ee

C83, ape

ee

THE EXAMINER EX

The Examiner]

Charlottetown, Monday, April 3, 1871.

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[10s. per annay,

es eee —

DEBATES

OF THE

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY,

{Continued from las week's Firfra.)

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Speech of Henry Beer, l'sq., on the Indications of Min- eral wealth in this Island, and on the Construction of Canals.

Mr. Psea —] am pleosed, Mr, Chairman, to notice the reference ia the Speech to the wabdject of dredging sound the wharves, There 13 no doubt that many shipping places in the Island suffer great incorvenience from the want of sufficient depthof water. On the South side of the Hilisborough River, the steam Ferry Boat bas frequently grounded on the flats, and been detained an bour and a half or more, with 50 or 60 passengers on board. Money would be sav d by the employ. ment of a steam dredge owned by the Govern- ment. If we had such a machine, we would pot require to build wharves of the same length as at present, and a competent en- gineer should be engaged whose duty it would be to superintend the deepening of the waters at the different shipping places, and to devote his whole time to the gpervision of the more important ‘public worke required from time to to time Soch an officer should be adequately remunerated, and the office would save far more than its cost, by preventing the aseless expenditure incurred by the want of scientific knowledze on the part of those charged with the construction of public works of importance, As to a Railroad, f am of opinion that other public works are more urgently required, I will suggest the question whether canais navi- gable by on from Tracadie or Savage Harbor. to fie head of the Hillsborough, and from Kiehmond Bay to Summerside, might not relieve, toa yreat de. ree, the inconvenienee under whi*h a large portion of the inhabitants of the north side of the Island labor I be- lieve Mr. Chairman, that there ace re- sources of great value in the Island, which only require Geve'opement, to give # great impetus to the prosperity of the people. I would favor the seareh for coa!, lim sone and other va'uable miserals which may be found beseath the sur‘ace of che soil, Dr, Gesser reporta favor.bly of the miveral indi -ations of the Island, He reports that “conglomerate limestone oceury Bear tie entrance ot Charlottetowa Harbor,to the east ward and westward of ‘he Bicck Honse. It recewbles the common conglomerate of the coal group being apparently a colleciion of pebb'es cemenred together ; but inetead of quar'z2%e-or flintz pe dics the nodu'es of the limestone and the cen entirg matter contain earborate of lime. A pieee of this rock, of medium purity, yielded of 100 parts; ear- benate. of lime 65 silicious residvam 44102. The 'imestone of this plece is therefore spfficien iy pure for the purposes of agriculture, bu: i\> situation. iz unlavore abie for quarrying ary great quantity, A thio stratum of white and compact limestone appears at Bellevue on the turm of Mr. Courles Haszaid, At Lobsver Point, sirata are again seen in a bod el ff aud dipping NN. at an angle of 4 cegrees, From the coil dowoward to low water mark they are av fo lows: deiuvium 6; red sandstone 5; rédshaleS; rei marie clay 5; sand- stone 6= 57 feet, ‘The rocks o! Governor's Island are different i» their character tron those just noticed, aud from « fw fossils contained in them they appear to belong to the coat fe d of the oppoaire east. They are compact grey gandstoves, corglowerated and bloe shales, marle aod limestones, Pieces of copper ore have been found on the Ns dé of Gcvervor’s [siand, apwards of 20 Ibe. of the ore was 00 aiued the best samp!és contain 40 per cea of pure copper, Tae site of the ore was once vecup ed by a tree whic has been foysled by copper, und the vegetsble textere of the wood can srill be traced ia the cupreous arses,’ Or- well or Gallows Pont is a swall peninsula be*ween |’ownal Boy and Orwell Bay, at its wesferp extremity itis composed of rucks belonging to « coul formaion; they are coarse atid fine micaceous saudstoue, eon- glomerates, red wh ‘e and biue shales, fins clay and blue compact and congiomerare limestones. The general direction ef the stratais N N E & deggees-, but both are very variable and (he Slee avc evidentiy been very muchdis'urbed Art one plsce a fal! of four feet was ubserved These rocks form alow i:dented cliff upon the shore, being covered by sx feer of ds uvium.- Near the point a cor giomerate limestone like that of Governor,s |sland a; pears near bigh water mark aod a thin strata ot biack rock occurs in the cliff. Thi- limestoue also ap- pears on the farms of Mr. Young and Mr. Mutch, where it grdually rises to the suriace and becomes a compect; bive rock in a stratum from four to six feet ta thickoess, It is wel! siivated for being quarried, and the limestous is of a good quality.” The sandstone and conglowerates of the point eoutain the :emains of trees, aud the plants characteristic of the coal measuies, Tse trees are all prostrate in and between the strata; the origina! bark bas been changed into coal and the woody parts of the trunks are now seen in masses of sandstone, iron ore and sulpbate of barytes; im the fatter the vegetable fidre stili remains distinct. They are quite different from any other tree new growi:g upoa the Islaud. A very thin team of coal was found in the face of the cliff, in which there is also a smal! quantiy of the sulphate of barytes assoviated with irva ore. The rocks of the coal formation at Orwel! Bay are succeeded by the red saudstoues, which on the south side of the bay, lorm perpendicular ‘¢! ffs from 35 to 70 feet high. **Que of the most remarkable circumstances in regard to the géology of the laland was observed at Cascumpes Harbor. Oa the south of the bay, there is a peat bog, called the Black Bank, reaching thice miles alomg the shore, and containing nearly 200) square acres. It reposes directly upoa the red* sandstone and marley clay, nad 1s from ten to twenty feet in thickness, This bog, with all its dgeayed spagucous plaota, is of fresh water origio, ‘Two gioves of sprace andfir were observed to be buriod ia it at differeat leveis, and their fruuks aud rocts may be seen projectiag from the bank, ‘The peat is of excellent quality, end will in the course of time be very Value >'e.”" Now, sir, | would like (o seo & reapouable sum appropriated

