82 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Appendix No. 23 



Extract from field notes of retracement survey of Niven's Meridian Line between 

 Original Districts of Nipissing and Algoma, from Mile 108 to Mile 198, 

 now in the Districts of Temiskaming and Cochrane, by H. W. Sutcliffe, 

 O.L.S., 1929. 



Timber 



A considerable portion of the area traversed by this line has been occupied 

 by people for either mining or agricultural purposes. Most of the area south of 

 the Porcupine Branch of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway has 

 been staked as mining claims at sometime, though much of it has since been 

 abandoned. During the time of these activities, large areas were over-run by 

 fire. Those areas are now covered with young timber growth, a large percentage 

 of which is poplar. In the vicinity of and north of the above mentioned railway 

 line through Hoyle and Matheson Townships, farm lots are being timbered, 

 and close to the railway a small amount of cultivating is being done. From the 

 north-west corner of Matheson Township to the north-west corner of Hanna 

 Township, the timber is in its original state. It is of commercial grade, but 

 typical of that area in that a large percentage of it is best suited for pulp. From 

 Hanna to within about a mile of the Abitibi River, the land has been taken 

 up for settlement, and practically all the timber has disappeared. North of the 

 Abitibi, the whole area is timber covered, though some of it is young growth, 

 of which a fair percentage is spruce. 



Soil 



With the exception of some rock areas in the Townships of Langmuir, 

 Eldorado, Carmen, Shaw and Whitney, the soil is clay and well suited for 

 agriculture. 



Rock Formation 



The only rock areas encountered are included within the so-called Porcupine 

 mining area, for which there are geological maps issued by the Department 

 of Mines. 



Animal Life 



The coming of civilization has largely meant the outgoing of wild animal 

 life. This area is no longer a game country. Some of the streams have fish, but 

 not good enough for commercial purposes. There are a few very good trout 

 streams which provide recreation for enthusiastic fishermen. The Frederick- 

 house River is said to have sturgeon, but the water is very muddy, and I doubt 

 if fish are there in commercial quantity. 



General 



It would be unfair not to say something about the first survey made by 

 Mr. Alex. Niven. A comparison will show that the former errors in chainage 

 and bearings were very small, particularly having regard to the circumstances 

 under which surveys had to be made in those days. In 90 miles we differ only 

 4 links for chainage. I find him to be 60.93 links too far east for departure. 



