102 EEPORT OF THE Ko. 3 



Appendix No. 38. 

 QuETico Pkovincial Park, 

 Superintendent's Eeport. 



Kawene P.O., October 31st, 1919. 



Honourable Sie^ — 1 beg to submit my report for the fiscal year ending 

 October 31st, 1919. 



The staff consisted this year of ten rangers, and this I think is not enough 

 to patrol the area properly. During the season the water has been exceptionally 

 low, making canoeing much more difficult, and necessitating the cutting of many 

 new portages and building of small dams. The Eva Lake narrows became so 

 low that it precluded the passage of our barge with supplies, and to overcome 

 this difficulty I had a dam built on the outlet which will hold the water at a 

 normal level, thus preventing trouble in the future. 



Some small fires occurred in the Park this summer, but little damage was 

 done, as they ran in old cuttings mostly, and were got under control before reaching 

 timber of value. These fires were caused by lightning, except one which no doubt 

 was due to a camp fire left burning, but we could not ascertain which of three 

 parties was responsible. 



Influenza caused us much worry and trouble in the forepart of the season. 

 Eanger Harry Mack contracted the disease, and died on Basswood Lake although 

 he had every attention and the best medical aid available. 



Moose are very numerous and may be seen anywhere. Deer are also increas- 

 ing rapidly. Very few moose calves have been seen this summer. This has been 

 remarked by many in the vicinity, but is as yet unaccounted for. Beaver-dams 

 may be found on nearly all lakes and rivers. Smaller fur-bearing animals are 

 also increasing. Seven large timber wolves were brought in by my rangers last 

 . winter for which they received bounty. ISTo doubt many more were killed although 

 not found. These animals are terribly destructive on deer, especially in the 

 spring when a crust forms on the snow. The carcasses of deer partially devoured 

 are often seen, and at this time of the year the wolves seldom visit the carcass 

 a second time, preferring to kill a fresh victim. 



Suitable men for rangers have been very hard to get this year, there being 

 a great demand for bushmen in this section. The Shevlin-Clarke Co., of Fort 

 Frances, are operating five lumber camps in the Park this season, mostly in the 

 vicinity of Quetico and Beaverhouse Lakes. Their output will be about twenty 

 millions. 



We have had two very heavy snow storms since October 21st, followed by 

 cold weather, which stopped canoeing and blocked our trails with snow-laden 

 trees. All my available men have been working to clear our telephone line and 

 a trail to Kawene. 



I am preparing to take a quantity of beaver and other fur from the Park 

 as instructed by you and expect a goodly catch. 



One hundred and ninety-five dollars have been collected for Fishing and 

 Guides' Licenses this year, and no doubt many more tourists would visit here 

 Avere it more easy of access to the railway. I have received some communications 