to ascertain the value of those indications. It is an opinion entertained by many, that this Island was formerly part of the main- jand, and in corroboration of this belief, we find the rocks ot New. Glasgow aod Pictou identical in character with those of Wood Islands. With reference to the Railroad, [ am not ia a position at present, to give a decided opinion upon it, not having as yet, sufficiently informed myself upon the subjest. The people of wy district are div ded in opinion about it; some of those fesiding on the north side of the Hillsborough are io favor of it, while the inhabitants of the south side are opposed to it, While L am willing to support the paragryph before the Committee. [ will no commit the Island to the proposed Railroad until I shall have ascertaincd the views of my constituents on the subject,

James McLean, Esq , in favor of Progress, Steam Dredges, and Exteution of Breakwaters.

Mr. McLean—-I was much pleased with the remarks made by the bon, member from St. Peter's (Mr. Reilly) on the subject of the improvement of the harbors at the eastward, and | am pleased at the referenee to itin the speech. The Karlroad places me in a somewhat unpleasant position. I am as vreat an advocate of progress as any one, and consider it essential to the human race. But, althoug’) it may suit the views of some hon, members to establish a line from A!berton to Georgetown, f cannot sup- port the paragraph before the Committee uotil there shall be @ guarantee thac the rails will be laid to Souris, The Railroad wou!d cost a very lage sum, and years will elapse before it will be carried to Souris, and until that sha!l be done, it would be a bardship to my constituents to impo-e On them heavy burdens from which they would derive vo benefit, Bosides this objection, 1 consider that the watter should be laid be- fore the people that an opportunity may be afforded of obtaining a koowledge of their wishes on the subject. I cannc: support any Raijway measure until a survey aod proper estimates are before us, aud it would probably prevent pulitical and governmental jobbery, if the work were undertaken by a company instead of the Government, which might subsidize the road. I make these remarks with a full knowledge of the im- meise benefits reecived in other countries from these rovds, but, sir, whetber we are to have a Railroad or not, wereased baghor accommodation is absolutely necessary, and the use of a sufficient stcam dredge aud the ex'énsion of breakwaters are urgently re- quired,

