acre 1,001 square miles. It is estimated that 175 square miles are
suitable for agriculture.

Finlay basin covers 18,861 square miles, with 67 per cent. above
timber-line. The timber stand is computed at 3,518,400,000 board-feet,
of which 2,638,800,000 feet is spruce. Of the forest area, a stand of 5,000
to 10,000 feet per acre occurs on 263 square miles. The arable area is
estimated at 356 square miles.

FINLAY FORKS TO HUDSON HOPE.

Hudson Hope is a Hudson's Bay post on the north side of Peace
River at the western border of the Peace River Block. Below Hudson
Hope Peace River widens out and flows with uniform current through
a valley cut deep across the surrounding plains. Distance from Finlay
Forks to Hudson Hope is 92 miles, 72 miles to the head of Rocky
Mountain Canyon, which bars navigation, and thence 20 miles to Hudson
Hope; Fort St. John is 51 miles lower down and Dunvegan, Alberta, 117
miles beyond; thence to Peace River 61 miles, this point being linked
with Edmonton by the Edmonton, Dunvegan & British Columbia Rail-
way. At McLennan this railway branches westward to Spirit River,
from where it branches south to Grande Prairie, and a westerly extension
has been located, but not built, from Spirit River to Pouce Coupe, in
the Peace River Block, connecting with the original proposed projection
of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, which runs north-east from Fort
McLeod via Misinchinka River and Pine Pass and Pine River to Murray
River; thence eastward to Pouce Coupe and south to Swan Lake. The
route surveyed by Mr. Williams northward from Vanderhoof to Finlay
Forks follows down Peace River to Hudson Hope, 48 miles from the
Pacific Great Eastern projection at Pine River, the distance thence to
Swan Lake being 82 miles. Steamers run during summer to Hudson
Hope.

Finlay Forks is at Mile 188 from Vanderhoof and there are alternate
routes on either side of the Peace. By crossing to the north side
advantage could be taken of a southerly exposure, eliminating necessity
of protection against snow-slides ; however, two bridges across the Peace
would be required. By following the south shore the bridges would not
be needed, but several snow-sheds would be required around Mount
Selwyn and to the east. On this side a series of benches, natural railway
embankments, extend to the canyon, Mile 273, in which some fairly
heavy rock-work would be necessary. The main bench above the Peace,
altitude 2,400 feet, is reached at Maurice Creek, opposite Hudson Hope,
Mile 296. The Williams route from here crosses eastward across
Moberly River to MacEwan Creek and Pine River, and southward up
that stream to Mile 344 of the original projection, at a point 82 miles
from Swan Lake.

Mr. Williams in his report said: “ Following down Peace River to
Hudson Hope, agricultural possibilities are rather limited on account of
the narrowness of the bench on either side. Only four settlers were

Thirty-seven.