mation regarding these matters, and all accounts fully corroborated the representations made by his hon. friends from British Columbia. It was generally admitted that the Government should secure efficiency of service under such circumstances, and he trusted that the value of the money spent would be procured. sea. The The fact of this subsidy being granted tended to create a monopoly and to drive competitors off the route. Passengers who had travelled by that line since the loss of the Pacific said the management was intolerable. Pacific was not in a position to go to Her boats were not in order, and her crew was composed of Chinamen. Everything was in disorder the moment the accident occurred. The state of the other vessel was described as being bad also, though not perhaps to the same extent. It was quite proper this appeal should be made to the Government by the British Columbia members, and backed by the representatives of other provinces. The means of communication with our most distant provinces should be made as efficient as it was intended to be when the contract was given. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN quite agreed with the hon. gentleman who had spoken of the necessity of a direct line from San Francisco to Victoria. The steamers of the line which at present received the subsidy called at Puget Sound, merely running into Victoria to land passengers, mails and freight, while the advantage of coaling them at Nanaimo was lost altogether. They got their coal from the American side altogether, and the Province lost in this way as well as from not remaining in the harbour of Victoria. When he (Mr. Langevin) went to British Columbia some years ago, the steamer that plied between San Francisco and Victoria, though not firstclass, was nevertheless manned by white men, and great care was taken for the safety of the passengers. He did not put much faith in Chinamen in case of accident. Experience had shown that in the hour of danger they took more care of themselves than of the passengers. It was important that the conditions of the contract should be adhered to, and if the line was found to be useless, it would be a great deal better to cancel it and subsidize a proper line. Mr. BUNSTER said the vessels did not even go into the barbour, but landed passengers and freight in a dirty old coal tug. Mr. DEWDNEY said the contractors intended, when they took the contract, to utilize some English boats that were then lying at Japan, but immediately after getting it, they learned this English Company had failed. They then made the best arrangement they could with one of the most powerful steamship companies in the world. He thought the Pacific Mail Company had been treated rather unfairly by hon. gentlemen who had spoken on that subject. The Company made contracts with the Vancouver Island coal mine owners for a supply of coal, but they were not able to furnish it as fast as they could take it away. They agreed to take 4,000 tons a month from a company and pay for it whether they took it away or not. It was only when they found it could not be supplied fast enough that they went to Seattle, where they were obliged to take coal of an inferior quality. It was true the Pacific was rotten, but the steamers that were doing the service now were new vessels, the City of Panama not being more than four years old. The harbour of Victoria was not large enough to accommodate large vessels. Mr. DE COSMOS-No! no! Mr. DEWDNEY said the steamship Panama in entering it had run aground. Mr. BUNSTER said that was the result of bad pilotage. Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON said there could be no objection to the papers being brought down. When they came it would be found the Government had made the best arrangements possible under the circumstances for the transmission of the mails. There had been the ordinary advertising and acceptance of the lowest tender. It was to be regretted the first-class steamers referred to by the hon. gentleman were not in British Columbia waters, and ready to tender for the ser vice. The amount of subsidy was very large-some $54,000-about half as much as the Atlantic service cost. The Government would be glad to receive any suggestions from the representatives of British Columbia or other hon. gentlemen who had information on the subject. Mr. DECOSMOS said vessels of a proper size to do the business betwoeu Victoria and San Francisco could get all the coal they could take in at Vancouver Island. As to the capacity of the harbour of Victoria, it had been floating the largest vessels for eighteen years to his own knowledge. The accident to the Panama was due to the fact that the pilot took a wrong course. The motion was carried. THE LOSS OF THE PACIFIC. Mr. DECOSMOS moved an Address to His Excellency the Governor Gen eral for a copy of all correspondence or reports in the possession of the Government respecting the loss of the steamship Pacific. He said his object was simply to learn what had been done on the part of the Marine and Fisheries Department with respect to enquiries into that great disaster. He noticed an allusion to it in the report of the Department, and also mention made of rewards given for saving life. He believed some steps should be taken to make arrangements with the United States Government by which vessels of that country in our ports could be subject to the supervision of our officers. It had been suggested that if an officer, well qualified to form an opinion as to the sea-worthiness of vessels, were appointed by the Government, that the existing danger would be to a great extent removed. Hon. Mr. SMITH said they had no objection to bring down the papers on the subject. He might say that the Government was in no way responsible for this matter. The vessel was an American one and wrecked in Ameriein waters. With regard to the question as to how far they had power to supervise vessels coming to Canadian ports from foreign countries, he was not prepared then to state. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL regarded the suggestion of the hon. member for Van couver as a most important one, and said it had occupied the attention of the Government for many years past. He considered that in the future there ought to be a clause inserted in the contracts entered into by the Government with owners of these vessels, providing that they should be subject to examination by an officer appointed by the Canadian Government. He spoke next of the necessity of the Government investigating the cause of all marine disasters, although he admitted there were a great many difficulties in connection with the prosecuting of such investigations. Mr. THOMPSON (Cariboo) dwelt upon the necessity of the supervision of vessels carrying passengers and freight to Canadian ports. They all knew that the vessel in question had a certificate, but it had been granted by a negligent officer without examination. The Pacific was a mail steamer six months previously to the accident, at which time she was considered to be a good, although an old boat. This illusion, however, was dispelled when the collision occurred. He hoped the Government would be able to take some steps in the future to prevent the recurrence of such accidents. The motion was carried. THE TRANSPORTATION OF FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS. Mr. DECOSMOS moved for an Ad dress to His Excellency the Governor General for a return shewing the respective sums paid in 1875-76 for British Columbia, belonging to the transporting freight and passengers, in Canadian Pacific Railway Survey-the said return shewing the rate per pound for freight, whether packed or waggoned, the distance carried and where carried; also the fare for each passenger, the distance carried and where carried; and also showing the persons other than Indians to whom the same may have been paid; also copies of any tenders and calls for tenders for transporting the said freight and passengers; also copies of any Departmental instructions issued to the Paymaster or Chief Engineer in charge of the Western Division of the C. P. R. R., or any correspondence respecting the giving of the said freight and passengers to any one or more persons. | he was quite willing to accept; he was He said that it was rumoured that the contract for the .conveyance of freight and passengers had been given to one person only, without tenders being advertised for. If the statement were untrue it was the duty of the Government to bring the facts to light. It had also been stated that from two to three cents more per hundredweight had been paid for railway freight than would have been if competition had been solicited. Mr. THOMPSON (Cariboo) thought in justice to the contractor and the employees that the information should be supplied. Rumours were abroad that excessive prices had been paid to the different parties concerned. He had no reason to believe the rumours, but as they had been scattered broad cast he thought it was the duty of the Government to accede to the motion. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE had no objection to the motion; he had no personal knowledge of the abuses of which complaint was made; but if they were found to exist they would be rectified. The great distance of British Columbia from the centre of operations here, where the Chief Engineer was stationed, rendered it necessary that the Chief Engineer of that Province should be entrusted with a very great deal of authority----much more than any officer in any other part of the Dominion. He did not doubt that this executive officer had used this power wisely; but, nevertheless, mistakes might have been committed. The utmost expedition would be used in bringing the information desired before the House; and he would only suggest, that in addition, the hon. member might also ask for a return respecting those who had paid no fare on Government steamers. Mr. DEWDNEY observed that he had been on the point of making the same suggestion. Mr. DECOSMOS replied that he was aware of the position held by the Chief engineer mentioned, who had, however, nothing whatever to do with the contract; consequently, the allusion of the Premier to this officer did not strike him as quite proper. The First Minister had suggested an amendment which aware that the distinguished gentleman who led the Government referred to himself (Mr. DeCosmos), and he would state the case. Last autumn he proposed, as one of the representatives of the City of Victoria, to visit Bute Inlet, as he considered was his duty in view of the fact that it was proposed to build the Pacific Railway to this point. He accordingly asked the chief officer in charge of the Marine and Fisheries Department there for permission to go on a Government steamer; this was Subsegiven, and he went on board. quently he received a note stating that he could not proceed, but as he had made his arrangements he replied that he would not go ashore unless forced. He thought that the reference of the Prime Minister in this regard did him no credit. He believed that the paymaster had acted in this connection through personal spite, being also, no doubt, inspired by fear lest he, as a journalist, might discover something out of the way in that gentleman's department. He was willing to accept the amendment, unless the Premier was prepared to apologise for mentioning the matter. The motion was carried. DUTIES ON LOCOMOTIVES. Mr. THOMSON (Welland) moved for a statement of duties levied on locomotives or parts thereof since 1st July, 1867, &c., &c. Hon. Mr. TUPPER seized this opportunity to ask the Minister of Customs whether he had supplied the missing portions of the correspondence in order that it might all be printed in detail, having been referred to the Printing Committee. Hon. Mr. BURPEE replied that all this correspondence would be shortly laid on the table. Mr. McDONALD (Cape Breton), moved for an Address to His Excel lency the Governor General, for copies of all correspondence in relation to the dismissal of Mr. McDougall, Postand also, all correspondence in relation master, Christmas Island, Cape Breton; to the appointment of a successor. He explained that Mr. McDougall was one of the most respectable and weal thy men in the County of Cape Breton He put this notice on the paper in 1874; but at the request of the Postmaster-General, who assured him that this gentleman would not be dismissed, he dropped it. Afterwards the dismissal took place; and in 1875, he gave a similar notice of motion, but was unable to carry out this intention. | He had no opportunity for doing so, save on one evening, and the Postmaster-General being then absent, he had deferred the matter. He believed that the removal was due solely to political reasons. In 1874, at the general election, the Ministerial can didate in the County had threatened Mr. McDougall with dismissal, unless he voted for him. This might be denied, but it was susceptible of proof. The Postmaster-General had informed him (Mr. McDonald), that the discharge was due to such causes that he did not wish to have it brought before the House. The late PostmasterGeneral having made the same statement, he had communicated this to Mr. McDougall, who requested him to bring the question before the House. He was informed that Mr. McDougall knew of no charges having been preferred against him, and was not aware