R. Munro, Esq , on the Railway, and propriety of Establishing Savings Banks in King’s and Prince Counties.

Mr, Muxro —The question referred to jn the paragraph before us, Mr. Chairman, are of so important a nature, that I should not feel justified in giving a mere silent vote. Lam io favor of the introduction of Rail- ways into the (siand, as of a'l other im- provemenis, as con ucive to the general prosperity. The special ofthe Hon Leader of te Guvermment lust evening was so able, so replete with details, as to leave bur little to be said by other memberson this side of the Hoyse. It bas been said that the in- ven'ion of the printing press may be con- sidered as the commencement of civilization and steamboats and railroads, Last even- ing tho member from Belfast sta'ed tbat all the materials requisite for the coustruc- tion of a Railroad, must with the exception of wood, be imported from Great Britain, Weil sir, let us bear in mind that although we shall import tron from that country we cosid send wood in exchange. Great nuiwbers of railway sleepers have been ex- po:ted to Hoyland from the neighbouring provinces, aud we would fiad that we could partic pate in the business The question “has caade rapid strides ia public favor, During the late election ths subject was no! broached. and new we hear of public mee ings being held a. which latge m»)or- ities have prooounced in tavor of ic, Leis true ‘hat the peop'e in several sections of the country are oppored to 11; but many of thew will tell you that their opposition would be conver'ed into support if tbe road should go through or cose to their farms, As was stated by the Hon, Arty. General last night, that is one of the strungest arguments in favor of tae scheme. It is impossible to eartry a Railroad to every man’s door, Nova Scotia is civided into 17 or 18 couties, but the peop'e of that province did not object to the road because the first line passed tnroazh 3 or 4 of them. In his speech last evening the Hon Leader omitted all reference to the great bevelits to be derived by the agrieuliural portion of the population in the interior of the Isiand, trom the jittrojuciion of Railways. At present that cluss have to haul limestone and mussel mud long distances at heavy expeure, because they have not the fac |itics which a Railroad would conter,--the application to to the aoil of these lertilizing substances, Lf we bad a Raidroad, not only would they be rendered more available than at present, but coal could be used ia the rural districts more extensively and economically than at present. Firewvod is becoming daily more scarce, Coal is cheaper, especia'ly to those living in towns and villages who bave not only to pay the price of the wood delivered at their doors but in addition, the cost of euttiog and piling it when cut. The «d- vantages of mussie mud, are at pres¢ it chicfl; to those parties whose farms are situate in promcxity to the shores, while Railroads would transport it to the several fatms remote from the localities of its deposit. My own cons‘ituents are in favor of the proposed road | admit that Georgetown will receive a very great benefit from it; but i trust thet Ll am actuated by higher views than the merely local interests of the constituencies 1 ree present. Whatever will benefit the farmers will bencfit the whole community, and any measere having a tendency to foster the gereral prosperity of (he country, if it can be carried into effect without imposing on the people burdens too heavy to be borve, will always receive my hearty support, I regret that [ was not in my place last evening, when the paragraph relerriog to the extension of the amount: to be deposed in the Savings Bank was debated. Ast

tn

bas been deemed adviseable to increase the awount te bs received by the present bank, the benefits of the on ing ivation would be greatly increased by the establishment of branches in King’s and Prince counties. © I believe that some parties in those counties have availed themse) ves of the bank, but we all know that there must be many Cases of the nature which the bank was expressly establish- ed to meet, namely, the cases of parties wish- ing to deposit small sums, the amount of their gradual savings, where it is act worth the trouble and expense of sending them to Charlottetown, I hope that the Goverament may sce its way clear to the establishment of branches in these counties, as it would not only entail expense, but, reasoning irom the result of the operations of the Saving’s Bank, as at present constituted, would be a source of revenue to the Government and encourage a spirit of economy on the part o! the people. vetarning to the matter of the RK ulway, [am not sure as to the gource frou which the interests on the costs of its construction is to be derived. As yet, we have vot heard the amount or nature of the taxation which may be required: It is evident that the comy any will not undertake the work anless the Gov- ernment assame a certain amount of pecuniary responsibility. Some assert that it will earn a surplus over its working expenses, I, myself believe that it will pay, and if it should, the Government as trustees for the public, should receive the profits from this great public work, If the result should be otherwise, then in equity to the Government, or, in other worda the public, should bear the loss. If the Gov- ernment should give a guarantee or an annual subsidy to # company, and that company should make money out of the road, they would be taking money from the pockets of the people, which would—if the Government owned the line, be saved.

