—
fs ey
oS ees agra st Sr ae ae ee
a. a.
be faithfully and efficiently performed by the Dominion Government, it is let by tea- ider, The contractors reseive a mere pittance—I believe only $10 for each trip. Of course, there is compet tion —they cut prices low ; but they are not sufliciently recompensed, and such accom- modation for passengers is not provided as would be provided if the men were sufti- But, notwithstanding the poor equipment of the fact that the crew ln qtles- out for 36 hours, exposed to ail
der to the lowest +
ciently compeasated for their labor.
hoats, and the tion was the cold and blasts of the Gulf of S&. Law
al
that inclement season, it is a proud
ae and they could no longer attend to their |
Light
rence at
boast to be able to say that not one bag otf
the mails was lost. While the men were truggling for their ‘lives, while they
were battling with terrible cold, and in a
sate of despair, so that they were nost ready to he down and die, they |
lung to their work with the greatest energy and tenacity, and although some of them were badly frozen and almost dead, Majesty's mails were saved. thing of which our people should be proud
that these heroes of this ice tight should never waver or flinch from the duty they
am DA
ploughing. This 1s not a question which | aif cts Princo Edwa‘d Island alone, fer |
take it that what aff ots one portion of this | Dominion affects all; and I think the re-
presentatives from the Upper Provinces | take as much interest in the matter as those | directly The Northern | has been
always considered that she was no5 adapted | to the service, She is not modoled on the | proper plan for such work, and there 1s no | doubt that she has been a failure. I came) over in her the other day, when she ran lnto
a piece of ice not more than six inches in
thickness and stuck there; and she would | have been there until now but that
for-unately there was a sheet of water open
whe) enabled us to avoid the ice and reach | Pictou harbor.
more coneerned,
1 was aboard on the last re- | trip she made; she was out a week, and | would prebably have been out until the}
spring, but the captain adopted a suggestion
Her | That is some- |
had to perform, and [ consider this one of |
the most heroic actions of these days.
But |
these men will not get one dollar for thoir |
udured, nd con-
courage and the hardships they ¢
They did not make the round trip, a
equently they are not entitled to receive |
iny remuneration, I hope, however, that
the Poatmaster Genera! will overlook this cireunmstance and see that these men not mly receive the compensation for what
they did or were expected receive a suitable gratuity for performing a
| made on the first day the Northern Light went out of Charlottetown harbor, which was that he should turn her stern foremost. He did so, with the result that he made his | way throngh sixteen or eighteen miles of | field ice at the rate of two anda half miles | an hour. That is sufficient to show that| this boat, which was not built for this ser- vies, is not adapted for it: and I can tell she does better stern foremost than } stem foremost. I can assure this House | that the people of Prince Edward Island | will not rest contented until they have a}
you
| boat thoroughly adapted for the service, |
Chis is nota matter of aday. We kaow|
to do, but wiil ' that there are other countries in which ice}
has to be combatted, In some of the coun-
noble service, by which some of them have | tries of Northera Europe, in polar expedi-
been crippled for life, and although they have families dependent on them, they will be unable to earn a dollar ; the gratuity will be such as will remuner- ate them for all their labors and sufferings. The hon. member for Westmoreland (Mr. Wood) has referred to the railway from Sackville to Cape Tormentine. I should much prefer seeing that railway in the hands of the Government, because | believe it will be in the interests of the whole service that the same contro! should be had over that line as is had over the Govern
ment railway in Prince Edward Island and the Intercolonial. But it we cannot have that, L hope he will get such assistance as willenabie him to energetically prosecute the work go as to complete it at as early a date as possible, and have it ready for next year's service at least. What I also desire to see is, that the $150,000 voted by Par- liament Jast year for the constraction of a pier at Cape Tormentine should be expend- ed next summer. I should like to see advertisements issued, calling for tenders for the construction of the work. Every- one knows that in the Maritime Provinces, where works are mostly constructed of wood, it is of great advsntage to the con- tractors and the Government that the timber should be got out in winter, and 1 hope the matter is in such an advanced state that we will, at a very early date, see advertisements issued in this connection. When we have the two piers completed,the railway running down to the wharves, and an improved service, with a sufficient num- ber of iceboats and with a small steamer to assist them, and the whwele service placed under one man, whom the Government can hold responsible, I think we shall be able to keep up communication with the island, and hon. members will not hear annual complaints from islani representatives, as they hear them now.
