12 Geo. 5 EXAMINATION oF Narurat REsouRcEs. $s 9

It is safe to assume that adjacent to the line between Soda Creek and Quesnel the present
number of settlers could at least be doubled, as the district produces good crops, is specially
adapted for dairy-farming, and the clearing of timber is not too burdensome. A special effort
should be-made to colonize these additional areas and make them productive.

There is also a large area of bottom and bench land of a similar character tributary to this
section of the line on the west side of the Fraser River, across to the railway-line being provided
by ferries across the river at Castle Rock and Quesnel. The section of the line from Soda Creek
to Quesnel (including the land on the west side of the Fraser River), and also a large area
tributary to the town of Quesnel, certainly offer greater prospects of agricultural development
and resulting traffic than any other portions on Sections 1 and 2.

A creamery has now been established at Quesnel, and if some more frequent facilities are
afforded fer moving cream on the railway-line, and some encouragement and assistance given
to new settlers in the district in clearing the land and establishing homes. I would look forward
to its becoming a well-settled and successful agricultural area, with several hundred additional
settlers. To aid in this I suggest a small cold-storage plant, jam-factory, and an egg section as
adjuncts to the creamery at Quesnel, which would materially assist in the development of the
district.

It is also desirable that the east and west roads on the west side of the Fraser, giving access
to the railway-line via the ferries at Castle Rock and Quesnel, and also those reaching stations
on the railway-line from adjacent territory on the east side of the river, should be put in first-
class condition and maintained as main marketing highways in the district.

TIMBER RESOURCES.

There is no large area of merchantable timber immediately tributary to this section of the
line. There is sufficient timber for local use and its quality improves as you proceed north, but
none which would justify extensive lumbering operations or manufacturing on the line, except
for local demands.

Reports have been examined regarding very large areas of fine timber and a large supply of
pulp-wood situated on Quesnel and Horsefly Lakes and tributary waters. This timber is all
tributary to the railway-line at Quesnel via the Quesnel River, and will no doubt be ultimately
brought to that point for manufacture. It is stated that comparatively small expenditures will
render the Quesnel a safe driving stream for logs, and the railway transportation offered at
Quesnel, together with the fact that a good mill-site is available there, and that nearer railway
facilities are not at all probable, justify the expectation that these valuable timbered areas will
sooner or later be developed and afford traffic for the line at Quesnel.

MINERAL RESOURCES.

The world-famous Cariboo placer-gold mining district is tributary to this section, and the
new discoveries made in the southern portion of that district tributary to Quesnel and Horsefly
Lakes may result in a renewal of the activity which first attracted attention to the district.
The small amount of prospecting for other minerals carried on in the district prior to railway
connection being provided has resulted in production of samples of free gold, silver, copper, lead,
and other mineral deposits, and there is every reason to expect that continuous prospecting will
locate valuable mines in this highly mineralized district. Placer-mining will, of course, be carried
on for many years, and attention is now being directed to large areas tributary to the Quesnel
and Cottonwood Rivers which promise satisfactory return in gold and platinum though dredging
operations.

In the immediate vicinity of Quesnel extensive deposits of diatomaceous earth have been
located, which may prove of commercial value later on.

South of Quesnel some small outcroppings of lignite coal occur, and on Australia Creek a
seam of this coal is being worked which provides a fairly good domestic fuel, but is valueless
for industrial purposes on account of its high ash content and low fixed carbon.

Speaking generally of the mineral resources tributary to this section, it may be said that the
information available justifies the expectation that more detailed geological examination and
careful prospecting will locate valuable mineral deposits and result in extensive development.