'Si.- w.- '■^^ ■ ■•i-'i'.'' -:.^^A:^^^ ■I.; I ' n ' ' 1 :y ' 1 ,v ^^r*'' 'i^,'^^" "s^tr*«,'. 189 •■X.;-*^ 7«40)^-C-- T'!^. f -!■ ae!^ ■SE*! ■'■ii #: A > QAlf ADIAN PACIFIC R All. WAY SANDFORD FLEMING, G.M.Q. !■,,.' • ENGINEER-IM'CHIEF. RH:I>0RT8 i^ND DOOHJMENTS ■ ;/-<■, f(I RBFBRENOB T(9 ,' THE LOCATION OF THE LINE A.HD A ■r WESTERN TERMINAL HARBOUR. 18 7 8. ^1 ^■ ..' //■■ t'' OTTAWA: PBINTED Br ilAULBAN. ROOBR 4 00., WBLLINOTON STRBKT 1818. ,! • ^gf^jj^ I II ■ iii Nrr ii r i ll. III! ii| ii 'iim»>^ri i:, ^ & ■> *% \ CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY SANDFORD FLEMING, G.M.G. ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF. RE^PORTS A-ISTD DOOXTMENTS IN RRFKBEMCI TO THE LOCiT[ON OF THE LINE AND A WESTERN TERMINAL HARBOUR. -1878, OTTAWA^ PRINTKD B? UAOriRAN, ROGER * GO.. W'ELLINOTON STRBBT. 1878. ' ;■■■ ' rf ..-'i:.-'. ..."^^ CONTENTS. PAOE. 1. General Eeport by Sandford Fleming, Engineer-in-Chief., i 5 2. Appendix A. — Keport on surveying operations and on the progress of con- struction, for the year 18*77, by Marcus Smith, Acting Engineor-in-Chief. 17 3. Appendix B. — Report on the location survey from Yellowhead Pass to Burrard Inlet, by H. J. Cambie, Engineer in charge of Surveys, British Columbia 30 4. Appendix C. — Memorandum on an exploration from Port Simpson, by the River Slicona, to Fort George, by H. J. Cambie 38 5. Appendix D. — Rjport on the explorations and surveys, with reference to the location of the Western Section of the Line, by Marcus Smith 41 6. Appendix E. — Report on the location made in 1877, by the Rivers Thomp- son and Praser, to Burrard Inlet, and the comparative advantages of that line and the line to Bute Inlet, by H. J. Cambie 55 7. Appendix F. — Correspondence with the Admiralty on a Nautical Survey at the mouth of the River Skeena, and on the question of a Terminal Harbour 62 8. Appendix G. — Report on an exploration of the Pine River Pass, by Joseph Hunter 72 9. Appendix H. — Extracts from a paper on Canada and its vast undeveloped resources, by Sandford Fleming 83 10. Appendix I. — Explpnation of the Map 101 11. Appendix K. — List of lives lost in connection with the Surveys and Engi- neering operation J 104 CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY EEPOBT BV SAJ^DFOBD FLEMINGy CM.G., ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF ADDRESSBD TO THE HONOURABLE THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, CANADA. — :o: Canadian Pacific Railway Ofwce of the Engineer, in Chief, • Ottawa, April 26th, 18'78. Tho Honourable A. Mackenzie, Minister of Public Works, &c., &c., &c. Sir, — T have the honour to report on the operations which have been carried on to detorraine the location of the Canadian Pacific Ilailway, and to establish the locality on tho Pacific Coast best adapted for its terminal point. In my last General Eeport, February 8th, 181*7, I endeavoured to furnish a concise rccoi-d of these operations from the commencement of the survey in 1871 ; I further submitted what other important information had been acquired from various sources. In the following pages I shall have occasionally to refer to that Ci^neral Eeport, During tho past season the invosiigations have been confined to the following surveys and explorations : — ' 1. A trial location of the line (No. 2), extending from YoUowhoad Pass, vid tho Bivers Thompson and Fraser, to Burrard Inlet. 2. An exploration from Port Simpson, on the Pacific Coast, by tho valloy of the River Skeena, to the Central Plateau, and thence to Fort George. 3. An exploration from Fort George, through the Kocky Mountain Chain, by Pine River Pass. 4. A nautical examination, by tho Admiralty, of the mouth of tho River Skcona. 5. Surveys, between Selkirk and the south branch of the Saskatchewan, for an alternative line. 6. Suivoys botwoon Lake Ni pissing and Lake Superior. 7. Explorations to Lac la Biche and other points lying to tho north of tho main Saskatchewan. A Report, dated 4th January, !878,* on those operations and on tho progress of tho works under construction, has been made by my Chief Assistant, Mr. Marcus Smith. A Report dated the 23rd inst.'''* has nlso been furnished by Mr. H. J. Cambic, Engineer in charge of Surveys in British Columbia, on tho results ostablishod by the location survey of the line from Yellowhead Pass to Burrai-d Inlet. Those reports, together with a memorandumf on explorations from Port Simpson by the River Skeena to Fort George on the Fraser, are appended. Supplementary Reports have been likewise made by Mr. Smith and by Mr. Cambie : the former submitting the advantages which appear to him to bo presented by a line which,di verging from the located line at Northcote, near Lake Winnipegoosis, is projected to run through the Pine River Pass to Bute Inlet : the latter furnishing additional information with regard to the line by the Rivers Thompson and Fraser to Burrard Inlet; and showing the comparative advantages claimed in regard of that route. Both Reports, together with a Report on tho exploration made of tho Pino River Pass, are appended. *j ' * Appendix &. pagd 17. ** Appjnlix B. page 30. f Appendix G. page 38. *:j: Appendices D., B, And Q. paxes 41, 65 and 72 Sumc isoriospondonco has takon placo on Iho subject of tho Terminal Harbour in connection wilh tho examination made last Hummer, under instructions of tho Admiralty, by Imperial Naval Officeip, of tho mouth of the River Skoona. This correspondence is appended.* In reporting on this important subject, the general question presents itself to my mind under two aspects ; first, in respect to tho influence which the Eailway will exorcise on colonization ; second, as a through line of steam communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 1. The early settlement of the Eastern Provinces of Canada followed the coast of the Sea- board, and the margin of the land traversed by tho Great Rivers and Lakes. The natural water-ways accordingly were important auxiliaries in directing successive waves of Emigration to points of settlement ; and, doubtless, the water communications of the interior of the Dominion, west of Lake Superior, will prove valuable accessories in this respect. They may be largely utilised during the early stages of colonization ; ^nd when settlements have been effected, and the various districts become inhabited, the more important will still be valuable as the means of transporting heavy products. Climatic conditions, however, impose a limit tp their use. During four or five months of the year the rivers and lakes are frozen, and navigation is closed ; and thus the absolute necessity of a system of Railways is imposed before any extended and permanently prosperous settlement can be atttiined. More especially is this the case where tho water lines are broken or disconnected, and tho localities are fur removed from open navigation. * In examining into the question of colonizing the vast undeveloped interior of Canada, we are called upon to consider what main lines of communication may, in after years, be regarded as essential. It is desirable to take a comprehensive view of the subject, as wo may be regarded as preparing tho way for the occupancy of Teviitory capable of sustaining millions, and as dealing, to no limited ext,ent, with the destinies of half a Continent. - „- * Aiipendix F. page 62. I have olsowhero given my views as to the pi'inciples which should govern the establishment of Railways in such circumstances. * In the case of the territory under consideration, from information we have gathered, wo are justified in assuming that, ultimately, not one Railway, but many Railways, will hereafter be needed. At one time it was thought that the habitable land was confined to a comparatively narrow fertile belt along the immediate valley of the Saskatchewan ; now, it is considered that the belt is of immense breadth, and that the habitable territory is of vast extent. It is therefore to be anticipated that one Railway will eventually prove insuflScient for the traffic of the country, and that two trunk lines, with numerous branches, may hereafter be required. Wo have but to place before us a map of the United States and Canada, to note the linos which run from the seaboard westward, in some sections ramifying in many directions : lines on which the traffic is regular and constant, and which, thirty years ago, not the most sanguine of projectors would have ventured to fore- tell as indispensable. lathe paper referred to, I have set forth the importance of strictly observing certain principles in the establishment of Railways in a new country, in order to avoid hastj' and ill-considered construction ; to prevent mis-application and waste of capital by assuring that no unnecessary line be undertaken, that no lines be com- pleted, before they are wanted, and that the highways of the country, of every class, be designed so as to perform their functions in the most satisfactory manner. 2. By the establishment of Railways, on the principles which I have described, steam communication from the valley of the St. Lawrence to British Columbia would be a matter of no speedy attaiviment. A through line being, however, required for oilier than colonization reasons, it becomes necessary to consider how that con- nection can with least difficulty be oflTected. The map which I submit with this Report, shows lines ot Railway, which, possibl}', may in time be required for general service, all of which should bo kept prominently in view. The engagements of the Government are to secure without delay one through line, and if it be probable that these linos will all ultimately bo required, it is evident that that which is the most easy of construction is the one which, under the present circumstances, should be sOloctod. * Appendix II, pago 83. ¥ In my Eeport of February 8th, ISTT, I described all the routes projected at that date. I submitted approximate estimates of cost as well as naval testimony with respect to the harbours on the coast, and I attempted to narrow down the enquiry by rejecting all projected linos and proposed termini, except the most satisfactory and important. V * ■ I pointed out that there is no harbour on the mainland entirely unobjectionable ; that on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, there is more than one harbour well suited for the purpose of a terminus; that it was exceedingly desirable to carry the railway to at least one of these harbours ; but that they all could be approached from the interior only at an enormous cost. By this process of elimination I reduced the number of available routes to three, viz : — Route No. 2, terminating at Burrard Inlet. Eoute No. 6, touching tide water of the Pacific tiret at Bute Inlet. Route No. 11, terminating near th«5 mouth of the River Skeena. The examinations made during the past season have not materially changed the circumstances under which these separate lines were considered: and the trial location survey to Burrard Inlet, substantially confirms the general accuracy of the estimates of cost. The exploration to Pine River Pass is of value in confirming the impression referred to in my report of last year that a low lying available passage exists across the mountains in that latitude ; but thuro is nothing to show that so good a route can bo obtained in that locality as by the Peace River Pass. As already stated, it has been suggested to carry the line from the east through Pino River Pass to Bute Inlet. Mr. Smith has given prominence to this line in his Report 29th of March last as a means of reaching the coast. 1 do not attach tlic same importance to the Pine River Pass. It is certainly lower than the Yellow Head Pass ; but its position is not favour- able for reaching a southern terminus. Moreover, although favourably situated for a lino to a northern terminus, its importance is not enhanced by the fact that a still 20;— 2 io lower puss — Peace Eiver — exists, only a few miles further north. I have accordingly projected a northern line of Railway through Peace River Pass, which I consider preferable. The correspondence respecting the examinations at the mouth of the Skeena River by the Admiralty proves the non-existe'.ice of a suitable harbour immediately at that point ; but our own explorations show that an excellent harbour exists at Port Simpson, in the neighbourhood of the Skeena, and that there are no great obstacles to bo met in carrying the railway to it.* I find also that Commander Pender has a favourable opinion of Port Simpson. At page 295 of my last General Report (February, 1877), ho states: "Port Simpson, at the north part of Tsimpsean Peninsula, is the finest harbour north of Beaver Harbour, in Vancouver Island." It will be seen from the correspondence with the Admiralty that a northern torminus is objected to on account of climatic features incidental to a high latitude. But no data have been furnished to show that the climate is materially different from that on the coast of Croat Britain, in similar latitudes such as the North Channel, and the approaches to the River Clyde ; and it cannot bo overlooked that although the climate on the west coast of Scotland may bo considered far from good, Glasgow, one of the most enterprising anil important cities in the world, has come into existence in tho latitude referred to. ' Commander-in-Chief, Admiral DeHorscy, on tho Pacific Station, objects to Burrard Inlet {vide dospntch to the Admiralty, 2oth October, 1877,) and advocates carrying the Railway to a harbour on Vancouver Island, in tho manner set fi)rth in my Report of February 8th, 1877, page 72. Tho Admiral, equally with most of tho olhor naviil authorities, objecUi to Waddington Harbour as a terminus. The deductions to be drawn from tho naval testimony at our command, and from our own examinations, may be thus summarized : — 1. That there can bo no question os to tho superiority of certain harbours on the outer coast of Vancouver Island. Appendix A, pa(fo 23, aad Appeadix C, page 38. 11 2. That Wa'J'.lington IlarbDur is not favourably situated fora tei'rainus, and may be viewed as a preliminary and temporary station only, the true terminus of a line by Bute Inlet being Esquiraalt, or some other harbour on the outer coast of Van- couver Island. 3 That a terminus at Port Simpson would have the advantage of possibly the best harbour on the mainland ; and that of all the terminal points projected on the mainland and on Vancouver Island, Port Simpson is most conveniently situated for Asiatic trade. But Port Simpson is open to climatic objections, which are not experienced to the same extent at points farther south. 4. That of all the other points on the mainland, Burrard Inlet, an arm of the Strait of Georgia, is the least difficult of approach from the ocean, and is generally preferred by the naval authorities. 5. That Burrard Inlet, equally with VVaddington Harbour, is open to the geographical objections mentioned in my last General Report (page *7I).* With these deductions, the comparison may be said to be confined to the three lines terminating respectively at Port Simpson, Esquimalt and Burrard Inlet. The route terminating at Port Simpson has not been surveyed. On reference to the map, it will be seen that it is projected to follow the River Skeena, and thence, eastwards to Peace River ; thenco by Lesser Slave Lake, and Lac la Biche, keeping about T40 miles to the north of the line located by the Valley of the Saskatchewan. Being unsurveyed,and but little being definitely known concerning it, it is not possible to compare it with the other two lines, which have been located throughout the greater part of their length. If, therefore, this northern line is to be seriously con- sidered, it is indispensable that a thorough survey be made of it. With our present knowledge, it will be unwise to adopt it as the route for the Railway, and to determine on proceeding with construction, without obtaining full and complete information rogai-ding it. My own opinion ii in favour of gainin/>; information, and if the Govorn- *Tho Strait of Georgia is separated from the ocean by two archipelairoca, one to tiie norlii, tiie other to the south of Vancouver (gland. The approach by the north of Vancouver Island to the Strait of Georgia is iiazardous and objectionable. The approach by "he south of Vancouver Island, is through passagt^ more or less intricatc.between, or at no great distance from, islands known as the San Juan group. The most important islands of the San Juan group are in the territory of n foreign p that district could bo constructed from some point between Lytton and T6te Jauno Cache. This branch would sborten tho link to bo fiUod up bet^yeoD tho soparalo ih railway systems to be created on Vancouver Island and on the mainland, and render the connection less difficult of attainment hereafter. In former reports, I have directed special attention to the paramount importance of securing a lino through the country with easy gradients.* In the ca^^e of Branch Railways, such as those projected on the accompanying plan, there is not the same necessity for light gradients, These branches will be local lines, with limited traffic. TV 'r functions will simply be to serve productive districts to the right and left, and ti/ collect traffic for the main thoroughfare. The branches may therefore bo of a cheaper and less perfect character; but in order to secure the means of the cheapest possible transportation over long distances, the trunk line should have the lightest gradients obtainable. The line located from Lake Superior to Burrard Inlet commands generally more than ordinarily favourable gradients. If the railway be constructed on this route in the manner which I have recommended, cheapness of transportution will be assured, and advantages will accrue in the future of the most important kind. It is my sad duty to add to the record of lives lost, the names of those members of the Engineering Staff who have passed away during the past year.** . 1 have the honour to bo, Sir, Your obedient servant, • SANDFORD FLKMING, Enrt of 1877, piges 81 ail 83. ** Appendix K, page 104> If APPENDIX A. rel'out on survkyinq operations and construction for the year 18ty, by mr. marcus smith, acting enoineer-ln-cllief. Canadian Pacific Eailway, Office of the Enqineer-in-Chiep, Ottawa, 4th January, 1878. Sir, — I have tho honor to report on tho progress mado in surveying operations and construction to tho Slst Decombor, 1877. Surveys in the Eastern or Woodland Region. In the season of 1876, a trial location survey was made from the proposed East- ern terminus, near Lac Amablo du Fond, about 23 miles south-east of Lake Ni])issing, to Cantm's Bay on French River, and, from this line, explorations wei-e niaclo of the country extending north-westward, on a course as direct as practicable, to a point on the north shore of Lake Superior, near the mouth of tho River Pic. These explorations were not completed ; and portions of the trial location above referred to wore not satisfactory, as the low gradients that had been expected wore not obtained. During the past season, four surveying parties were employed in completing these exploral:ory surveys, and improving the location of the lino of the previous year. The plans and profiles are in progress, and the following is an outline of tho results of the season's work. Location of the line from South River to Gantin's Bay on French River. This line commences at a point on South River about 3 miles from its mouth on Luke Nipissing, and 22 miles north-wost of Lac Amablo du Fond, where the survey of tho previous year commenced. It follows down tho left bank of tho river to the shore of Lake Nipissing : thence it takes a course nearly west to tho 20th mile, from which its course is south-west to the 35th mile, where it joins the survey of the ])ro- vious year, and then follows that line on acourse nearly west to tho head of Cantiu's Bay, 49^ miles from the point of beginning. If extended to tho foot of the bay its length will bo 55^ miles. This bay — a sheet of water about 5 miles in length, and averaging nca. ly a quarter of a mile in breadth — lies at the confluence of tho Pickerel and south branch of French River, about 20 miles from the mouth of tho latter on tho Georgian Way. Its altitude varies from 4 to 6 foot higher than that of the latter ; so that to extend tho navigation of tho Georgian Bay to Cantin's Bay, a lock would be required to surmount tho rapids near the mouth of the river, the rost of the distance being still water ; it is, in fact, a long narrow lake. Tho country traversed is generally rocky, and broken up with numerous lakes and small streams running in narrow valleys or ravines. The altitude at tho starting point on South River is estimated 678 feet above sea level, being 530 feet lower than that of Lac Amablo du Fond, and the highest point on the line is .813 feet, being 407 feet lower than the summit altitude of the line of tho previous year. But still the proposed maximum gradient of 1 in 200, or 26-40 foot per mile, has not been obtained. Tho gradients can, howevei*, be kept down to a maximum of 1 in 150, or 35-20 feet per mile, rising eastwaixi, without involving very heavy works. Of this gradient of 1 in 150, there are ten separate lengths, making a total of about 8 milee. In deseending to Caatin's Bay, however, the gradient Wj— 3 m is 1 in 133, or 39.60 feet per railo; but it in oxpoetod that this can bo roJueod by a Blight deviation, and lengthening of the line, Of the maximum of 1 in 100, rising westward, there are seven short lengths, making an aggregate of 5| miles. The works will be generally lighter than on the corresponding length of the line surveyed in 1876. The heaviest will be in rock cutting, running ifrom 5 to 2.5 foot of maximum depth, and 300 to 800 feet in length, with embankments of somewhat larger dimensions. There will be about 12 miles on which work of this character will occur, and 14 miles on which there will be rock cuttings varying from 6 tc 15 feet of maximum depth, and averaging about 500 feet in length. The balance will be moderately light work. The principal bridging will be as follows : — Bealty's Creek. — llavine 250 feet wide, with a maximum depth of 40 foot. Commanda Creek. — Breadth of valley 620 feet, maximum depth 62 foot, breadth of stream 120 feet. Outlet of Lake Mnhmasagamising. — One span of 100 feet. . Pickerel River. — One span of 150 feet. Pickerel River Branch. — Breadth of ravine 220 foot, maximum depth 35 foot, breadth of stream 40 feet. In add'tion to those, there will probably be some bridging required in raviues where material for embankments cannot be obtained in the vicinity. < Surveys and Explorations from French River to Lake Superior. Exploratory surveys have been made of two lines extendii)g westward from dif- ferent points on the lino last described, and mooting at a common point in the valley of the Wahnapitjopec. The northern, and most direct, line diverges at the IDth mile of the located lino, and takes a general course a little to the north of west. Continuing the mileage from South River (Lake Nii»issing) it crosses tho main branch of French Bivor near the 26th mile, at the Chaudiere Falls, where the trough of the Biver is contracted to 200 feet, and the breaoen made with the view of improving the •rowings of some of the rivers and deep rovinos in this region, with the following results : — South Branch of the Saskatchewan ; at the 878^A mile, from Fort William, Lake Superior The eastern approach to Ihis river can be improved from a gradient of 0.75 per 100 to one of 0,50 per 100, or 26.40 feet per mile; but the line will be lengthenetl about A mile and one-third, and the formation level above the bottom of the valley, raised from 88 to 95 foot, 21 Grizzly Bear Coule at fhe lO^Sth mite. • By former surveys, the breadth of the Coule or troui^h was 2,200 feet at the fop, 1,000 feet at the bottom, and 155 feet deep. By the last survey it is 2,400 feet wide at the top, 1,200 fieet at the bottom, and 125 leet deep. Neither the rate of the gradients nor the quantity of excavations in the approaches has been increased. The summit altitude, west of the Coule at the 1087th mile, has been reduced 54 foet, and the gradients have been improved. Buffalo CouU at the llOls^ mile. The breadth of this, by former surveys, was 1,(500 feet at the top, 700 feet at he bottom, ahd 100 feet deep,* which is reduced by the last survey to 1,200 feet at the top, 600 feet at the bottom, and 90 feet in depth. Suggested deviation of the line from Selkirk westwards, jyassing south of Lake Manitoba. In accordance with the verbal instructions of the Mitiister, an examination has been made of this line, with instrumental survey's of some of. the deep valleys traversed by the line, and at other places where deemed necessaiy. The deviation from the located line commences at the crossing of the Red River, and takes a south-westerly course till it reaches the centre of the range of townships