30 CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



In the Dominion territory the greater portion is still unlicensed, and 'to meet the 

 circumstances we formed the system which I thought was best adapted, and we ap- 

 pointed rangers. The greater part of the territory being unlicensed,' the government 

 would of course pay tho greater share of the cost of keeping this system going, the 

 idea being that the lumbermen should pay one-half of the cost of guarding their own 

 limits. This system was carried out. 



This being for such a wide territory, we had to have some system of control or 

 inspection, or supervision, and as this railway belt in British Columbia is not owned 

 by the railway company but by the Dominion government (having been given to it as 

 the province's contribution for the building of the railway), I thought it was particu- 

 larly desirable that that portion should be guarded, as it contained a great deal of 

 valuable timber. 



The first thing I did was to find an efficient officer to supervise and administer 

 the rangers that were to be put to work there. This district was so far away that it 

 would be a matter of great difficulty to administer it properly from Ottawa. I do not 

 need to say anything more than what has already been said as to the fitness of the 

 man I selected, or whom I recommended as supervisor of that district. I do not think 

 it is necessary for me to tell you that he has proven himself exceedingly efficient in 

 the discharge of iris duties in which he has been engaged for the past four years. You 

 bare had an idea of the good work he has done from what Mr. Jones told you this 

 morning. 



It may seem to you something like a sort of a mutual admiration society to hear 

 us talk of each other in this way, but it certainly has been the greatest pleasure to 

 me to hear the testimony borne by those who have contributed to the cost of this fire- 

 ranging system. It has been a great pleasure to me to hear their approbation of the 

 system, and their appreciation of Mr. Leamy's success in the administration of it. 



Just a word with reference to the timber reserves, and to the growing of young 

 timber, especially in the railway belt. 



Ever since I started this work I have been endeavouring to set aside forest re- 

 serves. Now, tne most difficult thing that we have to encounter in this line is to know 

 what we ought to set aside. As Mr. Leamy has pointed out to you, there are certain 

 places in British Columbia which have been burned over, and where, although there is 

 not much meichantable timber, the country is best adapted for the growth of valuable 

 timber, and is covered with a growth of young trees. We intend to set this aside. 



There might possibly be a wrong inference drawn from Mr. Jones' remarks. He 

 mentioned the fact that this young timber was mostly jack pine. I think he referred 

 to one district only. 



Mr. JONES. On the Columbia river. 



Mr. STEWART. If you go out farther west you will see that there are some mag- 

 nificent young forests of fix growing up on the mountain sides. 



With regard to the forest reserves, I just want to say this. Within the last two 

 months, before the session was opened at Ottawa, I recommended the passing of a 



