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Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le ces: le symboie -^ signifle "A SUIVRE", le symbols ▼ signifle "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimte A des taux de reduction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, II est fiim6 A partir de I'engle supArleur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcesseire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 6 6 .' I !1 DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH-WEST. THE Lake lanitoba Bailway and GaDal. IVtWi Reports, Plans, Debates and Memorials Thereon. CONTENTS : Report of T. Vernon Smith, C.E., on the proposed Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal 3 Development of the North- West— I nterlake Navigation 9 Local Endorsation of the Project 13 ®ttawa-t880. ' ' '. The pramutot'S of tho fj-kke Miinitolui Hitilway ami Citniil (.'oinimiiy rcNin'clfiilly ■iibmit the within rapoi-ts, inapH, |ilitnH, memoriuls ami Parliaiaentary dcliatcs ii|i(in thi' importance of the development of that portion uf tlu- ^ruat C'anadian Nitrtli-Wunt, lyiii<; north ami east of Lakes ]Slrtnitol»a and Wiiim-pijjosiN. A thoroiij^li >'\plauatory smvey of the country has convinced the promotcrM of this cntfrjM'i.se lli it tlu; Doiniiiion is (lOflscssed of no more valuable heritage than diis station to wiiicli tlit'v liavi- dcvolol attention. Throughout the Swau Lake district an iniuu'nsc atva of piiiirio land cxiitls ; east and north of this vaiuuble tracts of timber aro found, wliilt.' the mineral ifsoiirccs are such as to Justify the belief that valualile disoovprii-s will yet be niadi- in vaiiiais psrtions of the newly developed territory. .\t tho inescnt time every kind of industry is virtually pi oh ibited by reason of the impossibility of transpjrt and the absenee of continuous water communication. Tlii.s enterpri.se aims ut e.stablishin>; by means of a railway from Portage La Prairie to Lake Afanitob.i and u eanal l)i;twoon Lakes .\Lii.itoba and Winnipogosis, continuous means of transport to the he.id of Like \Viniii|>e<^osis and to Dawson's Bay, where the Red Deer river atfords ficilities for reachinj; the wer liii REPORT -«K A4R. T. T. IIIRNON SA//77/, C./l, ON PROPOSED LAKE MANITOliA RAILWAY AND CANAL. J s I On S h 0^ X g s3iSuv}{ '»uyj uotsia,i(j «» UJ O < a: yi tL 5 HL ? ? -* kJUU u Ijcr-g '■'v iiir n fir^^ ■*; 3 f= J: << Jl o w J r liaJ d- s Jr ^-^ Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal. REPORT OF T. T. VERNON SMITH, C.E., ON THE PROJECT. J. A. Gemmill, Esq., BuriUhr, OtUnoa; on behalf of the ProtnoUri of the Lake Manitoba Railway and Canal Company. Dear Sir, — In i-eaitonse to instniotions received early in the autumn of 1888, 1 vUited Lake Manitoba and examined the different [tointa unon which R|iecific information was de- sired. Lake Manitoba is a magnificent sheet of water stretching narth and south about 124 miles, whilst the widest iwrt, which is on the line of the 15th Township is 20 miles, that is, from the middle of the fourth to the middle of the ninth ranges. Bound the whole of the southern shore, whivh is generally in the line of the 14th township, or from 80 to 85 miles north of the international boundary, the action of the ice, together with the severe storms to which the lake is liable, have thrown up a mcind or bluff of sand and gravel from 4 to 10 feet high, and from 100 to 300 feet wide, which the decomposing shells and other animal a.id \ eg. table matter have compacted into a solid rampart sufficiently strong to resist all ordinary storms, and to sharply define the lake boundary. Behind this sandy beach, which stretches for 50 miles from St. Laurent on the east to noar Tofognn on tlio west, are from 2 to 6 miles of an almost impassable marsh, full of lakes and water holes about the same level as the lake, and covered with a denie mass of reeds and other «igable for boats drawing .3 J feet of water, from a jjoint ten miles from the Assiniboine to the lake, and below this jwint is from 300 to 500 feet in width. At extreme high water in the AB8inil)oine that river has been known to overflow its banks at Portage La Prairie and to run down this Portage Creek to Lake Manitoba, and canoes have passed between the two, but under oixUnr.ry conditions the Assiniboine is 10 feet below the level of Portage La Prairie, although 15 fed above Ijukn Manitoba, so that Portage town stands on a plateau 25 feet higher than the lake. To make a cnnal between the two waters, which has been frequently sug- gested, would therefore involve a very heavy cutting through this elevated plateau, but by striL ing the Assiniboine 20 miles to the east of Portage, or 35 miles went of Winni|aig, at Uaeburn, the Assiniboine is 10 feet lower than lioko Manitoba, and the intervening country is very favorabio for the water communication. The town of Portage w, howover, admirably situated for the centre of commerce likely to be developed by opening up a communication with Lake ISIanitoba. Besides the main line of the