Ontario and return without in either case breaking bulk. The hon. member for Frontenac had quoted the recommendations of various Boards of Trade all over the country, but forgot the Hamilton Board of Trade which recommended a uniform depth of 12 feet of water for the canals. The people of Kingston and Montreal were opposed to the deepening of the St. Lawrence (anals because they wanted to have vessels break bulk at these two points. Mr. McGREGOR heartily agreed with the remarks of hon. gentlemen who had advocated the widening and deepening of Welland Canal. It must be remembered that the tratle of the country was growing rapidly. There were now 681 vessels on the lakes drawing from twelve to fourteen feet. The difference between twelve and fourteen was about one-fourth of the cost that was to say, the saving was about one-fourth. When it paid to carry grain from Chicago to Kingston at eight cents it could be carried in vessels drawing fourteen feet of water, for six cents with the same profit. He was anxious to press upon the Government the necessity of lowering the lock bottoms so that the canal could be built at any time. It was not really necessary there should be fourteen feet the coming season, or even the season following, but the canal should be used for all purposes about the year 1878, when the work should be completed. With fourteen feet, the greater part of the carrying trade would be taken from Buffalo and placed at Kingston. Hoping the lock bottoms would be deepened to fourteen feet, he left the matter in the hands of the Government. Mr. McCALLUM contended that if we could divert the trade from Buffalo to Oswego, it would pay six per cent on the outlay on the Welland Canal. A vessel carrying 16,000 bushels from Chicago or Milwaukee could afford to lighter the grain from Kingston to Montreal. That was the opinion of practical ship-owners. As to harbors with Kingston and Port Dalhousie having fifteen or sixteen feet of water, no more were needed. The item was concurred in. On item 76, for St. Anne's Lock, $200,000, Mr. ROCHESTER asked if the contract was going on and when the Government expected the work would be finished. Ar. Wood. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The contract is to be completed by the 1st September, 1875. Mr. ROCHESTER said he desired information on this subject, because the trade of this section wished to have some idea when the work would be completed. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the sum of $36,900 had been expended up to Dec. 31st; the contract was $103,000. The item was concurred in. On item 77, Carillon and Chute a Blondeau, $450,000. Mr. ROCHESTER asked for information as to the progress of this work. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said it was all under contract on the lower locks; the masonry had just been commenced ; the retaining wall was pretty well on; the foundation of the dam was well laid the expenditure, up to the 31st December, was $126,000; the amount of the contract was about $570,000. The work was a very difficult one, and it was hard to say whether the contractors would be able to keep the terms of their contract. It was not likely they would be. The work was to be finished by the 1st December next, according to contract; the locks might be finished then, but he did not think the canal would be completed. The item was concurred in. Item 78 was concurred in without discussion. On item 79, for Rideau Canal, $8,000, Mr. ROCHESTER asked what this appropriation was for. re Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-For pairs that may be required during the season. Mr. ROCHESTER said he had been looking for a grant to assist in building a bridge over the canal at Wellington Village, North Gower. Petitions had been sent to the Government for some years past to try and get this bridge. Though the revenue of the canal did not cover working expenses it could hardly be called a bad investment. When the Imperial Government handed over the canal to Canada they also gave some valuable Ordnance lands. He thought the Government ought to construct this bridge. The dam near the village had raised the water several feet and drowned lands in that vicinity. Large quantities of grain were shipped from that country, and there was no way to get it out except ! by scows. Late in the fall this was at tended with great danger, and lives were frequently lost in crossing the river. He He hoped the Government would see their way clear to building this bridge. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said there was no obligation resting on the Dominion Government to build at that place; and when the Government expended over $50,000 to obtain a revenue of $9,000, that was a sufficient reason why they should not expend there any money which they were not bound to expend. The Government had not the slightest intention of building a bridge at Wellington Village. If the County Council or local authorities resolved to build a bridge at that place and application was made for approportion of the expenditure such as the Government would be justified in submitting as a vote to the House as a fair proposition, they would consider the question; but no such proposition had yet been made to the Government, and they had no inclination take the initiative. The item was concurred in. to Items 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, and 87, were concurred in without discussion. On item 88, $370,000 for public buildings, Ontario, have