DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1928 111 



of the Pukaskwa Area were photographed, and in certain portions additional 

 information added by sketching. Both of the above operations were completed. 



In the Sault District, it was proposed to survey a tier of townships lying 

 adjacent to the Mississaga Reserve and extending along the south and southwest 

 boundaries. Owing to the impossibility of allotting suitable flying for this 

 operation, except in the early spring and late fall, when machines were respec- 

 tively leaving and returning to the hangar, this operation was not entirely 

 completed. 



In the North Bay District, it was proposed to prepare a map of all of the 

 district lying north of the Timagami Lakes and west of the T. & N.O., with 

 the exception of those settled townships in the Haileybury clay belt. Eighty 

 per cent, of this area has been covered, but here again unfavourable weather 

 prevented completion. 



On the whole, weather during the past season has been very unfavourable 

 to Aerial Survey, rain and cloudy weather having been above average over the 

 majority of the Provincial Fire Districts. This is indicated by a drop in the 

 proportion of survey flying, as shown in flying records for the current season, 

 and also by the fact that despite a larger allottment of personnel and machines 

 than in 1927, only two out of six major survey operations were completed. 



In addition to interfering with proposed survey schedules, however, weather 

 conditions in the past season have also served to emphasize the advantages which 

 a better type of aircraft would provide. This arises from the ability of such 

 aircraft to take advantage of a greater proportion of available survey weather. 

 Since neither aerial sketching nor photography can be carried out until the 

 machine has reached a certain position and altitude, some portion of all survey 

 flying — ^ven under ideal weather conditions — is non-effective. Under adverse 

 weather conditions and with relatively poor performing aircraft, this wastage 

 is at a maximum. Figures can be readily prepared to show that the increase in 

 the effective time will more than offset the cost of higher grade aircraft for survey 

 work. 



Apart from weather conditions, however, Aerial Survey enjoyed a most 

 successful season. This resulted from the fact that for the first time since the 

 beginning of Departmental Flying, personnel and machines were specially 

 allotted for this work. It is recommended that this arrangement be continued. 



3. Radio Communication. 



As a result of last year's experience, three new stations were installed in 

 the Hudson District, bringing the total in this area to seven. Beginning with 

 July 1st, all western stations were put on a commercial basis and up to October 

 have collected sufficient revenue to make radio communication self-supporting 

 in this district. Records show that these charges have not decreased the amount 

 of bona fide traffic; they have to a great extent weeded out indiscriminate 

 messages, however, to the benefit of the whole operation. It is also worthy of 

 note that this service supplied at cost to the public has not interfered with the 

 Branch's use of the radio service, Branch messages having received priority over 

 all other traffic at all times. It has been decided to keep four stations in operation 

 over winter, in order to accommodate the mining development in the Red Lake 

 District. 



In addition to this service in the Hudson District, two stations were estab- 

 lished this year in the North Bay District, to provide communication between 

 Timagami Ranger Headquarters and Maple Mountain Tower. This is the 

 Branch's first radio tower communication installation. Communication was 



