GENERAL I XFRUDrCTIOX 



This report, which covers the \ear ending 31st Alarc-h. 1947, shows the 

 De|)artment e.\i)enciiture at a conii)arati\el\" hiyh le\eL Expenditure is more 

 than double that of the fiscal \"ear ending in 1939. 



Following the otitbreak of war the Department made every effort to improve 

 the qualit\' of service rendered. Progress in this connection was, of course, 

 dependent upon av^ailable man power, equipment and supplies. Due to sharph" 

 rising costs absorbing an increasing proportion of our financial resources, progress 

 was equalh" dej)endent upon a\-ailable funds. 



In the ])re-war period the cost of maintaining a seasonal fire ranger was 

 four hundred dollars. The present cost is seven hundred dollars for ranger labour 

 of similar qualit\-. Ranger labour of a qualit>' satisfactor\- for Forest Ranger 

 School training requires double the ftmds expended on ranger labour in the pre- 

 war period. With equipment and operating supplies, together with wages of other 

 personnel requiring sharph' increased exj^enditure, a substantial drain is placed 

 ui)on funds proxided in the post-war period for expansion of our services. 



Greater emphasis [placed on careful management of resources has offset 

 in no small degree, shrinkage in the purchasing value of the dollar. Additional 

 funds placed at our disposal have made up the remaining shrinkage in value, 

 permitted betterment in qualit\- of service rendered and some expansion in 

 service. I'urtlier expansion in the management of the natural resources of the 

 Province entrusted to this I)ei)artment, is in no small part dejiendent upon 

 increased funds a\-ailable for this j)uri:)ose. 



The report on the work of the Department is listed imder tlie following 

 headings: 



-Accounts ( )i)ei'ation and I'eisoniiel 



Air .Serxice Reforestation 



Fish and Wildlife Research 



Forest Protectif)n .Sur\e\ s and j-jigineering 



Land and Recreational .\reas Timi^er Management 



Law 



