up the rivers right to the foot-hills. There have been more schools and churches built, and wherever you have to go the way gets longer on account of new fences to go round. As far as I am aware, the majority are in comfortable circumstances. Improved farming implements are seen wherever you go, and a better class of stables and outbuildings are being put up. CROPS. The past season was a very dry one, and in consequence the crops have not been so heavy as usual. The average under cultivation was larger than last year, and the total yield of grain, as far as I can learn, is about the same as 1888. Potatoes, I judge, are not a very heavy crop. A snow storm early in September damaged some of the crop not cut. The fall was very open and weather mild, and a large amount of ploughing was done. RANCHERS. I believe the increase in the herds of the ranchers to have been large the past season. The winter was mild, and very little rain or cold weather in the spring, which was favorable for the growth of young stock. The feed is not as good as usual in some parts of the district, but generally sufficient. Large numbers of thoroughbred stock have been imported, both horses and cattle, and quite a number of young steers were brought from the East and turned out on the ranges to be eventually made into beef. A large number of beef cattle have been shipped off the ranges to the East and to England. Sheep have done well. Two or three flocks have been disposed of and shipped both East and West. GAME. Game continues to decrease in an alarming manner. The season for ducks should not, I think, open until the 1st September. I know last year that a large number of prairie chickens were shot between the 15th August, when ducks could be shot, and 1st September, the opening day. Owing to the dry season nearly all the ponds, sloughs and lakes were dried up, and wild fowl were conspicious by their absence. There is but little large game, except in the mountains. What few deer there are in the foot-hills are kept from increasing by the Stoney Indians. I know of only one game guardian in this district, and it is time that steps were taken to enforce the game laws. There should, I think, be some legislation on the fishery question. There is practically no close time for fish at present, and the rivers are fast becoming depleted. I have seen netted trout exposed for sale in Calgary, and fish traps and other unlaw ful means of capturing fish are in common use. It is easy to destroy the supply of fish by over-fishing, by fair and foul means, but it is a hard matter to stock waters again, and the matter should be intelligently considered before it is too late. INDIANS. There is little of interest to report concerning the Indians in this district. It has been endeavored as much as possible to keep them on their reserves. They have, as a rule, submitted quietly to be sent back to their reserves, but I doubt the legality of such a proceeding, as according to the treaties made with them they can go where they like as long as they behave themselves. Just after the treaty payments and in spring are the two principal times they scatter over the country. There is no doubt they kill some cattle, and it is a hard matter to detect. They know enough to cut the brand out of the hide, and hide or bury the head, and if meat is found in their possession it is hard to prove where it came from. We have had to make but few arrests amongst the Indians, and there was no trouble with any of them. If an Indian is wanted, and we cannot find him, it is usually sufficient to notify the chief of his band, and the man wanted is soon produced. There have been two Blackfoot Indians employed as scouts attached to Gleichen detachment, and they have done very good service. I think it would be a good plan to have a few mounted Indian Police enrolled on each reserve, and give the head chiefs power to deal with minor cases, of course, under the direct supervision of their agents. The Industrial School at the mouth of High River, under the charge of Rev. Father Claude and assistants, is doing good work towards educating a portion of the Indian children. There are ninety scholars at present in this institution. There is an orphanage in connection with the Stoney Reserve at Morley. The Indians, I am sorry to say, are becoming decidedly careless about leaving their camp fires burning when moving their camps. HALF-BREEDS. There are quite a number of half-breeds in this section, varying very much, as they move about a good deal. Some have taken up homesteads and are making improvements; the greater part, however, live by freighting between here and the northern country. They have been very quiet and well-behaved, and I have not a serious crime to record against them. FIRES. There having been little snow during the winter of 1888-89, and the spring opening early, the ground was very dry and many destructive fires occurred, and a great deal of damage was done. In the beginning of April a fire started west of Calgary. All available men were sent out, and got fire under. It broke out again next day, when men were turned out again and put it out finally. Two arrests were made in connection with this fire. One was acquitted, the other fined $100 and costs, which was paid. On 2nd April a fire was started on South Fork of Sheep Creek, from a fire left burning by some Indians, presumably a band of Stoneys who had passed that way. It was put out by detachment stationed at Millar's, with other help. On 18th April a fire started near the the Forks of Fish Creek. Under the force of a heavy wind it assumed large proportions, sweeping the whole country south-east for many miles, burning some stock, a la ge amount of fencing, hay, some houses and barns, farming implements, and doing a vast amount of harm to grass on ranges. It also penetrated into the timber in the foot-hill-, and has been smouldering all summer, and broke out again this fall, though I believe it is now entirely out. An