100 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



The western patrol's main base was at Sioux Lookout, a fairly central point 

 for the region, and one from which there had been some previous flying experience 

 (1921). 



In so far as possible, the eastern and western patrols were of equal importance, 

 and were given the same amount of equipment and personnel, so that each was 

 in itself competent to repair and operate its own machines. In each area there 

 was, therefore, a head t)f the mechanical staff — the station superintendent — 

 charged with the care and operation of the machines, and a Forestry Branch 

 officer — observer-in-charge — whose duty it was to utilize flying to the best 

 advantage on whatever forestry work was required. 



Though provided with the same equipment and organization, the eastern 

 and western patrols did not operate in a similar manner, due to differences in 

 local conditions, fire hazard, communication, etc. 



Detection: 



(a) Western Patrols — In the western area only one machine was per- 

 manently operated away from the main base at Sioux Lookout, its headquarters 

 being Orient Bay, on Lake Nipigon. This machine covered the Nipigon Forest 

 Reserve, came as far east as Longlac, and as far south of the Reserve as Port 

 Arthur and vicinity, an area of approximately twelve million acres. 



The remainder of the western patrol extending from the western boundary 

 of the Nipigon patrol to Manitoba, between the Minnesota boundary and the 

 Lake St. Joseph-Lac Seul-English River waterway was patrolled from Sioux 

 Lookout, comprising an area of some twenty- three million acres, or more than 

 twice the area of the next largest patrol. 



Detached machines in (a) the Quetico region, (b) Minaki, and (c) possibly 

 in the neighbourhood of Collins could have covered this area much more effect- 

 ively with the same amount of flying time, but such operation of machines was 

 found to be only practicable, due to lack of mail and telegraph services, as an 

 emergency measure. 



Communication in Sioux Lookout was particularly difficult due to the camp 

 being located at some distance from the town. Early in the season, a telephone 

 line to connect with the telegraph office was constructed up to the C.N.R. yard 

 limits, but although negotiations for authority to carry this line over the com- 

 pany's property began before construction of the line, it was not until the operat- 

 ing season closed that permission to complete the line was granted. Under 

 these conditions, and as it was not feasible to keep a runner on duty in the 

 telegraph office continuously, delay in delivery and reply to telegrams was 

 unavoidable. Outside of Sioux Lookout and throughout the western district 

 generally, the lack of mail services on C.N.R. lines limits the dispatch of reports, 

 maps, etc., to a tri-weekly service. Time is also lost whenever telegrams must be 

 exchanged between the two telegraph systems — C.N.R and C.P.R. 



Radio communication from machines and sub-bases to Sioux Lookout, and 

 from Sioux Lookout to rangers, would be of the greatest value in this region, and 

 if proper equipment can be procured, should be provided for the coming season. 



(b) Eastern Patrols — In the eastern area, three sub-bases and the Sudbury 

 main base were operated continuously. These were equipped and located as 

 follows: Amyot, two machines, between White River and Franz, on the main 

 line of the C.P.R. ; Como Lake, one machine, twelve miles west of Chapleau; 

 Timagami, one machine, operating from Bear Island, Lake Timagami; Sudbury, 

 one machine, operating from Ramsay Lake (one or two machines under over- 

 haul). 



