Back from his fourth year of field work in the Stikine, Iskut and Taku
mineral field in northern B. C. close to the Alaska boundary, Dr. F. A. Kerr, Dominion government geologist, is again taking Vancouver and B. C. mining men to task for showing so little interest in what he declares to be perhaps the most promising mineral section of the whole province.
"For every Canadian in this attractive country, and development this year has amply borne out earlier indications, there are fifteen Americans in the area, working
early and late, and they are going to have plenty to show for their work," Dr. Kerr said today.
"Vancouver mining men seem to be asleep and are letting Americans who are close by in the Panhandle get in first, especially on the Taku," Dr. Kerr added.
LOS ANGELES COMPANY
The Tulsequah group of claims (a boundary map spells the name Tallsykway) operated by the United Eastern Mining Co. of Los Angeles, is a very promising property, Dr. Kerr believes. Its complex ore contains copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold values,
and 2000 feet of underground work was done this summer by a staff of from 25 to 40 men under J. B. Stapler, engineer in charge.
The famous Manville group is to be worked all winter with 25 men. Its
ore is almost identical with the Tulsequah and between 25 and 40 men have been at work since it was sold by the discoverers to the Alaska-Juneau Mining company last August. Half-a-dozen other promising discoveries were made this year in the Taku district.
While less prospecting was done on the Stikine and the Iskut than on the
Taku this year, Dr. Kerr states, at least four promising finds have been made and are likely to be developed next year.
MAKE DISCOVERY
The Mining Corporation of Canada had a party of six prospectors in the
field under Arthur Skelhorne, who did very valuable work and made at least one discovery which Mr. Skelhorne is decidedly optimistic over.
Future transportation for this promising mineral field lies by railway to the coast through Alaska, Dr. Kerr declares. There is a broad valley offering little difficulty and it is only 30 miles to tidewater.
PRESERVE ORDER
The Americans who practically control the country are making every effort to preserve law and order and succeeding fairly well, Dr. Kerr states. The only symbol of Canadian authority is the Canadian customs office and the nearest mining recording office is at Atlin. There is not even a Canadian police official in the territory.
Dr. Kerr leaves for Ottawa next week, having been transferred there from the local office of the Geological Survey. He expects to be back in B.C. in the spring to continue work in the Stikine country.
