106 EEPOET OF THE No. 3 



fact that up to the present time the regular trains liave not been run, as the 

 road has been in the hands of the contractors. 



Last season was extremely favourable for the clearing up of land, owing 

 to the dry weather, and the settlers in many instances have taken advantage 

 of this, so that during the piast season more land has been made ready for cultiva- 

 tion than during the two previous seasons. This applies to the country along the 

 line of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Eailway as well as along the 

 Transcontinental Eailway. If next spring is at all favourable, a much larger 

 area of land will be put under cultivation, provided that the settlers are in a 

 position to procure the necessary seed grain. 



During the three years in which operations have been carried on under this 

 Branch, 1,704 miles of road has been under construction, of which 744 miles 

 is entirely new road cut out of the forest; 960 is old road improved; 914 miles 

 was graded and ditched, 180 of which was also surfaced with gravel or crushed 

 rock, and the balance improved by cutting down grades, renewing culverts and 

 bridges, and ditched. 



In the descriptions of the several roads hereinafter given, information will 

 be found respecting the operations in the various districts. 



Accompanying this report is a statement of expenditure in the different 

 districts, and the number of miles of road constructed or under construction. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



J. F. Whitson", 



Commissioner. 



