1907 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 181 



''Perhaps, however, the most striking proof of the early improvidence 

 of the Government in its disposal of the waste lands in the Province, is to 

 be found in the fact, that from 1763 to 1825, during which period the popula- 

 tion had slowly grown up to 150,000 souls, the quantity granted or engaged 

 to be granted by the Crown was upwards of 13,000,000 acres, while during 

 the thirteen subsequent years, in which the population increased from 

 150,000 to 400,000, the quantity disposed of, including the sale of the Clergy 

 Peserves, is under 600,000 acres. A fact such as this needs no comment." 



Timbered Land Grants. 



The bearing of this condition of affairs upon the lumber trade, and the 

 management of the forests remaining in the hands of the Crown as a source 

 of revenue, can be very easily appreciated. The land alienated in such 

 extensive areas, far beyond any possible demand for settlement for many 

 years, was in many instances covered with valuable timber. Those engaged 

 i.i lumbering operatiijns speedily discovered that in many cases it was a 

 good deal more profitable to buy wooded land than to pay even the moder- 

 ate price charged for timber licenses. 



The quantity of cheap unimproved land in the market and the readi- 

 ness with which grants were obtained, seriously diminished the revenue 

 from licenses, induced reckless and improvident methods of lumbering, and 

 made it profitable to buy land for the sake of stripping it of the growing 

 timber and leaving it waste and unproductive. The principle embodied in 

 repeatedly issued instructions from the Home Government of setting aside 

 •permanent forest reserves and confining grants for settlement to such lands 

 as were adapted for agriculture, having been disregarded, much of the 

 area covered by the extensive grants made was capable of producing noth- 

 ing but timber to advantage and once denuded became practically value- 

 less, until the slow processes of nature should have renewed the forest 

 vegetation. 



A few extracts from the evidence taken before the Assistant Commis- 

 sioners of Crown Lands and Immigration in 1838 .which furnished the basis 

 for the Hon. Charles Puller's report, indicates how injuriously the abuse 

 of the land granting system affected the public interests, both in reference 

 to the revenue from timber licenses and the preservation of the forests. 

 They also comprise much valuable information as to the g-eneral condition 

 and prospects of the lumber trade at that period. The evidence is given in 

 the form of question and answer, the following being taken from the testi- 

 mony of .John Davidson, one of the Commissioners of Crown Lands for 

 Lower Canada, in relation to matters in that Province. 



Lavd Cheaper than Timber. 



Q. "According fto the price required for timber licenses under thJe 

 Treasury instructions may it not be cheaper to purchase land for the sake 

 (;f the timber merely, than to pay for a license?" 



A. "It may be so, and an instance came to my knowledge of an 

 attempt of the kind in the newly surveyed township of Wakefield, which I 

 however defeated by directing the agent not to accept bids, unless from per- 

 sons whom he believed to be intending settlers." 



Q. "Have you then the power of rejecting an offer made to purchase 

 land made at a public auction? 



A. "Under the conditions of sale publicly read by the agent no 

 sale is valid until confirmed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands." 



