FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 383 



engaged in the work of examining titles for the purchase of land in the 

 Adirondack and Catskill Parks and another is especially employed for title 

 litigation. 



The Volume of Business 



The volume of the business of the Department increased so rapidly 

 and extensively, and the necessity of space for filing and library purposes 

 became so urgent that the original quarters of the Department, in the rooms 

 of the Forestry Bureau, were entirely inadequate for good and proper 

 service, with the result that our present quarters, outside the Capitol 

 building were secured. 



The efforts of the Department for better and more effective enforce- 

 ment of the Forest, Fish and Game Law are necessarily made through the 

 legal and protectors' bureaus of the Department. The work of these 

 bureaus and the result for better protection have steadily increased during 

 the period covered by this report. 



Marked improvement and efficiency in the protective work has been 

 accomplished as the result of the advice and direction given the protectors 

 in the procurement and prosecution of their cases, and a consistent policy 

 of enforcement by the establishment of this Department has been rendered 

 possible. 



Cases Prosecuted 



During the period from January i, 1907, to October 1, 1909, there 

 were 560 civil actions, 80 of which were pending on January 1, 1907, and 

 480 of which have been commenced since that date, under the direct charge 

 of and prosecuted by, the Legal Department. Of this number 360 were 

 for fish and game violations and 200 were trespass and title actions. Of 

 the entire number of actions pending and commenced, 302 have been dis- 

 posed of by settlement and judgment, and 258 are still pending. Of the 

 number now pending, 12 are on appeal, 60 are ejectment and trespass 

 cases involving the State's title to lots in Township 15, Totten & Cross- 

 field's Purchase, and 26 are for doubtful pike and pickerel violations. 

 Statements in detail showing the commencement and disposition of actions 