Hon. Francis Kelly, in reply to some Arguments against the Railway.

Hon. Mr. Keuiy.-— Mr. Chairman, the paragraph of the Address which we are now discussing does not commit the House to the adoption of any specific line of action on the subject of a railway. It merely states that the House will consider the expediency of constructing a railway through the Island. On a question of such importance it is my intention to cansult wy constituents, and to be guided by their wishes on the eubjeet. I do not. for a moment, believe that the ex- pense of constructing the road would involve the people in @ ruinous amount of tax:tion, as some hon, members have argued. I have heard it stated that a tax of five shillings per head would realize all that would be required to meet the interesi and my oprnion is that no one in the Is'and would be woree off by @ pound of tea in the year if the railroad were built. The fear expressed by the hon, mem- ber from Tryon that the railway Jaborers would control the elections, I regard as ab- surd. Any addition to cur population should be welcomed as a great benefit, and the increased demand for labor, which would result from the eonsiruction of the road, would have the effect of opening a home mar- ket for the induetry of our pecvle, and thug preventing them secking employment abroad, Toe financial ruin of the Island was predicted at the introduction of our present educational acheme, but | never hear such obj -ciions now, and the case will be s.milar with the yrail- road,

Hon. Peter Sinclair, on the Intro. duction of good Dredging Ma- chines; and the Cost of Rail- road.

Hon. Mr. Stvcuum.—Mr. Chairman, the paragraph embraces two distinct eubjecte— the necessity of dredging our harbors, and the construction of a railroad. The first of these i highly approve of, end am willing to allow ali credit t» the Government for having in- troduced it into the Speech, and I will heart- i'y support the proposition for the importa- tion of a good dredging machine. As to a raiiroad, ihe bon. Leader of the Government and the bon. member from Georzetown ad- yocate its construction a8 a Government work, ag is the case in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and [ must say that the speech of the former was very clever and plausible, Whi'e I am in favor of railroads, the first thing I wish to know. is what is to be the weight of the burden we eball have to shoulder. He has tried to make us believe that the roud ean be built for much less than the experience of other countries has taught us to expect, and, to prop up his argumect, he stated that macadamiairg cost £30C0 per mile.

Hon. Leapar oF THE GoVERNMENT.=-A member of the late Government toid me that it cost £500 to macadam ze 21 chains, and it is easily to caleulate the cost of @ mile at that rate.

Hon Mr Sinciair-—The part referred to was of double the usual width. The country has gone to the experse of importing a stoae- erusher and stone for to be erushed for the roads in C iarlottetown and its neighborhood. It should be borne in mind that stone can exsiiy be procured in other parts of the Is- luni. and that whether we have a railroad or not our present roude mast be kept up. I defy any one to point to an instances of any country embarking in an ancertaking sv vast in proportion ta tne means of the people as this scheme of the Government, In Britvin £500.- 000,000 stg have been expended in busiding railroads. The popalatsor of that country may be estimated at 32,600,000. Railways were commenced there over thirty five years since. Now, if we take 500,006,000 expended in 35 years, for a population of 32,000,000, we will find that it amounts to £14,000,000 an- nually. And, estimating the average of the population during that period at 28 000,000, that sum would amount to ten shillings per head per annum expended on the coustruction of Railways. Now compare this with the contemplated undertaking in this Colony, viz.: £650,000 in 3 years, and you will find that it will amount to £2 5s. per bead, or four times more than that of Great Britain, The Government proposition is to build a Road from Georgetown to Alberton, and estimate the distance at 120 miles. Some hon. members are in favorof laying the Rails from Summerside to the Head of the Hills. borough, but, if that route be adopted, the Road must etill come to Charlotietown, f heve Ho objection to a reasonable fine of Railrocd, bet it must be shown what it will cost. As to tue offer, or estimate, of which we have heard so wueh, if may tarn out to be but a bogus affair aiterall. Such cases bave been known in the other Colonies fast

