PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLOMBIA
ANNUAL REPORT
OP THE
LANDS AND SURVEYS BRANCHES
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 1942
HON. A. WELLS GRAY, MINISTER OP LANDS
PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
VICTORIA, B.C. : Printed by CHARLES F. BAXFIELD, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1943.
VICTORIA, B.C., October 7th, 1943. To His Honour W. C. WOODWARD, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR : Herewith I beg respectfully to submit the Annual Report of the Lands and Surveys Branches of the Department of Lands for the year ended December 31st, 1942. A. WELLS GRAY, Minister of Lands. VICTORIA, B.C., October 7th, 1943. The Honourable A. W. Gray, Minister of Lands, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit the Annual Report of the Lands and Surveys Branches of the Department of Lands for the twelve months ended December 31st, 1942. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, H. CATHCART, Deputy Minister of Lands. PART I.
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Report of Superintendent of Lands 7 Revenue 7 Sale of Town Lots - 9 Pre-emption Records 9 Pre-emption and Homestead Exchanges 10 Land-sales • 10 Land Inspections 10 Summary 12 Letters inward and outward __. 13 Coal Licences, Leases, etc _J 13 Crown Grants issued . 13 Total Acreage deeded 13 Home-site Leases 14
DEPARTMENT OF LANDS.
VICTORIA, B.C., October 6th, 1943. H. Cathcart, Esq., Deputy Minister of Lands, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit herewith statements containing details of land administration by the Lands Branch of the Department of Lands during the year ended December 31st, 1942. The volume of business transacted during the year may be considered very satis factory in view of the existing war conditions and the preoccupation of all classes in abnormal activities connected with hostilities. General revenue was slightly less than that reported last year and is extremely satisfactory in comparison with annual returns covering period of ten years preceding. Again the sale of lands reverted to the Crown for non-payment of taxes outstripped the sales of ordinary country lands. Many areas in various parts of the Province have during the year been reserved and placed at the disposal of Allied Services for the duration of the war. A decrease in licences issued under the " Coal and Petroleum Act" will be noted, the Province-wide reserve of petroleum and natural gas being largely responsible. The steady influx of inquiries, particularly from Eastern Canada and the United States, in regard to settlement conditions in this Province, would warrant the expec tation of a substantial post-war increase in population. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, NEWMAN TAYLOR, Superintendent of Lands.
STATEMENT OF REVENUE, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, 1942. LAND-SALES.
Victoria. Agencies. Total.
Under " Land Act "— $450.37 $11,322.60 $11,772.97 5,977.88 32,647.43 38,625.31 22,246.43 64,144.81 86,391.24 478.32 478.32 4,705.97 4,705.97 7,424.71 7,424 71 650.25 1,704.06 2,354.31 Totals ' - -.. $34,030.90 $117,721.93 $151,752.83 L 8 REPORT OF MINISTER OP LANDS, 1942.
SUNDRY REVENUE.
Victoria. Agencies. Total.
Under " Land Act "— Sundry lease rentals.... $94,387.63 $94,387.63 Grazing lease rentals _ 9,539.52 9,539.52 Survey fees 1,146.58 $4,063.68 5,210.26 Sundry fees 19,850.09 1,444.49 21,294.58 Royalty 3,849.69 3,849.69 Improvements _— 806.00 1,613.97 2,419.97 Rent of property 234.50 234.50 Reverted mineral claims _ 796.02 796.02 Former Dominion Railway Belt lands- Survey fees — 633.25 633.25 Totals -- -_- $129,579.51. 8,785.91 $138,365.42 Under " Coal and Petroleum Act ' Licences $3,200.00 $3,200.00 Rentals and sundry fees : 3,485.08 3,485.08 Lieu of work fees 450.00 450.00 Totals _ $7,135.08 $7,135.1
SUNDRY RECEIPTS.
$11,449.93 $11,449.93 10.34 10.34 27,341.60 27,341.60 13,105.19 $3,468.33 16,573.52 Totals.__ .. $51,907.06 $3,468.33 $55,375.39
SUMMARY OF REVENUE.
$34,030.90 $117,721.93 $151,752.83 129,579.51 8,785.91 138,365.42 7,135.08 7,135.08 51,907.06 3,468.33 55,375.39 Totals _ $222,652.55 $129,976.17 $352,628.72
SUMMARY OF CASH RECEIVED.
$222,652.55 $129,976.17 $352,628.72 " Soldiers' Land Act "— 72,385.31 | 269.78 j 72,655.09 " Better Housing Act "— 316,027.92 | 25,414.29 j 341,442.21 1,984.96 1,984.96 Totals $638,734.81 $129,976.17 $768,710.98 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. L 9
SALE OF TOWN LOTS, 1942. Disposal of lots placed on the market after being offered at public auction: Prince Rupert, 52 lots to Wartime Housing, Ltd., $52.00 Prince Rupert, 2 lots '. 300.00 Prince George, 21 lots 2,946.00 Terrace, 16 lots 1,125.00 Quesnel and West Quesnel, 14 lots.. 1,325.00 Vancouver, 9 lots 3,400.00 Oliver, 4 lots 750.00 Osoyoos, 2 lots : 300.00 Vanderhoof, 3 lots 100 00 And 30 lots in various townsites_ 1,875.00
$12,173.00 Southern Okanagan Project sold 9 parcels, comprising 35 acres, the purchase price being $2,860. In the University Hill subdivision of Lot 140, Group 1, New Westminster District (Endowment Lands), 8 lots were sold at a sales price of $9,805.
PRE-EMPTION RECORDS, ETC., 1942.
Pre-emption Pre-emption Certificates Certificates Agency. Records Records of Purchase of Improve allowed. cancelled. issued. ments issued.
1 26 Atlin 1 28 14 81 16 Cranbrook 5 1 46 Fernie __ 1 7 Fort Fraser ___ 24 24 103 11 Golden 3 5 30 2 8 12 175 7 47 Nanaimo — ______4 6 143 4 178 8 . 6 284 6 3 2 113 6 Pouce Coupe _ _ — _ —__ 66 50 44 42 27 7 182 18 70 1 29 26 174 17 Revelstoke. 2 2 60 2 Smithers 3 6 46 1
2 3 94 7 . 2 80 Victoria 2 853 Totals 220 169 2,837 L 10 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942.
PRE-EMPTION AND HOMESTEAD EXCHANGES.
