1914-15 DEPAKTMENT OF LANDS, FOKESTS AND MINES. 51 



Appendix No. 20. 

 Survey of the Township of Eedveks^ in the District of Kenora. 



Kenora, Ontario, December 4th, 1914. 



SiR^_Under instructions dated July 32nd, 1914, I proceeded to Quibell to 

 subdivide the township of Redvers, abutting Wabigoon township on the north. I 

 left Kenora Friday, August 22nd, on steamer Kathleen, which during the summer 

 months plies the scenic Winnipeg river, between Kenora and Minaki. It is a 

 delightful trip of two and a half hours. On nearing Minaki, now a reputable 

 summer resort, one must see the flying flags upon the gay cottages and the noisy 

 motor launch. The future of this resort is assured, since the Grand Trunk Pacific 

 has built a commodious and luxurious inn. Leaving Minaki on the local, we 

 arrived at Quibell on time. A throng oi people hung idly about the station wait- 

 ing for their mail. A wonderful change has taken place here in three years. 

 Houses, bams, good roads, tilled lands, a general store, a blacksmith shop confront 

 you as you step off the train. The settlement of Wabigoon, like our towns of the 

 West, was the trick of a night and a day. The fine new school is an index to the 

 temper of the people ; the teacher receives a fair salary. 



On Saturday morning I moved out to Black Bluff lake. Seven men accom- 

 panied me. The country did not inspire me, as we toted our supplies over the 

 barren hiJls rough and steep. It was an ideal camping place for we were sheltered 

 and had good water. 



On Sunday night I took an observation of Polaris at eastern elongation. On 

 Monday morning 1 started west towards the river from post marked 2 miles planted 

 in the easterly limit of Redvers township about ten chains north of said lake. 

 From my camp here I ran all my lines to the river, excepting those in the far north. 

 Having cut out these lines I moved along the third concession to the other side of 

 the river Wabigoon. I then made this my home for a couple of weeks or more 

 pushing the lines north and west from the river. Had I moved camp down the 

 river I would have saved at least a week of time. Experience always teaches those 

 willing to learn. The water was low and very few creeks were running when we 

 started work, but we soon encountered a hindrance, the continuous wet weather 

 which kept back the work perceptibly. 



I next moved camp to Long lake, still adhering to the third concession. Part 

 travelled by trail, part by canoes. We were near thei east end of the lake and a 

 little south. From here a road ran into Quibell, but some parts were very wet. 

 Still, it was shorter than the canoe trail to bring in supplies. I purchased half of 

 my supplies at Kenora, the rest at Quibell. 



In some ways the township was admirably suited for subdivision, at times sights 

 of nearly half a mile being possible. The greatest hindrance was the dominant 

 windfall that always lay in our path. To increase the difficulty young half dry 

 jack pine bitten by mice and rabbits stood thick as grain. The axemen could have 

 no freedom and it was trying on the temper. At times in returning home it took 

 us fully half an hour to compass a mile. Still I carried all of my men through 

 without a hitch. A favorable condition was the absence of extensive marshes. 



At my second camp Mr, Hutcheon visited me in his official capacity. He in a 

 generous manner pointed out my errors or rather omissions which I readily cor- 

 rected. I spent two or three days in placing new posts and reblazing some of my 

 lines. 



5 L.M. 



