1921-22 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS U 



Cullers' Examination. 



Two examinations were held during the year, one at Callander and one 

 at Fort Frances, on the 3rd day of October, 1922. 



Six candidates successfully passed the examination and were duly granted 

 licenses authorizing them to act as Cullers. 



(For names of Cullers who passed at this examination, see Appendix No. 10, 

 page 38.) 



(For complete list of Licensed Cullers see Minister's Reports for 1917, 

 1918, 1919, 1920 and 1921). 



Timber Commission. 



The Timber Commission appointed in March, 1920, to report on the admin- 

 istration of the timber resources of the Province, published three interim reports, 

 as stated in last year's Departmental report and submitted its main or final 

 report in June 1922. 



The report has been regularly printed and speaks for itself. 



As a result of or during the Timber Investigation a sum approximating 

 $122,000 was collected as trespass and over-run charges. 



From a monetary point of view the fact should not be overlooked that in 

 addition to this amount the Crown succeeded in its court action against the 

 Shevlin-Clarke Company, which action was instituted following an interim 

 report of the Commissioners on the Timber Investigation. 



The decision of the Court declared that the Agreement made by the Ontario 

 Government with Shevlin-Clarke in respect of berths 45 and 49 Quetico Reserve 

 was illegal and held that the company should pay, instead of $7 per M ft. B.M. 

 for the pine, $17.60 per M ft. B.M. Doyle Rule, in addition to Crown Dues. 



This difference in the rate meant a payment to the Crown of approximately 

 $170,000, to cover the increased rate on the timber cut, and approximately 

 $900,000 on the timber still remaining to be cut under the estimates made, 

 so that the decision of the Court in respect of these berths will ultimately add 

 to the Crown's revenue more than $1,000,000 above that which would have 

 come had the investigation not proceeded and the case not been instituted. 



Two other court actions were contemplated against the Shevlin-Clarke 

 Company, one to recover certain monies alleged by the Crown to have been 

 due it from the Company because of too great an over-run, and a second action 

 was instituted with a view to having the Court declare invalid the sale of berth 

 51 to the Company. 



A settlement was reached whereby the Company agreed that in consideration 

 of the withdrawal of the action against it, the sum of $250,000 cash would be 

 paid. The agreement closed out all the actions including that of the Company 

 which proposed to proceed with its appeal against the Crown in the case of 

 berths 45 and 49. Under an Act of the Legislature, being Cap. 20, 12—13 George 

 V, the agreement and licenses of the Company were duly confirmed. 



CROWN SURVEYS. 



Survey of Crown lands in the northern part of the Province, consisting of 

 base and meridian lines, township boundaries, lake and river traverse, have 

 been carried on in compliance with the several instructions issued. 



The survey of the Ontario-Manitoba boundary line was also continued to 

 the twelfth base line of Dominion surveys in Manitoba. 