UNDER 1934 AMENDMENT TO " LAND ACT." Year. No. 1935 41 1936 21 1937 37 1938_, L 10 1939 3 1940 r 6 1941 7 1942 4
Total 129
LAND-SALES, 1942. Acres. Surveyed (first class) 5,647.16 Surveyed (second class) 13,735.56 Surveyed (third class) 9,400.57
28,783.29 Unsurveyed 918.14
Total 29,701.43 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. L 11
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Original licences issued r 10 5,915.00 Renewal licences issued 21 11,713.70 31 17,628.70 Leases under the " Coal and Petroleum Act "- New leases issued 22 13,298.50 Renewal leases issued 1 640.00 23 13,938.50 Sundry leases under the " Land Act"— Number of leases issued 256 35,754.10 CROWN GRANTS ISSUED, 1942. Pre-emptions 149 " Pre-emptors' Free Grants Act, 1939 " 11 Dominion homesteads 17 Purchases (other than town lots) 425 Town lots 303 Mineral claims 182 Reverted mineral claims 33 Supplementary timber grants 2 " Dyking Assessments Act " 6 ' " Public Schools Act " 1 Miscellaneous 5 Total i 1,134 Applications for Crown grants 1,256 Certified copies 4 Clearances of applications for leases of reverted mineral claims given . 135 TOTAL ACREAGE DEEDED. Pre-emptions . . 23,095.20 Dominion homesteads 1,572.90 Mineral claims (other than reverted) 7,072.79 Reverted mineral claims 1,308.70 Purchase of surveyed Crown lands (other than town lots) 31,134.67 Supplementary timber grants 156.36 Total 64,340.62 L 14 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. HOME-SITE LEASES (NOT EXCEEDING 20 ACRES). Total Annual Fiscal Year No. Revenue. ended. 67 Leases issued, April 1st, 1929, to March 31st, 1930 , 8 $522.55 March 31st, 1930. Leases issued, April 1st, 1930, to March 31st, 1931 12 636.45 March 31st, 1931. Leases issued, April 1st, 1931, to March 31st, 1932 11 759.95 March 31st, 1932. Leases issued, April 1st, 1932, to March 31st, 1933 31 980.05 March 31st, 1933. Leases issued, April 1st, 1933, to March 31st, 1934 23 1,246.65 March 31st, 1934. 24 1,302.52 March 31st, 1935. Leases issued, April 1st, 1935, to March 31st, 1936 18 1,391.72 March 31st, 1936. Leases issued, April 1st, 1936, to March 31st, 1937 26 1,440.25 March 31st, 1937. Leases issued, April 1st, 1937, to March 31st, 1938.- __ 15 1,468.90 March 31st, 1938. Leases issued, April 1st, 193S, to March 31st, 1939 ._-. 29 1,557.40 March 31st, 1939. Leases issued, April 1st, 1939, to March 31st, 1940 21 1,591.80 March 31st, 1940. 27 1,717.10 March 31st, 1941. Leases issued, April 1st, 1941, to March 31st, 1942 27 1,846.85 March 31st, 1942. Leases issued, April 1st, 1942, to March 31st, 1943 23 1,924.23 March 31st, 1943. 284 351 9 Leases Crown-granted .__. _ 3 12 339 Total revenue received from April 1st, 1929, to March 31st, 1943 ... $18,386.42 PART II. SURVEYS BRANCH. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Report of the Surveyor-General, Surveys Branch 17 Report of Surveys Division 20 Table A—Summary of Office-work 20 Table B—List of Departmental Mineral Reference Maps ... 22 Table C—List of Departmental Reference Maps 23 Report of Aerial Photograph Librarian 26 Report of Geographic Division 26 Reports of Surveyors—• Topographical Survey, Cowichan Lake and Nanaimo River (A. J. Campbell). 28 Topographical Survey, vicinity of Nanoose Bay and Alberni Canal (N. C. Stewart) 30 Topographical Survey, West Coast of Vancouver Island, vicinity of Tofino (G. J. Jackson) 33 Triangulation Survey, South of Telegraph Creek (H. Pattinson) 1 36 REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR-GENERAL. VICTORIA, B.C., January 2nd, 1943. H. Cathcart, Esq., Deputy Minister of Lands, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit the following report on the operations of the Surveys Branch for the year ended December 31st, 1942. The Surveys Branch, now reduced by enlistments from its average staff of forty- nine, is organized into three divisions—Surveys, Geographic, and Topographic. The Surveys Division deals with field-notes of all surveys of Crown lands, whether made by Government or privately employed surveyors; checks these field-notes and plots therefrom; and keeps an up-to-date record of the standing of lands and surveys on some 273 large-scale reference maps drawn on tracing-linen. The division has a blue and ozalid printing department serving all branches of the Government, and meeting the needs of these, and of the general public, for copies of reference and other maps to the value of about $8,000 per annum. The Topographic Division includes a staff of British Columbia Land Surveyors specially trained in topographic mapping; these men spend their summers on field- work and their winters plotting contour maps based on that field-work; the field-work is permanent in character and, though adjusted to meet any immediate needs, fits without waste into a long-term plan for the progressive contour mapping of the entire Province. The Geographic Division is responsible for keeping the published maps of the Province truly representative of the latest information available. That information comes from triangulation surveys and from the Surveys and Topographic Divisions, from the Forest and Water Branches, the Mines and Public Works Departments, from the Geodetic, Geological, Topographical, and Hydrographic services of the Dominion Government; as well as from prospectors and others having knowledge of out-of-the- way places. The division draws the maps, secures tenders from lithographers, and supervises publication; there is also in the division photostatic equipment with an experienced operator who makes photostats and enlargements and reductions to scale for all Government Departments, and to some extent for Navy, Army, Air Force, and general public. Due to its general mountainous character, only a small percentage of the area of the Province requires subdivision into small agricultural holdings, but immense tracts of mountain terrain are rich in resources of mineral, timber, and water-power, and the prosperity of the lowlands depends largely on the successful development of the mountain resources. In a country of such high relief, contour maps are the best foundation for any appraisal of resources; and the need for such maps over vast areas, coupled with the limited expenditures possible with our small population, has kept constant our search for accurate yet economical methods. The method here developed uses aerial photographs taken at 15,000 feet altitude; but, as such photographs vary greatly in scale over the mountain country beneath, control over plan and elevation is secured by triangulation, with stations on the summits and by rounds of oriented ground photographs taken from commanding positions, using special cameras of fixed focal length; the method takes advantage of our mountains, and our contour-mapping costs seem to be as low as any in Canada, averaging, as they do, less than $25 per square mile, including everything from the aerial photography to plotting the contour map. 2 17 L 18 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. In the belief that good maps, if taken advantage of, are a useful guard against costly errors in development, an attempt is made to foresee future trends, and various overland transportation routes to Yukon and Alaska are among these. There are three general routes through Northern British Columbia which have been urged from various quarters, and which are governed by the three more or less parallel mountain systems of the Coast Range, the Cassiar Range, and the Rocky Mountains. All have certain merits and drawbacks which may have different weights in peace than they have in war, and so are described herein. Route A lies east of the Coast Range, leaving the Canadian National Railway and the main highway at Vanderhoof, or possibly at Hazelton, passing over the divide at the head of the Skeena River to Stikine River waters, crossing the latter river above Telegraph Creek, thence via Atlin, White Horse, and Kluane Lake to the Alaska border and Fairbanks. This route is favoured in the report of the American section of the Alaska Highway Commission due to its proximity to the Alaska Panhandle; it has a length of about 1,493 miles from Prince George to Fairbanks and reaches an altitude of 4,402 feet on the Little Klappan-Spatsizi divide, dropping to 976 feet at the Stikine crossing. A triangulation net is being carried along this route, so our knowledge of it is increasing. Route B is favoured by the Canadian section of the Alaska Highway Commission; it can leave the present highway at Summit Lake, 32 miles east of Prince George, and follow the Rocky Mountain Trench occupied by the valleys of the Parsnip, Finlay, Kechika, and Liard Rivers to the northerly boundary of the Province; thence follow the Liard, Frances, Finlayson, Pelly, across the Yukon at Five Finger Rapids, cross the Alaska boundary on Ladue River and on to Fairbanks. This route was followed by a railway location survey in 1942 which gave a maximum grade of 1% per cent, and a length from Prince George to Fairbanks of about 1,295 miles. This is, without doubt, the most favourable railway route as it follows water grades with a minimum of grade changes, and the highest point reached (Sifton Pass) has an altitude of only 3,273 feet. A highway, after reaching Lower Post, could follow existing Route C, thus giving an over-all distance from Prince George to Fairbanks of about 1,431 miles and a maximum altitude south of Lower Post of 3,273 feet. On this route we have a complete large-scale contour map of the British Columbia section. Route C follows a line of airports constructed in 1941, and for