DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1928 15 



By gradually adding to existing reserves and applying modern methods of 

 protection it is confidently expected that Ontario will be fully competent to 

 provide constant and diversified industries in connection with her timber wealth 

 for future generations. 



With a view to carrying into further effect the policy of fostering the timber 

 resources and the allied industries dependent thereon, legislation will this coming 

 session be sought. 



Sales 



In pursuance of the declared policy and practices of the Government, 

 timber areas throughout the past year were all offered for sale by public compe- 

 tition to provide opportunities, however, only for those individuals or companies 

 with important vested interests concerned in continuing their established busi- 

 nesses. Quite true in certain cases the successful tenderer proved to be other 

 than the prospective buyer, but this fact alone justifies advertising the areas 

 and requiring sealed tenders. 



The prices received were satisfactory; in over seventy per cent, of the sales 

 the upset price of the Crown was exceeded while in no instance was a tender 

 awarded at a price less than the upset one. Close cruises and estimates are 

 made, the report of the officers with regard to local conditions being a guide in 

 determining a fair upset competitive price. 



From a perusal of the list of areas disposed of covered by Appendix No. 11 

 of this Report, it may be observed that of 71 areas sold only 11 might be deemed 

 pulp propositions, some of these being very small. The general uncertain 

 conditions of the paper industry did not justify offering pulp limits for sale. A 

 declining market lessens competition and naturally interferes with the stumpage 

 price. Prices for spruce pulp varied from simple dues of $1.40 a cord in the 

 Kenora District to $3.27 a cord in the Thunder Bay District, while balsam prices 

 ranged from $1.20 a cord in the Cochrane District to $3.15 a cord in the Thunder 

 Bay District. Other types of pulpwood such as poplar, jack pine, etc., brought 

 50c. to $2.15 a cord. 



Log timber sales show an interesting study; the large pine areas were 

 secured by such old reliable firms as Keewatin Lumber Co., Kenora, whose 

 mills in this district are important labour users, Shevlin-Clark, Ltd., with a 

 substantial plant at Ft. Frances, J. A. Mathieu, Ltd., with an extensive operating 

 mill at Rainy Lake, Mageau Lumber Co., Ltd., with an excellent sawmill at 

 Field on the Sturgeon River, George Gordon & Co., Ltd., of Cache Bay, and the 

 Spanish River Lumber Co. Ltd., of Sudbury, both of which firms have been 

 operating in the Sudbury region for many years and employing regularly through- 

 out the year a large staff of workmen. While 71 areas were sold, 37 of these were 

 under two square miles each, 16 were 10 square miles or under, and 18 over 10 

 square miles. The big operator that runs his mill on a mass production basis 

 to the small portable mill owner was represented. The jobber and contractor 

 also came in for a fair share of the offerings. 



The estimated quantity of each type of timber is incorporated in the adver- 

 tised conditions of sale, and a map of the area is furnished, and prospective 

 bidders not only have such information before them but are invited to apply for 

 further material bearing on the watershed area, driving and transportation faci- 

 lities, and the quality of the timber offered. 



Thus fortified, interested parties require much less time to investigate given 

 areas than was necessary years ago when cruisers' estimates and reports upon 

 the physical characteristics of limits were jealously guarded and privately main- 



