202 KEPORT OF ONTARIO GAME No. 52 



the benefit of the public treasury. It would seem, therefore, that were 

 it possible to do so, it would be mosit advisable to make fresh treaties 

 with the Indians in these localities and transfer them to other reserva- 

 tions at a distiance from the reserves. 



One, point, however, strongl}?^ in favour of the Indian and half-breed 

 must be mentioned, namely that wihen out of reach of the illicit purveyor 

 of strong liquors he is not only in most instances simple and trustworthy, 

 but from his very methods of existence a most proficient woodsman, in 

 the sense that paths and tnacks of the forest stretch out before him like 

 an open map should he only once Wave traversed them, and that tlie ways 

 and secrets of wild life are known to him from his early childhood. 

 Perhaps, therefore, it might be posisible to take advantage of these traits 

 in the Indian character, alike to the benefit of the Indian and of the 

 general public. In the less accessible reserves, and, in fact, in the 

 remoter sections of the forest area which are now or will be shortly 

 patrolled by government rangers, there would seem to be an opportunity 

 of turning the Indian to good account. Under adeqnate supervision 

 there is no apparent reason why he should not become an efiicient 

 ranger. Starting with a great initial advantage over the average white 

 man in the matter of woodcraft, he is equally, if not more, expert than 

 the average white man as a canoeist also. He is not afraid of being 

 alone in the woods and can travel from point to point rapidly, dispen- 

 sing with much of the impedimenta which would be considered indis- 

 pensable by the ordinary white ranger. It would, indeed, but be neces- 

 sary to explain to him the nature of the duties he was expected to per- 

 form and to make arirangements for insuring the superviision that in 

 any ease would be indispensable. Well supplied with food the necessity 

 or temptation to hunt would disappear, for as before observed the 

 Indian is not as a rule wasteful in regard to provisions. Perhaps the 

 main objection to employing the Indian in this fashion would be held 

 to rest in confiding into his hands the authority of ranger and warden 

 in regard to white men working in the woods. In as much, however, as 

 he is no great linguist, and uneducated to dis)tinguish between the vari- 

 ous classes of w:hite men, it would seem that he could be counted on to 

 discharge his duties without fear, favour or affection. Two instances, 

 at least, in this Province of the employment of Indians for this purpose 

 have proved thoroughly successful, and it would appear that in the more 

 general application of the principle might be found a solution to the 

 many difficulties and problems connected with the Indians in the wilder 

 regions. 



Recommendations. 



Your Commissioner would, therefore, recommend: — - 

 (1) That a resident hunting license of fl.lO, as recommended in 

 the Interim Report of this Commission, be imposed without delay for the 

 privilege of hunting any species of game in the Province for Avhich no 



