The subject of the so-called "divining rod" is one which never fails to rouse a controversy in scientific circles and the writer fully realizes that technical men are very adverse to admitting its powers. At the outset he desires it understood that the material included in the following article is garnered from men who have been convinced of its efficacy through association with a man who claims power over it and not through any personal conviction that is is infallible. He has endeavoured to keep an open mind on the subject as the experiments which have been carried out in his presence have not been of a sufficiently important nature to justify him expressing a personal opinion on the matter.

Early in the prospecting season which is just drawing to a conclusion in Northern Manitoba, Professor R. C. Wallace received a communication from A. V. Arnott of Roblin, Man. requesting that he be allowed to accompany the Commissioner for Northern Manitoba on a trip through the mineral belt, in order that he might have an opportunity of trying out the power of the divining rod" in locating minerals.

Professor Wallace complied with Mr. Arnott's request and the latter joined a party proceeding to Elbow Lake and other points in the mineral belt and during the trip succeeded in convincing those whom he accompanied that he had some power in locating mineral deposits.

Several Tests Applied.

One member of the party stated on his return to The Pas that severe tests had been given Mr. Arnott. On several occasions one member of the party would precede the others crossing a portage and would bury a coin somewhere along the route, which would be unfailingly located by Mr. Arnott, through the medium of a twig of poplar, willow or other wood which he held. in his hands and which would turn sharply immediately he came over the hidden object.

Mr. Arnott also followed the leads of mineral bearing viens and was willing and anxious to undertake any tests which would serve to convince the sceptics by whom he was accompanied that he had the power he claimed.

By the time the party returned to The Pas there was not one of the men who had accompanied Mr. Arnott, but who would admit that the latter had some peculiar power and could really locate mineral by means of his wand.

While in The Pas Mr. Arnott gave private demonstrations in the writer's rooms. A silver coin or mineral sample would be placed on the floor and Mr. Arnott would walk towards it. Immediately his hands were over the planted object the twig which he held in his hands would bend, the efforts of men who held the opposite side to Mr. Arnott being impossible to restrain it.

His Excellent Credentials.

Mr. Arnott stated that he had spent some years in India locating water for the British government and produced excellent credentials as to his success. He intimated that he had considered he might have the

same power to locate minerals and took the trip to Northern Manitoba to try out the process. He has made no experiments as far as oil is concerned but thinks he would be equally successful in locating oil pools. He contends that the only difference between an underground water well and a mineral deposit is that when the latter is disclosed their is a certain tingling in the fingers which is not noticeable when the presence of water is shown.

Iron bodies do not affect, the wand, he states, but it is susceptible to any mineral such as gold, silver or

copper.

Mr. Arnott recently returned from a second trip to The Pas mineral belt, where he made extensive investigations and returned to The Pas more than ever convinced that he had the power he claimed.

While in the Elbow Lake region he discovered what he contends to be a mineralized area running beneath the heavy muskeg and he is so confident that he is not mistaken that he has staked claims and agreed to pay a sum of money to prospectors in the district to do work on his property during the coming winter, stripping the muskeg and disclosing what lies beneath. Other prospectors, convinced that Mr. Arnott is conscientious in his claims, have also staked in the locality. Convinced of His Powers.

To meet Mr. Arnott is to be convinced that he is, at at any rate, sincere in his contention that he has power to locate mineral, He has made no endeavour to commercialize the peculiar power which he claims but on the other hand has paid all his own expenses while in the north and has absolutely refused remuneration for investigation which he has carried out on any properties.

A man absolutely unversed in mineralogy, and knowing practically nothing of the bush, Mr. Arnott has met with severe tests at the hands of prospectors and mining men, but has never failed to make good.

If such a thing as discovering hidden mineral bodies through the medium of a "divining rod" really exists it will revolutionize prospecting. Mr. Arnott intends to continue with his experiments next Spring. He has convinced himself that he has the power he claims and has also convinced a number of hard headed northerners that he is not a faker.