lying north of the fourth base line; thence it follows due west on or alongside a road allowance through the centre of this range nearly up to the valley of the Little Saskatchewan. Thence, continuing westward, it crosses the Assiniboine at a point above the junction of Qu'Appeile River and through the Touchwood hills to the Elbow of the North Saskatchewan at Caerlaverock. The line throughout the Province of Manitoba, nearly 100 miles, is very favour- able for railway construction, and the land is generally fertile. West of the Province Lino the country is more broken, and the land becomes poorer. The first serious difficulty is the crossing of the valley of the Little Saskatche- wan,which is nearlj^a mile wide at the top,sloping gradually down to the river,whcre the valley is 225 feet deep. As it is obviously impracticable to cross this at right angles without enormously heavy works, the course of the surve^'ed line was deflected so as to follow obliquely down one side of the valley and up the other, by which the maximum gradient on the east side was reduced to 0.75 per 100, or 39.00 feet per mile for five miles in length, and on the west side to 1 per 100, or 52. hO feet per mile for a little over four miles in length. Thus it requires over nine miles to cross this valley, carrying the line out of the direct course, which, together with the unavoidable curvature, will increase its length considerably. The valley of Birdtail Creek, at the point crossed by this route is three-quarters of a mile wide, and 190 leet deep in the centre. The valley ot the Assiniboine is over a mile wide, sloping abruptly down to the bottom flat, which is over 200 feet below the level of the plain. The river is 300 foet wide at flood, where it is crossed by a bridge near Fort Ellice. No instnunental ourvoy was made of these valleys, but they could probably bo crossed in thoeame manner as the little Saskatchewan. The. valley of Cut Arm Creek is over 100 feet deep where the trail crosses it. The Touchwood Hills could be crossed without exceptionally high gradients, but with some rather heavy excavations; and the line would be sinuous, and consequently longer, than if a direct course were practicable. Thence, to the bond of the North Saskatchewan at Caerlaverock, the country is similar to that traversed by the located line. A largo proportion of the land on this lino is only fit for pasture, and much of it is sandy or light soil, producing short grass. Among the Touchwood Hills, and in thoir vicinity, there are some tracts of good land fit for cultivation. Deviation to Quill Lake. An alternative line in the same general direction, may bo thus described : — Following the couraoof the last lino up to the Little Saskatchewan, it there deflects 22 to the noi-lh-westward, cvossinof the Assiniboine near the mouth of Shell River; thetioe. pa'-sing to the north of the Touchwood Hills it joins the located line near Quill Lake. The valley of Bird Tail Creek, where this line crosses, is nearly a mile wide at the level of the plain, and slopes gradually down to the river, where it is 175 feet deep. This could be approached on the east side by a narrow lateral valley, but there is no corresponding valley on the west side. The valley of Shell River where the line strikes it, is 250 feet deep, over a mile ■wide at the top, and 1.000 feet on the bottom flat. It is possible to descend by the slope of this vuiley to the bf>ttom flat of the Assiniboine Valley, and after cro.ssing that, to assccnd by a latei al valley to the table land on the west side ; this, however, can only be done by u>-ing high gradients, and with a large amount of curvature, by which the length of the line would be con>siderably increased. Some of the gradients used on (ho sui-vey wore 70 ftet to the mile; th(se, however, can probably be reduced to 1 per 100 or 5280 feet per mile, but ox\\y with ver}' heavy excavations. The rest of the lino to Quill Lake is favourable; a considerable proportion of the land is fit for cultivation ; of the balance, some is good pasture land, the rest very poor. It should be observed that the Engineer-in-Chief fixed the maximum gradient at 0-5 per 10() = 20-40 feet per mile rising eastward, and 1 per 100 = 5J-80 feet per mile rising westward, and on the located line these gradients have been mainiained to a point west of Battleford. They could not, howiver, be maintained on the line suggestcl; even with very heavy works a gradient of 1 per 100, each way, is the best that can be had for many miles. This, together with the increased length caused by curvature and deflections from the general course, would render the line suggested much inferior to the located line for the economic working of the traffic, and would add considerably to the cost of moving to the seaboard the produce of the large and rich agricultural tracts lying farther to the north west. There are no data for estimating the difference of the cost of construction in the two lines, but this is a point of loss importance than economic working after con- struction. Comparing the extent of good lands that would be crossed by the located line and the suggested deviations, the latter have probably the advantage for the first 100 miles, viz.. to the western boundary of Manitoba, as the lands of the Province are genei-allj'^ fertile, and in the portion that would be traversed by the lines proposed, they are comparatively dr}-^ and free from timber, and are, therefore, eligible for rapid settlement ; a good system of drainage, however, is required throughout the Province. The located line also crosses large tracts of good land ; and it should be borne in mind that even the muskegs or swamps, which ai*e found on both lines, will make good meadow lanil when drained, as they are not deep: the side ditches of the railway alone will effect a great improvement in this respect, as they have done elsewhere. There is a considerable quantity of wood lands on the located line, chiefly poplar, which may possibly oppose certain difficulties to settlement, but which undoubtiBdly offers compensating advantages. Beyond the first 100 miles from Selkirk there is a long stretch of land, of inferior and variable quality on both lines. But at the valley of Swan River the located line enters on a veiy extensive fertile tract. On the suggested deviations, after passing the Province boundary, the quality of the land becomes inferior, and only a small ]>roix)rtion is tit for cultivation westward up to the bend of the North Saskatchewan. On the deviation from the Little Saskatchewan, north-westwai-d to Quill Lake, there are considerable tracts of good land fit for cultivation. This seemed to indicate that the fertile bolt trends to the northwest, and a more extended examination of the country was accordingly made, by which this view was confirmed. A lino drawn from Winnipeg to Fort a la Come near the confluence of the two fWniin.w TM ftnuM Diiiwhi C« MHr»u. KM lOS JOB Ttxr nMaIin.iv im Imum Duhmti CtMnniu. to the norlh-wostwa thenoe, pa'^sirii^ to tl Quill Lal that, to ascend by a can only be done by which the leni^th of used on the sni-vcy v to 1 per 100 Of 528' The rest of the land is fit for cultiv; poor. It should be ot 0-5 per 100 = 2G-4( mile rising westwai to a point west of E suggestc 1 ; even wi best that can be ha< This, totrether from the general cc line for the econono of moving to the so farther to the nortl There are m, d two lines, but this i struetion. Comparing tht and the suggested ( miles, viz., to the w generallj^ fertile, ai they are comparati rapid settlement ; j Province. The located lir mind that even the meadow land when alone will effect a ^ There is a consider which may possible offers compensating Beyond the fir and variable qualit; enters on a very ex the Province bouno pro|X)rtion is fit for On the deviati ^there arc considera' This seemed tc extended exarainat confirmed. A line drawn . branches of the Saskatchewan, would cut off the south west angle of Lake Manitoba, skirt the north-eastern base of Riding Mountain, cross tlie nortli end of Buck Mountain, and pass 15 to 20 miles north of Fort Peily and across the Basquia Hills. If this line wore extended through the Beaver Valley to Lac la Biche, thence by the Lesser Slave Lake, so as to intersect the Peace J?ivor near the moi-ih of Smoky Eiver, it would show the general course of the great fertile belt of agricultural lands in the North-West Territory. It is not to be expected that in a stretch of over 1,000 miles the soil will bo uniformly good. The fertile belt is accordingly very irregular, often intersected and contracted by musliegs and lakes, and low ranges of hills on which the soil is of variable quality ; there are, however, vast tracts of extraordinary fertility. Both the quality of the soil and the salubrity of the climate improve towards the North-West ; whilst investigations have shown that even beyond Peace Eiver, the productive powers of the land are astonishingly great, It is evident that no single line of railway can traverse all the fertile portions of d region so extensive, and that even before the trunk line is complete, branches will be required in various directions. A branch line could be constructed, at a comparatively small cost, to meet the requirements of the Province of Manitoba equally well as a diversion of the main line, which, if carried out as suggested, could not fail to be injurious ii the wider interests of the Dominion. From all the information obtained up to this time, it does not a]>pear advisable that any alteration should be made in the line as located in this district. There howevei", appears to be a feasible line, which, after passing the south end of Lake Manitoba, takes a north-westerly course, skirting the eastern base of Riding Moun- tain and the north end of Duck Mountain, and joining the located line in the valley of Swan Eiver. The country is described as level and thickly wooded with spruce, poplar and some maple. ( Vide Report of April 10th, 1872 : Page 5(j.) Small lakes surrounded by extensive marshes are, however, found throughout this district. The line suggested would be from 20 to 30 miles longer than the located line, but the gradients would probably be good, and the works moderately light, and it would therefore, be somewhat less open to objection than the other deviations proposed. . ,: SURVEYS IN THE WESTERN OR MOUNTAIN REGION. \ During the season of 1877, the writer travelled over the route from the Saskat- chewan, via the Yellowhead Pass, and the valleys of the Thompson and the Fraser to the Pacific coast, and closely examined the line at most of the difficult points of the survey. A complete location survey was made of that portion of the line from Tete Jaune Cache to Burrard Inlet, by which some of the difficulties and heavy work met with in former surveys have been avoided or reduced, and the line generally much improved. When the plans and profiles are completed, and the quantities of the several classes of work got out, they will furnish better data for making an cstimito of the cost of construction than have hitherto boon obtained. A description of this survey by Mr. U.J. Gamble is appended. EXPLORATION OF THE SKEENA ROUTE. At the outset, it became evident that there is no harbour at the mouth of the Skeena suitable for a railway terminus. A fair anchorage is to be had in Cardona Bay, at the southern end of Kennedy Island, but it would be extremely difficult if not impracticable, to reach that neighbourhood with a railway line. Attention was therefore directed to Port Simpson, at the northern end of the Tsimpsean Peninsula, a well known and exceHont harbour, and on examination it was found that there are no great obstacles to carrying a line along the north side of the Peninsula to that point. The distance is probably 10 miles longer than to Cardena Bay, but, of the two this harbour is far "better adapted for commercial purposes, and the cost of construct- ing the railway would probably be much Ioeb. 24 Emjin^'-nmj Features. From Port Simpson, for about 35 milopi along iho north Hide of tlio Ttiimpsean Peninsula, and acrosH the dividing ridgo, 250 feet high, to the banks of the Skeena, the works would bo heavy. In ascending the Skocna through the Cascade Mountains the works would generally bo heavy, but less so than by either the Fraser or Jlomathco valleys, through the same chain of mountains. For tb.o first 35 miles the hills descend in steep inclination to the water's edge, and there are indications of snow slides at several points. The valley averages a railo in breadth, but the river is thickly studded with islands, and has channels washing the base of the mountains on either side. Above this, for a distance of about 80 mile?( till the eastern face of the Cascade range is reached, the valley narrows a little, but the side hills are not so steep. The valley then opens out somewhat, and the works would be moderate for about 40 miles, which distance would bring the line to the Forks of the Skeena, near which there is an Indian Village named Kitma on the map. The elevation at this point is about 700 feet above sea level, and the gradients would be very easy throughout the whole distance from the seaboard. The general course of the line up to this point has been north-east, but here it leaves the Skeena and takes a south-east course Jit right angles to the Ibrmer, ascend- ing the valley of the Watsonquah, which for the first 27 miles is principally a canyon, and would require slift' gradients and heavy works in places. The remainder of the distance, via Lake Fraser to the valley of the Nechaco, would have easy gradients with moderately light works. The summit altitude be- tween the Skeena and Nechaco, is only 2,400 feet above sea level. In this valley a junction is made with the previously surveyed lino from Yellowhoad Pass. ( Vide Heport, February 8th, 1877, pages 274-276.) Several attempts were made to find a pass leading directly from the Skeena to Lake Fi-ancois, so as to avoid the angle between the former and the Watsonquah, and so greatly reduce the length of the lino, but without success, as the space contained within the angle is a compact mass of high mountains. The distances from a common point at the mouth of the Chilacoh, near Fort George, are as follows : — Miles. To Port Simpson, approximately 430 To Bute Inlet, by mcasureraont 28i) To Dean Inlet, by measurement 231 Port Simpson is, however, much nearer to the Asiatic coast, the distances to Yokohama being as follows: — , - " ' statute Miles. From Port Simpson 4,450 From Kamsquot Harbour, Dean Inlet 4,720 From Waddington Harbour, Bute Inlet 4,836 Character of tlie soil, Marble was seen in beds of groat thickness, varying in color from purplo to white. Some ores of copper and lead were also observed, but not in veins of any great thickness. EXPLORATION OF PINE RIVER PASS. The highly favorable reports received respecting the character of tho Peace Eiver District, and the prospects hold out of a satisfactory route being obtainable through the Pine Kiver Pass, made it expedient to obtain further information in that direction. Accordingly, the exploration was extended from a poiut in the neighbour- hood of Lake Fraser, via tho east end of Lake Stewart, to Fort McLeod on the Parsnip or south bi-anch of the Peace Rivor. This route proved very unfavourable for railway construction; subsequently, however, a good connecting line, though more circuitous, was found by following down the Nechaco and the Stewart Valleys nearly to Fort Goorgo; thence in a northerly direction up the valleys of tho Fraser and Salmon Rivers, and across the low water shod to Summit Lake, one of tho sources of the Parsnip, which river was then followed down to Fort McLeod. Beyond the oxistento of an Indian trail across tho Rocky Mountains from Fort McLood to Fort St. John, very little was known ; nor was any information obtain- able in tho neighbourhood respecting tho Pino River Pass, except through an old Indian woman, who drew a sketch on tho sand and explained it to the best of her ability. With the sc'int information thus obtained, the exploration was continued from Fort McLood eastward : following up tho valley of the River Misiuchinca, an affluent of the Parsnip, till an altitude of 5,500 foot was reached without any appearance of a Pass. On descending the rivor, a stream was discovered running into it from the north, about 35 miles above its confluence with the Parsnip. Following this up four miles, it was found to issue from a smull hike named Azuzetta. This proved to be near the summit of tho Pino River Pass, its altitude being estimated at 2,430 feet above the level of the sea. A little beyond this tho head waters of the Pine Rivdr were struck, and the rivor followed down eastward to tho Forks, a point reached by Mr. Selwyn with a canoe from the Peace River in 1875, ( Vide Geological Survey of Canada, Report of Progress for 1875-70, i>ages 62 to 54.) The exploration was continued 30 miles eastward of the Forks on to the Beaver Plains, which lie between tho Rocky Mountains and Peace Rivor. Thus the question of tho feasibility of tho Pine River Pass is at last solved. 2o;-4 Tho full Report lins not yet been reooivod, but the distnnco between Foi't McLcod on the went side of tho mountiiinH, and the Forks of Pino Kiver on tho east side, is roughly ostimatod at 90 miles. The grndionts are stated to bo generally easy, with tho oxce))tion of about four miles near tbo summit of tho Puss, wliero they will probably bo about (iO feet to tho mile, and tho works in tho construction of a railway would bo moderately light, except for a length of about eight miles near tho summit of the Pass, and a short length at tho Forks of Pine River where they would bo heavy. Tho land in the Pine River Valloy, for 50 miles above the Forks, is do.scribod as of oxcollont quality and well suited for agricultural apd grazing purposes. It should bo observed that this fertile strip of land, lying nourly in tho heart of tho Rocky Mountains, is an extension of 1 ho Beavor Plains which connect with tho great fertile bolt stretching from Manitoba to and beyond the Peace River. Should tho engineering character of a line by this route prove, on closer survey, as favourable ns reported, the results from this exploration will bo amongst tho most important that have boon obtained since tho commencement of tho surveys. Some of tho serious difficulties in crossing tho Rocky Mountains will have disappeared, and this formidable chain, once held to be insurmountable, and oven now felt to bo a grave obstacle to railway enterprise, can then be passed with very favourable gradients, and with works not exceeding in magnitude those generally required on other por- tions of tho line. In addition to the manifest advantage^ offered by this route, there is, further, tho important consideration that in tho place of a bleak, sterile country, wherein settle- ment is an impossibility for hundreds of miles, the lino would traverse an area of remarkable fertility with but a few short intervals of country unfit for settlement. This route also passes between the vast mineral districts of Omineca and Cariboo. Tho extraordinary results of recent mining operations in the latter give promise, when their resources aro more fully developed — as they can only bo with tho assist- ance of direct railway communication — of rivalling, if not surpassing, tho far-famed gold and silver regions of the neighbouring States, which lie in the same mountain zone. Port Simpson may possibly be considered, at present, too far north for tho ter- minus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, but it is important that the fact should be borno in mind that, by virtue of low altitudes and consequent easy gradients, together with the comparatively moderate character of the works required to reach it, this terminal point offers advantages which would enable a Canadian line to defy competition for the trade with China and Japan, Port Simpson being fully 500 miles nearer to Yoko- hama than Holme's Harbour, at the mouth of Puget Sound, the proposed ultimate terminus of tho Northern Pacific Railway, while the advantage it possesses over San Francisco is correspondingly greater. But the Pine River Pass is not merely the key to Port Simpson ; it affords com- paratively easy communication with Bute Inlet, and all tho intermediate inlets between that point and Port Simpson, tho valleys of the rivers leading to these inlets radiating from the Stewart Valley, south-west of tho Pass, with exceptional direct- ness. Thus many of the difficulties in the way of reaching Bute Inlot and the inlets to tho north of it, via tho Yellowhoad Pass, can bo avoided, and this probably with- out increasing the length of the line. The distance from Livingstone on the located line, over tho Yellowhoad Pass to tho confluence of tho Chilacoh and Stewart Rivers, near Fort George, is 1,029 milos. The distance between the same points via tho Pine River Pass, measures on the map so nearly the same as the abo70, that a survey alone can determine the precise differ- ence between the two routes. 21 WORKS OF CONSTRUCTION. TELEGBAPII LINE. Commencing at Fort Willinm, tlio lino is oroctod to a point named "Falcon," a distance of 137 miloH, and ih in operation to EngliHh River, 113 miles. Between Falcon and Koowatin, 160 miles, conHidorablo cloarinff has been done, and a line orncted for a distance of 30 miles eastward from Keewatin. Between Koewatin and Selkirk, 112 miles, the line is erected and in operation. It is expected that the con- nection between Fort William and Selkirk will be completed during the winter. The line is erected and in operation between Selkirk and Livingstone, 271 miles, but where it crosses certain lakes, ponds and marshes, a number of the polos require to be more permanently secured. The branch line between Selkirk and Winnipeg, a distance of 22 miles, is completed and in operation. The line is erected, and has been o])crated from Livingstone to a point in the longitude of Fort EJ c CO ■o ^3 a -t-> 60 • a >H H J H >H g 3 ^ -»i P PM £ E3 12; < 5 ^ i 'H o O ■ta a S 1 .a ■^ •^4 ^ 13 o ^ H 25 O O u, o H 1-9 eg ssss s s§ 8g § § Si o o ■* o t- 00 © © © Q a © © eA ©1- Q CO o o CO ■m t- ■*« © o» 0> 1-1 •* CO CO 00 CO "O CO lO ffJOC o CO „.o ■«« CO S? 2* CO CO to ■>r r^ ^ CO lO 1— ( —v^ r-4 fH CO 30 APPENDIX B. REPOaT ON THE LOCATION SURVEY FROM YELLOWHEAD PASS TO BURRARD INLET, BY II. J. CAMBIE, ENGINEER IN'cHARGE OF SURVEYS, BRITISH COLUMBIA. Ottawa, 23rd April, 1818. SfR, — On the 19th December last, I prepared a repor*^ giving a description of the trial location survey of the line from Yellowhead Pass to Burrard Inlet, made during the summer of ISTT. The plans and profiles having since been completed, T am thereby enabled to revise that report as follows : — From the summit of the Yellowhead Pass to the 38th mile, westward, the lino descends the valley of the Fraser Eiver, and, so far, it is common to all the routes through British Columbia. ••o' Point of divergence to Cranberry Lake, 38 to 58 vxiles. The line continues to follow the valley of the Fraser, in u westerly direction, to about the 46th mile, near Tete Jaune Cache, when it turns sharply to the south, up the Cranberry Valley, to the lake of the same name. As laid out, it is nearly level, till it enters the Cranberry Valley, and then falls gradually to the lake, by which the descent is distributed over a long distance. For the first eight miles it is high up on the mountain side, which is very steep ; much curvature is required, and the works are in rock, and very heavy. For the remainder of the distance the curvature is easy, and the excavations are in gravel, two miles being heavy and about ten light. McLennau's Creek, 100 feet wide, is the only large stream to be crossed. Cranberry Lake to North Thompson, 58 to 85 miles. At the 58th mile, the line crosses Cranberry Lake, which is 4,000 feet wide,and from 5to Y feet deep, — thence continuing in a southerly direction, it crosses the Canoe Eiver, a tributary of the Columbia, at the Gist mile, and ascending the valley of the Camp Eivor, to the Tlst mile, there passes over a summit 2,880 feet above sea level, and enters the valley of the Albroda Lake and Eiver, whose waters flow, vid the Thomp- son and Fraser Eivors, into the Strait of Georgia, about ten miles south of Burraixl Inlet, and the line follows the valleys of those rivers all the way to the last men- tioned place. Surveys were made around both ends of Cranberry Lake, but rqjocted for economical reasons. The work thence to Canoe Eiver, 3 miles, "s heavy. Between the 80th and 82nd miles the Albreda falls rapidly, and then flowing gently, joins the Thompson at the 85th mile. In order to keep the gradient within a maximum of 1 per 100, the lino is located on steep side hill for about 4 miles, with numerous curves of 1,146 feet and 1,433 feet radius and heavy works. If it were permitted to introduce a steeper gradient for a short distance, and so keep the line in the bottom of the valley, it is probable that the curvature could be eased and the works much reduced without lowering the efficiency of the line materially. Of the works on the remaining twenty miles, four may bo classified as heavy and sixteen ranging from medium to light. The material is principally sand, gravel and boulders. 