
 
 The Mission is very well eonsti-ucted and eveiything around betokens oaro 
 and iii'liistiy. JMr. Seibold, the teacher, and Mr. (lobinsoii, tho gentleman in 
 charge of llie Mission, in Mr. J(dui McDougad'.s absencci, are botli line men, 
 Croits here aro latu hut goo 1, and all kind- ot' vegoiablos aro ex(,ollent. As wo 
 aro ni>w at an elevation of nearly 4,0lt0 foot and ehsc under the mountain.s we. 
 ought to bo at the limit of fanning for ]->i'otit. liut those who have been liore tor 
 years deny it. They state that ihi.s has been a lato season atid crops are notasfar 
 :;dv;'n''ed as usnal. Taking their statements as true, and I do not doubt them, 
 all kinds oi grain ean be raisiid bci'O as well as ariy where else, but, owing *o 
 the altitude, they will not ripen early. 
 
 The Stony Indians ui'o now becoming farmers, having had 40 acres on theu- 
 reservations |)ut in crop ihi.s ,sea,sori. Kach of the four chiefs has ten acres 
 under cultivation." 
 
 MORt.EyVIIiI.K TOWAItns HAY tAKES. 
 
 On his return journey Mr, .^huoun left Morloyville on tho 15th Septemlior, 
 travelling noit!i westeily towards the llay .Lakes. "A few miles after starting, 
 pa.-,sed a tine creek running through a valley three miles in width, on tho west 
 siile lit which wwm a number of p )j)lar gi'ov^, which h)oked like the remiiin.T 
 of a former ]ioplar ibre-t. Thence over a higii i-olling prairie having an excel- 
 lent soil of black clay loam, sometimes mixed M'ith slaty gra%el, like that soon 
 at Morleyville. Climate cool and moist, ai\d the plants indicating eonsider;d.>lo 
 altituile. Willow bru.-li covered nearly the whole country, and occusLonal clumps 
 of bal-am jjoplar showed in tho boggy spots, being saved from death by their 
 proximity to water." 
 
 iii the distance we cf>uld seo lilutls ofs]U'uco crowning thohill.sto the west, 
 while Hdge Creek seemed to flow parallel with our course, which wasgenerally 
 northerly over a line rolling conntiy, tho laiul continuing of excellent quidity 
 ai.'l well suited for the plough, jiassing several fine streams and occasional 
 laki s. The drainage is [.erfeid, all the slopes Ijoing gradual, and the water 
 .scarce. Far as thi; eye could rea* h to the north-west the land seemed of first- 
 class tiualit}-, but with very little wood. Before reaching tlio Calgarry road wo 
 jiassed the old foro.-t lino ; it is iu)w mai'ked by latf^e V', !I!ows and a few clun>[),s 
 ol' poplars. In some ])Iaces a scaicity of wat(!r was experienced, owing to the 
 le\el couidiy and good soil pivvcnling water standing on tho surface. On 
 neai'ing the north east angle of tiiis section, entered a range of low wixxiel 
 hills M-liore wood and water wore plentiful. Those aro called tho " Hunting 
 liills." Tho " Antler lldls " being to the right, 
 
 Suiceijor-Giiifriil (jf JJam'/iioa Litiuis Report, 1880. — A. P. Patrick, D.L.S. 
 
 Mr. Patrick ]iitssed along the south side of tlio Bow Uivoron his way west- 
 ward iioin Fort Calgarry to Morleyvillo. 
 
•225 
 
 aithor in Sojdtnn- 
 tor month it siitH 
 i hore tho huow 
 tlio liJise of ilio 
 tod lor ItM excel- 
 lis fon.sist ill its 
 loiiilirifr up fnim 
 jiUBturc yra.v^ci 
 
 ard is urd^nown, 
 L? ilie wintoi'iiii,' 
 low-fai! irt eillior 
 ou.JHing tlio quc> 
 tho HHOW oiitt'ii 
 
 lid betokens fai-p 
 10 f^t'ntiomaii in 
 hotii line men. 
 X( ollont. As wo 
 u> ni nun tail IS wo 
 ivo been hero tor 
 ;'o])s ure n(»t. asfar 
 not doubt thoni, 
 \ but, owing 'o 
 
 40 acres on thtM- 
 fs has ten jicrc.^ 
 
 Ifith September, 
 eH after starting, 
 lib, on tho wot 
 ike the remain- 
 having an excLl- 
 ei, like that solmi 
 ting conaidoi'Mlio 
 ccasional cluiiips 
 a death by thiir 
 
 hilln to tho WL'st, 
 ch wasgencr.'illy 
 ixcellont quiility 
 i and occtisioniil 
 , and the water 
 seoinoii of tiist- 
 L'algarry road we 
 nd a few cl(ini|i.>? 
 I'd, owing to thi' 
 hj surface. On 
 of low wo'iili] 
 :1 the '' Iluatiiig 
 
 •A-, D.L.S. 
 on bin way we.ii- 
 
 "From F<irt Calgarr}- I proceeded to Morlcyville by tho Elbow Kivcr to lay 
 out the Stony Reserve The country from Calgany to "Juinjiing Poind" Oroek, 
 a distance of about twonly-fuur miles, is similar lo that described al High River. 
 Atioiit six miles '"roin (-iilgairy, on the I'llbow River, i.- a settler iianKnl Siunuol 
 Livingstone. Tiiis man lia^ a tine improved farm, and the crops I'ui.-od have 
 been something wonderful. 1 am infiriiu'd thai his ii;;'> avoiag<'d ■Jdmethiiig 
 like titt}- bushels tu liie iKsre. Tlic land from Jumiii'ig I'ound to Morlcyville is 
 good, but the country i.s very billy; the feed i.i exccllont, and the whole section 
 is iiaitieiilarly well adapted for a cattle lanclie. WbiK) a' .Mo'le\ viile, 1 laid 
 out the Stony Hesi'ive, as shown on the sketch I have alread}' forwarded. Tho 
 laiui on the reserve is suitable for cattle raising; there is also a fiuantily of good 
 farming land sutlieienL for the wants of ilnj tribe. While writing ot the .Stony 
 Indians, I consider it worth noting that they have already acipiired consider- 
 able knowledge otlarming; they, this year, sucecoded in raising a toIera)>Iy 
 huge ( ro|) ol barley and turnii)s. The settlement al Morleyvillo contains u 
 Church, which reflects great credit on the energy of tho Rev. John ,^fcTJ>ougal, 
 Methodist Missionary. There is also a school lijuso of ample dimonsions, tho 
 clergyman's residence, and another liuilding occupied by the Indian school- 
 ma,ster. Al various points, embracing in all about eight miles, along the Bow 
 River, towai-ds Calgarry, are ab' iit ten settlors, whose farms have been more or 
 loss improve<l ; all are in posscs.on of more or Ic.-s cattle. Those men contem- 
 plate going ])rincipal!y into caltlc raising. They wish to oblaiu from ihoir 
 farms little more than sufficient for their own ''onsumpitifju." 
 
 See also Appendix, Far. Ry. Rfp., I87f'. 
 
 5L 
 
 lie Alacoun Exploration, 1871'. 
 
 Mr. Macoun entered tho southeni lioition of this s.n'iioii, iravclling west- 
 ward to Grotto Mountain. " After leaviiig tho Mi.ssion (.\loi leyville) the couniiy 
 liecame rough, and slaty sandstones came out in ledges " " Observed a number 
 of jiines of a species unknown to me; and a few smr.ll groves of Douglas pine. 
 1 founii at'crwaids that this species coveied moi'i^ or loss all the Foothills, and 
 extended ap the river valley into the nii,ui mins. All the iaviias were lined 
 with spruce, which never grew to a large size. Proceeding up tho valley, 
 camped on the site of Old Bow lM)rt." 
 
 "Bcw Rivei', above the Mission, becomes more rapid and partakes of tho 
 natui'C of a mountain slroam, its banks, at times, are samlston" eiills ; !uid when 
 this ro''k crosses the stream short rapids are l^rnu^d. From below Deahnan's 
 River, terraces wiUioul any legularily are loniiuon. At Old J'>ow I'ori, the 
 river is ()U0 feet below the general level, and Hows in a narrow valley. Tho 
 sides of a gorge near the cami), KM) teot deep, through whii'h flows a mountain 
 brook, show the usual jHirjiie shales, containing more or lo.ss impure iron ore. 
 Further uji these shales form dills, 500 feet high, abutting on the river, .•iroiind 
 which it leaps and foams with great foicc Here it li:i<l t irceil its last !»arrier 
 before leaving thv' mountains; and for 20 miles highei- up there was lidlo cur- 
 rent. Moved camp 7 mih>s, aiiii I'ouiul oui'-olves at the eiilrance to the pass. 
 Tho mountains rise on either Iiand ; tliose lo tiie soaili being covered with 
 wood, wliile those on the north aie b;iro and very precipiious. My cxninin- 
 alif.n ot' the rocks along How River led nie to think thitt iboy boie a great 
 resemblance to rocks T had seen on Thunder W\\, belonging:; to tho Hnroinau 
 series A fe%v fossils were obtained, which weie unmisliikeably Lower 5-luriau 
 or Devonian types. Found the mountain (near camp) to bo a heavybodded 
 blue limestone, wiialhering while, containing lew fossils except crinoid slems. 
 Sept. S. — Moved camp uji to (Jrotto Nlountain ; found .'vbundance of line 
 trout in the rivor, of three spocics : the smallest being about a foot long, and 
 12;i~15i 
 

 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 
 V 
 
 .v^ 
 
 /**^«,^ 
 
 z 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 no 
 
 1^ 
 
 :!: 1^ mil 2.0 
 
 nil 
 
 m 
 
 1.25 i 1.4 
 
 ^ lltt 
 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 
 «■ 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STRUT 
 
 WIBSTIR, N.Y. 14SS0 
 
 (71ft)872-4S03 
 
 ^ 
 

 
 l^ 
 
 
 6^ 
 
226 
 
 in ap))carance, likoouroaHtern brook trout ; another, rather larger, but with soft 
 wliito rtonh, and the third wliich often attainn a weight of 30 pounds, in the lake 
 and deep pools bordering on the river channel. Mountain goats and sheep were 
 lVet|Uontly seen ; so that with these and the lish there is no danger of the Stony 
 Indians starving, if thoy do not become too lazy to work. The valleys were 
 filled with shingle carried down from the mounttiins, which were rotting away. 
 All ilio plants observed were strictly Alpine. Several fossils wore obtained, 
 evidently JXfVOiiiun. Snow showers were frequent. 
 
 Aturot'ul examination of the timber in the valley, as far as time would 
 allo^N , was niado. The juincipal species were Douglas pine, and beautiful spruce, 
 tlio latter growing tall and straight and forming groves on the flats. The other 
 species preCorred the rocky slo))es, and were often of a large size ; numbers being 
 seen three feet in diameter. Fine groves of limber were observed on the south side 
 of the river, from 'he mouth of the Kannanaskis up its pass and over the moun- 
 tains betweon the two rivers. From the situation of the timber, I believe it to bo 
 irincipally Douglat' pine. I was informed that much finer timber could beseen 
 liglior up the river. By being carefully husbanded, there is a enough timber 
 on this river and its trilmtarios to supjtiy all the prairie country as far as the 
 Elbow of the South Saskatchewan. All the water-power necessary to convert 
 it into lumber exists clo.-c to Morleyvillo, and the river is so placid that it could 
 bo rafted to any point without lo-s. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pacific Railway Meport, 18t9. 
 
 FROM THE lUOXU TO THE 115tII MKRIDIAN, AND BETWEEN THE SOtQ AND SlsT 
 
 I'ARtVLLEI.S OP LATITUDE. 
 
 5^ 
 
 100 -''-''"■'■■"•^ Smiih Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith entered this section on his way from Shell River to Bird- 
 tail Creek. 
 
 "Xortli of the Assinihoino the country rises grndtially and imperceptibly to 
 tin) e} e up to the crown of the Riding Mountain, 2,0t)0 feet abovo the level of 
 llio sea, The southern jKiition of this district is chiefly prairie ; the soil good, 
 but light in some places, and in others largolj' mixed with boulders. Thedepth 
 of ilio isoil iticronsoH nurtliwaid and it^ quality changes to a heavy loam, well 
 suited for jiennanent wlioat-growing ; groves and bolt.8 of poplar become 
 fVe<iiieiit and ultimately merge into a solid forest, in which there are good spruce 
 tuid idniarac. 
 
 The nurth-easlern slopes of Riding and Duck Mountains are precipitous, 
 and tlio flat belwocn them and Lakes Manitoba and Winnipogoiis is generally 
 marshy, intorsectcd with and and gravel ridges covered witb spruce, tamarao 
 and some mapio, and some strips of good land interspersed." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 101 Macoun Kxptoratioii, 187!>. 
 
 " Between Fort Ellico and the river (Qu'Appollo) the road passes mostly 
 through c.)psew(iod, with occasional ponds and nuirshy spots for over a mile, 
 arul thou dorcends a long wooded slope until the level of tno river is reached." 
 
227 
 
 "The vegetation in the rivor valley (Qa'Appolie) is of the most luxuriant 
 deacription ; peas, velclu'H, and wild hojjs vi«d with other in luxuriance and 
 climbed over bushes and logs to the almost oxtinotion ol'nthor plant.-*. ' 
 
 " As soon as wo crossed the rivor (half a mile from its nioutli) we entered 
 almotit at ouco into a series of abi-upt sand hills which seenied to till the valley 
 at its lower end." " None of the (^u'Appelle Valley, as far as !^oen, was (it lor 
 agriculture." 
 
 Westerly from the mouth of the Q'Appelle Hivor above the valley, and 
 adjacent to it to the north, "the soil is rather poor, hut th<!ro is ii'ithii),ij to jire- 
 vent settlement, as sufficient good land will be found on eai'h s.'ctinn to warrant 
 its location, and the vicinity of ihe rivers with their wooded valleys will 
 possibly make it a favorite residence for many.' 
 
 Westerly from Big .Spring '-the country improves, and for a number of 
 miles a beautiful sandy prairie with little wood stretches out to the horizon, 
 bounde<l to the west by a low range of woode(] sand hills. ]Je3()nd those to 
 Antelope Crook the country, though sandy, is rich and beautiful, containing 
 many bluft'sof very good poplar." Around Spy Tlill the land is much broken, 
 utid there are numerous marsh}' ponds ill the depressions, with corresponding 
 ridges of sand or gravel." " Cut Arm cJi-eek flows in a valley of considerable 
 depth." The land is good but very wet. 
 
 Generally between Cut Ann Creek and the 102nd meridian tlie soil is a 
 rich black loam with a lighl-colored marly clay^ for a subsoil. "The various 
 herbaceous plants are wonderfully luxuriant." See general description by 
 Macoun in ^^. 
 
 Marcus Smith Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith traversed this section in various directions. 
 
 " The soil east of the Assiniboino, on tho main trail from Bird Tail Crook to 
 Fort Ellico (a distance of 12 miles), and extending soulhwanl to the Assiniboino, 
 is good, but largely mixed with drift boulders, which will eauso a great deal of 
 labor and some years to remove for their sufficiently to allow the laud to bo 
 worked freely. 
 
 The valley of tho Qu'Appollo, at tho lower end, is sandy, but before reach- 
 ing tho Big Cut Arm the soil improves, and we find crops of grass which 
 would make good hay. The valley is a railo to a mile and a half wide, and the 
 river about 80 feet. 
 
 Proceeding down tho Assiniboino from Fort Polly. 
 
 On tho last 50 milos to Fort Kllii'e tho soil is lino gravel covered with a 
 thin sod, making excellent roads, but very poor |>asture. 
 
 From Fort Ellico, uj) the east side of the Assiiiiboiiic, to Shell J{iver, is a 
 belt of gravel ridgoH, evidently a former beach, or river bed, some ten milos 
 wide, covered with a thin sod. " 
 
 aoe also Appendix, Fac.\Ry. Rep., 1879. 
 
 S5L 
 
 102 Macoun Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Midway between the Qu'Appollo River and the 5 1st parallel of Latitude, 
 and ^rom the 102n(l meridian westward, Mr. Macouti sa3's • " During the after- 
 noon we travelled principally through |)rairie, with a gradual upward slope 
 and hotter drainage, tho wholo country being well suited for farmini;- jiurposes;" 
 and during the next day, 27it' .luiie: "The country parsed tlirongh to-day was 
 very lovely, l)Uf wood was .s'.arce, in fact less than one |ior cent. ' "The ti'act 
 
 t)a8sod over to day is mat Ii better drained than tlwu seen since leaving I'ort 
 Cilice. Tho creidcs are moi'c defined, and the country rises in eas}' undulations 
 to the south." " Shortly after crossing it (Primrose Creek), we ontorod on tho 
 
2:r 
 
 north-eaftern bluffs of Pheasant Mountain, which is merely a slight elevation 
 ubovo llio usual prairie ioiol. Afler pu.-Hiiig ihrougli lovely cop-iewood for 
 over an hour, we stopped for liiuniier at a pool of gooi water." 
 See ^j lor general description, by Mr. Macoun. 
 
 Marcus Smith Exploration, )879. 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith, travelling from Fort P]llice on the main cart trail, entered 
 this section west of Cut Arm Creek. 
 
 "West of the Big Cut Arm Creole the land improves a little, but is still 
 light, and the ground is indented with numerous small ponds. This is the 
 general character ol' the countiy between tiie (^u'Appolle and the main cart 
 trail to Carlton, until reaching tiio Pheasant and File Hills, the riso of which 
 is scai'cely pei'ccptibi' lo 'ho eyo, hut they arc jiartly covered with groves of 
 nspen, and the soil i-t deeper than on the open prairie." 
 
 See al.so Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep., 1S7!>. 
 
 52. 
 103 
 
 Macoun Ejyjloration, 1H79. 
 
 Travelling west from the northern limit of the Pheasant Hills and ptwsing 
 south of Kile Hill.s to the 104th meridian, about halt way between Fishing Lake 
 and the r)lst parallel of Lat., Mr. Micoun thus describes the countr}- : " Shortly 
 afler leaving camp crossed the creek (Primrose) tor the third time, and then 
 entered on the ])!ain which lay spread out before us with the Pboasani HHIh 
 sti'ctching away to the soulli, while File Hills could be dimly seen in the north. 
 Very'few water pools were seen and no marsh (from Pheasant to File Hills.) The 
 whole plain lying between the two ranges is dry and level, with n gentle 
 inclination to tlio south, and having a fertile soil without stones. Abundance of 
 wood can bo obtained for all purpo.ses on the File Hills. Wo now touched the 
 Houfheast corner of the Kile Ilili-i, and passscd for six miles through a park-like 
 countiy with clumps ot wood and occasional water pools. For the distance the 
 land could not bo better. Between Pelly and Touchwood fioads is (he best 
 tract of land wo have yet seen. The whole region is wooded and slopes 
 gently towards Qu'Appclle." 
 
 See sec. ^y^ tor genei'.-il description by Mr. Macoun ; also sec. ^^n i'< i Mr. 
 Maicns Smith's description. 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. liy. Rep., 1879. 
 
 59 
 IC4 
 
 Macoun Exploration, 1879. 
 
 Passing through the north-east corner of this section, Mr. Macoun says 
 of it : 
 
 " A boundless grassy plain stretched away to the horizon on every side, 
 rising in easy undulations to (ho north, but falling with (he same easy slopes to 
 (ho south. No sign of had laud. This counlr}- woidd bo all forest were it 
 not for the tires." 
 
 Marcvs Smith E.iploration, 1 S7!' . 
 
 Mr. Marcus Smith croflsed the northern ])ar( of ibis siiction on his way 
 from Fort F.llico. 
 
 "The Flench Missionaries, HaH'-brccds and liuiians cultivate loss or more 
 land in (he vicinity of (^hi'Appclle lakes, and raise all kinds of veg("tablos, 
 barlev and Indian corn and some fruit, as tod currants, etc. Barley was cut 
 
220 
 
 and stored by July 27th last yenr. The Fathora oomplainod of a scarcily of 
 hay grass, and wore mowing coarso swamp grass tive to nix mile.-* from the 
 Mission." 
 
 ^"On the -8lh July the journey was resumed, takiiiit a iiorth-wo-^t course 
 from P'ort Qu'Appello, passing nearly midway Ix-Uvt-en ihoToiieliwood Hills and 
 the Eiver Qu'Appelle and iis tiibutary, Jjong L.iko." 
 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Rep,, 1879. 
 
 105 See Appendix, Pac.^Ry. Report, 1879. 
 50 . 
 
 106 See Appendix, Pac. Ry. Report, 1879. 
 
 107 See Appendix, Pae. Ry.-: Report, 1879. 
 
 108 See Appendix, Pac. Ry. Report, 187i>. 
 
 109 Surveyor-Qentral of Dominion Lands' Report, 18>^0— ^. P. Patrick, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Patriek thus describe^ the Indian Reserve at Forks u( Ivod Doer and 
 South Saskatchewan Rivers : — 
 
 "The land at and about the reserve is fair in several places, say about one- 
 half would bo tit to raise crops if irriu'ation were at ail practicable, whirli I very 
 much doubt. There are a very limited nuinlter of 'J)c bottoms, however, which 
 miglit bo farmed, but little or nu wood is to bo found except at the Forks." 
 
 After honding Mr. Nelson to Fort Walsh, 1 left for Fort McLeod. Tho 
 soil from tho point at whi. h I finished work to the minith of tho Hi;^' Bow, is 
 similar to that of the reserve, no wood. 
 
 Mr. Patrick's assistant, Mr. Nelson, travello<l from the Forks south-westerly 
 through this section on his way to Cypress Hills. 
 
 "While en route to P'ort Walsh Mr. Nelson mado an odometer survey of tho 
 road, and located the topographical leaturos on the way. lie I'eporlcd tho 
 country between the South Saskalehowan River and Cypiess Hills as broken 
 by tho Seven Persons' Coulee with its branches ; tl>e land improves as ono 
 approaches tl\e hills, but the whole cmintry is lii tor [.asture only." 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Roi)ort, 1879, 
 
 5?_ 
 no 
 
 III 
 
 ..5?_ 
 112 
 
 See section ^W ^'^i' -^^''- P'it>'i<'k'« description. 
 See also Appendix, Pac. Ry. Report, 1879. 
 
 See Appendix, Pac. Ry. Report, 1879. 
 
 Macoun Exploration, 1&79. 
 
 Mr. Maconn entered this section near tho middle, on Ids way to tho Black- 
 foot Oro^^Hing, passing s(uilh-woslorly, and thus describes it : " The country is 
 
much drier this forenoon. Water very scftrco. Stopped for dinner at Crowfoot 
 Crooi<, which here consialod of >x few muddy pooln. Rolling hills with deep 
 hollows between were the :;oiienil foaiiuea of the country. Stipa, Kloeria and 
 Bouteoul.'i are almost bunch grasses here. Driest country eeen yet. For two 
 hours after dinner kept down the creek, and then turned up a ravine to the 
 right and attained the prairie level. Before turning away from the creek, 
 which i.N hero JJO yards wide, I noticed a ledge of rock crossing its bod, which, 
 on examination, proved to be coal ol excellent quality. The seam was six feet 
 in depth, and seemed nuieii deeper than the oxpo.sure. Brought an armful ol it 
 to camp and found it to be a tirst-class arlide. It burned with a clear tlamo, 
 and in the moixing wa.- still aglow. Heaped a few more pieces on and it 
 burned all day. The ash i> quite white and no slaty cinders were left." 
 
 " Between the crook and the Biiiokfoot Cronsing is a wide strotcii of rolling 
 prairie which would make good agr, cultural land if not too dry." 
 
 " Ogilvie measured the livor at the crossing and Iqund it to bo 220 yards 
 wide, with an average depth of 3^ feet, with a pretty .-troiig current. Wo 
 croM.-ed it this r.fteinooii (August -Tth), and examined Mr. French's grain field. 
 lie informed us that the giain now ripe was sown a month too late, not being 
 in until Juno (1th. Oats -lood fourfect high; barley was very good; but wheat 
 was bhorl in the straw, though the grain was vory fine. Ills peas had boon cut for 
 r-ome time and wore now off the ground. The greater ]>art of the field had been 
 bi'oken out of the jD'aiiie sod last June, lie has also four acres of potatoes and 
 two acres of other vegotablos on the high prairie, six miles further south, and 
 they are more ti.an fir>t-cl.iss. 1 had thought from the appearance of the 
 grass that the climate was altogether too tlry, but French saj's there is all the 
 lain necessary to ])erl'cct the crojis." 
 
 " Outside his field all was dry and pan'ho<l ; inside, where the soil was 
 broken, the grass was green and luxuriant. Grass which outside bore no seed 
 and was vci)- short ; in the ploughed field, vied with the grain in tallnoss." 
 
 "Numerous outcrops of coal occur at this point, and the coal has been burnt 
 in Ptovos by iMr. Fiench for two winters. The stoves used are the old-fashioned 
 self-feeding ones. He speaks very highly of its healing qualities. The coal 
 here occurs in connection with brown hematite as it ilid on Red Doer River." 
 
 " Much tine timber occurs in the river valley below the crossing, which, if 
 cared for nroperly, will last for many a day. Not a bush or tree is to bo found 
 between the two rivers." 
 
 From the crossing, Mr. Macoun passed north-oastorly along Bow River out 
 of the sectio I, and says: — 
 
 " Two miles ovoi- the vallo}' brought us to the ascent to the prairie, which 
 we found to he pretty sandy We travelled for eight milos over this plain, with 
 generally a rolling (country on the right and a i-ange of low sand hills on the 
 left, which filled a large hoiul the river made at this point. After crossing the 
 plain, \ve descciukd over l()l> feet into a large valley, bounded on tho right by 
 the prairie MutVs, and far on the let't liy tho river. Five miles over tho plain 
 brtinght us to camp on the river side. The river valley contains some tine 
 timber (Balsam poplar and Cotton-wood) suitable for house building and lor 
 rails. The land at camp is oxiti'llent, and the whole country on both sides o 
 tho river is suiteii for agricultuial purposes." 
 
 See ■j*j<*g for Mr. Palriik's dcHrriplion of this .section. 
 
 See al.so Appmdix Par. Hy. Jiej)., 18"'.). 
 
 1 13 ^^'coun Exphralm, ISTO. 
 
 Mr. .Macoun passed north-westerly through tho northern part of this section, 
 on hie way to Calgary, and states as follows : — 
 
 
nor at Crowfoot 
 IiillH with deep 
 pa, Kloeiia and 
 
 yet. For two 
 
 a ravine to the 
 rrom the crecif, 
 
 its bed, which, 
 (im wa8 Mix feet 
 
 an armful ol it 
 li a clear flame, 
 oces on and it 
 •e left." 
 I'otch of rolling 
 
 bo 220 yards 
 f current. Wo 
 jh'H grain field, 
 late, not being 
 )od ; but wheat 
 lad boon cut fur 
 
 field had boon 
 )f potatoea and 
 Llior south, and 
 earance of the 
 hero is all the 
 
 ) the soil was 
 s bore no seed 
 
 1 tallnesH." 
 has been burnt 
 f3 old-fashioned 
 ioM. Tho coal 
 Doer River." 
 sing, which, if 
 
 is to bo found 
 
 Bow River out 
 
 prairie, which 
 .bis plain, with 
 id hilU on tho 
 jr crossing the 
 n tho right by 
 over the plain 
 ains Bomo fine 
 ilding and lor 
 1 both sides o 
 
 of thi.ssoction, 
 
 , 
 
 2"^! 
 
 "Started late, and travelled through a very fine country for 1(5 miles. Soi 
 Handy loam, of first-class quality ; not an acre soon today unfit for the plough. 
 Wo wore never more than five miles from tho river all day, and it could be 
 seen meandtM-ing tluough its valley at all times. Its banks soomod to be alxjut 
 60 feel high, with sandstone e.Kposuros in various places. Fori] miles beyond 
 this wo i)aHsod ovo- tho same description of country as yc^onlay, and thou 
 rc.'iched a dejiression, in wluch la}' Long Lake, conraining brackish water." 
 
 Surveyor- General of Dominion Laiuls Report, ISSO— A. P. Patrick, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Patrick passed north-westerly through almost tho wholo length of thH 
 section on his way from Fort MacLeod to Fort Calgarry. 
 
 "On the tjth August, 187i>, the whole party left VL'icLood for Fort Calgarry. 
 1 made an ovinmetor survey of tho road. For tho first thirty miles the land 
 is : ot good, tho soil being dry and light and unfit for farming, after which tho 
 soil improves nnitorially up to Mosquito Crook, at which pliico 1 found a lich 
 black loam on wliiuh good crops of any kind can bo grown ; food hero in good. 
 From Mosquito Crook to High River tin' lut.d continues to improve. From 
 High River to Calgarry the road In intcrsectol by six crooks and the soil is very 
 fine; in fact, of u higher order than any 1 have soon in tho North West Terri- 
 tories. The country is most abuiulaiitly wooded at tho creeks. In describing 
 this portion of the North- West. Toriitorios, I find it ditticnll, if not impossible, 
 to employ suitable terms in order to adequately express the fertility of tho soil. 
 Tho magnificent pasturage hero found boars undonialile tosi,imony in favor of 
 iho land; although a: ])rosont this pusturago is its only pi-oduction, it is never- 
 theless safe to predict that at no very distant date some of the finest farms in 
 the wholo Dominion of Cana»^la wi'l bo located hero. I know of no place where 
 the re.sv)urces and feitility of the great .\ovth-Wost make themselves more 
 apparent. Tho creeks I have just mentioned abound with trout averaging from 
 one to two and hall pounds." 
 
 Mr. Patrick examined tho country easterly from Fort Calgarry south of 
 Bow River. 
 
 "1 then loft Calgarry for the purpose of making an odometer survey of the 
 Bow River from that place to its mouth, a sketch ot part of which 1 now 
 enclose. At the mouth of Fish Crook, which is eight miles from (.Jalgarry, down 
 the Bow River, I laid out a Government farm, in accordance with instructions 
 received from the Indian Comraission. Tho farm is three miles in length and 
 two in width ; the land in this farm is equal to any I have previously men- 
 tioned. Tho (jovornmont Farm Instructor now there is very sanguine of rais- 
 ing large crops. It was nu)st satisfactory to note that a settler on a farm 
 immediately Joining the (rovornmont farm lias this year raided a crop which is 
 l)orliaps greater tl an that obtained by any settlor in tho whole district; this 
 settler has many iinjjrovemonts on his farm, including a good house, outbuild 
 ings and tbnccs, i^c, itc. From tho mouth of Fish Creek to ton miles below 
 High Kivor, the bind continues similar to that on the Covernmont farm ; from 
 that jioint to tho I'llackfoot Crossing the land becomes inferior as wo api)roach 
 the (,'rossing, where it is light and dry, Wood is to be found at short distances 
 on the How River, until the reserve is reached; hero it is more iilenliful. 
 Alxtut ton miles from tho mouth ot' High River wc wore ovei taken by tho 
 extensive and destiui'tive fire which swept tho wholo prairie; this prevented 
 rao from going to the mouth of Bow River, which 1 intended to do; 1 thoreforo 
 wont to Foi't MacLeod. 
 
 Tho soil heivsoon tho Blackfoot Crossing and the Little Bow is very in- 
 ferior, and only fit lor pasturage; from iliO Tiittlo Bow to MacLeod the land 
 continues inferior, the pasturage, however, is fair." 
 
 Soo also Apfendic Pac, Ry. Kep., lS7i). 
 
232 
 
 Soe Appemlix, Pacilic Hail way Report, 187!). 
 
 FROM THE IOOtU TO THE 115tH MERIDAN AND BETWEEN THE IPtH AND 50tH PARALLELS 
 
 OF LATITUDE. 
 
 49 
 
 100 Surveyor-General of Dominion Land Eep^jrt, 1880 — W. Pearce, D.L.S. 
 
 Mr. Poarco ti-avelled extensively through this section, and thus reports. 
 
 "The tiinl)er and undergrowth on the mountain (Turtle) wore very dense, 
 and in horae plates wo encountered a notworic of hikes, in some of which there 
 were islands, to which access was very difticult, as we liad neither a boat nor a 
 canoo, and no timber suitable for rafts was available. 
 
 A f^^i-eat deal of lime was lost in getting across or around some of these 
 lakes. Trails had to bo cut out to enable the jiacU-horses to pass, the roads 
 made by the Boundaiy C<>n\niission being so blocked by fallen timber or grown 
 up with underbrush as to be irapu.ssable. Excepting Turtle jdoantain, the 
 the country was lU' irly altogether bare prairie. 
 
 It will be observed that this survey extends to range thirtj'-two west. It 
 cannot be carried further west until the one hundred and second meridian is 
 established. Had it not been for the prairie fires which, early in October, 
 deH*"oyed all the ])asturage, the survey would have been continued for some 
 »■ -n Townships three and four west of Range si.vtoen. 
 
 Very liitlo timber was met with excepting in Turtle Mountain, where it 
 ci..iSistH almost wholly of poplar; on the outskirts there is some scrub oak. In 
 some places the j)oplar is of good size, especially along the meridian between 
 ranges twenty anil iweiityone, but it is genoi'al'y small, very -uitablo, however, 
 for fence rails and small log buildings. About one thiid of the mountain north 
 of the Internjitional Boundary was burned over some six oi" seven yetirs ago, 
 and the timber totally destroyed. It is now covered with a dense growth of 
 young poplar. Last autumn, shortly after this survey of this part was finished, 
 the tires ran in from the ]U'airie, and probably consiiicrable timber has been 
 destroyed. The soil generally is gravelly and stony, and unfit for cultivation. 
 In some places^ however, there is some very goixl farming land. About one-fourth 
 of this mountain is covered witli water — lakes, ponds, muskegs and a few very 
 gooti grass swamps. Some of the lakes abound in fish, chiefly pike or jack-fish. 
 All along the slo|)e of this mountain there are, at short intervals of from one to 
 two miles, spring streams which flow all summer. When these streams reach 
 the distance of four or live miles from the timber, the evaporation is so great 
 that they be<'omodry during the hot weather. The water here is very sweet, 
 and contains much lim*). In some places springs are mot with strongly impreg- 
 nated with iron. 
 
 It would perhaps be advisable to reserve the greater portion of this moun- 
 tain as woodlands, to l>o sold to the settlors on the adjoining j)rairie. 
 
 On the prairie porticns embraceii within this survey, the black loam 
 varies from six inches to two feet in depth; the sub-soil is white day, contain- 
 ing a large amount of lime. This sub-soil is vet well adapto<l for grain growing. 
 Tht;rc wdl bo no difHcully to obtain gdixi water in any place b^' sinking 
 wells to a moderate depth. The North and South Antlers are splendid spring 
 crooks. On the South Antler, tor al)oul twelve railos from its mouth, there is 
 
2nf? 
 
 tho 
 
 Home timber, a belt two to nix Hiaiiis in wi>ith, chiefly olm, ash and maple. This 
 feti'eain in full of beaver ilunin, ami alKiiind.-* in boavor a.-? far west as the north- 
 west corner of Towuship two, Range fbirtytW" west. At this point il appears 
 to have nearly as great a volume of water as at bis mouth. Its source in many 
 miles further to the north-west. 
 
 In some places, boulders in t'onsiJei'able numbei's are mot with, but apparf 
 ently all, or nearly all, lie on tho nurface, and when tlio land is onfo cleared o- 
 those vitsible, cultivation will no louder bo impeded, while the loil is such that 
 ttbould there be any lying a low indios below the sui'face, llu.'y will not be 
 brought up by the frost, as is the case in heavy clay sub-soils. There are in 
 very low places moro stones on a ipiartor section than can be advantageously 
 used tor the buildings i-oiiuired on it by a .-iettler. 
 
 It \v()ul<l be ailvisabl(! to sub-divido the whole area embraced in tho survey, 
 not already divided, o\'cop;ing, perhajis, Ranges thirty-one and thirty-two west, 
 but even that block contains nl l<.'a-;t thirty per cent, suitable for cultivation. 
 The ivmaiiulor is very well adapted for pasturage, particular!}' for sheep. 
 
 In Itanges tittecn, sixteen, sovontoen an<l eighteen the l.md is rolling and 
 full of basins, varying in size from one to twont.y acres. These basins, during 
 wet wcatlier, are p()nds of water often sevei'al loot in depth, some of them, oven 
 in the dryest seasons; contain much water. To ilrain these would do expen- 
 sive, necessitating ditches ol great depth. Un the summits of tho knolls the soil 
 Is rather light, gravell}' and stony. On tho banks of the streams there is 
 usually a margin of irom one to rive chains in width, so lull of stones as to 
 render ploughing impossible.' 
 
 Sec also Appendix Can. Pac, Ji'j. Ri'p., 1S70. 
 Sections y\,^ to ,Yj aro referi-ed to in Appendix, Pac. Ry. Hep., l.S7f*. 
 
 49 
 
 no Surveyor-General of Dominion Lands' Report, 1880 — ,!. P. Patrick, D.T.H. 
 
 Mr. Patrick speaks generally oi this soction. 
 
 '• From the Big How to Fort Walsh the country is unlit for furming, but the 
 pasturage is fair. About Fort Walsh tl.c land is by no me 'lis bad; in fad 
 several [practical fai mors said they had every reason to anti'-ijiato good crops; 
 summer frosts, however, are prevalent and tho '-rops ])iit in have not boi'ii 
 successful. This year it was found impossible to raise potatoes but the oat ci.]) 
 was rather good. At Fort Walsh, in adilition to the I'olico Fort and tlio twt^ 
 large trading postu of I. (J. liuker and T. C. Powoiv, thoro are quite a number 
 of settlers, suy about, thirlj' live or toi'ty. At a ]>oint known as the Four Mile 
 Coulee, lying lour miles north-east of Fort Walsh, is a small llalf-broed settle- 
 ment," 
 
 Ill 
 
 49 
 
 112 
 
 Sec .section -^^ for Mr. Patrick's description. 
 See Appendix I'ac. Ry. Hop., 187!>. 
 
 Suveyor-General of Dominion Lands' Report, 1880— .4. P. Patrick, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Patrick crossed ibis soction westerly from (he mouth of Big Bow 
 River towards Fort .McLeod. 
 
 "In crossing at (ho mouth of the How River, I should have experienced 
 groat difficulty hail it not boon lor tlv assistance afforded me by somo Black- 
 loot who happened to bo criinped there. The soil about the mou<li ot the Bow 
 River, and as far as the crossing of tho Little How, is exceedingly j)oor for fartii- 
 
234 
 
 inff purpoHCs; the paMturo is only fair. _ 
 thonoil bocomo-* slightly bettor, ami woO( 
 See n\:*o Aj^peruUx, Fac. Ry, Rep. 1871). 
 
 Beyond the crossing of iho Little Bow 
 )d more plontifal in the bottoms." 
 
 49_ 
 
 113 Surveyor-General of Dominion Lands Report, 18S0 ~A. P. Patrirk, D.T.S. 
 
 Mr. Patrick oros.se<i this section westerly towards Fort M.cLood. 
 
 " At Fort Kipp, which is situated at the mouth of the Old ilan's River, 
 there is a particularly fine bottom of two or three thousand aores, on which 
 theri is n tolerable supi)ly of wood. Between Fort Kipp and Fort McLeod 
 the ^o\\ is of a similar nature; if it differs in any way, the change is for the 
 better. Altout three miles below Fort McLcod, on the Old Man's River, a 
 settler named MacFarlane has taken up a farm on which he ha.s many improve- 
 ments. The crops raised by him, which include both grain and vegetables, 
 arc very superior. 
 
 " Soon after my arrival at Fort McLeod, I made a survey of the Old 
 Man's River, from McLeod to the Rocky Mountains, a sketch of which has 
 been forwarded to the JDepartmont. About five miles above Fort McLeod 
 there are son»o three or four farms on bottoms of the Old Man's River, the set- 
 tler.-< upon which have succeeded in i aiding some very good crops, and are all 
 porfecti}- .Huti'itiod with the result of their farming opcr.ntions. Still further up 
 the Old Man's River, antl at a distance ot about thirteen miles from McLeod, 
 are three good farms ; the crops there have been much the same as on the 
 farms nearei- the Fort. These throe farms come within the Peig.'in Reserve, 
 which I lately surveyed. There ai-e two nvre farm.s still further up the Old 
 Man's River, near the mouth of Pincher Creel., about twenty miles from Fort 
 McLeoJ. "The bench land between Piuchcr Creek and the Old Mun's River is 
 very fine indeed, and the soil rich, us is fdsothe hindlVocn the south to l!ie north 
 branches of this river; between tlnteo forks the teed is above the average. The 
 farm of the Mounted Police Force is situated on Pinchor ('reek, about seven 
 miles from its mouth. The soil on this farm is good. The Indian f.arm, the 
 site which was lately selected by Mr. Dewdney, Indian Commissioner, is situated 
 about four miles south of the Police Farm, towai-ds the Kootanie River. I have 
 been informed that coal has been discovered there; the land is gocxl, and, in 
 ray opinion, the selection has been a most judicious one." 
 
 Mr. Patrick surveyed the various rivers of this section and thus generally 
 describes the country. 
 
 " In making the survey I found that the bottoms from the Forks of the 
 Kootanie to the Forks of the Old Man's River were well adapted for farming; 
 wood is plentiful; between the forks are three or four good farms. From this 
 point down to the mouth of Belly River the U»tloms continued fair, but there is 
 a scarcity of wood. There is, however, coal to be found in many places; the 
 best seam is that found at or near the colliery. A settler named Nicholas 
 Shenm works a mine at this place, the coal <Vom which is sold at Fort Benton, 
 U.S., and al.so at Fort McLeod." 
 
 " The soil of the country passed over is very fine, both on bank and bottom, 
 and is of a rich black loam similar to that of the Indian farm. At the m(yuth 
 of Kootanie River there are two settlers who speak highly of the land they 
 have taken up, on which they have raised good crops. 
 
 A few mdes up the Belly River there is another settler, and on the Koot- 
 anie where it flows out of the Rocky Mountains there is still another, with u 
 farm much similar to those already mentioned. The pasture all through this 
 section of the country is very tine-" 
 
 See aho Appendix Fac. Ry. Rap., 1879. 
 
 49 
 
 114 See Appendix Fac. Ry. Rep., 18V9. 
 
 
f 
 
 Bapert of th$ Engine«r-in-Chief, Canadian Pacific Rail ay, 1880. 
 
 94- 
 
 :M: A.I' 
 
 OP THE PRAIRIE REGION 
 
 To Mtompany B«part of Bondford Fltminc, Enciiioor-iB-ehiii; Oaaadiaa 
 Poeille Rulwky, 
 
 etb APRIL, 1880. 
 
 lo thla Map m,n kttompt haa boon made to dlattncvlah ttaa ■•nonl 
 pbjaloal obarkoter of tha oouotry on tha routaa ibUowaa by dlflbraat 
 ■xploraraand Bolentlflo Tr»TCll«ra. 
 
 Tbe rad llnea Indloata tbe routaa of auch Bxplorara and TimTallara, of 
 wblob any record baa bean mada. 
 
 Tba tinted portloaa Indicate genarally the nature of tbe land aa de- 
 acrtbed, yim :— 
 
 No.\. 
 
 Soil o/rich guality and fatture land more »r ItU 
 
 0RII3, 
 
 53bo 
 
 ; very 
 jrsod, 
 •f the 
 lei of 
 rithin 
 " In 
 frth to 
 
 ijr the 
 from 
 
 iiirfUco 
 loam, 
 ith a 
 Tacts 
 
 ;> aod 
 Found 
 on as 
 owed 
 
 cattle 
 
 3»and 
 
 fart 
 be 
 
 iured 
 woat 
 rlton 
 i road 
 i-long 
 Ight. 
 the 
 It tbe 
 
 p to 
 road 
 at to 
 
 reek 
 into 
 own, 
 iuill 
 
 arge 
 I its 
 
• »<.tkt>\« ;»■•.» '-v ^'»*t.' »• m \ • i%»»\»«, ^.»»-'*•l^w^ 
 
i 1 > . . . Vh - ^ H^ ^ ^^ . \ I I 
 
 UH- lOS I02 H»i lOI) •>■• '«H '.>7 
 
4SL 
 
 113 i 
 
 ti 
 
 I 
 
 ft 
 n 
 
 «i 
 
 S 
 
 8 
 
 fi 
 
 4i 
 
 114 E 
 
236 
 
 APPENDIX No. 14. 
 
 OKNERAI. RFMARKS (».V THE I, AND, Wool) AXI) W.VTKB OK THE NoKTH-WEST TEKRITORIES, 
 rUOM TUK l(»:iMD Til TUB lloTH MERlMAN, AND BETWEEN THE 5IST AND 53RD 
 PARAl,T,SI.S OV LATITUDE, UY Ji'HN MACOCrN, F.L.S. 
 
 r>KAR Sin, — 
 
 Bellevii-le, 2()th February, 1880. 
 
 Tho :i;j;riouIt.ural rosourcoH of tho country explored are, boyond question, very 
 groat, and ii genoral review of thorn, in connection with the vurioiiti sections tniveraed, 
 may be of value. My in.-,trnciiMU.- were to explore " The tract to the south of the 
 lino lutated tor the railway west of Livinpntone and north of the 61st Parallel of 
 Latitude, embracing all that portion of (ho country not previouMly examined within 
 these limits west of the Assiniboirie River and east of the Iloeky Mountains." In 
 all about (lUO mile-* from oast to west and on an averajre of 100 miles from north to 
 south, in round number!- HO,000 square miles, or about 3H. 000,000 acres of land. 
 
 That section lying west of the lO'ind Meridian, bounded on the south by the 
 Qu'Appollo, on the west by Long Lake, and by a line extending north-easterly from 
 the head of Long Luke to Quill l^akes, may bo said to have both as regards surface 
 and subsoil a >irnilarity of character varying in degree from deep black clay loam, 
 with I liglu cjlored marly clay sub-oil, to a light bundy or gravell}' loam with a 
 gravell}- subsoil. Throughout it is tortile, but not all unil'oi'mly rich, sn\all tracts 
 being met with having a large percentage of sand and gravel in both surface and 
 Bubsoil. .Sorno travellers, taking tho washed sub.soil thrown out by badgern or found 
 in cart ruts u^ l.hr real soil of the ))rairie ha\c, chai-actorized parts of this region as 
 gravelly and bandy, but pit-* dug imo tiie .>uli.soil of that particular locality showed 
 but a small percentage of either. Within tho last year, settlers west of the Little 
 Saskatchewan have fully borne out my former statements on this point, and found 
 tirst-clash soil whei-o snrveyor> called the land socond-ci:;ss, or gravelly. 
 
 Abundan ■0 of go<)d water is t'oundon cveiy part of this tiact for tho greater part 
 of tho suTumei-, arid t'liiure settlers will tlnd that good permanent wella will bo 
 obtained at a reasonable depth on atiy jiart of the [irairie. 
 
 Poplar wood tor hoimo building, feiicng and tirewood can easily be procured 
 at IMieasant, File atid Touchwood Hills, which extend (rom southeast to north-wost 
 thioiigh it.< whole extent. Almost continuous woodh extend along the Oarltou 
 road Irom 12 milo>ca>t of its wcstorn boundary to whciv the (^)ll'Aj1pelle and Pell}* road 
 cros,ses it. Thence, eastward, exlend.s the Phoa.^ant Plain, a stroteh of 2.') miles along 
 tho road, without wood, but Pheasant Hills, having abundance of it, are always in sight. 
 Last and nor'th-oast of ilii^ plain, cnpse wood is more oi' loss abundant until tho 
 Assinilxiine i^ reached. Weit of tlx' wooded hills sjiokon of, no wood exists, but the 
 soil in of the very best description. 
 
 A depression, o( which Long Lake partly tills the .ioulhoi'ii end, extends up to 
 Quill Inikes, and alinough less than 12 miles wide where it crosses tho travelled road 
 from ('arltim. gives the nai.'.'i of '• (ire.it Salt Plain " to a track 30 miles from east to 
 west. 'I'his valley contain.'- i/iany lakelets <>| brackish waier, and an iilkaline creek 
 which cross(.'.'- the plain seems to disidnirgc the surplus waters of t^uill Lakes into 
 Long Lake, [n this depression no wood is found. In lact not a bu^h, as far as known, 
 grows on a belt of country 2r) miles wido, .;xt'Midiug from tho Qu'Appollo to Quill 
 Lakes. 
 
 Proceeding westward between this valley and the South ya.vkatchewan a large 
 tract oxtouds tVom the hoa.l of tho Qu'Aiipello to tho located railway Hue. On its 
 
236 
 
 I 
 
 southern Iwrder it is bt)Ui dod hy saii lliill.^ which oommoncc on tho ojist side of tho 
 Qu'Appellc, near Sand Hill Lake, and cross thai rivor iit ilH source, (hen 8trot( li 
 westerly to the South Saskiitciu'wnn, crossing that stream a few miles south of the 
 
 Elbow, and then apparently turninj: north, disa])pear near th(» dischar^'o of 
 ]\ed Peer Lakes. Norlli of tliis lino of sandhills, east ot the Saskatcliowan, tlio 
 j^Kiund is quite arid, having heon very much ])ar(die(l during the last season hv the 
 middle of Jyily. This dryness, iiowovor, is nieiely local. I believe it lo he causoii 
 by the radiated heat, from the sandhills, rising and dispersing the clouds and preven- 
 ting their moisture from falling in rain on the parclird oartli. .Mthough no 
 lain fell on this trnd while we were ihcre, it rained to the north and east ot our 
 camp every day. A few miles north of liie hills this drytioss disajipcurs and an 
 ntdiroken jtrairie covered with excellent grass c.vtends for many mUcs, eventually 
 passing into poplar woods that e.xtend light up to the located line of railway. Suruly 
 
 oam. Upcoming lighter as (he river is appronehod, is tho prevailing surface .soil of 
 the country. 
 
 Between the South Saskatcliewaii .und thf Third Prairie S(cj)po is found a tract 
 of land varying much in character, ['rocooding north-westward from the Elbow u 
 range of sandhills is crossed, tlien a line rolling jtrairio, succoodod 
 by lc*v hills covered witJi the best soil, and pr.'ducing tine gnws, 
 e.uitable tor hay. In these hills lie> the valley containing the Hod Deer 
 Lakes. Passing vvost a plain consisting of friable clay extends for 25 miles to the 
 base of the Steppe. Abundance of good water is to be hid, except on this plain, 
 but its grasses show that water cannot l>o tar from tho surface, as Wild Foxtail 
 (^Aloj'ccnru.i aristulatiUs) and Fowl Meadnv (irass {(ilycena nerrata) being both gras.ses 
 peculiar to wet soil, were (jnite frequent. On digging into the clay, the roots of 
 the graases wore found to ponotrato to a groat depth, tho soil being lit«rally fillod 
 with them. 
 
 A small langc of sand hills were seen north-west of Red Deer Lakes, containing 
 HOmo small ]ioplar and thickets of various kinds of brush wo(Hi, but on every 
 i?ide it melted into the plain, and the brush and tiees disapjnsared with the 
 sand. Around ihe.-e hills were a number of brackish lakes and marshes ami 
 were doubde.ss a part of those obseived by PalliKer in 18,'i7. North of these 
 Palliser had seen a vei-y fair country, with .some copse wood, which, as he pro- 
 ceeded noith, jiassed eventually into forest. Hetwceii iho i}e;ir and Kagic 
 Jlills. on tho west, and the iSouth Saskaichewaii, on the cast, the -oil is generally 
 n light, sandy loum, with numerous Iresh water pomis ami brackish lakes and 
 marshes. (Vipsc wood is found, but the trees ai-e small in size and the. quantity 
 is c(jns(aiuly decreasing. The valley of the Saskati hcwan contains ir.ore or loss 
 timber on both sides of the river in its immediate neigliborh )od. 
 
 Palliser, in speaking of (he countiy a( the R(h1 Deer Ijiikes, and south of them, 
 says : — " Alter U'aving onr dinner encampment, water was very scarce, numy of the 
 tcmjioi'ary swamps being quite dried nji, and after a long searcdi we were f<)i'ccd (o 
 encamp at a dirty water h(/le, from which a hand of bulfahj cows (led at our appioach. 
 !KciTig at some distance from (he liver, also, our fuel was butfalo dung, ot which 
 tliere is no lack in (his |)artol'the country. The soil here is (]ui(e arid, and (he 
 lierbuge on the plains nearly worthless." At I. -d Deer Lakes he tinds " butl'alo very 
 mimerous," and the gra.ss , so " oaten down that iheii- horso had hardly any food.' 
 Jle al-o hjieaks of the country being literally full of deer, such as '• elk, bla(d< (ail 
 deer, common deer and Forcifcr antelopes." When I saw (iiis country, that which 
 brought the deer and h ilialo thcie, leniaiiUHl, viz. : An exub-;iant vegetation, but n it 
 a live anim.'d existed j vhere Palliser could not get grass for his horses, wo could 
 scarcely got throut'h for its luxuriance. 1 presume, therefore, that, owing to (lie 
 grass having been cropj)ed oH by the enormous herds o( butl'alo which ranged 
 the country in Pailis.-i's time, he received the impro.ssion that the c()untry was 
 arid and the pasture worthless. 
 
 The bear H Us, which seeru to be a eontinuatif)n of the (Jotonu, have been already 
 spoken ot in my Jourmil. It may be further remarked, however, that these hills contain 
 
237 
 
 a large quantity of tino an»l)lo land, hosiilos niiinlierlesH hay mjirsho*. Ponds of fresh 
 w:u.!r arc <uiis!;iiUly mot wilh in the hills, ;,n,l hracki^'h marshes and lakes arc 
 numerous aioiii,' thoir flanks. Tho Hi-ur HilU pas-, f,M-iKliiail\- into the Eagle 
 ITills vvhoh, HI tirst, unis to norlli-c:.>l. hii(, us ihcy iipi.ioacb the Xorth Satskatche- 
 wan, ilu'v tiond lo iho iiorth-wn.st anl ooniinut; in that 'iivoction untilt.hey reach 
 Batllo Hivor, some distunci' west ot Huilloford. At Battlefonl thoir baso is 
 about eight niilc.> soiitli. As thfy pass oaslwind (hey diaw nearer to tho 
 Rn-katchownn. Their iiorthMH slope, is a coiitiiinous loivst ot'vei}- good poplar 
 (Pojndus irfm>iJiAih't^ iind tmLsinoia) \\\\\A\ hiciks up and hecomos intersperHod with 
 prairie a.s it ;i[)|ir()aidies that river. Jknween Halllelonl and Kagle Creek no lo8.s than 
 2li small streams iasue from the Uiresi and make iheir way into tho i-iver. Owing to 
 these stream-, liie eouiiti'y lielween the hills and river is veiy mueh cut up and 
 ronderi'd well rii-^^h imp:iss;i|,|(> \\\y loaded ea'l> when tli.> hilN are wot and >lippor". 
 
 The land hordering on the i-iver is generally a sandj' loam, but many fine fWms 
 will yet ho located there, In the hills thenvolves, and southward from them, tho land 
 is very rich, the >oil hoing a black clay loam, changing as it gels drier (souLliwartl) 
 into a Kaiid\" one, but with litile "hange in vegetation. Mr. Wilkin- crossed diagon- 
 ally through the hilKs, while I j!a-ed on both sides of thorn. a;ui hi- report of tho 
 land at the Mission and at the (fovi!r".meni Farm a^n-ees with my own ouBervations. 
 Tho land in the southern oxtonHJon of the hills is very mueh broken and contains 
 multitudes of |>onds and \vvA\ water maishcs where immen.se quantities of natural 
 hay ol the very best ipialily gi>es to waste cvcry year. .Mihough many ]ieople think 
 the hills tho best for settlement, I believe future settlers will prefer tho prairie as 
 there is loss brok<>n land, lens mai'sh and swamp and less labor roijuired to make a 
 home. 
 
 Tho tireat Plain is not easily described, exct'jit in general terms, owing to its 
 immense .-ize and changing character. Hy rct'ciring to the journ.'il it will l)c seen 
 that Mr. Wilkiiis met with lirst-eiaris grass, ])lenty of water and goorl clay or clay 
 loam .soil, until after he passed the 11 1th Meridian. Coming from Battleford, I found 
 excollont grass, plenty ot ;:;o(kI water, and a rich loam or clay-soil until 1 pah(<od 
 Home distance south of Lai. ."t'i-' an<l we-t of the same meridian. We both noticed 
 the change li'Mtn a good strong (day, producing excellent ])asmro, to another clay 
 covered wilh .Vrlemisia and small ("actus where the water was scarce and bad and tho 
 piisture ]ioor .■ind drioo up. On ex.amination, this clay proved to be Iho (Cretaceous 
 Si. I'iorre beds of Dr. (.ieorge M. D.iWMin's Boundarv Survey Ueporl, and contains 
 romains of Fiaculite> and other I'o.ssils. togeihtf with mvlules of brown iron ore, 
 This tract of bad land is principally conriiicil to the section between 111th and 112th 
 moriilians, and between the filst and .i-'nd paiallcl.s of i<ati!udc. I\xcept this region, 
 tho (Jreal Plain, as far as known, is not arid, but produces good grass, has genoritlly 
 abundance of water and Usually a good s.til. This extensive tract is almost wholly 
 witintut wood of any description. Not a shrub enlivens its surface, except occasional 
 (dump- of lo-e bii-h'es (/i''.s.f /^/«;i(/(/ 1 a lew ncbcs hi-lt The we.-tern Wnow berry 
 (Sy)iijilt'in\'(irf'i(!i orri,/,'ntiil'S) and tho beautiful Silver heriy {.El.iijints iin/f.ntia). 
 These could not be called bu-hos except that they were woody. They wore novor 
 .seen more than three years old and hardly ever thai, Tho coulee, in which Tramp- 
 ing Lake lies i- >till partly wooded with popl.ar iind maple, but except this and atow 
 other localities not -eon by me, no wood exist- 
 
 CoulooH are iiuite a niarked fea'ure oi the plains, but do not appear to bea))Urt of 
 the prcM-nl natund svlcm of drainage, Fhey seem li' be of an earlier geologic 
 time, other than being dry water courses of the present ■ and hoio the few creeks, 
 which carry oif Uw surplus water, ori:,'iiiaie. The i^»ii'Appelle Valley is a well-known 
 instance, the v.allev in whitdi the \M Deer Lakes lie i.- another. Crawling Valley, 
 Iwtwecn Ked 1)o<m' and How Itivcr, is a third, and here on ilaMiroal Plains is 
 a fourth, a- Tiampiiii,' Ltiko Coulee, is said lo be the head of Eagle Creek on the one 
 side and a sticam ertipiying into I5allie River on the other. As a rule, tho lakes 
 found in The coulees ai'c salt, but this is tvcily accounted lor, as ihcii- i)Ottoms aro 
 alway on the Crolucoous clay, and ihe springs near the bolloiU(4 the coulee are brack 
 
238 
 
 ieh Iik<'Wi.*e,wtiilo tlie ;*priii^s nearer the priiiiio lovol oonlain tjood bwoot water. All 
 bnwketounJ on the plains, alfho :/^h conuiinin^good water thoraHelves, Imve saline soil 
 along the sidoH oft hoir valleyn, and not uuusiuiily bracki«h lakoH and marshos in 
 thom. 
 
 Extendinj,' northwiirdly I'roin the vicinity of the I^ar Hills is u ti-aot of broken 
 country ^vi1h deep eouleos, salt lakes and oeeasiona! sand lulls which seem to oxiend 
 woHtwnrd to Tanij»ing Lake. Much ot the soil, however, is vory rich, and there arc 
 lar^c tracts of tarmiiij,' lanti intermixed with small areas oi a broken and sfuny 
 character. Captain J':iliisei s niiiark of this (viuntry liemt; barren caa nuly apply 
 to the absence of wood, as he speaks ai,'aiii, -ui Pa^'c 81 of his lii^toi-t, thus: " Tlu; 
 butfaiu were seen in i^reat ntiinber.-," and that '• the country was entirely barren," 
 anil a^'ain, on tho sume pai,'e, ho say>-, " we f<Hind only a swamp containing miserable 
 herbage, wliich had been cropped by the bulfaloos and atl'ordetl very scanty pa.stijro 
 for our horses." Uere, again, I presume that tht* barronnows is not produced by 
 natural causes, but by artificial ones. 
 
 A perr -'. of raj- own journal, and that of Mi-.Wilkins, will show that this region, 
 although noi every where suiteil tor agriculture, possesses many tine tracts tit Uii 
 the plough, and always good pasture. In tin- I'aiilir l{ailway fieport ot' 1870, page !iO, 
 Col. Miicf-cod well describes the section he >aw. Me says : " The whole country is a 
 high rollii g prairie with gravelly ridges running in every direction. Grass of vur}-- 
 ing quality is to bo found everywhere, and water varying with the weiwon." Captain 
 Palrymple Clarke, in the same Rejiott, say^: " I should call the Great I'laina a fine 
 grazing country . in many |ilaces i lie tiavellcr comes across butlalo or bunch grasy. 
 This grass i.- most nutritious and always preleu-ed lo other gra^s by both burse* and 
 cattle." With the r-latemcnts of these gentlenien, I entirely agree, and, furtliermore, 
 affii'm that jw this .-ame region wii« the winter home of the ''iittalo, so in tlio near 
 future will it be the winter heme ot'immensi ber<ls of cattle. wI.k h can exist, as they 
 did. by going unto the wind swept hill tops lor nutritious food, wiicn thcjioorer grass 
 of the valleys lies covered by a mantle oi snow. Water for cattle no more than Ibi 
 buffalo i> needed in wmtcr, jis there is always snow onougli among the gra.ss to meet 
 their wants. Attci- the tiist of October our horses went to the hill tops for good 
 grass, and I loim I, on examination, that they always cioppcd the northern butValo 
 grass (.S^)/'(i spitrtra),iiv ifthe hill was very dry, the southi>rn one( BoHtehuaoUAjosiyi hi). 
 I must emphatically deny the statements made imputing l)airenno«)S to this legion, 
 but admit that running streams or cool .-jii'jngs are extrcniely rare. Woo<i i>- 
 absolutely absent, and t-ven a bush u few inches high is seldom seen. 
 
 The real cause ot the absence of wo; t on eveiy pai't of the ivgion under consider- 
 ation is undoubtotily prairie tires which sweep over altuost every ]iart of it year after 
 year, dv '<troying the seedling trees as long as theie are any seeds left to germinate, 
 anil yeai by year killing the Ijushes until the capacity, of the rout to send up 
 Hhoot^, ilios out and even willows cease to giuw. WouM any person attiria 
 thai willows could iiot, grow on (lie margin oi the ponds where such plants as Poly- 
 gonum a((uaticum, I'otamogeion pertoliatus]and gi'amineiis, Ctriculaiia vulgaris, Alis- 
 ma Americana and Sagiltaria varialii lis could i,now and tlourisb ? And yet the tirsl foin 
 of those were foniul in sc(.ires of pond.-, and any tiotanist knows that these re((uire per- 
 manent water. It was so ncist on the plains tha' no Cacti could cKisl, but in Uod 
 I)cer liivoi V aile}- a person could hardly walk through it for them, yet on tiie plains 
 Dot a bush could be seen, wlule in the valley, oidy a lew 3'ardsfroin the Cacti, trees 
 three leet in diameter st(H)<i. 
 
 I'alliser st.atos that the southern sides of all valley.i were much nudsler than the 
 northern, and that the .vuithorn slopi-s ( f all hills were without wood, and deduces 
 from this the ariility of the climate. 1 am inclined, with .all respect, to ditfor from 
 Cupt. Palliser in this conclusion. It ofdy proves that a surlaco inclined to the sun will 
 nafirally become dry, while one inclined Horn it will retain it*i inoi.-tiin'. When lires 
 come on the plains the dry side, of the hill is soon denuded, while the nio.st side is left 
 inta<;t. The iid'eicnce is jilain. Iluriility is the cause of the absence of wood, how is it 
 that the sandhills at the head of the QuAjipelle, wliei'e the ground iscorUiinly dry, are 
 
1U*J 
 
 covere<i witli woo.l ? The Had Hills, to the north-wost of Rod Jhv.v Liikcs, havo wood 
 likewise, while tiio H.-nr ilills, to Iho north, \vli!ih forituiii no sai:d, are witinm) even 
 The r^aiid hilU oh.sei-v(>d \>y rnys(!lt und Mr. Wilkins in the controol'the great 
 J MUsh III M)me quan'ily, while oti -,.,1 soil none es-j^ls. Finallv. thoro 
 
 is not a herios of sand lulls thorou^lioui ihe ei>uiitr.-, no ni:;.U'i 
 which has eilhor wood or lprii>!i, while inuneii.-i 
 \mnh The 
 
 ft liUHh 
 
 plain have 
 
 1: ,iel , of 
 
 !io\v jjoor the soil but 
 ela-.-i soil is .vithout a 
 
 ■-■n-,/ - --0 — 1 — T,..,.^ >,.v „,,..-u imvt seen by mo or my 
 
 asBistant last summer. Miudi ot'tlrs tract is wdhoiii diit'i, ..nd the Cretaceous clays 
 come to the Hurtace, eausiiii,^ aridit}-, ami ])roduciiiir alkaline svvatnps (while mud 
 swampn), ponds and lakes in abundance. 
 
 The Hand Hills and their eastern oxten>ii.Mi are lilce an u:i is in this unpromiH- 
 ing region, for surroiindin<>; Ihem on ev(My side is the hard baked clay of the St. 
 Piorro beds. The only soil throuuliout the ren-ion expioied which would not naturally 
 produce limber ai'e lho.>o Cretaceous ilays, wiiiih aie certainly " Bad Lands." 
 
 I, therefore, make thc> aridity wheie it e.\i-l> omo of > lil and not of climate. 
 Palliser, on Pago 11 of his Re|)ort, when writini; ol this rcLrion, make.i two state- 
 ments corroborative ot Ihih. Hescribingtiu' valley olthe South Sa>katrhewan, Palli.sof 
 Hay.s:— " Even on llie alluvial p.)ints in the iiotloin ot tlio valley, trees and 'liiruhs 
 only occtir in a few isolated patches. The sleep and lofty sides of the valley are 
 composed of calcareous mavis and clays that .are baked into a i;oin|Kiei mass under the 
 heat of a parching sun. The Sage an 1 Cactus aliu;i;i 1, and Ihe whole of ihe vegeta- 
 tion bespeaks an arid climate;' I'^ighi liii'^s ludow ilii^. on the same p;ige, he savs : — 
 "Inthemidsl of the arid plain travei-.-Cii by the South Saskatchewan, thei'e arc 
 isolatoil patches of table land, upon tlu^.-urlace of whicdi the V(!gut,uion becomes lux- 
 uriant, and pasture of a tail' iiuality may bo foini 1. The' \'pe lition sjient two weeks 
 at thy Hand Hills, whidi form one of those })atc!ies, for the pui'iiose of recniitingtlio 
 horses." 
 
 Hero the natural order of liiiags is love. '.--ed, aiu aridity In \a the valley ;uul 
 luxuriance on the hilltops. Why is this? N"ot hec.iu-e of clini;ile, cerlainlj-, but on 
 account of soil. All the ari I spots, all the --alt lakes and the bi'acki-,li marshes of the 
 entire ]»Iuin were li'aced to one f.'ause — the (Jretace.ni > clay. 
 
 Artemisia cana si'em> to be .alino t pot-ul'iir, on 'lUi' j.'lai.is, ( > the ('reiaceoiis t lay, 
 and in the north the Cactus can only lind on ii that ;iritl;ly ol s'lil >uited to iis wants. 
 The vegctaiion of these clays, when dry, out-ide of slre.iin vadeys, was chai'acterized 
 by numeious species of Artenusia, and man^' Com,>osiia'. which n the north prel'eri-(;(l 
 salt huvls. In Red Deer River valley, C.icti, Ai''<-mi-ia and v.iri hh Cheiiojodiaeea' 
 vied with each other in luxurianct', while gia-s and ilnMuoie u-eliil herbai'eous plants 
 were almost entirely absent. 
 
 Bolweeii Ihe iletl Deer aii I 
 generally good, and that. 
 same character. 
 
 Taking How K scr a- a ba--' line, th 
 
 the Hlackflo )t Ci'o.s^iiiL;' to Jd miles wi'sl i ,-■■■■, ..■,. — ,. 
 
 on botii side' ol the i vcr. As ihe .Mmiilains are ap|iroaehed ihe cour,;ry becomoH 
 broken, an I wo pas- ao the vc.y linest ;.i.-tine lain' on tic c 'ntM\i.'nt. Sheltered 
 valleys, clea'' Sjirinj,' I'i'ooks, dry, e\p,ise I bill-i''p< and exrelh'n' ^•ras.s everywhere, 
 hoom" to 1)0 the chief features of the country aroind Morleyville, and for Kl miles 
 north. All parties agree in stating thai the cotintry south of the river wa.-i the same 
 au I aaw north of it. 
 123— Ki 
 
 r> )W Uiver 
 some distance 
 
 , on the 
 ol! hull 
 
 line 
 Md.' 
 
 c'.n-se 1 by 11 -, (he land \^a■^ 
 of us, was said to be oi the 
 
 '•ouiltl■^• fioni at hvi-t ten miles e.ast of 
 Calirarrv, is tiearlv a'i tit fm' tlu' i- 
 
 ough 
 
240 
 
 From Morloyvillo. ui tho sotitli, t<» tlio looatoil IItio of railway, on tho iiortii, 
 a (iist!in('t» in a strai^'lit lino of I'tU inilos, tho co'.imry was found inoro or less covuroil 
 will, wi, lows ami Iho reniain> ot' a lininer I'oio.-t. A very liii;li countr}' «.'xtci^|> 
 from I'lvam Hill, near Morloyvillo, northwanl, lioiritj tlio m>iii'('o of Arrow WukI 
 Crook, nil tho Olio lianil, aii>l liu .-Ircatus ll.iwin^- iiit > tho U|.i.or j)ait ol \iw[ Devr 
 Ivivor, on tho o'hor. Tl-.o vallovs of tlio-o -troani- aro f,'oiioially without i:iiirh 
 W()o<l. hut 'iliunilanio of willows anil tall icrowin^,' liorha( oou^ plants malio tho country 
 noai ly iniimsulilo lor carls. Tho woil is excoodiiijiiy rich,'aiiil the <(roiuui rolliiiir, [.^i 
 not. risii . inl" ahni|it hill- 
 
 tl 
 
 Flora wlioio lii^^l Door Ivivor ai d its ti il.iilarios issiio from Iho lu'cky Mount 
 
 iiii-. 
 
 10 couiilrv is Hioi'o iir loss womUd iiinil tlio river crosses the r»2n(l Farallel. 
 
 All il 
 
 >rv 
 
 land al(Mi<x liio river is well suited lor settlomeiit, and many exceptionally rino loca- 
 tions for sottlomcnt wore soon, an 1 ttthers hoanl of. At Tail Creek the land is vt 
 rich, hut liull'alo meat hoin^^ so jilontit'ul in the past tho llall-Hroeds have not turr 
 their attention to tiLcri'iilliiic;. Ikro a tine sollleinent will spring- up in u few yoai-. 
 ik'twi'cii the loiest line, on Hod Door Rivei', and C'algarry, on the Houlh- west, and 
 the Blackfoot Cro.ssing, on the sonth-oast line, lies ii more or iosH fertile iilaiii. Alon/f 
 the river tho land is said to ho <liy and often stony, but as it stretches westward it 
 tiiid passes insoiisihly iiHo the rich ' ai k loam seen ly us us wo caino over 
 
 improves, 
 
 tho plain trom Moi'oyvilh' 
 
 Battle J'livor rises in a inar-hy country west of tho lljtii Meridian, and llowt) 
 throiigli a rouMon chiclly seeond-ijrowlh forest until it crosses tlie ] I3th. Alonj; this 
 part of ii> course the hanks are not hii^h, hut hocomo tnoiH> elevated as it Hows cast- 
 
 ird. Willow hru-li and pnpiar cop>f. with more oi loss jnaiiin, cover the |) 
 
 am, 
 
 which is j^enll\- umliilaiin;^, but novor lisiiiLcinto hi^'h I 
 
 rioi 
 
 am 
 
 ly 
 
 ham. coiitainin;!- much dark coloiod sand, and t^ai'i 
 
 fhi^ soil here is chiefly a 
 
 and vetches that w,' omild ^earcelv liuco ourselves 
 llav Fiako^, tip- soil ^'i 
 
 tl 
 
 llOUJXll. 
 
 1' 
 
 OS sueii a crop oi j_'iass 
 iissiiiif the luoridian of 
 
 liier, contain^ loss sati I, aid the will.iws prefer the margin 
 ot the ponds. The wIviUmiI that set'lion included hot ween the located railway line ;iiid 
 
 -liirht din li 
 
 Hiiiiatinir plain witti u sin^iit dip to 
 in the autumn. Wood in the sotithein 
 
 Battle Iiivoi may ho thaiacterizcd a^ a ^'ontly undiilatinir pi 
 tho .south. Water i> >t;. ICO on tlii> ]ilaiii in the autumn. 
 part is not plentiful. 
 
 South ot' Hiit'.li' Hi\er, and (>ast troni lUill and I{e<l I>oer Iiaki>s, the country is 
 ri<di I'tii iifteii liioKi n 1 y eonlci s, ami the u'lass is always i^ond. Nurthof " Tiio Nose " 
 and the NoutrnI Iliii^l lounl a sociinti of ])oor sandy soil nearly 25 milos wide. 
 This tract cannot i> lend very t.ir ii'i ih , as I'ailiser, whoeiossed ahout ten inilos north 
 ot' my hno, does in.t r-peak of it. ^Vitll l!ii> oNcopiion, and tho sami hills l.iordeiiiiij; 
 the river near l!,il thloni. all the loiintry ea>t (d' iiattic liivor is tir,-t 'jla-s pasture or 
 farnii 'g land. 
 
 Ill conchLsion, ail the land embraced within tho limits of my exploration, cxcei'i 
 the sand lii Is at tin' heal of the (^ii .,\ppo|le, and a strip of dry couiitiy noi th ol' tlu' 
 " liivcr that Turn-, a iew ,-(|iiaie miles of s.and hills we-t of the .South Sa.skalciicwaii 
 at the i'llhow, a few iin)rc in the Had Hills, and the dry arid loijioii aroimd the llan i 
 Hills, and ill the viihey of Ut-d Di'-r liivor. in their viciiiit\-, is either lit fur tho ploiii^h 
 or fiist cias-^ pastille, 1 ;.pi ijh ti' sate in s;i\-iiijr that SO jier cent, of the whole c'lim- 
 try is MiiU'd f'or tin' ici^ic^ ot'^iain ami tattle, atid would not he the h;ast surprised 
 if future exphuei- fpinitil a im re favortihio e>tiiiiaie, 
 
 Oiiiy two poi;,i- in liio country ox|)loivd were noted whero il was iirobahlo tlie 
 rainfall wa> too li^cl,l for sucre.-<.-ful raisiiif,' fd'eoioals, viz: At the Klhow ot tho 
 South S;i-kat(diow:M!, airl tho lihsckt'oot Cio.s.sin^r, hut this view is, to a lar^e extent, 
 di.-proVi' I hy tho e-, criei ce of Mr. I'lom h, who had liirnied in the latter locality for 
 two years. Ho says that lueakicir tin- soil shows at onco that the rainfall is (juito 
 sullicient. Whilo the ^!;ra>^ wii> entirely I unit u|i outside of his fence by the last of 
 August, inside, where the iand was broken uji, many ;j;rasses and other plants wore 
 three limes as tall lis tli'i.se of tho same sjiocies out-ido on the j)rairie, Tho whole 
 i|Ueslion then rcsnlvcs itsidf into one ofsnil, hm at tho most soutnorn point roacdied 
 by me, the rainfall lia.s jnoved (juile siilliciont, during two years, to bring all kinds ot 
 grain to peribctioii. 
 
241 
 
 on tho nortli, 
 Of IcHh (((voi'fd 
 'iititiy oxtcii'l,-* 
 I' Arrow NViiod 
 , ol lied Doer 
 without i;iiuh 
 Uo tim cimiiiry 
 und rolliiiff, l.ut 
 
 Jo milos witlo. 
 Ion inilos norih 
 
 Dinlion, cxc('|>i 
 
 ■y iioi til ol' till' 
 Sii.-'lcaK'iK'vviiii 
 
 )llllii tlio lliiini 
 tor llio ])liiii^f|i 
 K' whole conn- 
 
 c;i.st Mirpri>e'«l 
 
 WATER hUI'PLY. 
 
 Fur.yoarhtho waiei qiic»tion had ht>oii a |ii'omiitc'iu thou^'ht, and d 
 
 JOll 
 
 rricy of ImsI >uniinor I pidd iimch ai 
 
 iiniit;' my 
 
 Icliiii.n I I li 
 
 i< iiKiny iiTiiai'ks in my joiiinal 
 
 will lo^'tdy. Every sail lake, lioiu the liiditi;^- Moiiiuains westward, was lonnd 'V( hav 
 u hard ;,'ravelly boUoni, ai.d a eai'Mul exaniiuaijon revcalol iho thci that all were in 
 iepresKions in the drdt with their I'oU.mH in Orotaeeou-^ eiay which is known to 
 
 I'll";- on the 
 
 uni 
 
 ieilie the whole eonnlry. These lakfs are fed ijartlv l>v wtitor nini 
 I • • 
 
 bUrfaie, out pnneipahy l)y spnujis isMiini;- fiuni ('retaeeous clay elose to the water, 
 
 Ail li>e line- ol" salt lalces ihroiioiiout tliee.iiinir\ 
 
 »v 1 1 1 
 
 iimd restinic on those 
 
 clayH. Suit Lake, 10 miles east of Shoal I,ake. is ;i ease in point. On one side of the 
 roud is the lake surrounded by a jiebbly iieaeh, on the other side, higher up, i.s u fresh- 
 water pool irom whii h all travellers ^--et thiir supply. Now, it may ho rset down aa 
 an axiom that all water in pools >nrroundeil by mud is lit (o drink, but that, at cer- 
 tain seasons, at any rato, those jxmds with a bare j^qavelly margin nho'dd lie shunned. 
 Good water can be obtained, in my opiidon, anywhere in tho drift, but as soon aa 
 
 tho Cretai'oons cl.'iy ei her orop> out 
 
 or I- 1 
 
 eaehed by digging, poor, if not very bad 
 
 iter, will bo fo'ind. Thi-^aceounts for McKernan :j;ettin^ bad water at liny Lakes 
 when he sank throu, 'i the drift and ponelraicd into the Oretaceous elay. 1 am 
 aware it lias be(Mi -:iid llmt the freiiueni lircs binning; the ve^^etation, and the rains 
 washing the hboraioi salts into the hollows, cause these aeeumuhitions of saline 
 mutter. Hut 1 know tiiat terrestrial plants ])roduoo potash when burned, but not tho 
 salts which are found in tbt^.-e t-oiU. 
 
 The dry arid tra't aionod tho iratHl.Jlilb 
 than are to be tbuud in Uu inueh lari,'eruroa of tho (ireat Plain, where the .soil xn of 
 a ditVoront eharaelor. 
 
 has more eroel' 
 
 wi 
 
 th fl. 
 
 )Win<' water 
 
 n 
 
 ere. nea 
 
 r the Hand IlilN tlowinif water and Caetus, with dried-uni,'rass .an 
 
 po 
 
 or 
 
 soil 
 
 ^aveanothor proof III.'. lher!retue(H)us (lay was •[ fai'tor in moio ))rolileiiis thanone. 
 
 It had boon a iiuo 
 i'tl 
 
 ^^lon for a Ion;-' time ui.anMwen 
 
 Wil 
 
 y 
 
 country t'li'ther to the oa.-tward wbere thorainlali was ii,re 
 
 ther 
 
 e were no 
 
 "eek> m the 
 
 iter. Here, whei'e tiio rain- 
 
 iull 
 
 WOUlO 
 
 'lit, were imoioroiis creel 
 
 and 
 
 II 
 
 10 answer came ai once, tho ininoi'viou-, ciav 
 
 I not all'iw the rain toeiiler the earlli, and hence it made its way to iheereekand 
 In no oiher section of the eountrv did we ever lind the witer lunniM/' 
 
 so to the nvei 
 
 in streams on the -in iace alter a siorm, e.s'CLpt m this loCMlivy, 
 
 al)sence of eiiu 
 
 ks to tho fact that the winter fio>t e.xerts a sur 
 
 ert'ee! on fiia 
 
 bh 
 
 e soi I. wiin 
 
 I acc'ijiuU tor the 
 iiiin' jiulvori/.inir 
 
 oil permit- Lioih rooi.-. and rain to poiiolralo t<> a groiit ileplli. 
 
 .Soarcidv 
 
 my i'-iiiniiij^ water, and lililo of what 
 
 ( oUl 
 
 ■ 10 c 
 
 ailed uure, is found on 
 
 •easoii. 
 
 '■iviiilc evi'loiioe 
 
 the Great riaiii. bui many ponds reiii;iiii tbrouyhout iI, 
 
 that thov arc supplied trom spriiccs Tlio.-e that retain water all .s.unnior aii> easily 
 
 •' ..' ii \ . r\ , X Mill. 11''-.. 
 
 known 
 
 till ir V O'O'lation, 
 
 |{ 
 
 ivor Woo. 
 
 Pot 
 
 •j'ji iiii i/rtUHdh 
 
 s), Bladdci' Wort 
 
 {Utri'),liir''i riiA/cir-.'^i, and a few mhor .-| 
 tho level lointry i etaiiis no nioi-.iar. 
 nndul.itiii^ may ii.ive 
 
 on 
 
 H'cio-- liciii.j; loii!i.| III ni '.-t o! tiiv'in — whne 
 it-' siiii'aco, e.S''.'|it a- iii;ir.-!io-, iIh- s;i;r!i!ly 
 
 aliuii'laiice in lie ca 
 
 •ly sum 
 
 im; 
 
 I.I wide dcpl 0- -ioii>, \-.'i l>\- 
 
 the middle of An^n-l ihi-, to a crc'd e.stent. ui.sa|.|H:,i 
 
 1< 
 
 w.i 
 
 on ll 
 
 htlv 
 
 rollin 
 
 r I'onn: ry. wiili a more 
 
 ess clay su'faco soil, wboio wo li'iuid .iillu-ul'.y m 
 
 tindinn' water last soason. On rollin;: piaii 
 
 I OS I r 
 
 abundant thro\ii:;liout ;Ik 
 
 that 
 
 water in a deep p 
 
 -oaso I. and 
 }\ lav a! its l>a.-i 
 
 the k 
 
 i'ollilif;- hills W: 
 
 lllo mo: 
 
 'or was alw.'ys 
 ..■cilaiii wore we 
 
 I'lie rainfall, as 1 have scUfd in aiflher pla.'o. is (piito siiHi.'b i t t.u' all piH| 
 
 1 i-os, 
 
 and p 
 
 Uie wa 
 
 ler ha-- been (diiainod wi'.ii.nit an\- .hfliouity whe.vv'.'r a -oltlomont has 
 
 aeon lorino. 
 
 Ill t m^ Sei 
 
 -nd I'rairie ."slonpi 
 
 times ItHI milos without seeini 
 drop of any kind, ibis was no | 
 
 flowii 
 iroof o 
 
 A' 
 an 
 
 ■ ii'Ji 
 
 Creek tin 
 
 arc 
 
 Id mil' s ol p:aiiie 
 
 ;• W'll.'l', 
 il- 
 
 .)ii lius pr:iii'ie 
 
 M 
 
 w./Uiii ir.'ivoi 
 i;.^- wiihoiii 
 
 oino- 
 -00111'' a 
 
 aiciiy. f'r.'iii I'iiie Creel; to HoiCtry 
 
 the 
 
 I v' Wi\. 
 
 water when wo crosse 
 
 I in l."<75. Now, settlors are on every part of it, ain 
 
 s iiei a di"p ol surfaeo 
 abuudanco 
 
 of water has been found at an avorago depth of fnuleen lool. 
 123— 16i 
 
242 
 
 II. 
 
 'To till' ilUCSl 
 
 >ii wliv, in 
 
 !i ^oiiiiti-N wliiili 1 assort to liuv 
 
 ■0 a .siitticioiit luinlai 
 
 111 
 
 > runniii;' IhmpU • ? i answrr tliat -^o loMi,' as tho t 
 
 MiS 
 
 Ian. I is oovoird with tall or I'loso inaltcl ^rass m- ihick swani, tins w 
 
 t run otl'. ami no IrotiK- 
 
 OHilii 
 
 i»hu-o oiilv in 
 
 OI' 
 
 ■am vrllcv- ran \n- foniu'l. T1k> raiiifall t: 
 
 ^nniniop is almost imint'iliatolv alisoiliod iiuo tlie soil and <\ 
 
 'I tho 
 
 ■iU'v 
 
 livlIlL' 
 
 V war a noUoca 
 
 l.lo 1 
 
 art 
 
 isappoars. 
 
 tliat Bii;' ful Ann t'lfi'lv was very liitlo allucU'd ly tiio 
 alii.osi 1 iiitliiiMUs raiiis Mr.liinc. :mil yot all iho j)onils and inarslies weio full on tlio 
 ti.iio : (Ml H'O' aUivi> ihi' I'nl ot' tlio ci-fok. When wo loliii-niMi aj^'ain, in the l;itti'r 
 
 y 
 
 P» 
 
 Iv was iK'ar 
 
 11 of Otliljoi', most, ol till- ponds wrrc withciil waliT, l>iit liiocioi'l 
 iirli as iii tlnnc. The wati-i' Iciiij; alisurlnni Ly lliosoil. remains in it as it woidtl i 
 
 tlciwiM- pill, and is iMthor taken up hy the f(ioi> 
 
 the lini'ly ]^tilver:x.t'd i-tirtl 
 
 which ]ci;etr«to l<i a viry irroai depth, or pnsn's down into the siib soil. No oiio 
 who has not lived on the plains can j):opei-|y ai>i>rociato the piilveii/.iii:,' ellui I .>,' 
 frost on the western pmiries whore the snow fall is sti |i^;lIl aiui the ponetraliiiL' 
 jiower ol tVosl so j^real. 
 
