Mr. BOWELL reminded the hon. member for South Wellington that although the receipts from the post office at Guelph were larger than the receipts from the post office at Belleville, the difference was not great. The former amounted to $11,100; the latter to $11,800, while the cost of collection at Guelph was $3,736, and only $2,800 at Belleville, leaving a balance of $586 in favour of the latter in the actual net receipts to the Dominion.

Mr. JONES (Halifax) said there seemed to be a raid on the Treasury Benches to supply buildings for all the country towns. It would be a dangerous precedent to establish that the Government were bound to put public buildings in all the towns. There were some places where it would be to the public advantage, but he was satisfied in the most of them the people could be equally well served by hiring accommodation and at less expense than by constructing buildings. He hoped the Government would hesitate before committing themselves to such a dangerous principle.

Mr. MASSON asked the Premier to explain why there had been such a large expenditure on repairs of fortifications last year.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK said explanations of this vote were needed. He wished to know why the commandant's house had been so badly planned that there was not a room in it large enough to accommodate ten persons. He wished to know who was the architect of this wonderful edifice? The commandant would not go into it. The House would also like to know something about the College building, and when it would be opened.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he received with the utmost meekness this rebuke for his neglect, since it came from one who knew so much more about plans than he (Mr. Mackenzie) did. What he had to say was that while he had not done all his hon. friend would have done, he had done his best in the matter. His impression was that the matter had been well attended to. The building was planned by an able architect according to his (Mackenzie's) direction, and he was prepared to defend the construction of the

building. In addition to other works, the interior of the stone fort, a large building 170 feet long and 4 chains high, had been entirely refitted, and a considerable amount had been expended in levelling the ground. A very large proportion of the vote was expended in repairing the fortifications. He was extremely well satisfied with the work that had been done. doubt a part of this money would be required in the erection of a new wing, and they expected to be able to open the school early in the spring, in the front, with a small staff of professors.

No

Hon. Mr. TUPPER-How many persons have applied to enter the Military School?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said 8 or 10 had passed the first examination, which was considered to be somewhat severe. Another examination would be held in a few weeks, less severe. They desired to have about 22 students to commence with, and not more than 25 at at the outside, in order to leave room for the younger officers in the active force who desire to entor the school.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK said that he did not speak on behalf of the a personal commandant but from inspection of the buldings.

Mr. MASSON-Asked what would be the cost of the new wing?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Said about

$20,000 or $30,000, but the cost, of course, would depend upon the size of the buildings.

Mr. MASSON-What will be the approximate cost of the whole building? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-About

$100,000.

Mr. MASSON asked if the House was not pledging itself far beyond the He did not wants of the country. think they could utilize so large a building, and the expenditure in his opinion was unwarranted, unless they intended to establish a standing army in the Dominion.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said if the hon. gentleman was of a different opinion to that of the Government, and it was the opinion of the House that it was not wise to make the expenditure, the Government were willing to learn wisdom from the House upon this, as upon other questions.

Mr. MASSON did not think that accomodation for one hundred pupils was required, unless the Government intended to establish a standing army. An expenditure of $100,000-which would probably, in point of fact, be increased to $150,000-was not warranted by the means of the country; he had supposed that a building of reasonable dimensions would have been erected; and he was astonished that such an expenditure had been made. The disbursements intended were too large.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE Very well -vote against it.

Item 100, providing $5,000 for repairing fortifications at Quebec, and $60,000 for the examining warehouse at Montreal, having been taken up,

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN stated that the sum of $5,000 was too small for the purpose in view; and enquired whether the 60,000 would complete

the warehouse.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE believed that

it would; the estimate for the building it would; the estimate for the building itself had been under $180,000.

The fortifications at Quebec, as at Kingston, did not meet the requirements of the latest systems; consequently repairs would only be made on the permanent buildings, as were ab solutely necessary to prevent them going to decay. A considerable sum had been expended last year on the Point Levis fortifications, which had not been built in conformity with the exigencies of our climate. A portion of the walls of the citadel would have to be taken down.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN regretted the smallness of the sum, and he hoped that this point would be considered at least in connection with the supplementary estimates. The walls of the citadel, for the safety of residents of the Lower Town, would have to be kept up.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE replied that these works had been neglected under the administration of the hon. gentleman; had this not been the case a very slight expenditure would now have been requisite to keep them in proper order. The chief architect had reported to him what was absolutety necessary to be done, and such repairs would be effected.

