A VISIT TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTES

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The best area in which to locate an application—because it's the region favored by the official 'scrutineers'-is that adjacent to the road between Tlell and Port Clements. Apart from lots 2393 and 2394 (as numbered on the relevant land status map) the road runs through ten square miles of vacant, surveyed Crown Land. This is gently rolling country, often very lightly wooded (which should exclude competition from logging interests). The best growing soils and those with minimal drainage problems, are on those lots divided by the highest stretches of the undulating Tlell-Port Clements highway.

Presently, Q.C. farms are fairly small developments and full scale commercial enterprises are virtually non-existent. Some vegetables grow well on developed acreages. The summer climate can make even hay a difficult crop to harvest and hay is imported to the islands each winter, at heavy cost, by a consortium of buyers.

Most classes of livestock have been established on the island, beef cattle being the most numerous. Some new blood for locally purchased stock brought in via a good young bull from the mainland would be a profitable venture for a new settler. The Limousin, which fortunately is available in Canada, would probably be best suited to the job.

The absence of predator wild life on the islands (even the local deer population was artificially introduced) make calf and sheep running less risky than usual. The massive grain storage facilities at Prince Rupert and the companion feed pelleting plant, make feedlot enterprise a viable proposition for the islands . . . even taking into account the costs of shipping livestock to mainland purchasers. In fact, despite many disadvantages, the Queen Charlotte Islands do have scope for several productive farms.

Until homesite applications begin to be approved (by no means a certain development), 'dispositions'—as they are called—of Crown Land will be made only to those interested in fully commercial development of relatively large acreages.

Disposition of Crown Land by Lease-develop-purchase agreement is granted to an applicant under the following terms: [A] That he inspects the land and reports it to be at least 50% arable in potential. (This opinion is later checked by official inspection). [B] That within 3 years of a lease being granted (usually 6-18 months after application), 10% of the agreed arable acreage is cleared and cultivated. [C] That within a maximum of 7 further years 80% of the arable acreage is cultivated. [D] That the applicant is by this time a Canadian citizen.

If these conditions are met the land can be purchased outright at the favourable valuation made at the outset of the application. A rent is charged up to that point. Details of these conditions are available from: Director of Lands, B.C. Lands Service, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C. Land Bulletin No. 8 which describes all aspects of land, life and work on the Q.C. Islands; status map 103F which shows the available land; and detailed land maps centered on lots adjacent to the Tlell-Port Clements road are available from the 'Geographic Division' at the same address. ($2 would cover the bundle).

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