OIL IN FROZEN NORTH

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1921, Page 4

OIL IN FROZEN NORTH

CANADIAN DISCOVERY

RUSH OF PROSPECTORS

VANCOUVER, Feb. 26

There is intense'excitement in Western Canada, particularly over an important discovery of fuel oil in the frigid fastnesses of the Far North. . Oil has been struck bn the Mackenzie river, •15 miles below Fore Norman. Although the new field is only 145 miles from the Arctic Circle and 1500 miles from civilisation, there has already been a rush of prospectors and speculators. The Canadian Government suspended the oil regulations at the outset, when parties commenced to file claims in the frigid area, as it did not desire a repetition of the horrors of the Klondike rush, when scores lost their lives through, faulty preparation for the hazardous and trying journey into the Arctic regions. Before anyone is allowed to enter the Mackenzie area he has to pass a rigid physical examination, and is compelled to show sufficient outfit and supplies to negotiate the trip into the hinterland. PROSPECTING CONDITIONS.

According to the new regulations issued by the Department of the interior, each applicant may be granted a prospecting permit for four square miles. If oil be discovered, the lessee will be allowed to take out a 21-year lease for-

an area of one square mile, or an area not exceeding 25 per cent of his prospecting permit. The remaining threequarters will remain Government reservations. A prospector is limited to live permits. Frankly, the Canadian Government will not allow any foieign concern to gain a monopoly of Canadian oil measures. Furthermore, the regulations arc framed to protect the public from wild-catting, fraud, or misrepresentation, and leases will be cancelled or refused in the event of malpractice being proved. Winter travellers to and from the oilfields are finding the journey slow and difficult, according to Mr A. H. Schurcr, a well-known and experienced notbern man, who arrived in the Albeita capital of Edmonton a few days ago from the Fort Norman oilfields. Air Schuier reported the ice on the Mackenzie river in a terrible condition, while the trail travelling was bad. On the way out lie passed two or three outfits played cut along the trail. Some of them were experienced northern travellers who bad ventured on the long and hazardous journey after some years spent in cities. They bad found they were not able to stand the strain, and .were taking a rest of a month to recondition themselves. The ice on the Mackenzie was verv rough, the swift river forcing it up and up as it was made. It took Mi Scluirer a whole day to cross the stream, a distance of a mile. The ice had upended in enornum ; cakes, pre--ciitiiig walls as high as a two-storey building. These had to he scaled, and one was not passed before another barred the way. Beyond the river the trail was hard and difficult, and Air T surer and his Indians had to exert every effort to make progress. He was of the opinion that inexperienced men would not have been able to get through. PIPELINE AND RAILWAY. in spite of all these difficulties, parties of prospectors arc being organised in Vancouver, Edmonton, ami other Webern centres, all determined to surmount any difficulty, so dazzling is the prospect of striking oil in abundant quantities and amassing a fortune. The Federal and Provincial Government's already are being urged to construct railway communication, while the companies in course of formation expect to lay 1 a pipe-line to convey the oil to some convenient Pacific coast station, and Fence to the world’s markets by

steamer. Modern methods are to be employed to reach the oilfield. The Imperial Oil Company .which made the original discovery last August, has already sent an i aeroplane from Saskatoon to the Peace river district. Plans have also been completed by a Vancouver syndicate for the inauguration in Alarch, of an aerial passenger and light, freight service from Peace River Crossing to Fort Norman; a distance of 750 miles. Orders have been placed for a Handley-Page plane to carry Hi passengers or 25001 bof freight. It is expected to make the trip from Pence River Crossing to Fort Norman in one day, including stops at Fort Nelson and Fort Simpson. The distance from Peace River Crossing to Fort Nelson is 275 miles, from Fort Nelson to Fort Simpson 215 miles, and thence to Fort Norman a further 250 miles. Other syndicates will utilise seaplanes and cross to the oilfield by way of rivers and lakes, which abound on ( one route to Fort Norman. As the winter trip would be extremely hazardous in a temperature going as low as 05 degrees below zero, most of the explorers intend awaiting the first approach of spring and then making the final dash either by air or boat, and j sled to the oil area. The season in j the Far North is short, and the ex J / phirers expect to dig in before the ar- : rival of spring, and then cover the remaining distance in the quickest possible time. The North-West Territory, which was , left over when the provinces of Saskat- j chewnn and Alberta were organised, j may vet form a tenth province of; Canada, for the Government has ap- . pointed a Commission to govern the , immense area which covers some 500,000 square miles. Much has been learned about the resources of this district in the last 17 years; and the oil discovery at Fort Norman gives more definite knowledge of’one kind of natural wealth. Arctic exploration is revealing other resources in minerals and fisheries, for experts have estimated that one-fifth of the world’s known coal measures in Northern British Columbia, and this North-west Territory and its immediate environs.