2Jorlh Thompson Valley, 8& to 102 miles. Near the eighty-fifth mile the lino crosses the North Thompson Eiver, 300 feet wide, and thon follows its right bank. Being to a large extent on the hillside many curves were required, and four of 820 feet radius were used ; but at such places the gradients are trifling,' and are throughout undulating and easy. The work varies from medium to heavy, with the exception of one point near the eighty-sixth mile, where the main mountain abuts on the river, causing it to be excessively heavy. Crib wharfing will be required at several places for protection against the Thompson River. North Thompson Valley, 102 to 120 miles. For the first four miles the line is on benches requiring heavy work. Fi-om that point forward it is on flats, and the work is light except at » few places where the base of the hill is washed by the river, causing some rock spurs to bo cut through. The principal streams to oe bridged are — Green River, 75 feet, and Blue River, 100 feet wide. The grades are light and undulating, and curvature easy. JVorth Thompson Valley, 120 to 130 miles. This section is all on side hills and embraces the canyon of the North Tiiompson four miles in length. The works are generally in rock, and for six miles arc very heavy, with two tunnels— one of 350 feet and one of 150 feet long. Although the descent through the canyon is rapid, only 1 J miles of 1 per 100 grade will be liuCes- sary. The sharpest curves are 1,146 feet radius. No large streams arc met. JVorth Thoiiqyson Valley, 130 to 143 viiles. This section is on the flats adjoining the stretch of river known as Stilhvater, which is subject to overflow when the river rises in June or July, and will require some protection. Two rock spurs and one of gravel have to be cut through ; the rest of the woik is almost exclusively embankment, and not heavy. No large structures are required. The grades and curves are light. North Thompson Valley, 143 /o 161 miles. Six miles of this are on side hills and require heavy work, one-third of which is in rock ; the remaining 15 miles are on benches and flats, with medium work prin- cipally in gravel and bouldors. Several places have to be protected against encroachment of the river, and two points between the 160th and 162nd miles against earth sliding from above in the Spring. The grades are undulating with four stretches of one per 100, the longest of which is Ij miles. To avoid tunneling a curve of 716 feet radius was used, on a grade of 26 feet per mile. Mad River, 60 feet wide, is the only stream of consequence to be crossed. North Thompson Valley continued to Clearwater, 164 to 1^2 miles. Of this distance there are about four miles on steep sid') hill close to the river and require protection in many of the bays. There are about six miles of heavy work, principally in sand, gravel and loose rock ; the rest is light. Near the 171st mile the line crosses the North Thompson to its eastern bank, which is then followed to Kam loops. This crossing is 350 feet wide; and no other river of importance is met with on this section. The grades arc undulating and easy, and tho curvature is not serious. By crossing to the left bank of the Thompson, near the I55th mile, tho sliding clay near the 160th and 16.ind miles, and some of tho river protection would be avoided ; but without a survey it is difficult to form an opinion as to which line would be best. From the summit of the Yellow Head Pass to Clearwater the valleys through which the line is located are either in the Rocky Mountains proper or among some of the outlying spurs of that range, which induces a large rainfall, and tho country is therefore covered with a dense growth of timber, principally hemlock, cedar, fir and spruce, with much underbrush. To the westward of the Clearwater, howover, there is a marked change in tho climate and vegetation. Tho rainfall de^rea-sea very much; the timber becomes scattered; bunch grass, sage and cactus appear ou the hill sides. 3^ Clearwater to Indian Reserve, 182 to 206 miles. AHsiniboine IJluff and some other side hills abut on this part of the river, and cause about eight miles of heavy work, a large proportion of which is in rock. The other 16 miles may bo classified as medium work. Curves and grades are easy. No large streams have to be crossed. Indian Reserve to Head of Rapids, 206 to 220 miles. Most of this distance is on the flats next the river, where work is light; 2^ miles of heavy work occur in clay, sand and gi-avel. Some river protection is required. The only large stream to be bridged is the Barriere, 350 feet wide. The curves are eas-y and grades light. Head of Rapids to Kamloops, 220 to 255 miks. This section includes two side hills, one five miles and the other 3J miles long, on which the work is heavy. Tne rest varies from medium to light. Near the 254th mile the South Thompson, 500 feet wide, is crossed close to its confluence with the North Thompson. The grades and curves are light. Kamloops to Savona's Ferry, 255 to 280 miles. From Kamloops the line follows the Thompson River for seven miles, with easy work and gradients, to Kamloops Lake. In following down the south shore of the lake, Cherry Creek Bluff and some others of bold irregular outline have to be passed, entailing ten tunnels of a total length of 4,475 feet, principally in rock, all of it heavy — and eight miles of it exces- sively so. In passing the bluffs it was found necessary to use curves of 955 feet radius, and gradients of 1 per 100 are of frequent occurrence. No large streams have to be crossed. Before the survey was commenced, the Thompson River was examined from the Clearwater to Kamloops, with a view to deciiding whethjr i!. would be better to have the line located on substantially the same line surveyed in 1872, which crossed the Thompson River a little above Clearwater, and continued on its left bank to Kam- loops, or to follow down its right bank and cross the main Thompson River between Kamloops and Kamloops Lake. The latter line would bo the shorter of the two, but that advantage was con- sidered to be more than counterbalanced by the increased length of bridging, and the line was therefore located down the left or eastern bank. It is still, however, possible that a better line could be had by continuing down the right bank, keeping on the north side of Kamloops Lake and crossing the Thompson River a short distance below Savona's Ferry ; for, by adopting that line, or a modification of it, the distance would be shortened about three miles. Battle Bluft", on the north side of Kamloops Lake, would have to be encountered, which is a formidable obstacle, but might, on a closer examination, prove to be even less so than Cherry Creek Blutl', on the south side of the lake. The relative merits of the two lines can only be decided by a survey. ^acona's Ferry to foot of Black Canyon, 208 to 308 miles. Of this distance six miles may bo classified an light work. All the rest is on the face of benches rxljacent to the River Thompson, causing heavy work which requires piotection from \v!'.sh at many points. Tlie proportion of rock work, however, is not large, ^ear the 307lh mile a ridge of rock forming a sharp bend in the river necessitates a tunnel 550 feet in length. No large streams have to-be crossed. Curves of 1,146 feet radius were frequently used. The grades are undulating and short, requiring in several instances 1 per 100. Foot of Black Canyon to Spence's Bridge, 308 to 327 miles. This section is partially similar in character to that last described. Through nearly half of it the work is of a light character and the balance heavy, requiring river protection at many places. There is but little rock oxcavatioD, The carves are nainerons, 955 feet radius being the sharpest. The grades undulate. Near the 326ih mile the Eivcr Nicohi, 300 feet wide, has to be bridged. The Thompson Eivei-, throughout its entire length, is subject to freshets, which usually occur between May and July, when it exceeds its winter level by 10 or 12 feet. But as the ice breaks up and passes off in March or April, when the water is still at a low stage, no danger need be anticipated from this source. Spence's Bridge to Lytton, 337 to 350 miles. The valley of the Thompson lliver for most of the distance is narrow, and the line is located along the face of the steep side hills, advantage being taken of benches at a few points where available. Tiie work may be classified as heavy, with a large proportion in sand gravel and boulders. The River Nicomen, 150 feet wide, and a few rocky ravines, are the only places requiring structures of importance. Several curves of 1,146 feet radius and two of 955 feet radius represent the heaviest curva- ture. The grades are undulating and easy, there being but one mile of 1 per 100. The worst feature on this section occurs near the 833rd mile, and is known as the Mud Slide. It commences at a height of 1,900 feet above the line and about two miles distant, and extends down the mountain side to the Thompson Eiver where it terminates abruptly in a bank about 1,000 feet in length and 40 feet in height. At the point where crossed by the line, it is 1,000 feet wide, and the average forward movement per annum is about eight feet at the centre, decreasing gradually towards the sides, it is apparently caused hy springs near its source, which disappear into the ground, reappearing, at intervals, causing the earth, which is strongly impreg- nated with alkali, to dissolve to the consistency of soap, thus forming a lubricator between the bed-rock and the mass of earth above. By careful drainage of these springs near their source, and divertingthem elsewhere, the slide can doubtless be so far stopped as to cause but little inconvenience. Lytton to crossing of the River Fraser, 350 to 356 miles. The line descends gently on sand and gravel benches, with heavy work and much curvature for 5f miles. It then crosses over to the right bank of the River Fraser and continues down that side all the way to Burrard Inlet. The crossing of the Fraser is 500 feet wide at formation level and about 120 feet above low water mark, and can be bridged by one span of 275 feet, the abutments of which can bo founded on rock ledges several feet above the river at its low-water level. Immediately after passing the river, and on the same straight line, there is a tunnel 600 feet long through a rock bluff. The dry country referred to as commencing near the 182nd mile continues to this point in a greater or less degree. It is especially marked between Kamloops and Spence's Bridge, where the country is sparsely timbered ; and with the excep- tion of bunch grass (which is peculiar to dry climates) nothing can be produced without irrigation. r - ; Crossing of River Fraser to Boston Bar, 356 to 379 miles. The work is heavy throughout this section, being in rock for upwai*ds of one- third of the distance. The Na-ah-latch River, 120 feet wide, and about twelve large ravines have to be crossed. The curves are numerous, but none shorter than 1,146 feet radius. The grades undulate, and the maximum 1 per 100 has often to be used. Boston Bar to Yale, 379 to 403 miles. , ^ At Boston Bar the line enters the Canyons of the River Fraser, which extend to Yale. Five miles of the distance is over benches with medium work, and' the rest on a broken rocky side hill or along the face of almost perpendicular bluffs, entailing heavy rock excavation ; and 13 tunnels, the united length of which is about 5,650 feet (=1-07 miles), the longest being 1,550 feet. The largest streams on this section ai'o the Skuzzy, 80 foot, and the Spozzum, about 100 feut wide, and throe othoi* 20;-5 smaller streams. There is one curve near Yale of 820 feet radius on a level ; with this exception, 1,146 feet is the shortest radius used, Th« grades iindulato, and there are about seven miles of one per 100. Near the 384th raiie is a ravine down which Bnow sometimes slides, but as the grade is high, and provision has been made for a bridge at this point, the snow can pass underneath without danger to the super- structure. Yale to Sister of Bocks, 403 to 413 miles. The work is moderate, being chiefly on gravel benches, with easy undulating gradients, and a small percentage of curvature, five creeks have to be bi-idged which vary in width from 40 to 100 feet. Sister Books to Flat below Hope, 413 to 419 miles. Prom Sister Rocks for a distance of six miles to a flat throe miles below Hope, the work is heavy, with a considerable number of sharp curves on undulating gra- dients principally 1 per 100. There are three short tunnels, amounting in the aggre- gate to 1,275 feet. Fiat below Hope to Harrison River, 419 to 444 miles. The work on this section is moderate, four-fifths being on benches and flats, and the remainder along bluify and broken side hill, with one tunnel 230 feet in length ; one creek 100 feet wide has to be crossed. At the time of high water the too of embank- ments will be subject to flood at several points, but no apprehension need be felt as to stability of line, as those banks will be of rock, and in no case subject to wash. Harrison River to St. Mary's Mission 444 to 462 miles. Eleven miles of this work varies from medium to heavy, with a small proportion of rock ; the other seven miles are on a low flat, liable to an overflow at extreme flood of from three to twelve feet, entailing heavy works. The principal streams to be bridged are the Harrison with a waterway of 900 feet, and an extreme depth of 27 foot, the Hatzic 1,400 feet wide varying from 6 to 14 feet in depth, and one other stream 100 feet wide. The grades are undulating and curves easy. St. Mary's Mission to Pitt Meadoivs, 'i62 to 4S2 miles. This section of the line is generally close to the northern bank of the Frascr Eiver, five miles of it may be classitied as medium, the remaining distance heavy with little rock. Stave Kiver, 1,000 feet wide and 20 feet deep at the centre with Kanaka Creek, 400 feet wide, are the largest rivers to be crossed. The alignment and grades are easy. The country was explored for some distance back to ascertain the practicability of carrying the line in rear of some partially detached hills which abut on the river, by which the line would be shortened considerably, and some extensive works of bridging and protection avoided. It was found, however, that the hills above refer- red to were connected with the range of mountains in their rear by high ridges which rendered it impossible to locate a line there with moderate grades. Pitt Meadoics to Port Moody, 482 to 493 miles. This section includes the Pitt Meadows, which are four miles wide, and subject to an overflow at extreme flood of about 7 feet in depth, requiring expensive works of construction. The remainder of the work varies from medium to light, without rock excavation, so far as known. Where the line crosses the Iliver Pitt it is 1,000 feet wide, and varies from 5 to 45 feet in depth. The Coquitlam, 200 feet wide, is the only other stream of importauce. The curves are easy and the grades light. ' The head of Port Moody is reached at 491J miles, but that place beiAg unsuited for wharves owing to large mud flats which are left dry at low water for a consider- able distance from the shore, the lino was continued to the 493rd mile, where suoh objections do not exist. M To extend the line from Port Moody along the southern shore of Burrard Inlet to Coal Harbour, which is juett inside the entrance.the distance is 12 miles,and to English Bay, three miles additional. On this section some rock spurs extend to the waters edge, entailing some heavy cuttings. The grades are easy and curves light, From the foregoing it will be observed that 1 per 100 is the maximum gradient used, and that some of the heaviest works met with in the exploratory surveys have boon considerably reduced, the aggregate length of tunnelling being now 2^ miles. A considerable portion of these reductions, however, have been effected by introducing more curvature and sharper curves at a few points than had heretofore been employed, one of these being 716 feet radiu!>, and several 820 feet radius, but they were usei only in localities, where the line is level or the gradients of trifling ascent. It is probable that a revised location in many places would show an improved line with a considerable reduction of the works. In passing the Cascade Mountains on this route the ravine near the 384th mile, already referred to, is the only placj where snow is now known to slide from any considerable height across the proposed line of railway, heavy drifts occur at various points whore the configuration of the ground favours their formation, and will entail the construction of snow sheds. The hill sides were carefully examined for traces of avalanches, but none were found, and this result was corroborated by the testimony of people residing in the neighbourhood, who travel the road continually. No damage, therefore, need bo anticipated from this source. On that portion of the line, however, in the Fraser Valley, above Tote Jiiuno Cache, the mountain sides are very steep and are grooved at places by avalanches of snow, timber and loose rock. Grades. Annexed is a table of gradients from the summit of Yellow Head Pass to Port Moody, from which it will appear that 185 mile's are practically level, a portion being on grades of 5 feet per mile or less. Ascending eastward there are 66 miles of gradients ranging from 43 to 52.80 feet per mile, 9^ miles of which are included in the firat 38 miles, and arc, thei-efore, common to all routes through Britiwh Columbia. Between the 38th mile and Port Moodj' the longest stretch of 1 per 100 oi- 52.80 feet per mile ascending eastward, is 3J miles, and the longest ascending westward is 2f miles. Lest the large number of grades a&cending westwards should convey a wrong impression, a diagram has been prepared on a scale of 10 miles to the inch, horizontal, and 500 feet vertical, by which it will be seen that these undulations are in many cases so short that the impetus acquired before reaching the foot of the grade will carry a train most of the way up it. . Bill of Works. The accompanying bill of works includes everything considered necessary to complete the railway to formation level, with iron bridges and durable structures similar to those on the Intercolonial line. Through that portion of the interior plateau before described as subject to a very limited rainfall, the gravel cuttmgs have, in many instances, been estimated with slopes of 1 to 1, which is con-iderod suflicient to j-ender them safe in the arid district where they occur ; the natural slopes of the same material in this district being much steeper. I ha\^ the honour to be, Sir, i Your obedient servant, H. J. CAMBIB, Engineer in charge of Surveys in British Columbia. Sandford Fleminq, Esq., C.M.G., Engineer-in-Chiuf Canadian Pacific Railway. 86 <0 '■:■''. o PQ ■;« >> t '■ N: 1^ ■*3 ^ S ^ Ah t3 h^ ©i § 1— 1 ;! 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ROUTE NO. 2.— 492 ,«j miles. Bill of Worhs, Ptrmanent Structures. Description. Approximate quantities. Clearing Acres 5,500 Close cutting " 240 Grubbing « 170 Fencing Rods 56,600 Cuttle guards Pairs 38 Solid rock excavation Cubic yaixls... 3,294,000 Loose " <' ... 1,687.000 Earth excavation « ... 23,159,000 " in stream diversions " ... 142,000 " in foundations '< ... 59.000 Under drains Lineal feet.... 22,000 Masonry, first class Cubic yards... 104,450 " second class " ... 119,300 Paving « ... 26,000 Masonry in retaining walls " ... 154,000 Bridge spans, 275 feet clear Number 1 15 5 108 3 9 18 15 Line tunnels, in rock, Lineal feet.... 13,855 Stream tunnels, 12 feet diameter " ... 500 *^ f " « ... ftflt " 6 " « ... 812 Crib wharfing, 12 to 16 feet high " ... 22,000 6 to 10 « « ... 15,400 Rip-rap Cubic yards... 114,000 Timber in culverts, 16X12 Lineal feet.... 10,000 16X 8 « ... 7,400 16X 6 « ... 5,000 " 14X12 •' ... 2,000 12X 8 " ... 1,400 Timber flatted to 12 inches " ... 1.000 " 6 inches <« ... 4,000 Plank B'd Measure . 100,000 Wrought iron in beam culverts Lbs 10,000 " in trestles " 136.800 Cast iron in culverts and trestles. " 4,000 Deviations of waggon road Miles 7 Bridge for " Number 1 Under crossings « 4 « 200 « m « m (1 10 *( M " m « 40 (( (( (( (( (I (I 38 APPENDIX C. EXPLORATION FROM PORT SIMPSON VIA THE BIVER SKEENA TO FORT OEORGB BY H. J. CAMBIE, IN THE YEAR 1877. (Memorandum.) Ottawa, April 23rd, 1878. No harbour was found at the mouth of the Eiver Skeena suitable for a railway terminuH. Fort Essington, which is situated about 14 miles up the river, has been used by small coasting steamers, but is liable to the following objections : — About seven miles below that place the Slceona is divided by McGrath and Kennedy Islands into three channels. The northernmost is tortuous, and contains reefs of rock which unfit it for navigation; the central is very shallow, while the southern has only about two fathoms of water when tide is out. Were it even practicable to reach Port Essing- ton with largo vessels, it was ascertained from throe traders who have each resided at the mouth of the River Skeena for upwards of six years that that port is unsafe as a harbour during the months of December, January and February, and sometimes even longer, owing to the heavy masses of ice which drift up and down with the tide. This ice is principally from an inlet named the Eckstall which branches from the Skeena about half a mile above Port Essington and extends S.S.E. for about 40 miles into the mountains. It has numerous flats when the tide is out; the water is almost fresh, with very little current, and a rise and fall of tide exceeding 20 feet. Heavy snow storms during cold weather in such a locality cause blocks of ice to increase rapidly in thickness and attain such a size and weight as to endanger ship- ping and stop navigation. There is fair anchorage in Cardena Bay at southern end of Kennedy Island, near the mouth of the Skeena, but it would be impracticable to cross to that island with a railway line and extremely difficult to reach a point on the mainland opposite the bay. Port Simpson, at the northern end of the Tsimpsean Peninsula, is well known, and seems to answer all the requirements for a terminal harbour. The distance to Port Simpson is probably eight miles greater than to a point on the mainland opposite Cai"dena Bay, but the obstacles to the construction of a railway lino are not so great, and the cost of building it would probably be less. About 100 miles above Port Essington the Skeena Valley bends to the north- ward, and about 60 miles further up the Watsonquah, a large tributary, which rises near Lake Francois, enters it from the south. By following this valley a line can be found to the sources of the Nechaco with easy gradients and a low summit. The distance would bo shortened about 70 miles if a pass could bo found leading directly east, from the bend before mentioned, 100 miles above Port Essington, instead of following round the vallies of the Skeena and Watsonquah Elvers. An exploration was made with that object, and several valleys were examined, but without success. The southernmost and only direct pass has a summit moi*e than 6,000 feet above sea level. The more northern ones are not so high, but are still impracticable. The only available line, therefore, from Port Simpson towards Fort George must follow the northern side of the Tsimpsean Penin^la till the valley of the Skeena is reached, ascend that valley 150 miles to the Porks, and continue up the valley of its tributary, the Watsonquah, 120 miles to the sammit. Thence it ebould descend thq 3i) vallflys of tho Intnquah, Nocliaco and Stewart Rivers to the lino already Hurveyod near Fort George. Tiio distance by this route to the summit of Yellow Head Pass, would bo about G!)0 miles. . Engineering Features. From Port Simpson along tho southern shore of Works Canal, and across the dividing lidgo — 275 feet high — to the banks of the SIcecna, a distance of 35 miles, tho work would be expensive, being principall_y in rock. For the next 40 miles the line would follow up the right or northern bank of tho Skeona. The valley varies from one and a half to two miles in width, but is inter- sected by a net work of channels which extend to the base of the hills on either side, forming islands almost without number, and leaving no continuous flat between tho base of the hills and the river. The work would be very heavy, as tho mountains are lofty with steep rocky sides, which are swept by avalanches at about twelve dif- ferent places. It is probable, however, that there would be