12 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



As an evidence that numbers are still clinging to their old free lots and 

 acquiring title in fee, it may be observed that 245 secured their patents by 

 proving up, this being an increase of twenty-five over last year. 



The privileges extended to returned soldiers of taking up land free in the 

 different portions of Northern Ontario have not been generally exercised by this 

 class of individual as might be expected, and it is with regret that those who 

 have taken advantage of the special regulations, have in the main found difficulty 

 in making a success of pioneering in the north. During the year while only 

 forty-one locations were thus acquired, no less than sixty-eight former holders 

 had their lands cancelled by reason of their inability or failure to perform the 

 necessary settlement duties. 



Detailed figures with regard to Free Grant activities may be examined in 

 Appendix No. 12. 



Sale Lands 



A noticeable increase in the number of persons buying Crown land for 

 settlement purposes occurred during the year. Practically every district in 

 Northern Ontario shows an increase. The largest increase is found in the 

 District of Cochrane, in that portion of the great clay belt traversed by the 

 Transcontinental Railway, where over 1,000 acquired lots as against slightly 

 over 400 for the year 1929. Temiskaming and Nipissing, served by the Temis- 

 kaming and Northern Ontario Railway, added to the number settling the 

 previous year. Other districts when considered in the light of both free grant 

 and sales transactions held their own in comparison with the preceding year. 



Adequate enforcement of timber and wood cutting regulations, which 

 require the individual settler to secure permits for pulpwood, etc., and subsequent 

 clearances, is resulting in a more vigorous attempt on the part of land purchasers 

 to meet their pioneer obligations. Should satisfactory progress be not made 

 towards bona fide clearing and cultivation, clearances are refused and penalties 

 imposed. 



By a system of close checking the spurious operator is having greater 

 difficulty than ever before in evading the law. Purchasers of and dealers in 

 timber or wood, realizing the power of the Department to seize and control 

 raw material taken without clearance, are protecting both the Department 

 and themselves by insisting upon production of clearance papers prior to 

 completing payments under contract. The percentage of withheld amounts is 

 ample to cover the interests of the Crown in the timber or wood. Knowledge 

 of a follow-up practice by Government officials and of such a co-operative move 

 by the purchaser gives an impetus to the settler to make a satisfactory showing. 

 Important arrangements entered into by the Department of Lands and Forests 

 with , the various railways, who have generously co-operated, provide that 

 certificates of accredited agents of the Government be attached to and form 

 part of the shipping bill of lading before any pulpwood or material is accepted 

 for export. 



The Supervisor of Settlement has visited various sections of the different 

 districts throughout the year and reports reasonably healthy progress in clearing 

 land, and while the confused state of business disconcerts all classes of settlers 

 it is noted with satisfaction that many of the pioneer settlers are optimistically 

 proceeding because of their abiding faith in the possibilities of the land. 



