might result. The timber is in process of being cut, and what the actual net loss to the Province will be cannot be definitely stated until the cutting is complete. The largest limit holders in the Province avail themselves of the Fire Ranging service. Last season thirty-seven of the various lumber firms had rangers upon their limits. The number of rangers employed was 98. The total cost of the service was $20,053.24. Owing to the continuance of the dry weather late in the season and the highly inflammable state of the forest, the Fire Rangers were kept in the field later than usual, and consequently the Department did not receive their accounts in time to render statements to the various licensees of their proportion of the cost of the service and make the collections before the end of the year. Only $2,034.76 on this year's service was received before the end of the year; $5,091.32 was collected on account of refunds of previous years. At the close of the season, circulars were issued to all the licensees asking for their estimate of the timber damaged, their probable net loss, and requesting them to suggest any improvements which they thought advisable in the present system of Fire Ranging. The replies received, with one or two exceptions, expressed satisfaction with the system as it is, and the only suggestions which were made related to matters of detail. FISHERIES. Reports have been received from the Fishery Overseers. They have doubtless accomplished considerable towards the prevention of illegal fishing, but their pay is not such as to enable them to give more than a fraction of their time to this special work. The revenue, etc., from permits was $359.42. GAME LAWS. Under the amendment to the Game Law, which requires foreigners to take out permits to hunt deer, 17 permits were issued, the revenue from which amounted to $170. FREE GRANTS. There are 154 townships open for location under the Free Grants and Homesteads Act-no new townships having been added since my last report. During the last year 579 locations were made on 79,948 acres of land, and 49 locatees purchased 1,389 acres; 473 patents were issued to locatees. (See Appendix No. 9, page 18.) The favorable reports of the lands which have been opened for location in the new District of Rainy River have attracted considerable attention, and as a consequence they are being rapidly taken up. For the convenience of settlers going there, two new Agencies have been opened, one at Rainy River P.O. in the Township of Morley, and the other at Fort Francis P.O. The Crown Lands Agency at Bruce Mines having recently become vacant by the death of the Agent, and as the lands which were open for settlement had become nearly exhausted, I have considered it advisable to close the Agency and attach the remaining lands to the Agency of Thessalon. CROWN SURVEYS. The following surveys of townships have been carried out this year: In the District of Nipissing the township of Clancy has been sub-divided into farm lots of 100 acres each, the townships of Bastedo and Fell into lots of 320 acres each. In the District of Algoma the townships of Porter and Vernon have been sub-divided into lots of 320 acres each. In the District of Thunder Bay the townships of Ware and Gorham and the residue of Dorion have been sub-divided into lots of 320 acres each, and in the District of Rainy River the townships of Carpenter and Dobie have been subdivided into lots of 320 acres each, and in this district base and meridian lines have been run. The outlines of Timber Berths in the Districts of Nipissing, Algoma, Thunder Bay and Rainy River have been surveyed, and several minor surveys have also been executed. The returns of the above named surveys have, so far as received, been examined and where possible closed. The particulars of these surveys will be found in Appendices Nos. 14 and 15, pages 27 and 28. MUNICIPAL SURVEYS. The Department has, during the year, on the petition of the Municipal Councils interested, issued instructions for surveys in the following townships :-Wolf Island, Tiny, Dunwich, North Grimsby, Tilbury East and Yarmouth, and has, during the year, confirmed seven municipal surveys in the following townships, etc. :-Wingham and South Norwich, Village of Tilbury Centre, Town of Niagara, Townships of Pickering, Tiny, Nepean and South Plantagenet. The particulars relating to these surveys will be found in Appendices Nos. 12 and 13, pages 24 and 26 inclusive. MINERAL SURVEYS. The General Mining Act requires that applicants to purchase mining lands in unsurveyed territory, shall file Surveyors' plans, field notes, and descriptions by metes and bounds of their locations in the Department, before any sale is carried out. Under this Statutory regulation, a number of applicants in the Districts of Algoma, Nipissing, Rainy River and Thunder Bay, have filed plans, etc., etc., and an area of nearly 20,000 acres has been sold and patented to them, for which nearly $40,000 have been received. With two exceptions these lands were patented either before the change of the Mining Act of last Session or under the provisions of 54 Vic., Cap. 8, Section 1, being the Act referred to. The particulars relating to these surveys and sales will be found in Appendices Nos. 16 and 17, pages 29 to 32 inclusive. COLONIZATION ROADS. The work done during the year was as follows:-Miles of new road constructed, 144; Miles of road repaired, 433; Bridges erected, 13 and many others repaired. The work done was carefully inspected and reported to be of a satisfactory and substantial character. The total expenditure was $99,137.31, of which certain items amounting to $1,105.57 were refunded, leaving the net Departmental expenditure to be $98,031.74. The work of the Department continues to grow, as an indication of which it may be mentioned that the volume of correspondence-letters received and answered—shows an increase of nearly 8,000 over last year. Respectfully submitted, DEPARTMENT OF CROWN LANDS, TORONTO, December 31st, 1891. A. S. HARDY, Commissioner. |