SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—G. 413 
adopted, and the class of materials usually used in the construction of these 
works. A brief statistical record of the traffic on this international system of 
waterways. 
Friday, August 8. 
4, Mr. J. B. Cuauuies (Director of the Water-Power and Reclamation 
Service).—Water-Powers of Canada: An Outline of their Extent, 
Utilisation, and Administration. 
Canada is particularly fortunate in the nature, extent, and location of her 
power-producing resources. The water-power resources of Canada are widely 
distributed and of great extent. They are to be found in every province, and 
are most abundant in the central provinces, where the absence of native coal 
makes them of special value. Climate and topography are both favourable to 
the presence of water-powers on a large scale. The rainfall is abundant, the 
mountain systems are extensive, and the snow-fields of the Rocky Mountains 
and the uncounted lakes of the Eastern Plateau form vast natural reservoirs. 
Water-power is indeed one of the principal natural resources of the Dominion, 
and its development may, without exaggeration, be termed one of the romances 
of engineering industry. 
The modern water-power industry began in Canada about 1895, and has 
shown a steady and remarkable growth which promises to be even more rapid 
in the future than in the past. During the last ten years, while the population 
increased 22 per cent., the developed water-power increased nearly 100 per cent. 
and its use in industry 245 per cent. The total water-power throughout the 
Dominion is estimated at over 18,000,000 horse-power, ef which 3,227,414 horse- 
power is now developed and 750,000 additional horse-power is under construction. 
The capital invested in water-power development, transmission and distribu- 
tion has grown from $121,000,000 in 1910 to $688,000,000 in 1923, and the oppor- 
_ tunities for further investment in such enterprises are numerous and attractive. 
_ Natural resources are abundant, labour conditions are stable, agriculture and 
eee 
manufactures are increasing their yield, and new markets are being developed. 
The conditions in the central station, pulp and paper, mining and other indus- 
tries, show their dependence upon water-power development. 
The greatest part of the undeveloped water-powers of Canada belong to the 
Crown, either in the right of the Dominions, as in Alberta, Saskatchewan, 
Manitoba and the Territories, or in that of the provincial governments, as in 
the other provinces. The Crown grants issued under the various jurisdictions 
afford security of tenure and reasonable protection to capital, combined with 
such extent of control as is considered necessary in the public interest. 
In some of the provinces, developments have been made directly by Govern- 
ment agencies; in others, private enterprise is alone responsible for the supply 
of hydro-electric energy. Each in its own sphere has given beneficial results. 
5. Mr. F. A. Gasy (Chief Engineer, Ontario Hydro-Electric Com- 
mission).—The Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. 
Early conditions which prompted the initiation of ‘Hydro.’ Public interest 
leads to Government action. The Commission contracts for its first supply of 
power. New sources of power supply were soon required. Various hydro 
systems were formed as circumstances dictated. Transmission network. 
Financial structure of ‘Hydro.’ Low rates for ‘ Hydro’ service. Character 
of service received in rural districts. Rural rates are favourable. The 
Queenston-Chippawa development. The power developments of the Hydro- 
Electric Power Commission. The future of ‘Hydro’ full of promise. Chief 
sources for more electrical energy. Co-operation required for action respecting 
the development of the St. Lawrence. An electrical power shortage in prospect. 
St. Lawrence power is low-cost power. 
6. Mr. R. S. Lea.—Development of St. Lawrence River for Power 
and Navigation. 
From Lake Ontario level at Prescott to the ocean port of Montreal, a distance 
of 120 miles, the St. Lawrence River descends in a series of rapids alternating 
with navigable reaches, through a total height of about 225 ft. About two- 