 Let tho .-waid I'e taken uiV by lire ur any other means, and instead of rain ni-Uf- 
 tvatinir iiilo the soil, it will mn otl into the liolh'Ws. and the land without .■i-as.-> will 
 
 .lei'oine 
 
 I 
 
 neres-aiii}' ail 
 
 ne drier. Clay soil ihii! hakes without ci 
 ■ w the rain water to run cil 
 
 ack 
 
 iiij 
 
 and small streams 
 
 aiil land without swiod wHl 
 
 wil 
 
 lie louiiil ill Uie 
 
 hollows, and, eviiituaiiy stream v.dleys will he tho conserpienee. These we fouiidul 
 tlie Hand llilU under the ahf>voeoiiditions. To receive the water, then, the surface mur-t 
 lithe; he luiikcn uporco\eied with a lhi'''{ cat pet ofj^ra.-s, which would ;:'•! as a nmlcli , 
 this it tinds in the old i;ra>s. It is ipii'e I rue that horx s pieler the y.uin^:- fjjra-ss to the 
 
 true thai tires jjassin;,' over ihe eounire 
 
 o.d and yoiinj,' miNcd tni^ctuer, lu.t itisjust as iriio thai hies jjassin;,' over ihe eounire 
 whero the raint;ill i> li.Ljiit pre\ em nearly all tho ^ra.ss from seeding that year, and ii is 
 oidy the second year ai'.cr a lire iha! --i ed in any qm.ntity can ho oh'ained. When cid- 
 let tiiij,' i,'rasses j:nd caiii's la-i -eascn, I always obtained my specimens on tho unhunit 
 ground. It is ipiiie jios-iMe that the plain appeals !e-s arid now than wlien I'alliser 
 crossed it, as o win i^ fo iho ahsciico ol the enormnus herds ol buHalo tho t;rass now 
 remains tVoni year !•> yi-a' . if not hiunl oil'. The term '• short, crisp j'.'"a,s8 of the 
 ))rairie," which bus become a hoUM'hi.-ld phi'ase, will nol be applicable as soon as iliv 
 tires cease, and wi eie i! • w:.te'- iciisotViiow it will ]»uss into llie s(>ii throiiirli tin; 
 old glass (I'T mnl( h 1. I'liree yeais witlntut tirr?. would clian;j;i^ the ;^ro\vth of ^la-s 
 so much that many woul i think the ridid'all ad increased, when it wasoidy letaiiird 
 by iia'iiro's owii c.v.i in;;. Ihi the prairie ea.^t o| Lom^; Fiake, where the lire had not 
 been, the ;^ia--< wa> twice as huii,' ( lu!y 4'h) as where it !iad beer; burnt ove;*, bu' ihi' 
 horses always weiil to the new gras^. allhouj^h quite shitrl in romparisoii to the other. 
 lleie 'he Ireiiueiil '.iic- had giadu.'iily les.-ened the surface loam and exposal many ■■(' 
 the iiltle pebbles .-caller.'d throU;,'h it, and had we not dug into Ihe soil we would 
 have ilone as olb.ers ilid Ihiok.- u -, i la.'-itied the soil a> gravidic, whereas it contains 
 Very lit lie ol'it. 
 
 Wlieiover tl.e i:ra s w ,> hug !li<' ground >va- soft, bu! the reverse wa- the. r.iNC 
 who; e the urass \v;i- -hor, iioui ivh; tc.cr caih-'. .Mui liing. then, is what Ihe count r\ 
 wants, and t can i.ive: ^f> ihi' untd : trii. gent step.- are taken to ju'evcni prairie lire-. 
 
 Salt lakes, i.ond> .'Ml I tuarshes are a idiai-acteri-t'i Icatui'i- '" '' ' • ' 
 
 itaiii their liighot devidopmmt no the Thiid I'rairieStc 
 .and even a levy of i lie l.ike^ aie lie-.h in the sDiina', bui 
 
 they attain their li 
 
 JJOII 
 
 sumncr bi't'oiiiC bi;i"ki.-li. 1!.\( ejil th>' brackish wau i of tlieToi 
 
 ■f the count' y, but 
 cope. Many ol liicsf 
 
 alter the 
 
 ichwo(M Hill- 
 
 whiih I do not know enough to spiak with certainty 
 
 othri' was foiiml in lb 
 
 Itepest dc|)ression.«. In to coulee was pure water i biained, e.\"0pt from a sprin.; 
 iiiuiL' its face. All otlu;' wale; in llic coulees was more or lo.ss saline. Jjines ot' salt 
 
 ponds or lak 
 ranges of hill 
 
 «>s. 
 
 (ill t 
 
 {.'round was 
 
 hi-h 
 
 ictimes ol' i.aige dimensmns lay in the deep vrUoys separating the 
 he hiuh plain-, and they wi-rc alw.ays (o bo found, whether the. 
 
 low, wic 
 
 ('ret 
 
 ici.'ou-' (iay canic 
 
 to II 
 
 •.uriace, 
 
 T 
 
 ravoilers 
 
 Hi 
 
 too ol'ien liesceii'l lolo valleys for water, whereas ni}' cxjieiiei.ce. shows Ihat they 
 should go oil! of iheminio the hills. Tho conclusion formod regarding thosalt lak.•^ 
 and iiiarshc', is that they rest on ihel'retaeooiis clay which ovidoiitly contains sail, as 
 
243 
 
 iably found plants peculiar ton saline sdil wliorc this clay cropjiod out, niul 
 
 I invarii 
 
 water oo/.c>l from it. In s]»i'aUiii!r i)f the iuacki.sli luituvo ni'ilio Wiitcjn o/iiV'' f'nun i' 
 
 ItMO 
 
 Cretaconiis clays,! may Jtis; I'oitiaik liiat iti uxainltiiit;.- tlio soil Ntnal! ciy-lal- of 
 fiolenito, pyrites, and other sulphuroin mineialsare almost always to be loimd, 
 in^^thal it is to the ])rc8Mico of iheo <lcli'lo'':oii> iinr •rdi«iit> llia.' the w.i 
 
 its brackish character mid must ol' tic 
 
 SllOW- 
 
 1)1)1. ains 
 
 ■cssit}' ai\va\s he 
 
 Tl 
 
 lore IS no' a iIvim- or 
 
 crook valley tlirou^'hout the whole interior thai lies l.)i» I'eeL helow llio k'vol of the 
 prairie, a!i>M<,f which you will imt j^et salt mar-h jiiant^ ii' wale:- in llicPn m nt' spiinijd 
 oozes out of thi.> clay, which, as far as my ol'servalions ■;.>. \-: :iNvav> the o. ihouirh its 
 presence in oidy detected by the Halt marsh plant-. Varifnis .'jiecii's of j^r; ss were 
 
 irracilis 
 
 ,)arf! 
 
 abundant on the mar-hy s[inis of wiiiili Brizopyiuni spicaium, and 
 were the most prominent. The tVirmei is the uidy !,'rasson the ))lains w'd di is nallv 
 doletere )us, and no horse will tou.di it e.Kcept ho is forceil l\y hun^Mii', Often it mav 
 Ik) seen in company with Arrow dra.ss, (Triijloclnnmiirifihuni) irrowini; in salt marshc' 
 and coverc 1 with a white crust left by the evapnratini,' waters. 
 
 Salt lake-* ami marshes are of fre.pient o('(,'arrcnco vvhere sand hills join the 
 plain, and sidt d>pi<'s 
 
 •inl: 
 
 ■ilhe.- with iv wis'.i'iat waler, are alwavs fiund in this 
 
 connection. Within the line of sand, howi 
 
 >d water is sure to be obttiined 
 
 all cases. A litth' experience only is lusce-sary to detect b ckish water by inspection 
 of the vei^etation. Xoneot the salt lakes oi' pond.s hu\e a marsliy or black muik 
 bo]'der 'ir contain any .-edj^es ox-ropt S'ripus mintiinus and pan ,'.'ns. On the oth.M- 
 hand, all thetre>h water ]iond>- have ri(di black soil anuind their mai^'ins or are tilled 
 in eveiy part wilh i^rass and various species of Oare.K. of which (Jare.x aristata is the 
 moat j)rominenl. and Iho oiu) eaten coii.slanlly by thehorsis in sununer. Hetween 
 tlio Ijittle Touehwo" 1 Hills and the more western ran^^r luany jionds of water that 
 are i;ood in summer are bad in OctobiM'. owin^^ to evaporation. ("Jood wafer niay 
 always bo known, here, liy the seil^c in the ponds remaininif -loen, cIdso lo and in 
 the water, while, it ihe pool ha> becunio biacivi>h tlio -• !:i;o- in the centre of it rot 
 and apparently die. 
 
 Woll« sunk to 11 moderate depth anywhere in the drift which covers the 
 whole country, except ii» the baked clay flats an I dcoji valleys hetweoii ranges of hills, 
 will contain 1,'ood water. All wcMs sunk I'/tr./'/;^'/; the di'ifi into the (h'etaoeou.-* clay 
 vill likely be more or less brackish. Hence. I advise all settlers to do as L advised 
 McKernati, at Hay Lakes, when he obtained bad w.-tter by sinking' a deeij well, that 
 ho was to (lli; in the drift a'ld r.evor jfo tlirongli it and u-o.mI water would dways be 
 obtained. McKerna.i's well was H feet deo|), and the wa' 
 
 SUI'I'I.V nl- Wool) V'OK Fl'Kl; .\Mi BlllDl.Nli I'lliPosES. 
 
 In Phea,sant and File llilU, and throuirhout the Touchwood Hills, as also a tract 
 of countiy lyini,' east olllumboldt, there is aliiiii.huKe ot wood fir the prairie set- 
 tlers for many miles on all Mdc.•^ of the bills. Tiii^wo.ii is only p!'[>lar ni t-vo s))eeies, 
 and can be used in house buildiiiir, both (or walls and ibiors. 
 
 Westof tiie Saskatchewan the Ka^de Hills will furiush a supply tor the northern 
 partot the (Jreat I'lain, Battle Kieer tluMUuhoul it-, enliie length wdl iurnisb 
 wood for idl i.urpn.ses 1.. the counlrv on both -ide^- of it. Spruce in some abunclivncc 
 can bo obtained on its upper water.s and tloalci down o) any point. Red J)eer River 
 passes throuudi a country more or less coveiei with lorcsi, as lar soiiih as Latitnoe 
 52°, but alter that to its' confluence with IViw Itiver the only wood in the country it 
 passes through is found in its own valley or its boidoriiii,' coulees. This is so small 
 
244 
 
 in <jiiantity in rcimparison to tin- ili-*tiict lo bo Huppliol tliut it muMi moroly bo inon- 
 tioiK'd but not taken into aoviount. No doiibl lari^o quantities ot'spruoo exist on tho 
 upjior waters (f the river, an'! v.^<.\ be fli.it el 'iown to any |)')int on tlio Mtreain. 
 There are no ob>iriiclions of any kinil anywiieie in the river, but on tho lower |)art 
 of its course ii would bi- oxtreniely ciittieult to ^^et jotniixl watjucon.- out of its valley. 
 
 Ik>\v liivei, on the oihei- band, lioe-* not How tbroiii;!! tbrent on any part of its 
 courco ea-^t of the mountains, yet it eoutaiiis many tine grovos of poplar from u tew 
 miles below the Biaeklo it Cros-inj^ to t'le Monniains. both in its valley and the 
 (•ouloi'~ Opel. in^ into it. Ualhan\ pooJai- and t 'otton\vi>od {^Pojiiihix ihVtif'fcia) arc 
 foinid of ;i lari;o size at the Hiarklo, l Cioshint;. and nnineiou-' t^rovos ot -priieo are 
 Heen almve ('ali,'arry. Tiie wliolo cMntry on b^lb ,>idc.sot the river isabsolutely with- 
 out wood, exeept in tho li'ibutary valleys on the KUith of the mai^ stream Q'.nmtitios 
 of very ^ood sjMuee and l>oii!^las ]i;ne ean bo ol»taiiied on i>oad Mnn's Iiiver on tho 
 n'.trtb, on the Kanana.-ki- iii the mmhIi, jiiid u|i the v;dley .d'the main stitiam for at 
 least !l() miles above Moi'lcyville. N > liflieull;,' will be experiencei in flout i i^; .lowii 
 eitlier loirs or boards, as the i iver lor tli) miles into tho Hoeky Mountains is liee iVoin 
 dangerous rapids. 
 
 It wdl bo yeen by the loreiroini,' remtiikstbat wood is scai'ce in the soutbciii part 
 (it the scetion oxploie<i, but this is in >omi' dt-i^ree compensated toi by llie iiiimenstj 
 de])osits ot lignite or i oal known tooxist. On Bow, |{ed Deer and IJaltle Hivf.s. these 
 ero]) out in many jilaies, ami specimens burnt on the ground, and otliers brought honn>, 
 testily to their value i'xv tuel. As mentiom-d on another p-gc, a trader and liirmei 
 named Fioneli iias burned coal, lakcn t'rom a six feet seam at the Ularktoit ('ros-.iiiir, 
 ft)r two years. Jle linds it burn- wed m .soltdcoding coal strives, ul' which bo Inus two, 
 and I found it to burn well ami lor a liHig time on an open lire, 
 
 Co.\I. A.M) SlK.\>l NwiilATIoN oK SoUTH .SASKATrllKWAN. 
 
 In my journal I showed why 1 believed tho South .Saskatcliewan wa- mivigable, 
 and 1 now i-oiti-rate tho statement alter a careful review o all -aid lor and against it. 
 When its navigation is an at complishe i lact, all >npplios for t bo pulco and Indians 
 can bo taken to within les.s than ..(» miles of Fort Walsh at Vy] e^.-t Hill.-, and tho,-o 
 for Fort McLo'xl, landed at the lorks ol Eow and iielly Rivers iibin two .slioi t day--, 
 journoy ol the Fort. Hero (at tho Fort) is abundance of coal, st that thero will be an 
 ample supply of fuel fn- all purposes. It iscnrionlly re])i>rto<l ihat all tho nettlors in 
 the vicinity of the Fort burn this coal. Messrs. i'atrick and Nelson, two surveyors 
 whom I met at M'irleyville. told me they hud iliscnven'd coul in numorous places 
 Bouth of my line ot exploraiion. Jn view of tlie difficulty of supplying the Indians, 
 and the importance of opening up the c((untry, I would suggest that an attempt be 
 made at an early day to solve the jnoblem by wending one of the steamt^rs 
 now plying on the .Vssiniboinc on that service. That tho ascent can 
 bo mad«/ without any more ilitliciilty than that ox]iorieiiccd in ascending the North 
 Saskatchewan, 1 am <piite sure, as 1 have hsKl an o|)](ortunity ol seeing both rivers. 
 The importance of this subject, certainly recommends it to an early consideration. 
 ]vcd L)K:i'r, How and Helly [Jivers, ail issuing from the mcuntains, must solid more 
 Water into the main channel late in the season than the North Branch, and, thi.'rotore, 
 this river will be longer .■>uite<i Un- navigation every season. If tho coal deposits can 
 be developed by this means all the prairie lainl seen by me will become in the course 
 ot years thickly si'ltled with a |irosperous population, as there is no physical detect 
 in the country but the want of wood. 
 
 In eviuy place where lignite was seen, more or less brown or clay iron oro was 
 present, and it is extremely probable that a more thorough examination of the country 
 will reveal large deposits of it in connection with tho lignite, 
 
 CoNHENSED Summary ok Lam)s AvAii.Ani.K kou Skttlkment hetwekn Manitoba 
 
 A.M) TIIE KoCKV .Moi:NTA1NS. 
 
 In your Pacific Railway Ifeporl lor 1.S77. p.igo 'M*>, I endeavored to cbissify the 
 landb cast of tho Rocky Mountains on the boat data tlion in my possoB.iion. Since 
 
\y bo rnon- 
 
 xi.st on the 
 lio htroain. 
 lower ))art 
 
 its valloy. 
 
 part of its 
 tVoin a tow 
 ey aiiil iho 
 <l'fcra) uro 
 ■>|n'nco are 
 iili'ly with- 
 
 <^iaiiiilios 
 V'lM' oil I ho 
 nam for at 
 itiiii,' ilowii 
 ^ flt't' iVoiii 
 
 illiorn part 
 l' imnioiistj 
 iv<'i-,s. those 
 t!;,'ht lionio, 
 III! I liinntM' 
 t (.'ros^inif, 
 10 ha.s two. 
 
 iiavigahle, 
 
 again^it it. 
 iid Indians 
 
 and tho^o 
 short days, 
 i svili be an 
 * NOttlorH in 
 ) surveyors 
 •oiiH places 
 he Indians, 
 attempt bo 
 J stoainors 
 si'ont can 
 
 tho North 
 )Oth rivort*. 
 isidoration. 
 send nioro 
 1, therefore, 
 ej)osit« can 
 
 the coiu'se 
 lieal delect 
 
 on oro wa." 
 he country 
 
 MANITOnA 
 
 lassify tho 
 >n. Since 
 
 t 
 
nii^vi'tMivntt nni -^m mis< 
 
 M««Mv «\MwtwMk «k«ii«(ki nwnt %t\V«k« 
 
Plate No. 8. To accompany Report of thr Engi ncer-in-Chief, Canadian Pacific Utihra,/, 18 80 
 
 OP THB I 
 
 PRAIRIE REGION 
 
 G Indicating generally the limits within which ^jood 
 land is known to ;xist, west of the loist Meridian 
 
 The brown line to the West denotes penerall\ the I 
 Eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and the 
 
 , Western limit of the Prairie Region. The brown ■ 
 
 ^r line drawn from about Cumberland House, on the | 
 
 % if Lower Saskatchewan, towards Peace River, shows ,' 
 
 Jf ^ generally the Northern limit of the area within it' 
 
 which good land abounds. The brown patches in ' 
 
 the body of the Map indicate the tracts, more or ^ 
 
 less barren, referred to in Appendix No. 14 and | 
 other Reports. 
 
 THt euHUNn JTH CO MPIT^l*! 
 
8. To accompany Report of the Engineer-in-Chief, Canadian Pacific Rciilway, 1880. 
 
 to 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PRAIRIE REGION 
 
 Indicating generally the limits within which ^ooA 
 land is known to exist, west of the loist Meridian. 
 The brown line to the West denotes generally the 
 Eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and the 
 Western limit of the Prairie Region. The brown 
 line drawn from about Cumberland House, on the 
 Lower Saskatchewan, towards Peace River, shows 
 generally the Northern limit of the area within 
 which good land abounds. The brown patches in 
 the body of the Map indicate the tracts, more or 
 less barren, referred to m Appendix No. 14 and 
 other Reports. 
 
 Uu 
 
 IHl «il»lAnn iitM rii liCliNl»l»l 
 
24 r. 
 
 flu'ti I iKivo had opportmmios of t,';iinin« :i inwcli moiv cxtcn/lod poi-sonal ki ow\'djro 
 of tl.o ro^Mi.n,uiM 1 liavo had aci-^ in iIk, n.'inrt . .,i ail ilio recent oxi.l>viui.in^ fado 
 liy <)tlu'i>, and luul por^uiial L'oiivor.sations w;ili lln^ scvoral cx|.loror.s. Iain, lhoic;,,ro 
 Ml |.os8os,si()Mofmiicli adtiilioiial (lata, and in a iK-ition (,, chi-MtV tlio aivaxi'flan 1 wiMi' 
 grwiU-r goiiciid mcnracy. 1 now sul.mit wiial I .;nn-.i lor a i.iloivih y au'ivr.i ouimato 
 ot'tlic aii'as of ilio SL-vci'al dt'-.TinlioiiH ol' land, Ik-wijou the i;.>rli\- M'Minta ns and 
 Matidoba, ?iol inclndini,' tliu lalh'i' J'lMvince and .'xcliniiii:;- al-t anv availat.!-. ',,id 
 llatt may exi-l iidrlli ol'dio 'iTtii parallel in llio Toacc iJivtr D.sii id. 
 
 Areas iir'>tlK> several (It-^n-ipiioiis ,,)' f"\,iinliy between .M;ini!.'i,a and the Kne'lcy 
 Mountain.-i, wiiliiii llu- liinit> d..-iinod and in'licaicd nu ilu' ao- jniiianvih.. ni'iu. 
 
 4' 
 
 a 
 
 3 
 
 Duscriiiiion. 
 
 Square L. '''"'"'.;'.( Total Sqaare 
 iliies. Ini-K'i' Miles Acirs of 
 i gi'uil L.ind. ' good Irtnfl. 
 
 f ITotftl urfrt nortli uf Ifltiliido M-*, pft--t cf Mountain-! un 1 
 , ' I Wf:;' i)f Miiiiilubii, an! ,ij fer n<ii-lii >\h {I''"! land is 
 1 kivjwii 'oc-tciid, rv.'i;isive of IVwirt- Uivi'i- Di.sincl.. 
 
 ^ |I)edticl for bad and wui latida 
 
 :.| 
 
 ■| 
 
 Poifo River District as far as c xiilortd. Dr. Dawsou's 
 
 I'SUinalo I 
 
 DeducL tor wet laiuh, and !ind kiiowu to Iji- bad, nnil 
 (idtimated tiua'itily to h" Im 1 in liuoxiitori-d pans 
 
 Total art'a nortli it liiniiidarv ,Hid south of iiiiiludi- 51'-', 
 
 and lietvvpcii Mauiiulia aiid the Horl;y .Mduniiiius ' 
 
 '>cd\ict for Buihlv or arid land 
 
 160,142 
 
 
 ll»,l)0(. 
 
 Total arras uf land fit for Agriculture aud I'listure...!. 
 
 I 
 \M.U2 , ■87,062, 8S0 
 
 i " 
 I 
 
 ';5,j.')0 I !';,332,000 
 
 71,510 I 4.'), 7(16,400 
 i34,5 ■■.' I i:ii.i,u81,280 
 
 In tilis osliniiiio I iiav',! niado a do'lin'iinn of H/iDO si|uaio miles iV-itn the ti>tal 
 uron. it mii^i not lie nndoi-Viood tiiat llic wliui.' Mt' (iii> do'ltf'ti'-n, wlii'di '^'<f,'ivl-i 
 oi»,0(tO,OiH) acMVM, is oC till vaiui!. The '.oi'i'ii-iy in 'jni>>li(:n is !il<u inai;)' (dlici- C'Um- 
 trios on the sni-fticc nftho irlolu', htdni,^ n'^1 Mnit'nrniiy f'or'il'\ but <unlaiiiinj; li'ttcls cd' 
 bad and iinpfDdni'tivi: land. Wilbin tin' whole area (d' l-itl,(i(lii.UilO acres lhi-"o arc 
 isolated patelios ol' iiiiasiiilabu' land, cun>is',in_^' ut'inatdies and swamps, •-itnddiills, 
 bi'.rreii clays and stony tracls. I'o--ilily nit ovi>r onerhirl nf U'.'l ") iillO iici'oh ot the 
 wliole 48,000 .S(]nare miles, which I have leductod Ir^m (he N>t;il ai'Cit coiiitliie (:lai*Hcd 
 118 storilo or irroclainiiddy wel, Tiicie can lie no Lionbt ihai di'aina;''o svil! iilliinatiiiy 
 do lunch to (Mm tract I he area oT land now est i mate I its v.-da^'h s. 
 
 At present I coti-idcr tlial in the north west oi' ('iiiitida, beynnd Manitoba and 
 within tlic ^Vl^sll•l■n and noriherit limits 'letineii, there are at lca>l ir.(»,i)U(),OilO a^'res 
 ot land Kiiitiibh) lor iiL^rieidliire tin I -tork rai-in f, ;ii i e| tli;.-- area I I'eol coulident 
 that a blither percentjiin- will be toiind av.iil;d)le 1 ir irrowiiii; .!,""iin tiitui in 
 that i)ortioii ol the Province of (Ontario , so well known t'oi- its |n'oln' lion-, — ! refer 
 to the penin-tda lyin^:- belweeii the lakes iTiiio-i, Krie a'ld Ontai'io, and Ivnmded on 
 the north iind east b>' ii line drawn IVom J^in^'slcn to Lake Sini''.-.; and the (ieor^'imi 
 liay 
 
 i h:ive Ih • honor m be. Sir, 
 
 Y'Mir obediciil SOI vant, 
 
 .SANDlORfi FMS.MINO. Vm\., C.M.lr. 
 
 rii iiinNi»i.»i 
 
246 
 
 APPENDIX No. 15. 
 
 EEPOUTa IN nHFERENOE To TIIK I'iCatMN OK rilK SECOND 100 MILES SECTION 
 
 WK.ST or UKIi RlVEll, 
 
 ('.\N.\1UA\ PaiII'K: IvAIt.WAY, 
 
 (.)|K[i'K, ny THE J'^NCilNEEK-IN-ClIIEr, 
 
 Ottawa, January l.'jlli, 1880. 
 
 Tho Honorable 
 
 Sir Ciiaiu.es TrrvEK. K.(\M.<;., 
 
 iMinishM'iit Hailw.iy- ;iiiii (.'aiial.';!. 
 
 Siu, — 1 liavo tlu' lioiior to vi-jtorl un tlu' surveys wliioli luivo bee;) made last 
 Kiimincr. iinini'iliati'ly I(t 1 lio wi'si ol' iln' I'roviiu'i- of .M;iiiil<)ba. with the viovv td 
 localiiii^ ihc railway wo-t "f'lln' IJiiliiii^ MdUiilain- ami foinnuMR'iiig cnii^lructioii oa 
 the " M'l'oiui one hai.ilrett tnile sr, liori," 
 
 The lioveriiiiK'iit having deloriiiincii titehaiii^e tin.' locjuion ot'tlial |iortionof tlie 
 lino from Sclkiriv, mi the Narrows of l>aUe .Manildl'ti in Livii'ijrtlone, and e.stablish a 
 lino wliich would i^eiu'ially iWiinw the >.inir>o of setllonient, dne westerly tl)rniif,'li 
 liie l'r(»vinci.' (jf .M.'initdli.'i, it beinnio my duty to have ;in instriimonttil survey madu 
 ihrouirli thd distriel. The sci'\ uo was [dared in tho haniis of ilr. Manus ymilh, to 
 wliom I i'urnished iho instructions aiipomiiMl. 
 
 Actitiij; on thc-^e it ^truetiiuis, two Iim-H have been siirveyod, bith eommoncin^ 
 Hear liio woslorn lioundaiy of Iho I'rovinee of .Manitoba. (»n«' oxtoiids wo.-lorly, !h<' 
 other noilh-westcriy. IJoih surveys are, however. incom|(lete, tho winter haviui; 
 (dosed in and stopped fa t her opemtions. The eonlinuous measurements on the 
 western line are limned to 110 miles, termitniiinf,' al a point about four miles lieyoad 
 Fori I'^llice; those on li.e northwi'>t(>rn line, at Hirdtaii < 'reek, at a ero-sin-i; a iitllo 
 south ot thi5 n'th Ha.Mi Line and lU.'j m les I'mm the eonim on place ol' beginning'. 
 
 Tho eoiintry lias been e.xjdored ami some o.\aniinttIioin i\ave been made heyomi 
 Fort Klliee luid IJii'd lail C'reel<. luit the two iiwirumetit.al nieasuromotils 
 terminate lU the point-- above Uientioned. The ili.-tance un^urv(>yed f;oin thtise |ioiiit,s 
 to a coininim jioint nf intei.soeiion .u' i lie lorated line (>iHne HO mde- we-t of I.ivin^'- 
 Btoiie) ma)- be estimated at about I'td miles. 
 
 Surveys were made in 1^77 whicdi slewed •'(he tin' hi'id^'inuc of the v;dli>ys of 
 Bird-tail Crook. Slitil i{iver and the Assimboine would Iks --o enwrmour-ly h^ iivy .'is 
 to lender I'onsli ueiii n '' 'ni the line tlieii defined iiie.xpe lient. Duriii- llie pii.~I 
 humnier, aiiollier line ( iho we 'ern hue! w.as pi'ijecle.! to enter llie valley of ilie 
 Assiiiib(jine below the nio'ith of liird-Iail Crook, theln'o up ;h-' A-sini'i i e to its 
 junetioti with the <^ii'.Vp, telle. 
 
 A third line ( ihe iiortli western line> was -urveyed iltirini;' la>t HUmmei', eommcnc- 
 in^ at a eommon ctartin^f |ioint and followintc tiie weslern hiieaboiii i.'i;ihi miles west 
 of the we^^lert) boundary of .Manitolia: it llnoi diverji'es to the northwest in a slniii.!;li'. 
 course to tho IJitle .^a^kaltdiewan, wheie tho noilin'in trilil ciosso- the liver (T.ui- 
 nors' CroKHing),and ihenee in a nearly tiorlh weslio'ly direetion to Mird-lail (>reeU. From 
 bird-tail Creek I lio line is proj(-eiod in a northerly eiuise (owarls l)'i(d< Mountain 
 with Ihe view of !.,Ll.liiiir a pri'eliralih (rosMio.; ni'Shell I.'iver brnm Siiell l.'iveriiie 
 lino i.s |)rojc'.'lod in a noiih we-terly direelion. but the iiirvey iia.-- not been e.s'oeiited 
 l)oy(;iid this point. 
 
is SEOTIOM 
 
 nil, 1880. 
 
 e(';i made last 
 'i the view (if 
 m^lnu'lion on 
 
 Iiiirlion ut the 
 aii'l establish a 
 slerly thi'on^h 
 
 siirv<'y maije 
 reus Smiih lo 
 
 h cornnioncin^' 
 .s wo-toi'ly, thi' 
 winter havi!):^ 
 emeiits on I'l" 
 r iiiilos lieyond 
 ifo.--.sin^ a iitilo 
 leuiiiiiiri^. 
 1 iiia>ie hoyoi:i! 
 riuijisiireinotils 
 )m those |)(iints 
 wo.'l (if Liviiii,'- 
 
 the v:ill'>ys of 
 
 <\\>iy h' ;i\'y Mi 
 
 iiniit: I he jm.-l 
 
 valley of I 111' 
 
 II i I I I' Id ils 
 
 ini I', (■('iiunenc 
 ^lii miles Wi'M 
 si ill a slraitcht 
 he I iver (T.')ti- 
 .li (.'I'cek, Ki'iiiii 
 'ick MDiiniaiu 
 Shell l.'iver Ilie 
 lieoi) cxoeutel 
 
 24t 
 
 For detailed descriptions of tliosc two lines— the western and tlieiioi th-western — 
 I l)Cg 10 refer lo th(^ report of Mr. .'^iiiitii, of (hato :^Oth Deeember hist. 'I'lie .surveys, 
 as far as Ihey have been oxteiidud, liave lieeii made witli eaie and iudgtneiit, in jiroof 
 of which, points have been found on tlie (h;ep and e>:( eptioiially wide vallevs which 
 travor.-c the couiniy, vvlieie the en/ssinic-, aahoii-h ilili .suniewhai lonuiilable, do not 
 appear so objectionable a-- those previously repurted, 
 
 On tho Wetterii Line the principal gradiiiiLs are as fol 
 
 OV.':' 
 
 ChAUAiTI'IK OF O'ltAMENTS. 
 
 I I Total 
 
 Rate jier mile. ' Length. '■'^°,'^^' 
 
 ' ^ fall. 
 
 i Feet. 
 
 Miles. 1 Feot. 
 
 Ascending Westerly. — From tho 1st t.o7lh milo...l 17^ to 5;^ 5.3 259 
 
 do 2Isi tiili-'th ' ...' 32" to .vJ I ]0.4 ' -V.'*) 
 
 do trxhtorioth '■ ...! 35 to 5;:! 4,;] I 191 
 
 DeHcendinf,'Westerly.-Fromthe50lhto44i"!thmile| -Mh I < '>'■', 45 | 220 
 
 do ' :ilst t.i '.'-rth ■• I ct.f- I 5.2 i 274 
 
 As the survey terminates al the linitMii d lue As,siiiibMine Valley, above Fort 
 Ellice, llie )irairio level mi th.e northern s: .e rnii.-t he re^;iiiied, : ,\iil\ iiii^ an as(.'ent 
 at about MOO feet. 
 
 Tho jirincipal gradients on the nurth wos'orn line are ~ 
 
 ABCondingWohtcrly.-- From the l.-t to Vt!i iniie 
 
 do ' I8il) t(.;;;;i I ■• ... 
 
 do .'i>^lh to ; 11,1 " .. 
 
 do ',)8tli til lo.J.d •• . 
 
 Descending Wc.-lei ly.-From ihe:;;!i'd ti ".-il; mile 
 
 do ' 4211 I lii'.tsiii •' . 
 
 47', l'i5;] 
 ;)7 t'l 5ci 
 
 ;52 10 :>H 
 
 r,h ti> yi 
 
 ,...' ' '.o 'A-i 
 42 l:i45 
 
 
 T.Mai 
 
 Length. 
 
 riNO or 
 fall. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 5,;{ 
 
 10.:J 
 
 25!) 
 5(10 
 
 1.2 
 5.0 
 
 2u; 
 1:53 
 
 277 
 
 Oil IIk' reiiiiiiiiiiig 150 miles, other ('ei.]! .■alc'y- have 'o he eros-e 1. the principal 
 being .Shell Ifiv.T ami the A>.^inilioiiii-. 
 
 The Western line passes over ground, :otlie east ol llio liillle Saskalcliowiui, 
 1, 704 icot above sea le\'ol. The North-Wesicrn line attain-^ an iiliiiiule east ol tlio 
 
2l,S 
 
 aaino river of l.SOO iVof, and on llio sic 
 
 Binl-tail CriM 
 
 (if 2,().)(> tc't. 
 
 pe 
 
 of tlio Ividinir Mountain, to llio oasl of 
 
 o LMvo sonio rtilalivo uioa ot llioii clovatinn 
 
 I 
 
 uu'iitioa ihat tlio section imw iiiKler cuntracL iWrougli Manitoba will uvoragt 
 
 -»y 
 
 than SfjO fei.'t above llu' satne datum. 
 
 I'ho worU 
 Bomc nieasnro 
 
 -til ! 
 
 me 
 
 i\-y I'lir a I'ailway Ihroui^ii a piMirie eonnliy, d 
 
 IK' ill 
 
 ilie itidi"a\(ir '(I i<pe|) tlio 'overa! icuij,' a^condini; and liesi'eniliiiir 
 
 graili'Mils luuitT ,"),■{ leei ]k'1' mm 
 
 exeavati'in. a'Tordini;- to Mr. .SniithV e-tiinate 
 
 le. I liis lias (lie elfect ot raisiii!^ tlio avcray;o c. 
 
 arlli 
 
 to a 
 
 liiiit lti,(MH) CMibio yard 
 
 -i llOl" 111 I, I', 
 
 The siiivov-*, lo tlie extent tlicN' liave bi^n made, lia\e been ^uecesst'iil in estidi- 
 
 lisliiii^ii; thai workable lines can be liad in tlu^ dire 
 
 Mons tlDScniK'ii 
 
 Tl 
 
 le ' tii; tieorn 
 
 itr 
 
 feauires jiresenicd by liu" -ii!V('\-, nitlie Wesleiu, as well a-- the Xorlli-Weslci'ti h 
 
 no, 
 
 as the tallies ot ^naili'Mits iudir: 
 
 ai'.' not s') fav 
 
 iiabli' a 
 
 ■Ml 
 
 Id 
 
 )0 iU'~>irei 
 
 1, bill I 
 
 anarc tiial (lie (Tovcrnmcnt attaches i^reat iiuportanco t'l ran viiii^ the railway 
 tl rough this -i-etion ot th>-iiiiblc e(iiiiiii'y (or setlleinent, that the svltlfrs tliemsidvo 
 have strong elaim-- 'ui tin' (Jovei umtut tor a means i)f "ommuiiii'ation. and ihat it is 
 
 the speedy ocnipati'm ot' the 
 settlers, that v,ill lead to the 
 ailvanceiiu'iit nf the country, 
 
 I 1 
 
 )\' iii'o-i>oruas 
 
 -111 
 
 d and the (idtivation >)'.' 'die soi 
 
 ■ces^Cul woiking of ihr railway and the geneiai 
 
 Mr. Smith has |iriijecicd another line "diverg-ing from a poini ru'ar the 8lh milt; 
 (I'rom the liuun lary of Manitobjii, .•oid taking a soiith-we-t coiir: >, which stiikcs tin' 
 
 valley ot llie A.- 
 niiles in ieiiirlli. .'ic. 
 
 ■ iiiilioinc a 
 
 hove tiiand l\apid'i. 
 
 This '.vouid bo aiiout 
 
 ments, and eoiistructiun would 
 1 have earetully examined 
 tion of the latter lit 
 
 a plain ol riih land, wu which iheie are a number of .settle- 
 
 le vei \' oas\-. 
 
 the, data at conimanil, inl I think that ;i modiiica- 
 
 e piiinls to a -( heme worthy the cnnsi 
 
 lerat 
 
 1011 o 
 
 f ih 
 
 'lovein- 
 
 nient. If the railway be carried ir a point in the valley of the Assiniboino, near ti.j 
 mouth of tho Jdtl if ."-^a-ka'climv.in. vhero i lie land remain ; ini-^urvcyed and ipiL'ratiteJ. 
 there iidglit here be eslabli.-^he. , ih-iteot a city whicli would shortly beeoiin' im- 
 portant. This exleir>ion would be linn 5lt to »!(> miles wi -t i.f the boundary of Mani- 
 toba, and al'out lol) nuh'< west ,»[ lied River. It would avoid the very olovattd 
 ground, east id the Little Saskatchowan, passed over by the other lines, and which in- 
 volves ascondiiig and deMondihg gradients ol great length; it would have no heavy 
 adverse gradients from t!io we-', and taken with the sections now under cotiiraci, il 
 would form a, trunk line, extrenndv fivorable for cheap transportation, all tiio wa_y 
 
 fi-om Lakf Si 
 wliii h desii 
 
 r.iienor lo a iciiiit. 
 
 oiiimaiuliiig a tine airrictillural country, and troi 
 
 .'ue cujonizalio 
 
 n lii 
 
 i'!8 miirlit 
 
 in 
 
 the near tiiiure. diverge (1) toll 
 
 le no 
 
 rlh- 
 
 we«-l, (-') to the west and (;}) to the southwe>'t, and tiius the jirojecled citv- W'uld 
 becomo an important railway a id bu-dness centre. 
 
 wiiil'd 
 b 
 
 Tho lino slrefchitig from ih s piMiec;ed jidint nf iunc'ion to the uort 
 
 ll-Wr-' 
 
 ]!ass Up ihe valley (it' the Little >askatihcw;i!i and across to Ihrd-lail ('reeli, | 
 
 iro 
 
 ably inter-ccting the mnthwest 
 
 ;ne 
 
 IS r>.cenl!v survevvd, near the crossing i>f th 
 
 Mfcam, and thence on it-- iirojci led couive to a point on the located line west ol' 
 Livmgstoruv <)iie o.' the nther lines from the piint d junction would lap the coal 
 deposits Avliieh are known to exist north of the International |{oundary, ami the ei '' 
 
 itnc 
 
 ab .I'liee of heavy ai 
 being delivered in tl 
 
 verse gra<lients on the trunk 
 
 ine to the east would admit of coal 
 
 'i'o\ iiKc <d' Maid'oMi i;t very I'ov rales 
 
 Th 
 
 line 
 
 di 
 
 ■ergin^ 
 
 nir the vtillev of the Soiiri-, and, if ox- 
 
 lo Ibo HoiithwoHt would serve the country ail 
 
 tended beyond the Iril'Miialiotial Houndai'v line, would run <iire(dly to 'he Yellow 
 stone Valley, and W(Uild render it iiiacticuble in the fuliire to tap that region ami 
 diiiw it8 tratlic oit(> Ctinadian (dianmds. 
 
 Tiie extension from the (>nd ol Contracl No. -JH tJohii K_\ an's om tract), to the point 
 
 ic m uith of the Little Saskatcliewan might al "iice be |)Ut under 
 
 oiuer !li.it ("oiiliMid Xo. -l^ itself wa-< h.d. .\s ,<(»(in a-^ jiossible 
 
 referred to noai 
 
 contracl in the sa'iie mi 
 
 theroaft(M', the line up the Little Saskiitchewan and to the iimdh west may lie |)Iaeed 
 
 under contracl. 1 would advise that tlie hitter lino be 
 
 •p oxcacalion-, liigh ombaiiknuiil^ atid iieavy work, 
 
 line, that (h 
 
 Hocuriiig low gradients, bo avoidod. That tho grout 
 
 111 m 
 
 icat(>d us !i cheap surliiee 
 
 h(^ view nf 
 
 o iiiive !the rail.-i laid 
 
 will 
 
 I til 
 
240 
 
 to tho east of 
 ;ili"ii>, I may 
 iucragc less 
 
 )iiulry, due in 
 III lU'si-i'iiilnif 
 iivcTaicc oar'li 
 aids |Kii' null', 
 ■i^l'iil ill (.'Stall- 
 ^ ' tii;"tu!Oi'iiiii; 
 Wi'stci'ii lino, 
 !'i''l, Lull I am 
 ,' tho railway 
 iM tiiemsclvcs 
 mil that il is 
 ly ])ro>]>ori'ns 
 i tho gciuTai 
 
 r tlic 8ili mile 
 K'li >tiii\('s till' 
 I ho ahou!, ij:i 
 nhor i)t' .-joUlo- 
 
 lal a modi lira- 
 l' 1 lie liovoill- 
 luiiio, iioar th.' 
 mil imiri'JiiitoJ. 
 y hoconio iiii- 
 luiary ul' Maui- 
 very elovatnl 
 , and which iii- 
 havo no heavy 
 lor foiiiraei, il 
 111. all tho way 
 iilry, and trom 
 
 l) to till' IIMl'lh- 
 
 lod city WvHiKI 
 
 i'(h-wost would 
 1 Crook, |tf(di 
 'Ossirit^ of thai 
 i lino west ol' 
 1 taj» the coal 
 . am! iho cMdiic 
 I admit of I'oai 
 lino di vorgiii^C 
 ii'i •, and, il'ox- 
 Id 'lie ^'olliiw 
 lai region ami 
 
 •t). 1" th(! |ioiiit 
 ) bo put iimlor 
 DO II a-i jiDSsihlo 
 may ho |)liicod 
 choap siii'lUcc 
 li llir view ot' 
 • !tho rail.-i laid 
 
 th'-oiii^h the district with any rca-onalilo t;i'a lioius and cuiA^es that 
 
 can 
 
 bo worked 
 
 by light trains, of course, takin.,' care ihal tho host ahgninent and gradlont-s which 
 tho peculiar foatiiro^s of iho country will almii of he «ocurod, without utnioi'ossarily 
 increasing tho oypenso. I woidd aim at ha\nig as useful a lino as can he iiad, aiul 
 
 08 choa] 
 
 as il I- 
 
 M..;e to I 
 
 >iake il. 
 
 The length of this jjno wniild ho soiiuMv'iit increasMl by takiiij tho course sug- 
 i-ostod. It i« con.-idorcd ihtit tiiisdisadvaulat^'; would ho more than coinpoiisatcd liy tho 
 
 ■CO avai.aii 
 
 greater breadth nf line country rondei 
 
 besides answorinj,- I'olMni/alioii piirpn-e-, \v mid 
 
 10 for successful ^ettlemont. Tho line, 
 
 (.iiiii."'t prol>;ihly at Niilhill, witli 
 wo lid atford tac.ilitioH for const ruciion and 
 
 tho lino located in Vollowhead Pass, am 
 
 Hettlenieiit in Iho diici'tion of i'JdinoiiMn, and as far a-» tho praiiio region oxtoiids 
 
 I rospoolfully .siihtnit this >uggosti.>n for con-i 1 ratine 
 
 Bo 
 
 ■ I'lcs ;iiinint 
 
 at 
 
 fOeuring, wivhout d(day, a thiougli communi 'alion -mti ioiU lor rdl pre.-t;iit ]iur))osos, 
 and atVording farihlics lo seniors to oi'cupy oe^Iraijlc land, iho jji'oject has in view 
 
 other object,-., th" iiiipoi tanco of whieh I i'v:\ a 
 
 The adoptio.i ot the lino to tho pnini ! havr in.licaiol in the valley of tho 
 Afisinii oino, noa.' i lie mouth of tho Little .Saskatchow.-in, would jjrovide l.')0 miles of a 
 
 the ( 
 
 id 
 
 i.ivernmcn' will rccoiiaiizo 
 
 excel ki 
 
 t trunk' iiiic leadiiiiifiom VViiiniiie; 
 
 .dSc 
 
 ^11 k to iliecoal 
 
 is, and would 
 
 to that extent m;.ki' privision tor ilio .-M|iply ot fuel, wiior*; no timlior nnw exists, und 
 
 and thus antici|.iiae a want aire 
 
 iidv 
 
 a cilv at tlio jioinl inenlioi.od, and 
 vals on other iin.'ranted lands along the 
 the benelit arising from tho eniianced 
 iiswist ill ineetin;^ the ct 
 itl 
 
 ly III; in mans- ipiirteis. Tlio laying out 'd' 
 
 tiK 
 
 lilir 
 
 l.iClU 
 
 li"i o 
 
 f sialiiins ut I'eLailai' ititor- 
 
 Wiiuld sOrlU'i 
 
 11 
 
 le irovernnien 
 
 t, all 
 
 ■u ot iho railway. 
 
 1 herovvilh ruhmii f.vo plans, one ~'iowi!1l': m blue th 
 
 which would be given to tho land, to 
 lie tho '!iiu-iaii!.'d blocks of land, 
 
 ono railo H'luaro 
 
 suitable for staiions. ibroa;:!', the 
 
 ■oviiice 
 
 .I of .\Iaiiitol)a, aid a.s far 
 
 iHtho proposed own >ilo at tho mouth of I'lc Liltlo .Sa.skatcliowan. Tlie other ])!an 
 
 nhows tho several lines ridorrod lo ; the .ipiiiDximaio 
 
 leliut 
 
 1-^ !l- 
 
 ■ m 
 
 old loc.lol line 
 
 the .7 
 
 irrovvs o 
 
 f L 
 
 pared wiib the 
 
 and Nut Kill— the latter about, tjU mil 
 
 1: 
 w .--1 I 
 
 'oli.'i •M'twcen cDiiinii'in poi 
 
 Ills, Selkii 
 
 ,(■ Li 
 
 vingslono — mav iluis lie 
 
 be staled 
 
 By No, 
 
 Selkirk i-o Ni r U'l i . 
 
 L TheNorlli-Wesion. !n--iv Iki'^ miles, 
 
 '_'. The VVesti«rn (,ino ■■ ■}'•■> '' 
 
 ;}. The Scuihern liino -i''" 
 
 4. The Narrows nf Lake M ^niioha ^'-'^^ ' 
 
 J lia\o the iimoi' 111 be, S;)', 
 
 Your obedier.t sei vant, 
 
 SAXDl'OIM* l'LK.\riN(r, 
 
 J^nyinecr-in-Chi'cf, 
 
 CANADIAN I'.VCIFIC RAIIAVAY. 
 
 Ui'Kuv, or •nil'. HviiisKK'f i.vCirKr, 
 
 ( )rTAw.\, I lib Juno, 1H71), 
 
 Memohandum oi.- Instiu'' tions fi'U Mh M.vUi I s .Smu'ii. 
 
 Tho Hon. the .MiiiiMer has authorized Hie undersigned toinMniet Mr, .Smith to 
 proc.>Oil to the prairie region and eonducl .erlain explorations and surveys, 
 
 Thes.. exploration,^ and .^aiveys are eunanol m iho dcu .cl botAVOon the Led 
 River and the hoiith bramdi of llm Hirer Sa.-kauhewan. „„;i,,,,,v' 
 
 Tlie object oftho examination is to find the luosi eligible one lor Iho . iilui > 
 
 havinr in view its passing i veniontly near the gio/ilest extent, ot lam '-";<;^l"^ ; 
 
 "olllemont. hetwcoil Selkirk and Uio cio.MUg of the Saskatchewan, about ,alili,der,2 
 20', 
 
260 
 
 Mr. Win. Murdoch hna liooii furnished with instriictions hearing (into 2.'{rd Mil}- 
 
 last, !i copy cf whici) is uttachod. Thcso instniotioriH cover the survoy r^p'.MUt 
 
 ions 
 
 bctw 
 
 >.'(M1 
 
 od Kivi)!' and the wosltMii bouDdary oi" Manitoba. It was ititciidod to direct 
 
 Mr. .Mnrdoidi, on the ooin|iletion of all tlio worlv .looessary within tlie Province df 
 
 lManil(d 
 
 ja, to ( 
 
 xiond th 
 
 iirvcv.'^ wc 
 
 slorlv lowaid.s the .S;i 
 
 atcho'A'aii. 
 
 It is, however, advisal>le to io^e no time in ijaiidng tlio information de.-^irod. 
 Acconiin,!j;iy, Mr. Smith is instructed to proceed at once to the district referred to. 
 ITowill juTsonally exjiiore the conn try west of the I'rovinto of Manitoba, to deter- 
 stiiinienial survey shoid I lie made. He will he s'lppliod wiih assis- 
 
 mi no wlieri- an in 
 
 tants in order that the exploration may be followed n\) by an instrumental .•^^Irvev, 
 
 Mr. Smith has already made .some expiorntions in lids di;-tricl; he will the im^rc 
 easily delermino the best points for crossing tlio several riven-J. Po.-<sibiy, he could at 
 
 once stai 
 
 I tin 
 
 ■survey ]i 
 
 S'l 
 
 V at th<' Little Saskatchewan, oa-^t of For! !•] 
 
 Uri' 
 
 thence 
 
 to work westerly in a direction which the exploration to he made will establish. 
 
 In the event of ihis insi nmiental survey being eonimeiiee.! at the liitlle Sakatehe- 
 waii, Mr. Smith will send iid'orm:iti"n to Mr. .N[urdoeli of tlio fact, with instructions 
 to extend his survey.- to that point, and there tbrm a connection with the levels and 
 moa."-urements. 
 
 The crossing of the souili Itrancli of the main .Saskatchewan b}' the locatoJ lino 
 may be taken a.s thoovtrome westerly objeetivo jtoint. .Mr. .Smith will use his best 
 olforts to liiid the l>ost line that can be had. fl'llowing the general direction of the 
 Touchwood Jlidf, and p:i>sing the elevated ground to be met, either lu the north or 
 eoulh. 
 
 Although the crossing of the South .Saskatchewan may be taken as the westerly 
 objective point. Mi. .Smith, while in that (piarter, will sutficiently oxanune the coun- 
 try t<> aseertain if any advan':igo \vnu!l be gaiiu'il by making the connection with 
 the juesent loealed line near the elbow of the North Sask.atidiowan. 
 
 The undersigned is awaro that there are several ver\ wide anil deep valleys in 
 the country to be lravei>ed west of the liidiiig Mountains, but lie t'eels assured that 
 Mr. Smith will be able to find satisfactory crossings, if such exist; and, at all events, 
 ho will be able to turnisli a plan and protile, from actual surveyof the best line whie!> 
 can be had, bciween the crossiiiL,' of the .soiuli branch and of tiio main .S.iskatchewan 
 and the ^n^posed ]ioint nn the Little Saskatehew.m referred to. 
 
 Lest 111) line, in every I'cspict 'satisfactory, be found south and W(>st of tlie Riding 
 Mountains, it is important to ha\e a -.urvey ina<li' to the i-iwt. Mr. Smith will accord- 
 ini.'!}' instruct Mr. Nlurdoch, alter coiniileiing 'lIiC service ii])on wliiidi he is now 
 engaged, and closing his work on the Little .Saskatidiowan, to survoj- a li e around 
 the Hoiitii-wcslerly end of Lake .Manitoba, |)assing Dauphin Lake to the east, or l" 
 thi-^west, as may seem best, and connecting with the located line at the most eonvcn 
 ienli)oint between the narrow- of l^akc M.iniloba and Norihcote. 
 
 These several survey- com))lete<l, and plan- and profiles prepared, wo shall have 
 definite" infoinialion, wlinh will .idmit of a cmparisoii of three mam routes between 
 Selkirk and a coninxMi point nn or near the -oii'h lean di of the main .Saskalehewari. 
 
 Mr. Smith will find in .Mr. .Mui-dMi hV instrcctions and the accompiuiying letters 
 
 nil I arlieiilais with reg.-ml to the system i.f proeuring supplies, making payments 
 
 and kei'|iing aceouni>. He will observe that the Purveyors Branch i-;iboli-hed, and 
 
 that"ilie_engineer condiieiing the survey is bim<elf now held rejioiisible for tin: 
 
 experidiiure. Mr. Smith will be required to accommodate himself to the (diaiige. 
 
 The Ili.in. the Minislor has selected the following as-islaiils to accompany Mr. 
 Smith. 
 
 VV. I). IUhci.av, 
 K. MrNiijoi,, 
 L, !>KSBKISAY, 
 
 .M. H.Mtriis. 
 Mr, yniilh will forward |)r<'gi-ess ret>orls as treiiiienilv a- po-sible. 
 
 SANJKUiU) FLKMlNti. 
 
 JinyiHctr-in'Chief. 
 
251 
 
 •Into 2;5r(l May 
 'i\v <^periitii)n.s 
 iMnloil to direct 
 liu Pruvineo of 
 
 aation (Jo.>iro(l. 
 iet ri'forroiJ to. 
 itoba, t(i (loter- 
 lioil Willi assls- 
 'tital .^iirv'oy. 
 ' will tho iiK.rc 
 ily, lio couKj al 
 1 l^iiicc, thciK'i' 
 ostaldish. 
 iitlli' Sakatclio- 
 th instructions 
 till' IovoIh and 
 
 ho locate i lino 
 ill use his best 
 ii'octioii ()(' the 
 io the nortli or 
 
 IS the westerly 
 nine the eonn- 
 inncction with 
 
 ojt valleys in 
 
 - assured tiiat 
 
 at nil events, 
 
 jst lino which 
 
 i.ihkatehowan 
 
 >f Iho Ridini; 
 
 1 will accord 
 he is now 
 i o around 
 eaiil, or In 
 
 ni.ist convcn 
 
 'i; shall have 
 iitcs lietween 
 iskatcKewan. 
 nyiiiii; lotiers 
 paymenis 
 nolisheil, ami 
 ihle for the 
 
 clianffo. 
 
 nipany Mr, 
 
 RePOUT ok StUVKTS AND KxiT.i "RATrONS DETWKEN ReO RfVER AND THE .SoUTII 
 
 Saskatchewvn. ky Mk. Maiicus Smith. 
 
 SASI>!'"o»ii Fl.EMINO, Ksq., 
 
 iMijrinecrin-Chict'. 
 
 I'Av.vbAiAN I'ai urn Railway, 
 
 Uttawa, I'lbruary Joth, ISdO. 
 
 SiH,— In :> nienvirandiun dii^od .Iniu- Uth. IRV', icMrc-.-ed t'. inu, you slated thai 
 tho lloiiorabio tho .Ministei- had authorized ycu to instri el me to procood to the 
 prairie region and conduct coilaiu oxploralion- and surveys. 
 
 Thos." oxj torn' ions and surveys vero (•ontiiiod to tlio <listri"l between liio Red 
 lliver and tlio south l^ramdi ol'the River Saskat( hewan. 
 
 Tno object of the <;xaiiiinalion was to lind tho niosi eli^^'ible liuo fui' tho railway, 
 having in view its ))assiii<^ conveniently near thogie:itost extent of laud suitable for 
 settlement between Selkirk and the i rossini^ ofthe Sa-^kalcliewan. 
 
 Mr. Win. Murdoch had already reached Winnipoi: in charsi;eof_a parly lo make 
 the locioion survey oi' U\o line belweei. Red River and tho western boundary of the 
 Province of Maiiitofa, a distance of about 1(10 mill's, 
 
 Anotiier party was formed in Ottawa to continue the surveys westward from 
 that )H>int, and they left on tho HHh Juno in ch;n;^-o ot Mr. \V. I). Rarclay. I 
 reacdied AVimiipeg on lie' Jtlih, and spent several days wi'b .Mr. Muidoch examining 
 tho country in the neitrliborhood and makiui; a;ran!,'emei!ls for the eiuployment of 
 bis stafi' auiiiit;' the sea.son. 
 
 Meanlimc Mi'. Barclay '.vas eneM^o.! purchasi'i/i- .vuiiiuic.-, hor.ses, carls, to., and 
 hirinijthe necessary teamsters and I'xemei!, wiiieji be co-uidoiel on the Hlh July. 
 For sover.il weeks |)i'eceding this date the 'aintidl had iicoii exeossivo, and the roads 
 in many plac.!-. on the low hinds of tlie I'roviuce of Maiiiioba were almost impassable. 
 
 Talciiii^' :id\anta^;e of the biirh w.Her i;! the Assinihoino, steaniiiouts were navi- 
 gating thai River, fV'v the fh'st i ime, a- ii e|i up as Fort Rllico. to which liio distance by 
 I'oad t'roiu Winnipeg is about ;ilU miles, nu: by ihe Assinibome il is estim.'Ued to be 
 fully 70:1 i.,i|,.s. 
 
 ,\fter due consider.'ition I came to Ihe coin'lusion tliat a^ ii wou'.i etVeci aeon- 
 widorablo siving m li:ne, it would l>e l'U(! economy to scii'l the p;iriy wdh all their 
 plant, supplies and bag^a^e o,i !o ]■'.,: i llUii eby ,-loaml)oat. Tlii;^ woulii also give u.-f an 
 opjioi'lunity ofseeing the e^'miry in ilu vicinity iM' the .Vssin boiiie. 
 
 In the summer of IX'H an oxaminaliim hal Ipc.mi made nf ihe va'ieys of i!ie 
 Little S.askal.diewaii, iiii'd-taih .'lock, Shell River and the .As^nili line, wiilii'i eer- 
 tain limits, the result ot' svl.i.l: is (leseJhed mi fuii in the Annual Report of .he 
 Minister ol Public W^'rks for ibal year, where i* will be -ecu tl.;ii a feasililo erossing 
 or the valley- of the Liltlo .Saskatciiewan was toiind, Imt those of Hird tail Creek 
 and the A-smii)oi;e' (at the mouth ol' .Shell liiver; woiild in\o|ve works of such 
 magiiiliib.' ill bri luring, that I''' im ,i'I 'he intor'niui'in oiaiiiii"! u'l lo that lime, il did 
 notrajcie.ar advisalih.' that any alteration should be m:ide in ihc biic lu loi'atcd in thai 
 distrii'l, 
 
 [! w;is V iw iv.Mi.o-ed ;o examine the eo'.i'itiy In' ,i line tii.-lluT to the south, si as 
 to strike the valley of the Assinilioine below ih • mouili ol Bird tail (Jreek. and 
 then eros- tha', slieam ncir iis I'ontbience wiih ibe .V-:-^ieibo!m', iu the valley wliei-i' 
 the b.'inivs are low, and avoid Shell Riwi ait geihei 
 
 We loi'l Wiiii'i])(!g, .Iiily Slh, on Ihe suamei " .Mai'iue'ie." Cininn W.iber and 
 travelle i dav and night tiliWe reached tiie trran! Rajiids, If) to Li» miles abovi^ the 
 
 1 oulv iKis-- in davlight. Oil noar'ng the 
 
 v.eit over night so 
 
 IS 
 
 in-Chief, 
 
 mouth ol'the Ri\i'i' Souris, whi di we > oul 
 
 mouth of Bird I aii ('reelc, ( 'apt'iin We'^er kindiv 'i>"l up the 
 
 to give n-i .'Ui oppiulunity of examininir the dop's ot the vallev beiweon that and 
 
 l'"oi'l V.^iirr m oayiiglit, which we did i. (un the upper de -k ol' Ine sieamer, and pro- 
 
 jeele*] the course'lor the iiiu! al the oniy fea ibje jioiiu f u descending from the level 
 
 uf tho plateau lo ihe bottom of the valley, with lav-ourable gradients. 
 
252 
 
 littU', 
 vaiy- 
 ljai;k 
 
 Tl.o A.-siiiilMniio tVom WimiiitOfi to Pdi'ta^'o iii Pmiri.* rosomblos tlic Red Kivor 
 vatyiiii; Imm ir> to M) loot \)o\<\v iliu lovol of tlio praiiic the slopes to tlu' river beini' 
 generally ; loiliod with oaU, i.liu, jiopjjir, etc. 
 
 From I'i'rtaL'i' la Prairio westwani tlio <;r:iilionf <4' tlic river varies very 
 liiit tlio cotiiitry j'i.-es, arid lliiis a valley ot very con^iderahle depth is formeii. 
 ii)j^ from two to tluoc miles ill width, tlie river nicaiideriiit; from bank to 
 iiiereaM> its leiiL:-!h in |ilai'es lo three or (our limes tiiat of the valley. 
 
 Near the wi-.-.terii hoiiiiitary litio of the Province ut Manitoba, the river env^sos 
 the slo|>o or steppe hy vhich the lonntry lises from the low level of .Manitoba lo flic 
 next ]ilau'aii. \vlii<li is several liundreil feet biif'/ieiv 
 
 Th'' lianks of the valley are very hiirh in this ne'LchlyuirhofKi, risitii-; from 2it0 to 
 over ;Jl)() foot ab<ive the level ol the river. The soili^ sainly, and whore the river 
 strikes the foot ot the slo|)e.>, lieavy land >!ips have ueeiirred. The valley is two lo 
 three miles wiih-, >wampy, with cliiiaps o!' willows an I is jirenerally unlit tin- culliv,,- 
 tion. The sl-pe-; are eoverei with oalc, elm, ]iopIar and si.me s|)ruee. 
 
 From the m<ai;h of the Houris liiv<'i 'ipwarjs the Adsiuiuoino hu.s risen ricarlv 
 to the level oi the iiluteau ; itn bank.* art; low, and fine stretcher of prairio are seen ori 
 eaeh -ide. At ti e (fraiiil Rapid--, a!>out 12 miles in a direol. line above the mouth ••[ 
 the Soiiris, the 'i: ;iks are abtiiu r -mJO tee^ iiiih and the \alley lias almost disappeareii, 
 only a irontle use irotn the river lo the pi.miL' level in \ i->ibU tothe eye. Abov-o th'; 
 rapids the ^'reat trail lo th'- huntinij ,£j;rouiii.H of the ho ilh-ivest crosses t)ie .Vssini- 
 boino. Thir soil of the prairie here appears ^ood, but p-obab.y il in rather light, as 
 the barks of llie river contain a (•otisider;.blo (|iianlify of i^ravel. 
 
 We reach(."d l*"ort Klli( e (»n the l.Olh July, and commenced the survey the n<;.xi 
 day a I the junction of tlie (^ii'A|ipelle and Assiniboine Valleys, alioui ioiir miles above 
 Fort Ellice. I remained wiih the parly till the I'.Hh, at which time they had ■■A\m- 
 j)loted aboiit 15 inilo of surve\' down tbr valley of the A-'sinilioi'ie and obtainni 
 sntlicient informati"?; to pi'iijet t ;i I'easiJ.I.' line eastward to Ihe b'l indary bne of 
 Mani'iba, where they expected to meei .Ni.r. .Murdoch's ])ariy and y'ln tlie slu•vey^ 
 about half a mile nortii oi' the fourth ba>e liic 
 
 The soil east ot' the Assiniboine on the main trail from P-ird-'ail Cret'k to 
 
 1.M1 
 
 nice and extendiiii.' -^oiitlivvani '" the Assinib.>ine, is i,'ood, 1 u' laru'^i Iv mixed 
 
 to reniuN 
 
 Fori 
 wi:l, 
 e or 
 
 drift boiikiiis which will cause a i^i cat lie.il ot lain)!!!' and some year.- 
 linn sutlicieiitly lo allow the land lo be woi k<'d Ireely 
 
 Before in'ocee'iiiiL^' with the di.scripti ill oi' the country wo-t ^.ud north of Poi! 
 J-Uice. I mus! invite your atleii; on to the excellent map of pari <•{' the Nortli-W'e^t 
 Territni'ies jirejiair I by the Sui Vi'yor-fii-n 'rat, and |iulilishi-d by t he Iii^ht lb)noi-iili|.' 
 the .Minister of the Interior, a ropy ot \shic'h 1 send you heievviib, whifh will 
 enal.ile }ou to follow the description. 
 
 I now formed a sniidl party lor a ^'eii.'ial exaiiiinai ;on of tin country weslwant 
 and we cominei. ced at the A^simboino, t'Liwiii-r the Wesl sid^^ of tin- valley ii]) to the 
 lii'd I)ei'r Horn (.'ix'tdi. wiiii thi' \ iew ol'r iriyiiiir lie' lin'' np 'bat val' y to ihe level 
 oi' the jilateaii, hi. I f' uihi ii Mipi actn al ir. 1 then examined llie valley of tluj 
 l^ifApjielle up to tlir j>ii;- . 'ii: .\"ii\ IJiver, and liir latter up to t'ne r io--iinn' ot' tin. 
 main can trail to C'arh ion an I llaltlefoii. The only lea>ib..' iim- 1 found wo;ild 
 commence near Ihe contbieiue oi ihe \{\\i i •- '^Mi .Vjipelle and .Vs-inib'^iie and asi-ei 
 
 giiidiially the noidhern 
 
 if t!,e <^i'A] prlle 
 
 alie\' for six miles, vith ti irrudieii 
 
 r lie) p 'airie at a \vn\ ' 
 but I Ih^ material ol 
 
 of 50 feel per mile, ivln're liie line would ri'in'li tic levt 
 30(1 feet above lliat of the \aUey. 
 
 I'hcro would be .-,ome rather heavy ex'avaliin on tbi> liiit;ili 
 the slojK's is tine sand, whi' h (old 1 be mcr\id rbi'a|ily. 
 
 The .-Oil we-l of Assiinbojiie and north ot the l^ii'Appelle is very poor and sandy , 
 west of the Ihg I 'ill Ann Uiver il inipiove* a lillle, but is still light, and the ground 
 is indentc<l with numerous small ponds. This i.s Iho genei-al character )fibe country 
 between the (,» rAji|.elle and the inaiii carltiail lo Carleloii, iiniil i.'.MJiing tin' 
 Pheasant and File uills, tlie rise of wbi'h is seanidy perceptible t,o the eye, builhev 
 ui>- partly covered with groves of ;i..j)Oii, and tiio soil is ib'ejior than ou the 0]»en 
 jiruiriy. Thi« in gont^i-ally the catio wherever ihano woodtt occur. 
 
253 
 
 lo8 tl\e Rod Rivor, 
 s to Uio river ht'itii^ 
 
 v.'irios vi'.iy W'.iW. 
 It is foriiu'ii, vaiy- 
 )in biiiik !<) baiili 
 ley. 
 
 I, Iho rivi'i- (.TiKxso!* 
 of Mauilobu lu the 
 
 rising from 200 to 
 i whtMV iho liver 
 viilloy is two 10 
 y unlit for cullivu- 
 iico. 
 
 hiw risen neiiriy 
 ])r:iirio :ire seen on 
 bovo the numth ^l 
 iiimnsi disappeared, 
 he lye. Al)0\-o tip- 
 ci'ossoH llio .vssini- 
 i.-5 rather ligbt, its 
 
 ' survey tho next 
 out !<Mir miles iibovo 
 mo tiiey bad ■;oin- 
 iljoi'ie niid ul>t:iiiu'd 
 ho iiulary line of 
 1 1 |ii!i tlic survey- 
 
 lil Cret'k to Foi-i 
 :,r( ly mixed with 
 :uv lo reiuvivo or 
 
 111 iiorlli of Foil 
 Iho North-\Ve->l 
 ii!-iit lloiioi-abl.^ 
 'Willi, wtiieb will 
 
 oiuitry wostwari'. 
 ir valley II]) lo till' 
 al' '}• to' ibe le\i i 
 :.• ValUy of ll'>j 
 
 C lO^silliP (if tllL 
 
 1 found W'lulil 
 
 li' ,ni' and ascend 
 
 \ ilh a :,'rudieMt 
 
 |i 'airie at a pnii > 
 
 Imu tlie material ol 
 
 \' jioor and Bandy 
 i', and the ground 
 •ler >f the eountry 
 1,1., i.'.iilnii^ iIk' 
 I the eye, Jiui ibev 
 ban on ibo o^ien 
 
 There is a broad l.vlt of fine country, dotted with i'r(>v( 
 
 g 
 
 ivm:' thi' 
 
 untry a pai 
 
 aiicj clumps of poplar 
 
 lUe apiiearatice, >lre"cloiin; trom the (^ii'Aj)|i(!l( Lakes 
 
 northwanl hy the eastern slope of the Touchwood Uills and tin' Fi>liin:r i^tdfe to ih 
 
 head vat 
 
 .f the Red Deer R 
 
 iver. 
 
 TI 
 
 s'lil is trcner.'illv a lijrht jniuTi. 
 
 The valley of lb,; t^uAiip(dle at the lower eml i> sundy, |,iii |,(;foro reaihintj tho 
 Iji;^ Cut AiHi the soil imprnvos, and wi; saw tine < r">i- (jt' '<^v:i» which w.>u!d make 
 good hay. The valley is a iiiile to a mile and ahallwidc, and the rivci' about 80 f'l-.-,. 
 
 Near tln^ Riuiiat, Catholic Mission, on the t^ii'Appelle Jj.akes. thei'e is a con>idi'r- 
 able miinli,!r of lialfd)rci,ls an.i jndii.ii--, .-qutificd up and down the vallev- In the 
 ,-prini,' t' ey cultivate Mnall |ialchos of land, whi' h. in the antuinn. >uii).!ie>tliem with 
 vei^etabio and corn lor the winter, and In the .-unnnc • ibey tunit biitlalo on the "-real 
 plains. 
 
 A ti:>"d example i --et ihem by Fjitberslfei'main ; nd ifii^omond, who theni-ilve.-> 
 
 i.inds of ve^' iaiilc- ;nid some li'uits, siidi a- 
 
 very larj.'*' 
 
 garden, i-aismg 
 
 y aiM> laise eoii-ider;u>le iiuanliues of graitj, and had barley 
 Jul,, when i vi-iled ibem. Tins} complained of a scarcity of 
 
 six mile- from the Mi.^sion 
 
 cultivait 
 
 red eurr;.i!is, etc. Th 
 
 cut and stored or. 27th Jul;,, when 
 
 bay grass, and were in-iwing eoarso swamp gi;iss five 
 
 The goo,l Fathers loaded my buck-beard with vegot;ibles, which wo subsequently 
 
 iound veiy acce|)tal)le. 
 
 On llie L'^^lb ,liily we I'csumed our survey, lalcih,;' a no'ili west course from l-'ort 
 (iu'A])])elle, as shown on ! !ic m.'ip. passing nearly midway betwe(Mi the Touchwood 
 Jfills and iho River (^u'Appello and its tributary, Ijon;:' Lake. 
 
 We crossed .-"me trac- of good land, but gen> ally the .Miil i.> not d 
 
 on asir.alnm ot gravel at ' 
 
 and, ami it soon bcain'. 
 
 eep, resting 
 llicult to lind waier for the 
 
 horses and for cuiinaiy j 
 
 luri oses. 
 
 About 40 miless from J-o.-t Qu'Appelle we ci'»^sod a lumpy eountry indented with 
 
 num 
 saw 
 brol 
 
 seen 
 
 eroii- small pomls, ai'ound which are clumii of 
 
 tb 
 
 Hi 
 
 shotlly afterwards we 
 
 ten to twelve miles to the soul iiwcst. The conntrv became Iosh 
 
 ken, bill siill rolli ig, and at 50 n\iles \vi- onleicJ on a bare prairie, not a busb to b 
 
 as tar iis the c\- 
 
 could ii.Tcb. \V 
 
 (^ were nc:.i I v aL'ieast ( 
 
 >f ll 
 
 le W(--t eiu 
 
 )f tb 
 
 Touchwood Hills, iiinl enfei'ingon ibat dr<ai\' alkaline plain which is .almost adojert, 
 the soil cidy yielding a scant |)asturage. This die:iry plain extetnU fmni the Toucb- 
 
 w 
 
 ood Hill ■ weslwai': nearls" lo the South Saskalclie\van, soulnwai'd to Li 
 
 )ni 
 
 and tl 
 
 le ran,<.':e ' 
 
 i' hills whifb .-tretcb trom the h 
 
 of it r.(; {h.r South .Saskatcli 
 
 Lak 
 ewati. 
 
 lortbwaid Ik-yond the telegiapb line, and e.'i-tward aioiimi the Quill Lak 
 
 Tl 
 
 le laiiiie o| 
 
 lull 
 
 okon ui> into deiaidici 
 
 ))laiii 
 num 
 
 •1 
 tbev are 
 
 )c; weeii llu 
 ii'rouj)-:, ri-i 
 
 lii'ai 
 
 I of Lonj' 1. 
 
 aiio llu; iSaskalcliowan i- 
 
 ig abruj;ily 200 to .*,0'> led above t!ie level oft 
 
 Ml 
 
 tii'clv bare, not the smalle-t bush to b 
 
 seen. 
 
 but tl 
 
 le 
 
 lere .ire 
 
 orous ponds and lakelets, some of iheu\ coniaiiniig good water, otliors are \erv 
 
 all or alKaiitie. 
 
 Aloi. 
 
 gibe iiorlbe."!, cdgcot'tbis !aii_;e iluieis a narrow stiij' ot 
 
 line band, well w atere,|, atjd we saw -i'\i.'i'al herds of dcci' upon it. 
 
 We struck the South Saskatcbeivan near the iiorlb erd of the Moo-^e Wi 
 
 W 
 
 ;id 
 bich w 
 
 H'.'n some (lays w 
 
 ilbou'i 
 
 \v,ii)d ivir cooking, an, I verv .-liort ol waler 
 
 that 
 
 e did ohtam tnun nearly dried uji j 
 
 "ur 
 
 aiio wei 
 
 to u-c was abomin 
 
 b. 
 
 al.iie, and ,-ome of the partv. as well a-» (be horses Hifieicd t'l^m ii. F.vei; the W 
 verino C'reek, wiiicii ii.-e>away to ibe mutti of i be icleerapii one. wiioi'; 
 
 is sweet, biN'om.' i bet' 
 alkali, 
 
 re It re.'ieh js liOiig 
 
 lake to .-o;i; 
 
 e\ie;i; impr 
 
 01- 
 
 ne water 
 
 .'!.>-iiat<'d wiU 
 
 thoueh it is still fresh enough lo lie lit tiir ii'^ 
 
 We did not cross the riser at ibis ]inint, Imt substvjuoiUly learned that the 
 country to the west of the ri\ei- i- o! .be same di iiaeler, ibe son being fght and poor 
 lip to the l'];iglo Hills, along tho loot of w lii'li Uierc is ;i naii'ow strip i)f good land, 
 M'hich in the course ot time has been wasliid down fv the rains fioiii the slopes of 
 tbes(^ bill.'t. 
 
 We toilowed tho ri-'bt bat 
 
 ik o 
 
 tb 
 
 'ue 
 
 III 
 
 itiiward to ihe Carli'lon cart trail 
 
 Tl 
 
 10 soil IS poor. 
 
 and I'm' sumo thiv^o or four miles btick from ihe river it is thickly 
 
 strewed with boulders, iorming mounds and 
 
 o\V 1 
 
 idges closely packed, 'J ho 
 
 river here is Iioni 10 lo .^0 loot below the level oi' ibe coiinlry ; there Is not much 
 
254 
 
 vallev, hm ocvasional low tlals cnrircled by lu'iid^ ot' iho river, witii hifrh bliirtV 
 
 th 
 
 Jiotweou thott'i-ry aiul Foi I I'arloioii ^ovonil I'uinilio.s huvo M'Uli'i sii,fo 1 im^^s..! 
 
 across Ml 
 
 1877, ai.d iiuifo a villatro at DiK.-k Lake clustoivi ai'oiwui ilio Irad 
 
 tjihlishnii'iit (d' Me-'-is. Sl<diari, i'idoii \ i'' 
 
 Tl 
 
 III' 
 
 ii> lirin lias umloi «.iiUi\atioi 
 
 e.N- 
 
 sidei-alilr (|uantity of land, irnl we -^aw a diii' (udd of wlical bo^dnni 
 we jiasr-ed it on the Mli of Aiiijiisi 
 
 I a Cot! 
 
 Mg to ripen wliois 
 
 U'e reached Fort Carletori the siiue day and rcmaiiiOil th(!re until the lltli u 
 
 rest tlio horse.M and iejdeni>li 'nr stores, dnniiL: which lime I eiijovi'd the hospit 
 of J,. (Jlarke. Ks([., Cliiei Faetur of the Hiidsoii's liay Conijiaiiy at "th s sirtiori 
 
 iihtv 
 
 Mr. ("iarko has been loii'' sfationcvi .M vari( 
 
 111 
 
 s posts in the nort lorii region, arid 
 
 >r:uich(- 
 onx this for 41) 
 
 Ironi him I obtained much vahiaiilc intoniiation rospocling the coiintrv 
 
 At l-'ort (,'arletoii the peninsiil i or lunu:uo of ianii lying betvveen the twt» I 
 of the Saskalehewan is about IS i-dles wide, and varie- but little fi 
 miles down tt) the heart of the Fritice Albert settlement, opposite JStiirgeoii R,ver 
 which lalls into iho Xortb Sarikauhuwan. 
 
 Near Fort Carletori the hoil is rather light ; thence, on tiie trail to Princo ,\lbert 
 lor the first !•< miles wo pa«soil over a plea.sant, slightly rolling coiuury ot i.rairio 
 interspor-ed with groves ■ ! )ioplar ; soil variable, but gonoraliy of a light loam. Wo 
 then crossed a ^Hnd belt four miles wile, covered with jack-pine and a few Prince's 
 pine. It is said the grassbojipers have uover crosBod this licit. 
 
 viT' Immediately beyond lids the soil im])rove-t, and .^eaitered homesteads appear. At 
 about 3() mih^s the tl ail (■r<i>ses lied Deer Creek; the soil beyond this in 
 riclinoss. and the homesteads are more numerous. The main settlement i 
 
 111 creases ui 
 
 s on a low 
 
 jiposite .Sturgeon Kiver, whore tlieiv are two churcdies — Fpiscopalian and Prch- 
 
 tlat 
 
 byterian, and the Rishoj) of Saskatchewan has his residence there. The Hudson's I 
 
 Company have a trading jiost. and there are other stores, blacksmiths' and ciri 
 
 ter 
 mana; 
 
 .|.: 
 
 F.a 
 
 ^ed b}' Captain Moore 
 
 Hilt the life of the sottlemenl is the saw and grist-mill 
 
 ''J 
 owned arid 
 
 rm h( 
 
 )mcstead> r* interval.s extend down the banks of the nortli liramh ol 
 
 the liver to the forks, an 1 tlieit^ is a settlement on the south branch ni 
 
 mhali-breeds. Th. 
 
 ■illem 
 
 are 1 
 
 npidl 
 
 priiieiiially 
 
 pKlly inerea.--ing; on our way out we pa.ssoii 
 
 mtire than lOD )>eople in one band going to settle thert 
 
 The soil is a rich light loam which produces crops of wheat averagiuL' ."JO bushob 
 to tlio acre. There are occasion.al lou level flats on the maivin of the river ; iartlier 
 inward the land rise> fully 2()i) feet ulxjve the level of the river, it is rather lumpv 
 i rough, broken with, numerous pond> and lakelets fringed with a-pen and willuw 
 
 am 
 
 Tl 
 
 lese 
 
 hitrl 
 
 1 Itinds cost more 
 
 labor to get them undei- cultivation, hut I w;.- 
 informed they jiroduoo bolter crops than the low flats. On the uncidlivafed lauds 
 the natural crops oi gra>s. wild pea^ and veti hos were .so heavy that when we lol! 
 the trail we found irieat dilUeiillv in foreing our w.ay ihrough. 
 
 About IS miles above tlie foi ks the jieniiisuia is eros^ed by another sand belt about 
 tour miles wide, covered with jack-pine. On the ]ioiritof (he peiiiusiila there are tvvu 
 homesteads on which there were good erops ot wheat nearly rijie, and good kitelieti 
 
 K" 
 
 rdens. Mr. Heads who has resided there for some V(>ars, infoiined me that the 
 
 the south branch :,'eneially leaves about the 1.' 
 
 Ap 
 
 aO' 
 
 the noiili bruici 
 
 ice 'i;i 
 
 I a 
 
 week later, lie ile.seiibed the iimitry north from the forks of the river as level an 1 
 i.xe! jiiairio ami wood,-? lor some lli to 15 miles back to the groat 
 
 fertile, being m 
 Ibrest of s|iiuce, |iiiie 
 
 and tamarac which bears awav to the north wot. 
 
 From the fbrk.-> down to Fort 
 
 Corne, we tbni'd h 
 
 le soil rather saiulv in sonu: 
 
 jilaics near th<' river, but farthei- ba(d< it i-^ fully equal, if not superior, to tiiat at 
 Prince Albert. <Jii the Paonan Creek ihe.-e are several fai n homesteads fdion up. 
 
 Mr. (ioodtellow, the llud.sou's Hay ( oiiijiuny's agent at Fort a la Cor' •. stated 
 that the land is good, and paidy woodi d on both ddcs of the ri\ei >\\".i tu 
 JS'epovvewiii Point, about ;}5 miles where ll,e -.olid forest begi is. 
 
 August Itith. AVe travelbid soutliwa.d trom Fort a la Coiiie to Jioui 
 .Rivor, and up the banks of the latter tv it8 outlet from VVaterhea Lake 
 
w 
 
 •^:>5 
 
 with high blurtV "i 
 
 itle i .siiioe 1 pat^scl 
 iiifi tho tradii)!; o- 
 i.M t-iilUMitioii ;i i'"ri 
 iiiiii>j to ripoh svhci 
 
 ore until tho 1 Uh tn 
 oyod tho hospitality 
 t til s Hirtion. 
 lort lorn region, aiKi 
 )iiiiiiy. 
 
 I'on tho two l)r!UU'h(- 
 tlo (Voni itiii for 40 
 silo ytiirgooM [iiWr 
 
 rail to Princo AIImt' 
 g t-ouiUry of praiiii' 
 of a light loam. Wi 
 and a few Trini'i' - 
 
 iraosteaii^j appear. A' 
 ond this iiiuroas"!- 1 
 ottiement i." on a l(.w 
 piHt'opaliua and Pro 
 ». Tl»o IliuUon's Huy 
 ksmiths' and carpeii 
 grist-mill ownod anil 
 
 tho north hranuh 1.; 
 h hranrh principaliy 
 .r way out wo pa«soii 
 
 avoragiMLT .'ii> huslu'N 
 
 (tt tho iivor 
 
 iarih 
 
 It is rather lunip 
 
 a-|)on an 
 
 d wi 
 
 ioW- 
 
 luilivation, hut I «;.•• 
 unrnllivatod lamis 
 \y that when wc loK 
 
 l)tlior sai 
 
 d hell 
 
 alioiit 
 
 liiisiila the- re ai'o tsM; 
 |c, and good Uiti'lion 
 
 d mo that tho ico "H 
 Jlho north hruneli .1 
 |u' livor a,- lovol a-i 1 
 
 s back to tho great 
 
 h wo.-t. 
 Ithor .sandy in .-^omo 
 
 superior, to that at 
 
 juiosteads fuion up. 
 
 il a la Coi" 
 |l!io i-i\oi 
 
 stat.e<l 
 
 iW!l tt' 
 
 (Joino to J\iii)i 
 Watcrheu Lake. 
 
 iloio wo t'Mind -I'vc-al lii-id- m1 wheal vi :!i \-o-\- m-ivy iTop- i;early ripe, am! '.wo 
 farm li iiiio-ieaii-*. I i'\anii'i'd tio w.-ll m oik- ■ f ihcni aim loiind a depth of (J icct 
 I)! hiat k iiKiiM't oil liii- ! ip. with In loot ol still elay l'<aiii to ilio holtoin ot iln^ wi.dl. 
 Mr. l{ot)iii-i. ■;, tin; iiroj) iol 'I-. iii';inod tue iliai tlii> siimtnei- thor; were tijiirteoii 
 lanu.« -oleoted, aii.l 1 niunlio.-..! ^o.ttlo^■^ wero oo.Miin:.;- in no.xi spring. 
 
 ],o'''.\".^ iiithuiii'.i iVom ihis p<Mni, tho ii;ir;c ouiliiu- n the popl.ir wo.'ls tiiat 
 ofown 'h- riilirt o; ihr ill .piia I'ango wa> -I't-n -onie iS mile- (ii-tant, but tlio rise 
 lit the ^lop^• w\- ^ea oviy |)oi'(:o)>tibb- lo tin- eye. Thore, i> an Indian oail. trail from 
 ilio laiio iMiinin c '':'-i to Stony <^eeiv, aboiil :^.> to lln niii.-; where Mio greal foi'ost 
 of "piuoo ao'i t-'Mi.irai eoiniiicnoe-. and e.Kto •!> ''iir aw.iy to ihe north ca.-t. 'I'lio 
 sijrueo ti'oes are ('aid to ran from two to threi> feel oiamelor, and maku very line 
 lumber. 
 
 Wo started from iho lake on a eourso -oith ;;u-^ v.iM, lioarin;;' for Little (^iiill 
 L iki'. and roai hod ilio summit of iho van!.;e witiiui! oitHi-iiby. aijoiii I'J miles iVom Iho 
 lak»! il" w'livu the rise is los-- than 20,; bet. Tho swrtai-e ol' lln ground is very 
 unit'orm, the -oil of the liolv'-t ipiality and -overai 1v.'o' in .b!pt;i. it is equal to tho 
 host ]tarts ot Manitubi. olilello prairie, wiiii -^oaiio.^d ohiinp- d' poplar and willow' 
 till near the suminii ol ib" rulgo. whieb is tio.irly ;di oovered widi a fnicsi ofpojda's. 
 On the soutborn ■•lo|)e we mel wiiii ,^0 m'lob t;!iioii timber who. •• llie woni|> had 
 boon burnt that we had to turn bai'k. i.oi liaviiig -ullioiou^ loic- to ut a way 'biough 
 for the carts. 
 
 We went duo west alonj.' tho i^ortborn lope f<[ [hi liascpii 1 range till we >liuok 
 a -real marsh in ihe t.>rm ot an L, tbf loiij;ib ol ibo iriu- being alioiil ten mile.- en-di 
 uial three lo four miles broail. Waieihen Lake is on ih.' north arm and the outlet, 
 Hoot kiver. about ;{0 leoi wide, i- a! ibe angle. We toilowed U]) the --•.roatn 
 which flow> into the. imrib :'iu ; il ri<o M ibe .-niub ■>' liio ran-e and tlovv> througli 
 u depro.-sion Miiith oi Miuiioiiii;a-> IIill. Tne a.MV'M ibr.Miuii the pass i-, very ea>y, 
 hut the -id;'s aiv rallu ■ rui-;!]. oi.verei wiiii biai-^i. and in.;eiito i wnb l.akoh'l.-. 
 
 On roaoiiing 1 lio main ii:;! iV tni t'.rleion v:v foilowo'i it sou tli -eastward lo 
 Humboldt leioii^ipii stnii' :, tb^'O. • u, trav.'iloi bv 'Iv I, iograph line ab;..;; 'Ih 
 los 10 the noini where it i.-.or.. 00 bv Uie ;i:. I n. l-.Ti I'eoy. Wo lobowod lao 
 
 ■.uht an.i lolt, 
 
 i.oi' and five lo 
 
 l-'>iii I'ellv i;oar 
 
 miios 
 
 iauor to the Muill and Fishing Laius, marnig oe 
 
 (■a--ion:U oiversioi;-' n 
 
 thonee wo lof)k a -'Uln-ea-t eoiir>o. pa- 
 
 in Mil' Wliilt 
 
 kJ.OH 
 
 i ii 
 
 eight miU 
 III 
 
 lb ot it till we sini(-i^ I no i,-a; 
 
 (.'a' 
 
 Api 
 
 )OilC Tw 
 
 c lion 
 
 the liiver. 
 (-iiinlrv betw-o 
 
 th pon>ls au'! lakel 
 
 wjtli po 
 s(v wesM"ar. 
 
