The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-10-23
Hudson's Bay.
Winnipeg Manitoban.

Hudson's Bay.
Winnipeg Manitoban.
Mr.. Shelford, the English railroad en-.
gineer, whose presence in the country in
connection with the Hudson's Bay Rail.
road project has already been mentioned,
is about returning to England. Yester-
day afternoon he was seen by a Man
itoban reporter, aud agreed to give such
information as he is in a position to
afford.
"What is the object of your present
visit to this country?" Mr.. Shelford was
first asked.
II was consulted by the promoters of
the Hudson's Bay Railroad, with Sir
Frederick Bramwcll, late president of
the British Association, with reference to
the projected road. We advised that
more information was required relative
to the character of the country
progressed to be traversed before any
reliable opinion could he given as to the
cost OF construction. l have taken adyan.
tage of the holiday trip to see this country
and to arrange for obtaining the desired
information. It was for the purpose of
getting such knowletlgea as could in such
manner that, in company with other
gentlemen, including DR.. Ednunds, who
has become great admirer ofGanatla,
1 recently made a trip to Norway House"
"Wero you able, during that trip, to
see any portion Of the proposed road?"
eyes, l saw Lake Winnipeg and a
considerable portion of the proposed
route OF the road itself. especially where
the line is intended to cross the great
rivers. l may say that 1 was favorably
impressed with the character Of the
country for the construction of cheap
road.
$50 far as you have any information,
are there any natural difficulties in the
way of the construction of a road?"
L do not expect any difficulty what
ever. The question is merely one of
what in England we would call pounds,
slillings and pence, or with you, dollars
and cents"
:" Is it the intention in the near future
to take any steps to obtain accurate in
formation relative tc the character of the
country, with view to estimating the
cost of construction
Yes, it has been decided to send an
expedition of engineers overland to
Hudson's Bay early next week, for
the purpose Of ascertaining precisely
what the cost of the rnlIroad will be.
This party will make close examination
of the route"
"What is the feeling in England
among ship owners and navigators with
regard to the feasibility of the navigation
of the straits for any considerable period
of the year,"
"ln answer to that question, can only
reply that, outside of the Hudson's Bay
Company's officials, people in England
are entirely uniformed in this regard"
"Do you think there ls sufficient conf
dence in the scheme felt in England to
secure the necessary capital for the de.
velopment of the route?"
The principal difficulty in the way of |
capital is that in England the
people are not well informed, for the
most part. with respect to the colonies,
and that good deal of capital has been
sunk in American roads. What the
people there require to know is what l |
now know after having travelled farther
north than, perhaps, any other Lon.
doner, and having been nearly as far
west as the Pacific coast. l have no
hesitation in saying that the future wealth
Of Canada lies in the Northwest. There
can be no doubt that if the British
capitalists could comprehend the impor-
ancc OF this country, and the importance
If the Hudson's Boy route to it, the
money to build the road will soon be
forthcoming. The knowledge possesse
N England with respect to the Canadian
Northwest isconstantly growing, and has
'een greatly increased by the visit of the
British Association last year."
Have any steps been taken to as
certain the cost at which rails could be
aid down ut the Hudson's Bay terminus
If the road 2"
Yes. that element has been consid-
ldered in estimating, in general way,
lie cost of construction and we have had
Quotations, and very reasonable ones,
90, for the delivery of rails at tho point
lalned."
Are you possessed Of amy information
With respect to what the Alert hopes to
ccomp;isll this ycar?"
"No. Il,ave only heard that she turned
ack after first entering the straits,
ec'use sine was short of coal, and that
he is not u boat well suited for the pur-
ose. not having sufficient power. and
ot being able to carry a proper quantity
+ fuel. In this connection might
MENTION fact which residents of ,
Winnipeg will understand, and that il /.
hat until last year no attempt had been
lade to test the navigation of the straits
18th other than sailing vessels, which
crtalnly afford no proper test of what .
ouId be accomplished by properly