LEASEHOLDS

An article by Mr. W.H.  Blake, K.C., of Toronto, on “The Laurentides National Park” appeared in the February number of the University Magazine.  The following extracts have been taken from Mr. Blake’s manuscript: 

“It was in the year 1895, that the idea took substance of setting apart some two thousand five hundred square miles of the wild and mountainous country north of Quebec and south of Lake St. John as ’a forest reservation, fish and game preserve, public park and pleasure ground’.  At a later date, the area was increased, until now some three thousand seven hundred square miles are removed from sale or settlement.  An important though indirect object was the maintenance of water-level in the dozen or more rivers which take their rise in the high-lying plateau forming the heart of the Park.

“When the ice takes in early November the caribou make it their great rallying ground.  These animals, so wary in summer and early autumn, appear to gain confidence by their numbers, and are easily stalked and all too easily shot.  It is to be feared that too great an annual toll is taken, and that the herd is being diminished by more than the amount of its natural increase.  Slightly more stringent regulations, the allowance of one caribou instead of two, the forbidding of shooting in December and January, when the bulls have lost their horns, would effect the result, and would ensure excellent sport in the region so long as the Park exists and is administered as it is to-day.  There is, however, very serious menace to the caribou in the unfortunate fact that the great timber wolf has at last discovered this happy hunting ground.  Already it would seem that there are fewer caribou, but the marked increase in the number of moose may be one cause of this.  Before the days of the Park the moose were almost exterminated throughout this region; but a few must have escaped slaughter in some inaccessible fastness, and under a careful and intelligent system of protection they have multiplied exceedingly.  Man may not shoot them, and probably only unprotected calves have anything to dread from the wolves.

“In the administration of this Reserve the government adopts a policy which has shown admirable results; and as this policy is in direct contrast to the one pursued in the Algonquin Park it may be interesting to explain and discuss it.  It can be admitted, as a matter of theory, that a ‘public park and pleasure ground’ should be maintained by the people for the people, and that no individuals should have exclusive rights conferred upon them to fish or shoot within it.  This ideal conception takes no account of human nature, and a scheme that has to do with the control and conduct of men should not disregard their weaknesses, or the powerful motive of self-interest.  The greater part of the Laurentide Park is free to anyone who takes out a license and