1917-18 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 7 



Lands Undee License. 



The area under license at the close of the fiscal year was 16,888 square miles 

 which was 57414 square miles greater than for previous year. 



Summary of Revenue from Woods and Forests. 



Timber dues $795,004 08 



Bonus - 679,304 17 



Ground rent 87,263 93 



Transfer fee 4,740 00 



Pire protection 189,773 07 



$1,756,085 25 



Culler's Examination. 



Two examinations were held during the year, one at North Bay and one 

 at Kenora. Two candidates succeeded in passing the examination and were 

 duly granted certificates authorizing them to act as Cullers. For names of Cullers 

 who passed at these examinations, see page 63, Appendix 12. For complete list 

 of Licensed Cullers see Minister's Report for 1917. 



I 

 Fire Ranging. 



As pointed out in the Annual Report for 1917, some decided changes were 

 made in methods of forest protection in conformance with the legislation passed 

 during the session of 1917. 



During the season of 1917-18, 9,590 permits for the burning of slash by 

 settlers were issued as against 3,486 permits for the previous season. The acreage 

 covered by these permits for the present season amounted to 39,683 as against 

 15,186 acres for the previous season. The permits are issued by members of the 

 fire ranging staff, and, generally speaking, the settlers co-operate heartily and 

 appear to appreciate the wisdom of the new regulations. 



There were five prosecutions for infringements of the regulations under the 

 Forest Fires Prevention Act, and convictions were registered in all cases. 



The area protected was re-grouped, the new arrangement providing for 32 

 districts instead of 34, each district being in charge of a chief ranger as formerly. 

 The number of territorial inspectors was increased to four instead of three as 

 formerly, their headquarters being at Cochrane, Nipigon, Sudbury and Parry 

 Sound, respectivel)'. The general field work was supervised by a Provincial Super- 

 intendent with headquarters at Sudbury. 



The maximum number of rangers and supervising officers was 1,190. 



Improved methods were adopted to enable a closer check to be kept on the 

 work of all men engaged in forest protection. 



Forest Fires. 



The weather, generally speaking, was favourable for forest protection. As 

 in the case of last season, the railways furnished the most fruitful cause of 

 fires. Over 46 per cent, of the fires reported were of railway origin. Approxi- 

 mately 10 per cent, of the fires reported were caused by careless campers. Eight 

 per cent, of the total number of fires appear to have been caused by the land- 

 clearing operations of settlers. 



