1907 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 277 



Circular to Limit-Holders 



The course recommended by Mr. White was approved by the Commis- 

 sioner, Hon. T. B. Pardee, and the same year the following circular was 

 sent to limit-holders throughout the Province. 



The Commissioner of Crown Lands, feeling the importance of creating 

 some better organization for preventing the destruction of the forest by fire, 

 has approved of a scheme, the principal points of which are herein stated 

 to you, so 'that you may, should the position of your limits, make it desir- 

 able, avail yourself of its advantages. 



It is proposed that during the dangerous period, say from the first day 

 of May to the first day of October in each year, there shall be placed on 

 such limits as are exposed to danger a man or men who will be empowered 

 and instructed to use every endeavor to prevent and suppress fires in every 

 way possible, and the ranger who is placed in charge of a limit will be 

 authorized to engage whatever help may be necessary to cope with a danger- 

 ous fire where prompt action is necessary ; these men will be supplied with 

 copies of the "Fire Act," and instructed to post them up in public and con- 

 spicuous places, to visit each person resident on the limit and give them, if 

 thought advisable, a copy of the Act, explaining to them its provisions, 

 penalty for its infraction, etc., and to endeavor to enlist their assistance 

 and sympathy to make the Act effective. 



The Department will leave the limit-holder to suggest the number of 

 men who should be placed on his limit, and as it is of all things necessary 

 that practical bushmen of good judgment and well acquainted with the limit 

 should be selected, he, the limit-holder, will nominate the man to be placed 

 in charge of the limit and his subordinates, if any, the Department reserv- 

 ing the right to limit the number of men to be employed on any limit and 

 also to reject or remove any man whom, it finds unfitted to discharge the 

 duties of the position. 



It is hoped that limit-holders will recognize the necessity for recom- 

 mending men of good judgment and cool temper, who, while fully discharg- 

 ing their duties, will not harass or annoy settlers or others, as, if an animus 

 is created in the breasts of the settlers the scheme will undoubtedly fail to 

 effect the result expected. Limit-holders will be expected to exercise super- 

 vision over these men and see that they thoroughly and effectually perform 

 their duties. 



With respect to remuneration, the Department thinks that the man in 

 charge of a limit should be paid three dollars a day, which should cover 

 board and ordinary expenses, and where subordinates are required, that 

 suitable men can be obtained at two dollars per day, which should also 

 cover board and ordinary expensfis; the men will be appointed bush and 

 fire rangers and instructed from here so as to clothe them with authority 

 under section 14 of the Fire Act, and a copy of the instructions will be 

 furnished each limit-holder. 



As the limit-holder is reaping a large proportion of the benefit, it^ is 

 intended that he should bear one-half of the cost of men and expenses which 

 may be incurred under this scheme. 



The Department will pay wages and expenses and charge to each limit- 

 holder his proportion, which will be made a charge upon the limit, and an 

 account will be rendered at the close of the season, when prompt payment 

 must be made. 



Should you desire to avail yourself of this scheme you will at once 

 address a letter to the Department to that effect, stating the limits you wish 