 .\liiiiloliitias-; 
 ulk:d 
 
 11.' wate. 
 
 llai 
 
 d':o.r 
 
 ■I 
 
 at'iin !•■ luiujiy .aid ..iroKon 
 _'i;era!!v poor and ooiitii.aos 
 
 Between 
 
 to the bond ot ihe N'orlli Si-.k.rvehe\v 01. 
 llumboM: and the t^indl Lak-.-.- 
 
 oHii.irv 1-^ va; 1 
 
 hjw and swampy, \\boie Mioie i> iaii'-li 
 wh';re t'le trail i-i-o.^-^es ibe telograpii '.iio. 
 
 aii'-n wii/uv hni-h 
 
 ■ bio, 
 ■a>iwa. 
 
 -"!ne jii'i; es 
 ■ 1 ill.' ii-iint 
 
 .o'al ind(!.- o' beau'iiiil pa; l<-ii'.vO 
 
 eounlry 
 the Uig 
 
 iho tiail wiiidui:;- m opo; 
 
 I tw< 
 
 (.Mlill I 
 
 i-ik<- wo 
 
 oaiiK; ujMin an o| on .u.-;aiioo |. 
 
 , lO. i-.i ol 
 'abi, o.Ki 
 
 llOll. 
 
 Ik-!' 
 
 1:0 rv-ac-'iing 
 
 en<.;ii;c no.lIr>vai'i ti' iho 
 
 tolograpii hue ; li 
 to some iiin-iui-r.i 
 
 lauiiuo-- ;-a 
 
 ■ I wa^' 1 no ii'iV 
 
 ■ la h o 
 
 ihO-lb 
 
 \]v: (huli 
 
 L 
 
 Taking iho loagi.ilih b le 
 
 fr.mi 11 1111 11 
 
 iin-- bli: 
 
 it ■_il ni.io- o 
 
 v-i!iabiv, ;ii -o 
 
 <\' la. iim'.-^t.iiio ,1,- 
 
 i eMendiio: a 
 
 .-1 iKise, atui 
 kaiehewan, aboui 
 
 lino duo I'.'-i ill 
 
 ihe to. -111. 
 
 inl l ) llo' 1.>i' 
 
 mile.-, an-l irom liio liiu-r p ni' 
 
 Wollh 
 
 1 meludo an area ot 1 Ln '1 vpia 
 
 propoilion of whieb i- 
 imine.liale ,-i lilemo'H. 
 
 taiuing ---o 
 Soutl 
 
 1,10 I- 
 
 St i|:l;i!i; V oi' mi 
 
 1- I ilU.- iioi'ili , 
 
 L- -.t.lj;) I ni).) ;i 
 .ed , irii 10. an 
 
 ol' t!i.- 
 ei rnd 
 
 T 
 
 10 b.uai;iO 1-' I'l.i. 
 
 Iv l'"'e-l of spni.'e at u •.-iiuarao 
 
 I bundle i !nd>'-, il 
 •;-.' .. a \oiy la; go 
 I bu-li, and ill lor 
 but ,<\' 
 
 tue 11 lO I raols o; 
 
 I. 
 
 ■uUiv.ihuii When eioarul 
 
 \ aeio-s In 
 
 ani 
 
 we.--tern liiniis o 
 
 be toiegra) 
 T.-nohw.iod Hill-' '. 
 
 n,h Ib.o. the 111 ' . b.in p.is-in 
 
 hei \V,-eI 
 
 I tho t^ii 
 
 .■luOS 
 
 lb.- b>u'.\i 
 
 le, woif.'.l in-ii 
 
 ,-0! V II.. any 
 
 W 11 
 
 10 
 
 !„, .;>.(.■ 
 
 ■lid.-, in II. I- 
 
 .n . :.ii 
 
 111 
 
 itli.-i iiio:-a 
 
 11:1 c-Kioiviim 
 
 )Ulbwanl-. notn a | 
 
 loini near ion 
 
 l\,llv 0. iho tja'.Appolio, w 
 
 .iiiU 
 
 .1 mark ih 
 
 ( 0: 
 
 lorn 
 
 limit, touohiiiii- the belt uf =aiuly .soi 
 
 i on' the border.- of tho A^.-iidboine, This would 
 
256 
 
 I 
 
 emhraco an iuvix oi' Ifl.non sijiiiiro milis, or fi, 100,000 arros, u %ory li\rt,'ti iiropoi-iion 
 (if wli'uli is^'iMul -<''\ ;iiitl elij^ililo \'<n- >oit Irmi-iil. riii> iiiulluMii |iiirii..ii nf it is |);i, k- 
 likr rolling lii'"'' ^^''" ^^'•'''*''^"'' '""' l'in"'i!»".V wiiiii|<mI witli |"ijiI;m-, tli<_> hdjI is -arnly 
 ]»>am. Tlio soutlKTii part, i- I'liictly |ii:iirio ami tiio soil i.> a \'\ii\ti. loam , on iioaiJii; 
 tilt' (in Api^oiU' i' i> poor ainl -aniiy. 'riio l^iiill I/tUt-. aiv -iti-oMi;l_\ aikaliiii-, luit tlio 
 siroMtiis nuiiiiMi; into tlicm tVuni tlir nmtli art' t'lVsli waliT. Kisliin^' T^akc uii'l liir 
 nuiiu'iiMi» ^ircatii^ la'lwi'fM il aiid tlio A^,1inill|liln; aio also l'i'»v-'li. 
 
 Wo lo'ilowfl llio li-ail from tlu' Ik'ihI of llie WliiU' Saii'l Kivor to Korl IVIly, and 
 thoihf soiitliwaid l>y tlio trail to I'oi t Mllii u, I'liiUiin!^' paralkd lo tiio As.-iiiil"iiiio and 
 fnnn tlnvo to six niilos wost of ii 
 
 Till' valleys oi' iho Wliiif Sand and Assinilmiii'' iJivoi~ nuf^'o into ono and foim 
 oxteiisivi' l')\v k'vol plain on whii'h liuMx- is an Italian l{i'.>oi\o. At ihc coiitlin'tico 
 
 an 
 of 
 
 the two rivors tlie foriiii'f i- alioiil 80 I'oet arid lli.- iattor 100 fi-ot wide and t'lo 
 biink> about 1.0 ffCl liii,di. l''oi »!0 inilo> iilon^' tho trail from I'ort i'l'llj" tlm noil is 
 ])oiliotis of il swatnp}- utid dotiod willi jionds frin^i-d witii willows, tjn 
 i<e 11 is piirt' •rravol fowrod with ;i ihiti >od. inakinji 
 
 'lit, 
 
 soni 
 
 tlio last ■',() nolo- u 
 
 on 
 
 cxcollont roiids h'll jioor pustufo. 
 
 'tom 
 
 nulo 
 oxiimino 
 
 Foil K 
 S'liiih of 
 
 oastward to tlio boundarv of M.anitoba llio riislanoo is about iOO 
 
 llO' 
 
 tlio A-ini 
 
 lolIK II 
 
 p to tho 
 
 Inton 
 
 aliontd lioundarv wo diil not 
 
 but woiv informod that ilioro aro somo ;,'ood iii;iii'nlinial iainUon ilieSou: 
 
 IS 
 
 and at other jmint.-. 
 
 North of tho Assiniboiiio tiu; oonntry risos gradinilly and ini|iori'optibly to tho. 
 oye lip lo tho oii'Wii of l{i'lin<.' Mountain. 2,00(1 foi t abovo iho lovol of the soa. Tl 
 
 10 
 
 Houthorn jioiiion o 
 
 f th 
 
 listriol i.- chittly praiiio, tho soil i^^oud hut lii,'lit in souk 
 
 placos. ;uid inolho;s liirgoly mixod with boiildois. Tho dopth of tho siul inoroa-os 
 northwani and its quality ohuniros to a hotivy loam woll suited for permanent wheat 
 growini: : ^'rovos and bolls of jioplar become fioipiont and ultinnUoly mori^o into a 
 solid forest in \vlii(di there are tjocul spnioo and tiiniaiao. 
 
 Tho nf'i ih-o;tstorn slopos ot Ridii.:,' and Diiok Mountains aio pi'iTipitous, and tlu; 
 flat betwooti llnm and Lakes .M.'initoba ;ind WiiiiiipOLiosis is :,'onoral!y luiu'shy, inter- 
 sected with sand and gravol ridges ('(n-orod with spruoo, lamaiat ai 
 
 some ma 1)10 
 
 'loin I'ort 
 
 ;ioo ui 
 
 th 
 
 o east sine < 
 
 if the Assiniboiiio to Shell iJivor, is a boll of 
 
 Utii 
 
 vrl ridges. ovidfTitly a foi'nier beaoh or livor bed, some 10 miles wi'io. covered 
 
 With a thill >od, iJetwoon that tind l^irdtail ('iool< th 
 
 lilt horn part i> a lino praiiio 
 
 and tho no: then; a donso jioplar bu^li. No'lh of Sholl Ixivor and extending from tho 
 A>sind>t)ino to ihc base d' J)iick Moutitiiin i- a boMutiitil iiudined plain, p.'riially 
 woudod. and 'bo s'iil i> voiy ricli, i'-)ioi iaily noar Big Hoggy Creek whio'o w saw 
 
 vory hoavy erojis of 
 
 t wild poas and votchi 
 
 Tho Diuk and Kidiiiu' Mountains aio soptiratod by a doop valley o.-ora aiilo in 
 width, with tiiir . oil ii, ilif bo.ioiii. TiiO slopo of the lattoi' i.- heavily Wooded but 
 
 that of Duok Mount 
 
 nil IS ojii'li p!l.- till O 
 
 ,n 
 
 1 nioro iirooiiiiloiis on tho soiith-wo-'t sido. 
 
 On the ! orih .-! lo t hoi ease liolts ol' 
 
 soniio aiii 
 
 amaiae. 
 
 Ill thi- gcnoial do^oiipiion it will bo underMool that in dottiil thoi 
 
 o wil 
 
 fotii.d t rafts of 
 
 III ' hoc .iisiriris wlu-ro tho 
 
 jiiior 
 tlie so 
 
 r 
 
 rh (■ ri rsii 
 
 ■id 
 b. in th 
 
 T 
 
 I'l i.s LTioat \arialion 
 
 >olll In I 11 sido o| 1 1 
 
 i. 
 
 ran 10 
 
 id 'ho Soil light or sbail 
 
 ■0 tho .-oil i-< goiior.-dly roprosenli"! as 
 
 in the oh.-iiaotor '>''tlio country .ind 
 
 abovo doscribod the ooiiiitry is (diiftly 
 
 t'W. 
 
 iviii. a -iib.soil of sand 
 
 mil 
 
 rijivoi 
 
 -o that th. 
 
 crop.- lipeii early, but ibcio i.-^ a didicioncy of good wider and li.ay laids, and tho gr',ss 
 is 111 l:oik 1 al shoi I. Nmi huaio tlio i ouuiiy i . voil -ujipliod ,\ith liosii water, aiid 
 thore aro grove,- .'1 lid bc'lt- of poplar siiitablo for fiiol and finoing. On the iiorthoin 
 
 are inixod with >pruco, lamarao, 
 
 ■-ido of iho lioll those in<r'CO into donso foio ts aii.l 
 
 nd 
 
 •Ollll' 
 
 piiic sui'abl(! for lumber for building andothor pui) 
 
 lOSO.-, 
 
 M< 
 
 >t ih 
 
 coiintrv oil the north 
 
 orn 
 
 hail of the Lioli ha- boon eovoi-od with wood-', so that Ihi 
 
 surface is rougher and will rotpiiio more labour in mlti', atiin;. \\\\[ the soil is deeper 
 Old stronger and yioi'ls \-ory boa\y crojis 
 
 wheat and other ceie 
 
 d- 
 
 ■hlel 
 
 I ;iio two 
 
 lU' throe weeks iaior in ripi-ning thaii on the soiitliorn liiilf noar the ',{ii'Apiiollo. 'I'iio 
 natural crojis of grass, wild poas and volelies, northward, aio vory hoavy. Thisgioat 
 
 v.. 
 
257 
 
 ^e jtropoi'lmn 
 I of i I is pui k- 
 i soil is surlily 
 
 I ; on iieariii:; 
 Lalitic, hilt tlitt 
 Lalvv and I iu' 
 
 .!■( IVIly, and 
 ^^iniiioiho and 
 
 ■ >iio and form 
 thotoiitliu'iico 
 wicli! and 'ho 
 lly til'* hoil is 
 willows, vjn 
 
 II sod, nuiUm^ 
 
 CO is about iOO 
 y we did t^ol. 
 s on iboSoii: is 
 
 •o|)tilil3' to tlic, 
 llio soa. 'I'lio 
 lii^ht in some 
 .' noil iniToaM'S 
 nanoiil wIumi 
 ■ tnoi'gc into a 
 
 )itiius, and tlic 
 murshj', intor- 
 oinc niai)l(;. 
 L'f, is a 1)0 1 1 ol' 
 wi'lo, covcrod 
 a tine praiiio 
 iii^ from the 
 aiii. ji.-ni;illy 
 II' re w saw 
 
 (M- a .inlo IU 
 
 Wooded bill 
 
 -west ^ide. 
 
 \\\' will It 
 
 >reseii', ,-: as 
 
 ■ouiitrv .niil 
 
 y is (dii«'lly 
 
 "so tl al till 
 
 ai.d tlu' tri-!sH 
 
 I water, ainl 
 
 lie northern 
 
 ee, lamarae, 
 
 Mt).-i ot the 
 
 so thai the 
 
 loil is deeper 
 
 lieh are two 
 
 \.[)|.elle. 'I'lio 
 
 This great 
 
 viu-iet} will facilitate settleinei 
 unit. |>eo]ile of various jiaii i,ilili 
 
 1', as it afl'i 
 
 a viioi' i> (> 
 
 I'sod- 
 
 and oilier eondilion.s to 
 
 I- 1 ni Port K 
 
 lire 
 
 .-here wt' arrived oti the Sin Si 
 
 w.. travelled eastward t,. ih. eJ, w „f,h,. LinJe Saskai.l 
 
 ie*vaa. 
 
 Tannei'V ('lossiti:; of t lir laitie .Sa-kaNl 
 
 u wan 
 
 Thr 
 
 from I'oi I Mlliei- to the boiiinlary ot'.Maiiiioh:i, 1 in mih 
 from that point north-wesi w .rd -IlhI I l,;id (iri.ji'ciid l>ef 
 Einee teii weeks, proviou-ly 
 
 mi.er, anil iv-:i ■neo iln th- survevin;,' party wet, 
 
 '' ' !i!id eoinplulei liic tlr.st lino 
 
 nd were running; ase-'ond lino 
 
 !eavinL,'tli,> p.aiiy at Fort, 
 
 DuiJi;^: thi- time we had (ravelled fnlly l.UOi) laiit,,, j,, 
 
 liail, and made a <,'enei:il I'Xaminal 
 
 ion ol \.\\.\ I iiiior 
 
 wiiieli en 
 
 ri'i>:it iiiri without a 
 
 (•art trail to Fort Carleti-ii and Haiilel', ul. 
 together with the eviimination made hy M'. 1^ 
 to lay down a line on the map herewith (v e-'n da>ho 
 ♦he ecnlre of the 
 
 N' north and south of ih 
 
 Mid 
 
 lO M)ain 
 
 i<-a-. a id in\xelf in l>;7, ha.- 
 
 I wood ill lis. 'n 
 
 11- 
 
 ai)l 
 
 -h 
 
 ' eiianieM mo 
 
 ewing very near 
 
 ly 
 
 greit fertile agrieultural belt which ^trewlies fioin .Manitoba to tho 
 
 HocKy .\F'UiP;iin.s. and norlli-wr-lwa 
 
 liiver. Willi a Id'ae.ch -oiiMiward from Ivlnioi 
 
 r.l .'lion:' t,' e 
 
 lOlltllll 
 
 't thelaitei beyond tho Peace 
 
 Ji appears to me that the line id the I'aeitic liailwav -hould b 
 
 to ihirt Ufi praeliealile ai:.! e.Kjiedient, with i! 
 
 ated 
 
 eoiirses 
 
 for 
 
 eonnniiin 
 
 tl 
 
 v.ew I ijave Mi'. I 
 
 as near 
 ianl'iv liie 
 
 went westward :i''-!iin to lind oiii tl 
 
 le survey of Uu, trial line n.- had eomiiiencel. We tl, 
 
 Shell River and Big Boggy Cirek. wlm!; w 
 Mr. Har(day tinal in.struciions for eoinpleti 
 iiijieg. whieh I reaehed on tJie-Uh olOctol 
 
 'e>i point- tor eiiwsii,_.- ill,, [ijid-tail Cn 
 e m c'.ninlisl,,' 1 ill a l'oi1.ni--ht. J "•; 
 
 ivo 
 
 the se.isoh'x w nkanl ivuiriied to Wni- 
 
 tobi 
 
 Mr. Rot ay'-- party rompleled the trial line from tl 
 
 dir-ta. 
 
 d lOij n 
 
 le We.-terll boundarv of M: 
 
 ini- 
 
 to u jioiui fin iiie wesi side ofthe vallev of Bird-tail 
 
 Creek, and made a detached survey of l i:e ero-sim,' ofShtll River. I expected t(. 
 have tho a.ssistance otMr. Mm l.xdi's part> torthe latter part oftlie stuson, s() a-! to 
 carr\ tho survey beyond tin- ; los-ing ..f tl,e Assiinit.oine and clear of all ditficnlties, 
 but was disappointed, .as the parly was oiherwi.^-o engagi' 1. We imve however siitii- 
 
 eieiil infoi Illation to be as>nied that diei-e aie no great ditlimli 
 
 streaniH westward, ihoii^-h thcri^ in.ay he some 
 eareful .surveys to keep down the gi-dien* 
 
 U's 0, crossing iho 
 
 .!rmedi;ite jmiiits ilni will rcpiiro 
 
 Tho following was;,ul)tnilted to \ oii on tliciVtli lie 
 
 ment hjui adojiied cither of ihe 
 
 ■uii'er. befoio the tiovoi'ii- 
 
 for 
 
 construction. 
 
 OE.St KII'TlON ol- rut; t.l.Vlvs slH\HKI' 
 
 The tirsl line commences al a jioini oa the we-li'in n,.undaiy iineoi ih^ I'lovinco 
 of Manitoba, a liltle north ol the fourth !).>.»c line, where llie ^cci!i:;i under contract 
 Irom llt>l River ;iero,ss that I'roviiice ends, and extend- to the ;(inciiou ..I'lho v^ilicy.s 
 ot the As-iiiiboine and <^>ir.\p),cllc, as .--ii own by tiic lii-n U!ue li. <' A, H, (.". F) o!> tin; 
 map lieiewilh. 
 
 Tho altitude at the point A. accordin,;- t... .^^r. .M'n loi'lTs >i:i-\iy. •> OJ fret ;d.ovo 
 the level ofthe sea. In ihe tirs! mile i' l.egin^ to rise iiom ihi- ie\ii up the ^loln.■or 
 escarpment to a higher terrace, whic'i i^. rcaidied, :i! liic end ". the -eveatii mile, 
 with gradienis varying from '.VJ. feel to .')::sii icc' | c mile. 
 
 Thi.s e.--carpinenl to the lii;;lici '.ailc la. id •. \:cnd- ir >m liic ii'-dng .\f >;n,;.ain 
 hoiii.h-west,\vard to ilu^ Inlcr'ialional Iviundiirc L'ac. I ■ i\i.-. c.v.j 1 aad lunlcen iy 
 the drainage ot the country into a >er.es >>. and In i-, wi.icii a. e j>a; liaFy eo\ cred 
 with scrub oak, popl,ir and bru.--li, and it i • intcrsci!" ' ai iaicixal-. by the Widt ■ Xlad, 
 Assiniboine and other .streams. The exi '.vati ni on ijiis lui-th wilt bo rather heavy, 
 averaging on the trial lino u:i,iii)o cubic; .,ri!-|icr miie. 
 
 The altitude at. the .seventh mile is l,2n> Ice! ; ilience to the "JF-t mile the 
 country is nearly level, ihe alliiudo at that jioint being \:l'yl feet. 'Ihc ■ uitaie. 
 however, is indented with a luuuhor of small pond- and hollows, It i.s generally 
 prairie and tlie soil i.s ii'ood. 
 
J58 
 
 Kroin the 21st tiiilo it rises ^q-adiially tn tlii? 40ih iiiilo. wiioi'o tlio aititudo is 1 
 
 foot. Till' siirlaro is raliior lumpy, and tlio last lour milo> is puilialiy cov 
 clumps iiiid bolls ol' ])i>piai' and mi'iiK. The hoII is iffiioraliy .i,M 
 
 ermi vi'l 
 
 l''i'oi!i ilio last j)')iii! llh' lino l)Oi,-ins lo cross tlic valloy oi ilu' Littlo Sa^kal 
 
 (■111.- 
 
 M' , mr 
 
 wall nlilKinoiy, do-o.iidiii:;' lo tho I'ivoi- \vi;h a '^radioiii ot'5J oO tool p^.r uiilo t' 
 and one halt' niilos. tho allilmlo at I ho rivor lifin:^' \J)'M h\ t I'lio a-ceiii lo the labio 
 land on the west side ot" tho valloy is niado in four and iluvo '[uarlor inilos, wiili 
 ^'radionls varyiry; tVotn .'?(! 'o 52Sm tool por rnilo. 
 
 The oarth woi-k in crossiiitj ihe valloy would bo mo lorato, avorai,nai,' a littlo ov.- 
 l(;.(li)(» cuhio yards p(>i- mih' lor nine niillc,-., and iho rivor could ho hi idgod witl 
 s'lan ( 
 
 I lii.i 
 
 t'l'J'i foci. Willi iIh- road hcd ) .") t\\'^ ahuvo tin- surface of I ho water. 
 
 Ju'ccnily a I'lWit plo( (iiapid ('My ) has hoen iaid oiil in tho valhy, ahoul or.i 
 
 irulo north 
 
 liiK', where a ^aw-null and olhor had iinti;.-< and (hvolf 
 
 have hooii orectc 1. Tho^o are al 
 the valley. 
 
 ■o sovoi'al l.irn hoineslcads occupn.'d on eacii -i ic il 
 
 'I'he altitude a' t!n lllth mile is \r,W foot. Th.Mice iho lino luk 
 
 '-" a str:p.;lu 
 
 eonrse up to tho '.M: 1 mde on tho lo!i .u- north bank ot the Assiniboinc. whore tlir 
 altitude is l,5d!Moot. The in(dination is very ic''''''"!''- ''H' f'"-' : uit'aeo is iMllnr 
 lumpy, sli^hlly iudulatiui,' an i inlersectol with sevorai narrow eoidces. It is clii.'tiy 
 jiraiiio, di'iteil with (lumps of poplar and brush. The soil i- ti;ood till approaching' li,i 
 AHsiniiMiine, when ii r- in^ rirj.sed v.'ilh a largo projtortion <<[' bouldei's. and ^'ri.VL'l 
 underlying. 
 
 |-Vnm the '. i-t !o tl,>'.iiiih mile iln l:ii(> descends obli.pH'ly the slope of ' i 
 Assinil'oine, with v, unittuin i^radient otTi^-SO loot pel' m,le. to the b'ltKjm ol lio 
 
 where the altitii 
 
 ilo IS 
 
 r nule i'>v live nuies 
 
 botlom oft.be valley, near the mouth ol' llird-lail Croi 
 
 fool. Tho earlh-W(U-l<s on this loiiLTlh would be ho;ivy, averaginnj ;<'.',(""• ciibir yrrU 
 
 Bird-tail L'l'oek. at this point, can be i^ri l^od will, one span ol HMI fool, wlK 
 tho ro.'id lu'd 12 I'ect above tho -.urfaee lA' ihe water. 
 
 I'rom the '.liltii mile the line tollows ilio valley of the Assiniboinc u|' I" iho 
 uioiilh "f ilie \bi'Appellc. at tlie llOih luile. with easy lU'iadienls, and the \v ,U 
 WiHild be lie-ht. 
 
 Tho botto'u ofibe valley is ubMin (>ne and a hall inile-- wide, bein^; pra 
 
 ino, iii'i' 
 
 .spersoil with ('Uim]i.-> of pnj)|,n, willow and biush ; i 
 
 of tin' v.'dley is wi'n.nd; t he norl h -lope is clnoHy piai 
 
 of pojiar. 
 
 I.-- LTOOI 
 
 I. 'i'l 
 
 ■I 
 
 IC SOU 
 
 th 
 
 silllh' 
 
 i\t', will) -oine ciumii- II 
 
 On a e-eiicial awaire iln.' .\ork-. on this line woiild he moderate, the he 
 
 item hi'inr; the 
 
 ai hwo; k 
 
 wli ^ 
 
 h is Mile 'o ihc sand hill- on the fosl so.-en i 
 
 and the lioavy eiiilin^'- and ombatikmeiits m < 
 boiiio. 
 
 dosc'ciidin;' to ilu' valh-v of the A 
 
 I'llK .NoiiTil-WKsrKU.N I.IM'. 
 
 Tl.i-; line i-- ,-licv\-ii ■•0 ihc nia,i hciO'Vidi liy ihe lir i rv' 1 line .V I. V <i 
 whi' Il it W!il be ,-0011 'bat foi iho lirst lit mile-' il t'oljow, tlu' -anie courM- a- ili 
 
 I ' I 
 
 ibii\o le-ci'ib«i|. Tin me il 
 
 ,01 i:< 
 
 lo I'le iioi thW' -I makiii;; a .-lraij,dit coii: 
 
 jioiin on tl ■ e.'ist .-ide of tie- valley of iho liiltlo S.'iskaud.ewan, whore tho iiorlln 
 
 trail elite • 
 
 be V.ll 
 
 Ills C' 
 
 known a.s Tanner'-- ( 'ro--.iii 
 
 am 
 
 I a I 
 
 iriii,:'c u.i.-> 
 
 conllv been •IciMe I o\.'f (l,,, liver. 
 
 !iid UN tiltiliido 1- l,!'!-^ 
 
 Tl 
 
 lis poin' 1- 
 
 •l\v 
 
 the .'fh'd and .'M'ii in: 
 
 eel ahiiNi' 
 
 .1 lew 
 
 The tdiaruetiM' oi i ho country an 
 
 soil is very slini'.ar to ihat de.-.ci'ibel in Uie parallel ~eciion of ihe oilier liiu 
 
 Tlio survoyovl line' ei'o-;es the vadey of ihe Littlo .'saskalchewaii oblhpieiy "', ., 
 ;^onoral eoiiiso near'y west, dcscendino ilu' e.;-lorn slope to tin river with a ;'r,uhi'ii' 
 of .'12 feel \)iv mile lor -i', mile,-,, and 'iscondin,,' tlie western -d 
 I'ool per milo |or i,^ mile 
 
 (eio al the rati 
 
 Ihe e\ca\Ml;o!i--, !iowev 
 
 i'y. 
 
 av\', and in loeaiin-.; ihc line he- j'on-'irni'lii' i 
 
 will be oxjiedioiil lo make a iloviiUimi liy whieli tho grudioiils on tho ou«torii ^!e]'' 
 
259 
 
 •o tlic Mltitmlo is ] 71;! 
 
 uriiiillv fovei'i)(l •.vjih 
 
 0.1. 
 
 llie LiltK.' S;isk;it,.|,,.. 
 
 I'ccM jitT iiiilo iWr iMir 
 
 lie a-cciit to tlic laliio 
 
 'V'[iuu'lor iniK"^, \vlili 
 
 ivi>rat]fin<,' u litllo nvr, 
 1 10 iJiidtfL'd with <iI:k' 
 lio waU'i'. 
 
 10 \. till 3'. aliDiii oil 
 l'iin,H'.- ami (hvulli,;. 
 •miii.-(l oil oacii ,-iif ■•\ 
 
 line, lake-' a stra'.J,! 
 
 ^illilloitU'. wll.Tc t'|.' 
 
 :lu' i-airfaco i> i'iiIImt 
 roiilfiK. It i,^ I'liii.iiv 
 III (ill apjH'oacliiiii: ii„ 
 liouklers, ami :.■::, m.'i 
 
 I'ly lilt! ,s|o]»M 1)1' : |; 
 i> tlie liolloni of ilu' 
 I' the altitmU' is I 'J I 
 in; ;{!",(III0 ciiliir 3:1 i- 
 
 an of ion i\\'[, \v'i!i 
 
 jisiiiilioinc \i|> I" i;'. 
 Ills, ami the >v .'■ 
 
 , lin'iiiLj praii'ii', ia'. :■ 
 1(1. The soiilli s;ii]i.' 
 ill) soiiii,' cluinj)- ill 
 
 doraU', (Ik: lu' r. i. ■ 
 
 iO iil'sl StU'CII ]■■,•-, 
 
 \ alley of tlio A iiii 
 
 !..■ A I. I' I. 
 iiiK c'liir-c ;. I . 
 
 I .'irai^du foii: 
 KTi' I Im iioriln-' 1; ' - 
 
 , ;iliii a liri'l;;'"' ii.i^ 
 
 :i:{r.l ainl .'{I'ii m.!', 
 iui roiiiilry Idol Im'' 
 «• <)■ licr lino, 
 u'aii "lili'|iU'iy "'1 ■> 
 ■ivri' ^^■|tll a i.M':;iiii'i ' 
 1(1 ai (lie I'a'c 1 .-' 
 
 IK) |of j'ollsll'lll'''' I 
 
 II (1)0 Oasl-oni .•^loji'.' 
 
 would be incroa.sud lo 40 or -12 tool 
 
 52 f'ctit per mil<'. 
 the cai'iliwoi'ks. 
 
 'Ii 
 
 is w.i'ild shorten ;ho I 
 
 per iiiilc, and mi (lu^ uostcni slope up to probahly 
 
 ic a.iMiii IJ, iiiilosaiid coiisi'lorublv reduce 
 
 'J'lic allilude al ibo Hfnd :!,ilc, on U 
 
 1,S(; 
 
 tool. 
 
 T! 
 
 c (op o!' iIk^ wostoni sl'ipe of tlio v.allcv, if 
 
 K'Uci' I he 
 
 d line will ln^ caii'icil I 
 
 1 a p-iiiit h'xlf a niiiu south of 
 
 Loiit;^ Lake, from which i( will make a Kt.ui.uhl couisi' 10 the -ilth mile on the top of 
 tiio castei'ii slope of the valley ! Hird-(ai' Creek. 
 
 le I'i- ;n .,n'adual iij) to I he Sal h mile, wlierethe altitudo on 
 
 From Iho 4'Jiid mile tl 
 
 the trail liii • is .',007 he:, hm on 1!,,. loeatoil line 
 
 sill 
 
 wi 
 
 It VVI 
 
 ahoul 1,080 
 
 ■et. 
 
 Th( 
 
 face of (he eour.try heiwoiai iliese two p litits is sliixhlly umliilatiair and iadoiited 
 ill nunierou'- poml,- ai; 1 lakelefs. lail ihe .-oil i-, of' ih' 
 
 e rie!ie-i iiualit' 
 
 tl lias 
 
 oi'iii'iiuilly been eoverod with wo) Is that h:ivr been di.'stroyed \,v lire, and alow miles 
 to the north the forest ^till prevails. 
 
 Throiiji'boiiL tbo whole . paee b.Mwoou the laitle Siskatehewan and liird-tail 
 Cieek lh<! laii(l:< ate beiiiLi; I'apidh; ■)eraiiied oii holh sides o| the lino. The eroiis of 
 wheat, biirley oafs ami 'ither a;:rieiiltui'al produce were very heavy this seu.sou, but 
 owiiiLC to the very wel -Jiriii^' they were umisualiy laie. 
 
 The liiKMleseend-. the ousterii slope oi the valley ol Bird-tail C.'reok oblii^uely 
 with a gradient of 42 toet p(M' mihi for --ix mih^s, on which len-'lh the (>arili-works 
 
 will be moderate. Tbero will however 
 tbroo couh^es tormod ' '\' lateral slroams. 
 
 H^ some licsiie lii'idifiii!^ iii crossum two or 
 
 Asoendinu' tin w<'>tern slope o\' the valley to the lO'lth mile the maximum 
 
 frradieiits on the irial line are r)2'S(» feel per mile, but 
 
 will be imiiroved it 
 
 location. 
 
 Tlu' ^■lop(.>s of the valley o( Bird-tail ».'re(d<. where tin.' lino crosses, sjjlay out lo a 
 
 n 
 
 •even in lies lower 
 
 angleof iiiidimil i:Mi very niueb less than where (ho irai! crossesabout 
 
 down, on which tli(> surv'>y was made in !>.7T. The east side of the valley is open 
 
 prairio dotted with ^•l•oves ot pop 
 
 lar. Id 
 
 i(» sou I.- 
 
 exceeiliiiirly rich ami th 
 
 e ( rons ot 
 
 natural M'lass were astoiiisbin.:;, reachiiijj; in places over t()iir feof in lu'i:;'lit. 
 
 Hot 
 
 li of thcM.' are i/ood coloni/.atioii liiU'S, but tlie norttrwestern lino will servo a 
 
 greater breadth id' fertile land- 
 
 well siiniiin 
 
 jreferi'cd by ,^cltU 
 
 ihd it i- will 
 
 d with ,ii"i:>iil w.ilcr which a])poar to bo 
 
 1:11 vM-ier reai'ii oi 
 
 the weol suitabio for fuel unJ 
 
 iiildini,j parjioses. Resides the saw ami .'.;ri>t mill erected at liai.mM'ity, others are 
 .i)P,r erected tiirther up (he ri\er n(U'!ii of ' 
 
 bo h liu'"* and lUMi'er llic tiinher 
 
 limiti? 
 
 and others tds.. ii(\ar the s' iir( c^ of liiid-tail < 'rei 
 
 Tl 
 
 10 approximate iiill 'd' wii 
 
 !;.. 
 
 -hew that the cost of coiitsti uclioii would Jio 
 
 about the same, mile for mile "ii e;i( h line, hat tiie norlli-westorii will cost loss in tho 
 a^i^roj^aie, bein^' troni 10 lo l,"i miles shor'ei' than tho other lo the common point of 
 inlcrsectioii o\' the lele,n-rapb lino abi'iit, »!0 miles west of Livingstone, and it will also 
 
 ha\ this advaiilaire fu' lhrou.:li trjttJii 
 
 10 extent if 
 
 This advan(a:,'e in beiiiii; the shoru-^l lim would lie rentr, ;i/ed to soni 
 the o(hcr line were carried diivcd h'om Foil hi'lice. s"Uili oi'the Touchwood Hills, to 
 the Mlliow of the North Sask:i»cliewaii. but more than hah" : .e d'-tairHs would be 
 over a very poor and in -oiiie parts almost ilescrl coaiilry ot -ami, grav(d and fioiildors. 
 the scant soil slroii^lx im|irei;'iiated with alkali. 
 
 It is ppdiable that in cxtendiiiif the i\orth-we-te 
 conwidcrablo d(!tour to the iioiih, as show 1 bv the dotted red line, will have to bo 
 
 liver ai li, unless we can lind a practicable 
 
 li le tro 
 
 111 Bird-tail Creek a 
 
 made to reach the cr \ssiii;;' o| tins Miel 
 I roNsin^- further lo the -nudi. 
 
 This nortli-westeiii line lies eentr;illv ln'twcen llic 
 
 Lakes .Alanilob.i ami Winni- 
 
 jiOKOsiH on 
 
 ^ the iiortheasi and the Assinii.oine 01. (he south, both oi which are jiro 
 
 jiosed to be iiavi>;'ale(l by a steamlnal company , ai.d notice is j^iveti in the oilieial 
 
 ■ ' isuitii; Ho-'sioii of I'arhament for a 
 ir the Little Saskatchewan, soulb- 
 
 ^/''C.Y/c that application will be m.ide in the onsuimr scvsio 
 
 (di.'ii'ter for a railway estendin-- from a poiiil ne 
 weslwuid (o the coal llelds on Soiiris l!i\cr. Thi-' wim 
 
 Id cro.ss the .Vssiiii lioine above 
 
 (hedrand Uapids, from which poiiil Iho rive" is navura 
 
 hie Cor craf( of liiidil draii-'ht 
 
 ip (o I'Virt I'lllice, By these moans soltlcmeiiis on t 
 
 he holders of the Assiniboino 
 
2«0 
 
 woul.l l>o finMlilato !. aii'i a tuamh line if railway i-uiiM in- oxti'iidcd iin ilu' v;,iii'V.s 
 ()( iho Assiiiiboino ami t^a'Appulli.' a'. niikiU .'o-l, wliciu'vor tlio iiuTi.'aM!il bll^ilH'.^.^"^)!' 
 tlio (.'oiiMiry icquiirl ii. 
 
 'I'liis woiilil >t'oni ti) it.ilicato thai \\\v mrilin^'-tci ii line would Ik. n| tlic ^nca'isi 
 as>i.slanie ill tlic si'tiloim'nt of tlu> wIidIc <i.iini!y l«",\\'ci,n iho As^iiieljoiiio ami 
 QirAii|iolK' on the siiutli. iiial iho Laki'.> M;::iii.ili;i ami \Viniii|ii'g(i.si.s on iKc luiriii, 
 
 I am, Si]-, 
 
 Ymir oliodiciil soivant, 
 
 MARCUS SMITH. 
 
 REPORT ON AN F,XAMr\\T[')\ l-'lii'M TlIK FMinV TIIK K[U>T 1(M> Mff.KS, SECTION WV;.. 
 OF TIIK KK]) HlVl'li. lo dl'l'OSrrK TIIK MOITII oK TIIK I.lTI'l.K 
 BASKATCIIKWAN. UV MH. WII.I.IA.M MrUDncU. 
 
 ('ana HI AN I\\in ir Railway OFi'irE, 
 
 \ViNNii'i:o, ISili Maivli, l^iMi 
 
 Sandfobm Flemino. i>(i., C.Mii. 
 
 Kii^'ineer-iii C'liicf, t.'anadiaii l\u'i!ic Railway 
 
 Ott, 
 
 iwa. 
 
 Sir. — In ac( iu'daiico witli voii'' in-^ln 
 
 u •tioii'' \<y t 
 
 (•U'LiTaiii, ilati" 
 
 ariuai'v 9tli, 
 
 1880, namely — ■' Want itnnicdiaU'ly m a>fortaiii ln'>i diie<'lioii lor litir fidin valley 
 (it AsMiiilioiiio, aliovo rapiiis, t" lino iimlor Hyati's coiitraol, m> as lo avoid ^Mrniirnt- 
 n hoiso to coal tfatlic. Wish you lo in'ocood us far as tnoiith of Lilllo .Saskalclu'^viin. 
 roturn. and ropoii wilhoiil dolay." 
 
 1 let't WinnipciT on .laniiaiy .iNt, and piocoodcd to the cud of Mi. ,Iolin Kyaii^ 
 contrnot. I oxaniinod carcfuiiy iho ditl'oront routes from thai | 011 lo ilic ■•anuii;i "i' 
 
 ti"3 Kai PI: 
 
 iin, whu'li !^ aipoii' c:i;lit iniios disiant. Wwv" Uio Inst -loppc, a.'-c 
 
 ■ndi 
 
 r>r 
 
 Irom tho Manitoha plain lo the in^lioi' jiiatcan of 'ho nofthwc-t is mot, liio 
 being sixty-oiio fi'ot, in ,- honi tlnoo liutiiicd Icci, i-'roin iho lioimdai')' of ilic I'l' - 
 viiii'o of 5lanilol'a, to the haso ot the stoppo thtTO is a t;radiial rise in the piaiii .1 
 
 iiro 
 
 bahlv 
 
 dxtv feel nioic niakint:' a toial li-o of ahoiit oiio hundred and twiMit\' toi 
 
 In the tiisl hallniiie the line ei'ossi-s a creolc whieli oeertlow's it- bank'.i ilii 
 
 iriiiL 
 
 the summer. 
 
 Tiio next liall'n 
 
 lile i-' ovei' ojieii, ili'V pi'.'liiao inti>r-por--i'd with idiimp-* oi' i 
 and is pai't ot tlu only ijood hay im^iidow ni'ar the I'dn' I'lam of any extent 
 thorol'oro vor:- valuable to the -eltleineii! we-t. 
 
 Ill' next inilo IS o\( 
 
 'Vid Ian I. covered wdh poplar trees, throu^di wbic'i 
 hlream pas,ses, aloi .; who-e rnnk'^ il >' t'ce^ .are hun'.j in iiroi'usi<ui with tine wild ' 
 
 vinos, with the hop-, still u| 
 111 
 
 loti llielli. 
 
 Till- briiiix.> ti 
 
 le OH 
 
 'balile coiirso of iho line 1 
 
 the soiilli side of a mu-keLf, .'d'ui;.;' which it miirhi bo const iucIimI |or tin' ili-^tance "! u 
 milejusi where the slopo iiiceis the musUi-u', on jtrood s.and bottom, lor the ncxi 
 lialf mile Iho ooiir.-e ot ibv b, e will be .rii the niu-koi,' its>if, then airiiin on tin m.n.l'i 
 ofthosame for one and a halt mib-. follnwi d by one mile of ordinary \\oik 'i 
 small suiid hills, eovoreil with popl.ir Iici'-j and iiiideiL'.'rowili in |iiaeos. 
 
 Ins nrin 
 
 ^"- the lino to iIh' wesierly accent, whirb will bo on ric 
 
 lo tli;il jiorlio?i oj the prain 
 
 know 
 
 n a-* 'lio 
 
 Wk 
 
 lam. 
 
 TI 
 
 le .-hie 
 
 bill in iilai ' 
 
 ihrupt, and is composed ot' sand. 
 
 llii' lb 
 
 :iia. tci' ol Whiidi i- soll,u:hl Ihal the wiiiil liii- 
 
 hcooptid it out ill pliici'.-.and ma-sed it inlodrifl:^, 'I hero i^ aUo soniesaiidy clay 
 
 loillli, 
 
 but the bulk oj the lualii ial can be oa>il_) 
 
 imiv i>i 
 
 I. To avoid lieaVV Woi'k-' "11 till 
 
 .side hill, wli, h I (dio-oas the ni'i-l Miitablc a|ipi oach to the lii;,^ IM,-iiii, will proh.ili 
 I'Oijuiro llic adopliun of tbiee dog 00 ctiivi's at iwo place-*. 
 
2(:i 
 
 .'luli'd ilji lln' v;.in\.- 
 iU'ri.';iM.!il biisiiu'.>,- d! 
 
 ilil be (if lli(.' ixicn'iM 
 lie Assiiieljuiiio Mild 
 /•■■■i^ i»ii llio iiui", ii. 
 
 icivant, 
 iRcrs SMITH. 
 
 Mff.K.s, SEiTKW WKs 
 l.l-JTI.K 
 
 WAV OFircE, 
 IStli Manli. IS.si). 
 
 , 'l;iU".l .laniiai y iMh. 
 
 I t'ui' lim- froth valhy 
 
 as to avoid ^ladii-iit- 
 
 Liulo Saskaulu'aiiu. 
 
 I ■>{ Ml. .lolni l;.v:.i ^ 
 Mint to till' '-ainii,' 
 ii>( >t(>|iiii', a.->ei'hij;ii_' 
 -1 is met, till' ri-i 
 iiiii(iai'3" of llif IV' 
 lisc ill the [lia;!! ■ : 
 •ril ;iii.l t Wi'lily i<-r . 
 s it- liaili<n <llllll:, 
 
 itii cliimii-i of a^'li 
 )f any oxtfii!, iM 1 
 
 , tlll'O'li^dl w'licli ;; 
 ii wil li tint' wild li'iji 
 iur,-i' of iln> Hill' '■ ■ 
 lor ilii.' ili-^tiM.'-i' ■' > 
 
 Mill. Cor lilr la \' 
 
 airiiiii on tin iii..i.i'i 
 ciidiiiary \\'oi'l< 'i 
 iiaii'x. 
 il! Iio ■HI ^id(• li'.'i, 
 
 dc llill ill |ll.tl l-" r 
 
 dii llial till' uiiid ir.f 
 
 .iiiic sandy flay lnaiii, 
 
 ii'a\-y work- >ii tin 
 
 'lain, will \i ilidli'.} 
 
 The next. 27^ Miilc's is on an ojion [iiairit? witli no !j;radicMit.s till you near tho 
 walor-sliod, wfd.ii ir, |icr('C|)t,ililo in iisuiMidiii;.^ oaslorly Ironi BoLTiry Civek Marsh. 
 At this plaoi' a ^rado ot i.') fiM-i. 
 nverc'onio all advci'-;!' '_va lienl -. 
 
 ti> liu' inilc, say im- one and a-iiuarter nulos, wil 
 Tlic Wlioic of I 
 
 jilaiii, is, 1 am fold l>y il o 
 Hcttlors, taken n|i I'V jii/oplo wli) an- to ocriiiiv the land this sjniiiu'. Tiu> soil in ti[ 
 casi's wdiiTi' 1 rnadii I'li'inirios is said lo i-onsist ut a sandy luaiii, liavini^ a to|i covering 
 almost all ovor il i>f hlack soil. \» lii-at n'l'ows well, an . I was shown i^ood sitmiilesof 
 
 1 ho prairie levi-l. On SeeUou 
 . !i\;Uiiiu- i^nitd clear water, 
 
 lunn if ram. 
 
 pliuni 
 
 (Jooil 
 
 wall'!' is i;h 
 
 laiiiid at :!- f 
 
 OlH tH''OW 
 
 township 1 1, 
 
 I. 'dr. ( >lmslead iIul;- a we 
 
 lio-idnu' lii'si thnniLrh two t'cel ot lila.'k Inam, then loiir feet 'I' elay, then elay loam 
 
 nu'r'^dii!:; mlo eo 
 
 irso .-and at the bottom of the wel 
 
 The eoiirse for the next six miles foil iWs the valley proper of the Assinihoine 
 .Kiver, as will he seen hy refereneo to the aeeompaiiying mu)), 'in whi.di the line of 
 the proposi'i* railway is laid di>wn. Tins valley is almost level liavingafall probaldy 
 
 not cxeeeding si 
 
 X feet in the mile. It. i.- al")i(l ono and a-'nalf ndles wide at 1 
 
 liapids and tip to the Liule H.iskatchewan , below these uoinls it widens out as seen 
 on the maji. 
 
 In 
 
 seieeliiiiT a eios^ini. 
 
 Il'' railwas" over 
 
 the Assinihoine, I looked for the 
 
 highest I'unks und narrowesi wau; way liii ing iVeshets. The extent of the spring 
 freshets is elearlv ilelined, anl ,n nia^y piaee- is iVoin onedialf to three-quarters ol 
 
 a mile in width. Ai ihese places, the flai 
 
 river nn one side, heiiee the overllow, Al llie p 
 the advantage of l^'iuii- widis' lliaii at other places 
 
 s lire iniieli lower than the hank of the 
 lini seloeled, the river channel has 
 
 At 
 
 Ills ooin 
 
 Vali 
 
 po 
 
 i( 1 look .a cross section 'if i 
 
 he riixhl l.'ank- of tlie Assinihoine 
 
 ey to t lie pr:iirn 
 
 wel, with the view lo a--cortain the summit to surmount, and 
 
 found it to be In I 
 I 
 
 ibove 
 
 the iee on the river; but the banks on the south sido 
 
 lueroase in heigiit as you go we 
 
 sterlv, so that there, wil 
 
 he a 
 
 ^tdl higher elevation to 
 
 overcome, 
 
 he ide liiM extent 
 
 is from ihe river lank south li.'JoO foet, with easy 
 
 slopes to a.secn I we 
 
 Il< 
 
 -lerly 
 
 re the ]> 
 
 '■•'line 11 
 
 has a level nai'row bench ne.ar the summit, of two miles in 
 
 length, whiidi brii 
 
 Us O 
 
 p]) isit(! the nc 
 
 uth id Ihe Little Saskatchewan, or as 
 
 far as voiir instriictions anthori/.ed me to go westwar 
 
 prairie liin'omes more mu 
 
 lulali 
 
 1111', and ol a I'Hii 
 
 I, Onward from there the 
 iir as the eve could 
 
 11": character, as i 
 
 bv I 
 
 see. Il is an open plain only l>roken liy 
 Hlue Hills of Brandon whii ti are in /:i'W, 
 
 he Til rile and F'eiuhina Mountains, and the 
 
 hill.> 
 met 
 
 ;.)n the map aceom 
 ,1 
 
 [)ai:\'ing I his rej 
 
 M avdi' ilieiii an 
 
 I c^eanc he!i\\" Woi 
 
 ;ind 
 k, ,'ic line is divorted, atid 1 may 
 
 t 
 
 e |)ink (dlor represents s 
 
 itiontiial the leiigih '>\ lim' -linwn on the mai 
 
 Plain 
 
 and the beginning o| ihe l>i 
 Htriiight lim'. 
 
 (iravel tor ballast can Ik 
 Creek, also on ine-oiiili sidcol'lln .V-siniboin 
 
 alv increase' 
 
 heiween i^egrry Creek Marsh 
 live-eighths of a mile from ft 
 
 L'ol near tlie eel i 
 
 th 
 
 .f Mi. livan'.^ contract, and at Boggy 
 
 rV" total h'nglb of ill.,' fr.m. liyan's coniia. ! to the |.oin( .'pposile the Little 
 
 Saskaichcwan, i^ nearly ;Vl miles 
 
 1 trust thai the id'an and .lescri|)li'>n iif the line exp 
 of structures, and dese rip! iv<' ( ' 
 tioii to enable }oii t" form a 
 
 aracter ol the work, 
 tolerably correei estimate '>( 
 
 ored, together with the list 
 onvev -iinicieiit infoi'ina- 
 
 the WMi k to lie performed. 
 
 am. :sir. 
 
 V,.M 
 
 rs lai 
 
 ihfiillv, 
 
 WlLJdAM .VH.i;i»()01I, 
 
 Ewjini'.er-in-Chargc. 
 
262 
 
 Lht of Sirram^ which rt'ijuirr Bridgimj. 
 
 I Creek 8 fcoi dee]) ami I'd teet wirli 
 
 (to 
 
 15 
 
 111) 
 
 Oak Creek 8 feet deep and 25 (eet wide 
 1 (h'eek 8 foel deep and 15 feel wide, 
 Asfiiiilioine Brid^^'e, adO foel wide fwitli -wdij,Oi I'ank on south side lH 1 
 
 eel 
 
 above iee level, and hank on nortli si,h' Id \^•^^\ ulxive i<-e level ; the lii.^li water 
 or flood la.ii'k is H teel tihove iee level— only tiiieo fiH'l of water in ilie clianiifi of 
 tlie river — irruvel bott 
 
 oin. 
 
 1 Coulee crf,.-sin<c t!d foot wiile, 1 1 feet dee 
 
 1 
 
 Hid 
 
 d( 
 
 ;id 
 
 P- 
 
 8ay 10 culverts of C< feel ii[)enings. 
 
 Descriptive. C)iara>ter of Wurk to In Perforrmd. 
 
 No. 1. ^ mile of eros^ lof;u;ini; witli banii (>n top 
 No. 2. \ mile of open alder piairii", dr_\-. 
 No. H. 1 mile of levid land eovcred witii poplar. 
 
 No. 4. 1 mile of easy side hill where lino of railway woidd be eonstriie 
 liio edi^e of muskeg on sandy .S(dl. 5,dd0 eiib. yai'ds per mile 
 
 lf,| 
 
 N'.'. 5. -•; inilo of ero>s i. 
 
 
 say 2 feet. 
 
 )ver nuiske^-, sand bi>ttom, with baid< ori i(i|i 
 
 No. 0. ]-^ miles of ea.sy side hill, similar to No, 1, 5, Odd eubie yards jioi- mile. 
 
 No. 7. 1 mile of ordinar}- work, say 10,000 eiib. ^-ards. 
 
 No. S. o mile- HI sjili' ihll, ■..•mil and elay loam, easily worked, saj- 2;j.000 cnliii- 
 yards per m;le, lo hummil of Hig I'lain, on a gr.-ule of oo leet to the mile aseoiidiiii,' 
 westerly. 
 
 No. !'. 2~\ milei* of o])en jirairie, say 7.000 eiihie yaids to (lie mile. 
 
 No. 10. () miles of Hats on Assiinboinc V.'illey. say (i.ijOd euliie yards per mile. 
 
 No. 11. (i milert of .side hill, with levels, jiortinn> u> prairie level on the sinitli 
 
 sideof the Assinibnini', j;rade iid feet per mile in places, 5,000 ciibie yaidsper mik 
 No. ]2. 2 miles of le\el priiiiie, say (I.ddO culiic yards per mile, lo opp 
 
 OS 1 10 
 
 moll 
 
 th of Little Saskatidu'wan. Total di'.l 
 
 inro nearly .»(• miles 
 
 .Seetion <d' Liltlo Sad<:itf|iowan Jiiver, — 125 feet wide from batdv lo bank, Id'i 
 f'et'fiom water edt^'o lo water ed!.;e ; bank S feet liiirli, almve iee U'vel, on both >-i(le>, 
 the flood level reai'b<!s within 1 fom m|' ijio top of the bank, 2 feol of water and iee, 
 only four inehcH of watvr. gravel bottom. 
 
 PrJiahlc Tjoeatinn of Projected lUibray fJne, 
 
 Commeneing .at the end of .lohii Hyan's contract, say at the nortli-west .".gle of 
 south we' t j- M'etioii 7, lowiishij) l.'{, range 12, 1^ iiiilo.s nortii of the 4th base line. 
 
 Tlienee in a south-westerly direitioii to soutli-wosl ^ of soelioii .j4, township I'i 
 1 anger 1,'i, wesl. 
 
 Thence in a west-snut h\ve'<tt:rly ciiiirHc. aecu'ding lo location, ])rineiji;dl\' oa 
 side hill to section 25, township 12. r.'ingi; II, wc-t, to Hu- lirst sle|i|i'' ol the U'g 
 Plain, whore a ri^ic of i»l teet has to bi> ovoicome. 
 
 Theiii'O to Hcetion 22, township 12, r.'inge 14, over prairie. 
 
 Theneo to iinrth-W(!sl ]- section 12, township 12, range 15, over nearly 
 
 a level 
 
 pr 
 
 air 10. 
 
 Thonco wertl-soiil h-we^t to soiithwe>t | of section ."i, town-hip 12, range If), wesl. 
 Thence in a •oiilhwe-tci ly lirecUon l.» , imthwe^l \ of section 12, township 11, 
 range 17, wo-'t, <i)se lo the eilgu of the 15 »ggv Creek .\lai--li, or lol't biink of Uii' 
 
 Ahwuiiboino Vullev. 
 
255 
 
 Thoiioo ill a wcsl-soulh-wo-^torly couise to the nortli-ea^t \ of ^'oclion 25 
 towriNhip 10, rantre I't, wont, closu lo tlio Icli main hank of the Assiniboinc Valley' 
 close to (iooi'jiifc Lair^l s tioiise. 
 
 Thence in a soiilh-we.stccly course, across section 25. to tlie crossini^ of ihe 
 Aseinihoino. 
 
 Thence in a westoi iy direction along ihe .si.h^ hill, on the soiitli side of the 
 Assinihoine, i-inng to the pi-airic level in a we^tcriy and ^outhe!■ly iUreclion to Mie 
 north of Oak LaUe. 
 
 VVILI.LLM MUIUJOCH, 
 
 EiKji heer-ln-Char'jc. 
 
 r nearly a h'v* 
 
264 
 
 APPENDIX No. 16. 
 
 DOCUMENTS I.V Kr:KF.RF.\(E T<> TIIK BRIUliINd OK KEI> lirVER. 
 
 Letter fr'nu the Kti'imfer-iU'.^hicf to the .\rinister of Riihoai/v <in<l Can<ifs. 
 
 CaNAI'IAN PacIKIP fiAII.WAY. 
 
 OlFICE OK rilK KNi;lSEER-l\-f'llIEP, 
 
 Ottawa, 'iUli Sonteinhcr, IST1». 
 
 Sir.— Tho lot tor dated ITtli Sc|.ii.Mnl> m- of tht^.'^ity Clork of Wiimi] 
 
 )(•'', Mli(| 
 
 varioii-< othcf ihijut 
 
 >n th 
 
 o stiliject ot a lindijn aci'oss 
 
 tilt' Hcd River, liaviin' 
 
 referred tn me, voii lia\e asked me lo ftaU' my views as to the fea«iMlily nf hiidijiri;.' 
 the river at tlie jtciint determined upnn liy the City Couiu ii ol WiiiniiK^L;', liy refolii- 
 tioii of tlio Uiili iii>t. 
 
 The 
 
 .H ted \>y tlie Citv ("oiiti'il fnr liridiriiiLf tlie llvA River mav ho tin' i> 
 
 or 
 
 lo lie found in the iieii^dilxtrliood of \Vimu|)ei,', lait there are ditlieuities wdiiidi <'.di 
 I'aret'iil ooii-ideration. It is only too well known that on several ocfa-ions, uitliiii 
 the leeolloc'ioii of ]ieo|)le liviiiL' in Miinitoba. the \U I River has overflowed its hanks 
 and rt<>(»de(i thi' ;,'ronnd oil whi'h the City ot' Winniiiet^ is jirojetdo i. The sevcriil 
 jiiers ot a hridi^o mif^ht. tn ^oml• extent, oh^tiiiet iho idiatmel i.d'the river, and whii<' 
 eoruiiidv thcv would not faeilitate tlie di-(diarire, they iniijht, if the site ho injud!- 
 
 iislv iho->en, letard the flow of tlio water and increase the risk of Hool 
 
 iiii. 
 
 lie n .CI- 
 
 learn that :t has tiui done s( 
 has risen so hijfh a> to end 
 
 not t'very yiar nvt'rtlow aii'l Hood the adjacent country; indeed. 
 
 ) -ince l>t>l, li it I am intiirmed tlui' ruceiillv liiu WMtc: 
 
 iiii^er sonic i 
 
 if the Imildiiit;- near its hank- 
 
 1 observe in ihc artiides of aj^jreemenl made hciween the M lyor ami Coiiiuil 'i! 
 the C'ity of Wininpeu: mid the .Muint(d>a Soiithwestui'n Coliaiizatioii iiailway Company, 
 a clause, <>! whi' h the tnliuwin^ is an ^ xtraet 
 
 Th 
 
 aid 
 
 to tal 
 
 laruci 
 
 >f th 
 
 ico over or accept i i 
 
 »nd part i^llie [{ailway Company) shall not lie hi 
 aid hiidi,'e frotn the said (Joverninent, unless they -i 
 
 lUllU 
 
 Kill 
 
 ler 
 
 lli> 
 
 " see tit to do, so; and that in the event of tlie said hridj,^' hein^' swt^jd away or oi 
 " wIho totally destroyed after the same is handed over lo them, the said p.irtics ol 
 " second p.irt (tin ii:iilw;.y Companyi -hall not he hound to relaiild the s;iiiie uiiK- 
 " they shal! -cc lit lo .|o so." 
 
 This ]iara^ra|ih suj,'ircsi,s the idea llmt i he promote! > of the Railway (Jonipan 
 appiidii'tid that the hriiit;e may he carried a\\ay hy the ll' 
 delcrmination to assume no resp.iii.sihility in the matter 
 
 il at loa-t siiows tac!r 
 
 Tl 
 
 -ti'Uriioii of the hridu'e, whatevei' the los>, would ho ot little accoiiol wlicn 
 
 conipared with the d:i!ii!i,i,'e and destru.iiou wjiicli would result to a populous city, 
 on the site of Winnipeg, in the event ofihe tlood water lisint? to the Icvid whc li I 
 
 am told il has reacdied on liu'i 
 
 net' occa;Mon- 
 
 And if at any future time the i 
 
 IV(.M 
 
 (loodod its hank.N to the -;imeexleni. it is tiot ini|iossihlc tha'. flu damai^'o done miyiii 
 ho attributed to the csiahlishmeiit of the hridLCe and to the ohstruction to the 
 dischiof^j ul riood wat cair^ed hy its piers, ahulment.-> and approaci>es. 
 
 I atn about t/) proceed to Manitoba, and 1 shall, when on the ^-pol, carel'iilly 
 muko un oxamirmtion and give the whole siihjccd my best consideration. In tlio 
 
265 
 
 muantirae 1 feel it my duty to lu.int uul the aifficiilUo. whidi .sun-ouiid iho nuosti.m 
 an.n.. uulu-ato tho i,o..,l,lo con.sc.iMonees .;„■ Nvhich tl.e (rovcn.nuMU nuL'ht be hold 
 liahio It they iinderlooU to 1. .l<^ and conslruct the biMdi,^c. 
 
 In vifw of thi.so ( uiisid..i;.Lioiis, 1 am not at prcsenrnVopare I to adviso that tiio 
 '^i;^^},i^^^t;::::^^^ tnc ,.e,ue,tol- the 
 
 I am. etc, etc., 
 
 Tho Himorablo 
 
 Sir Chables Tl'pi'er, K.C.M/t., 
 
 Minister of IJailway^ and ('anals. 
 
 SAXDFOED FLKMINO, 
 
 Eniji.aeer-in-chief. 
 
 -f'llIEP, 
 
 ptembcr, 187!'. 
 
 of Will 111 I )(•;,'•, mimI 
 livei", haviii;f Iumh 
 «iliility of bridi^nri^' 
 mii|iOi;', liy I'Or-oiii- 
 
 vol- may be the lust 
 Itios whieli call lop 
 occa>iotis, wiiliiii 
 verflowod its baiikv 
 ■te 1. I'lio several 
 •■ i-ivci-, and wlni,' 
 he wile lie injuil'- 
 >f Hon linn, 
 coniuiy ; iiidee'l, i 
 •eceiillv Iho WMiei 
 
 nv and Coiincil <*'. 
 liailway (.Joiiipany, 
 
 shall not be buiiin! 
 , unless tho}- -hall 
 I'jit away or (.ilu-r 
 ! said parties of ilic 
 id the >aru(^ unit-'- 
 
 Railway (Jcmijian-. 
 t loa-l slin\s> tiR'ir 
 
 ittlc uceount wlun 
 a pnpiiloil.s cily, 
 ibe level whn h 1 
 v lime tho i-iv'oi 
 ima!;'o done niii^iii 
 brttnietion to iIk 
 hes. 
 
 le ?-p'»l, eareliiily 
 ioratioii. In tlie 
 
 Report of the Enghxeer-in-Mef on the Bruljauj of Red River. 
 
 t'ANAPIAN pAPIKir TIaI' V.VY. 
 
 Office ok tuk Enoineer-in-ouiek, 
 
 Sm, — T hav(^ the honour to report 
 
 Ottawa, 8lli December, 1879. 
 II the several eoniiaiinicaiions. trom the 
 
 Maycir and ('or]i()raliuii ol' Winidpe^^-, asking the (ioveriiment to undertake the con:<- 
 trncli()ii of a liiiilway Bridi,'c aeross Rod itivor, opposite tho city. When the papers 
 were (irst referred to mo, I addressed to yoii a short report, of ilale Septoiuber 
 pointing out that the bridgiiii,' of Red River was a inatiei- reiiuiriiiL 
 ration, on aecoinit ol the vast bod\ ol water, which, 
 
 .Since [ addr 
 
 innes inionlate- ihe localiiv 
 
 :4th, 
 
 ;'rave crmside 
 
 he !( 
 
 es.-e'l \-Mii oil 
 
 the J4ih Septeinbei' last, I have vi.sited M.-oiit 
 
 (iiia aii( 
 
 made a personal examination of J{e<l River for nearly 30 miles of ii> c.nir>e, ihroimh 
 
 the Paii>ho.s of St. IJoniiace. .St. .lohns, Ivi 
 
 , St. Pauls, St. Andrews, Si. Clei.iei.ts 
 
 and St. Peler'^. Having' earefiilly eiKpiiied into the faefs rosj.eetinij the periodicil 
 floods and the various loea! '■ireumstances which allecl the location of the bridge, I 
 have now to report tlio views 1 have lormed on tin; whole qucstioM. 
 
 \\ lien the water i> as ii.s onHnayy Hummer level, the rivei' ranges in width from 
 3.011 lo tiUO foot, ll llow.s in a welliletined channel lietween bank- fiom :.iO to 'M) Icei 
 high, ami presentH to a casual (diservi'r no extraoidinar}' ditllcullya.. d bridging, ll 
 seem,-, at lir.>i siglii, (hill a comparatively [iliicid stream, lowing for the iiio^t y 
 geiilly in ilw eonrsi. betwot?n iiioueralely high banks could with ea.>e be bridged 
 
 iari 
 
 any reipurcd point. 
 lances whiidi demand 
 
 ll. 
 
 .■e.-li:4ation, however, brim/s out ceMuin remarkable circuui- 
 
 All 
 
 or m>arl\- al 
 
 <eri"Us cor:si(ler;iUon. 
 riv(^rs in a northern !:ililude arc 
 
 lerioil o 
 
 ffl 
 
 )|ect !o iresliol.- 
 
 t t], 
 
 e 
 
 ic \-ear when winter merires into summer, 
 
 ipp 
 
 that these ti'e.-lu'ts -ometimes assume the forin 
 
 mena are oceadonalK ilev 
 
 widt 
 
 ll 
 
 rejal dev.astaiioii 
 
 elopcii to .ail alarming exleut, and carry a 
 
 ail on '.ik; Red River it 
 
 i] o'l-, and these pheno- 
 
 011:2 with liieni 
 
 uring my vi.^i 
 
 to M 
 
 lliltoli 
 
 1, I wa- f 
 
 ivoiei 
 
 1 wit 
 
 1 an inieiview with Jie 
 
 Ar 
 
 Oil- 
 
 yar; 
 of tl 
 
 Mint iia.- 
 
 f 
 
 had the ad.antau'e ol wilnes-ini!' the annual lic-hels. as well a.- several 
 
 i'isluip of St. I>oi iface. llis (Jraco h;l^ resi'leil in the eoiiniiy f 
 
 or a loiin' series o 
 
 10 inundatiois. 
 
 Ifis ( 
 
 trace was lTooiI eiioii/li to a 
 
 ticrd lae (he bem-lit of hi- local 
 
 experi(Mice. In Ihe year I S.')2 the river oveillowed il-^ bank-' and compb'ti'ly ^llb 
 
 merged the level prairie lor several miles 011 each 
 
 -id. 
 
 T 
 
 le water rose uiiiil it -tood 
 
 at li-ast 3 feel (i inches above the gi'iieral surlaee of the ground around the I'alace of 
 
 SI. H, 
 
 uiitaee, am 
 
 I il seeiiUKi like a v:i-l lake, exU'i 
 
 dii 
 
 ig 111 a 
 
 country was hubmerged from Minnes.)! 
 
 I icir 
 
 ll to Kildoiiai 
 
 I directions, 
 'The silo o 
 
 A\0 \v 
 
 t th 
 
 hole 
 ily (d' 
 
 W 
 
 iniiij 
 
 \va- i'(Uii|ilelciy 
 
 iind 
 
 er water, 
 
 in I the iiearesl i|r\- land in th.it iieighlioi' 
 
 hooil w'a-^ at I'lUrkt 's farm some four mi 
 for mure than two week.-. 
 
 a\wi\ 
 
 The flood remained in this rtlulo 
 
2»i6 
 
 After an iijlerval of oii^bl _\ ears (in l^tiOj the livor !ii;airi innndatofl ils Imtilcs, 
 
 covei'inL: the level prairie, Im' llio ovcrllow wa>- not widei-preuJ. 
 
 ri ISO 
 
 \\\ 
 
 The f•'llll^vin!,f y.-ir (IHt!!) (here was unodier ticod, wiien tii(i water 
 ihin two feet of the hnel of the tlooj o| I-^Si, overflaviny to tho iU'i)lh ol aliuiil 1- 
 
 inelies a .ery hir^e ai'e.i of the jirairi 
 Sit.ee ISlil, ihcie has Wei 
 
 n'eii an mununity Irom any serious inuiKhttion. Imi on oiii 
 : isen nearly to tlie prairie level. 
 The Hi,~ho|i of lliipfrl's I.aiul, in ills " Xotc- of tlii> Klood nl' !S5'J " (',>limati's iln 
 
 01' two oe(a.-ioi'-, tin- wati. 
 
 brea<l'h of the iimii'laleil (■()iiiitrv a' :ih"iil I'J miles; mentions that li 
 
 onsi- 
 
 and I 
 
 lai'ii-, 
 on ill.. 
 
 fiirnitiirt' aiul farm imnleinents, were swi'|ii away. TIk> >ettlors took rofii^o 
 nearest elevated ifronnd, Stoncy Arouiil;iiii .'ind Hiid- Hill. The l^ishop, with I 
 
 tlOtlbl 
 
 hold. 
 
 es( a 
 
 |ie<i i 
 
 n eanoes, and passed down the 
 
 I'lvi'r 1 
 
 II.-- 
 iii 
 
 the l*aii>h ol St. Andi'ews, some thirteen miles !■ 
 
 low 
 
 intil ho roadiod dry land, 
 Fori (iariy. From this point 
 northerly he desei ihe- the rivi'r as FeiniC " ei»ntined within narrow liiuiis," and with 
 a muic impotuoMs rnrriMit. The Hish.>|i mentions tha' at the .Sionc Fort the river 
 w.t,'^ " niniun^ at the i;iteol eiijht or ten miles an lioiir." Iv>;lrar!s from His Lord 
 shi])'-' journal hetween May .'Srd and June Sth are ajtpeiided. 
 
 In '• Thf f!ed JJiviT .'^etth-nient, it>- Rise and Proi^'roHs.'' (hy Alo.\andor Ro.ss) a 
 work written hefi.io tlie inundation of l.'^Sli, we find an account of an earlier flood, of 
 whi(di the author was an oye-witnoss. Tins oecnrrod in the yc-ar i^M, the water 
 
 her th.in in 1S'»2, and sulnner^'ed a much i^reatei' area olihr 
 
 rose ahotii l.s ineho's 
 
 level prairie. It lasted lr..m the liiul oi May to the l.'tth o|' .June. 
 
 I submit a \i'\v extracts trom the volume referred to: — 
 
 ■' The winter had been unnsmdiy sfvere, having; lioi^un earlier and eontinuod 
 " later than usual. The sdow averai.;>'d three feet deep and in the wood.s from four 
 " to five feet. The cold wa-- inti-n-e, 1 eini: often 4 ^' helow zero; the ice measured 
 
 five I'eel seven inches in thick'iiess 
 
 Noiwithstan lito' all this, tin- eolouists foil no 
 
 dread till the spring was Ihr advanced, when the tlow of Wiiter, tVom the meltiiifroi 
 the accumulated ,-n<.w, hecainc I'eally aliirrninu. ^)n the 2nd of .May, the day 
 
 :-f 
 
 houff 
 
 ire the ici^ starte<i, the waiei- lose nine feet perp 
 
 .>r.d 
 
 Cll 
 
 ar in the iwentvdour 
 
 Oil the llli, ihe water overflowed the hanks ot llu' river 
 
 ami now sjiiead so fast that, almost oelorc the peojile were aware ol the danifer, 
 
 It 
 
 rea( lied iheir <lwelliii"- 
 
 level was tl 
 
 le country, so rapid the rise 
 
 Terriw was dejiiited on ci-erv coiintenaiK-e 
 th 
 
 and 
 
 i| tlu> waters, that, .ui the .'jth, all the -el 
 
 tler.s atjandoiK'd their houses and .soUi^hl refui^e on hitjhei" nrouiul. 
 
 ■' At this crisis, eveiy description ot' propert.}- became of secondary coiiHidcratio;' 
 and was involved in one common w:cid<, or abandoned in despair. The people haii 
 
 f thetn savintj only the clothe- thev 
 
 ■' to lly iVom their honv's for the dear life, -ome o 
 " had on their backs. The shriek- of children, the lowing' ol ciaiie and the howling' 
 "of doj,'s, ailded terror to the scene." *■ * * '■■■ * * " I''\ 
 " this time, the country presentel the aiiiiearance of a vast lake, and the iieople w 
 '• the boats li.ad no nt^ource but to lueak through the roofs of their dwelliiiij;s ami 
 " ihiis sa\. what they could. The ice now diitted in ii straiiijht eoiirso tVoin poii.t t' 
 " point, earr}in^f ;ie.-lriietion before it, and the treo-) were heiu like willows by th.- 
 " iorce af the current, 
 
 "While the friirhtened irdiabitants were collected in ^'roups on any dry s])ot 
 " that remained vi-'ble above the waste of waters, their houses, barns, carriniros, 
 •' furniture, fencintr and ev.-ry de-cription of p"operty mii:hl be seen floating; aloii- 
 " over the wide extended jil.ain, to be enuull'ed in liake Winnipeg'. Hardly a house 
 " or buikiing of any kind was Icl'i -tandin;,r in the colony." ■^■' * '■ "* 
 
 " Tiie water continued ri.-iii;^' till the "Jlsl, and extended tar over the plains. Wnero 
 "ciiiilc used t.>^ia/.e, boat- were now llyin,:; tmder t'liU sail." ^^ '"'■ ' 
 
 " li rtiibsi led, of i.,iii-.-e, veiy ;.,'railiially. It was on the l.")lh of .Iiine that the -i^ttier--, 
 '■ for the first time, drew near the sites of their former habitations." 
 
 I have mentioned that Mr. Ross's account of i he tlo<id ol 1>J), was prepared for 
 (he press more than iwentN' Year-- aftervviird,-. By ilial time, the settlers had resumed 
 
267 
 
 iiiKlatOfl i(s liMtiks, 
 
 tln! Water i-nso |i. 
 ^i>.'[illi 1)1 alioiit I ■ 
 
 laliiin. bui m ,„,,, 
 
 552 "estimates ili, 
 Ii'Uisi's aiiil liarn-, 
 
 <ik rcl'iiyo DM ill,. 
 l5i.--lio|), with 1,1... 
 
 I •iiiul .|iy laiul, ill 
 
 FlKlll tlli.S |)oillt 
 
 liiiiiis,'" ail. I witii 
 Hie I'lii't tlu> river 
 ■ tr.)in His Lord- 
 
 lexaiuioi- Ro.s.s) a 
 
 n cailior (lodil, oi' 
 
 i.'^-'tl, tlu! water 
 
 I'oiHoi- area nf ili,. 
 
 V and ooiitiiHioil 
 woodn tVcHii four 
 1)0 ico mciiHuroil 
 coloiiislM fell n'( 
 III llu^ moitiiii: <>• 
 of .May, tlic iiuy 
 1 tlu; IwoiiU-luur 
 
 iaiil\H ot till' I'ivor 
 111 liio (iaiitf('i\ it 
 iilciianeo and ^'i 
 
 ■ .")tli, all I ho sfi- 
 
 vy ('i)iisi(Uratiiii' 
 The pooplo had 
 the (dothes they 
 md tlie howling' 
 '■'' * '• \W 
 (I the |ieci|du in 
 r dwidiiiins and 
 '^0 from pciiiiL tn 
 
 ■ willows hy thr 
 
 >\\ nny dry "<]H»t 
 )ai'ns, earrinires. 
 1 tloating aloii- 
 Ilardlv a house 
 
 plains. Wiiero 
 
 hal I he .-ettler--, 
 
 'as |)re|iared lor 
 
 I's had I'e.MUued 
 
 thuir land, ixd nilt houses and hecii led iiit.i 
 ii.id t-o<"n tlio ia-l, (i.xlruor din 
 ■ver, •vro'r till' j)i"o[>l 
 
 ) a l'aii('i(3l sociii'ity. They lhoHi|,-|it ih.-y 
 ■.e >>\' wii.'r i,> d, liii^'o the eoiuitiy. Mr. Eo.^s, li.,w- 
 wh.'it li,i> haiipeiied orife. niav l" 
 
 cM-i, VI ■....■ III.. |iM.^in.ir wor-.is wn:n 11, i> iiappoiie'l o'lfe. niav happen a.'ain." and 
 liofnre his volume isMiel tr.)in ii,e pies^ he had witno-M'.i ih'e inundiilion .jt" is52 
 
 an 
 
 d ad le.j a M'paiate ;K'..>iint of it m an aoneii.iix 
 
 ill. win.;- e.Mracis may he j;- 
 
 iven or an ocearrenee whieh ,Mihnieri;od ilio 
 -•^liel-^ trom ih.iii- lanns (Voin ihe T'ii of May i.. th(; I2ih or' 
 
 I aU: 
 
 ioealiiy ami .iro\e i In 
 June- — 
 
 * '"* '''' * ■' <>ii '111' Till of May lie- water had rir en eiirl 
 
 '• tlio lii,:_'ii-wr,i.'r maric nl ordinary years, overt! >wed Uie hank^ of t| 
 '• began t.> sj.roa.i de-, :i-*aiioi loid lum in the seilli"n.>nt ; ho.iis and canoes in ^'n'oat 
 eqnesl foi' lhi> saving of live> and ,.ropi'rty , ;iil harry, nii-.tlo and contusion ; s.jnio 
 
 It ;"el atjo\-e 
 I'ivor, an.l 
 
 '• liad to take 
 
 shelt 
 
 er 111 the '^'arret'), ,-otue • i slage^. ,-.i.ni" here, some there, in lilli 
 
 groii]!;-, on sp.)ls iiiiiher than the v-'-l. ansi.Mi^iv wailing a b< 
 
 iVii'iidl 
 
 canoe, or some 
 
 '111 1 |.) ^-avi; 
 
 eni t dill a watery gi'ave. From 150 yards wi.le. the iir-ii; 
 
 " biciidlli of the rivor. it liad -jji'ea.l In thre.; miles on ea. h d.le'and ro.se tor several 
 " days al the rate ot nearly an inch per h. 
 
 On the breakiii 
 
 l;' lip o' the river the thannelgol choked 
 
 up Wit!; lee, wti;.-h .-line i I lie '.valer ti rise -ev.'ii feet in an hour or two. T! 
 
 an.l It ea 
 
 me on tl 
 
 leni s.) SI 
 
 idde 
 
 i;i-, 
 
 oeeuned at nii;li! a'ter tiio jiciple had gone l.. bed, 
 ihui, before tluy w.'r' .iwi" > ..!' it, lhcmseivo,■^ and tiioir bods were alloat, cattle and 
 slicep wore drowned and two I :ion, who had g.iiio to rest on a -mail rhk of hay, 
 found lliemselviv. m iho morning dritting with the current, some Llp'oe Uiile-. from 
 where they hail lai.i .lown liie niirlil beline Others again, in iluj aUsencoof eanoea 
 
 ir othci' as, islaia'e, had .o resort to the iiouseli 
 
 hung to the hraiiehes of tl 
 
 ps ; .sDine look to tiie wa'x'r and 
 h! Ih 
 
 K- irt;o,s ami Iji. 'le-, tilMayliglU brough! Iheiu reliet. 
 " On the l2tii, halt the colony was under water an.l h.id 
 made a clean sweep nf . -ill fe '■■ing- and !" i -e pr ip/iy 'in h')!h -ii-h.'s .)i' the ri\ef, lor 
 a dif^taiiei o( 22 miies oi leiigiii. In all this ext.'iii, so low and llai is ihe country 
 liifjiighoui, shat lint a singl' hoi; e wa- e.s'ce.Ued — ail wa.i ,-)Ulimeiged— not. an 
 inhabllanl hut huil lied." 
 
 * " On tile 'JJnd. ihc watei was at its height, an.l ihe eoiii- 
 
 eidiiico 
 
 Miiai 
 
 i;able, ina,--iau<'h 
 
 ;is i»! 
 
 " al ill lieiyfln. duriii:'; the foi-n 
 
 inclui 
 
 liijlher ihan it h ',s I 
 
 )crn tlii-, ve.ir 
 
 Lie' sain..' oay ot tiu-moriih the water was 
 uvi'nly-i\ year.; n;'-,) ■ Inn ii. v,-a- theii IS 
 ■>till, liie jieojile licin-^' fewer, ihe dam .go 
 
 at liuil time wa-les>. LUiimu- eiglu days bel'ore the change, dwelling houses and 
 re fl-':ii liig li! all diicetioiis, like si.mp.', mil'.' sai., with .hig,;, eats an.l 
 
 ijariis We 
 
 pouli ly 111 ilcni. 
 
 ' >iitn"'i--i',>, e;tri.- 
 
 ,iri.iK 
 
 anlioai .s. ^a.iie: 
 
 eiiau.- 
 
 leai aer i..eu- 
 
 lo ever}' \ ai U'iy 
 
 ot' iioiiseliold i".iriiiture driititii;' along added to tiie 
 
 umveiial wroeii. 
 
 * -i: * * " At 11 
 
 ihe ; iver m\ miles, j.ir a di.-lai 
 In .at 
 
 s iiei'dil lie- water n; 
 
 lii'ca.; o 
 
 Lil on e.'icii -I'U: 
 
 III' of fni!rl!',ai niiii's in lei;;;ih — i 
 
 house w; 
 
 exci'jjtvd. Ijoa.led In.ats might h.iv.' iLen .^e.Ju ^aiiiih; over t.ie pl;iiii,s, tar 
 
 ney 
 
 Olid 
 
 liio hal»i!al 
 
 ! lil-. III I h.. 
 
 'I'll 
 
 tlioiuanil U\ 
 
 tl 
 
 ,.cMpie, 
 
 I 
 
 T 
 
 ne spec 
 
 ie .v; 
 
 novo 
 
 iilii.tre t si)Ul-> aiMi lion 
 
 1; was nu'lauelioiy, 
 
 tli.'ir all ail'' toi>i< i.j the nj 
 
 len 
 
 The falling I'l ihe waicr a!t<)\ve i in;iny of tlu p'..ople to 
 
 ap)troacii llieii' eiioorless 
 
 homes about the 1; 
 
 an o; .1 Uln. 
 
 Our k'lowledy-e >.f tiic-e alaniung, luri i >■> Ire^iienlly .lev.i^laliiig uceunence.s i~ 
 
 iimileil, \-e 
 
 U 
 
 aler^ 
 
 t'leijiient freshel.s whiili has 
 
 sd 1 
 
 iase.i iij Liao.u i 
 
 am ijie, we iiud a 
 
 record ot iiiuiiilalioii- wiiieh have sWepi over ihe country in the I'oii.iwing yours, 
 vii; ;— 117(i, ITIMI, 1.%!', ISiii, lis;,i! and i.-iil. 
 
 The overtlow of \>^ir2 is : d rccciu thai •! caniioi tail 'jj h" re nic in he red by all in 
 tlie setilemen: wiio shared in die 'li'va- ;e i.'ii an 1 iiliii which ai-ciiipanie.l ii. 
 
 (.)ii at lea.-l two other iieca-ions lie 
 
 '1' rus'cl'e 
 
 a the fi 
 
 he country to a 
 
 ;roator depth tlian in 1>^."»2, but iho .soliiois wore fewer, ami, eon^otiUeiilly. tho damage 
 
 WUH not s(i .'leat, 
 
268 
 
 Tho question may be asked : — 
 
 (1.) Is i( prol.alile that Hoods ivsomliliiiir tlio>,- d.vsfi il„.(l will airaiii occur? 
 
 (!.'.) If in tlio ordinary i-ourso oi' luiturc, urrcurivnn' U- [•vn\.n\,U.. ^an ■oiv rru'in 
 bo adopted, in (he osial.li>lunfnl oirhe I'acoic Kailway, t.,f,rMaid a-ainsi il.o dcstru ' 
 tion of il.e xvorks m tlii^ locality, and the serious interruption to tralHc which 
 without proper h.iellu.u-;ht and precaution, would cerlninlv uoconu.anv -uch devi ' 
 tatinjr iK'Curi-ences? " ' ' " 
 
 Thos.1 are questions of tho <,'ravesi importance in coiinocti..n with (he couM ruction 
 ot a thoron-ldaro across the continent, a.-, a great nati,)nal hi-diwav and I sir.ll 
 endeavor to an.Nwer tl'cr.i . 
 
 When recently i.i Manilub.'i, 1 iii.strurlcd Mr. Kowan to cnlloct all measuremeiii 
 l-ians and cress section.-, which inul been made of tho river, beiwcon the confluen.. nl 
 the Asssiniboinc and Lake Winnipeg;, .•uid to fiiniisb all niher data nccessu v to ,• chic 
 me to report deliuitely on the subject, for (lie iiifuimatinn ..f tin; Government .Smiuc 
 yoarsa,uoMr.lJowan:..cerlairied, as closely iw possible, the hci-ht the Hoods In.i 
 attained .ilong th.-mariri not the rivor, at ditferetit r.erio.is. since the soltloraontof 
 tho district, 
 
 The mcan.s adopted mi that occision aiv described in his commuuication.s of the 
 ISth ultimo, vvliKdi are attached. It is Miflicient to state thai the ;;reatest care hi^ 
 been taken in obtain accuracy. 
 
 From the measurements and datafiirnishe<J, the f,dlowing table has been nreo'iivd 
 hhewing, in a condensed form, much ot the exact iiifornialion which h-is Uvii 
 collected. I prescMt the ti-ures a-, I find lh,.,u. but it strikes mo there are sonic 
 uuimp'U'tauL discrcpuiicies, which can easily be accounted for and allowances made 
 
269 
 
 Taiilb showiiiu: tho lioi'Mits ;il.ov 
 
 rain dccur? 
 i', •-■an iiriy iiu'jms 
 ii"-*( I III! (lest rile. 
 to tialfic, which, 
 >aiiy >iicli Jevas- 
 
 lliooonsinuiion 
 vay, ami 1 shall 
 
 II mcasiiivnuMib, 
 •h,' (•uiifliioncc i)( 
 •o.-<.>ai_v to f uihio 
 cniini'iit. .Soriio 
 the floods had 
 lio soltloracnt of 
 
 uii'ation.s of tlic 
 vatfst caro h;i.- 
 
 s boon in'oparoii, 
 vhic'h ha.-^ Ijcoii 
 there are nomi? 
 owaiico.i made. 
 
 e soa level, ni' 
 
 viw i<tn< 
 
 •lee.-* arni at dltlVreiit ti- 
 
 the water and h:,nk!i of Red Riwi, at 
 
 nes, eti 
 
 ^^1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 H 
 
 ElOIIT i.\ I'KV.r AtlOVK 
 
 Sea Lkvkl. 
 
 
 c; V. 
 |1 
 
 a 
 
 "a 
 
 _5 
 
 fib 
 
 01 
 
 
 I.o(;ai,hy. 
 
 B i 
 
 "S 
 
 '3 
 
 t- "3 
 - > 
 
 6~ 
 
 1- 
 
 1 
 
 ■ LUOO 
 
 Levkl. 
 
 .a 
 
 IHTS 1860 1852 1826 
 
 
 
 ; Milos. 
 