that reason was selected by the American engineers for the construction of a highway to Alaska in 1942. This highway, after crossing the Peace River at 1,325 feet, crosses the Rocky Mountains at 4,212 feet altitude and reaches Fairbanks via Lower Post, White Horse, and Kluane Lake in 1,574 miles from Dawson Creek or 2,069 miles from Edmonton. It crosses the hitherto remote north-eastern section of the Province, a region low enough and fiat enough for agriculture, though reported to be very poorly drained. Putting the Alaska Highway east of the Rocky Mountains makes necessary its con nection with the British Columbia road system passing through Prince George; this can be done either by extending the Manson Creek Road down the Peace River, by building through the Pine Pass, or by building through the Monkman Pass. If the country to the north develops it will probably be necessary to build the 350 miles connecting Finlay Forks with Lower Post, to avoid the two crossings of the Rocky Mountains; fortunately this is easy, except for the bridges. Our field-work is at present handicapped by the enlistment of most of our younger men in the armed forces, but we are carrying on with the older men assisted by high school boys. In 1942, Mr. Hugh Pattinson, B.C.L.S., had a triangulation party, largely composed of Indians, working over from Stikine waters to the headwaters of the Skeena River on Route A above described; survey parties in charge of A. J. Campbell, N. C. Stewart, and G. J. Jackson, all B.C. Land Surveyors, were in the Cowichan Lake, REPORT OF SURVEYOR-GENERAL. L 19 Nanaimo, and Tofino areas respectively, engaged in topographical mapping using air photographs, and all working in conjunction with the military authorities. Reports compiled by F. O. Morris and W. G. H. Firth for the Surveys and Geo graphic Divisions respectively, giving details of the work carried on under their supervision and of the maps published, as well as reports from the surveyors employed on field-work, are attached hereto. Owing to enlistments and the lesser skill of those temporarily employed to fill the gaps, some of our basic reference maps lag, and the fact that fully half the time of our Geographic staff is devoted to special map require ments of the military authorities necessitates postponement of other map-work; however, the staff has risen to the occasion and the general public is well served. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. C. GREEN, Surveyor-General. L 20 REPORT OP MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. APPENDIX TO REPORT OF SURVEYOR-GENERAL. BY F. 0. MORRIS, ASSISTANT SURVEYOR-GENERAL. SURVEYS DIVISION. This Division deals with the general correspondence, the supply of survey informa tion to land surveyors and the general public, preparation of instructions for surveying, checking survey field-notes and plotting official plans therefrom, clearing all applica tions, and many minor activities. A blue and ozalid printing plant is maintained, rendering service to the various governmental Departments. Aerial Photograph Library.—A considerable portion of the Province has been photographed from the air and an effort is made in this office to have on record one copy of each of these aerial photographs. These are available for inspection and at present total 96,647 views, consisting of 75,603 taken by Department of National Defence, 14,712 by B.C. Forest Service, and 6,332 by Western Canadian Airways. Index maps showing the position of these aerial photographs are also .on record and available for inspection. Departmental Reference Maps.—In order to keep a proper graphic record of alienations and inquiries, reference maps, generally on the scale of 1 mile to 1 inch, and mineral reference maps on the scale of 1,500 feet to 1 inch, drawn on tracing-linen, are maintained by the Surveys Division. There are now 195 reference maps and 78 mineral reference maps, making a total of 273 maps. The work of keeping these up to date— (1) by adding new survey information as it becomes available, and (2) by renewing same when worn out with constant use and handling in the blue-print machines—forms a considerable portion of the work of the Division. During the year three new refer ence maps were made and eleven were recompiled. Tables B and C, attached hereto, give a list of these reference maps. Table A, which follows, summarizes the main items of work. TABLE A.—SUMMARY OF OFFICE-WORK FOR THE YEAR 1942, SURVEYS DIVISION. Number of field-books received 239 „ lots surveyed 285 „ lots plotted 214 „ lots gazetted 226 ,, lots cancelled 36 „ mineral-claim field-books prepared 135 ,, reference maps compiled 11 ,, applications for purchase cleared 191 „ applications for pre-emption cleared 242 „ applications for lease cleared 319 „ coal licences cleared 34 „ water licences cleared 91 „ timber-sales cleared 1,936 „ free-use permits cleared 468 „ hand-loggers' licences cleared 17 „ Crown-grant applications cleared _, 1,102 ,, reverted-land clearances 1 955 „ cancellations made 496 „ inquiries cleared '- 1,953 „ placer-mining leases plotted on maps 160 . APPENDIX TO REPORT OF SURVEYOR-GENERAL. L 21 Number of letters received 4,397 letters sent out 3,078 Crown-grant and lease tracings made 1,426 miscellaneous tracings made 127 Government Agents' tracings made . 92 blue-prints made 23,112 Revenue received from sale of blue-prints from other de partments and public $4,991.45 Value of blue-prints for Lands Department $3,348.55 Number of documents consulted and filed in vault 29,587 L 22 REPORT OF MINISTER OP LANDS, 1942. A < W S PS PH H 3 fi M O r-< fc4 a a J3 H Bo o 1-5 to •* -a 3> rt CD 3 3 fH O K . a > C o J< M .rt ° oi _r oj 3 H Kco _ 2 Si a s 5f « 3 .' fn a M PH J»° < a S DO T>0 •' •5 a Si CD tH 3 a^S _5 2 S3 c a a •a«g - a rt on 5 s ..«« _& a ^1 PH -3^ >. a n T3 rt ~. —" 2"!^ « S °«H c £ o a . a a » OS'S H __, 9 iS ;>| a -^ ^ o » . OJ ?? OJ - >• n O a g 3 a-g 'O QJ -*[H 3 a PH M ca 48 >H W fe 3 •l-H t. •" Tc3 S. rt fn £ .2 X O o 2 « «_g 2 OJ rt. >• _8 g _» M ° £ W g '3 S * ..a H- ^a 3 S H H S ^ ^*o •__! 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J^ 2 a . > fc a 1H?-O eo CQ ii fc >>-__. o fcfc.3 c o +j •OH 2 fcJH £ a fSSO aj_fij WAi |2^ •P ""' fi g« a oi +3 il JS CJ ^ 5 r* PS 3 rt g ' 3 £ £ oi rt ."S tn CD v a a B^ls' 1 ^§ •SJl &o J g a> rt cj S 3 p H Lu rt cfl rt J2 •S « S n 5 a a ° o o o 3 rt ft oj tn- CD rt — - -< — w -* -rt fH W oj a o rt- aj o .H . rt o oi fcj^ fc KisSfcO o is Z O O PH OHS pq c-s^ P CQ Q W EnfcO O HJ a) O EH K .•<»... < . . < ca .<...-<(ao. P3 a a z s O _C 3 .LH .rt *rt w _ 3. HH» c CH 2 a p. a a a to *3 p .a •i a ff• § c a 2 a a -s su aj-HaaaajH-rHsaT1 S)"^^aaHfc"agfc >"„TJO « WPSfcooo i g^Tj-aa -ggt ; . OS Cl tM CJ N CO O llllll _z 00 00 00 .H t- o n rtrtHHHW >> 2 si • fi IS . * EH o oi rtrtB^jassrtcSaafcW^BaKrt-a . SSa-Safcarta-g-go^c.g^o^eaofc j<:j .^CD^COHHCOHHCQ . • OOIOIOIOIOOCIOI . OHMC_rf_JtD_-M_)OHM [ | I | j | | | Z OOOOOOOOOOiHt—(.HLCSiOiCCDCOC— _> t— Cr- rtH.HrHrHi-(rHTH^HrHrH^HT-(rtHTHrHi—f rH rH rH .H T-1 .-I L 26 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. REPORT OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH LIBRARY. BY W. J. H. HOLMES. Number of aerial views on file December 31st, 1942:— Royal Canadian Air Force (A) 75,046 Royal Canadian Air Force (BA) 1,620 Western Canada Airways (WCA) 6,238 Mackenzie Air Service (MAS) 1,473 Canadian Airways, Ltd. (Alaska Highway obliques) 94 British Columbia Forest Service (BC) 21,413 Total. 105,884 Aerial views received and taken on file during 1942:— Royal Canadian Air Force (A) 1,063 (plus 6 duplicates), British Columbia Forest Service (BC) 6,701 (plus 68 duplicates). Mackenzie Air Service (MAS), (vicinity of Moberly Lake) 1,473 Total 9,237 There still remain a number of British Columbia views taken during 1938, 1939, and 1940 that have not yet been received for filing. During 1942, 8,213 views were issued on loan and 10,244 views were returned. There are at present (December 31st, 1942) 6,975 aerial views out on loan. Views were issued on loan to the British Columbia Forest Service; the Topo graphic Branch, the Geographic Branch, and the Surveys Branch of the Surveyor- General's Department; the Department of Public Works, the Department of Mines, the Water Rights Branch, and the British Columbia Land Settlement Board; to the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Naval Service; and, to a limited extent, to surveyors and others of the general public. Topographic Survey Ground Views.—There are on file the ground views taken by the Topographic Survey Branch from 1914 to 1942, and estimated to number some thing over 35,000; also the corresponding photographic plates. Reference Maps.—Aerial view index maps now number 98, and topographic ground view index maps 70.. GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION. BY W. G. H. FIRTH, ACTING CHIEF GEOGRAPHER. MAPS. Published. No. of Date of Dept. Area in Name. Copies. Issue. Map No. Scale. Sq. Miles. 100 March, 1942 IH 15.78 mi. to 1 in. 170,000 2,000 April, 1942 lJ 27 mi. to 1 in. 366,255 Fort George (reprint) __ BOO Aug., 1942 3A 3 mi. to 1 in. 9,350 Northern British Columbia (reprint) ___ 2,000 Aug., 1942 IH IB.78 mi. to 1 in. 170,000 4,000 Dec, 1942 3B 3 mi. to 1 in. 9,350 In Course of Preparation. 