६ would accept their silence as an admission that the Minister had used his influence to put printing in the way of this company and pocketed his share of the profits. He found also the St. John Freeman had received $9,000 | for similar work, but as the name of he party who owned the paper was not put down, they could not say whether he was a member of this House or not. He wondered if the receipts for the money were signed Freeman ?" In 1874 the same paper received $8,126, and the Halifax Citizen $10,247, so that it was quite evident the gentlemen on the Treasury Benches had adopted the policy to the victors belong the spoils," and they had not forgotten themselves. Had they given it to their friends outside it would only be what might be expected, but they had adopted another plan and only gave the spoils to the papers in which they were interested themselves. He called attention also to the fact that a post office in his constituency had become vacant and no appointment had been made. He supposed it was because there did not happen to be in that locality a single supporter of the Government. He supposed it required political influence to get an appointment made, as no attention had been paid to the recommendations which he had sent in. Mr. HIGINBOTHAM said as proof that appointments were not made through political influence, he would state that he had made applications for three new offices in his county and had not been able to get one. it done by, but was the sum paid too large for the work performed. He found that in Nova Scotia last year they had 144 post-offices and 733 way offices, and the Post Office Department concluded to convert these way offices into post offices. This change necessitated a large amount of printing for account books and necessary forms. He remembered a few years ago-in 1872, he believed-advertisements were published, calling for tenders for a mail Contract; tenders were received, but before the day for opening them arrived, it was known that a certain firm who had tendered for $400 more than others, had got the contract, and were entering into arrangements to perform the work. Mr. ROBITAILLE said the hon. gentleman ought to bring down papers to substantiate this statement. Hon. Mr. TUPPER hoped he would put a notice on the paper to move for the production of the papers; he would be surprised if the charge could be sustained. Mr. SCATCHERD said the hon. member for North Hastings, who seemed a little exercised about the illegality of those newspapers having received money for Government printing, should look a little further, and he would find the Mail had received such work. It was possible, too,that the paper with which the hon. gentleman was connected might have insertedGovernment advertisements. A little broader view of the thing should be taken, and all classes included, and then some satisfactory conclusion might be reached. Mr. BOWELL said the hon. gentleman ought to be capable of drawing a distinction between the ordinary adver tisment sent to a newspaper without, in all probability, the proprietor's knowledge until it was published, and Ministers of the Crown and prominent members owning establishments and doing job work for the Government to the tune of $11,000 and $12.000. Mr. WHITE (North Renfrew) said he had made application some time ago for a post office in a certain part of his constituency, which was refused, as the Government could not see the necessity for it; but after he had lost his seat and a Ministerial supporter was returned, the post office was established, and it was used as an argu- Mr. SCATCHERD did not see the ment against him (Mr. White) in his difference, and knew very well there last election by his opponent why the was no difference. But perhaps the electors should not give him their sup-hon. gentleman, when he published port. Mr. KIRK said the question with respect to the printing done in Halifax and St. John was not who was such advertisements, took the ground that it was a small amount which would not be noticed, and therefore he was safe in taking it. Mr. BOWELL said it was not a ques-an's friends are disposed to rass on tion of amount at all, and that there the Department over which I have was an important difference in the two the honour to preside, will interfere with my opportunities to fulfil their wishes, I am not at this moment able cases. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE was bound to admit that there was a difference between advertisements and job printing, because one advertisement paid a great deal better than the same amount of printing. He knew which his hon. friend would take if he had his choice. Mr. BOWELL-But suppose a man got a large quantity of job work and had no job office, and had to farm it out ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Suppose the moon was green cheese? Mr. DESJARDINS urged that the postal service for the town forming the western suburb of Montreal. and containing from sixteen to eighteen thousand people, should be improved. Further, the municipality of Notre Dame de Grace, about three miles from Montreal, lacked a post office; it: residents could obtain their letters at present only at Montreal, or at St. Henri, or at Cote des Neiges. Hochelaga, a very important village, which was progressing very rapidly, was also exposed to serious inconveniences in this relation; the line which carried postal matter to it ran in such a manner that papers and letters leaving Montreal in the evening, reached their destination about three o'clock on the day following, about the same time that these were delivered in parishes at five, six, or seven leagues from the city. Coteau St. Denis, St. Jean Baptiste village, and other municipalities about Montreal had sent petitions praying for the improvement of their postal service, and he hoped that the Postmaster General would see that they were placed on a more satisfactory footing than at present. The village of Outremont and the Tanneries de Belair also required consideration in this regard. to say. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL stated that he had listened with patience to the duel which had taken duel which had taken place with reference to post offices; he had, however, as much cause for complaining as any other hon. member who had been compelled To give to it his attention. He could bear testimony to the the general efficiency of the Department; he had made only one application to. it so far as he recollected, during the past twelve months, and this had been for the establishment of a way office in a settlement in his county of some twenty-five years standing, which contained some five and twenty settlers. It was situatel twelve miles from any post office. Judging from the tone of the remarks of the Postmaster General, he did not think that there was much likelihood of securing any assurance that the matter would receive any ready attention. nevertheless he would submit with patience, and trust to the tender mercies of the Department. If despite all the present depression in trade, the hardness of the times, and the falling off which was likely to occur in the receipts during the year, he could obtain the appropriation of $80 or a $100— he was very moderate in his demands -to secure the object he had in view, he would return to the Department his most grateful thanks. Mr. KIRK, with reference to a statement he had made, informed the House that in 1873 a tender had been accepted to carry the mail between Shubenacadie and Melrose, a distance of 88 miles; the party who received it was prepared to perform the service on the day when the tenders were to be opened, without waiting for this to be done. The price was $1,625; and another tender, which he knew had been sent in, was drawn for $1,400. Hon. Mr. HUNTINGTON-I have only to say in regard to what has fallen from the hon. member, that there is. no doubt, much force in what he has stated with Hon. Mr. TUPPER again recomreference to the necessity for in- mended his hon. friend to move for the creased postal communication; but how papers, as a very grave charge was far the censures which the hon gentle-made against the Post Office Depart • The item was carried. The item $3,000 for inspection of staples passed without discussion. ment. He had no hesitation in saying they had had experience of the workthat this statement ought to be sub-ing of the Bill. He also said that as stantiated, if it were possible; but it far as possible they would employ inwas entirely contrary to the whole land revenue officers. course of procedure with relation to these matters, and he was quite cer- į tain that the hon. gentlemen laboured under some very serious misapprehension. If the hon. gentleman would move for the papers, the correspondence with the Post Office Department would show that the late Postmaster | Act, General had not been so recreant to his duty as the hon. gentleman seemed to think. Mr. KIRK-I know it to be the fact. Mr. PLUMB drew attention to the receipts and expenditures of the Department for 1873, 1874 and 1875, showing that the ratio of revenue had not kept pace with that of expenditure, based upon the following figures taken from the public accounts for those years. In 1873 the entire receipts were $1,308,154, and the entire expenditure $1,553,000, the deficiency being $245,450; in 1874 the receipts amounted to $1,407,068, and the expenditure to $1,695,480, the deficiency being $288,312, and in 1875 the receipts were $1,473.436, and the expenditure reached $1,873.24, showing a deficiency of $397,877, only an increase of $72,000 in the receipts and of $200,000 in the cost of collection. The item was carried. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. On the item No. 190, appropriating $72,000 for salaries and expenses of 72 Inspectors of Weights and Measures. Mr. JONES (Leeds) said he was of opinion that these inspectors should be paid by fees. If this were done he was satisfied that a better inspection would be made. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT explained that the Statute passed three years ago provided the inspectors shall be paid by salary. Mr. MACDOUGALL (Elgin) asked whether the Government intended to make any change in the present law. Hóu. Mr. CARTWRIGHT thought it was better to give the law a fair trial, and he did not consider it would be right to propose alterations before MISCELLANEOUS ESTIMATES. On the item $10,000 to meet expenses under the Adulteration of Food Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked what steps had been taken to carry out that Act? Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT said the Government analysts in some of the leading cities. now appointing The item was passed. were On the item $18,475 for collection of slide and boom dues, Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) called attention to the inadequacy of salaries paid to the slide masters of the Ottawa, who were most faithful and efficient officers. The slide master at the Rocher Capitaine, who had no duties to discharge, actually received the largest salary of all. After some further discussion the item was passed. On the item $200,000 for Prince Edward Island Railway, Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE explained this sum was required for working expenses. The revenue, it was thought, would amount to about three-fourths of that. The item was passed. On the item $32,200 for telegraph lines in British Columbia, Mr. KIRKPATRICK asked for explanations. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said $26-, 700 was required to pay the staff in the telegraph offices of British Columbia; the sum of $1,500 was required for repairs, and $4,000 for subsidy to the Western Union Company. Mr. KIRKPATRICK-What reve nue is expected for this large expenditure ? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The net receipts last year were $9,849.18. The item was passed. On the item $1,946.66 for telegraph line between Prince Edward Island and the mainland. In reply to Hon. Mr. | down any reports of the engineers of Tupper, the Pacific Railway this year. Hon. Mr. TUPPER enquired if there was any information with reference to the Vancouver Island road? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said an ar- Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE replied rangement had been made with the these were in the Public Works ReTelegraph Company who held a mono- port, which was laid on the table a poly on the Island. He had no doubt | month ago. himself but the Government might run 2 line along their railway, but they preferred making an arrange ment with them by which for a certain amount they had the use of their lines without erecting a telegraph line. The Company had the use of some of the Government offices to do the ordinary work of the neighbourhood. All the Government messages connected with the working of the railway had to be transmitted by this line to Moncton to the head office and thence to Ottawa. Mr. KIRKPATRICK said it was necessary that all such contracts should be laid on the table of the House. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had a different opinion; he did not pretend to lay every contract upon the table. The item was carried. Items $4,000, agents and contingencies, British Columbia; $60,000, surveys of land, North-West (including commissions and staff), and $10,000 for minor revenues, passed without debate. The Committee then rose and reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. SATURDAY SITTINGS. In reply to a question as to whether the House would sit on Saturday, it being a Roman Catholic Fête d'Obligation. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said in a matter of this kind the Government were entirely in the hand of the House, but where there was even one member whose conscience would feel offended at sitting on that day they should not compel him to attend. At all events it was tolerably evident that there was quite a number who, although not opposed to sitting in an emergency, would prefer not to sit to-morrow, and he thought the Government would be consulting the interests of the whole in not asking them to sit to-morrow. INFORMAL QUESTIONS. Hon. Mr. KIRKPATRICK asked if the Government intended to bring matter had not come before him yet, and indeed had no connection with the Pacific Railway, and would be a the subject at all. It was not a part of separate question entirely from the discussion which would arise on the estimates. The matters which would come up on the estimates in connection with the construction of the road, building of telegraph lines, and unr chasing of rails and everything of that sort it is usual to discuss; but the mere question of policy involved in the correspondence with the British Columbia Government was an entirely separate thing and could be better discussed by itself. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) asked whether any information would be given with respect to the result of the Surveys that had been lately completed on the line of the Georgian Bay branch before that item was discussed. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Oh, certainly? Mr. BLANCHET-And about the caucellation of the contract? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE These papers have been brought down, and were printed in the newspapers. But In answer to a further question by Mr. Wright of Pontiac, Mr. Mackenzie said the Government would give all the information they possibly could. they had no report from the Chief Engineer relative to the Georgian Bay branch, because he had not undertaken the survey at all. Mr. WHITE (Renfrew) said the Hon. Minister of Public,orks promised some time ago to announce what steps would be taken with reference to the construction of the Georgian Bay branch, and he asked if that information would be given when the item came up? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—No. Mr. KIRKPATRICK-Are we to vote the item blindly? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-If the a patent known as the "Rodden's ́Improved Capped Ferule and Sockets." Bill to further amend the Act to in hon. gentleman choses to vote blindly corporate the "London and Canada I should be very happy. Mr. KIRKPATRICK-Is that what the Hon. First Minister asks us to do? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE--I am not asking hon. gentlemen to do anything. We are going to discuss the matter fully and give every information in our power. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL said if the Hon. First Minister did not choose to give the information the country demanded, it would be proper for the House not to vote the item. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-If my hon. friend does not vote, he will be wanting in his usual astuteness. The subject then dropped, and the House adjourned at Thirty-five minutes past Twelve o'clock, a.m. Bank," and to amend to amend the Act amending the same. DORCHESTER ELECTION. Mr. ROULEAU asked what are the reasons why the writ of Election for Dorchester was not issued until several months after the judgment annulling. the election which took place in 1874? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I am not able to state what the reasons were. The then Attorney General being absent from the city at present, I have not had an opportunity of making an enquiry. The question was allowed to stand. HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS IN NOVA SCOTIA. Mr. CHURCH asked whether it is the intention of the Government to send an engineer to Petite Rivière, Lunenburg County, N.S., to make a survey and report if the erection of a breakwater is necessary? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-An engineer of the Department, I presume, will be in that neighbourhood during the course of the summer, and will make some investigation as to the necessities of the case. Mr. CHURCH asked whether it is the intention of the Government to make arrangements so that the Dredge Canada shall return to the Harbour of Lunenburg, N.S., during the present year to complete the work commenced there last autumn? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—I expect to be able to send the dredge there in the course of the summer. I am not able to say at what precise time. Mr. CHURCH asked whether the Dredge Cape Breton will be sent to Mahone Ray, N.S., to deepen the chanengagements are completed; and if so, nel of that harbour after her present when? Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It is impossible to say when her present engagements will be completed. I am afraid her time is promised for the whole season. I am not able, therc |