Dk. JENKINS’ SPEECH.
Mr. Jenxins—Recent expezience with the boats on this service has caused a great deal of excitement among the people of Prince Edward Island, and has brought this question,very prominently before them. It is now nearly twelve years since Prince Edward Island entered the Union. It is wellknown that avery large majority of the people of theisland were averse to the Union with the other Provinces. They were desirous of maintaining their inde- pendence, of preserving tbe freedom of their government and the control of their revenues, but they felt it was the wish of the British Government that they should join the Union, and partly from a feeling vf loyalty, and partly because they thought the terms of Confederation offered to them were likely to conducs to their benefits, they accepted the terms of Confederation and entered the Union. Sir, one of the principal inducements to the people of Prince Edward Island to enter the Union, was the promise on the part of the Domin- ion Governmen’, that continueus com- munication, winter and summer, should be kept up with the mainland. Now, I ask this House, how has this communication been kept up! The members of this Par- liament who live on Prince Edward Island have been obliged, for the last ten years, to cross the straits that divide it from the mainland at the risk of their lives. Lately we have seen that twenty-two men were exposed to all the horrors of cold and hunger and exposure, and that they escaped with their lives almost by a miracle. That is the risk that hon. members of this House have been obliged to run for ten years, and I think it is time that Parliament should con- sider some better and more effectual means of giving us continnous communication between the island and the mainland. ‘The agreement which was made before Prince Edward Island entered the Confederation, to give us this communication, has not been carried out, and we are now no better off than we were twenty years ago, before we entered the Union. The people of P. E. Island fevl that a wrong has been done them; that the Government is not taking that interest in the matter which they should take; that they have not performed the promise which was made, with rega d to winter communication; that, in short, the Island is at as great a loss now as it ever was in this respect. It is impossible that any country can thrive unlegs it has con- tinuous commanication with other countries, We have a very fertile province; we are able to grow food largely, but we have no opportunity, except for a few weeks in the fallfor disposing of our produce. Now there are many ways in which I believe the Government could assist us. Wehave a very short season; our harbors are ciosed early in the fall, so that our farmers are unable to aitend to the work of developing their farms, because they are forced to bring their crops to mar- ket before the ice forms. I believe it is quite possible to keep the harbors of the island open for five or six weeks longer in the year than is the casa at present, and that time would be of vast advantage to the people of the Island, by enabling them to work on their farms, and to leave the ship- ping of their produce until the frost came,
and [ hope |
i
!
