Cape Breton's Magazine

The Grande Anse valley is so narrow and constricted between steep mountains that settlement is not even continuous.... It is probable that the total area of cultiv? able land along the Grande Anse valley does not exceed 600 acres. In the three miles between Pleasant Bay and Red River, there are a number of houses and a good deal of cleared pasture land. The most prosperous-looking farming settlement is situated at the mouth of the Red River. It includes twelve houses and a- bout 120 acres of cultivated land, hay land and gardens, besides another 120 acres of hillside pasture.... Thus, in comparison with the total area of Crown-granted lands in this whole district, it is doubtful whether there are more than 600 or 700 acres of improved land. Most of the rest is located on steep mountain sides, and is only valuable for local tim? ber requirements and firewood, or for for? est grazing. Technically, the inclusion of these settle? ments within a National Park would appear to be contrary to Section 6(1) of the Na? tional Park Act, 1930. On the other hand, the above section may be interpreted to re? fer only to what is permissible after a Park has been established, and there can be no doubt that a way can be found to o- vercome this obstacle if it is thought ad? visable to do so. The facts of the case may be summarized as follows: (1) It is out of the question to expatriate all the inhabitants of such an old established settle? ment. (2) The houses, clearings and occupations of the Inhabitants are really an asset to the scenic grandeur of the region, since they provide a re? lief from the sombre character of the scenery. (3) When settlement is fairly consolidated, as in the case under discussion. Parks administration in regard to conservation of game and protection from forest fires can be effectively and economically carried out. (4) It is much better to have such a settlement within a National Park than adjoining it in order that the residents may be subject to Parks regula? tions, such as the scaling of firearms, the preven? tion of nuisances, etc. (5) One special reason why I recommended the inclu? sion of this district is that it offers the only reasonable access to the wild strip of coast and mountain to the north of it. Almost all of the a- bove strip is Crown land. There are no roads through it, but it would be possible at small ex? pense to locate trails for walking and riding up to Cape St. Lawrence which is the most northerly point of Nova Scotia. It is doubtful if the inclusion within the Park of the above strip could be regarded as a practicable asset unless the settle? ment is included.... If my recommendation that the Pleasant Bay and Red River settlement be included with? in the Park is approved, it is suggested that it might be arranged along the follow? ing lines: (1) A transfer of existing titles to houses and cultivated lands to National Parks leases. (2) A redemption of all wild land now included within Crown grants, said lands to be vested in the Dominion Government. (3) A guarantee to the residents of reasonable dry wood and grazing permits. In effecting the above arrangement, the Government of Nova Scotia would probably have to pay the settlers a certain amount of indemnity, although the settlers could stand to benefit greatly by the change..,. In connection with the above, there are a few isolated Crown Grants, with one or two residents, at various outlying points a- long the coast, which would have to be re? deemed outright. Such cases of isolated oc? cupation should not be tolerated within a National Park, since they constitute a per? petual menace to Parks Regulations which it is not practicable to deal with. Cheticamp River Entrance The Cheticamp River is five miles north of Cheticamp village and marks the dividing line between the well-settled district to the south of it and the uninhabited wilder? ness of rugged coast and high mountains to the north. PIPER'S TRAILER COURT Featuring: Fully Licensed Dining Room * Guest House * Swimming Pool Ocean-Side Campsites * Laundromat * Mini-Mart Indian Brook on the Cabot Trail Halfway Between Baddeck and Ingonish 929-2233 Phone (902) 794-7251 Cable BRENNANS Telex 019-35149 Night & Holiday 736-8479 794-3178 '''' Brennans ??'''j Travel Agency '4ssoc*' T cQ nrn'TTM qttjfttt north ? 158 QUEEN STREET, NORTH SYDNEY STEAMSHIP -- AIRLINE -- RAIL AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Midway Motors Ltd. Middle River R. R. No. 3, Baddeck,| Victoria Co., N. S. BOE ISO 295-2290 Local Dealer for CHRYSLER Products V'riM SC4-dbor Sector) is shown (24)