578 Forestry Quarterly. 



them with authority; and half of all labor in extinguishing fires 

 on timber limits up to $2 per diem is paid by the province. In 

 case railroads are involved each of the three parties pays one- 

 third. A superintendent to direct the service and assistant super- 

 intendent are also instituted and paid by the province. 



Some useful amendments to the law are suggested by the Su- 

 perintendent, a member of this committee, providing for con- 

 tinuous patrol by fire rangers ; for determining the number of 

 rangers to be employed by the limit holders, and for the substi- 

 tution of government rangers in case of failure to employ the 

 proper number; for arrest of offenders, and for forcing assist- 

 ance in extinguishing fires; for screening smoking cars and mill 

 chimneys ; for fixing responsibility of escaped fires on owner of 

 land ; for railway patrols ; and for various minor objects. 



Ontario. This law is primarily designed for the protection of 

 Crown lands. This province was perhaps the first to recognize 

 the necessity of machinery to carry out the law and of making 

 limit holders in part responsible. As in Quebec, the declaration 

 of fire districts, within which the law applies and the organization 

 of a service of fire rangers not only licensed but also unlicensed 

 territory, is in the discretion of the Minister of Lands, Forests 

 and Mines, but the law differs from Quebec law in that it con- 

 tains sections defining duties of fire rangers. 



The appointment of rangers on licensed lands is primarily made 

 at the request and upon the nomination of candidates by the limit 

 holders, unless the Minister determines without such request the 

 necessity for their employment. The appointment of these and 

 other officers as justices of the peace is also forseen. 



In Ontario, not only are half the wages of fire rangers paid by 

 the limit holders, but also half the salaries of supervisors and in- 

 spectors. The same arrangements holds with railway construc- 

 tion enterprises, the railway paying half the expense of fire pro- 

 tection. There are also fire rangers appointed and fully paid by 

 the province to range on forest reservations and unlicensed lands. 



In the Manitoba law, the principle of municipal interest is defin- 

 itely carried out, every rural municipal council being authorized 

 to appoint fi.re guardians, and these may co-operate with the fire 

 guardians of adjoining municipalities in carrying out -the law; 

 municipal councils make rules and regulations under the law and 

 pay the bills. Here also the salutary provisions of penalties for 

 neglect of duty on the part of fire guardians is met for the first 

 time, and the liability of the municipality for damage, if not 

 otherwise recoverable. Moreover, the provincial fire commis- 

 sioner may under circumstances work into the organization. 



In Alberta and SaskatcJiezuan the provinces themselves, 

 through the Commissioner of Agriculture, appoint and pay fire 

 guardians or wardens with sheriff's power, and all members of 