little tunnelling required, tho water being shallow so that rock embankments could be built round tho face of bluffs where such abut on the river. Up to tho Kitsilas Canon some 40 miles farther, the valley for perhaps half tho distance, continues to bo of the same character cut up by channels from one side to the other, and tho works would still be heavy and in rock, though the hill sides are less steep. For the remainder, there are either low flats or benches between the hills and the river whore tho works woild be moderate. There yet remain 30 miles before the loftier ranges of the Cascade Mountains are passed, and tho works on a part of that distance would bo heavy, as the rocky side hills descend to the river's bank. The larger part would be on benches, i-anging from 10 to 60 feet above the river, on which the works would bo moderate. AI)ove this point tho mountains recede from the river, and for the next 35 miles the valley attains a considerable width. The benches next the river vary from 10 to 100 feet in height. The works would be moderate and in many places light. Tho description has now boon carried to tho forks of the Skeena, about 180 miles from Port Simi)son, and about TOO feet above sea level. The ascent is gradual for all that distance, and the grades would be easy, but require many undulations in order to take advantage of the most favourable ground. The river Watsonquah, from its mouth at the Forks up to the Indian Village of- Kyaghwilgate, a distance of 27 miles, is rapid, and runs most of the way through a deep ravine, which at some places assumes the character of a canon. The works would be generally heavy, but some exceedingly so with stiff gradients and sharp curves would bo required occasionally. From Kyaghwilgate upwards the valley is favourable for railway construction, and the works would bo moderate with easy gradients for about DO miles, where the line passes over the summit between tho waters of the rivers Watsonquah and Intah- quah, tributaries respectively of the rivers Skeena and Fraser, which is distant from Port Simpson about 300 miles, and at an estimated elevation above sea level of 2,400 feet. Thence by tho valleys of the Intahquah Eiver and Fraser Lake to the junction with the line previously surveyed from the Yellow Head Pass, in tho valley of tho Nechaco, tho works would be moderate and grades easy. Character of the Soil. Round Port Simpson there is a limited-area of land fit for cultivation, where tho Indians have numerous potato gardens. Many of the Islands in the lower part of the Skeena are composed of rich alluvial soil, but they are usually overflowed at time of freshet. For 15 or 20 miles below the Forks and some distance above that place, the valley of Ml Skeena is several miles in width. The land is of fair quality and co\orcd with a light growth of poplar, birch and spruce. Mr. Hankin, a trader at the Forks, had a very fine crop of oats which was almost ripe on July 31st. He and others had at tho same time some fine potatoes, turnips, carrots and cabbage. They had each purchased a short time previously a 46 smuU herd of cattle as an experiment, and proposed cutting liuy in some of the natural meadowH for their sustenance during the winter. The slopes of the Watsonquah throughout its entire length are in part prairie, nnd sustain a magnificent growth of grass suitable for pasture. The roots intertwine and form a sod, which would prevent its being killed oft' like bunch-gross in case cattle or sheep were allowed to crop it closely. This valley, however, is subject to frequent frosts during summer which render it unfit for agriculture. Timber. A tree commonly called Yellow Cypress, is found on the lower Skeena which has great strength and density of fibre and is said to be extremely durable, but the quan- tity is limited. The same remark would apply to hemlock and cedar, though they wore seen in some places of great size. On most of the islands subject to overflow in the lower Skeena, th(re is a fine growth of Cottonwood which may be utilized at some future time for the same purposas to which basswood and whitewood are applied in the Province of Ontario. Snow FaU. The Cascade Mountains, where the Skeena breaks through them, consists of two principal ranges, which are separated by a valley extending from the Kitamat arm of Gardner's inlet in a northerly direction to the Tliver Naas. 'i'he snow fall in the westernmost of these ranges sometimes reaches a depth of 10 feet or upwards, and the avalanches before alluded to occur there. The other range commences a little below the Kitsilas canon and extends about 30 miles above it ; here the snow fall would avoroge 6 or 7 feet. From the Forko to Fraser Lake the snow rarely .exceeds 3 feet in depth. Minerals. Marble was seen in beds of great thickness near the mouth of the Skeena, and again about 85 miles from the coast. Some ores of copper and lead were also observed, but not in veins of any great thickness. 41 APPENDIX D. IIEI'OKT BY MK. WABCU8 SMITH, ACTING ENUINKJSE-IN- CHIEF, ON TUB SURVEYS AND EXPIiOUATIONS WITH IlEFEHENCE TO THE LOCATION OF ,TIIE WESTERN SECTION I OF THE LINE. CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY. Office of the Engineek-in-Ciiief, Ottawa, 29th March, 1S18. Sir, — I have the honour to submit a report on the results of the Surveys and Explorations made in the Central and Western regions since the date of Mr. Fleming's last report, Januar}', 1877. In that report, comparative estimates are given of the cost of construction of several lines, branching out of a common route, from Yollowhead Pass, in thellocUy Mountains, westward, and terminating at different points on the Paoitic coast. Of these several lines, only three are now under consideration ; and in the report above referred to, they are estimated as follows, vide pages G2 and 63 : — Boute No, 2. Following the North Thompson, vid Kamloops, to Lytton, and by the Lower Eraser to Port Moody, iiurrard Inlet, 493 miles. Estimated cost of construction, $35,000,000. Boute No. 6. Following the Upper Eraser to Fort George, and by the Elvers Chilacoh, Nazoo, and East Homathco to Waddington Harbour, Bute Inlet, 546 miles. Estimated cost, $33,000,000. Route No. 8. Vid the Upper Eraser, Fort George, Rivers Chilacoh, Blackwatoi- and Salmon to Kamsquot Bay, Do: n Inlet, 488 miles. Estimated cost, $29,000,000. Thtse estimates, as stated in the Report, " include everything deemed necessary to complete the grading of the Railway, with solid embankments, iron bridges, and, gene^all3^ with durable structures equal in point of character to those on the Inter- colonial line. Also the cost of ballasting, permanent way, rolling stock, stations, shops, snow sheds and fences, indeed all the supplemental expenses indispensible to tlio construction and completion of a line similarl}' equipped and equal in etficiency and permanency to the Intercolonial Railway, and basing the calculations of cost on precisely the same data, the same value of material and the same average value of skilled and unskilled labour, as obtained on that work." There is great probability that these estimates will prove to be too low for tho class of work referred to, as the price of labour of all kinds rules much higher on the Pacific slope than on the route of the Intercolonial Railway. The cost, however, can be kept down by using stone and iron only for the larger structures, and culverts under high embankments. There is plenty of timber to be had alongside the lino for constructing and renewing the lighter structures when necessary. But, as the increase of cost, if any, would be proportionate on each route, these estimates were believed to present as fair a comparison of the several routes as could be arrived at with the date then obtained. 20;— 6 42 These data, however, being imperfect, owing to the loss of plans and profiles of a portion of the route No. 2, in the tire of 1874, which destroyed the Engineers' Offices at Ottawa, it was deemed advisable to have a re-survey made, and during the past season seven parties have leen engaged in that work. A very close location survey has been made, and every eifort has been employed in the endeavour to reduce the cost of construction to a minimum. By the intro- duction of a large number of exceptionally sharp curves a considerable quantity of tunnelling and rock excavation has been avoided ; further, the line has been carried at points so close to the rivers as to require protection works against floods, while the inclination of the slopes, instead of being l^ to 1, as on the other routes, has been frequently increased to 1 to 1, in order to reduce the amount of excavation. From the quantities thus obtained, an estimate of the cost of construction has been made out at the same rates for labour and materials as on the other routes. According to this estimate the comparative cost of the three lines would stand as follows :— Boute No. 2. From Yellowhoad Pass via the Eivors Thompson and Fraser to Port Moody, Burrard Inlet, 493J miles ; estimated cost, $36,500,000. If carried to English Bay, 508 miles, $37,100,000. Boute iVo. 6 From Yeilowhead Pass by the Upper Fraser and the Rivers Chilacoh, Nazco and East Homathco, to Waddington Harbour, Bute Inlet, 546 miles, $34,000,000. Boute No, 8. From Yeilowhead Pass by the Upper Frazer, and llivers Chilacoh, Blaekwater, and Salmon, to Kamsquot Bay, Dean Inlet, 488 miles, 630,000,000. In Mr. Fleming's estimates, an allowance was made for possible reductions in locating for construction. On information since obtained, however, a revision his been made, and the present estimates are believed to represent very fairly the com- parative cost of construction on the several routes. But, besides the cost of construction, other points bearing on the selection of the route have to be considered. The chief of these are : — 1st. The extent and quality of the lands fit for cultivation traversed or brought within easy communication with the seaboard. 2nd. Access to the mineral districts, whei-e mining is now in successful opera- tion. Sixl. The character and geographical position of the harbour at the terminus, and its fitness for commerce, both foreign and domestic. These mattera were discussed in a previous Reporf, but the enquiry was then limited to the country lying between the Yeilowhead Pass and certain points on the Pacific Coast; during the past season, however, additio.ial information has been gained, and a new route has been explored by another pass through the Rocky Mountains which diverges from the existing lino at a point a little to the west of Lake Winni- pegoosis. Accompanying the present Report is a map shewing the several linos referred to, and coloured to shew the general character of th*soil in ditferont regions, as explained in the margin. The mileage, in former Reports, is carried on from Fort VVilliam (Lake Superior") to Yeilowhead Pass, and for convenience of reference, the Hxmo arrangement is adopted here. 4a Southern Route (No, 2 of former Reports) vid Yelhwhead Pass to Port Moody, Burrard Inlet. Tho line located for construction crosses the Eed River at Selkirk, 410 miles from the starting point at Fort William, thence it takes a north-west course and continues in an almost direct line to Northcoto — 629th mile — at the north end of i>uck Mountain. This is the point at which tho line by tho Pine River Pass would diverge. Thence the located line takes a westerly course up the valley of Swan River, to Livingstone, a few miles north of Fort Pelly. Up to Doyle Station at the 613rd mile, the line has passed through what has been termed tho fertile or wheat growing belt, shewn by butt' colour on the map, stretching away to the north-west, beyond the Peace River. It now crosses a tract of soil lighter and pooroi', but yet, in parts, suitable for settlement up to the 815th mile. Between Humboldt and Battleford — 815th to 961st mile — the line touches the northern limit of the Great Plains (coloured mauve) which stretch away southward to the International Boundary, and are principally prairie. The soil in parts is alka- line and saline, in others fit for the plough and for pasture, but owing to tho want of wood and good water, settlement would be practicable onlj at intervals. Indeed, throughout the whole of this region, the surface water is bad and scarce, except in the early spring. Between these plains and the fertile lands to tho north of the Saskatchewan, there is a region of prairie, (coloured green on the map), interspersed with poplar copse, on a loamy and sandy soil, piodiicing good crops of grass and wild pea-vine ; the surface water being generally abundant. A fair proportion of this is suitable for agriculture and settlement. The line enters this district a little to the west of Battleford, arid reaches its western boundary about the 1130th mile. In this distance of 165 miles there is probably about an equal division of poor and sandy soil and of land fit for settlement. From the 1130th mile to the crossing of the River Pembina at the 1267th mile the soil is a heavy, rich loam, suitable for wheat growing, with very luxuriant vegeta- tion, nearly identical with that of Ontario, abounding with streams and fresh water lakes, and clothed with a continuous forest of poplar and spruce. In places, the country is swampy, but it can be drained without difficulty. At the River Pembina, rock is first seen on the surface — it is a sandstone, with coal seams underlying. Between this point and the Yellowhead Pass- -1267th to 1453rd mile — the altitude is generally over 3,000 feet above sea level ; the soil is cold and wet, with numerous muskegs ; it is densely covered with poplar, occasional belts of spruce being interspersed with strips of Banksian pine on the gravelly ridges. This tract is unfit for settlement. The summit of the Yellowhead Pass— altitude 3,720 feet — is the eastern boun- dary of British Columbia ; and as this Province has formed a separate division of the surveys, a new mileage is commenced from that point to the Pacific coast. Prom Yellowhead Puss to a point within a few miles of tho confluence of tho two branches of the Thompson at Kamloops — about 235 miles — the country is unfit for settlement. The Upper Frascr, Albrcda, and Thompson Rivers flow through narrow, deep, and rock-bound valleys, with scarcely an acre of land fit for cultivation ; though in some parts they are well wooded with spiuco and cedar of large size. The Cariboo gold mines lie at no very great distance to the norlh-west of this part of the route; but a high and impassable mountain range intervenes. At Kamloops, the line is fairly on the elevated, undulating, plateau between the Rocky andCa-cade Mountains; — a belt, varying from 80 to 160 miles in breadth, and stretching from tho International Bonndaiy line, on tho south, across the Province in a north-westerly direction to the watershed of the continent, between the 64th and 55th parallel ol north latitude. This belt is generally on a volcanic foimution, and varies from 3,000 to 4,000 foot abov) the level of the sea; it ha^ boon deeply furroweJ by water courses; and u the altitudes of the main valleys range from 1,000 to 2,000 feet above the sea. On the south-cast portion there is little rainfall, but the soil, though dry, is rich, and produces luxuriant crops of bunch-grass, which is very nutritious, and ripens, as it stands, into natural ha3\ The snow in this region rarely reaches over two feet in depth, and cattle thrive on the bunch-grass during the winter, very seldom requiring any other feed. The bunch-grass extends up to about the 53rd parallel of latitutle, beyond which the rainfall increases, and blue-joint and other kindred grasses take the place of the bunch-grass. In the bottom lands of the valleys and on the bcfiches adjoining, the soil is very 1 ich, producing excellent wheat and other cereals, as well as vegetables. These lands, however, are scattered throughout the plateau in isolated patches, and beai' a very small proportion to the whole area. They genci-ally require iri-igation, which can only be obtained to a limited extent. The Central, or Bute Inlet route, branches out of the one under consideration near Tete Jaune Cache ; and a line drawn from this point, so as to make an equal division of territory between them, would cross the Cariboo road near the east end of Lac La Hache and the River Fraser, near the mouth of Canoe Crook. This would give a breadth of fully sixty miles on the north side of the Southern line, and about one hundred miles on the south of it, embracing an area of about 15,000 square miles. Nothwithstanding the advantages of its position, as being on the loute to the gold mines, both from the coast and from the United States, the population of this district is but small, although most of the lands available have been tak^en up. By the construction of a railway to the coast a considerable impetus would, no doubt, be given to the cultivation of cereals, which, at present find a limited market at the centres of the mining industries. This is however, pre eminently a grazing countr}', so that it seems probable that horses, cattlo and sheep would practically continue to be, as now, the chief or only exports of the district. Those, in a free grass country, transport themselves at a cheaper rate than is possible b}' railway. The district is already fairly supplied with roads and good cattle trails, and in Appendix F, page 117 of the Engineer-in-Chief's Heport of 1877, it is shown how the watei- communication can, at small cost, be rendered available, from Lake Kamloops to Okanagan. From Savonas' Ferry, at the foot of Lake Kamloops, to Yale, the distance by the line survej-ed for the railway is one hundred and twenty-three miles. It is a few miles more by the waggon road, and it is evident that if this road were improved and developed, when required, into some inexpensive kind of railway, it would serve this district nearly as well as a line brought across the Itocky Mountains at gicat cost. Spence's Bridge, on the Eiver Thompson, is, by the located line, three hundred and twenty-seven miles from the summit of Yellowhead Pass ; thence down the Ilivers Thompson and Fraser, nearly to Fort Hope, a distance little short of one hundred miles, the valley is a mere gorge in the mountains, with no land, save a few garden patches, fit for cultivation, and oidy scant pa>turage on the hill sides; the few houses on the road are only way-stations on the road to Cariboo. Below Hope the valley begins to open up, and it bocomes several miles wide, in places, before New Westminster is reached. The liottom flats are generally low and ])arlly praii-ie land ; the river meandering through them is occasionally divided into channels or sloughs, forming numerous islands; these are thickly clothed with cotton-wood, vine, maple, willow and other woods. There is good land on the higher benches, though but little wheat is grown in the district. The reasons for this, as given by the farmers, are : — The uncertainty of the weather during the harvest se.ison, the alternate rains and hot sunshine causing the grain to grow in die ear bclore it can bo housed ; and, further, that I hoy find it more profitable to raise stock, coarse grains, hay, and fruit, and import their flour than to spend money in produc- ing wheat, which, at best, would j)i-ovo to b(} bi^t an iijloripr article. The cuttl© ary 45 reared for the markets of Now Westminster and Victoria ; the hay and oats ai'e sent to the loggiiifi; camjin, and the fruit to the upper country. The total area of land in the valley is estimated at a little over 500,000 acres : * of this but a very small part is under cultivation, and it will require much labour and expense before any extensive increase can be obtained. The great bulk of the land that could be most easily brought under cultivation, lies on the estuary of the river below the point where the lino leaves the valley for Burrard Inlet; and most of the balance is on the opposite side of the river to that on which the lino is located. Much of this land is subject to overflow from the floods of the river and ft-om high tides in the Strait. Taken altogether, this is a very fine district, and in course of time will have a considerable population ; but it is obvious that the reclamation of the low lying lands is not to be brought about by a railway, but by means of dykes, embankments, pumping machinery and such other works and appliances as have been successfully used on lands in a similar condition. Steamboats already ply between New Westminster and Yale (90 miles) twice a . week each way, and would do so daily if there were suflicient traffic. These steamers stop at any point on the river where desired for the collection of passengers or freight, however limited in number or quantity ; a degree of accommodation greater than could be afforded by any railway. The amount of traffic which the valley would supply to a railway would be but limited, as its main products go seawards, and four-fifths of the traffic, both of passengers and freight, which passes u]) into the interior is in connection with the Cariboo Gold Mines, for the necessities of whose development there must, and will ultimately, be found a shorter and better route from some point on the coast further north. On the whole it does not appear that the prospects of a railway on this route are encouraging. The distance from Fort William (Lake Superior) to Port Moody, at the head of the south arm of Burrard Inlet is 1,946 miles, and, if carried to English Bay, 1,961 miles. Up to Northcote, 629 miles, the line is common to all the proposed routes westward. Between this and the Pembina River — 1,267 miles — thesoil is variable, and, as above described, only in part fit for settlement. From the Pembina River across the Rocky Mountains, to a point near Kamloops — 420 miles — is totally unfit for settlement. There is another length of 100 miles in the canyons of the Thompson and Fraser in a similar condition. So that from the River Pembina, on the east side of the Rocky Mountains, to the proposed tei-minus at Port Moody, a distance of 679 miles, there are 520 miles on which there is no land fit for settlement, and on the balance most of the land of any value is taken up ; in all this distance, therefore, there will scarcely be an acre within 60 to 100 miles of the line at the disposal of the Government for railway purposes. The works, moreover, will be generally heavy and costly. Central Line, vid Yeltowhead Pass, io Waddington Harbour, Bute Inlet. This lino diverges from that last described at a point thirty-eight miles west of tho summit of Ycllowhcau Pass, and follows the Valley of the Fiaser down to Grand Rapids, 181 miles from the Pass. Here the line leaves the Fraser and turns across the north end of the Cariboo Mountain Range, crosj^ing Bear River at the 206th mile. This river rises near Barkerville, the chief town of the Gold Mining District, about eighty lo eighty-five miles from the point of crossing : the valley attbrding facilities for the construction of a road. Tho line descendH to tho Fraser Valley on the west side of tho Cariboo Range, by tho Willow River, and crosses the Fraser at the 228lh mile. The lower i)art of the Willow River Valley, for u length of fourteen * Calculated frum the map issued b/ the Chief Ooannisdipner of Lands and Works. 4d miles, is about threc-quartors of a mile wide, the soil being good both for agriculture and pasture ; the elevation is 2,000 feet above the level of the sea. This is the first land of any extent fit for cultivation met with since leaving Yellowhead Pass. The line then crosses some rough ground on the right bank of the Fraser, and reaches the Valley of the Stewart River at the 246lh mile, about nine miles west of Fort George. At this point it is fairly on the elevated plateau, between the Rocky and C ascade Mountains, already dosi-ribed on the other route ; in this district the plateau is of low altitude, i-.