Evening star., 1902-02-01

coal beds have also been discovered The
mineral resources of this country are as
tons have. been Of a superficial and partial
character. The country to the south south
cas-. ana southwest Of James bay, in the
valley OF the Moose, Albany, Rupert and
Nottaway rivers. is known to possess exten-
i've areas OF good agricultural land, with
great resources in timber, and with a eli
mate suitable to settlement, and agricul-
tural development. The great stretch of
country southeast of the mouth of Nelson
river where the shores Of the bay take a
sharp trend to the eastward, is supposed
10 possess an enormous extent of land
adapted to settlement and cultivation. The
eastward trend Of the coast from York
FACTORY, at the mouth of the Nelson, ex-
feEds across 10 degrees OF longitude. and
this vast region 10 degrees In width extend
ing southwark to Lake Superior and the
american boundary, has its climatic con-
ditions very much modified by the existence,
to the north of it, Of an immense body of
water, the average temperature OF which In
the winter is very much higher than the
temperature of the atmosphere.
Projected Railway Lines.
The prospective importance OF the COM
merce of this great mare clausum is begin
ming to be appreciated by the commercial
classes in Canada. Railways are now pro-
jected to James Bay, from Quebec, from
Toronto and from Sault Ste. Marie. The
quite certain that within a few years Chi
cago and the cities of the upper lakes will
have direct and speedy communication
with the waters of this land-locked sea by
means of the Sault Ste. Marie line. Toronto
will reach these waters by means of line
connecting with the Canadian Pacific rail-
way and the Grand Trunk at or near Lake
NipisSing. Montreal. by means of the same
line or one projected from Ottawa up the
Gatineau and on to James bay: and Que
bee, by means of a direct line to the mouth
Of Rupert or Nottaway rivers. The latter
line will open up stretch of country from
the southeast of James bay to Quebec of
great extent and said to possess a good
climate, fertile soil. great forests Of vafua-
BILE timber, and superior attractions for
settlement. The various companies whose
railway lines are projected to Hudson bay
expect to derive a profitable trade from the
transportation of fish and fish products.
Philadelphia company is now engaged in To-
eating iron mines on the east shore OF Hud-
son bay south of Hudson strait under the
direction Of Mr.. Low, late of the geological
survey staff of Canada. This iron. when
the time comes to ship the ore, will un-
dcubtedly be sent by vessel through Hudson
strait to ports on the Atlantic seaboard.
Future Development.
This great Hudson bay region has hither-
to been chiefly valuable for its fur products.
1t is the home of twenty-seven different
kinds of fur-bearing animals. On the bar
rem lands in the vicinity of Chesterfield
Inlet and in the regions to the northwest.
enormous herds Of reindeer, and musk-oX
roam the country. AS many as 10000 rein
deer are often found in one herd. The coun-
try has been chiefly valuable for its fur
trade, and it has yielded to the Hudson Bay
Company very large revenue. That COM
pany, up to the time of its sale to the do
minion government of it's territorial rights,
carefully guarded the secret of this vast re-
gion and was jealous Of the dissemination
Of knowledge as to its agricultural re-
sources. Even now, well informed Cana
dams are in ignorance Of the vastness and
the value of their possessions Hudson bay
itself, 1t Is reasonable to suppose, may have
fisheries in the near future as valuable as
those Of the German ocean, a smaller body
of water, the value of whose yield of fish
annually amounts to s40,OO0,0O0
The great region drained by the score OF
important rivers entering Hudson bay is,
with the exception of the country In the
Saskat tchewan, Red and Rainy river val
trading posts. This region has myriads of
lovely lakes, swarming with excellent fish,
Its beautiful rivers abound in rapids and
cataracts. 1t has immense forests and scenic
attractions Of the first order The climate
Is healthful and invigorating. Game and
wild fowl abound and 1t will be the most
popular resort in the near future for an
ests, It's minerals and it's great area of agri-
cultural lands invite population and in
definite expansion. The greatest theater for
development on the North American conti-
nent for the next fifty years is to be the
vast region surrounding Hudson bay and
extending west of that body Of water as far
as the Rocky mountains.