 
 : i i "' 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 f: 
 
 Mouth of Assiniboine 
 
 m 
 
 732 
 
 750 765' 767 7tVj 
 
 37 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 * 
 
 Point Douglas 2 
 
 Korth of'Sl JubTi's Hliiirch j 1 
 
 762 
 
 76: 
 
 732 
 732 
 
 750 
 
 750 703 
 
 767 769 
 765 T'Dii 
 
 37 
 37 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 
 i "* 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 North cl Kddouan Church.' 7 
 
 7(51 
 
 731 
 
 750^ 1'A' 764 768! 37 
 
 7 
 
 ,,. 
 
 ■=i5 
 
 73 
 
 
 .South of Tail's Greek .. IJ 
 
 i.ia 
 
 730 
 
 747 
 
 .... ' 759 V66l 36 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 1 
 
 
 -a, bc 
 
 ,.j. 
 
 Near St. Aridrew'aC. U'.ca. 1? 
 About 2 miles above H. Fort 1 20 
 
 7(50 
 
 723 
 
 742 
 
 ■ 751 7.i0' 36 
 
 
 
 1 c5 o 
 
 i 
 
 748 7551 
 
 
 5 
 
 Mia 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 1 
 
 
 
 . '-a-o 
 
 
 Stone Fort 
 
 22 
 
 7.58 
 
 719 740| 
 
 742 752^ 33 
 
 1 
 
 '' i 
 
 » ... 
 
 t- 
 
 A hont 2 miles below S. Fort 
 Selkirk 
 
 24 
 27 
 
 763 
 
 71-1 
 
 736' 
 
 718 ' ' 
 
 737 
 732 
 726 
 
 7is 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 6 
 
 
 738 
 730 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Si. Peter's Ohurrb .. 31 
 
 736 
 
 1 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 Lake Winnipeg 
 
 40 
 
 
 "« 1 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In aUeiiiiiling- U> aceoiint loj' Uie.^e jjeriodieal inundations, the tirsl idea that 
 hlrikea Ihe tniiil is tjiat they may be due tn tiie ri-iiii;- of Lidcc Winnipei,' from rtoine 
 cause, jii'oljably tiio eiiDkiiii; of iu mitlot by an ivejunt during the transition period 
 between winter and summer. 
 
 The backin-- up of tlie wateis ii! the lake i-^, however, tally disproved by the 
 above t;i!)le an examination ot which will --how ihul tho overfliuvcd porlion of tho 
 river h:is stood, durini;- ihjnds, more tlum 10 feet liiijiior than Lake \Vinni|)e;^'. During 
 these iiei-iod.-. ihe tacts broiighl (Mil bkcwiso e-labli-.h that tho river wa- an imj,v*uous 
 lorreni lor some si.\ mile> abo\e and a con- 'dcralile distance below .Stone Fort. 
 
 The table shews further thai, at times, ;i,c Hood-water of thtj river has stood above 
 the geiiei'al level of ti.e jirairie ovei' the whole district tothescjulh of I'ait'- (.'refk.and 
 that no part of the rivi'r banks, fr.un St. Andrew- lo the lake, has , een inundated. 
 This perloctly agrees with recoi-ded evidence, by wlii'di it appears that when tho river 
 overflow.- its l)anks juul deva,>tate.s the coinitrN' for miles on each side, the inundations 
 have only extended noriherly lo the neighiiorhood ol' Tait'sCreek, in tho Parish ofSt. 
 Andrews, That, while hundreds of si^uaio miles have been flooded south of the Parish 
 of St. Andrews, there is no record oi my overflow from St. Andrews, northerly, to 
 Lake Winnipeg. 
 
 The extra. irdinary increase in volume of iho watei of i?ed Riv(>r, which pcriorli- 
 eally deva>tatos the countiy, litis been the iibicct ol' various speculations. 
 
 Air, Ross state.-i with respect lo the If'od ut l-^J(;, that " the previous yetir had 
 " boon unusually wot; the country was thoroughly saturated ; the lakes, swamps and 
 
270 
 
 •(ri'nv 
 'N of 
 
 " rivors, at the tall of tlio your, won- full of wattM-; ami n kirijo 'Hinntity of snow hmi 
 " f'allcii in the pni fdiiij; wlntor. Then lariio a Into spriii:,', wiih a sujiloii burst ot 
 " warm woathor. aiui a m>iii1i wind liluwiii<; for wevoral iluys in Hiiccoi-Nioii ; (he m] 
 " nifitt'd at onro, ami IMI Lalio, DUcr Tail Lai<c. as well hh Ijtika Travers (sourcoi 
 " lioil River) all ovortinwiMl ilmir i)anU:. ' 
 
 Thoo oaii.sfs are sutUiient to account for llie suiicrulfundaiu'e of water: A wel 
 
 tali, I'.illuwed l>y .sudUon, ?(overo frost, t,» fOii\ up ;iio inarslios. lalvivs atul .saiuratod 
 ^i-ouJid until fprjn^ : an unusual snow-fall during u prolonii^Dd winter; a sudden \>\iv< 
 of warm weather, with i^oimous raiti in tho ha.sin of Red River. 
 
 In >irdinai}- years, the elimatic conditions are ditfe?-ent, and any ono of tho causes 
 nienlioned mi,t,'i>l ho insutliciont lo produco any disaster, l)ut a coniltination of them at 
 any ume wouiil, in all prohahility, result in us threat a discliarico of ireshet water as at 
 any jia-^t pei'i(j<i. We may thus eiccoiint f()r the suporahundant tlowot water, hut souh' 
 tbintr more is rc'|uircd to explain the circumstance that ihe waters accumulato and 
 remain for wef|<s, coverin ■; hundreds of Si^uare miles, at the level of -10 feet above thi' 
 lake, into which the river direitly flows. 
 
 An examination of the country between the inuniiatod district and the lake 
 reveals the rcmainiiii,' iH)nditi<in necessary to account for the widespread overflow. 
 
 A jicrson arrivinir at Winnipeg will observe thai liie Ijanks of the river are of ,i 
 soil and yielding charaotci', easily acted on by the olenients. They arc of cia}', but 
 the ciay is somewhat of the character of ijuicksand. The}' are subject to slides and 
 alterations oi form. In consequence of the constant change> that tuiwo place, a 
 marked increase in the width, between the river bank,-, bus taken place within llio 
 jiasl lilty years. Similar changes have occurred at nv.u\\ jiluces along the course of 
 the livei'. as far north as the i'arisli of >St. Andrews. 15ut here the charactci- of tho 
 lianks ( hange, they are no longer soft and yielding, on the contrary, they are firm 
 and strong ; in more than one locality a le<ige of rock presents itself, 
 
 Gencraily, through the Parish of St. Andrews, ami for somedi>tanco below Stone 
 Fort, the trench tlirough wlii(di the river flows i-emains conti'acled, and its appea- 
 rance indicates that no j)crceptible change takes place from year lo year. Indecil, il. 
 is highly nrobable thai this portion of the river is practically the same, in soctionid 
 foini. as il was many years ago, and itn banks arc .so lirm for many miles, that no 
 matei'ial cl nnge can be predicted. 
 
 To the limited dimensions of the river channel, throuirh iho Parish of St. 
 Andrews, may bo attributed the inundations — tho contracted water-way prevents tho 
 free di.-icharge ol'surpltis water, in jx.M'inds of floods ; tlie immediate consequences am 
 ih»' riiising auii baclcing of the llood water, until the whole country to the sonlli 
 becomes submerged. Tlie raining of the water at the upper end of the .^-ubmorgod 
 outlet is productive of another result, viz., tho impetuous current descrilied by ,->oino 
 of tho witne.-^ses, ill the contracted channel, at and al)ovc tho Stone Fort. .ViioiIum 
 reiiiai kabie ( ircuinslance may bo nnMitioned. It aiipears that when tho (haiinol 
 thiough the J'arish of St. Andrew.s Ijccomes gorged, and the water backs up to u 
 certain level alxA'e tho prairie to the .south, the flood water fiinU an overflow to LaliO 
 Winnipeg, .some miles to the west of Red Jiiver, by passing up Tait's Creek toadepros- 
 .sioii known an tho Big I)og, and thence by Notley rreck. This iiatiii-al overflow will 
 acctmiil lor the nonsubmergence of liio couniry north of Tait's Crock. 
 
 It is clear, from the foregoing, that the inundntiotis have been produced by tiatu- 
 ral means, which are still in force, and that in the ordinary course ol iiature we may 
 expect a combinatic'.i "i' these c;ai«cs to ])roduco results similar to those which have 
 o( curred ill the ]i;i«t. li is fulile to assinno thiit Roil lii\er shall never again over 
 flow its bank,-. Man is nttorly powerless to prmeiit its occurring jieriodioally. and 
 Mhenever it occurs the disastrous con.sequonces will bo intensified in proportion to 
 the increased number of inhabitants within the submergiMl di-(rict. 
 
 It is es.seiitial that all the bx'al circiimstance^ should iio known an I most caro- 
 fully weighed in determining tlie jirojur site forour great conliin ,,: i , .• 'I'iaihv;iy 
 this [»art off'anada. If, witlioin duo consideration, or regard I o,-s id" tho local expe- 
 rience which has been gained by many now living, wo wore lo carry tho Railway 
 
)t' vvat.M-:— A wi'i 
 ko« :iii(l .saiur.iiod 
 rci'i Ji siuKluii tiuis: 
 
 y <ino of tlio causes 
 l»i nation ot'tlaMniil 
 lro-<liot wator as at 
 
 ot walor, liiit s( ■ 
 
 s acH'tuniiiiito aihl 
 riO I'eet above tlic 
 
 I'i'.'t unrl tlu) lake, 
 <))i'oad ovcrtlovv. 
 
 tlu! river are ot ,i 
 y arc ol'cin}', tnit 
 iject lo Nliiloh anil 
 liat Uilwo jilaci. a 
 
 place wiliiiii tlm 
 loii^ the course m' 
 > characlei- <>f tho 
 iry, tliey aro tirm 
 'If. 
 
 lanco below Stone 
 !(i, and its ap]iea- 
 ) yoar. Indeoii, it- 
 
 t^aine, in soclioiml 
 ny miles, Ilia! no 
 
 Iho Parish of St. 
 I'-wny prevents llio 
 i consenueiices arc 
 intrv to the sonlli 
 ol' the Mibmcri^xHi 
 leseriiiod by >oine 
 e Fort. Aaoihei 
 ^hen I ho cliannol 
 tor backs up b) a 
 I overflow (o Lake 
 I Creek toadeprcs- 
 tii.-al overflow will 
 ek. 
 
 |)rodviced by iiani- 
 of nature we may 
 thox; wliii'ii have 
 lever ai:;ain over 
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 vrry tho Railway 
 
 Plate No. 6. 
 
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 Jj()r*f^itffdnra.l S'ecfio?! of Red River frrrn 
 
 PHOTO LITH BY THt BURUHO LIIH CO MONTREH 
 
Plate No. 6. 
 
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 / River /'rem the Citi/ of Mnniper/ f( fjoAf Wfnnipe(/ 
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 iicross Rod Kivor anywhoro in tlio (li.-.lrii't subjoot to iimndiitioii, wo might any year 
 lind a dozon miles oftlio lino for ii month or more submerged, tiio bridges and approa- 
 ches swept away, .and traflic Htoppcd until the whole be roistored. Similar conse- 
 ([uonces migiit follow if, to avoid the lloodod di.striot, wo bridged lied Itiver at St. 
 Andrews or Stone Fort, whore daring seasons <A extreme high water the stream is 
 un impetuous torrent. It would not bo easy to plant piers that would prove perma- 
 nent in such a position, without making thoin enormously expensive, and no piern 
 could bo built without obstructing the water-way, already too contracted. The 
 immediate consequences of Ktill further narrowing liio outlet woud be to impede the 
 discharge and prevent the easy escape of the water, thus increasing the tendency 
 to overflow !:p stream involving serious qnostioiiii of damages, whenever a disaster 
 occurred. 
 
 On giving the whole subject serious attention and weighing every consideration 
 that sooms to control the selection of a point for crossing lied ilivor, I am forced to 
 I he conviction that the main lino of the Pacific Railway should pass at some distance ^ 
 to the north of Stone Fori, where the i);uil;s I'cccde and allovs-^ anij)lo space for the { 
 jmssage of flood water. The bridge should not bo too near the foil of tho current 
 which emanates from the gorged channel between , St. Androw^und Sloiie Fort. It 
 should bo in companitively still watei-. 1 find suih a locality ootwocn Sugar Point 
 and St. Peters, within a distance of four miles. 
 
 In fixing on the precise ])oint of crossing, other con^ideiMlion-i, less important 
 than those above I'oferred to, deniarul some attention. 
 
 [n establishing tho railway in this elistrict, the tratlic which in future years may 
 coino by water from LaKo ^Villtlipcg and tho rivers and streams flowing into it, 
 should not be lost sight of. In ortler to acconunodato this tralMc, the railway should 
 be so situated that steamers and sailing craft may easily be brought side by side with 
 the railway cars during tho whole sea-^on of tiavigation. 
 
 Red River may be considered sulUcicntly deep from the Jiiko to Stone Fort to 
 allow vessels to ])ass up to the hitter ])larc, but above Stone Fori, vnving to rapids, 
 (he river is not navigable for lakecrafl, at low water. 
 
 The river at Stone Fort being in a contracted channel, it would be a matter of 
 difficulty to carry the rail-friick to thesliiip'ssiJe, and imiuiiclicable, without encroach- 
 ing on tho water-way, to finds])aee for piling lumber, etc., and transferring cargoes, 
 .Moreover, below Stone Fort, for two or three miles, the river, owing to the sharp 
 lionds around Sugar Point, is not well suited for tho use of sailing craft. From the 
 laiit turn in tho channel below Sugar Point to tlie lake, tho course of tho rivor is 
 comparatively straight and can wi h greater ease bo navigated by craft of all sorts. 
 
 Wherever tho railway forms a convenient connection with tho deep water of 
 tho river, that point will practicdlly become the head of navigation of Lake Winni- 
 peg. In course of time a busy town will spring up and the land on tho town site 
 will a.'^sumo a value it never before ])(. scs.sotl. To the north of Sugar Point, in the 
 locality designated Selkirk, a block of more than l,(iOO ncics remains ungranted and 
 under the contro" of tho GovornmenI— this is jji'obably the only block of land along 
 tho whole course of tho Rod Uivcr whicli has not passed into private hands or into 
 llie possession of tho IJudsoii l)i\y Coni|iaii_v. 
 
 This largo block of land abuts on the river, where a liridge may be constructed 
 with least apprehension as to the safety oftlio structure in time of floods, and where 
 its erection could, under no circumstances, involve questions of damages. Near tho 
 rivor there is a natural deep water inlet, whith can oii^ily bo reached by a short 
 liranch from the main line of railway ; jiIohu' this inlet, and between it ami tiie rivor 
 tho land is admirably suited for a ciijiacions pilmg ground. Voscis lying in the inlet 
 are in no way exposed io damngc from lloods ; iu pro.if of which, it may bo mentioned 
 that the Hud.son Ray Company have used it as a place of shelter for years past. The}' 
 liavo no land, or buihlings, or ot!:er ju'ojieity heie, but they have found no safety in 
 tho open river near their establishment at Stone !MU't,aud at this inomont tho stounior 
 (^hill$ and another vessel, all the eialt the t'ompiny have in these parts, are moorod 
 for tho winter in tho inlet, whicii in,lents the (.iivernmenl bhieU o| land, Tlmn 
 123-13 
 
2'72 
 
 thoro caiinot bo a question as to tho eligibility of this point fur ^hi'ltcrinp; >hi]ii.infj in 
 winter, m woli as tin' tlio purposes of navigation ir. ^Liniiricr. 
 
 Ill conclusion, T may bo poimiltci.l to ,suy that iLcso vario;!s cnnsiJoratioii<, in 
 my judgment, control the location of tho railway, and, guiiloil hy tho facts 1 have 
 teiideavoured to lay before you, [ am not able to roeomaioud fho (rovernment to 
 lassumo the roxpon^ibilit}* of bridging Tied Kiv(^r at auy point where the proposed 
 fstructuro would bo seriously imperilled, whore jirolongod interruption to trattie nught 
 * bo looked for on the occurrence of li disaster, the imminence of which no one can 
 judge. I am KtrongI}' ot opinion that tho Pacitic Kiilway should bo carried acro.ss 
 iho river somewhere between Sugar Point and Si. l^eters Church, and the circums- 
 tances which I have briefly described dictate that tho ciYw-iing slioul I be o;i the 
 block of Governmonl land at Selkirk, 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, 
 
 Vour obedient servant, 
 
 8ANDF0KI) FLFMINCi. 
 
 Enginfti'-in rkiti. 
 The Tloiiourable 
 
 Sir CiiAiu.Ka Tui'I'eu, K.O.M.Ci., 
 
 Minister of ii'ailwa^-s and Canals. 
 
 Notrs ''I the. riiioit ul III,' Red /,'i'i'tr, in IS.'jL'. 7>'// llu' Jii.^h"// "I Riq^nt'-^ L.inJ. 
 
 EXTa.VCTB. 
 
 ItscHects were voiy dillerenl in different places; they varied almost with every 
 reach of the river, and according to the level of the bank at each sjiot, ft was perhap- 
 the most disastrous among the Canadians around and above the '-Upper Fort"; it 
 Avas very severe in the up])er and middle Church districts ; it affected a good deal the 
 lowei- part of the Asssiniboino ; while the upjior jiart of the district of .St. .lames on 
 that river and thi.sc of St. Andrew's and the Indian Sotllcment, were almost 
 untouched. 
 
 April 2^)th. — 'I'ho winter liad been unusually fine until the end ol Fcbriuuy, but 
 through the whole of March a great deal of snow had fallen, which seemed sulli- 
 ciently to account for the present rise. 
 
 jifdy '6rd. — These expectations were encouraged by the veiy slight rise during 
 the night, but from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m , the water gamed so fast us to lead to very 
 painful forebodings. Some houses opposite to us are already abandoned, their 
 inmates tenting on the little knolls behind. We hoar of one settler taking a bateau 
 right through his house. From the Fort wo hear that more than fifty deserted 
 hou.scs may be seen. 
 
 Miiij UIi. — UikIc up to the Fort the hight ver}- distressing. The bridges are all 
 giving way. 
 
 .Ma;/ bth, — Towards night licavy rain conitnenccd, the lirst since the breaking up 
 of the ice. 
 
 May 'til. — Horses of the Company pass down; scut for security to the St(Mie 
 Fort, 'ilioy were seen fording ami swimn. ng the creeks, now swoHju to rivers. In 
 every direction thore are processions of cattle, horses and ca'-is going to the Little 
 Mountain, the creaking sound of_,tho wheels is melancholy to In ar, Ore stable drifts 
 
 down the rivoi. 
 
 May 8fh. — During the forenoon a litile siiow and ^Icel 
 still rising, 
 
 ell. 
 
 Watei 
 
■a li 
 
 May 9th {Sunfi':y). — Wu hiid Iicnrd owv iii:;lit that the wiitci'H were stationary 
 ai Pembina ; but tlu' great riso in tbo night (ii,s])olled siieli a pleasing idea. Many 
 had hoped to defer the removal of Iheir ealihj till after the day of rest, but wore 
 tiirced to go off at onee. * 1 pivpared lof service but witli a heavy heart. 
 
 The pathway to the dhurcli was ojion, but unlj just so ; the waters Iiad entered onu 
 corner of the churchyard, and had the service lieon three hours later, wo could not 
 have pone over dry shod. The gathering of the congregation M-as very ditTeront 
 from usual. Siine came over their corntioUls in the largo boat. 
 
 " Et dut'iint remos illic, ubi nui>er aidrant." Others wei'o ferried across the creek 
 where my bridge was many feet under water. 
 
 The strength of the south wind is bringing down a prodigious volume of water. 
 
 The most melancholy sightof the day hail boon when those tented on my grounds 
 moved otV, and passed over the swollen water to the north side of the church. All 
 walked right through the stream, men and women up to their waist ; the caltle weio 
 •swum over, and the carts with great ditliculty got through. 
 
 The lied Iliver opened for itself fre^h channels into the -\ssinilioine above thi» 
 innction, so that from Pembina to our settlement was a broad lake, and it came down 
 upon us — as an Indian, I. believe, fii'st expressed it — like a race horn?. 
 
 MaylOih. — Another beautiful n.oining, but the rise in the night greater than 
 any previous one. The water was now in (lie granary and store, and 1 was some time 
 ^landing in the water. 
 
 They were distressed at rinding us sosurrowndeii with the waters. Their accounts 
 were most painful. The barn of Emilien, the largest farmer among the C^anadiens, 
 had floated away ; thej' reported, also, the loss of many other houses, carried down 
 ly the current. 
 
 A poor; Frenchman called on me, begging kv a little relief; his house had been 
 swept away, and besides this, he was left without a bateau ; he was houseless, and 
 spoke of his seven children with tears in his eyes, b:it he adlel — " O'i'st Ji'. boii Ditu 
 qui m'a affligi " — a lesson of patience to all. 
 
 We ascended the high rail of wood, to take a pro-pect around. How desolate ! 
 not a creature visible to the eye, save one neighbor, with his wife, on the top of their 
 raft. Boats, too, wore seen in unuMUil ])laces, silll currying cattle over. 
 
 May llth. — The rise in the night r:ilher less ; the pialform was ni»w floating. 
 Jly garden, the last dry spot, was now urilc!' water, and the churchyard, the seed- 
 plot for eternity was also covered. 
 
 May 12th. — It was a melancholy siglit to luok down from the gallery, and a.s I 
 viewed the churchyard laying under water, I tluiught what could bo done in case of 
 death. There had been two funerals the day beioro at St. Andrews ; what could I do 
 if death occurred in the upper settlement? The rise of the night had been very groat, 
 and the wir.d was strong from the south-east. This caused a violent current against 
 Ihe house, which we could hardly stem on otu' return from the church. 
 
 May 13f/i.— Aftera mosi tcmi)es(uous night, a bright morning; the wind falling, 
 lint still considerable. The rise much as before ; not une dry ^pot below ; no resting 
 place for the sole of tliefoot. We had prayeis in Ihe kitchen, standing in the water 
 three inches deep. What dovastalioii this ore night n'.ust have made? Jfw^felt 
 somewhat alarmed, what must it have liecn fi.r ihur.o exposal to the severity' of ii,e 
 weather ? 
 
 Tlie nearest I'cscmblance to our condition might he touad in a prolonged ship- 
 wi'ock, in which the waters are fast gaining on the vessel, and one knows not what 
 to rescue and save, or whetlier the ship itself will hold out to the end. 
 
 May 14th. — IJoso nt half-past four, Ihe weather still stormy. The men, however, 
 said, " Kerhi- nootin, mahiah hwinskitiii"~li h\o\v^ hard, but it is fair, We started 
 soon after five. ^My sister was brought in a wooden bateau from the foot of the stairs 
 through the hall and kitchen, and thus got into the birch-iind ciinoe. 
 
 Wo went rigiit over the tields— -nearly I he line of our usual land-road — to avoid the 
 strong current and long winds o( the river. Af'ei' a hard paddle, wo reached our 
 refuge at Mr. Taylor's, whore many came out to welconie u-j, ^' ' '■' After dinner 1 
 123— 18 J ■ 
 
m 
 
 rode up to lhoont'ain]nntjnl ontlio little mountain, where I saw Cajitain Hill and the 
 ]>en8ioners. Found Mr. Black and J)r. Cowan there also, who eonfirraed the good 
 tidings of a diminished rise. 
 
 JUay \5th. — The C(dd of the previous day had almost prepared us to expect th« 
 hDow and Blcet which fell this morning, and continued foraomehoura— a most wintry 
 aspect for the middle of May. Xc.irly thirty had sle])t under tJie roof, females and 
 children being taken in from the tents around ; on one occasion as many as thirty- 
 five. 
 
 An evident decrease in the rise of the water, — a groat mercy ; for, had it con- 
 tinued at tl)o fame rate, a very few days must have driven us fiom our present 
 refuge, and tents wei-e being prepared in the expectation that wo would yet have to 
 pitch out. Mr. Taylor ari-ived in the evening and reported one boat-load of our 
 ])ropcrty taken down to the Jiapids ; the boat to return on Monday for more slionld 
 the rise still continue. 
 
 Miiy l()/A (Si(n<l(i>j). — ^A fine, cold morning. After breakfast, proceeded on horse- 
 back to the Little Mountain, and found that Captain Jlill had made the nece^sary 
 preparations, and ^cle(;ted a sjiot sheltered, as much as possible, from the north wind. 
 licfore me was a table, covered with a scarlet cariole cloth, by which 1 stood for service. 
 The congregation iormcd in a semi-circle around, consisting of pensioners, their 
 families, and other settlers, about 100 in all. 
 
 ]\!ay nth. — i started early in the canoe to visit my own house. In passing the 
 Koi t, called to see the Mayor and Mr. Black. At the l'\)rt gate the curi'enc was 
 terrific, and we entered with difPculiy. Instead of the usual bustle of M:;y — the most 
 active month of the year — all was desolate ; boats were within the quadrangle, and 
 one taking in cargo Irom the upper windows of the store. Breakfasted with Major 
 Cahlwoli; alter which the rapidity of the current soon carried ine to my own house. 
 
 On leaving the church tower, the boat went through the churchyard gate, and 
 for some distaijce kept its course over the plains ; but, on getting into the current of 
 the river, the tide was so strong against us that we made but little head ; and after 
 trying for some time to stem it, to little purpose, I urged Mr. Hunter to return, and 
 hailed my canoe, into which 1 jumped, and got up in safety, through God's blessing. 
 The waves were so high as almost to threaten to swallow us up. 
 
 .V(/i/ is;/i. — A boat came to take some provisions and seed for our use abovo ; 
 but little, com]>aratively, cotdd tie done while the waves were so high, and the house 
 so deep in water and difficult to pa.ss through. The heavy porch of oak had lloatci 
 olV, and tho boat was now moored close bj' the front dt)or. 
 
 After a hard pull, wo arrived in safety, but all were sadly nfflicled at tho loss of 
 our valued and trusty cook. The rest of the day was s])ent in realizing the delight ol' 
 being on dry land, and enjoying all tho pleasures which tho unwearied kindness of 
 our friends could afford. 
 
 May Idth (Indian liem'rve near Selkirk). — All was energy around ; we seemed to 
 have passed to another atmosphei-c. Ploughing was going on on both sides of the 
 river. In a walk before breakfast, saw tho seed being con\miltod to tho ground ; 
 while, on tho other side of tho road, tho wheat was already u]). Seven ploughs were 
 at work in one field, and five or six in another, those whoso lard was dry feeling the 
 necessity of cultivating on a larger scale. Tho children were engaged in clearing 
 and preparing the little garden around the parsonage. 
 
 Stibmcnjed District. — Mr. Chapman's account of the losses in his own district w:h 
 very appalling. The houses of two brothers had been entirely swept away, with their 
 barns and wheat , while along a oonsMerable space on tho other side of the rivci' 
 there was not cno house left standing. 
 
 May2\st. — The river still stationn.y. The height, on tho whole, is certainly 
 not so great as in the former flood, perhaps by about eighteen inches ; but as the 
 channel of the river is deeper and broader, and tho creeks very much enlarged, lliero 
 may bo an equal volume of water. Delighted to find that tho water had sunk an inch 
 in my own house. I started to pass tho night there. Wo had a most beautiful sail. 
 The river was like that of a vast lake ntudded with h lui^es, of many of which tho 
 
275 
 
 :l at tlio losN of 
 
 iirojec'tinff gablo wa? iho only part visiblo. Tlio calmno'^s of tlio evening gave an 
 iiKMca: "'• liopo ; there was a young crescent moon, and the water was falling slightly 
 in the house. 
 
 May 'l-iul. — A beautiful morning. There was Btill a 'leci-ease in tlie water, a 
 tliig wii8 hoisted at Oak Lodge, a signal lo give the good news, according to ugrco- 
 nuMit, to those on the hill. 
 
 May 2;)r(i (Sunday). — Noticed the calnino^s and activity of the day. There w.ik 
 a bettor congregation, owing to the beaut}- of th(> day, between iZ'jO and ,300. The 
 dav wa.( intense!}' hot. 
 
 May tAth. — Strange sights met our oys aa we proceeded. Some ot tiie bridges 
 we saw four miles below their former locality, and on the opposite side of the river. 
 'J'he railing round some of the graves of the Upper Church had also been carried 
 down as far. A barn bad been tied to a strong tree, to secure it, but it eventually 
 floated oti'. Tiic houses, many of them standing uj) to the eaves in water, showed loss 
 the destructive olfects of the Wivi,or upon them than some weeks after when the 
 waters had retired. 
 
 Here (' :t Park's Creek, half way between the Middle C'liurch and the llapids) 
 the current, from being confined within narrow limits, became more impetuous, and 
 we had been strongly advised lo proceed by land, but not being timid on the water, 
 nnd having contidenco in the skill of ©ur three men, wo prelbrrod going on lo the 
 Ji'apids, 
 
 The rapidity of the current almost m.ado one giddy to look at it, it was running 
 at the rate of eight or ton miles an hour. 
 
 May 2hth. — The breadth of the whole expanse of water was supposed to be, in 
 some ))lace8, twelve miles— this instead of our usual narrow river! 
 
 May 2()th. — Went down to our house in the niorning; gratitiod to find only 
 twenty inches of water, instead of forty, in our rooms. 
 
 May 21111. — There was a little rotreshing rain and a tine evening, when I took 
 a gallop up lo the Little Mountain. Had tea with Mr. and .Mrs. Logan, and from 
 them obtained what [ had much desired, a copy of the "Missionary Register" for 
 I>ocembor, l.S2r>, with Mr. Jone.s' account of the former flood. 
 
 May 28!' /i. — The morning being more promising, the boat came, and wo went up 
 lo survey the river above .Sturgeon Creok, but a shower came on and })revented us 
 from fully accomplishing our plan, and wo I'cturncd home well drenched. 
 
 .J/ify 2'.Hh. — A lovely morning afcr the storm. The first sound that greeted me 
 on awaking was the pleasing word " Palistacoo" — It is dry. I went over t,o the 
 ( hurch, entering still by the window, and found that the pulpit .and reading desk 
 had now regained their proper position. 
 
 Mai/3(}th ( Wluf Sunday) — A morning of very heavy rain. It was doubtful for 
 f^omo time whether I could start for service, but the rain griidually lessened, and I 
 lictermined to make the attempt. 
 
 May 'S'ist. — The closing day of another month, in the language of the country, 
 the llowcr Tuonth ; to-morrow, the commencement of the heart-berry or strawberry 
 hionth. 
 
 ./line 1st — Rode '-.p to the mountain to bid farewell. :)< si< * Heaver 
 Ci'cck boats passed down to day. 
 
 June 2nd — llodo up to Sturgeon Creek to see those there before leaving; a ]»retty 
 s]iot, and large encampment. Many were out; all busy preparing for the departure 
 of the boats. 
 
 Janii'drd — Started from St. James early with my family; left our kind friends 
 with regret; wo had a quick run down ; the land is last reappearing. The chief fear 
 now is the slip of the bank ; many houses are supported and propped up, lest the 
 eiirth should launch I'orward and carry them away. Roachod the parsoiuigo at St. 
 Atulrews about five. 
 
 June i>th. — This morning wo wore surprised by Major CaldwoH's arrival; his first 
 visit down during the flood. The day was somewhat 'tormy. 
 
«Te 
 
 June 1th — Soon aCler wo liii'l ilinel, I startcil o!T by canoo for my own hou.so to 
 Bco Mr. Priiihain onco iiioro liclWro leaving: I'm- i;ii;^luiul. * * * "'^ Tlic rhi«r 
 featuro which 1. nnliecd as novo! was tho pyrainiili of t'hiy in front of the? liousos, as 
 tho pooplo were ,siio\'eilini( out tho mill lull within tVom their (.•iiinuieV'<ha\'in^{5ivon 
 way and I'aliun in. Wo wcio iato In maihint^ tlu! iippor solllonient, Imt on gottin;; 
 noar the lioiiso wo woro so ovoijoyoJ at tho sii^ht oftho ^tiibhlo tiold.s. wiiich !i|)pearo<i 
 dry to the eye, tint wo dotortuincd to try liio Ian 1 and maivo a sliort out across. 
 Wo soon rejionlod of (;iii' i-asliTioss, titi'liii^ at oai.li wtoj) I'lal wo suiilc doop in tlio 
 tivaohoroiis nini. 
 
 AVyi..;7 "It liri'l'ini-j h'll fiirrr III/ Mr. ■Jainr.f II. f{uir,tn, Distrifl Fiii/irffr. 
 
 f'ANADJAN TaCII IC KaII.WAV. 
 
 .MAN'ITor.A DiSTUfCT ENOI.NEKU'fJ (Jl'FlCE, 
 
 WiNNU'Eu, ISlh November, 1S7!». 
 
 UfcAK iSiK, — I soul yoii by onip:-o-s today a tracing of tlio i)lan of Hod Hivor, 
 between the City of U'innipog and tin l.iko of that name, together with a longitudi- 
 nal section of tho rivor botwoon tlio .same points, and oros.s-scctions at tho Hovoral 
 points whicli have In on soloolod by vaiiuiis partios as the niost favorable for a railway 
 croBsing. 
 
 I forwarded 'o your olfioo, about two years ago, a plan with some of the inforniu- 
 tion hero given. Some additions have boon made at your suggestion, to tho iid'orma- 
 lion then given, and others whioh I thought dosii.ible, in order to (nalco tho matter 
 more comj)leto. The obtaining of this additional information is the cause of my not 
 being able to forward the ]dan sooner. 
 
 On the longitudinal and cross-seolioiis ate shown the surfaoo of the ground at 
 the uppor ;>r ))iairie level (tho levels of the bottoms or intervals in the banks of tho 
 rivor a „ shown by tiguros in oirclos on tho i)lan). ioc or low-water level, tho high- 
 water lev<ds of 182i)-52-(iI. No ordinary high-wator level is given, booau-<e so far as 
 our own observation and onquirios are oonoornod, it varies every year ; but it may bi; 
 stated in general terms as from l-j to 2i> loot at Winiii[)og, and from 3 to 8 foot »it 
 Selkirk below the Hood level of lSr)2. 
 
 I may here state that in ro-plottiiig tiio levels of the high waterof 18r>2, aelorioat 
 error was found, in those laid down on tlu^ plan and j)rofiio sont you years ago, liy 
 which ihe level was made too high at that point. 
 
 Tho course followed in ordor to obtain aocuiatoly tho water hivols now given (and 
 which are all reduced to a common datum of" soa level," according to the latest cor- 
 rections in mj- possession) was as follows: — A M'l-ios of R. M,'s were established ai 
 various points along the rivor bank, and ct)nneo'.o I by levelling with those on tho 
 lino of railway. A party, consisting ol'an Assistant lOnginoorand Rodman, followiiii;- 
 the course of tho rivor wont tirst to ono of the oldest inhabitants in the noighl)orhoo I, 
 when a level was to bo obtained ami got him to point out some mark to which tho 
 water had risen ; as soon as ho was gone, another party was applied to who pointed 
 out some other mark ; these woro subsoipiontiy tested with the level, and in most 
 cases, found to agree very closely. The same course was t'ollowed at each point 
 where lovels are shown. As no authentic iiiformatiun could be obtained of tho ][. 
 W, of 1S26 at A, no lovoj is given. 
 
 No information could be obtained of tho H. V,". of 18^1 beyond the iioint C, tho 
 reason assigned being th it r.ortli of that point it was not much above oi'dinary H. W. 
 as to attract s[)eeiHl notu o. 
 
 As you have quite recently boon over tin- whole of tho ground yourself, it is no^ 
 necessary that I should trouble you with details of the toposjraphy in this repot t 
 1 shall therefoie only call your attention to some general facts bearing on the subjocl. 
 
277 
 
 Tlio b;uiks of tlio river, llirotiu'luuil llio p)iti'>n uiilor coiLsiJeiMliuii arc vory 
 similar in (huniclor, tLo tuii boin^^ tlio black t^oil of tbo priiiri*^ lor a liopih of about 
 lour fiiot, iiinloiiioatli tiiis is a biui,-h wliii'.s laiiiinatoi ci:"/, ol'ui'cat dopib as a «;onoral 
 rule, inli'rspcrscil horo ami tbciro with tlu'i V(>iiis of sand or u'ruvol varying from 1 to 
 2 itu lu:s HI ibicknoss. At a Jt'iilh of o'l oi' ^H' tV(>l below tbo prairiri level tiiis clay 
 lias a eon-iiib'rablo iiiiiuili'y of lK)uMors, of v.iri"iis six,(;s in il. Tlii> ela}' wbcu <lry 
 is oxtriMiu'ly cnniiiacl ainl solid, it his bowL'vor a f^rcal allinity for water, and when 
 broui;ht into coiijuiietioii willi it, absorbs a lar^ro'i'iaiititv and bocoiuos like bird liHH». 
 At some ]ioints on llio river, isomctimo on one bank, then on the other and occaaion- 
 ;illy on both, the bunlvK are covered from low walei' love! to 10 or 1.") feet above it, 
 with HtoiHVi vaiyiii/^ from 1 to (> or .-' ineiies in diameter. This is noticeably the ca>*o 
 from - or 3 miles above " St. Andrews Kapids " to the '• Lower Fort.' 
 
 At two point> i}n the river, viz :—(Jross Sod ions No. (i uirl K, rock in situ is 
 loiind and has been used /or building purposes, but at the tirst namod point it can 
 only lio (piarricd at low water. 
 
 ( >win!^ to the nature of the clay above referred t >, it has, when liroui;ht in 
 <oiitact with tbo water, been forced out into the river at K/W-water level, by tbo 
 \voi;^ht of the superincumbent earth, and is carried down to llie lake, where it has 
 formed an extensive " bar" at the mouth of the livor, havincj oidy from 4 to t> feet 
 of water over it at low Avater. Th j oozing out of this material fn. m under the bankK 
 eau.sea them to crack ami settle down almost perpendicularly; the»o crack., .some- 
 limes occur as far back oh from HtO to IMO feel from the outer edge of the bank. By 
 this Bcttlin^- down, iho maiei'ial wiii(di otherwise would not lie di.^turbed to any great 
 extent liy the current or ice, becomes disintegi'atcd, and is ea.siij' curried away by the 
 freshets and ice. 
 
 Owing t') this cause th-' river va'ley i.s much wider at many places than it wjw 
 lifly \ears airo, but there are numerous point.s between hoi-o and ibo lake where, from 
 sonu; unexplained cause, this action does not seem to have occuricd to any extent. 
 
 There is an exteiLsive swamp known as ' the Big Bog, ' which, commencing at 
 llii^ western limit of the city, extends northerly to Netley Creek, near Lake Winnipeg ; 
 at Selkirk it is 7 miles west of the river. 
 
 About ];i miles from here. Tail's Creek, u largo coulee tlrains a portion of this 
 ■^wamp into J.'ed liiver. V'nu will observe that at tliis point the great Hood iovelH 
 liegin to tail away more i-a])idly, and from beie northward to tlio neighb(>rhood of 
 the lake the country has not been under water on these occasion.s. Thin is no doul»t 
 due, amongst other cause;*, to iho fact of the water of the river on these occaHions 
 flowing out through this valley into 'die big bog from which they found their way 
 into the lake though Netley Creek. 
 
 Whde from tliis point southward to some distance south of the International 
 bonndaiy, and for a considerable dislanco on each hide of the river, the whole ban 
 hcen neon covered to a depth of several t'oet, by persons still living hero. 
 
 It is said by por.sons wh(j.se residence in the coiintiy is only of a more recent 
 date, that such floods will never occur again as the river bed has widened sufTiciontly 
 to prevent them. It is to be hoped that such events nuiy not again occur, but if 
 they do not, the above will not be the reason, tor, as already stated, thoi-e are several 
 points between here and the lake which are little, if any, wider than they wore 50 
 3'ears ago. 
 
 1 have given this whole subject a great deal of consideration since 1 first came here, 
 and my ojiinion is that these stages of extraonlinarily high water are due to a com- 
 bination of events which are, 1 think, as follows - — Ist. A serii^s of wet seasons (such 
 as we have had for the la.st two years.) 
 
 2nd. Very severe and ccutinued frost bcfoie the snow falls, causing very uck ice 
 on the river. 
 
 ord, A heavy snow fall, during the latter part of the winter, throughout the area 
 of country which drains into the river, 
 
':7« 
 
 4th. TIio brenkin^-np of llio wiittci- .'wcoinpniiiod l>y lioiivy niiiis in Minnosota, 
 wliilo fioni hero (<> tlic iioiili it cotiliittios co'il so lliat tln! ri\or doos i\')t oikmi iiji .il 
 its ouliol. 
 
 Any tiiio (if tlieso cvoiil.s in not Milliutnt lo caiiM' a Hoixl Iioi-c, Imt tiic wlmlo 
 foniin;^ togetliorAVKiild, undoulitcilly. 
 
 Froii tho infcrnuuiou wo liavo boon ali!o lo obtain, (lie ))laco a]i)io:irs Id bav«» 
 lipen on llict*o occaMiins tuoi'o liUc i lai\o tlian a livor, from wliich I intnr tiit! pi-in- 
 « iiml obst/i'uction to t lie flow ofwator bas I'om iu'voinl tbo jioiiit already lotorioil 
 to — Tail's Creek — and a man liviiti; in llic ncii,ddn»rli(iod of tiio Stone i-'ort Ktiii.."! 
 that bo liail ^^oon tbo ii'o ^o ])ilid up on (hi> river al liiat jjointa-* to prevent bisiseoint; 
 llio o)>|W!*i(o sboro. 
 
 So tnueb (iiseu>si<in lias ocenricd of l.re on tbe Mibjoct of tbo ioi-alion of u l»ridj,(u 
 at Winni|)e«, and tlie soK'etion ot Selkirk as 'lie point of erossinj;, Unit I sball nmko 
 a few remarks mi tlieso two pidijects iiefoi'> ebir-iii;' this report. 
 
 Ak ban alro.'.d\- been slated, the baekinix-'iii of be water over tlie site of tliis eil}", 
 Bcoms to I'avo been caused, lo some exleid, at b.ast, by obstriietions lurlher dt)w.i 
 stream. 
 
 Dn insi^eelin^ <he aocom,Kin3"ii;;ji: | Ian, it will b;> observed tliere is a triangidar 
 pieco of bind extending' from t'.e II. 15. Fori, on ibo Assiniboine, tow.-irds I'oint 
 [Vtnglas, wbieli is several feet below tlic tr^'iornl level of tbo surrounding' eoinitiy. 
 
 Tlioro lire a lai'ire number ot buildings and a number of tbo principal mills ami 
 manufactories on this level. On tv.o occasions since my coming to reside boi'o, the 
 high wuier has been Just up to ;lii> level of this liat, and n slight additional rise 
 vr»mld h;'.vo inundated this portion of the citv, and causjcd a liirgo amount of damage. 
 As it was, a sash ar.d door lactory was obbgod to shut down in consequence of the 
 vrnlor tilling their boiler pit. 
 
 Wore a briilge built at Point Douglas, and should the water again rise to tho 
 level, or ]iossibly higher in coiise(|nonce of obstruction caused by the piers of tbe 
 bridge, it might nv)t unreasonably bo claimed In' parties sustaining damage to tbo 
 south ot it, that the bridge was the cause of the backing up of the water, which 
 would give rise to serious claims for dai.iages. This is, of course, leaving outof con- 
 sideration altogether that such a jam of ico might occur there us would cause tbo 
 inundation of that ])ortion of iho eit'y standing on the higher level, and lh« ico does 
 now jam to some extent at this point every year. 
 
 it", on the other band, a liiidgo were built :il rrovenebor Avenue and IJroailway, 
 and an embankment formed tVom it on the line of ib-oadway to JIain street, and the 
 water should rise so as to cover the low ground north of it, a claim could not ho 
 raised with any show of reason ilia L the bridge was the cause, until tbo water had 
 risen high enough to ovei'llow the embaiikmciit, by which time it would be over the 
 country, on both sides of the I'ivor, for some dist.'iiico. 
 
 The section of the river al the Sloiio For! would seem, at first sight, to present a 
 very favorable crossing, but owing to the ciicmn-tjiiiee already namiMi, and the (act 
 of its being very cosdy, if not im]iracticalile, lo form a connection lietweon the. 
 railway and the water level of Lake Wiiini|ieg, for freighting jiurposes, while the 
 banks of tbo river at and f)r some distancelielowthispointurosohighandclo.se 
 together that sailing vessels could not work their way n\t to it t''rom the lake ; and, in 
 addition, tbe cut rent beie is very swift. Jii viiMV of tlie fact that the conveyance 
 of freight by way of . Hudson's lia\' is now a subject of serious consideration, such a 
 connoction becomes a very ini])ortant fiict. Tbe land in Ibis locality' is all in private 
 hands. 
 
 At Selkirk, a bridge, allhough soiucwIku longer than at the last named point, 
 would not require such iiigh piers. 15y the construction of permanent trestle-work, 
 Jicros.s the valley on the east side ol'Ihe river, 
 of water during llootis would bo avoided, wlii 
 
 III danger of obstructing the frco flow 
 the trestle- work would bo i 
 
 pb 
 
 protected from the action of ice by the natural confor'iiaiioii of the ground, and the 
 fact, as Slated by all who were questioned on the subject, that, by the time the ice 
 reaches this point, it is very . -Uten and broken up into piece.s of small si/o. 
 
ti Minnosotn, 
 , open u|i at 
 
 it tiie wlmlo 
 
 )Oiirs lu liii\«> 
 \fo.v till! prin- 
 !juiy rolono'l 
 
 J i'"ort at II !(.•/$ 
 
 'Ut histcoinij 
 
 1) (tf a liridtjc 
 I siiull iiiitUo 
 
 of tliJH city, 
 urtluT (low.) 
 
 a ti'iaii;;iilar 
 >\var(ls Point 
 ^ Clin 11 try. 
 al inillH iuiil 
 iiio liorp, till" 
 liiilioiial rise 
 t (jf'diuna^c. 
 [iienco of tlio 
 
 riso to tlio 
 piers of the 
 lingo ti> llic 
 pitor, whii-li 
 oiitof coti- 
 
 l cause lilt) 
 
 ice (lues 
 
 IJroailway, 
 
 •Oct, ami the 
 
 iiiM not ho 
 
 water had 
 
 be over ( ho 
 
 to presont a 
 nd tiie lac I 
 letwocn the 
 while the 
 !i and eiofo 
 ko ; and, in 
 conveyance 
 tion, Hiich a 
 
 1 in private. 
 
 amed pitiiit, 
 ■ostlo-woi'k, 
 10 free flow 
 coinplotcly 
 and tlio 
 line the ice 
 
 f19 
 
 The low gruuiiil, ahovo referred to, and the conformation of llie river would atTord 
 (III alinii'ahle ni'o and facilities lor the eon^truclion ofa large extent ot' wharfaccomo- 
 (I, .lion, which could bo reached from the railwa3' lovol at siiiiill ex|)eiiso , while llie 
 lower liiMikM, wider and straighler valley, and Mliglit current of the river admit of 
 MiliU'i i:'.<srls as well as steamers easily reaching (hi-, point. This is denionstr:it«!d by 
 till' t';ii I of their eoiistantly doing so, bringing in lumber frinn tho laUo and unloading 
 II a; 'ho village of Helkirk, which has sprung up on the west bankaince tho line wan 
 Inialed here. 
 
 Tho land on llio ea.st side of the river is hold by tho (Jovornmont, and has boon 
 iKuv. f<*\' some years, purveyed and laid out as a town |>lot, for whieh it is admirably 
 ^lliled, an 1 tiom the >al(> ol lots in it, if a bridge across the river wert< built, siitliriehl 
 and mure than siilHeii'ut tunds eoiiM b(> ri^ali/ed in lime to pay for the expense id' 
 I'lnlding the bridge there. 
 
 I itMiiain, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 JAMKS M. I{0W.\N. 
 
 I'.S.— Hoiiiigsat \ iirious p nlsi)fil.»> river, iin biding .Selkirk, havo demiuisi rated 
 tliiil a good linindatioii lijr a bridge can bo obtained at any oi <be places indii^iitod, al 
 a 111! der.'ite dislntmo below the bottom of the river. 
 
 .1. n. I.'. 
 
 .'-^.VNIU nltn l-'l.KMl.Mi, Km|., 
 
 KnirinetM'-in chief. 
 
 /I'-Y' •/•/ ';/ the I'mjincrr iiiCliiet on i/ocuinciitK ii-lrO'\ttintj the Uri'lijui-/ of lie I finir iit H"" 
 I. liner St'inf: Fort, laid Ik fore the (inverniurnt l»j Mr. ('. ./. liri/io/es, fjond 
 Ciimmis^ioiwr llu'l.<ons B fi/ ('omfiatn/. 
 
 ('.\.N.\I)IAN P.\r|Klf: IiAlI.W.W. 
 
 Ol'KICK i>V THE MniILNKKR-IS CIIIKI-'. 
 
 t)TT.\w.\, loth February, ISSK. 
 
 Sill,— 1 have Itie honor to re|toil on a loiter adrossed to the Kiglit Honorable Sir 
 .'iilm A. Macdonald by Mr. ('. .1. Mry<lges, on the (piestion of bridging Ki^d River. 
 
 .Ml-. Hiydges is an olHccr of the Jludson's ]\i\y (Vimpany, and doubtless has in 
 view the iiiteiest of liis em|)loyt>rs. in advf>cating tho bridging of Ued Iviver at 
 Sione Fort, where there is a large trad of Jludson's Hay land. 
 
 ,Mr. lirydges encloses a niimbor of statements, by olUcers and servants of the 
 Hudson's Hay ('oinpany, with the view of ostiibjishitig that there is no difliiMiUy in 
 I'l'iilging I{ed Uivor at Stone Fort. 
 
 These statements arc by tho lollowing gentlemen : 
 
 1. .1. Balsillie, ol the Iliuison's Hay Jjaiul Departmeni, Winnipeg. 
 
 2, Win Flett. .lludsmi's Hay ollieer. Lower Fort (iarry. 
 
 '■i. Kdnuuid H. Abell, Chief Fnginoer to the lEudson's Hay (Jompaiiy, Sluiie I'ort. 
 
 4. .lames French, groom to the Hudson's Hay Coinjiany, L iwor Fort <Jarry. 
 
 .T Norman Morrison, foi'merly in tho service of the Hudson's Hiy t'oi.ipiiny, 
 Lower l''oil (iarry. 
 
 I havo ox.'miined those several sLalemeiit.--, and I Irive wiitlen my oli-e;vations 
 oil the margin, for your information. 
 
 Tho statements .submitted bring out no facts that do mrl confirm the conclusions 
 that 1 havo arrived at in my report of hlb Deccniber last. 
 
 It is stated by several of the witnesses that an ice j;im has occurred at .Sugar 
 Point, at a place which, on rcforonce to the plan. I lind i- some U or L! miles .ibove th? 
 pr iposed crossing at Selkirk, 
 
280 
 
 It irt sliiti'd tint tlio Tliidsiin's Bii}' f.'omnany'rt vossols when Tnooroil in tlio liilit 
 r.- -ielkirk, rt'i'iMvi'd on one occusion, s >mo irijnry I'rom a rino in tlio water. This 
 niiiy f^iivo I'cen llie ease, iin<l it t(iMUti> «how how miicli the river ^oiieriiily iscxpD^c 1 
 to (Imi j^cr at cti'tain linu's and how imjjortant it i^< to fuive ft place of ^iu'ltor whcir 
 .-o lilili; dania;:« ajipoarH t>i have li(\cn siitlored. Tiie fael tiiai Hudson's liay otlii^ei--. 
 have annually wintered tfieir vessels in the r^amo j)laee, and that their venseb aii' 
 now \'. ii:ieit(l there, gue.i Cai" to show that tiiore is no safer winter (juarleis ibr thorn 
 in tho-i ivor. 
 
 Il is slated that till- Stone Fort lias never been Hiibnier^'ed. This uj^rees witli 
 the information 1 liave already submitted. One witness quoted by Mr. Ual.^illio 
 C.\Jr. McDerniotl) testilios that the water rose on ono occasion to within several fed 
 of tiie top ')f the banks. From this it is clear, that ut oxtromo Moods the wai'.^r rises 
 more than '60 fe(>t. This is (juito enough to indicate the ditlieulty there would b<j in 
 erecting piers that woulil witlistand the force of tiie swollen current, and in vio\v of 
 tiie causes and conse(iuence8 of the inundation, it would in my judgment be out of 
 llie (juestion to augnnsni tlic disasters, oven in the very slightest degree, by piucing 
 obstructions in the already loo cimtractod watc.'-way. 
 
 There is no doubt in my mind as to the most eligible site for the Pncitic Railw.i , 
 bridge, and the documents now submitted only contirm the view I hold, luit, for 
 argument sake, if we assumed that at the Stone Fort there exists a site, in evei v 
 respect as good a.-i at Selkirk, there are other circumstances which the Governmont 
 will retogni/.c the importance of. At Selkirk there is a largo block of land (over 
 l,oOO acres) belonging to the Crown. In my report of 8th December, I have said its 
 krca is over 1,000 aci-es, but it is really more than l,5(iO acres. This block is admi- 
 rably ada])ted for a town site and it would he greatly enhanced in value by the location 
 of the bridge within its limits. At Stone Furt tlio tiovornment does not now con'jol 
 a single acre of land, and any benefit to jiropert}- from the ostablishmont of th.. 
 bridge at thai jilaeo would accrue to individuals, and mainly to the Hudson Hay 
 Company wiiero ihoy have l,7j(t acres. 
 
 T enclose a sketch sliowing the relative position of the 1,300 acres Governnieni 
 land at Selkirk and 1,750 acres at, Stone Fort which, the Surveyor (Jonerai inf. mi- 
 me, belongs to the Ihidftdn's IJay (.'ompany. 
 
 r have the honor to be. Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant. 
 
 (Signed) SANDFOKl) FLFiMINii. 
 
 The iJoni liable 
 
 Sir CiiAKf.F.f. TfrrKti, K.C.M.f;., 
 
 Minister of Railway's and Canals. 
 
 Ctii'V oj Letter from Air. C. J. firudjcn to Hrlson's Baij Vomjiiinij'si ay<nt, nt Winnipffj, 
 n!-l{in'7 for criain information. 
 
 IIuDso.^'s Bay Company, 
 
 Montreal, ItUh January Ifc'SO. 
 
 J'kau S/u. — I want you to get and let me have as soon as possible tho f(/llowiiig 
 information: Ist, tho date when our Post at tho Lower Stone Fort was first 
 estaMished. 
 
 L'ud How long any of our people now there have been at the post. 
 
 'did Their Statements as to the condition of the rivor at the High bankc* where 
 the post is. Ad to tho greatest height below the top of tho bank "that thoy have 
 known the water rise during tho freshet time. Also as to the manner in which the ic' 
 
oro'l in tho Inlet 
 tlio water. Til it 
 KTully iscxpox' 1 
 of slu'lli'i' wliorc 
 «)ti's Buy otlicLT-. 
 tlioir vossfls an- 
 [iiarlei s for tluMii 
 
 riiis ii^rces willi 
 by Mr. EalNiilio 
 lliin several fe(>l 
 Irt the wai<n' rises 
 :cic wouli] \^^^ in 
 , mill ill view of 
 i^'raont bo out of 
 ,'roo, by placin;: 
 
 i> I'acitlc Uailw.i , 
 
 I hold, iiiit, for 
 
 II site, ill ovorv 
 tlio G.jvornmoru 
 k of land (over 
 •V, 1 havo said it-' 
 s block ih adiiii- 
 10 by the loi-atioii 
 
 not now (Udi'.rol 
 ;)lishmont of tlic, 
 tho Hudson Hay 
 
 TOM (i(n'orniiu'iii. 
 (JoMurai jnl'nriin 
 
 liN'ii. 
 
 '>ccr hi-'''h>ff. 
 
 if, <tl Wnitiipi'ij. 
 
 luary 1H80. 
 
 tho f(/llowiiig 
 Fort was firhi, 
 
 t. 
 
 1 banks whoir 
 lat thoy havo 
 u which the io.> 
 
 . 
 
 2S1 
 
 vans throiif^h thoEforge when it breaks up in the Kpriiii^. Flis it ovor boon known to 
 j,'<)it,'o or Mock iho cjianiiol in the break up in sprin:^. lIii-« the lee ovor be^Mi known 
 ( ) j:im al that point HO as to throw the water b.ic;k hiijher up tlio river and th • 
 IIiHid t!io prairie. It is Ml:itod tIrU this has hoen the ( :i»o in sjine yeiirs. Also I 
 hliiiiild like to know how hi^'h np the banks oi- rather how many feel below the top 
 iho lee ha» boon known to rise on its bro.ikini^ up in the .sprini;. It is .stated that 
 I lie river at our po-^t has been so filled with ieo that u person .standing at our Fort 
 ciiuld not .seo the bank on the other side. 
 
 .\s soon as yiui /.fet this, i;-o down at oiu'ij t<» the liiw.'i- !•" i-t n'll ^ol full sl:ilo 
 iiu!ii,s upon all the points 1 have nain>' I. fiei tli • panics to .sj'jju iho .-tuicniMits and 
 .-.liite how loiii; llnsy have bev'ii there. 
 
 Write nie tally and (piiekU', but do not use the \\ ire-, about il. 
 
 I \\:\\\\ the exact facts, wliatever they are. 
 
 Yoni> liitiy, 
 
 C. .J. HKYIxiKS. 
 
 ,1. Hai.sii.i.ik, Ks(|. 
 
 Hudson's Hay Conipniy, 
 Winniriee-. 
 
 l.iKir/i'iin l/h Ifinl.viii'i. liiii/ (''iiiijhdufs AjiUil af IVinn'iirij ^/ .If-, f '. ./. Hryl^ii'n, 
 
 lll.liso.s's 15.VY CoMlANY. 
 
 IjA.N D LeI'AKTMK.N'T. 
 
 WiNNii'Eit, 28th January, JS.SO. 
 
 Dkaii SiK, — Ininiediately on tho receipt of your^Iolter of the U)th instant, I pro- 
 I'ceded to the .Sl'>no Fort in ord<M' to obtain tho inforiuation re(^uired by you, as to the 
 Klato of tho river at that place durin;^ tho breakine- up of the ice in the spritii:; of the 
 year. This information is ombodicil in tho oi:"losed stalenunt from live parties who 
 have resided for ii number of years at, or near, the fort. Tlio statements were taken 
 fovorally and not in the prosonce ot each other, and the coincidence, in almost every 
 particular, is HiifHciently rem.arkablo to warrant implicit credence in wh;it is Hlafed. 
 I believ(< from tho conversation 1 have had with these and other parties, that these 
 are the simple facts of tho case and can bo further voritied if necessary. 
 
 Aliout two hundred yards above tho south wall of the fort, there is a small creek 
 <n- couUn; the iFodofthis crook is about twenty foot below the toji of tho bank, and 
 right in the boiiom of the crook, ami about thirty foot from its mouth, the (Jonipany 
 have erected buildiiii^s which liuvo stool for a lonij number of years. A portl«m of 
 llicso buildings was at one tinio used as a distilleiy, and another part was used as 
 a saw and grist mill of whicdi the grist mill is now in operation. During the froslietH, 
 water from the river had invaded the lower flats of tho-^e buildings, but not to a 
 damaging extent, and there is no evidence of the ice over liaviug done tho slightest 
 injury. This will go to show conclusively, that tho water or ice in ]iod River has 
 never beon sutliciontly high to do those buildings any damage, or (d so thoy would 
 not be there. 
 
 Tho Lower I'ort was lirst established as a trading post, about the year 1823, 
 although tho stone walls were built much later. 
 
 I havo Just had an interview with Mr. Andrew ilcDormott, who canio to this 
 country in 1812, and who has resided for a nninhor of years in tho Red Rivor settlo- 
 mentand who has umloiiblo.Uy a greater knowledgi- of local matters than any other 
 person now living. 
 
 llewa.-- employed in bringing down the w.iod Iroiii Halo .St. Raul with which to 
 build the lirst buildings there, and although ho has never resided at the Stoiio Fort, is 
 eonvorsaut with the cliang05 in the river nt that place. 
 
282 
 
 He informs nio tliat ho has novor known, nor haa overheard from anj' one of 
 tho iivei- or i(o ever havin/^ approached within several feet of the top of the baiik- 
 and that during (he flood of ISi'iJ, ot which ho was a vilnens, tho Stone Tort 
 waw (jiiite tree (ioni iniiiidatior or dunu.go by ice.* 
 
 I do not think there is anything ni(.)re to bo buid on 'die std)jeet. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 .1. I'.AI.SIIilJK. 
 
 ( '. .1. i'r- iMii;s, l''.-i|.; 
 Mori I real. 
 
 (</) Tlii-J is liyni'3 
 pxiKrrii'fire, tho ex- 
 imordiriniy fl o o d s 
 were livforo I li i a 
 period. 
 
 (70 Tliia ici'-jnm is 
 rpportctl lo linve oc- 
 riirrcd nhoi t two 
 milca nhove lli<> prci- 
 posed sitp of hiidgo 
 atSelkirlc. 
 
 ((•) Tliis limy 111! 
 fiirrcct, 1)11 1 it docs 
 not appear thai ii 
 hetfer pliici' fur win- 
 tpriiig tho H. B. cnift 
 pxistaoti tho rivtr, as 
 thev fitill iist> it mid 
 Imvi' liii'l two vt'ri-ols 
 wiftiTi'd litre diir- 
 iiift i87!iKO. 
 
 (i) Tins ROIltlo- 
 inan hus only boi'n 
 Hoine IJ yeftrs ;il tho 
 iStoiio K. It, 
 
 (/•) Nil rnnn told 8. 
 t'li'iiiini: ihis', It wiis 
 incniioiii'd hy un (lUI 
 seltlt'i 111 Mr.fiowrtii 
 line uliii witnosBOd 
 
 Stafemenit- made bij ojp.i'en and serrau1<> of tlw IJudson's. Ba\f Cow- 
 jiiuiy ill reference to the state of Med liiver at Stone, Fort and other 
 /'Oints, irith marginal remarks by the Engineer-inChief, C.P.K. 
 
 LoM'ER Fort Cahrv, 
 
 27<.h January, 1880. 
 John Baj..sill!k, 
 
 .Mud.son'8 i{uy (Jonipany. 
 Winnipeg. 
 
 SiK, — It gives me great pleasure to give you ail the infoinialion 
 in my power regarding your inquiries about tho slate of the river 
 and the breaking up of tho ice at this place. 
 
 r have naturally given tho subject much attention, and from p^M'- 
 sonal observiiiion and information obtained from reliable somre.>i, 
 can sjioak authoritatively on tho matter. Taking your queries as 
 presented, the following are my statonients : — 
 
 1st. 1 have resided continuouslj' at the Stone Fort for the l!i.--l 
 twelve years, and during that time h.'ive s'.-on no ico jam at tho Stone 
 I'oit or in its immediate vicinity. The ice has broken up griulually 
 and no sudden rise of tho water to any extent nas tidvoii |daco. (a) 
 
 2nd. The highest thai, 1 have soon the water at this place was on 
 tilt 21ili Ai)ril 187t>, when it came to 15 feet from the top of the bunk. 
 Tnis was occiisioned, not from any jam at tho Forr or near it, bni 
 from a sl<>pj)ing ol'the ice at the Sugar Point ;U miles below the Stone 
 Kort and in close pro rimity to Selkirk. This is the oidy ])laco near 
 tho Stone Fort where the ice jams it may bo said every year miirc 
 or less. (//') 
 
 Hvd. Three j'Ciirs ago the ico jammed at the point belosv Selkiik 
 and flooded all the 'ow lands on the east side o !.e river opposite 
 Selkiik, carrying the ice through the woods, causing considerable 
 damage to our craft, which weio then b'ing in their winter ipiarters 
 iu the sloii;;h on the easi side of the river iMsar Selkirk, (/') 
 
 •Iti). 1 have never known tho ice to jam at tho Stone l"'ort or its 
 vicinity Ihcreliy causing the water to flood the prairies to tlie 
 south. ((/) 
 
 r»lh. I have never known tho ico to pile on the l)anks at or near 
 the Stone l'"ort except on very low j)oints near the Stone Fori, 
 sim))ly because siiih a thing could not. possibly h.'ive hajipened, 
 willtout the water h.'ul overflowed the bank, an<l ibo man from near 
 ilie Stone Foit who told Mr. S. Fleming that the ice at that poini 
 was piled so high that a persmi HUmdiiig (>n one side could not see 
 (he other shore must have a abho'-rence to loll tho tr';th. (r) 
 
 • in report Hili nocoiiibpr, IKT'J, tn tho Mir.iHtor cf RttilwRys rwid OftniiU tiy 8. Fleming, tho height 
 of the prairie Hbovc Hood level of is?'! ie giten at ■''w foet. 
 
28.1 
 
 from any one of 
 toj) of tho bank 
 , tho Stouo Fort, 
 
 LSIIiLIi;. 
 
 it durinR an exlMor- 6tli. Although not at tho Stone J''oil, daring tl\o flooils ot liro'i 
 (liimry flood. y,J|j^^ and (Jl., I wa.s thoii in tho Rod JJivor Soltlenioiit and an oyo-witnoss 
 was^^p a"period of t^o both, and from mariis made on buildings b}' myself personally, 
 twelve yeai-fl in the I can stale that tiic ttiiinl of 1S52 was four foot iiighor than that 
 U. B. Coy's emiiloy- ,,i'iH(;i. 
 
 '">'"'• . I an), 
 
 Ynnrs tnilv, 
 (Signod) \VM. l-MJ-TT. 
 
 ttilsoii'i. Jinu Cow- 
 one Fort and othrr 
 
 r (iAIlRV, 
 
 ;nuai'y, 1880. 
 
 1 the infornuition 
 slato of tho riviM' 
 
 :)i\, and from pv'i- 
 L reliable aouiros, 
 a; your queries iis 
 
 Fort for tho laM 
 jam al the Stone 
 :cn u]! grmlually 
 
 i'Uen jilaco. («) 
 his piaeo was on 
 
 lo top of the banl<. 
 :. or near 't, bnl 
 s below tho Slorio 
 only ]>la(d near 
 every year mure 
 
 lit below Solkiric 
 ;.e river i)pj)Osite 
 
 ng considerable 
 \ winter iiuarlei> 
 lirlv, (r) 
 
 Stone l"'ort or iis 
 Iprairies to tlio 
 
 Imnks at or near 
 Itho Htono Fori, 
 |Ikivo hiippened, 
 
 man from noin- 
 100 at that jiniiH 
 |dii i.'ftuld not Hoo 
 
 Hh. (0 
 
 IciniriK, Iho lirtiKlit 
 
 
 ( ') Tlic jiim took 
 l.liiVe aljiiut 2 tiiilea 
 nliove tlie proposed 
 liriil<;i^ crossing at 
 Si-lkiik. 
 
 (./) N'o stntenientg 
 
 10 ilio contrary have 
 Iji'CM inadi! Tlie l)iiek 
 wiiter does not rise 
 liigli enough to affect 
 llie liridiri". TUo sile 
 would lie in still 
 
 WfttlT. 
 
 (A) And yctlbe 11. 
 B. Uo's vessels are 
 Hiiiiually luken buck 
 lotbuisaruc place and 
 Kt itiB prtaent nio- 
 nunt are moored 
 iheri'. Thfl bank at 
 this spot III only somo 
 t'vj or tlireo teet 
 iibove water. 
 
 (0 Is tbia consist- 
 mt Willi tho 8tate- 
 nii:nt made reapect- 
 iiii/ the ice forniinp; 
 
 11 j'lm after it paasuM 
 iSunii' Kort ? 
 
 I. FiUMi'Ni) II. AiJELf., Fiigineer-in-oiiiof lo liio iriidsoii's Hny 
 T'ompany, make the following statement : 
 
 I have resided at Jjower Fort Gtirry sinoe tho year 18(15, and 
 have a thorough knowledge of tho Hod River of the X(n-Mi, having 
 navigated tho same tVom Broclcoiiridge in. liie Slato of Minnosola, 
 United States, to its mouth al Lake Winnipog, siiuo ISl'l. 1 btivj 
 seeen tho break up of the ice on tho Rod River at tlu- Stone Fort 
 for the last tifleen oonsocutivo seasons. During all those 3'ears I liavo 
 soon no ice jam at the Stono Fort or in its vicinity, but have known it 
 to jam several times at Sugar Point, (f) about throe and a half inilos 
 below tho Stone Fort oausing tho water to rise at the Slone Fori. 
 Tho highest 1 liavo known llto baok water to rise at the Sloiio Fort 
 from this or any other oauso is to within twelve or lifleon foot of the 
 lop of tho bank. I liave also ktiown tho ioe to jam at tho first point 
 below the village of Selkirk, (g) causing the walor to overllow the low 
 land on Uio ea>; side of tho river to a depth of ten feet and f)roing 
 the ieo back up tho crook where our vessels were lying, and driving 
 thorn for a considerable distance from tlioW- moorings, and actually 
 stranding one of the vessels on top of the bank, (h) 
 
 From my knowledge of the contiguralion of tho banks of tho 
 river at ti>e Slone Fort, [ do not think it possible fir a jam to take 
 place, nor ha\o I over known any ice jam below tho Fort si as to 
 raise the walor to forco the ioo over the top of the bank. 
 
 As regards tho (low of ice, it is so broken, and smasln^d up parsing 
 over the St. .\ndrows Rapid-*, that there are no pieces of siilli.'ieiiL 
 size to cause tin ice jam ut tin' Sl/r "(Ht. (i) 
 
 (^Signed) 
 
 Slone l'"orl, 
 
 Manitobii, L'Tlh .Taniiai y, IS'^O. 
 
 Kh. K'. \!l!';i,l;. 
 
 .l.wiKs FiiKNcii, (lioom to Huilson's U.iy Co., Lower Fori, (i.irry. 
 
 1 liave resided at the Stone Fort oonlinually for llio la>t tirtcen 
 yoais, and liave iseon tlie ico break up each spring. 
 
 1 have never seen any jam of ire til this point, nor the water or 
 ice I'isc higher than within' tillooii (15) fool of the lop of tho bank. 
 'Phis riso is caused partly if nol al(oi.olhor by tho ice jaiiimiii!; al a 
 
 loinl I'lutlior down. 
 
 nam 
 (A) Till. .„d ilK. I'litfo called Sugar Foint, and al a 
 
 intceding statf 
 lire nol pe 
 contisteiit 
 
 umont Anil tho ice jamming at Sugar I'oint is a yearly ocoiirrenoe. 1 
 
 rfectly have never seen any great rush of ice pa-t his Fori, it being broken 
 
 up iiilo small pieces coming over tho Si, A idi'ews rapids. (A) 
 
284 
 
 I Hhould think that, tlio rate oftlio ico ciiriotit dods not oxroul 
 (o) five niilc8 an hour, and this only IVom tho giving way of iIk; 
 i(.'o jam below. 
 
 1 liavo novel" myhelC — or hoard of any pei'son idso — liaving -ten 
 llio ico on tbo top of tho baiilc or near it. 
 Stonk Fort, January, 2Tlh 188(». 
 
 JAMES X i HKNX'ir. 
 mark. 
 (^.Sigiani) John Smith, 
 John IIowi."- 
 
 "' I Wi 
 
 IHTON, I 
 
 Inosses. 
 
 (0 luMr. nngillie'B 
 fliitt-mrnt, he quotoB 
 Mr. WcDeimott R8 ha- 
 vintf seen llip water 
 williin siivithI fiet of 
 the toil of tbt> bank, 
 
 <m) The |> o i n t 
 wliere llic jiim is 
 said to tnle placo 
 appears to be fully 2 
 luiies Rbove the Sel- 
 kirk bridge site. 
 
 1, Norman Morrison, of St, Andrew pari.sh, hhicksmilh, formerly 
 in tho Hcrvieo of tho Hudhon'.s IJay Company, do make tho following.; 
 htatoraont, 
 
 llavo resided at or :iear tho Hlono Fort, Hinco tho yoar 1859 ami 
 havo t^cen tlio ieo break up in tho rivor every spring during ttial 
 tinio. 
 
 1 havo never peon tiio water ri>e higher than from l.'i to 20 feet in 
 the t0]> of tlio bank, (/) and tlio liighest stage of llio water lian 
 generally been nftor tho ice ha,s gone. 
 
 I think tho year in which tho water vut^o the highest wa,-* in l?t;i, 
 tho yoar of the flood, 
 
 I havo never soon tho ice jam at the Foit, nor aiiy r.caier llian 
 at Sugar Point three and a half miles below. (»i) 
 
 This is tho obstruction which eausos tho rise at the Fort. 
 
 I havo never seen tho ice piled on the top of the bank nor any 
 thing near to it. 
 
 When tho ico breaks up it generally begins in the .'ontro ol' iIim 
 rfvor and gradually drops to pieces, 
 
 Tlio swiftest cunont at this placo is about five miles an hour. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 NOliMAN MOUKISO.N. 
 
 Lower Fort Harry, ) 
 2t)th January, 1880, j 
 
 .lohn Jj, iSniitli of Dyiu'vor, in tho County ofLi^-gar, I'mvincc (l 
 Manitolm. makes this day tho following statement : 
 
 Ist. During tho year i&.'j^, I was a residonl settler in Xoi th St. 
 
 Anilrews in tliis Province, Witnos.«ed tho height of water in the 
 
 I'iver that spring, and to my certain knowledge it did not ivai-h ilu' 
 
 (II) Tliiii level Is six *-*^'P '*' '''••^ bank at fhe Stone Fort by at least ten feet, (h) 
 
 teei liitflicr tban t!ie 2nd. That fioin tho year 1SG7 io tho year 1^71 I was in the 
 
 level mentioned in Ifudson's I'.ay Couijiany s employ, attlieStono Fort, and saw tho ice 
 
 leior f<t 1 ec. li, |,,,^,jj|^ j,p fourteen springs in s.icce.ssion, and can saloly sny ih:ii 
 
 during that time 1 did not see an}' ico jam at the Stone h'ort, except 
 
 when brought to a stand by the ico jam at Sugar I'oinf. I hav 
 
 lived in tho I'od River scltlciuent for fifty-four yeiirs, aad can slido 
 
 jiosilivcly, without fear of contradicti mi, that during that time liu 
 
 (u) Perfectly in nc' 
 
 water has not overflowed the baidta of the rivors at the Stone Foil, 
 
 cord Willi ibe stale- nor has any other living pet^^oll seen it, nor hiivo I ever heard tlrii 
 tneiitB made, it has done So, {o) 
 
i.ijho.sl Wii.-t ill l.?(;i, 
 
 265 
 
 II cllso— IlilS'itlg M.>l 
 
 tVfsbets, not (luring 
 
 (lurinK ordi n arj- ,,.,,,„, .,„,i,i i' ,. ...-._... ... .,..v,.v.,.„ „,,,„,.-, ,,u,ii,j. „,jr„ 
 
 . .« . • ^ watLM^undlhebimk.n- up ortlioi.-oiu spii.,^. iiuorsonaalojtai, 
 
 riouds. 
 
 ft smart walk can Ivco]. abreii.t oCiin ohject (1 lati.i- dowM Hlroam, 
 ami I don t tl.iiilv tlio cumwit, at the SIomo Fu.t, (tan e.vcn'd fbui' or 
 at. iiir»H( <ivo rniloM an li.^iir. (//) * 
 
 (Si.irn.'d) 
 
 Mm\ L. sMinr. 
 
 Town Fort Garry, 
 
 2Ttli Jauualy, lS>-0. 
 
286 
 
 APPENDJX No. 17. 
 
 KKPOHT ON MRVF.Y (n' VRKNi.ll RIVKR 1)nUI.Vrl 18"!^, nv .Mil. K. I'. BENKKK. 
 
 Ottawa, '-'Odi .lamiary, 1S80. 
 
 To SANnFORu Flkminq, C.M.G., 
 
 Rngineer-in-Chief, Cartadiiiii Pacitic I{;ii!\vay. 
 
 Sir, — I liavo the honor to submit tlio i'l'llowiiiij report of tlio survey ot" Kioiu-li 
 liiver made last soasou in aceordunco with your inhtruotionsot Muy 22uJ, 187U. 
 
 The harbor of French Eiver, on the north shore of the (ieorgian Bay, was eai'o- 
 Ciilly purveyed by Mr. IJidout in 1875. lUt* plans show a ohannel not loss than a 
 quarter of a mi lo wide and 80 feet deep. Tliere seems to bo an imjn'CHsion aniouL;- 
 some steamboat ca))t«ins on the Georgian Bay liiat the harbor is ditlicut of acee.-s 
 \r. tlio fall of the year on aecount of the pre' ailin;^ west winds, while otln rs maintain 
 that thei'o is no better harbor on the north sho'o. Those confliciing' lejiort-^ indu(;od uui 
 to exaniinc the matter, and I was somewhat surprised to lind that stakes placed by 
 Air, Itidout's party near the water's edge in 1875, wore still standing in many places 
 throughout the harbor. It would bo hard to lind stronger evidence of the excellent 
 shelter which this harbor is cajjablo ol ati'oi'ding vessels than the fact that the i<e 
 aiiil storms since 1875 have not carried awa; small stakes placed almost at the 
 water's edge and retained in position by a few small stones. (Plan oNo. 1.) 
 
 French IJiver, from its mouth to its source, in Lake Nipi.-ising, c(tvors a distance 
 of about 50 miles, and is, in reality, a chain of very deep lakes hoparated by narrow 
 bars of rocl-- which dam back the water, thus forming i-apids and cascades. Those 
 vary in length from 50 to (iOO feet. The usual width is JVom 400 feet to a mile and 
 the usual depth from HO to more than 100 feet. The banks are steep, bold and 
 ro( ky. In tho broad expanses between the rapids tho shores are indented at short 
 intervals by deep bays, which, not unfrequcntly, extend itdand ior several miles. 
 Hundreds of islands are scattered throughout its length, and lend a charm to that 
 lonely region. 
 
 I'rom the mouth, the course is north-oast for a distance of two and a half mile'. 
 Hero the rivor, turning suddenly to tho east, is crossed by two bars of rock which, 
 by preventing tho free passage of the water for the rapids called LesPotiles Dalles 
 These rapids, which have a totaltitll of I'lG fe( 
 any other i)ortion of the river. Tho centre li; 
 curve with a radius of 650 feet, tho channel it-ci 
 with a lift ol t! feet would be at the loot of th 's 
 .•ix niilos from Los Petites Dalles, at the upper . 
 
 Lac Lo HoMif, from which there are three large discharges into tho (ieorgian hay 
 tho channel divides into two branches, one to the left called the South ]5ranch, which 
 extends some ItJ miles to (.'antin'sEay, tho terminus of the late (Georgian Bay Bi'anch ; 
 the )thor, through which nearly tho whole volume ol' water passei, follows the genera! 
 coiiiso of the river to tho second ra])id, 10 miles Ironi Lcs Petites Oalies, 
 In this distance there are ' three narrow ])as>*iigeH, each almut one hundred n\u\ 
 Iwenty-livo feet wide, the remainder being from tivo hundred to 1,.'(00 feel 
 in wicilh, A lew rocks would have to bo removed and tho chaiiiiel (itraightened in 
 one or two places. At the second rapid, which has a fall oi two lei't, ami is 'Ait'i feet 
 wide ami six feet deep at low water, tho pccond lock is located with a lift of 11 feet. 
 Tho rivor in stiaight, about 500 loet wide and .'iO foot deep, from the second rapid to 
 
 esont more serious diiUcultles than 
 
 the located channel is a reversed 
 
 oing 100 feet wide. The lirst lock 
 
 ■aj)ids. (See Plan No. 2.) About 
 
 o ot an exjiansion of the river, palled 
 
 ■1 
 
inl 
 
 the Recollet Falls, a distanoo of favo miloH. These falls are formed by a bar of rock 
 about 100 feet wide, which obstructs the channel at this point. They are T'DT foot 
 high (Plan No. 'I). Above the Recollet Falln there in au unbroken stretch of water 
 18 miles in length, from 400 to 1,500 feet wide, and from 80 to more than 100 feet 
 deej,. Tliere are two small discharges from the main channel into the south branch ; 
 one branches ofl' three miles from the Recollet, runs south one and a half miles, and 
 falls through a narrow pass into Cantin's Buy, an expansion of the river. The otiior 
 leaves seven miles from the Recollet, runs south for three and a half miles and 
 empties into the south braiulr through the Ilorrjo Shoi' Falls. Both these dischaiges 
 have high banks, and are not more than :i0 (cL-t wide and two feet deep at ordinary 
 low water. Oross-sections of them, at the site of projiosed dams, arc given in sheet 
 No. 5. Two and a half miles from the Recollet then* is a bay which extends north 
 one and a-half miles, and receives the di.scharge of the north branch, which here 
 enters the main channel, after having loft it some 20 miles farltier up. After those 
 18 miles, there are five rapids in the next five miles. The first of those, Le Parisien, 
 fall 1'27 feet, is little more than a strong current, but since the channel is crooked, 
 considerable excavation would bo necessary (Plan No. 6). Seven thousand feet fartho- 
 on are Les Petitos Faucilles, a number of small currents, with a total fall of l'(!2 ieot, 
 running in several channels separated by islands. The third lock, with a lift of 14 
 feet, is located in a narrow pass, with steep rocky banks, neai- the head of those 
 currents, (plan No, *»). The Buisson Rapid, fall iGb feet, 8,000 feet from Les Petitos 
 Faucilles, is a straight and narrow channel of the required dimensions, with perpen- 
 dicular bauks of rock (Plan No. 8). At the Double Rjq.id, fall 8-05 feet, 3,800 feet 
 farther on, the river turns suddenly to the left. The located channel, with a radius 
 of 650 feet, passes through a small watercourse to the lefi ci the main channel ; for a 
 distance of 400 feet the work would be rather heavy (Plan No. 9). Haifa mile above 
 this rapid, there is a small current with a fall of 0.2f) foot, whore the removal of a few 
 rocks would bo necessary (Plan No. lOj. TJio fourth lock is located at La Grande 
 Faucille Rapid, 4,000 feet troni the last mentioned current. The fall is hero 5'15 
 feet, and the lift of the lock 14 feet(Plan No. 11). Th j Pino Rapid, the last of the 
 five, is 4,000 feet from La Grande Faucille, and has a fail of 2-52 toot. The waterway 
 is of the required dimensions, so that no excavation would be nocessery (Plan No 12). 
 At the head of tho Pine Rapid a beautiful lake meets the eye. To the left, at the 
 bottom of a deep bay, the distant outlet ol'the north branch can be discerned, which, 
 after a course of 2',i miles, empties into the main channel, two and a half miles above 
 tho Recollet Falls. 
 
 To the right, a short distance from the head of tho rapid, there is a branch which 
 re-enters tho river below La tJrande Paucillo, cross sections of iheso braiiclics, are shown 
 in sheet No. 12, at pc''Uj where dams would bo constructed (see als(j No. 18, tho 
 general plan of the river.) A little furtlior on, the main channel (urns to the left, 
 while directly opposite tho head of the rapid are innumerable islands, densely wooded 
 with lofty pinos, thickly scattered in groups and ckHtoi's on an area of two miles 
 square. Behind those islands one of the outlets of Lake Nijiissinj,- rushes down a steep 
 incline, and is lost in the still waters below. Following the main channel ior eight 
 miles, through groups of islands and broad lakes, we arrive tit the Chaudiero Isills. 
 
 In this distance the depth is novvhero less than 24 fool, and is usually more than 
 100 feet; the width varies from 500 foot to ihreo-quartors of a mile. On leaving 
 Koeso's Bay, at tho u}»j)or end of this lake, 2,000 feet from the Lowei' Chaudioi'o Falls, 
 tho channel becomes narrow and winding, and ii is iicossary to leave the river and 
 cut through the narrowest part (jf a spui of rock, around which tin; river (lows (Plan 
 No. 14.) At the Lower Chaudiore, fall 13 IIJ toot, (lie river rushes down between 
 perpendicular banks of rock, scarcely 50 feet apart. In tlii^ nariow pass (he tifth and 
 fast lock, with a lift of 14 feet, is located. Between the Lower ami Upj)or Chaudiore 
 there is a basin 2,000 feet long, with an average; ^^ i Jth of 5(10 foot. TlieUpiicr Chaudiore, 
 fall 12-!I6 feet, is a succession of small rapids luddeep curreuts, running in a narrow 
 channel between steep and rocky banks. Alihoii;,'h the ilcpth of water is gouorally 
 Bufflciont, the chanuol would have *-o bo widened and straightened in several places. 
 (Plan No. 14.) 
 128—19 
 
There is probably no river which presents so many advantages for canalization as 
 French Eiver, for there are always at least two channels ; by damming one the water 
 below the dam would assume a lower level, and works be carried on above, which 
 would otherwise have to be done under waf«r ; or a lock can be built in a favorable 
 part of the river and the channel permanently blocked, as proposed at the Chaudiere, 
 Crraode Faucille and othei rapids, while the whole discharge passes through the 
 other branch. The river might be lighted by placing at each point a red light to the 
 right and a white light on the left, so that a vessel ascending would pass to the right 
 of the white, and to the left of the red light. In this mannei-, navigation would be as 
 safe at n'ght as in day. Perhaps it would be found advantageous to have a small 
 steam skiff and two men between each lock to attend to the lights, and thus greatly 
 reduce the number of lighthouse-keepers. (Plan No. 15.) 
 
 There is no building stone on French Eiver fit for the masonry of locks, con- 
 sequently it would, perhaps, bo advisable to construct them of wood and iron in place 
 of stone. 
 
 No. 16 is a plan and elevation of one of the proposed locks of 14 feet lift. The 
 sides arc wooden frames iilled with concrete. The gates are strong, and firmly braced 
 iron frames which slide in grooves, and have their up-sti-eara surfaces covered with 
 sheet iron, to prevent the passage of water. 
 
 Each gate is raised into position by two or more concentric cylinders, which slide 
 one within the other. That at the head of the lock is composed of a single frame and 
 two cylinders, one fixed and one moveable. Water is compressed into the 
 stationary cylinder by a pump, worked by a small turbine wheel, and 
 its pressure against the piston-head of the sliding cylinder raises the gate 
 into position. That at the foot of the lock consists of two frames and three 
 cylinders, two moveable and one immoveable. The water, as before, is forced into 
 the fixed one, and its pressure upon the piston-head of the inpermost cylinder raises 
 the frame which forms the upper part of the gate until the pistoc comes into contact 
 with the top of the other sliding cylinder; from this point the two oylindern move 
 together, carrying both frames with them, until the gate is raised into its place, lu 
 this way the gates can be raised and lowered very rapidly, and by one man. Annexed 
 is a table of quantities and structures from Georgian Bay to Lake Nipissing, with 
 their estimated cost. 
 
