their banks in many localities through flooding in the spring time or following a period of heavy rain-fall. The water which thus leaves a trail of damages in its wake, might in the majority of cases be gathered into storage reservoirs to be utilized in generating electric energy or of irrigating the dying crops in periods of drouth. The preliminary undertaking of all such work would be a topographical map of the country under consideration showing the comparative levels, the different watersheds and areas belonging to each, and thus gathering data for dealing with this problem in an intelligent manner. At present while one part of the country is seeking assistance for drainage and relieving their land from the surplus of water which lies upon it in the wet seasons, other places are seeking Government aid to protect their property from destruction by this very water which now finds its way into the streams too readily for the safety of those living along the banks below. Indications that the Minister of Public Works contemplates introducing legislation for the purpose of gathering information along this line has been furnished through newspaper reports. As several of the United States have made topographical surveys under their State Legislatures of greater or less accuracy, in addition to the great work which has been carried on by the Coast and Geodetic Survey Staff for so many years, it would not be a difficult task to estimate the cost per square mile of procuring maps sufficiently accurate for the purpose mentioned in this report. Such work as could be carried on by a small staff of skilled topographers who could do their work expeditiously and at the same time attain a degree of accuracy sufficiently close for the construction of sectional maps where the scale would not be greater than one square mile per one inch square. Of course all such work as to cost depends on several conditions, such as the roughness-when the country is hilly many more points are required to be taken to find the relative elevation of different parts, the absence or presence of timber wooded areas of course being very much more costly-the seasons-wet or drv. roads and conditions of transport and facilities with which one could travel around and many other elements which could not be estimated for exactly, but which could be fairly well provided for by men of experience in field work. Had time permitted I might have outlined a plan for carrying on such a work which would perhaps have some points to recommend it, being the work of a practical man of considerable experience rather than a theorist.

"Nothing would be of more value to the commercial and

travelling public than a complete topographical map of our Province. The roads and streams of our Province are a closed book to all but the people living in the locality. Not many can give any near proximity of the route which you would follow from Niagara to here, a distance by rail of 400 miles, by direct road 300 miles. Outside of the Montreal and Kingston and Toronto, Hamilton thoroughfare, alono Lake Ontario, no other highway is known to the people east or west, as a through roadway. A survey under the control of the Surveys Dept. within the area of the older part of the Province, should be provided for in the estimates of the coming year."

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LAND SURVEYING.

of

Gentlemen.-Your Committee wish to call your attention to the conditions existing in the newer townships, or those which have not yet been fully cleared and settled, and where the original blazed lines and bearing trees and in some instances the original posts still exist. You all know with what rapidity these marks disappear at the approach settlement, and it appears to us that some more effectual measures should be taken to preserve and permanently mark the original points than those in vogue under the present regulations. The present conditions leave the matter entirely at the option of the interested parties whether not these points are allowed to disappear or be permanently marked, and the authority given in the Survey Act in the section dealing with the matter is rarely invoked until things. have reached such a pass that few, if any, traces can be found of the originals.

or

Even the surveyor, employed to mark out a lot line and in doing so is compelled to open out the original lines for a considerable distance, necessarily destroys many of the original blazes, and in cutting out bearing trees, has often to cut so deeply as to destroy the tree. The only marks left to replace this destruction as a usual thing is the transient wooden post. A more ruthless destroyer, however, is the lumberman, who cuts whatever will suit his purpose without reference to any other consideration, and the fire that follows at his heels completes the destruction. As it is the members of this Association and those who preceded them who toiled to place these marks in position, and have, or should have, a deep interest in their preservation the devising of some more

efficient plan toward that end might with eminent fitness engage your serious attention.

