82 REPOKT OF THE No. 3 



In the Upper Lake we saw many discoveries marked on the islands, and development 

 work had been done at one point on the south shore, about 1 mile east of the 

 Lightning Point portage, with what results we were unable to learn. 



Settlement. 



Apart from the abandoned Hudson's Bay Company's post at the "Narrows," 

 "Biedermans," an Indian home on McDougall's point, and another at Ghost 

 Elver, the saw-mill at Abitibi Eiver, and a few scattered huts erected by Indians and 

 hunters, there cannot be said to be any actual attempt at settlement in the Ontario 

 part of Abitibi. Settlers have, however, located for a considerable distance along 

 the road from Matheson. 



Accessibility. 



The old time route from Mattawa, via the Upper Ottawa waters, is now 

 mainly superceded in winter by the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway 

 to Matheson, and thence by team road to the outlet of the Lower Lake, and in 

 summer by navigation via the Black and Abitibi Rivers for Matheson, the two main 

 breaks — at Twin Falls and Couchiching Falls, respectively — having been tram- 

 wayed by the railway contractors. When the National Transcontinental Railway 

 has been completed, access to the Lower Lake will be had, with only short con- 

 necting roads, both at North-west Bay and North-east Bay, and the Upper Lake 

 will be similarly served via Okikodasik Bay in Ontario, and Whitefisih Bay in Quebec. 

 The Lake itself is, however, unfavourable for navigation in summer, owing to its 

 great expanse and unusual shallowness, instances of travellers being windbound for 

 days being numerous. Winter travel on the ice with horses is rendered extremely 

 difficult by the ever present "slush." Efforts have been made to overcome this by 

 using snow ploughs, but with indifferent success. The ploughed tracts fill vfith the 

 constantly drifting snow, in a short time elevating the roadway so that the sleighs 

 cannot be kept upon it. 



General Remarks. 



The advent of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario and, in the near future, 

 the National Transcontinental Railway, will do much to promote the development 

 of the agricultural and mineral resources of the Abitibi country, and it will, in 

 our opinion, soon be a large item in the assets of the Province, 



Accompanying this report are: 



Lower Lake: 



(a) A plan on mounted paper in 12 sections, scale 20 chains to an inch, 

 (6) An index plan on mounted paper, scale 80 chains. 



(c) A tracing of the first named — in two sheets — shewing the traverse lines, 

 with bearings and distances, also reference trees, etc. 



(d) Field notes with full details of all islands and shore line surveyed. 



