DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1929 127 



(1) The Sibley Forest Reserve. 



(2) Addition to the Mississagi Reserve. 



(3) Addition to the Timagami Forest Reserve. 



(4) Strip along the Lake Superior shore line, from Nipigon to Rossport. 



(5) North-east of the Nipigon Forest Reserve. 



Of these areas the first four were based on vertical photos, the fifth on 

 obliques. The total area covered is approximately 2,000 sq. miles, the total 

 flying time 218 hours. 



In general the Aerial Survey programme showed considerable progress and 

 although the loss of machines due to the severe hazard conditions, seriously 

 crippled operations, favourable weather towards the end of the season made it 

 possible to complete all but two of the season's allotted operations. 



3. Radio Communication. 



During the past season, a total of eighteen stations were operated. These 

 may be divided into three groups corresponding to the Hudson, Cochrane and 

 North Bay Districts. 



In the Hudson, a total of thirteen stations (an addition of six) were 

 operated, including two, one at Gold Pines and another at Sioux Lookout which 

 were used very largely for commercial work. . In the Cochrane District, two 

 new stations were operated and in the North Bay three, being one more than in 

 the previous season. 



In point of use there is considerable difference between the Eastern and 

 Western stations. In the Hudson Inspectorate, communication is largely used 

 between District and Ranger Headquarters, this service being required because 

 of the lack of land line communication of any kind throughout the area in 

 question. For the same reason, the demand and necessity of supplying a com- 

 mercial service has also arisen. 



In the two small eastern units, however, the use of radio is more definitely 

 restricted to a specialized type of communication, in particular to communication 

 with lookout towers. There is at present very little call for a commercial service 

 in either of the Eastern areas since land lines have already been generally con- 

 structed throughout this territory prior to the establishment of the Department's 

 present organization. . 



In addition to the land stations described above, which are classified as 

 "permanent" as distinguished from portable, the radio service has also designed 

 and constructed two other types of radio apparatus which it is expected will be 

 of value in the Branch's work. These are (a) a portable set; (b) an aerial set. 



In describing the portable set, it should perhaps be noted that the permanent 

 sets already dealt with, since their total weight of six hundred odd pounds can 

 be broken down into units of about two hundred pounds or less, are themselves 

 "portable." The sets at present under consideration, however, have been 

 especially designed for light weight and intermittent service. Two types have 

 been developed (1) a battery operated set (2) a gas-engine-generator set. Because 

 of its relative simplicity, the battery set was completed first and was given an 

 actual test on fire-fighting operations during the present season. The set was 

 found to have ample power and maintained schedules without failure. The gas- 

 engine-generator set was completed and while it has not been actually tried on 

 a fire-fighting operation, has been given an equivalent test as regards distance 

 and general working conditions. The set operated with entire satisfaction. 



In considering these two types, it might be noted that the complete weight 



