1U6 
BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
Such are the conditions ; now what is the best remedy ? 
Elsewhere the executive administration of forest interests is in 
the hands of special bodies, either a department composed wholly 
of experts, as in the United States Division of Forestry, or else 
forest commissions employing expert assistance, as in many of 
the States. Taking everything into account, I believe the best 
solution under New Brunswick conditions would be found in the 
appointment of a Public Lands Commission, composed of four 
or five eminent citizens of the province, representing the different 
interests involved and serving without pay, but provided with a 
salaried expert secretary, whose entire time and energy could 
be devoted to the executive details of the commission’s work, 
and to the study of forest problems here and elsewhere. The 
commission would thus constitute the executive manager of the 
forest business, and would suggest legislation to the legislature, 
in whose hands, of course, the legislation would wholly remain. 
Such a plan would ensure continuity of policy, stability of admin- 
istration, economy of management and adaptability to conditions 
based upon knowledge. Its results might not be perfect, but 
they would far exceed anything possible under present con- 
ditions. 
Following the publication of this note (which appeared in 
the Saint John Daily Globe , January 7, 1909), I have been 
favoured by the opinions of the Premier and the Surveyor- 
General of the Province upon its proposals. Aside from other 
difficulties, the plan appears to them impracticable for the 
reason that no such commission could be found to serve without 
salaries which would be prohibitive. But there is an alternative. 
I believe it is a fact that the timber lands of New Brunswick 
owned by private parties or companies, are better conserved and 
managed than the public lands. It is more important for the 
future prosperity of New Brunswick that the timber lands should 
be well preserved and well managed than that small profits should 
go to the government instead of larger ones to individuals. It 
would seem best therefore to allow these lands to pass gradually 