ear, It was necessary for the Goverament to take into their own bands the contracts of three contractors in the Duwinion. It may be true that the narrow gauge is $34 percent cheaper than the broad. In New Brunswick’ they have the broad gauge, end. the Road from St, John to Shediac bas .cost some £13,000 per milo. It runs through a Jevel country, where Wood is abundant, and to be procured easily and cheaply; and I doubt if we could baild a line forless than half of the cost of that in New Brunswick. In the United States there are 14,000 miles under construction, but what comparison can be inetita ted between that country and ourselves? They gumber 35,000,000 or 36,000,000 of in-

habitants, or nearly 3,000 toa mile: here it

ig sought to construct 135 miles, (for thas, I estimate, will be the length of the line.) ihis will give 2 proportion of only 720 to a mile, We have heard it stated that quan- tities of produce in the interior of Ontario have been kept from market for want of Railway transportation. | am not in @ po- sitiun to say whether such is, or is not, the case in that country ; but, if it is it does not affect the consideration of this question. No oats in this Island lost a market for want of a Rajlroad. The Hon. Leader of the Guy't, said that oats at the westward would havo commanded a betier price last autumn, dad there been-a Railroad; but they never realized higher prices than- were paid at Port

iL iast tati, I question this offer which bas

been mentioned, The proposed line would, I believa cost over £600,000, Leside cost of right ol way ava other expenses. Assuming the cost at 500 G00, the interest on that sum at only 6 per cent, would exceed £39 600 a year. Ip New Brunswick it costs from 25 to £30,090 yearly to work 100 miles, and as to the predictions of increased revenue after the road is in operation, we will find our tariff increased likewise. It was 10 per cent—it ig now ll per cent—and, if we continae to inerease it, we will be merely affording o premium to smuggling, as the experience of a)} countries show tbat such ie the effect of high duties. I understand that it is proposed to add two and a baif per cent to our present tariff. That would realize, perbaps, 15,000, leaving still some 25,00) to be raised ancually. ‘Ine Hon, Leader of the Govern- ment said that the additional taxation re- quired to be raised, would not exceed five Shillings per head. We are abou 90,000 of a population, 125 miles at 26,000, will cost £750,000; that amount, at 6 per cent will come to £45 000 yearly interest, which is more than half our revenue, clear of the Land Office. This is the way to meet the subject fairly and squarely, aud I say again, that no coumry, at one stroke, ever assumed such a burden as this undertaking will lay upon us, The national debt of Great °ritain, large as it undoubtedly is, represen:s but the revenue of tea years. This project will in- volve us in a debt far heavier, in proportion to our population and means. Berore going any further with the matter, the Horse and the country should koow ali the particul»re of the offer, and in what manner the requisite funds are to be raised, and then we can legislate upon it with more aceuracy and justice, H,

Deba'e on Draft Address resumed.

William Hooper, Esq., in favor of

Railroads in the abstract.

Mr, Hoorer was in favor of railways in the abstract; but until he kuew the course it would take through the Islaud was not dispesed to committ himseif to the undertaking, If the ccuntry bad sufficieot means to build ove it would perhaps be pru- deat to covsider the matter, bat be did not feel satisfied that it bad, and could not support the prop: sition.

Hon. Dauiel Davies’ speech in fa- vor of Railroads.