 At the head of the Upper Chaudiere, the level of Lake Nipissing is reached. 
 The first twelve miles of the lake much resembles French River. The least depth 
 in a channel from 600 feet to a mile wide is 22 feet, and for six miles bottom was not 
 reached with 110 feet of line. At 12 miles from the Chaudiere the lake becomes so 
 wide that the opposite shores are scarcely discernable. For the remainder of the 
 distance to the south-east coast, about 18 miles, the existence cfa fine straight channel 
 was ascertained, having a minimum depth of 17 feet. 
 
 Besides frequent soundings, an apparatus which I have called a Eock Seeker 
 was employed to detect the presence of rocks and shoals. It consists of a horizontal 
 bar 25 feet long firmly hold in position, 14 foet below the surface of the water. The 
 apparatus was attached to a boat which was rowed in mid channel, and 
 consequently any depth loss than 14 feet could not jremftiu undiscovered, (Sheet 
 No. 17). 
 
 No. 18 is a profile of the river and Lake Nipissing. Diagrams showing the 
 temperature for the months of Ai.gust, September and October are also given. 
 
■ams showing the 
 also given. 
 
 289 
 
 The following is a table of distances from Chicago to the seaports of Jdontrea 
 and New York by different routes . — 
 
 CHICAGO TO NEW YORK. 
 
 Rail 
 miles. 
 
 Water 
 mileB. 
 
 Via Lakes and Erie Canal , 
 
 " Lakes to Buffalo, mil to New York 
 
 " All rail 
 
 CHICAGO TO MONTREAL. 
 
 Tw Lakes and St. Lawrence , 
 
 " French Kiver to Lake Nipissing, thence to Mon 
 ti-eal by rail ■• 
 
 
 422 
 961 
 
 
 354 
 
 1419 
 
 925 
 
 
 
 1,348 
 625 
 
 Total 
 
 1,419 
 1,347 
 
 1,348 
 919 
 
 lu faror 
 of 
 French R. 
 
 440 
 
 868 
 
 
 
 369 
 
 This table shows that French River possesses decided advantages over any of 
 the other routes from Chicago to the seaboard. The returns of the Chicago Board 
 of Trade show that 63,693,081 bushels of wheat and other grains were shipped by 
 the Lakes to Buffalo, and thence to Now York by railway and canal. 
 
 The French River route, being 440 miles shorter than by the Erie Canal, and 
 368 miles shorter than the combined rail and water route to Now York, would 
 certainly attract a large portion of this enormous trade. The forests of pine which 
 border upon Lake Nipissing have as yot scarcely been touched, so that the return 
 trade, which largely influences the rates of freight, would be very large. 
 
 I have the honor to be. Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 E. P. BENDER. 
 
 123--19i 
 
290 
 
 APPENDIX No. 18. 
 
 BKVOKTS ;ON FXAMISATldNS M \I)K NMUTll AND WT.-^T OK I.AKK NiriSSINO, IN CON. 
 NKi'TlON WITH IIIK I'UO.I tU IV.H IIAIIWAV EXPKNSIDN ID 1 11 K KAsi'EllN KNK OF 
 I.AKK s^ IKIUOU. 
 
 Ki'port on tiunnj duriiuj 187!^ I'U Mr. \i A, Ausn'n. 
 
 Ott \ 
 
 ihl 1U;V li. 18S0, 
 
 SANDFORO Fl.KMlNO, Ksq., CM.(?. 
 
 l^KAn Sill, — I Ikivo tlio Imnoi lo ronorl (li!i( <>n (lio ;U)t1i of Anril IiihI, I iocoiv<vi 
 vorbjil luitii.'!' I'loiii \c>u to hold luysolt in ro.iilint>ss to proi't't'ii on (AM"l.jiiu \voil\ 
 rcqtiiriHi to bo }>ortbrtU(vi t'oi- tlu' l>i'|i;iitiui>nt ol Uailsviiys ami Ciiiials. 
 
 I tliorot'oro. in tiu> I'lisiiiiig luonili liuil Itiiilw atul oilior no» ONHi»r>' things irimlo and 
 pivpaii'd, (»o ilint no doluy ^lioiiM ariso ns hooh at* luy MnW ivum nanuul to jifoi'.otHl at 
 omo to till' M'oao ot'ojHM'alioii. 
 
 On t!u' 'J()tli of May, I \v,.s notitiod that my stall' wiw iij)|)ointoil. 
 
 On llu> t'ollowin;;- (lay I left Ottawa I'oi- I'oinl'ioko, wIumi* 1 pivH'uroil my firwl livo 
 wooUs' supply ol' provisions, with cooUiiit; uionsits, hxom, tiiroo Ixiats, »\:('., .to. 
 
 On tho -tith, my party was I'lilly nuulo up, mimluMMii^' in all tiiiiiy oi;^ht.. On 
 Iho ti)IK>wini; day wo lol't PiMnlnoko, por sioaiuor, tor Poux Joachim, and lunini; 
 mado tho ])oiiai^o, wo roai'hod !ho Kooho Oapitaino Uio 8anu> ovonin^ poi stoanioi' 
 •' Iv'opaw.'i." 
 
 Oi\ I ho lollowini; day (^'.^Sth), at 11 p.m., wo ^ot to Matt«wa, briiii^in^ all our 
 BtutVwith ii,s. 
 
 Wo romainod at .Maliaw.-i diirint; llio 'J"lh, puttiiii: our provisions into oonvoniond 
 paokaijfis t'or junta^inj;, and puroha.sod aiuithor I'oat. 
 
 On tho lollowimr d;iy i_l''riday), wo h'l'l Alatfawa and roaohod tho tirst portngoon 
 tho \'aM' Kivor I'miu l.ako Nipiss'iig on .Moiuiay, .luno 'Jiul, wht'ro wo oampod. 
 
 Tho 3rd ol' , I lino was spo!il in tosiint;- inwti'unioiitH and •grinding axon, and 
 pcirtai^inf^ pr(ivi,xii>ns o\or this [oi\^ porlatjo. 
 
 Siarlini; Troiu a point ahoiit -'() tool ahovo tho siirl'aoo of J.ako NipisHiiiif, lOl 
 I'ool oa-t ot' tho Soiilh-I'^ast Wuy. and iioai' tho di>op walor landing, I oxaminod Iho 
 ooiiiilry and ran a trial looa^ion siir\ oy, in a north-wostorly dii'ooLion, tovviirdy Long 
 Liiko, « distanoo yA' (io niilo.-- 
 
 From tho at'oroiuontionod start ing-poml tho giiulo risos to t.lio lOlli staUon 
 ('^ milo^ making uso ol .sido hill and tho valloy ol' a small Hlroaiu, tlionoo gonorally 
 lovoi to iho llOth station ('Jiid niilo), ovor swampy ground with HOir.o rocky knolls, 
 theiu'o dosooiuling to iho Ititnh >iati(Ui (_!ird miio). 
 
 (.ionorally, tho linihor, tor this distanoo, is rod and whito pino with mapio, tainii- 
 vno and spruoo, tcdar and poplar ; sonio ol tho wwamjm havti but littlo wood U|)Oii 
 thorn. 
 
 Again, tho oountry is gonorailv lovol to tho ^h'OMi Htution, crosBing tho (Jlay 
 Brook at station lliS and tho Vaso iiiN or at 21tUh station. 
 
 From tho "JtlOlh statioi tho most diroot lino, and shorter by one and H-half 
 milos, would Uad through a lovol, swampy oountrj with hut liiti** rook to oni'ouulor 
 and somo low chy and sand hills. But on aeoouni of tho low lovol ol tho swamps, 
 Bonic parts being only 5 fool above tho assumed low-wulor of Lake Nipibsing, thin 
 j/ortiou had to bo abaudouod. 
 
291 
 
 t,l. thv h, ISSO. 
 
 |)i"il last, I vocoivoi! 
 
 croHsiii^ tho Clay 
 
 Your inHtiui'1i<'ii-i diriMlmL' tlml a licisMit of 'JO ("not hIiihiM liti Uopl iiIm'V(< liiilto 
 Nilli^^^Hl;; ill llic r\('iii .il'llu" I )t l!i\\ II jiinl l.ako lliiiuii ('iifiil lioiii;^ Imill. ('(ihmc*- 
 (iin'iiily, lit tlio "Jlidlli Mhiiion, iln> line ln-jiii mnii" imri li\v:iici, nimiiiii,' xviyv sumo 
 s\viiiii|iH anil I'Mi ky UiihIIm, hIiIc IiiIIn, \c., n>iii'liiii|; llic woMlnii ^<lll>^n ol Siili> l,iilu» 
 at stalion ;tr)li (tif^ iniltO. Tlioiu'i' almi^ Snitt |,al»o ^oiioially rucicy l>> Hn' itTOlli 
 Hl.itioii (Till milo), thoii lit (lio ;i77lli Miiilinn lli(> |ini< rcui'luiH ('mss LiiUo, wIih'Ii ("or 
 ti(i(l ti'(*l will Iiiiv«^ III lio croMscil \<-: II (i-csllti iinil.';i', llio l;i'(ihIi>h( ilt<|illi of lliin luk(> is 
 tiiiiiv Cool, tlio walor Niirlhi'o iioiii!' ".'2 toot 'iImivo lial>.' Xiiiissiii;^ 
 
 Vroiii tliiM llu> i^noiiiiil f^oiioialiy iihcvi, ninl at .Mlalion MK, iillaiiui a ln>ifj;lil ol' lit) 
 t'ooti almvo l,al\»> Nipissiiij^. At llic f>Olilli HJation, tlio <'liii)|>o\vii Kivor in to Ito 
 iri>-<NO<l I'V II l>ritl^(> ol' IW tool, willi .■iluilinoDts .tO r«<ol in lu>i;.^lit. 
 
 'I'lio limlior trom llio KKIIli stalmn In ili(> tilOlli, Is i^ciui ally iiiixod, l>oiii^ t.iiin- 
 ai'Ho, s|niu'o, iioinloi U, \\ liito aii>l rod jiiiio, coiini , llal^lllll, willi |io|iliir anil aldoiH. 
 
 'rii<> Miii't'ai'o is, in plai'rs III (ilicii and I'ocky, witli soiiic lovol roaolioK ol' nam! and 
 |)i)iil(li>i><, Himily loam and s\vaiM|iH. 
 
 Tlioro iiri> soin(» |ir«>tty hoav) oiillini^K and tlllin^^M on tliiw Hccl.ioH. 
 
 1 horo di^roNH lor a nliorl, Hpaoo. Wlulo at this portion of tli.N li.oiition, tlio ('liiof 
 of tho Nipin.sin;^ Indiaim \iKiiiid my oiimp and told m(< llial tho lndiann woto unwilliiif^ 
 iliat any road or railway should Iravoivo tlu'ir lu»H(>r\o, and iid'oiinod mo that llioro 
 \Mis a hoMitifuI pini'o u|i llio Chippewa !{ivor for a iiiilroad, and that Irivinj.; roaiduMi 
 ilio hoad of tho rapids, thai a vtiry lint roimlry oxistod to Iho north ol 'i'aylor IIiIIh, 
 oxlondiiijic to tho Smoki> tall on tho Stiir^oon Kivor, Iho i)at^l^ of whioh ('I'aylor IlilJH) 
 wo wiM'o now Hkirtiiijj. l\nowiii>f (ho iliniciiliicH that wt>ro ahoad, havin/^ had to 
 di'soond tllOs^^ hills in an oxploralion, soino -^ix yoai'H iircvioim, 1 doturminwl to liavo & 
 Ilia! of tho ('hi|ipowa Valhy, with my work still f.v>in(^ on. 
 
 I (>x|)loiod lip to tho Un-(d oountry, and Ihon thought that tho iiHt'ont wiiH imio.h 
 too fjjioal, hut oonHidorin/^ that without an iiiHtriinioMlal t.oHt tho liuliuim wotikl ro- 
 ])orl thair I rodiHod to tako any notico of what tiioy naid. 
 
 1, thorotoro, had a lino nit, upalonj,' tho viilloy of Iho ('hip{)owa, ami lovollod. 
 
 I'ail of tho diHtaiico, nomo Mil ohainH, 1 foiin<l an asoont ol orio hundrod and 
 Novonty (I7ll) fool, and (liiHwaH afli'i- 1 had hMi^jthonod tho lino in ordoi- to i^fliii di(*- 
 (aiioo, hut tlu< actual riH<<oftho rivor in ahotit 2(M> fttot in HdidiairiH, making SiA por 100. 
 
 Krom NtatioM 540 thoro in a;,'radual doscorit to Htatioii 7JII) (I5lh milo), whoro 
 tin- HUifaco is only 10 foot ahovo I,ako Nipissin^; lioro an omhankmoiit of 20 foot 
 will ho noi'ossary for ahout H chaiim, a niimh(«r ofumall stroams will havo to bo 
 croHsod in this lal lor roach, ami tho hiicho.smiy Hivor, rocjuiiin^ a hrid^^o of sixty 
 foot span ; also, Ihoro will ho somo (hiop hut not vt.'ry lont; fillings, with u iiumhor of 
 cuttings mostly Ihroiigh sand and lunildorH and some rock. 
 
 Tho tinihiw, whito juiio, cedar, liomlock, birch, tamariu!, sprtico, inajilo, &c., 
 is ahiiiiilant. 
 
 Solid and looso rock, Hand and bouldors principally form tho surfaco. 
 
 Tout inning onward, to Iho ii!l5lh station ( ll'lii milo) tho liiu^ moots tho bnso of 
 tlio Taylor Hills. 1'his last, distanco of souk; four milos ban only ono cutting of any 
 niomont averaging 15 fi'ct doop lor a distisiico of ahoiil, 7 (bains, and only (hroo 
 slroaniH, including ono of 20 foot wido, whieli will r()i|iii"o aiiutmonts ol 25 foot in 
 lioigbt (Nonorally sand and bouldorM form the* siir''ico. 
 
 Korward (roin tho !»!15th station, to tho IKIOth hiation (22iid milo), tho locution 
 risos to tho s'lnunit of tho Taylor Hills, ascoinling diagonally to tho lioigiit- of 200 
 foot ubovo Lako Nipissing (HliU f(>ot jidovo tho soa lovi'l). 
 
 Tho cuttings goncrally on this roach will bo of rock, sand iind houldci'H, and sand 
 mostly- hill side. At tho summit a lulling of nearly .'50 foot will be nocossary for 
 about 8 chains tlirougb sand and houMiM's, with indicitions of uiidorl\-ing lock. 
 
 Tho limhor goiiorally is hemlock, halHam, |)illl^, bii'li, codar ami basswood. 
 
 Tho 1 l()7lli station roaches a swHinjiy flat, with some small hroaks r)f sand and 
 bouldor ridgOH, wdiich o.xtond to tho l.'Uxitb station (2'lj( niilos). Homo small struc!- 
 tiiros, QUO ol" 20 loot Hfian, will bo ro(iuirod ovor tho nioadow brook cm lliiw roach. 
 
292 
 
 LITTLE BTUBuXON RIVER VALLKY. 
 
 Fi >ni ih3 1300th ftation, tho lociuion pnases ovor rather an uneven country to 
 the I450lh station (27^ mik't) 'vlioro the highest elevation of the lino is attained, being 
 220 feet above Lake Ninissing (S5i) feet above tho wea). This portion of tho line 
 runs across tho immediate vallc,- of Little Sturgeon Hivor, tho river itself being 
 crofesod by a bridge of one hundred feet span with abutments of twenty-live feet in 
 height. 
 
 ' There will be a number of rook cuttings ol no great moment and Home pretty deep 
 but short lillings, the greatest being 20 feet in height by 10 chains in length. Cutungs 
 of rock, sand, sand aiid h.i'iJerH. 
 
 IMPnoVEMKNT OP LINE. 
 
 From tho 1350tl, station, the line might be improved and shortened by a-half 
 mile , this mr.y be cit'oi;ted by keeping more to tho west and avoiding a .ibarji turn to 
 tho no. th, but of 'Joce.s8ity tho cutting will bo changed, and the embankment made 
 much greater. 
 
 SMOKE BIVER VALLEY. 
 
 Prom the 1450th station to the 1710th station (32J^ miles), tho location generally 
 follows the vnlloy of the Smoke River. The lead of the country compeliing thi> 
 which, however, increases the distance, and causes a divergence of a-half miie to the 
 northward, a more direct route was tried, but it failed in grades. 
 
 A loop lino wa.s run from station 1484 + 97 to 18;i2 -f- 86 of tho main line, 
 be'ng over a-half mile short. r than tho main line, but hardly olFering as good gr«.doH. 
 
 Along the valley of tiio I'moke liivcr, tho grades are all descending westward. 
 
 Tho river itself has to bo eros.sed in three places; two structures of 60 feet 
 span, ;ind one of 40 feet will bo required, also a uivergonco of the river to some 
 extent will bo necessary. 
 
 Some few rock cuttings on this section, and considerable fillings on account of 
 the rise of tho Snioko Eivor. 
 
 Tho timber is mostly burnt off this section, some spruce, balsam and aide'*" only 
 remaining. Some rock, light loam and swampy ground form tho surface. 
 
 APPBOACHINO THK dTUROEON UIVEB. 
 
 The location at tho last crossing of tho Smoko River is upwards of 4,000 foot to 
 tho north-east of the Sturgeon at the great Elbow. From station 1710 onward there 
 is a gradual running towards the Sturgeon Eivor, on account of the hills to the north- 
 ward and at station 1877 (36i^ miles), tho location has reached near its banks, being 
 only 400 feet from tho river. 
 
 The surface is generally level, hut for a mile in tho first portion of this roach it 
 is much broken by guUion. Sand and clay exist with some rock on surface. 
 
 The timber generally is pine ar.d balsam, with some brule. 
 
 Near the Sturgeon iUver, from station 1877, the location follows the direction of 
 tho Sturgeon River towards its source to tho 2270th station (43rd mile), and now 
 and then touching its banks, going through a pretty level section, tho surfaco of 
 which is composed of sand and boulders, sand, clay and sandy loam, with a portion 
 of rock. 
 
 River crossing — ^At the 2234th station the Otanacamigosi River has to be crossed 
 by a bridge of two spans of 80 feet each, tho abutments and j^ler fo be 18 feet high. 
 Pino, spruce, tanuiiac, cedar, birch and Imisam, with alders are on this reach. 
 
 The Sturgeon River is left at station 2270, and crossing tho Odell River at 
 2276th station by a bridge of 80 feet span, with abutments of 22 feet in height, then 
 tho location riios to a flat of country about 50 feet higher than tho last reach, whore 
 a heavy bank is required ■ 
 
293 
 
 Thence generally through a level countrj to the 2640th station (50th milo), the 
 location near the centre of this roach is 80 chains from tho Sturgeon Kivor, and at its 
 termination approaches within five hundred feet of it. 
 
 Dga on account of 
 
 SUEPACB AND TIMBEa. 
 
 This fine reach of seven miles has but little rock upon it, all of which can bo 
 avoided ; tho general soil is sand and boulders, clay, sand and sandy loam. A num- 
 ber of streams arc crossed of no groat size, which, with tho rest on the location, I 
 haveput in tabulated form for convenience, 
 
 Tho timber consists of pine, tamarac, spruce, balsam, birch, cedar; maple aadash 
 abound, some in brule also, 
 
 TAMAOAJIINO VALLEY AND RIVEIU 
 
 Prom tho 2fi50th station (BS^tb mile) the line passes over a deep gully at 26'70th 
 station, through which tho Snake B'ook flows before it reachc^j the high land 
 to tho left of tho Tamagaming River, which river is approached by a descent of 
 eorae 30 feet in 60 chains, and to bo crossed by a bridge of two bays of 60 feet, the 
 roadway of which bridge will be thirty feet above the low-water surface; here, for 
 about twentytivo chains, a filling will be required averaginir about 15 fiict in height. 
 
 Thence rising in 33 chains 30 feet to a high tablo-luud to station 2860, then 
 descending over a broken tract to station 2930, 
 
 Crossing Black Water Brook at 2901st station, whore a filling 30 foot in depth 
 and Y chains in length has to bo made, also a number of cuttings, taken together, 
 average about 15 feet in depth for 45 chains. 
 
 Surface, — On this reach, for the most part, sand and boulders aro apparent, 
 with perhaps some rock underlying, sandy loam also forms a largo portion of the 
 (surface; with but little swamp and not a large quantity of rock. 
 
 The timber is pine, birch, spruce, cedar, balsam, ash, oak, with alders. ' 
 
 A divorgenco from near the 53rd mile might, on this last roach, be tried by keep- 
 ing nearer the river, i.e., to the left of the line, and again joining tho present location 
 at or near station 2930, By this means the stoop descent from station 2860 to 2927 
 might bo somewhat reduced and the cuttings and fillings altered for the l>etter. 
 
 The Terminating Reach, — From station 2030 to 3310th station (62f miles) 
 tho torminatiou of the location mostly follows near the river, level and direct, 
 not much cutting, bsing mostly embankment. The grades have to be kept up all 
 along this reach on account of tho spring freshets. Quite a number of short rockj 
 points, some as through, and others as side cuttings, but none of any size. A number 
 of streams also havo to bo crossed, two of which. Pebble Brook, at atiition 2975, to 
 bo crossed by a bridge of 40 feot, and another, at station 3140, by a bridgo of 25 
 feet. 
 
 Sand and Li;ulder8 are principally on surface, with sand, sandy loam, clay, 
 gravel, and some rock. 
 
 The timber is white and rod pino, birch, spruce cedar, tamarac, ash, balsam, 
 maple, with some young pitch pines ; also a part of this reach is brule. 
 
 The swamps along tho line are not bad, as a general thing, but wherever any 
 soft or deep deposits exist I have had thorn bored, as seen on section. 
 
 The Sturgeon River, from its source to Lake Nipissing, is about 130 miles long, 
 rapid in many places, but yet fine reaches of smooth water exist. Its course is soutn- 
 eas*., through a generally rough country, and yel offering facilities on its banks for 
 lie Kite of a railway. 
 
 It drains an area of some 2,300 square railos. Luke Tamagaming, lying about 
 30 miles to the cast of the Sturgeon is its main source of supply, contains about 200 
 square miles, its discharge being a river of tho same name 2b milcb long, and join- 
 ing the Sturgeon about 37 miles from its mouth. 
 
 The Maskinogi River, another branch, comes in from tho west, 62 miles from 
 Lake Nipissing, draiuiog also a consideruble extent of lakes. 
 
S94 
 
 About 115 miles up, Iho main Sturgeon is divided into two branohos, inconsidoi- 
 ablo in size. 
 
 6PRIN0 FRESHETS. 
 
 The location along the rirer for nearly twenty miles is unavoidably in rather 
 low ground, and on account of the spring freshetn in some places the banks have (o 
 be r.iisod, but not to any groat extent ; in Tuaiiy places along the river the high 
 water lino was observed iiiul noted. 
 
 A portion of the natural dam of roik sit the Smoke P.ill on the Sturgeon River 
 could be blasted away iu low water, and a shallow abi>ut five hundred feet alwvo the 
 fall deepened, by which means the water ii\ the spring would bo run otf more rapidly 
 and (onseciuenti}- kept at a lower pitch. 
 
 The Taylor lliiis — ho named on the plan — are a spur of the Laurentidos or 
 Laurenlian Range, entirely of ihe gneissoid character (a bastard granite) very 
 hard and durable, and where hc.ny beds exist would be very lasting in structures, 
 but very hard and ditHcult to dress. The same formation lies on both sides of (ho 
 Sturgeon. In some places 1 have seen indications of iron, but no other rainorals, 
 with the exception of mica, were seen, ami that very inferior. 
 
 This spur of hills, after leaving the tjueboc side of tho river at Mattawa, nnw 
 along the Mattawa River and both sides ot' Talon and Trout Lakes, and along tho 
 north shore of Lake Ni pissing, crossing tho Sturgeon River between the lOth aiul 
 lith milo from its mouth. 
 
 Tho character of all tho rock met with on tho location was the same. 
 
 THK 80IL8. 
 
 Those that can bo available for agricultural purposes are confined to tho shore 
 of Lake Nipissing, to the north of the Taylor Hills and along tho immediate banks 
 of tho Sturgeon River. 
 
 Tho principal part being sandy loam, j.*'., a mixture of fino sand and clay. Most 
 of tho level tract along the Sturgeon River is a fluviatilo deposit of this, of which 
 also the delta at the mouth of tho Sturgeon J{ivor antl its banks for two miles from 
 its mouth are deposits. 
 
 Tho upper portion of tho river, where tho line has been located, is of tho same 
 nature, and appears to bo annual I3- increasing. 
 
 I saw some clearings to the north of tho Taylor Hills, tho soil appealing to bo 
 of tho same nature. 
 
 Clay in some few places is on tho surface, and in others a vegotabl.t deposit covers it. 
 
 The swamps are not extensive, tho subsoil sandy, andt ho surface generally a 
 vegetable deposit. 
 
 Along the shore of Nipissing there is a mixture of maple and black birch land, 
 stony in some places, and with vegetable mould on the surface, which for a few 
 yeai-s would yield fairly, but without composts will not holdout. 
 
 THE TIMBER. 
 
 The importance of tho timber along this lino demands especial notice from its 
 quantity, size and quality, and ita existence in any particular locality generally desig- 
 nating tho soil. 
 
 Pinus Genm. 
 
 First, and tho most important and abundant, we got the white or Woymontli 
 
 {nne (Pinus Strobus), in some places very large and ovorywhero abundant along the 
 ino. 
 
 Again, tho Norway or red pine (P. rosinosa) much more sparingly scattered 
 along the location, and in a few places abundant. 
 
295 
 
 n-aoohea, inconsidor* 
 
 (P. niger.) Tho black spruco it* abundant, the same troo from which tho ex- 
 tract is takun, ^'oml and of fair mIzo. 
 
 lloralock (1*. Canadensis) Ih aNo abundant, of vory largo wizo; mostly found 
 near the lake, but nonio on tho Stiirgooii [{ivor alno. 
 
 (Larix Americana.) Tho bhirk larcli tnmarac, hark-niatufk, in Nowtoundlnnd 
 known iw juniporor Newfoundland oaU ; in the I'rovinco of <.iuebot' as rod Hj)ruce, are 
 of good Hizo and abundant. 
 
 (P. Balsamoa.) Fir or lir balsam, American wilver fir, {from which tho Cauiuia 
 balsam is procured, not very abundant. 
 
 (1*. rigida.) Pitoii or black pino, only seen at or near Iheend of the line, rtmall. 
 
 Of the Botula family (U. lenla). MlacU biivli, tho most important, also 
 known as cherry birci\ anil mountain mahogany, very abundant and of large f'vM. 
 
 (1?. papyracea). White birch, the bark of which is used for canoes, a fair 
 quantity and largo. 
 
 (13. oxcolsa.) Yellow birch, only to bo found in small (luautitios. 
 
 Of the Acer Family. 
 
 Tho most frequently mot is tho (A. flacharinum) or sugar maple, in dittoront 
 localities along tho lino, of largo dimoiiHions. 
 
 (A. nigrum.) Bird's oyo or black ma])lo, used for furniture, not very abundant. 
 
 Also, (A. rubrum.) Soft maple, in large quantities on tho rivor. 
 
 (A. striatum.) Striped maple or moose wofxl, also to bo met with. 
 
 Tho black ash or water auh (Fraxinus aambuciiolia), in small quantities along 
 tlio Sturgeon River. 
 
 Poplar Tribe. 
 
 rPopulus candicans.) Balm of (Jiload, 
 
 Also, (P. tremuloidofl.) Aspon troc, a fair quantity, some very largo. 
 
 Cedars. 
 
 (Thuja occidentalis.) White cedar, in largo quantity. 
 
 A few while elms ((""Imus Americana) are also to bo mot with. 
 
 Some grey oak (Quorcus Prinos) in a number of places. 
 
 Occasionally the bass wood, or linden troo, (Tilia Americana) is scattered along 
 tho lino. 
 
 Also, tho choko cherry, tho black cherry, the wild cherry, tho hazel or wild 
 filbert, with a variety of ground fruits. 
 
 I have tho honor to bo. Sir, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 W. A. Al STIN, C.E., P.L.S., 
 
 En<iineer-in- Charge. 
 
 hito or Weymonth 
 
 paringly scattered 
 
296 
 
 OANADUN PACIFIC RAILWAY — DIVISION A, 1879 — SURFACE OF LINE 
 
 Description. 
 
 Length 
 in Miles. 
 
 Sand and bouldors 17*55 
 
 Sandy lonm 14*42 
 
 Swamp, bandy 10-03 
 
 Swamp, vegetable deposit 6-26 
 
 Kock, Hoiid 5-64 
 
 Looso rock 8'76 
 
 Clay 3-15 
 
 Gravel 188 
 
 Total 62-69 
 
 TIMBER ALONG LINE SURVEYED, 
 
 Descriptlor.. 
 
 White Pino 
 
 Spruce 
 
 Per 
 
 Cedar, 
 
 Taraarac 
 
 Black Birch.. 
 
 Ilonilock 
 
 White JJirch. 
 
 Balsam 
 
 Brnio 
 
 Soft Maple... 
 Sugar Maple. 
 
 Poplar 
 
 Ewl Pino 
 
 Alders 
 
 Ash 
 
 Elm 
 
 Oak 
 
 Grabs 
 
 Ceutage. 
 
 22- 
 15- 
 
 9-50 
 
 9- 
 
 7- 
 
 d- 
 
 5- 
 5- 
 B- 
 4- 
 
 3- 
 
 3- 
 
 2- 
 
 2- 
 
 1- 
 
 0-50 
 
 0-50 
 
 0-60 
 
 Total 100-00 
 
297 
 
 Bejiort on E^vphratirm during W'Hier of 18t9 anJ 1880, hi/ Mr. Alfred Brunei, jun. 
 
 Ottaava, lull February, 1880. 
 
 Bandford Fleming, Esq., O.M..G. 
 Eiigiiieer-in-C!uof. 
 
 Dkaii Sih, — Acting ou voiir in-tructionri of I'ii.hN'ovdtnljoi-, 187^.', I pi'oceoi-lod lo 
 C'ullinpwood on the i;Uh, wliere I piux liusod siipjilit,.' and ilog teams, and onga^^'od 
 inon J'or Uiotrip, which I concluded would lah<l ;iO')Ut two ni(tnili^^. 
 
 1 found that Iho lirst availtiblo btcanior would not leave Oollingwood before 
 Wednesday, tho l!kh of Xovomber, by which time the party was ready to start ; 
 meanwhile 1 leceived your letter of inytructionn. 
 
 In consequeiice of a heavy snow storm and very Inav/ weather, the wteatner did 
 not leave Oollingwood until Friday the L'lm., reaehiii;/ Killurney on Monday the 
 21tli., iiftvt having to lie to in a bay near the entrance t'> Lake Huron Cor about ."10 
 boiuN from stress of weather. 
 
 I ])itched my first camp in rear of the Village of Killarney, anil made enquiries 
 of thetesid-^ntH as to the best means of reaching the point where ray exploration was 
 to begin, the junction of the Spanish and Vermilion Uivers. 
 
 I found considerable diversity of opinion as to which route to take, there being 
 oidy Ivvo ways of getting to the rear of the mountain range back of Killarney; 
 either by Collins' inlet or by the Whitotish Eiver, I chose the Wliitelish Itiver, a 
 stream iibout one hundred feet wide at its muiith, whieh drains the chain of lakes 
 loading up to Whitotish Lake, and empties into the trcorgian Bay, about half way 
 between Killarney and Little Current. 
 
 1. left Killarney with my party in a fishing boat on tho2(>th., at noon, and got to 
 within f'lur miles of the mouth of the river at dark, when we wc re brought \i\) sud- 
 denly by running upon a rock, and as we could not see the channel, which was rather 
 intricate, 1 concluded to oamp at the tiist good spot on the shore. 
 
 The next day, Thursday 27lli., it rained hard all day, and wo were forced to 
 ivmain in camp. On Friday we started again for ti)o mouth of the river, but h'»il only 
 proceeded about a mile when w^o were stojiped by ice which had formed during tho 
 night, and wo were obliged to break our way to the shoro ol' an island whicii pre- 
 sented the only good camping ground in the neighborhood where I was force*! to 
 remain until the ii'o got strong enougli to bear. 
 
 On Mi>nday, December Ui, I broke up cainji, and movcl to the tnouth oi' White 
 Fish River, which we reached without ttccideit, though not without snmo danger, the 
 ice being very thin. The next day, the ice lioing strongoi', we moved over the 
 balance o)' the juovi8ion.s. 
 
 I found tho river open and tho small lakes ))artiali}- frozen, which caused a delay 
 of some days. 
 
 I reached Ahmic Lake on tho 8th December, and on the 0th 1 left the camp in 
 '■hargo of an assistant with instructions lo move up to the eiist end of Lac Tonago 
 without delay, and with Mr. Quin and three packers, 1 sturteil across country to the 
 Vermilion Kiver, whicli we reached on the 1 lib at noon, just above the junction with 
 tho Spanish Kiver. The Vermilion being about tliivo hundred feet wide at this 
 point. 
 
 I Ibllowod the south bank of tho Vermilion River, which was stoop in places, but 
 with more or less of Hats at iho base ot the hills tin- about u mile, when tho river 
 suddenly narrowed lo a hundred feet, and the 'lanks became steep and rocky for a 
 quarter c)f a mile, in which <listan('e there is a tall in the river of about twenty feet. 
 
 At one and u half miles iVom the juncliun tin' river wideii.'^ out again tc> Ihreo 
 liundri'd teei, and the Hats on the soiiih side -tlnHidi back Inr .-Dine distance IVom tho 
 I'ivor; the lianks ranging li'om eight to ten feot above the water, which was pretty 
 liigh on account of the late rains, 
 
29G 
 
 At three and a ImlCiriilos above the junction I reached the first lake, wliich is 
 ahoul hiilf'a milo lon;^ and two Ihou.saiid f'tn-t wido, fhcns iH'irijf :i coiitiniioa.s flat .from 
 near tli.i falls up to tho wot cud ollho lako, four iriit^s iVom the junrtjon. 
 
 Up 1o lids j)uiiit i!h' lino would Do voi'y good, and all in oarih voi'k, oxcopting 
 about half a mile })assiiii; the falls, which would bo side hill rock, Imi not heavy. 
 
 From the fourth mile 1 followed alonf:^ the rivor, which is almost a oontinuous 
 rapi I, fallint^ Iwerily feet in three fourths of a milo, with porliona of the side hi"! 
 pretty steep and rocky. 
 
 At the fifth milo I cntoj-od on the second lake, the south shore of which takes a 
 shai'p beml to the south at 'he imtlet, iieces^iiatiMg u rather heavy cut i'.i gotlini^ 
 over the brow of the ridge after leaving the rivei'. 
 
 Between the fd'lh and eighth mile' along the south shore of lake No. 'J, I fbimd 
 the countiy very rough and rocky br.ng ji good deal broken and iiidorited with bays, 
 though with moderately heavy work I do iiot anticipate uny dillieulty in getting .'t 
 good line 
 
 From the eighth milo t" the olovonth mile the country is very good, being either 
 easy siilo hill or level fl:d with no rook of any oonsef|ucnoo. 
 
 At the eiovontli mile there is a fall ii\ the rivoruf about fortydive feet, just abovo 
 which I think it would bo best to cross over to the north side of the river, it beinj^ 
 possible to got a good lino on tho north side up to the thirteenth mile, and thcit 
 return to tho south side aginn, reciuiring two bridges of about one humlrod anil tifly 
 foot spun each. 
 
 l3y crossing to the north side of tho river, tho lino between these points wouM 
 bo shortened and at least one bridge avoiilcd, 
 
 Tlie river takes a sudilon bend to tho south about half a milo above tho falls, and 
 being divided into two channels with a big bay to got round, would make necessary 
 vcrA' sharji curvatuie or two bridges. Another large stream fulls into tho Vormilien 
 from the south, a mile further on. 
 
 Whichever side is adopted horo, the lino will bo somewhat rough and rocky, and 
 will require the maxinuin\ curvature in sovoral places. 
 
 Between tho eleventh and tho tilteenth miles tho rivor falls about twonty-fivc feet, 
 and the last two miles aie a good deal burnt 
 
 Froia the fifteenth to near the twenty-tirst mile, the line would run through a 
 stretch of burnt country some distance south of the I'iver, cuttinL'"0iT a big bond. 
 
 Tho work would not be heavy, the ridges showing surface indications of being 
 comp()scd ot'clay. 
 
 This part o'. the line would ris(! to between sevoTity and eighty foot abovo tSo 
 rivor level, but the curvature would bo eat-y. 
 
 Near the twenty-first milo, the line ciosscs the river which is litlO feet wide, am) 
 after tiavorsing an eahy stretch of country for about one milo, rccrosses the rivor 
 at a poind whore it iu about four hundroil feel wide, but doad water, 
 being in fact a continuation of Rat Lake, which lies to the south. 
 
 At about tho twenty-second milo, 1 lelt tlio rivor and followed u]) a small 
 stream, coming in from the east, for il'out one mile onfling in a small hike. This 
 milo would be swampy, but could b'j drained easily, l)eii\g sepai'ated fi'oni the wateis 
 running into Round Lake b}- a low narrow ridgo of rock, and adroji of abimt twenty- 
 five feet into another lake ono and a half miles in length by a mile in width, 
 
 For tho llrst quarter of u mile the north ^liofo of this lake is rocky, but tho 
 work would not be heavy, after which the lino traverses a good stretch of flat bund 
 country, grnxlually lising ba(di from the shore of the lake to tho cas*, end, near iho 
 twenty fourth mile, where the stream forming tiio outlet of tim lake begins. 
 
 This stream is about one hundred (eel wi<lo, with very little current, and er.tors 
 Il(mnd Lake at its western. oNtiemily , tho banks are froni ten to twenty feet in 
 height, with considerable width of valley on each side, apparently consisting >.<{ 
 first-rate land, 
 
 The lino follows this stream uj) to the twenty-sixth milo, over very oven couii- 
 ry, when it bends to the north-east, and following alon^ the shore of Round Lake, 
 lovalion 785 foot abovo tho soa, loaves it at tho twonty-uiuth milo. 
 
899 
 
 r>st lake, wliich ia 
 
 MittiniioiH flut.froin 
 
 nction. 
 
 •th voik, oxcopling 
 
 bui not heavy. 
 
 most a continuous 
 
 na of tho nidc hi'l 
 
 of wliich talccH a 
 vy cut i;i goltiut^' 
 
 lako No. 'J, I found 
 Miloritod with bays, 
 iculty ill getting a 
 
 fgood, being either 
 
 five feet, just abovu 
 tlio river, it boitiji, 
 til mile, and tluu 
 ) hundred and fifty 
 
 heso points would 
 
 ibove tho fall.s, and 
 Id make nwios.'^ary 
 into tho Vormilicn 
 
 ugh and rocky, ar.d 
 
 >ut twenty-five ((ict, 
 
 uid run through a 
 ff a big bond, 
 iications of being 
 
 ty foot above tSo 
 
 lillO feet wide, nt") 
 
 cicrObseH tlic rivnr 
 
 but (load water, 
 
 llowod u]) a Rmall 
 ,mall lake. This 
 id fi'oni the watei'H 
 
 p ol'aUnit twenty- 
 
 in widtli. 
 
 is rocky, but tho 
 I'ctch ol' flat burnt 
 
 cabt end, near tho 
 :(' begins. 
 
 urrerit, and orders 
 
 to twenty t"<'ii1 in 
 
 ntly con.'ii.iting I'l' 
 
 very oven coun- 
 of Round Lake, 
 
 Tho last two miles would bo al together on side hill, with one .stream tc cross of 
 about fifty foot in width, the side hlll« coii,si,-<ting mainly ot ruck. 
 
 Leaving liouiid Lake at tiie twcnty-ninlii mile, the lino rise, caslwanl along a 
 hardwotxl ridge, ,s. paruting liuund Lako and Long Lake. (ElcvaLion of latter 794 
 foci above the sea,) reaebing tho sunimit, which i^ ninety tool above liound Lalco, at 
 ihc tliirtieth mile. 
 
 Tlio ridgi' i.N vei-y nai row at this poiiit, and dj-o[)s away suddenly on both sides, 
 ,so tliat though tho cut would bo from tliirt\ to Ibrtj' feet in drpth, at deepest point, if 
 would oidy extend over about two hundreii teet at thai dopih. 
 
 From the thirtieth mile to tho thirty-sixth mile "die line wouhi follow tlie shore 
 of Long Lake on the north side, although thei'o arc several rough places to be en- 
 (ountered, the line is generally go(«d, the sh)pes of the bills being easy and shoi'C 
 ivt,'ular, and although tho general ap])curance of the country is rocky, probably half 
 of this dintanco wonid bo in earth-work. 
 
 At th(^ thirty-iifth mile there is a high bluff jutting out into the hike, but which 
 falls away to tlio r-oar, Th(! angles getting round tho front of it are very sharp, and 
 I think it would be nc-essary to rise over the low portion of the ridge in tho rear, 
 whicdi would necessitate a i-athor heavy rock cut. 
 
 From the thirty-fifth uiilo to tholbrtieth mile tho line gradually impi-oves, there 
 lioing los.- rock tiian fin the last five mile.s, and no heavy cuts. There i« a rise in tho 
 water hnol hoi'o of about three foot, with a short stream between the lakes. 
 
 FiOMi the fortieth to the ftirty-fburth mile the lino would ti'averse ii level flat, 
 vs'hidi borders tho lake on tho north side, vising ton to twenty foot above tho level 
 of the lakes. 
 
 Fiotn the forty-fourth mile to tho forty-sixth mile tho line would be altogothor 
 in light r-ock work along an easy side hill. 
 
 At tho forty-sixth nillo tho lino reaches tho summit or watershed between the 
 waters of Wiiitefish liiver and Wahnapitao River. The summit here is very low, 
 rising only about twenty foot on tho portage, which is a quarter of a mile in length, 
 above the water flowing west, hut the roclcs on the .^outh of tho portage rise per- 
 pendicular to the height of a hundred foot. 
 
 After crossing the' jwrtage the water level drojis about forty foot, travei'sing u 
 small lako; (Elevation 7r)7 feel above tho level of tho sea,) lor half a mile oast, then a 
 quarter of a mile of small stream, into a liike lying nortli aiul S()uth, and about one 
 iind a half miles in leniith. From the .south end of this lako a stream flows into tho 
 Wahnajdtao River. Elevation 7f) I feel above tho sea. 
 
 Front the forty-hi,<th mile the line would keep near to the lovol of tho dividing 
 ridge, and along the side hill past the head of the last lake and enter a hardwoo<l 
 vulley, bounded by high rocks on boih side.s, and alter crossing a clay r*idgo at tho 
 head of tho valley, about tho forty-eighth mile, would get into a level ])ieee of burnt 
 country alrno.st surrounded by hills, with a small stream running throiij.',h it, in a 
 north-easterly diiectioii, and fiilhiig into the W'ahnapitae Jiiver, ai tho forty-ninth 
 mile, just below the falls. Elevat'on 7.>7 teet above the .■>oa. 
 
 '['heso falls consist of several leaps varying in height, and about forty feet in all, 
 stretching over a tiiird of a. mile of !•! vol', iluf banks beiii.g rougli on both sides and 
 composed entirely of rock. Elevation ti riverut beau ot the falls, 800 foot above tho 
 sea. 
 
 From the forty-sixth to thi> fbriy-sevonth milo tho line would be on side-hill 
 more or loss rocky, bul from the forty-seventh mile to the Ibrty-ninth mile, where it 
 strikes the River Wahnapitaa tho lin(! would bo altogether in eai'th and very light. 
 
 l*^•om the forty-ninth milo the lini' would Iblhev the west side of the river, along 
 the rocky sidc-hill for a third of a mile, and then wouid eiitio' on a tlat about ton foot 
 ahovu the river, crossing it at aliout the tdtieth mile. 
 
 From the tiltioth milo to the tiltyfourih mile, the linc! would traverse tlio level 
 lands, which run back some distance to tho t()ot of tho hills, tlio banks of the rivor 
 rise from ton feet, at tho fiftieth uiile, up to about (ifty feet at th(! fifty-fourth mile, 
 Tho rivor winda a good deal, but tho bawo of the hills ia pretty regular, bo that a 
 
300 
 
 rea8onably Htraight lino can be obtained on the low ground botwooii the hills and the 
 river, with no rock. 
 
 From the fifty-fbiirth to the lil'ty-oiglith laiie, the lino A^ould be nearly ultogotlior 
 on Hide hill of an c'lisy natuie, and nio.stly cluy, there being only about one mile of 
 rock. Between thcHO ])oint8, the river iise.s thirty foot. 
 
 The line would leave the Wahnapitue liivor, (Elevation 830 feet above the sea,) at 
 the lifty-cighth mile, and follow a small wtrcani up to its source at about ihe nixtietli 
 mile, where the stream in lost amongwt ^mali i-iugos and hwatnps, crot^sing which at an 
 elevation ol dfty tett above th-^ river, or about 880 feet above thoBea level, would di'op 
 down about thirty feet at the sixtieth mile or to an elevation of 8.50 feel, above the sea 
 and running uiong the edge of a boj'vor meadow and alder swamp for a short distance, 
 enter a lurgo, burnt tamarac swump stretching ofl' to the north-east, up to the sixty- 
 fourth mile. Here trie swamp ends in a beaver lake, vvith a small stream running out 
 to the north, and high hills to the north-east. 
 
 A valley stretches otf ti the eastward from this lake, which the lino would have 
 to ittjcend, reaching the summit i.i about one mile, at an elevation of OiO feet above 
 soa lovol. 
 
 From the sixty-second mile, the tamarac swamp is bounded on the south by 
 ridges of rock from eighty to one hundred and tfty feet in height. The grade 
 beginning to rise, at about the sixty-third mile, onto the side hill, would reach the 
 summit at the sixty-tifth mile without much heavy work, though it would \n; 
 altogether in rock. 
 
 From the t^ixty-fifth mile, the lino would skirt a beaver meadow and lako for a 
 mile and a-half, and after crossing a low ridge, would follow a side bill bordering « 
 second beaver lake ot about the same level as the last, up to the sixty-eighth mile, 
 alxj'it oiiodmlf of this ilistance would be in i-ock, the rest constructed from side ditches. 
 
 At the sixty-eighth mile, the line begins to descend in a northerly direction, 
 hugging the side hill lor about three ',aartors of a mile, then drops onto a low 
 ridge running uorlh and south. Ailer following this ridge for hall-a-milo in a 
 north-easterly direction, the lin^ turns east and gradually descends for half-a 
 mile along the north side < i the hills bordering u long narrow lako, out of 
 which flows a stream 30 foe u wide, in an easterly direction. The line follows this 
 stream, still keeping on iiie side bill, lor about one mile, when the stream, taking a 
 sharp bend to the south, the line would cross it at about the seventieth mile. Those 
 two miles would bo mostly all rock. The level of the streara at the crossing would 
 bo about 810 feet above sea level, or a fall of one hundred and thirty feat from the 
 summit. 
 
 After crossing the stream the v.-illey widens out t/> a quarter of a ratio; tho line 
 following the north bank, the first portion ot wldch is low and swampy, making it 
 necessary to hug the rooky side hill, but after tho first mile the ban <8 rise to ten and 
 fifteen feet above water, the valley becomes more open and the hilh. recede. 
 
 There is no difficult work on this portion of (he line, being all light earthwork, 
 excepting two or three small side hill rock cuts at points where tho river runs close 
 to tho rocky bluffs. 
 
 The soil is mostly clay loam, and has boon burnt over, being now covered, to a 
 groat extent, with small cyjiross bushos. 
 
 The stream changes its direction in several places, but the valley widening out 
 a good deal enables tho line to bo maintained in its general direction of north 70^ 
 oast, up to the crossing of tlie Sturgeon Kiver, near the seventy-sixth mile, which 
 would Tbe about a quarter of a mile from the end of Mr. Austin's Trial Location of 
 last summer, station 3,.'^ 10 -\- ^l. Elevation of Sturgeon liivor at this point, 790 
 foet above the soa. 
 
 Tho connection with Mr. Au Uin'fi Um would bo very good. 
 
 As a general thing, tho g'ad< n 'TOiiW be 
 in the general lovol of the o ai.tiy. 
 
 ight, as there is no .siulden liseor lull 
 
301 
 
 n the hills and tho 
 
 The naximum gradients of one per hundred would ho confined to tho following 
 points on the lino, viz : — 
 
 1, Between the fourth and eighth miles on tho rooky shore ol lake, which would 
 probably require several pieces of maximum grade to got over the spurs jutting out 
 into the lake, say one mile each way. 
 
 9. Between the eleventh and tho thirteenth mile: . about one mile each way. 
 
 '3. Between tho fifteenth and twentieth mi!o,«, two miles each way, there being 
 two low summits to gat over in thu. distance, of i'rorn seventy to eighty feet above 
 the river, 
 
 4. Between the twenty-ninth and thirty-first miles, one mile each way, rising 
 over the ridge between Round Jiako and Long l^ako. 
 
 5. Between the thirty-sixth and thirty-eighth milos, where a high spur juts out 
 into Long Lake, with a sharp angle at each side, one mile each way. 
 
 6. Between the sixty-third and sixty-fifth milos, risiug to the summit, between 
 the Wahnapitao River and tho Sturgeon River, two miles rising east. 
 
 7. Between tho sixty-oight and seventieth milos, gutting down from tho summit 
 to the Sturgeon River, two miles falling oa"'. 
 
 BEIDOINO. 
 
 Tho bridging on tho lino explored would be very light, consisting of croHsings of 
 streams at the following points, viz. 
 
 At tho eleventh mile, ono span of one hundred and fifty foot. Thirteenth milo 
 one span of one hundred and fifty feet. Tweniyfirst railo, one span of ono hundred 
 and tifty feet and two spans of seventy-five foot each. Twenty-second milo, ono span 
 of one hundred and fifty feet, and two spans of seven ty-fivo foot each. Twenty-seventh 
 milo, one span of ono hundred foot. Fiftieth milo, one span of one hundred and fifty 
 foot and two spans of seventy-five foot each. >Sevontieth mile, one span of fifty feet 
 and at tha seventy-sixth mile, ono span of a hundred and tifty foot and two spans of 
 sevonty-flvo feet each, over Sturgeon Eivor. 
 
 There are also a few crossings of small streams, which can be spanned by beam 
 culverts of from ten to twenty foot opening, besides tho usual number of smaller 
 structures required. 
 
 BAI-LASTINO. 
 
 I found good indications tor ballast pits, in several places well situated, as regards 
 the lino, but the ground being hard frozen, with several inches of ice on it, in most 
 places I could not ascertain by digging. 
 
 lie river runs close 
 
 now covered, to a 
 
 iMiiidcii lisoor lull 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 The country traversed, is well suppled with timber of tho host iniality for tien 
 and bridging, within a reasonable distance IVom tho lino, consisting of White and Rod 
 Pino, Hemlock, Birch, etc. 
 
 ROCK. 
 
 The rock varies from a hard bhw'k slate, on the wostevn portion of the line, to a 
 Gneissoid or Granite rook, on tho eastern portion, but tho work being principally on 
 tho side hills and tho rock more ur loss di.iintt<gratod by the woatnor, it would be 
 easily worked. 
 
 ALTERNATIVE LINE. 
 
 On roacliin/f tho ^Vftllnapitae River 1 instrtu'tod Mr. Quin to explore easterly tor 
 a lino to the Veuvo River, in case wo should not bo able to get aoross f<^) tho Sturgeon 
 River on tho lino ray instructions indicated. 
 
308 
 
 Mr. Quin sopafated from the rest of the party, on the 31st Docombor, at the 
 fiftieth mile, taking three raen and a dog team, and aacoudod a small stream coming 
 in from the P]aHt. 
 
 On the following Sunday his dog team came into camp at the fifty-eighth mile, 
 with a request for a fortnight's supply of provisiony, to take them through to Lake 
 Nipissing . 
 
 In the meantime I had ascertained that it was possible to got a fair line 
 according to my instructions, so I seiii back word to Mr. Quin to rejoin the main 
 camp, which he did on the next day, .Tatiuary 5th. 
 
 He reported that he was unsuccessful in tinding tho Veuve River, which ho 
 thought was wrongly placed on the map, but from the general character of the country 
 examined by him, I have no doubt a lino could be g t through to that stream from 
 the Wahnapituo River, and aa that was the only doubtful point in connection with a 
 line by the Veuve River I am led to believe that a satislactory line can be had in 
 that direction. 
 
 I have endeavored to shcv, on the accompanying map, tho position of the pro- 
 posed line as far as explored by me, but the smallness of the scale prevents tho 
 topography of tho country being shown as well as could be wished. 
 
 I reached the terminus of Mr. Austin's line on Tuesday, the 13th January, 
 Nipissing on Saturday, the 17th, and Rosscuu on tho 20th, from which place, after 
 paying ofl the men, 1 returned to Ottawa on tho 24th .lanuary, 
 
 I have the honor to remain. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 A. BRUNB.L, JuNR. 
 
 Report on Exploration during IS^l, hy Mr. William Murdoch. 
 
 Ottawa, February 9th, 18'/ 2. 
 
 Sir, — According to your instructions at Ottawa, June 22nd, 1871, 1 proceeded to 
 the Sault '.• o. Marie and commenced a survey, on the Amorif>'n side, of the canal and 
 shore unn of the south side of Lake Superior, establishing points of triangulatiun, 
 tying them in with a bano line, running due east and west astronomic, on the Saint 
 Mary's I^land ; also traverse of the shores on (.ho Ci.niulian side, making my westerly 
 triangulation lino the proposed location for i, bridge, and U>ok soundings on it every 
 twenty-five feet, and found tho bottom to bo in all c .aes sandstone rock, and 
 the result is shown on tl.i.- profile. 
 
 I then continued my ine easterly on tiio flats of the St. Mary's River, passing 
 through a portion of the roar of Saint Mary's village, imn-'odiatoly under the riJge of 
 clay bluffs for four miles, thou continuing on the fiats ti the river to tho c'rossing of 
 Root River, which will involve a span of 100 foot on sandy soil with 1,200 feet of a 
 bank including both sides 15 feet high. 
 
 Thence on to Garden River whore a span of 120 feet will be required (founda- 
 tions clay bottfim), and an approach of bank on east side of 250 feet long, 10 feet 
 high ; thonco on to Echo liivor, whore a span of 150 feet would be sufficient on clay 
 foundations. Up to this point it would be merely bank from side ditches through 
 light sand and gravel, almost on a level from Sault Sto. Mario, slightly timbered witii 
 second growth of pine, poplar, balsam and small birch, a distance of 181 miles. 
 Then onward for one mile a continuation of the same work, tlic noxi milehuinga 
 side-hill out lull of loose b<julders and i-^and ) thence for six miles of prairie land, 
 sand and clay subsoil, to the Hats of JBar Rivei", whoi-o wo got on an easy grade to 
 
SOS 
 
 •ocombor, at the 
 stream coming 
 
 ifty-eighth milo, 
 hrough to Lake 
 
 got a fair lino 
 rejoin the main 
 
 River, which he 
 ar of the country 
 hilt stream from 
 jnneotion with a 
 ne can be had in 
 
 ition of the pro- 
 ile prevents the 
 
 i 13th Jnnuaiy, 
 bich place, after 
 
 NEL, JuNR. 
 
 irdoch. 
 
 y 9th, m2. 
 
 1, 1 proceeded to 
 oi the canal and 
 of triangulation, 
 ,io, oil the Saint 
 ing my wenterly 
 lingaon it every 
 atone rock, and 
 
 River, passing 
 udor the riJgo of 
 the croH.sing of 
 1,200 feet of a 
 
 equircd (founda- 
 
 3et long, 10 feet 
 
 ■*uffioieut on clay 
 
 ditchcH through 
 
 y timbered with 
 
 :!o of 18J milcH, 
 
 milo buing a 
 
 of prairie land, 
 
 ^a oaby grade to 
 
 the cronsirigs of it. Hero I may mention that there arc 15,000 acres (about) of 
 mer.dow land lit fcr grazing purposes, and tiiinly tindjorod in chiin))s. The crossings 
 of Har Eiver, three in number, will require ;)0-l"eet spans on rock Ibundation, 15 loot 
 ahove the ordinary low water level. Hero some side hill cut and fill of lock is re- 
 quired, 500 cub. yards of rock in ail, the i est from borrow ground. At one mile further 
 oil of level ground \vc begin to I'iso to llie height of land on a grade of about ri2 per 
 ]• iortwo miles. By keeping the lino a little to the north the work could be in.ido 
 easier than present protlle, and would bo pi incijially lor.sc rock, wiih plenty of borrow 
 ground of sand wiiere material could be obtained, Oii from this point for 2,00tt teet 
 a bank averaging 10 feet iiigh, rising 1 por lOO, brings us to the height of land at 
 station 1<j53, where a rock cut of 2,000 feel in length and 20 feet deep is necessary, 
 tlioi) descending on the other side fur three miles in the ^•alley of a snuiU sireain of 
 hiindy botioin, then the line will be on an easy side hill with a bar.k of 10 teet for a 
 nule" rising 1 jjcr 100 to station l,0(io, where a rock cut of 1,200 feet long, 20 feet 
 (J'jep will be rcquii'od. Thence on to Desert Lake with easy grade and work where 
 for one and a half miles along the shores of the lake there will be side bill out and 
 till, principally rock and middling heavy work. On leaving the shores of Desert Lake, 
 •*'■ rise on easy grade to a table land of clay till \v(^ reach the Tliessalon River, a dis- 
 tance of 5^ miles, and partly along the siioros of Ottortail Lake. Nearly alt the 
 woj'k will be bank from side ditches, with 4 or 5 cuts averaging 5 feet deep foi' about 
 4,000 feet in all. At the Thessalon River a bridge of 100 feet s|)aii will be sutUcicnt 
 (foundations clay). It would be here necessary to lower the river by making a cut 
 at the falls, which aie two miles below this point, tliis can be easily done, only in- 
 volving 300 feet of rock, cut feet of i^n opening feet dee]i. which would lower the 
 rver at least 5 feet, and drain all the adjaeoni lands which are covered it. the spring 
 oi the year with 4 or 5 feet of water. On crossing the rive; we have wet beaver 
 meadow (clay bottom) for two miles to station 2440. Here, by present prolilc, there 
 Lsacut 3,000 feet lotig, 25 feet deep, rising 1 per lOtf on a curve, which i.s eon\po-*cd 
 of loose bi.iulders and gra\(d on top with pi(d)abl3' rock fottom 
 
 This cut, I think, <an be avoided ly ' oepiiig the line funher s<iutb near the 
 Thessalon River, and reaching the same elevation on an easy grfulo in al)Oul 4 miles, 
 joitiing the same line at about station 2, (!.)0, making the line more direct and with 
 le.ss curvature. 
 
 Thence lor 12 miles over sandy soil with no grades of any con.-i.-.juenfc, alnmst 
 level, the work will be baidN from side ditches, with small mixed tind.ie:' and some 
 large pine. Then for 2 miles the work will bo heavier, licing saa ' .'•tone cuts in 
 places, and at .station 'VMO a cut of 25 feet deep and 1,00(J teet long has to be taken 
 out of sand rock. Thence for a difitanco of b^ 'i^ilc'S through handy soil and luoso 
 boulders to slat ion ."{710, there is moderateh' (!asy work and easy grades, lleic a 
 lul averaging 1.") feet deep and 2,000 feet long, cotnposed of sand and Itouldei.--, has 
 to he taken out. This cut mighi be avoided by lengthening llie lino alilti". We 
 now rea'.:h the valley of iho .Mississaga IJiver, a Hat sandy [dain for 2 miks to the 
 cro.ssing of the river. 
 
 Tiie bank on 'he west side i- 20 leet above the oi'(iiiiury level oi the v^aler 
 aiul all r^aiid ; of the east side the bank is rock and 25 teet id)ovc the water, requiritig 
 ii bridge of 20') feet spsui. Tlini Au- y "i tuilo further on, oti Iwel giounu, i.s ihe i'i\er 
 Ohatitgosing, it will I'nuire a spun of 70 feet. Then tht ground e.xlendiiig lor 
 lo miles is perfectly level ; in ]duces an oi-'cn sandy [ilain, thtily tiinbereii witli scat- 
 toriiig pitie and lialsam. on whi( b distance the work would be hank iVom side-ditches. 
 This now brings me to ib>- crossing of Blind Tiivei, where a ^J):^ll of 100 feet, 
 ivoulil do. with rock founilalioiis on eillie- side On tlie ■ ayt side tin :.vei!igi; cut of 
 6 feet lor l,.'^ii feet would bo ncessary, > '-ing 1 ])or 10(1; and the same amount of 
 cut for the same distance, getting intotb. '^dley ol' Hlini Ri^er — wdiieh wegradiially 
 loave, getting J miles of uish aiid cedar swiuji|), with ^kmkI Imoni, almost level to 
 ISlulion 4,8.')2. Then from lln-re to the end of the lirst lOO mlle-i lU' inslrumciital 
 woik, we go (jvor ri.ekv ground, com powed of loose boiiW'orH and saiKl, easy grades all 
 123—20 
 
304 
 
 tho way ; this portion is timbered with rtmall oak, maple, birch au<' scrubby pine, 
 and thi> liwl portion of tlie lino is, in places, touching Laico Iliii-on. 
 
 All il <} rivers nicntiunod rise from 4 to 5 leet in the spring ; and manj' of them 
 are dainincd back liy i-awinills, causing niucl\ flooding in the spj'ing and fall of tho 
 year. 
 
 On oomnicneing my I'econnoissance of the country where ray instrumental survey 
 tei-niinaled ai Station .i,29(J, I explored eastward on a level plateau, at an clovation 
 al'iDiit aOt'eet above Lake Huron, f)r a disLancc of five miles a portion ia flut, 
 bare rode, <oveieil in ])laci's with moss, when I came to a timall creek 
 running partdlel Ui the shore and got down on it on an easy grade to tiio Lake 
 crossing ai ihe junciioii of anotlioi' stream, where a 50 feet sjian is necessary, — ru(;k 
 on both sides. At this point the line would have lo bo built along the banks of the 
 ishoro, partlj' in iho water, for upwards nf a mile or more, the most of the distau'c 
 on a shallow, .-and}- ijeaeh. Some oj' the small bays will bo i loot deep. This briii^r-, 
 me to the nalural (hus of the va y of Serpent liiver, passing close to Mr. Walsh's 
 Hteam saw-mills, where lugs and vessels load lumboj'. Thence following the valley 
 on the west side of Sei-pent IJiver, for a distance of 6^ miles, almost perfectly level, 
 with clay soil and fiurnt cedar, and ])ine. At this point wo cross tho river, 
 where a bridge of 100 feet span v>'ould be sutlicicnt, with, I think, rock bottom at no 
 great depth, for i'^undation. TJp to this point the country is burnt and unfit for 
 settlement. Onwards, \ mile from here on tho cast side of tho river and parallel to 
 it, wo come to the height to bo surmounted bolwoen Serpent and Spanish llivors; 
 this is a rock bluff with a natural depression in it of about 45 feet, whicli requires a cm 
 of 'JO feet for 31(0 feet,\vitii a bank approach from the south, involving u bunk of 10 feet 
 average for 3,000 feet. This will bring us on an easy flat leading to Spanish Eivor, a 
 distance of 2 n. . whore a natural valley commo«ices, running parallel to Spanisli 
 Bay and Kivor, perfectly level on clay soil, principally covered with burnt windfall, 
 for some miles, and for long distances, open tamarac, burnt laud averaging from ^ 
 to 1 milo in width. At this point, 18 miles from tho shore of Lake Huron, we cross 
 tho Spanish liiver where Mcdces Creek comes in on the cast side. Tho banks 
 are about 1") feet high, ((imposed of sand, and the river at this place is 300 foot wide 
 and 12 fee' deep. Thence we follow the flats of McGee's Creek, for a disiance of l>^ 
 miles, on the soutii side, having to cross it about 2 miloB from the mouth with a 10 
 fool span. 
 
 We rise this distance on an easy grade pa, i four rapids, making in all about 60 foot 
 Then wc got into open jilains for about three nulos, then follow flat tamarac swamp 
 through u natural \alley lo a point one mile north of Long Lake, continuing on j»arallol 
 to the lake till we ri.-ach the, hike called While Fish Itolmo. Thence in a southeasterly 
 direction till we come to what is called the fltb Portage on Long Lake crossing a 
 email crook. Thenco running easterly along the bank of stream for one mile, we 
 cro^■s tho com ccling waters of Long Lake requiring a .iO foot span bridge. Thence 
 I'unning oa>ierly tn Lake Numboi Two, belweon Lakes One anti Two there is a siuall 
 )iei','!it of land 15 feet high, which only requires a cut of 10 feet deep, 30 feet konir 
 of rock. 
 
 I then jiasstd in the south shores of Lakes Nos, ;-i, 4, 5, (J and 7 as s'.own on my 
 sketch plan running due oast ; or the line may bo taken north of Lakes ■'>, 6 and 7 in a 
 natural valley, thnnigh which a lino can bo built with no heavy work, being partly sidn 
 lull cut and till of clay, sand and some small knolls of rock 12 feet high with good level 
 valleys between the lakes, a disiance of (iv. or six miles. Then from this point wo went 
 due east, on dry level meado.vs for about our miles. Thenco along the south side ol 
 Lake Number 14 and ciossing between 15 and Iti in a natural level \alloy, the direc- 
 tion o( which i> shown on my sketch ]ilan through tamarac, cedar and balsam up to 
 ]jake Nunilior IS, a <li^tancc of about>ix miles fiurtlier. At this point the land beconie.-; 
 broken wiili small clay hills, here we cross a small stream between two lakes, and 
 on the east side of liake Number 18 the gianito begins, and we rise about 40 feet in 
 a quarter of a milo when vvo roach a level plateau of a milo crossing a lumborman'rt 
 road. This is the height of land between Lac Penago i«id tho waters runnifig 
 
 mi 
 
;^05 
 
 an'' scrubby pino, 
 tn, 
 
 and many of thcin 
 ing and fall of tho 
 
 instrumental survey 
 eau, ul an elevation 
 s a portion ia flut, 
 to a riinall creek 
 tjrade to tho Lake, 
 is neceisfsary, — rock 
 g tho bankis of tlic 
 lusl of the dirttaii'.c 
 i deep. This bviii^', 
 lose to Mr. Walsh's 
 fullowing the valley 
 iiodt perfectly l«!vei, 
 ,vo cross tho river, 
 c, rock bottom at iio 
 burnt and untit for 
 liver and parallel to 
 nd Hpanish llivors ; 
 whieii requires a cut 
 ing a bunk of 10 feet 
 r to Spanish River, u 
 r parallel to Spanihli 
 with burnt windfall, 
 md averaging from \ 
 rike Huron, we crosr 
 St, side. The banks 
 lace is 300 feet wide 
 for a distance of l>^ 
 tho mouth with a 10 
 
 igin all about 60 teel 
 flat tamarac swamp 
 )atinuiag on parallel 
 ^e in a south-easterly 
 »ng Lake crossing :• 
 ain for Uiio mile, wr 
 )Uii bridge. Theiu;e 
 Two there is asmuH 
 3t deei>, 30 foot VjWS 
 
 d 7 as s'.own on mj 
 JiaUes r,, G and 1\\y,\ 
 
 [k, being partly sidi! 
 
 high with good level 
 In this point wo went 
 |)ng the south side ol 
 1-el \ alloy, tho dli'oo- 
 lur and balsam up to 
 
 lint the land becomes 
 Iween two lakes, aivl 
 Iriso about 40 feet in 
 
 ^sing a lumberman'^ 
 
 Itho waters runnieg 
 
 directly soutli to I^ake Huron and ofvstward iuU> tho Wahnapatae itivor. 
 When wo begin descending to Lake Number '.iO, on an easy grade, only a 
 ,-tnall ridge bone of rock separates the level lands from the valleys whicii we follow 
 ibr one mile at J^ake -(». Tlic line will cros^ it as it is shallow, with clay Itottom and it 
 is raised (our feel b}' a beaver dam. Then we take the nalural jiortage lietweeii Lakes 
 2(1 and -1 due east, which is a valley botweeii them being broken iy a clay ridgo 
 (Villi probably rock below, 40 Itet high and ijtIO foct across, about tnc same level on 
 both >ides. This valley leads in a direct line to Lake Number 21, which is (be head 
 waters of the east branch of the i\late-/,c na-zing Jliver which empties into Lake 
 Huron at (vollin's Inlet. TIk^ line will follow the nortii and cast side of Jjako 21 
 which is side hill and flat in place> to the valley of .-i creek coming from Lake 22. 
 Thence on clay .soil for a mile to a low granite ridge running north and soutli; 
 a cul ol 15 feel deep and (!iJO leet long v.ill have to he taken out, and 
 the lino wit! pass on the south side of Lake 22. Wo then meet a natural 
 valley bearing E.N.Dl for three miles quite level to a small pond, tho source of 
 wiiat ii called Swamp Creek, with widn, level valley, and opening into extensive 
 »lay Hats as it Hears the Wahnapitae Eiver. From Lake 21 to here tho country is 
 all burnt over and timber ol'all kinds destroyed, but the soil is .strong clay, the vege- 
 table mould being all bnrni olt the top, and the tall imperceiitible the whole distance. 
 The (Kissing of the Wahnajiitae Eiv..ir will bo about 200 feet wide, on clay sub-soil. 
 We then continue >outh cast on the natural flats of the river for four oi- five miles to 
 the cios>ing of a, creek 50 feet wide, level banks ten feet above the water. Thence 
 east, rising easily to tho height of land, soil clay, probably 12 feet deep, where 
 there will be a cut 8oO feet long, 12 to 15 feet doej). We then enter a good 
 ^ alley riiiiniiig south-east for a mile; thence east two milo6 to iakc, Xo. 23, at the 
 entrance of whii li there will be an easy siue hill cut and fill, of granite, 30O feet 
 lonjx. Thence across a shallow bay, 500 feet, then on the west shore of the lake wo 
 have to make an unavoidable crossing, to an island, 500 feet across and 30 foot 
 deep. Theiu-.e to Island No. 2 tliore is a small channel 30 feet wide; then, with a 
 bank lor 1,U00 feet ten f\-ct high, we get into a natural valley running due c ;st for 
 one and a half miles. Tlienco south-e- si \ mi le to alow bhitf of rock, which, with a 'nv 
 bank approach rising about 0.50 )>er 100, will give a cut of ten feet for ,']00 feet ' .g, 
 which brings us to tlie summit, and then begins falling easily for one mile. Thcneo 
 south-east, curving round three small lakes on ordinary ground and work, till wo 
 reach a valley bearing S.8.E.. chi}' bottom, between granite blutl's 40 feet high, 
 running almost in a straight line for a distance often miles, varying from 500 to (iOO 
 feet wide, and thinly timbered with burnt dead tamaru;, in many places open 
 altogether, "i'hencc running S.E. to the tiist crossing of French Kiver on almost 
 level ground, we come ' ) the main channel, which is 000 feet across, .'lO feel deep in 
 the channel tin' 300 feel, and open ail the 3'ear roiiml with strong ciuicnt; rock on 
 both sides ; meeting Ihe same deiire.ssion or valley on the other sido, continuing lo the 
 middle branch of French Ifiver straight for a mile, which otdy inxolves a crossing of 
 OO feet in about two feet of water, passiiiL,' through in a small ra[)id. The b;uiks are 
 about 25 feet high requiring abutments of 15 leet high on rock fonndalions; hero 
 tlu' valley is bioken and will require about 15,000 cubic yards of till with a siile hill 
 cut of clay f)r half a mile on a ri.se of 1 per 100, which brings us to a level jilaleau 
 of splendid land where we run almost due oast for 2^- niile.s, wo coinu to the Horse 
 Kajiids or last crossing of French Jiivor, which will rcf^uiro a cro.ssing of 100 feet 
 rock foiiiidaiion on both side.> about 25 Hot above the usual low water level. Thcneo 
 for a mijo the land is hlightly lirokcn with rocuy l-nolls but level around them. 
 Thence we have level lands for iwo miles till we rcicli the cro,>Hiiig of llckerel 
 liivor, bearing i;,8.1'] Thence S.F. for some miles there are extensive flats fit 
 for .settlement, clay loam, timbered with while oak, rock elm, maplo, birch, bas.svood, 
 ironwood, Inmilock and cedar. 
 
 The cro,s,-ingof the Pickerel River will be about 100 foot wide, sandy bottom 
 and shallow clay on each sido. 
 
 123—20^ 
 
306 
 
 TliiH ])oirit will be .Htiilahle tor fho junction of the various |irojocte<i lines rorain^ 
 fioni Ontario ami Quclicf, liavini,' all il; ■ advatilugos ot'soij and tirnbi'r, being plateau 
 
 Your ubt'iiicnt noi van(, 
 (Signed) WILLIAM MLKDOCH, 
 
 Engineer in ch'irge oj Division W- 
 
 Sandpohi) Flkmiso, Esq., 
 
 Enginooi -in-Chief, O.P.R. 
 
jected lines comirif:; 
 mlier, being plntemi 
 
 307 
 
 APPENDIX. 19. 
 
 UKDOCH, 
 
 oj Division W. 
 
 \ 
 
 beport on the otass of locomotive f.voise proposed to be aooptrn, a3 a 
 standard, on the canadian pacific railway, by mr. cliahles blaclvweli.. 
 
 Canadian Pacifio Railway Office, 
 
 Ottawa, 5th July, IST'J. 
 
 Sir, — According to your instructions I have made a caroful examination of the 
 ■working of Hovorul of the leading railways in the Qnited States i.nd Canada, with a 
 view to tlio et<tablixhmont of standai'd typo> of rollintj stock for adoption on the 
 Canadian Pacific Kaihvay, — and herewith Ik\^ to lay before you the rusult of my 
 invostigati<ins. 
 
 1 am of opinion, that to satisfactorily work the passenger and way-freight tratfio 
 of the Canadian Pacific Eailway, there will be no necessity lor having more than one 
 class of engine. 
 
 Wlien the trattic becomes ixxWy developed, necessitating the movement of very 
 heavy through freight trains, another t^-po of etigino, with gioatoi- Iructivc power, 
 may, with advantage, lie introduced. 
 
 But until then J would recomtnerid the ado])*i()n of a standard typo .liinilar to 
 "Cla-'s C" in use on the Penns^dvMnia Railwa}', and the standard pas.-<eiitrer engine 
 on that road. Its cylinders are IT ins. by 2i ins., and the driving-wheels, four in 
 number, 02 ins. in (liametor. over the tyros, and 8 ft, C> ins, frotn centre to centre. 
 
 In my Holootinn, Mr. Tandy, the Mechanical lrisj>oetor, concur.s, and a 
 joint report upon the subject will be submitted by us, as soon as wo can again meet 
 and more fully discuss the niatter. 
 
 8uch an engine would be capable of doing the pa-ssengor, as well as the Wi-y- 
 freight work of the read ; and would, I consider, prove a more etticient engine for 
 even through freight traftic, than locomotives having the same size cylinders and 
 wheels, now runidng, and hauling the through freight, on the Grand Trunk Huilway. 
 
 The number of loaded cars hauled by the Grand Trunk engiiuis, varies according 
 to the grades found on the various parts of the road, as follows : — 
 
 Between Detroit and Port Huron, 
 ' Sarnia and Toronto, 
 
 " Toronto and Belleville, 
 '• Belleville and Jirockville, 
 
 BrockviUe and Montreal, 
 
 Mon<rcal and Richmond, 
 
 Richmond and Island Pond, 
 
 (I 
 
 PointLevis and River du Loup,22 
 
 1^2 cars. 
 
 Pay 
 
 n« 
 
 oad, 
 
 ;^20 t<inB 
 
 21 '• 
 
 
 i( 
 
 
 210 " 
 
 19 " 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 IPO " 
 
 21 " 
 
 
 <( 
 
 
 210 " 
 
 27 " 
 
 
 <i 
 
 
 270 " 
 
 2-1 " 
 
 
 (1 
 
 
 240 " 
 
 19 " 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 100 " 
 
 22 " 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 220 " 
 
 In Canada, and on ui. ny railways in the Cnited States passenger trains are rnn 
 by onji-ines having 68-inch driving-wheels ; hut cxperince oii the Penn^tylvaniii rail- 
 way, where both ti2 and tl8-inch driving-whcel.i a'-e u^ed, jvints to llie greater etBci- 
 oncj- of the smaller wheeled engine. 
 
 In winter the larger wheeled engines are .-^ooner ci'ipiled by snow tlian thcwo 
 having smaller wheels. 
 
 Kor passenger trains, making frequent slops, the smaller wheeled engine has a 
 groat ad\antage over the other, from its ability to attain its maximum speed in much 
 loss lime, thus obviating the necessity for excessive ^[.eed of iho latter, to mitke up 
 the time lost iin attaining the maximum speed of the f u'mer. 
 

 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 |2£ 
 
 -Hi I 
 
 2.2 
 
 lAO 
 
 MUu 
 
 2.0 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 1 1.4 II 1.6 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 6" 
 
 ► 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sdences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WIST MAIN STRUT 
 
 WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14S80 
 
 (71«) 873-4503 
 
) 
 
 < 
 
 %> 
 
 ,^\^^ 
 
 ^'^,v^,< 
 
 v 4^ 
 
 
308 
 
 An re^nnlii spotHl ohtainod with fi2-inch wbooln. refcM-onco to tho time laMoH ot 
 Iho Ponnsylvania Railway show iw high an average speed, with heavier tniiiin, as that 
 nllftinod on otlier roads, eiiiiijipod vvitli engines havinj^ (iS-iiu-li lirivini^-wlieels, or 
 even hu'ger, — and said to be efrocted, at no greater eost, tiiaii witli hirger wheels. 
 
 Should \i}yy fast through passenger or mail servieo be reijiiired, where lew stops 
 arc to l>e made, an engine of precisely tlui same type, but with 'l-^-ineh wheels, 
 would doubtless perform the work more econoniieally and satisfnetorily in summer; 
 tut in winter, for both fast and ordinary passenger traflic, as well us for freight, the 
 smaller wiieel would be most reliable. 
 
 The tractive poworof such an engine as I have recommended, taking the boiler pres- 
 sure at 140 pounds jvei* siiuaro inch and the etlective piston pressure, at four-lifths, or 
 112 pounds per Mjuarc inch, is equal to 12,r),'5(t pounds. 
 
 Experience points to the lou'lision, tliat to satisfacloi'ily work heavy piLssenger 
 traflle, especially in winter, a tractive power, equal to the above, is desirable. 
 
 The same power (M\ild be .)litained by using a larger wheel in connection with a 
 larger cylinder, luil so Ihr, 17-inch by 24-inch ''j'linders -ieeni, in this country, to bo 
 the largest generally used for jKissenger li-idtic, although in England larger cylinders 
 are successfully worked. 
 
 T»* give the same power, a ITineh by 2(!-inch cylinder would require ii (iT-inoh 
 wJicel, and with this sized wheel, a cylinder about 17.f inch by 24-inch would also give a 
 similar result. 
 
 I have no doubt but that engines of such dimensions will bo built, and prove 
 patisfai'tory , but the type I have recommended, having been long tried, itw etficiem-y 
 is j)larod beyond a doubt. 
 
 1 am of opinion, that e.xcc])l for heavy throiijh freight trains, on the full develop- 
 ment ot' traific, there is no reason why theiv sliouM be more than one class ol engine. 
 
 This would result in great economy in rejiairs; and the quantity of material 
 required to bo kei)t on h;ind I'or ^uch repaii's, could be reduced to a minimum. 
 
 1^' using ordinary box-cars, and louding them to the extent of 2(),00d lbs, each, 
 llio class of engine recommended is capable of moving at a low speetl, under favorable 
 circumstances and on a straight line, appioximately as follows; 
 
 a a grade of 035 j)oi 
 
 100, 
 
 48 
 
 cars. 
 
 4S0 tons paying I 
 
 
 040 
 
 
 43 
 
 
 430 
 
 
 
 0-50 
 
 
 37 
 
 
 370 
 
 
 
 060 
 
 
 32 
 
 
 320 
 
 
 
 0-70 
 
 
 28 
 
 
 2, MO 
 
 
 
 0'80 
 
 
 26 
 
 
 260 
 
 
 
 0-90 
 
 
 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 1-00 
 
 
 21 
 
 
 210 
 
 
 Practice shows, that on a grade of lOO per 100, with 4*^ curves, the number of 
 cars as above quoted, for that gradient, requires to be reduced to lO or less, reduc- 
 ing tbe paying loud to loss than UHI tons ; aiul oil all giados where similar curves 
 are introduced, the number of cars which can be drawn over the line, mud be re- 
 ducwi in a corresjwnding manner. 
 
 Thus the advantages are apparent, of the light griulicnls, fi/uattuf for curi'dfiire, 
 which Hvatcm you inform nie is being carried out on long sections of the I'acitic 
 lliiilway, notably beUvcon Lake Superior and Manitoba. Here, ^iccording to ihc 
 ub<k,ve, the paying load, per maximum train, will Ik; 370 Ions, as cumparod with I'.M) 
 tons, on ordinary gradients of 1-00 per 100, with 4" curves. 
 
 By increasing, to a slight extent, the strength of the cars, and loading each willi 
 30,00(t lbs., the jiaying load, with its enlarged capacity of cai-s, would be upj)roxi- 
 matcly as tollows : — 
 
 Ou a grade id 0-35 per 100, 38 cars, 570 tons paying loud. 
 " " 0-40 " 34 " 610 '•' 
 
 " f)50 " 29 " 436 " 
 
:509 
 
 iinUfy ol' matoriiil 
 
 On a grade of 0-60 per 100, 2(1 earn, 340 tons paying load. 
 " " 0-70 " 22 " 3:^0 " 
 
 « " 0-80 " 20 •' aoo 
 
 (t » 0-90 " 18 " 270 
 
 (I .< i-oo " l(i " 'JIO 
 
 Whon tho through freight buHinoHH of t ho road is fully ostahliulu'd, it may then 
 bo ad visablo to adopt another type of ongiiio for haidiiig it; and so far an my observa- 
 tions have oxtondod, I consider that the " I'unsolidalion " class of engine, having 
 8 wIiooIm eoiiplod, and .i single jjair ol'leadi?)g whot^ls, will be tiie most satisfaclory. 
 
 This chiHH of engine will, with 20 in. by 24 in. cylinders, and .^)0 in. wheels, hau'. 
 at a h)W speed, under tiavorahlo circumstances, and on a straight line, approximately 
 08 follows (each car being loaded to the extent of 20,000 lbs.) : 
 
 On a grade of 0-35 per 100, 84 cars, 840 tons paying load. 
 
 
 
 0-40 
 
 li 
 
 76 
 
 u 
 
 7«0 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-60 
 
 11 
 
 f.r. 
 
 If 
 
 Gr»o 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-GO 
 
 II 
 
 57 
 
 1 ( 
 
 570 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-70 
 
 11 
 
 50 
 
 (1 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-80 
 
 ii 
 
 45 
 
 II 
 
 450 
 
 
 
 
 
 0-90 
 
 1. 
 
 «9 
 
 II 
 
 390 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 11 
 
 37 
 
 l< 
 
 370 
 
 
 
 By incroaning tho load per oai' to 30,000 lbs., the l>aying load would also bo in 
 creased, and bo approximately as follows: — 
 
 On ft grade of 035 per 100, (!5 cars, 975 tons paying load. 
 
 
 
 040 
 
 11 
 
 GO 
 
 II 
 
 900 
 
 
 
 e-50 
 
 II 
 
 51 
 
 i; 
 
 7G6 
 
 
 
 0-fiO 
 
 II 
 
 46 
 
 II 
 
 G73 
 
 
 
 0-70 
 
 II 
 
 40 
 
 i< 
 
 GOO 
 
 
 
 0-80 
 
 (1 
 
 3G 
 
 II 
 
 540 
 
 
 
 0-90 
 
 t( 
 
 32 
 
 II 
 
 480 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 11 
 
 29 
 
 11 
 
 435 
 
 Under tho latt«r conditions, tho advantages of the light gradients, et/uated for 
 cun^nture, and adopted on the Pacific IJailway, are still more appai-ent. On a 
 gradient of 100 per 100 with 4" curves, the train load would be reduced to say 2G 
 cars, with a paying load of 390 tons ; while the easy grades in ([uestion, on the Pacific 
 Railway, will admit of trains of 61 cars, and iibout 71!.') tons paying luad. 
 
 In designing )»asrienger and freight cars, the importance of interchangeability of 
 jiurts, and of reducing the numbei- ol diU'orenL si/.eti lumber used, will bo kept in view. 
 
 Through the courtesy of Mr. Thoo. N. Kly, the Superintendent ot Motive 
 powei of the Pennsylvania Hiiilway, 1 have been supplied with valuable statist tcs, 
 and a large number of tracings of their stamlard ])assejigor engines, Siv,, and facilities 
 have been most kindly extended to mo by Mr. llei'beri Wallis, |,oc()iiioli\c.Superiiiten- 
 ilent of the liranil Trunk liailway, whereby 1 have been enabled to make sketches in 
 the shops and tracings in tho olHco, ul' such details as are (ound l>y experience tho 
 most satisfactory. 
 
 \ have tiie honor to be. Sir, 
 
 Youi' obedient stsi'vnnl, 
 
 ClK\ULi;s IJLAt.'KWKLL. 
 
 SaNDIi'OHU Fl.KMlNO, Ksti., C.M.G., 
 Knginoer^in-Chiof. 
 
810 
 
 JOINT RRPORT Olf THE STANDARD I'ASSEMIER AND WAT-FHEIQIIT liOCOMOTIVE ENGINE 
 PROPOSED FOR THE CANADIAN PACIKIO RAILWAY, BY CHARLES BLAOKWELL AND 
 U, J. TANDY. 
 
 Canada Pacific Railway Office. 
 
 Ottawa, 22nd Septomboi", 1879. 
 
 Dear Sib, — The uiuloi-signed would rocommoiul you to adopt as a st.-vrnlard type 
 oi iTif^iiio for pa.sr<oiigor titnl wiiy-freiglit work, upon tho Canadian Pacitic Railway, 
 tlio " Class C engine of tiio Ponnuylvania Railway, with such inoditif'ations aw to 
 details ;is wo may tind expedient, tho following i;eing the leading pruportioim : — 
 
 Cylinders 17 in. by 24 in. 
 
 Four driving wheels ()2 in. in dianntcr over 
 
 tyres 8 ft. 6 in. centres. 
 
 In.sido tiro-box 72 in. by .3.') in. 
 
 Tubes 2 in. diatnotor 10 ft. 8 ins. long, 
 
 * Conlro of truck or cylintlor lo centre of driving 
 
 axle 11 ft. 2 in. 
 
 "Woigiii (loaded), on drivers .50,400 lbs. 
 
 " " truck 25,800 " 
 
 Tendci', capacity 2,400 galls. 
 
 Total whcol-basc, engine and tender 41 ft. 6 in. 
 
 Vours faithfully, 
 
 (Signed) CHARLES BLACKWELL, 
 
 G. J. TANDY. 
 
 Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G., 
 Engiueer-i n-Chiof. 
 
 < Tills dimeiiBion baa Bince been changed to 11 feet 4 inches. 
 
