14 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



The rigid retrenchment policy due to the continued depression was fol- 

 lowed in the administration of the Park, a reduced temporary staff and a re- 

 alignment of duties resulting. 



Certain repair work incidental to storms and natural growth on portages 

 necessarily was deferred, although four new portages were completely cut 

 out and five of the overgrown canoe routes cleaned up. The limited ranging 

 staff, however, found it difficult to maintain a close check over such a wide 

 area and were compelled to be ultra vigilant to prevent violations of the Park 

 regulations. 



As a rule when employment is scarce attempts at poaching increase, and 

 yet the Park was reasonably free from such nuisance during the past year. 

 A total of 25 wolves were trapped, while certain beaver skins were confiscated 

 along with equipment consisting of traps, blankets and cooking utensils. 



Each year a large number of pickerel spawn is taken from the waters of 

 the Park by the Department of Game and Fisheries for distribution in other 

 parts of the Province. During last season no less than twenty million were 

 thus taken. 



Non-residents to the number of 235 procured fishing licenses last summer, 

 and it is predicted that with the upturn of good times in the United States 

 larger excursions to the Park will follow. 



This segregated and protected area provides an important nucleus or 

 breeding ground for wild life, which freely trek beyond the borders of the 

 Park and tend to augment the game supply in adjacent areas. 



PROVINCIAL LAND TAX ACT 



This Act has been in force for several years and was designed primarily 

 to cover those holding lands in Unorganized territory who did not contribute 

 anything to the Provincial revenue, although they directly benefitted from the 

 general improvements made and different conveniences provided. Substantial 

 areas such as railway land grants, veteran grants and other holdings now con- 

 trolled by large operative Companies are assessible under the Act, and while 

 tax collections have been slow during the last few years there is a revenue of 

 around One Hundred and Twenty Thousand dollars annually assured. There 

 are large numbers who are in arrears of payments, and as the Act makes 

 provision for a declaration of forfeiture after a given time in the case of arrears, 

 steps are now being taken to issue an ultimatum to all delinquents who, unless 

 they make provision for paying arrears, may be faced with forfeiture, after 

 which certain powers of redemption may be exercised. The Act operates only 

 in unorganized areas but where a School Section is formed in such territory 

 the individual under the Act is subject to only one-half of the regular rate. 



In the event of those in arrears failing to meet their obligations the Crown 

 stands to have returned a large and important number of lots that may be resold 

 or disposed of by lease or otherwise to the advantage of the Province. 



INSTRUMENTS RECORDED 



The number of instruments, as may be noted in Appendix No. 14, totalled 

 1,355, of which 516 covered Mining, the balance Grants, Licenses of Occu- 

 pation, Leases, etc. under the Public Lands Act and Water Power Regulations. 



