1916-17 DEPAliTMEXT OF LANDfcS, FOliESTH AND MINES. 95 



This hut has proved a great couvenieuce in getting supplies, etc., it being 

 convenient to the railway station. It also served as shelter for men while putting 

 in a telephone line and also one fire ranger on the railway track during the season. 

 About May 1st we cut a telephone line from Kawene to headquarters, but owing to 

 lack of material as well as the dry season we did not put in the line until later. 

 The line is about twelve miles long, running south from Kawene to the south- 

 westerly corner of Eva lake, thence east to French lake. The wire (insulated) is 

 laid under the C N. R. tracks in galvanized iron piping with boards above and 

 below to protect it. Permission was granted by C. N. E. authorities to cross their 

 line and also to install the telephone in the station. The line was built and the 

 ])hones installed by our own staff, and I am pleased to say has not cost us any repairs 

 whatever iii its four months' use. 1 had a saddle trail cut along the line which 

 will be convenient in repaii'ing the line as well as in getting out to the station in 

 the spring antl fall seasons when the water and winter routes are closed. Shelter 

 huts were erected on Kinippi lake, and on Lake La Croix this season. Owing to 

 a heavy hail storm in August the roofs on huts on Eden Island, east arm of Quetico 

 and Burntside lake were destroyed, but have since been repaired. Small additions 

 for cooking purposes have been added to tlie huts on Beaver House lake and Darby's 

 island on Basswood lake. I had built on French lake a boathouse for the shelter of 

 gasoline boat. It is protected from " ice shoves " by a pier heavily loaded with 

 rock and serves for protection for boat for both winter and summer. I also built 

 one on the south side of Eva lake in the same manner for the out board motor there. 



Owing to the exceptionally low water this season many new portages had to 

 1)0 cut on the main canoe routes and when not otherwise engaged the rangers are 

 tnnployed cutting inland trails. I regret to say we had considerable forest fire on 

 the south-west end of the Park which destroyed some timber, all of which I under- 

 stand will be cut this season thus lessening the loss. Considering the exceptionally 

 <lry spring season and the forest fires all around us at that time, I consider that we 

 were very fortunate on the whole. Lum})ering operations are very brisk on the 

 south-west end of the Park, but are carefully watched by the rangers. I had erected 

 an observation tower about three-quarters of a mile from headquarters. This 

 tower is on a very high hill and is fifty feet in height, thus giving a good view for 

 many miles. Preparations were made for building many others next season. Game 

 and fur are increasing rapidly, particularly moose, red deer and beaver. Partridges 

 are also becoming more numerous. The weather during the present month has 

 been the roughest T ever experienced at this time of year, causing great diflficnlty in 

 setting in supplies. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, 



Your obedient servant,. 



Hugh McDoxalp. 

 Superintendent Quetico Pari-. 



