The Lake of the Woods 



Its History, Geology, Mining and Manufacturing. 



The annual meeting of the Historical and Scientific 

 Society of Manitoba, Feb. 23rd, afforded an excellent oppor- 

 tunity for bringing before the citizens of Winnipeg the resources 

 of the Lake of the Woods region. This falls within the scope of 

 the Society's work, as " north and west of Lake Superioi ," and 

 the general interest of the people in mineral deposits of the 

 Lake was sufficient reason for the lecturer of the evening, 

 Dr. Bryce, undertaking it. The doctor stated that the way 

 in whi^h to meet over speculation was to give definite and 

 accurate infoimation as to mining and its conditions. Igno- 

 ranee, as he remarked, is not only the mother of superstition, 

 but also the nourisher of feverish speculation and impracti- 

 cable schemes. Undoubtedly our mineral resources on Lake 

 of the Woods are of great value, and will give gr«od returns if 

 carefully and judiciously developed. The lecturer was assist- 

 ed by Dr. Laird, president of the Society, in showing speci- 

 mens of the rocks of the Lake of the Woods, and also gangue 

 from several of the gold producing mines. The lecture was 

 well illustrated with maps and diagrams. The attendance in 

 the city council chamber was large and influential and the 

 interest well maintained. Dr. Bryce said : 



" The Lake of the Woods has now for more than a cen- 

 tury and a half been know to voyageurs who came by way of 

 Lake Superior to the Northwest. Connecting as it does by 

 water courses to within a few miles of Lake Superior and 

 communicating with all the inland waters of Rupert's Land, 

 it is not surprising that it became famous as an objective 

 point in northwestern exploration. In late years the Lake of 

 the Woods has become well known as a great lumbering 

 centre, supplying as its tributaries do large quantities of pine 

 for this industry. It has also an enormous water power in 

 its fall into Darlington Bay, which has been utilized to some 



