1908 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS' AND MINES 137 



lions of cords of pulp wood would mean about 150 billions of feet B.M. How 

 much of this would make merchantable lumber it is impossible at the present 

 moment accurately to state, but the quantity will be much larger than some 

 of our theoretical friends are willing to admit. Much of this timber is situ- 

 ated on what is called the "Clay Belt," through which the railway will run, 

 and there will he, no doubt, a large influx of settlers in that country as soon 

 as it is opened up. Then our responsibility will be increased. For the pres- 

 ent the only danger there, apart from the casual wanderer, will be the 

 construction of the Transcontinental. Next summer we shall be confronted 

 with a tremendous problem; probably the construction of the Transconti- 

 nental Eailway will be under way all through that region, and if great 

 precautions are not taken, it may be a line of fire all through that valuable 

 timber. In addition to the line of construction, there will be supply roads 

 to take in materials, foods, etc., an4 these will be additional sources of 

 danger. Just consider, — for a distance of over 600 miles, through a well 

 timbered region, there will be scattered all along the line of railway con- 

 struction thousands of men using fire for many purposes, such as cooking, 

 smoking, smudges for flies, etc., having no interest in the protection of this 

 timber, and consequently recklessly careless. It goes without saying that the 

 Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines is alive to the situation and that he 

 will do his utmost to protect and preserve the timber by placing fire rangers 

 all along the line, so that everybody may know what law is and that those 

 who are careless may be brought to justice. Notwithstanding all this, unless 

 we have, as we have the right to expect, the active co-operation of the 

 Transcontinental Railway Commission and every one of its officers and 

 employees, such as engineers, contractors, foremen, etc., we shall not, I 

 fear, be able to protect the timber, — but that nothing that can be done will 

 be left undone, goes without saying. 



Now let me sum up the situation for you : 



The total area of the Province of Ontario, exclusive of the Great Lakes 

 is estimated to be one hundred and forty millions of acres. Of this there is 

 surveyed forty-six millions of acres, leaving an area unsurveyed of ninety- 

 four millions of acres. There have been alienated by sales, location, etc., 

 twenty-four millions of acres, leaving still in the Crown one hundred and 

 sixteen millions of acres. 



Miles. 



Licensed before Confederation 12,000 



Licensed since Confederation (about) 12,000 



24,000 

 There is still subject to license nearly 20,000 miles. 



Total receipts from timber since 1867 to the end of '08 |41,250,000 



Total receipts from Lands and Mines from 1867 to the end of '08 9,000,000 



Total 150,250.000 



Pine timber cut since 1867 to end of 1908 24,000,000,000 



Per annum. 



Average cut from 1867 to 1908 578,000,000 



Average cut from 1896 to end of 1907 673,000,000 



Average cut for last two years, 1907-8 710,000,000 



Estimated quantity on licensed lands, still standing 7,000,000,000 



11 L.M. 



