21 



the forests. Revision of the Prairie Fires Ordinance along lines 

 advocated by this Commission is also anticipated. 



Representations have been made to the Government of Alberta* 

 respecting its provincially-chartered railways, aggregating some 350 

 miles, which are not under the jurisdiction of the Dominion Railway 

 Commission, nor is there adequate provincial legislation respecting 

 railway fire prevention and protection. 



We have again to deplore the anomaly whereby the Dominion 

 Forestry Branch, with its staff of trained foresters, has no control 

 over cutting of timber on licensed lands in the forest reserves. 



* Since the annual meeting, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta has taken 

 action along the lines suggested. By the Statute Law Amendment Act (Bill No. 

 63 of 1919), efTective May 17, 1919, Alberta has, partly as a result of representa- 

 tions made by the Commission of Conservation since the date of the annual meeting, 

 taken partial action with respect to the recommendations submitted by the Com- 

 mittee on Forests. Section 17 of said Act (amending the Railway Act) authorizes 

 the Board of Public Utility Commissioners of Alberta to make regulations with 

 respect to the use of fire-protective appliances on locomotives on provincially- 

 chartered railways. Section 19 (amending the Prairie Fires Ordinance) authorizes 

 the Chief Fire and Game Guardian of the province to make regulations with regard 

 to fireguards and the use thereof by railway companies, and as to the patrol of any 

 line of railway and neighbouring land. Action with respect to the permit system 

 of regulating settlers' clearing fires still remains for the future. 



The portions of Bill No. 63 of 1919, above referred to, are as follows: — 



"An Act to amend The Factories Act, The Liquor Act, The Soldiers' Home Tax 

 Exemption Act, and certain other Acts and Ordinances." 

 (Assented to April 17th, 1919.) 



17. The Railw.w Act, being chapter 8 of the Statutes of Alberta, 1907, is 

 amended as follows: 



3. Section 2: By adding thereto the following new clause: 



" 23. ' Board ' shall mean the Board of Public Utility Commissioners." 

 7. Section 192: By adding to subsection 4 thereof the following; 



" The Board may make regulations with respect to the use on any engine 

 of nettings, screens, grates, and other devices which may be deemed by the 

 Board necessary and most suitable to prevent, as far as possible, fires from 

 being started, or occurring upon, along, or near the right of way of any railway 

 subject to the provisions of this Act." 



19. The Prairie Fires Ordinance, being chapter 87 of the Consolidated 

 Ordinances of the Territories, 1898, is hereby amended by adding as section 11a 

 the following: — 



11a. The Chief Fire and Game Guardian may make regulations with 

 regard to fireguards and the use thereof by railway companies, and as to the 

 patrol of any line of railway and neighbouring land. Such regulations shall, 

 unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall otherwise direct, conform, as 

 nearly as the circumstances of the case permit, to the regulations issued by the 

 Railway Board of Canada with respect to the same subject matter." 