tions, and in Newfoundland, people use steamers built specially for contending with ice ; and we should have a steamer con- structed on similar principles. My opinion is that there need not be twenty days
in the whole year when a _ steamer may not navigate the channel be-| tween the Island and the mainland. lt is trae that occasionally, between
Georgetown and Pictou, a north-east gale causes a heavy flow of ice, On these occa- sions | believe no steamer can run ; but [ am quite satisfied that at the capes there are very few days when a steamer cannot run from one side to the other, because the distance is so short that the sailors can see from the roasthead the condition of the straits from one side to the other, and if they find that they are not able to run a steamer they can run ice-boats. But I believe this problem of winter navigation will be solved by the running of a moder- ate-sized steamer at the capes in connection with the ice-boats. If it is found that the steamer cannot contend with the ice, she can land the ice-boats, and they can take the mails and passengers to the other side. Now, Sir, this question is a burning one with the people of Prince Edward Island— [am sorry tosay it has been a freez ng question with some. But it is a question in which the people of Prince Edward {sland are deeply interested ; they are agi- tated from one end of the country to the other on the subject, because it is impor- sible for them to engage in manufactures unless they can carry their producis to market continuously. -At present there are three or four months in the year during which we are not able to get our products to market. We possess a fertile soil ; we have cheap food, cheap horses and land, and cheap fuel, and we have a climate which is as invigorating as any on this con-
tinent; and there is no reason why Prince Edward Island should not have manufactures, except the one reason, that we have not continuous communication with the Mainland. Now, Sir, the very sad disaster which has
happened wil), I trust, show tho Govern-
ment that it is necessary that there should
be some supervision over the boats. The contractors are obliged, owing to com- petition, to place their rates down at the
lowest possible point; they are not properly
paid, and they are airaid to ask more, for foar that some one else would step in and take the contract from them. Now, I
think the Government should take this matterin hand. The service should be in the
hands of the Postmaster-General, conduct-
ed by him and under his control; he shovld
employ the men, and should seo that the
boats are properly equipped and are never
allowed to go to sea, as the boats now are,
without a serap of provisions, and with no
comforts necessary to provide against such
a disaster as has occurred. I trust that this
willall be changed,and that the Government
will see that no boats are allowed to go out | without proper supervision. If that were; done, disasters of this kind would be almost
im possibie.
Motion agreed to.
THE usual meeting of the Prince of Walks College Debating Club and Literary Institute was held yesterday afternoon. Quite a larce number of students were present. The Ques- tion Box was for the first time introduced by the managing committee— Messrs. Matheson, McDonald and Mellish. The following ques- tions were read in order by the President, and introduced for discussion by some one of the committee :--"‘ What is an Essay?’ ‘‘ Was the execution of Mary Queen of Scots justifi- able ?” ‘* Which is the correct form: I drink only water, or Ll only drink water?’ ‘* Would the introduction of waterworks bencfit Char- lottetown ? ’—aleo qxestions bearing on mathe- matics and etiquette. The questions were well discussed by Messrs, Matheson, Mellish, Thompsen, MeDonald, Deonis, Buntain, Cler- kin, and others. The main question for de- bate, ‘* Who gains the more knowledge, the Reader cr the Traveller?” “as then «pened by Mr. J. A. McDonald in favor of the reader. Messra. Gordon, Thompson, Campbell and Matheson also maintained that one would gain mutch more knowledge by reading ; while Messrs. Meltish, Judson and Clerkin argued in favor of the traveller. At six o’clock the question was put for decision, when it was decided iu favor of the reajter by a large majority. The meeting then quietly dispersed after singing ‘* Auld Lang Syne.”
SPE£CIAL attention is directed to the adver- tisement in another columnof the lecture to be3delivered Tuesday evening, in Y. M. C. A Hall, by Sergt. Joba Allan. This promises to be sowethiog new in the lecture line, as the Sergeant will appear in the uniform of his Regiment, and relate reminiscences of battles in which he himseif was actively engeged. Col. Beer will occupy the chair, dresved in his regimentals, and officers of the Militia are invited to seats on the platform.
Crey and White Cottons, the very best value will be found at J, B. Masdonald’s (feb 21
-_---
CountTrY dealers supplied with Bocks and Stationery at bottom prives at the Diamond
Bookstore, i
TTY HEA MINI, Peon U
The Militia Report.
Muurrta Disteicr No. 12, has the first c'aim upon our a-tontion; and we therefoie turp at once to the « flicial report about 1.
D. pyty Adjutant-General Taylor reports that the members of ac‘ive militia in this Province authoriz d to drul last year was
alluded to, but I have! 490, together with the garrison artillery, College, who was
numbering 168 non-commissioned officers and men, and 17 cflicers; the garrison artillery, 42 men and 5 officers ; infantry— Queen's County (82nd Battalliop) 272 men acd 25 officers; King’s County Prov. 3 tiery, 1 company, 42 men and 3 oflicers; and Prince County Prov, Battery, 2 com- panics, 84 men and 6 officers.
