CANADIAN CANALS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 223, 13 June 1908, Page 5

CANADIAN CANALS.

AMERICAN RIVALS.

COMPETITION FOR GRAIN TRADE. THE WELL AND WATERWAY. «? TEM'.ciurn—riiEßS association—coryaism (Rec. Juno 12, 9.30' p.m. ). Ottawa, June 12. The Canadian Minister.for Railways and Canals, tho Hon. G. I'. Graham, has announced that tho Wolland Canal will bo deepened from 14' to 25 feet, to enable Canada to compote with American transportation. 1 ( . " fROM THE GREAT LAKES TO THE ATLANTIC. The Wolland Ship Canal, Canada, between Lalces Ontario (Port Dalhousie), and Erie (Port Colbourne), runs parallel with the Niagara River. vThe length by the enlarged route completed in 18S3 was 26} miles; the number of locks, 28; total riso, 32Gj£t.;'depth, 14ft. At the present time, Buffalo, in tho United States, is tho great port of transhipment for oxpoi't grain from the vast, productive area surrounding : the Great Lakes. From Buffalo the grain is conveyed either by rail Or the Erie Canal to .the United States, coast ports. Canada's aim is to develop methods of transport through her own territory. The depth (14ft.) of tho Wolland Canal, has rendered^ transport costly owing to the employment of .small vesA very ambitious schemo of Canadian canals, to effect the purpose referred to, has received notice in recont years. Writes one authority: "A development'of the Upper St. .Lawrence navigation, so that tho grain may be carried entirely bv water down the St. Lawrenci to Montreal, has not be6n sufficiently successful in diverting tho traffic from tho American side to the -Dominion route. But on the eastern shore of Lako Hurqii there is tho great Georgian Bay; and plans are maturing for the establishment of a waterway, giving a draught of 20ft.', and connecting tho bay, by the line of the Fronch River, with Lake Nipissing, and that navigable tract with tho' Ottawa River, a little above Ottawa City.. "This route will shorten'the'journey from tho Lakes to Montreal by nearly 500 milos. ( It''■will,.provide a water-tract on winch tho vessels navigating:the Lalces may convey their'cargoes from,the point of embarkation to the port of transhipment on the St. Lawrence,. and, will make it possible for tho grain of that of that vast and fertile region to reach the European markets by all-British transportation. It is estimated that the cost of tho wntor-wav construction- may run from .£12,000,000 to ,£20,000,000, and that the scheme will eventually- roduco ■ freights- by 1}- cents, a bushel."