A great rule of science is to deny nothing until actual proof is forthcoming that what is claimed is rendered impossible through scientific investigations,and the result of the work done on the property recently staked by Mr. Arnott is eagerly awaited as it will prove definitely whether or not the "divining rod" in his hands is really an object with superhuman powers or whether he is only one of the many who has fooled himself by believing himself capable of powers denied the ordinary human.

The

Northern Manitoba waits with considerable interest the final results of Mr. Arnott's experiments. sceptical are willing to be convinced by actual proof and there are many people who are already confident that proof will be forthcoming that Mr. Arnott is what he claims to be.

MINING CONVENTION IN CHICAGO.

In one line of industrial effort, the United States has always ranked first-namely, the production of labor saving equipment machinery.

This is particularly true of mine equipment and mine machinery for our great natural resources and the enormous industrial demand in this country have made it possible to develop the use of machinery in a larger and more intensive basis than in any other country in the world. This is well illustrated in the development of our copper resources. Out in Utah a whole mountain of low grade copper are has been utilized effectively through the introduction of large scale machine processes and practically the entire mountain has been dug away through the use of strip mining such as is seen in the great iron ore fields of northern Minnesota. These developments are typical of American mine equipment machinery.

Naturally, therefore, American mine equipment and mine machinery is found in every section of the world where mining is an important factor. From the Lean gold fields in Siberia, where American dredges formerly sucked up the gold bearing sand, to South Africa. and Australia, American mine machinery is a standard.

As a result the bringing together of over two hundred exhibits representing the latest forms of American mine equipment and mine machinery at the National exposition of Mines and Mining equipment at the Coliseum in Chicago, October 17-22, has attracted the international interest of every foreign country which furnishes possibilities for the development of its mineral resources.

In response to an invitation to be represented at this great convention and exposition, a number of foreign countries will be officially represented by delegates of technical men appointed to study and investigate machinery exhibits and the machinery processes which are being utilized in American mining enterprises. Among the countries which have already accepted this invitation to be officially represented are Belgium, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Argentine, Brazil, China, Denmark, Norway, Sweden.

A

At the present time every American business man is interested in seeing the development of additional outlets for the scale of American products abroad in order that we may maintain the full productive capacity of our industrial plants during the years to come. Undoubtedly one of the important outlets for our plant. capacity will be through the development of the utilization of American capital in mining enterprises overseas, especially in those countries which are as yet undeveloped and which have large mineral resources. good illustration of this is the recent purchase on the part of the United States Steel Corporation of a four million dollar acreage in Brazil which will be utilized for the production of manganese ore in large quantities. The investment of American capital abroad in mining enterprises in such countries as South and Central America, in China and later in Russia will afford a great opportunity for increasing the sale of American mine machinery and mine equipment in these countries thereby increasing the utilization of American industrial products and the sale of American products over

seas.

The presence of these international delegates, therefore, at the National Exposition of Mines and Mining

Equipment and the 24th Annual Convention of The American Mining Congress will add a feature of special interest.

The Canadian Mining Journal will be represented at the convention by a booth of which Mr. H. W. Thompson, our Western Manager, will be in charge.

LIBERTY BRAND FERRO-CERIUM.

To make one small piece of metal do the work of thousands of matches at considerably less cost and with far greater safety, is an achievement that may well be considered wonderful. Such is Liberty Brand Ferro Cerium, the "wonder metal," more commonly known as Sparking Metal, Pyrophoric Alloy, Cerium Iron, Flintstone and Firestone, which has the property of giving off spark-showers upon friction with a harder metal.

Years of exhaustive research and costly experiments by noted chemists and constant striving for improvements in manufacture, have made LIBERTY BRAND FERRO-CERIUM what it is today-The Highest Grade Sparking Metal Known. It is made of the best and purest materials obtainable and will not powder. At the same time it is so much lighter in weight that it gives you more pieces to the pound or kilo.

The "hotter" sparks of Liberty Brand Ferro Cerium and the close adherence of the spark shower to the metal is another feature that places it in a class by itself and makes it the most desirable sparking metal to use under all conditions.

For use in Miners' and other safety lamps a special Liberty Brand Ferro Cerium which yields a concentrated flame that closely adheres to the metal and does not throw off a distributed shower of sparks is made. In dangerous surroundings the advantages of this feature cannot be over-estimated. This special metal is produced exclusively by New Process Metals Corp., 46-50 Center Street, Newark, N.J., and is claimed to be the only metal approved officially by the United States Bureau of Mines.

