REPORT 



ON EXPLORATIONS ON THE 



CHURCHILL AND NELSON RIVERS 



AND AROUND 



GOD'S AND ISLAND LAKES, 

 1879. 



BY 



EOBEET BELL, M.D., F.G.S., C.E. 



Before proceeding to state the results of the work to which this 

 report refers, I shall give a brief narrative of the season's operations 

 and mention the methods pursued in endeavouring to accomplish the Methods 



r ° x pursued. 



objects we had in view. In 1878 I had made a track-survey and a 

 geological examination of the boat-route from Lake Winnipeg to 

 Hudson's Bay by way of Oxford and Knee lakes, and the rivers thence 

 to York Factory. I had also made topographical and geological sur- Previous 



SUIVGV8 



veys of the lower part of Nelson River, and of the upper part of the 

 same stream, from Lake Winnipeg nearly to Split Lake, leaving unfin- 

 ished the central part. In 1879 I was to complete this and to examine work f 0r isTd. 

 as much of the Churchill Biver as the season would permit. In order to 

 accomplish this I proceeded, as before, by way of the city of Winnipeg 

 to Norway House, which I again made my headquarters for the season. 

 It is due to the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company that I should ^nt of leds " 

 here again express our indebtedness to them for their uniform kindness assi8tance - 

 and for the substantial assistance which they often rendered, enabling 

 us to accomplish much more than would otherwise have been possible. 

 In this connection I must mention more particularly Mr. Grahame, the 

 Chief Commissioner, Mr. J. McTavish of Fort Garry, Mr. Wm. Flett of 

 the Stone Fort, Mr. Eoderick Boss of Norway House, Mr. C. Sinclair 

 of Oxford House, Mr. Linklater of Island Lake, Mr. J. E. Spencer of 

 Fort Churchill, and Mr. Joseph Fortescue of York Factory. 