3A 3 mi. to 1 in. 9,350 4B 2 mi. to 1 in. 3,050 4G 2 mi. to 1 in. 3,100 J APPENDIX TO REPORT OF SURVEYOR-GENERAL. L 27 GEOGRAPHIC BOARD OF CANADA, NAMING AND RECORDING. Number of map-sheets' names reviewed 11 New names recorded 1,302 GEOGRAPHICAL WORK FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS, NATIONAL DEFENCE AND PUBLIC. Sixty-four items, receipts and value of work $2,007.00 MAP STOCK AND DISTRIBUTION. Maps issued to Departments and public , 14,444 Maps received into stock 8,700 Total value of printed maps issued $5,850.70 Revenue from printed maps $5,347.33 PHOTOSTAT. Total number of photostats made 4,189 Revenue from Departments and public $1,286.00 Value of photostats for Lands Department, etc $816.70 LETTERS. Letters received and attended to 1,343 STANDARD BASE MAP. Nechako Pre-emptors' Sheets, compiled complete 3 Fort George Pre-emptors' Sheets, compiled complete 2 Standard Base Map, skeleton sheets compiled 7 School districts plotted from description 11 23 Control nets supplied 45 TRIANGULATION. Main and Coast, by least square adjustment, triangles ad j u sted 217 Secondary, by rectangular co-ordinates, stations 586 Index-cards, records r 824 Triangulation index maps 6 RESUME. Sean Howard, apprentice draughtsman (war replacement), enlisted March 14th, 1942. A. W. Lees, apprentice draughtsman (war replacement), enlisted September 9th, 1942. A. H. Ralfs, assistant mathematical computer, enlisted September 15th, 1942. T. Hinton, apprentice draughtsman, enlisted November 19th, 1942. Nine members of the Geographic staff have joined the Canadian Army (Active). A. E. Stone was appointed as apprentice draughtsman (war replacement), April 13th, 1942. The operations of the Division during the past year were governed almost entirely by the need for its products and services in connection with national defence. A large increase was noted in map distribution, caused principally by demands from the Canadian and United States armed forces. L 28 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. Considerable data were assembled at the request of the Geographical Section, Department of National Defence, for the production of military maps covering various sections of the Province; since 1940 no less than thirty new map-sheets have been compiled and printed by Dominion Government offices largely from data supplied by this Department; these constitute military maps on the scales of 1 and 2 miles to 1 inch, the majority of which cover Vancouver Island and the coastal area, also air navigation charts of coastal and other areas on the scale of 8 miles to 1 inch. The sale and distribution of topographical maps is restricted owing to present circumstances, but after the war these maps produced essentially for defence purposes should aid greatly in widening the geographical knowledge of the Province. As Lieutenant-Colonel G. G. Aitken, M.C, will resume his duties as Chief Geographer early in 1943, the writer takes this opportunity of acknowledging with thanks the whole-hearted co-operation of the staff and the happy relations that have existed throughout his term of office as Acting Chief Geographer, also for the help and confidence reposed in him by the superior officers of the Department. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS, COWICHAN LAKE AND NANAIMO RIVER, VANCOUVER ISLAND. BY A. J. CAMPBELL, B.C.L.S. F. C. Green, Esq., Surveyor-General, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit the following report on the topographical control surveys carried out under your instructions in the vicinity of Cowichan Lake, the Nanaimo River Valley, and extending to the east coast of Vancouver Island. This portion of the island, comprising an area of approximately 900 square miles, well known, in part well settled, and with large areas logged, had never been mapped top ographically. It was considered to be in the public interest that such a map should be made at this time. This section was too large to be covered, in one season, with sufficient control to make a map of the required accuracy, and, as it was expected the whole area, as well as a larger area to the north, would be photographed from the air, there was a choice in the part to be covered first. Accordingly the western or more mountainous parts were undertaken, with the intention of covering as much of the easterly and flatter areas as time and conditions permitted. The dense smoke from the slash-burning, which commenced early in September, made work of this nature virtually impossible, so, while the mountainous areas were well covered, very little was accomplished in the other parts. This was exceedingly unfortunate as it developed late in the season, the easterly part of our area was all that had been successfully covered with aerial photo graphs. Hence the area possible to map is limited to the portion south of Cowichan Lake, which had been photographed from the air in 1937, and the westerly part of that covered this year. The field party was organized in Victoria on June 23rd, with R. D. Fraser and A. H. Ralfs, of the permanent service, as assistants, and with S. L. Clarke, also of the permanent service, and two boys as survey helpers. A cook completed the party. Until the end of July the work was carried out in the vicinity of Cowichan Lake. During August the upper valleys of the Nanaimo River and Jump Creek, and out towards the City of Nanaimo, were well covered. Then a return was made to Cowichan to carry the work there farther to the east and to complete triangulation work neces- TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS, COWICHAN LAKE, NANAIMO RIVER. L 29 sary. Due to the dense smoke in September this was not very successful and, after a struggle to complete certain parts, the party was disbanded on September 21st. Late in October, after the smoke had cleared, two short trips were made with small parties from the office staff. Several important camera stations were occupied and very important triangulation work completed. This closed the field-work for the season, during which 104 points were fixed by triangulation. Eighty of these were occupied as camera stations at which 546 photographs were taken, and approximately 650 square miles controlled for mapping from aerial photographs. The area included in this report is one of the best known on Vancouver Island, and it is not necessary, as usual, to give a detailed description of the physical features, climate, etc. It might be mentioned that, for photographic work of any kind, the past season was one of the best in many years, and it is possible that if the dense smoke had not stopped our work the whole area would have been controlled. Logging operations have been carried on in this part for many years and large sections have already been logged, thus forcing the logging companies to extend their railways and truck-roads farther and farther back to reach the untouched sections. A new railway is being constructed from Ladysmith to tap the upper Nanaimo Valley and its branches. A shorter line, up Nineteen Creek, off Robertson River, is being built to reach higher timbered areas lying there. A new sawmill being constructed at Mesachie Lake will be fed by this line. The railway from Chemainus, in the Chemainus Valley, is being pushed up much farther. Truck-roads are extending farther out, particularly those from Ladysmith, and one, from Cowichan Lake, is being built up Meade Creek to reach an area of fine timber around the headwaters of that creek. A second sawmill is nearing completion near Honeymoon Bay, on Cowichan Lake. The Forest Branch have been, for some time, carrying on extensive reforestation projects over the logged areas and these show great promise. A few years have made a surprising difference in the appearance of the country along the road to Cowichan Lake. Four years ago it was a rather barren-looking stretch, with many dry snags. The barrenness has been covered by new growth and many of the snags have dis appeared. MINERALS. The mineral possibilities of the area have been covered in different reports issued by the Department of Mines. Several of the claims mentioned in these reports, par ticularly those on the ridge around Cottonwood Valley, off Cowichan Lake, are still in the process of development. The mines on Mount Sicker, due to the war, are being reopened and extensive work is planned. GAME. Many deer were seen throughout the season and would appear to be getting more numerous. Elk, black bear, and deer were encountered on one day around the head waters of Shaw and Sadie Creeks; blue grouse and willow grouse were fairly plentiful, while wild pigeons were seen in different parts. The fishing in Cowichan Lake, Cow ichan Bay, and vicinity is too well known to need mention here. ACCESSIBILITY. The district is well served by the main island highways and the two railroads. These are shown on many published maps and the logging-railways and truck-roads are privately owned, and, as such, are not open to the public; but the railways leave routes of travel after the rails have been taken away and, doubtless, some of the won derful truck-roads will be maintained as public roads after their use for logging L 30 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. purposes has ended. Some of these old logging grades are being turned into passable roads and truck-roads are being kept in condition for fire-fighting and reforestation purposes. There are a number of trails through the still virgin parts; most of them are only blazed routes and difficult to follow, but others have been cut out and kept open. A good trail, from the end of the road at the second Nanaimo Lake, leads up the valley and by way of Green River around to the head of Jump Creek and connecting with the Reservoir road at the dam on that creek. Trails are kept open up Cottonwood Creek and from the Cottonwood over Widow Pass into the headwaters of Chemainus River and beyond to Jump Creek waters to reach the different claims located there. As usual, our thanks are due to the different logging companies for the use of their roads and in providing transportation over their railways, and also for placing at our disposal valuable information from their plans and maps. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, VICINITY OF NANOOSE BAY AND ALBERNI CANAL. BY N. C. STEWART, B.C.L.S. F. C. Green, Esq., Surveyor-General, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit the following report on topographical surveys carried out under your instructions during the field season of 1942 in an area on Van couver Island, between Nanoose Bay and Alberni Canal, and extending southerly from Home Lake and Qualicum River to the northerly limits of the watersheds of the Nanaimo and Nitinat Rivers. The entire area is within the E. & N. Railway land grant. The survey was designed to produce a contoured map at a scale of one-half mile to the inch, with a 100-foot contour interval, using air photographs controlled by photo- topographic methods in the mountainous parts and by chain or stadia traverses in the flatter areas. The camera stations and traverses were fixed by secondary triangula tion broken down from existing geodetic points. Many ties were made to lot corners with the idea of placing accurately the cadastral surveys. The area thus controlled contains approximately 800 square miles. The field party consisted of G. C. Emerson, G. McRae, and G. New, instrument- men; four helpers and a cook. Field-work began at Cameron Lake on June 22nd and the party was disbanded on September 24th, the early closing-down being due to dense smoke from slash-burning. With a crew recruited from the office staff, a return to the field was made on October 13th, so as to occupy some stations while signals were still up, finally completing field operations on October 17th. During the season 109 triangulation points were occupied, of these 68 were camera stations; 528 survey photographs were taken and some 23 miles of traverses made. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Along the east coast of Vancouver Island in this area, there is a coastal plain some 5 to 6 miles in width, bordered by timbered slopes that rise steeply to a mountain system or systems that extend to the Alberni Canal, and which culminate in Mount Benson (altitude, 3,360 feet), Mount Moriarty (altitude, 5,282 feet), Mount Arrow- smith (altitude, 5,962 feet), and Mount McQuillan (altitude, 5,168 feet). Three small rivers drain the easterly slopes of these mountains and cross the coastal plain, these J TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, NANOOSE BAY AND ALBERNI CANAL. L 31 are the Qualicum out of Home Lake, the Little Qualicum out of Cameron Lake, and the Englishman River from Mountains Arrowsmith and Moriarty. Labour Day Lake, situated just south of Mount Moriarty, is drained by the Cameron River into Cameron Lake. The westerly slopes are drained by China and Rogers Creeks into Alberni Canal. FORESTS. This section of Vancouver Island was originally covered with a wonderful forest in which Douglas fir and red cedar predominated, other varieties being hemlock, spruce, and balsam. Although a large part has been logged, there still remain several fine stands, notably in the Cameron River valley (this includes Cathedral Grove), the head of the Nitinat River and in the watershed of Englishman River. The logged areas are reproducing with a very dense growth of all varieties. The forests provide the raw material for the chief industry in this area. There are two large sawmills at Port Alberni and one at Redgap, on Nanoose Bay. Detailed reports on the timber resources may be obtained from the Forest Branch, Department of Lands. MINERALS. Although there are no producing metalliferous mines, there are many prospects throughout the area. Placer gold is found in China Creek and Nanaimo River. The discoveries on China Creek were made in the sixties and subsequently worked out chiefly by Chinamen. Lode claims showing values in gold, silver, and copper have been located and developed along Mineral and McQuillan Creeks, both tributaries of China Creek (see 1936 Report of the Minister of Mines), and claims have been staked on Franklin River and near the headwaters of the Cameron and Nitinat Rivers. Min eral claims (indicating copper, silver, and gold values) have also been staked south of Cameron Lake, near Rowbotham Lake, on the upper branches of Englishman River and on Nanoose Creek, not far from the Island Highway. In the limestone north of Home Lake zinc showings occur (for details see Report of the Minister of Mines, 1927). Some prospectors encountered on the Cameron River trail said they had found gold in some small veins on Mount Moriarty. In Memoir 69, compiled by D. B. Dowling, Geological Survey, Ottawa, 1915, it is stated that the productive coal measures of the Comox field extend along the east coast of the island to Northwest Bay, and that these measures very possibly contain work able coal-seams. GAME. Deer are plentiful, as many as twenty were seen in one day. Small black bear were encountered, but are not numerous. Blue grouse were plentiful, and willow grouse and wild pigeons were seen. Signs of fur-bearing animals, including mink, marten, beaver, and racoon, were found. Elk were reported near the headwaters of China Creek and Nitinat River. Good sport-fishing is to be had in this district; trout in Labour Day, Cameron, and Home Lakes and tributary streams, and salmon-fishing in Alberni Canal, Strait of Georgia, and up the larger rivers. Many of the smaller lakes have been stocked with trout and bass. CLIMATE. The climate along the east coast in vicinity of Parksville and Qualicum Beach -is reputed to be the most equable on Vancouver Island. Here the average annual rainfall is 31 inches, most of this falling in winter .time, hence the summers are dry and warm. The Alberni Canal also has a very temperate climate, but the rainfall recorded at Port Alberni has an annual average of 69 inches. The field season of 1942 was very dry with an exceptional number of cloudless days, which was, of course, very good for our photographic work. L 32 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. ACCESSIBILITY. The Island Highway traverses the easterly portion of the area and the Alberni Highway branches at Parksville, going westerly along the south side of Cameron Lake and over a summit 1,300 feet above sea-level, with a short descent to the cities of Alberni and Port Alberni on the Alberni Canal. These are surfaced roads. A cut-off road, also surfaced, leaves the Island Highway at Qualicum Beach, running southerly, joins the Alberni Highway near Hillier's Crossing. As the flat country along the east coast is well settled, it is adequately supplied with a rural road system. In the vicinity of Port Alberni good roads lead out to Sproat and Great Central Lakes and through the wide valley of the Stamp River. An old logging-railroad, from which ties have been removed, leads south-east from Port Alberni up China Creek to the mouth of McQuillan Creek. The upper part of this road is in poor shape but can be negotiated, providing one wishes to take the risk of driving over the old wooden trestles. In addition to the roads already mentioned, there is a maze of logging-roads (and rail roads from which the ties have been removed). The Forest Branch is connecting many of these logging-roads and improving the surface, thus making serviceable through roads—a policy which should aid in fire-prevention and fire-fighting and gen eral accessibility. One of the roads so improved provides a route from Little Qualicum Falls Park, on the Alberni Highway, to the Home Lake Road, and another goes from the Home Lake Road around the north and west sides of Home Lake and then southerly to a point on the Alberni Highway, about 3% miles east of Alberni, thus providing an alternate route between the east and west coasts. The trunk roads of the logging companies at present operating in this area are well designed and constructed. These roads should be a great asset in the future development of the district, when made available to the general public. The location of the larger operations are as follows: First, a road into an area south of Nanoose Bay and emerging at tide-water about 1 mile east of Redgap P.O. Second, a road from the headwaters of Nanoose and Bonell Creeks and the East Fork of Englishman River to salt water at Northwest Bay. Third, another road from East Fork of Englishman River to salt water at Arbutus Point. Lastly, a trunk road from Home Lake to Duns muir Station, on the E. & N. Railway, and to tide-water near-by. The Alberni Pacific Logging Company were using a road from the vicinity of the west end of Home Lake to the Alberni Highway, about Z1/^ miles east of Alberni; this road being joined to the Home Lake roads by the Forest Branch, as already mentioned. From the summit on the Alberni Highway there is a good trail up the Cameron River to the Nitinat River. We blazed a route from the forks of the Cameron River to Labour Day Lake (altitude, 2,995 feet), which point is reached on an easy grade all the way from the highway. There is a blazed trail from Labour Day Lake to the Nanaimo River trail. Other trails in the area lead to Mount Arrowsmith from the easterly end of Cameron Lake, one up Englishman River and a third to Rowbotham's Lake, the lower ends of the last two being hard to find where they cross the logging slash. Besides the roads and trails, mention should be made of the E. & N. Railway along the east coast and the branch line from Parksville to Port Alberni. Owing to the scarcity of shipping due to the war, this railroad took up the work of freighting large amounts of lumber and cedar poles across the island to Nanoose Bay, the first leg of the journey to Atlantic waters. The Alberni Pacific Logging Company have a railroad crossing this area from their operations in the Ash River to their mills at Port Alberni. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, NANOOSE BAY AND ALBERNI CANAL. L 33 INDUSTRIES. The chief industries, in order of importance, are lumbering, farming, the tourist trade, and fishing. Forest products include lumber, cedar shingles, ply-wood, cedar poles and posts. There are a large number of fine farms, both along the east coast and in the vicinity of Alberni, where good crops are obtained, for weather and soil are suitable for vegetables, fruits of all kinds, hay and clover, and some alfalfa, and for the raising of poultry and dairy products. In logged-over areas where fireweed grows in abundance, honey is collected and, near the sea, holly can be commercially grown. There are one or two fur-farms in this area. Along the east coast are found many fine beaches and camping-places, the better known being at Qualicum Beach and Parksville. Here, with delightful climate, are ideal locations for summer homes. At Cameron Lake there are fine beaches open to the public, as well as tourist camps and a chalet from which one may obtain various kinds of sport, including hunting, boating, fishing, and mountaineering on the slopes of Mount Arrowsmith. During the depression years, the Forest Branch made acces sible and improved two wonderful parks, one at Little Qualicum Falls and the other at Englishman Falls on Englishman River. These parks are well worth a visit. In and around the fast-growing cities of Alberni and Port Alberni, there are also many attractions for the tourist and sportsman, such as the Stamp River Falls and fishing and boating on the Alberni Canal. In conclusion, I would like to convey my thanks to the logging companies for the use of their roads and for the valuable information from their plans and maps, and to the various members of the Forest Branch in the district for their help in many ways. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. BY G. J. JACKSON, B.C.L.S. F. C. Green, Esq., Surveyor-General, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit herewith my report on the topographical survey made by me, under your instructions, during the past summer. The area completed is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in the vicinity of Tofino, and completes map-sheets 92 F/4 and 92 E/l. The area has all been covered by vertical aerial views of the Royal Canadian Air Force and of the British Columbia Forest Service, taken at altitudes of from 9,000 to 15,000 feet. The shore-lines are covered by views taken at about 10,000 feet while the views of the interior were taken at 15,000 feet. The triangulation was controlled by stations of the British Columbia Coast triangulation and of the Hydrographic Survey of Canada. The party was organized at Victoria and arrived at Tofino on the S.S. " Princess Maquinna " on June 24th. Work was commenced at once. An old house near Tofino was rented for the season to live in, while working in the vicinity and to store supplies and equipment. As much of the work was along the water a launch was hired for the season. From here side-trips were made to Kennedy Lake and up Clayoquot, Tofino, and Tranquil Rivers and Warn Bay. The party was in the field until September 29th and came back to Victoria by way of Alberni. The weather during the season was much better than usual for the west coast, there being little rain and less fog than most years. In September, however, it got L 34 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. very smoky and after the first week it was so dense that stations could not be occupied successfully. We waited for three weeks hoping it would clear, but then disbanded the party. During the season views were taken from forty-four stations, 20 miles of traverse were run, several ties made, and many barometer readings taken. Tofino and Ucluelet are the main towns in the area. Both these places have stores, an hotel, post-office, customs, school, etc. At Clayoquot, on Stubbs Island, about 1 mile from Tofino, there are an hotel and a store. On the south-west end of Meares Island there is an Indian settlement at Opitsat and 1 mile north of this is the large Indian school at Kakawis, where the Indian chil dren from up and down the coast are sent to be educated. This school is run by the Roman Catholics. There is another Indian settlement at Yarksis, on the east side of Vargas Island. Telephone-line runs along the west coast, connecting these towns with Alberni. Mail and passenger service is now three times a week from Alberni. The C.P.R. boat from Victoria runs every ten days, while Canada Airways runs planes from Vancouver three times a week. Vargas Island, which has an area of about 12 square miles, is low-lying, swampy land, with a few hills reaching as high as 500 feet along the north-east end. The timber is scrubby on the flats, but better among the hills. Meares Island, about 30 square miles in extent, is quite rough and rocky, the hills reaching to 2,500 feet elevation. This island is heavily timbered and almost entirely taken up by timber limits. The part of Vancouver Island lying between Ucluelet and Tofino and south of Kennedy River and Lake, is low-lying and swampy, with isolated knolls reaching 500 feet elevation. This is all timbered, but in the wettest areas it is very scrubby. On the points between the two arms of Kennedy Lake and on each side of Tofino Inlet there are heavily timbered hills reaching an elevation of 3,500 feet. There is now a well located and well constructed road from Ucluelet to within 9 miles of Tofino. The last 9 miles to Tofino is still narrow and crooked, but could easily be improved. This road is nearly level and reaches an elevation of a little over 100 feet. A couple of miles from Ucluelet a trail branches off to Kennedy Lake and is about 4 miles long. Kennedy Lake is reached from Tofino by boat. In the river just above salt water there are rapids about one-quarter mile long, up which a small boat can be lined. From the rapids to the lake, a distance of about 4 miles, there is little current. Up the Clayoquot River, which flows into Clayoquot or West Arm of Kennedy Lake, there is a trail to Clayoquot Lake, about 1 mile. The lake is 40 feet above the Kennedy and about 1 mile long. There is no trail around it, as there are high rock bluffs on each side, but a small boat can be lined up to the lake. For a couple of miles above the lake it is easy travelling along the flats and bars to the foot of a canyon. From there it is rough travelling and no trail. On Tofino Creek a trail starts at a cabin on the beach on the east side; after about one-half mile it enters an old road, which continues about 1 mile up the river. From the end of this road there is a poor trail for about 5 miles farther, which crosses from side to side and uses bars in places. There is also a trail on the west side of the river for about 1 mile to an old prospect. On Tranquil Creek there is a new camp building about one-half mile up the river, which can be reached by boat at high tide. From here there is a truck-road, partly built, for about 1 mile up the west side of the river, and a trail for a couple of miles farther to a small cabin. TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. L 35 There is a good trail up Virge Creek for about 2 miles, starting at a cabin at the mouth of the creek and leading to a cabin on the summit at an elevation of 2,500 feet. There are no mines in the area that are operating at the present time. A number of claims have been staked within a few miles of Tofino and Tranquil Inlets, and a certain amount of development-work done on them from time to time. Some of these date back to the 1890's. The ore is chiefly iron and copper pyrites, with some values of gold and silver. On the east side of Tofino Creek there are the remains of a wagon- road about 1 mile long. This started about one-quarter mile up the creek, accessible at high tide, and went to the Copper King property; over this road several hundred tons of copper ore were shipped years ago. On Meares Island, in Lemmens Inlet, there is the old Kalappa group of claims, where considerable development-work was done and some chalcopyrite ore shipped about thirty years ago. The remains of bunkers can still be seen on the shore. At Wreck Bay, a few miles west of Ucluelet, there is a sand beach about 3 miles long. Here is found a fine black sand with which is associated very fine gold. This has been worked off and on since the 1890's and considerable gold has been recovered in that time. The whole country is heavily timbered and has a dense growth of typical west coast underbrush. The timber consists of hemlock, balsam, spruce, cedar, black pine, and some white pine. It is scrubby on most of the small islands and on the swampy areas of Vargas Island and on the peninsula east of Tofino. No large logging opera tions have been started yet. There is a fully equipped sawmill on Meares Island, in Mosquito Harbour, but this has been closed down for over twenty years. Fishing is the chief industry and a number of purse-seiners and trollers operate in Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds and off shore. Before the war a large number of Japanese trollers made their headquarters at Tofino and Ucluelet, but these, of course, are not operating now and the business is in the hands of whites and Indians. Although little agriculture has been attempted, garden produce, small fruits, and flowers do well, as is evidenced by household gardens. No watering is required and there is sufficient sunshine to ripen most fruits and vegetables. There are some very fine sand beaches along the south shore, between Ucluelet and Tofino, and also on Vargas and Meares Islands. The largest of these is Long Beach, which is about 7 miles long and quite wide at low tide. This is a natural speed way for cars and the old road used it for several miles. The climate is very temperate but the precipitation is heavy, being about 110 inches per annum along the shore and increasing up the inlets and valleys. Records kept at Kennedy Lake for eleven years, prior to 1935, showed an average of 176 inches a year. There is little snow on the coast, but it is heavy in the mountains. There is considerable fog in the summer. Ducks, geese, and brant are plentiful around Tofino during the winter months. Deer are scarce on the main island, but are said to be fairly plentiful on Vargas and Meares Islands. Black bears were seen quite often along the inlets and rivers. Grouse are very scarce. There are some fur-bearing animals, chiefly marten, mink, and racoon. Trout are to be found in moderate numbers in most of the rivers and lakes. Salmon of all varieties come into the inlets in season and spawn in the rivers. Salmon, halibut, cod, pilchard, herring, and anchovies are caught along the coast. Numerous Japanese oysters were noticed in the mud-flats near Tofino. The Dominion Govern ment operated a salmon-hatchery at Kennedy Lake for years, but this has not been in operation since 1935. The work on the maps is now in progress and the usual plans are being prepared. L 36 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. TRIANGULATION SURVEY, LITTLE KLAPPAN RIVER, INDIAN CREEK, KLUAYETZ CREEK, AND KLUATANTAN RIVER, CASSIAR DISTRICT. BY HUGH PATTINSON, B.C.L.S. F. C. Green, Esq., Surveyor-General, Victoria, B.C. SIR,—I have the honour to submit the following report on the above survey carried out by me under your instructions of June 5th, 1942. The primary object of the survey as defined in your instructions was to make a rigid connection between two of Mr. Fred Nash's previously established stations—Bowl, Cloud, or Andesite—in the vicinity of Klappan River crossing, and two of Mr. F. C. SwannelPs stations—Stalk and Slate—the former being near Stalk Lake and the latter about 5 miles east of Duti Creek, one of the headwater tributaries of the Upper Skeena River. At the same time, my instructions directed me to collect information that might be of use in appraising the merits of a highway route to connect with the British Columbia road system at Fort St. James or Hazelton. In addition to the above, where the work could be done economically, existing land surveys and boundary lines were to be tied to the triangulation and also, if time per mitted, a connection made with Mr. Foster's Skeena River triangulation. The party, consisting of eight men, was organized at Telegraph Creek. Abnormal conditions, due to the war, made it very difficult to secure experienced help; however, the services of four Indians were finally obtained, which, with three white helpers, completed my party. Fifteen horses were also obtained at Telegraph Creek. Due to the unusually high water, the horses had to be taken across the river on a scow as it was considered too risky to try to swim them across. On June 20th the party started for Klappan River crossing, in the vicinity of which the first stations to be occupied were located. The distance by trail from Tele graph Creek is approximately 75 miles and the trail runs easterly following the Klastline River valley for a considerable distance. There are some soft places along the trail where horses get bogged down and, as there were several days of heavy rain before the party left Telegraph Creek, we experienced considerable inconvenience in this respect. Due to the large areas of fire-killed timber, windfalls are- constantly falling across the trail and many of these were cut out by the party, particularly in the vicinity of Buckley Lake. Actual survey operations commenced on June 29th and were carried on contin uously until October 7th, when the party returned to Telegraph Creek. The general direction of survey operations was south-easterly, following the valleys of the Little Klappan River, Indian Creek, Kluayetz Creek, and Kluatantan River. Stations were set on the main divides, readily accessible and convenient to the trail. Ties were made to the south-east corner of Township 79, and to Sections 26 and 27, Township 24. By the time connection had been completed with Mr. SwannelPs stations, Stalk and Slate, it was time to start the return trip to Telegraph Creek, as certain high stations remained to be occupied on the way out. Sixteen inches of snow covered the summit of Mount Cloud, which was the last high point occupied. The highest mountain utilized as a station was Mount Umbach, near the head of Skelhorne Creek. A 30-foot raft was constructed at Klappan River crossing and it required five trips to get outfit and supplies over to the east side of the river, the same raft being used again on the return trip. TRIANGULATION SURVEY, CASSIAR DISTRICT. L 37 ACCESS. The only present means of entry into the region are by trail, of which there are three, none of them particularly good. That most generally used begins at Telegraph Creek and runs easterly to Buckley Lake and crosses Klastline River at a canyon, following it for some distance. The trail crosses a 3,940-foot summit before dropping down to the Klappan River at the crossing. The distance to the crossing from Tele graph Creek is between 70 and 80 miles by trail and, with full horse loads, takes about a week. This time could be considerably reduced if improvements were made on the trail. From Klappan River crossing one trail continues easterly past Cold Fish Lake to Hyland's Post and Caribou Hide and another runs south-easterly, following the Little Klappan, Indian Creek, Kluayetz Creek, and Kluatantan River to the Skeena River. Other trails giving access into the region start from Hazelton and from the Finlay River near Ware. That from Hazelton follows the Skeena River and Slowmaldo Creek, and is in very poor shape. Most of the bridges at the various creek crossings have been washed out and windfalls litter the trail in many places. However, one pack- train managed to get through to Telegraph Creek during the summer of 1941. I have no information regarding the condition of the trail from the Finlay and do not think it has been used in recent years, but I believe some Telegraph Creek Indians who were packing for the American engineers intended to bring their horses back that way. The trail follows Bower Creek for some distance when it leaves the Finlay River and crosses that river again above Fishing Lakes. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The region covered by the season's operations lies mainly within the drainage areas of the Little Klappan River, Indian Creek, Kluayetz Creek, Kluatantan River, and Duti Creek, the last named being the main branch of the Upper Skeena River. Two main divides were crossed; namely, that between the Little Klappan and Indian Creek and that between Kluayetz Creek and the Kluatantan River. The Little Klappan flows north-westerly through a narrow timbered valley at its lower end, but widens out towards its head to an open grassy valley from 1 to 2 miles in width. Its main tributary is Tsetia Creek, which heads in some lakes in Kenostic Pass, and empties into the Little Klappan about 8 or 9 miles above its mouth. Indian Creek is a short creek only 6 or 7 miles in length and flows into the Spatsizi River just below the mouth of Tenas Creek. It flows through a wide, open, grassy valley throughout most of its length, but cascades down through a narrow canyon before emptying into the Spatsizi. It has a small flow, exeept during the spring run off, as it only drains a small area. Kluayetz Creek is the main branch of the Upper Spatsizi and is still called Spatsizi by the Indians. It is only about 15 or 16 miles long and is easily fordable with horses at most stages of water and can be crossed on foot throughout most of the summer. Its main tributaries are Ellis Creek, which empties into it from the south, near its confluence with the Spatsizi River, and Ranger and Skelhorne Creeks, which are its headwater feeders. The last named heads near Mount Umbach, the highest of our triangulation stations. Kluatantan River and Duti Creek are the main headwater branches of the Upper Skeena River and both drain rugged mountain regions. The former heads in open grassy country and flows south-easterly down a wide valley through semi-open country for 6 or 7 miles, where its volume is increased by the water of its chief tributary, Kluayaz Creek, which flows out of Kluayaz Lake. It then continues southerly, the valley becoming narrower, with increasing forest-cover and vegetation as the elevation L 38 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. decreases. It empties into the Upper Skeena River about 10 miles above the mouth of Duti Creek to the north of Groundhog Mountain. Duti Creek heads in the moun tains west of Kitchener Lake and is