Caniidian Pacific RailAvay, two other railways come into the town, and when they are connected, as it is intended they ahull be, there will be here a regular cross of the main east and west transcontinental line, and a north-west and soutli-east line of even more importance locally than ''i existing route. In Hkrtcii I I have tried to show the relative posi- tion of the three railways ; the main C. P. 11. running to the north of the town; the Manitoba and North-Woslei ii and the Northern Pacific, with the dotted connection pro- posed between them. I have also dotted in the line fruiu Lake Manitoba with the triple connection to the existing roads. Sketch 2 shows the northern end of this line near to the Lake, with the position of Portage Creek and the lake in Townshii) 14 of the Gth Range, which seems to nio the best adapted for tiie terminus of the road. It wouM shorten the railway to use the navigation of the Portage Creek, but it is a question whether the necessary dredging to obtain G feet of water would not cost more than the rail- way, whilst the admirably roomy lake terminus would giv(! every facility for handling a lai-ge fleet of boats safe from the gales of Lake Manitoba and the movement of the ice in the spring. It would require a railway 15 miles long to complete this part of the scheme, and this would be liie natural piling ground for the lumber manufactured on f/ike Manitoba, from whence it could be distril>uted to market at every season of the year. The only river which runs into Lake Manitol)a .soiilli o( the Narrows, which means practically the main Imdy of the Lake and thiee-fourths of its area, is the White Mud Iliver, which collecting the drainage of some hundreds of square miles to the south east of the Hiding Mountain, riiiis in a very circuitous channel of about 100 miles in length ou the general course of the Manitoba and North-We.st Hail way, which it crc.ises at Hridgo Creek, Ai'den, Uladstone, Wood- side and Westbourne Station, from the last of which itn course is nearly due north to f-ake Manitoba which it jciins G ill tlic l.Hli Tcwu.sliiii of tlio 'Jtli llaiiyi.'. At I] miles from its iiioiith il is joiiicil by Itat Crcok, wliicli, rising in tlio '•nuil r<;nids" crossed liy tlio C'.P.U. near Biiriisiclp, 8 mili a to the west of Portage, and only " miles from the Assiiii- lioine, is the medium liy which that river at liigli water sends its siiri>liis into I.ako Maiiiloija, and hel|)» at least, to cause the disastrous (looda that have characterized that hike. In ISSl! the Assiniboine carried away 1,000 foot of the new embankment foi med for the ('. P. 1!., and ran a stream that breadth and ID feet deep in the channel into f.ake Maiiitolia down this Hat Creek. At the confluence of this creek with the White Mud Itiver is the de.serted vil- lage of Totogan, which was mined by the floods of 1880 to lf<8.3. It was formcily a Hudson Day Co-npany's post with a large ( xiiort tishery, a saw and grist mill and a hotel of us|)ectal>!e proiiortions, Ijiit the iloods covered this prairio with water three fi el (!ec)i, and the whole v.as abandoned by tlie proprietors. The Hudson Day just is boarded up. th ; mi Is are buinl down, the hotel is now being pulled down for the lumber to be used dsewhere, and only one shanty h now inhabited. 'J'lie White Mu 1 is navigable for vessels drawing 6 feet of water, from its mouth to Mc- Arthnr's point, 8J miles, and to this jioint the Manitoba and Xortl -Western Itailway have a spur or branch lin.? 1 J miles in length, which is at present the only mems by which any fi eight is brought from the lake. (Ski-; iSKKTrii 3). Tin.' l)ominion (lovernment have done eonsideralile dredging between the lake and Mc- Arthur's t.andiiig during the last lliree years, and Mr. .Mc.\rlliur's steamer, the Siis1i(itrli':ii-iin, a [laddle-wheel boat l.^.O feet long and SO feet beam, carrying 170,0 feet of lumber, has no diltieulty in eoinii.g u[p to the fiaiiding ( xceiit in crossing the bar at the mouth of the liver, which at the existing stage of water has oidy 3^ feet over it. The bar at ine.sent is only cut out 40 feet in width, but Mr. Clonin, the engineer in eh.\p;e, tells me that by the end of ne.vt sea.^on this will be 100 feet in width and G feet in clear depth. Mr. Mc.\ithur has a saw mill 70 miles up the lake Iroin the month of the rivi'r, to the south of the Narrows, between which and the Laiuling he has kejit his steamer steadily ein|)loyed, has brought down this season nearljr two million feet, and could have .sold locally in Portage four times as much lumber the [last season 'f he had had it. The lake was at its lowest stage of water during the fall of 18sr. The l.ist S'-'ason it has been 'J inches higher, but it is still too low for a boat like the Siiskiitrhcir III to jiass througli the Narrows, whii'h will reipiiii' considerable dredging and boulder removing to nrike a sullieient channel for Ij feet dr.iught. The natiiial outlet of I/ike Muuitolia is the Little Sas- katchewan ur ll.iniihin lliver, which after a ci'-cnitous I'oui'se of 1)0 miles, empties into Laki! Winnipeg with a total fall of 12 fei't. Of the total .list.inee 10 miles is in the waters of 1. ike St. Martin, 1.") feet lower than M.ini- loba and 27 feet higher than i,dve Winnipeg, and i!