REPORT OF THE No. 3 



LAND TRANSACTIONS 



Settlement 



Normal activity continued in land settlement throughout the fiscal year 

 just closed. While the acreage sold for settlement purposes was less, to a 

 certain extent than the preceding year, the actual purchases increased, largely 

 within the area traversed by the Transcontinental Railway. 



The unit of farm holdings having been reduced from 160 to 80 acres in 

 the Great Clay Belt accounts for the decrease in acreage. The departure in 

 thus allotting land was induced by a desire to promote more intensive cultiva- 

 tion, encourage more compact settlement and a greater measure of community 

 life. Although some criticism has been offered to this policy it is confidently 

 expected that these anticipated results will materialize and a more economic 

 method of road building and local improvements will accrue to the advantage 

 of the Province and the pioneer agricultural communities. 



Certain group settlements established in the Clay Belt along the Trans- 

 continental and in the northwest part of the Province, referred to in last year's 

 report, continue to make progress and are already taking steps to enlarge the 

 circle of colonization within their respective zones by inviting relatives and 

 friends to migrate from other climes and share the lot of their earlier pioneer 

 brethren. 



Their lands being well covered with pulp and the markets of th«e world 

 being opened to the bona-fide settler, afford golden opportunities to secure 

 ready money in the early stages of clearing and cultivating land. Their lot is 

 made more easy through the Government's system of making loans for the 

 purchase of seed grain and farm stock and otherwise granting assistance by 

 establishing experimental farms and making substantial grants for education 

 and certain legitimate public enterprises. The hardy settlers of the newer 

 districts are now brought in to closer touch with the seat of government through 

 contact with the Supervisor of Settlement, whose regular visits conduce to a 

 better understanding of the needs of the different sections. 



Several propositions have been submitted and considered during the year 

 for the establishment of new settlements on a colony basis. Recognizing that 

 the future growth and assured industrial and commercial prosperity is dependent 

 upon a steady increase in population, the Government is prepared to encourage 

 the right type of immigrant and place him on land where, with a reasonable 

 application of the principles of industry and thrift, he will succeed in hewing 

 out and building up a real permanent home. 



Checking System 



Precautionary measures are regularly taken to ensure an adequate ful- 

 fillment of the settlement regulations and although "Eternal Vigilance" is a 

 recognized watch term with official inspectors, certain individuals under the 

 guise of colonizing go into possession of land and in wholesale fashion strip 

 the pulpwood therefrom. Systematic checking both on work done and in 

 issuing clearances on a holdback co-operative system with purchasers is proving 

 an effective remedy. Just penalties in each case are discouraging the pulp- 

 wood pirate and bringing to the Crown a revenue to which it is properly en- 

 titled. All legitimate settlers in their wood operations are duly protected 

 and afforded every facility within reason of securing early clearances to enable 

 them to market their pulpwood. 