Hon. D. Davixzs said in the course of that d bate, the hon, member for Souris (Mc. M_lLean) made allusion to the remaras which he (Hon. D, D) bad made respect- irg a young man who would lock up all his available means io the purchase of a farm when be sbuulc have kept a portion for its improvement, and bad endeavored to turu such reasoning against the construction of a railroad, But had tbat hon, gentieman gore on apd enquired if that young “armer had oorrowed the mouey at a reasonabie percentage for thirty years, aud expended i in improving and cultivating his farm, would it not have been wise in him to bave done so? And that was the position he (Hon, D. D.) took with respect to the rai!- road, To build @ railway out of their owa available means would certainly be injurious to the country; but if foreign cupita! could be obtained be though it would be wire to do so, a3 be felt that the country was well able to pay the interest whieh the under- taking would vost, and thought the real difference between bon. members was as to which should undertake the work, He

_ (How. D D.) bad travelled some and when

abtcad, felr bow impor ant it wou'd be to bave a railway on this Islond, and often wished that they hed one; and was of opinion that ther traffiz was sufficieot to give more employment to a railruad thao many supposed, and believed that those en- gaged iv tbe fisheries would soon fiud a railway of immense advantage tothem, A large majority Of his constituents were of opinion that if foreign capital ¢ uld be ob- tuined on reasonable terms to buidd one, it would be wise to undertake its construc. tion with as little delay as pcasibe. No doubt hon, gentiemen on that Commitiee had to be guided by the wishes of their covstituents, and whatever their private opinions were, would have to consult that of their supporters, Still be( Hon, D.D.) hoped @ mujority would be prepared and willing to support the parayrapb, He locked upon the macadamizing of the roads throughout the Island as impracticable, lp no country could they find pleas:nter roads to travel on with light carriages in the summer, they were pleasant for man aud horse; but the macadamiz d roads were so hard upowu the horses feet that he would rather travel through mud than pur his horse upon them, very year the roads leading into the city were getting worse, Last fall the St- Peter’s Road was impas- sible for a time, at least, for heavy loads; but this would be obviated by a railway, while for light carriages their roads could be easily kept in good repair, as he had no doubt a railroad would take a great deal of the traffic from off the main roads, Some were of opinion that a railroad on this Island would be self sustaining after a few years, and be (Hon, D. D ) was inclined to think it would. He had a conversation some time ago wiih the superintendent of the New Brunswick Railway, from whom he learned that the receipts on that road during the past year amounted to $200,- 000 yieldisg about one-aud-.-half per ceut, on the eost,over and above wear and tear to rolling stock and other expenses, and

that 90 per cent. of the traffie was local, or independent of the sea. Now as that

railway cost fifty per cent. more than it was believed a narrow gauge could have been built for, it was obvious if New Brunswick bad adopted the parrow gauge, that their profits would, in proportion to the cost of construction have been greater, Intelligent geatlemen who hed calmly con- sidered the subject thought they were able to have one built on the terms whieh had been proposed. He concurred with the

hon. gentleman from New London (Hoa. P. 8.) that if the duties upon the necessary articles of life were raised too high, it might tend to encourage smuggling; but yet was of opinion that the duty could be im- posed so that it would fall mostly upoa that class best able to bear it. A direct tax, for instanee, might be imposed upon produce which would be better than increasing the duty upon Tea, Sugar, and other like articles. He would be glad to see the Government Undertake the work at an early day,

Hon. P. Srvciatx said that he understood the Hon. Leader of the Government to say that the intention was, that acompauy should build the road, and that the Government would afterwards pay for it.

naan D. Davies, —faneniog such to be the 8 16 would not be, properly speaking, a Governnient contract, "hs cageiings’ oh public life only couvinced him that the re- presentatives of the people were but their Servanis, and be, as one, would prefer that the Government sbould evter into a coutract for the whole line with a party able and com-