fed from numerous glaciers. It is a fast-flowing stream, difficult to ford except at periods of low water, and then only in certain spots. The lower Duti Creek valley is heavily timbered, mainly with spruce up to 2 feet in diameter and there is considerable underbrush. Farther up the valley balsam pre dominates. There are also some fairly extensive burns where the original forest-cover of spruce is being replaced by poplar. Travelling is slow and arduous in these areas, due to fallen timber and dense second growth. FOREST-COVER. The region has a medium coverage of Canada spruce, with occasional patches of jack pine, aspen, and cottonwood, with some birch, the coniferous varieties predom inating. There is little timber of commercial value, due to the average high elevation above sea-level and the northern latitude. Spruce up to 2 feet in diameter are found in the lower Duti Creek valley and in a few places along the lower end of the valley of the Little Klappan River. Alpine balsam predominates above the 4,000-foot con tour. A comparatively small proportion of the region has been burnt over in recent years, although there are a number of old burns. Timber-line is slightly over 5,000 feet. VEGETATION. Except on a few jack-pine ridges and gravel benches where the soil lacks humus, there is an abundance of wild grasses and other vegetation. Sufficient horse-feed was available at every camp and the fact that the pack-animals were all in very good shape at the end of a season of almost continual packing, speaks well for the region in this respect. At the head of Indian Creek and along Kluayetz Creek and the Upper Klua tantan are long stretches of open meadow lands which produce a good quality of cured grasses. Slough-grass meadows are plentiful throughout the area and a heavy growth of wild rhubarb was noticed along some of the smaller creeks. Berries were not plentiful, although scattered patches of low bush blueberries we're noticed and also some wild strawberries. A few gooseberries, black currants, and cranberries are also found occasionally. GAME AND FUR-BEARING ANIMALS. Moose and caribou are quite numerous and were seen almost daily throughout the season. Both grizzly and black bear were encountered on many occasions, at least six of the former being seen during the summer. Goat are extremely plentiful and herds up to a dozen or more were noticed grazing along the higher levels of the mountains. There are quite a few sheep in the western portion of the region, but they seem to be scarce to the east of the Little Klappan-Indian Creek divide. One silver fox was noticed near the head of Kluatantan River. Wolves and coyotes roam over the country in large numbers. Of the more valuable fur-bearing animals, beaver are the most numerous, but lynx, marten, fox, mink, wolverine, and muskrat are also trapped. Groundhogs infest the region and are considered a delicacy by the Indians. They are particularly large and fat in this area. One of the unusual and interesting features is the black chipmunk, which are found in this part of the Province. Large salmon find their way up the Skeena River to Kluayaz Lake and there are rainbow trout in some of the creeks. Of the game birds, willow and blue grouse are fairly plentiful, and ptarmigan are particularly numerous in the mountains. Some Canada geese and swans were also noticed. TRIANGULATION SURVEY, CASSIAR DISTRICT. L 39 CLIMATE. It is difficult to obtain reliable information in regard to climatic conditions as there are no residents and only a few Indians enter the region for short periods during the winter. From information obtained from Indians who make the trip to Caribou Hide each winter from Telegraph Creek, the average snowfall at Klappan River crossing is about 2 feet. The depth increases to about 4 feet or more at the Little Klappan-Indian Creek divide and varies considerably in other parts of the region, due to different factors such as elevation, air-currents, etc. The snowfall is quite heavy in the Upper Skeena River valley, according to the Indians, but it is difficult to get any of them to give a definite figure as to its depth. During the summer, showers occurred frequently but were not of long duration. The weather is generally unpredictable and changes very suddenly. The only really heavy rains occurred late in September, when a torrential downpour lasted for two days and nights without cessation. Light frosts at night are fairly frequent during the summer at elevations above 4,000 feet. From the general appearance of the country, vegetation, etc., I would say the average precipitation is moderate, probably not exceeding 20 inches. GENERAL. There are no permanent residents; in fact, outside our own party, there was no one in the area during the summer and we did not see another human being until our return to Telegraph Creek in October. In regard to the resources; fur is the only one which has brought in any revenue to date. The whole region is a paradise for big- game hunters and in the past many parties have gone in during the hunting season, but the condition of the trail at present makes the trip too long for the average big- game hunter who has only a limited amount of time at his disposal. No minerals were noticed, but coal float was picked up along some of the creeks and pieces of coal were also seen among the slide-rock in mountain basins and on some of the high mountain ridges. In one case, what appeared to be a seam outcropping on the surface, partially covered by snow, was observed close to the summit of a mountain, near the head of the Little Klappan River. It seems more than possible that with the opening-up of this region large coalfields will be discovered and developed, and if such should be the case it will be an asset of no small value, as aside from its use as fuel for domestic purposes and for the production of power, there are so many useful by-products even now in general use. The possibilities of this part of the Province for general farming purposes are not very promising, due to the generally high elevation and frequent summer frosts, but there is plenty of good arable land and meadows where wild hay could be' cut. It should be a good stock-raising area, if sufficient hay could be raised for the long period of winter feeding. There are many thousands of acres of good summer grazing land along the Upper Kluatantan valley, along Kluayetz Creek, and at the head of Indian Creek. The timber, except in some of the lower sheltered areas where there are some spruce up to 2 feet in diameter, is of little or no commercial value, although there is sufficient for most domestic purposes. The construction of a road through the area covered by the season's operations presents no major engineering difficulties. There are no bad muskegs to cross and there is plenty of good gravel available for surfacing. From Klappan River crossing a river grade could be followed to the Little Klappan-Indian Creek divide. From here, the descent following Indian Creek down to the Spatsizi is gentle and through open grassy country for several miles, most of the drop being in the last half mile, which is quite steep. Indian Creek flows through a narrow canyon near its lower end and there is a rise of between 300 and 400 feet in the first mile of trail westerly from its L 40 REPORT OF MINISTER OF LANDS, 1942. mouth, the remaining distance to its head being up a gentle slope. From the mouth of Indian Creek there is an easy ascent along the valley of Kluayetz Creek to the Kluatantan-Kluayetz divide. Open, dry meadows interspersed with areas of low willow brush extend all the way up the wide, pleasant valley to the divide. The descent following the trail down the valley of the Kluatantan River is through similar country, but there is more brush and the valley-floor is less uniform. The descent is gentle for the most part and the only sharp change in elevation occurs about 3 miles above Kluayaz Lake. From this point there is a drop of approximately 200 feet in the next 3 miles of trail. From Kluayaz Station as far as could be seen there appeared to be an easy and uniform river grade, but time did not permit an examination of the Kluatantan valley to its confluence with the Skeena River. There are no bad creek crossings between the Klappan trail crossing and the mouth of the Kluatantan River. Should the necessity arise for a land air base or an emergency landing-field in this remote region, there are long stretches of open grassy and almost level bench lands along the Kluayetz valley which could be quickly and economically converted into moderate sized landing-fields. Some of these areas are entirely clear of brush, but are covered with turf hummocks about 12 inches high. Pan-American planes passed overhead within sight of our camp at frequent intervals. Hydroplanes have landed on Kitchener Lake and Cold Fish Lake, and possibly Bucking Horse and Kluayaz Lake could be used for that purpose, although the latter does not look to be over 2 miles in length. Samples of bed-rock were taken from the various mountain stations occupied and turned over to the Provincial Mineralogist at Victoria. About 5 miles of trail between Klappan River crossing and the mouth of Eagle Nest Creek were cleared of windfalls and portions of overgrown trail were slashed at intervals, amounting to approximately 20 miles altogether. There is plenty of room for improvement on the trail entering the region from Telegraph Creek. VICTORIA, B.C. : Printed by CHARLES F. BANFIEI.D, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 1943. 1,025-1043-6495