-mging from 2,000 to 2,500 feet above the level of the sea. The line crosses it in a south-weslcily direction by a series of valleys, rising gradually in altitude to the foot hills of the Cascade Mountains, pushing through the latter by the Valley of the Homathco, to the head of Bute Inlot ; the length from. Yellowhead Pass being i)46 miles. The portion of the grass region thus croi^sed is fully as extensive as that on the southern route, and Im in part similar in character. Towards the north, however, the rain-fall is sufficient, without irrigation, and there is more woodland and soil fit for the plough. Still, in proportion to the whole, the quantity of arable land is but small, thotigh whatever there is, is available fir railwaj'' purposes and settlement with the excep- tion of the immediate neighbourhood of the Cariboo Mines and the approaches to them, where a population, about equal to that wh'ch would bo served by the other route, is already located. It should be explained that the waggon road and the accom- panying sottlemonts, followed the course of gold discovery up the Vallej^s of the Rivers Fraser and Thompson to Cariboo; and as the supply of fai-m and other produce was obtainable in sufiiciciit quantity' from the settlements on the existing road, no farther extension has as 3et been made of road or settlements northward of that district. The di>tance of the mines from the coast by the present road was long ag • felt to I o so serious an inconvciiieiKe that a waggon road from Bute Inlet to the mouth of Ques- nelle was piojected by the late Mr. Waddington, and 40 miles of a hoi-se trail were actually constructed when a stop >vas put to the work through the massacre, by the Indians, of the men engaged in its consti action. The proposed railway line follows this route generally, passing within 48 miles of Qnesnelle. On the whole, this route appeals much more favouiable than the other. As a colonization lino it would bring a laige quaritity ot land into cultivation, and attbrd much better accommodation to the gold mining district of C/ariboo, where the recent developments in quartz mining give promise of a future of extraordinary prosperity. The Aorthern Route, via Yellow Head Pass, to Kamsquot Bay, Dean Inlet. This line is identical with the las", to a point in the Chilacoh Valley, 280 miles from Yellow Head Pass, where it diverges to a more westerly course, striking the Salmon Uiver at the entrance to the Cascade Mountains, and following the same through the Mountains to Kamsquot Bay. The length from Yellow Head Pass is 4-<8 miles, being 58 miles shorter than tho last line. This is undoubte lly tho shortest practicable line across the Continent from Red River to tho Pacific, ami can be constructed at the least cost; it is also on the direct route to the coast of CJhina. Both of these last two routes have, however, the same serious drawback as the southern line — the great length of sterile country in crossing the Rocky Mountains, and the considerable stretches of indifferent land which lie to the east of them. This objection was felt so stiongly, that the permis- sion of the Minister was obtained last summer to extend tne projecte,0n0 quintals, valued at 81 1,017,358. There is no reason to doubt that the Peace River District could compete, though at some slight disadvantage in point of distance, with the wheat-growing lands of California and Oregon in trade with England, while it would be in a better position as regards the Asiatic trade. For a distance of 300 miles from the coast, to the point where the Pino River route diverges, the line would bo identical with that surveyed for the Yellow Head route. The remainder has only been explored in part ; but from the information thus obtained, it may be safely assumed that though the line would probably be somewhat longer, the cost of construction would be considerably less than on the parallel portion of the route by the Yellow Head Pass. But even were the cost of construction greater, the ditleience would be of minor importance in comparison with the advantages to be derived from a line of railway that would utilize the wonderfully productive powers which now Ho dormant in this vast region. Should this route meet with the favourable consideration of the Government surveys will be required from Northcote via the Pine River Pass to the point of Junction near Fort George, but an examination of the larger river crossings and other difficult points on this route, together with the data obtained from previous surveys, would afford sufficient information to enable companies to tender for the construction and working of the whole line from Lake Superior to the Pacific, as provided for by Act of Parliament. Meanwhile, if desirable, construction could be commenced on that Division of the line between the Pacific coast and Fort George which will not be affected by these surveys. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, MARCUS SMITH, Acting Engineer-in-Chief. F. Braun, Es' •705 47,000,000 (< (( <( (( a u Esquimalt* • 795 52,000,000 * With the inconvenience and delay of a 15 mile ferry. Objections to Burrard Inlet as a Terminus. Burrard Inlet is open to a serious objection, which I have not yet touched upon, viz, that in approaching it from the soa, by the channel to the South of Vancouver Island, vessels have to pass so near to some of the Islands of the San Juan group as to " bo exposed to iho guns of the United States, in the event of hostilities, and that the navigation of the channel would greatly depend on the force of the United States in the locality " (See C. P. R. report of 1877, page 70) the same report then continues, " with regard to the possibility of large sea going vessels passing round the north side of Vancouver, Island and reaching Burrard Inlet, all the naval authorities, with one exception, express an unfavourable opinion." The channel at j)resent used by vessels when passing through the Ilaro Strait to reach the Strait of Georgia is at several points only about two miles distant from San Juan and other Islands belonging to the United States. But in the event of war with that country, a very fair succession of channels from Active pass, across Swan- son channel through Moresby passage, Sj'dncy and Baynes Channels to the Strait of Fuca, can be bacl by the erection of a few beacons, and buoying out the channel where intricate and narrow; a vessel then using those channels, need not at any time approach within tive statute miles of foreign territory, as will be seen in statements by Admiral Cochrane, Capt. Graham and Commander Penilor. The channel by the North of Vancouver Island (!ould also be used by special care,and in substantiation f)f this fact 1 may state, that the steamers Californi:i <»73 tons, and Otter 400 tons, have plied for a number of years, day and night, at all seasons through this passage without accident, although it is noiiher buoyed nor lighted. In Soptember and October of last year H. M. S. Daring used this pass.'ige both up and down when on her exploring trip to Port Kssington. In using either of the above channels to reach theStrait of Georgia, some detention would no doubt be experienced by very larire vessels, owing to strong currents at certain ])oints, which it would lie udvisuble to pass at the most favourable stages of the tide. IJxtra cost attendant upon the adoption of Route, No. 6. By the adoption of the But^ Inlet route, merely to avoid the risks of delay Just uded to, and which moreover would only occur during a war with the United 20;-8 ull ftd States, $15,000,000 oi- $20,000,000 must be spent in the construction of 191 or 28Y miles of extra railvva_y lino, — including ferry — which would cause through freight to be carried by land, an additional distance of nearly 200 miles from Alberni, in order to save 150 miles of water caiTiage, or in the case of Bsquimalt, 300 miles by railway to save 90 miles by water. Frederick Arm. The possibility of Freder'ck Arm being found suitable for a terminal harbour, does not sscem to require an extended notice. It has not been recommended by any Naval Authority, and an inspection of the chart leads to the conclusion that the an- chorage is very small ; tiiat there is no roadstead within many miles of it; and that it is only suitable for slij) docks for a ferry. Gradients. Annexed is a table of gradients from which the following conclusions may be drawn : Of lino practically level there are on Route No. 6, 48 miles less than on Route No. 2. Of grade between -10 and -50 per 100 there are on Route No. 6, 38 miles more than on Route No. 2. Of grade between -50 and 1 per 100 there are on Route No. 6, 42 miles more than on Route No. 2. Of grade between 1 and 2 per 100 there are on Eoute No. 6, 21^ miles, a large proportion of which is 2 per 100, and there are no corresponding gradients on Route No. 2. It may bo stated also that the grades on tho Burrard Inlet route are generally short and undulating, which is not the case in regard to the other. This will be more ciearly understood by leforencc to a diagi-am which has been prepared on a scale of 10 miles to the inch horizontal and 500 foot to the inch vertical. ■, rv,- 5f) Comparative Statement of grades from summit of Yellow Head Pass to Port Moody, Eoute No. 2 and Waddington Harbour, Eoute No. 6. Inclination. Level to ^Over'lO to •10 per 100 •20 " 'S 00 20 to -30 " 30 to -40 " 40 to -50 " ■50 to -60 " 60 to -10 " •70 to -80 " 80 to l-OO " 00 to 1-25 " •25 to 1-75 " 75 to 2-00 " •10 to •20 to •30 to •40 to •50 to •60 to •70 to •80 to •20 •30 •40 •50 •60 •70 •80 100 Route No. 2- Miles. 185^65 1134 15^48 17-25 30-26 12^95 12-43 33-'^0 66-06 Per cent of whole route. . 9-02 1447 9-68 2rl8 6-73 1101 8-55 27-74 493 37 2 60 30 3 22 50 14 63 2 53 6 74 13 42 I 1 83 2 87 96 30 36 24 1 73 J 63 100: Eoute No. 6- Miles. 137- n 16-17 21-09 16-41 23-62 11-77 14-81 25-49 80-32 5-30 3-84 12-37 23-46 29-35 12-75 23-77 9.14 1106 15-92 52-19 .")46 Per cent of whole route. 25 3 3 3 4 2 o 4 14 10 85 33 15 70 70 70 99 31 37 33 35 68 02 91 54 100 2C Eoute 2 exceeds Eoute 6. Eoute 6 exceeds Eoute 2. No. of Miles. 47.92 •84 6-64 1-18 7.71 4-83 5-61 2-38 14-26 5-30 3-84 12^37 1444 14-88 3-07 2-59 2-31 •05 7-37 24-35 60 Comparative Statement of Alignment on Routes 2 and 6, shewing lengths of different degrees of Curvature and Tangent, also the percentage each bears to entile length of line. Route No. 2. Alignment. Straight line Curves up to 1°, rad Over 1° to 2°, 5,730 Over 2° to 3°, 2,865 Over 3° to 4°, 1,910 Over 4° to 5°, 1,433 Over 5° to 6°, 1,146 Over 6° to 7°, 955 Over "7° to 8°, 819 ius 5,730 ft, to 2,865 ft. to 1,910 ft. to 1,433 ft. to 1,146 ft. to 955 ft. to 819 ft. to 716 ft. 285-58 28-83 51-92 43-82 41-92 36-75 311 1-25 016 Cm . O-C « § % 9 *- -+3 67-90 5-85 10-53 8-89 8-50 7-45 •63 •25 Total length ' 49300 Percentage of curved line to length of respective lines... 42 10 Route No. 6. Cm • ^ ac o g as c 00 CO g!? 3 O 328-97 31-94 64-36 52-69 41-17 22-33 4-54 546-00 60-24 5-85 11-79 9-66 7-54 4-09 0-83 Miles. •75 14-42 1-25 0-16 CO (M -M Miles. 43-28 311 1244 8-87 1-43 39-76 Curvature. From the above statement of curvature, it will be seen that there are 9^ miles more of curved lino on Route No. 6 than on Route No. 2 ; bul^ of the sharper curves there is a greater length on the latter, and nearly \\ miles of curvature sharper than anything on Route No. 6. These, however, occur on portions of the line where the grades are easy, and so compensate for the extra resistance due to curvature ; while the sharpest curves on the Bute Inlet Route occur in conjunction with the steepest gradients. Maintenance . The characteristics which most mater'ally affect the cost of maintenance are length of line, grades, ferriage (if any) snow fall, and length of bridging. Assuming the traffic to be equal to that on the Intercolonial line during the fiscal year ending .June 30th, 1877, and the ordinary woiking expenses and renewals to be also similar to that railway, viz, : $2,327 per mile pei- annum, that would cause an expenditure of $12.3,000 per annum, if the line terminated at Waddington Harbour in excess of that reciuired to Port Moody, and if the lino should bo extended to Alberni an expenditure including ferry of 8483,000, and if to Esquimault $693,000 per annum in excess of that required in maintaining a line to Coal Harbour or English Bay, andwhicli would increase in proportion to the amount of business done, while the rates for carrying through ti-nfflc wo'Ud be governed by competing linos »nd not by mileage carried. fil Table showing the comparative cost of maintaining lines to cei-tain points in accordance with the above calculations. Distance from Yellow Head Summit. Route No. 6 exceeds No. 2. Koute No. 2. Route No. 6. In Miles. In annual expenditure for maintenance while traffic only equals that on Intercolonial in 1877. 1 To ! Miles. To. Miles. Port Moody English Bay 493 508 508 Waddington Alberni 54« 705 795 53 197 287 $123,000 483 000* Esqui-mault 693,000* * Including an allowance for a 15 mile ferry. It has been shown that there are some grades on Route No. (J much steeper than any of those on Route No. 2, and also that there is a greater length of the heavier gradients generally, which reduce the capacity of the route and add largely to the cost of transport, tims affecting the maintenance, which would be still further increased by the extra wear and tear to the rolling stock from the same cause, but it would be extremely difficult to reduce this to a monetary value. On the Bute Inlet i-oute provision must be made tor diverting avalanches at several points in the Cascade mountains, which would be costly, otherwise no great difficulties are likely to be encountered in regard to snow on either line, westward of Tete Jaune Cache, antl eastward of that point the line is common to both routes. The total length of bridging as estimated is if miles on route No. 6, and 3|r miles on route No. 2, being half a mile lesson the Bute Inlet route, but as the estimates have been made out for permanent structures this item need not be considered. Local Traffic. The resources of British Columbia are not sufficiently developed at present to furnish any considerable local traffic, though the various industries give promise of considerable extension before long. The southern portion of the Province, which is most suited for agriculture and stock raising, would be best served by the Burrard Inlet route, while the Cariboo mining district, though about equi-dislant from cither line, can probably bo more easily reached by the Bute Inlet route. The former route, with a branch to Cariboo, whenever there may be trade to justify its construction, would seem to serve the interests of both sections. I think I have in the foregoing referred to all matters specially requiring attention. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. J.^CAMBIE, Engineer-in-Oharge of Surveys in British Columbia. 62 APPENDIX F. Correspondence with the Imperial Government and officers of the Royal Navt respecting certain nautical surveys and a terminal harbour fob the canadian pacific railway. The Earl of Dufferin to the Earl of Carnarvon, Government House, No. 115. Ottawa, 19th April, 1877. My Lord,— I have the honor to forward herewith to your Lordship a copy of a mimitc of Council, expressing a desire that tlie Imperial Government will under- take a survey of cei-tain ports of the coast of British Columbia. I have, &c. (Signed) DUFFERIN. The Right Honorable The Earl of Carnarvon, &c., &c. Copy of a Report of a Committee of the Honorable the Privy Council, approved by Sis Excellency the Governor General in Council on the Vltk April, 1877. On a Report, dated 16th April, 1877, from the Honorable the Minister of Public Works, stating that special efforts have been made during the past summer and autumn to procure information through the officers of the Admiralty and Royal Navy, respecting the several harbors and roadways on the coast of British Columbia, but that it would appear no surveys have yet been made of the coast adjacent to the mouth of the River Skeena, and that no decided opinion has been obtained regarding the waters in (hat quarter ; That, as the Dominion Government have no means of conducting an examina- tion in that direction, he recommends that a request be forwarded to the Imperial Government that they will direct a nautical survey to be made during the coming sopson, of the channels and approaches at the point indicated, and that surveys should be made of Frederic Arm, and the waters leading thereto, as decided information respecting this point should be obtained before a final decision is arrived at, fixing the seaport termmus of the Canada Pacific Railway. The Committee concur in the foregoing recommendation, and submit the same for Your Excellency's approval. Certified. W. A. HIMSWORTH, Cierli, Privy Council. 63 The Oohnial Office to Mr. Sandford Fleming. Colonial Office, Downing Street, 3rd Deoomber, 1877. SiE, — I am directed by the Ekrl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a despatch received through the Admiralty, from the Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific station, together with a copy ot a Eoport from the Commander of Her Majesty's ship "Daring" forwarding plans of the channel and approaches adjacent to the mouth of the Eiver Skeena, prepared by him iti connection with the question of the selection of a terminus for the Canadian Pacific Eailway. I am to request that the plans which are forwarded in original, may be returned to this Department. Admiral DeHorsey's despatch has been communicated to the Governor General of Canada, I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) EGBERT G. W. HBEBBET. Sandford Fleming, Esq., C.M.G. etc., &C., &C. (Copy) Admiral DeHorsey to Secretary of the Admiralty. " Shah " at Esquimalt, 9th October, 1877. Sir, — With reference to the directions of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,contained in your letter, No. 86, of the 19th May last, (received 14th August), I have the honor to report that 1 sent the " Daring," Commander Hanmer, to make a general examination of the channels and approaches of the Eiver Skeena. Prom Commander Hanmor's report, and from such information as I have been able to obtain, I am of opinion that, whether in view of communication with the inhabited parts of British Columbia, or of through traffic across the Pacific, the vicinity of Skeena 18 totally unfit for the ocean terminus of the proposed Canadian Pacific Eailway. The mere circumstance that the bai'S of the river are not navigable for ocean steamers, except at high water, is of itself condemnatory, in my opinion. Added to this are the difficulties of tortuous approaches on a very foggy and rainy coast, and that the land in the vicinity is reported to consist of mountains and swamps, ottering little inducement to settlers. 1 beg to transmit herewith a copy of my orders to Commander Haimor, and of his report, accompanied by plans of the mouth of the Skeena and of Woodcock's Landing. The lateness of the season and the almost constant rain, caused a service of this kind (necessarily performed in open boats) to be somewhat arduous. 1 submit Commander Hanmor's execution of it for their Lordships' approval. I have forsvardod a copy of this report and enclosures for the information of the Governor General of Canada. I have, &c. (Signed) A. DeHORSEY, . 1^ -- Rear Admiral and Oommander-in-Chief. The Secretary of the Admiralty. 64 Admiral DeHorsey's orders to Commander Hanmer. By Algernon Frederick Eous DeHorsey, Esquire, Rear-Admiral in Her Majesty's Fleet, and Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to bo employed on the Pacific Station. Her Majesty's ship under your command being in all respects ready, you are, on receiving instructions to part company, to put to sea and proceed to Nanaimo, there to complete with coal to your utmost stowage. 2. From Nanaimo you are to proceed to the vicinity of the River Skeena, and on your arrival }-ou are to make a general examination of that part of the coast of British Columbia; the Irovernor General of Canada having requested that a survey might be made of the channels and approaches adjacent to that river, with a view to fixing a terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. 3. In view of the lateness of the season it will be desirable lo lose no time in commencing this examination, and you are to return to Esquimalt before the sevei'ity of the winter. 4. Your proceedings are to be reported to me by every opportunity; and, as soon as pi-acticable after your arrival ofi' the Skeena, you are to furnish me with an esti- mate of the time you consider requisite for the examination ordered, specifying the part you intend to commence first. 5. On completion of the service, your report is to be furnished me in duplicate. Given on board the "Shah," at Esquimalt, this 22nd day of August, 1877. (Signed) A. F. R. DeHORSEY. To John G. H. Hanmer, Esq., Commander Her Majesty's Ship '* Daring," By command of the Commander-in-Chief. (Signed) J. H. CLEVERTON, Secretary. Enclosure No. 2 in Pacific Letter No. 326, of 1877. Report of the Examination of the River Skeena by Commander Hanmer. H.M.S. " Daring" at Departure Bay, 4th October, 1877. Sir, — I have the honor, in accordance with 3'our directions, dated 22nd August, 1877, to report the result of my examination of the channels and approaches to the River Skeena, British Columbia. 1. As regards the diannols and approaches of the three named respectively, Telegraph, Middle and North Channels, Telegraph Channel is available at high water for ships drawing 25 feet up to Port Essitigton, the deepest water being on the mainland side, abreast of Kennedy Island, and on the Island side abreast of Do Horsey Island (as will be seen by the plan annexed), heavy tide rips occur at springs. The passage between Kennedy and DeHorsey Islands I have designated as the "Middle;" it is between sand banks, which, I should think are liable to shift at different seasons of the year, and is only fit for small steamers. North Channel (or North Skeena Passage), has a passage for steamers of light draught, and is entered over a flat with about three fathoms low watoi springs, and has an outlet between De Hoi'sey Island and the mainland of oidy half a cable in width, at low water the ebb tide setting strongly through it. I do not rccommeiid it for large vessels. Port Essington should therefore be reached from the westward, either by the Browning Entrance, Ogden Channel and Cardena Bay, or by Dixon Entrance, Chatham Sound, Arthur Channel and Cardena Bay. at 2. Anchorages. — Skeena Eiver has an extensive anchorage ground between Port Essington and the north end of Dellorsoy Island ; holding ground is good, being soft mud ; at springs heavy tide rips occur, making boat or lighter woik dangerous. Mr. Cunningham (a trader of many years' experience at Port Essington), informed me that the river was never frozen at Port Essington, but great quantities of ice come down in the spring, as well as immense trees. During the winter months heavy gales from the north are frequent, and, I should think, would completely suspend communication between the shore and vessels in the stream, as there is no shelter from their full force. High water approximate 1-0-0, F. & 0. rise 24 feet springs. Woodcock's Landing affords a fair anchorage, but is limited in extent (plan annexed), it is more sheltered than Port Essington, and is free from tide rips, although the ebb tide runs between four and five knots at springs; holding ground is good, being mud off the village, H. W. F. & C, 12^' 15, rise springs 24 feet approxi- mate, neaps IT feet (vessels must moor). Cardena Bay is the best anchoiago in the vicinity, being sheltered from N. and S.E.J holding ground is good ; tide sets fairl}' through the anchorage; H. W. F. & C, noon springs rise 24 feet; neaps, 17 feet approximate. The prevailing' winds in the vicinity of the Skeena are said to be westerly during the summer months, and during the remainder of the year S.E. and N.E., with heavy gales occasionally from the north. Fogs are frequent in August and September. Kain is prevalent in spring and autumn, and dui'ing the stay of the " Daring," from 1st to 27th September, the prevailing winds were easterly and south-easterly, with almost constant rain and frequent squalJs; during the samft time the barometer's lowest was 28° 90' ; highest, 30° 30'. The land about the entrance of the Skeena is mountainous and densely wooded (chiefly cedar and hemlock) and shows signs of a remarkably wet climate, and, I should say, is quite unfit for settlement. I hdve, &c., (Signed) JOHN G. HANMER, Commander. J. H. Clevbrton, Secretary. (Copy.) The Colonial Office to Mr. Sandford Fleming. Colonial Office, Downing Street, 2l8t December, 1877. Sir, — With reference to the question of the selection of ti site for a terminus on the Pacific coast, for the Canadian Pacific Railway, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you for your perusal and information, a copy of a despatch received through the Admiralty from Real-Admiral DeHorsoy, Naval Commander-in- Chief on the Pacific Station, reporting his views upon this subject. 1 am to state that a copy of this despatch has been communicated to the Gover- nor General of Canada for the information of the Dominion Government. I am, Sir, — ^ Your obedient servant, ■ (Signed) E, H. MEADE. Sandford Fleming, Esq., O.M.G. ~" ^ ' 20;— 9 . ? 