Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) said it was; not a question of mere money. The rapid was a dangerous one, and every year there was loss of life there. He hoped the Minister of Public Works, who was interested in the free and safe navigation of the river, would see his way to allowing the grant which had previously been placed in the estimates to be re-voted. Mr. WHITE (Renfrew) corroborated the statement with regard to loss of life at that rapid. He had lost a number of men there himself. He thought that argument ought to induce the Government to allow this estimate to stand. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the matter had been submitted to the engineers, and they had reported on it sometime ago. It seemed to him, from their report, it was not of such a character that the improvement was absolutely necessary. He would only remark that there was no more reason why the public should execute these works on the Ottawa than they should construct any other works that were in the hands of private companies. There was no reason why private companies should not own these booms and slides. They could manage them to their own advantage much better that the Govern ment could do it. Mr. WRIGHT asked if the Government would be prepared to make over these works to the trade. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Government would be prepared to consider the question. Before the estimates were finally passed he would inform the House what the engineer had reported on this matter. Mr. McDOUGALL (South Renfrew) concurred in the remarks of Mr. White.. The lumber trade did not ask the Government to make improvements for them for nothing at the expense of the rest of the Dominion; they were willing to pay tolls that would return a reasonable interest on the investment. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT said theworks were not as remunerative as one would suppose from the figures, as there were some $201,000 of arrears for some years past that it would seem almost. impossible to collect. The item was passed. Item 114, providing $11,000 for dredge vessels, was passed without discussion. Item 115, providing $102,000 for dredging, being taken up, Mr. DECOSMOS enquired why dredging had been stopped in the harhim to be something extraordinary, bour of Victoria? This appeared to as at Victoria there were paid in duties over $500,000, one-third as much as Nova Scotia, and one-thirtieth of the Customs revenue of the Dominion. Was it part of the hon. gentleman's plan to shut down upon this as well as upon everything necessary and unnethe hon. gentleman not intend to keep cessary for British Columbia? Did faith with this Province with regard to a small matter like this, as well as in connection with a great matter like the Pacific Railway? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE did not choose to discuss the question of keeping faith at that time, for he did not think that anyone on looking at the estimates would say that they were not keeping faith with British Columbia with reference to the expenditure of public money. Mr. WHITE said as a practical lumberman he could not agree with the statement made by the First Minister that these works would be better managed by the trade than by the Government. It was true that mistakes were sometimes made in location of works, but generally speaking they were located to the great advantage of the trade, and they were better in the hands of the Government than controlled by private companies who would desire to make money out of them. It seemed to him that these works were as much Government works as break-neers. waters and harbours of refuge. The harbour of Victoria could undoubtedly be improved; but it was in an excellent condition, and dredging was not at present absolutely necessary. The removal of rocks in the harbour was of much more consequence, and nothing further would be done during the current year. He had no desire to refuse to expend any money there; and his information in this respect was obtained from the engi A contract had been entered into for the removal of the rocks. Mr. DECOSMOS remarked that if | two rocks, which he mentioned by name, were removed, vessels of 1,500 tons could move about near the wharves with great ease. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE promised to make a note of that matter. Item 116, providing for $10,000 to be expended on miscellaneous works not otherwise provided for, was passed without discussion. Item 117, providing for the expenditure of $45,000 for surveys and inspections, being taken up, Mr. KIRK remarked that he had presented to the Premier a petition very numerously signed, a few days ago, asking for the use of a dredge to clean out Lange River, near Tor Bay; and he enquired whether it could be obtained during the present season? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE did not know what dredge would be suitable for the purpose; he would make enquiry with reference to this matter. The item was passed. Item 118, providing for the expenditure of $15,000 for arbitrations and awards, was passed without discussion. The House adjourned at One o'clock, a.m. HOUSE OF COMMONS. WEDNESDAY, March 22, 1876. The SPEAKER took the chair at Three o'clock. AFTER ROUTINE. BEACON LIGHT ON RED RIVER. Mr. SCHULTZ asked whether it is the intention of the Government to erect a beacon or light house at the mouth of the Red River, known as Sloop Channel? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—It is not the intention of the Government to erect this light house. I am informed by the Department that no representation or application has been made on the subject, and it has not therefore been under consideration. THE PENSIONERS OF 1812-15. Mr. BLAIN asked whether, as some of the pensioners of 1812-15 died after the vote of last Session but before the amount was paid over, it is the intention of the Government to pay the amount appropriated under the vote to such of the friends or relations of deceased as attended them in illness and saw them interred? Hon. Mr. VAIL-It is not the intention of the Government to pay these claims. VICTORIA POST OFFICE. Mr. DECOSMOS asked, do the Government intend to pay debts contracted and due about eighteen months ago respecting the post office, Victoria, by the Post Office Inspector with certain mechanics of that place? If so, when? If not, why? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The Government will pay all debts contracted by officers authorized to contract them. Mr. DECOSMOS-What about this particular case? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said although they were unauthorized, and it was irregular and improper for Mr. Wallace to order anything, still what appeared to be essential would be paid for. PUBLIC RESERVES AND BUILDINGS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Mr. DECOSMOS asked when do the Government intend to transfer to the Province of British Columbia for Proincial purposes certain public reserves and public buildings for which application has been made at various times between 1871 and 1876 ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—I indicated to Mr. Walkem, when he was here last and mentioned the subject, the lots which I believed the Government would be willing to give to the Local Government, but I never heard from him after he returned to British Columbia, and in consequence the matter dropped. LAND RESERVES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Mr. DECOSMOS asked did the Government send any telegram, despatches or Minutes of Council in 1874 or 1875 to the Government of British Columumbia requesting the latter to make provision by Statute or Order in Council for the conveyance to the Dominion of a belt of land 20 miles wide along the line of the proposed | tants of the United States. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE We have no objection to bringing down all the papers. There is nothing except an Order in Council and the letter communicating it to the Local Government. LINGAN HARBOUR. Mr. McDONALD (Cape Breton) asked whether it is the intention of the Government to send one of the That por tion of the Treaty had not been carried out. Canadian boats were stopped by the Custom House authorities of the United States, under an old Act which had not been repealed, and if the American Government desired to carry out the provisions of the Treaty they certainly would repeal that Act. The result of the action of the United States was that the trade of this country was conveyed to Albany and New York, in American instead of Canadian bottoms. A good deal of corresp ›ndence had taken place between the ties on the subject during the last four United States and the Imperial authoriat Lingan this year, according to pro-apparently, was being brought about. or five years, but no satisfactory result, Government steam dredges to deepen the bar at the entrance of the Harbour mise made last Session ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I have no recollection of making any such promise. I can only have said the Government would do the best they could with the dredges. I can say nothing more now; but my impression is there are several harbours considerably more important as to trade which have to be attended to by the five dredges which are in operation. THE NAVIGATION OF AMERICAN CANALS. an Mr. JONES (South Leeds) moved for Address to His Excellency the Governor General for copies of all papers and correspondence with the Colonial Office, or with the Government of the United States, in regard to the apparent violation of the Washington Treaty in denying Canada the free navigation of the United States Canals, in accordance with that Treaty. He said he regarded this matter as a real violation of the Washington Treaty, although he merely termed it an apparent violation in his motion. In the Treaty of 1854 this very question was included in almost the same shape as in the Washington Treaty. Two years had now passed since the ratification of the Washington Treaty, and nothing had been done to bring about the reciprocal navigation of the canals and inland waters of the United States. In the Washington Treaty the United States undertook to secure to Her Majesty's subjects the use of the St. Clair Flats Canal and the State canals on terms of equality with inhabi It might be said that it would be impolitic to lay these matters before the House. He did not think this would be the case, and he was of opinion that in Canada we were better able to judge of the question than those living at a great distance from the country. He hoped the Government would see fit to give the information required. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE doubted whether it would be advisable to bring down the correspondence on the question at the present time, and he would request the hon. gentleman, if he pressed his motion, that there should be a distinct understanding that the Government might bring down very little of the information, and perhaps it might be advisable to bring nothing down. The motion could only pass on that understanding. He thought the words "apparent violation of the Washington. of the House. If the motion were alTreaty" should not be on the Journals tered so as to read-" In regard to the "action of the United States in denying "the free navigation of the canals of the "United States," then he would not object to the motion. Mr. JONES—I am perfectly willing to accept that. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the returns could not be complete, because the Government were now in communication with the United States on the subject; therefore it would not be. advisable to publish some of the correspondence the Government was in possession of. The same reasons made it undesirable to discuss the matter then. case. It was perfectly clear, moreover, there would be a very large injury to the property of the city unless the work was completed. If completed, instead of being an injury, it would be a benefit, because then it would be utilized in making the approach by the Having railway to this property. some very considerable local knowledge in reference to this matter, he wished to say to the Minister of Public Works Mr. JONES agreed to the suggestion he thought Rankin's wharf was entire Hon. Mr. TUPPER was satisfied that his hon. friend would agree to the suggestions made. The discussion of a matter which was the subject