etent to build it, The hon. member for New

onden (Hon. P. 8.) seemed to think the dis- trict he represented would receive no benefit from the undertaking; be (Hon. D. D.) was of quite a different opinion and believed New London was one of thove places to which a branch would be required yet to be extended. He had loaded a vessel out there at one time, and from what he saw then, was convinced a line would have to ron there at an early day if the road wus built. Every merchant who had much to do in shipping oate knew that cargoes often heated, and that the delay in Betting vessels quickly dispatched was the cause. They knew also, how much it detract- ed from the value of the cargo, and that in making calculations those drawbacks and losses had to be, and were, taken into con- sideration, and that if those drawbacks could be overcome, farmers wou'd obtain a higher price for their groin. If merchants could send their ships into Georgetown up to the fifteenth of January, as they would were there 8 railway extending from Cascumpec to that port, important advantages would result theree from to all industries in the country. Al- lusion had been made to the Savings Bank, He thought sueh institutions were intended for the poorer classes of society, for frequent. ly people spent money which they probably would not if they had an opportunity for putting if out at interest i: such safe places as those which such institutions afforded, He would be giad to se the one in Charlottetown exteaded. He knew there was a class of people whieh was fond of putting their mouey out on interest, and some of those bad placed deposits in that institution; but it wag not for such it bad been originally intended.

R. Munro, Esq., original ideas on best means of meeting Railway Expenses.

Mr. Monro was glad that the Savings Bank had beeu alluded to. But understoud such institutions were intended far the droppings of the poorer classes of society, and was surpris- ed to find that persons of means were placing deposits in the Bank in Charlottetown, yet ita motion should be brought in for extending the limits of the one in that City, he would cheerfully support it; but at the same time thought that persong distant from the capitul should have the same opportunities. Such institutions gave an impetus to industry; en- couraged thrift and economy among a people and should be exter ded to other parts of the country; When speaking in the forenoon about railways, he wished to know from what source the tax required for the anuual iv- terest for the Railway was intended to be drawn, but had not received an answer, He had some original ideas of his own which he would give (Hear.) H.therto many farmers had been unable to save any mcn’y in sme plages; or even to purchase as many supplies as they would have wished for their families on accouné of having to pay for their farms; and that morcy had been going off the Island to the proprietors, from whicg no retura in any way had been received, Those lands would soon be paid for, and those farmers who have been for seversl years gathering u money and paying it out for the r lands would, hereafter be able, mauy of them at least to lay out the same amount every yeir in the purchese of goods and other dutiable articl+s, and that such would be sv be did not doubt, as many farmers in the couniry were becoming independent freehulders. Every year this case would be increas:ng, and many of them would become purchasers not merely of the comforts, but also of the luxurtes of life. More goods would be imported, and asa re- sult more money would be thrown into the Treasury. Besides, the building of the road would also be the means of circulating much

money in the country. «dibsrers would be ,

paid in smoney which they would freely cire culate, aud he had no doubt but that such an undertaking would also cause many im- migrants to com? into the country, and theres by the population would be greatly increased ; and population, that hon. Committee knew, was the best source of wealth in any country. There would be more mouths to feed and more bodies to clothe, therefore ib was that te be- lieved quite a small tax would be sufficient to raise the extra amount which would be re- quired for the annual interest; and felt satie- tied, that within the next five years the annual revenue, even with the present tariff, would reach £100,000. Ifthe Revenue doubled it- self within the last ten years, might not the same result follow within the next ten years also? True, the duties had been raised ; yet it was also true that some articles Were cheap- er than they were ten years ago, The in- creasing prosperity of many of tueir farmers, and he might also adi of their mecha:ics, to- gether with an increased population, would, he felt satisfied, operate so favorably upon the interesis of the country as Jarge, that a 6ur- plus revenue would be thereby placed in the hands of the Government. ‘Tue Hon. Leader of the Government said that if it would cost more than £5600 a mile, he would have nothin: to do with the undertaking, butst an unso ieited offer bad been made to the Govern- ment by parties outside of the Isiand to con- struct the works at that rate, he saw no reason why, if the work was thrown opea to competition, but that an offer might be re- ceived to build it for even less than that sum.

