FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS.

Hon. Mr. BLAKE introduced a Bill to make other provisions as to the more speedy trial in certain cases of persons charged with felonies and misdemeanours in Ontario and Quebec.

He observed that mischiefs appeared to have grown up under the operation of the present Statute, which required a remedy. The measure he submitted proposed to give the Crown the right of objecting to any speedy trial until the sitting of the next Court of competent jurisdiction. If a prisoner elected to be tried summarily, the proper attorney might consent on the part of the Crown; but if the Attorney was of contrary opinion, a warrant of remand for a time not exceeding eight days should be made out, and the attorney should communicate with the Attorney General of the Province, communicating the particulars of the case and his reasons for declining his consent. If the Attorney General approved of definite remand it was permitted; but if not the record was drawn up as under the present Act. Mischiefs had become apparent with regard to further procedure in such cases. The law required that such trials should be held at the earliest practicable moment; and as to expense, it was to be observed that what was saved in maintenance was often largely increased in the conduct of prisoners. Publicity and solemnity were two essential elements in the administration of justice; and these were lost under the present system of procedure,

which was hardly creditable. The prisoners feared publicity, and he was informed that under this influence they often chose such a mode of trial; and frequently so little decorum was ob served that it was difficult to distinguish which was the Judge, which the counsel, or which the prisoner. He proposed to remedy this, by providing for frequent and regular sittings of the Courts in question. Notice was to be given at least five days previously, in order to ensure the attendance of the public; and it was certainly desirable that there should be a decent regard for the proper forms and ceremonies under such circumstances, for which he had made provision. In case it was thought necessary and proper, the application of this measure would be extended to the other Provinces.

He proposed to repeal the legislation giving to police and stipendiary magistrates the trates the same powers as County Court Judges, and to leave the latter alone the power to speedily try criminals.

Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD said

he quite approved of that part of the Bill providing for some check being held over the summary trial of a criminal at his own request, by the Judge. In all that was said about the importance of publicity and solemnity, and a Court preserving proper dignity and holding itself as a Court in the with the hon. gentleman. The other public view, he thoroughly agreed parts of the Bill also seemed to be well considered and well advised. He also admitted the desirability that there should be similarity in our criminal the efficient administration of justice procedure all over the Dominion; yet interfered with merely for the sake of was more important and should not be securing uniformity in procedure.

The Bill was read the first time.

POSTAL IRREGULARITIES.

Mr. ROSS (Middlesex) called attention to the fact that quite a number of volumes of last year's Hansard sent by mail from the distribution office had never reached their destination. He wished to know if the Postmaster General could furnish any information on the subject.

Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON said he learned now for the first time, with a great deal of regret, that such an irregularity had occurred. He would take means if possible to prevent its occur

rence.

CRANBOURNE POST OFFICE.

Mr. ROULEAU asked whether it is the intention of the Government to select another place for the Post Office of the Township of Cranbourne, County of Dorchester, inasmuch as the present Post Office is not in the centre of population?

Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON-It is not the intention to remove the office. The difficulty which the hon. gentleman's question seems to indicate, will be removed by establishing an office about three miles distant from Cranbourne in the same township, between the third and fourth ranges.

LAND PURCHASE ACT OF 1875.

Mr. PERRY asked whether any correspondence has taken place between the Dominion Government and the Government of Prince Edward Island in reference to the award of the Commissioners appointed to value the lands. of certain proprietors in Prince Edward Island, in accordance with the Land Purchase Act, 1875?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I think the only correspondence was the transmission of the judgments of the arbitrators and certain notices of appeal. I am not aware of any other correspondence at the moment.

ESQUIMAULT AND NANAIMO RAILWAY.

Mr. DEWDNEY asked whether any proposition has been received by the Dominion Government from a private company to construct the Nanaimo and Esquimault Railway; if so, what is the amount of money asked for per mile, and do the Government propose to entertain the proposition?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-A proposition was received within the last few days, but it would require too long an answer to give the hon. gentleman the information that he asks. It would be better to move for it in the usual way.

