Surveyed areas outside the Block are north from Peace River 14 miles,
adjoining the western boundary of the Block; near Halfway and Cameron
Rivers at the north-west of the Block; near junction of Blueberry and
North Pine River at the northern boundary; near Moberly River at the
western boundary; on South Pine and Pouce Coupe Rivers at the south-
east near the Alberta boundary.

PEACE RIVER BLOCK.

Peace River Block lies north and south of Peace River, which divides
it roughly in equal portions. North Pine and Halfway Rivers are main
tributaries from the north and Moberly, South Pine, and Kiskatinaw from
the south, all having their headwaters beyond the Block. Many settlers
have taken up lands in the Block during the past few years, and in some
districts, notably near Rolla, in Pouce Coupe District, there is con-
siderable settlement. Mr. Doucet, of the Dominion Forestry Branch,
estimates that 1,160,000 acres are available for agriculture. The timber
stand is estimated at 4,545,000,000 board-feet, of which 1,921,000,000 feet
is in stands of over 10,000 feet per acre on 259 square miles, and
1,762,000,000 feet on 410 square miles in stand of 5,000 to 10,000 feet per
acre.

Pouce Coupe, at the south-east of the Block, is a town of 300 to 400
people, with banks, hotels, telegraph, land offices, etc., and directories
credit its vicinity with population of 1,500. It has two sawmills, good
stores, churches, school, ete. The nearest railway communication is at
Spirit River, 65 miles distant. Rolla, 15 miles north, has about 600
people in its vicinity, farming and stock-raising, and oil explorations are
being carried on in the vicinity by the Imperial Oil Company. It has
two banks, two general stores, hardware and other stores, lumber-yard,
etc. The wagon-road frem Grande Prairie runs north from Pouce Coupe
via Rolla to a steamer-landing on Peace River, and several steamers
which ply between Peace River Crossing and Hudson Hope in summer
land supplies at this landing.

The Pouce Coupe District comprises several townships of gently
rolling prairies and a number with scattered bluffs and light woods.
Extent of the choice area is about 25 by 40 miles. It is an excellent
ranching district; an elevated plateau about 2,400 feet in elevation
immediately east of the Rocky Mountains and foot-hills. Soil is very
rich and wild hay and peavine grow abundantly. Influence of the warm
“ Chinook ” winds is marked. They sweep through the mountain passes
throughout the district from time to time during winter, sometimes
removing the snow and giving pleasant respite from the cold. Wheat
and all ordinary grains, grasses, and vegetables yield abundantly.

Fort St. John, on a small flat at foot of rugged banks 800 feet high
on the north bank of the Peace, established decades ago as a fur-trading
post, is centre of a small but growing settlement on the plateau to the
north, fairly level land, largely open or lightly wooded, with good’ soil
and luxuriant wild vegetation. North Pine River enters 20 miles east in

Torty-two.