ก with all reports from the officer in charge or parties under him, as to the amount o work done in that locality; stating the number of bars removed, and the character of the material; the depth to which the channel has been deepened, and the width thereof; the length of the cutting or dredging yet to be done; also stating the contemplated depth and width to which the Government propose to improve said channel; the number of days during which such vessel has been actually at work; also copies of the report or reports of the engineers or other officers, on which such improvements are based, and the depth of water which it is proposed to obtain; also the amount already expended on such work, with an estimate of the amount required to complete it. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I have no objection to the informotion as far as we can furnish it. The motion was carried. EMPLOYÉS OF MONTREAL CUSTOM HOUSE. an Hon. Mr. TUPPER moved address to His Excellency the Governor General for a Return of the names and ages of all employés of the Montreal Custom House who have been superannuated within the last two years, with causes of such superannuation ; names of all persons who have been taken into the Public Service during the same period in connection with the Montreal Custom House, whether as permanent employés or as supernumeraries, the salary paid to each, and for what period, and showing whether they are still employed. The motion was carried. THE STEEL RAILS PURCHASE. Hon. Mr. TUPPER moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor General for a return of copies of all correspondence relating to the contracts entered into by the Government of Canada, or any Department thereof, for the purchase of Steel Rails in the year 1874, including correspondence, if any, with parties before the advertisement for tenders; copies of all the advertisements and names of newspapers in which they were published, Hon. Mr. MITCHELL. with date of first insertion in each of them; all correspondence on the subject of further delay in the timeof receiving tenders; copies of all advertisements postponing the time for receiving tenders, with the name of newspapers in which such notice was published; copies of all tenders received for the supply of steel rails with all correspondence in relation to them and names of persons by whom or through whom such tenders were submitted or made; all correspondence with any of the parties tendering, as to the quantity of rails to be supplied by them; copies of all contracts entered into and of all correspondence relating to them; copies of contracts for the transport of steel rails from Montreal to the different parts of the Dominion, with any changes made in such contracts and correspondence relating to such changes at the time the contracts were entered into, with a statement of the dates of payment of all moneys on such contracts, the present location of the rails and all charges for transport or storage of the same. The motion was carried. PACIFIC RAILWAY AND TELEGRAPH. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor General for a statement showing the amount which the Government of Canada have agreed to pay or have already paid under each contract passed between the Government and any individual or company for the execution of any portion of the work on the Pacific Railway or the line of telegraph, or of any other work in relation to the said railway; also the total amount of such different sums. ST. LAWRENCE CANALS. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor General for a statement showing the amount which the Government of Canada have agreed to pay or have already paid under each contract passed between the Government and any individual or company for the execu tion of any portion of the works required for the enlargement of the St. land and Lachine Canals, since the reLawrence Canals, including the Wel port of the last Commission appointed | have agreed to the appointment of this to examine the question, also the total amount of such different sums. The motion was carried. MAILS AT FATHER POINT. Hon. Mr. TUPPER moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor General, for a return of copies of the circulars sent to shipbuilding firms for the construction of a steam tender to transport mails from Father Point to the ocean steamers; all correspondence with any parties in relation to the same, and a statement of the names of all parties or firms to whom such circulars were sent with the tenders received; the date of the acceptance of Messrs. Cantins' tender, and a copy of the contract entered into with them. The motion was carried. MR. SHEA'S CLAIM. The Committee. I did so with a great deal of reluctance, as it is one of those very dangerous Committees, which are entrusted to a certain extent with looking into personal grievances which involve the payment of money by the country. Occasions, however, arise now and then-there have been several since I entered Parliament-which seem to justify at least some investigation. In agreeing to this Committee I have not committed myself to any promise to abide by the report they may make, but from the evidence which the hon. gentleman has laid before me me of what took place between members of the late Government and officials connected with the Intercolonial Railway, I think it is but justice to him to allow the enquiry to take place, the Government reserving the right to do with this matter as the public interests demand. I deem this explanation due to the House, because it is one of those extraordinary occasions on which Government may feel it requisite to depart from the exact routine observable in the disposition of public moneys. The motion was carried. DISMISSAL OF MR. COLLET. dress to His Excellency the Governor The motion was carried. Hon. Mr. TUPPER moved that the return of correspondence between the Government and the Hon. Ambrose Shea, laid on the table of this House, be referred to a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs. Caron, Workman, Blain, Brouse and the mover. hon. gentleman said: I do not intend to detain the House further than to say that the object of this Committee is to examine into and report