a very large population, it might have a large Custom House business. An example of this was found in the case of Windsor, which required four times the accommodation necessary for Brantford. A Pictou there was a very considerable shipping trade that required more accommodation than an inland town. It was his intention during the recess to consider some general plan under which the Government would be bound to proceed in relation to the erection of buildings for the public service. It might possibly be desirable in places that had a population of from 7,000 to 10,000 to have a building containing accommodation for the customs, excise and postal services; or it might be desirable simply to make arrangements with private individuals to get a building erected which would accommodate those branches of the public service; in all cases, looking chiefly to the public interests and not to mere local benefit, as the acting principle in the case. The country had obtained a conglomerate building at Chatham, at a cost of from $10,000 or $12,000, and some thousands of dollars were expended upon itafterwards; but they now found that the business could be transacted at an annual saving of from $500 or $600 by not entering the build Government whether they would occupy the building or dispose of it to the highest bidder. He could, therefore, only say that the Government would consider some general plan upon which votes for such purposes would be asked for in future. Mr. PATERSON asked on what principle the Government proceeded in locating. It was a serious question with the ing the public buildings. If population was the test, the Government had erected buildings in towns which had far less population than many places which were entirely devoid of them. If the amount of revenue derived was the guide, towns were ignored which contributed a much larger revenue than other towns which had public buildings, such as Custom Houses and Post Offices. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE thought the question a pertinent one. He himself raised the question when in Opposition upon the occasion of a vote being asked to build Custom Houses at Three Rivers, Chatham and Pictou. At Pictou the Custom House collections were one-half, at Chatham much less than one-half, and at Three Rivers one-twelfth of the amount collected at Brantford. New Custom Houses had been built, or were in course of construction, at those ports. The only principle which could guide a Government in erecting public buildings was the necessity for them, and, although a town might not Mr. Rochester. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL said that the building erected at Chatham, Miramichi, for the purpose of a Custom House and Post Office, at an expense of $10,000 was eminently suited for the objects for which it was designed, and was worth every dollar expended upon it and was moreover admirably suited to the conveniences of the people engaged in trade and commerce. The place used for a Custom House was a disgrace to the Government, and the Post Office was accommodated in a paltry little store, although Chatham was the second largest importing town in New Brunswick. The item was concurred in ; as were also items 90 to 100 inclusive. Hon. Mr. TUPPER wished to remind the Minister of Public Works of the report of an engineer sent to examine Advocate harbor, and he hoped the hon. gentleman would see his way clear to placing a sum in the supplementary estimates for that harbor. Items 101 to 103 were concurred in. On item 104, dredge vessels, $44,000 in reply to Hon. Mr. TUPPER, Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the new dredge on the Clyde had been ready for some six weeks, but it was thought advisable not to bring it across the Atlantic in the winter. It was expected it would leave in the course of a week or ten days. The other dredges owned by the Government were :--The "Evans," the dredge on the St. John river, the dredge at Prince Edward Island, the "Canada" at present at Bathurst, and the dredge on the river here. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL hoped the Gov. ernment would countermand the order for the dredge to leave the Clyde in ten days; as he considered it would not be safe for it to leave before the 8th or 10th of April. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The dredge will leave under the direction and advice of the people on the other side, who, perhaps, know more about that matter than either the hon. gentleman or myself. The item was concurred in; also items 105 to 108 inclusive, and items 154 to 156 inclusive. On item 168, salaries and expenses of the Council for the North-West territories, $33,800, Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked for explanations of the large increase. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he hoped to introduce, to-morrow or next day, the bill promised in the Governor General's Speech, to provide for the government of the North-West Territories. That Bill would provide for a Lieut. Governor to reside within these territories, and also for three stipendiary magistrates, who would have the power of County Judges. The increase in this vote was to provide for the salaries of those officials, and other expenses connected with the government of those territories. Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked that the item be allowed to stand over till the Bill was introduced.-Agreed to. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Wednesday, March 10th, 1875. The SPEAKER took the chair at three P. M. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time :— Mr. JETTE—To change the name of the Montreal Permanent Building Society to that of the Montreal Saving and Loan to extend the powers Company, and thereof. Mr. BUELL Respecting the Canada Central Railway Co.. CHATHAM BRANCH RAILWAY. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL asked whether it is the intention of the Government to the Chatham Branch Railway, or working consider the advisability of taking over the same in connection with the Intercolonial Railway. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said application was made by a Company either to work that road or assist in finishing it, and take it over for $40,000. The Government declined to entertain either proposition as they did not deem it to be in the public interest to be burdened by a work of that kind. He might add that there were some lines connected with the main line which the Government might think it advisable to assist to this extent; that rails that were too much damaged for the main line might do for branch lines for a time; and the Government might consider the propriety, and had done so in fact of allowing such lines to use the old rails, as they were replaced by steel rails, so long as they would serve their purpose, the rails to be returned when they could serve no other purpose than that of old iron. It was possible the line referred to by the hon. gentleman might be aided in that way. SALARIES OF SAGUENAY AND GASPE JUDGES. M. CIMON demande si (considérant que districts de Saguenay et Gaspé reçoivent les juges de la cour supérieure pour les un salaire moins élevé que celui des juges de la même cour nommés pour les autres Item 179 was concurred in, and the districts, et que les raisons de différence de House adjourned at 12 o'clock. ces salaires n'existent plus), c'est l'intention du Gouvernement de considérer cette question, et d'accorder aux juges de Saguenay Hon. Mr. Tupper. : et Gaspé le même salaire que celui donné aux juges des autres districts ruraux de Québec ? L'hon. M. FOURNIER-Ce n'est pas l'intention du Gouvernement de changer pendant cette session, les salaires des juges mentionnés dans la question. MARINE HOSPITAL AT LIVERPOOL. Mr. FORBES asked whether the Government intend establishing a Marine Hospital at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, during the present Summer; and if not, when? Hon. D. A. MACDONALD That matter is under consideration. GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT GUELPH. Mr. STIRTON asked whether in view of the large amount of revenue collected by the several Government officers in the town of Guelph, it is the intention of the Government to take the necessary steps to procure the construction of a suitable building for the accommodation of said officers? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I stated, last night, in reply to a question by the hon. member for Brant, that the Government considered the proper course to pursue in relation to such subjects is to endeavor to fix upon a general policy for obtaining buildings either by rental or building in places where the revenus is of such proportions as to seem to justify it, and before the meeting of Parliament next session, the Government will be prepared with some general scheme which will meet the object my hon. friend has in view. BRITISH COLUMBIA TELEGRAPH LINES, Mr. DECOSMOS moved that the Western Union Telegraph Company be informed that the Government expect that in return for the subsidy granted to the Company, greater regularity should exist in the transmission of messages between Victoria and San Francisco than has hitherto existed; and that better provision be made to secure secrecy in the transmission of despatches through their office in Victoria. That the attention of the Government be also directed to the importance of making better provision for the regular transmission of despatches with greater secrecy than now obtains over the Government telegraph line between Victoria and Barkerville. He said this motion was made with a view to Mr. Cimon. of drawing the attention of the Minister of Public Works to the desirability of bringing under the notice of the Western Union Telegraph Company the fact that the Government expected greater regularity should be observed in the transmission of despatches between San Francisco and Victoria. There had been a very great deal of complaint in British Columbia, and particularly in Victoria, the commercial centre of that Province, about these delays in the transmission of despatches. Days and sometimes weeks transpired when no message could be sent between those two points. Regular communication on this line was very necessary not only in the interest of the commercial community, but also of the Dominion and British Columbia Governments. The line was often down notwithstanding the fact that the Company drew a subsidy $4,000 a year from the Government. This subsidy was granted on the condition that they would keep up the communication. The office at Victoria was yielding to the Company about $1,000 per month, and this with the subsidy would make about $16,000 a year for keeping the line Victoria and Swinomish. up between There were complaints also, that there was no secrecy observed as to the contents of messages transmitted. Since this notice was put on the paper, he believed an attempt had been made to secure greater secrecy by the