NAVIGATION OF THE SAGUENAY. Mr. CIMON asked whether it is the intention of the Government to give to one of their engineers the instructions which they gave last spring to Mr. Symmes, respecting the works required to be executed in order to improve the navigation in that part of the River Saguenay, called "Bras de Chicoutimi," inasmuch as Mr. Symmes died before being able to carry out these instructions?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-No instructions have been given yet, regard ing any works there, to the engineers of the department.

CARRYING THE MAILS IN DORCHESTER.

Mr. ROULEAU asked whether it is the intention of the Government to alter the conditions of the contract for carrying the mails between St. Anselme and St. Malachie, County of Dorchester, so as to provide that the St. Claire and St. Malachie mails may be received on the same day that they reach St. Anselme ?

Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON The attention of the Government has been in no way called to this subject.

DISTRICT MAGISTRATES IN QUEBEC.

Mr. TASCHEREAU asked whether the Government is aware of certain appointments made by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, since the year 1869, of District and County Court Judges, having jurisdiction, without appeal, in civil and criminal cases, in the said Province, under the name of "District Magistrates;" and whether such appointments have not been made in violation of the provisions of "The British North America Act of 1867," and in usurpation of the powers exclusively reserved to the Governor General of Canada, by the said Act?

Hon. Mr. BLAKE-The Government have no official information of any such appointments, though, in the course of the various proceedings it must come to their cognizance that such appointments have been made. It is not thought proper, under the circumstances, to express an opinion here as to the constitutionality of that action. Of course the suitors or criminals of the Court will have the right to appeal on this subject.

GOVERNMENT DREDGES.

Mr. FLYNN asked whether it is

the intention of the Government to send a dredge boat during the coming summer to deepen the entrance of Fourché Harbour?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—As soon as the engineer in charge of the works in the Lower Provinces reaches here, arrangements will be made for the work of dredging during the coming season, at the places where it is most required. The large dredge must, of course, work in deep harbours,

and the smaller ones in shallower places. Some of these dredges are engaged for a month or two to come at works uncompleted last year. I can only answer the question more fully after I get information from the engi neer in charge.

ANNUAL DRILL.

Mr. PELLETIER asked whether it is the intention of the Government to change the system of Military Exercises; and whether the formation of Camps in each Military District is to be continued?

Hon. Mr. VAIL-It is not the intention of the Government to change the system of drill. The camp training will be discontinued for the present year.

COUNTY COURT JUDGES IN NEW WESTMINSTER.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM asked whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint a County Court Judge for the district of New Westminster, British Columbia; and if so, when is the appointment to be made?

Hon. Mr. BLAKE-There is some correspondence on this subject which the hon. gentleman can have if he moves for it.

FRAMES FOR THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBI

TION.

Mr. TUPPER asked whether the contract for the cases and frames for the Canadian Department of the Centennial Exhibition was given out by tender or by private arrangement; if the former, who was the successful competitor, and if the latter, with whom was the arrangement made?

Hon. Mr. MACKEMZIE-There were seventy cases 12x13x3, glass frames all around, to be made by Mr. Craig, of Montreal, by a private arrangement, for $70 each. He puts them up in Philadelphia; they will be brought back and and re-erected · here in the Patent Office for use after the Exhibition is over.

THE CIVIL SERVICE EXPENDITURE.

Mr. ROULEAU moved for an Address to His Excellency the Governorlaid before this Honorable House : General praying him to cause to be

1st. A list of all the employés, whether per. manent or temporary, of the following public departments at Ottawa: Public Works, Re ceiver General, Finance, Post Office, Militia, Customs, Inland Revenue, Secretary of State, Marine and Fisheries, Justice, Interior, Agriculture and Statistics; showing the salary of each of such employés ;

2nd. A statement showing the bonus granted to each of the employés above named, for the year 1875, and what portion of the sum voted for that purpose, during the last Session of this Parliament, has been thus distributed among such employés ;

3rd. Copies of all Orders in Council, Reports or Documents granting such bonus to each of the said employés, and showing upon what basis such bonus was distributed among them. The motion was carried.