311 
 
 APPENDIX No. 20. 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OP THE SEVERAL CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO — WITH THE RATEH AND 
 PRICES — FOR THE SUPPLY OF MATERIALS AND EXECUTION OF WORK ON TUK 
 
 Canadian Pacific IUilway, since March, I87i>, to the present time. A 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACTS PREVIOUSLY ENTERED INTO, WILL BE FOUND IN 
 
 THE Reports of February, 1877, paues 333 to 3'J6, and of Aphit., 1879, 
 
 PAGES 126 TO 136. 
 
 Contract No. 43. 
 
 Pembina Branch. — For equipping and working the Pombina Branch of the 
 Canmlicn Pacific Kaiiway — betwoon rfolitirk unci Emorson, a distunoo of 85 inilos — in 
 lieu of the Uovernmont, who wt'io undor agreement, datod M\i August, 1878, with 
 George Ste|)hen (who reproHented the oontiolling inteiost in the St. Paul, Minno- 
 a])olis and Manitoba Ilailway Company) to ofi'eet the.^o objectw; and further, 
 for maintaining and Uoopiug the saici lino in anoffiiier.i and full state of repair. 
 Twenty per cent/ of the gross earnings of tlie lino, (>'• such other amount as may be 
 agreed upon, to be paid over to the <jiovornioent monthly. 
 
 Name of coniractors Joseph Upper & Co. 
 
 Date of contract 12lh March, 1879. 
 
 Term of contract Until the main line from Fort William 
 
 to Selkirk is opened for traffic. 
 
 This r.ontraet wai caneelUd by Order in Council date J 28(A January, 1880, lo take efttt on the 
 
 loth February, 1880. 
 
 CONTRAOT No, 14. 
 
 Rails. — For the supply of 2,000 tons of stool rails, with the proportionate 
 quantity uf steel fishplates, delivered at Montreal. The spocilication required 
 the rails to be 57^ lbs. per yard, or 90 tons per milo of railway, and to bo of the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway standard section. 
 
 Manufacturers West Cumberland Iron and Steel Com- 
 
 ])any (Limited). 
 
 Date of order 24th June, 1879. 
 
 Date for del ivory....... 15th August, 1879. 
 
 The quantities delivered and prices are as follows : — 
 
 Tons. cwt. qrs. lbs. 
 
 Rails 2,000 5 17 
 
 Fishplates 78 19 2 3 
 
 2,078 I 2 20 (S, £4 19 = £10,237 5 6 
 
 Currency 850,0(:4 74 
 
 All the Bupplioh embraced in this contract have beoo delivered. 
 
 CoNTiucT No. 45. 
 
 Rails. — For tlie su >i ly of l.oOO tons of steel rails, with the proportionate 
 quantity of sUiol lishp ulos, delivered at Montreal, The .specification required 
 the rails to be 57^^ lbs. pi r yard, or 90 Iodm. per n\ilo of railway, and to bo of the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway standard sodiou. 
 
318 
 
 Manufacturers Barrow Hoematite Steel Company (Limited). 
 
 Date of oi-der 25Lh Juno, 1879. 
 
 Date for delivery 15th August, 1879. 
 
 The quantities delivered and prices are as follows ; — 
 
 Tons. cwt. qrs. lbs. 
 
 Kails 1,500 3 2 14 
 
 Fishplates 65 1 2 2 
 
 1,556 5 16 @ £5 = £7,776 5 9 
 
 Currency $37,844 59 
 
 All the supplies embraced in this contract have been delivered. 
 
 Contract No. 46. 
 
 llAiLs. — For the supply of 1,500 tons of steel rails, with the proportionate 
 quantity of steel fisbplates, delivered at Montreal. The specification required 
 the rails to be 67J lbs. per yard, or 90 tons per mile of railway, and to be of the 
 Canadian Pacific Railway standard section. 
 
 Manufacturers ..Bbbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Company 
 
 (Limited). 
 
 Date of order 26th Juno, 1879. 
 
 Date for delivery 15th August, 1879. 
 
 The quantities delivered and prices are as follows : — 
 
 Tons. cwt. qra. lbs. 
 
 Rails 1,603 1 1 3 
 
 Fishplates 57 8 3 9 
 
 1,500 10 12 @ £5 = £7,802 10 6 
 
 Currency 037,972 28 
 
 All the supplies embraced in this contract have been delivered. 
 
 Contract No. 47. 
 
 Holts and NuTs.—For the supply of 96,000 fishplate bolts and nuts, | inch 
 diameter, 3J inches long, cup shaped heads, and square necks and nuts, dipped in 
 oil, and packed in utrong 2 cwt. iron-bound cases, and delivered f.o.b. at Newport. 
 
 Manufacturers Patent Nut and Bolt Company (Limited). 
 
 Date of order 4ih July, 1879. 
 
 Date for delivery 25th July, 1879. 
 
 The quantities delivered and prices are an follows ; — 
 
 Tons. cwt. qra. lbs. 
 Delivered 46 16 @ £10 = £468 
 
 Currency $2,227 60 
 
 Freight and insurance £29 4 0= 142 11 
 
 Total $ 2,419 71 
 
 Ah the supplies embraced in this contract have been delivered*. 
 
313 
 
 Contract No. 48. 
 
 Main Line. — Firet 100-milo Hcction west of Hod River. The contract embraces 
 all the work necoHpary to be done in connection with the grading, bridging, track- 
 laying, Iiall'-ballu8ting, station buildings, &f., according to General and Special spoci- 
 ticationK and provision- of contract. Length 100 miles. 
 
 Name of contractor John Ryan. 
 
 Date of contract l!)th August, 1879. 
 
 Date for completion 19th August, 1880, 
 
 The approximate (inantities lurniahod to contractors, moneyed out at the contract 
 rates, are as follows : — 
 
 SCHI-]DULE OF QUANTITIES AND PRICES. 
 
 Description of V7ork. 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 
 12. 
 13. 
 
 Clearing Acres. 
 
 Grubbing " . 
 
 Platform of logs across muskegs, arei-; 
 
 age 9 in. deep " 
 
 •Fencing 
 
 Earih excavation 
 
 Crib-work, in abutmei ts ami piers of 
 
 bridges, including stcae filling 
 
 Rip-rap | 
 
 Square timber and planh in trestle-work, ■ 
 
 culverts, bridges, eti.., white pine or; 
 
 Tamarac 
 
 Piles driven, 12 in. by 1 ! in, tamarac... 
 
 8 in. flatted timber 
 
 W^rought iron, including bolts, spikes, 
 
 straps, etc ' Lbs. 
 
 Cast iron 
 
 Public road crossings, including cattle- 
 
 fuards and connectiig fences, sign- 
 oards, gravelling roiawav, &c 
 
 Farm road crossings, inclnaiug gates, 
 
 forming roadway, kc 
 
 Ties 
 
 Carriage of rails and fastenings from 
 
 Montreal j Tons. 
 
 Trftck-layiug ' Miles. 
 
 L. feet.. 
 0. yards 
 
 C. feet... 
 L. feet.. 
 
 No. 
 
 ■Ballasting C. 
 
 Points and crossings ... . ! 
 
 Stution buildings, 60 ft Ijy 24 ft., witli' 
 platform, complete 
 
 yard- 
 No, 
 
 Total amount for assumed distance of 
 100 miles 
 
 usntillca. 
 
 Rates. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 
 f cts. 
 
 $ CIS. 
 
 100 
 60 
 
 2 00 per acre. 
 4 00 " 
 
 200 00 
 200 00 
 
 1 
 
 1,000,000 
 700,000 
 
 750 00 " 
 04 per L. ft. 
 16 per 0. y^. 
 
 750 00 
 
 40,000 00 
 
 112,000 00 
 
 500 
 500 
 
 2 50 " 
 1 60 " 
 
 1,250 00 
 750 00 
 
 100,000 
 8,000 
 2,000 
 
 28 per 0. ft. 
 60 per L. ft. 
 15 " 
 
 28,000 00 
 
 4,000 00 
 
 300 00 
 
 60,0')0 1 
 10,000 
 
 100 
 
 200 
 275,000 
 
 11,000 
 
 106 
 
 350,000 
 
 50 
 
 07 per lb. 
 07 " 
 
 10 00 " 
 29 per tie. 
 
 17 75 ptr ton. 
 276 00 per mile. 
 22 )]er C. yd. 
 20 00 per set. 
 
 14 3,260 00 perStati'n 
 
 4,200 00 
 700 00 
 
 145 00 per cross'g 14,500 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 70,760 00 
 
 19.'),2r)0 00 
 
 29,150 00 
 
 55,000 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 31,500 00 
 
 600,500 00 
 
 Amount paid oi account of work executed to Hist Dec, 1879, 812,030.00. 
 
 •No fencing to he done under this contract, and the ballasting is not to exceed 126,000 
 cubic yardd. 
 
914 
 
 N 
 
 Contract No. 49. 
 
 Station Buii-ptnos, Pembiim Hnuich. Tho ooiUi-at't oinbraocs tlio fiiini«hinu; of nil 
 the noi'ossmy |>lunl, luattM'i.'ii iiiul labor ro(iiiiro<l in tho oioition iimi ('Ojn|)l»'tion 
 of tho 8ovt»ral hiiildiiigH ami jiliiltbrnis. 
 
 Nanio of tinitraotor Uichanl i^iiUson. 
 
 Dato of oonlrai't ITuli Au^'uxl, 1S7!>. 
 
 Dato tor coniplotioii Ihl N<»voinU>r, 1S7'.'. 
 
 Tho builiiings aiul ju'icos aro an follows : — 
 
 Miles. I Name of StAtion. 
 
 
 
 lo' 
 
 I 
 
 35 
 43 
 ft4 
 
 6;t 
 
 DescrtplioD tind nimoneioas. 
 
 KnieMOn- SUtion HnilitiiiR, 120 ft. by 24 ; plmform, 300 ft. by \'i ft. along 
 
 I front, Hiiil with I'liil Hn.i ri>nr portionsi 
 
 Pciiia IStHlioii HuiliHnK, (in It. by"24 ; pUtt.irin, :t(tO It. by 12 ft. ailing 
 
 front, niid wilb omt iiml rear iiortioii* 
 
 Ar'-...,in Platform only, 100 ft. by 12 ft., iiioludinK laisni |iortiun8 
 
 Onfro.'t do do do 
 
 Oltcrburn .Station HiijldinK, i!0 fi. by -■) ; platform, 30(1 ft. by 12 ft. along! 
 
 front, an i with end :vnd rear portions 
 
 Nivorvillc Station BinUlinj!:, tiOlt. by U4 ; pbittorni, 3()0 ft. by 12 ft. alnng. 
 
 front, and with end and n-ar porliond | 
 
 St. Vorbort Platform only, loO ft bv 12 ft., inrhiding rai.^od portions 
 
 St. Honilaco .. Station tiiiilding, 120 f;. "by 24 ; platform, 300 tt by 12 ft alonR! 
 
 { front, and wiili und and rear portions 
 
 Platform only, 100 ft. by 12 ft., inoln>ling raided portioiii" ^ 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Station Hiiildinj:, CO ft. by 24 , pliitfortn, 30(1 ft. l>y 12 ft. alongj 
 t'ront, and witb oud and roar portions ... . 
 
 Total amount of contract. 
 Additional w orks 
 
 Total 
 
 Price for 
 
 •neb, 
 Ooniplete. 
 
 cts. 
 
 3,340 .JO 
 
 2,030 t* 
 200 (H) 
 200 00 
 
 2,030 40 
 
 2,030 40 
 
 200 00 
 
 3,310 40 
 200 00 
 200 00 
 
 2,030 00 
 
 15,802 lu 
 2li3 80 
 
 10,00(3 30 
 
 Amount paid on accotint lo 3l8i Doc, 1870, $1.'3,()50. This oonli-aot has Ixwn ooin])lotO(l 
 
 OONTUAOT No. 50. 
 
 Railway Spiko — For tho niainifa(Htiro, ami dolivoiy of 700 ton.s of failway 
 epikos. Tlio ■<p«>('iti(;ui>>n ptvjuiivd tlio s])iko tn bo iiiado from iho host ivtiiiod iioii, 
 6 iiK'hos long by g-incli wjuiito, and put up Kociii'oly in ifon-botind (.-aHOH ol 2 i \vl. 
 each. 
 
 ManufaoturorH Millor Rrolbors .t Mitchell. 
 
 I>ato of contract 4ih So]/toinl'or, 1S7H. 
 
 Date for dolivory Hol'ofo cIoho of iiavij^alion, 187'.*. 
 
 Tho iiuuntity ilelivorod and jiritHW an^ as bllows ; — 
 
 Tons. 
 
 At Montrt^tU :?0() (of '2,LM0 Ibs.l at ^47 7.^ SU,:525 00 
 
 At Fort William.... d-0 (ol 2,*240 |bn.) at .'iB 7f> 'JO, 100 00 
 
 Amount of contrnct 8iJ5,l-5 00 
 
 This contract has boon complotod. 
 
31ft 
 
 (lio furnishitiir of all 
 I'tiun titid I'Oinplotioii 
 
 i( kson. 
 .1, 1S7!». 
 Um; 187i». 
 
 
 
 Priro for 
 
 nncli, 
 Complete. 
 
 12 ft. along 
 
 $ cts. 
 
 3,340 40 
 
 2,030 t* 
 200 *H) 
 
 12 ft. along 
 
 
 12 ft. Hloiig 
 
 2 ft. Rl.lllg 
 
 tiling ....... 
 
 12 ft Along 
 
 200 00 
 
 a,o:io 40 
 
 2,030 40 
 200 00 
 
 3,310 40 
 200 00 
 200 00 
 
 2,030 00 
 
 lionn 
 
 i ft. aliMig 
 
 15,802 tu 
 2(53 80 
 
 . ... 
 
 
 
 16,060 20 
 
 
 lUH Ik»oii i'oin])lo(«>(l 
 
 tonn ol' I'itilway 
 lioat i'«>lii)0(l iron, 
 ml (.'linos ol 2 <'\vt. 
 
 holl. 
 lion, 187'.>. 
 
 I 
 
 \:.\2ts no 
 
 0,1 (l(» <M) 
 {5,.1'J5 00 
 
 (ViNTKAiT No. ni. 
 
 Kisil ri.ATK Hki.Ts ani> Ni is. -!•'<> I ihc Hii|n«|y of li.'i Ions ol iNIi pliilr Inills and 
 nil's, (ii<livi'Ci'«l at l"'oH William, rii.' -|i.ci1i<'ni imi romnri'il tho IipIIn ami nuts to ho 
 niaiU' lii'iii tli«' l'>"*i ri'liiii'ii iron, ili.' ImlK lo In- ,'i^ inrjn's Iuiil; liy j inrli iliaiiioUtr, 
 liMViii!,' ^'loaro iH'cUs ami I Up .s|i.'i|)«"ii lioiids. .■md si io\v«'d for n jciii'ili ol" 'J imlios , 
 mils l'> I'O \k nudics ni|U.'iio liy ^ iiirli lliiik. tlic wind"' dijijiod in iiiisi'od nil and 
 i)ai'Ui><i in simnjj; irnndiiuind taws or two owl. oacli. 
 
 Maiinfaclurcrs Poioinion Holt (Vi. 
 
 IMo orconliaol .'^lli Scpl.unlMM-, 1870. 
 
 Halo (or tomplolioii Isl Octohor, 1871*. 
 
 Tl»« (jnanlily dtdivorcd and tlo prioos afo as IoHowh ■ — 
 
 HollH and niilH—.'JBi Ions (L',J40 lbs.) ol 875 82,«f)2 50. 
 
 This contnirt has boon cornploUMl. 
 
 CoNnuoT No. 62. 
 
 TuANsi'oUTATioN of" Uaii.s. — Ffoin MontroaMo Fori William. Tlio contfact inrindoH 
 tlio ivooiviiig of llu* rails, ami I'aMloniiijirH (Vutn IboOcoan sloainor's lacklr at Mon- 
 lival, harbor duos at Montreal, canal lolls, insiirunio and all i barges for loading, 
 titiloading, and jiilini^ at |»oinl of dolivory. 
 
 Natno of contractors Mortlt-Wost TrnnHportntion Co. 
 
 Halo of conlrad .'{Olb Sojil.onibor, IH70. 
 
 Date lor coniplolioTi DuiuiilC luivigalion of 1880. 
 
 KHtiinatod amount of conliact 4,000 Ions (2,210 ihs.) (d, $tj -$24,000. 
 
 Aiivnin^, i>aid on account to ;{lst l)oo., 187!l, 615,084. 
 
 O'NTllACT No. 6H.* 
 
 IUti.H. — For tbo siijiply of IIO.OOO tons of stool rails, willi tho pronortionato 
 quantity of stool tisb-platos and bolts and nuts, dolivoivd at Montreal. Tlio spocifi- 
 calion ro([uir(>d tli(» rails to bo o( llio sorlioii known as lb(« Canadian I'aoilii' FJailway 
 Sinudard ; wcimbt ot rail to bo f»7^ lbs. por yard, u;oiioial lonirlli of rails to bo .'{0, 2B, 
 2t) and 24 fool, but 10 per cent, will bo riM'i>iv(>d in sliorloi' Unigtlis ("22, 20, 10 ami 
 18 foot, in about oiiual jiroportion) ; bolt boles lo bo drilUxl (not puncliod). liaiislo 
 bo inspoctinl during tbo wliolo courso of manuiaclure, and subjocl to tho tostH pro- 
 vided in spooitiealion. 
 
 Tlio tisbplatos to be of a section to fit the Canadian I'acilii' Standard rail, of a 
 similar (jualily of lougb mild steel, subjocl to sinh t(wls as may bo riMjuirod. Each 
 fish plalo lo bo 20 inches long, puncliod hot, with lout boles, and otherwise made 
 line to tomplale. 
 
 Tho boll^ .^ in. diamelor, ^'■^ in. long, to bo made with cup heads and sijuaro 
 nockH j iron to lo of a tough, (ibroiis qualily; workmanship and finish of tho host 
 description ; threads of ,s(Mows to bo VVhilvvorth's slandard, I.(Mi lo (bo inch. IJoII.h 
 uiid nuts lo bo hoatod and dipped to prevent rusting, and pack(>d in strong iron- 
 bound cases, to contain not over 2 cwt. 
 
 Manufactur((rH Barrow nivtnatite Steel Co, (Liniitod). 
 
 Dttto of contract aoili August, 187y. 
 
 * ConlractB Noa. 53, .')4 and ftR eiiibraoo 46,000 tongofxtopl rails and fuatuuiugi, 11,000 teas 
 ot whicli will be used ou the Uividro in Loup Section of tbo Intercolonial lUilway. 
 
316 
 
 The qunntitiort, dates of delivery and pricoH aro !V> followt 
 
 Date of Delivery. 
 
 O^obcr 1, 1379 .... 
 
 Juae 1, 1880 
 
 September 1, 1380.. 
 
 .lo 
 October 1, 1880 
 
 Rails. 
 
 Tona. 
 
 5,000 
 6,000 
 
 5, "'.Ml 
 
 10,000 
 
 Rate per Ton ol 3,340 lbs. 
 
 Raild. 
 
 Hsli-platee. 
 
 t s. 0. 
 
 4 17 6 
 
 5 
 4 17 C 
 
 ', '■ 11 
 
 5 2 
 
 X' B. 
 
 [1. 
 
 Bolts 
 arid Nu'a 
 
 ft 17 il 
 
 h* 'I 
 
 :. 17 6 
 
 
 
 6 2 6 
 
 £ s. 
 
 10 £ 
 10 f 
 
 10 e 
 
 10 >■ 
 10 1 
 
 Estimatod ooet t'leO.SOO or ^ay $781,000 00 
 
 Of the above Ihoio has becu dclivtuod r),101 Ioiih. Value. 3l23,ir)(; 38 
 
 Contract No. 54.* 
 
 Rails. — For the supply of lO,000 tons of Htecl rails, witli the proportionato 
 quantity of Hteol finh-ptatos and bolt« and nut.«<, delivered at Montreal. Tno Hpccifi- 
 cation i.s the .same a^ tliat lor Contract No. 53. 
 
 ManufactuvorH GuOHt & Co. 
 
 Dale of contract llih Soptembor, 1S*19. 
 
 Tlic quantitiort, dates of delivery and prioos are as follows 
 
 Date of Delivery. 
 
 October 1, 1879.. 
 Jane 1, 1880 
 
 Rails. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 6,noo 
 5,000 
 
 Rate pel Tonof 2,240 lbs. 
 
 Rails. 
 
 £ 8. D. 
 
 4 17 G 
 6 
 
 Fish-plates, 
 
 .t 8. D. 
 
 5 17 6 
 
 6 
 
 BoltH 
 and Nute. 
 
 X a. D. 
 
 12 
 12 
 
 Estimated cost £52,950 or nay 8258,000 00 
 
 Of the above there has been delivered 4,791A tons. Value. 115,(]98 35 
 
 Contract No. 55.* 
 
 Rails. — For the supply of 5,000 tons of stool rails, with the pronortionato 
 quantity of steel fish-plates and bolts and nuis, delivered at Aiontreal. The specifi- 
 cation is the same as tint for Contract No. 53. 
 
 Manufacturers West Cumberland Iron and Sttel Co. (Limited). 
 
 Date of contract 29th August, 1879, 
 
 * Contracts Nos. 53, 54 and 65 embrace 45,000 tons of steel rails :ind fastenings, 11,000 tona 
 of which will be used on the Rividre du Loup Section of the Intercolonial Railway. 
 
317 
 
 rTon of 2, 340 lbs. 
 
 ish-platce. 
 
 .f B. 
 
 B0U3 
 arid Nu'a 
 
 £ 8. 
 
 5 17 H 
 « (1 
 
 :. 17 6 
 
 ti n 
 
 6 2 6 
 
 10 5 I; 
 10 f> fi 
 10 6 
 10 'i 
 10 7 6 
 
 ay «t81,() 
 le. «123,1 
 
 00 00 
 56 38 
 
 witli tlio j)rop()i'tioii;ito 
 Iilontroal. Tlio Hpccifi 
 
 lost & Co. 
 
 \h Soptcmbor, 1819 
 
 ) Tonof 2,240 lbs. 
 
 "ijh -plates, 
 
 t s. D. 
 
 5 17 6 
 
 6 
 
 BoltH 
 and Nute. 
 
 £ 8, D. 
 
 12 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 ly 8258,000 00 
 115.098 35 
 
 ith iho pronortionuto 
 Montreal. Tho Bpeclti- 
 
 el Co. (liimitod). 
 
 ind faateuinga, 11,000 tons 
 ;ailway. 
 
 Tlio quuntitioH, dates of'dolivory aiidpricoH arc as follows . — 
 
 Date of Delivery, 
 
 Sctober 1, 1879 
 oTomber I, 1879. 
 
 Rate per Tod of 2,240 lbs. 
 
 Rails. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Rails. 
 
 3,000 
 2,000 
 
 .t' 3. p. 
 
 4 19 
 4 19 
 
 Fish-plates 
 
 £ 1. 0. 
 
 4 19 
 
 4 19 
 
 Bolts 
 and Nuts. 
 
 X, ». D. 
 
 9 15 
 9 15 
 
 Estimatod coHt £2(;,400 or say 8128,.500 00 
 
 Of the above there has been dolivorod 4,363^ tons. Value 106,210 54 
 
 Contract No. SO. 
 
 Iron SrPERSTRUcTuaK. — For Kat Rivor Bridge, Pombina Branch. Tho contract 
 ombracos tho furnishing and erecting in place of one ♦iO-foet span iron bridge. 
 
 Name of contractors Kellogg Bridge Co. 
 
 Date of contract 2()th November, 1879. 
 
 Date for completion 1st February, 1880. 
 
 Amount of contract 81,384.00. 
 
 Amount paid on account to 3l8t Dec, 1879 — Nil. 
 
 Contract No. 67. 
 
 Railway Switch Froob. — ^For tho supply of 120 patent ad justJibk' railway frogs, 
 with signal frame anil switch gear complete, delivered on cars at Truro, N.S. 
 
 Name of contractors Truro Patent Frog Co. 
 
 Date of contract 27th September, 1879. 
 
 Date for completion 1st May, 1880. 
 
 Amount of contract : — 
 
 120 Fi-ogs, at 8G5 $7,800 00 
 
 120 sets switch frames and gearing, complete, at 835.. 4,200 00 
 
 Total 812,000 00 
 
 Amount paid on account to 31st Doc, 1879 — Nil. 
 
 ('ontr.\ct No. 58. 
 
 TuRN-TAniiBs. — For the manufacture of 4 iron turii-tablo.<i, 50 loot diameter, 
 contract embraces tho manufacture, carriage and orcclioii in place, complete. 
 
 Name of contractor W. Ilazlchurst. 
 
 Date of conti-act 2Gth February, 1880. 
 
 Date for completion 
 
 Amount of contract : — 
 
 1 Docked turn-table 8^,016 00 
 
 3 Open do at 81,3(50 4,080 00 
 
 Tho 
 
 Amount paid on account to 3l3t D«c., 1879 — Nil. 
 
 86,096 00 
 
a 18 
 
 CoNTRAdT No. r)!t. 
 
 Si.EKi'Eiis. — For (ho fiii|'ply •>!' 10 >,iM»(» railvvuy tio.i, uii'l the ilolivoiyof thoHiimu 
 
 ftloiii; Kjtlo ot tin' Irack on Coiitrjict \o. 1 1. TIioho tios iin for hsim>ii tlio soooiiil KM) 
 niilo,-. \Vl>^^l itf Kod Ui\'4'r. and will lio lianood ovit l(» ilic KMiiimlor (or tlio 
 HOi'tion, al tlu" '.'oidract prico. Tlic licM aio to ho >> (cot lonj;, (la((o<l on 
 two o|)|>osito KJilo.-* to a iinitoiin iliicktiowH ot (1 iiicliot*, llio tlattiil Murlaco being uot 
 loHH than t! iiiolioH, on oitlior Hi<lo, at llio smull oi\(l. 
 
 Niuno oC contractors Whiiolioutl, Uiittaii niul Uyan. 
 
 Dato of coiitnut fiili I'oltrtuu v, 1SH». 
 
 Date for completing In (inio to he iiikon acroHN ico- 
 
 bri(li;o on |{o<l Hivcr in 
 Hpriiig of IHiSO. 
 
 Anionnt of contnn ( lOO.OtKl ties, at 27^ eti*. oach=$2(r,T60. 
 
 Amount paid on account to Slst Deo., 1871» — Nil. 
 
 Contract No. fiO. 
 
 Main Lint, in British Colnmhia, oxtomlinj^ from Kinorys Harto IJoston Har. — Tho 
 contract enihracoH all the works no(^>sary in connectiiui with tho excavating, grjul- 
 ing. tunnelling, bridging, track laying and haliasting according to tho General 
 Spocitication. Lengtii, UU miles. 
 
 Name of contractor Andrew Ondord.mk. 
 
 Dale of i^ontract 2;!i-d Docemher, 1^1',). 
 
 Date for completion .'ilst J)ecemlH>r, 1883. 
 
 Tho api)roximato ()uantitie8 furnished to contractors, monoycil out at contract 
 rates, are as follows : — 
 
 SCHEDfTLK OF Qt'ANTlTIBS AND PRICES. 
 
 Description of Work. 
 
 Ai'proxinmto 
 Quantities. 
 
 CloariDi; 
 
 Close ciittiag 
 
 Grubbing 
 
 Fencinff 
 
 Soliii rock ezcavatiou , 
 
 Loose do do 
 
 Eartli pxcavAtion, iiicludinf; that described in 
 
 clause 13 of specification ! do 
 
 U'lider-draioa 'L. fceU 
 
 Tunnelling (see clause 32 of apecification)— 
 " Line tunnels" in rock, in the following 
 lengths: .Wo ft., 50, l.'.O, 105, 240, 400, :iOO,| 
 r?85, 2;H1, 200, 150, 140, 1,600, 100, 150, 100, 
 
 110, 2:«), 360 and 500 (Vet 
 
 "Twelve feet— stream tunnels" 
 
 "Six feet — stream tunnels" 
 
 Bridge masonry 
 
 CuWert masonry 
 
 Carried forward. 
 
 250 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 10,000 
 
 50i>,i:0ii 
 
 260,000 
 
 1,500,000 
 2,000 
 
 Say fi.OOO 
 
 200 
 
 1,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 Rates. 
 
 Per acre! 
 
 1 do 
 I do 
 Per 1. ft 
 I'ei oyd 
 do 
 
 do 
 Per 1. ft. 
 
 do 
 <lo 
 do 
 Per c >d 
 do 
 
 $ cU. 
 
 30 00 
 40 00 
 80 00 
 
 05 
 
 1 50 
 75 
 
 30 
 40 
 
 106 00 
 
 ;uj 00 
 
 12 00 
 
 1m (;o 
 6 00 
 
 Amount. 
 
 $ els. 
 
 7,. 500 00 
 
 400 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 600 00 
 
 750,000 00 
 
 187,800 00 
 
 450,000 00 
 800 00 
 
 e-TOiOoo Oil 
 
 7,200 00 
 
 12,000 no 
 
 150,000 00 
 60,000 00 
 
 3,266,700 00 
 
:u:t 
 
 SCUKDUI.K OK giTANriTIKS AND V\{\VV.'<.-ConeluJ*,l. 
 
 Ito (lolivoiyof thoHnmo 
 ir iisi« nil tlio hocmitl lOi) 
 In- ( oiitincior for tho 
 I'cot loiij;, tliilti'd (in 
 tUii Murluco lioing uot 
 
 Inn ami It^iin. 
 
 icn »^roH^ ico- 
 Jtxl Kivor in 
 
 27^ i'lH. o:ich=:|2'7,'750. 
 
 UrtolJoston Flnr. — TI\o 
 I tlio oxciivating, gnul- 
 rding to Uio Cionoriil 
 
 ndonlonk. 
 iibor, I'^T.). 
 iiIkt, iss;j. 
 
 >novo(l out at contract 
 
 Rates. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 $ cU 
 
 30 00 
 40 00 
 80 00 
 
 05 
 
 1 50 
 75 
 
 30 
 40 
 
 IP eta. 
 
 7, ,500 Ou 
 
 400 00 
 
 800 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 750,000 00 
 
 187,500 00 
 
 450,000 00 
 800 00 
 
 105 00 
 
 630,000 Oil 
 
 3tJ 00 
 
 7,200 00 
 
 Vi 00 
 
 12,000 00 
 
 10 CO 
 
 150,0*10 00 
 
 6 00 
 
 60,000 00 
 
 
 2,266,700 00 
 
 l>('»cri|ilii>ii iif Wiiik. 
 
 * Apiinilinmtfl 
 
 ijUMIltitil-H, 
 
 llnli-n. 
 
 Ilniiiglit rorwanl . 
 
 mils, etc). 
 
 Oiy MinDonry (retaiiiing 
 
 I'ikVinK 
 
 «'iiiirrt'ti> 
 
 Ui|i-rini 
 
 <J»3l-irim liiiH'K, 3 0. ilianii-tcr insiilf, 1 
 thick, ImiiI in cmicreto (llu> cuiiorvl>' not 
 
 rtiiilcd ill lliiH iliMn 
 
 Ilaiiil-lnyiiitc rock pmltnnkincnts wIhto glopca 
 
 iir(-8io<'|if r tliHii I Id I (lal>tir only) 
 
 Tiniher, liridgt" miiiorsiriicturc, l.M) trri clfiir 
 
 do <l<l \'i'> (111 
 
 ilo ilii li)0 ili> 
 
 till ill) 60 ilo 
 
 (Ill do 411 do 
 
 (Sec rli(ii»(>a 42 hiiJ 43 of siiucilicatioii ) 
 
 Tiiidipr, l)P9t quality, for bcarn culvert.", etc — 
 
 \2 in X 16 in 
 
 li in. X 12 in 
 
 H in. X 16 in 
 
 H in. X 12 in 
 
 ()lli(iraiinin^ion8i)f timber fif ri i|iiire(l to hi' 
 used), at proportiunatv priufd. 
 
 0. yard.' I 
 d<i 
 •lo 
 •lo 
 
 feel . 
 
 vard^ 
 fJo. 
 do 
 d.i 
 d.) 
 do 
 
 , feet, 
 lo 
 do 
 do 
 
 f.,oOO IVri'Vd 
 
 f eta 
 
 I.IHIO 
 1,000 
 
 ilo 
 do 
 do 
 
 f.00 Perl.fi. 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 . ,l'"t. U .\I 
 Ll.j. 
 ilo 
 No. 
 
 l.'i.OOd 
 H 
 I 
 
 
 1 
 
 :i 
 
 I'lT c.yd 
 I'cMipan 
 
 I do 
 
 I do 
 
 I (to 
 
 . do 
 
 I IKI I 
 
 :i 0(1 I 
 
 II MO i 
 
 :i 00 ■ 
 
 10 00 
 
 Piles, driven (see clause 40 of gporilieiition) 
 
 Ituiind linilier, for crib-\v|iBrtiii){, etc., nul lesi 
 tlian 12 inrhos diiimeler 
 
 Flatted limber in road diversion culverts, 12 in 
 thick - 
 
 riank 
 
 Wrou^lit iron 
 
 tiael iron 
 
 Ties — 
 
 Uiirriai'c of rails and fa9lenin);.<i from lower end 
 of He(<lion, includiii); all handling 
 
 Track-liiying 
 
 Hallasling ^0. vards 
 
 Setting points and cr(88inKS No. 
 
 I'ublic road level cropsingn, conipri8iii(( tiinlier! 
 cattle-Kuards, tdankini;, small timber cul- 
 verts under upproaclics, and notiee-boarda, 
 complete 
 
 To cover woik which possibly may be required 
 under clauses IH, 43 and 01 of general 
 ^pecilication, short quantities and contin- 
 gencies—add, say, .>t50,000 
 
 2,000 
 
 ri,(K)0 
 
 I, Mill 
 
 1,100 
 
 1(1,000 
 
 |li,<IOO 
 
 i-rl ft. 
 do 
 do 
 <lo 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 Tons. 
 Miles. 
 
 do 
 
 3,000 do 
 
 V!(i,oiiO Per .M. 
 
 3,000 Per lb. 
 
 tioii do 
 
 V.'),00() I Euch. 
 
 3,000 I Per ton 
 30 Mile*. 
 100,000 Per c.yd 
 20 Kach. 
 
 75 
 7,600 (Ml 
 6,2.50 <M) 
 4,000 (K) 
 2,100 00 
 1,400 00 
 
 :i(i 
 
 30 
 
 (I 25 
 
 25 
 
 40 
 
 Total. . 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 300 (Kl i 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 25 
 
 0(1 
 
 50 
 
 00 
 
 Auioiint. 
 
 9 clH. 
 
 2,2.56,700 00 
 
 20,000 (Ml 
 :I,1M)0 (H) 
 0,000 00 
 3,0tH) 00 
 
 5,Oll0 (Ht 
 11,25(1 00 
 
 (;o,(Kio 00 
 
 0,250 0» 
 
 24,000 00 
 
 2,100 (10 
 
 4,200 Oil 
 
 flfM) 00 
 
 1,500 «0 
 
 375 00 
 
 3.5U 00 
 
 4,000 00 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 750 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 4.50 00 
 
 75 00 
 
 2 2, .500 00 
 
 3,000 00 
 
 0,000 00 
 
 30,000 00 
 
 600 00 
 
 200 00 
 
 250,000 Oo 
 
 2,727,300 00 
 
 Operations liad not comtnen'.'cd at ond of April, 1880. 
 
 •Some of the (|uantities printed in tlii* column are estimated from i)rclimiiiary location 
 nipasurements, and may be considered roughly npiiroiiiiiiiii' , oilier ilem;* are simply conjectured, and 
 placed herein for the purpose of obtaining rules. 
 
 123—21 
 
8it0 
 
 (\iNTIl.V( T Nt>. lil. 
 
 Main Link, in l>i iii-li ('i>liiml(iii, fxli'inliiii; iVum ruwi.m \\:w to I-vltun. — Tho 
 oontruot t'lnlMJU-os all llio works uorossjiiv in t'oimoctinii with llm ONcavuliiitr, 
 
 g 
 
 [IOC 
 
 radiiijj, limnollini;-, luiil.'.iit^^, liacli hiyiii^'; iiiul l»:ill:i^lin;r, iiccDi-ilin:^ Id llic < ioiu'ral 
 itii-ation. l-oii^lli, ■-!• milos. 
 
 Niin\o ol l■l>llt^!U't^)^^ \\\ nil, ( ioodwiii il- ( 'n. 
 
 Palo lit' rdiilrai't lOilt I'Vluiiarv, ISSll. 
 
 I>au> (or i'(iniji!olii)ii .'UUti .liinc, ISS|. 
 
 The H|i|)roxiinaU> (luniUitifs I'liinisluMl to lontravtors, imnHiyoil out al cohliafl 
 
 rntoH, «ro i\n lollops — 
 
 SdlKDl'l.K OK (MIANTiriKS ANI> JMUrKS 
 
 l)fi<oriplioii 111 WuiK. 
 
 AplMllxillUlll' 
 
 Itiili 
 
 ClrHriii)! 
 
 (Moso iMiltiiijj 
 
 Unililiiii); 
 
 Ki'iiciinj 
 
 fill id riii'k ciciivrtiiiin 
 
 I111080 ri'ck I'M'HVHii.iii . 
 
 Krtrtli oxi'iivrttioii (iiuluvlmj; thill ilotiOlibi'il 
 
 cUiino IM ol »i>ri.Mlii'iMion ) 
 
 l'nder-Ur«iiiii 
 
 .AlTl';!. 
 
 ilo 
 
 till 
 
 I,, fori 
 
 •IPii I'cr in'ir 
 
 III 
 111 
 
 innr'.liiiit (si'o rlniiac ,Vi of i^pooilirHlioii) - 
 
 .1110 '.IIIIIUMil 
 
 '• I'wi'lvo toft— sIroiiMi liiiuii'l.-i " 
 
 " Six iVot— .«tlTIIIll llllUll'ls " 
 
 Hriil|rt< iiinsoiiry . 
 
 riijvi-rl niiisiiiirv 
 
 I>ry nirtiiiinry (rcUiiiiiij^ >vh11.<, .tc ) 
 
 rHViii|r 
 
 I'OIllTttt' 
 
 li 
 
 C. viiiiU' imi, (1(1(1 
 ".111 I ;i(iii,(iii(; 
 
 ilii 
 
 I.. lOl'l, 
 
 ill! 
 
 'IT 
 
 II. 
 
 iiii' 
 
 i(i-riip .....^. . 
 
 y, yiuils 
 
 i ilo 
 
 .1 <lo 
 
 . I (Id 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 :i,is'o,(i(i(i I dii 
 •.'('(111 'I'lT 1 ri 
 
 I'ftsi-iroii iiipi'g, ;< f t diHiiifter iiisido, I In. lliirkj 
 IhiiI ii< roucri'ltf (ilio coiiert'to not inolndi'dl 
 in this itiMii) I I.. Ii'el. 
 
 IIiicd-ItiyiiiK ri'i'k onilimikiiUMilH, whcro «Ii)|io« 0. yuvdil 
 
 Rri< «ii>t'p*r Ilmii I to 1 (liiluir only) 
 
 Timber briJgo siiporstnictiiri', l.'io II. i-livir.. 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 1(1(1 
 
 •40 
 
 do 
 
 No. 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 (See claiisos 4'2 nnd 43 ut apoo<iicniion ) I 
 
 Tiiiibi'r, best ()imhly, for boiiiu i'iilvi>rt9, Ao. — i 
 
 i2 1(1. X U< ill III. It'ot. 
 
 \'i ill. X li ill 
 C i'l X 16 in. 
 8 in. X 1-' 10. 
 
 tUher (liniensions ol liii'bi'r (il rvij nri'il lo I 
 ui/ed) at proporlionalo prii-os. 
 
 Pllei driven (see clause 40 ot jipooiriciilionV 
 
 Carried •'orwjud 
 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 I 
 
 Ctlll 
 IlKI 
 
 ,^llll 
 
 del 
 
 •J.^,0(|(| IVr e yd 
 
 10,0(1(1 
 
 •i.\(i' () 
 1,0111) 
 
 1,0(1(1 
 
 :!(), (1(1(1 
 
 MM) 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 l,i)uil I'crc.yd 
 
 Pel span 
 
 •JOO IVr 1. fl.l 
 
 •j.oco 
 '.'On 
 
 20(1 
 
 10,00(1 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 ;^^ 11(1 
 
 :ui (III 
 
 loo nil 
 
 (I ( Il 
 
 .10 
 
 10 
 
 r.'(i 00 
 
 (lO (Id 
 
 W (HI 
 
 rj (10 
 
 H 11(1 
 
 :i (Ml 
 
 2 fid 
 
 ■J (111 
 
 3(1 0(1 
 
 no 
 
 f>,i*(»> 0(1 
 
 -1,21)0 00 
 
 ;i,(iiu) (1(1 
 
 1,M)II 11(1 
 
 1,1)00 (lO 
 
 ito 
 
 I,'. 
 
 II .to 
 
 II ;io 
 
 (I M) 
 
 .Viii>iiiiii. 
 
 i(l,( (10 (Ml 
 
 :((i(i 01) 
 
 1,000 (i(» 
 
 IIIKI CO 
 
 :!(;(i,(io(i (10 
 
 'Ji.'l,il|iO 11(1 
 
 illl(l,(Ml(l (10 
 
 HIKI (111 
 
 7'.', 0(1(1 11(1 
 
 h.llllll (III 
 
 l(l,(l(l() (1(1 
 
 SOO,(ili() (Ml 
 
 H(i, 0(1(1 (10 
 
 ';,''i,(MMi (111 
 
 •.!,^i() (II) 
 
 7,(i'i(l 0(1 
 
 (ilMIOll (III 
 
 m.ooo no 
 
 fidO 0(1 
 
 fi,HO0 (III 
 
 4.';!(M) (111 
 
 I(i2.( (III I (1 
 
 I,, 'KID on 
 
 l,0(.(l (1(1 
 
 1 .M) (111 
 
 '.100 (II 
 
 H(i no 
 
 (in (in 
 
 6,(10) IIII 
 ■i,V4.'i,;;(!i) nn 
 
 Set foot note next piigf. 
 
i.ir to I.ylt.m.— Tlio 
 itii (lio «>\('iivuliiiLj, 
 nliii;jj (i) (lu> < Jotionil 
 
 ivin (!'• i\>. 
 irv, I SSI I. 
 I SSI. 
 
 \'«>il Dili, III CilKl IMl'l 
 
 Aiiiiinijl. 
 
 •$ I' 1.1. 
 
 *; VU 
 
 ■Jf> (Id 
 
 io.iiio 00 
 
 ,10 111) 
 
 MOO (10 
 
 llMI (1(1 
 
 1,0110 00 
 
 II n; 
 
 Olio CO 
 
 1 H(l 
 
 .'SCO, 000 00 
 
 II f.^ 
 
 'JJ,'>,OliO 00 
 
 ;iii 
 
 tlOO.OOO 00 
 
 10 
 
 HIIO (10 
 
 r.'ii 00 
 
 7:', 000 00 
 
 fill 00 
 
 fi.oiil) 00 
 
 •JO no 
 
 lO.OllO (Ml 
 
 \2 0(1 
 
 ;ioo,(ioii 00 
 
 H 00 
 
 HO.IMiO 00 
 
 :t on 
 
 V:"i,ooii 00 
 
 2 r.o 
 
 •.!,^i0 (III 
 
 7 |io 
 
 7, OK) 00 
 
 •J 00 
 
 (>o,iioo no 
 
 :io 00 
 
 1^,000 (Ml 
 
 no 
 
 rioo 00 
 
 ,,M0O 00 
 
 ri.Hoo 00 
 
 ,'joo 00 
 
 •I.IIOO (ill 
 
 ,lliiO 00 
 
 io:',(oii 10 
 
 rioo 00 
 
 i,r>oo 00 
 
 000 00 
 
 1,01.0 no 
 
 n w 
 
 r.o 
 
 l.'O on 
 
 ir. 
 
 000 1.0 
 
 .JO 
 
 HO On 
 
 ;iii 
 
 liO nil 
 
 6,00) no 
 a,i4fl,::(io on 
 
 
 :i2\ 
 
 HUmCDm.K OK QIIANTITIK.S AM) I'UICKS. ('u-ir/.i/W. 
 
 nrmriptiioi iif Wntk. 
 
 * A p|iiii\iiim(i< 
 I iMiiiililicn 
 
 llroii|{lil liirwiinl 
 
 Kmi'iiC llinli-'r fur rrili «lmrliii({, (!«., not li':vi| 
 lliikii I'.! In. illiinii'ti-r 
 
 Klulti'il tiiiiliiir ill nxtil liivrmlDU ciiIvimIj, l^iii. 
 (Iiiok 
 
 riiink 
 
 WroiiKlit iron 
 
 l!n«l iron . 
 
 .Ill 
 
 do 
 
 I'M II .M 
 
 l,l>». 
 
 <lo 
 
 Nt. 
 
 OHrriiiKc of rallH iiinl lnHdoiiiK'' ^I'oiii Uiwiir pinlj 
 
 t>r r<i'c(i(in, liii'.liiiliiig III! Iiikii'lliiit; Tutix 
 
 Truck-Ill jriiiK Mili'i. 
 
 lliiUiiHtliiK (!. viuiIh 
 
 .Sclliii); imiiiti mill onMHinift | S'li 
 
 I'lililir roHil li'vrl crnsiaiMi'H, iMimnriitiinf tiinln'r 
 i'lidlt'Kiiitnl'i, pUnkiiiK, Hiiuill lloilirr nil- 
 MM ID iiihUm' ii|>|>ru«vli(iii, Hliil iiiilicx lioiirilti, 
 
 l'(llO|i|l>ll> ilo 
 
 To (M>vi-r work ivlilch |ioN!iililv imiy Im rr<|iiirnil 
 
 iiiuliT cliiiiHrH IH, 41 mill Ul ol' ({(miithI Hpiri- 
 
 lirHtioo, uliort i|iimililli'il itinl ('.oiiIiiikiiiiojch 
 
 mill, any, $':fto,ooi) 
 
 jO.ll'.IO 
 
 :<,oiio 
 |o,ooo 
 
 1,000 
 100 
 
 vri.ooo 
 
 :t,(ioo 
 :ii) 
 
 MO, 000 
 
 lilkll't 
 
 AniiMiiil 
 
 1 'iiaifi.atio 00 
 
 <i.> 
 I'm M. 
 I'lr III 
 
 ill) 
 Kuril. 
 
 I'l-r Inn 
 I'l-r niilii 
 r.rr v,J 
 lliicli. I 
 
 Kuril 
 
 Tutiil 
 
 n :',o 
 
 'ft 
 
 ;iii 00 
 
 I'i 
 
 O III 
 
 .III 
 
 1 00 
 U.Ml 00 
 
 .|o 
 
 .|0 (>0 
 
 I Ml DO 
 
 3,000 no 
 
 T.O 0(» 
 
 Mill) 00 
 
 I'iD 00 
 
 10 l)U 
 
 ■ii,tiim 00 
 :i,iiiKi 00 
 
 V,AO() 0(1 
 
 10,000 00 
 
 Hl>il 00 
 
 :ioo 00 
 
 J.VI.OOO 00 
 
 ^,67:1,(1 10 00 
 
 <)|H<rati<)im luul not coin tnoncoil at i>iiil of April, IHH(», 
 
 * S'inio of tint qiinntiliud prlntn) in IIiIh rolniiui nir iKlimitti'il I'lnin |>rrtiiiilMKry locittloii 
 iiii'iiBiiri'liii'nlii, Hhil niity lie niMHiilitri'il rou)(lily ii|i|>riitiiiinli< ; lilliir Ui'iiia iiro Mliii|i|y ciiiilfcliirril hikI 
 liliiri'ij lii'ri'io for llii' piirpoHn of olilalniii); nili'H. 
 
 l*2S~«li 
 
325! 
 
 CoNTWAOT No. f>2. 
 
 Main Link, in Hi'iti.sh Coliinibia, cxlomliii^ iVom LAlton to JuniMiori Flat. Tim 
 contnict onibnuos all tlio works nocot<sary in counoctidii witli tho oxcavalioti, fjjradiiiic, 
 tunnolliiitj, brid^^iii,:;, trftclc-la^ini^ ami l)all!istiiifr, acconliniC <<^ (nmorni SjK'citit'atiun. 
 Length, 28^ mi ley. 
 
 Naiuo of ('on trap tor Aruliow Ondonioiik. 
 
 l^ato of Contract 'J.Jid DeciMnlMT, 1.^7!). 
 
 J)ato for Completion 'M>*i Doconibor, LSS-f. 
 
 Tlio approximato quantities* turiiit<ljiHl to contractors, nioiu'vixi oiii al <'oii(i;irt 
 nitoH, aro sw follows : — 
 
 SOIfKDULK OF QUANTITIKH AND PKfCKS. 
 
 Dcsciiiilion of Work. 
 
 I'll ariiiK 
 
 (ni>g«> ciittiDK 
 
 Cirubbii)f 
 
 Fonriu^; 
 
 Siiliii rock excrtViilion 
 
 Lnuse do 
 
 Kartli (wcnvntioii (inrlu()iii(? llint dcBrrihed iu 
 
 claiiso i:< ut'apocilicutiou) 
 
 Undrr-drHiiisi 
 
 Tuuiu'lling (snc i-lniise 32 of siif<'i''f»''oii)— 
 
 " lyiuf tutinplii " 
 
 Iiridfre niiifionr)' 
 
 Culvert do 
 
 Dry uiaaotiry (rela)tiin(i; wnlls, ic ) 
 
 PaViuK 
 
 Concretf 
 
 I{i))-rap 
 
 Cast-iron pipes, 3 Ct. dianu'ti-r inside, 1 in. thick, 
 laid iu concrete (the coucreto not included in 
 
 tbia item) 
 
 Hand-UviuK rock embankments, where glo|)e8 are 
 
 steeper tlian 1 to one (Inbour only) 
 
 Timber bridge superstructure, ISO ft. clear 
 
 do do li'O do 
 
 do do (iO do 
 
 do di) 50 do 
 
 do do ■Id do 
 
 do do 30 do 
 
 (See clauses 42 and 43 of sptcification.) 
 
 Timber, best qnalily, tor bemn culverts, Ac. — 
 
 I'j in. X 16 in..'. 
 
 12 in. X 12 in 
 
 Sin. X Ifi in 
 
 t< in. X 12 in 
 
 tMher dimensions of timber (if required to be 
 used) at proportionate prices. 
 
 Piles driven (see clause 40 of speci(ieation) 
 
 Round timber for crib wharling, kc, not K'Sit tliau 
 
 12 In. diameter 
 
 Flatted limber in road diversion culverts, Ac, I.' 
 in. thick 
 
 Carried forward' 
 
 •ApproxiiUHle 
 Qiiauliiies. 
 
 u« 
 
 tes. 
 
 Aluoiiiil. 
 
 
 
 
 5 cts. 
 
 .•^ Cl3. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 'JOD 
 
 I'er acre 
 
 40 (10 
 
 8,000 oil 
 
 do 
 
 10 
 
 do 
 
 ,MI 00 
 
 fillO Oil 
 
 do 
 
 10 
 
 do 
 
 100 00 
 
 l,0(i|| III) 
 
 L. ft. 
 
 10,(100 
 
 I'er 1. ft. 
 
 O."". 
 
 ,'iOil (III 
 
 0. Yds. 
 
 2io,noo 
 
 l*er o.yd 
 
 1 00 
 
 .120,00(1 Oil 
 
 do 
 
 100,000 
 
 do 
 
 hO 
 
 HOjOOO 110 
 
 do 
 
 2,.'i00,000 
 
 do 
 
 110 
 
 7.^0,000 liO 
 
 L. ft. 
 
 2,1100 
 
 Per 1. ft. 
 
 40 
 
 soil iiii 
 
 do 
 
 400 
 
 do 
 
 lo:. oo 
 
 42,00.1 Cii 
 
 C.vds. 
 
 (10 
 
 1A,(KI0 
 
 Per c. yd 
 
 12 00 
 
 IHll.OOII lUI 
 
 10,000 
 
 do 
 
 7 00 
 
 70,000 (10 
 
 do 
 
 ;)o,oiio 
 
 do 
 
 ■1 00 
 
 12(l,iW0 Oil 
 
 do 
 
 1,000 
 
 do 
 
 :i 00 
 
 ;i|Oii,i (III 
 
 du 
 
 l.iioO 
 
 do 
 
 (i (0 
 
 0,000 III 
 
 do 
 
 •.;o,oo(i 
 
 do 
 
 2 00 
 
 ■10,11011 1 11 
 
 L. ft. 
 
 600 
 
 Perl n. 
 
 10 00 
 
 •liOiiO 1)11 
 
 0. vds. 
 
 1,000 
 
 Pire.yd 
 
 1 00 
 
 l,(il'n (M 
 
 No. 
 
 2 
 
 Pcr.ipan 
 
 ".ROi'i (II) 
 
 ir),ouo 1.' 
 
 do 
 
 !'.• 
 
 do 
 
 4,0(10 00 
 
 7r)|Ooii I'li 
 
 do 
 
 1 
 
 do 
 
 2,100 00 
 
 2,100 I'll 
 
 .lo 
 
 2 
 
 do 
 
 2,100 00 
 
 4,V00 I'l: 
 
 do 
 
 I 
 
 do 
 
 1,400 00 
 
 l,.|in ii.i 
 
 do 
 
 1 
 
 do 
 
 1,400 00 
 
 1, 1011 iii.i 
 
 L. ft. 
 
 1,000 
 
 Per 1. n. 
 
 11 40 
 
 •11 III I'll 
 
 do 
 
 n.odo 
 
 do 
 
 40 
 
 2,l'l'0 IM 
 
 do 
 
 1,000 
 
 do 
 
 :'0 
 
 ;iiiii M' 
 
 do 
 
 1,000 
 
 do 
 
 .'10 
 
 :i I 
 
 do 
 
 10,000 
 
 do 
 
 III 
 
 4,llii<t r,) 
 
 do 
 
 10,(100 
 
 do 
 
 2,'5 
 
 2,rioo 1 II 
 
 do 
 
 10,000 
 
 do 
 
 
 :io 
 
 ,1,00l) M 
 
 l,7to,(;oii III 
 
 * ^V< foot note next page. 
 
323 
 
 SCnEDULK OF QUANTITIES AND PMUKS.-ConeluUd. 
 
 .hiiic(ii)n Flat. Tin) 
 u' oxc'ivvation, Kriuliiiif, 
 (roiioriil Specilii'utiiin. 
 
 (lonlcnk. 
 ibcr, lh7!). 
 Ijor, 1SS4. 
 
 1\('\ im\ 0111 at <'(Hltl;lrl 
 
 Itillrs. 
 
 It.. 
 
 yd 
 
 yd 
 
 III); 
 
 S eta. I 
 40 fid I 
 flit (10 
 1(11) (10 
 
 dr. 
 
 1 (ill 
 
 hO 
 
 :io 
 
 40 
 
 lor. 00 
 
 12 00 
 
 " (10 
 ■t 00 
 H 00 
 (i (0 
 
 2 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 1 00 
 7,B00 00 
 4,000 00 
 2,100 00 
 L',100 00 
 1,10(1 00 
 1,100 00 
 
 40 
 40 
 
 :'0 
 
 .'id 
 
 II 40 
 as 
 
 :!0 
 
 A)ooiiiit. 
 
 8,oon (III 
 
 f.oo 0(1 
 
 1,1100 ml 
 
 rioo 11(1 
 
 320,000 0.1 
 
 HOjOoO nil 
 
 V no, 000 oi) 
 
 soil iiii 
 
 42,01") Oil 
 
 1 HO, 000 Ml 
 
 70,000 (10 
 
 120,i100 en 
 
 :t,oo,i (111 
 
 0,0011 III 
 
 40,000 111 
 
 r),iiiio 1)11 
 
 I,00ii Oil 
 
 IT), 000 li" 
 
 Tti,Oil>) I'll 
 
 2,IOil iMi 
 
 4, '.'00 i'l; 
 
 1,40 1 III) 
 
 I , 100 00 
 
 4011 (0 
 
 2,(ilMI 111! 
 
 ;hiii) (III 
 
 :ioii III) 
 
 4,000 I'J 
 
 2,:ioo 1 
 :i,iioi) II 
 
 l,7lO,.,iM ill 
 
 Di'Si'ripiion ot' Work, 
 
 Broil gill forward . 
 
 ^Ol'r'viiiiato 
 
 C,lilHlltltlUg. 
 
 PUiik - 
 
 \Vroii|?lit irou 
 
 Civil iron 
 
 Tit<« 
 
 CurriBKe of rails and t'liutenloRS, from lower end 
 uf st'iilioti, including all haudliiig 
 
 Trnckliiying 
 
 HiillttrttiiiK 
 
 Si-tlioR points and croasinKii 
 
 i'iibli(^ road level crosainm^, com|irisinf( timber 
 CKllle-K"'ir(l3, planking, small (imlicr culvert 
 (Older approaclies, anil notice-boards, com- 
 plete .... 
 
 To cover work winch possibly may be rrciiiired 
 tinder (.:lau8e8 Ifi, 43 and 91 of tleneral ."ipeci- 
 licHtiiin, short qiianlitien, cofTurdaniB and 
 contingencies, add, say, .^^SOjOOO 
 
 Ft. R M 
 Lbs. 
 do 
 No. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 0. yds. 
 
 No. 
 
 do 
 
 Total . 
 
 20,000 
 
 3,000 
 
 SOO 
 
 7ri,o()o 
 
 3,000 
 
 30 
 
 100,000 
 
 20 
 
 Rules. 
 
 Per M. 
 Per lb. 
 
 do 
 Kiich. 
 
 Per ton. 
 Per mile 
 Per c. yd 
 
 P^ttCll. 
 
 do 
 
 $ CtB. 
 
 25 no 
 20 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 1 00 
 300 00 
 
 30 
 
 26 00 
 
 60 00 
 
 Amoiin*. 
 
 I 
 
 $ rt». 
 1,740,400 00 
 
 BOO 00 
 
 600 00 
 
 100 00 
 
 22,500 00 
 
 3,000 00 
 
 9,000 00 
 
 .30,000 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 3:i0 00 
 
 260,000 00 
 2,056,9.50 00 
 
 Oporiitions liiul not cotnincMicod al end of April, 1880. 
 
 •Some of the (|iiantitinR printed in this column are estimated from preliminary location 
 lui'iisiireioents, and may be considered roughly approximate ; other items are simply conjectured and 
 placed herein for tbu purpose of obtaining rates. 
 
324 
 
 Contract No. 63. 
 
 Main Line, in Bi-iliHii Columbia, extending from Junction Flat to Suvona'b Ferry. 
 The contract embraces ail the wori<s ncoos'^ary in connection with the excavation, 
 grading, tunnelling, bridf'ing, track-laying, and ballasting, according to General 
 Specilication. Length, 40JI miles. 
 
 Name of contractor Andrew Onderdonk. 
 
 Date of contract l.'ith December, lf>7i*. 
 
 Date for completion 30th June, 18Hf>. 
 
 The apjuoximato quantities furnished to contractorH, moneyed out at cuntraci 
 raten, are as follows : — 
 
 SCHEDULR OF QUANTITIK.S AND PRICKS. 
 
 U<'g(:ri|itiuii of Work. 
 
 • Apprnxiiuute 
 QiiantitieB. 
 
 Clearing I Acres. 
 
 Olase cutting { do 
 
 Orubbing i do 
 
 Feoeing L. feet. 
 
 Solid rock ezcnration. 0. yards 
 
 Loose rock cxcarHtion 
 
 Earth eicavaiiun, (including tlint dvacribrd in 
 
 clause 13 of s|iccilication) 
 
 Under-drains 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 L. foet. 
 
 Tunnelling (see clause 32 nf specification)— 
 
 " Line tunu'ls." This tunnel will be 
 
 formed in earth. The price per lineal 
 
 foot of tunnel must cover excavation, 
 
 centering, masonry and all expenses.. 
 
 " Twelve feel- stream tunnels" 
 
 "Six fei't — stream tunnelH" 
 
 Bridge masonry C. 
 
 Oulvert masonry 
 
 Ury masonry (retaining walls, etc) 1 
 
 Paving , > 
 
 Concrete 
 
 Rip-rap I 
 
 Cast-irun pipes, 3ft diBuieter inside, 1 inch) 
 thick, laid in concrete (the concrete not! 
 
 included in this item) L. 
 
 Rand-laying rock embauknient<<, where slopes' 
 
 aie steeper than 1 to 1 (labour only) |0. 
 
 Timber bridge superstructure, "2(10 ft. clear... 
 do do l.'iO do .. 
 
 do do ^2.^ do 
 
 do do IDO do ... 
 
 do ilu 60 do 
 
 (See claiiiscs i'i and 4:< of specification ) 
 
 Timber^ best quality, for beam culverts, &c 
 
 2.1 I Per acre. 
 
 12 in 
 12 in. 
 
 8 in. 
 
 R In. 
 
 H in. 
 
 X It) in L 
 
 12 in.. 
 1(3 in., 
 12 in.. 
 1(" iu.. 
 
 Carrii'd forward 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 yards 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 feel. 
 
 yard 
 
 No. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 f>et. 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 10,000 
 
 100,000 
 
 50,000 
 
 3,000,000 
 2,000 
 
 2.''0 
 
 1(10 
 
 UWi 
 
 10,000 
 
 5,000 
 
 5,000 
 
 1,000 
 
 1,000 
 
 1 5,000 
 
 500 
 
 1,000 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1,000 
 .fiOiDOO 
 15,000 
 60,000 
 60,000 
 
 I Per c. yd 
 Per span 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Per 1 ft. 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 3 75 
 8,000 00 
 t5,000 00 
 5,000 00 
 3,500 00 
 2,100 00 
 
 50 
 40 
 30 
 30 
 -Hi 
 
 Aihuuiit, 
 
 i cts. 
 750 00 
 200 00 
 250 00 
 600 00 
 175,000 00 
 37,500 00 
 
 810,000 00 
 •too 00 
 
 i5,(«»o no 
 
 2,000 00 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 10"),000 00 
 
 60,000 Oo 
 
 40,000 00 
 
 5,000 no 
 
 6,500 00 
 41,250 00 
 
 9,000 00 
 
 2,750 00 
 16,000 00 
 
 6,000 no 
 
 5,000 00 
 3, .'.00 oo 
 2,100 90 
 
 .-.00 00 
 
 20,000 on 
 
 4,500 00 
 16,000 00 
 12,500 on 
 
 ,„ l,H86,HgO (10 
 
 « >Vit| li.Qt i)u(u neit fAgd, 
 
325 
 
 SCnEDiJLE OF QUANTITIES AXD PRWKS.-ConcluJeJ. 
 
 'lat to Siivoiia's Ferry, 
 with tho excavation, 
 iiccoiding to Gonorni 
 
 tiderdoiik. 
 ibor, iHTi). 
 1885. 
 
 syod out at CDutrait, 
 
 Ainuiiiit, 
 
 $ cts. 
 
 ^ cts 
 
 30 00 
 
 750 00 
 
 40 00 
 
 200 no 
 
 50 00 
 
 260 00 
 
 06 
 
 600 00 
 
 I 75 
 
 175,000 00 
 
 (1 75 
 
 37,500 00 
 
 27 
 
 810,000 00 
 
 20 
 
 400 00 
 
 (50 00 
 
 20 00 
 
 15 00 
 
 10 60 
 
 JO 00 
 
 8 00 
 
 6 00 
 
 5 50 
 
 2 75 
 
 IH 00 
 
 3 75 
 8,000 00 
 6,000 00 
 5,000 00 
 3,600 00 
 2,100 00 
 
 50 
 40 
 30 
 30 
 25 
 
 15,000 on 
 2,000 no 
 
 1,500 00 
 
 lo'i.ooo 00 
 
 60,000 Co 
 
 40,000 00 
 
 5,000 00 
 
 6,500 00 
 
 41,250 00 
 
 9,000 00 
 2,750 on 
 
 16,001) on 
 
 6,000 00 
 
 5,000 no 
 3,500 on 
 2,100 en 
 
 Tioo on 
 
 20,000 on 
 
 4,600 00 
 
 15,000 00 
 
 12,600 on 
 
 l,H86,fiQ0 00 
 
 Description of Work. 
 
 Brou({ht forwuid . 
 
 'Approximate 
 (,'iinnlilics. 
 
 Oilier dimensions of timbers (if required to be 
 
 useii) at oroportioDiiie (iricea. 
 Piles driven (-eo clause 40 of specification).... I,. (Vet. 
 Hound timber for ciib wLarliug, not less tlian' 
 
 12 inchi'S in diameter ( do 
 
 Flatted timber in road diversion culverts, 12j 
 
 in, thick I do 
 
 Plank Fl. B M. 
 
 \Vrou({lit iron i Lbs. 
 
 (Jast iron | i)o 
 
 Ties. I No. 
 
 Carriafce of rails and fasteninK.i, from lowerl 
 
 end of section, including all handling Toni>. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 C, j'ards 
 
 No. 
 
 Rales 
 
 Track-liiying. 
 
 Kiillastini; 
 
 Setting points and croaaings 
 
 I'ublic road level croasinjjs, comprisinjf tiniiicr 
 cattle gii.^rds, planking, small timber cul- 
 vert under approached, and notice-boards, 
 complete 
 
 To cover work which possibly may be reipiired 
 under clauses IM, 4 i and i*l of (Jrniral 
 Specilication, stort quantities, cotl'erdauis, 
 (■ontiU(,'encies, etc., say $260,000 
 
 do 
 
 10,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 10,0(10 
 
 200,000 
 
 50,000 
 
 lo,ono 
 
 100,000 
 
 4,0CO 
 
 42 
 
 130,000 
 
 25 
 
 Total. 
 
 Per 1. ft. 
 do 
 
 ill) 
 Per M. 
 Per lb. 
 
 do 
 Each. 
 
 Per ton. 
 
 Per mile. 
 
 Per c. yd 
 
 Each. 
 
 do 
 
 I cts. 
 
 40 
 
 25 
 
 30 
 35 00 
 12 
 10 
 25 
 
 3 00 
 
 300 00 
 
 27 
 
 .30 00 
 
 200 00 
 
 Amount. 
 
 $ eta. 
 1,386,800 00 
 
 4,000 00 
 
 2,500 00 
 
 3,000 00 
 7,000 00 
 6,000 00 
 1,000 00 
 25,000 00 
 
 12,000 00 
 
 12,600 00 
 
 35.100 00 
 
 750 00 
 
 400 00 
 
 250,000 09 
 1,746,160 00 
 
 Operations had not commcneod iiL oikI of April, 1880. 
 
 •Some of tlio quantities printed in this oolnnin 
 uiiasuremeiita, aud may be con.sid?red roughly approximn 
 placet herein tur the purpose of obtaining rates. 
 
 are estimated 
 te 
 
 from preliminary locAtion 
 
 estimatea trom preliminary loca 
 Other Items are Bimply conjectured 
 
 and 
 
 Co.NTHACr No. f)4. 
 
 Tk.mpdu.miv BitiDuKovor Rod River. — Tlio contract oinhriiccH the f'urninhing of all 
 llio noces.-*ary plant, maforials and labour rciniro.'. in biiildin^if a pile trcsllo Dridp;« 
 ovor llio Ifod River at Winnipo.j;, tlio strin.luro lo bo coinjilotod and raado ready to 
 receive the rails. 
 
 Name of conlractor.s Ryu", Whitelioud i*l; Riittan, 
 
 l)alo ol contract 1 Si h March 18M». 
 
 J)ato for completion l.")(h Alay, 1880. 
 
 A n^omit of contract :$7,350 00 
 
326 
 
 Contract No. 65. 
 
 RoLLiNu Stock. — Tlioconlrnct cmbrnccs all tho neccHHiiry hibour, machinoryand 
 other plant, matoriuls, arliclcH and things necessary Ibr the construction and com- 
 pletion of Four first class nassongor ears, to carry (i4 passengers each, and One official 
 car; all to be constructed and finished in accordance wiih the specifications and 
 designs, and having tho " Westinghouso Automatic Air-Brake" attached. 
 
 Name of contractor James Crossen. 
 
 Date ot contract l.'ith March, 1«8(». 
 
 Date lor completion 1st June, 1880. 
 
 Amount of contract: — 
 
 Four first class curs »18,981 OH 
 
 One official car 5,077 00 
 
 Total »3VtJl 00 
 
 CONTIIACT No. Gil 
 
 Main Link. — Second 100 miles west of Hed Kiver. The contract oinbraccs 
 tho work necessary to be done in connection with tho grading, bi-idgmg, track- 
 laying, ballasting, &c,, according to tho General specification, momoran<ium and 
 terms of contract. Length, 100 miles. 
 
 Names of Contractors Bowie & McXaughton. 
 
 Date of Contract ai-d May, 1880. 
 
 Date for completion 1st October, 1882. 
 
 The approximate quantities furnished to Contractors, moneyed out at tho contia<l 
 rates, are as follows : — 
 
 SOUKDULE OF QUANTITIES AND PRICES. 
 
 Description of Work. 
 
 Approximate 
 Quantitiet. 
 
 ('tearing Acres. 
 
 Close cutting do 
 
 Orubbiug do 
 
 Platform of logs across muskegi?, average 16 in 
 
 deep do 
 
 Earth excavation, incliidintc borrowing, surface 
 and catch-water drains, foundations, stations, 
 
 Ac {C. ynT(h 
 
 Under-drains .... i L.'feet. 
 
 Crib-work in abutments and piers of bridges, in- 
 cluding stone lilling C. yards 
 
 do 
 
 Spans. 
 
 do 
 
 Rip-rap. 
 
 Bridge superstructure, Howe Tiubs, !00 ft., 
 Jo du 80 ft., 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 190 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 
 2 
 
 1,630,000 
 1,000 
 
 1,000 
 300 1 
 
 Kates. 
 
 1 
 
 $ ctp. 
 20 00 
 16 00 
 30 00 
 
 500 00 
 
 16 
 40 
 
 4 00 
 
 2 60 
 
 ^,500 00 
 
 1,400 00 
 
 Per acre 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 Per cyd 
 Per 1. ft 
 
 Per c.yd 
 
 do 
 Per span 
 
 do 
 
 Aniouui 
 
 3,800 0(1 
 
 150 On 
 
 270 ("1 
 
 l,orio ro 
 
 260,800 00 
 400 00 
 
 4,000 no 
 
 750 00 
 
 3,600 00 
 
 2,400 00 
 
 277,070 00 
 
327 
 
 J. 
 
 )ur, inaeliinoryund 
 truction and coni- 
 L'h, and Ono official 
 spoeifications and 
 achod. 
 
 l8H0n. 
 
 h, 1«8(>. 
 IriHO. 
 
 18,984 Oil 
 5,977 (.10 
 
 JJ,lttJI 00 
 
 racl oinbracos 
 ;, bi'idgirif?, truck- 
 moinorandum and 
 
 rauglitoM. 
 ). 
 
 [882. 
 
 outattlio contiii'M 
 
 SCHEDULE OF QUANTITIKS AND PRICES.— Continue.l. 
 
 l)i'8i:ri('lion of Work. 
 
 Approxinmte 
 QuutiliUes. 
 
 Hiitcj. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 liioiiglit Ibrwiird 
 
 Pili.s iliivi'ii [j. IVct. 
 
 Filimre tiiiihcr in •rt'8lle-brid«e8 U. feel. | 
 
 S|inict [iliiuk B tot't. 
 
 HiirJwuud plank do 
 
 VVriniglit iron I, lis. 
 
 Oast iron do 
 
 Public road crossings ' No. 
 
 Private do | do 
 
 Tiis, contractt'd for >r. Departnit-nt, to be trana-' 
 Ic-rrcd and delivered at west end of Ist loO- 
 mile section on ila completion, at 27:{ cents 
 
 each do 
 
 Tii'B to be furnished and delivered on this section.. do 
 l!arria«e uf rails, fastenings, 4c., averajfe haul 50 
 
 miles Tons. 
 
 Track-layinp, including station sidinps | .Miles. 
 
 liallastinjr, I04 inib'S, 1,5110 cubic yards iier mile. ..'0. yards 
 [Setting jioints and crossings, switch gear signal 
 
 fnitne, fic j No. 
 
 cts. 
 
 1,780 
 18(1,1101) 
 
 16,(IIH) 
 
 2,000 
 
 7!,:W)0 
 
 21,. 500 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100,000 
 160,000 
 
 10, 4M) 
 101 
 
 ;5(;,oon 
 
 25 
 
 19 
 
 15 00 
 
 30 00 
 
 08 
 
 o7 
 22 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 Per l.(t. 
 
 I'ero. It. 
 
 Per M. 
 
 do 
 Per lb. 
 
 do 
 
 I'er 
 cro.ssing 
 
 Per 
 crossing 
 
 .i5 cts. 
 277,070 00 
 
 445 no 
 
 :t4,200 00 
 
 240 (Ml 
 
 fit) 00 
 
 5,704 00 
 
 l,.')i)5 fio 
 
 1,10(1 00 
 
 1,000 00 
 
 27:| Per tie. 27,750 00 
 II 2iJ i do I 32. 000 00 
 
 32 1 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 so 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 20 
 
 00 
 
 Per ton. 
 I'er uiilo 
 Per c.yd 
 
 Per sot. 
 
 Total amount of tender for (he section of IdO niib-s. 
 
 10,400 00 
 18,72(1 fio 
 2H,('rtO 00 
 
 (J 10 00 
 
 4:H,914 00 
 
 3. 
 
 Anioniii. 
 
 
 $ e,t i. 
 
 Per acre 
 
 3,800 00 
 
 do 
 
 150 0(1 
 
 do 
 
 270 (lO 
 
 do 
 
 l,OfiO ('(I 
 
 Per cyd 
 
 260,800 (") 
 
 Per 1, ft. 
 
 400 00 
 
 Per c.yd 
 
 4,000 (10 
 
 do 
 
 75(1 00 
 
 Per»pan 
 
 3,600 00 
 
 do 
 
 2,4()0 00 
 
 
 C'ONTJiACT N.i. (H. 
 
 FJdi.i.i.NG Stock. — The ctinii'iKU cinbnicos all llio iici.c^^sarv lalioiir, niacliinery 
 and other ))laiil, malci-ials, articlos and thing.s iioco.ssiirx I'or llio con.struction and coni- 
 jiietioti of Sixty box (Vcight cai'H, and Hixly iilatlbrni freight cars, all to lie con- 
 Ktriictod, linisli(-'ii and delivered according to spceiticalion and drawings. 
 
 Names of ('ontractors. ]\l(inclon Car Co. 
 
 J)atc of Contract 31st March, 18so. 
 
 Date lur completion l.")lh .)un<>, 1880, 
 
 .Vnioinit ol' colli ract : — 
 
 CO lio.x Ircighl cars, at «t;!.lO each §11,400 00 
 
 i;0 j.hillorni freight car.s, at »1!I0 each "J'-UOO 00 
 
 Toial 870,800 00 
 
 277,070 00 
 
328 
 
 APPENDIX No. 21. 
 
 KdllM IK CoNTUAl r KiiH ( i liA Ul.NO, HRIDGINti, TUACK-LA V LM!, Ua l.l,ASTI.N(i, \c'., 
 AlMU'TKIi IN ALI, CASK.") Sl.NCK XuVtMUKK, 1S78, KMliR. ClNli THK F()l,UUAV(Nii. 
 
 Contract Nu. 11, 7th Maicli, 187:'~Kn^'lish River to Kn^rlo Hivor, 118 milos. 
 JS^). 4-, 2i»th MiutIi, ISI'J — Kiit;lo River to Keewntin, (i7 miles. 
 No. 48, mtli A\\^., 187!>-Fir,st 100 mile Heciion West ol Red Rivor, lOOinilos 
 
 l>7i)— Kmory's Bar to Hoston 13ai-. JVC, JO miles. 
 
 18>S0— Boston Bur to Lyttoii, B.C., 2!) miles. 
 
 1870— liyiton to .Iiinciioii Flat, BC, 2>-^ miles. 
 
 ]S7l> — .Junction Flut to Savona'.s Ferry, B.C., 4llA mile-- 
 
 1880— Second 100 mile section West of Retl niver,l(ni n. 
 
 .\o, CO, 2:jrd Dec, 
 No. t»l, loth Feb., 
 No. t)2, 23 id Dec, 
 No. 63, l.">ili Dec, 
 No. (R;, V.vd May, 
 
 'J'lIIS l.VDENTl'UE m.nde the 
 one llidUBniui oisihl hundred and 
 
 iluv of 
 
 between 
 
 ^K ~ * -i: :•; :;; ♦ ;(: 
 
 hereafter called " the Coiitraetur " of the tirst part, and Her M.-ijcsty (Juoen Vii'toria 
 repre.-enled herein by liio Miiiister of Fidilic Works ol' Canada, of the second ]>arl, 
 Wilm'SSi'th, thai in con .idei'ati(»n of the covenants and aj;reements on the pari of Her 
 Majesty hcreihalter contained, the Contractor convenant J.iid agree with Iler 
 Majesty as tullows : 
 
 ^orli. 1. In iliis (.'.inti'act tiie word "' work " or " works " .shall, unless the 
 
 context rcijuire a ditlerent meai)in*(, mean the whole of iho work and iho materials, 
 malleis and thiiii^s rc(iuired to be done, lurnished and |)orlornied by the Conlractoi- 
 
 under this contract. Tl;e word " Enginoor," shall mean ihe Chief 
 Iiiih'iuitT. Kiif^ineer for the time boiny having eontrcd over the work, and shall 
 
 extend to and include any of his as.sistants aclint;; antler his instructions, and all in- 
 structions or directions, or certiticaios given, or decisions nuido b}- nuy one acting tor 
 the Chiet Engineer, shall be snliject to his apjiroval, and m.'iy be cancelled, altered, 
 modified and changed, as to him may .^lonv til. 
 
 Vn wlioni Binding. '*. AH covenants and agreements heioin contained shall bo bindiiig 
 on and extend to the executors and a iminisirators of the Contractor and shall 
 extend to and be binding w|)on the .successors ol' Her Majesiy, and wherever in this 
 contract JJer Majesty is referred to. such rel'erenee shall include her successors, and 
 Avherever the Conti actor rel'eritnl to, ^.uch i'ef<'rence shall include 
 
 executors and admiiustralors. 
 
 Liiboiir, iilftiii. 
 inui uiait'iiiil. 
 
 .'5. That the Contractor will., at own expense, jirovide all 
 
 and every kind of labour, machinery and oiher plant, materials, urti 
 clcs, and things what.soever neccssaiy liar the duo execution and cnmpleliun ol all 
 and every the woiks sot (Hit or letiM-red to, in the General .Specifications hereunio 
 annexed, dated ;wth November, 1878, ai I marked A, and set out or referred to in the 
 plans and drawings preparetl and to bo prepared for the jnirpo.scs of the work, and* 
 
 '.VHpocial nifniomiul :ui is Ki'inPMlly fdrnislii'd in I'lX'l) chbc when under? tire invited, Riving 
 R de-t'n|itiiin ul'the loeiOiiy wi ere the line ia proji cieil, un.l oilier iulVrmotieii reBiieetiiig any Biiecinl 
 workb not releiTtd to in ilie utMienil Speeilioiuim. 
 
 Norn —Since tlio Ist October, ISTt", when tb? Depurtment of Public \Voik« w»i divideii Vli(! WoiiU 
 •' HalJwAVf Hud Q«nalH " hitre be«u iub»tuut«il tor " PubUc Wocki." 
 
329 
 
 TIIK FOI,L()AVIN<i. 
 
 :5r, 118 milos. 
 
 7 iiiilos, 
 
 t lied KivtM-, lOOtiiilos 
 
 BO., !•:> miles. 
 
 2'J milos. 
 C, 2i-^ milo^. 
 iry. IJ.0..1()ili niilcv 
 itollii'd nivi"r,ll)ii .11. 
 
 lielwecii 
 
 ONty (Juooii Vic'toriji 
 
 Is on (lio pari of II it 
 I !ii,Moo with Jloi- 
 
 H " >lifill, imless tlio 
 and tlib matcrialf, 
 liy ilui Coiiliactor 
 all iiu'iiii I ho Chii-l' 
 • tlie wurk, ami ^iiall 
 uclions, and all in- 
 ,• any (ine acting tor 
 canrollcii, altorai, 
 
 ud filial! 1)0 biiidiii|L,' 
 Uractur and siiail 
 J whoiMVor in thih 
 lior f>ii('('OMSOis. and 
 iiudado 
 
 lionso, jirovidc all 
 ml, malci'ial.s, ai'ti 
 complolion ol all 
 ifications horounlo 
 >r rot'eiTod to in ilio 
 of tho work, n!)d=^ 
 
 ■r^ me invited, Ki^'ing 
 cdpf'Cliinc iiiiy sin'ciiil 
 
 van (iiviipj, Uii' wonh 
 
 in accordance with tho piiiitod momorandum horowith annexed, dated , 
 
 tn.irked B, and will oxoeuto and fully completo liic rcHpeotivo portions of (.mii wt)rks 
 and delivor tho Hamo eomploto to iler MaJoHty, on or before tho * 
 
 Time for com- '■>• * ;;-. ;,.• ::< 
 
 ^ti"tM3 and T^*^ ""''^ ^^'^.'■'' '" ''^' conHtriicled of the best materials of thoir sovorai 
 workmanship. kinds, and finished in tho best and most workmanlike manner, in fho 
 manner squired by and in strict conformity with tho said specifica- 
 tions and drawin<^s which may from time to time be fiirnishod (which sai<l specifica- 
 tions and memorandum are hoiol)y declared to bo part of this contract) ; and to tho 
 comploto satisfaction of tho Chief Hnginocr for the time being having control over tho 
 work. 
 
 Omission.^ to l)c 4. The aforusaid spcciticaiion and nieinoraiidum, and tho accepted 
 
 iimieitoDd. tender herewith annexecJ, marked C, and the several jtartsof this con- 
 
 tract shall bo taken togolher, to explain i jh other, and to make tho whole consistent ; 
 and if it bo found that anything has boon omitted or misstated, which is necessary 
 for tho |)ro|)er performance and completion of any part of the work contemplated, 
 tho Contractor will, at own expense, execute lljo sumo as if it had boon pro- 
 
 jiorly described, and tho decision of tho Engineer shall bo tinal as to any such error 
 or omission, and the correction of ail}' such error or omi>sion, shall not be deemed 
 to bo an addition to or deviation from, the works hereby contracted for. 
 
 KHRincer may D. The Chief Enginee.-, with tho sanction ot the Minister of 
 
 umUnX'clmDKi'V ^'"''"^ Works, shall bo at liberty at any tin>e, either before the com- 
 mencement or during the construction of the works or any |iortion 
 thereof, to order any work to bo done, and to make any changes which he mny deem 
 expedient in the gratles, the width of cuttings and tillings, the dimensions, character, 
 nature, location, or itosition of tho works, or any part or parts I hereof, or in any 
 other thing connected with the works, whether, or not, such changes diminish the 
 work to bo done, or the cost of doing the same, and the Conti'act(n' slitdl immedi- 
 ately com|)ly with all written recpusitions of tho Kngmc r in that behalf, but tho 
 (.'ontractor shall not make any ehaiigo in or addition to, or omission, or deviation 
 from the works, unless directed by tho Engineer, and shall not bo entitled to any 
 payment for any change, addition, or deviation, unless such change, addition, omis- 
 sion, or deviation, shall have been first directed in writing by the Engineer, and 
 nolitied to the Contractor in writing, nor unless tin* price to be paid for any addi- 
 tional work shall have been previously fixed by tlic Minister ol I'ublic Works in 
 writing, and fho decision of tho Kngineor as to whethor any such change or deviation 
 increases or dimiidshos the cost of the work, ami as to tho amount to bo paid or 
 deducted, as the case may bo, in I'ospect thereof, shall bo final, and tho obtaining ot bis 
 (Ortilicalo shall be a condition precedent to the vl'j^ht of the Contractor to bo jtaid 
 therefor. If any such (diango oi alteration constitutes, in tho o])inion of the said 
 Engineer, a deduction from tho works, his decision as to the amount to be deducted 
 on account thereof shtdl bo final and binding. 
 
 '3 shftll (J. That all tho clauses of this contract shall apply to any changes, 
 
 ■alidaio additions, or deviations, in like manner, and lo the same extent, .-is lo 
 
 OlinnRfs shall 
 
 iiol inval 
 
 CUD tract. "••v..*.^^...,., '». V.U.... .■■x..>r, ■•• ...mw •■..•>. ..v., ...... ..-- ».... ■-. »■ ^...^..., 
 
 the works at present projected, and no idianges. addition-, devial.ions 
 
 or variations shall annul or invalidate this contiact. 
 
 Limit of expeirii- 
 tiire under tliis 
 cnotract. 
 
 7. It being the intention (hat the cost ot tho work to be done 
 under this contract bo tin.ited lo the sum of '' •- •• "'• 
 which sum is to bo taken as tho maximum amount of this contract, 
 not to bo exceeded; it is hereby' specially agreed that should it, at any time during 
 tho execution of tho said work, appear Irom tho cost of the work then pci'lornicd, as 
 compared with '.he \alno of tho v/orks still to Ic done, thai su(di maximum amount 
 will bo e.Kceoded, wiiollier by reason ol" additions, altojutioiis, vai'iulious, for iinv 
 Other CRUno wlintscjovtM', tbw Conirncinr will tljoti \w renuired lo completo only 3itou 
 
330 
 
 portion ol' the works heroin eontomplaUHl as will bo iniUciitcd by llio Enf^inoor, with 
 the view to limit the total oxpondituro iiii.lor this contract to iho inaximiiiu al>()v<' 
 utali'd ; and so soon as tho said maximum amount will ho expondo<l, this contract will 
 then bo roiihidored as ended, and tho Contractor will not thereafter he entitled t<> 
 continue tho works under this contract, or to receive any further payment beyond 
 the said maximum amount, unless tho Minister should authorize and direct iurthur 
 ex])enditnie ; in which case, it is nndorstood that the Minister will have the ri^'hl 
 (which is hereby expressly reserved) to direct that any works, which may llicri 
 remain (o he done, shall he executed under this contract; and tho Contractor 
 hereby a^'reo to execute tho same at the rales or prices heroinattcr mentioned, as il' 
 these remaining works formed part of this contract. I'rovidetl also, that in case the 
 said works, on comjiletion, by reason of alterations, variations, deviations, iliminnt ions, 
 omissions, or otherwise, should not amount to the total sum above mentioned, tlw 
 Contractor will not be entitled to the payment of tho dillorence in cost, whatsoever 
 tho same may bo. No compensation shall, in any case, be claimable by the Con- 
 tractor for any loss of anticipated profits. 
 
