DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1930 19 



situation, and yet from Crown lands over one million cords were cut, while last 

 year there were less than five hundred thousand cords. Even on settlers' lands 

 the cut, all of which is free from dues, increased over the previous year by nearly 

 100 per cent., there being operated no less than 917,026 cords as against 461,992 

 cords for the year ending October 31st, 1929. 



Of the total taken from settlers' land, all of which is exportable, only 496,534 

 cords were exported, or 54 per cent, as against 64 per cent, last year. 



In the large operations of such companies as the Abitibi and Spruce Falls, 

 covered by special agreements, the areas to be cut are ear-marked, and the 

 actual cutting is carefully checked by an official of the Department, and adequate 

 measures adopted to ensure satisfactory fulfillment of the terms and conditions 

 of the contract, the basic principle underlying which is the intention to promote 

 forest growth and provide as far as it is possible for a continuous supply of raw 

 material for the consuming plants. 



It is with the keenest regret that the newsprint industry is going through 

 such a perplexing period of uncertainty. This being one of the major national 

 industries its prosperity is of deep concern to the whole country as it has con- 

 tributed so largely to maintaining the balance of international trade. 



So many factors enter into a consideration of the question, such as, amongst 

 others, overproduction, restricted markets resulting from world wide economic 

 depression, European importations and divided efforts towards stabilization, 

 that it is impossible to say within reason what the future will bring. However, 

 there are those whose faith and optimism in the natural resources of the country 

 with the business acumen of the experienced leaders are such as to hope that 

 in the general righting of things the industry in due time will recover from its 

 present illness and assume a stronger position. 



X 



Forest Fire Protection 



The Forest Fires Prevention Act was revised and with the exception of a 

 few minor changes appears to contain all the legislation that is necessary for the 

 present. 



The fire season of 1930 was very similar to that of 1929 with almost every 

 part of the Province experiencing a particularly high hazard at one time or another. 

 The most critical situation developed in the western districts where the fires 

 accounted for 94 per cent, of the total area burned. 



Of the total number of 1,402 fires 54 per cent, occurred before the end of 

 June and burned over 94 per cent, of the total area for the year. 



The total area burned over was 711,809 acres and of this 56.1 per cent, 

 was timber land, 9.8 per cent, cut-over land, 14.1 per cent, young growth and 

 20.0 per cent, muskeg, grass land and barrens. 



The area burned according to causes was: Settlers 3.6 per cent., campers 

 77.6 per cent., railways 1.7 per cent., lightning 8.3 per cent., logging operations 

 0.8 per cent., smokers 0.8 per cent., road construction 0.1 per cent., miscellaneous 

 3.2 per cent, and unknown 3.9 per cent^rSee Part II of this report for details. 



Forest Surveys and Investigation 



Forest surveys were carried on over the unlicensed Crown lands of the 

 Timagami and Georgian Bay Provincial Forests and covered in all 975 square 

 miles. 