New Process Metals Corporation invite correspondence from readers of the CANADIAN MINING JOURNAL and will gladly sent complete information to anyone inquiring.

ANNUAL MEETING OF TORONTO ENGINEERING ALUMNI.

Elaborate preparations are under way for the third annual gathering of the University of Toronto School of Science men, which will be held in Toronto on the 4th and 5th of November. Arrangements, this year, are being made on a much larger scale than in previous years and it is expected that among the long list of distinguished guests will be one or two of International reputation. The Graduates are coming from all parts of Canada and the United States and it is expected that upwards of one thousand will attend the Reunion. The programme embraces the official opening of the new Science Building at the University-Dinner Dance at the King Edward Numerous Class Reunion Luncheons-Queens vs. Varsity Rugby Game and winds up with one of the long famous "School" Dinners on Saturday night. At the Annual Meeting on Saturday morning, broad questions relative to University Policy, Technical Education and professional matters will be discussed.

Preliminary Report on Coal
Statistics

For the Half-Year Ending June 30, 1921. The Mining Branch of the Dominion Bureau of Statistics has compiled a preliminary report on coal statisties for the half-year ending June 30th of the calendar

Comparative data regarding the output from Canadian mines are given by months for each Province, and for each kind of coal produced. Similar statisties covering the importations into Canada and the exports therefrom, have also been compiled. Throughout the tables a series of index numbers show the relation of the output, imports, or exports, as the case may be, for the year 1919 and the year 1921 in comparison with the base year of 1920 for which the value of 100 was taken in every instance.

The output of coal from Canadian mines during the first six months of this year declined to 80 per cent of the amount produced during the corresponding period last year but was 5 per cent in excess of the output for the same period during 1919. With the exception of New Brunswick, none of the provinces showed an output equal to the 1920 record. New Brunswick produced 10 per cent of its 1920 output and the other provinces follow in the order named: Saskatchewan, 94 per cent; British Columbia, 91 per cent; Nova Scotia, 87 per cent; Alberta, 79 per cent.

In the table given below, the output, shipments, and value of shipments of Canadian coal produced during the period have been tabulated. A part of the data included in the table has been estimated and the figures are therefore subject to revision. The total value of coal shipped during the period amounted to $32,882,953 and the average selling price reported from the different coal-producing areas ranged from $2.43 a ton for lignite coal in Saskatchewan to $8.53 a ton for anthracite in Alberta. The average for the Dominion was $5.75. The table follows:

Coal by Provinces and Grades for the Six Months Ending June 30, 1921.

Having regard to importations, the data show that Canada as a whole imported 104 per cent of the amount of anthracite coal brought in during the same period in 1920, and 132 per cent of the bituminous. Quebec was the only province which imported less anthracite during the six months than in the same period, 1920. but even then, imported 96 per cent of the anthracite coal received in the half-year of 1920, an increase of 12 per cent over the figures for 1919. Manitoba and the Head of Lakes imported 169 per cent of the 1920 quota of anthracite; Nova Scotia, 140 per cent; New Brunswick, 128 per cent; Prince Edward Island, 108

per cent, and Central Ontario, 107 per cent. In every case these figures show that more anthracite was imported during the past six months than in the corresponding six months in 1919.

Bituminous coal entered at Fort William and Port Arthur and the Customs port of Manitoba, amounted to 235 per cent of the 1920 figures. Nova Scotia imported 224 per cent, as much bituminous as during the same period of the previous year but the entire quantity was only some 1,500 tons. Quebec was more fortunate in the matter of bituminous than in the previous year and during the first six months received 179 per cent of the amount which was brought in during the first six months of 1920. Central Ontario obtained 115 per cent as compared with importations in the first half of 1920.

Central Ontario has received during the first six months of the past three years a continually increasing amount of bituminous coal, the index numbers for the periods being 92 per cent in 1919; 100 in 1920 and 115

in 1921.