 KnuinfltTtohesole g. '|'|,.it th^ Kngineor shall be tho sol»> Jtid^'o of work .'iiid 
 iimi'erial eic?"^ ' "nitorial in respect of both quantity and (piality, and his decision "u 
 all (piestions in dispute with regard to work or material, or as to llm 
 meaning or intention of this contract and the plans, specifications and drawiiii;> 
 shall be tinal, and no works or extra or additional works or changes shall be deeiui' ! 
 to have been executed, nor shall the Contractor be entitled to payment for the same, 
 unless tho same shall have been execnled to the satisfaction of tho Engineer, a- 
 evidenced by his cert ilicato in writing, which eertiticate shall be a condition jirece 
 dent to the right of the Contractor to bo paid therefor. 
 
 Schedule of prices. |), It is hereby distinctly understood and agreed, that the respec- 
 tive portions of tlie works sot out or referred loin tho listor schcilule 
 of prices to be paid for the ditl'erent kinds of work, include not merely tho ])articulai' 
 kind of work or materialn mentioned in said list or schedule, but also all and every 
 kind of work, labor, tools and jdant, materials, articles and things whatsoever neces- 
 sary for the full execution and completing ready for use of tho resijoclive portions o| 
 the works to tho satisfuction ol the Engineer. And in case of dispute as to what work, 
 labor, materials, tools and plant are or are not so included, the decision of the 
 Engineer shall be final and conclusive. 
 
 Foreman. 10. A competent foreman is to bo kept on the ground by ti.e 
 
 Contractor during all tho working hours, to receive tho orders of tho 
 Engineer, and should the person so appointed bo deemed b}* tho Engineer incom 
 potent, or conduct liimsolf improperly, ho may bo discharged by tho Engineer, anil 
 another shall atonce bo appointed in his stead , such foreman shall he considered as 
 tho lawful representative of tliu Contractor, and shall have full power to carry out all 
 requisitions and instructions of the said Engineer. 
 
 Unsuitable mau^- n In casc any material, Or Other things in the opinion of tlie 
 work*"^ ""''''*'^^*'^ Engineer not in accordance with tho said several parts ot this con- 
 tract, or nrt sutliciontly sound or otherwise unsuitable for the re- 
 spective works, bo used for or brought to tho intended works, or any part thereof, or 
 in case atiy work bo improperly executed, the Engineer may require tho Contraelur 
 to remove tho same, and to provide projier material or other things, or projmrly 
 re-exoculo tho work, as the case may be, and thereupon the Contractor shall and will 
 immediately comply with the said requisition, and if twenty-four hours shall cla])se 
 and such requisition shall not have been complied with, tho Engineer ma}- cause 
 such material, or other things, or such work to bo removed; and in any such casc 
 tho Contractor shall pay to Her Majosty all sucli damages and expense as shall be 
 incurred in the removal of such material, materials, or other things, or of such work; 
 or Her Majesty may, in her discretion, retain and deduct such damages and expense.s 
 from any amounts payable to the Contractor 
 
331 
 
 ' tlic Eii^jinoor, with 
 Llio inaxiinmn ulit)V(^ 
 3<l, tliis t'Diitnu'l will 
 ■oaf tor lio ciititlwl to 
 er paytnciit boyntHl 
 '.0 ami ilifoc't fiutlu!! 
 
 will have Iho rif,'ht 
 CM, wliicli may tliori 
 rul tho Ci>iitra('ti>r 
 'lor moiiliDiioil, as jl' 
 ilso, that ill t:ast( th(! 
 ialioii.s, ilimimitioiiN, 
 Itovo inciitioiiod, till' 
 
 ill cost, wliatMoevor 
 ainiahlo by Iho (?oii- 
 
 itii!,:,'(! (»t' work anil 
 ami his dccisiuii mi 
 iiatorial.oras to tlm 
 lions atul (il•awill^.^ 
 trcH ^ilall ho (locmcii 
 ymciit for tlic saiiio, 
 A' tho Kn;,'inoor, as 
 ic a I'Oiidition jiiccc 
 
 eod, that tho I'o-ijKH'- 
 n tho list orHcliijiliilii 
 oroly tho iiartioiilar 
 t iilso all and every 
 s whatsoovor iiccos- 
 s|)tK'tivo poiiions oi 
 ito as to wliat work, 
 tho <loeit<ion of tho 
 
 tho f^foiind hy li.o 
 
 vo tho ordors of tho 
 
 10 Hiifjinocr iiicoin 
 
 tlio En<T:inoei-, and 
 
 I! he considorod as 
 
 Kiii- to oairy out all 
 
 tho opinion of tho 
 
 1 pai-t8 ot this con- 
 
 uitablo fof tho ro- 
 
 ny part thereof, oi- 
 
 iro tho Contraotoi' 
 
 hinfi;s, or pi'ojtoily 
 
 ictor shall and will 
 
 hours hIuUI olapso 
 
 irinoer may cause 
 
 d in any .such case 
 
 cpenso as shall ho 
 
 OI- of Huch wui'k, 
 
 ages and exjicnse.v 
 
 All plHtii mil 12. All machinery and other plant, Miatorialrt and thin/,'!* wliatso- 
 
 "m!r'|.ro|H'rty T.r '^"''''^'' 1""^''''^"' '',V tin C.Mitiaclor lor tlie work'^ herel>y r.intraetod 
 ll.T Miij.'niy. " for, and not rejoctcil undei- llr |)r(>vi>ior.M ol the last proooding 
 
 elaiiso, shall from I ho tune of tlioir heim; so provided heeomo, and 
 until Iho linal fompletion of tho said works, shall ho tlio j>ro|>oity of II or Majesty 
 for the purposes of tho said works, ami the samo shall on no aceonnt he taken away, 
 or used or itlspo^t^l of except for tho purposes of the said works, without tlie eonscnt 
 ill wriling ol tlie Mn^'itui r, and Her Majesty .■hall not he aiiswerahle for any loss or 
 daniai^i? whalsoe.vei' wliii h may hiippoii to smli maidiinery or other ;ilanl, mntorial 
 or thinj^s, provided always that upon the completion ol tho works and upon payment 
 I)}' the t^ontraetor ol'all sin h moneys, if any, an -hall ho due from to Jlor 
 
 M:iJ(sly such of the said niacliinoiy and other plant, material and thing's as shall 
 not have been u>ed and oomvoi'UhI in the works, and shall reinidn undisposed ol", shall, 
 Ujion demand, he delivered up to Ihe ("ontrartor. 
 
 Insiifliciciit 
 miii'liiiu'ry. 
 
 i;{. If the I'lii^ineor shall at any time consider the number of 
 workiueii, iiorsos, or ([uaiitily of inaehinei'v or other ]ilant, or tho 
 i|uantily of proper nuilerials, resjioclivoly employed or jirovidod by the Contractor 
 on or for the said works, to he iiisiitlicient fir the advancement thereof towards com- 
 Mntcrinl or l.tbov idolion with'ii the limited times, or that the works arc, or some part, 
 to be incii-iisiil. thoreol is not beinjif carried on with duo (lilii;-on(u>, then iu every 
 -uch ease the said Miu^incer may, by writti-ii notice; to the Contraitor, re(]uire 
 to emi'loy or provide sucii aiUlilinnal workmen, horses, miic.hiiiery or other |ilant, or 
 niateiials, a-i tin' MiiL^iticei may think necessary, and in case tlu^ ('ontractor shall not 
 th<'reuiion williin llii"e days, or such other longer jieriod as lo.iy ho lixcd by any such 
 iiotieo, in till rosjiecls eoni|d_)' therewith, then the I'lngincor may, oitiior on behalf of 
 Her Majesty, or if ho see til, may, as the agent of and on account of the Contraclor, 
 iiiil in eilher case at tho expense of tho Ootitractor, jirovidc and employ such atldi- 
 tioiial workmen, horses, macliiiuMy and vither jilaiit, or any iheieoforhueh additional 
 and maiialals res]>ective!y, as he may think projioi', iind may pay such additional 
 workmen sueh wages, and tor suili additional horses, machinery or oilier plant, and 
 materials I'ospedivel}', su .h i)rices as he may think prfjpor, and all sueh wages and 
 prices respectively, shall thereupon at onco bo repaid liy the Contiactor, or tin? siimo 
 nuiv be letained and deducted out of any moneys at any time jiayabio to thoron- 
 traelor; and Her Majosly may n.-e, in tho oxeeution oi' advancement of tho said work 
 not only tic horses, machinery, and other i>!ant, ami materials su in any case jiro- 
 vided bj' anyone on Her behalf, hut a 1. so all sti .'h as m;iy have been or may bo 
 provided byoron behalf of tho said Contractor. 
 
 p, liiy ill cxicut.on. It. In ca -0 the Contrat tor shall make <lefault or ilehiy in dil 
 gently cfuitiiuiin^ to cxeciile or advance the works to tho salisfao- 
 tioM of the l'',ngineer, and such default or delay shall continue for fix days after nolico 
 ill writing shall have been given by tho Engineer to Iho Contractor lotiuiring 
 to put an end to such ilefault or delay, or in case tho Contractor shall beeonio insol- 
 vent, or make an assignment for tho benefit of creditors, or neglect either personally 
 or by a skilful and competent agent to superintend tho works, then in any of such 
 cases Her Majesty may take the work out of the tN)ntrar5lor's hands arid omjiloy such 
 means ;is .She may seo'tit to comploio tho work, and in such cases tho Contractor nhall 
 Wdik limy liB iiivvo no claim for any further payment in respect of the works per- 
 iiikcn uui of the formed, liut shall nevertheless remain lialile for all loss and damage 
 Cuiiiractoi'd hands, vvhieli may bo snlfored by Her Majesty by reason of the non-comjile- 
 tion by the Contractor of Iho works; ami all materials and things whatsoever, and 
 all horses, machinery and otiier jdant providod liy for tho jmrpose of tiio 
 
 works, .siiall remain ami be^considcrcd ii.s tlio properly of Her Majosly for tho pur- 
 poses and according to tl\o jirovisions said conditions contained in the twelfth 
 clau^'e hoieol. 
 
asi 
 
 ContMolor to inkp l.", Tlii> « ■,)?itiii<t.>r shall l>«« Ml llio n^k <tf, iukI hIuiII lu-ur, ii'l |,,-.s 
 
 iVi'mn'ifr" ""' "' i»r iljiiiiii^i' wImlMxni'i, (Vorn wlianoi'Vfi- I'lMHt' iirimni;, whicli ni.iv 
 ■ x'l'iir to ilio uiirltM, III- iiiiy i>t (Ikmii, until liic >!iino Ih' t'lillv an I 
 tiiially ( i'tn)it)>tt><i :tiiil ili'liviMoil np Id and iirct>|iti>il liy tlio said MinJHtoi of I'ulih,' 
 WmU ■« I'ur lin- I inio lii'lnii , and il' any sindi Ii)sm or danriL-o oi'ciir li(>loro siirli liii.il 
 coniploliiMi, di'li\ <»ry and aci 0|ilfini'c, tlu' ( 'ontiactoi' rtliall itnniodialidv at 
 own cxpi'M'-o rt'iiair, i'<<-tor<> and ro (>\t>('ii((i tlu> work -^o dainai;!* 1. ho that tin* whole 
 w«MkH, oi- lhi> ifs|i(>clivc paiMs thiMcoC. ni (v ho «'on»|iio'<>i| within th« tiinr hortd'v 
 liniitod. 
 
 ('(Mitr>iolof lo lm\i' 
 
 111" ilitiiii for ili'lii 
 
 ilaniili'O VN 
 
 hirh 
 
 wor 
 
 III. Till' ('ontiarlor shall not lia\A> or ni il.c aii_\- ilaini or doniani, 
 nr lirin^ any ait i in or -^iiit oi- |i('tiiioii a;;aiint II. >r Majotty (or nin 
 may MWlain hy ica-ion of any delay in tlnr |»!-oj;roHs of iIh' 
 k, arising troin the acts of any of llor MajoslVH aijontx, and it Ik aixrood (hat in 
 tho ovi'iit of any smh ihd.iy iho Coniiacfor f<liail havo sm-h l'iirihi>r timo for (ji, 
 I'otnplclion ol i ho works as may h« lived in thai Ix-hall" h\ ihn MinistiM- of I'uMn 
 Will ks loi- till' time heoii;, 
 
 t'l'ntrnoi.M- net (o |7, Tin* ( 'ontraetor hIiiiII not make any a.s>.i^nnuMit of this e,,i|. 
 
 '""'*''*'''«"""""' trail, or any Kiiheonlraet, for the ex.>eiilioii of niiy ,>l the works 
 lierehv eondaeleil for, ami in any event no sneli assi;;nmetd or siil> eontrael, even 
 thoii!,-|i I'oiisented lo. shall eNonerale I he ( 'oiilraelor tioni liahilily, under this en 
 tiael, toi- the due performain'O of all tiu> work herehy eoiilraeled lor. In the evciii 
 of any siuh a.ssiijnnteni oi- suh lonti-ut hein;; m.ade. then the Contraelor shall nut 
 havo or niake .'iny elaim iu- demand upon Her M.ijesly fdiany fiiiuro paynuuits under 
 this eont ract lor any further or greater sum or sums tlian the sum or siiiii.s resper. 
 lively al w hi.h lln' work or wori;s so assigned or suh eonlraete I for sliall h.-ivo hcoii 
 undertaken In) he exeeiited hy th(> assignee or snh e<inlraelor ; (iiid in the e\eiil nl 
 .•mv sueh as>iL;iiment or snlu-oiitraei hemg maije willnuit siieh eonsiuU, Il>>r Ma|esi\- 
 Work nmv boink-ii '"".^' '"'^ *'"' ^^■'"'^ •>"' «''" ''>^^ I 'oiitraetor's iianii.s, and employ sikIi 
 eiii of til'' I 11, Inn- miMins as slio may see tit to eomplete tho same ; and. in siudi ea,.<e, 
 tor '■> huiiils the Contraelor shall have no < laim lor any fuiiher paymeiit 
 
 respect of the works perfornie I, lint shall, nevertheles.. rem.'im liahle for :ill 1 
 and damau'«' wlindi may he suiVeied hy Her .Majesty hy i easou id' the non eoiiipletieii 
 hy the Contiaetor of the works; ami all msiterials and thini;s whatsoovor, and ail 
 iiorses, niaeliinory, and other ]tlant jirovided l)V for tlio purposes of the 
 
 works, sh.ill reniidn and he eoiKsidereil as I lio property of Her Majesty I'or the pur- 
 ]ioses and aecording to tlie provisions and conditions contained in {\\q twelfth claiiso 
 heieol. 
 
 Ill 
 
 IS. 'i'imo shall he deemed to he of iho i>>seiico of this contract, 
 
 Oontrnotor rospon- 10. Tho Contractor shall bo rosponsiMo for all damages claim 
 sililc tor dumapi'. ahle hy any person or eorporatitui wliatsoovor, in respect of niiy 
 injury lo persons or lo land.s, buildings, ships or other pro|)erty. or in rospoet of niiy 
 iiitriniremeiit of nny right whatsoever, occasioned hy tho perfurmaneo of tho said 
 works, or hv any iieglect or misfeasance or iion misfea.sanco on part, ami 
 
 shall and will ;ii iwvn expense, make such toinporary jirovisions as may 
 
 ho necessary for the protection of ))ersons, or of lands, hiiildings, ships or other 
 propert v, or lor the uninlerruplod onjoymont of all rights of ])ersons, or cor]i.ir 
 aliens, in and during the performance of "iho said works. 
 
 Fftili'if: lo VBj 
 saliiru'S or \v ftp's. 
 
 20. II the Contractor fail at any time in paying tlio salaries or 
 wages of any per.son employed hy upon or in lospect of the 
 
 said works, or any of thcni, and any part of such salary bo one month in nrrear, I'r 
 if there ho duo to nny such person one month's wages or salary, tho Kuginoor in.-iy 
 notify the Contractor to j my such salary or wnjjes. and if two days elap.so and the 
 
3.11 
 
 
 rill ^<llIll| ln>«r, :i'l lens 
 aii.-'iiiL;, nil it'll ni:u 
 i> saino Ik> f'lillv ail I 
 I Minislor of I'lil.li.. 
 iir Ik>(i)|o hhi'Ii llicil 
 iiiiloly itt 
 
 I, M( tliut tlio xvlioic 
 (in tl)i» tiimi liiMi'hv 
 
 any claim oc (Ionian 1, 
 liT Majiwiy fur Mn\ 
 I I ho pfojiroMM of (li,. 
 I it is aiiimMl (liiil m 
 finiluM- litno for (li(> 
 H' Miiiiilor of I'liMii 
 
 ilTlllntMlt of t|li^< ('n||. 
 
 ff liny of llio works 
 ir sul' contract, even 
 ilily, uinlcr lliis i.in 
 c'l I'.T. In tlio cvciii 
 Conlraclor shall nut 
 'niiiro j)a\'ino!its ntiiicr 
 suin <ii' Mi!;i,s rcs|)(>!'. 
 I t'<u- shall have hccis 
 
 nn<l in tlio cmmii i>|' 
 
 •onsen I, II or Majosiv 
 
 mils, and cniiiloy sneli 
 
 an I. in nnch ca.-'c, 
 
 fiuthor paynioiit in 
 111 iial>li> for all |o>is 
 
 f iho iionconi|tlotii>ii 
 * wliatsoovor, and all 
 
 tho jiurposos of tlio 
 MajcHly for tho pur- 
 
 in tho t\vt>lfll\ claiisi) 
 
 ■lilt. 
 
 ill daniatfOH olaim 
 
 •, in lospect of miiv 
 
 or in rospoct of niiy 
 
 jriuunoo of tho said 
 
 jiart, ami 
 
 (• ]irovi.sioiis h.m may 
 
 tii^s, Hhips f)r olluT 
 
 por"*<>ns, or cor|)or 
 
 aying tho salaries or 
 )n or in rcspoctofiho 
 month in nrroar, or 
 tho Koj^inoor may 
 lays olapse and the 
 
 nnnio ho not. paid in full up to thodaio of payinont or to Hinh ctlK^r dato ns niny Im 
 111 accorclani'o willi tln< lornis of oni|do\ nioni id Hindi porson, tlion Ijor .Majosly niav 
 piiy to such person salary or waives iroin any dato to iiny diilo, and to any nnionnt 
 which may ho payildo, an I in ty chmyo llio saino to tho ( 'iiilrr. dor , and tho t'oii- 
 Iraotor oovonanl with lli>r Maji'sly to ro|iay at om o any and ovt'iy miin so paid 
 
 Hi»k<'n mill mi«rk< _» | . 'j'lio ( 'onlracloi will |iii>l col an 1 will not loniovc or dostrny, 
 
 I.) lie |iiiit. cii'.l. dipciniit l> ho roniovod or destroyed, tho stakes, l.iioys and ollii'r 
 niaiks placed on or al"«iit the saiil woiUs l«y tlm lvi;(ine(>rs of the works, ntiil nliall 
 t'lii'iii-h ihoneceMsarv assisianco to correct or replace any stake oi' marl; whiili, 
 through any cause, may have heen removed or dosiroyod. 
 
 ConlrnclDi'^ 
 nildrcrK. 
 
 '-'2. Any ni)ii<'<i or other i oinmiinioation monlionod in this conlracd to 
 ho iiolilied or nivon to the Contractor shall he doeinod lo he well and 
 siilllciently nolilied or j^ivi'ii, i( the '•.aiiie ho jell, at llie ('ontractor ollh e or mailed 
 in any I'ost < )Hii'e, to lh(> ( 'onl railor or luroinan, addiossed to lli(< address iiioiitioneil 
 in this colli raid , or to tho ( 'iinlrai.'|or la-it known |daco o| hiisiniMM. 
 
 .Silipiliilp of |irk-iH i:;{. And Her Majesty, in considoratioii of I he premisos, liorehy 
 
 covenants with tho I ■onlraelor , that will ho paid for and 
 
 in respect of tho works hcrehy contraolod for, and in Iho nvinncr sol out in the iioxl 
 (daiiso horool the s,>\ oral prices or sums I'lljowinj^, \i/.. . 
 
 I * :f: # 
 
 t * ♦ * l|C 
 
 rnyiuciitH. '2i. Cash pii^inciil.s e(|iial to alxinl ninety per rent, id' the value 
 
 of thi> work done, ap|pro\iinately mailo up Ironi relnriiH of |iro;^ros.s 
 mea.siiremonts and coinpiit(<cl at the pi ices a;,'reed upon or delcrmiind under Iho pro- 
 visions of this eontraid, vdl hemadeto the ('i>iil raclor inonthly on the written cert i- 
 licaleof the I'ln^iiU'er thai ilie woi k for or on ai'conni of which ihocerlilicalo is tJ^ranted, 
 has hccn duly o.\eciiled to his satisi'ai tioii and staling; the value of sindi work- coni- 
 piitt>d lis ahove niontioncd — and upon ii|)jiroval ot mh h eiMdilicale hy the Mitiistorof 
 I'lihlic Works, lor the time beinj^, lor the J><iininion id' Canada, uml tho said ci'rliticato 
 and sindi approval tlieieol shall ho a coiidiiion precedent to ihn rijriil of I hot 'on tractor to 
 he paid lh(>said niindy per cent, oi any pari llierod' 'riii< remainiiiLf ton porcoiit. shall 
 he r(>laiiiod until the final comp'elion of the whole work 1<) the satisf:iclion o| Iho 
 Chief i'lnt^inoer, for the tiino hein;^, haviiiif control over tho work, and within two 
 months after such completion tho loiiiaiiiiiif^ ton per cont. will ho paid. And it is 
 herohy doelarod thai the written oorlitieate of tho said Hn^^inoor cortifyinijj tr> tlio 
 linal ctunplolion of said works to his satislaction shall lio a condition jn eci-iU'iit to 
 the right of tho ('onlr.aclor to reeeiv o or ho paid tho said renriinini^ ton pi.M- cent., or 
 any part thereof. 
 
 Monthly eBtimali's. L'5. It is inlondod that every allowanco to which the Contractor 
 fail ly entitled, will ho omhraced in tho i']n;;inoor's monthly cortifi- 
 calos; hat should the Contractor at any liino liuvo claims ol any doscrijition which ' 
 
 consider are md imdiidod in tho progress corliticatos, it will ho necessary for 
 to mako and rejieat such (daiins in writing to the l''iigiiieer, within fonrtei.-n day.s 
 alter lliodate of oa( li and i^vay certiticato in wdiich allege Much claims to hiivi^ 
 
 boon omitted. 
 
 CliiiinsbjrCoiiiiiir- -Ji;. 'j'hc Contructor, in prosonting claims of tho kind rcforrod to 
 '""• in tlic last clau.so.must aocompany thorn with salisfaclory evidonco of 
 
 their accuracy, and tlio roivson why think they should ho allowod, Unlosssiich 
 
 claims are thus made during tho progress of tho work, within fonrlcon days, as in 
 tho jircceding clause, and ropoated, in writing, every month, until tinally adjustod or 
 rcjocioil, it must ho clearly undorstood that they shall ho forever shutout, and tho 
 Contractor shall have no claim on Her Majesty in respect theraof. 
 
334 
 
 Aiiproprifttiun 
 Patliaiiicnt. 
 
 Progress luoasuri'- 27. Tlio ))r()^'i'ess raeiiRuremonts and progrcHH certificates shall 
 '"'^'''■*' not in any rc>|)e(l bo taken a.s an accojitaiico of the worii or release 
 
 of the (.Vmliactor from rcsponsiMlity in respect thereof, l)ut «hall at the con- 
 
 clusion of the woil< delivci" over the same in goi^ 1 order, according to tlio Irue intent 
 and meaning of this contract. 
 
 Operations mu.v be 28. Her Majesty hhall liavo the riglit to suspend operations from 
 suspended. ,j,j^j, [^^ {imo at any particular point or points or upon iho whole of 
 tlio works, and in the event of such right being exercised so as to cause any delay to 
 the Contractor , then an extension of time e([ua[ losuch delay or detention, to he fixed 
 l)y the Minister of Puljlie Works, as above provided for, shall be allowed to 
 
 complete the contract, but no such delay shall vitiate ov avoid this contract or any 
 j'art thereof or tho obligation hereby imposed or my concurrent or other bond or 
 security for the performance of this contract, norshall tho Contractor be entitled to 
 anj' claim for damages b^' reason of any such suspension of operations. And at any 
 
 time after operations have been suspended eitlior in wiiolc or part — 
 Resumed. such operations may be again resumed and again suspended and 
 
 resumed as Her Majesty may thinic proper. And u])()n the Con- 
 tractor receiving written notice on behalf of Her Majesty that tho suspended opera- 
 tions are to be resumed, the Conli'actor sliall at once resume the operations and dili- 
 gently carry on the same. 
 
 l,y 211. Should the amount now voted by Parliament and a|)plicable 
 towards paj'mont for tho work heieby contracted for, Do at anytime 
 expended previous to the completion of tho works, the Minister of Public Works foi 
 the titne bcino-, may give the Contractor written noiico to that etl'ect. And upon 
 receiving such noiico the (Contractor mav, if tiiink tit, stop the work — but in 
 
 any case shall not bo entitled to any payment for work done, beyond tho amount 
 voted and applicable as aforesaid — unless nnd until tho necossar}' funds shall have 
 been voted by Parliament in that behalf. And in no event shall the Contractor have 
 or make any claim U])on llor .Majesty for any damages or compensation by reason of 
 the said suspei\sion of ]);iyment, or by reason of any delay or loss caused by the 
 stoppage of work. 
 
 .Spiiiiuuuali<|U()r3. "0. Tho ('onti'actor shall not ])ermit, allow, or encourage llic 
 sale of any spii-ituous liipiors on or near the works. 
 
 No Siiuday liiliour, ;{]. No work whatever shall at any timo or p.aoo bo cari'icd on 
 during Sunday, and tho t'ontractor shall take all necessary steps lor 
 preventing any fbieman, or agent, or men from working or employing others on 
 that diiy. 
 
 (Jliiii Krifjincer to i-. It is hereby agreed, that all matters of diileronce arising 
 
 be Hibiimioi-. between the parties hereto, upon any matter connected with or 
 
 arising out of tlii> conlraet, the decision wliereol' is not hereby es|)ccially given I. > 
 I lie Kiigineer, — shall lie referred to the award and arbitration of the Chief lOiigineei , 
 for tho timo l»ciug, having control over the works, and the award of such Kngineer, 
 sh.'ill be inal and conckisivo ; and it is hereby declarod that suidi award shall be ii 
 condition precedent to the right of tho Contractor to rocoivo or be pai I any sum or 
 sums on account, or by reason of such matters in diderence. 
 
 :;.'{, It is distinctly declared that no implied contract of any kind whatsoever, by 
 or on behalf of Her Miijesly, shall ai'ise or bo implied trom aiiylhing in this contriiet 
 coHtaincil, or from any position or situation of the |)arlios at any timo, it bein^f 
 elearlj' understood find agreed that the c.-tpress eonlra(;ts, covonants and agreements 
 bei'ein contained and made by llor Alajesty, aro and shall be the only contracts, cove 
 uunts and agreeiuent« iijion which any rights agtiinst Jler arc to be founded. 
 
336 
 
 i» certificates Mball 
 
 the work or release 
 
 uball at the con- 
 
 [T to the li'ue intent 
 
 :iid operations from 
 I' upon the whole of 
 
 cause Ally delay lo 
 etontion, to be tixcd 
 lie allowed to 
 
 lis contract or any 
 nt or other bond or 
 ictor bo entitled to 
 itions. And at any 
 
 in whole or part — 
 ;ain suspendotl and 
 Vnd ujxin the Con- 
 ic suspended opera- 
 operations and dili- 
 
 iiont and applicable 
 I for, De at any timo 
 )f Public Works for 
 L etl'cct. And upon 
 ) llio work — but in 
 beyond the amount 
 ry funds bliall have 
 the Contractor liave 
 isation by reason of 
 loss caused by the 
 
 34. This contract is hereby, pursuant to the provisions of the 8th section of the 
 Statute, 41st Victoria (1878), chapter 5, made nibjei't to the express condition that 
 no member of the ilouse of Commons of Canada shall be admitted to any share or 
 part of such contract, or to any benefit to arise thoreiVom. 
 
 Contract may be 35. In the event of it becoming advisable in the interests of the 
 cancelled. public to suspend the work hereby contracted for, or any portion 
 
 tlicreof, at any time before its completion, and to put an end to this contract, the 
 Minister of I'ublic Works of Canada for tiio time bein-^ shall have full power to stop 
 iho work and to cancel this contract, or giving due notice lo that etfcct to the Con- 
 tractor . The Contractor , howevei', will be entitled to receive payment for all 
 sums then due for work already done, materials used or doliverod, or 
 ready to be used, or in course of preparation, together with such rea- 
 sonable compensation as will cover all bond fide damages, if any, resulting therefrom, 
 and as may tlien bo agreed upon; or, in case of disagreement, as may be determined 
 by tho ollicial Arbitralors of the Dominion of Canada; it being understood, however, 
 that no compensation will be allowed to oi* claimed by the Contractor for materials 
 procured for tho works, after the date of the service of tho notice above referred to, 
 or for any loss of anticipated profits, either in respect of the works so suspended as 
 aforesaid, or of the materials then procured for said works. 
 
 In "Witness whereof, the Contractor ha hereto set hand 
 
 and seal and those presents have been signed and sealed by the said Minister, and 
 countersigned by tho Secretary of the De])artnient of Public Works of Canada, on 
 behalf of Ilcr Majesty. 
 
 Signed, sealed and delivered by the | 
 Contractor in presence of j 
 
 Signed, sealed and delivered by the 
 Minister, and countersigned by 
 the Secretary of Public \Vorks in 
 the presence of 
 
 , or encourage (lie 
 ■ks. 
 
 pace bo cari'ied on 
 
 necessary steps lor 
 
 nploying olhei's on 
 
 dillerence arising 
 connected with or 
 es|)ccially given to 
 10 Chiof lOngiiioer, 
 of such Ivigiiicer, 
 !i award shall bo :i 
 )e p;u 1 any sum oi 
 
 iiil whatsoever, by 
 ing in tills contract 
 any timo, it being 
 Us and agreomenls 
 ly contracts, cove 
 be founded. 
 
 GEXEPvAL SPECIFICATION DATKD 30th NOVEMBER, 1878, 
 
 Koa THE CONSTRUCTIO.v OI' THE WORK. 
 
 Jiifeired to and J€clarC(l io torn part of the Contract. 
 
 Woikii to be 
 eovi'ieil by Con 
 trncl. 
 
 1. This specification i'cter-< to all works of construction and 
 materials reciuired in iniiking and Imilding the railwaj* uji to forma- 
 ti"n li'K'l, and i)i'o|iaiiiig it for tho periiKiuciil way; Cv>inj)rising 
 clearing, close culling, grubliiiig, iciicing, excuvalion, tunnelling, dr.-iiiung, ditching, 
 Jouiidaiion works, bridges, culvert.-; uIm) tracklayiiig, ballasting, and all otlioi' works 
 connected with the construction and completion ol'the line of railway, to which llio 
 Engineer may consider tliis specification to bo applicable under each contract. 
 
 CliEAniNO, ETC. 
 
 Olearinp in- 2. Tho clearing is embraced in ibo contract for tiie erection of 
 
 eludod ill Contraci the telegraph ; but in the event of any clearing remaining Lo bo 
 for Ich'Ki'apb. oxocuiod, llie Contuictor lor gr.'iding may be rcipiired and directed 
 to do it; a price for clearing is thorelore necessary. 
 
 123—22 
 
Bse 
 
 S. Whoro tho railway passes through wooded sections, the liimi 
 Width of clearing, must bo cloavod U) tho width of sixty-Kix loot on o:ich Hide of tho 
 centre lino, or such greater or lessor width as the Engineer may direct. 
 
 4. Tho clearing isto bo done so that all the brusli, logs and otlier 
 OlearinK, loose matoi'iai within its limits shall ho biirnod. In no case shall 
 
 any of the brush or logs bo cast back upon the adjacent timber lands; thoy mu;tt 
 invariably bo made intd piles noar tho oentro of tho space to bo cloared, and there 
 entirely eoniiuraod. All bi'ush or troos accidtuitally or othorwiso thrown into tho 
 adjacent woods, must bo dmggod out and burned. The land when burned must ho 
 left in a clean condition. 
 
 Close Cutting. 5. Where embankments arc to bo formed less than four foot 
 
 (jr more than two foot in height, all tho standing timber and stum])s 
 must bo chopped cbose to tho ground within tiie limits of the embankment, and 
 burned. 
 
 Grubbing. 
 
 6. Where excavations will not exceed three feet in depth, or 
 embankments two foot in height, all stumps must be grubbed out, 
 and if possible, burnt; those that will not burn must be carrie(' beyond tho limits of 
 tho cuttings and embankments, whore liirocted, and there pilou, Directions will bo 
 given at tho propoi- time, as to Iho extent of ground required to "leared, close cut 
 and grubbed. The side ditching and oil-take drains must also bo grubbed, but no 
 grubbing will bo paid for in borrowing pits. 
 
 FENCING. 
 
 Fencing 
 
 7. The fence, Mdiercver required, shall be a strong, well-built, 
 
 tier.vy farm fence of apjirovod design, thoroughly secured by stakes, 
 
 riders posts and yokes, or other meant; to prevent its removal by gales of wind oi 
 
 animals 
 
 Galea. 
 
 Fencing (hrough 
 cleared land. 
 
 8. The farm gates, when required, will bo light and strong, of lui 
 approved design, similar to those on the Intercolonial Eailway. 
 
 i'. The fencing to be thoroughly completed through all the 
 cleared lands and wherever it may be directed to bo placed by tho 
 Engineer. 
 
 URAD1N<I. 
 
 Time of com- 
 menccment. 
 
 Widths and 
 sloiics. 
 
 10. In woodland tho grading will bo commenced after the clour- 
 ing, clo^«! cutting and gi'ulihing required iscompleted to the sati>;(ii('- 
 lion of tho i''iigi'.ioer, and the Contractor will bo held responsible I'ui 
 
 nil damage to crops. 
 
 11. Tho width of onibankmcnts at sub-grade, or tbrmation level 
 will bo 17 foot. The width (^f cuttings will not bo less than 22 foot. 
 The slopes of earth-work will bo made one and a-half horizontal to 
 
 one perpondionlar. J n rook cuttings tho slopes will bo, as a rule, one horiwuilal lo 
 four porpendicidar. In cuttings jtarlly earth and partly mok, a iiorm of si.\ I'eet 
 shall bo left on the sui'faco of tho rock. Tho widths, slopes and other dimoniii'iis 
 above dolinoil may be varied by tho l-higinoor at any time, to suit circumstaiues, 
 And tlio conlrac'or shall not take out or be paid Cor rock, nor any other excavatiitn 
 beyond tho slopes, witluuitan express order, in writing, fron\ tho Engineer. In tho 
 
 event oi' a slide in a rock cutting afti'r it is formed, tho (.'ontrader 
 Removing slides. ^yj|| ,.^,ln,,vc« tho ikMs, and bo paid for it as loose rock or as oardi, iie 
 
 fording to tho class to which it may appear to the Engineer lo 
 belong. 
 
I sections, tho land 
 on oiicli side of tlio 
 ilii-oct. 
 
 rush, logs and other 
 In no case shall 
 • lands ; thoy must 
 cleared, and there 
 vise thrown into tlie 
 'n burned must bo 
 
 loss than four foei 
 timber and .slumjiH 
 ) embanknnieut, and 
 
 feot in depth, or 
 
 lUst bo grubbed out, 
 
 loyond tho limits of 
 
 Dircetions will he 
 
 'loarod, close cut 
 
 bo grubbed, but no 
 
 a strong, well-built, 
 ly secured b)' stakes, 
 by gales of wind oi- 
 
 :,'ht and strong, of an 
 ;olouial Eailway. 
 
 tod thi'ough all tin! 
 to bo placed by the 
 
 need after tho cloiir- 
 
 Dieted to the satisdn'- 
 
 held responsible for 
 
 or formation level 
 bo loss than 22 feet. 
 
 a-half horizontal to 
 10, one horiwinial to 
 
 a liorm of six I'eet 
 land other dimensions 
 
 suit circumstances, 
 liy other (jxcavation 
 |e lOnginoor. In ll'o 
 Imed, tho C'ontraeler 
 
 rotk or as eardi, iie- 
 Ito tho Engineer to 
 
 Materials in 
 cnibankniente 
 
 asT 
 
 12. The material to bo ])lacod in th(> ombankraonta must be a])- 
 provod by the iOngineor, uud in piiioes whore the natural surface of 
 the ground upon which tho embaidvinont is to rest is covered with 
 vegetable matter, which cannot be burneil olf in clearing, and which would, in the 
 ojjinion of the Engineer, impair the work, tiie same must bo removed to his entire 
 Lojjginf? across satislaction. In the ovoni of tlie line cnjS'^ing muskegs or mora.ssos, 
 imiskeKB it may be deemed by the iMigiaeer expodieui iliat a plaUbrm ot l(.>gs 
 
 shall bo formed undei' the embankment, of such width as will extend through and to 
 about six foot beyond tho siile slopes, and of such depth as may bo reijuired, according 
 to the height of embankment. The logs to range fiom 6 inches to 15 inches diameter, 
 ami must be laid close togethei- and covered with brush. \ll sloping 
 Sloping Ground, gi-ound covered with pasture >lKtll bo deeply j)loughed over tho oaso 
 of tlie enibankmonis before the latter are commenced 
 
 Off-take ditches. 13. In Icwel prairie sections it will be necessary to excavate oft' 
 
 take ditches considei-able distances to the right or left of tho lino. 
 
 These ditches will generally be required in tho lowest ground, whore tho material is 
 
 tre(]uently of a tough nature (locally known by tho name of 
 
 " Gumbo." « Gumbo'''). These oll-tako ditche,-, "must be of such widths and depths 
 
 as may bo required and direcied. Tho sides shall bo sloped oug 
 
 vortical to two horizontal, and the material shall be cast out so as to leave a berm of 
 
 at least i>ix feet between the deposit and the top of the slopes. A separate price for 
 
 otl'-tako ditches will be roquircd in llie tenders, and the (juantities shall embrace all 
 
 excavation in connection therewith, beyond the limits ot the railway land. 
 
 Under-drains. 1-1. Side-hill ground to bo covered by embankment shall tirst bo 
 
 thoroughly under-drained as the I'^ngincer may sec expedient, and 
 all cuttings after being formed, and all slopes likely to be atfocted by wot must ' o 
 siniiliitrly undor-drained, longitudinally or transversely, or both, as circumstances 
 may seem to him to require. These drains will be constructoil in a similar way to 
 that in which ordinary land di'ains are sometimes made; a tic .eh will lirst bo dug to 
 a niininuini depth of four feel, and in the bottom of this ireucli, fmir or live cedar or 
 spruce ])oles al)out two inches in diameter will tirst be laid by hand, breaking joint; 
 over tho polos will then bo jilaced not less iban three foot of small Ijroken stone, not 
 lai'gci than ordinary road metal or good gravel ballast, over which will bo deposited 
 tmcli material convenient to the place as tlie Engineer may ajiprovo of. The Con- 
 tractor must find all the matoiial rec[uircd in Iheve drains, du all the work dosciibod, 
 and remove the surplus earth. These drains must always be ina.de with a sulHciont 
 longitudinal fall for tho easy tlow of tho wator, and tlierefoiv they may in level 
 cuttings be deeper at one end than nt the other, but the minimum depth will bo not 
 loss than four leet. 
 
 Side ditches. 
 
 If). On ihe conipletiiMi of the cuttings and the under-drains pro- 
 vided for in last clause, ditch(\i for the removal of^iii'fai'O water .soall 
 be formed along each side at the bottom of tho slopes, according to 
 direction-, to be given. Catch-watei'ditcbos shall aNi) bo fm'med some 
 distance bai'k ti-.)m the top of the slopes, to exclude fi'oiu the excava- 
 tion any water llowiii"' Irom the adjoining hind,-, the Contractor shall also coiisiruct 
 all ether drains and ditelics which the iMigineer m.iy dcoin neeetisury for the perfect 
 drainage of the ilailway and works. 
 
 Oiitc'iwiiloi' 
 ditubos 
 
 Cuti...gi., diltijfP, j^ ^11 ,,p^,,^ ditches in cutting- or ei,-ev 
 
 roftds, etc. ,.,.|Vrred to in clause l.i, and ail cNcavatlon- 
 
 .•where, oLher than tlio.so 
 I'.'qiiireil for (nrning, 
 making or changing water courses, mid which must be exooiiled as may from liino 
 to time be directed, will bo measured U|) and paid for as excavation according to its 
 ela.Ms, and all other excavations such as may be re(iuired in tiie foianalion of pnl'lic 
 roads or in borrowing pits, ur in grading dci>ot grounds, turnouts or brunchos, and 
 123— 22i 
 
338 
 
 so much of ordinary foundation ))it.i for bridgop and culverts as aro not under tlio 
 level of the water, rihuU bo considered as a neccHsary part of tlie excavation for tlio 
 formation of tho roadway, and niast be executeii and the material deposited accord- 
 ing to tlio directions, of tbe Enginoor, a'ld will be jiaid tor at tiie same rate per j'ard 
 as the ordinary oxcuvation, according to its denomination. In ordinary foundation 
 Excavations in P''^'^' wborc pumping or baling becomes necessary, all tbe excavation 
 fouQrtations. under water level sball be measured and rcckuned at three times the 
 
 price of earth excavation in ordtr to cover the extra cost involve<I. 
 
 n. Excavation will i)0 classed under three heads, viz.: Solid 
 Excavations. Kock, Loose JJock and i'Jarth, and will be paid for accoi-ding to tbe 
 
 following definitionti : 
 
 Solid rock exca- ^'^^' -^l' ■■- 'J">^^ tt"J boulders ineamiing more than 27 cubic feet, 
 
 vationa. and all solid quarry rock, sjiall be termed Solid Rock Excavation. 
 
 Loose rock exca- 2nd. All large stones and boulders measuring less than 27 cubic 
 
 vationu. I'ggi^ jjjjj y|j i,,o.-,o rock whether in situ or otherwise, that may be 
 
 removed with facility by hand, pick or bar, without the necessity of blasting, shall 
 be termed Loose Eock Excavation. 
 
 3rd. All other excavation of whatever kind, with tho exception 
 Earth excavation, ^^j- Q^X-hikt^ ditches j'cfcrred to in clause 13, shall bo termed Earth 
 Excavation. 
 
 jj^„l_ IR. Tho contract price for tlieso .several ch)s.scs of excavation 
 
 shall be taken to in(liKlc the whole cost of hauling, except only 
 extreme cases which may involve a haul of mi.>r(> than twelve hundred feet, loi 
 every hundred j'oel of haul over twelve hundred feet and up to iwonty-five hundred liset, 
 the t'ontractor will be allowcil at the rate of one cent per cubii' j'ard. tiiat is to say: 
 in the event o\' !he luril lieiiig in any c.isc tweiUy-iivc hundred feet, thii'tcen cents 
 per yard shall be added to the .schedule rate, which will be the maximum allowance 
 per haul in any case. This clause .shall not apply to ballast. 
 
 Embiuikmonts and 1<). Tl>e embankments must be made to such suflicient height 
 cuttiugs. .jiiij ^.jdfj^ jj^ ^y.jii .i||,,\v f'.r llic subsidence "f tbo same, and both cut- 
 
 tings and enibankmenls shall be left at the i'om]>lction of Ihc contract, air su.'li 
 heights, levels, widths and fitrms as tlirccteil by the Kngincer, the upper Burlaco of 
 the banks to be roundc'l in order to throw olVlho water. 
 
 UounJing of Rail- 20. TliO whole of iho grading --liall be carefully forraed to llio 
 "^'^J' levels giver, and tho rii;ulw:iy in cuttiii','s shall invariubl}' be rounded 
 
 and lel'l from six to e!L;lit inches lower at ihe sides tluiii on the centre lino. In I'ock 
 cutliiig-^ it will be sutlici».nl to form a ^vater channel ;ibout two feet wide and eight 
 inche-' deep alung cmli side. All tnaterials found in excavations, whether in n.iad- 
 bed cut tings, ditches, water channels, roaii crossings, borrowing pits or elsewheic, 
 must be deposited ill .^-ueh places as the Knginecr may diieel. In cases where the 
 roaii-boil oxcavalioii-- are insiitliiien' to 'Ocin the emliaiikuients. (he deticiency s!,:dl 
 Boi'i'owinir '"^ supplied by widening (he cutting>, ay {•■(mi the sidi- ol the road.v 
 
 or from burrowing pits, but no material shall be so supj'lied willn'iit 
 ids concurrence, and not until the cuttings are coni|ilelcd, without his express -auc- 
 tion. All borrowing pits shall, if reipiircil by (ho Kngincer, be dressed toagmd 
 sha)iO and pi'ojicrly drained. Where luatcriiil to m;d<e ;ip embankiui,Mi(-- is tiikcn 
 from (he side, a i)erni ol at least ton fee(. fi'oni bottom oi slope of embankment shall 
 remain untouched. 
 
 Wasting. 
 
 21. Wlicie (he excavation in a cutting exceeds what may ho 
 rcijiiiied to make (he (Mnbankmeiils of the specilieil width, the I'-ngi 
 iieer may direct that tho embankments bo iiicroasod in width with tho surplus 
 
339 
 
 IS aro not under tho 
 o excavation for tho 
 'ial (Icpottitod accord- 
 Hume rale per yard 
 oidiiiary foundation 
 y, all ihe excavation 
 icd <it three times the 
 
 1. 
 
 heads, viz.: Solid 
 for accoi-ding to tho 
 
 a tliao 27 cuhic feet, 
 Rock Excavation, 
 
 ^ less than 27 cubic 
 orwise, that may be 
 
 ity of bhwting, shall 
 
 with tho except ion 
 dl bo torniod I'hrtli 
 
 ]ll^He^^ of excavation 
 auling, except only 
 hmidi'od feet. Voi 
 ily-fivo hundred leet, 
 yard, tiiai is to .say: 
 . feet, thirteen centH 
 uaxinmm allowance 
 
 ch siitiicient height 
 
 same, and buth cut- 
 
 c contract, at .siuli 
 
 ho upper Burlaco of 
 
 lidly formed to the 
 .•iiriably lie nnindcd 
 Mitro iino, fn rock 
 leet wide and ei;j;lit 
 n«, whether in nnid- 
 pil.s '»r cI.si.'wIkmc, 
 111 case;- wheif llio 
 the (ieliciency slcdl 
 e si(k- 01 the roads, 
 ■to Hupjdicd without 
 ut hifs express ,-:inc- 
 ic di'i'ssed to a g-md 
 ^anktiien1> is taken 
 ' eniluuiknient .-^iiali 
 
 cccdrt what may ho 
 c.d width, tho i'-ii;;'! 
 h with tlio riurpiiw 
 
 tnatoi-ial, and when this is done to his satinfaction, the remainder, if any, may bo 
 wasted; but in every case where either borrowing or w.isting irt rosoriod to, the 
 materitds must be takoo and deposiled ;\a he may re,^'ulalo and direct. 
 
 Bull. ling matpriiils 2'2. 1 n < ii>c when; pilehi»<;- or rip-rui)piiig will be required for 
 in oxcaviuiona. ^^^^ protcclion "f cmbanknionts i'ontiguoiis lo streams, all stone suit- 
 able for this work found in excavations m;iy be removed and deposited in some con- 
 venient ])lacc until rc(iuired, tnid all good building stone which may be found in rock 
 cxc!ivatioi!.>r may, with thi> a]ipi'f)v;il of tho Riigim'cr, be pi-oscrved and piiotl along tho 
 side ol the line as directed. I'ut any material so touiid and u>ed will not be paid for 
 twice, the f|iiantity, if considerable, will form a deduction li-jtn the quantity of ex- 
 cavation as measured in the cutting. 
 
 Rip-rap. 
 
 23. IJip-ra]) work, whenever required and ordered for the pro- 
 tection of slopes of embankments, mu.st be well and carefully per- 
 formed, in such matmor and of such ihicknc^.s as may bo directed. It will bo 
 measured and ];aid for by ihe cubic yard. 
 
 Service roada. 
 
 Land. 
 
 Road crosBinRS. 
 
 21. Roads constructed to and from any ])oint on the li.jo of rail- 
 
 wa\'^ for the convenience of the Contraetor, for the conve3'anco of 
 
 material or otherwise, must be at hit* own risk, cost and charges, but. the Contractor 
 
 will not bo required to purchase land I'or tlto railway track, for 
 
 branches or for borrowing pits. 
 
 25. Wherever the line is intersected by public or private roads, 
 tho Contractor must keep open at his own cost convenient passing 
 places, and he shall be held responsible for keeping all crossings, during tho progress 
 of tlie works, in such conditions as will enable the public to u.»e them with perfect 
 safety, and such as will give rise to no just ground for complaint. Contractors will 
 be hold lial)le for any damages resulting from negligence on their part or that of 
 their men. .\t all public roads crossed on tho level, tho Contractor will bo required 
 (o put in two substantial cattlo-guards of wood of such dimensions as may be directed 
 by tho Engineer. 
 
 Hnllast. 
 
 the same shall, 
 
 2i), Whenever any malori.il is met wdh in the oxc.-wations, 
 which the Ei'ginoer shall consider suitable and required for ballast, 
 at his discretion, lie reserved for that purpose. 
 
 Slijis. 
 
 27 When slijis occur in cuttings, after Lhoy are properly formed, 
 th.j maleriiil must be imniciii.'Uely removed by the Contractor, tho 
 slopes re-formo<l, and such nreeantions adopted as the iMigiueor may deem necessary. 
 The ( -ontractor will lie jiaid for the removal 'A' slijis as already provided for. 
 
 Workinp; in 28. In the ovimt of earth ex>'fivation being proceeded with in wiu- 
 
 ^'"''"'' tor, no snow or ice rau.-t be placed in einbankinonts, or allowed to bo 
 
 covered up in them, and all frozen earth must, a l.ir as practicable, bo oxcludod 
 from the heart of embaiiknjotjts. 
 
 Contractor to tin- :jO. Tiie Contractor shall, before tlio work is finally accepted, 
 
 ish up cutings, f|„j^|, ,jp cuuiigs imd embankments, dress and di-ain borrowing pits 
 when reqrii'ed, dress slojics to the required angles, repair all 
 damages by fi'ost or otbei causes, and complete everything connected with the grad- 
 ing of the I'oadbed, bridging, et( ., in a creditable and workmanlike manner, iu 
 ai-eoi'danee with the diiecti<uis and to tho sati><acLiou ot' the Kngineor. 
 
 Measurement in ;{(•), 'flic measurement of quantities ; hall invariably bo made in 
 
 fcxcuviuion. oxcaval ion, unless in special cases, if any, where this may be found 
 
 impossible; in hik h cases the I'lnginoer shall determine the quantities in cmbank- 
 mcnl, alter making all ju'opor uliowanocs, of which ho shall bo the juJgo, 
 
840 
 
 Prico to cover 3], The piiccs stijmlatcd for cxt-avation of tlio several deiiomi- 
 
 ever>conuaKency.,^j^^i„„^ ,Q^,j,j|,^,j. ^^.jll, t^jjj, jj^.j^-.^ for haul in oxtromc cases, and the 
 
 prico for woric in ic-iimlaciuii jjitn under wiitor levc , shall bo the total prices Inr ex- 
 cavating, loadiiitr, removing and depositing all the material. In a word, the rates 
 and prices htiimlated in the contract must he understood to cover every coniingonoy ; 
 the lurni-^hing of all labor, material, power and jilant ; the cost of finishing ii|) cut- 
 tings and embaiikmontH, the dressing and draining of borrowing pits, when required ; 
 the dressing of slopes to the required angle, and the completing of everything con- 
 nected with the grading of road-bed, in a creditable and woikmanlike manner, in 
 accordance with the directions and to the satisfaction of the Engineer. 
 
 "Line Tunnels 
 and ".Stream 
 Tunnels." 
 
 TUNNELMNG. 
 
 32. The tunnelling will consist of " Line Tunnels" and " Stream 
 Tunnels;" the former shall bo formed to an exact minimum seclifm 
 hereafter to i^e furnished. Kor the purpose oftondcring, the sectional 
 area of " Lino Tunnels " shall be cidcuiatod at 405 superficial feet, equal to l.> cubic 
 yards to the lineal footof tuniud. The " kSiream Tunnels,'" where ffirmed, shall bedriven 
 through the solid rock which, in some places, forms the sides of ravines, they must be 
 formed in the manner to be pointed out in each ca.se. Open cuttings at the end will be 
 excavated, to give an easy (low to the water; these open cuttings may be slightly 
 cnrved, but the tunnels proper must be perfectly straight from end to end, with llie 
 sides as smooth as practicable. The up-stream end in each tunnel must generally be 
 one foot lower than the bed ol' the stream opposite, and thoy must be diiven with a 
 roper inclination. Cai'e must bo taken to leave a solid pillar of rock between the tun- 
 nel and the side oi thf> ravine, equnl (except in special cases) to not less than about, 
 double thedianteter of the tunnel. The thickness of .solid rock over the tunnel shall be 
 similarly proportioned. The ojmn cuttings which form the outlets and inlets of tun- 
 nels shall be measured and paid as ordinary excavation, according to classification, 
 the material excavated from, thorn to be placed iti the embankments or as may ho 
 dii-ected. The tutinels shall be paid tor by the lineal loot, and the price must cover 
 all cost of pumping, baling, draining, ko., which may bo nijcessary. The tunnels 
 required will be of the tbllowing dimensions : — 
 
 Sectional areas. Lineal foot of Tounel. 
 
 Twenty-feet Tunnels, 324 superficial feet equals 12 cubic yai-ds. 
 
 Sixteen " 
 
 do 
 
 21t) 
 
 Twelve " 
 
 do 
 
 l(t8 
 
 Eight " 
 
 do 
 
 54 
 
 Six 
 
 do 
 
 27 
 
 (1 
 
 8 
 
 l< 
 
 n 
 
 4 
 
 l( 
 
 11 
 
 o 
 
 tl 
 
 << II ^ II 
 
 TIMBER 8TRUCT1TRKS. 
 
 33. 'Ihe structures for the passage of small streams may he built of the most 
 Buitable wood to be founu in the ciumtry. Oharac^ter and quality to bo approved by 
 the i'lngineor. The several structures are intended to bo built mi cording to the fol- 
 lowing specification and the drawings referred to; but the character of the designs 
 may bie changeil to suit circumstances. 
 
 General drawings. '^'^- ^Tcnoral drawings No. 1 to !:>, inclusive, show the kind of 
 structures to be oroctod for the passage of the smaller streams under 
 the railway. 
 
 Drawing No. 1, toi- embankments 2 feet high. 
 
 u 
 
 No. 2, 
 
 
 4 
 
 1'. 
 
 .'1 
 
 No. 3, 
 
 
 fi 
 
 (1 
 
 If 
 
 No. 4, 
 
 
 S 
 
 11 
 
 II 
 
 No. 5, 
 
 
 10 
 
 K 
 
 41 
 
 No. 6, 
 
 
 15 
 
 a 
 
 II 
 
 No. 7, 
 
 
 20 
 
 11 
 
 (( 
 
 No. a, 
 
 
 25 
 
 a 
 
 II 
 
 No. 9, 
 
 
 30 
 
 11 
 
S4l 
 
 General drawing, 35. No. 1 will bo composod of two bonts framed together in the 
 
 ^°' ^" iiiiinnor shown in the ilrawinij, iiuvin':; caps and mud sills fi'anied 
 
 into posts and ImiccH, and pinned iis shewn. These bonis will be placed in trenches 
 — pn-viousiy excav;ited — 11 feel i-eiitre to centre, and at least 5 feet in the ground, 
 iind when properly levelled us to uradc, height, I'cc., the earth will then bo tirndy 
 packed ai'oiinil them. Tlie^o bents will be spai\ned by .stringers 1<1 inches by 12 
 inches, and boiled by ; inch bolts— with washers— to the caj)s. The bank stringers 
 will be 12 inches by 12 inches. The whole then covered by tics !) inches by 8 
 inches, and of the lengths shown on the plan. 
 
 General drawiuR, 30. No. 2 nill be s)n\i!ar,jin every rosjioct to No. 1, except as to 
 
 '^''- ^' height of bents. See drawing. 
 
 GencrRl drawiuf;, 37. No. o will be composed of four bents; each bent will have 
 
 ^'"" ^" cap and inud-siil 12 inches by 12 inciies, and fjur posts 12 inches by 12 
 
 inchcei, and (wo braces 12 inches by 12 inches, all framed together and piui ed in the 
 manner shewn. There ^vill be t\vo iliagc^nal braces of 9 inches by C inches placed in 
 each bent in the manner shown, and bolted to the frames by J inch bulls, with 
 washers under the heads and nuts of bolts, seven bolts to each brace. Trenches will 
 be dug for the reception of these bents II feet centre to centre, and 5 feet deep, and 
 when the bent.s have been levelled up to grade height and i)laced in lino, the earth 
 will then bo tampeilfirml}- round them. Stringers of 16 inches by 12 inches ranst 
 
 ided and boiled 
 wdi be 
 ties 
 
 ) lampeil _^ ^_ 
 
 bo ])rovided and boiled to cap by ^ inch iron bolts with washers. The bank stringers 
 1 be 12 inches bj- 12 inches; the whole structure will then be covered with special 
 9 inches by 8 inches as shown. 
 
 General drawinga, 38. Nos. 4 to 9 will be similar to No. 3 already described. No. 
 Nos. 4 to t». Q ^yjij jjjj^,Q gjj, fjents. No. 7 eight bents. No. 8 eight bents, and No, 9 
 
 ten bents, and they will increase in height according to the height of the bank. In 
 cases where stringers cannot bo procured long enough to span the entire number of 
 bents, as in the cases of Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9, then the .stringers may be joined either by 
 butt-joint or corbels restingjou caps or bo allowed to overlap each other on caps, all 
 being fii-mly bolted to caps. 
 
 Treatle-work. 39. Wherever the circumstances of the case require the adoption 
 
 of Trestle Work in lieu of embankments, the same shall be erected in the moat sub- 
 stantial manner in accordiivice with the jjlans and specifications of the same to bo 
 furnifched from time to time by the Engineer. 
 
 Pile liridgea. 40. Wherever the circumstances of the case require the adoption 
 
 of Bridges (m Piles, the}' will be erectotl accordingto the following or 
 another approved plan. Trenches will llrst be excavated 21 feet centre to centre 
 and to the depth of tlie beds of the streams. Each bent will be compo.sod of 4 piles, 
 (friven perpendicularly, together with 2 spur piles, as shown in the drawing. The 
 piles are to nioasuro at the butt or larger end not loss than 12 nor more than 17 
 inches in diameter, exclusive of bark. They must l)e ])erfeclly sound and straight, 
 and be of such lengths as circumstances may require. The piles must be driven by 
 a hammer weighing 1,. 500 lbs. or upwards, until they reach perfectly firm ground. 
 They will f,'onerally lie tested by the hammer falling 30 feet at the last bloAV. Oare 
 must bo tak.'i: to liave them dciven truly, so that the caps, waling pieces and braces 
 may be properly iVamod and brdted to them. The spur piles must be curve-pointed, 
 so that as they are driven they will gradually come into their places and butt against 
 the piles and bo bolted to the same, with two bolts to each spur pile. Before being 
 driven the piles must bo sawed or chopped oH square at the butt, and tapered to ii 
 blunt point at the snntlloi' end. Should there appear to be any danger of splitting, 
 the heads must be bound with ii'on hoops, .and if necessary the points must also be 
 properly sliod. The stringers must bo double, 12 inches by 1(1 inches, bolted together 
 and resting on corbels, and bo bolted securely to corbels and caps. The stringers 
 
342 
 
 inust 1)0 of an loui,' longtlis as ]v^•^sll)lo, arnl lo bivak joint altorimtoly iiisido and on!. 
 Tlio bank siU'ingorw will l)0 1(1 iiu'lies hy \'2 iiuilios. Tlio whole to bo covorod by 
 sj)eoial ties !^ iiiriios by 8 imiios as sliowii 
 
 Bridges. 41. Tlio Ku'lwiiy will l>i> oarrii'd over (bo iart^cr stroarriN li»- 
 
 bridgoh. Tbc abiilmonis and ]>ioi''. will, in sonio ( asi-s, bo luiili of 
 
 ci'i b- work till od wit 1\ sl( mo. 'I'ho i-ribs imi.''l bo coiiHliurlod in tho nmsl «ubsianti;il 
 
 niannor of llio most siiitablo tinibor to lio louinl in tbo vicinity, oiilrtiib' tiniboi-h lo bo 
 
 ot loss than 12 inchos sinini-o, liovo-tailod at tho anglos, and p.-o|>oily pinnt«d witli 
 
 hardwood pin-' or r:it';-b()ll.s ot' iron, as tbo I'lni^iii'vr tna}" diiort; tbo 
 
 Abutment.^ and jj^^,^ ,,,.j.. ho of .siidablo r"und tiinbrr, dovtv'.ailud into f:i('t> liinbors aiiii 
 
 piers of crib work. . ,•' ,.„ i • .• i- ,- . , . , i 
 
 ' jnnnod. J ho slopni c laci.\-> ol tno culwatiir.s [■ piors niiiNt bo o; 
 
 squaro tinii)Cr laid with one side ii» tbo lino ot" lite rako ot iho ciitwalor, ami bo dovo- 
 toilod at anijjlca, tho two iaoos oCtbo ciitwatorrt will tbon boshoathod \\'itb liardwi-iui 
 plank 3 Inches thick, wollfa-itoni'd to ti)o crib-work with sjtiki-s of r.'iy bolt.-*. Tlio 
 wlioloof'tho abulinonts and piois to bo tinishod in aoooi-dani'c with tho j)lans anil to 
 tho satiBt'aolion ottho Kiigiiioor. 
 
 Rriiivo qnnpratriif. '^^- ^^'horo lIio circti instanoos of tho caso roquiro tho adoption nf 
 
 •■^ftl* t I'l 1 • '111 t ii ■ 
 
 lure ot wood. tunbor bridges, tboir siiporstruoluro will bo ot tbo most iinprovoU 
 
 JIowo TriisH pattorii, biult of pino, with Avhito oak koys, cast-iron 
 prirtmH and wrougld. iron rods, with iii>-sot ond.'f, tho wholo to bo tirsl-clu.ss nuitorial 
 and workmanship. Detail di-awingrt will bo prepared during tho jirogross of tlic 
 work, by the Enginoor, to suit oucb span or bridge, and lo whiob iho (..'ontractor 
 must work, Those bridges miisL bo oxi;ctitod in a thoroughly subslaniial and woik- 
 numliko manner, and shall bo ooinplotod in ovory roHpoct, except painting, wliicli 
 will not be included in tbo present contract. 
 
 Bridge superstruct- 43. Tho Govornmont rosorvos tho right to subsiitiito and furnisli 
 tare of iron. iron »ui)orstructiiros for bridges in lion of limber, and to take mhIi 
 
 steps as may be doomed host for plaoiug ilio same in position. In tho event of ilns 
 right being oxorcisod after tho (]!ontra>'toi' has incurred expense in itroouring soinr 1 1' 
 the limber, ho shali not bo entitled lo any compensation on accountof the substitiiiiiin 
 beyond tho valiio of the materia! furnishoHl una the labor ox[iondod thereon. 
 
 FOUNDATIO.NS. 
 
 44. Foundation pits must bo sunk to such doi^ths as the Enginoor 
 may doom prcjjor for tho sntet}' and permanency of fjio sti'uctuiv lo 
 
 Depth of pilB. 
 
 CotTer-dntus. may doom pre jjo 
 
 bo oroctod; tliey must, in ail cases bo sunk to such depths as will prevent the stnie- 
 
 turos being acted on by frost. The matci'ial excavated therefrom to bo doi>ositod in 
 
 embankment, unless tho Engineer directs othoi-wiso. For ordinary I'oundatiun, the 
 
 ICth clause is rel'orrod to. in the <'ado of piers in largo rivers or lake-., a special price 
 
 must be given in tho tenders for colFer-dams and all extra expense involved. 
 
 MASONKT. 
 
 giibstitme masonry 45. In order to prevent delay it will ho expedient generally lo 
 for timber work, ij^^jj^j ,jjp Htnicturos in tho first place of timber, but should, i'i k 
 Genoral character, practicable to insert striietiii'os of mnsonry at ono or moi'o places 
 without intorj'eiiiig with tho progress of the work, and it !ip|ie;irs 
 expedient to do so, tho Engineer ma}- bo authorizoil to substitute masonry forwoolon 
 structuros. In stxoh cases the work must bo of a subslaniial and pormaneni (diararicv. 
 
 and in ovory respect 0(pial lo the best description of masonry i 
 
 (1 normal 
 n Hailw!i 
 
 ly works, 
 
 When lo bo oom 
 meiiced. 
 
 -1(1. The masonry shall not be slarlod at any point bel'oro tlio 
 foundation ha> boon properly propaicd, nor until i( has been exaiuiuwl 
 aud approved by tho Enginoor, nor until the Contractor has provided a suilicioiil 
 
343 
 
 fmtoly iiisido ami on'. . 
 lo to bo cuvorod hy 
 
 liiri^or sti'OiHTiH In- 
 iim < iisos, lio Imilt of 
 llio must sulpHtarUi:il 
 •iilsiili' liiiilioi'h t(i ihi 
 i.('|i(.'ily |iiiiiu>ti \vii!i 
 \o.ev mi\y dirotU ; ilio 
 
 1 into face tirnboi's ami 
 I ■ |iiors inUM* 1)0 oi 
 iitwator, and bo duvo- 
 satliod witli lianlwcod 
 lis of rag bohd. Tho 
 illi Iho |>laiis and tn 
 
 iquiro tho adoption oi 
 tho most iiuprovivl 
 oak Icoyn, caht-ii'iiii 
 lO tirtil-(da,Ms material 
 tlio jirogroft-tj of the 
 whioli tho Contraclur 
 iubstaiilial and wiuk- 
 .ocpL paintiny, wliidi 
 
 ^ub,■^i,^tnt,o and furnish 
 
 )or, and lo luUo nucIi 
 In tho ovont of I Ins 
 in |)i'ocuring HOinr i.i' 
 
 nnt of ihoMubslituiiun 
 
 lod t hereon. 
 
 (juantity of projior matorials and plant to onablo tlio wnrlc to bo procoodod with regu- 
 larly and systomalically. 
 
 Stono. 47. Tho stone UHod in ail inanonry on tlio lino ol' nuhvay, must 
 
 1)0 ol'a duraliit! rhanutor, largo, woll pro])()rtionod and woll adaplod 
 for tlio constniclion o( Kubslantiil and pornianont striuduros. Parlits tondori.ig inusl 
 balisfy tlion\solvos as to whoro titling matorial lor tl^o masonry oan bo most coii- 
 vonioiitly pio'jurod. 
 
 Bridge miiHoary. 4S. liriJi/i: v)a\.mrij Mhall gonorally ho in n>g'il,ir c-onrso-i ol largo 
 
 vvoll-sliapOMi stono, laid on thoir natural hods, tho l"'ds and vortical 
 joints will ho hamnior-drossod, so as to form (puirtor-ini'h joints. Tho vortioal joints 
 will bo drossod back ^qnaro '.i inchos, tho hods will i)o ctrossod ])orloclly parallel 
 lliroughout. Tho work v. ill lie loll with iho " 'pnirry I'aoo " oxtopL tho ontsido arrisos, 
 striiigH and coping, whi(di will bo oliif-ol-d)'ossod. 
 
 Courses. .p.i. Tho loursos will not be Iohh than twolvo intdies, and they 
 
 will bo arranged in projiaring tho plans to suit tho nature of Iho 
 qinirrios, courses may range up to M inohos, and tlu' thinnest eoursos invariably bo 
 placed towards the toj) ol' tho woik. 
 
 Ifoaili !'d iiiiii 
 streiclii'rs. 
 
 50. Headers will be built in ovory ooni-so not farther apart than 
 t) feet, (hoy will have a length in lino of wall of not loss than 24 
 inches, and they must rnn back at least throe times their height, uidoss when tho 
 wall will not allow this jiroportion, in which ease they will ])ass llirongh from front 
 to back. Htretohois will havj a minimum length in lino of wall of .'!(> inches, and 
 tl.oir breadth of bod will at least lio H times their height. Tiie voilical joinlH in each 
 cour'^e must be arranged so us to overlap th \so oi tho eourso i>elow |0 inches at least.. 
 Tho above dimensions aio for minimnm courses <if lli inches, the pi'oportion will be 
 tho same lor thicker coursfia. 
 
 Quoins. 51. Tho quoins of abutments, piers, itc, sliall Ik; i)f the best and 
 
 largest stones, and have chi.-el drafts.. proj)crly tooled on tho upright 
 
 arris, from two lo six itudios wide, according to the si/,e and characlor of the structure. 
 
 ?j)ths as the Engineer 
 >' 'f tho structure to 
 1 prevent the striic- 
 im to be de|>ositoi.l in 
 nary foundation, iho 
 r lakc^, a spi'cial |)rico 
 ISO involved. 
 
 :pe(lient gonorally lo 
 her, but should, it ho 
 t one or moie placos 
 Yorlc, and it iipiio.'U'.s 
 e masonry forwoolon 
 pormaneni charaeior, 
 Railway woiks. 
 
 iiiiy point befbro tho 
 1 it has l)e<'n exiiniiuwl 
 provided u suiliejeiil 
 
 Copinf^ .")2. Co)>ing stones, string coui'sos and cut-waters shall be \ieatly 
 
 dressed in accordance with the jdans and diroelidTis to be furnished 
 during tho progress of the work. 
 
 Bod stones for gir- f)-}. The bed slonos for giider-i shall he the host descrij)lion of 
 '"• sound stone, free li'oni diys or Haws of .'oiy kind, they musi he not 
 
 loss than 12 iTichoH in depth ti)r tho sm.'iller briilges, and eight loot superficial areii 
 on tho bod. Tho larger bridges will require bed stones ol proi)oi'tionatoly greater 
 weight; those slonos shall ho solidly and cai'ofully placed in position, so that tho 
 brulgo will sit fair on tho middle of the stiuios. 
 
 Backiug and bond. 54. The backing will consist of flat-liedded stone, well shaped, 
 
 iUiving an area of bed ecpaal to finir su|ierlicial feet or more. Mxcopt 
 in high piers or aliulments, two thicknesses of backing stone, but not mori", will bo 
 allowed in each course, and their joiniH must not exceed that of the face work. h\ 
 8i)ecial cases, whore di;omed nceoHsary by the Kngineer, lo insure slability, the back- 
 ing shall bo ill one thickness; the hods mu;.l, if necessary, be seahhled olf, so as to 
 give a solid bearing. No pinning will be u<iinilted. Hetween the backing and faoo 
 stones there must ho a good square joint, not exc(!ediiig one inch in width, and tho 
 face stones must he scahl)lod olT lo 'illow this. In walls over thi'oe feci in thickness, 
 headers will he built in front and back ulU'rnatcly, and great care niu.st he taken in 
 tho urrungement of tho joints so as to give |)erlect bond. 
 
344 
 
 Culvert masonry. 55. Culvert Masonry shall be built ot good, sound, largo flat- 
 
 Uon.'"^* ^**''^'^" lodded stomw, laid in iiori/.ontal bcd.s. It may be known as Jfandom 
 or bruken ooursod woi'k. Tlio f^lontM employed in ihiH class of 
 masonry will generally be not less in ai-ea of l)od tlion tbreo Huperfifial feet, nor lo.f.s 
 in thickness than ei^ht inches, and ihoy must be hammer dressed so as to give gooti 
 beds with Iialf-incb joints. In smaller structures, and in ca-^os where stono« of good 
 size and thickness cannot be had, they may, il in other respects suitable, bo admitted 
 as thin as live inches. All stones must be laid in their natural beds. 
 
 Headers and 
 
 strctcht-ra. 
 
 5f). Headers shall bo built in the svall, from front and back 
 nltcrnatelj', at lca>-t one in every live feofc in line of wall, and 
 frecfuently in the rise ol' wall. In tiie smallest structures headers shall not bo less than 
 twenty-four inches in length, and the minimum bod allowed for stretchers shall be 
 twelve inches. In II10 larger structures all stones must bo heavier in proportion. 
 Ever}- attention must be paid to pi-oduco a perfe(;t bond, and to give the whole a 
 strong, neat, workmanlike finish. 
 
 Coping and cover- 57. Wing walls will generally bo finished with stops, formed of 
 *"^' sound, durable stono, and not less th.-m from 10 to 12 inches thick, 
 
 and 6 feet supc^rficial area, other walls will be covered with coping of a similar thick- 
 ness, and of seven feet or upwards, superticial area. These coverings will be neatly 
 dr(^sscd Avhen required, ajid as may bo directed. Tho walls of the box culverts will 
 be rinished with stones the full thickness of wall, and tho covers will be from 10 to 
 15 inches thick, according to the span ; they must have a hearing of at least 12 inches 
 on each wall, and they must be fitted sufficiently close together to prevent tho earth 
 from falling through. 
 
 Arches, 10 feet span h^.^Arches of 10 feet Span and upwar<U will be constructed of 
 and upwards. stones cut so that when laid, their beds will radiate truly from tho 
 centre of the circle, the depth of stones will of course vary with tho span, but will 
 never r -ccod 30 inches, they must not bo less in length than 21" inches and they must 
 bieak joint 10 inches ; their thickness on the soffit must bo at least 9 inches, and it 
 will bo drossLu to the circle. All the stones must bedressed to the full depth of bed so as 
 to give truly radiated joints Irom -^^ to \ inch, they must be set without pinning of 
 any kind and the end joints must be jiroporly squared. Each stone to bo full bedded 
 in cement, and each course afterwards thoroughly grouted. The outer ring stones 
 te be neatly worked with a chisel draft around their edges. 
 
 Arches, 8 feet span 5<). Archcs of S feet span and wider]nhii]\ bo constructed of suitable 
 and under. flat-bedded stones ranging accoi-ding to the span from 16 to24inches 
 
 deep and with a minimum length of from 16 to 24 inches, and 5 to inches in thick- 
 ness on the soffit; they must invariably extend through tho entire thickness of the 
 arch. E;ich stone to bo well and closely lifted so as to give half inch joints and to 
 break joints with its fellow 7 to !» inches. Tho whole must bo laid in thin mm-tarand 
 each course must bo wol! grouted immediately after being laid. Tho outer arch stones 
 to be as nearly uniform in depth as possible, of large size and neatlj- incorporated 
 with tho ])orpondicular face of the masoniy. The kev stones to be 10 oi' 12 indies 
 on the soffit, to have a chisel draft around their edges, and to project beyond the 
 face of the wall 2 or ,3 inches. 
 
 Cement to be used. tJO, All arches shall bo built in cement, and before being covered 
 with earth or the centering i-emoved they must bo thoroughly 
 flushed on the back, levelled up and rounded to a moderately oven and smootli 
 surface with tho same material. 
 
 Cenierin)?. 61. Centres of arches must in all cases be well formed, of ample 
 
 strength, securely placed in position, and in every respect to tho 
 
 satisfaction of the Engineer. The ribs must not bo placed farther apart than throe 
 
345 
 
 sound, largo flat- 
 known as IJandom 
 1 in this (.'lass of 
 ■flf'ial f'oet, nor Iok.s 
 
 so as to give .i^ood 
 ere istonc^'i of good 
 litablo, bo admittod 
 Ih. 
 
 ra front and back 
 lim- of wall, and 
 ball not bo Iohh than 
 rttrotchcrri shall bo 
 riei- in proportion, 
 give the whole a 
 
 h stops, formed of 
 » 12 inches thick, 
 [^ of a similar thiok- 
 ngs will bo neatly 
 
 box culverts will 
 will be from 10 to 
 of at leaet 12incheH 
 
 prevent tho earth 
 
 bo constructed of 
 ito truly from tho 
 tho span, but will 
 hoB and they must 
 ist 9 inches, and it 
 I depth of bed so as 
 '^ithout pinning of 
 to bo full bedded 
 
 outer ring stones 
 
 tructod of suitable 
 ora 16 to 24 inches 
 
 6 inches in thick- 
 thioknoss of liic 
 
 nc'h joints and to 
 
 n thin mortar and 
 outer arch stones 
 
 atly incoi'poratcd 
 bo 10 or 12 inches 
 
 qjoct beyond the 
 
 )ro being covered 
 't bo thoroughly 
 iven and smooth 
 
 'ormod, of amplo 
 respect to tho 
 xpart than throe 
 
 I'eot in any (tase. Tho laggings ,-iiall bo out to a scantling of tiree inches square. 
 Tho supports of ceritros siiail be Mibstantial and W>-II c.Mistructed, and thoy must ho 
 provided with projjor wedges tor e!i.-.ing centres when leijiiiioil. 
 
 62. Structures having more than one uicli shall be ])n)viilcd with as many contre.s 
 as the Engineer may deem proper, and in no case shall tlie centres bo struck withuut 
 his sanction. 
 
 Cent«riut/' and 
 0catl'uldiu(;. 
 
 Paving. 
 
 63. Centering and scaffi'lding of all kinds .shall be provided by 
 the Contractor, and tho cosL included in the price for ma:ioniy. 
 
 64. Tho bottoms ol culverts \vill be jjavcd with stones sot on edge, 
 to a modenitclj- even face, iiacked sjlid, the intorstici'S bvii::g al-<> well 
 
 packed. Tho i)aving will W, honi 12 to Itj inches dee)), 
 
 Dry Masonry. 65. .Masonry shall ini formed '//i/ur /'»///« «i.'>''^/r as circumstances 
 
 may determine. In --//•?/ inasoi\ry special regard must- be paid to tho 
 stone being mai.:sive and well proportioned, 
 
 66. Mortar .shall boot Hydraulic iimo or cemont, and common 
 
 Mot tar. 
 Cement. 
 
 lime. 
 
 67. Hydraulic liiuc mortar will lie ii^oti unlos,'- otherwise directed 
 in buikling all nia.>oiir3', from the loiiii'laiions up to a lino two foot 
 above tho ordinary Kn-el of tho stream. It will lie used also in turning arches, 
 in laying girder beds, coping, covering of walls j.eiicrall}-, in lii^ping 
 and in pointing. Tho hydraulic lime or cement must bo fresh grnmid, of the best 
 brand, and it, must be delivei(!d on the ground, .■uid kept till used, in good ortlor. 
 Before being used, satisfactory proof must bt; utlordeLl tiio lilngineer of its hydraulic 
 properties, as no inferior cement will be allowed. 
 
 Common limn. (jg. Common lime mortar must be made of the best common lime 
 
 and wil! bo omjilo^'od in all masonry (exco])t drj) whore cenienl is not 
 directed to bo used. 
 
 Mortar, how made. 60. Both coment and lime must bo thoroughly incorporated with 
 approved proportions of clean lame-grained shai-]) sand. The general 
 proitortions may DO one part of iimo to two part^: of sand, bui this may l)c varied 
 according to the quality of tho lime or cement, ilortar will be only made as required, 
 and it must bo j)rej)ared and used under the immediate direction atid to tlie satisfaction 
 ol an Inspector, by the Conirtietui-'s mon, f.iJl.ng which tiie Inspecior may ein])li)y 
 other men to prepare the mortar, and any e.\[i'jnso incurred tliereby shall be Ipoimio 
 by the Contractor, (rrout shall be tormed by adding a sufliciont quamiiyol' water to 
 well tempered and well proportioned mortar. 
 
 Grouting. >]{), When raortar is usod, every stone must be sot in a full bed 
 
 and beaten solid ; the vortical joints mn-^t bo ilusbed up solid, and every 
 course must boporfectl}' level and thor^'iighly grouted. 
 
 Lipping. 71. In all wails built in eoiunioii lime, the exposed faces will have 
 
 a four-inch lapping of cement. 
 
 Poiuting and pro- 72. AW laa.sonr,,- musl I'O neatly and skilfullv pointed, but ifdono 
 
 tection lu ft-intor. ^^jjl^ ,,j. ^j,,.j^j^,^^ ^j|. -J. j.|,iiii^ .jijy o],\nH' eau-e n may ivijiiire repointing 
 
 before tho the oxpiratiou of the conirai t, the Contractor miist make good and complete 
 tho same at his own cost. Woi'k left unlinishod in thoautiimn must be projjerl}' pro- 
 tected during tho winter by the Contractor, at his risk and co.st. 
 
 Puddle wall. 7;j. A pudiUo-wall, at bast two foet thick, extending from end to 
 
 end of the masoniy, and from the b.'toni to the top must be msido 
 between the back of the «lry masonry and the euibarikment. 
 
846 
 
 Punning ami fill- 74. A.ftor the masonry of u btnictiiro lui-i loon complotod for a 
 '"*• pei'idil of four or (ivo vv(M}k^<, the li.>imiiti(n of tliooniliftiiixmcntaroiui'l 
 
 it niiiy bo jirooccli'tl willi. Tln'caith iiuHt l)o c;in«l'iilly |>iuuic«l in tliin layiMSiirounil 
 tlu- walls, unci in tlii-* inannor tlio tillinj^ niiisi ho t'airitHJ iiji -inuiltanooiisly on Imtli 
 sidi'M. Tii( (!t>ii!ra<l"i' 11111.4 bn i-xlivnuily caivl'ii! in tmrnini; tin- oinliaiilvnient^ aroiiu.l 
 Ciilvorts ami in'iii^us as Iio will he licM lial'ie fov iiuy 'latnamH to tlio stiuctiiros th;.; 
 ma}- ari^o. The ])iiiininL,' must lio (.'aretiilly atloM'U'il (., ami tliu wli ijo tilling inu.^i 
 invariably Iiodono in iinit'orin courses Irnni the bolloni tn the top of tlio enibankment, 
 without loading ono side of tlio masonry inoi'o than another. 
 
 'I'liACIx LAVL\(i .\Nl) l;ALLASTINtJ. 
 
 75. The work ot Track-laying and Hallastiu'j,- will cmbraee .dl ontrii'os, ears, and 
 iilant, (unless ((therwiso provided in the eoritraet ), and all labor and tools required I'nv 
 l<^adin^^ nnloailing and disti'ibutina; rai.-, Joint-iast,enini:(s. sjiikes, ji oints and eroshini^s, 
 and .-leepor^ or CKi.NS tic- ; la^iuLj, lillinif. eeiitieini;-, linim;,- and surlaeinj^ tho track; 
 also, fnr inakiiij;' luads i.> ballast j)its and layin,:;' .all servi' «■ Iratks, for i^ei.tiu;,', 
 loading and luiloading the ballast, ph-uMtig tiio >ame in the road bod and trimniini,' 
 ilu|). At the close of the contract an)' engines and plaltitrrn oars which may bo con- 
 sidered by the Kngiueor lit for further uso, may bo transtorred to tho (Jovernmont on 
 the valuation of the ilngineer. 
 
 Maicrinl furnished 7(1. The <i<.vernment will furnish to iho Contractor rails, joiiii 
 
 •y Ooveriiraxnt. lii^tenings, spikes, jKiints and crossings, switch gear, and switch 
 frainof, 
 
 TRACK-LAyiNO. 
 
 Distribution of 
 maleriiil. 
 
 77. The rails, joint-fastenings, spikes, points, and crossings, switch 
 gear and frames, will be delivei'od by the iJovernnient to the Con- 
 tractor at places to be indicated, irom whence they .-.hall bo distributed by Ihe 
 Coi\ti actor. 
 
 Track-laying. 78, Track-laying shall include tl;0 supplynig, furnishing and lay- 
 
 ing ])lank, including s))ikcs for tho .same, on public and private road 
 ci'ossiiigs, distril.Mifing rails, rail fastenings, sjiikos, j)oints and crossings, ties, laying 
 the same "u main track and sidings, and centreii. -, lining and .surfacing. Truck- 
 laying will bo piiid for by the lineal mile of SjJSO . <•* 
 
 Gauge. 7,0. The rails shall bo laid to a gauge of 4 toot S?t inches clenr 
 
 beiwoen tho rails, and they shall be well and carefully fast<!ned at tlu 
 ji'iuts, which must be near a.s possible opposite each other and on the same tie ; special 
 care must bo taken at points and crossings to iiave the rails laid to a tight gauge, tht' 
 rails must be full spiked and on > urvos the outer rail shall be elevated (unle.s.solheruiM 
 (lirectodi, according to tho degreo ofcMuvaiuro a.- follows, tliat Is to say, on ono degicc 
 curvcB <M)5 foot, on two degree curves O.lll loot, ' n three 'tegreo curves O.lo feet, and 
 on four degroo curves O.'.O feet. Tho rails shall bo handled with great care, and liet()i'e 
 being run over ly cither er.gine or cars, shall be full sicepered and surfaced, Rverv 
 
 Iii'ccuutionsUal! bo taken to prevent thoiii getung bent during the progress of the 
 luilasiing. 
 
 Sleepers. S''- The sleojiers or cross-tics must bo of apjiroved .sound tin-.bf; 
 
 smoothly bewu, free from all score-hacks, ;ind chopped or sawn sqiuirc 
 at the oTuks, 8 feet long, llatted on two opposite sidjs to a unitbrm thickness of .sis 
 inches, th'> tiatttd surface being not loss than six inches, on cither side, at the small 
 end. They must be jdaced as ncaily as possible at uniform disiancos a])art, and at 
 right angles lo the rails, in such a •naiiner that about twonty-livo yior cent, of the 
 length of iho rail shall havi' a bearing upon the surface of the sleopors. "Joint 
 
 
J4'7 
 
 loon coin|)lotoii for a 
 lioumliaiiUnu'tituiMiiiiil 
 vl ill lliin layorsarouiiil 
 miiltaiioously on botl, 
 n'oinliaiilvineiit^ iiroiuhl 
 
 to tho stllH-tU|-OM lh;i! 
 
 10 wli ilo lining mu.^i 
 '[> of tlio ombaiikmeiit, 
 
 J nil en-jririos, cars, and 
 ■ aikl t.iols roqiiin;i.l for 
 •', |> )iiith and ci'osm'iii^s, 
 .■^ll^laoillg (ho track; 
 I tfrtfks, for i^oitin;,', 
 oad lioii and iritamiiii,' 
 irs whii'li may Ko i-i'ii. 
 to tlio Govcrumonl on 
 
 \intractor rails, joim 
 itch gear, and swilcli 
 
 S and crosMJngy.switcli 
 urnnioiit to tho Con- 
 diatriliutod by Iho 
 
 :;, furnishing and lay- 
 blic and private roa.i 
 rossings, tios, iayiitir 
 
 id 
 
 ■iurtncing. 
 
 Track- 
 
 toot 8J inches clenr 
 
 cfiilly fastcnei at tli. 
 
