DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1934 9 



The annual transactions covering agricultural land are steady consistent 

 evidence that during the past one hundred and fifty years Southern Ontario 

 has been scoured from end to end by potential settlers who have taken the 

 productive farm land with the result that below the French River and Lake 

 Nipissing in Ontario there are but limited suitable agricultural lands remaining 

 in the Crown to-day. Consequently the activities for the future must neces- 

 sarily lie in the Clay Belts of the North. 



The above figures do not include those covered by Relief Land Settlement, 

 reference to which is hereinafter made. 



RELIEF LAND SETTLEMENT 



This work has been proceeding since midsummer of 1932 and was briefly 

 dealt with in the Departmental Reports for the fiscal year 1931-2 and 1932-3, 

 and in a separate report by the Relief Land Settlement Committee published 

 in 1933 to cover the work up to and including October 31st, 1933. 



The original Agreement executed between the Federal Government and 

 the Province under the Relief Act, 1932, expired on March 31st, 1934, and in 

 consequence thereof a new Agreement was executed in May, 1934, dating 

 from April 1st, 1934, to March 31st, 1936. 



At the end of the fiscal year on October 31st, 1934, 499 settlers and their 

 families remained on the land and 93 had returned. As a result of this, there 

 are 2,480 souls on the land through the Relief Land Settlement work. Of 

 this number, at the end of the fiscal year, the two-year period under the auspices 

 of the Relief Land Settlement Committee had expired for 134 families. 



A number of those remaining are in difficulty and as yet far from being 

 in a self-supporting condition. There is a small percentage, however, who 

 by virtue of the assistance rendered and the exercise of good judgment and 

 the necessary fortitude have become established. A certain amount of road 

 work has been available to all. A percentage of them have been able to sell 

 wood from their lots whether for fuel, pulpwood or ties. Stock has been 

 purchased; roads have been constructed or improved; and in many cases 

 there is a marked change in appearance and the children especially reflect 

 the effect of the vigorous atmosphere and rugged surroundings fn their colour 

 and sturdy bodies. 



Municipalities participated in the work as follows: 

 356 Settlers from 62 Municipalities to 62 Townships 



143 Settlers from 2 Municipalities (Head of Lakes) to 20 Townships 

 499 Settlers from 64 Municipalities to 82 Townships 



143 Settlers from Head of Lakes hold 9,538 acres — average 66.70 

 356 Settlers from Elsewhere hold 29,142 acres — average 81 .85 



499 38,680 



2,480 Souls now in North— 499 Men; 493 Women; 1,488 Children. 

 Settlers are distributed as follows: 



