Act may require some revision before the next general election. I have my self a strong idea that some of the minor details of the law with reference to the ballot may require amendment. It would be inexpedient to legislate early on that subject. I think we should wait until we discover what further improvements can be made in it before the next general election. The Bill was read the first time. THE INSOLVENCY ACT. Mr. DELORME asked whether it is the intention of the Government to amend the Insolvency Act? Hon. Mr. BLAKE-The Government has under consideration suggestions made from several quarters, but no conclusion has been arrived at whether any legislation will be necessary or not. THE CULBUTE CANAL. Mr. WHITE (Hastings), in the absence of Mr. Wright (Pontiac), asked, whether it is the intention of the Government to take any steps for the improvement, during the coming season, of the navigation of that portion of the Ottawa River between the foot of the Culbute Canal and the head of the Calumet Rapids? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It is not prepared to say at this moment what that arrangement will ultimately be, but it will be mentioned to the House when it is arrived at. POSTAL EXTENSION. Mr. DESJARDINS asked whether in view of the increasing wants and requirements of the localities surrounding the City of Montreal, it is the intention of the Government to adopt any means which would give those localities greater postal facilities? Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON-The Government have no present intention of dealing with the subject in the manner indicated in the hon. gentleman's question. CUSTOM HOUSE AT LÉVIS. Mr. FRÉCHETTE asked whether it is the intention of the Government to establish a Custom House, or at least a Bonded Warehouse, at South Quebec, Lévis? Hon. Mr. BURPEE-There is no objection to granting a Bonded Warehouse at Levis, provided it is under the rules and regulations of the Port of Quebec. COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. Mr. BERNIER asked whether the Government intends taking proceed the intention of the Government to doings in order to protect the commer anything in that quarter this season. THE INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY. Mr. FISET asked whether it is the intention of the Government, in the interest of the Intercolonial Railway and for the promoting of its regular working, to make arrangements with the Grand Trunk Railway Company for the acquisition of the portion of their railway between Rivière du Loup and Point Lévis ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The hon. gentleman is aware that it is absolately necessary for the Government to reach Point Lévis upon a portion of the Grand Trunk Railway-that por tion between Rivière du Loup and the terminus opposite the City of Quebec. The Government are in correspondence with the Grand Trunk Co. about an arrangement which we hope will be suitable to them and to us. I am not cial class against the reports (too often false) of commercial agencies, which have often the effect of ruining the credit of persons perfectly solvent? Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT-The Government have no present intention to take any special action in this matter. BEACON LIGHTS ON THE SAGUENAY. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE objected to the following question, which contained an improper charge against a Government officer, being allowed to stand : "Mr. Cimon-Why the contract for building two beacon lights at the entrance of the river Saguenay was given to Ambroise Trudelle for $900.00 while tenders had been received for the work from Louis Lavoie, Murray Bay, for for.... $490 00 500 00 590 00 600 00 Mr. MASSON-It has been allowed to stand, and if it is not asked next time it comes up it could then be dropped. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE----I will take good care that no such question be allowed to stand again. If the hon. gentleman is present-- respectively? He added: I may be permitted to say I was anxious to have this information at the earliest moment possible, or I would have put a motion would be extremely convenient if the on the paper asking for a return. It hon. gentleman would, instead of answering the question verbally, lay the papers on the Table. Mr. MASSON--He is not here. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE--- Then I give notice this question must be put or dropped the next time it comes be-spect to the first part of the question, I fore the House. Mr. MASSON-It will be put or dropped according to the rule of the House. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It disappears at once. I invoke the rule. Mr. SPEAKER-The question has been allowed to stand. PACIFIC RAILROAD SURVEY. Mr. DEWDNEY asked when the Report of the Surveys of the British Columbia Section of the Canadian Pacific Railway made in 1874 and 1875 will be printed and distributed? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE---I am very sorry I am not able to answer the question of the hon. member to-day. Ôn account of the very serious domestic affliction in the family of the Chief Engineer, I have not been able to see him for two weeks. I hope the hon. gentleman will be satisfied with the answer. I will see him at the earliest possible moment. PRESQU'ISLE HARBOR. Mr. BIGGAR asked whether the Government intend placing a sum in the Estimates to complete the Harbor of Presqu'Isle on Lake Ontario? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I am sorry to say we will not be able this year to place a sum in the estimates for this purpose. We do not think it is required so urgently as to demand a vote to be taken at the present time. COMMISSION OF FINANCIAL AGENTS. Mr. TUPPER asked what rate of commission was agreed to be paid to the Financial Agents for negotiating the recent loan, and the commission they are to receive for paying the coupons on the bonds; also, the names of the parties to whom the loan of 1874 was allotted, with the amount to each Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT-With re may say the financial agents received no commission on that part of the loan negotiated under the Imperial guarantee, and a commission of one per cent on the remainder. The rate of commission on the bonds was one-half per cent on the guarantee, and the usual amount on the other. With respect to the remaining portion of this question, I take this opportunity of laying on the Table returns which give information so far as it can be furnished. With respect to the names of the to whom the loan of parties 1874 was allotted, I was advised it would be impossible to give them, inasmuch as the usual course is to keep them secret, and it would be a breach of confidence to mention them. ST. LAWRENCE RIVER IMPROVEMENTS. Hon. Mr. SMITH---The Govern- | fourteen feet in the river proper. ment fully recognize the importance of I have not deemed it necessary to emthis work, but they do not intend at ploy any very large number of surthe present Session to make any move- veyors in order to have a report rement with regard to it. garding the exact cost of this additional work, for this will be done by the retion has been finished during the past gular staff of the Department. A porseven years, and the remainder will be accomplished as we find that we can I can only say that everything is being spare men and money for the purpose. Mr. BLAIN.----Mr. Speaker, It will be remembered that last Session there vas some very considerable discussion regarding this matter, and then it was doubtful what was likely to be the policy of the Government--whether the Mi-done therefor with a view to ultimately mister of Public Works would improve securing fourteen feet of water as the the navigation of the St. Lawrence so as to give twelve or fourteen feet of feet available at a much earlier period standard depth, but we will have twelve water. I was at the time, as I am still, interested in the question, and I am not by the course we have adopted than would be otherwise possible. sure whether the Minister of Public papers will be very incomplete, but such as they are they will be brought Works has altered his plans or not. I would like, therefore, Sir. to know whether it is the intention of the Government to adopt twelve or fourteen feet. A requisition was presented to the Administration, urging that surveys should be continued, and estimates fur nished the House touching these improvements, covering the items, which I suppose are in all probability in the possession of the Government. I accordingly move, seconded by the member for East York, that a report concerning surveys of the St. Lawrence, and estimates for improvements giving fourteen feet of water, be laid before the House. down. The Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Oh, yes; the same system will be followed on the Lachine as on the Welland Canal. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-As most of the vessels coming from the Lower Ports draw from sixteen to nineteen feet of water, it would be very desirable to have nineteen feet of water in the locks. I believe that this was the recommendation, but the contracts are only drawn for twelve feet. Unless we could get nineteen feet up to the point of discharge for coal, near the manufactories in the upper part of the town the deepening of the canals would be of no use to the Lower Provinces. If the difficulty cannot be overcome by raising the walls, it would be well. to consider the question of deepening. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE----The policy, Sir, that the Government has adopted with relation to this subject, is this: On the works which necessitate excavation on the lower locks, guard locks and the like, provision is made for fourteen feet, but in all other places, where there has been a depth of twelve feet, the walls of the locks will be simply raised two feet, giving fourteen feet. It is desirable to obtain twelve feet as soon as possible, and the additional two feet can be secured at any time, while the canals are being used. With regard to the River St. Lawrence, as I pointed out last year, it will take a little over one and onehalf millions of dollars to ensure twelve feet of navigable water at the points involves another point altogether, Sir. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Well, that where shoals are to be found in the bed; and it will require a The depth at the St. Gabriel Locks will be fourteen, not nineteen feet; very much larger sum,--perhaps and although it would be very conventhree times that amount----to obtainient for the people of Montreal to ob Mr. FISET. tain nineteen feet, it is no part of our business to provide an additional harbor at Montreal--and this is a pure question of such accommodation-one mile and a half above the present position. The Dominion has guaranteed a considerable expenditure for the improvement of the St. Lawrence; and the Harbour Commissioners have had a very large amount placed at their disposal to increase the harbour accommodation in the River proper. This has been extended for over a mile of wharfage and by the excavation of basins in the canal below the St. Gabriel Locks; but the Government do not propose to extend it above these locks. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-I would simply make one further remark for the information of the House. The First Minister seems to think that it FISH AND FISH OILS. Mr. DECOSMOS--In rising to call for returns of the correspondence respecting the non-admission of fish and fish oils into the United States from the Province of British Columbia, I take occasion, Sir, to draw the attention of this House to certain facts. In the year 1871, British Columbia became a part of this Dominion. In the same year the Washington Treaty was negotiated. In the year, 1872, legislation was passed, as was required, to apply the provisions of the Treaty to the Dominion, and under the 21st Article of the Treaty, fish and fish oils were to be admitted into the United States duty free. During 1872 application was made by the owners and exporters of fish and fish oil for the entrance of fish and fish oil, the produce of