As to the Camp at Hunter River, the Deputy Adjutant-General reports:—
‘**A Camp consisting of two Batteries Artillery, one Company of Engineers, and six Companies of Infantry, assembled at Camp on Hunter River, and performed Annual Drill commencing 7th July for twelve days. As I was called away on
| other duties, the actual management of the
Camp devolved upon Lt.-Col. Freeland, Brigade Major, under whose superintend- ence the duties were carried out. He re- ports that the Camp was, as far as possible, made a School of Instruction, and was
‘very useful in teaching the officers their
du'ies on service, and that all ranks showed a great desire to perfect themselves in drill
and Camp duties, very fair progress being |
made in drill, the men being also silent and steady in the ranks, and having learned how to clean their accoutrements, and to put them on properly.”
‘* None of the Corps which were warned for drill failed to attend ; but certain offi- cers who had been duly notified, having
et a bad example to their men by absent-
ing themselves, their names were removed from the list of Officers of the Militia, which I trust will have a good effect in future.”
Concerning the armouries, Lieut-Colonel Freeland reports that he inspected the several armouries in the District at differ- ent times during the year,when he counted over every article, and deducted the velue of deficiencies from the Government allow- snce for care of arms. The Captains are now taking a pride in keeping their armouries in good order, and agreat im- provement is evident.
Colonel Taylor notices the fact that the ‘‘Princs Edward Island Brigade of Artillery has upheld its reputation for efticiency dur ing the year, it having sent a team to the Artillery competition in Quebec, where they were first in the “‘A” shift, and second in the firing competition with the 40-pounder Arms'rong.”
Lieut.-Colonel Freeland says that he hopes to be able to forward applications for mapvy Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to join the Infantry School at Fredericton tor a course of instruction, as he finds the want of competent Officers and
Non-Commissioned Officers the weakest point in the Militia in Prince Edward Island.
‘he Provincial and County Rifle Associa- tions have held their regular meetings, and the competition has been above the aver- age. The whole Force in the District is fully armed and equipped, including knap- sacks. The clothing is in good order ; all the rifles have been repaired and browned at the Militia Stores in Halifax, except those of two Companies, which are now in the armorer’s hands for this purpose ; and on the whole, says Colonel Taylor, ‘'1 am glad to be able to report a great improve- ment in the Militia in this District, as com- pared with what it was three years ago, which is, I believe, chiefly owing to the exertions and attention given by the Beigade Major, and to the Annual Drill having been performed in Camp the last two years.”
Regarding the Charlottetown engineers, Major Rabon says:
‘This Company was in campfat Hunter’s River, Prince Edward Island, from Ist to 12th July. I arrived atthe camp on 7th July, and remained till 12th, superintend- ing the instruction. The company came in- to camp very weak, having a strength, on the first day of only 2 officers and 20 N.C. QO’s. and sappers. This was, J believe, mainly due to the fact that Ist July, the day of going into camp, was also the day for re-enrollment. With a city corps, like the Charlottetown Engineers, I think there should have been no difliculty in ascertain- ing beforehand the number of vacancies there were hkely to be and in making pro- ver arrangements for filling them in due time. On the day of my arrival in camp the strength was 3 officers, and 28 N. C. O's. and sappers; and on inspection parade, on the 1..h, the strength was 3 officers and 33 N.C. O’s, and sappers. Major Dogherty and Lieut. Macdougall were present throughout the training ; Lievt. Horne only part of the time. Most of the sappers were recruits, and among them were several quite young boys unfit to bear arms or to do any hard, con tinuous work. But on the other hand, the standard of intelligence was very high, and the utmost interest and willingness to work were shown, On the whole, there was a good out-turn of practical work. It weuld
be better were there a larger proportion of |
good mechanics in the ranks, and as the P. E. I. Railway workshops are at Charlotte- town, there should be no difficulty in ob- taining suitable men. I was disappointed to find that the company had not done any work since the previous traming. The Charlottetown Engireers possess greater advantages than any other Engineer com- pany. Being a city corps, they have all the opportunities for carrying on drill and in- struction all the year round, and they have