06 Report of Admiral DeHorsey respecting Canadian Pacific Railway Terminus. "Shaii" at Esquimalt, 26(h Octobei', 1877. Sir, — I request you will bring under the consideration of the Lords Commission ers of the Admiralty the following obtervationn, submitting my opinion relative to the best site for the ocean terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway. 2. With a view to forming an opinion on this subject I have carefully perused the reports of exploration of 1874 and 1877, made .by Mr. Sandfoid Fleming, the Engineer-inChief, and I have had the advantage of personal interviews with Mr. Marcus Smith, Mr. Cambie, and other Engineers of the Survey. An ascent of the Fraser Eiver, as far as Yale, and on to Boston Bar by land, has enabled mo to form some idea of the diflScult}' of penetrating the Ca-scado range of mountains with a line of railway. I have further inspected Buirard Inlet, Ilaro and Geoj-gia Straits (as well as the inner channels eniorging at Active Pass), Discovery Passage and some of the channels in the vicinity of Yaldes Island, including Seymour Nar- rows. An examination has also been made by their Lordships' direction of the approaches to the Skeena Eiver, the result of which has been reported in my letter, No. 326, of the 9th instant. 3. The question of site of ocean terminus should, it appears to me, be deter- mined by two main considerations (besides feasibility in an engineering point of view) : — Ist. Its suitability for the interests and traffic of the populated parts of British Columbia, that Province having joined the Dominion upon the promise of a railway. 2nd. Its being situated at a convenient port f jr ocean steamers to take up, direct from wharf accommodation, the through traffic for Australia, China, Japan, and other places across the Pacific at all seasons of the year and in all weathers. 4. Bearing in mind these considerations, it appears desirable to reject all idea of a terminus on the coast between Vancouver and Queen Charlotte Islands. The navi- gut'on of that part of the coast, judging from the charts and from the reports of Admiral Richards and other naval oflScers, is dewdedly unfavorable, and I should equally reject the vicinity of the River Skeena owing to the prevalence of fog, ice and other climatic causes incident to a high latitude, as well as to the diflSculties of approach from sea. 5. If the above views are correct, the question of site for the terminus is narrowed to a choice between Burrard Inlet and a port in Vancouver Island. G. Burrard Inlet does not appear suitable for an ocean terminus on account of difficulties of navigation to seaward. The tortuous channel from Burrard Inlet to sea through Ilaro Strait will frequently be unsafe on account of the strength of the tide, great pi-evalence of fog and absence of anchoring depth. Burrard Inlet itself also, although possessing a safe port in Coal Harbour, and a gootl anchorage in Eng- lish Bay, has these objections, viz.: that the narrow entrance to Coal Harbour through the First Narrows is liardly safe for large steamers in consequence of the rapidity of the tide ; and that English Bay, although affording good anchorage, would not, in my opinion, be smooth enough during north-westerly gales for shi])s to lie at wharves, there being a drift of forty miles to the north-west. 7. Another grave objection to Burrard Inlet as the final terminus, is the pos- session of San Juan and Stuart Islands by a foreign power. These islands form the key of the navigation inside Vancouver Island. In case of wai* with the United States that power might readily stop our trade through Haro Strait . (San Juan was visited last month by General Sherman, I believe with a view to its fortification.) 8. Condemning Burrai-d Inlet for the above reasons, I conclude that the terminus should bo in Vancouver Island, which may be reached in three ways : — let. By steam ferry carrying a train from Burrard Inlet to Nanaimo. 2nd. By bridging Seymour Narrows. 3rd. By steam ferry, carrying a train from Estero Basin (Frederick Arm) to Otter Cove. «T 9. Tho train onoo hmdod on Viincouvoi* Islauii, can, I lUMlerstand, bo carried without much difficulty citlior to K^:quimalt or to Quatsino Sound, or perhaps to Barclay Sound, whore Uchucklesit Harbour forms an admirable port. 10. The tirst metliod of croHsiug the Strait, that of a stoam ferry from Burrard Inlet to Nanaimo, has three objections, — lf>t. The drawbacks above mentioned to navigating the First Narrows, and to going alongside a wharf in English Baj' ; 2nd. The difficulty and certain frequent detention in mid-channel, owing to fog; 3rd. The heavy soa with north-westerly and south-oastorly gales, which would be at least inconvenient for the conveyance of a train across the Strait of Georgia. Another, and I think a cardinal objection, to the route by the course of the Praser River and Burrard Inlet, is its passing witliin six or eight miles of United States territory, and its consequent liability to destruction when most wanted in time of war. 11. The second method that, of a lino of railway across Valdes Island without water conveyance would require very expensive bridging. Valdos is not one island as shown on the Admiralty Chart, but consists of three or four islands. The main 'lifflculty, of course, exists in bridging Seymour Narrows, a distance of 2,575 feet, in two spans of respectively l,20Uand 1.350 feet. To execute this work the middle pier has to be erected on a rock, said to be eighteen feet under water at low tide, with a velocity of tide over it of from five to eight knots. This would be a work of vast magnitude and expense, oven if it be practicable to place a foundation on the rock, which I doubt, as there is hardly any slack tide. Nor must it bo for- gotten that britlging Seymour Narrows would, as regards large ships, obstruct tho only practicable channel between Vancouver Island and the Main. This alone should, in my opinion, preclude its attempt. 12. The third method, and the one I recommend, that of ferrying a train from Estero Basin to Otter (Jove, is, in my opinion, not only feasible, but perfectly simple. I have carefully examined this route, and find: — 1st. That Otter Cove is well adapted for a pile dock terminus for tho steam feny. 2nd. That the head of Frederick Arm, at the entrance to Estero Basin, is also well adapted for a pile dock terminus. 3rd. That tho channel between the two is easy of navigation, being nearly straight, free from dangoi's, smooth as glass, sheltered from all winds, and having very little tidal stream. 13. The tide in this, tho Nodales Channel, is noted on the chart as running from two to three knots, but I think it is much less. I spent five hours in this channel during what should have been the strength of the tide, tho daj' before tho full moon, and found tho tide scarcely perceptible. Tho distance for steam forry between the two ports is thirteen miles of still, clear navigation, and I consider it may, with proper signals, bo safely traversed in a fog. 14. In advocating the route by Frederick Arm, it will be observed that I am assuming that the railway can be brought to that point. This assumption is borne out by Mr. Fleming's report of 18*7*7, in which he states it to be "a feasible scheme," but one exacting a heavy expenditure, which expendi- ture would, I suppose, be in part compensated by tho route No. 6, from Yellow Head Pass to the head of Bute Inlet, being estimated at two million dollars less than that by the Lower Fraser (No. 2) to Burrard Inlet. 15. From conversation with Mr. Mai'cus Smith (the principal officer of the survey, next to the Engineer-in-Chief) I am given to understand that the Rocky Mountains can bo crossed at a comparatively low level, and that the line can be carried through a far loss mountainous district by avoiding Yellow Head Pass altogether, and selecting a route by Lessor Slave Lake and Pine River Pass, and thence in a more or less direct line to Bute Inlot. Should this prove correct, it will bo an additional reason for ending the main land route at Frederick Arm rather than at Burrard Inlet, omitting, as I do, all consideration of taking water conveyance from the head of Bute Inlet on account ot its length and tortuous passages, which would be impracti- cable in foggy weather. «8 16. Having thus cotno to tho conclusion that tho lino should pass by Piodorick Arm, and that the train should ho convoyed by nteam forry llirougli Nodalos Chan- nel, to Otter Cove, tho extension to ono of tho good ports of Vancouver Island reroainB to bo considered. T7. In future years, I imagine that for tho sake of more direct through ocean traffic, a line will bo extended to Quatsino Sound, by bridging Quatsino Narrows, and thence on to a terminus at Winter Harbour. 18. But for present wants, it pcems (hat the lino should be continued from Otter Cove past Bayne's Sound and Nanaimo to Esqnimalt, there lo make the ocean tor- minus. This port is easy and safe of approach at all times; its dock (to take tho largest ships) has been commenced, and there is reason to think that the line com- ing from the principal collieries and iron districts on Vancouver Island, ought to pa itself in great i>art oy the conveyance of minerals to I'Csquimalt lor shipment. Not only for trade, but for the supply of coal toller Majesty's Squadron at fCsquimalt, a line of rail from Nanaimo would bo advantageous, as tho possession of San Juan might enable the United States, in case of war, to cut off our supply from the mines by sea. 19. Assuming, therefore, that a lino of rail between Esquimalt and Nanaimo will bo constructed, not only for the reasons above detailed, but because its construc- tion appears to have been virtually promised by tho Dominion Government in accordance with Lord Carnarvon's suggestion (a large portion of the rails are actually lying at Esquimalt), the chief difficulty connected witn the Vancouver part of tho through line will bo overcome, for I understand that tho extension of tho lino from Nanaimo to Otter Covo prenents comparatively few difficulties. 20. It will be observed that I have omitted consideration of a terminus in Howe Sound. This is because the same objections in respect to difficulties of navigation to sea through Haro Strait, apply to Howe Sound as to Burrard Inlet, and with greater force. The route to Howe Sound is also, I observe, estimated to cost six million dollars more than that to Bute Inlet. 21. Pinall}', whilst submitting tho foregoing remarks in accordance with their Lordship's intructions to me, of tho 23rd August, 1876, I beg to express much diffi- dence in respect to such as are not strictly within tho scope of tho Naval Service. Viewing the shortness of ray btay in British Columbia waters, this Report cannot pretend todesei-vo much weight; but it has, I submit, ono merit, that of coming from an officer who, from his position, must bo totally disconnected from all local interests. I have, &c., (Signed) A. De HORSEY Jlear Admiral and Oommander-in-Chief. The Secrotaiy To tho Admiralty. (Copy) Mr. Sandford Fleming to the Hon. A. Mackenzie. Canada Buildings, 31 Queen Victoria Stre^^t, London, B.C., 26th December, 1877. Dear Sir, — I have received copies of Admiral DcHorsey's despatches of the 9th and 26th October, respecting a terminus for tho railway in British Columbia, the originals of which have bpen forwarded to QttawtV. f)0 Admiral Dollorsoy givoa oxprossion to very decided views: umon^st other thinpjs he recommends llio rojec'tion of nil idea of a Xorthcrrj tormimiH. In actinj^ on this recomni ndation, the Government should, I think, have Homothinj; more, if poHsible, than an opinion, however wtrongly expressed. I think it >hould be in pitssossion of all the information which exists ; indeed it would bo desirable to have on record data BuflBcient to enable any one to judpje of the propriety of completely rejecting a northei'n terminus from consideration, before that course is linally adopted. I have considered it my duty, therefore, to address a communication to the Colonial office (of this date) a copy of which I herewith enclose. { am, dear Sir, Yours very tiuly, (Signed) SANDFORD FLEMING. The Hon. A. Mackenzie, Minister of Public Works, Ottawa. »■ Mr, Sandford Fleming to the Colonial Office. Canadian Agency, 31 Queen Victoria Street, E.C. London, 26th December, ISTI. Sir, — I beg o .o « Cj ^ 1 13 2 «s s xr; m -t a 1 Feet. Miles. Rise or Fall. 2,270|Siiniinit , 2,9901 2,'jyo Slewfirt River I 2, IftOl 2,150|.'Siiiiiuiit I 2,790; 2.790;Halm()ii River ' 2,.'')30 2,800i 1,890 2,5:!0i'Siinitnit 2,H00,McLeoa'8 Lake 18 I Rise, 720 feel 51 Fall, 840 do 44 'Rise, 040 do 7 I Fall, 201) do 6;}; Rise, 270 flo :i8|!K'all, 910 do Cl. Feet. 40 lOH 14-4 371 40 23 8 No difficulties of a more than ordinary character would bo met witii in crossing the above riveis. in projecting a line of railway through the country above referred to (that in from Stony Creek to Fort McLood), detailed and careful exj)lorations would, no doubt, obviate some of the difficulties now apparent. It may, however, l)o stafofl with .safety, that tho alignment and grades would in any case bo objectionablo and the ijunntitica •xces.'sivc. 75 The timboi' on this tract of country is ^cncnilly of an inferior quality. The higher j)ortion.s of tlie land arc covered witii the common black pine. Occasional patches ofgoodnpruco are 'not with, and a few Douglas firs weie noticed on the shore of J{ound Lake, near ihe 0 feet; height of piers, '.i!} foot; depth of water, 5 to 8 foot; bottom, gravel ; cur- rent, I'lh miles per hour. To reach this crossing the line would liave to bend north- ward by an arm of Tutia Lake, which opens up the ridge or plateau and affords tho means of crossing it at a lower level. On the nu)rning of tho 20lh we left tho Parsnip River and journeyed up tho Misinc hinca, keeping llu^ left oi- south bank where the travelling was gooif, and wiiero could be seen faint traces of an Indian trail, which, howovor, soon ended at an old trapping camp, and wo saw no more of it, ie Our first camp on the Misinchinca (No. 20) was on a fine wide bench about 200 feet above the level of the river. This bench extends about six miles up the valley, and lies mostly on the left or east bank. From camp No. 20 the general upward course of the vallo}^ for eleven miles is N. 25° E. The rise on this distance is very small, the current on the river being hardly perceptible. The valley at its entrance, and for some distance upwards, is enclosed by hills, rising gently on each side, and in some instances green to their tops. Farther in, however, the mountains assume a more bold and rugged character, with steep and rough rocky slopes. The open sandy benches give place to low swampy flats, and the river is hemmed in by dense thickets of alder and willow. The difficulties of travel had now materially increased, several unsuccessful attempts were made to carry the trail high up on the mountains, and for six dnya we cut our way foot by foot through the dense jungle with which the valley at some points is covered throughout its entire width. Although presenting many obstacles to travel, the whole of this low land is susceptible of reclamation by drainage, and seems generally well suited for agriculture. On the 1st August we had reached a point thirty -one miles from Fort McLcod, where the Misinchinca valley begins to rise rapidly, and the river shows innumerable bars of sand and pebbles with many shallow rapids and diift piles. Following up the valley from camp No. 29, wo came in three-quarters of a mile to the " Atunatche," a stream fifteen feet wide, falling into the river from the north- ward. Beyond this a short distance the Misinchinca issues from a narrow goi-ge or canyon, walled in by bluffs of rock and gravel. In front and running in a north-west and south-east direction is a range of high bare, rounded, limestone mountains. This range forms a barrier on the east side of the Misinchinca valley, which turns sharply to the southward, near the mouth of the Atunatche. For five miles after passing this tributary, travelling at a low level being impos- sible, the trail was carried along the west side, 500 feet above the level of the river, on a well timbered bench, from which we found the d jscent to our camp. No. 30, of 2nd August, extremely difficult. This camp is 2,630 feet above sea level, the rise in the last five miles being 380 feet. From the elevated points on our route, during the next four days, we looked anxiously for some lateral opening by which, at a practicable altitude, we might cross the range on our left. The upwaid bearing of the valley was now a little West of South, it was rapidly rising, and the distant mountains, wherever a glimpse could be caught of them through the thick woods, seemed high and rough and well patched "wiih snow. On the Ith August we had reached an altitude of 3,000 feet above the sea. The valley had expanded into a wide swampy flat, while the volume of the river had materially decreased, and it was evident wo were rapidly approaching its source. Selecting one of the mountains on the left a8 being about the average altitude of the range, I commenced its ascent at noon of the 7th, and had climbed but a few hundred feet, when I saw that, as far the Misinchinca was concerned, our exploration was at an end; for we Avere within a few miles of where the valley branched out on every side into rocky ravines, raising abruptly into the mountains. The last 500 feet of the ascent was made over loose limestone slide, on which travelling was both difficult and precarious ; and at an altitude of 5,550 feet above the sea I reached the summit. The view on all sides was uninterrupted. North-easterly from where I stood, and about 500 feet lower, was a small round lake, one-quarter mile in diameter, shedding its waters eastward down a dark, crooked, ruck-bound valley. Looking farther to the eastward, the view was over a rugged, rock}', mountainwus country; S. 40' K, in the direction of the Fraser River, very high mountains, all tipped with snow, stretched away to the limits of the horizon. With the exception of the rough peaks enclosing the valley of the Misin- chinca, a low wooden country laj^ to the wpstwartl. To the north the country 11 generally sooraed falling ; and I could clearly trace the valley of the Atunatche, along the luise of the main range from the southern bend of the Misinchinca, and nearly in a lino with the valley of that river. Yet the prospect in this direction was not encouraging; for the view through what afterwards proved a feasible pass, was obstructed by the overlapping profile of the opposite mountains. We seemed to be in the heart of the Eockies, and it was evident that no pass need be be looked for to the southward ; so I resolved to turn northward, and, retracing our march to the mouth of the Atunatche, follow up the valley of that stream, in the hope of being able to pass eastward round the northern limit of the higher mountains. Having, with the point of my bowie-knife, inscribed my name and purpose on a smooth block of limestone, I descended the mountain, and came up with the party a short distance ahead of where I left thera. On observing the peculiar character of the surroundings, and being hemn.ed in on every side by windfall, they had camped early to wait for fui-ther orders. The barometei- at this camp (No. 34) indicated an altitude of 3,010 feet above sea, the distance from the Atunatche being 2G miles. On the morning of the 8th August we turned back, and reached the mouth of the Atunatche (altitude 2,150 feet) on the 10th ; and the next day we pushed on up the valley of that stream on a bearing of N. 12° E. The travelling was difficult; the stream runs in a narrow gorge, and the grourd on either side is much broken up into rocky and gi-avelly ridges, the general surface rising slowly to the mountains on either side. At three and three-quarter miles wo reached the south end of Azuzetta Lake. The rise in this distance is 270 feet; the altittide of the lake, which drains into the Misinchinca, being 2,430 feet, and along its shore is some excellent grass. We followed the ea^t shore of Azuzetta Lake to its north end, one mile and three-quarters, and then kept along the valley in a northwest direction. After passing a few beaver dams we crossed an open, sloping, grassy prairie, at the base of the right-hand mountain, and tioticed, 100 yards to the left, a stream ten feet wide, running northward. On further examination I found that this stream issued from the mountains on the west, and received the drainage of the last small lake or beaver dam we had passed ; this proved to be the origin of the west or main branch of Pine River, or Satchaca. The altitude of the summit, near the beaver dam above referred to, is 2,-140 feet above sea level A mile from the summit brought us to a precipice, or drop, over 100 feet high, stretching across the valley from side to side, down the face of which the pack train scrambled with great difficult3^ The stream finds its way gradually to this lower level through a rugged rocky canon. The valley at this point is about a quarter of a mile wide, with high rocky bluffs on both sides. For six miles from the summit the general course of Pine River Valley is riorthwost, and it seemed at one time almost certain that we should be pushed west- ward by the main range into the valley of the Parsnip, by an opening lying nearly on our course ; but this |)roved to be the valley of a tributary from the north, upon receiving which, the main river turns to the eastward. About a mile below camp No. 42, or 14^ miles from the summit, in about Lat. 55°, 25' N., and Long. 122°, 32' W, the sandstone structure makes its appearance, and Pine River may be said to be fairly beyond the Rocky Mountain range. From the precipice up to this point the fall is about uniform, and the river runs on a bed of thin slaty slabs. Short low bluffs of shale and slate appear occasionally on the banks. The valley is thickly timbered with spruce and balsam of good quality, and is sufficiently wide to admit of easy curvature. The flats bordering the river are in places soft and swampy. Since leaving Fort McLood, on the 18th July, we had been travelling through a country almost entirely devoid of trails, and presenting every conceivable obstacle to ♦be passage of a pack train, Day by day our small party toiled from morning till t8 night in making a passable tniil lor the sniraals through fallen timber and over swamps, and sometimes after a hard day's work in chopping, brushing, bi-idging, etc., we had the inditlerent satisfaction of looking back only a mile or two to the curling smoke of the previous camp tire. With incessant labor both men and animals were becoming exhausted. The season was far advanced, and our position was by no moans determined with certainty. We wore glad, therefore, to auo])t the expedient which now was presented of travelling in the river bed and on its numerous shingly bars, taking to the wools only where the i-iver was obstructed by drift piles or too deep for travel. All the saddle animals were pressed into the packer's service. Yot we cheerfully exchanged the hard and continuous toil of hacking our way slowly through the bush, for the discomfort of the more rapid mode of travelling, involving as it did, wading sometimes for a consideiable distance in the deep cold water. One hundred and thirty seven crossings of the river were made altogether. In this manner we made good progress till the 21st August, when the river channel had to be abandoned, as the water had become waist deep, and fording the 1 iver dangerous. At 55J miles from the summit Pine River receives a tributary about its equal in volume from the south. The general upward bearing of the valley of this branch for six or seven miles, at which point it seems to fork, is S. 20° E.,and its width averages one and a half miles. Some grassy slopes are seen on the west bank, but the valley generally seems thickly wooded. Nineteen miles below the middlebranch the lower or east branch of Pine River is reached. The east branch is slightly larger than the main river and more glacial in appearaicc. Below the Forks the river is from 50t) to Y50 feet wide. The alti- tude iit the Lower Forks is 1,430 feet above the sea. Between the middle and lower forks is a canon two and one-quarter miles in length, of shelving sandstone, but its course is comparatively straight. A loaded dug-out canoe, managed by one of our Indians, passed through the canon in safety, and no difficulty was experienced in travelling on the grassy slopes above. From the summit of Pine River Pass to the lower forks the distance is seventy- four and one half miles, and the fall 1,010 feet. With the exception of a few miles at the summit, the valley between these points is generally favorable for railway construction. In the upper part of the valley there would be some short rock cuttinjs, where spurs from the low, sharj), wooded mountains project into the river, but on the lower portion there are long stretches of level flats, wheie the work would be very light. On the 18th of August, about two miles above cam)i No. 44, and twenty-two miles from the summit, an open alluvial flat was reached on the left bank of the river, and a change in the character of the valley became apparent. Up to this point, which is probably the extreme western limit of the "Fertile Belt," no land suitable for cultivation or setllemoiit was seen ©ast of the mountains. From camp No. 44 to the canyon, a distance of forty-three miles, Pine River Valley is from one to two miles in width. A very large proportion of the low land in this distance is fit for settlement, and the pasturage in the valley and in the north hill slopes is of the richest description. Grass and pea-vine in profuse luxuriance, with clumps of poplar and pine, cover thousands of acres, rendering this part of the country peculiarly attractive. From the canon to the lower forks the cultivable land is less extensive, but the pasture equally abundant and rich. The country abounds in largo game, such as bear, cariboo and moose. The hill slopes are, in many places, very distinctly marked by unbroken terraces, rising in some instances 1,000 feet above the level of the river. Opposite camp No. 47, and for some distance above and below it these terraces are most noiiceable. They are truly parallel, and expose at their outer edges short bluffs of sandstone, We arrived at the Lower Forks on the 28th August, and the following day made preparations to strike eastward, as Pine River here suddenly turns to the north. Qn the 30th we started up the east brt^uch in the hope of finding some lateral valley •?