somewhat dangerous office. away. One of of the salaries with a view to their Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said that perhaps hon. gentlemen would remember that in the Session of 1874 he announced the intention of the Government to dispense with two of these inspectors, at the same time declining to do it at that particular time because they wished to make sure that they were doing right. They took time to consider the matter, and had only done that which they had contemplated from their accession to office, and by means of which a considerable saving would be effected. The motion was adopted. On item No. 37, for $17,640 for the put down at $15,000 this year. The Manitoba Penitentiary, This item, together with items No. 38 and No. 39, was passed. On item No. 40, $60,850 for salaries and contingent expenses. Mr. SPEAKER stated that the whole expenditure of the House of Commons was rather calculated to create an erroneous impression. There had been a slight increase of expenditure in this Department of public service, but it was one for which the officers of the Honse were in no way responsible. It would be within the recollection of the House that the Commissioners of Internal Economy were instructed to make a revision House, however, had nothing to do The following items were passed Expenses of Committees, extra Sessional Clerks, $13,000. Contingencies, $20,140. Publishing Debates, $15,000. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Mr. BERTRAM called attention to the disgraceful manner in which many of the books in the library had been mutilated, and suggested that some measure should be adopted to prevent it in future. Mr. SPEAKER said this had been a serious complaint for some year past, but it had been impossible so far to prevent it. The Librarian was an exceedingly careful officer, but there were 300 gentlemen who were privileged to go to the library and take whatever books they pleased out of it. Besides this, the Speakers of both Houses were allowed to grant privileges to a large number of persons of this city on recommendation of members of Parliament, to have access to the library. It was impossible when so many persons were allowed to have the books, to prevent vandalism. Some of the valuable and rare books were not allowed out at all, and many were kept under lock and key. If any hon. gentleman could suggest any means of preventing the books from being defaced he would be very glad to adopt it. Mr. YOUNG said the matter had been before the Library Committee. One reason of the abuse was that the number of assistants was too small to take care of the library, and in consequence of the Statute, they could not increase them. The new library was expected to be completed next year, and there would be a railing in front of the shelves, so that the public could not have access to any of them without asking an assistant. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the library was practically a free circulating library to the people of this city, and the Committee had devoted themselves to seeing how far this system could be curtailed. He looked into the library himself the other day, and he found on the register the name of one private person down for twenty volIt could hardly be expected umes. that the whole Dominion should have to contribute to keep up a free library for the people of this city. Hon. Mr. BLAKE thought it was only reasonable that the library should be at the disposal of the members of Parliament and the public, but it was intended that that privlege should not be abused or that it should be turned into a free-circulating library. Mr. DOMVILLE said he would be very sorry to see the people refused the use of the library within proper limits. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT said valu able books were taken out of the library and scattered about the city, and it was not the intention of the country in subscribing $10,000 a year for this library to provide a circulating library for Ottawa. Hon. Mr. TUPPER thought it would be unwise to deprive the members of the Civil Service of the use of the library, as every means should be afforded them to improve their minds by reading instead of spending their leizure hours in a less profitable manner. One means to prevent the books from being abused would be to make it the duty of one person to note the condition in which each book left the library and returned; and when people found there was such a check it would make them more careful not to mutilate the volumes. Mr. MASSON said the Premier had made the statement that one private person had 20 volumes out of the library at one time. This showed there was some lack of administration in the Department, as members of Parliament could have only three volumes out at one time. The people of Ottawa should not be allowed greater privileges than the members of this House. Hon. Mr. CAUCHON stated that as long as the general public, including school boys, were allowed to have access to the books, they could not prevent their defacement. He believed that there were too many novels, in the library; the perusal of these works demoralized the young people, rendering them unfitted for the study of scientific and historical works. Mr. YOUNG announced that there would be another meeting of the Joint Committee, when he would bring the subject before it. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE remarked that they could not well have a more efficient Librarian, but it was very dif ficult to arrange and keep proper supervision over such a place, with an ordinary staff. On the item, $70,000, for printing, printing paper and binding. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT explained | that the increase of $20,000 over the vote of last year was in consequence of the representations made by the officials that they found it impossible to get through their work properly without incurring additional expense. and 29th sections of the Act of last Session shall be deposited with the Judge in the case, to be kept as a record of the Court. It was also proposed that creditors might have inspection of security and apply, on notice to the Judge, for an order that new or additional security be Mr. YOUNG was sorry to see this furnished. The provision with respect item increasing so fast. Many years to costs would be a sufficient safeguard ago the printing service of old Canada got to be a great abuse, $150,000 being against unnecessary applications. His to the expended in one year. The Printing attention had been called Committee reduced it to $27,000, and insufficiency of remuneration in the until lately the estimates were not unwinding up of small estates. reasonable. A great deal of useless matter was printed which might be dispensed with. After some further discussion the item was passed. The remaining items under the head "Legislation" were also passed, and the Committee rose and reported progress. The House adjourned at Thirty minutes past Twelve o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS. FRIDAY, March 17, 1876. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Three o'clock. THE INSOLVENCY ACT. Hon. Mr. BLAKE introduced a Bill to amend the Insolvency Act of 1875. He said he had adopted several suggestions which had been made to him, but in all cases where an amendment was not obviously necessary, it was thought best to give the existing provisions of the Act further trial. In the Bill before the House provision was made for the publication of notices, not only in the Official Gazette, but also in local papers. This was done to give the smaller creditors who did not take the Official Gazette proper notice. It would not increase the cost of advertising, because instead of publishing it twice in the Official Gazette, one notice would be given in it and the other in the local paper where the insolvent estate was. Another amendment provided for the examination of certain witnesses under oath. Then, with reference to securities, it was proposed that all given under the 28th He proposed to give 7 instead of 5 per cent. on estates of $1,000. With regard to judgments, he could not accede to the request to make an exception in the case of Nova Scotia, but had decided to put all the Provinces on the same footing. His amendment was as follows:-"By the recovery of any judgment or recording of it, or by "any other proceding on the judg ment," so that neither in Nova Scotia or anywhere else could any efficiency be given to a judgment unless these proceedings, which give it efficiency under the Statute have been taken. Mr. MACDONNELL (Inverness) Will that have a retroactive effect? Hon. Mr. BLAKE said it would affect judgments only as to future insolvencies. Another provision was for the collection of insolvency statistics, which made it the duty of the official assignees to furnish certain statistics to the Government for publication annually. Hon. Mr. CAMERON (Cardwell) requested attention to three or four matters which, in the practical operation of the Bill, had not been found to work in the manner in which he thought they had been intended to apply. Clauses in the present Act with reference to the sale of insolvent estates, absolutely conflict with each other. One provision stated that an advertisement being given in the Gazette, the sale of the estate might take place en bloc, with the assent of the majority of the creditors, but at the same time two other clauses existed, one having reference to real estate and the other to other estate, which— while apparently the first clause gave absolute power in this respect-ordered that advertisements should be made for two months before it could be sold. Different opinions had been held by different local Judges and lawyers as to the powers thus conferred, and there was really ground for the greatest possible doubt being entertained in this relation. The matter was of sufficient importance, in his opinion, to merit consideration in this Bill. There was another point of great importancewith regard to the position held by banks concerning insolvency claims. This occasioned great difficulty and should be put on a clear and more definite footing. Attention should also Attention should also be given to minor details in this connection; but the other matters he had mentioned were really of great magnitude. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Does the hon. gentleman wish banks to have exceptional rights? Hon. Mr. CAMERON—Not in the least; but the way in which their claims should be treated should be clearly defined in the Act. Mr. PALMER remarked that a great contest had taken place in the Courts of Nova Scotia, which had been only a short time settled, as to whether the right of lien could be enforced in any other way than by execution. The Courts decided that this existed without any reference to the execution at all, and that it could be otherwise enforced; the result was that recorded judgments had been used as securities. He was rather surprised to learn that the Minister of Justice proposed to sweep this right away without reference to future insolvencies. In the Act of 1867, whatever lien and claims were previously granted by law, were preserved. He could not see why this Act should not permit the same liberty. Hon. Mr. BLAKE-That is not the form of the Act now on the Statute Book. Mr. PALMER-It is so provided in the Act of 1869. Hon. Mr. BLAKE replied that he had endeavoured to deal in this measure with suggestions submitted to him. The hon. member for Cardwell had not, however, explained how he would solve the difficulties he had mentioned. Hon. Mr. CAMERON proposed to add intersections; he thought these defects could be cured without much difficulty. Hon. Mr. BLAKE-I will endeavour to adopt the hon. gentleman's suggestions, if the remedy is quite apparent. Hon. Mr. CAMERON-I will send them to you. Hon. Mr. BLAKE considered that we should have a uniform system in this connection throughout the country. However, a provision could be inserted preserving the rights of parties who held liens, who could realize if they so chose. He was quite willing, so far as it was possible, to protect vested interests. Mr. MACDONNELL questioned the power of the Dominion to deal with the control of property in the Provinces. It was true the Act of Confederation gave power to the Dominion Parliament to legislate in matters of insolvency and bankruptcy, but he did not think that would enable the Legislature to interfere with the rights and titles of property in the several Provinces. The Bill was read the first time. DISTRESSED SETTLERS IN MANITOBA. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT submitted the following message from His Excellency: The Governor General transmits to the House of Commons the accompanying estimate of the sum required to be appropriated to the relief of distressed settlers in the Province of Manitoba, and recommends the same to the House of Commons. Estimate of the sum to be appropriated for the relief of distressed settlers in Manitoba, $25,000. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the House had already been informed that the Government felt themselves. compelled to assume the responsibility of having a special warrant made out. for $60,000 for the relief of the settlers in Manitoba, and the providing of seed corn for the coming spring. It was the impression of the Local Government at the time and of the Hon. Lieut Governor that this sum would suffice. Recent investigations, however, had. proved that this was not the case, and | he proposed to read a letter from the Lieut.-Governor on this subject. They deemed it proper, Parliament being in Session, that instead of acting on their own responsibility they should bring down a message in the usual way and ask the House to sanction the additional vote proposed. When they went into Committee of Supply they would ask the House to assent to this vote. The Lieut.-Governor's letter was as follows: OTTAWA, 16th March, 1876. "The Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, First "Minister of Canada. "SIR,-I have the honour to inform you that before leaving Manitoba I ascertained that the distress existing among the people of the Province, owing to the destruction of the crops by the grasshoppers was very severe "At my request the Central Relief Committee deputed two of their members, the Hon. James McKay, and J. W. Nixon, Esq., telegram from Archbishop Taché, con- Hon. Mr. TUPPER assured the regard would receive the cordial sup- Hon. Mr. CARTWIGHT moved that to visit the western section of the Province you. "I have the honour to be, "Your obedient servant, "ALEXANDER MORRIS, "Lieut.-Gov. of Manitoba." Since the Lieutenant-Governor had left there he (Mr. Mackenzie) had received a telegram on the subject from the permament relief committee, and an urgent CORRUPT PRACTICES AT ELECTIONS. On motion of Hon. Mr. BLAKE, the House then went into Committee on the Bill to make more effectual provision for the administration of the law relating to corrupt practices at Elections of Members of the House of Commons-Mr. Forbes in the chair. On clause No. 6, Hon. Mr. BLAKE said that, with re of service, he did not think any injus- The clause was passed with verbal In regard to clause No. 10, Hon. Mr. BLAKE stated that it had been suggested as a matter of convenience to give a name to the Court in view of the affidavits and other |