Mr. MASSON asked what assistance the Government would give towards the embellishment of the city of Quebec.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said they had not considered the question definitely. An engineering officer had examined the ramparts last year with a view to ascertain to what extent the wishes of the City Council and the people could be complied with. The understanding was arrived at that certain streets might be allowed to pass through the ramparts for the convenience of the public if the city would pay the expense of making something like ornamental gateways to preserve the beauty of the place from a historic point of view. The City Council had agreed to make an appropriation for bound, so far as the public interest the purpose, and the Government were would permit them, to allow the streets of the city to pass through certain portions of the rampart.

The item was passed.

On item $3,000 for the Sydney Marine Hospital,

Mr. MACKAY (Cape Breton) asked what the cost of the building would be? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-$12,348.

Mr. MACKAY-Have any tenders been invited for the construction of the

Sydney Quarantine Hospital?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I think not..

Mr. MACKAY-Is the amount to be voted this year?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—No. Mr. MACKAY-Is the building to be constructed?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Not this year.

Mr. MACKAY said when the amount was put in the estimates, the work should proceed. At Sydney and North Sydney some 600 vessels come in from sea, and a season or two ago small pox

Mr. McDONALD (Cape Breton) said his hon. colleague in Jauuary, 1874, had read a letter from the Premier stating this work would be proceeded with immediately, but there had been some difficulty about the location of the two buildings. In his (Mr. McDonald's) opinion, both buildings should be located at the one place, where they could be attended by one doctor, at less expense to the country.

Mr. MACKAY said the opinion of the officers sent by the Government was diametrically opposed to this view. The people of Sydney would never consent to the construction of a quarantine hospital within the limits of the town.

Mr. FLYNN asked why the item $1,000 for a marine hospital at Arichat, placed in the estimates last year, was not revoted this year?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said it was for the simple reason it was impossible to build a hospital for $1,000. There was no foreign shipping coming in there likely to render necessary an institution of the kind at that point.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER said it was true there was not much foreign trade at Arichat, but vessels called there from New York and Boston, where small-pox was prevalent.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said if a hospital should be found necessary at any point, it would be constructed, but it would not be well to give the impression that every small place on our coast should have such institutions.

Mr. FLYNN said that previous to 1873 several cases of small-pox were brought to Arichat from the United States. The matter was brought under the notice of the Government and a sum of $1,000 was placed in the estimates for the erection of a Quarantine Hospital, it being thought that sum

Hon. Mr. TUPPER said the late Government had made appropriations for the erection of these buildings at ports where they were required, and these appropriations having been revoted, he considered the Government was bound, unless they could show some good reason for not doing so, to go on with the work. He was satisfied that there would be great dissatisfaction in the places where the people found the Government were not prepared to fulfil the pledges which had been given them.

Mr MACKAY (Cape Breton) also dwelt upon the necessity of the erection of a Quarantine Hospital at the port, stating that there was no place to send small-pox cases except to the Marine Hospital.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE believed that the Imperial authorities owned some property which the Government desired to obtain, but the Imperial authorities had declined to put it at their disposal. The Government did not think with the new Marine Hospital erected there that there would be any difficulty with the diseases that might occur in the port. All he could say at present was that the sum of $1,000 was utterly useless for the purpose--at least four times that sum being required. That amount was only put into the estimates in order to make temporary provision if it was required, and the Government had thought it advisable to remove from the estimate a vote totally inadequate for the purpose. The item was adopted.

Items 103 and 104, appropriating $500 for the Louris Marine Hospital, was passed without discussion.

On item 105, Public Buildings, B. C., $5,000.

Mr. ROSCOE asked if it was the intention of the Government to erect a Custom House on the river, where the Custom House officer had to live in a tent, and had no place in which to keep his money and papers securely.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said of course it was not the intention of the

Government to build Custom Houses wherever there were Custom House Officers. The Officer who was placed to collect revenue anywhere was generally supposed to find a dwelling for himself. The Government were not aware of the circumstances connected with this case until the hon. gentleman brought it to his (Mr. Mackenzie's) notice a few days ago. He said to the hon. gentleman then that the Government would erect a log building on the river which would do temporarily, both for the purpose of a residence and an office. Owing to the inability of the Government to get the boundary line defined, they had some difficulty in regard to the collection of duties there, but at the present time they had simply located the officer where they believed he should be located, and they would endeavour to obtain temporary accommodation for him.

Mr. BUNSTER enquired whether it was the intention to build a Custom House in Nanaimo; the collections last month amounted to $3,000 and for the months previous they were $8,000? They would be a great deal more, he was informed, if a Custom House were

erected, as merchants at present did not bring their goods there directly. The prospects of Nanaimo were excellent, but like other parts of British Columbia it was very much neglected by the Administration. They also badly required a new post office.