Exports of Canadian coal have declined from the base figure of 100 for six months ending June 30th to 68 for the same period during the present year. In 1919 the corresponding index number was 74. Total exports for the Dominion amounted to 869,004 tons this year as compared with 1,278,957 tons in the same period last year and 948,495 tons in the six months of 1919. British Columbia was the principal exporter during the period, the amount of coal shipped out of the province amounting to 517,823 tons during the period, representing 87 per cent of the amount exported from this province during the same time in 1920. Nova Scotia shipped, for foreign trade, only 48 per cent of the amount of coal exported during the six months in 1920. The actual tonnage of exports for the six months just closed amounted to 284,601 short tons. The total output of coal from the mines of Canada during the first six months of the present year amounted to 6,783,060 tons. During the first six months of 1920 the output was 7,929,269 tons and in the same period in 1919, 6,355,532 tons. Total importations of anthracite and bituminous coal during the half-year just closed amounted to 8,319,246 tons, as compared with 6,768,709 tons in 1920 and 6,723,757 tons in the preceding year. Export figures have already been given and from these data the coal supply of the Dominion may be determined. The output from Canadian mines plus the amount imported and less the quantities exported, leaves an amount which may be called the "Coal Supply." This figure for the six months of 1921 was 14,233,302 tons, as compared with 13,419,021 tons in 1920, and 12,130,794 tons in 1919.

It thus appears that the Canadian coal supply for the half-year as shown by the index numbers, rose from 90 in 1919 to 100 in 1920 and 106 in the half-year just closed.

TO GRIND FELDSPAR IN FRONTENAC COUNTY. In order not to have to order ground feldspar from New York State, the Frontenac Floor & Wall Tile Co. is commencing the erection of a large grinding plant here. For years feldspar has been shipped from Frontenac county to American points to be ground and the product shipped back into Canada. It is expected that more grinding plants will be established near the mines throughout the county.

Northern Ontario Letter

THE SILVER MINES.

The Cobalt Field.

At the end of September, the quotations for silver continued to hold at above 70 cents an ounce, and the strong demand from the Far east appeared.to indicate the likelihood of this price being maintained with good prospects of a still further advance. Silver-mining companies which operated last summer and made. a profit with silver selling at below 60 cents per ounce are now realizing exceedingly big profit. Other companies which have not made a start since closing last year, are now confronted with conditions under which they could again operate profitably. Labor is abundant and efficient, while heavy rains during the closing days of September asure ample hydro-electric power to operate the mines of Cobalt at full capacity. Added to this is a continued decline in the cost of supplies and a gradually broadening margin of net profit.

Nipissing.

Production from the Nipissing mine during September will be announced as usual about the 8th of the current month. It is understood the value produced during the period was the highest for any month during the current year. The new vein opened up in August stood up, well under the development work carried on during September, and this, together with the higher price of silver combined to increase the value of the output for the month.

La Rose Operating Four Mines.
Official advice from the La Rose Consolidated is ex-

ceptionally favorable. The company is now operating four mines, these being the original La Rose, Princess, University and Violet. Production has recently reached a rate of upwards of 500,000 ounces annually, and the total of the current year may approach that figure. In doing this, the four mines are sending out a total of about 130 tons of ore daily. Asked as to the outlook on the Violet property about which some very optimistic reports have been in circulation, Mr. G. C. Bateman, manager, told the Journal that a small amount of high grade is being bagged from the pay-streak, and that a large tonnage of good mill rock is being encountered. The silver values extend over a width of close to six feet and this is proving to be a source of big production. As a result of these favorable achievements on the La Rose, rumors are current which indicate the possibility of the company being able to resume dividend provided this record is maintained and the price of silver continues high.

May Reopen McKinley-Darragh.

The prospects of the McKinley-Darragh mine being reopened within a reasonably short time are considered to be bright. The matter, of course, rests with the directors to determine whether it would be best to start up now in the face of winter or await the arrival of spring when the resumption could be brought at considerably less expense. The disadvantage of waiting for spring is that considerable overhead expense is going on even during the idle period and this fact is encouraging the belief in Cobalt that the mine may actually be re-opened this fall. One favorable feature of the McKinley-Darragh is that upwards of 25,000 tons of ore is lying in the stopes, broken and ready to send to the mill. This could be turned into revenue quickly. Temiskaming.

