80 TttJADS AND 1;A1LWAYS 



to assume that the same minerals ^\ hic.li occui- in the Canadian 

 part of the belt Avill also be founil in that part of it which lies in 

 XeAvfoundlaml. Tliis I was iletermined to in\'estigate ; but 

 year after year slipped liy without my being able to undertake 

 the journey. In the spring of last year, however, being in Ca- 

 nada, I went to Ottawa to consult my friend, Dr. Selwyn, the 

 Director of the Geological Survey there ; and lo liim I mentioned 

 my i<leas. ' Well,' said he, ' I am convinced of it. I have long 

 l)een of (jpinion that good asliestos would be found in Xewfound- 

 laml. Indeed, foi' years past, Avhenever any one has come to 

 consult me regarding asbestos, I have always said, 'Go to New- 

 foundland, tliat is wliere you will tind it.' Tliat })ractically 

 decided me, and I determined to go. A little later on in the 

 year I came over here, and the result of my investigation was 

 such that I determined t') })ay your island another visit, to con- 

 tinue the investigation, and if 2>ossible to give effect to the 

 discovery. Yes, I intend to set to work at once, and shall leave 

 by the next coastal steamer for the West Coast, Avith men and 

 material ; and if my efforts meet with success, I l^elieve that it 

 will Vie a good thing for Newfoundland, by amongst other things 

 giving employment to her increasing population, whicli cannot, 

 under present conditions, be kept at home, Init has to go abroad 

 in quest of that which its own land is powerless to afford it. The 

 staple trade of the country is fish, of course, fish Ijefore anything ; 

 but a country is generally }irosperous, in proportion as she has 

 some alternative business to fall back xipon. The fishery may 

 be a bad one some seasons, and the Avhole island suffers ; but, if 

 any part of the population is engaged in some other liusiness in 

 addition to the staple trade, the difficulty and consecpient dis- 

 distress are certainly in some measure amelioi-ated. But to give 

 effect to any of tliese things, the country wants opening uji, so as 

 t:> welcome the inti"oduction of capital. At present it is not so. 

 Louk, for instance, at my own case. I have found asbestos on 

 the West Coast, and wish to give effect to the discovery by 

 opening a mine there ; l)ut, to ilo this I have to encounter extra- 

 ordinary ditticulties. If we had oidy a cattle track t(j pass over 



