218 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



A total of 116 tents were purchased in 1922. These were the ordinary style 

 of tent, and used mostly where the rangers must carry their shelter from place 

 to place along their routes. 



In a large part of the Province the only means of travel is by water, and for 

 this purpose fifty-three new canoes and three power boats were added to the 

 equipment. The boat best suited to the requirements is the lumberman's 

 pointer equipped with a six or twelve horse power motor. These boats are strong, 

 seaworthy, and will make a speed of from seven to ten miles per hour. 



A large number of the chief rangers are also ex-officio officers of the Board 

 of Railway Commissioners. These men act as local fire inspectors over railway 

 lines in their districts which are under the jurisdiction of the Railway Com- 

 mission, on a co-operation basis, and are supplied in most cases with railway 

 motor cars. These cars are indispensable for inspection work, and in those 

 districts where the train service is infrequent, afford an excellent means of trans- 

 portation, not only for the chief ranger, but for fire fighting equipment as well. 

 Seven of these cars were purchased during the season. 



Portable forest fire fighting units have proved to be the most valuable part 

 of our equipment. The unit consists of a small pump driven by a 5-6 horse 

 power gasoline motor, all mounted on a metal base, and capable of throwing a 

 good stream of water at the end of fifteen hundred or two thousand feet of hose. 

 The unit itself weighs about one hundred and twenty pounds and can be trans- 

 ported without difficulty, either by canoe or back-pack. An unlined one and one- 

 half inch linen hose is used, in one hundred foot lengths, weighing about twenty 

 pounds per hundred feet. These pumps have been operated continuously for as 

 much as fourteen hours, and have been estimated to be equal to forty men. 

 Sixteen units were purchased at the beginning of the season, and it is desirable 

 that at least as many more may be procured for next season. 



In the more settled parts of the fire districts light motor trucks can be used 

 to good advantage, not only for inspection purposes, but for the transportation 

 of fire fighting equipment. Two such trucks were purchased. 



For use by the rangers and emergency fire fighting, one thousand blankets 

 were added to the equipment. 



(7) Locomotive Inspection under Board of Railway Commissioners. 



No change was made in the organization of the inspection of fire, protective 

 appliances on railway locomotives, two inspectors devoting their whole time to 

 this work. 