Hon. J. ©. Pope, in reference to Ways and Means.

lion. Lgapsr oF THE Governurent.—If that hon, Cummittce came to the conclusion that the principle embracing the constraction of @ raiiroad wae sound, then it would be proper for the Government, when the House was in a Committee of ways and means, to come down with proposals for raising the necessary funds, but they did not then know whether the principle would be carried, and as the Government head not yet cousulted over the matter, the enquiries made respect- ing ways and means, were such as he (Hon. Leader of the Government) was not prepared to answer, nor was it then necessary that he should, as the address merely proposed giving the subject their serious consideration, There. fore, as the paragraph stood, every hon gen- tleman on that Committee would be justified in voting for it; doing 80 would not commit any man to building a railway. But any hou. gentleman whe was in favor Of the prin-

ciple was specially bound to vote for by peegnes. Nor did he think there was oy ut what was in favor of the abstract prin, ciple, If the paragraph was agreed to, he would feel it to be his duty to come down with a plan showing the way in which it waa proposed *> bave the work done. He, bow. ever,tose inerely to say that that was not the proper titoe to anéwer the question of the hon. meuwber for Georgetown, but when the er time arrived, he would be happy to 9 80.

Dr, Robertson, in favor of Winter Steamer from Georgetown and Nova Scotia, and of present School System.

De. Rosrerscn said the paragraph thaé Committees was considering drew attention to the propriety of having some of their rivere deepened. by means of a dredging machine, and fully concurred with the opinion of hon. gentlemen, that great benefits would result to the country from heving tbe rivers in front of, and around their wharfs, deepened, and would vordially support the Goveroment in taking steps to obtam one, For some time he (Dr. R.) bad been of opinion that a winter steamer should have been placed upon the route between Georg>town and some convent. ent point in Nova Scotia, which he regarded as an important maiter, and one whieh should engage the attention of the Government. That it was practicable he was satisfied, and hoped soon to s2e the undertaking an accom-

plished fact. With regard to a railway, it —

would, no doubt, be a great public com venience to haye one, but he feared ite con~ struction would impose too heavy a bardsa upon the country. One hon. gentleman on that Commiitee had eaid it would cost six shillings a head for each individual, which would amount to about thirty shillings a family. When he bore in mind that many of the people were still paying rent to tha preprisiors, and that amount added to that arden, be teared would be more than they were able to pay. Personally, he, was in favor of the principle, but thought¥he time bad not errived for committing the country to so costly an unde:taking. Ashton. gentle men bad taken quite a roving commission in that debate, he toped he wmght be atluwed to do. so also. He noticed that some hon. gentlemen said, that although they bad pledged themselves in opposition to the” meddling w.th the school question for four years, yet that they felt chemeelves at liberty to endeavor to educate the people to their idess on that question. For his part, he (Dr. R,) considered that a non-sectarian eys- tem of education was the only one adopted to any country. and that if the opposite prin- cipie was introdeced, it would destroy, in the end, the genera! eystem altogether, while it would increase tneir tax beyond whit the couutry would endure, He would consider it to be bis duty to maintain the present system in its integrity.

Hon. E. McKachen, on the Rail- way Question.

Hen. Mr. MacKacaen meres, if he did not express hie opinion, might be charged with being led by the raseally Con- servatives. On that account, therefore, he would give @ reason fur the faith thet wasin him, He not only hoped soon to see a rail way built, but beleved that the resovrces of the Colony were sufficient to justifiy the G

ernment in undertaking the constraction

one He did not doubt but that the patties which made an cffer to build railway on this leland were weil aware of the resources of the Colony, and bad probably dose 60 in other countries, and underetood what the capabilities of this [stand were, before sub» mitting their p oposa!. It appeared, an affer had been made to build a rauway on this le lanc, for £5 000 per mile which would in. clude all that such contracts embrace, and assuming that it would entail a sanding debt upon toe country, it would be a debt «bioh would briny such benefite in its train as would more than eompensate for the iaterest its construction would «noually impose, Every year thousands fad Seen and woald continue to be, spent upon tneir publi¢ roads. bat wha would say that the country did not receive valus for such expenditures? Is would be the same with a railroad. They had built the house in which they were assembled, but would any one arise and say that (hoee who putite; did wrong? yet the money it cost would not be repaid into the Troasury. Sume had sa:d that there would be nothiag fur arailioad todo. It shonid, howeg>r, ba