^ .uct- iiig this mile.ige. it is apparent that without locks the fall jier mile on the stream above and below Lake St. Martin is far lo.i gi t for an av:iil,ible strain navigiiiion. Bc.si(le.s this the inlet to the Little Siw- katchewan is enibarrtisscd by a largo rocky formation on which at its present stage tliere is not more than 2A feet of wa»cr. The current for 2 miles below this is extremely lapiil falling over G feet; the channel through Lake St. Martin is ditlicult to follow and cnciinibered with great boulders and in the lower reach of the river there are 30 distinct rapids, some of them very shallow. There is little hop(^ of making tliis access to Lake M initoba of any com- mercial value. The only connection between Lakes Manitoba and Winni- pegosis, the lake above it, and which is its only important feeder, is the Waterhen Piiver which enters the lower lake at its north-past angle at the head of a deep bay. Winni- p gosis is a hike somewhat larger than Manitoba and 125 miles long in a north and .south direction. Separated from the lower lake by a long nLirrow rocky barrier from 2 to 5 miles in width, the Waterhen River leaves its extreme southeast angle and runs in a north east direction to Watt r- hen Fi tkc, thence running in an almost parallel course, makes a total length between the two large lakes of 39 miles. The Waterhen is a large river and might without much expense be improve 1 into a tolerably navigable river, but it is very ra|ii 1 in [daces and Waterhen Lake has no channel through it, and at the present stage of water is not over 2 J feet deep- It is full of boulders and these encumber the channel at all the rapid.s. Even if these were cleared away the com- munication wonl 1 always be un.stitisfactory for anything larger than a row boat or light draft steamer, and to make the navigiition safe would cost probably as much as to form a regular canal through the intervening ridge. At the Mea- dow Portage, which is the best [losition for the canal, the breadth of the barrier is not rpiitc 1 J miles A plan of the canal .'ind a profde of the ground are shown in Sketches 4 and "i, iho site selected is about a quarter of a mile west of .Meadow Portige, the alvautaga being that on the .Manitoba side a long s|iit of sand with not over two feet of water occurs, on which the eastern breastwork for th • canal approach would be jdaced, which would reduce the cost of this I eeessary protection for the canal entrance, whilst at the Winniiyegosis end, wdieie the water is very shallow f.jr 1,000 feet from the .shore, there would be less dndging required than if the canal were nearer in the [present Portage track. On both lakes some protection from the e.ist winds, northeast on one lake and south-east on the other, is necessary, and this location seems to be the most advantageous for securing this. The surface of the land on the north side of the ridge for 1] miles will not average three fet^t above the Winni|)egosis, the remaining half mile rises on either side to a summit 12 feet above the up|ier and 31 feet above th' 1 jwer lake, and this ridge would api) :>ar to bo of a solid but not very hard limestone, exc(|itiiig the si.\ feet of the top, which is disintegrated limestone at the bottom, then gravel, and then loam with djcayeJ vegetable matter for the upper two feet. There will bo about 100,000 cubic yardj of material above water level, 300,000 cubic yards below and 100,000 of dredging at the two ends, the cost of which will probably vary from 30 ^ L_ """"'*,*' .'■SS'-TSSliMM Si §> v§ t T~^ IS I sui/are ofgrcuiui at top SKETCH 6. a feel ahmie Lake A/amlohi to II PLAN Of LOCKS Rise ao feet, average rise 18 S feet 'S fett ahofve Lakt Manitoba. ground at top. PLAN of LOOKS not to scale. ihove^urface of ground at lop. 6 feet above Lake Ufanitoha . I '/A /, I I ^ ceiiU to II /lO |iur yiird, tlio luttcr fi/r lock wliou lilowii out below wiitor luvi-l, koiik; of whii'li will iiPjoNH.ii'ily liuvo to lio tiikeii out uiulor wuttT. I iiuvis NkoU'liud (Non. U and 7) ii JcHign fur a pitii' of couil)iiU!i| lock* with ii total lin of 20 foot, a clittuilxii- 23 foot wide iiiid 120 lon^, iuioiidod to tiiko iu a hciuw Hteiiint-r 21 ftt;t oviu" nil, or two twi'lvii fi'i't liai'gPH iilireiiHt, rmli lock liflinjj 10 feet; uud the U|>por gatt'i) I'liixfd gulliciitiitly to [irovent iniy high water from WinnciKY^OHiM liiuliiig its way ovor thi'iii. I^ike \ViMiii|K'gOHiH whi'U ut rewt in IHJ fuut higher than Manitoba, but the wind Iuh coiiNiderablo influence ou both lakcH, and the Hamo wind which raiios tho water in one lake di'i)rf8.so8 it in the other in an opposilo direc- tion. An ordinary xtrong wind makcH over a foot dillcr- once in each, when tho two lakes, if it in a north-west wind, will hIiow nearly 21 feet difTeronoo, or if it is a Houth-enst wind, it may only be 