Company, removing their office from where it was formerly, to another place. He also directed the attention of the Government to plaints of a similar nature with regard to the line between Victoria and Barkerville. He did not wish to ask the Government to go to any extraordinary expense in keeping up this line, but he thought greater regularity might be secured in the transmission of messages between those points. He had been informed by a gentleman from the interior that messages had leaked out somewhere, and requested to bring this matter under the notice of the Government with a view to remedying it. He did not care whether the motion was carried or not. His object was merely to draw the attention of the Government to the matter. com Mr. THOMPSON (Cariboo) said he had called the attention of the superintendent to the complaints with regard to the Barkerville line. He replied that these complaints were erroneous, and if any case could be shown where a violation of confidence had occurred, the operator would be discharged. As to the delays, he (Mr. THOMPSON) could testify to the fact. He did not know who was responsible for them unless it was the superintendent, who did not keep a sufficient force on the line, which passed through a timbered country and was liable to be obstructed frequently. He hoped the Government would have the line kept in better repair. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—I am much obliged to my hon. friend from Victoria for calling my attention to this matter. I was not aware, from not knowing the localities, of certain circumstances that he has stated, nor can the Government have any local knowledge of the circumstances referred to but I will avail myself of the information that both of the hon. gentlemen have given as to this matter and do whatever lies in my power to remedy the complaints that my hon. friend has seen fit to make in relation to this matter. I would suggest to him to withdraw his resolution and I promise to give my at tention to the matter. The resolution was withdrawn. SURVEYS OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. Mr. BLAIN moved for returns of reports of surveys of the St. Lawrence River, and the probable estimates of improving the navigation of the river to twelve feet of water and also of fourteen feet of water. He said he had the honor last year of moving a resolution embracing to some extent the matter that was covered by the present resolution; it extended to one branch of the chain of internal navigation, while the present motion was confined to another branch extending between Montreal and Lake Ontario. Last year he had endeavored to draw the attention of the House to the different channels, and the slopes down which surplus produce would be likely to find its way to the seaboard, and he then expressed an opinion that we were not likely to have any very great competition from the western slope; but he had since learnt that the people of the western slope of this continent were now carrying to the Liverpool market their grain, and he found that a competition was springing up in various directions that he did not at that It. Tampson. time apprehend. Still he felt disposed to adhere to the proposition he then stated that the line of communication along the lakes and down the St. Lawrence, was the only natural highway from the interior of this continent to the seaboard. Last year he adduced reasons why the freight carried by that channel was likely to increase, and he also submitted that we were able to carry freight down the lakes and the river at one-fifth of the cost of transporting it by land. He further pointed out at that time that the trade had formerly increased, and was every day increasing; and he was prepared to say that while the tonnage of the lakes was at that period 12,000,000, now he believed it would amount to 15,000,000. In order to supply the Liverpool market, it was necessary to transport 250,000,000 bushels of grain; and to supply the markets of the Eastern States 200,000,000 were required. It will therefore be apparent to every one that whenever the line of transportation may be between the grain-producing countries and the markets of the East there the freight must pass; and the proposition would not be disputed that wherever freight could be carried the cheapest, there most decidedly would be the line of transportation. I think it is well to consider, when we are treating a subject of this magnitude, whether it is likely that the tendency of trade will continue as it is at present. He had no hesitation in saying that it would not only continue, but that it would vastly increase. The tendency of people of the present age is to flock to cities. About seventy years ago the comparative population in the United States living in cities and in the country was as one to eleven, whereas now it is as 1 to 5; and it thus became evident that the great question to be solved is the question of cheap transportation. able to obtain that, the existing order of society must be very materially interfered with. He felt that it would be well for the Government of this country when laying the foundations of this young Dominion to lay them upon a basis that would last, and in that connection he would mention that it was a striking fact in history that all nations who have come down from antiquity have been those who have improved their inland navigation. In laying the foundation of this country it was well to look at its probable future, as Unless we are |