44 Forests and Trees 



(b) To operate any river steamboat using fuel other than oil on 

 any of the rivers or lakes within the Province of British Columbia 

 which is not provided with a safe and suitable device for the arrest of 

 sparks from the smoke-stack thereof, complying in all respects with 

 any regulations for the time being made and in force under and by 

 virtue of the provisions of this Act. 



(2) It shall be the duty of every person or corporation operating 

 any engine referred to in this section to provide equipment in the 

 way of tools, hose, and other fire-fighting appliances in accordance 

 with any regulations for the time being made and in force under and 

 by virtue of the provisions of this Act. 



124. (3) Every person, persons, or corporation clearing right of 

 way for any road, trail, telephone, telegraph, power, or pipe line, 

 tote-road, ditch, or flume shall pile and burn on such right of way all 

 refuse timber, slashings, choppings, and brush cut thereon as rapidly 

 as the clearing or cutting progresses and the weather conditions 

 permit, or at such other times as the Provincial Forest Board may 

 direct, and during the close season shall obtain, before burning said 

 material, a permit from said Board. Any person neglecting or refusing 

 to perform and fulfil any duty imposed upon him by or pursuant to the 

 provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. 



It follows then, that fire is the greatest enemy of the 

 forest. Prevent the leaving of large quantities of in- 

 flammable material on the ground and the careless setting 

 of fires, and the greatest possible step has been taken in 

 the preservation of our forests, whether for their use or for 

 their beauty. Regulations and laws are good in their 

 place, but to make them highly effective there must be a 

 strong body of public opinion behind them. When the 

 public come to regard careless setting of fires in the same 

 light as any other misdemeanor, the number will be much 

 lessened. To create this public opinion it is necessary to 

 reach the children. Here is where the teacher has an 

 opportunity and the opportunity brings its responsibility. 

 The schools should undertake to build up a healthy public 

 opinion respecting forest fires. 