to the House, the claim which Hon. Mr. Shea prefers against the Government for moneys expened by him in procuring and forwarding labour to this Dominion at the time when the construction of the Intercolonial Railway was first undertaken. He claims that from an Mr. KIRKPATRICK moved for an understanding with the Commissioners Order of the House for a return of all he was induced to spend a very considerable sum of money for the purpose licenses to fish with hoop and trap of so cheapening the labour as to enable vince of Ontario; all petitions and nets issued during 1875 for the Prothe contracts to be performed for any-communications to and with the Minthing like the sum for which they were originally undertaken. The object of the Committee is to hear what evidence can be produced in this relation, and to make a report to the House of the testimony to be given, with such suggestions as the Committee may have in their power to offer. The Hon. First Minister, I believe, has no objection to the Committee. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE----As the hon. gentleman has correctly stated, I FISHING LICENSES IN ONTARIO. ister or the Department of Marine and Fisheries in favour of or opposing the use of such nets; and reports, &c., showing the effect of the system of fishing with hoop and trap nets on the quantity of fish in the waters where such nets are used. The motion was carried. IMPORTS OF GYPSUM. Mr. GOUDGE-I beg to move that a Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General for a return of same. The motion was carried. MILITIAMEN OF 1812. FISHERY LICENSES. Mr. BABY-I move that an order of and the House do issue for all papers correspondence between the Depart ment of Marine and Fisheries and L. J. Loranger, Esq., Fishery Overseer, or any other person, in relation to licenses granted or refused to parties wishing to fish in the lakes comprised within the plas-limits of the Counties of Terrebonne, limits of the Counties of Terrebonne, Montcalm, Joliette and Berthier; and of all instructions given to the said L. J. Loranger; and also for a statement showing the names of all persons to whom such licenses have been granted, and on what conditions they were so granted. Mr. ROULEAU-I beg to move that an Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General for a statement showing the names, occupations and places of residence of the persons who made application as militiamen of 1812 for the pension granted to such militiamen, and who have not obtained such pension, with the reasons for the refusal thereof. The motion was carried. TORONTO HARBOUR. The motion was carried. Mr. MACDONALD (Toronto)-I beg to move that an Order of the House do issue for copies of instructions issued by the Public Works Department to any engineer regarding the survey of Toronto Harbour; also copies of all reports made to the Government,ince showing the present state of the Harbour or suggesting additional works to preserve it from destruction. The motion was carried. REMISSION OF DUTIES UPON TEA. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-I beg to move for an Order of the House for a return of all remissions or refunds of duties on tea at the ports of Montreal and Halifax during the past year: specifying the duties of such remission or refunds; the parties to whom made; with all correspondence, minutes of Treasury Board, and Orders in Council thereon; also the names of parties from whom bonds were taken for the duties on such tea, in cases where the same were finally remitted. The motion was carried. My object is to elicit information on a point of great interest to the Province of Manitoba-an indirect interest, perhaps, at present, since the boundary is being established between the NorthWest Territories and Ontario. The ProvincialLegislature have shown their disposition to request, and the Dominion Government an inclination to grant the extension of the eastern boundary to the Province of Ontario; therefore all information which can be given without prejudice to the arbitation in progress I very much desire to obtain. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It will not be convenient to bring down some recent correspondence with the arbitrators appointed by the two Governments; and there is nothing else, I think, of any particular interest to the hon. gentleman or the district he particularly represents, in this connection, making it desirable to bring down | there should be no further extension. incomplete correspondence. Former If the new rules should be finally papers which were published, and the adopted by the House, they would report of the Commissioners of the two make it impossible to have even this Governments, are already before the extension for the future. public, and I think it would be better if the hon. gentleman should withdraw his motion for the present. Mr. SCHULTZ-If the legal points in question are in print I would like to obtain a copy; though this matter is not included in the motion, I would like to have all the information possible. Mr. KIRKPATRICK-I understand that a very interesting report has been made by an eminent gentleman who has investigated the subject; it is in print. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-That report will be distributed. Mr. KIRKPATRICK-That is what I suggest that it should be distributed. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD quite agreed with this view. At the same time the hands of Parliament could not be tied by a rule. He thought, however, the understanding after this extension should be that an exceptionally strong case must be made out before an appeal could be made to the House for the introduction of a Private Bill after the proper time had expired. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills were introduced and read the first time: Mr. WOOD-To extend the time for the commencement and completion of the Great Western and Lake Ontario Shore Railway, and for other purposes. Mr. CAMERON (Victoria)-To incorporate the Mutual Insurance Com Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—It will be.pany of Canada. INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY WORKS AT Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN—I move for an Order of the House to issue for copies of all correspondence which may have been had between private individuals or corporations and the Government of Canada in relation to the offices, workshops and works of the Intercolonial Railway at Rimouski. The motion was carried. Mr. WOOD-To extend the time for the commencement and completion of the Canada and Detroit River Bridge, and for other purposes. Mr. MACDONALD (Toronto)-To authorize the shareholders of the Permanent Building and Savings Society to change the name of said Society. Hon. Mr. HOLTON (on behalf of Mr. Workman)---To amend the Act incorporating the Credit Foncier du Bas Canada. Also,----To amend the Act incorpor The House adjourned at thirty-five ating the Canada Shipping Co. minutes past Nine p.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS. FRIDAY, March 3rd. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Three o'clock. PRIVATE BILLS. Mr. RYMAL moved that the time for receiving petitions for Private Bills be extended ten days. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE thought it would be well there should be a thorough understanding in the House that while they consented to this motion Also,--To incorporate the Trust Company of Canada. Mr. SCATCHERD (on behalf of Mr. Thomson of Welland)-To amend the Act incorporating the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company. Mr. YOUNG-To make certain amendments to the Charter of the Canada Landed Credit Company. Mr. IRVING-Act respecting the capital of the Great Western Railway Company, and for the capitalization of certain charges and liabilities. Mr. JETTE-To incorporate the Royal Albert Bridge Company. Also,---To amend the Act incorporating the Canada Gas Lighting Company. CASK MARKS. Hon. Mr. LAIRD-I move that on Tuesday next the House go into Committee of the Whole to consider the following resolution: That it is expedient to extend the Acts 36 Victoria Chapter 47, respecting Weights and Measures, and the Act 38 Victoria Chapter 36, respecting the marking of casks containing merchantable liquids with their respective capacity, and the Act 36 Victoria Chapter 48 to provide for the inspection of Gas and Gas Meters, to the Province of Prince Edward Island, including in such extension the powers given to the Governor in Council to make tariffs of fees for services performed in carry. ing the said Acts into effect; and to repeal such Acts of the Legislature of the said Province as may be inconsistent with the said Acts; Such extension to take place from and after a time to be named in the Bill to be introduced for the purposes aforesaid. The motion was carried. DOMINION LANDS ACT. Hon. Mr. LAIRD—I move that on Tuesday next the House go into Committee of the Whole to consider certain resolutions providing for the amendment of the Dominion Lands Act, with the object of transferring highways in the Province vested in the Dominion Administration, to the Local Govern ment. The motion was carried. MANITOBA SUBSIDY. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I move the House will on Tuesday next resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider the following Resolution : That under the circumstances appearing in the Minute of Council of 26th October, 1875, upon the Finances of Manitoba, laid before the House, it is expedient that Canada should pay as a temporary annual grant to that Province the sum of $26,746.96 yearly by semi-annual instalments, being the amount necessary in order to raise its revenue derivable from Canada to $90,000. Such grant to commence from the 1st day of July, 1875, and to continue until the close of the year 1881. The motion was carried. PRECEDENCE OF GOVERNMENT MEASURES. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE moved that during the remainder of the Session Government measures shall have precedence on Thursdays. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD_I hope that my hon. friend will not press this motion at a period so early in the Session, as it would have the effect of depriving in a measure independent members, who take an interest in the general administration of affairs, from member aright, my hon. friend moved contributing their fair quota. If I rean adjournment at six o'clock last Monday, and I do not doubt that he had important matters to which he was compelled to give attention elsewhere ; and on two other occasions during the Session, hon. members generally had pressing engagements, while the House did not sit on Wednesday. I think that the hon. gentleman will allow us another week or ten days at all events. Our Sessions are all short now-a-days, and the circumstances are not the same as before Confederation, when they continued for three months and sometimes three and one-quarter or four. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE--I will do this; I will not ask for the first Thurs day after six o'clock. I am desirous of having some of our measures sent to the other branch of the Legislature as soon as possible; and this might have. been accomplished last night, had not the hon. gentleman rather objected to proceeding with certain Bills. Our only desire is to facilitate the progress of business, and to endeavour to afford every possible accommodation to independent members having measures before the House. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD--It so happens that this arrangement will not suit independent members, for I understand that after six six o'clock notices of motion cannot be proceeded with while public Bills and orders are few in number, and there are a great many notices of motion. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I will then take the evening, and give up the afternoon. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD—This reminds me of the story of the huntsman and the Indian; the former said--"I take the deer and you take the turkey; or I take the turkey and you to the deer." There is too much of the turkey about this proposition. If the whole of next Thursday were given us it would be better. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE---Then I will not press for the first Thursday but take the second. |