17 feot diflero;ice. Very heavy gtortuH will raise or lower tho water nearly 2 feet. It will bo necessary therefore to maku the locks Huitable for a lift varying from 8^ to lOj feet eac'i, to make the channeU to them 8 feet deep to .secure a uni- form G feet of navigation, ami to make the breastwork (f the upper lock 2 feet higher than tho normal level, to guard it from the wash of an exceedingly heavy sea in the upper lake. All this is provided for in the sketches shown in Nos. C and 7. The total cost of tho work depends largely upon tho dimensions fixed upon for the looks, and for tho piism of the canal, and tho clmrac'or of the works. I have assumed that tho material of tho locks will be wood. There is a stone found upon the lake, samples of which 1 have examined, and a most beautiful stone not \uiliko Ohio freestone it is, but apart from the expense involved in masonry over limber I should not like to recommend this stone as fitted for the rough work and heavy usage of lock.i. An excellent spiuce can be obtained on either lake, and timber of suitable di- mensions for the locks proposed, and there is u bed of clay suitable for the necessary puddle walls and sidings, not far from the work. With these materials the locks and ranal can bo completed with all (he necessary equi[uneiits for about 8560,000, which 1 think would finish the work of the canal proper. To the milling interests foi flour, this canal will give ac- cost to 8 better and larger wheat growing area than that already in the process of devc-lopment, the whole mai-kot for the produce of which must be to the south and east. Win- nipegosis is on, the same level as the Saskatchewan River where that river begins to be navigable, and with only a short canal four miles long without locks, to cut through th>) chea|>ly excavated barrier called Mossy Portage that divides t'lctn. West rro:ii this for 700 miles l)jtli biaiiolies of tie- Maskatchewau Uiver art' navigable, and siNntly euciugh at all events for a downwarl cargo into Lake Winnipegcmis. The eamtl between Wiiinipe^'oiis and Maiiitulu and the eut from Winni|>eg08is to the .Saskatchewan open u|i betwrn t!icm a thousaiul miles of navigation, the only avaihdilu route that can be economically developed f>r briiiginy the wheat supply of this immense district to lli istern m:irk< t All of which is respectfully sulimilted. Vour obedient servant, (.*(igne.l) T. T, Vkh itiN .SMirir, M Can. S,)c. f K. KSTIMATK (»K ('(1ST (iF CANAI,. The total cost of tho works necessary to comjileto tho canal and apiu'oaches, with locks 125 feet long and 2."> feet wide, and with a wat' vway CO feet wide at the surface and G feet deep, I ottiinilo at .f jOO,:>IjG. The dilUjulty of access, the isolation of the place an I thu imp oi-iibilily of moving limber or supplies from one lake to the ohor with- out great expense and delay aro dilliL'ullios in tho co.istre.c. tion of tho work, tito exict value of wliic'i it is alauil impossible to estimate, and makes any very cl >* < c.ilcul.ition diflicult. To cover contingencies no doubt contr.icton would ask more than this sum, but this is baso.l iqioii pricet that should bo suflioiont in ordinary localilies. According to the latest surveys tho rnuo by this canal tlirouijh tho two groat lakes, opsuin^ up 210 miles of steam navigation to a connection with th • tiree raiKviys oncontrating at Porta^^o la Prairie, throwing into a market where tho want is very much felt the timber suiii)ly from tho Upper Winnipegosis, and bringing into easy access to Winnipeg tho agricultural lands of the Saskiit chewttii Valley, is seen to bo one of more than local im- portance, and gives this a national value that few enter- prises that have been hitherto [)romoted can so cheai>ly and so easily accomplish. Besides these obvious advantiiges, immediately to tho north of tho land on the oitposito shoie of Winniiiegosis is a most valuable de[)osit of salt. On several localities ou both lakes aro exposures of valuable bu Iding stone, some of the saiunles being a light colored stone not unlike in api)eaianco to tho Ohio sandstone, which has been used in the public liuildings at Ottawa, and other minerals of economic value arc known to exist, to be made available by the cheap route that tliis canal is de- signed to open up to commerce. (Signed) T. T. Vkkxo.n S.mitii, M. Can. Soc. (.'. K. XDEBJLTES -IN- f THE HOUSE OF COMMONS -ON — THE WATER ROUTE BETWEEN LAKES MANITOBA AND WINNIPEGOSIS. ^ 1 Development of the North-West--Inter-lake Navigation. 