The item was passed. Item 106, providing $30,000 for a general Penitentiary for the Maritime Provinces; $20,000 for the St. Vincent de Paul Penitentiary; $52,400 for the Manitoba Penitentiary; $66,000 for the British Columbia Penitentiary, and $5,000 for Penitentiaries generally (additions and repairs)--total, $173,400, being taken up,

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE explained that convicts would be employed in connection with the erection of the Penitentiary for the Maritime Provinces.

Another wing was to be built at the St. Vincent de Paul Penitentiary, from which, owing to want of room, 150 convicts had been sent to Kingston last year. The British Columbia Penitentiary was under contract. The last item was intended to provide for general contingencies, such as the destruction of one of the main buildings, which had taken place last year at Kingston.

Mr. MASSON-Will this vote com

plete all the buildings, save the Penitentiary for the Lower Provinces ?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Scarcely. The British Columbia and Manitoba Penitentiaries will, however, be completed.

Mr. MASSON- Will the Custom

House and post office at Manitoba be also finished with the amount voted ?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I am so informed. At this point the Premier rose to explain with regard to item No. 104, that the vote made for the post office last year would complete the building. The entry was entirely the erection of new buildings, a resiWrong; the $25,000 was to be used for dence for the Lieutenant-Governor, &c., in the North West Territory.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK-Where will they be located?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-That is not precisely settled.

Mr. SCHULTZ hoped that in this regard the Government would not pursue the course which had proved so disastrous last year, under somewhat similar circumstances, at Fort Pelly, where buildings had been erected without tenders being invited for the work. They turned out to be most miserable in construction, and were now entirely useless. This was due partly to the ill-judged haste with which the Administration had chosen Fort Pelly as the seat of Government, and partly to the employment of improper materials. The Mounted Police had found it utterly impossible to use them during last winter, and although it was not direct

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE hoped to be able to give this information before the estimates were all passed.

ing officer on visiting them considered them completely unsuited for the purposes in view, advising the Government to have nothing whatever to do with them. He hoped that this would

not again occur, and that tenders on this occasion would be obtained.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I can not tell exactly; I will bring down the in

The item was passed.

Item No. 107, providing $182,000 for rents, repairs, furniture and heat

will be with different results.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I think it will be with the same results.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN enquired where the British Columbia Penitentiary would be placed?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It will be built west of New Westminster on Government ground.

Mr. MASSON thought that the Premier's replies to Mr. Schultz had scarcely been satisfactory, and asked what could have justified them being given in such a manner?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Nothing whatever.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK-Perhaps the Premier will tell us whether the information of the hon. member for Lisgar is correct or incorrect?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—It is not correct.

Mr. KIRKPATRICK-You state that the buildings have been satisfactorily constructed-do I understand that ?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I do.
Mr. KIRKPATRICK-Were they

built with or without tender?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Without tender. It is quite impossible to get tenders for such contracts. We erect them by means of Government officers in accordance with the instructions of the architect at Ottawa.

Mr. SCHULTZ-I must hope, at least, that the results will be well worth the experience obtained, at any

rate.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I know what our experience and the experience of the late Government has been with respect to the payment of extravagant sums for such contracts; and we do not intend to repeat it.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER-What expenditure has been made in the construction of buildings at Fort Pelly?

Buildings, $2,500 for the removal of snow at the Public Buildings, Ottawa, $12,000 for gas used in the Public Buildings, Ottawa, $5,000 for fuel and light at Rideau Hall, and $10,000 for repairs and miscellaneous expenses at Rideau Hall-total $251,500---being taken up,

Mr. KIRKPATRICK stated the ex

penditure for rents, repairs, furniture ably during the last few years; in and heating, &c., had increased remark1872-3 this item amounted to $81,000; and in 1873-4 to $95,000; and now it was no less than $182,000. He hoped that the Premier would explain; and as he asked the question politely, he hoped that the First Minister would not snap his head off.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the expense of maintaining public buildings had increased enormously of late. The new public buildings in Montreal, Toronto and other places increased the expense of maintenance. It was found necessary to rent a number of buildings. In this city, for instance, it was found for the necessary to rent rooms Supreme Court and also for the Pacific Railway Surveyors, there being absolutely no room in the offices for them, and a great deal of work had to be done in the interior of some of those buildings to fit them for occupancy. The details of such expenditures would be found in the Public Accounts. He was not aware of anything abnormal at all; it was simply because of the greater number of buildings to be maintained. The selection of Rideau Hall was in the first place unfortunate. The cost of the grounds with buildings attached was not far from $400,000. Last year, the old building having been found in a delapidated condition, they had to put on a new roof entirely of wood and iron, and it was now in a tolerable state of repair.

The motion was passed.

On the item, $62,200, for harbours and breakwaters in Ontario,