1916-17 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 87 



The country along- tlie line between the townships of Haig and Wicksteed for 

 the first two miles is low and swampy, and from this point up to the seven and one- 

 Jialf mile post the country is rolling and heavily timbered with spruce up to eighteen 

 inches, banksian pine to sixteen inches, poplar and white birch up to twelve inches 

 with spriice and dead tamarac swamps in the valleys. The soil is a sandy clay loam 

 with a few outcroppings of rock. 



From the seven and one-half mile post to the end the line runs through an old 

 Ijrule interspersed with swamps. 



The north boundary of the township of Haig and the north and west bound- 

 aries of the township of Wicksteed run, for the most part, through a very old brule 

 country covered with ])oplar, white birch, and banksian pine, interspersed with 

 spruce and dead tamarac swamps; the soil in some places being fairly good and in 

 other places light and sandy. There are also a few outcroppings of rock along 

 these lines. 



From the age of the timber now on the ground and other evidences there is no 

 doubt this country was overrun by a very destructive fire about the year 1850, and 

 at many places this fire not only destroyed the timber, but also wiped away the 

 liumus of the soil. 



There are numerous lakes and quite a few large streams and rivers traverse 

 these townships, but no water power of any note. The water of all the.se lakes 

 and rivers is clear and wholesome. 



The rock in this locality is of the Huronian formation, and bears no evidence 

 of being mineralized. The Canadian Northern Railway runs through these town- 

 ships. It has a first-class road-bed, is well ironed and with long tangents, and very 

 easy grades and curves give every evidence of being carefully located and perm- 

 anently constructed. 



Horne])ayne, a divisional point, is located in the township of Wicksteed and 

 already forms the nucleus of a thriving settlement; here there are all told about fifty 

 Iniildings and many more under construction. 



I also understand that the number of children of school age is tweaty-three, 

 and that the proper steps have already been initiated to open a school. 



During the greater part of the work the snow was very deep and there being 

 no frost in the ground the travelling was very bad, and I did not explore the in- 

 terior of these townships as much as I would have liked to. 



From what 1 have seen I would consider from fifty-five to sixty per cent, of the 

 ai-ea of these townships suitable for settlement. 



The average magnetic variation I found to be four degrees and forty- five 

 minutes west of north. 



Moose and fur-bearing animals, under the present efficient administration of 

 tlie Provincial game laws, are, I believe, increasing in this district. 



On the timber plan submitted herewith a general idea of the location of the 

 areas of merchantable timber may be had, but owing to the wretched travelling 

 while on the ground it would be difficult for me to delimit them more closely. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



( Signed )i J, W, Fitzgkrald, 



Ontario Land Surveyor. 

 The Honourable, the Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines, 

 Toronto, Ontario. 



