The Mira Grant, Cape Breton County, N. S. — By Edwin 

 Gilpin, Jr., A. M, Ll. D., F. R. S. C, C. I. S. 0., Etc., 

 Etc., Inspector of Mines. 



(Bead ISth May, 1903.) 



The establishment of large iron and steel producing plants 

 at the Sydneys has led to enquiries for iron ores in Cape Breton- 

 These establishments are practically independent of local ores, 

 as their supplies are brought from Bell Island, in Newfoundland ; 

 but they are presumably willing to take other ores i£ they can be 

 laid down equally cheaply at their furnaces. The presence of 

 iron ore beds, in strata of Lower Silurian age, on the south shore 

 of the Mira River, has been known for some years. The ore, a 

 bedded red hematite, of good quality, showed signs of its pres- 

 ence over a tract several miles long. Recent explorations have 

 apparently proved it to be presented in quantity permitting of 

 economic development. Some leases were issued by the Mines 

 Department, when it was unexpectedly found that the land on 

 both sides of the Mira River for several miles had been granted 

 at an early period in the histor}^ of the island as a "province 

 separate from Nova Scotia. 



A judicial investigation before the Mines Department into 

 the extent of the mineral rights under this grant appeared at 

 one time to be unavoidable in order that the demands of rival 

 claimants for leases, etc., mig-ht be settled. This investigation 

 did not take place, but it appeared to the writer that a record 

 of the data, that could be found bearing on the grant, was worth 

 preserving for future reference. 



The grant in question was issued by Lieutenant-Governor 

 DesBarres and his council, June 26th, 17H7, to Jotham White, 

 George Rogers and their as.sociates. White represented one 



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