1917-18 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 3 



MiLITAEY GeANTS. 



Under the Veteran Land Act I. Edward VII., cap. 6, and amendments 

 thereto have been issued 13,998 certificates, and although the time for receiving 

 applications for these grants expired on the 30th September, 1908, there are still 

 letters being received from men who were entitled to this grant, but claim that 

 they have only now become aware of the fact. The applications therefore could 

 not be accepted and no forms of applications have been sent out. 



During the past year there have been located 23 of these certificates covering 

 3,678 acres in the townships open for veterans, making in alt a total of 8,284 

 certificates thus located. 



In eleven cases the certificates have been surrendered and applied in payment 

 of lands purchased from the Crown, covering in all 1,760 acres making a total of 

 785 that have thus been applied. 



There were three certificates surrendered to the Crown for the $50.00 com- 

 mutation money, making a total of 3,260 certificates surrendered in this manner. 



During the year there have been issued 115 patents for lands located by 

 veterans, and in all 7,337 have thus been disposed of. 



The total number of certificates that have therefore been disposed of is 12,329 

 leaving 1,669 that are still outstanding. 



During the year 15 veteran locations, covering 2,392 acres, were cancelled for 

 the non-performance of the settlement duties to which they became subject on 

 account of being assigned before patent was issued. 



Under the Act I., Edward VII., cap. 6, and amendments thereto covering 

 these grants it is necessary for all locatees of the lands granted under this Act 

 to apply for their patents for such lands before ten years have expired from date 

 of location. If this application for patent is not made within ten years then the 

 land comes under the settlement regulations, and unless the settlement duties are 

 proceeded with, the locations are liable to cancellation. Previous to the expiration 

 of the ten years after location, the Department has sent a notice to each veteran, 

 who should apply for his patent stating this fact, and in this manner have saved 

 many of the locations from becoming subject to the settlement duties. See 

 Appendix No. 11. 



Patents, Leases, Licenses, etc. 



In consequence of the growing diminution during war period of land seekers 

 and land tillers in the northern sections, fewer engrossed instruments were issued 

 during 1918 than the previous^ year by over four hundred, some 1,778 having 

 been prepared last year, as against only 1,351 fox this year. These were made up of 

 741 settlers' patents, 337 mining and 115 veteran grants; the remaining numbers 

 consisted of Crown Leases to the number of 20 covering a variety of subjects, in- 

 cluding water powers, sand and gravel, ranching, etc. Of the last class eight were 

 issued, an increase of seven over the preceding period, probably the most important 

 ranch lease having been issued for a three thousand acre block in the Peterborough 

 district, in Cavendish Township, where already some 350 head of cattle are being 

 regularly maintained; inquiries in respect of the grazing possibilities and the 

 opportunities offered are being constantly made, and the hope is expressed that in 

 the reconstruction period, when the problems of employment and production with 

 their concomitant economic interests are being solved, the vast acres of Ontario 

 waste lands, now unproductive, will not be overlooked as a means to an important 

 end. 



