18 roKEST commissioner's report. 



age niiirht have been great. It cost the town $8 and individ- 

 uals about an equal sum." 



"A tire was caused by parties gunning on Sunday, but was 

 put out by the owner of the land before doing much damage, 

 but ho was a good deal stirred up for several weeks each 

 Sunday for fear something worse would happen." 



EXTRACrs FROM REPORTS OF LAN^D 0WXER3. 



Our worst risk comes from irresponsible parties fishing 

 along the streams. We do not include in this sportsmen who 

 hii'e guides of their own, but natives without guides. 



The notices furni-hed by the forest commissioner were 

 posted liberall}' ah/Ug the highways and streams frequented 

 by fishermen and hunters and I have no doubt were of great 

 service in causing extra care. The law of last winter is prov- 

 ing a great educator in this section, and as our people on this 

 river (Penobscot) are nearly all directly or indirectly inter- 

 ested in lumber they hail with pleasure this first real attemi)t 

 on the i)arl of the State to give relief from the scourge of 

 fire which has for so many years devastated our forests. 



Where fires like this (settlers clearing land) are set by any 

 one upon their own land at an improper time it is a good pre- 

 ventive measure for the future to make such paily pay for 

 the damage done. 



In my judgment an appropriation to employ a good, smart, 

 active young man as "fire warden"' to wander from place to 

 place and ascertain the names of parlies leaving fires when 

 leaving the camp ground, and punish them to the full extent 

 of the law. Said person to be emi)loyed from July 15th to 

 October loth of each year if a dry season and fires are liable 

 to spread ; if not, relieve him from his duties at a proper 

 time. 



The following is in regard to afire which destroyed timber 

 to the amount of fourteen thousand dollars, and cost five 

 hundred fifty dollars to fi-ht it from spreading further. 



