EXPLORING LABRADOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 5 (Supplement)

EXPLORING LABRADOR.

A DESOLATE LAND.

The desolate and uninhabited land of Labrador and the regions in its immediate vicinity have gradually come to be regarded as a strictly British "preserve for exploring enterprise, a view that has been all the more confirmed in the minds of the British public since -what might well be called "revelations"—were, made known to the world by Dr. William Grenfell, C.M.G., regarding Labrador's resources and its geological and geographical features.

I The Royal Geographical Society has reI ceived some particulars of an American exl pedition , which last year made its way [ across the heart of central , Labrador. It was then erroneously said that the expedition was led by Professor L. B. MacMillan, but this well-known traveller has written to the society pointing out that he was not the leader of the expedition, but that his position was rather that of an invited guest. The expedition was organised by Mr. W. B. Cabot, of Boston, a man who has already been engaged, in exploring enterprise in Labrador since 1903. Mr. Cabot's staff consisted of two j men, Mr. Seaville Clark, and Dr. G. P. Howe. A New Lake Visited. Davis Inlet, situated in the centre of the Labrador coast, in about 56deg. north latitude, was the starting-point of the expedition's journey. The explorers made their way across the height of land to the George River, which thereby completed tho first traverse from the coast to that river by a white party, south of the Nakvak Bay. The route followed the Assawaban River for •some 60 miles, rising then to the plateau by a difficult climb of 1100 ft, and passing through about 20 lakes with portages between to - the George. The information regarding tho expedition furnished to the Royal Geographical Society says that the hills in this vicinity rise in low, rounded ridges, glaciated and covered with white moss, but with little soil. Some wood is to be found in sheltered places. During the whole of the past year no movement of caribou 'occurred, and, as a matter of fact, very few were to be seen. Some Indians were met on the Kanekaneh Lakes, near the George River, and also at Ishimitivish Hill, on Barren Ground Lake. A now lake, some 20 miles by about seven miles, and. called Mist as tin, was' visited by the exploring party. "A second American expedition which was at work in Labrador last year, did not push its way so far north as that under Mr. Cabot. The Bulletin of the Geographical Society of Philadelphia (January) says that this expedition consisted of Messrs. R. McFarland, T. C. Brown (geologist), and P. Livett (magnetic observer). The starting-point of this expedition was Pointe Blew,, on Lake St. John., 200 miles north of Quebec by rail, and {he party followed the canoo route up the Chamuchuan, Chigobiche, and Nikauban rivers, to the height of land, descending on the northern side by three large lakes to the southern end of Lake MistaSsini." ' ; ' ' ■

Some Interesting Features. The account of Iho journey points out. that between Lake St. John and the height of land there are many interesting features. Tho Chamuchuah . contains many falls and rapids, which render the ascent a matter of egregious difficulty. At the ' lower end of Bear Portage the banks are over 100 feet high, which are formed of clay and overlaid by sand, while above the . river is almost on a level with the surrounding country. _ ' , . A view from Porcupine Mountain gave a . general idea of the country, the height of land being conspicuous as a well-defined highland running north-east, some: several hundred feet above the general level. - To the west of the Grand Lake, White Bear Mountain was a conspicuous object from the lake itself. It may bo mentioned that on the return journey, the height of land crossed by the expedition was about 60 miles to the north-east of the first crossing.