J. P. Bickell, president of the Temiskaming Mining

Company states that the mine was forced to close last year only after the price of silver declined to below 70 cents an ounce. At that time, it is important to keep in mind, the cost of producing silver in Cobalt was about 20 p. c. higher than at the present time, so that it would appear as though the Temiskaming could now produce silver at a cost of under 60 cents per ounce. As against this, the metal is now commanding a price of over 70 cents an ounce, plus American exchange which brings the total up to between 77 and 80 cents per ounce in Canadian money. This offers good pros pects of the Temiskaming being re-opened soon. Kerr Lake.

During the fiscal year ended August 31st, the Kerr Lake Mining Company made a net profit of $478,979, an amount which is equal to 79 cents on each issued share. This compares with a net profit of $916,089 during the preceding year. The decline in earnings. was due to curtailment of work on the company's property at Cobalt, as the greater part of the net profit came from newly acquired property in Utah. higher price of silver during the past month encour ages the belief that the current year may result in profitable operations being also resumed at Cobalt. Premo Silver.

The

The installation of a small mining plant on the Premo Silver Cobalt property on the Montreal River near Latchford has commenced. Two boilers, a compressor and hoist comprise the new equipment. The property has seven veins showing, and former work consisted of surface trenching together with upwards of 100 feet of underground work divided between two shafts. The veins contain low silver values together with quite a large percentage of cobalt.

Searching for Cobalt Ores.

A feature of interest at this time in the Cobalt and surrounding district is the search for properties on which cobalt ore occurs. Cobalt, South Lorrain and Gowganda areas are being looked over with the object in view of carrying on work for cobalt, and to recover silver as a by-product. There are various properties. on which the silver values proved to be too small to warrant operation, and it is now believed they could be worked profitably for cobalt.

Extending T. & N. O. Ry. to New Post.

An extension of the T. and N. O. Railway from Elk Lake to Gowganda is not expected for some time, according to unofficial information coming from North Bay following the conference there between E. C. Drury, premier of Ontario, and the Commissioners of the railway. The Commission will concentrate construction effort on the extension of the main line northward from Cochrane to a point near New Post on the Abitibi River. This is about 70 miles north of Cochrane and about 80 miles from tidewater on James Bay. Near New Post it will be possible to generate a minimum of 300,000 h.p., according to official information submitted to the Journal by Geo. W. Lee, Chairman of the T. and N. O. Railway Commission. This will comprise a number of developments, the main one of which will be a fall of 200 feet where over 200,000 h.p. may be developed. Press despatches have pointed out that the extension is to Smoky Falls, but such despatches are in error, Mr. Lee told the Journal, as the exact objectives is Tin Can Portage, at a point near New Post.

THE GOLD MINES.

Much Wanted Rain Falls In The Porcupine District. Torrents of rain fell all along the height of land in this part of Northern Ontario during the closing week of September and rendered the outlook for hydroelectric power much more favorable. Upwards of four inches of rain fell during the week, two inches of which fell on the closing day of the month. This has raised the water in some of the streams from two to three feet and the storage basins are filling quite rapidly. As a result of this, the output of gold from the Porcupine field may be increased by several hundred thousand dollars and perhaps measured in millions as compared with what might have been the case had the weather continued dry.

The prospects of the Hollinger maintaining an income of around a million dollars a month unremittingly are greatly enhanced by this heavy rainfall. It may be pointed out that whereas the months of September and October of last year were the driest in sixty years, the exact opposite is proving to be the case this year, thereby offering every likelihood of each of the gold producing mines being able to go right through the winter at maximum capacity.

Last week, the McIntyre was bending much energy toward securing auxiliary equipment with which to generate power should the hydro-electric supply fail, and, now that wet weather has set in, coupled with the precautions taken to provide auxiliary equipment, no difficulty is anticipated in maintaining the current high rate of output. Moreover, it is believed the company may now proceed as rapidly as possible to carry out its big construction program in connection with doubling the capacity of its mill. It is believed this addition may be made and in operation by May of the coming year. A feature of the McIntyre is that accordingly as greater depth is attained, the ore be comes richer, the best ore so far found being at a depth of 1,750 feet, the deepest level so far reached on this property.