GROSSE ISLE BUILDINGS.

Mr. CIMON moved for an Address to his Excellency the Governor General for copies of the following documents relating to the undertaking and construction by Messrs. Piton & Co., contractors, of certain buildings for the Dominion Government at Grosse Isle, namely:

1. Correspondence between Piton & Co., and the Department of Public Works;

2. Reports of Messrs. Lepage, Scott, Peachy, and Gauvreau, Architects and Civil Engineers, and correspondence of these gentlemen with one another and with the Department of Public Works;

3. Reports of Mr. Scott after his visit to the locality, and reports of the same on the several reports referred to him;

4. Reports of J. B. St. Michel to M. Lepage; 5. Accounts of Piton & Co. transmitted to the Department of Public Works ;

6. A detailed statement of sums paid by the Department of Public Works to Piton & Co.

The motion was carried.

suited for this purpose. This subject had occupied the attention of the Dominion Board of Trade, and had been deeply studied by Dr. Fortin, a former member of the House, who had for many years navigated the St. Law

rence.

Mr. GILLMOR did not desire to defeat the motion, but he presumed that the Government was already in possession of the information the hon. member desired. The motion bore a strong resemblance to a proposition made last year with the view of discovering the most direct route to Europe. It was also well to look at the expense incurred by such enquiries. A scientific gentleman from Montreal, Mr. Faragina, had been examined before the Committee appointed in the latter relation, and hon. members might be surprised to learn that he charged for giving his testimony, and preparing a statement which could be read in five minutes, $254, a sum for which a labourer might toil a year. He believed the gentleman was styled a Colonel—and he thought that this must be the case, owing to the amount of the gentleman's bill. The services rendered by Mr. Faragina were unimportant, and his statements that the only ports in the inner Bay of Passamaquoddy were in American territory was grossly incorrect. He was satisfied that the gentleman had never visited the places in that part, with which he pretended to be personally acquainted. In the inner Bay of Passamaquoddy there were five ports, and it was not necessary to approach it. He supposed that Mr. Faragina was a friend and chum of the hon. member for Bonaventure, and while he was not opposed to the motion, he did protest against the system of appointing Committees for the sake of employing scientific gentlemen to give such information respecting which the Government should possess all the knowledge desired; but if for this information they waited until it was furnished by the hon. member, he was assured that the Administration would remain for a long time in ignorance of the subject. He was satisfied that an attempt was being made to take a certain amount out of the public Treasury.

Hon. Mr. ROBITAILLE replied that these remarks were worthy of a person who was incapable of appreciating scientific attainments. It should, in justice to the gentleman mentioned, be also stated that he was detained in this city for twenty or twenty-five days. If the hon. member for Charlotte wished to treat labourers in the same manner as scientific men, he was welcomed to such an opinion; and he (Mr. Robitaille) believed that a man who would affirm that this was an attempt to extract public money from the Treasury, was a man whom he himself would rather suspect in such a relation of entertaining such motives.

Mr. GILLMOR--I wish to say in answer to the attack made upon me――

Mr. SPEAKER-The hon. member

for Charlotte has no right to reply in this instance; when he was speaking I must say I was under the impression that he went too far in his allusions

with reference to the hon. member for Bonaventure.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER agreed with the Speaker that the hon. member for Charlotte had gone a great deal too far in attacking the motives of the hon. member for Bonaventure, and he was quite certain that every member of the House would acquit the latter of any intention to do anything else than the resolution submitted proposed. He was quite sure that the House would not be disposed to consider even the sum of money named as a very extravagant grant to be paid to a gentleman of great scientific attainments detained, for any length of time on important business. He

was bound to concur with the hon. member for Charlotte with regard to the inaccuracy of Mr. Faragina in the particular mentioned. He was quite certain that the latter had fallen into an entire misapprehension in this regard, though he did not doubt that this gentleman could give a great deal of valuable information. He wished to support the hon. member for Bonaventure in his opinion as to the great importance of the service he proposed, and it would be remembered that last Session he had called the attention of the Government to the urgent advisability of connecting Sable Island, St.