DIVISION OF LANDS 



The Public Lands Regulations, which became effective In May 1953# continued 

 without change during the year under review. However certain amendments which 

 would appear to be necessary and desirable to permit further Improvement In land 

 administration are contemplated and will be fully considered for approval during 

 the next fiscal year. 



There were no amendments to The Public Lands Act. 



The policy of setting aside areas of Crown land on lakes and rivers for public 

 uae was constantly kept In mind and further areas have been withdrawn from 

 disposition. This phase of the administration is considered of paramount 

 importance. 



The number of patents Issued for agricultural land In sale townships was 

 considerably fewer than the number Issued during the previous year, while sales and 

 cancellations were slightly higher. 



In Free Grant townships there were fewer locations, cancellations and patents 

 than last year. 



The number of sales of land for summer resort use was somewhat less than last 

 year but there was a corresponding Increase In the number of patents Issued. 



Special Use sales remained at about the same level as In the previous period 

 and were considerably less than In former years. This is due to a policy which 

 provides for more complete checking of applications, with the result that many more 

 are declined than was formerly the case. The number of patents Issued this year 

 was higher than last year. 



Both sales and patents of Townsite Lots decreased in number this year, largely 

 because as pointed out in the last report no new surveys of Crown land into sub- 

 divisions of this nature has been made for many years and the lands remaining in the 

 Crown are constantly being alienated to private ownership. 



There was a slight increase in the number of Land Use permits Issued, which are 

 largely renewals. The number of Leases and Licences of Occupation issued decreased. 



Transactions completed under the Ontario-Dominion Provincial Agreement (Section 

 35 The Veterans Land Act, Canada) decreased in number with respect to agricultural 

 land, and there were no applications for small holdings concluded. 



It is worthy of note that during periods of favourable national economy more 

 land is acquired for recreational use and less for farming purposes. 



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