DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1931 13 



tiguous areas, a change was effected under which J. H. McDonald, who had 

 been District Forester at Pembroke, was appointed Superintendent in September, 



1930, but took ill shortly thereafter and died on January 1st, 1931. Because of 

 illness it was impossible for him to make much progress on the programme that 

 was being mapped out for future organization. Mr. Mark Robinson, an old, 

 tried Ranger and a naturalist of note, acted in a temporary capacity until May, 



1931, when a permanent appointment was made in the person of Mr. Frank A. 

 MacDougall, Forest Engineer, who had proved a competent and efficient 

 servant for some years in the Forestry section of the Department. He had been 

 District Forester at Sault Ste. Marie, and from this position he was promoted 

 to that of Superintendent of Algonquin Park. Mr. MacDougall's academic 

 training, his experience in the Department, his versatility and zealous devotion 

 to duty, backed by a contagious enthusiasm for work and his adeptness at 

 handling men, have largely contributed during the few months to his credit in 

 this new role to the bringing about of a well-ordered and effective organization. 

 As District Forester in succession to Mr. McDonald he is in charge of the 

 Forestry work, which includes forest protection, and as a result of the system 

 which he has evolved, under which both branches are subject to a centralized 

 rather than a dual authority, the Department now has secured more effective 

 control of the Park and Fire Protection Services, succeeded m reducing 

 expenditures for fire protection within the area from those of the previous 

 year by $6,000, abolished unnecessary duplication of work, and eliminated 

 duplication of certain staff, buildings and patrol. 



As Algonquin Park must necessarily remain a great natural recreation 

 centre, and in the future be a greater mecca than ever in the past for visitors 

 from all parts of the globe, it is essential that the capital expenditures, heretofore 

 kept within positively a zero limit, should, when the economic situation justifies, 

 be made on the basis of permanency. The modest headquarters which have 

 now done duty for many years will in due time be remodelled to provide for a 

 more permanent structure that will be consistent with the requirements. The 

 Superintendent, having his residence there, will direct all activities from head- 

 quarters, and it will be the central office for the Forestry and Park Administration. 



Certain important and long-needed improvements were carried out within 

 the Park area proper, consisting of steel tower, boat-house, car-house and 

 aeroplane hangar, in addition to minor undertakings towards beautification and 

 essential services around headquarters. All these works were accomplished in 

 relation to a tentative plan of a permanent character that has been drawn up 

 and will be put into operation by degrees, the idea being to spread capital 

 expenditures over a given period of years and to evolve as circumstances demand 

 a headquarters administrative area that will redound to the credit of the Province 

 and will be an evidence of the constantly growing feeling that public bodies 

 should foster and protect strategic grounds throughout the Province for the 

 advancement of wild life, the encouragement of tourist traffic and the retention 

 of bits of nature unmolested by the artifice of man. 



A new feature in relation to Park administration was the purchase of a 

 flying-machine at a cost of $7,000. It is a three-place Fairchild K.R.-34 biplane, 

 with a wing span of 30 feet. The machine is used for general patrol inspection 

 work, fire detection and transportation, and has already rendered effective 

 service and is available on requisition for the Tweed and Parry Sound Districts. 

 The use of a plane has had a notable influence for good upon the morale of the 

 staff, all of whom are now within personal reach of the Superintendent within 

 a few hours as against days in certain instances formerly. Summer resorters, 



