1919-20 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 59 



]?eturning to the Ground Hog River, we proceeded down it to the north 

 boundary of the Township of Straehan. O.L. Surveyors, Sutcliffe and Neelands 

 had, earlier in the season, run this line from the north-west corner of the town- 

 ship, as far as the west bank of the Ground Hog River, and planted a post on 

 that bank at two miles and 62.69 chains. We continued the line east from this 

 point to chainage eight miles and 78.12 chains, where we planted iron and wooden 

 posts to mark the north-east corner of the township. From there we continued 

 east, astronomically, along the south boundary of the Township of Fortune, eight 

 miles and 66.35 chains to the west boundary of the Township of Cote. 



From the north-east corner of the Township of Straehan, we ran south, 

 astronomically, one mile and 20.21 chains, to the north boundary of the Indian 

 Reserve, which boundary we intersected at a point 6.98 chains east of post No. IV 

 on that boundary. From the same corner we ran north, astronomically, nine 

 miles along the east boundary of the Township of Montcalm to the north-east 

 corner of that township. 



It became evident at this time that it would be impossible to complete 

 the work described in your instructions this season, owing to the trouble we had 

 experienced and were experiencing in obtaining and holding men, so it was decided 

 not to attempt to complete the north boundary of Montcalm or the lines to the 

 north at this time, beyond doing what work was possible from our camp at this 

 corner. Accordingly, after running two miles to the north, and two miles to the 

 west, we proceeded to run the north boundary of the Township of Fortune to the 

 Township of Byers. The west boundary of Byers was reached at chainage eight 

 miles and 63.71 chains. 



We returned to the railway via the Nat and Ground Hog Rivers, reaching 

 the steel on the 16th of September. 



All east and west lines were run as chords of the parallels of latitude, passing 

 through the corners of the respective townships. 



All lines were well opened up and properly blazed. Wherever possible, 

 cairns of stone were built about the posts planted, and bearing trees, in each 

 case, were carefully marked, with bearings and tlistances noted. Frequent astrono- 

 mic observations were taken on Polaris throughout the survey. The notes of a 

 number of these accompany the field notes. 



General Features. 



Practically all the area embraced by this survey lies in the valley of the 

 Ground Hog River, and its tributary the Nat River. Generally speaking the 

 country is rolling in the southern part, gradually becoming flatter to the north. 

 Along the south boundaries of Melrose and Frey, the line crossed a succession 

 of low to moderately abrupt sandy and gravelly ridges with a few outcrops of 

 granite rock. Between Melrose and Frey, and north of O.L.S. Niven's base line, 

 considerable stretches of flat land were crossed, varied in places by rock and gravel 

 ridges. Few lakes were encountered, nor were any streams of any size crossed 

 with the exception of the two rivers — the Ground Hog and the Nat. Large 

 sections of the townships were burnt, apparently about twenty-five to thirty 

 years ago, and more recent burns were crossed on the south boundary of Melrose, 

 and on the south and west boundaries of Fortune. 