Mill

A force of upwards of 350 men comprises the crew at the Dome Mines, and the mill is treating an average of between 1,000 and 1,100 tons of ore daily. heads are being maintained at around $7.50 per ton. This means that production averages around $7,500 daily at present, or at the rate of $2,737,500 annually. By adding the premium on United States funds, the gross income is indicated to be in the neighborhood of $3,000,000. Provided total costs do not exceed $4 per ton and thus leaving a net profit of $3.50 per ton, it follows that daily net profits of around $3,500 are being realized, or at the rate of $1,277,500 a year. This amounts to close to 27 p. c. on the company's issued capital. Further, given more time to increase tonnage to between 1,250 and 1,350 tons per day, it is believed the net profits may be brought up to over 30 p. c. annually. It is learned that developments at the 7th level are exceedingly favorable and that a large amount of ore has been opened up which contains an average of over $20 to the ton. The company will pay its usual quarterly dividend of 21⁄2 p.c. Oct. 20th.

Thompsonite, the new explosive which is being manufactured in Deseronto is proving to be a success. A carload of the explosive was shipped to Porcupine. two weeks ago, and, after being given a week's trial, the Dome Mine purchased the entire carload. A feature of the new powder is that in addition to having breaking power equal to the best on the market, the fumes after blasting do not contain gases, and it is

possible for miners to return to the point of blasting within a few minutes after firing the charge.

This third diamond drill hole is under way on the Rochester property, lying north-west of the Hollinger.' This work is being done by the Nipissing. Kirkland Lake District.

A deal for the Townsite property in the Kirkland Lake district is pending. Certain interests in the United States are making a bid for the property.

The Kirkland Lake Proprietary (1919), Ltd., is meeting with encouraging results on its Tough-Oakes and Burnside properties. This is especially true of the Burnside where two important veins are being developed. It has just been learned that Mr. Latilla, of London, will sail from Liverpool on Oct. 10th for the purpose of visiting the property.

Some Miscellaneous Notes. Enlargements to the mill on the Teck-Hughes are being carried forward at a good rate, and the plant is expected to be able to treat about 150 tons daily by the end of the current year.

The surface plan of exploration has been about completed on the King Kirkland Gold Mines and arrangements are now being made to carry on extensive underground operations. Toward this end, a large compressor has been placed on order.

Road work is progressing favorably on the extension of the Kirkland Lake highway through the township. of Lebel. The greater part of this extension will be gravelled this fall and will be ready for rock during the coming summer.

A total of about 100 claims were staked in the rush to Luella Lake in the township of Rankin and Doon. About 50 have been recorded and further applications are expected at the recording office. The samples brought out are extremely rich, but the pay-streak is said to be very narrow. said to be very narrow. As yet, the average gold content of the dyke in which the pay-streak occurs has not been ascertained.

B.C. GOLD PRODUCTION.

Receipts of gold up to date at the Dominion Assay Office, Vancouver, indicate the gold production of British Columbia will be considerably greater for 1921 than that of 1920. The total receipts of bullion this year so far aggregate in value $1,275,000, as against $1,073,000 for the same period last year. The improvement, generally speaking, is ascribed first to the reopening of the local mines of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada Limited, and, second, to the fact that the placer mining areas are working under more satisfactory conditions, there being abundance of water, whereas last year there was a notable scarcity of that necessity.

BRITISH EMPIRE STEEL.

The time for exchanging 6 per cent. preference shares of the Dominion Steel Corporation, Ltd., 7 per cent. preferred stock of the Dominion Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., 7 per cent. preferred stock of Dominion Coal Co., Ltd., 8 per cent. preference shares of the Nova Scotia. Steel and Coal Co., Ltd., 6 per cent. preference shares of the Eastern Car Co., Ltd., 7 per cent. preference stock of the Halifax Shipyards, Ltd., for cumulative 7 per cent. first preference Series B. stock of the British Empire Steel Corporation, Ltd., has been extended until Dec. 15, 1921.