60 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



encountered anywhere on the Hne. Apparently a very extensive fire, or series 

 of fires, about forty years ago, cleared most of the timber from this country, 

 and it is only where the forest was protected by open water or extensive swamps 

 that mature wood is now standing. The new growth, however, is vigorous 

 and seems free from disease. Provided it escapes further visitation by fire, 

 there should be a valuable stand of jack pine and spruce in a comparatively few 

 years more. 



Rock 



"The line crossed Red Lake slightly north of Mackenzie Island, and from 

 about four miles east of East Bay to the vicinity of Mile 45, Keewatin intrusions 

 were noted in the rock. This section has, of course, been receiving a great deal 

 of attention from prospectors for the past year or so, and has been mapped 

 geologically by the Department of Mines. Along the remainder of the line 

 nothing was seen to suggest the possibility of economic minerals, the country 

 rock being entirely granite. 



Water Powers 



"The line intersected only two river valleys of any importance whatever 

 the Trout Lake system being crossed at Otter Lake, and the Chukini River 

 crossed at Red Lake. These are relatively small streams, although, owing to 

 the large lake areas, they are capable of admirable control. Trout Lake is 

 considerably higher than Red Lake, and there is consequently more power 

 available on the Trout River than on the Chukini. 



Canoe Routes 



"There is now a regular service for passengers and freight from the Canadian 

 National Railways at Hudson to Pine Ridge, and a motor boat service from that 

 point to Snake Falls, at the head of Pawkwash Lake. From Pawkwash Lake to 

 Bear Lake, to Trout Lake and to Red Lake, we found the canoe routes excellent, 

 with portages relatively short and well cut out. Between Red Lake and the 

 boundary we utilized the canoe route traversed last year by D.L.S. Christie. 

 This route is apparently little travelled west of the point where the route to the 

 Bloodvein River branches off. As the route in a general way paralleled our 

 line, however, we found it very useful, and for the most part reasonably easy. 

 We considered heading for the railway southward along the boundary from the 

 end of our line, and were assured by some that there was a first-class route in 

 that direction. We could locate no guide, however, and owing to the immense 

 number of lakes and bays in which much time might be lost, we thought it best 

 to retrace our way to the railway via Red Lake. 



Fish and Game 



"Moose, caribou and red deer were seen during the summer, and were 

 fairly plentiful. Very few beaver signs were noticed, and we understood that 

 not many are trapped in the area. Muskrats were extremely plentiful in a 

 number of the streams near the boundary. Of the other fur-bearing animals 

 it is difficult to judge in the summer. Partridge seem to have had a bad season 

 or two, and were very scarce. Rabbits, on the other hand, were plentiful, especi- 

 ally from Red Lake eastward. The members of the party made fine catches of 

 trout in Trout Lake and elsewhere, and there was generally no difficulty in 

 keeping the party supplied with fish when on the larger lakes. 



