1922-23 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 7 



Purchased Lands. 



There has been a very marked increase in the area sold during the year, 

 from 121,817 acres last year to 138,130 acres. The number of settlers in sale 

 territory continued to increase last year, reaching 978, while the previous year 

 894 settlers purchased land. 



As a result of continued and systematic inspections the speculator is being' 

 eliminated, and the settler encouraged in completing settlement. It was necessary 

 to cancel only 355 sales during the year, which is about one-third the number 

 cancelled in 1922. Compared also with the previous year, when 140,775 acres 

 were cancelled, it was necessary to cancel only 52,273 acres, while the increase 

 in patents is 143, the total number being 471. This improved condition of 

 affairs not only affects local conditions but very materially assists municipal 

 organizations and community life generally. 



Ranching Lands. 



The ranching industry is somewhat on the increase. Last season was 

 exceptionally dry with the result that sufficient winter fodder in some instances 

 was not produced. More careful selections of grazing areas are being made of 

 land which is naturally well watered. The sheep-raising industry is being 

 continued, a very substantial herd being now ranched north of Cochrane on the 

 T. & N. O. Ry. extension. 



Fur-farming is also on the increase and considerable marsh areas are being 

 acquired, particularly for the protection and propagation of muskrats. The 

 areas leased are as follows: 



Ranching 3,570 acres. 



Fur farming 26,104 acres. 



Military Grants. 



Under Act 1 Edward VII, Cap. 6, and amendments thereto, there have 

 been issued 13,998 Military Certificates. 



As a result of legislation last year, limiting the time in which to locate to 

 the 30th April, 1923, a larger percentage of the outstanding certificates have 

 been located or surrendered to the Crown. 



There were 21 certificates surrendered to the Crown for the $50 commuta- 

 tion money. The small number thus surrendered is accounted for by the fact 

 that the land is worth more than the cash value of the certificate. 



During the year 273 certificates have been located on 41,823 acres, making 

 a total of 8,686 certificates actually located on land. 



There were 480 acres purchased by three certificates being applied in pay- 

 ment thereof, making a total of 806 certificates which have been thus applied 

 on land. 



Of the locations already made under certificates 220 were covered by patents 

 issued during the year, making a total of 7,750 which have been thus disposed 

 of by the Department. 



A large area, 15,752 acres, which had been located to 100 veterans who 

 neglected to perform settlement duties within the time required by the Act, 

 was cancelled and the land redeemed by the Crown. 



The total number of certificates that have therefore been disposed of is 

 12,802, leaving 1,196 that are still outstanding. 



