242 REPORT OF ONTARIO GAME No. 52 



to conserve lias been clearly demonstrated. It remains, then, but to out- 

 line a general sclieme by which the reorganization and improvement of 

 the protective services can be effected. 



The main consideration is undoubtedly the creation of an authority 

 with sufficient leisure to master the intricacies of the many problems 

 involved and with sufficient power to initiate and carry through a 

 scheme of reorganization. This matter has, however, already been dealt 

 with and recommendations on the subject made. 



In regard to the j)ersonnel of the outside service, the baneful effects 

 of political patronage and underpayment have been brought to atten- 

 tion and certain recommendations made in regard to them. It has been 

 pointed out that men who are not fitted for their poBitions or who have 

 to engage in other pursuits to earn a living cannot be expected to make 

 really efficient officers, and that one of the main evils of the present 

 system is that the underpaid overseer or warden is liable to be influenced 

 in the discharge of his duties by business affiliations or personal friend- 

 ship, or again overawed by considerations of possible harm to himself 

 or property. It has been shown, in fact, that a permanent force of well 

 paid officials is an imperative necessity at the present time. 



The Province covers such a wide area that the situation both in 

 regard to the fisheries and game differs widely in the various regions. 

 Two inspectors are at present maintained by the Department of Game 

 and Fisheries, but it can hardly be expected of even such capable and 

 efficient officer's as those now occupying these positions that they should 

 be able to fully comprehend the peculiar difficulties occurring in each 

 locality or its individual requirements in complete detail, or that they 

 should be able to see to it that their duties are being properly performed 

 by the various w^ardens and overseers. In fact, this would be an impossi- 

 bility for any two men to accomplish. Having such immense areas to 

 cover they can become intimately acquainted with none in the course 

 of their professional duties, and if they succeed in doing so, it cannot 

 but be by hazard of birth or previous dAvelling in them, or else at the 

 expense of other districts. It is nevertheless essential to efficient and 

 economic administration that the organization in each area should be 

 perfected and the supervision continuous. To attain this objective, 

 therefore, it would seem indispensable that the Province should be subdi- 

 vided into convenient areas, and that in each of them there should be 

 stationed an official who should become intimately conversant with the 

 conditions prevailing in it, and under directions from the controlling 

 executive, both organize and supervise the protective services appor- 

 tioned to it. 



The creation of such officials would imply that in each region there 

 would be an officer of superior intelligence and rank, devoting his ener- 

 gies to its particular necessities and directly interested in solving its 

 individual problems. Not only, indeed, would organization be more 

 easily perfected by this means and supervision afforded, but the con- 



