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BEPORT OF THE No. 3 



grant and asked for application forms. As the time for receiving these applications 

 expired on 30th September, 1908, these application forms could not be sent to them. 



During the year there have been 76 certificates located covering 13,018 acres in 

 the townships open for veterans, making in all a total of 8,174 certificates located. 



There were 12 certificates surrendered to the Crown for the $50.00 commuta- 

 tion money, this makes^a total of 3,254 certificates surrendered. 



In 18 cases the certificates have been surrendered and applied in payment of 

 lands purchased from the Crown, covering in all 2,736 acres, making a total of 760 

 certificates that have been applied in this manner. 



During the year there have been 132 patents issued for lands located by 

 veterans, making a total of 7,064 thus disposed of. 



The total number, therefore, of certificates that have now been redeemed is 

 12,251, leaving 1,747 still outstanding. 



Under the Act 1st Edw. VII, Cap. 6, and amendments thereto covering these 

 grants it is necessary for all locatees of the lands granted under this Act to apply 

 for their patents for such land before ten years have expired from date of location. 

 If this application for patent is not made within the ten years then the land comes 

 under the settlement regulations, and unless the settlement duties are proceeded 

 with, the locations are liable to cancellation. Previous to the expiration of the ten 

 years after location, the Department has sent a notice to each veteran who should 

 apply for his patent stating this fact, and in this manner have saved many of the 

 locations from becoming subject to the settlement duties. See Appendix Xo. 11, 

 page 37. 



Financial Aid to Settlers. 



Under the Legislation passed at the Session of 1916, a Settlers' Loan Com- 

 mission was appointed. 



The Loan Commissioner will have available, out of the Northern Ontario De- 

 velopment Fund, money to advance to settlers on the land, chattels and crops. The 

 loan will bear a low rate of interest and the patent to the land will be held as final 

 security. 



Applicants for loans will deal directly with the Loan Commissioner thus avoid- 

 ing delay and expense. The appointment of the Loan Commissioner was 

 made in time, and the office sufficiently organized, to render useful and satis- 

 factory service to many who suffered in the recent disastrous fire in Northern 

 Ontario. One hundred thousand dollars was set aside out of the fund to assist 

 settlers. The full weight of this tragedy was hardly realized in the older portions 

 of the Province. The call for help that came from the north was insistent, but the 

 response was ready. Trains were despatched from North Bay carrying doctors, 

 nurses, medical supplies, food and clothing. Once the physical wants of the people 

 were cared for the problem of re-habilitating the district, and preventing a re- 

 currence of the horror, was taken up. The Loan Commissioner was able, with the 

 money placed at his disposal, to co-operate with the Department in securing supplies 

 of lumber and other necessities to enable the settlers to build homes against the 

 coming winter. 



During the period from August 12th to October 31st, 1916, 606 applications 

 for loans were received covering an aggregate amount of $230,800. 



Owing to conditions existing in the district of Temiskaming, caused by the 

 disastrous fires, every effort was made to grant as much assistance as possible to 



