Evening star., 1901-07-22
QUEBEC'S WATER POWER
UNDEvELOPED RESOURCES IN IN
TERROR OF THE PROVINCE.
Great Cataracts of the Dominion
Scenic Beauties and CONNER
cial Possibilities.


In the province of Quebec it is matter
of some difficulty to reach inland points
from the cities and towns along the St.
Lawrence river. The river runs nearly east
and west, and the transportation lines fol-
low the river. Regions to the north. where
the greatest resources lie. are poorly sup
piled with transportation facilities. The
Great Northern railway, a short line of not
more than $50 miles. is pushing in this di-
rection. and the Canadian Pacific railway
contemplates northern branches, so that
the difficulties which now confront the
traveller will be removed in time. But if
one has the time and patience to make the
journey he will be we'll repaid by a view
of the many and marvellous water powers
of the province. 1t is doubtful whether any
section of the world possesses this resource
to such an extent. both in number and vol
ume of the cataracts, as does the province
of Quebec.
Manufacture of Pulp.
One hardly knows which to admire most
the scenic beauty or the commercial pos
sibilties- One frequently finds several riv-
ers Joining and making a combination of
steep, tumultuous cataracts at a single
point. producing wild and impressive pic
ture. The foaming waters have marble
like markings which are constantly chang
ing. and the rugged settings are high rocks
and fringes of spruce trees. 1t is the
spruce tree that suggests the most con-
Venient utilization Of the water power at
hand in the manufacture of pulp.
1t is to this use that most of the avail
able water power of the province is now
being put, though many other industries
are deriving their power in the same way.
Near the larger cities the rapids and cata-
racts are used to generate electricity in
connection with plants for furnishing light
and power for streets, houses and manu-
facturers. At other points are to be found
such Industries as cotton mills, wooden
mills and match factories.
Regions bordering the greater water pow
ers are the sites of new towns springing
up with almost Incredible rapidity, and re-
minding one IF some of the boom towns
of the weste- n states. But these new mu-
inequalities. sprinSing up amid the forests
and beside the cataractS of the province of
Quebec, seem to be developing on sound
commercial foundations. Generally a cor
poration with abundant capital buys
tract OF several hundred acres bordering
the rapid or falls. This corporation, there
fore. owns or controls the power. 1t in
vitIs manufacturing concerns to locate
upon its lands. furnishing them with abun-
dant electric or water power. Both land
and power are obtainable on reasonable
terms. AS plants are erected, houses are
required for operatives, and stores, church.
es and hotels are soon needed also. There
is ready market for the manufactures so
that all the conditions of growth in these
towns seem to be healthy. The element of
real estate speculation enters into these
enterprises to some extent. it is true, but
in each case great natural resources are
the basis.
Falls of the St. Maurice.
Among the more developed districts
might be mentioned Shawinigan Falls,
from which 100000 horse power Is now
available. These falls are on the st. Mau-
rice river, which is remarkable for the
number and power of its cataracts. Nu-
merous pulp factories and other plants are
located at Shawinigan. A good-sized town
has sprung up. Further up the same stream
is Grand Mere, another notable cataract
utilized also for the manufacture of pulp
and for sawmills This region Is being
rapidly developed. The Lachine Rapids are
now furnishing light and power to four
municipalities and to points a radius of fif-
teen miles from the rapids. The falls of
Montmorenci are giving light and power to
the City of Quebec Montreal obtains it's
light and power from a cataract on the
Richelieu river. The Jacques Cartier Gali-
neau Indian Lorette, ST. Francis st. Louis
and many other rivers of the province af-
ford notable and abundant water power,
while many smaller tributary streams at
ford limited power at various points.
What Is known as the Lake st. John dis
trict Is witnessing developments based on
the general natural resources of that dis
trict. as well as on the great water power,
called the Grand Discharge, where Lake
St. John enters the Saguey. Between Lake
St. John and Chicoutimi the way is barred
by notable falls and rapids. This great
water power is comparatively undeveloped,
although aggressive enterprises are under
way to take advantage of 1t. One of the
best known water powers in Canada Is the
Chaudiere Falls at Hall, which city was
the scene of the disastrous fire which con-
sumed part of Ottawa on the opposite side
of the Ottawa river. Large match facto-
ries are located at the Chaudiere Falls.
These factories have a monopoly of the
match industry in Canada, and have a
large trade in England and the colonies.
From Hull on the west to Quebec on the
east, the south-howing streams present
series of matchless rapids and waterfalls