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the scale and probable nature of attack to be provided against, and decided in the meantime to reduce their requests for Military Reserves to an absolute minimum.
In accordance with the above proviso the following decisions were arrived at :—
Decisions.
1. As regards the defence of Venn Passage—
To ask the Department of Indian Affairs not to dispose of any sites or land whatsoever within the Indian Reserves at the north end of Digby Island, or on the Tsimpsean Peninsula on either side of Venn Passage, without first giving the Militia Department the option of acquiring them. These reserves are marked (1) on the plan.
2. As regards the remainder of Digby Island-
To ask the Provincial Government of British Columbia to grant similar reservations to the above as regards the four areas marked (2) on the plan.
3. As regards Kate and Compton Islands-
To ask the Provincial Government of British Columbia to grant similar reservations to the above over these islands.
4. As regards Kaien Island—
To ask the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company to grant similar reservations to the above over the ares marked (4) on the plau.
5. As regards the Kinnahan Group-
The Committee decided that it would not be necessary to acquire any reservations.
December 21, 1909.
(Signed) GEORGE PALEY, Major,
Secretary, Interdepartmental Committee.
Sub-Enclosure No. 2.
Report of the Committee of Naval and Military Officers deputed to consider the Defence of Prince Rupert Harbour.
AFTER full enquiry and careful investigation, the Committee detailed to visit Prince Rupert Harbour with a view to the selection of sites which may hereafter be required for purposes of defence have the honour to submit the following report for the information of the Minister in Militia Council :—
Report.
1. Should it ever become necessary to convert Prince Rupert Harbour, the western terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, into a defended port, fixed defences will be required to command the following approaches:—
(a.) Two from Dixon Entrance into Chatham Sound, namely, Brown Passage and Edye Passage; and
(6.) Three from Chatham Sound into the Harbour itself, namely, Venn Passage round the north end of Digby Island, the main entrance round the south of Lima Point, and Porpoise Passage round the south and east of Kaien Island.
2. And in the absence of fixed defences, Wark Channel (the entrance to which is close to the international boundary) would be a source of danger. The Harbour is open to attack from that direction; and it would also be exposed to bombardment from sheltered positions in Duncan and Metlakatla Bays,
3. To command the approaches mentioned in paragraph 1 and to obviate the dangers indicated in paragraph 2, the Committee are of opinion that fixed defences would be required at Venn Passage and on each side of the main entrance to the harbour; and they recommend the reservation or acquisition of the following sites, shown in red on the accompanying plan
Sites.
Approximate Acreage.
Mainland (Tsimpsoan Peninsula)—
Plot of land north of Venn Passage
104
Digby Island-
Northern apex of the island
...
1,570
Mount Comblain and strip of land along south-eastern shore from
Point Parizesu to Lima Point
***
04.
1,300
Kaien Island—
Strip of land (through which the railway runs) along south-western
shore...
***
1,200
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