We would again urge upon you the necessity of a more complete committee organization. A little consideration would show the great value to the Association at large and to its members of really serious committee work. Take for instance the "Question Drawer"; granting that the questions sent in are real snags of practise and not mere puzzles drawn from the imagination; their solution by a full committee meeting, with plenty of time for deliberation and full comparison of views, and the publication of such solution, or if two solutions of the same problem appear to have equal merit, the publication of both with their supporting arguments would form a very valuable reference and possess a weight that cannot be assigned to answers under the present conditions. In time these "Questions" could be compiled from the Annual Reports and published separately forming a compendium of practise that would be invaluable and leading to a uniformity of practice that is much to be desired both as a means of avoiding disputes and for the credit of the profession in its relation to the general public. Also in examining a large number of special cases and deducing from them the general principles that control those of nearly similar character the surest means would be taken for formulating amendments or additions to the Survey Act which would be of permanent value. This same argument would apply with equal force to the work entrusted to each individual committee, and much could be undertaken and carried through successfully that cannot under present conditions be attempted. That ever fertile source of dissensions, the Drainage Act, for instance, might by systematic study and comparison of views by a committee whose units were thoroughly imbued and fully seized with the importance of their deliberations, be brought into a really workable shape by the men who know most about it; instead of having the members of this profession endeavoring to blindly follow incomprehensible lawyermade statutes. As to the means by which this desirable result might be attained, one thing necessary would be to infuse a livelier interest in the proceedings of the Association into the non-attending members. Outside of the duty which every practitioner owes to the profession at large, we think it could be shown that a greater interest would pay viewed in a cold business light.

To afford time for committee meetings two courses might be adopted; add one day to the time of the general meet

ing to be devoted entirely to committee work; or what might be a more thorough and satisfactory arrangement instead of as at present reading all papers before the meeting, place all papers contributed for publication before the committee having charge of the special subject treated for their approval; have these approved papers published in the Report and discussed or criticized at the following annual meeting. The latter arrangement would give time for committee work and would, we believe, greatly increase the efficiency of the Association. The above is respectfully submitted for your consideration. J. McC. WATSON,

Chairman.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON REPOSITORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

Your Committee beg to report as follows:—

That we have had no additions to our collection of photographs, at present consisting of forty large and twentythree small ones, and we would again suggest that another album be procured to preserve the ones of cabinet size sent in since the first has been filled.

We mention with pleasure that our suggestion of last year concerning the publication of some of the biographical sketches already collected, has been carried out, and in our last report will be found those of C. G. Hanning, O.L.S., and of Milton C. Schofield, and we would suggest that in the next report the same practice is continued.

Some repairs are still needed to the furniture of the Board Room, also locks to the receptacles for albums and papers. The table is in particular need of attention, being in a sad condition. We would suggest that a draughting table be procured, to be set up except during meetings of the Board, as it is almost sure to be used for that purpose otherwise.

We regret that it has not been found possible to revise the catalogue of books, etc., in the Repository and would suggest that this matter be taken up by the new Committee. When this is done we think it would be advisable to move the books, etc., into the vault, and would suggest that the committee be supplied with a key for this purpose.

Respectfully submitted,
H. L. ESTEN.

Chairman.

REPORT OF EXPLORATION COMMITTEE.

Your Committee beg to report as follows:

Under date of 14th January the chairman wrote each of the members of the Committee on Exploration, asking them to contribute such information as would make an interesting report. Each member of the Committee replied that individually thev had no items for such a report, but all are agreed that the time has come when more definite information should be had.

1st. As to the extent of our valuable timber.

2nd. The lands suitable for agriculture.

3rd. Those which should be withheld from settlement entirely.

4th. Those areas of the public domain where the timber has reached its full value and which should be cut under license and under proper regulations.

5th. The location and description of valuable waterpowers.

6th. The Dominion Government are about to transfer to this province 146,000 square miles of Keewatin territory, and your committee advise that the immediate exploration of this immense tract of country should be commenced, to ascertain what wealth we have in mines and timber, not only for its values but for its protection.

It is also suggested that track surveys should be made in areas already blocked out to discover those lands which should not be subdivided. More especially those lands at or near the head waters of the sources of water supply for navigable rivers and those furnishing water-powers.

Your committee is of the opinion that serious consideration should be given to this latter subject, as it means much to the future welfare of our country.

The fact has been noted that Lake Temagami last summer was many feet lower than when in its normal condition, and a difference of several feet in the height of the water in the Niagara River from the normal leads the thoughtful to consider what is the possible cause of this, and if not known such information should be gathered by survey, exploration, or other means, that will guide our legislators as to the best means of retaining this water supply-so essential to the prosperity of the province as an agricultural and manufacturing centre.