1912 AND FISHERIES COMMISSION. 279 



The possibilities of agriculture liaving been destroyed, domestic auinials 

 having perished for want of provender, man, in his extremity, in a bar- 

 ren and desolate land, would be driven to the necessity of becoming 

 cannibalized, or subsisting exclusively on a diet of fish. Even granting 

 that only a portion of what the eminent Frenchman asserts is true, it is 

 easy to glean from his theory that birds are man's best allies, and should 

 be protected, not only on account of their innocence, bright plumage 

 and inspiring songs, but because they render to the farmer valuable 

 assistance every day," 



It would seem, therefore, that not only is the education of ttlie peo- 

 ple to an appreciation of the value of the fish, game and birds of the 

 Province a necessity, but that in its undertaking there is ample scope 

 for cordial co-operation between the Departments of Agriculture and 

 Grame and Fisheries. Mr. C. W. Nash, the eminent ornithologist and 

 ichthyologist, hv means of a series of lectures to farmers, has done ex- 

 cellent work in this direction, and your Commissioner believes that the 

 broadening and extending of such a system, together with the free dis- 

 tribution of educative bulletins on all matters appertaining to the sub- 

 ject, would produce most far-reaching and satisfactory results. 



Your Commissioner would also point out that the duties of certain 

 of the officials of the Department of Lands, Forests and Mines, such 

 as tthe fire rangers, as well as those of the newly organized provincial 

 constabulary, bring them into close touch with matters intimately con- 

 nected with fish and game protection, and that the loyal co-operation 

 of these officers in the enforcement of the game laws and fishery regu- 

 lations is most earnestly to be desired. The provincial eonstabulary 

 force, under its new chief, may well prove an invaluable aid to the offi- 

 cers of the Department of Game and Fisheries, for it is, to a certain 

 extent, a secret service; and will, therefore, at times have in its posses- 

 sion information not otherwise procurable by the Department of Game 

 and Fisheries. 



As regards corporations, who are in a position to co-operate 

 with the Department of Game and Fisheries, and whose co-operation 

 it would seem most advisable to secure, your Commissioner would 

 draw Your Honour's attention to the fact that the great railways 

 have a definite and acknowledged financial interest in the main- 

 tenance of the fish and game in the Province, as an attraction to tour- 

 ists, and thei'eby as a means of swelling their passenger receipts, while 

 at the same time, owing to the nature of their organization, they are 

 most advantageously situated, especially in the more sparsely settled 

 regions through which their lines run, to render this co-operation effec- 

 tive. Your Commissioner is happy to be able to report that he has had 

 the opportunity of |)ressing upon certain of the companies the desir- 

 ability of their assistance in the matter of fish and game protection, 

 and has met with a most courteous and sympathetic hearing. Your 

 ^linister of Public Works has been pleased to agree to commission as 



