National Transcontinental Railway.

Grand Trunk Pacific Ry.

The Board of Railway Commissioners has issued an order allowing the company to withdraw its filed plans for right-of-way within the Winnipeg city limits. These plans were filed before the arrangement was made for the use by the G.T.P.R of the joint terminals at Fort Garry, now being constructed by the Canadian Northern Ry.

H. H. Brewer, General Superintendent, returned to Winnipeg from a trip of inspection over the line, Jan. 10. He stated that 40 miles of steel had been laid west of the Pembina River, and if the weather continued favorable, track would be laid to Edson, the crossing of the Macleod River, by the end of Jan. Edson is 65 miles west of Pembina River, and 130 miles west of Edmonton. The crossing of the Pembina River is at Entwhistle, the bridge being 900 ft. long, and 213 f.t above water level. As soon as track has been laid to the Macleod River, material will be rushed forward for the construction of the bridge, and to enable the grading for the next section of 150 miles to Tete Jaune Cache to be pushed forward.

With respect to the line under construction easterly from Prince Rupert, it was reported Jan. 8, that it was expected to start tracklaying by the end of Feb. Steel for tracklaying and bridge building is being delivered, and rolling stock is on the way. A tunnel about 400 ft. long is being drilled near Omineca, on the Upper Skeena River, and at all other sections of the line inland, the rock work is being pushed ahead. Contracts for clearing the right-of-way to Moricetown, 30 miles up the Bulkley Valley, have been let, the work to be completed during the winter.

Speaking recently in the Saskatchewan Legislature, the Minister of Public Works said the Government had already guaranteed the bonds of the G.T.P. Branch Lines Co. for the construction of about 200 miles of branch lines in the province. Of these, about 50 miles had been completed, and some miles of grading had been done on which track had not been laid. Unavoidable delays had arisen in connection with the starting of work on the line from Battleford to Biggar, which should have been completed in 1909.

The Saskatchewan Legislature has under consideration a bill authorizing the Government to guarantee the G.T.P. Branch Lines Co.'s bonds for the construction of 375 miles of branch lines in the province, of which 50 miles must be constructed during next season. The lines to be constructed are:—From Regina southeasterly to the International boundary, about 150 miles; from Waterous to Prince Albert, about 110 miles; and from Moose Jaw northwesterly for about 110 miles.

With reference to the projected line from Prince Albert and Waterous, Sask., we are advised that the surveys have not been completed, and the company has not yet started to purchase the right-of-way. The construction of the line will involve the erection of a bridge over the south branch of the Saskatchewan at St. Louis. It is not certain whether this line will be constructed this year or not.

A Winnipeg press report states that right-of-way has been purchased for the projected line from Regina, southerly to the International boundary. This line will be a continuation of the branch now under construction northerly and southerly from Melville. It is expected that construction will be started this year.

The Minister of Railways has approved of general route plans for the following branch lines:—From Apollo, on the main line west of Pembina River, crossing southwesterly towards the headwaters of the Little Pembina River, Alta. (Jan., pg. 31.)

Railways: C.No.Ry., G.T.P.B.L., G.T.P.Ry., N.T.Ry.

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