1 ( Extracts from the Debates in the House of Commons, March 23rd, iSSo.J Mr. McCallum — I have every confidence in tlie North- West ; I liave every confidence in the Pacific Railway; I know the North- West is destined to be a great country, and 1 am satisfied that this country cannot expend any money for any purpose that would be more beneficial to the interests of the country than the improvement of the Saakatcli-wan. It runs for 1,000 miles parallel to the railway, at a distance o*" from 100 to 200 miles from it. That will give another route, which is a water route, from Edmonton, at the head waters of navigation, to Winnipeg. Mr. Royal — It i? a matter of great gratification to the members from Manitoba to hear the expressions used by the hon. gentleman who has just taken his seat about the prospects of the North- West and the duty of the Govern- ment to encourage immigration into those parts of the country. It is equally giatifying to us to know that every hon. gentleman who goes to Manitoba and visits the North- Wesl comes back next session fully impressed with the \m])ortance of that country ; and we are sure that every hon. member who comps up to the North-W' st and visits us will make a speech in the House the next session dilating upon the importance of the agricultural resources of that wonderful country. With regard to the motion just nidde by my hon. friend, I believe that no one can deny the importance of oiiening up the luivigation of the Saskat- chewan River. But, sir, ai)art from that, I believe it is very important that the North- West should l)e oi)ened up by railways. We know that railway facilities are much more prompt and much cheaper than navigation facilities, and as soon as the railways under construction are com- pleted, they will certainly meet all the requirements of the country for a few years at least. However, this would not prevent the Government, if there is suiBoieut money in the public coffers, from improving the navigation of the Saskat- chewan. 1 believe, also, that if the Government would spend a sum of money in opening ui) the navigation of Lake Manitoba, I believe it would be equally as well spent, because opening u)) certain districcs of the Carrot River, for instance, which empties into Lake Manitol)a, would develop the timber resources of the Porcupine Hills. A jKjtition to that ertect has lately been placed before the Minister of Public Works, who takes such a deep interest in the development of Manitoba and the North- West, a petition signed by all the merchants and all the traders who have anything to do with the navigation of that river, or with the development of the timber interest in that part of the country. The petition called the attention of the hon. the Minister of Public Works to the importance of opening up the navigation of Lake Manitoba and Lake Winni- pegnsis with that of some of the riviirs tliat empty into those lakes. Without wishiu;^ in the least to detract from the importance of improving the navigation of the Saskat- chewan, a navigation which, .so far, is rather spMsmodic and uncertain duiing portions of the year, I dkmevk if the G0VERN.MENT COl'LD AFFORD TO CUT A t'AN'AI. UETWKEN THESE TWO LAKES IT WOULD OPEN UP A VERY LARGE, GROWING, AND MOST VALUABLE SECTION OF THE COUNTRY J IT WOULD OPEN UP THE VALLEY OF THE CaRROT RiVER, AND TEND TO DEVELOP THE T1.MBER KESOl'llCES OF THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY I rejieat, in conclusion, that it is very gratifying to the members tVimi Manitoba to know that whenever an hon. gentleman has an o])|ioi tunily to come up west and visit us, he comes back with his mind fu'ly impre.ised, and at the same time totally unprijudiced, with regard to the importance of paving more attention to the development of that country. Mr. Watson — I desire to iMi.lor.-ie the remarks of the hon. gentleman for Monck (Mr. McCallum), who has brought this matter to the attention of the Government. We can hardly realize the importance of improving the navigable streams for the develo))inent of that country. I also END0R.se THE SENTl.MENTS OF THE HON. MEMIIKK FOR Provencher (Mr. Royal) as to the desirability not ONLY OP IMPROVING THK NAVIGATION OE THE SASKATCHE- WAN, BUT OP Lake Manitoba, and the opening up of THE TIMBER LIMITS ON THE PoRCUPINE 11 ILLS AND LaKE WiNNIPEGOSIS, NOIITH OF LaKE MANITOBA. Last year there was an appi()[)riation made for the improvement of the Wati rhi'ii river. I am .iware that none of that sum was expended in inipro\ ing the Waterlien river, but the money was spent in preparing for dredging, and it is to be hoi)ed that the dredging plant will be of some .service. I think the Government was wise in coming to the couLJusion that it would not kte right to spend any money on the improvement of the Waterlien river. Sir John Macdonald — What you want is a canal. Mr. Watson — We want a canal acboss Meadow Portage, which is only one and three quarters of a MILE wide, with no ENGINEERING DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY, AND HAVING A FALL OF ONLY 19 lEKT, WIIIIH WOULD REQUIRE ONLY TWO LOCK.S TO OVERCOME THE DIF- FERENCE IN LEVELS. If this CANAL WAS BUILT, AND THE Sascatchewan improved in the way mentioned by my HON. friend, we would HAVE A WATER STKETCH FROM White Mud River on the Manitoba and North- Western Railway to Edmonton, with the e.xception of Mossy Portage. It will open up a large trade. I believe 12 there is a company formed with the idea of building a tramway from the head waters of Lake Winnii>ego8is to the watei-8 of the Raskatchowan, and such an enterprise