Series GR-2079 - Certificates of improvement

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Certificates of improvement

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  • textual record

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Reference code

GR-2079

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Date(s)

  • 1895-1908 (Creation)
    Creator
    British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Physical description area

Physical description

Originals, 2 cm

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Name of creator

(1908-1945)

Biographical history

The Dept. of Lands was established in 1908 (Department of Lands Act, SBC 1908, c. 31). Before 1908, the agencies responsible for the functions of the Dept. of Lands were:

(1) the Dept. of Lands and Works, including Crown lands management, sales, pre-emptions and leases, lands surveying and mapping, timber inspection, forest protection and log scaling, and;
(2) the Dept. of Mines, including water rights in regards to mining operations.

The Dept. of Lands, headed by the Chief Commissioner of Lands, was given responsibility for public lands and water rights, and all matters connected therewith. (SBC 1908, c. 31, s. 5). These responsibilities included:

(1) the management of all public lands, as per the Land Act, (RSBC 1897, c. 113);
(2) administration of water rights, as per the Water Clauses Consolidation Act, (RSBC 1897, c. 191) [in 1892 by means of the Water Privileges Act (SBC 1892, c. 47), the government had reserved to itself the right to manage all water resources in the province that were unreserved and un-appropriated as of April 23, 1892]; and
(3) land settlement programs for returned soldiers.

In 1909, the enactment of the Water Act (SBC 1909, c. 48) resulted in the creation of the Water Rights Branch of the Dept. of Lands, under the management of the Chief Water Commissioner (re-named Comptroller of Water Rights in 1912). This legislation also resulted in the creation of Water Districts under the management of District Engineers, who would be responsible for management in the field of the Branch’s responsibilities.

In 1911, the Timber Department, including Timber Inspectors, forest protection services and log scaling operations, was transferred from the Dept. of Public Works to the Dept. of Lands. In 1912, the management of timber resources was formally added to the department’s responsibilities with the enactment of the Forest Act (SBC 1912, c. 17). To accommodate these new responsibilities, the Forest Branch, under the Chief Forester, was created in the Dept. of Lands. In 1945, the Dept. of Lands was renamed the Dept. of Lands and Forests (Department of Lands Act Amendment Act, SBC 1945, c. 45).

Custodial history

Donated by William Fraser and was found in this effects of his stepfather, Alfred J. Watson.

Scope and content

Kootenay land district. Certificates of Improvement, numbers 1-95, with duplicate numbers 17, 36, 75, 77-79, at the front, for the West Kootenay District showing statement of, and witnesses to, the required improvements being completed, prior to the issuance of a Crown Grant. Information includes the names of the occupier and the witnesses, the number of the pre-emption claim, legal description and geographical location of the land, and the dates of the pre-emption claim and the completion of Improvements. An alphabetical index is included in this volume.

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There are no access restrictions.

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General note

Accession number(s): G90-269

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Physical storage

  • Box: GR2079-0001