the large distributing centre. A wealth in minerals and lumber lies as yet
untouched in the neighboring mountains, and the fertility of the valleys and
prairies to the eastward cannot be doubted, and cry loudly for investigation
and development.

Before discussing the plans for the development of Prince Rupert, a word
should be said of the natural characteristics of the site. Located some five
hundred and fifty miles north of Vancouver City, Kaien Island (upon which
the city proper is to be built) has a climate so affected by the Japan Current
as to make extremes in heat or cold very rare, ensuring to Prince Rupert an

_open harbor all the year round. While the rainfall is considerable along the
Pacific Coast, Prince Rupert is said to be exceptionally free from fog—which,
taken into consideration with the direct and wide entrance into a commo-
dious and beautiful bay, encourages the prediction that Prince Rupert
Harbor will be considered one of the finest in existence.

Kaien Island, roughly containing 28 square miles, rises boldly from the
superb harbor, and capped by Mt. Hays, presents a site that is at once
magnificent, inspiring, and yet adaptable for the growth of a large city.
Mt. Hays, which occupies the central portion of the Island, is not available
for townsite purposes, but will ever remain a natural park of great possibili-
ties, giving to the city a picturesque background. No description that the
writers could make would do justice to the complexity, the boldness and the
grandeur of the outlook from the slopes of this mountain 2,300 feet in height,
but suffice it to say that no matter how obtrusive the works of man may be,
the views over the harbor and adjoining lakes cannot but remain, for all
time, the revelation of a grand harmony of Nature in which island and lake,
mountain and ocean, all play a part.

Seldom, if ever, has it fallen to the lot of landscape architects to plan for
what is to become a great city with less restrictions at the start, or with
better surveys upon which to base plans, than was accorded to Brett & Hall,
of Boston, by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company. The farsighted-
ness of this policy, and the genuine desire of the railway officials, from the late
President Hays down, to plan for a model city, capable of large expansion—
free from the dangers of congestion to traffic—preserving for the future an
opportunity for wise municipal improvements—indicating suitable sites for
churches, schools, parks and cemetery—and locating railway yards and
wharves so as best to serve the city, has promoted a sympathetic co-opera-
tion between the Railway Company and the Government of British Columbia,
as joint owners, and the landscape architects, as designers.

While over 5,000 acres on Kaien Island, practically all of Digby Island,
and large areas on the mainland, are readily available for city development,
Prince Rupert, when incorporated, will comprise only 2,000 acres as the town-
site. Not only have the plans for the townsite been accepted, but the stak-
ing out has already been completed in view of the sale of lots in May.*
It should be mentioned in this connection that $200,000 is being expended
in laying plank roadways and sidewalks, and in constructing sewers and a
water supply which will accommodate a population of over ten thousand

A general plan for the whole of Kaien Island is practically completed, but
not until the city has settled down into districts of commerce, factory,

*At this sale 2,000 lots offered were sold for approximately $1,250,000, being less than one-
fifth the area of the immediate townsite of 2,000 acres.