Inspections were made and estimates of the damages were com- 

 puted by the Inspector of Fur Farms and a Committee from the On- 

 tario Fur Breeders' Association. Total damages wereestimated 

 at |67,260.00. 



A brief was submitted to the Commission on Hurricane Damage 

 and the Ontario Hurricane Relief Fund setting out the extent of 

 damage and it pointed out the urgency of obtaining immediate as- 

 surance of financial assistance in order that the ranchers affected, 

 could make arrangements for replacing their breeding stock prior to 

 the pelting season which would start three weeks hence. 



It is gratifying to report that payments were made from the fund 

 which were considered sufficient to enable the ranchers to re-establish 

 their means of livelihood. 



There has been a constant decrease each year in the number of 

 ranches as compeired to the previous year, since 1947. 1954 proved no 

 exception and a net decrease of 82 ranches is reported* While the 

 number of ranches has decreased, the production of mink in quantity 

 and quality has increased. 



A total of 551 licences were issued in 1954. Of these, 512 were 

 renewals, 37 were new and 2 licences were issued with retroactive pro- 

 visions, to legalize the operations of the ranches during the previous 

 year. 



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