would open »ip a considerable traffic in that direction. Some improvements have been made on the White Mud river connecting Lake Manitobn with the Manitoba and North- Western Railway. I hope that the Hon. Minister of Public Works will see his way clear to put a sufficient sum in the estimates to start the work this year, if not complete it. There are large tracts of timber limits gi'anted, hut they are not being o|)erated, and the leases of some of them have actually expired. These people claim that the reason for not operating the limits is that they cannot handle their lumber witli any convenience or profit. I hope that l)elore this session cldses the Minister will bring down an amount for the purpose of cutting a canal across Meadow Portage. Sir Richard Cartwright — I am glad the hon. gentle- man for Monck (Mr. McCallum) has brought this matter before the House. I have not myself had an opportunity of visiting the Saskatchewan region, but in the various trips I have made to the North- West, I have made a great many inquiries about it, and I believe he is perfectly CORRECT IN 8AYIN(i THAT A MODERATE EXPENDITURE OF HONEV WOULD HE LIKELY TO OPEN UP SEVERAL HUNDRfD MILES OF NAVIGATION whether to the extreme length mentioned or not, I do not know. At present, if open, it is only for a very brief season at all events. I was informed that in addition to the boulders, which are comparatively easy to remove, a good many shifting sand bars and deposits of mud occur from time to time, which ar(^ not so easily dealt with. In any case, I think I may fairly say to the hon. member for Monck that although on this side of the House we have entered very strongly our dissent as to the wisdom of the steps which the Government have taken in the development of the North-West, we feel as deeply IMPRESSED AS HE CAN WISH US TO BE WITH THE ENOR- MOUS IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING THAT COUNTRY, AND TO ANY MEASURE WHICH WE BELIEVE REASONABLE AND LIKELY TO PROMOTE THE REAL WELFARE OF THE NoRTH-WeST, AS WE ARE DESIROUS OF LENDING OUR AID AS ARE HON. GENTLEMEN OPPOSITE. Mr. Blake— We always thought well of the magnifi- ceiil water stretches. Sir Hector Lanqevin — The question in regard to the canal is one more within the Department of Railways and Canals than in my Department, though I must say the matter was brought very specially l>efore me the other day by a deputation, the members of which thought that as I had visited the North-West, I would take s))ecial interest in the development of that country. Ad the hon. member roR Provencher (Mr. Royal) has stated, the more WE ao INTO that country the more we become con- vinced THAT IT IS A COUNTRY WITH A GREAT FUTURE BEFORE IT. There can be no doubt that millions of PEOPLE WILL FIND HAPPY HOMES THERE, and with a proper administration, as I hope we are giving, and will give that country, this Government with the help of Parliament will be enabled to throw a large immigration into the North- West, which is required to open it up and develop its resources. The question of the Waterhen river was brought before us several times, but the amount of expenditure supposed to be required for that work was rather too large for the present We thought it might be postponed for that reason. Mr. Mackenzie — There are already surveys in the Public Works Department of the region around Lake Winnipego.iis. Sir Hector Lanoevin — I did not say otherwise. We have those surveys ; they were specially prepared in order to show the difference of levels and so on. I do not think the work is a very difficult one. I understood the hon. gentleman spoke of Lakes Manitoba and Winripegosis. Mr Mackenzie — A lock might be built between Lake Winnijiegosis and the Saskatchewan. Sir Hector Lanoevin — I was looking at the surveys the other day. It will be more of a financial than an engineering difficulty. Mr. Mackenzie — One lock might do ; 18f feet was the diflference in the levels. There is no difference between the Saskatchewan and Lake Winnipegosis. So if two small cuttings were made navigation would be open from the south end of Lake Manitoba all the way to Rocky Mountain House during the season of navigation, even without any material improvement in the Saskatchewan river itself. MEMORIALS AND ENDORSATION — Of- THE CANAL BETWEEN LAKES MANITOBA AND WINNIPEGOSIS. f-. at n ::''■■ ! ■■A ■■ -11 ■ '^ < V W-K' Local Endorsation of the Project. , v-r For mimy yiuirs the vital imiwrtance of a connection be- tween tlie niilwny centres of the Manitoba and the outlying •listricts between Portitge la Prairie and Likes Manitoba and Winnepegosis, opening ni> a magnificent country and iitiling the vast body of water for purposes of navigation, has been set forth in memorials and endorsed by leading public men on both sides of the House of Commons. To Jirove Ihis copies of these n-.eniorials biought down ' , re- turns to P. riiaineiit are appended to this report, as well iM tli<' iciniirks madi! liy various nicnibcrs when the sub- ject was disciMsccI in Piirli;iiiicnt : — MKMOPtlAL ol'' TIIK CITV OT WINXHM'X}. To lie lion. Sir IIkcIoi- f.,n,osits of minerals, and both its lakes are abundantly stocked with white fish, an ex- port trade in which has already com nenced in the south- western shore of Lake Manitoba. 