*) from the eastward, by which the summit to the Smoky River might be readied Wo ascended the valley for ten milcB, when it became evipermine to its mouth. Exactly a hundred years ago, and in tho year before the sad end of one of the most distinguished of navigators and discoverers, Captain Cook touched at Nootka Sound, on the western coast of Vancouver's Island, claimed its discovery, and after remaining there a few weeks, sailod along the coast to Behring Slraitw. After an intermission of eleven years, Alexander Mackenzie, in the service of the North West Fur Trading Company, set out on an important exploration of the interior. Between 1789 and 1793, that intrepid traveller discovered tho great river which justly bears his name, and followed it to the Arctic Ocean. He ascended the Peace Piver to its source, was the first civilized man to penetrate tho Rocky Moun- tains, and passed through to the Pacific Coast. This traveller inscribed in large charac- ters on a rock by the side of Dean Inlet, the words — "Alexander Mackenzie, from Canada by land 22nd July, 1793." @n the same day that Mackenzie painted that memorable inscription by the side of tho Pacific. Captain Vancouver was pui'suing his examination of the coast about two degrees further north. A shoit time before Mackenzie emerged from the interior, V^ancouver had visited the spot where Macken- zie slept but orie night within sound of the sea. Thus these two distinguished ti-avellors, from opposite directions, and engaged in totally dift'erent pursuits, dis- oovorcd precisely tho same place, and by a remarkable coincidence all but met each other. la 1806, Simon I^h-asor crossed tho liocky Mountains from Canada, and descended tho great river of British Columbia which, in his honour, was named after him. It was ray good fortune many years ago to road Eraser's original manuscript journal, then in the hands of his son. I have since witnessed the foaming rapids and boiling whirl- pools of that wildest of all large rivers, and I cannot be surprised that not many have attempted, and that still fewer have succeeded, in following in the wake of Simon Fraser from the source to the mouth of tho mighty sti-eam. Twenty-two years aftea*- 85 ward8, however, Governor Sir George SiinpRon made the daring attempt. Tn 1828 he stepped into a canoe at York Factory on HiidHon's Bay, and stepped out ot the frail cratt some time afterwards at the mouth of the River Fraser, having in the interim traversed the interior, and carried the canoe, as Mackenzie did heforo him, from the source of Peace River to tl:o great northern bend of the Fraser. This celebrated traveller, in his journey round the world in 18il, again crossed the northern half of America. His course was by the St. Lawrence, the Ottawa, Lakes Nipissing, Huron, Superior, and by the canoe route to Lake Winnipeg. Then across the prairio via the Saskatchewan to the Rocky Mountains and by Kootenais to the Columbia River. In Juno 1843, Captain (now General Sir Henry) Lefroy arrived at Red River, passed through to Lake Athabasca, and there remained from the middle of October to the end of February following, engaged in meteorological and magnetical observations. In March 1844 he started for Fort Simpson on Mackenzie River, whore for several months his time was occupied in similar pursuits. The northwest passage, a problem which had already baffled the energy and skill of navigators, remained unsolved at the beginning of the present century, and a series of attempts was made to throw light on the gloom which suri-ounded it. Some of these eflorts assumed the forms of expeditions by land, traversing the re:rion which now constitute* part of Central Canada, and therefore call for further notice here. The reference to them must be brief, but the indomitable perseverance and heroic endur- ance which they developed and displayed, demands a passing tribute to names which will ever be familiar in Canadian and Arctic story. In 1819, an Arctic land expedition was organized under the command of Captain Franklin. That officer travelled, vid Red River, to Cumberland House on the Saskat- chewan, and thence by P'ort Chi])Owayan, F'ort Enterprise, and the River Coppermine, to the Arctic Coast. This expedition was marked by frightful suffering and loss of life. In 1825, Franklin started on a second expedition. Having reached Ontario, ho passed, vid Lakes Huron and Superior, to Red River, and thence traversed the country to Great Bear Lake, where he wintered. The following year he pursued his journey to the Ai'clic coast, vid Mackenzie River. In 1833, Captain Back, on an expedition in search of Sir John Ross, passed from Montreal to Lake Winnipeg and thence to Fort Reliance, where ho wintered ; after which he followed the Great Fish River to the Arctic coast. In 1836, Messrs. P. W. Dean and Thomas Simpson, at the instance of the Hudson Bay Company, started overland from Red River on a joint expedition. They spent the years 1837, 1838, and 1839 in explorations on the northern coast. They joined the surveys of Franklin and Beeehey at Point Barrow in Behring Strait, and those of Franklin and Back between the Coppermine and Great Fish Rivers, making the longest boat voyage in the Arctic seas on record. In 1845, Dr. Rao took his departure from Lake Superior on the breaking up of the winter, passed hy the common route to Red River, by Lake Winnipeg to Norway House and thence to York Factor}', where he wintered. A year afterwards ho wintered at Repulse Bay without fuel, and subsisted with his party for twelve months on food obtained with the gun and spear. He united tho surveys of Ross and Parry, a distance of about 700 miles, and made the first long sledge journey performed in that part of the world, the total distance being nearly 1,300 miles. In 1848, Sir John Richardson, who had already made two overland journeys with Sir John Franklin, made a third in search of that lamented traveller. On the last occa-sion ho was accompanied by Dr. Rae. The two volumes published by Richardson on his return afford evidence of the minute scientific observations made in that part of Canada traversed by these celebrated explorers, and supply ample proof of the value of their laboui's. In 1849, Dr. Rue, alone, passed down tho River Co])permine, pursuing the object of discovering Franklin with unabated vigour. la the following year, Dr. Rae renewed the search. He wintered at Fort Confi- m (loiico, rjroat Bear Lake ; dcMcendod the Coppormino Rivor ; travelled over ice nearly 1,100 miles, at an average rate of from twenty-Hve to twenty-six miles a day ; and made the lastost long Arctic journey v/hich has ever been known. Subsequently, on the same expedition, he made a bout vo^'ago almost rivalling that previously made by !)ean and Simpson. In 185 5 and 1851 this indefatigable and justly celebrated traveller, Di. Rao, was again in tiie Held. Again wo tind him wintering at Repulse Bay, living nearly altogether on the produce of the gun, the hook, or. the spear. Ho made another sledge journey of over a thousand miles, and joined the surveys of Dean and Simpson with those of Ross A'est of Bootboa. On ihis occasion J)r. Rae was so fiar successful as to set at rest all doubts as to the sad fate of the Franklin expedition. For this the piomisod toward, £10,000 sterling, was presented to him and his men. With the exco|)tion ofatinal exploration made in 1855 by Messrs. Anderson and Stewart, who jiassed down the Great Fish Jlivcr, this ends the record of overland Arctic expeditions. It cannot be denied that, notwithstanding all the toils, perils, and privations inseparable from them, these expeditions have resulted in failure anil disap])oiritment in regard to the main object for which they wore under- taken, viz., a north-west ])assago for ships. They have incidentally, however, given v.iluable additions to our knowledge of the country, and made important contribu- tions to science. These various overland Arctic expeditions, of which I have presented but an outline, extended over a period of thirty-six years. But for them the northern regions of Canada would not have been so thoroughly explored. We have now a fair knowledge of the northern coasts, witn all their silent and jieaceful grandeur, far away from the feverish bustle of busy men. The more Arctic portions of the Domi- nion are probably destined to remain for ever undisturbed by the hum of industry, and to continue, as Providence has hitherto kept them, with all the characteristics of snow and solitude which mark the landscape in high latitudes. Wliile investigations wcm-o bein^'- proceeded with during a series of years in the northern parts of British North America, in connection with the all but futile attempts to tind a north-west passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it was not until a comj)aratively recent period that s))ocial attention was directed to the southern and fai- more valuable portions of the countiy. Between the years 1810 and 1855 the northern districts wore traversed in many directions. It was onl^' subsequent to the latter date that regularly organized etforts were made to gain injormation respecting the country nearer home. In 1 57, on the recommendation of the Royal CJeographical Society, Her Majesty's (irovernment sent out an expedition to explore the country between Lake Superioi' and the Rocky Mountains. It was placed under the command of Captain Palliser, who, with a staif of scientific men, remained pursuing his investigations until 1851). Reports of the highest value wore published on the return of the Expedition. The Government of the late province of Canada likewise sent out an eKpcdition in 1857. Its object was to survey the canoe route between Lake Superior, and the Red River settlement. Messrs. Dawson and Hind, who wore in charge of distinct bi'ancbes of this expeilition, pui'sued their investigations during 1857 and 1858, extend- ing them as far west as the south bianch of the River Saskatchewan. In the same years, 1857 and 1858, Captain Blaiiiston, at tho instance of tho Royal Society, was engaged in meteorological and other scientific observations. Ho began at York Factoiy, on Hudson's Bay, passed inland to Lake Winnipeg, and thence by the Saskatchewan to the Rocky Mountains. Other travellers, who were not directly comn.issioned by the Imperial or Colonial Governments, passed through the country, and on their return added valu- able contributions to tho genoi'i.l s',ock of information. In 1850 and I860 the Earl of Southesk followed tho Assiniboine and Saskatchewan valleys to the Rocky Moun- tains, and some years afterwards gave tho public the benefit of his observations. In 18G2 and 1863, Lord Milton and Dr. Choadle crossed from the Atlantic to the PacifiQ 87 by the Yellow Head Pnss niul Thompson Fiivcr, jicrforminfjf a journoy in whi.'li they ■\vero cxpoBod to perils and narrowly CHcajjcd disaster. The volume, •' The North- We»t rasHUf^e by Land," puhlished on their reliiiii to Eii^hiiid, is one ofthe most charming among modern booUs of travel. In 18(i4 we again Hnd i)r. R;io at wori<. On this ocersion ho had abandoned the yVrctic regions in favour oi' a m.)re sDUthern journoy. Ho crossed i\>: Milton and (Jheadle did in tlic previous years, riti the Saskatchewan to Tete Jaune Cache, but, unlike them, he tui-ned at this point ti» follow the FraHor, in place ofthe Elver Thompson ; finally reaching the I'acitic roast. I ought not to omit to mention Messrs. Doughis and iJrummond, both botanists who spent some time in the country, and David Thompson, after whom tho River Thompson is named. He was for many years in the service of the Hudson's Hay Company as astronomical surveyor. To his labours we are indel^ted, to no small extent, for our geographical knowledge of much of the interior. 1 should do injustice to the missionaries who have gone forth at dilfercnt times to Christianize and civilize the native tribes, did 1 overlook ihe part they have taken in thi'owing light on the physical features ofthe several regions they have visited. Ministers ofthe Anglican, Wesleyan, Piesbyterian, and Jloman Churches have each and all done their part. To French clergymen of the iasl-nameil Church we are Iierbajts chietly indebted. Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago Pierre Arnaud, on lis first intercourse with the Indians, fell a victim, togetlier wiLli one of the brothers Vorundrye and party on their way between Lake Superior and Jled liivcr. Canada owes much also to the learned Archbishop Tache, whoso travels during a sojourn of over thirty years have been extensive, and the results of who.se observations in many parts ofthe far interior have been given to the world. This brings the list of the principal explorers, as far as I have been able to learn their names, and the record of the various independent discoveries wliich have been made, up to the period when the whole territory formerly known as British North America came under the name and jurisdiction of Canada. As I before men- tioned, the Imperial Act by which British Columbia and the Hudson's liay Territory entered the Dominion, came into force in July, 1871. On that day, strong engineering parties were sent out by the Covernment of Canada to explore the whole region inter- vening between the seat of Crovernment at Ottawa in the eastern provinces and the Pacific coast at the west. The object was to obtain more complete informction respecting the country, and find a line to be followed by a trans-continental railway. The engineering force engaged in this work has been about a thousand men of all grades. The surveys have been continued from 1871 up to the present time. I have een myself intimately connected with it, and therefore it behoves me to refrain from saying much with respect to the manner in which the work has boon done. I may, however, be pardoned for alluding to the earnestness and determination ofthe Government and people of Canada with respect to the development, as rapidly as possible, ofthe magnificent country which has come under their control. An instance may be given in connection with the surveys. After three years had been spent by the engineers in exploring every part of a wi'd, uninhabited, and roadless countr^j extending a distance of about three thousand miles, a great amount of exact engi- neering information had boon obtained at a heavy cost, when a serious and discou- raging disaster occurred. In 1874, in mid-winter, the building in which weie dej)Ositcd the field note-books, the unfinished plans, and nearly all the other information accu- mulated, was destroyed by fire, and nearly every scrap of j)aj)er was consumed ; and thus the labour of three years, and results which had been obtained at a cost of about £300,000 sterling were lost. Nothing daunted, the order was given to begin the work of surveying afresh. It has been vigorously prosecuted up to the present time, and I can now point to some of tho results as being highlj- satisfactory. I shall not attempt to weary you with even an outline ofthe details ofthe work which already fills volumes ; I will simply allude presently tothegcneral information which ha» been acquired, showing, perhaps, some ofthe more important results which have been obtained. It will, however, enable the members of tho Institute to form burae idea of the labour which has been expended on this survey when I inform them §g that tho total lenj^th of explorations made durinp^ Ihe last seven years oxcoedrt 47,000 milo.«, and that no iesss than 12,000 miles have l)cen laboi'iou«ly measured by chain and Kpirit level, yard by yard, through mountain, prairie, and tbresl. To men- tion that the Canadian Government has, on this Hpecial examination alone, expended about £700,000 sterling, will not fully convey a correct idea of the energy and determination displayed. Besides extensive land surveys in Manitoba, tho boundary lino between Canada and tho United States has been defined from end lo ond. This was done by a joint Commission appointed by both countries; the British section of the Commission being in command of Major I). R. Cameron. The work occupied three years, and tho reports furnished on its completion, including scientific papers by Captains Anderson, Featherstonhaugh, and George M. Dawson, have largely extended our knowledge of that portion of the country adjoining the southern boundary line from the Lake of the Woods to the Eocky Mountains. A boundary survey west of tho mountains had been previoush* efl'ected. The foregoing sketch of the early discoveries of different independent portions of North America which together make up the Dominion of Canada, and tho reference to the various explorations and surveys which, from time to time, have been made in different parts, will enable members of the Institute to judge of the value of tho information, geographical and physical, which has been acquired respecting much of the country. The several provinces on the Atlantic sea-board, and the valley of tho St. Lawrence are well kniwn, and have already been described at a former meeting. The southern margin of the country, extending from these provinces westwards to the mountains, have been examined with tho greatest care by the Roj'al Commission appointed to define the boundary between Canada and the United Slates. Tho Canadian coast on the Pacific, with its many deep fiords, flanked ia some instances by mountains reaching the limits of perpetual snow, has been tho subject of repeated explorations. The northern side of the country, with its long summer daj' and its equally long winter night, has been visited in nearly every part bj' brave inde- fatigable men, who, after perils and privations ol no ordinary kind, have mapped it out, and left it again to tho silence and desolation which pervade the Arctic circle. The interior ia so vast that it cannot be said to have been completely examined. There are still some districts where the foot of civilized men has not yet stepped; but, as 1 have shown, explorers have forced their way in many diiections ; adven- turous men have penetrated tho gloomy j-ecesses pf the primeval forest, have peered into the rocky fastnesses of the mountains, and, with unflagging toil and unflinching endurance, have gained for us a general and reasonably correct knowledge of much of the country. I shall not trouble you with many details, but shall endeavour only to lay before you a very bi"ief and condensed description of the general physical characteristics of the several great divisions of the territory compiised within the limits of the Dominion. In the first place it is important that a perfectly clear and correct conception should be formed of its extent. If we open an ordinary atlas and overlook the parallels of latitude and longitude, for the moment, all countries appear very much about the same size. Scales and projections are adopted to suit tho con- venience or fancy of the publisher. Large countries are made sniall, and small countries are made large, to suit the size of the book ; and thus strange misconceptions are often formed. If, however, we take a large terrestrial globe upon which all tho land and water on the earth's surface are depicted on precisely the same scale, our ideas will be corrected. If on the surface of tho globe we draw on one sheet of tracing paper tho outlines of Canada, and on another the outlines of I'.urope, and then proceed to lay the one over the other, so as to cover so much of the land in each case as possible, and if we goon to measure and make allowance for portions left uncovered, we sholl find that Europe somewhat exceeds the area of Canada, but that the excess is not great. Lest it be imagined that Canada has an undue share of the region of ice and snow, we may exclude from the comparison all tho land within the Arctic circle in both cases, and still we find that Canada covers fully more of th« 8'J oartli'M siirfnco than tlio ooin prised areas of Fairojioan Riisft this division. One region, e.Kcept where cIcKued of its timber by artificial means, is densely wooded, another is wooded and mountainous, the third is avast lowlanil plain of a prairie character. The Mountain Region is on the western side; the i'raii'ie Region is in the middle; the remainder, which embraces the settled jjrovinces on the St. Lawrence, originally covered with a growth of limber, may, for tlio sake of sim]ilicity of description, be considered the Woodland Region. 1 shall tirst consider the Prairie Region. Ff we place before us an orographical map of North America, it will be noticed that a great continental plain stretches north and south between the (Julf of Mexico and the Arctic Ocean. It is bounded on the v/estern siile throughout its whole extent by the Rocky Mountain /one, and on the eastern side in part by a less elevated region, the Appalachian /.one. This great plain occupies the whole oi the continent of North America between the western and eastern mountain ranges. It is divided by its river systems into three perfect!}- distant drainage basins. One drains to the south into tlie (Julf of Mexico, another north into sub-Arctic waters, and the third east into the Atlantic by the channel of the great rivor St. Lawrence. Of these three basins, that cf the St. Lawrence is by far the smallest, and the northern is fully as large as the other two togethei'. The St. Lawrence basiia, on the boundary between the United Slates and Canada, occupies i)art of both counti'ies ; the southern basin is almost wholly in the United States ; the northern basin is almost ■whollv in Canada; ar.d the line of contact between the two latt<>r basins is in part apj)roximately coincident with the 49th jjarallel of latitude— tlie southern limit of the iiiteiior of Canada. It will thus be seen that the great continental plaiu of Noi'th America is divided natui'ally, as well as artificially, through the centre. It is divided j)olitically into two adjacent countries, underdistinctgovei'nments, and naturally into three vast drainage basins, the smallest of which occupies a comparatively narrow strij) along the eastern portion of the International Jioundary linj, while the other two discharge their watei's in diametrically opposite directions. The Prairie Region of Canada, lies in the northern drainage ba-«iu: it may be considered to extend from .south to noilh more than a thousand miles, and neai'Iy tlie same distance fi'om cast to west. It is not al' a treeless prairie; a considerable portion is thinly woo:, ed ; yot the whole i.s considered as more or less partaking of a prairie character. The Prairie Region, so called, is somewhat -triangular in form. One side coin- cides with the International Boundary line, and extends from the n5th to the llMth meridian ; another side follows the eastern slope of the Iloeky Mountains t'i\m\ the 4".tth to about the (>4th ])arallel of latilutle. The third si'le, ab )ut 1,.')0I) miles in length, skirts a remai'kuble sei'ies of lakes, rivalling in size Lakes Ei'ie and Ontario. These great waler-filled deprossions lie in a generally straigiit north-westerly and south-easterly direction. They embrace (i rent Slave Lake, Like AtJiabusea, Lake AVoUaston, Leer Lake, and Laiko of the Woods, and they appuav to occur geolor farming pursuits; and although certain di'awbacks claim recognition, there can no longer be any doubt respecting tho salubrity of tho climate and the existence of vast plains of rare fertility. Infoiniation on this head has been obtained year by year. Professor Macoun, a well-known botanist, has I'ccently been commissioned s])ecially to investigate this subject. lie estimates that there are no less than 1GO,000,OUO acres of land available in this regi I'i'di alluvial plains ofCanada I shall now pa>s to that other great division of the countiy which \uM beon designated the Mountain Region. This is piii't oCllie gieat elevated mountain zone of North America, which begins in the Cordillei'as'and elevated plateau of Mexico, and extends to the Arctic Oeean. If we examine the orographic map, it will he observed that the iiocUy Mountain zone, althoiigii it has many suhsidiai'y mountain ranges, is characterized for the greater part i)f its length hy two prominent iind ptMtbctly distinct Alpine chains, ea(di with many spurs or branches. One ol thoso main chains is 'lirectly along the Pacific coast: in Canada it is known, as the Cascade Mountains, and farther south as tho Sierra Nevailas. 