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British Columbia 



Wood Products ^hg timber-testing laboratory, recommended by us 

 Establish in 1916 and 1917, has been established under a 



co-operative arrangement between the Dominion 

 Forestry Branch, the Imperial Munitions Board, and the University 

 of British Columbia. Attention has been devoted to war work, 

 principally timber for aeroplane manufacture. It is understood that 

 future work will be supplementary to that of the Forest Products 

 Laboratories at Montreal, particular attention being given to local 

 problems of wood utilization. 



Last spring a forest-ranger course for returned soldiers was 

 inaugurated at Vancouver. This winter an extended course will be 

 given. 



The Provincial Forest Branch secured a hydroplane for patrol 

 work in the Coast district, but, unfortunately, it was wrecked before 

 it was available for use in the field. The branch is using light auto- 

 mobiles and gasolene launches in patrol work, with excellent results. 



Aircraft for Forestry Work 



The tremendous development of aircraft during the war, and the 

 impending disbandment of our very efficient air force, has directed 

 attention to the possible uses of air machines in times of peace. 



Among other suggested uses are forest-fire patrol and photo- 

 graphy. It is anticipated that during the coming season, hydroplane 

 fire patrols will be established by the British Columbia Forest Branch, 

 by the St. Maurice,* and, possibly, by other forest protective asso- 

 ciations. 

 Aerial For aerial photography the maximum of result could 



Photography probably be obtained in connection with work in 



for Survey Work -^ .... 



our northern territories, where the canoe constitutes 



practically the only means of transportation. Airmen, in conjunction 

 with a surveying party, operating along canoe-routes, could obtain 

 valuable information respecting the country on both side of the routes 

 traversed by the surveyors, particularly as such areas are often prac- 

 tically inaccessible by land except at a disproportionate cost of time, 

 money, and energy. 



If such aerial work is to be carried out, the services of our dis- 

 banded airmen should be procured, and the value of such work deter- 

 mined by experiment. If not carried out on too large a scale, the cost 

 would not be excessive. 



•The Toronto Globe, April 30, 1919, states that the St. Maurice Association "has made 

 an arranRonn-nt whereby two hydroplanes will start on the task of patrol work of their forests by 

 June- 1st." 



