G.T.R. betterments, construction, etc.

St. Hyacinthe double track.—Some work, preparatory to doubling the track on the line between St. Hyacinthe, Que., and the St. Lawrence river, has been completed, and it is understood that further work with the same object in view will be gone on with at an early date.

St. Paul-Turcot improvements.—The plans for the yard extensions and other improvements between Cote St. Paul and Turcot, Que., have been prepared. They provide for large shunting yards, tracks for storing cars, roundhouses, etc. The cost of the improvements is estimated at about $1,000,000. It is expected that work will be started at an early date. (Dec., 1903, pg. 421.)

Bridge at Kingston Mills.—A new bridge has been built over the Rideau at Kinîgston Mills, Ont., to replace a lighter one erected where the line was double-tracked about 1890. The Dominion Bridge Co. has the contract.

Kingston Subway.—The Frontenac, Ont., county council has passed a resolution authorizing the company to proceed with the construction of the subway on the Montréal road, at the Kingston city boundary. The cost, $10,000, to be divided between the city, the country and the G.T.R. The county fought the question when it came before the Railway Committee of the Privy Council in 1903,

Toronto.—Notice has been given by the G.T.R. to the Railway Commission that it will apply for powers to expropriate a considerable portion of the area occupied by the buildings burned in the recent big fire in Toronto. With the exception of a small portion belonging to the Crown, and another piece belonging to a private owner, the whole of the property is owned by the city, and is let on leases to different persons. The leases will expire in 1907, contain provisions for a renewal on certain terms. The company desires to acquire the land for the purpose of laying additional tracks and providing more yard space.

Parliament Buildings' Yard, Toronto.—The Commissioner of Public Works for Ontario, answering a question in the Legislature, recently stated that the grounds of the old Parliament Buildings were leased Mar. 23, 1903, for 21 years, from April 1, 1903; the lease was made to the G.T.Ry. Co. at a rental of $6,000 a year for the first 10 years, and $7,000 a year for the remaining 11 years. The rental is payable half-yearly in advance. An option is given to the company to purchase the grounds before, or at expiration of five years, for $180,000; or at the expiration of five years for $200,000. At expiration of lease it may be renewed upon similar conditions, except as to relit, for a further tern of 21 years, the rent or purchase to be mutually agreed upon, failing which, rent or price to be settled by arbitration in the usual way. The area is 9.344 acres. Tenders were called for.

The erection of the outwards freight-shed at the yards will be gone on with at an early date. The office building is completed. (Feb., p. 59.)

Hamilton.—We are advised that it is not the present intention of the company to erect a freight shed at Caroline St., Hamilton.

Hamilton-Sarnia double track.—We are advised that when the work now in hand is completed, which it is expected to be in the fall, there will be a double track from Hamilton to London, and from Kingscourt Jct. to Sarnia. This latter section was double tracked in 1903 by Ross & McRae, who have been given a contract for the construction of a second track between London and Paris, 44 miles, and who expect to complete the section between London and Woodstock, 28.53 miles, this year. The cut-off, completed in 1903, between Lynden and Brantford, practically doubles the line between Lynden and Paris.

A contract has been let to W. O. Johnson & Sons for The construction of a second track between Lynden and Hamilton, about is miles. The work to be done on the two contracts merely consists of widening the present roadbed to accommodate the second track, no change being made in the present gradients or alignment.

Durand Station.—The new station which has been erected at Durand, Mich., and of which a cut is given on this page, is 240 ft. in length by 48 ft. in width of the whole length about 170 ft. has been made two stories in height, the second story containing offices for the use of the G.T. Western Ry., and the Wabash Rd. At north end, which is the intersection point of the two routes, there has been erected a joint waiting-room, 46 by 59 ft., and with this is connected a large covered shed for use of passengers. The first story also contains a large dining-room with smoking-room, ladies' room and other conveniences. At the south end are the baggage and express rooms. The building is constructed of rock face stone, up to the height of the window sill and above that of dark grey brick. The roof is covered with green slate. The main rooms on the first floor are wainscoted with Tennessee marble, and the wooden finish is in oak. The cost of the building, exclusive of the other improvements at the station, was $50,000.

Central Vermont.—A conference took place May 11, between C. V. Ry. officers and the St. John's and Iberville, Que., town councils, respecting the construction of a railway and general traffic bridge across the Richelieu River, at St. John's. F. H. Fitzhugh, General Manager, stated that the company desired to raise the grade, and obviate the necessity of opening the draw for boats passing in and out of the barber. The suggestions were approved and plans will be prepared for submission at a future meeting.

G.T. Pacific Ry.—The bill approving of the approving of the amended agreement respecting the construction of the G. T. Pacific Ry. has been given a third reading in the House of Commons. The G.T.R. is applying at the current session of the Dominion Parliament for an act amending the provisions of the act of incorporating the G.T. Pacific in so far as they relate to powers conferred upon the directors, of issuing paid-up stock; defining the powers of the provisional directors and confirming the action of the said provisional directors in entering into an agreement or agreements on behalf of the said company, with the Dominion and other acts and proceedings of the provisional directors of the said company.

A number of reports are current as to the surveys for the line from Winnipeg to Québec, which the Government is to construct. One report is to the effect that the Government will make the surveys on its own account, and that A. E. Doucet, at present Chief Engineer of the Québec and Lake St. John Ry., will be in charge, and another is that the surveys will be made for the Government by the G.T. Pacific Ry. engineers. J. R. Stevens, Assistant Chief Engineer G.T.R., was recently in Québec in consultation with A. E. Doucet, who has already made extensive surveys in Québec in connection with the Québec and Lake St. John Ry. and the Trans-Canada Ry., as well as for the Great Northern Ry. of Canada, with which he was formerly connected. Mr. Stevens states that Mr. Doucet gave him a lot of valuable information as to the various possible routes, and that he was of opinion that the valley of the St. Maurice River would be followed to the height of land, thence crossing the clay belt north of Lake Abitibi, the line would be built in as straight a line as possible to the Ogoki River. From this point a route would be obtained to Lac Seul, and thence southwesterly to Winnipeg. This route will give easy gradient and curvatures.

At the last session of the Ontario Legislature a land grant of 6,000 acres a mile was voted to the Grand Trunk Pacific Ry. Co. towards the construction of a line from Port Arthur or other point on Lake Superior northerly to a junction with the project main line.

Railways: G.T.P.Ry., G.T.Ry.

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