3. That there is now continuous railway communication from all parts to a point on the White Mud River which falls into Lake Manitoba, to the Water Hen River, which js too shallow for navigation. 4. That steamboats can also freely and safely navigate liake Winnipegosis. 5. That a canal one mile and three quarters long, cut through Meadow Portage would miite the waters of Lakes Winnipegosis and Manitoba, ar.d give uninterrupted navi- gation from one lake into the other. G. that while not opjw.sed to any improvement of the Water lien River, your Petitioners believe that the cutting of the proposed canal would be a cheaper, speedier, and more permanent remedy. Wherefore your Petitioners respectfully pray that you will recommend to His Excellency tlie Governor-inCouncil, the great im|)ortance of cutting and locking a canal for steamboats 'Iriiwing six feet of water across the Meadow Portage between such points ou Lakes Manitoba and Win- iiiMr'g'isis as may be found most suitable. (Signed) E. Macdonald, JIayor. W. A. West, Secy.-Treas. Town of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. MEMORIAL OF THE JUDICIAL BOARD OF MANITOBA. I'o t/io llonombk 6if II-clo- Lamjcvin, C.B., K.C.M.O., Minister of Pitblic Wi'rks for the Dominion oj Cmiwhi, Ottawa. The petition of the undersigned residents of Manitoba and others interested in the settlement of the Canadian North- West and the develoi)ment of its trade and internal resources, respectfully submit : 1 That u largo area of valuable territory lying Iwtween the Rivers Assiniboine and Saskatchewan, forming the basin of the great Lakes IManitoba and Winnipegosis, is now inaccessible to settlement ami trade owing to the want of navigable communication between the said lakas. 2. That this large area is well timbered with spruce and tamarac, is said to have valuable deposits of minerals, and both its lakes are abundanty stocked with white fish, an export trade in which has already commenced on tho south- western shore of Lake Manitoba. 3. That there is now continuous railway communication from all parts to a point on the White Miul river, which falls into Lake Manitoba, and by steamboats of light draught down the said river and through Lake A!anito1a to the Watern Hen River, which is loo shallow foi navi- gation. 4. That steamboats can also freely and safely navigate Lake Winnipegosis. 5. That a canal one mile and throe quartoi-s long cut through Meadow Portage would unite the waters of Lakes Winnipegosis and Manitoba and giv(! uninterrupted navi- gation from one lake into the other. 6. That while not opposed to any improvements of the Water Hen River, your petitioners believe that the cutting of the proposed canal would prove a cheaper, speedier and mei'e permanent remedy. Wherefore your petitioners respectfidly jiray that yrai will recommend to His E.xcellency the Governor-in-Counoil the great importance of cutting and locking a canal for steamboats di-awing six feet of water across the Meadow Portage between such points on Likes Manitoba and Winnijiegosis as may be found most suitable. (Signed) E. Macdonald, Chairman C. J. B. J. W. Jackson, Secretary-Treasurer. On behalf of Central Judicial Board of Province of Manitoba, Portas;e La Prairie. January 30th, 1885. MEMORIAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF PORT- AGE LA PRAIRIE. I'o the Honorable Sir Hector L. Langevin, CD., K.C. M.G., Minister of Public Works for the Dominion of Canada, Ottawa. The petition of the undersigned, as representatives of residents of Manitoba and others interested in the settle- ment of the Canadian North- West and the development of its trade and internal resources, respectfully submit : 17 1. That a large area of valuable tcnitoiy lying between the Rivers Assiniboiiie and Saskatchewan, forming the basin of tlie great lakes Manitoba and Winnipegovid, is now inaccessible to settlement and trade owing to the want of navigable comMiunication between the said lakes. 2. That this large area is well timbered with spruce and tamarac, is said to hold valuable deposits of minerals, and that its lakes are abundantly stocked with white fish, an export in whicl'. has already commenced on the south- western shore of Lake Manitoba. 3. That there is now continous railway communication from all parts to a point on which White Mud River falls into Lake Manitoba, and by steamboats of light draught down the said river and through Lake Manitoba to the Water Hen River, which is too shallow for navigation. 4. That steamboats can also freely and safely navigate Lake Winnipegosis. 5. That a canal one mile and three quarters long cut through Meadow Portage would unite the watci-s of Lakes Manitol a and Winnipegosis, and give uninterrupted navi- gation from one lake into the other. 