26 FIRST AXXUAL REPORT OF THE 



.aid laws encouraging reforestation of lands now barren and look- 

 ing to the scientific cutting of timber at the head waters of the 

 streams so as to preserve a forest cover, have received careful 

 iittentidn and we hope will meet with the approval of all inter- 

 ested. The codification of the fish and game law is also of great 

 importance and we hope to report a statute so that no violation 

 can be excused by a misunderstanding of its provisions. Many 

 changes and amendments are suggested, possibly the chief of 

 which is that an habitual offender shall receive more severe pun- 

 ishment. Both these reports in full with the modifications and 

 changes recommended will be placed in your hands later as well 

 as the proposed new statutes relating to the conservation of the 

 waste and flood waters of the State. 



The rights of the mill owners on the streams where regulation 

 of the flow is contemplated are being carefully investigated and 

 tabulated. This work involves a complete examination of the 

 earlier laws, under which most of the mill sites were created, and 

 the result is very important and interesting when the question 

 of the manner of making the improvement is taken up. 



During the year 247 actions were settled and 110 otherwise 

 disposed of. One action for trespass resulted in the payment of 

 $10,000 in cash and the ceding to the State of property worth at 

 least $20,000 more. 



IN CONCLUSION. 



State sovereignty necessarily includes among its attributes 

 authority to control and regulate the material resources provided 

 by nature. 



It may be asserted without fear of contradiction that water 

 power is a paramount factor in the State's growth and prosperity ; 

 that the conservation of water in reservoirs and at head-waters, and 

 regulation of the same, would result in a uniform flow, an increase 

 of power, the protection of public and private property from dam- 

 age by flood, the removal of a menace to public health and an im- 

 provement to navigation. 



The State should own and regulate the disposition of whatever 

 additional water power it may create, provide for the proper utili- 

 zation thereof, and dispose of it at such reasonable charge as will 