for what reason he was removed. Mr. McDougall did not care for the position, save to suit his own convenience, as he did fully one-half the correspondence in that quarter. The hour being six, the House took recess. when the Bill was introduced, had cautioned him it was so at variance with the principle of the general law that the Government could hardly permit it to pass; but on explaining that it was a patent which had already been granted, he (Mr. Irving) was allowed to have the Bill printed, read the second time, and referred to the Private Bills Committee to be dealt with by them as they thought proper. Mr. BOWELL asked if the Premier gave his consent to the principle of extending patents by special legislation after the patentee had failed to comply with the law in case he required an extension of time. In the past, when the law was not as liberal as it is now, the Government and the Private Bills Committee, of which he was then a member, on every occasion Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had warned the hon. gentleman at the time the Bill was introduced that the House would not likely consent, and the Government certainly could not consent to give patent rights by legislation where the law was not complied with. The claim in this case was that the parties meant to apply for an extension of a second five years, but were late by a few days. One consideration that arose was how the House might be disposed if it turned out to be the result of neglect on the part of a clerk to Mr. IRVING moved the second readrecommend that the Bill should be ing of the Bill to enable William Smith allowed to become law. It was a seri AFTER RECESS. LETTERS PATENT. Amies to obtain Letters Patent for a new and useful Artificial Manure. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN--Will the hon. gentleman explain the nature of this Bill? Mr. IRVING said it was to obtain, in favour of the present assignees of the patent, an extension of time, which by law they were entitled to had they filed their petition in time, and which, by an oversight, they permitted to pass over the five years. The Premier, ous question whether even that should be done, and he had only consented to the introduction of the Bill on the strict understanding the Government did not commit themselves to allow it to become law unless it was clearly established the delay was the result of accident. He remembered a Bill similar to this, which Mr. Wood of Durham had in charge, was allowed to pass, it being proved that the delay was due to the neglect of an attorney. terfered with. The Bill was read the second time and referred to the Committee on Private Bills. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read the second time: To grant to the Canada Landed Credit Company enlarged powers of borrowing and lending, and for other purposes therein mentioned. To amend the Act 38 Victoria, Chapter 93, intituled: "An Act to incorporate the Canadian Gas Lighting Company." To amend the Act incorporating the Canada Shipping Company. To amend the Act intituled: "An Act to incorporate the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company. Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said he would | his experience in his neighbourhood, not oppose the second reading, but he that anything except content existed called attention to the wording of the amongst them. It was represented second clause. There might be acquired that there was no distress among the rights between the time the patent farming population. It was true that lapsed and its restoration by this Bill. there was much individual wealth; but This second clause should be so worded an examination of the registry offices as to ensure that the rights and privi- would disclose a very large number of leges of third parties should not be in- mortgages on farm properties, which were daily fyled. Their property was not as remuerative as it ought to be and this was one of the evils with which they contended. They had raised to too great an extent wheat and other crops, for which they could readily obtain gold, reducing inordinately the producing power of their lands. A proper rotation of crops was not followed, else they would be more prosperous than they were to-day The mass of the farmers were Free-Traders, but they were beginning to understand that free imports did not mean free-trade. He knew that in his own and the adjoining Riding a very strong feeling existed among the farmers in favor of protection to manufactures, as these furnished a home market for products either of so little value as not to bear transportation to distant markets, or so perishable in their nature that they could not be shipped, when time was one of the essentials to this end. He believed the farmers were being convinced that one of the great reasons for their increased prosperity since 1867, was due to the establishment of manufactures in the country; and they were perfectly willing to bear their share of taxation in order to build up a home market; but they were not willing to do so while the Americans enjoyed the same position as themselves in their own market, and they were in a great measure excluded from the American markets owing to the heavy duties levied. Many members had, at the last election, carried agricultural constituencies almost by false pretences, as they did not dare to appear before the electors as upholders of the present state of things; and he was confident that when these hon. gentlemen again went to the polls, unless they changed their tone they would be left at home. The farmers remembered that they were prosperous when no Reciprocity Treaty was inexistence, and while they were not unde THE AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. on The debate being resumed Mr. Orton's motion for the appointment of a Select Committee regarding the agricultural interests of the Dominion. Mr. WALLACE (Norfolk) stated, that it had been said that the farmers did not require protection. He had the honour to represent a farming constituency, and he knew that in it there was a very strong feeling against the existing state of things. The farmers held that it was most unjust that they should pay taxes on almost everything they consume, while respecting all they produce they were compelled to enter into competition with the whole world; also that it was highly unfair that American produce should be permitted to enter Canada free of duty, while our Canadian produce must pay duties ranging from 15 to 20 per cent. and even above the latter figure. These anomalies should be remedied. The Premier and some of his supporters declared that the agriculturists were perfectly content, but he knew from |