6. That while not opposed to any improvement of the Water Hen River, your petitioners belie k-e that the cutting of the proposed canal would prove a cheiper, speedier and more permanent remedy. Wherefore your petitioners respectfully pray that you will recommend to His Excellency the Governor-in-Council the great importance of cutting and locking a canal for steamboats drawing six feet of water across the Meadow Portage between such points on Lakes Manitoba and Winni- pegosis as may be found suitable. Signed on behalf of the Council of the municipality of Portage la Prairie this 12th day of January, 1885. (Signed) M. Feruiss, Reeve. J. W. Jackson, Sec.-Treasurer. MEMORIAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF WEST- BOURNE, MANITOBA, To the Honorable Sir Hector Langevin, 0.13., K.C.M.G., Minister oj PuhUc Works for the Dominion of Canada, Ottawa ; The petition of the undersigned residents of Manitoba and others interested in the settlement of the Canadian North- West, and the development of its trade and internal resour- ces, respectfully submit ; — 1. That a large area of valuable territory lying l)otween the Rivers Assiniboine and Saskatchewan forming the basin of the great lakes Manitoba and Winnipegosis is now inac- cessible to settlement and trade owing to the want of navi gable communication between the said lakes. 2. That this large area is well timbered with spruce and tamarac, is said to hold valuable deposits of minerals, and both its lakes are abundantly stocked with white fish, an export trade which has already commenced on the south- western shore of Lake Manitoba, 3. That there is now continuous railway communication from all parts to a point on the White Mud River which falls into Lake Manitoba, and by steamboats of light draught down the said river and through Luke Manitoba to tlio Water Hen River whioh is too shallow for navigation, 4. That steamboats can also fi'Culy and safely navigate Lake Winnipegosis. a. That a canal one mile and three 'juarters long, cut through Meadow Portage, would unite the waters of Lakes Winnipegosis and Manitoba, and give uninterrupted navi. gation fiom one lake into the other. 0. That while not ojiposed to any improvunieut of the Water lien River, your petitionei-s believe that the cutting of the proposed canal would prove a chenpei', speedier, an(l more permanei>t remedy. Wherefore your i)etitiouers respectfully pray that you will recommend to his Excellency the Governor-in-Council, the great importr.nce of cutting and locking a canal for 8team%oats drawing six feet of water across the Meadow Portage between such points on I^akes Manitoba and Win nipegosis as may be found most suitable. (Signed) W. H. WEST, Reeve. Having carefully perused the above petition and consid. ered the objects to be attained, we heartily endorse the same, and can safely commend it to the favorable consideration of the Federal Government as a work of very great importance to the promoters of the tiade of the province with the Sas- katchewan District, and a vory powerful factor in the devel- opment of that region. (Signed) C. P, Brown, (Minister Public Works and representative in the Provin- cial Legislature for this part of the Province.) MEMORIAL OF THE TOWN OF GLADSTONE. To the Honorable Sir Hector L. Langevin, C.B., K.C.M.G,, Ottawa. The petition of the imdersigned resiJent.s of Manitoba and othera interested in the settlement of the Canadian North- West and the development of its trade and internal resources, I'espectfully submit : 1. That it is a large area of valuable territory lying between the rivers Assiniboine and Saskatchewan, forming the basin of the great lakes Manitoba and Winniiiogosis, is now inaccessible to settlement and trade owing to the want of navigable communication between the island.s. 2. That this lai'ge area is well timbeied with spruce and tamarac and is said to hokl valuable deposits of minerals, and both its lakes are abundantly stocked with white fish, aud expoi t trade in which lias already commenced on the south-western shore of Lake Manitoba. 18 That there is now coutinuoiis railwuy coiniuuiiiuation from all parts to a point on the Wliito Mud river, wliioli falls into Lake Manitoba, to tlio Water II(!ii River, wliicli in too shallow for navigation. 4. That fttcanilioatH can also fn'tiy and Haffly na\igato Lake Winnipogosis. 5. That a canal ono niilo and thruo (piartcrH long cut through Meadow Porttvgo wonhl unite the waters of lakes Manitoba and Winnipegosis, and give uninterrupted navi- gation from one lake into the other. C, That while not opposed to any iinproM-iuunts of the Water Hon Rivei, your petitioners boliuvo that the cutliuj{ of the proposed canal would prove a choapor, spoodier an 1 more permanent remedy. Wherefore your petitioners respectfully pr.iy that you will recommend to His Kxcellency the Oovernor-in-Council the groat importance of cutting and locking a canal for steamboats drawing nix feet of water across th.; Meadow Portage between such points on lakes Manitoba and Win- nipegosis as may be found umst suitable. (Signed) CKO. AUSTIN, Afavor.