NORTH-WESTERN DISTRICT (No. 1). 49

definitely defined its attitude. The accurate projection of this vein to the tunnel-level cannot therefore be accurately calculated. Nothing has been encountered in the tunnel that conforms to the “ Banded vein ” outcrop.

At about 1,000 feet in, however, isolated bunches of zinc-blende were encountered associated with a somewhat indefinite structure. The tunnel discloses a gradual change of the formation attitude from an easterly dip at the portal to a westerly dip at the face. Where the attitudes of exposed veins can be definitely determined they conform in dip, more or less, to the bedding of the formation. On the surface, formation exposures contiguous to the “ Banded vein” indicate a westerly dip of about 45°, conforming to the westerly dip of the bedding-planes towards the tunnel-face. Should the “Banded vein” conform to this 45° westerly dip it would be encoun- tered on the tunnel horizon at approximately 1,500 feet in.

It is possible that the ore encountered at the 1,000-foot point may be the extension at depth of a surface showing at the head of the creek at altitude 3,650 feet. At the 1,000-foot point in the tunnel the structure has been drifted on to the north for 80 feet, with bunches of zinc- blende in quartz-calcite stringers showing at intervals. At 950 feet a crosscut has been started into the north side of the tunnel, where it is estimated this structure will be cut at 40 feet in. During the winter the first vein encountered in the tunnel will be drifted on to north and the second will be explored by drifting to the south. As the best mineralization encountered on the surface seems to lie to the south of the tunnel, it would seem logical to confine initial drifting to that direction where possible. Before advancing the crosscut tunnel any farther it is planned to determine the attitude of the “Banded vein” by additional surface work in the spring. This is a sound campaign of development.

This exploration of the Sunrise group is of much constructive benefit to the McGrath Mountain area. It will shed much light on the economic importance of the zinc-deposits of this locality.

PORTLAND CANAL MINING DIVISION.

The Portland Canal Mining Division embraces Portland canal, 70 miles long, the drainage areas of the Salmon and Bear rivers, the northerly drainage area of the Nass river, and that of the Unuk river. This area is approximately 7,000 square miles in extent, and, excepting the Unuk River section, is accessible from the town of Stewart at the head of the Portland canal.

This Division is the most active in the district from the standpoint of exploration and prospecting, and second in production. Certain phases of importance to the Division are dealt with in the summary of this report. The area has been very active during. the past year and has attracted the interest of ‘substantial companies for the development of its prospects. The possibility of obtaining hydro-electric power through the interest in the Division of the Power Corporation of Canada, and railway transportation through the acquisition of the Canadian North-eastern charter by the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, holds promise for the more rapid future development of the area. The scope and eventual progress of these undertakings has, however, not been announced by the companies concerned.

Prospecting has extended the known mineral area. Promising discoveries haye been made at the head of American creek and across the Bear River pass into the Nass. The activity of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company in the outlying areas of the Bowser and Tide Lake sections and its thorough exploration of the Big Missouri and George Copper properties is a hopeful augury for additional future producers. The outlook for production from the Premier for some time to come is favourable, and the promise of the B.C. Silver as a new producer in the near future is bright.

GEoRGIA RIVER SECTION.

Active and eflicient development was continued on this property during the

Georgia River year and will proceed throughout the winter months. Compressors and other

Gold Mines, Ltd. equipment were installed, bunk-house and residence erected, and assay office,

warehouse, and office put under construction. With the contemplated instal-

Jation of an electric-lighting system the property will be one of the best equipped in the district.

Work is being concentrated on the driving of No. 3 tunnel to intersect the southerly end of

the south-west vein. This tunnel starts as a crosscut in a westerly direction for 190 feet, where

it is turned northward for about 250 feet and then easterly, in which direction it had advanced

about 80 feet without encountering the vein. In the surface open-cuts above this tunnel the 4

eine