1911-12 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 49 



Appendix No. 18. 



Survey of Line Between the Districts of Timiskaming and Nipissing, from 

 THE South Angle of the Township of Cassels East to Lake 



Timiskaming. 



Cobalt, Ont., October 17th, 1913. 



SiR;, — In accordance with instructions from your Department, bearing date 

 June 21st, 1912, I have the honour to submit the following report on the survey of 

 a Base Line forming a portion of the boundary between the District of Nipissing 

 and the District of Timiskaming. 



The survey was commenced at an iron post, marked "Riddell," on the south- 

 west side, and "Cassels" on the north-west side. This post was found in the meri- 

 dian line, run by O.L.S. Niven in 1885, which forms the east boundary of the town- 

 ships of Cassels and Riddell. From this point, the line was run due east astronom- 

 ically a distance of 9 miles 74 chains and 39 links to the waters of Lake Timis- 

 kaming. On the line wooden posts were planted every half-mile, and marked 

 oil the west side with the number of miles or half-miles distant from the starting 

 place. The mile posts were also marked "Timiskaming" on the north side, and 

 *' Nipissing" on the south side. Iron posts were planted at the end of tha fourth and 

 eighth miles, and marked similarly to the wooden posts. As there was a perpen- 

 dicular drop of some 100 feet at the point where outline joined the waters of 

 Lake Timiskaming, it was impossible to plant iron posts at the high water mark as 

 instructed by 3^ou. However, they were planted as near the face of the cliff as pos- 

 sible, and were well mounted with boulders. They were marked "Timiskaming" 

 on the north side, "Nipissing" on the south side, and "IX. M & 74 chains, 23 

 links" on the west side. 



Timber. 



At Mileage IV. M. & 48 chains, 47 links the line crossed the eastern limit of 

 the Timagami Forest Reserve. To the west of this line is a virgin forest of 

 white and red pine with a considerable amount of valuable spruce and jack pine. 

 There is also balsam and birch in smaller quantities. East of the reserve line all 

 the pine has been cut. There is left a dense growth of spruce averaging about 8 

 inches, as well as some cedar, birch, and jack pine. The timber around Macdonald 

 Lake was destroyed by fire about three years ago. 



Waters. 



The main waters of the section are Rabbit Lake, Macdonald Lake, and the 

 Matabitchouan River. On Rabbit Lake large storage dams have been constructed 

 by the British Canadian Power Company. These have flooded the surrounding 

 country, but have done very little damage, as the shores of the lake are steep and 

 rocky. There is a convenient canoe route from Rabbit Lake to Macdonald Lake. 



Physical Features. 



The greater portion of the country is rocky and very rough. The surface soil 

 is scanty. The hills surrounding Lake Timiskaming are about 400 feet in height, 

 and drop sharply towards the lake. At the Matabitchouan River there is also a 

 very steep hill. 



