138 ' NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY CONVENTION 



ous if we had not been near to see and prevent them from spreading. It 

 would seem to me that the Government ought to appoint about two fire- 

 wardens in each parish for two or three months of the year, whose duty it' 

 would be to look sharply after those fires and thus probably save much valu- 

 able forest to the province. 



x 

 MR. J. D. HAZEN I am sorry the Chairman of the Committee is not 



here today, but I think Mr. Hill has explained the purpose which the com- 

 mittee had in view. They wanted, if possible to guard against two things; first,, 

 the danger of the forest catching fire while the railway construction was. 

 going on. 



I pointed out to the committee that action along that line had been* 

 taken by this legislature in regard to the construction of the Grand Trunk 

 Pacific Railway, and an agreement reached with the builders in the construc- 

 tion of that road by the Government of this province regarding providing 

 ample protection to the country during the construction. 



Then there is another large line of railway to be constructed across the 

 northern end of this province. First we should have in mind that laws 

 should be enacted and means taken to protect the forests from destruction 

 from fires while the railroads are being constructed, and in the second place- 

 prevent the destruction of the forests by the operation of the railroad after- 

 constructed and running. 



I certainly think it would add very much to the force of the resolution 

 if the idea of the Attorney General was added to it, that is, that this conven- 

 tion should make a strong recommendation both to the Dominion Govern- 

 ment and to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in favor of their taking* 

 all necessary steps to protect the country through which they run from tire 

 caused by the operation of the railroads ; and while I have not time to con- 

 sult with the other members of the committee, I think I would take it upon 

 myself to say I would accept the suggestion made, and if the report is 

 adopted that an addition is made to it in that respect. 



MR. KILBURN I would say that I know the fires are doing the great- 

 est damage in connection with the Intercolonial Railway and are hardest to 

 fight. They take great precaution to fight them but it gets beyond their 

 control and then they do not fight it with any force. 



MR. F. W. SUMNER I think the root of the trouble in regard to the 



