River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-02-24

| The report Of the Board Of Public
| Works Of the Dominion Of Canada, refers
to the Pacific Railway Of Canada as fol
lows:
The line from Fort William to Lake
Shebandowan, distance Of As miles, hay.
ing been located has been given out on
contract. Likewise the line from Sci.
kirk, Red River, to Cross Lake, II miles.
During the last season the lake region
between Lake OF the Woods aud Lake
Superior was further surveyed. ExplO-
ratOry surveys were made from NepigOn
easterly to Pic River, and thence easter.
~ towards the terminus. A recOnaOis.
sdnce was made between French River
and the valley Of the Ottawa at Renlrew.
The Georgian Bay Branch, extending
from Georgian Bay TO the eastern tenn.
nus, a distance Of IS miles, has been
placed under contract on tho condition Of
payment being made Of $4,000 per mile
and an annual grant Of IS years Of $685.
800, together with transfer Of 100000
acres Of land. A subsidy has further
been granted to the Canadian Central
Railway for a line from the neighborhood
Of the village Of Douglas to a point which
is regarded as the eastern terminus Of the
Georgian Bay Branch, 100 miles
The crossing Of Red River has been Sc
ected. The distance from Red River by
the narrows Of Lake Manitoba, River
Messy, and River Swan to Livingstone,
near Fort pelly, about 260 miles, has been
located. Much Of this distance passes
through forest land, over ground favor
able for railway construction. Surveys
have been made Of the portages betweea
the lakes to the northwest Of Red River,
and tenders have been called for steam
ers on these waters.
THE WESTERN OR MOUNTAIN REGION.
An exploration was made from Lac La
Cache, via River Blue, TO the North
Thompson, which established that the
height Of a summit to be overcome rem
dered this route Objectionable. The ex.
animation from Clearwater to River Fra.
ser has shown that much heavy work
can be thrown out and the gradients
generally improved. A direct route from
Tete jaime Cache to Butte Inlet has been
found TO be impracticable, the intcryen.
ing summit rising 1000 feet above the
sea. IL has been established that
route can be obtained from Tete Jauna
Cache by the river Fraser TO Fort George,
about 245 nile,, with comparatively light
work and good gradients. A good route
may be obtained from Tcte jaime Cache
TO the entrance of the Homatheo
passes, about 400 miles. Serious Difficult.
ties will, however be met in the descent
to tide water Of the Pacific. The Lower
Frazer from Yale for an ascending dis
lance of fifteen miles has been minutely
examined. The distance from Yale to
Burrard Inlet has been surveyed. An
examination eastwardly from Fort Hope
has esta blished that there is no pass IN
that direction lower than the Coquihala.
Much Of the mainland north of the lati-
tude Of Vancouver Island has been ex-
plored. Examinations have shown the
route by the Smoky Pass is not to be rec
commended. Engineering parties have
been organized to prosecute further sur.
yeys. IL is believed that in the course Of
the ensuing year It will be possible to es.
tablish approximately the location Of
the line between Lake Superior and the
Pacific.
Steel rails sufficient for $50 miles Of
line have been purchased at prices con.
sidered unprecedently low.