arrest was made in connection with this fire, and the offender fined $100 and costs. This fine was paid. Two fires occurred on Ghost River last December. Both were got out without doing much damage. An arrest was made in connection with the second one, but the charge was di missed by the magistrate on account of insufficient evidence. With one exception there have been no serious fires in this section this fall. The one serious one was started on north side of Canadian Pacific Railway track, close to Sheppard, by an engine-at least, there was no fire until a train passed. It was blowing hard from the south-east and spread with great rapidity, burning a large quantity of stacked hay. Two fires were started near Gleichen on different occasions by the same engine, and, but for the efforts of the detachment, would have probably burned up the whole country. The detachment at Gleichen also, put out a fire near Cluny, started, as far as could be known, by an engine. On 13th September a fire was put out by detachment stationed at Milla's, on the south fork of Sheep Creek. It was started by a fire left burning by some Indians. Constable Lynch followed on the Indians' trail, but lost them owing to a snow storm coming on. On 24th August a fire started between the detachment buildings at Pekisko and the North-West Colonization Company's ranche. This was put out, and no trace found as to its origin. On 5th September a fire started on south side of river from Morley. The detachment, Indians and others, worked at it for about four days and finally got it under. It was in the bush. A young Stoney Indian, who was found near the spot where fire originated, stated it had been started by a war party of Bloods, who had fired several shots at him. As no trace of any such party could be found his yarn was generally discredited, and he most likely accidentally started it himself. The detachment at Scarlett's aided in suppressing several fires during the year. No arrests were made. The traffic is 33 heavy on that trail. On 5th September a fire occurred near High River Crossing, caused by a settler letting fire get away, where he was burning round his stacks. He was arrested and brought before a magistrate, and let off by paying the costs of case. Quite a large fire occurred on the 24th September near C. C. ranche. Detachments from Mosquito Creek and Pekisko, and a large force of settlers, got this fire under. Origin of fire not known. On 6th October a small fire occurred a short distance north of Mr. McPherson's ranche on High River, but was put out before assuming large proportions. A fire occurred in November on Bow River, below mouth of High River, by which some hay was burnt, and it was supposed to have been caused by Indians. Several fires that started near Calgary have been put out by men from the post. I am glad to say that the public in general are beginning to fully realize the immense amount of damage these prairie fires do in destroying the grass, and are much more careful to prevent fire starting, and prompt to turn out if one starts. I certainly think that the railway companies should be obliged to make some provision along their lines to prevent fires being started by their engines. There is no doubt in the world that the sparks from the engines start many fires, and about the only feasible plan is to plough or turn a sufficiently wide fire break on each side of the track. During the past season no attempt whatever was made to do this. INCREASED RATES OF PAY. All men entitled to it have received the annual increase of good conduct pay, and all artizans and men employed at any particular stated labor receive different rates of increased pay, according to manner of work they perform. CANTEEN. A canteen was started at this post in the middle of March of this year and has worked very satisfactorily. It is managed by a committee, with myself as president and treasurer, the Sergeant-Major and four non-commissioned officers and men chosen by the division. Four per cent. beer, cigars, tobacco of various kinds, cigarettes, soap, blacking, biscuits and cheese are the articles in stock. All bills are settled monthly, and the profits have so far been used to lessen the rate paid by the men for extra messing. GENERAL WORK. Under different headings I have described shortly various kinds of duties performed by my command. Patrols perform a large proportion of the work. Trains are met at Gleichen, Calgary, Morley, Canmore, Anthracite and Laggan. As a rule there are about ten prisoners at this post who have to be guarded and their daily work superintended. Convicts and lunatics have been taken to the Penitentiary in Manitoba. Men have attended all sittings of the Supreme Court, acting as orderlies, taking charge of juries and attending inquests. Two bodies found on the banks of the Bow, one identified, the other not, were buried. A large proportion of improvements made to barrack buildings were performed by our own men; any race or other meetings held outside the town limits are attended by a body of our men to preserve order. Men stationed along the C. P. R. and elsewhere endeavor to suppress the liquor traffic. Indian payment monies were taken charge of and handed over to agents, and escorts furnished during payments; Indians kept moving and sent back to their reserves; all complaints made by settlers enquired into and settled, if possible; prairie fires worked at many times, offenders traced and brought to justice; warrants and summons served, besides which the regular routine of life in the barracks is carried out. An escort was furnished to accompany the Edmonton mail for some little time. The division had the honor to furnish a guard of honor to His Excellency the Governor General on his arrival at Calgary, and a mounted escort to accompany him on his visit to the Blackfoot Reserve. Magisterial duties have been performed by such officers of the division entitled to act. His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor has visited Calgary twice, and was furnished with such transport and escorts as he required, on the second occasion transport being furnished to Edmonton. Men transfered to divisions stationed at Macleod and Edmonton Districts have been forwarded to their destinations. Transport has been furnished to Ministers of the Crown and other distinguished parties, both here and at Banff. Numberless duties have been performed which it is not possible to enumerate without giving a detailed statement of each day's work in the District. DISCIPLINE, CONDUCT, &c. I have much pleasure in reporting that the conduct of members of my command has been exceptionally good. I have had but very few serious cases of breaches of discipline to deal with. The sobriety of the men is marked, especially in a place like Calgary, where strong liquors are so easily obtainable. I am highly gratified to be able to make the above statement. I beg to forward the usual statement of cases tried in my district during the year, and statement of mileage made by horses of E Division (not printed). I have the honour to be, Sir. The Commissioner N. W. M. Police, Regina. Your obedient servant, J. H. McILLREE, Superintendent, Commanding "E" Division. APPENDIX D. ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT GAGNON, COMMANDING DEPOT DIVISION, 1889. 1889. REGINA, 15th December, 1889. Peace and quietness have prevailed throughout this district during the year, and although a large docket of cases tried is shown, no serious offences have been committed. Alfred Brazier, a greaser, was arrested at Moose Jaw on 19th August last for murder committed in Montana, United States. On the 23rd of the same month, he having voluntarily signed a document by which he waived his right to be heard before a Court of Justice in Canada, and agreed to surrender to the Sheriff of Miles City, Montana, United States, at the boundary, was escorted to said boundary and there handed over to the United States authorities. As in former years, large quantities of illicit liquor have been destroyed and many contraventions of the Territories liquor law brought to justice where convictions were obtained against the delinquent. Owing to the extraordinary dryness of the season prairie fires have been more destructive this year than last, and in spite of the efforts of the police, aided by the citizens, considerable damage has been caused to property; in some instances new settlements had their whole summer work and supply of hay destroyed by the raging element. Several considerable stacks of grain were also burnt. A summer outpost was established at Grand Rapids in June last, to work in connection with the Manitoba officials to prevent liquor traffic on the Saskatchewan and the shores of Lake Winnipeg. There being no navigation on the Saskatchewan this year on account of very low water, the work of the detachment in this line has been light, but valuable information with reference to fisheries in Lake Winnipeg has, I believe, been collected. 35 Another outpost was established at Yorkton. On the occasion of the visit of His Excellency the Governor General, escorts were detailed for his travelling through the country and for his reception at Regina. This duty was performed very creditably, as was also the duty of escorting His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of the Territories at the opening and closing of the North-West Legislative Assembly. The Indian Department have as usual been assisted by parties of our men in transporting their annuity money through the country and making their treaty payments. The discipline in the division has been remarkably good; few serious charges are recorded, considering that in this division recruits have to be tried as to their fitness for service, and that awkward men and bad characters from other divisions are being continually sent in for training, the discipline has to be kept in a more rigid manner and the duties are more trying. Drills, both mounted and dismounted, have been gone through during the year whenever the weather permitted, and recruit drill kept on daily, in doors when not practicable outside. The different outpost divisions having during the year been under strength, constant applications were made for drafts from headquarters; and recruits, as soon as they had passed their drills, were sent out consequently there was little time left for target practice. Most of the men, however, joined their divisions in time to make their yearly target practice. Recruits engaged during the year have only been accepted when their physique was without reproach. 163 joined. Seven desertions took place from this post during the year. The health of the men has been remarkably good; no death from illness having occurred during the year. The kit and clothing supplied are of good quality and give general satisfaction. Winter overcoats, however, are not supplied in sufficient quantities to allow an issue to all men. Few of the arms in use of the division are in as good condition as I could wish them to be, on account of damaged rifles being collected here from other divisions and issued to the men, but as soon as new barrels are supplied this will be remedied. The saddlery and harness are in good condition, as also the transport. The barrack rooms have not been very comfortable during the first part of the autumn, on account of the furnaces not working very well, but a great improvement has been made lately, and I think they will answer as well as last winter. The strength of the division on the 30th November last was as follows:- ... 211 The remounts received during the year-all bronchos—have given good satisfaction. The horses of the Division have travelled on patrol duty during the last twelve months 188,559 miles. Enclose please find statement of cases tried in the district during the year. Your obedient servant, S. GAGNON, Superintendent Commanding Head Quarters District. The Commissioner N. W. M. Police, Regina. |