 I be humo tic ; t^peci;;! 
 
 to a tight gauge, the 
 
 ited (unless ollioru isc 
 
 10 say, on one degicc 
 
 curves O.l,") foot, .•iiid 
 
 L^roat care, and liel()re 
 
 md surfaced. Rvcry 
 
 tho progress of the 
 
 iroved sound timboj , 
 ■ppcd or sawnsqiKirc 
 m thickness of sis 
 jr side, at tho snmll 
 uncos a])art, and at 
 vo per cent, of tho 
 10 sleepers. "Joint 
 
 .-•ioepcrs " must have lioth an upjior and under siirfiico bearing, at tiioir smullost end, 
 ot at leant eight inches. 
 
 wSIfepers unrler 81. When tho .Sleepers are provided iin lor a separate cotitract 
 
 jepftratecoDtracl. ,-,,,,,„ j],^. Track-laying' ai-d Halla. ting, i he Contractor lor tho latlor 
 ■.ball take delivery of tlioui, in the position and at the points in which they aro 
 received Ly the (iovcrninonl hispclors. 
 
 diJings. S2. The Coiitractoi - shall lay all sidmg-i and put in iJI points and 
 
 crossing.'* coniploto, embracing wing and jack rails, head blocks, 
 switch antl .sigtial frames, and gearing. 
 
 Conlrttctors res- S;{. The Contr.utors .shall remove from the track and straighten 
 
 [iiiisil'ls to:- iim- iiil hunt and daiiiiii'ed rail-, and maKc- ijood all inniric- done bebjie 
 ttnuld turni3tnd , .■ \i . i i r ?■ ,i u i i ii 
 
 by UoTornment. ''"' 'A'"i'ks arc nn:illy accepted; and liirtuor, lliey will I'C hold respon- 
 sible lor all maioriais provided lor them, uid give u receipt for Uie sumo 
 upon Uvking delivery. 
 
 BALLASTINU. 
 
 BHllast pita. 
 
 8d. Tho land for ballast pits and approaches thereto will bo 
 lurnslied by the Government and approved by tho Kngineor. In 
 solocting land for the purpose, a profeioiae will always be given to those points 
 whore tho best matoi'iul can bo procured, having <lue regard to tho convenience of 
 the Contractors. Durii.g the working of any pit, should the material be foun<l unfit 
 lor ballasting, tho luigincer shall have power to compel tho Contractors to close 
 such pits and open others. 
 
 Distribution of So. The .surface of I'all.isl pits shall be strijijjcd of sod whore 
 
 u",'!'*^,! '"' ""'' such exists, and no material whatever shall bo placed on the road-bed 
 " ' but good clean gravel, free from earth, clay, loam or loamy i-i'nd ; no 
 
 large stones shall be allowed. The maximum size of gravel mii.st not be greater in 
 diameter than three inclic.-. In unloading the ballast, the train must ijc kept work- 
 ing to and fro so as to ibi'roughly mix the dill'eront ((ualitios of ballast, until a 
 ;,ullicient (plant ity i.-^ deposited for the lirst "lift." Tho track must thou be raised 
 so that there will bo un average do|ith of six inches beneath the .Je^pors, and tho 
 ballast must be well beaten .ind packed under and around thoui. As the raising pro- 
 <'Ocds, the end of the iifi .shall extend ovor n.)t less than lliroe rail length*, and 
 before trains aro aliowcl 'o pas^ over the incliuoi.l jtortion of iho tracd<, it must be 
 niailo sulltciouliy Sv lid to prevent bonding the rails, or twisting the rail-Joints. After 
 the lift, the track shall be centred, line.!, topped, surfaced and trimmed oil' to u propel 
 form and width. 
 
 Full hiillaHt. 80. In the event ol full ballasting being required, a second 
 
 "lift" must bo made, in the same manner and willi the same pre- 
 cautions as reijuirotl lor the tii'st ' lif'i,' m order ti.i scuro a unifoini thiclviiess 
 of 12 inches under the sleepers. In wet cultings tho Kngineor shall have power 
 to direct a greater Ihicknes.-. of balla.-L, siiould it bo doomed necessary. 
 
 87. ^Vb.-!novel■ the work Is suftit iently advanced to admit of trains using tho 
 line for Puiilic Traffic, it will be in the power of the tiovernnient to regulate the run- 
 ning of all trains, .so as to ensure safety and interfere as littlo us jiossiblo with tho 
 traflic. 
 
 Pulilic and prirato 8S. Tho Contractors shall keep all public and private road cros- 
 wad cros3inj?3. sings in a safe and sorviioable condition during the progress of tho 
 work, leaving them well and properly planked insid':* and outside oi the rails, as may 
 bo directed by the I'iiiginoer, and gravelled to a depth of at least ton inches for a dis- 
 tance of fifty feet on both sides of the truck. 
 
318 
 
 Completed track, 89 Tho track shall bo loft by the Contractor.s Avith everything 
 
 cornplote, and well siirhiccd. Tlio ballast hIkiII be dressed oft" to tho 
 ionn ro(|uirod, and tlio wliolo siuiU bo cxouutod aceuidiuy V> the direction and to the 
 appro a 1 of the (.'hiof Engineer, or othur officer duly appointed. 
 
 Maunei- of pay- <H). The Contractor Hhall be paid by the cubic yard for all balhiHl 
 
 ™*"** put into the track-, tho incasureniont to be made in tho pit or excava- 
 
 tion, and the price per cubic yard to cover the cost of laying' tracks to the pit, 8lrip- 
 jiing tht^ !jjround, excavating, liandiing, liauling, putting the ballast on the road-bed, 
 and neatly trimming it otf to the proper form. 
 
 MISOELLANiiOUS. 
 
 Day's labor work. 
 
 lU. If Ray wojk or service bo required to bo done, which, in the 
 opinion of the Enf^inoer, does not come within the ( 'ass of work to 
 
 be measured under the contract, he shall bo at liberty to direct th*. Contractor to 
 perform the sumo by day's labor, anil the CJontmctor, when required by him, shall 
 Hup])Iy such force as the Engineer may direct, and tho Contractor shall perform such 
 work, and he shall bo paid tho reasonable and actual wages of such force as iuscor- 
 tained by time-keeper and pay-sheet, together with fifteen per cent, for tho uso of 
 tools and profit. The Engineer shall be at liberty to discharge any bad or unsuitable 
 workmen who may bo placed at. day's labor woik, and the work so performed shall 
 bo subject to his approval before payment thereof. 
 
 Acceptance of 
 tenders. 
 
 92. No Tender will be entertainer! unless on one of the printed 
 forms ])repared for tho purpose, and with the Schedule of Quantities 
 therein correctly priced and accui-atoly moneyed out; nor unless an accepted Bank 
 Cheque, or othei' available security of such amount a.>* maj'^ he required, accompanies 
 tho Tender, which shall be forfeitoii if the party and sureties tendering decline or fail 
 to enter into the Contract; for the works and Sureties' Indenture whoa called ujwn to 
 do so, upon tho t»!Dder being accepted. In tho event of u tender not being accepted, 
 the Cheque or other security will be returned. 
 
 Deposit. «)3. For the due fulfilment of tho contract, satisfactory sociUMly 
 
 will be required, either by dejwsit of money, or its equivalent value 
 al current rates of public securities, or bank htoik, to the amount of five per cent, 
 on the i)ulk sum ol' ihe contract, of which tho .sum sent in with the Tender will be 
 considered a part, or by such other security as tho Minister of Public Works, for tho 
 time being, of the Dominion of Canada, may ap])r"vo of; and all costs and expenses 
 incurred in respect of any security otlered by tho Contractor, whether in investi- 
 gating the title of same, jiroparing instruments, obtaining valuation or otherwise, 
 shall be paid by the Contractor, whether such seciirit}' bo approved of or not. 
 
 .Sureties. <)4. 'jVt each tender must bo attached the usual signatures of two 
 
 responsible and solvent poisons, residents of tho Dominion, willing to 
 1)ecomo sureties tor the carry iiig out of the contract. 
 
 Contract. ;i5. 'p|,,. person oi' persons whose teiulor is accepted shall execuic 
 
 Siiretie'a iudon- at <.ince a coiitra(^t under seal, similar in its proviai(ms to the form ol 
 '"''^' Indenture hereto aniicxed, and it will be asMimeil that jnirtios tender- 
 
 TiiDo. ing have made tliemselvos perfectly familiar with its contents ; and 
 
 further, may contain such special provisions as the Minister of Public Works for the 
 Dominioii of Canada may ileicrmine, and the; surely or Miieties tor the Ojntraclor 
 shall also execute at tho same time an Indenture similar in its provisions to the form ot' 
 Sureties' luHenturo annexed to tho said form of Contract, and containing .^juch special 
 provisions as the said Minister may determine. 
 
848 
 
 toi'H Avith ovorj-thinq 
 
 1 be di-OHHecl oft" to tho 
 
 direction and to the 
 
 ic yard for all bailiiKt 
 in tho pit or excava- 
 iicks to the pit, 8trip- 
 'Mt on tho road-bod, 
 
 96. Tho works arc to be commonccd and proceeded with us soon as practicable 
 after tho person or persona whose " Tender " may be accepted, shall have entered 
 into the contract. 
 
 Canadian Pactfic Railway Office, 
 
 * Depautment of i'i:nLX(3 Works, 
 
 OiTAWA, 30th November, 1878. 
 
 SANPFORD FLEMING, 
 
 En(jitui'r-in-Chief. 
 
 ) done, which, in the 
 the ( 'ass of work to 
 oct tin. Contractor to 
 Hired by him, shall 
 )r sliall perform such 
 r such force as asccr- 
 cent. for tho uso of 
 my bad or unsuitable 
 k so performed shall 
 
 The foreKOing 18 the General bpecification and Form of Contract adopted in November, 1878. 
 The Department of Public Works was then undivided. Since Ut October, 1879, when a division of 
 the Department look place, tho words " Railways and Uanala " have been substituted for " Public 
 Works," wherever they occur. 
 
 one of tho printed 
 iodulo of Quantities 
 *s an accepted Bank 
 quired, accompanies 
 loring decline or fail 
 when called U])on to 
 not being accepted, 
 
 satisfactory security 
 ts equivalent value 
 Lint of five per cent, 
 ithe Tender will be 
 ubiic Works, for tho 
 costs and expenses 
 wiiother in invosti- 
 ation or otherwise, 
 3d of or not. 
 
 il signatures of two 
 dominion, willing to 
 
 ccpted shall oxeculc 
 ions to IJio form of 
 that partie-< tender- 
 h its contents ; and 
 iblic Works for the 
 I tor tho Ojntractor 
 i'liotis (,) the form of 
 tuiiiing .-^uch spouial 
 
360 
 
 APPENDIX No. 22. 
 
 LIST Of CONTRACTS ANH SUMMARY OF PAYMENTS MADE ON ACCOUNT OP WORK DONE UP 
 TO 31.ST i-EOEMBEK, 1879, AND APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE OF EXPENDITURE INVOLVED. 
 
 Ct3. 
 
 146,020 00 
 197,363 00 
 413,217 00 
 268,060 00 
 208,163 00 
 161,124 97 
 280,568 7t; 
 254,177 08 
 1,065,842 29 
 
 305,581 (58 
 
 265,052 36 
 41,000 00 
 
 313,200 87 
 18,778 (M 
 
 110,000 on 
 
 2,525,000 00 
 
 1,440,000 00 
 
 51,402 W 
 
 218,550 00 
 
 1,600 00 
 
 67,120 2rt 
 
 8,782 U 
 
 ■ •••I ••*«(IIM X 
 
351 
 
 .SuMMART of Payments made on account of Work done up to 31rtt Decombor, 187i3, 
 &Q. — Caiiudiau Pacific Pailway — Continwd. 
 
 [T OF WOaiC DONE UP 
 JITUUE INVOLVED. 
 
 Paid, i 
 
 I CtB. 
 100 49 
 ,766 55 
 ,900 00 
 ,025 82 
 ,1(33 00 
 ,800 00 
 ,568 76 
 177 08 
 S42 29 
 
 ,581 88 
 
 ,052 36 
 ,000 00 
 .200 87 
 ,f78 64 
 ,480 00 
 ,730 00 
 ,210 00 
 ,715 OU 
 ,402 06 
 ,928 24 
 ,600 00 
 ,126 28 
 
 ,;si II 
 981 33 
 
 Probable 
 Amount 
 inTolTed. 
 
 $ Ota. 
 146,020 00 
 197,353 00 
 413,217 00 
 268,060 GO 
 208,163 00 
 161,124 97 
 280,558 76 
 264,177 08 
 1,066,842 29 
 
 305,581 (38 
 
 265,052 36 
 
 41,000 00 
 
 313,200 87 
 
 110,000 00 
 
 2,525,000 MU 
 
 1,440,000 00 
 
 51,462 W 
 
 218,550 00 
 
 1,600 00 
 
 67,120 2H 
 
 1 8,782 11 
 
 1 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Nanios oFConiructors. 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 32 
 
 32a 
 
 33 
 
 34 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 
 37 
 
 38 
 
 39 
 
 40 
 
 •11 
 
 42 
 
 43 
 
 44 
 
 46 
 
 40 
 
 47 
 
 48 
 
 Brought forwiird , 
 
 llulcomb k fatcvrart 
 
 Siflon >i Ward 
 
 Oliver, Oaridson k Co 
 
 Purctll k Ryiin 
 
 James Isbester 
 
 Merchanta' Laki; and River Steanisliip Co. 
 
 Red River Transportation Co 
 
 Cooper, Fiiirman k Co 
 
 Robb b Co 
 
 Patent Bolt and Nut Co 
 
 Cooper, Fairraan iSc Co 
 
 LeMay i Blair 
 
 Kavanagb, Murphy A Upper 
 
 North-West Tran8]iortaiion Co 
 
 Cooper, Fairman k Co 
 
 William Robinsou 
 
 rieney, Charlebois & Flood 
 
 IJdmond Ingalls 
 
 John Irving 
 
 Ooulu, Murphy k Upper 
 
 Purcell A Co 
 
 Manning, Macdonald, McLaren k Co. ...... 
 
 Joseph Upper A Co 
 
 West Cumberland [.on and Steel Co 
 
 Barrow Hitmatitc Steel Co 
 
 Ebbw Vale Steel, Irof and Coal Co 
 
 Patent Bolt and Nut Co 
 
 John Ryan 
 
 Amount paid. 
 
 $ cts. 
 6,849,981 33 
 
 5,850 00 
 
 14,618 14 
 
 3,52.') 10 
 
 1,346,100 00 
 
 35,431 00 
 
 89,060 00 
 
 Probable 
 Amount 
 involved. 
 
 * cts. 
 
 6,860 00 
 14,648 14 
 
 3,526 10 
 
 1,400,000 00 
 
 35,431 00 
 
 89,060 OO 
 
 f,«32 90 
 16,160 00 
 
 6,800 69 
 
 13,737 M 
 
 17,730 45 
 
 91,600 00 
 
 110,400 44 
 
 23,880 00 
 
 56,700 92 
 
 11,000 00 
 :VI56 85 
 9,660 00 
 
 24,G0O 00 
 445,300 00 
 
 90,100 00 
 
 8,532 90 
 
 16,160 00 
 
 6,800 69 
 
 13,737 60 
 
 17,7.30 45 
 
 202,652 50 
 
 110,400 44 
 
 23,880 00 
 
 69,494 92 
 
 3,456 85 
 
 33,785 00 
 2,300,196 CO 
 4,130,707 0(1 
 
 123—23 
 
 Carriml lorwuiil 
 
 50,004 74 
 
 50,004 74 
 
 3V,844 CO 
 
 37,844 5'J 
 
 37,072 28 
 
 37,972 28 
 
 2,277 60 
 
 2,U9 71 
 
 12,030 00 
 
 600,500 00 
 
 9,420,314 ;i3 
 
V 
 
 352 
 
 Summary nf Paymenls niiulo <m account of Work dono up to 81^1 Dccorabui-, \8Ti, 
 kv,. — Canadian Pacific Kailwav — V<mtihu<d. 
 
 a 
 o 
 O 
 
 o 
 55 
 
 49 
 60 
 61 
 62 
 63 
 B4 
 65 
 6C 
 67 
 68 
 69 
 60 
 (U 
 C2 
 C3 
 01 
 65 
 
 m 
 
 (17 
 
 Names of Contrnctors. 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 Richard Dickson 
 
 Miller Brothers i Mitclicll 
 
 Douiiniuu Bolt. Co.. 
 
 North- West Transportation "■ 
 
 Barrow Ho-matito Steel Co 1 
 
 Guest* Co \ 
 
 West Cumberland Iron and Hteel Co J 
 
 Kelloffff Bridgo Co 
 
 Truro Patent Frog Co 
 
 W. ElazleLurst 
 
 Whitehead, Ruttan k Ryan 
 
 Andrew Ondcrdonk 
 
 Rj-an, Goodwin k Co 
 
 Andrew Gaderdonk 
 
 Andrew Gaderdouk 
 
 Ryan, Whitehead & Ruttan 
 
 James Crossen 
 
 Bowie * .McNanghtou 
 
 Monclon Cur Co 
 
 UnJiT Contracts 
 
 Kxi'KNI.iirUllK .SOT I'NDKR CoNTllACT. 
 
 Rxidorationa and surveys. 
 
 EoginecrinR, and suinrvision of construdion . 
 
 Fort Francis Lo k 
 
 Red River Route 
 
 .Misoelianco'is iiHymcuis 
 
 Amount [mid. 
 
 I 
 
 Total 814,287,824 
 
 S* eta. 
 9,420,344 53 
 
 l;!,050 00 
 
 :!5,42o 00 
 
 2,062 Oil 
 
 \.\(m 00 
 
 9,180,56)! 03 
 
 3,119,017 79 
 
 993,004 00 
 
 289,028 51 
 
 22,995 27 
 
 370,r.22 41 
 
 Frohnble 
 Anio\iut 
 iuvolvc-d. 
 
 cts. 
 
 16,006 20 
 
 33,425 00 
 
 2,062 EO 
 
 24,0011 00 
 
 882,500 00 
 
 2,5i;o 00 
 
 12,000 00 
 
 6,096 (10 
 
 27,700 00 
 
 2,727,300 00 
 
 2,573,640 UO 
 
 2,056,950 01) 
 
 1,746,150 00 
 
 7,350 00 
 
 25,500 0(1 
 
 438,014 no 
 
 70,«(to (»0 
 
 • Contracts .No. 6't, 54 and 65, enil)riiC(< 45,00i» tons nC steel rails with fintcnitigs 
 tons will be used on tin- RiviiTi'du l,oiip iSoction of (he liilrrcolouiHl Railway, the va 
 been dedueted. 
 
 of Wllil'll 11,OI'0 
 
 luu of which liHH 
 
Dcecrabur, 1871^, 
 
 lid. 
 
 Probnlile 
 Aniouut 
 involved. 
 
 cts. 
 t 53 
 
 $ eta. 
 
 16,006 20 
 
 35,425 00 
 
 2,f;62 SO 
 
 24,000 00 
 
 882,500 00 
 
 2,C(;u on 
 
 12,000 00 
 
 C,09G tlO 
 
 27,750 00 
 
 2,727,300 00 
 
 2,57,3,640 (JO 
 
 2,056,950 on 
 
 1,746,1,^0 00 
 
 7,350 00 
 
 25,500 0(1 
 
 43H,014 00 
 
 7(i,HitO W 
 
 o:i 
 
 79 
 
 (10 
 
 n 
 
 ! 41 
 
 HI 
 
 litiKS. of which ll,0('ii 
 le value of whicli Iihm 
 
 353 
 
 APPENDIX No. 23. 
 
 KSTIM.\TE REFKRRED TO IV PaIU.TAMKNT, 15tII Al'KCI., 1330, RV THR 
 JIoNORABLE THE MlNl.STEU OK lt.\IL\VAV3 ANlJ CaNAI.8. 
 
 The Minister of Iiiiifu-ai/s <in(lC<(nal6 to the. Engineer in-Chir'f. 
 
 I)EI'AR'r.MENT OF JJaU.WAYS AND CaNAI.S, 
 
 Ottawa, 15lh April, 18^0. 
 
 Dear Sir, — The Pacific l\ail\vay (iohiile will lioi^in this iiftornoon, and I miiHtaMk 
 you to furnish mo with an estiniatc of cost. In doing thi.s, take the following data : — 
 
 The four contractu recently let in British Coluinbiu, making full allowances for 
 the reductions to bo made and rei'errod to in your i-eport on those contracts. 
 
 The contract for the lirst 100 miles west of Hod liiver, as it i.s being carried out 
 with half ballasting, eic. 
 
 Tlio accepted tender for the work on the second hundred miles section west of 
 Ucd Itiver, (8438,iil4.) 
 
 With regard to the location and character of the railwaj', I am aware that your 
 own profeienco has been for a lino with light, oa.sy gradients. The Government 
 recognizes the advantage of this feature between Luke .Superior and Manitoba, hut 
 west of Ked River we attach loss import.ince to it than the raj)id sottlemcnl of the 
 country and tlic immediate accommodation of settlers. 
 
 The policy of the Govei-nment is to construct a clioap railway, following, or 
 rather, in advance of settlement, with any workable gradients that can bo had, 
 incurring no expenditure beyond that absolutely necessary to effect the rapid colon- 
 ization of the countiy. 
 
 In accordance with this policy, Mr. Marcus Smith has found a lino on the second 
 hundred mile section where, twoycai's ago, he reported it impracticable under the ohi 
 system of gi'adionts, and ho has stated to me that there will bo no heavier hundred mile 
 .section than this ono between Manitoba and the Itocky Mountains. I am, therefore, 
 perfectly justified in calling upon you to take the accepted tondor for the second 
 hundrecl miles section as the basis lor estimating cost up to the mountains. 
 
 You have recently shown me returns from Mt'ssrs. Caddy & Jennings, indicating 
 lai'ge reductions efl'eolcd on t'^octions 41 and 42. The rails for tiicse sections have 
 been secured at vory low rates, and there are other circumstances which [ need 
 scarcely say will enable you to ])laco the cost of opening the line from Selkirk to 
 Lake Sujierior at much less than the sum named a year ago. 
 
 Yours t'aithfully, 
 
 CnARLK,S TUlTHll. 
 
 SanIiKiiiih l''i.K.\iiN(i, Ksq , 
 
 Kngineor-in-Chiei", 
 
 Canadian Tacillc Kaihva\'. 
 
 123-24 
 
354 
 
 The Emjinecr in-fh'ef to the Honorable the Minister of Railways and Canals. 
 
 Canadian Pacific Bail way, 
 
 Office of the Engineeh-in Cin«F, 
 
 Ottawa, 15tl-. A,:ril,'lS80, 
 The Ilonorablo 
 
 Sir Charles Tipi'ER, K.O.M.G., 
 
 Miiiif<tci' cf Jiailwaya and Cuiuild. 
 
 SiR,^I have tlio honor to eulnnit the f()lIowin<j cstiinato of oxpeiuli- 
 turo nocossaiy to phice the Canadian Pacitic liaiiway in operation from Lake Superior 
 to Port Moody. 
 
 I understand the polic}' of the (rovornmont, with respect to the railway, to be : — 
 
 1. To construct the section between Lake Superior and Hod River with tlio 
 limited gradients and curves set forth in my reports hiid before Parliament, so as to 
 secure cheap transportation, and to provide, by the time the railway shall bo ready 
 for opening, an equipment of rolling stock and general accomodation sufficient for 
 the traffic to be then looked for. 
 
 2. To proceed with the work west of Red Eiver by constructing 200 miles on the 
 route recently established. The roadway and works to be of the character defined 
 by the 48lh contract and the ter)ders for the 6()th contract recently received. 
 
 To proceed with the construction of 12"» miles in British (volumbia, under the 
 60th, 61st, 62nd, and 6;ird contracts. The expenditure on the 125 miles to bo limited 
 in accordance with the provisions of the contract, and the views set forth in my report 
 of the 22nd November last. * 
 
 To proceed gradually with tlio intervening distance. To dola^' placing additional 
 Bections under contract in British Columbia until the 125 miles are completed, oi' 
 well advanced, thus ])reventitig an}^ undue increase in the price of labor. 
 
 To cany construction westward from It'anitoba across the Prairie liegion on!} 
 as settlement advances. 
 
 In my report of last year, I placed the cost of the section between Lake Superior 
 and Kcd JJiver at 818,000,000. Since that date the steps taken to keep down tlit" 
 expenditure on the 185 miles between English Iii%'er and Keewalin have been so far suc- 
 cessful as to reduce the length about 3;}' miles, and the estimated cost fully $500,000. 
 The rails for these two contracts have likewise been secured at a considerably lower 
 price than the estimate. Whatever an increasing traffic in future years may demand 
 in the way of terminal accommodation and rolling stock, I am confident the lino can 
 be opened for traffic between Foit William and Selkirk, well equipped for the busines' 
 which may then be exjiected, at a cost not exceeding 817.000,000. 
 
 West of Jled River, 100 miles have boon placed under contract, and tenders have 
 been received for a second 100 miles section. These two sections are designed to bo 
 constructed and equi]>pcd in the most economical manner, dispensing with all outlay 
 except that necessary to render the railway immediately useful in the settlement of 
 the country, it is intended that the line bo partly ballasted, to render it availabic 
 for colonization purposes, full ballasting being deferred until the traffic demands high 
 speed. It is intended to ])rovide sufficient rolling stock fo;- immedi'ite wants, post- 
 poning full equipment until the country becomes populated, and tlio business calls tor 
 Its increase. 
 
 • Report on the British Columljia Section, 22nd November, 1879.~Extrftct8— " The total aum vf 
 tlie lowest tenders fur the four Sectiunn, as ahove staled, is $9,li37,O40. It will be borne in mind tiini 
 the character of the contracts to be entered into is materially dilferent from ordinary contracts. Tli.'i 
 sum represents the maxiniiim— the expunJiture is not to exceed this amouut, but it may be very uuicli 
 less (iee clauses 5, fj and 7.) 
 
 " Tho.se who made the surveys and calciiliitions inform me that the q'latititiea are very full, and 
 that in actual e.xeculion th'y can be largely reduced. I am convinced, moreover, that by milking ua 
 •ixtremely careful study of the (iiial lucation, by sharpeuiu)? the curvature in some places, by usiiin 
 great judgment in adjustin^i; the allgninent to the sinuosities and sudden and (rreat irregularities of iIih 
 erouna, by sub.nitntuiK the cheaper classes of work for the more costly, wherever it can safely be 
 done, and by doing no work whatever that is not absolutely necessary, a very marked reduction cau 
 be made." 
 
':ays and Canals. 
 l5Lh A^:ril.'lS80. 
 
 Limato of oxpeiitli- 
 1 from Lake Superior 
 
 the railway, to he : — 
 Rod River with tlio 
 Parliament, so an to 
 ilway shall bo ready 
 Ddation sutTuiiont lor 
 
 ting 200 miles on the 
 he character defined 
 ,ly received. 
 (Jolumbia, under the 
 15 miles to bo limited 
 et forth in my report 
 
 ly placing additional 
 IS are completed, oi' 
 )f labor. 
 Prairie Region only 
 
 ween Lake Superior 
 n to keep down tlu' 
 have been so far suc- 
 
 cost fully $500,000, 
 a considerably lower 
 years may demand 
 )ntident the lino can 
 iped for the busines o 
 '0. 
 
 jt, and tenders liavo 
 < are designed to bi- 
 siuij with all outlay 
 in the settlement of 
 ) render it availabii' 
 
 raftio demands high 
 
 iiedi'vte wants, po.st- 
 
 business calls tor 
 
 lets—" The total 8ui)i of 
 bi' bDrne in mind timt 
 dianry cootrucla. Tli'i 
 It it may be v«iy iiuicli 
 
 titius are very full, ami 
 fer, that by makinjf an 
 
 some places, by iHiiis; 
 •eat irreguliirities ot'iliH 
 lererer it can safVly bo 
 
 marked reductioa can 
 
 355 
 
 On this basis and on the other data furnished, the railway may bo opened from 
 La' uperior to iho Pacific Coast within the foUuwing estimate ;— 
 
 Fort William to Selhirk (406 miles) with light grailients, in- 
 cluding a fair allnwance of rolling stock and ongiueoring 
 during construction ! , $17,000,000 
 
 SclJdrk to Jaspar Valitij (1,000 milo-^) will; ii^ht equipment, etc. i;?,000,000 
 
 Jasj-ar Valky to Port Moohj (550 miles) with light eiiuip 
 ment, otc. : — 
 
 .Jaspar to Lake Kamloop.s, ,135 at 43,000 815,500,000 
 
 Lake Kamlonps to Yale, l'J5 " 80,000 10,00(),0i,0 
 
 Yale to Port Moody, HO " 3b,838 .3,500,000 
 
 820,000,000 
 Add 1,000,000 30,Ot)0,00O 
 
 Total miles, 1,056 860,000,000 
 
 The above does not include cost of exploration and preliminary surveys through- 
 out all parts of the country north of Lake Nipissing to James' Ea} in the east, and 
 from Esquimault to Port Simpson in the west, between Latitudes 40'' and 56*-', not 
 properly chargeable to construction, 8'5,110,6t8, or the cost of the Pombina Bianch, 
 81,750,000, or with other amounts with which the Pacific Railway account u charged, 
 
 I have the honor to be. Sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 SANDR)RD FLEMING, 
 
 Enijineer-in-L'hif.f. 
 
 The Enijineer-inChicf to the Honorahle the Minister of Railways and Canals. 
 
 Canadian Pacific Railway, 
 
 Office of the ENaiNEER-iNCiiiEP, 
 
 Ottawa. 16th April, 1880. 
 
 The Hon . Sir Chaiiles Tupi'er, K . C . M. (i . , . 
 
 Minister of Railways and Canals. 
 
 Sir, — In comj)lianco with your directions, 1 have iho honor to consider the cost 
 of the eastern section of the Pav,ific Railway extending from Thunder B.aj, Lake 
 Superior, to the eastern terminus, L,')ko Nipissing, 
 
 In my report recently laid before Parliament, 1 have referred to the projected 
 lino between Soulh-East lia}'. Lake Nipissing, and SiiullSt, Mary. The explorations 
 of this district have established that a location can be hud north of Lake is^ipissing, 
 which would bo common tor 60 or 70 miles to the St. Mary's branch and the main 
 trunk line to the North-West. As the St. Mary's branch will, in all ])robability, be 
 constructed before the thrtugli lino is undertaken, the Kmgth of the latter will bo 
 reduced If the length of the location common to the two lim-s. The enstern tor- 
 minus will consequently bo advanced some 60 or 70 miles to tiio west, beyond the 
 theoretical starting-point at Lake Nipissing. Tlio length of the eastern section 
 thoreforo, may be assumeti not to exceed 600 miles. 
 
 It is impossible to say what labor and inalcrials may cost some years honce, 
 when the period arrives for the eastern section lo bo undertaken. Taking the basis 
 of present prices and present contracts, and adhering to the economic principles of 
 construction set forth in the loiters of yesterday, I feel wairanted in 
 stating that 820,000,000 may he considered n fair estimate of tho cost of opening tho 
 line from Fort William to the Eastern Terminnw, 
 
36G 
 
 In ordor thai llio ostiniatog of tlio cosl of the lino from Fort William to tho Pacific 
 jinil from Fort William to tho KusUmmi Tormitm.s m iir J^alcc Niitissiti^, lie cioarly mulor- 
 stood, 1 doom it pro|)(n't() siitimitlho followinLf oxplaiiation.s ;— 
 
 [ liavo in ]irovioiis reports laid boforo I'avliamont, advocated a location for tho 
 railway with f^onoraily lii;ht f^n-adients and other favorable enf^inoorinu; foatiiroH. The 
 poli'-y of tho< Jovornmcnt, as staled in yoiii" Icttei likowisi! tho charij^o of lino by tho 
 abanilonmont of iho old locution wostof lied Uivcr, lemler it noeofir*ary on my ])art 
 to modify tho views I have lucvicnsly held. 
 
 Tho otillmatoH now Hiibmitted aie based on fho new conditiona and tho data to 
 which V'/ii rofor, viz: on contracts recently let, lor four rioctions in ]}ritish Columbia, 
 and fhj reduction to l)0 made thereon; on ihoconli-act for tho lirst IflO milen Hoction 
 west of Hod Jlivor ; on the aeeoi)ted tender for tho Hccond 100 mii:'?. section w(vst of 
 Jved IJiver ; and on tho assurance made by tlio l''n,irincor who condui-ted tho survoyH in 
 iho I'lairio l{e_i;ion, that tliei-o will he no more costly one hundred miles hocI ion 
 botwcon Manitol)a and the IJocky Afounltiiiis than the Hocond 100 miles HC(!ti(»n west 
 of Red Iliver ; that hence this section may bo taken to lio roprescntalivoof tho whole 
 work to tho baso of tho mountains. 1 have likewise estimated tho amount of ro]lins.c 
 Ktoid< an limited to the extent considered absolutely necessary for coioid/.alion ]iur- 
 po(-es, and 1 have not ovciloolced tho fact that tho transportation of rails and other 
 materials, aftci' ou.' .>wn lino from Lake Superior to Manitoba shall have lieen com- 
 letcd, will be rcdui!cd to notninal chaiv^^os to cover actual outlay, inste.'id of the very 
 hii;h rates we have boon com|)olled to pay by the railway.sin tho United States. 
 
 It mr.st bo borne in mind tlint if tho present defined policy with respect to th(! 
 ;,;railual proi^rcss of the Work be ii\oditied, 01 if tho extent of the work be dilferent 
 from that assumed, or if its t,'eiu<ral (d)arai'ter bo alter<'d, tho co>*t may be atVeeled by 
 the change. Tho same result may be looketi for if a hii!;her price has to bo paid for 
 materials, or for labor, and if through those or other causes tho contractors failintf 
 to peiform what they have undertaken, tho work in conse|uonco has to bo relet .-il 
 hit^hei' prices. Under these cii'cumsliuices iho cost of llio whole lino miy bo 
 increa.sed. 
 
 Tho cost may bo cnliancc>i, moreiiV(!r. if the location ol'tlie lino bo ]'lncod in iho 
 hands of careless or inetlieient men, who may fail loexereiso tho })rudenco and iudji^monl 
 called for, or who may nef:;lect, throu.Lch want ofcaro or skill, to lay out tho work with 
 regard to economy. Or if tho supervision of the contracts. bo lax, so as lo admit ol' 
 tho possibility of work not absolutely ro<|uired boin^ oxectited, or of payment bcio)^ 
 made in excess of work perlormed, increase of cost will result. From first to last the 
 strictest economy will have to bo enfoi-ced, and riirid control exorcised over tho ex- 
 penditure. The estimate submitted is ba.sed on tho data set forth, and on that data 
 the whole main line, from l'<)rt Moody, on tho I'acilic coast, to tho l*]astern Terminus, 
 in tho neigId)orhood of Lake N'pissiiig, may bo loiislruetod in tho manner and tinder 
 Iho circumstances referred to, for aiiout S"^0,O.iO,0i)(l. ihit to meet any of the j)os.sible. 
 contingencies to which I have referred, I beg leave to reeommond that in considering 
 the pubjoct of capital repiiied for tlij uii leitaking, a liberal j)orcontago bo aided, 
 
 I ha\ e the honor to bo, Sir, 
 
 Vour obedient servant, 
 
 SANDFORD FLI'LMlNt;, 
 
 J'Sn'jineer-iiiChirl. 
 
357 
 
 iin to tl\o Pacific 
 II' dourly iimloi-- 
 
 DCtilion for tlui 
 1^ foatiiroH. Tlio 
 
 of lino Uy tlio 
 try on my j)arL 
 
 nil (ho data to 
 ■iti^li Columbia, 
 10 inilc-i Hoclion 
 hcction west of 
 ;J tlio sui'voyH in 
 Oil miles Hoclion 
 los HCi;tion west 
 ivoof tlio wliolo 
 lount of rollin-;- 
 ilotiization pur- 
 rails and otiioi' 
 lavo hocn corn- 
 cad of the very 
 
 1 oil Stalc-^. 
 
 rcspoct to tlio 
 I'k bo diiforoiit 
 ' bo atl'ijclod liy 
 
 to 1)0 |iai 1 for 
 tractors failiiiLj 
 
 to bo roict at 
 • lino miy bo 
 
 )G ]>lacoil ill ilio 
 Lio and jiidj^inont 
 t tho work Willi 
 
 as 10 admit of 
 ■(uyrnont being 
 
 first to last tho 
 od over tlio cx- 
 d on tiial data 
 stoiTi Tormimis, 
 inn'i- and under 
 f of tbi^ jiossiblo 
 t in consideriiif^ 
 tago bo a Mod. 
 
 -:M1N'(.J, 
 \eer-in-Chirf. 
 
 APPENDIX No. 24. 
 
 roHllK.SP01")ENrK on TIIK HUlt.IKrr ok a KUUMAMINK TELEUllAI'll IIETWKEN THE WEsTKBX 
 COAST Ol' CANADA, ON THE I'ACll'lC OCEAN, AND THE TELEOllAI'II SYSTEM OK ASIA. 
 
 Canadian Pacikic Uau way. 
 
 Office ok the Knuineer-in-Chiek, 
 
 Ottawa, I lib June, 187:». 
 
 F. N. (iIHBORNE, Ksii., 
 
 Snpt. Tolcf,'raj)li and Signal Service, 
 iionunion of Canada. 
 
 My Deah Sir, — I am desirous of directing your attention to a jtrojoct in con- 
 nection with (ho Pacific Kailwaj- Teiogruph, which appears to mo of grout national 
 inipoi'tanco, which calls for careful consideration, and on which, 1 do not doubt, your 
 great experience and ability can throw much light. 
 
 Tho Pacific terminus of the Canadian Pacific lluilway will, in all probability, bo 
 tinally determined this year, and tho tolcgrajih now erected from Lake Superior and 
 carried almost to tho base of tho Eocky Mountains will then be extended (o tide- 
 water in British Columbia. 
 
 In my last icport laid boforo Parliament, 1 Hiibmittcd the impoitance of con- 
 necting Lake Superior with Ottawa, tho .seat of (iovornment, hy telegraph, and 1 
 havo reason to believe that tho (iovorninont favor tho reasons I have expressed. 
 
 If those connections are mado wo shall havo u complete ovei-land telegraph from 
 tho Atlantic to tho Pacific Coast. For tho greater part of tho distance tho lino will 
 be wholly constructed by tho (Jaiiadian (iovornment, and there will bo little difficulty 
 on tho part of the (iovcrnmont in securing from ocean to ocean complete control of 
 tho telegraph system. 
 
 It appears to mo to follow that, as a question of Imperial importance, the British 
 pofinossions to the west of tho Paiitic Ocean should be connected by Hubniarino cable 
 with the Canadian line. Groat Britain would then bo brought into direct communica- 
 tion with all her greatest colonies and dopendencios Avithout passing through foreign 
 countries. 
 
 Tho telegra|ih system of Europe is now extended easterly through Eussia to 
 tho eastern coast of Asia, A second line follows the route by the lied Sea to India, 
 China and Japan, with a branch to Australia, and certainly some of these points could 
 be connected with tho Pacific shores of Canada, and thence with tho groat 
 cities on both sides of the Atlantic much more directly than they now 
 are. Moreover, a snb-marino telegraph from the western coast of (Canada to Ania, in 
 continuation of tho I'acific Uaiiway lino wiiilo completely girdling the globe by an 
 electric wire, would connect with the Australian and New Zealand Branch, and, with- 
 out question would extend the most important advantages to tho whole outerEmpiro 
 of (Jreat Biitain, 
 
 I fool that I cannot err in asking the assisinnco of yourself in this matter. As 
 the originato. of the first Atlantic iciegraph scheme and one to whom tho world is 
 largely indob'.ed for telegraphic communication bolwuen Kliirojio and America, tbei'ft 
 cfti) be fow eqtially qualitied to givo ivdvioo on tlto siibjoct, 
 
868 
 
 I bo^ now, thoi'oforo, to iisk you to^ivoyoiicoiiniost attoiilion to tho Hchomo, and 
 to rc(]ii08t that you will lio ;^ooil ououtjli to i-oporl to mo at your oariiott corivonionc«< 
 'AH to tho practiiiility of tlio undiM-liiUiii'^, itn poHsiljlo cost ami trallir, tlio dilVoiotil 
 routott which tho lino may take, and tho f^oiiciai advantaj^os it may clr.itn when 
 ostabliHliod. 
 
 1 am sufo tho juiigmont wliich you will oxorciso, with tho oxiioiionco and practi- 
 cal ability you possosn, will plaoo tho jn'ojoot, in all itn hearing'*, in sndi a lii,'ht ihat it 
 can ho hroii'^ht l)ol'i>ro tlio (Ictvornniont in a compioto lorni. 
 
 Vours very tridy, 
 
 SANDI'OIJI) FI>K.MIN(;, 
 
 F.njinrtr in ('lii>f. 
 
 TkI.F.UH \1'II ANi) SlUN.VI, SF.aVirK, 
 
 Ottawa, i;5lh Juno, 187''. 
 
 Sanpfoiui Ki.K.MiNif, Esii., C'.M.Ci.. 
 
 Eiiginoor-in-Ciiiof, Canadian I'aciti fJailwa}*. 
 
 Dkah Sir, — 1 fnliy approciulo tho kind and complinuMitary manner in whiidi 
 you havo roqiiostod mo to loport uilKially upon tho toasibilit}', commorcial %'aluo and 
 imj)ortniico of toloi^'.-aph communi'.'alion botwoon Kuropo, Amorica and A^ia, vtd tho 
 l>ominion of (Canada. 
 
 As ahead}- explained, it is a subjoct to which 1 havo given much consideration 
 for some ycarsi j)asl, and, with yoursolf, 1 am of opinion that tho time has now 
 arrived when public attention should ho riirectod to an ontorjjriso of so much mo- 
 ment to Im))orial and Colonial interests. 
 
 It in oviilent that tho (iovornmcnt, which possesses the exc'liisi\o ])rivilcgo of 
 I'ontrolling tho Canadian I'acilie Railway mutu for tolegrajihic purposes, must occupy 
 a position of groat national importance, inasnundi as thoy will not onlj hold tho 
 shorte^t, most leasiblo, and tlierefoi-o tho most economical lino of communication 
 between tlio commorcial emjioriums of Xoith and South Ameiica and tho Empires 
 of China and Japan, but also that su( h route will bo equally available and preforablo 
 for telegraphic intercourse between (ireat Britain, those Empires and her Australian, 
 New Zealand, and other oasiorn jiossessions, tho prosoiit routes, via tho lied Sea or 
 Persia, entailing the repetition of despatches through varioui nationalities and in 
 (lirt'orent languages. 
 
 Tho route advocated is, by land litu', from Halifax, Nova Scotia, via Ottawa and 
 Manitoba, to tho Pacific teiminus of the Canadian Pacitic railway system, and thence 
 by submarine cables, from the north-west jioint of Vancouver Island, to Yosso, Japan, 
 where it wtiuUi coi^.u'ct wit!> lines now running to Jlong-Kong, China, Austi'alia,Now 
 Zealand and elsewhere . 
 
 First, as to the foasibiiilj-of the project, :!.IiuiUing without unnecessary ai'gument 
 the extraordinary advantages of tho proposed land route along the lino of Canadian 
 IJailways. not merely for construction, but al.>o for maintenanco and speedy repairs, 
 lime rather than c./s/ being the essence ol' telegraphic success, you will notice upon 
 referring to an Admiraliy chart of the North Pacific Ocean, that tho soundings 
 between British Columbia and .Ta|)an are of an exceedingly uniform character, 
 varying from 1,000 fathoms inshore to H.nOO fathoms in mid ocean, the bot- 
 tom being invariably overlaid with bhick .sand, clay and the oozo of defunct in- 
 fusoria peculiar to those latitudes; also that in comparison with tho deep portion of 
 the bed of tho Atlantic between Ireland and Xcwfoundhmd, the ma.ximum diifor- 
 enco in depth is under HOO fathoms. 
 
 Again, tho distance between Fiance and St. Pioiro, following the routo taken 
 by tho first French Caiile (."umpany, is 2,3127 miles phis TOtJ n)iles between St. Pierre 
 and Mas.«nchu.sottf5, the length of" the direct cable between Ireland, Nova Scotia, 
 
b59 
 
 -ho Hchomo, and 
 i>-*t c'dtivotiioncrt 
 if, tlio (liU'cronl 
 ly I'li'.im who II 
 
 •iK'o aii'l pract I'- 
 ll a lii'lil ilia( iL 
 
 'iiiftr in (Vii'f. 
 
 I lino, 1S7;>. 
 
 iiiicr ill wliicli 
 .'i-i'ial valiio ami 
 111 A>ia, i((/ tlio 
 
 1 considerulioM 
 
 tinu) has now 
 
 so much ino- 
 
 \o ])i'ivilcgo of 
 C8, must occupy 
 onlj hold (li'o 
 comnuinication 
 1 the HmpiroH 
 I and prefcialjlo 
 Iicr Australian, 
 ho Iu>d Sea or 
 nalitioa and in 
 
 ')ia Oltawa and 
 oni, and tliorico 
 o Yosrto, Japan, 
 Australia, Now 
 
 ^saiy !ir;^unuMil, 
 no of (Janadiaii 
 -poody repairs, 
 ill notice upon 
 the i^oiindin^^H 
 )rm cliaractei', 
 can, llio hot- 
 of defunct in- 
 oop portion of 
 aximiim diifor- 
 
 route taken 
 vveon SL. Pierre 
 I, Nova Sootifl, 
 
 and the llnilod StaUis boin;x H'>m» 200 milo^ longer; whereas the distanca 
 holwoen Uiilirth Coliiinliia and Jajiaii is aliout ,{,;{ill) miles, wilii a mid-station, if 
 iiei'ossaiy, upon one of ttie Aleutian Islands, wliicli would this suhilivide tlio cahlo 
 into two nearly eniial lengths of about 1, <).')() miles eaidi. 
 
 With the improved electric cables and si^nallin;; apparatus of thi present day, it 
 has already been demonstrated that eonimiiiiicatioiis can now be as readily and 
 spoeilily transmitted Ihroiitjli .'J, ()()() miles of cable as was formerly ])ractical)le llirou/;h 
 I. li,0(l(' .. ile cotidiicior. Neither will the route indicated be liable to serious (•oin])eti- 
 
 lioii, for between the nariUlels of ',l<>'^ north and 'J()° south of the eipialor the vast 
 ic islands and coral reefs entirely pn^cliidtis the siiccessful aeeom- 
 plishment of cable outerpiises within those limits. It was for such reason tliat the 
 
 number of volcanii. 
 
 projiM'ted line in two s(>etioris of 'J,()()t) anil H,{)i)0 miles in leni^tli between San I'^rancisco 
 and Japan, vid the Sandwich Islands, was abandoned, and 1 may also oiiserve that a 
 de|)arture from British Columbia will insure a lino 5it0 miles hhortor than by any 
 route starting west from San Francisco. 
 
 It is not anticipated that there will bo any dilKculty in obtaining landing rights 
 from the United Slates (Jovernmont upon one of the Aleutian Islands, if deemed 
 advisable to divide the distance. The .Japanese (rovernmont, on the other hand, I 
 have reason to believe, will be most desirous to co-operate with and as-iist an enter- 
 prise of so much coiise([uenco to their Minpire. 
 
 Secondly, as to the commercial value and iiu|)ortuiii'e ol I he undertaking. 
 
 It is extremely dilliciilt to furnish any reliable data upon whii-h to estimate the 
 (iituro amount ol business which must pass over the line now i^nnteinplated, for all 
 cable companies are reticent relative to sectional or special sources ol revenue; but, 
 taking the jiiTsent taritt" rates for messages vid Kurope, at 8.'{.7ri per word, consider- 
 ably less than half that rate would yield a handwome jirotit on the route cid Canada 
 and the Pacilic. 
 
 Again, from Ijondon or Paris to Jaj)an, rid the Jled Sea route, the present charge 
 is 8;{ per wiu'd, while little more than two-thirds of such rale would yield an equally 
 profitable return between tho saino points i>id Canada. 
 
 It is not unreasonable to suppose, theix'fore, that the great and fast incroasing 
 telegraph business, not only between all America, but also between (ireat 
 Hritain and otlnu- Eui'opefin countries and the far oa.st, would, in great meaj>iire, be 
 diverted to Iho new route. 
 
 I may here note that tlie Pacilic cable might be laid direitl to one of the smaller 
 islands north of Ye/.o, which island could probal)ly be acipiired or |)iircliased from tlu) 
 Japanese (rovermnen I, and tlience laid to 1 long-Kong, when 'o by anall(!rn;ilivo route it 
 might be continueil direct to Australia, thus securing a flirough lineofcominiinicalion, 
 which, whenever re(iuired, could be placed uiuler tho immediate control of I lie 
 Imperial (loviMiiment, 
 
 The cost of the Pacific cable to Japan, including the completion of the (^.iiia lian 
 land lines, I estimate at £.S()(),00() sterling ($1,000, ()()()), and business eipial lo one-iialf 
 the capacity of the tirst l''rench cable between Brest .'nil MassaehiHeils (llie relative 
 calilc distances being vciy nearly the same), would render it a paying investment. 
 
 I have, therefore, no hesitation in expressirigadeeideil opiniim as to ihocompK^lM 
 practicability of the enterprise herein referred to, and fVoin the consideration whiili 
 1 htivo 1,'iven to tho (luestion of cost and iralii"., I leel assured l'<at the uiiderlaking, 
 as a whole, would be as successful and remunerative as it is imjiorlant to the goiieral 
 interests of (ireat Biitain and her dependencies. 
 
 J am, do'ir Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 V. N. (J IS HORN 10, G'ort. Suj,!., 
 
 Tdpy/raph (f»<i Siyual Stn-irr, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Additional Northorn ot[)lorHiii)tis 
 
 AbcU, Kd. fi., Statement ri'gardiug !ii({li water at Hod River. 
 
 Adoption of Hallway route deferred 
 
 Agricultural Land oa Lake Babine 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 at Fort St. Jara«s 
 
 at Hudson's Hope, 
 
 on Peace River 
 
 Krtst of Athabasca River ., 
 
 in the Stewart Luke District ,.,,. 
 
 ill the Peace lii\ r District 
 
 and resources of Vancouver Island 
 
 do Queen Chariot Tslands .... 
 do British Columbia 
 
 at Port Essington 
 
 at Metlah-Catlah 
 
 nt Port Simpson 
 
 at Isle La Crosse 
 
 at Lac La Biche 
 
 at S.indy Lake ilission 
 
 North of Fort Pitt „ .... 
 
 on Vermilion River 
 
 ou Swan River , 
 
 around Battleford 
 
 in Eagle Hills. 
 
 North of Battle River 
 
 near Long Lake 
 
 at Fort Calgarry 
 
 Alaska, Southern point of 
 
 Ambush Creek 
 
 Autler Hills 
 
 Arid or aofruitful lands 
 
 Assiniboine River, Laying out a city recommended on 
 
 do Description of 
 
 do Land along 
 
 Athabasca Landing 
 
 do River, Description of 
 
 Alnah Pass, DescriDtion of 
 
 A'Utin, W, A I Rcp-jfl on Exploration west of Lake NiplMing., 
 
 (,Mlt ., till, If IIII4I 
 
 Pa.-.e 
 
 !\ 
 
 2ti3 
 
 4 
 
 61, 112 
 
 61 
 
 03, 175 
 
 10, (i7 
 
 70 
 
 111 
 
 0, 113 
 
 132 
 
 139, liil 
 
 U7 
 
 160 
 
 ItJO 
 
 160 
 
 176 
 
 178 
 
 195 
 
 197 
 
 198 
 
 201 
 
 205 
 
 237 
 
 209 
 
 2i:j 
 
 222 
 
 39 
 
 208 
 
 210 
 
 239 
 
 249 
 
 227, 202 
 
 212, 256 
 
 106, 189 
 
 06 
 
 70 
 
 890 
 
3fi2 
 
 Hat)ini' liuUi- to Koit Si. Jiinio.-* 
 
 Hiiliiiii" Itivor, fSuivcy ii( 
 
 ill) l>t"icri|)ti»ii (if 
 
 Hiilliistiiiir, rH'iuT.'il Spt'citicalion for .... 
 
 liii!?i)liv'. .1 , .'^liili'ini'iit rt'irnniiiiu: lii«li >viitcr nt Rfcl Kivor 
 
 PAill 
 
 tlO, »1 
 
 H) 
 
 :u7 
 
 •281 
 
 Hurriiu llr ■itiiiK ^<t"i 1 {'ii., Ctmtrncts « iili 3rj, :i|.' 
 
 H,inl>' Kn.r, Pi-.^ciiiUiim nf li\nil south of 
 
 ili> (ill nurlli ol 
 
 ilo Do^ciiplio'i ol" 
 
 Itultlf ti)ri), I.fitui soiuli of 
 
 do Stiiuly lovititry liiuili'd in Ticinity of., 
 
 .Id I, mill west of 
 
 il ) Police Fttiin ftl 
 
 niis<iuiii It Us 
 
 Ik-ar liilU 
 
 /Il 
 
 ■J J, 240 
 
 381 
 
 20,'i, 20 
 
 20 
 
 20T 
 
 20f> 
 
 191, 17 
 
 .2:i6, 204, 111 
 
 Hrav.-r Ririr. . 187,177 
 
 Heaver Onm C'lMk, Coal at V'MI 
 
 Helly Rivri, Laml on ... 2.U 
 
 Uondfr, X P., lU'port of Siirvi\y of TiiMii'li liivor 2S(i 
 
 Hi(; Oul. Arm Uri-fli, Iiaiul near 228 
 
 lllaokfoot Orossiiij: ^ 2;iO, 21 
 
 do KartiiiDgat 240 
 
 ilo Tinihor nt 2:i0 
 
 do Hrcadtli of Uow Kivor at 2.10 
 
 Hl.iokfoot Rcai. rvo 230, „'! 
 
 Ulnokwi'II, CIl-wIi'S, Uoporl oii Loromolivos 307 
 
 Ul.'ick\vt>ll A Tanily, Report on l.oi'omolivps 310 
 
 Itlitidniftii's Uivi-r 211 
 
 Wood Iiulinn Cu'ik 220 
 
 Hiilij anil Niita, Coiitrai't for 312 
 
 Iv'wie k Mc\nii);liton, C'ontriict wiili 32H 
 
 Row Kivar, LhiuI on both sides of 2:t'.>, 231, 21 
 
 do F 4i in 233 
 
 do 1 '.scrip lion if 22S 
 
 do (onion 23(J 
 
 How Ritei 10 Fort Walsh 2;W 
 
 do iK'iir the Mi intniiia 2110 
 
 (to .'It it:^ niiMHa 233 
 
 Hrilish Culiiinliia, R lihv.iy ('oiitraet in.... 318, 2i» 
 
 Hriuidi|ri', I'liplain, liislrtielioMS to 3l! 
 
 do Report on Sorvry of Went Coast IM 
 
 Urnnel, A.. Report :if IC.vploralion N'oiih of (ieorgian Hay 2lt7 
 
 Hiirrai.t Inlet 'Joiite, (Jenernl Moody un 14fl 
 
 do do do on defenee.i ot , 151 
 
 do 'lo Coiilirined 11,6,3 
 
 do liii Leti|{th of 7 
 
 do do Coiitraet for Section uf 318 
 
 Bale Inlft Route, Gonfral Moody on 14.^ 
 
HO, »( 
 H) 
 01 
 
 :m7 
 
 •m 
 
 ■■ 3ia, .ii.s 
 
 ■a, 240 
 
 281 
 
 20,'., 21) 
 
 20 
 
 207 
 
 20f) 
 
 191, 17 
 
 2:i6, 204, 111 
 
 1H7, 177 
 
 •m> 
 
 2.14 
 2H(> 
 22R 
 
 2;iO, 21 
 210 
 230 
 •J.10 
 
 230, .!1 
 :iil7 
 
 ;iio 
 
 211 
 2'.'0 
 312 
 
 32« 
 M!», 2:!1, 21 
 233 
 225 
 2:<tf 
 
 2:w 
 
 2:ii) 
 2:a 
 
 31H, 2I> 
 3(1 
 
 ifri 
 2117 
 ll« 
 Ifil 
 11,6,3 
 7 
 31H 
 U'i 
 
 3({.1 
 
 Ciiuil)io, H. J., liigtructiona to ,'.. 
 
 do !Hii|>pl«iiienlarjr Inslruoliuiis to, 
 
 do Report of Kxploratiuns 
 
 Ciiiiiiiiii Oi'titriil Rikilwiiy fCitensiun 
 
 do do Siihaidi/.od 
 
 Oiirlton, Fort, Oouiitry iiortli of 201 
 
 I'AdK 
 
 ;il 
 3/5 
 38 
 2ft 
 2H 
 , III.-) 
 
 do d) aoiitii of 2r)l 20I- 
 
 (Iiirrot Itivcr, A({riciiHiiral I.an 1 on Hio^ hcj, 17 
 
 do Uoucription of, Il(3 
 
 do NttviniUiou ol lie) 
 
 Ucdnr Lake Kcftion I<)(i 
 
 (Jliiciigo, Di»laucii from, to Now Vork iiii.l Moiiln^iil 'JM!) 
 
 Chinook V.'iikU 22.1, I'M 
 
 (MiiiroliiU River 
 
 t'learwater River 
 
 (Jleariiipt, Guneral Spocilicatioii for.... 
 
 llliinato of liublno and Hlcwart Lakud, 
 
 do BriliHli Ooliimbla 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 1711, ir, 
 
 Hi, 41 
 
 3:15 
 
 112 
 
 117 
 
 Dunvngaii iri7, M 
 
 in,-., .'.1 
 
 113, R4 
 
 i.Mi, r.! 
 
 172 
 
 5.1 
 
 H'J 
 
 .... 107 
 
 In, 11:1, liH 
 
 l.MI, Ill.S 
 
 , I.IO 
 
 inii 
 
 ir.'.l, 110, HI, 74 
 
 HI, r.4 
 
 12:! 
 
 141 
 
 12H, in 
 
 nil) 
 
 130, 22 
 
 200 
 
 210 
 
 221 
 
 214 
 
 2il 
 
 234 
 
 2H 
 
 2H 
 
 'Mil 
 
 . 30c 
 
 .. 357 
 
 Fort Ht. Joiiii 
 
 Fort Maclicud, (U.O.) 
 
 Hudson's Hope 
 
 liac La BIcliH 
 
 Ijt'BSHr Sliivu Lake 
 
 Metluli Oatlnli 
 
 Norlliern Uritish Oolumbiu , 
 
 Peace River Dialriut 
 
 Port 8inipson 
 
 Port KusinKlon 
 
 Queen Cliarlotto Islands 
 
 Skcona River 
 
 Hlewarl's Laku 
 
 lloal from the Skcena 
 
 do from Queen Charlotte IbIhuiIs 
 
 do in Peace River District 
 
 do at Lesser Slave Lake 
 
 do on the North Saskatchewan , 
 
 do at Oeaver Dam Creek 
 
 do at Tail Crook 
 
 do in Crawling Valley 
 
 do on Bow River 
 
 do on Red Deer lUvor ., ., 
 
 do near Fort MacLeod, (N.W.T) 
 
 OolonisEfttion Road West of Rid River 
 
 Contract No. 16 
 
 Contracts, List of 
 
 do under cartain B|ieci:lud oouditiona 
 
 Correspondence on the auhjoct of a Snbniuriiie Telegraiili 
 
364 
 
 Coulees, their characteristics 
 
 CrawliDg Valley, Descriptioo of 
 
 Crossing of Peace Rirer to Dunvegaa. 
 Crossen, James, Contract^with 
 
 PAOli 
 
 237 
 
 221 
 
 48 
 
 32G 
 
 D 
 
 Dawiion, G. M., Report on Climate and Agricultural value of Northern British Columbia 
 
 and Peace River - mm > 107 
 
 Dawson, G. M., I^femorandum on Queen Charlotte Islands 139 
 
 Deadman's RiTcr, Description of 223 
 
 Dickson, Richard, Contract with 3U 
 
 Documents in reference to the bridging of Red River 264 
 
 Dominion Bolt Co., Contract with 315 
 
 Driftwood Rivor, Description of. .' 79 
 
 Duck Lake Settlement , ., 204, 19 
 
 Duck Mountains, Description of. ^ 226, 2Jii 
 
 Duncan and Big Bay, Description of l.')5 
 
 Dunvegan to Fort St. John 50, 172 
 
 do to Smoky River 60,45 
 
 do Land north of 157, 173 
 
 Duluth, Trade of 26 
 
 E 
 
 Eagle Hills, Description of 19,237 
 
 do Timber in 243 
 
 Eastern E.xteusion Railway 26 
 
 Ebbw Vale Co., Contract with 312 
 
 Eberts, Melchoir, Instructions to 13 
 
 do do Description of country explored by „.,... :ii 
 
 Edmonton, Land in vicinity of 16, 199, 189 
 
 do to Fort Ciilgany 21 
 
 Elbow River, Fish in 223 
 
 Elbow of South Saskatchewan 2;5 
 
 do do Country at 236 
 
 Eiigineer-in-Chicf, Estimate of cost of Railway from Lake Superior to Pacific 351 
 
 do do do Thunder Bay to Nipissing...,., 355 
 
 Eugincer-iu-Chief, Letter from, to E. M. Gisliorno 357 
 
 English River ,., 176 
 
 Essington, Port, Description of , , 87, l.Vi 
 
 do Approaches tj 153 
 
 Estimate referred to in Parliament, April, 188u, 3;i3 
 
 Etoimami Lakes, Country near , 2ii2 
 
 Esplanatory note to Appendix No. 13 170 
 
 Explorers appointed 11 
 
 Explorations in Northern liritish Colunibin and Peace River Distrcl 1 
 
PAOI 
 
 237 
 
 221 
 
 48 
 
 32C 
 
 tisb Columbia 
 
 107 
 
 13y 
 
 -223 
 
 3U 
 
 76i 
 
 315 
 
 79 
 
 204, 19 
 
 226, 2J.i 
 
 l,',r) 
 
 50,172 
 
 ... 60,45 
 
 157, 173 
 
 28 
 
 . Ill, 2:17 
 
 . 243 
 
 2(5 
 
 312 
 
 Ill 
 
 :« 
 
 , Kl, 199, 1H9 
 
 21 
 
 22.1 
 
 2:5 
 
 2:Hi 
 
 I. Ml 
 
 K , 355 
 
 357 
 
 Vti 
 
 H7, 153 
 
 153 
 
 353 
 
 202 
 
 170 
 
 l.l 
 
 1 
 
 865 
 
 Extent of territory to be examined 
 Eye Brow Hill Creek 
 
 l-AGE 
 
 C 
 
 208 
 
 F 
 
 Fencing, General Speciflcalioa for., 
 File Hills 
 
 228, 
 
 336 
 
 ,17 
 
 Findley River, Land on 83 
 
 do Forks of 99 
 
 Fish at Queen Charlotte Islands 101, !42 
 
 do at Lpng Lake, near Qu'Appelle 214 
 
 do White, in Lesser Slave Lake „ -,... 48 
 
 do do in Moberley's Luke , 51 
 
 do do in Lac La ijicho 172 
 
 do do in lakes norlli of Saskatcbewivn 187, 17U 
 
 do Plate, Bolts and Nuts, Contract for 
 
 Fleming, Pore, Description of ..«..., 
 
 do Approaebes to 
 
 Flc'it, William, Sialemeut regarding Uigb Water at Red River. 
 
 Forks of Skeena to Lake Babine 
 
 Form of Contract for Grading, Bridging, &c - 
 
 Fort ;i La Come 
 
 do Land north of. 
 
 do do south of 
 
 Fort Calgarry west to Morleyville 
 
 do Description of. .... , 
 
 do Frost ftl 
 
 do Land at 
 
 Port Connolly, Position of 
 
 do Kllice 
 
 do Ktpp, Good land at 
 
 do MacLeod (B.C.) to Stewart's Lake .... 
 
 do do (!^.VV.T.) to Port Calgarry. 
 
 do Felly 
 
 do Saskatchewan, Position of 
 
 do Si. John to [ludsou'a Mope 
 
 do William 
 
 do do Kngine House at 
 
 Foundations, General Specillcation for, of Bridges . 
 
 French River, Survey iif „ 
 
 French, James, Statembnl regarding High AVater at Red Kirer. 
 
 Frog Portage ' „ 
 
 Frost near Lac La Bicbe 
 
 do at Hudson's Hope. 
 
 do at Dunvegan » 
 
 do at P'ort Calgnrry , 
 
 do north of Dunvegan 
 
 do Hummer, in Peace River District 
 
 do near Porcupiae Mountain 
 
 Frying Pan Pass 
 
 316 
 
 154 
 
 154 
 
 282 
 
 60 
 
 .328 
 
 14 
 
 192 
 
 203 
 
 225 
 
 222 
 
 223 
 
 223, 21 
 
 78 
 
 .250, 227, 17 
 
 234 
 
 9fi, 52 
 
 231 
 
 212 
 
 7 
 
 ,5') 
 
 20 
 
 28 
 
 342 
 
 280 
 
 283 
 
 170 
 
 188 
 
 111 
 
 173 
 
 223 
 
 174 
 
 lid 
 
 201 
 
 78 
 
366 
 
 PAOS 
 
 Geological Xotes on the Rock» at Port Simpson 122 
 
 do do Wark Inla 122 
 
 do do the Upper Skeena „ 123 
 
 do do Babine Lake 126,123 
 
 do do Stewart Lake 125 
 
 do do Pine Hirer „ 125 
 
 do do in Omenica Country , I2<j 
 
 do do in Peace Rirer District 129 
 
 do do above Morlejville 226 
 
 Geological, General, features of Upper British Columbia 121 
 
 do do Peace River District 128 
 
 Georgian Bay Branch undertaken , , 28 
 
 Germaiiseu Landing and Creek 83, 80 
 
 Oisborne, E. N., Letter to Bngineer-in-Chief «> 3J8 
 
 Gold on Queen Charlotte l3l'\uds 141 
 
 do in Peace River District 131 
 
 Gordon, Rev. D. M, Narrative of HtJ 
 
 (jiradients on Railway Lines 29 
 
 do do West of Winnipeg 247 
 
 Grading, General SpeciGcations for 336 
 
 Grasshoppers, Exemption from 11 
 
 Great Plain, General remarks on the.. 220 
 
 do do South of Battleford .-.. 2:^ 
 
 do Salt Plain, Limits of ~ «3.'i 
 
 do Plain, part still unexplored 20 
 
 do do Water supply of. - •■.. 'iO 
 
 Green Lake 177, 170 
 
 Guest & Co., Contract with - 316 
 
 H 
 
 llaidas, Natives of Queen Chailulle Inlands 143 
 
 Hand Hills, Good soil on 222, 21 
 
 do Country east of 3Ui 
 
 Hay Lakes, Land in vicinity of 198 
 
 Hailehurst, William, Contract with 317 
 
 Httzleion, Forks of Skeena sto, 8>, 73, 6 
 
 do Altitude of , 7 
 
 do Various Railway Lines from 7 
 
 " oretzky, Charles, Exploration of 7r) 
 
 Hudson's Bay Co , Statements of Officers.. 283 
 
 do Hope lUI, Bti, 45 
 
 do do to St. John 174 
 
 do do to Pine River 6i, 46, 168 
 
 Hunter, Joseph, Report uf, on Vancouver 132 
 
PAQS 
 
 122 
 122 
 123 
 126,. 123 
 125 
 125 
 126 
 128 
 22S 
 121 
 128 
 28 
 83, 80 
 358 
 141 
 131 
 
 aa 
 
 29 
 247 
 336 
 
 U 
 220 
 2:n 
 235 
 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 177, 170 
 
 316 
 
 142 
 
 222, 21 
 
 319 
 
 198 
 
 317 
 
 90, a>, 75, 6 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 75 
 
 283 
 
 ,. lUl, BO, 45 
 
 174 
 
 ,. 61, 45, 168 
 
 133 
 
 367 
 
 Indian Res'srve near Northcote „ 
 
 do at Forks of Red Deer River 
 
 do on White .Saud Rivar 
 
 Instructions to Explorers.... 
 
 IroQ Superstructure, Rat River Bridge, Contract for , 
 
 do Stone, iirown nodular 
 
 Igle La Orosae Lake 
 
 EannanaskisPasa 
 
 Keefer, O. A., Survey of Skoena by 
 
 Keewatiu and Bni^lish River Oontriict., 
 
 Kellogg Bridge Co., Contract with 
 
 Eiskargaase Village , 
 
 do Indians 
 
 Kontanie Rirer, Laud on 
 
 Kotsine Pass, Description of 
 
 do Position of 
 
 do Height of. 
 
 PAQB 
 
 201 
 229 
 212 
 14 
 317 
 130 
 176 
 
 226 
 71 
 28 
 
 317 
 7G 
 79 
 
 234 
 80 
 
 81 
 
 Lao LaBiclio 188, 178, 16 
 
 do Crosse 177, 176 
 
 do itonge — 185, 176 
 
 290,25 
 
 294 
 
 Lake Nipisfiing 
 
 do Timber around . 
 
 do Soil around 
 
 Lake St. Clair 
 
 Lake Superior.. 
 
 Last Mountain, Dogcriptiou 91' , 
 Leacli Lake 
 
 294 
 
 2G 
 
 26 
 
 ;...,. 214 
 
 214 
 
 Lesser Slave Lake, Dcsscriptiou of 119, 105,47 
 
 do t'j I'eace I'iiver 
 
 do Country aouth of ... 
 Limestone Rock on Carrot River 
 
 do on Beaver Lake 
 
 List of Streams which require bridging. 
 
 List of Contract!;.... 
 
 Little Fish Lake .. 
 
 Little Slave River 
 
 Livingstone 
 
 Long Lake, near Qu'Appelle 
 
 M 
 
 MacLeod, H. A. F., InstruciionB to 
 
 do Supplementary instructions to 
 
 do Exploration o( 
 
 123—24 
 
 171, 48 
 16 
 202 
 185 
 262 
 30A 
 220 
 179 
 212 
 
 235, 18 
 
 32 
 35 
 67 
 
368 
 
 K 
 
 FAQB 
 61 
 
 14, 17 
 235 
 235 
 313 
 
 MacLeod's Lake to DuQvog;aa 
 
 Macouu, Professor, Flsplorution of. 
 
 do Instriictiuna Id 
 
 du Guaeral Report of 
 
 Main Lino, Uyan's coniraci, for construction 
 
 Lio Ondenlouk's contracts 322, 324, 318 
 
 dj iQ Sritich Onlnmbia, Contracts for 322, 324, 318, 320 
 
 do Su'cond 100 milK3 <y«st of Red liifcr, Conlracl for 326 
 
 Maaito Lake, Very rich Soil at 207, 20 
 
 Maiionry, Ucneral t^pecificatiout for 342 
 
 Meridians, Uncertainty of certain 216 
 
 Meilali-Uatlah, Description of 155, 87, 38 
 
 Miller Brothers & Mitchell, Contract with 
 
 Minerals, Analyses of (Coal) , 
 
 Minltchinass HiU 
 
 Miscellftneou?, General Speeilicatious for, works 
 
 Mission, U.C, Lac La Biche 
 
 do li.O. and B.U., Pelican .Varrows 
 
 do R.O., Isle La Crosse Lake 
 
 do R.C., Lessi'.r Slave Lake , 
 
 do K.C., Sandy Lake.... , 
 
 do W.M, at .Morleyville. , 
 
 du li.C, nt FortCalgarry 
 
 do .'i.etlah-Cailah 
 
 Mobcrly's Luke 
 
 Moticton Cur Co, Co'itract with 
 
 Moody, .Miijar-Gciaral, Notes on Railway Routes by 
 
 ltfot)ie Woods 
 
 Mari( ville, ('n'B<»ral doscri|)tion of , 
 
 du 1,'oiiiitry noil', of 
 
 Morriso'i, Norman, "Staienient n-garding liigh water at Red River. 
 
 Moil II I Selwyn 
 
 MurJocl'i VViUiaiu, l>;[i'i)i'atii,ii aoiitli-wfist of Ryan's contract 
 
 do llep rt of ffivploratioD'i, vSiault St. Mary 
 
 314 
 
 123 
 
 265 
 
 348 
 
 178 
 
 15, 176 
 
 177 
 
 180 
 
 194 
 
 226 
 
 222 
 
 87 
 
 51 
 
 327 
 
 144 
 
 216 
 
 223 
 
 224, 240 
 
 284 
 
 43 
 
 260 
 
 302 
 
 N 
 
 Nal .■' Wivfv, Desciiiilinn of 
 
 y-;a'iH'. IflUa, Lund uortli i.f 
 
 iNo.'ih ..■sterii Transportatioij Oo , Contract willi , 
 
 Nobt Mm 
 
 do Creek 
 
 43, 98 
 
 315 
 208 
 208 
 
 Objects of P\aniinatioo ,,.. 
 
 Observrtliou Hill 
 
 O'KHefe, DC.. U^'pion explored by. 
 
 do F'.tpluraticn,* of 
 
 Old Bow Fort and vicinity 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 225 
 
369 
 
 FAOa 
 
 61 
 
 14,17 
 
 235 
 
 235 
 
 313 
 
 322, 324, 318 
 
 323, 324, 318, 320 
 
 326 
 
 207,20 
 
 342 
 
 216 
 
 155, 87, 38 
 
 314 
 
 123 
 
 255 
 
 348 
 
 178 
 
 15, 176 
 
 177 
 
 180 
 
 194 
 
 225 
 
 222 
 
 87 
 
 51 
 
 327 
 
 144 
 
 215 
 
 223 
 
 224, 240 
 
 284 
 
 43 
 
 260 
 
 302 
 
 43,98 
 
 20, 2Co 
 
 315 
 
 208 
 
 208 
 
 (5 
 
 209 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 225 
 
 Old Man's River, Farms on 
 
 Oiueaica Country, General Description of.. 
 Onderdonk, Andrew, Contracts with 
 
 PAGB 
 
 234 
 
 83 
 
 ?.24, 3'22, 318 
 
 Pacific Railway Telegrapii Line 
 
 Pack River 
 
 Parsnip llivcr, Description of 
 
 Patent Nut and Holt Co., Contract with 
 
 Passes east of Babine Lake 
 
 Peace River Diatrlct, Kxplorations in. 
 
 do do 
 
 do do 
 
 do do 
 
 do do 
 
 do Pass 
 
 Pembina Branch 
 
 do Contract ;or .... 
 
 Pembina River to Willow Hills 
 
 Pheasant Hills 
 
 do Plain, Limits of 
 
 Pine River to Dunvegan 
 
 Det>cription of 101, 
 
 Boundaries of , 
 
 Frosts in , 
 
 General remarks on weather in 
 
 do to summit of the Pass, 
 
 do to Dirt Lake 
 
 do towards Lesser Slave Lake 
 
 do Pass to Fort MacLeod, B.C 
 
 do North 
 
 Porcupine Hills 
 
 Portage between ;Babine and Stewart Lake 
 
 Prairie Fires, EtJects of 
 
 do Region, Reference to Explorations in .. 
 
 do do DefinUions of 
 
 Prince Albert 
 
 do Laud in vicinity of 
 
 Profiles of Railway Routes from Port Simpson 
 
 do do compared 
 
 Projected Railway Line, Probable location of. .. 
 
 Q 
 
 Quoeu Charlotte Islands, Lighthouses on. 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 do Dawson's Report on 
 
 do Agricultural Capabilities of. 
 
 do Coast Survey of... 
 
 do Fish around 
 
 Qu'Appelle Valley Description of. 
 d() Mission 
 
 30i 
 
 42 
 
 42, 62, 98 
 
 312 
 
 41 
 
 3 
 
 182, 171, 8 
 
 8 
 
 119, 10 
 
 171 
 
 43 
 
 27 
 
 311 
 
 68 
 
 17, 'ilS 
 
 2.35 
 
 45, 181 
 
 52 
 
 65 
 
 63 
 
 52 
 
 60 
 
 17, 201 
 
 41 
 
 238 
 
 12, 9, 29 
 
 169 
 
 19, 14 
 
 194 
 
 7 
 
 12 
 262 
 
 39 
 139 
 
 li 
 
 ir.7 
 
 101 
 227 
 228 
 
 do 
 
 Lakes 263, 215 
 
310 
 
 Qii'Appelle, General Description of Country nortli of 
 
 do Reliitive levels of, and South Saskatcliewan. 
 Quill Lakes, Lund iu vicinity ot 
 
 il» Country north and Bonth of 
 
 PASS 
 
 213 
 
 215 
 
 IP, 203 
 
 255 
 
 Elaila, eitracts for 311,312,315, 
 
 Railway Oontracts, List of. .. .. 
 
 Railway Linea under Contract 
 
 do open for Trallic 
 
 do from Selkirk to .Vut Hill 
 
 do Surveyed, L'escri[)tion of 
 
 Railway Route west of Uid River 
 
 do do by the Skeena 
 
 do do Easit of Pine, Pas:? 
 
 do do from P«mb ua ilivcr Eastward 
 
 do ' do on Babinc River 
 
 do Routes through British Columbia 
 
 do do do Northern [British Oolumbia 
 
 do do diverpfing westerly 
 
 do do compiired 
 
 iio do between Edmonton and Peace River 
 
 do do trana-continental, compared 
 
 Railway, North-w.-stern Line 
 
 Railway?, General .Service on 
 
 Railway Spikes, Oor.tract for 
 
 do Froga, Contract for 
 
 do Switches, General Scheme recommended 
 
 do Line, Old located, abandoned 
 
 do do adopted South of Lake Manitobti 
 
 do do second 100 miles west of Manitoba 
 
 do do Alternative, west of Battleford.... 
 
 Red Deer River, Arid soil along 
 
 do do T'pper jiart of 
 
 do do Description of 
 
 do do Descr'piion of Country south of 
 
 do Lakes and vicinity, description of. 
 
 do do L.'iiid north of.. 
 
 do do do west of 
 
 Red River, (Contract for tein[iorary Krid^e over 
 
 do Bridging of, and point of cros.fin^, Ac 
 
 do Report of EMgineer-in-Chief on certain documents 
 
 do Flooil, FJ.\ti'acts from Journal of Hisliop of Rupert's Land 
 
 do Tal)le shuwiou' height above .■sea level 
 
 do Kotcs by Bishop of Rupert's Land 
 
 do Report o:i Location of .siiconl iiuiidred miles west of 
 
 do do by Jnuiea If llowiui, on the bridging of ..... 
 
 Results of Northern Exa'niuatioiig 
 
 do Examinations east (.'f \[oi;ntui'i3 , 
 
 316, 317 
 
 306 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 249 
 
 257 
 
 23 
 
 5G, 81 
 
 64 
 
 68 
 
 81 
 
 144 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 l2 
 
 267 
 30 
 314 
 317 
 12 
 23 
 23 
 24 
 24 
 20 
 211 
 221, 2 to 
 221 
 216, 235 
 217 
 218 
 325 
 264, 24 
 279 
 266 
 2G9 
 272 
 246 
 276 
 6 
 8 
 
371 
 
 PAOB 
 
 213 
 
 215 
 
 18,203 
 
 265 
 
 , 312, 315, 316, 317 
 306 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 249 
 
 257 
 
 23 
 
 56,81 
 
 64 
 
 . 68 
 
 81 
 
 144 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 l2 
 
 257 
 
 30 
 
 314 
 
 317 
 
 12 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 24 
 
 20 
 
 211 
 
 221, 210 
 
 221 
 
 216,235 
 
 217 
 
 218 
 
 325 
 
 261,24 
 
 279 
 
 26C 
 
 269 
 
 272 
 
 246 
 
 276 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 PAOB 
 265 
 310 
 307 
 133 
 139 
 
 Report of the Engineer-in-Chief on tlio Bridging of Red River „ 
 
 do Joint, on Standard Locomotive Enffinijg 
 
 do on Standard Locomotive Engines 
 
 do on Vancouver's Island 
 
 do on Quoen Cliarlottes' Island „ 
 
 Riding Mountain, Description of 328 258 
 
 Rocky Mountains, Land near, much broken , ai 
 
 do Portage aud Cauyond ..., 44 q2 100 
 
 Rolling Stock on Railways , 30a 
 
 do Contracts tor.. 326, 327 
 
 Ryan, John, Contract with 313 
 
 do Goodwin & Co., Contract with 32O 
 
 do Whitehead 4 Co. do 326 
 
 s 
 
 Saanich Inlet, Moody on 
 
 Salmon, Queen Charlotte Islands 
 
 Salt Lakes and Marshes 
 
 Sand Hills at South Saskatchewan 
 
 do near Prince Albert 
 
 do do Battlefui-.l ...., 
 
 do K^ifally covered with wood or brush. 
 
 San Juaa Islnnd, Remarks on 
 
 SaultSt. Mary, Railway route, advantages and connections of 
 
 Schedule of Quantities and Prices ... 320, 322, 324 326, 
 
 Selection of Railway Route in 1878 
 
 Selkirk, Railway lines to 
 
 do Engine House at .,, 
 
 St'iwyn, Abraham, Settlement of „ .^ 
 
 Shell and Big Rivers, Land on 
 
 Shell River 
 
 Shoal River, Discharge of Swan Lake 
 
 Simpson, Port, Length of Railway routes 
 
 do Route, Alo'idy on 
 
 do Approaches to , 
 
 do Weather and temperature at 
 
 do Description of'.,... 6, 38, 57, 88, 
 
 Skeena RIvgr, Railwayalong ,", 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 Navigation of 
 
 Climate of ,......., 
 
 Survey of upper part 
 
 Descrijition of , 
 
 Explorations of 
 
 Weathfr aud temperatur* at Forks of . 
 
 Sleepers, Contract for , 
 
 Smith, Marcus, Memorandum of Instruct! jns for 
 do Report of_Eiplorations by 
 
 160 
 142 
 243 
 
 216 
 
 194 
 
 20 
 
 239 
 
 150 
 
 26, 27 
 
 318, 313 
 
 3 
 
 26 
 
 28 
 
 210 
 
 196 
 
 226 
 
 21 1 J 
 
 7 
 
 144 
 
 153 
 
 163 
 
 155, 158 
 
 71 
 
 73,90 
 
 74 
 
 79 
 
 90 
 
 3 
 
 168 
 
 40, 58 
 
 318 
 
 249 
 
 261 
 
372 
 
 h\ 
 
 PASI 
 
 Smith, Dr. JobD, Exploration 13 
 
 Sciith Exploration, Description of IT 
 
 Smith, John [j , Statnment ref^rariling high w°terat Red Riror 284 
 
 Smoky River lo Stur({eon Lalia , ,.., 46, 160 
 
 do Little, to Lesser Slave Lako ^7 
 
 Snake Croek. 
 
 Soundiii); Luko 
 
 t^outb Saakatchewau, U I how of 
 
 do Comparatiire level of Qu' Appello and 
 
 do Description of 
 
 clo Xavigatiou of 
 
 Squirrel't; Head 
 
 Station Buildings, Pembina Branch 
 
 Steam Navigation of South Siskatchewan 
 
 Steel Rails purchased 
 
 Stewart's Lake 
 
 Stewart's River to Fraser Lake 
 
 do to MacLeod's Lake 
 
 St, Lawrence Navigaiion 
 
 St Mary River, Bridging of 
 
 Sturgeon Lake to Little Smoiiy River 
 
 Sturgecm River, Good land on 
 
 Sullivan's Lake .... 
 
 Summary of available lands 
 
 Summary of payments niadt on account of work. 
 
 Supply of wood for fuel and building purposes 
 
 Surveys and Kxplorations in Woodland Region 
 
 S'vun River , 
 
 212 
 
 208 
 
 18 
 
 215 
 
 216 
 
 21C 
 
 223 
 
 314 
 
 244 
 
 28 
 
 42, 95 
 
 53 
 
 61 
 
 27 
 
 27 
 
 47 
 
 191 
 
 210 
 
 244 
 
 350 
 
 243 
 
 27, 26 
 
 212 
 
 Tail Creek, Land in vicinity of 21, 310 
 
 Telegraph Line, Lake Superior to British Columbia 28 
 
 do do Pacific Railway 30J 
 
 do Correspondence regarding Submarine 357 
 
 do Submarine, Extension to Asia.. 30/ 
 
 Timber 22 
 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 do 
 
 at Tail Creek 210 
 
 iu Touchwood Hi;is 5i43 
 
 in Bow River Valley 244 
 
 in Red Deer River Valley 226, 243 
 
 in Eagle Hills 243 
 
 on the Kananaskia 326 
 
 on V^ancouvor Island • 138 
 
 on Queen Ohmiotte lalauJs l-»0 
 
 Structures, General Specifications regarding • 340 
 
 Thundei Bay, Surveys near 2,7 
 
 Totalin.^on,;Rev, M., Ri'iiort on Temperature at Forks of Skeena 168 
 
 Touchwood Hills 235, 18, 17 
 
 do Poor\fatariu 17 
 
 ■\^^ 
 
BIS 
 
 PAQI 
 13 
 
 IT 
 284 
 46, 160 
 4.7 
 312 
 208 
 18 
 215 
 216 
 21C 
 322 
 314 
 244 
 28 
 42, 95 
 53 
 61 
 27 
 27 
 47 
 191 
 210 
 244 
 350 
 243 
 27, 26 
 212 
 
 21,210 
 
 28 
 
 30J 
 
 357 
 
 3Q/ 
 
 22 
 
 210 
 
 243 
 
 24-1 
 
 220, 243 
 
 243 
 
 226 
 
 138 
 
 140 
 
 340 
 
 27 
 
 168 
 
 235, 18, 17 
 
 17 
 
 Tr«cklayin((, Oenersl Specificatioaa for 
 
 Trail from ijkeena to Babinc 
 
 Transportation of Rails, Contract for 
 
 Truro Patent Frog Co., Contract witli,. 
 
 Tunnellinf;, General Specifications for..... 
 
 Tupper, Hon. Sir Chftrlea, Eslimato made April, 1880. 
 
 do La Touche, lusiructions to 
 
 Turn-tables, Contract for 
 
 Turtle Houataiu, Description of Land at 
 
 Upper, Joseph, ti Co., Contract with., 
 
 rAsa 
 
 S48 
 
 40 
 316 
 317 
 340 
 363 
 
 34 
 317 
 333 
 
 3U 
 
 Vancouver Island, Eitent of Cultivable Land on . , , 11, 135 
 
 do Hunter's Report en 133 
 
 do TraviTMes across 132 
 
 do Crops raised in 187S-79 on 136 
 
 do Timber on » 138 
 
 w 
 
 Wark Inlet, Description of. 
 
 Water Sapply 
 
 Wtiterhon Lake 
 
 Watsonquah River and Railway Route. 
 
 do Summit 
 
 Weather, Wintry 
 
 Wells 
 
 West Cumberland, Iron and Steel Co., Contracts with. 
 
 White Sand River 
 
 Whitehead, Riittaii k Rya«, Contract with.. 
 
 Winds, Prevailing, iu British CoUimbia 
 
 Winnipeg, Corporation of, Bridging Red River 
 
 Wolf Creek Plain 
 
 Wolverine Creek .... • .< 
 
 .6, 39, 88, 157 
 
 241 
 
 266 
 
 92 
 
 7 
 
 53 
 
 243 
 
 311, 31P 
 
 212 
 318 
 100 
 24 
 211 
 215 
 
 Yellow Head Pass.