180 NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY CONVENTION 



among the greatest benefactors of the people, and should receive such reason- 

 able consideration, as it is in the power of the State to bestow. The follow- 

 ing quotation from my annual report, which some of you may have read, 

 further expresses my views in this respect : 



"Violators of the Forest Fires Law should be prosecuted at the expense 

 of the municipality or province instead of the land owners directly. The 

 forest land of this country is one of the greatest assets of the people. It is 

 the basis of many industries and the stimulus of most, and the owners are 

 not the greatest sufferers in its destruction. Every acre of lumber land 

 destroyed by fire means a far greater loss to the general public than to the 

 proprietor, inasmuch, as the amount of wages paid out in operating is much 

 more than the direct profit to the owner." 



In Westmorland County we have a very good law in respect to forest 

 protection. 



This Act was passed in 1904. The land owners agreeing to tax them- 

 selves in order to secure better protection from the ravages of fire. It 

 provides : 



(1) For the appointment of a chief ranger for the county. 



(2) For the appointment of deputy rangers for each parish. 



(3) It provides for placarding the county from time to time with a 

 summary of the law, and any notices we see fit. 



(4) It gives the chief ranger authority to prevent the operation of any 

 portable mill in or near forest land, only under certain conditions. 



(5) It authorizes the ordering out of men to assist in stopping the 

 progress of fires and provides for the payment of these men. 



(6) It imposes a tax on the owners of all forest land of 100 acres and 

 upwards. 



(7) It regulates the setting of fires in clearirg up land. 



(8) It provides for the punishment cf offenders under the Act. This 

 we want amended. 



(9) It outlines the duty of any person setting a 



