Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for fiscal year ending March 31, 1950 Page 108 



News Releases 



During the year the Weekly News Release aptly named "Conservation Corner" 

 was issued regularly to every newspaper throughout the Province in addition to Radio 

 Stations, many magazines, outdoor writers and Game and Fish Protective Associations. 

 The fifty-two issues of this release averaged about 1,800 words weekly with a grand 

 total of approximately 93,600 words. This material received a wide coverage from 

 both the press and radio and has proved of very great value in keeping the public 

 well informed. 



In addition to the News Release, it was found desirable to issue some 47 

 press releases for immediate circulation through news agencies. These press items 

 contained urgent matters of public interest which it was felt should have immediate 

 release rather than wait for the regular channel. 



Radio 



As indicated elsewhere a great deal of radio coverage was secured through 

 news releases and fire prevention appeals. Frequent use was also made of the radio 

 for spot announcements concerning fire hazards and the broadcast of special instruc- 

 tions covering travel in fire areas. 



Assistance was also given in the preparation of several radio scripts relative 

 to departmental administration. 



Advertising 



In connection with its conservation work the Information and Education 

 Section prepared and published some 44 display advertisements with suitable appeals 

 for the prevention of forest fires, law observance and the wise use of the resources. 

 A breakdown of these shows that 17 appeared in publications pertaining to the forest 

 industry; 17 carried their message in National outdoor magazines, while the remaining 

 10 were displayed in special issues of industrial magazines and newspapers. It is felt 

 that appeals of this kind are of very great value because of their brief but direct 

 approach and the fact that they have a wide circulation. 



Necessary administrative advertisements covering timber sales and other like 

 matters to the number of 60 were also placed in newspapers throughout the Province. 



Correspondence 



The volume of correspondence handled by the section showed a slight increase 

 over that of the previous year. The total number of letters of enquiry, requests for 

 publications and other routine matters dealt with approximated 8,065. 



A fairly large proportion of the enquiries were for specific information not 

 readily available in departmental publications, or relating to matters arising out of 

 the various Acts and Regulations. A great deal of literature was distributed as a 

 result of requests for same as well as a means of supplementing the written replies. 



General 



In addition to the activities referred to herein the Section handled a very 

 heavy volume of telephone enquiries from the public as well as personal requests for 

 information and publications. 



