The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-30

Information received By the Post-fntel-
Ilgencer last night from RosSlaEd says
ira. a dispatch has been received there
from Toronto stating that the Toronto
Globe. the Official organ OF the Lau-ier
government has announced that an ar
rangemeut has been perfected between
the Canadian Pacific Railway Company
and the dominion government whereby
ne construction Of the Crows Nest pass
railway extension through the coal fields
of East kootensy TO Rossland will be pro-
ccesIed with Immediately.
Iris Information Is becoming generally
known III Rossiand ana the citizens Of
the towr are ju5!lant. as the completion
OF the read assures the smelling interests
OF Southern Koofenay cheap cooking
coal as well as for domestic purposes.
The news comes as authentic and re-
wives the visit q few month. ago Of Min
lister Blair OF the department of railways
and marine OF Canada. at which time he
said in an interview published in the Post
Tut~lIigencer that such an arran cement
would be made
The building OF this road means much
70 British Columbia IL will open up a
mineral region Of surprising richness,
which has only been waiting for transpor-
tafion 70 be made known to the world.
Much OF this great mineral area has been
practically useless beea use so far remov-
ed from transportation: but now the
prospector will be rewarded and mar
ket afforded for both the high and low
grade ores lying on or near the line OF
the projected railway.
The great coal fields In the Crows Nest
pass will became available. These fields
have been known for many years. The
character OF some of the coal veins Is said
10 closely resemble anthracite.
The route of the road has not been fully
determined A survey made several years
ago started from IsethbTfdge, Alberta, and
ended at Nelson. Lethoridge is los miles
west Of Dunmore. on branch Of the Can
aElan Pacific railway. This branch road
was built several years ago and operated
as a narrow gauge By the Calls, who owned
the great coal mines al Lethbridge. A few
years ago the Canadian Pacific acquired
control and changed the road 10 stand
ard gauge. just how the line will be butt
west of Lethbrldge Is not officially known
The people OF that section have always
thought ii would, when built, go through
Fort Macleod and at that point make con-
nection with the line now being Operated
between Macleod. Calgary and Ednon-
ton. and then follow up Obj Mans river
and Pincher creek and thence through the
pass. Canadian Pacific officials express
the opinion that the surveyors will not
reach Macleod. but keep 10 the south and
west. striking the Old Mans river several
miles above.
The old surveys. after leaving the Rocky
mountains. strike Elk river following
down the stream for several miles. thence
across 10 the upper Kootenay. crossing
that stream about twenty miles below
Fort Steele; thence IN a northwesterly di-
rection TO Cranbrook. thence southwest 10
the Moyie river. down on the east side of
Movie lake and river. and across 10 Goat
river. running a short distance down that
stream; thence northwest below the head
OF Kootenay lake. crossing the river and
following up the west side Of the lake 10
a point opposite Balfour, thence down the
kootenay to Nelson.
A later survey. 1t Is said. has been made
I'D the Movie To It's headwateTs, crossing
the divide 20 the headwaters OF Goat
river and down that stream TO the Koo-
senay ana then following the route tndi-
Gated.
Mining men say that an old survey up
the St Mays. If followed. would be the
shortest. and open up richer mineral
country Surveyors. however, say the
route is smpracticable. as. where the sum
NIT Of tho Pursell range * reached, a
descent OF 5000 feet must be mado In sew
enteen miles This survey. IL followed.
would have It's Disadvantages from q
transportation point or view, for when the
limo reached Crawford bay the further
service would h. impaired. as barges
would be required 10 haul the cars to Mel
son. By the other route II would be an
all-rail route 10 Nelson. although much
longer There are more engineering diff
nc,flties to be overcome by the 81. Ma-y's
route. tho engineers say.
PARTIES o. surveyors have been in the
field all winter in the vicinity Of Goat
river. the Kootenay and on the west side
Of ne lake toward Nelson.