British Columbia, into the United States on the Pacific Coast, but such entry was refused. Many similar attempts have been made since, but without success. While the late Administration was in power I brought the matter several times to its notice, and I have since followed the same course. What steps the Government of the Dominion have taken in this relation I do not know, but we are aware of the action of the United States authorities, as well as their reasons, so far as commnuicated by the Custom's Officers. They maintain that British Columbia, not having been a part of the Dominion at the date of the negotiation of this Treaty, cannot be admitted to the enjoyment of its benefits. I believe that this position is unreasonable. We might as well take a similar course concerning Alaska with reference to treaties between Great Britain and the United States. Now, such non-admission operates unfavourably on our fishing industry, and though a young Province, if the returns of 1875 be examined it will be seen that we exported during the year some $134,000 worth of fish and fish oils, nearly double the value of the exports of fish from Ontario; about onethird of the total exports of fish of New Brunswick, and one-fifth of those of Quebec. When in San Francisco recently, I was informed by the ma nager of a company of capitalists living in Massachusetts and California, that the latter proposed to erect an extensive establishment on the Skina for the purpose of canning salmon and making fish oil, with the view of exporting them to other markets than those of the United States; also that if the 21st Article of the Washington Treaty were in operation, they would double or treble their capital, in order to can for the American as well as foreign marts. I therefore hope that the Government will consent to bringing down the papers required at an early day, and, further, that if possible, some explanations will be offered in this connection by one of the Ministers to the House. Hon. Mr. BLAKE----Some correspondence has passed on this subject. I am afraid that the result will not be eminently satisfactory to my hon. friend. but such as it is, it will be brought down. LIGHT-HOUSE. ISLE AUX COUDRES Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN-I move that an Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General, for a copy of the contract between the Government and Mr. Charles E. Forgues, of Malbaie, for the construction of a Light-house upon Isle aux Coudres; also copies of the correspondence which took place upon the subject and a statement shewing the amount claimed as compensation or damages by virtue of the said contract, and the amount paid to the said Charles E. Forgues, or to any other person in this matter. Hon. Mr. SMITH----I have no objection to bring down the papers, but certainly they are rather voluminous. It relates to a contract made by the late Government of which my hon. friend was at the time a member. It was not proceeded with, and compensation was given. I really do not know whether he objects to this as insufficient, or to the contract itself. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN- Perhaps a portion of it will answer my purpose. My object is to know the reason why the work was not proceeded with, and what the amount of the indemnity was. Hon. Mr. SMITH-I think that my hon. friend knows the cause why the work was not continued; if not, I can tell him--the late Administration did not desire it. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN-Let, the papers be submitted. Hon. Mr. SMITH-The contract involved an expenditure of five or six hundred dollars. The compensation I allowed was, I think, $181. However, I can bring down all the papers. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN-I was told in the country, that the reason for arresting the contract was because the location was unsuitable. Hon. Mr. SMITH-This was the case. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-That is strictly the fact; it was stopped after finding that the amount of money it was contemplated to expend exceeded the requirements, and a change of location was desirable. PACIFIC RAILWAY TELEGRAPH. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor General, for a statement of the tenders received for the construction of a line of telegraph in connection with the Pacific Railway, shewing the names of the parties tendering, the amount. asked by each such party and the names of the sureties; also copies of the contract between the Government and F. Barnard, Esquire, in relation to the construction of the said line of telegraph; copies of all correspondence which may have been had with the Government on the occasion and since the passing of the said contract with a statement of all claims which may have been made in virtue of the said contract shewing the amount promised or paid in connection therewith, including all Orders in Council or Departmental Orders in relation to the cancelling or suspension of the said contract or to the indemnity to be paid in respect thereof. The motion was carried. THE OFFICE OF AGENT-GENERAL. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD moved for an Address to His Excellency the Governor General, for copies of the following papers :- 1. The Order in Council creating the office of Agent-General of Canada for England or the United Kingdom. 2, The Commission or Letter of Appointment of Mr. Jenkins to the office of Agent General. 3. The general instructions given to the Agent-General and all subsequent modifications thereof. 4. The Order in Council abolishing the office of Agent General. The letters and correspondence relating to the termination of Mr. Jenkins' employment by resignation or otherwise. The motion was carried. PURCHASE OF LANDS. 5. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD moved for an Address to His Excellency the Governor General, for copies of all correspondence between the Canadian Government, or any member thereof, with the Hudson Bay Company relating to the acquisition or purchase by the Dominion from the Company, of their lands in Manitoba and the North 3 |