Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for fiscal year ending March 31, 1950 Page 70 



DIVISION OF LAW 



The following is a resume of the activities of this Division for the period from 

 the 1st of April, 1949, to the 31st of March, 1950: 



The duties of the Division are as indicated in the Administrative Chart. 



During the 1950 Session of the Legislature there were amendments to five 

 Acts governing the administration of the Department, and The Provincial Parks Act, 

 1950, was created to replace the previous Provincial Parks Act. 



There was a minor amendment to The Surveys Act adding certain townships 

 to the group of townships named in section 21. subsection (2). This was for the 

 purpose of improving administration. 



There were 41 amendments to The Game and Fisheries Act, 1946. Of this 

 number, several were of a minor nature. Some of the major amendments were for 

 the purpose of making it more difficult for hunters and fishermen who have a penchant 

 for evading game laws, by strengthening the legislation in instances where technical 

 defences with respect to violations had previously been successfully pleaded. A few 

 years ago a provision was made for the sealing of beaver pelts. This proved so success- 

 ful in minimizing the illegal trapping and shipment of beaver that an amendment to 

 seal fisber and marten is expected to lessen illegal trapping and shipping of these 

 species also. 



More flexibility in the creation of open seasons for taking certain furs and 

 animals is provided by allowing regulations to be made by the Minister rather than 

 by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. 



A new section was added to The Public Lands Act to allow greater freedom in 

 the issue of Letters Patent to actual settlers who have complied with the statutory 

 settlement reciuirements. 



The previous Provincial Parks Act was repealed, and a new Act allowing greater 

 facility of administration of the vast recreational areas of the Province is established. 



An amendment to The Forest Fires Prevention Act substitutes for the words 

 "close season" the words "fire season". As the words "close season" are frequently 

 used in the Game and Fisheries Act, it was felt that the public would more readily 

 understand the intent of the phrase "fire season" when used in the Forest Fires 

 Prevention Act. 



There was a minor amendment to The Provincial Land Tax Act which does 

 not affect the public generally. 



During the year the Chief of the Division appeared in various courts on 

 Departmental business. Some appearances were for matters arising under the Game 

 and Fisheries Act, but the majority concerned appeals under the Provincial Land 

 Tax Act. In addition, discussion groups were held with conservation officers in 

 various districts for the purpose of discussing enforcement problems. Lectures were 

 given to various classes at the Ranger School dealing with the Statutes, regulations 

 made thereunder and instructions with respect to enforcement matters. 



