20 



Of the 30,172 acres burned during 1918, 60-5 per cent was 

 logged-over land, containing hazardous slash, indicating the urgency 

 of the disposal of logging slash. 



For settlers' clearing fires, principally, 9,590 permits 

 Sr"Bumb^g"''*' were issued during 1918— an increase of 175 per 



cent over 1917. The fire-fighting equipment was 

 materially strengthened, and 304 miles of trail was constructed. 

 One-fourth of the forest revenue from the Crown lands of the 

 province — $500.000 — was appropriated for the work of the Forest 

 Branch. 



A Civil Service Commissioner has been appointed in Ontario. 

 As, however, his authority only extends to employees receiving 

 $1,000 per annum and upwards, he has no control over fire-rangers 

 who are employed for the summer only. As the regulations in effect 

 in New Brunswick, British Columbia and in the Federal Forest 

 Service include fire rangers, it is hoped that the Ontario law will be 

 amended to cover such employees. 



To perpetuate the forest through wise use, super- 

 Supervision over vision over cutting operations on all Crown lands 



should be placed under the Provincial Forestry 

 Branch. Similar action has been taken in New Brunswick, 

 Quebec, British Columbia and in the Dominion forest reserves, 

 exclusive of licensed lands. In the United States the Forest Service 

 is in full charge of cutting operations on 160,000,000 acres of National 

 forests. Leaving technical work of this nature in non-technical 

 hands means, simply, that the forests are administered for im- 

 mediate revenue only, and that their perpetuation receives little, 

 if any, consideration. 



Dominion Lands 



The most important development has been the 

 Patronage abolition of the patronage system. Both field and 



office staffs of the Dominion Forestry Branch are 

 now under the merit system of appointment, and governed by 

 Civil Service regulations. This very important reform has been 

 steadily advocated by the Commission of Conservation for years 

 past, and nothing but increased efificiency and economy can result 

 from it. 



Improved forest fire legislation is now in effect 



Alberta Fire j^ Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It is hoped that 



Legislation Re- -n i ..... , . 



quires Revision Alberta Will also revise Its legislation to make it 



more applicable to the northern portion of the 



province. The introduction of the permit system of regulating 



settlers' clearing fires is necessary to prevent serious damage to 