of diplomatic correspondence might not only embarrass, but actually obstruct the negotiations of the Government. and the motion was carried. Mr. PALMER moved for an Address to His Excellency the Governor General for a statement showing the amount which the Government of Canada have incurred in the construction of the branch of the Intercolonial Railway around Courtney Bay towards the ballast wharf at the city of St. John, New Brunswick; also copies of all correspondence between any of the authorities of the said city and any person on behalf of the Government with reference to the terms on which ly unsuited for a deep-water terminus, to Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said some of the papers could not be brought down, but most of them would be submitted. The expenditure for the purchase of land up to the present time was $115,111. He could not agree in the opinion that if the railroad were carried no further it would be any more an obstruction to that part of the city than if it were carried the whole way. A considerable portion of the road would be useful under any circum the Government was allowed to build stances. Mr. DOMVILLE-Not at all. It is perfectly useless. I speak from per ernment had abandoned this work Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the entirely after expending certainty not less than $100,000 or $150,000 upon it. When he (Mr. Palmer) had asked them a question on this subject the Hon. the First Minister reported that he was not aware that any parties had claimed their property had been injured by the prosecution of this work so far. He, however, had since discovered that the Mayor of St. John had, some time previous to the answer being given, written to the Department stating that such was the Government had to question the what was best in consider was the public interest, and if it were posssible to harmonize it with the interest of the City of St. John, it should be done. The Government had the impression that the city sought to imIt pose onerous conditions on them. was originally agreed by the City Council that the Government should have possession of the frontage to Reid's wharf. This was afterwards receded from. At all events the Gov ernment were convinced it would not suit their purpose except at an enormous expenditure to go to the Ballast Wharf and construct works that would be absolutely necessary there in order to secure accommodation for the large traffic anticipated. It was yet undetermined to what point they might go, but it was likely it would be determined very soon. They had to keep in view in considering that determination not merely what would be requisite for the traffic, but what would suit the harbour, and also what would be most likely to answer for connecting with the roads owned on the other side of the harbour. He had no strong impression about the bridge himself, but if there was to be one it must be constructed either on the upper side of the suspension bridge at the falls, or across Navy Island. We might fairly look forward to the time when complete railway communication could be had from New York and Boston to the most eastern point of Nova Scotia, and with the straightening on various places, we might expect to see a large portion of a certain kind of traffic carried over it. Any arrangements made in connection with the St. John terminus of the Government lines ought to be made with a view to having them as convenient as possible for the anticipated trade. Of the present vote there was a sum of $20,000 which had been awarded to the heirs of some estate-he believed the Chipman estate -that might be demanded at any time. There had been some legal difficulty about the matter. Mr. DOMVILLE hoped that the Government would pause before determining to do anything in connection with this matter. He only wished to benefit the City of St. John in the selection of the place; and the Minister of Customs knew that Rankins's wharf was not fit for a deep water terminus. This was not to be gainsaid. As far as railway requirements were concerned, the proper location was above the suspension bridge. The city had voted a sum of money to a company on condition that a bridge was built above the falls; but this had not been done, and the Company had applied two years ago for a charter to bridge the river or harbour where it would interfere with the rights of the people and cause a toll to be levied on the inhabitants of both sides. No doubt the Government railway must connect with the western extension in time; but why this should be done at the sacrifice of the public interests he could not understand. The railway in question was hopelessly bankrupt, and the bondholders in England had contemplated foreclosure. He had been asked, when in London, who could be put in charge of it. He hoped that the Premier would endeavour to meet the views of the citizens of St. John, though of course without sacrificing the interests of the Dominion in this connection. Hon. Mr. BURPEE assured the hon. gentleman that he considered nothing regarding this matter save the general minus was to be selected, whether near good. He had no idea where the terBallast wharf, or up towards Rankin's wharf. He was quite willing to leave it to the Minister of Public Works. Mr. DOMVILLE disclaimed intimating that the Minister of Customs had any personal interest in view, and thought that the hon. gentleman, as a representative of St. John, should urge the Premier to place the terminus where it would most benefit the city. Hon. Mr. BURPEE had no doubt that the Premier would be governed by the representations made on the part of the city on this subject. He had always, and was still, of the opinion that the bridge should be built where the suspension bridge now was. Mr. DOMVILLE enquired if the hon. gentleman would use his influence to have the matters at issue submitted to arbitration? Hon. Mr. BURPEE-This is to be dealt with by the Minister of Public Works. Mr. PALMER hoped that the road would be made continuous. A drawbridge at Navy Island, would be utterly destructive to the city's interests, as the current and tide run at this point at the rate of seven miles an hour. He put it to the Premier whether the question of a continuous 1 |