would provide an immediate market for the first settlers, as at present all supplies
for the placer mines are packed in from Hazelton at the almost prohibitive price of
15 cents per pound.”

There is a steamer service to Hudson Hope and navigation is possible between
the east end of the Rocky Mountain Canyon and the Finlay and Parsnip.

NATION RIVER AND NATION LAKE BASIN.

The Nation River, running north-east, swift and shallow, with depth of about
2 feet and average width of 150 to 200 feet, enters the Parsnip at latitude 55° 35’,
the eleyation at the mouth being 2,100 feet. This river, largest of the tributaries
of the Parsnip, rises in the lake-basin between the Stuart Lake and Omineca
Districts about sixty miles south-west. e.

In the lake-basin and tributary areas there are, it is estimated by surveyors,

-about 300,000 acres, of which about 85 per cent. is available for yarious farming
purposes. ‘The river at its outlet from the lower of the chain of lakes is a series
of boulder-strewn rapids for twelve miles, then it becomes a large stream with clear
water for much of its length. There are two rock canyons and a number of rapids
in the lower fifteen miles.

Generally the country traversed by the Nation River, differing from the lake-
basin at its headwaters, is rough and broken, excepting a few flats along the river.
Looking up the valley of the Nation from the Parsnip, a range of mountains is seen
at a distance of some twenty to twenty-five miles. This range, part of that which
parallels the Parsnip to the west, south of the Nation River, has some peaks with
estimated altitude of 6,000 feet.

From the Parsnip to the foot-hills of this range the country rises by a succession
of gravel and clay benches, the highest of which is some 500 feet above the river.

NATION LAKES DISTRICT.

J. M. Milligan, B.C.L.S., who made surveys in 1913 in the Nation Lake basin,
reports that it compares very favourably in the matter of agricultural possibilities
and natural advantages with other valleys in the Northern Interior. Access to the
valley of the Nation Lakes is at present most easily effected by pack-trail over the
old and romantic Omineca Trail, a distrance of sixty miles from Fort St. James, a
Hudson's Bay Post, at the foot of Stuart Lake. This trail was constructed about
forty-five years ago, but following the days of the gold-rush has gradually fallen
into disuse. It was reconstructed under Colonel Wright about 1900 for the purpose
of getting in hydraulic machinery to Manson Creek goldfields, but was apparently
not used very much. In 1912 it was reopened and cleared out, and except for the
loss of a few creek-bridges, which were destroyed by fire, is now in its original state.
With a few minor exceptions, firm dry ground prevails for its full length, and since
there are no perceptible summits to overcome, it could, with a few deviations in the
first twenty-five miles, be converted into an excellent wagon-road.

The Stuart Lake Trading and Transportation Company's stores and also those
of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort St. James provide a large country with all
the necessary supplies, and at comparatively reasonable prices. Fort St. James. is
most easily reached from either of two points on the Grand Trunk Pacific. From
Fort Fraser by pack-trail, thirty-five miles; or from Milne’s Landing, on the Nechako
River, a distance of forty-three miles by wagon-road. It is reported that a river-
boat is now being built to carry passengers and freight up the Stuart River to Fort
St. James, and farther up the chain of great lakes and rivers as development pro-
ceeds. Transportation facilities to Nation Lakes would by this means be materially
simplified, as boats could ply to some point on Middle River, and thence by means
of a trail or road to be constructed over the intervening low land access would be
gained to the second or Cho-eta-bon Lake. It would appear, on the whole, that it
is only a question of time before transportation into this country will no longer be:
attended with the difficulties that are attached to it at the present time.

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