the further advantage of going into camp for. continuous work. With thess advantages they should
be second to no other Engineer Com- pany. One N.-C. O. and one sapper of the Corps went throngh an Engineer short course at Kingston during the early part of the year. They were of much use in camp. I hope more men will come next year. 1 was much pleased with the N.-C O’s. of the Company, who showed zeal and intelligence, Lieut.-Col. Freeland, Bri- gade-Major, P. E. 1., who was present at the Infantry Inspection, will report on it, The turn-out was fair, but the Infaniry drill poor, due to thegnumber of recruits who had not received any previous training. I hope the instruction I had an opportunity of giving, and the practical work that was doue in Camp this year, will have cleared away many difficulties connected with Engineer work, and that the Company will now begin aregular course of drill, both Engineer and Infantry, to continue all the
| notice the name of L’eut. Macdougall, for | his very exce'lent work in camp, and fir the great inti rest he takes in the Campany
‘This otliver has already been through a)
‘course of elomentary engin ermg at Kings- |ten, and Lam in hopes he will be able to ;come again for the engineer course next spring. Gentleman Cadet Sloggett, R. M. attached to one of the | batteries in camp, was of material assist- | ance tome in carrying on instruction. I regret to say the company is still very defi- | cient in engineering equipment, and a dilfti- culty was consequently experienced in carrying on work,”
As to the Garrison Artillery commanded by Mejor Irving (G. 8. Ist), Lieut.-Col. Cotton reports :
“ Inspected at Charlottetown on the 7th November, 1884, in command of Capte. Pasemore and Moore (G. 5. 1s‘), respective- ly. Lieut. Macneill was absent on sick leave, and the Adjutant, Lieut. Morson, was then at Royal School of Artillery, Quebec. These Batteries ar» in a very efficient state. The arms, clothing and accoutrements in good order. C.umpany drill aud. manual and firing exercise good. The gun aril! was very good. The interior economy and system of keeping returns, accounts, &c., is very creditable, These | Batteries were represented at the Artillery }competitions, Island of Orleans, Quebec, in | Soptember.””
a
Why Gordon's Miszion Failed. Our exchanges give the following par- ticulars :—
After his arrival at Khartoum Gordon proposed that Zebehr Pacha should bs made governor-general of the Soudan. This pro- posal was viewed unfavorably by the British Government. Gordon insisted that Zebehr was the only man to carry out his programme, and informed his govern ment that if he were not appointed a pacific solution of the question would be impossi- ble. But the Anti Slavery Society objected to Zebehr on account of his record as a great slave dealer, and the British government would not sanction his appointment. This proved fatal to Gordon’s plans. The Mahdi, seeing that Gordon was taking no active measures, made hostile demonstrations, Gen, Gordon then telegraphed that he could not evacuate the Soudan without a small force of British troops. He asked only for 100 men, and and if that very modest demand had been granted, Gen. Gordon would in all prob- ability have fulfilled his mission, But the government which had_ refused him Zobehr for Governor, also de- clined to send him troops, though their moral effect would have been great. On the first of March Gordou began to feel that his chances of success were dimin- ishing rapidly. He sent a despatch asking why Gen, Wood and his forces were not utilized to move on to Dongola and thence to Berber. At last he offered to resign his commission. His despatches were met with the reply that the government were not pre- pared to send troops to the Soudan. The reacon for this was based on the misconcep- tion that the employment of British troops to aid in the evacvetion would be equivalent to their empioyment for the re-conquest of the Soudan for Egypt. The last messages which passed between Gordon and the government showed the bravery and deter- mination of the general. He refused to leave Khartoum in a state of anarchy to fall a prey to the Mahdi, announced his in- tention of never being taken alive, and told the Government that they would eventus!ly have to smash up the Mahdi at the cost of much money and many lives. Notwithstanding kis apparent deser tion, he held his own for nearly a year, at- tacking the enemy frequently and resisting all attempts to capture his position. His steamers were sent up and down the Nile gathering provisions and shelling the posi- tions of the enemy, and there is a seeming possibility that their absence, at his orders, to meet the advance of his countrymen to his relief, may have been taken advantage of by the foe without and the traitors within, to effect their purpose.”
