SECRETARY'S REPORT. 3]! 



Bangor to the Forks at Molunkus ; thence forty-four miles to Houl- 

 ton, and forty-one more to Presque Isle. From the "Forks," by 

 " Aroostook road," it is seventy-five miles to number eleven. From 

 number eleven to Presque Isle, is twenty-four miles, and thirteen 

 thence to Fort Fairfield, and six more to Tobique, N. B. Besides, 

 these, which are the principal ones, there are minor roads diverging 

 from various points, and often intersecting some of the choicest lands 

 in this region. These roads vary materially in quality, parts of 

 them, especially of the Military road, are very good, and as a whole, 

 this is a much better one than the " Aroostook road," but none were 

 esteemed to be any better than they should be, and are far from 

 inviting in appearance to new comerS; who have been accustomed to 

 better. The passage of so many heavily laden teams at all sea- 

 sons of the year, is a severe test for any road, and one which only 

 a thoroughly macadamized track, or a plank road could withstand 

 without serious injury. By those who settled early, and whose 

 standard of comparison was the former condition of the same, or the 

 present condition of others still worse, the above named were all 

 spoken of as " good. ' ' 



By the above mentioned routes, goods are now carried from Ban- 

 gor to Presque Isle, one hundred and fifty-five miles, at about thirty 

 dollars per ton, and from Bangor to number eleven, one hundred 

 and forty-five miles, by the Aroostook road, at thirty-five to forty 

 dollars per ton. Such rates add so materially to the cost of supplies 

 brought thither, that it is no wonder if a cheaper mode of communi- 

 cation be sought. This, the easterly ranges of townships enjoy for 

 so much of the year as the river St. John is navigable, which may 

 average about five months. Freight is brought from the city of St. 

 John to Tobique, within six miles of Fort Fairfield, at a rate vary- 

 ing from eight to eighteen dollars per ton ; by steam to Frederickton, 

 ninety miles, at all times when the river is not closed by ice, and 

 when the depth of water serves, also by steam to Tobique, otherwise 

 by tow boats, from Frederickton or Woodstock, up. From Tobique 

 to Presque Isle, is eighteen miles, and twenty-four miles thence to 

 number eleven, and here I was assured by the traders and lum- 

 bermen, that at the present time, not one-twentieth part of the goods 

 sold at, or of the supplies distributed from, this point, were brought 

 thither from Bangor, whereas, formerly, nearly the whole were. 