'IMioothei- range is the Roclcy Mountains proper: it ohsorvos a general, although not perfect, parallolisni with tin? c()iist. The disluneo between tho crests of thosj two lofty chains varies from 1,00(1 miles in the Uniteil States to IJOO miles in Canada, and to this circumstance may bo attributed tho remarkable widening of tho alluvial plains in the Canadian half of North America. I shall now conline my remarks to that poi'tion of tho Rocky Mountain zone within the limits of Canada. The ("ascade Chain rises abruptly from the sea lov(d, presenting from the water an extremely bold and deliant aspect, Theaverage height of the many seri-ated summits will probably range from 5,000 to .S,000 feel above sea level, and some of its central ci'csts and loftiest peaks rival in elevation the main JJocky Mountain Chain. Tho main Rocky Moui'tain Chain is in (Janada from .'JOO to 400 mih^s distant from the Pacific coast. This cliain rises like a colossal wall above the continental plain on its eastei'ii side. Its flanks ai'e, however, deejdy gashed, and great cotmtefortdiko spur.s jut out, between which the rivei's which water tho Prairie Region take their rise. Much of this great mountain barrier rises over 8,000 feet above sea level. Tho loftiest central peaks enter the region of perpetual snow; some of them, indeed, roach an elevation estimated at 15,000 foot above the ocoan. On tho western flank of tho chain are several in iepondont groups of mountains, known by local names. They are separated from each other by nari-ow valleys and deep chasms, some of which aro prolonged in the direction of the Praii-io Region, forming passes through tho moun- tains. Some of these passes are from 0,000 to 7,000 feet above the sea, and they range down to less than 2,000 feet. Those transverse openings through the lofty chain afford comparatively easy passages from one side to the other. Tho lowest and most remarkable is in about latitude 5(1 degrees, llore tho Peace River rises on tho western side of the Rocky Mountains, and flows through them at a low altitude, ultimately passing into the River Mackenzie. Between the Cascade and Rocky Mountain Chains there extends an elevated pla- teau, averaging from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above seadevel. This plateau is grooved out by deep river channels, broken by rocky ridges and inferior mountain masses. It hiis many lakes, occupying deep depressions in tho surface, and is intersected in many directions by numerous broad, sheltered, undulating valleys. The surface of this plateau in some quarters is thickly, in others scantily, timbered, and in certain dis- tricts open pi'airies ])resont themselves. Off' the shoi-e of the mainland there aro several large islands, tho most important of which is Vancouver Island ; the others aro tho Queen Charlotte group. The former is half as large as Scotland, tho latter is in area more like Wales. The climate of these islands is moist and temperate, and in this respect they aro not dissimilar to the British Islands. Vancouver, tho most southerly, has an elevated interior with moun- tains rivalling in height tho.se of the mother-country. Some of tho central peaks, such as the Alexandra, the Albert Rdward, and the Victoria, rise from 6,-tOO to 7,500 feet above the sea. Tlie last, the Victoria Peak, is double the height of Snowdon, and one third higher than Bon Nevis. Besides Vancouver and the Queen Charlotte group, there exists along the shore of the mainland clusters of smaller islands, between which are deop, and in many places intricate passages. Great ai'ms of the sea pierce the mainland in many 02 places. Thoy rcHeinlilc tlio 'locp wiUor, rocklidiin'l fiords of Norwny, ninl tlu'y potiotratc^ so far thiit tlio luiga-it iroiifliids atloal could stoatii, in some (.aso.-', into llio M'vy lioait oftlic Cascjido Monnlainn. The Moiinlain llc^ion liiis somo ^ood land>, lnil tlii' f'crtilf trncts ai'c liniiley raising agiiciiltunil idodiiclM and stock to siii)|»ly tlio mining,' industries which in time will undoubtedly he csialilislicd. This it'/.;ion is oxceedii'gly rich in minernls, containing coal and iron in profu- Hion. In (jiiality, the Vancouver coais are I'ound suj)erior I'oi' .steam engines to any worked on the l?acitic coast. They tirid their way to Califoi iiia, and an used on the railways leading outof.San Francisco, in sjiite ol'a high ast jear (piai tz mining has been inaugurated. Mr. Dawson, of the (Jeological Survey, reports: "I think it may be said without exaggcratiim that theie is ^^arcely a sti'cam of any im])ortance in the province of IJi'itish Columbia in which the ' colour ' of gold is not founil," Silver IS met in several localities. Copper, mercury, lead, platinum, anti nickel are also menlioned in tlie reports of the CJeological Survey. Very much still re(piires to be learned lespecting the rock formation of tho Mountain IJegion. Data liavo, liowcvor, been collected in a rapid and neccssaiily imperlect geological exploration sufficient to establi>h the existence of g' eat mineral wealth. Theie can be no doubt that iieii^ we liave a wide and promising (ield, and the future will witness industi'ics of various kinds woikingand developing the riches which lie buried undei' the sui'face. The forests, of enormous growth, which exist in ninny places, and the tislieries of the rivers and coasts, will give employment to a very co)isideiable poj)ulation. T must now turn to tho Woodland Region; but to describe it, even in outline, would far exceed the limit of this j)!i])er ; 1 must thcrcfoie content my.self with a few passing remarks. I have already defined the Woodlaiid J?eg:on to be thi' whole of Canada not within the Mountain Ifegion in the west and the Piaii ie JJegion in tho middle; it thercfoi-e embraces all the settled portions of the Hastern Provinces which wore wooded at one time, but which have, within a biief period, been in part cleared by the hand of man. This region is of immense extent ; it embraces 84 degrees of longi- tude; its most southerly point is on Lake Krie, in the 4'Jnd parallel, and it stretches from the latitude of Rome away far north to a ])oint at least 200 miles within tho Arctic circle. Compared with the country on the Pacific coasl, no part of this region can bo considered mountainous. Although elevated ranges, like the Jjaurentides, aro mot, only a small proportion of the country exceeds 2,000 feet above scalcvel. An area of fully 200,000 scpiarc miles is ostimutod to bo under 500 feet ub<.)VO the level of tho sea. So grout an extent of territory presents many varieties. In the north it assumes an Arctic character, and rosomblos portions of Siberia. Tho nearest portion of Canada to Kuropo is that which is least known and believed to bo the least valuable. It is bounded on tho west by Hudson's Bay, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Its extreme length from north to south is about 1,000 miles, and it is about the samo length from oast to west. This section of Canada is somewhat greater in area than Norway and Sweden, J)enmark and Lapland, and a great extent of it is coiisidered to have no better climate than the northern paits of these European countries. To the north-west of Hudson's Bay about an equal area may bo similarly described. Its surface is varied, and its vegetation alfords sustenance for the gicat herds ot reindeer and musk ox which find u home in this otherwise inhospitable section. It presents n© lirospectfor tho agriculturist; the only hope is in tlie fisheries along the coast, in the fnr trade, and possibly in mineitils which may lie hiddcji under the surface. Those are the worst sections of the Countr}' ; as we advance southward its chai'- acter gradually changes and improves. True, there is a broad biiiul, the agricultural resources of which are not promising; but the forests which cover the surface will every year become more and more valuable, and its geological structure affords indi- 93 cations ofminci-iil wcnllli. Tli'-- iiivosti^alioiis of llio fJoolo^ical Siirvoy lic>ro point to tlio I'xisU'iHi" of I jell (lopos'ts I xtc'inliii^ ovcm' witUi areas. 'I lin iivd'c important minorais aio ^^oM, silver, coal, iron, copiJor. lead, pliospliatos, ami piiinilta^o. (JrosNJn;.; thu Miotalliferoiis imnd, wu rcacli considerablu IructH uf land vvliich Uy oiiiliviUiou will produoo all tlio ordinary crops; and rotititiiiin^ soulhwards wo finally rcacli Ontario, one of the (inest vvlieat-producin^ founlries in the world. I nmst say u word about (he climate. It should he home in mind that Canada, liko Europe, extends over so many det^roes of hitihide that it must have many !.;rada- tions of climate. In some parts of Canaila, fruits rijien in the open air that cannot huccessfully he <^rown in tin^land in any ([uanlity except uiid(»r ^lass. Tn one locality every farmer enjoys the luxiuy of a lar^t; peach orchard ; while far to the north the flora and fauna are llios(> of fripland, and still farther north iceherijs are the perennial crop. 'I'ho alpine re^'ion l)or(lerin;^ the I'acilic, as in Southern Fyurope, presents lofty peaks reachiii;^ the iiermanent snowline, while at lower levels in the vicinity of the ocean a climate soft and mild as Ireland ])rovails. In the greater part of Canaila, however, the thermometer has a wide raiiifo. Tn Minimer (ho .einjierature runs high ; in winter it occasionally goes very low. It it* (liflicult for a resident of (his country to undei'stand how one can live and enjoy life in a (emperaturo som(>times many degrees helow zero; hut owing to the extreme dryness of (he atmosphere (he cold is nol really felt so much as migli( he imagined. Ordinary work is carried on in (he open air without incoiiveniei.ee in what would ^scem to a resident in Kngland very great dcgrjes of cold. Ji: =1: * " J); >K * Generally speaking, the climate of habitahle Canada may not unfairly ho conipaiH'd with that of Russia, (Jermany, Austria, and oilier countries in hlurope. It cannot be denied that the winters are jierhaps longer and colder than is desirable. Tho climate is certainly continental, but notwithstanding tho wide range of (cmi)era(ure, there cannot be u doubt that it is not only endurable, but that it is hi'althy and bracing. Viewing Canada as one consolidated country, extemling across the widest and not tho least valuable jiortion of the continent of America, embracing a marvellous breadth of feilile and unoccupied land ; with a healthy, invigorating climate; with unlimited mineral I'osources ; with supplies of timbL>r in her f()res(s second (o those of no country in the woi'ld ; with inexhaustible tisheries in its groat lakes and rivers, and aroniul its coast on three oceans; with deposits of coal and iron of unmeasured extent in tho iiitei'ior of tlio country, and on tho Atlantic as well as on the Pacifio sea-boards; taking all these natural elomonts of future wealth and greatness into consideration, the jiroblem which prcsonts itself is tho development of a country which has been provided with natural resources so lavishly. The question is, how to colonize tho northern half of North Amoi'ica, and roiidor it tho home of a liuppy and vigorous jH'Ople It is true that Canada already has a population of some four millions, but as yet the lucre outer fringe of the country is occupied. We ai'o (/nly beginning to realize tho fact that the intoi'ior has space for many times the present population. It-is just beginning to dawn upon Canadians thomsolves that in tho territories which have been described, there is room, and to spare, and there exist tho elements of support, for a greater poj)ulation than that of the niother-countiy. Xo wonder, then, that (he problem to be s(;lved a])pcars one of weighty importance. Tho waterways of a country present the natural means of colonization. In bygono times, rivers and lakes, tho shores of bays and estuaries, have boon followed by adven- turous races, and these .iatural channels have thus in all ages furnished tho moans of spreading the human family. Canada is not wanting in highways of this kind, although many of them are subject to drawbacks which will presently be referred to. On tho eastern side she has the (Julf of 8t. Lawi-ence, which in many respects resembles tho Baltic. To the north she has Hudson's Ba}-, a shoot almost lialf as largo as the Medi- terranean. She has lakes, but they are really seas, and they breed storms and tempests like tho Atlantic. I might attempt to describe a dozen of those inland fresh- water soas, but I should fail to convoy a correct idea of their character and importance. iii Foi'tiiiiiitely I <'aii I'ofor to a doscriptioii of the watcrwaj'H of Canada by a ma.stor- Iiaiid. I cannot, 1 am sine, (|nott! liiglior authority than that /^roat traveller and distin/^uirtlied nobleman, the (Jovornoi-CJeneral. On a recent occasion, Loi'd Diitferin, standinj^ as near as j)ossil)lu midway between the Atlantic and tho Pacitic, and addresHin>^ some of the ,sul)jects of Jlei- Majesty in tho province of Manitol)a, said: — " To an Enf^lishman or a Frenchman, tiie Severn or tho Thames, the Seine or tho lihone, would appear considerable streams ; but in the Ottawa, a more atHuent of tho St. Lawrence, an atHuent, moreover, which reachos the parent stream (JOO miles froni its moutii, we have a river nearly 550 miles long, and three or four times as big as any of them. But, even after luiving ascendeil tho St. Lawrence itself to Lake Ontario, and pur>ued it across Lake Ilui-on, the Niagara, the St. Clair, and Lake Superior to Thunder Hay, a distance of 1,500 n^ilos, where are we? In tho estimation of tho person who has made the journey, .it the end of all things, but to us who know bettor, hcarcoly at the commencement of ihe great fluvial systems of the Dominion, for from that spot, that is to say from Thunder Bay, wo are enabled at once to ship our astonished travelhu- on the Kaministiquia, ariver of some hundred miles long. Thence, almost in a straiylit lino, we launch him on to Lake Shebandowan, and Rainy Lake and Kiver— the proper nameof which, by the by, is ' Eene,' after tho man vv ho discovered it — a magniticent stream 1:500 yards broad, and a couple of hundred miles long, down whose tranquil bosom hefloatsinto the Lake of the Woods, whore he finds himself onasheetof water which, though diminutive as compared with tho inland seas he has left behind him, will ])r()bably be found sufticiently extensive to render him fearfully sea-sick during his passage across it. For the last eighty miles of his voyage, however, ho will bo con-^oled by sailing through a succession of land-locked channels, tha beauty of whose scenerj', while it resembles, certairdy excels the far-famed Thousand Inlands of the St. Lawrence. From this lacustrian ])aradies of sylvan beauty wo arc able at once to ti-ansfer our friend to tho Winnipeg, a river, the existence of which in tho very lieart and centre of the conti- nent, is in itself one of Nature's most delightful miracles, so beautiful and varied are its rocky baidis, its tufted islands; so broad, so deep, so fervid is the volume of its waters, the extent of their lake-like expansions, and the tremendous power of their rapids. At last, let us suppose wehave landed our traveller at the town of Winnipeg — tho halfway house of the continent, the capital of the Prairie Province, and I trust, the future 'umbilicus' of the Dominion. Having had so much of water, having now reached the homo of tho buffalo, like the extenuated Falstafl", he naturally ■ babbles of green fields,' and careers in imagination over tho primeval gi-assesof the prairie. Not at all. Escorted by Mr. Mayor and the Town Council, we take him down to }our quay, and ask him which he will ascend first, the Eed Eivor or the Assiniboine, two streams — the one 500 miles long, the other 480 — which so happily mingle their waters within your citv limits. After having given him a preliminary canter upon these respective rivers, we take him off to Lake Winnipeg, an inland sea 300 miles long and upwards of sixty broad, during the navigation of which for many a weary hour he will find himself out of sight of land, and probably a good deal more indis- posed tlian ever ho was on the Lake of the Woods, or oven the Atlantic. At tho north west angle of Lake Winni|)eg he hits upon the mouth of the Saskatchewan, the gateway an;h distance hy the use of high speeds, A heavy expendit'.ire to attain high speed is justitiahle, as tralHe already exists Avliich will imrneiliatcly render expenditiu-e productive of revenue. In an unoccupied country, the circumstances are entii-ely ditt'ercnt. Traffic, without v.'liich there can be no reveinie, has to he ci'catod, and the r cause, liberal Clovernment grants, as well us private resources, were swallowed up, and the lines loft burdened with debt which no future ti-afiic could support or remove. Tho system of highways to which I have referred is one of evolution, and would necessarily be of slow growth; it is, nevertheless, in my Judgment, one which could not fail to succeed. It is, however, purely, a colonization scheme. I am prepared to admit that there aro many weighty reasons why some one of tho lines projected across tho continent should be pushed to completion more rapidly than colonization purposes actually' demana. 1 have already mentioned that tho enterprise known as the Canadian Pacific Railway has boon designed for a purpose beyond that of settling tho vast interior of the country. One of its objects is to unite the Pacific and Atlantic coasts with a continuous lino of railway without passing over foreign sea or soil. How can I very briefly — for I fear I have exhausted your patience — how can I in fewest words set forth the immense imiwrtance to tho Empire of having a lino through Canada in operation as speedily as possible ? Esquimalt, tho naval station on tho Pacific, and possibly the great Pacific arsenal of the future, is some four month's steaming distance from England. I ventui'o to state that by the projected Canadian Railways it would be possible to carry des- patches from London to this station on tho Pacific in thirteen or fourteen days, and tliat communication with Now Zealand could be made in less time than has ever yet, so far as I have learned, been practicable. In the construction of this railway the great Australian provinces, must surely bo interested. It must bo of some moment to every British station in the North and South Pacific Oceans. It would open up a new route to India ! There would probably be less nervousness felt from day to day, and from month to month, hero, in tfie heart of the Empire, about the Eastei-n Question if we had an overland route through Canada. And in this view the consideration of a very simple yet important "Western Question may in some degree diminish the interest felt in a very complicated Eastern Question. If it be admitted that the speedy completion of a railway across Canada is of general importance to the Colonial Empire, the question arises — which line could be most speedily constructed, and which, when established, would best subserve Imperial interests ? This is tho important question for present consideration and decision. As far as tho ci/ionization of the vacant parts of Canada is concerned, it is of no great consequence Avhich of the lines ultimately required be first completed. Tho resources of Canada ai'o perfectly competent to establish in some such manner as that I have described all the highways wanted for opening up tho country, but it would occupy many years to effect this in a satisfactory manner. If other and higher than local interests demand a through line of railway sooner than it is locally required, it seems a reasonable suggestion that those higher interests should in some way or other assist in obtaining it. As a member of the great Colonial family, Canada very largely participates in tho higher interest, and as such it cannot be doubted that she is perfectly prepared to boar hor full share of tho cost of establish- ing the communications of the Empire," S06 My Lord Buko, Indies, and gentlomen, — I must beg your permission, beibro this paBsea out of my hands, to offer a porsonal explanation and apology. When first I was paid the compliment of being asked to road a. paper on Canada, I felt I should best servo the Institute by deelining, and thus leaving an opening for some one else more competent to do it. Subsequently, the Council was good enough to urge mo to undertake the duty. I should have been glad had it fallen into worthier hands, as I feel that I have been unable to do the subject I have endeavoured to bring before you anj'thing like juhtico. To make matters worse, a day or two ago, when preparing my paper, I received a cable message from the Canadian CTOvernment, urgently requiring me to loave by the first stoamer. As a consequence I have boon much hurried. I am conscious that my paper is ill-prepared ; and as I sail in 24 hours, before these lines can bo read to you, T shall, all being well, bo approaching mid-Atlantic and speeding as fast as steam can take mo to that country I have attempted, though imperfcclly, to describe. You will probably think this, by cutting short ray re- marks, a happy interruption. I confciis I have found the subject much too largo for the limits of o".e paper. There are many points I should have wished to touch npon. I have not even mentioned that the construction of the Pacific Eailway has already made considerable progress ; that the locomotive is now to bo heard snorting north of Lake Superior; that the steam whistle is screaming on th(^ shores of Lake Winnipeg; and that tho telegraph, the Pioneer of the Eailway, has advanced so far that you may send a message from almost any street corner in London to Edmonton near tho base of tho Rock}' Mountains. I should especially have desired to make you better acquainted with tho four millions of Canadians with whom I have inter- mingled for nearly a life-time, and to have told you, if you need any assurance on that point, about their devotion to tho old flag, their attachment to tho Empire and to the (Juccn. Canadians glory in their connection with tho little island acro.s8 tho water ; they are proud of the progress they have made ; and they may be pardoned for measuring their progress by comparisons. True, they may be considered an agricul- tural people, yet their outside trade is not trifling. They witness their shipping on tho high soas with a tonnage greater than Germany possesses, double that of Spain, and nearly three times that of Russia. If with a small section, a more corner of Canada, and that but sparsely populated, they have already a shipping trade which makes them almost the third maritime country in the world, what may they not hope for in another half century? It cannot be doubted that Canada possesses the elements of a great future ; and that in a comparatively few years she may add incalculable strength to the British Empire. Canadians CLnnot strictly be called Englishmen, but they are proud to be British subjects ; and thoy are by no means unwilling to join in the trials and struggles of the mother-country. They share in the advantages of British connection ; and thoy would feel themselves unworthy of their name did they shrink from bearing their fair share of tho burden and re- sponsibility of consolidating and maintaining the prestige and power of the Empire. •itorial linos thocounliM )endix U. Battlefor is the lii )nsti'uctio 3 Siiperic ite l)et\ve( iolonizatii [. All tl o count ':n cssent ) branch >ter. if the pi i, — the d al Miles. ?0 55 f4 15 n>n»tiTMrnt iBm— DuiMiin LmMMiwc Comuir. Mmtk m. 101 APPENDIX I. KXPLANATtON OK MAI' AND MK-MnilANDITM OK DISTANCES. Tho full bliio linos roproMciit projof-toil iniiiu railway loiitos, (torrltorial linoM) which, jK).sfil)ly, may lioroatlor lnu'oti.sidoi'i'il mx'ossury tor tho Mirvico ol tlio couiilry. Thoir piirpoHo ami cliaraclor in aliiidod to iti tho (ioiioral Uoporl and Appendix II, Tho largo hhio letters on tho map indicato as follown : — A indimtos Port SinipHon, on tho I'ncilic CoaMt. B do Huto Inint, do C do Hurrard Inlot, do D do Qualhirio, do K do Alhorni, do F do EH(|uin»alt, do G do Port NoUon, on Ilndson Bay. H do Mooso Factory, on Janios Hay. 1 do Toronto, on Lake Ontario. J do Ottawa, tho Seat of (lovornmont. K do Montreal, on tho Navi,i ' ^ ; -..;-'■■ -"i;: .■>y ■ , ;:«.r'.;jt, Sfi,'; -,.,1 ■,: K",