~~ t e-
Our Advertisers. Perkins & Sterns offer great bargains in every description of cottons.
Alex. Strang announces a meeting at Cape Traverse for discussing local improve- ments.
DIED.
At New Haven, on the 10th January, Cuthbert G., infant son of Argus and Mary A. Darrach, aged 10 days
NOVICE ® PUBLIC Meeting will be held at Cape d Traverse, on Monday, the 2nd March, at 2 o'clock p.m, for the purpose of consider- ing the necessity of building a breakwater and drecging the charnel; also, other mat ters ‘the Commissioner cf Public Works is invited to attend; also our local representa- tives. By order of the committee. ALEX. STRANG, Secretary.
Ch’town, Feb. 21, 1885,
REMOVAL.
a
E. W. TAYLOR, WATCHMAKER & JEWELER,
EGS to inform his customers that he expects to remove t> his New Store,
CAMERON BLOCK,
CN OR ABOUT
Tuesday, 24th inst.,
Where be will have greater facilities for shewing goods and also for attending to the working department,
He wishes also to thank those, both in town and country, who have assisted him with
year round. I am glad to be able again to bring to
their custom during the past year, Ch’town, Feb, 14 —3i sat tu sat
eeeeead lene adnan
es
|
|
| |
| |
|
i | | | | |
eR ee
—
i. ey ear 4 £225 Et md as i; £3 i 5
~ my
§ FASH BUYERS:
er
SPECIAL LINES iN GOODS
WILL BE OFFERED AT THE
LONDON HOUSE
Until the opening of navigation, to make room for
Spring Imp
~O
Seotch, Brussels and Tapestry Carpets at very Low Prise,
20:
SCOTCH CARPETS WORTH
6 ‘“s 66
of ‘“ “é
Sere
95 100 118
———
TAPESTRY BRUSSELS " ’
——:0
Loom ‘Fable Linens at 16c,, 18c., We,
CARPETS FROM 40
85
eee .
and upwards,
Snecial Lines in Colton Towels ai cs, 46, Bc, 8c, and upwards. z
30.
ortations
Cents for 70 Cents
+
“ “
78 92
se “cs
CENTS UPWARDs
6 6s our
é
ns
Special Lines in Linen Towels at 4e, 5¢ Gc, 7c, and upwards. &
oom 30
BLEACHED AND UNBLEACHED —
SHEETINGS,
PILLOW COTTONS,
BEDTICKS, SHIRTINGS, ETC,
REMNANTS IN DRESS
——
A LOT OF WINCEYS
Black Cashmeres 32cts, and upwards
"0:
SELLING
er
REMNANTS IN TWEEDS, DOESKINS AND OTHER CLOTHE. :
ee Ot
REMNANTS IN FLANNEL, &e
ean
The balance of the 3,000 piezes White and Grey Cottons advertized in December last, at the same prices then offered notwithstanding the market has advanced from 15 per cent. @
173 per cent.
In Lots No. 1, 24 inches,
os ‘cc ) of
2, 30 6 se ee 9
3, oO 66 oe ce 4, 85 “c ee cc ‘ 6,36 Cs ce 6, 36 se . +. we oe Tae
’
BALANCE OF
0
A LOT OF MEN’S UNDERCLOTHING AT A BARGAD FROM 32 CENTS TO 65 CENTS.
D COTTON WARPS§ (BEST MAKES.)
o——
Choice TEAS in half-chesis and packages of 5, 10, 15, a8 20 pounds— Wholesale and Retail.
WHITE AND COLORE
at 3 Cen 5 “ 6 sc 7 <é be “se )) se
19 6 i:
MEN’S AND BOYS’ OVERCOATS AND ULSTERS AT COST.
Ch’town, Feb, 20—taw wkly 2mos
we
*
{OODs!
VERY CHEAP.
hr pee
ts.
to 25 Cents.