aie, ¢

” Bon. Leade< of the Government anid that ecple in going to market took only email

ottles ase & pint of liquor in the stores, they would be dfven to the taverns. By raising ‘the quantity from a pint to a quart much litiga- on would be caused, for some parties would 2 tempted to sell a common bottle full, and f watched would be fined. Hor. Mr. Duncan bad vo objection to allow a store to sell as much as a common bottle would contain, but would not sapport au inerease of that quantity.

Mr. J. A. McDonatp said that by raising the quantity to a quart it would be the mean: of causing people to purehase more liquor than they required, and, therefore, would be productive of evil consequences.

Mr. Moan said that it would be far better to allow a pint to be sold in the stores in- stead of a quart, for it would not be the cause of so great a consumption of liquor.

Mr. Munno said that the largest of the common black bottles did not contain a quart, and when people sent for that quan- tity they would either be compelled to leave the balance, or the storekeeper rather than lose kis customers would be induced to sell Jess than a quart and thus evade the law. He could not sce that any improvement would be made by raising the quantity to a quart. Qn the other hand there are many restrictions placed upon tavern keepers, which those whe soll by store license have not to bear, for instance the former has to provide lodgings, stable, shed, beds aod such things, while the latter sells goods in bis shop, and has not to provide any accomoda- tion for the public. e law is, therefore, far more favorable to the man who sells by store license than to the tavern keeper, be- cause the latter is put to considerable ex- pease, ond is placed under many restric- ticns.

Mr. McNett did not think any improve- ment would be made in the law by substitut- ing quart for pint license. The time might yet arrive when the sale of liquors would be prohibited altogether, but it was vot fair to allow a store keeper close by a tavern to eel! either by pint or quart license.

Bir. Cameron thought by raising the Guantiiy sold in a store to one quort, the priceiple of the bill would be better carried out; & pint was too small a quantity to be allowed to be sold in stores. Some people thought mo less than a gallon should be sold by store keepers; but be thought if store keepers were allowed to sell by the quart it Would suit the requirements of the p-opleas Well as at present,

Eon. Mr. Pxrry thought the pint licence should be abolished, for it injured the tavern keeper who had to provide proper accomoda- tion for travellers, and did oot particularly benefit the people generally. If quart license were tituted for pint |icense, there would be just as much liquor sold as at present, but be would just as soon do sway with both altogether. Pint license should be abolished, for there is no guarantee that the liquor sold in stores is any better thaa that sold in taverns.

Hon. P. Suvcxase thought the pint license eystem should be abolished, for if a Wehis a pint of liquor he can get ic at a tavern. Those stores licensed to sel! by the pint only induced young men to drink, and ‘Were an injury instead of a it He Cid sot think much improvement would be effected by raising the quantity to a quart ; and, therefore, thought it better to strike out the clause al ,

Hon. Mr, McKacuen did not agree with what was stated by the hon, member for New Leadon, that selling liquor by ‘be pint or quart a men - drick, Is is a necessary ovil, and store license is ne- cestary, for there are districts whore no person could keep a a house of er‘ertain- ment profitably. e road from St, Peter's to the East Point, for instance, is one upon which no man could sabsist by tavero-keep- ing alone. There are times when «ickness arises, when there is a necessity for strong Tiquors ; they should therefore be within the reach of all classes of persons, in every part of the eountry. He would support the licensing of stores, to sell as much as @ ¢ommon bottle would contain,

Mr. Ansenavit thought the amendment = would not work satis/actory.

any men, in coming to town, briny a bot- tle with them to be filled with liquor ; when it is filled they might happen to mect their friends and drink too y- It would, therefore, do more harm than good to raise the quantity retailed in stores from a pint t> = quart. He thought the mesvure al- lowed suould be sither a pint or a gallon.

Hoa. B. Davirs was opposed to cranting etore licenses for selling ‘ess than half a geilon, for selling either by the pint or «uatt is an injustice to the tavern-iceper.

Mr. McMitiax pint license ebould not be allowed, for it injured respect- able botel keepers who bad proper accom- iocdstions for travellers. It hoes been found that people often go to the stores, Where it is something cheaper, and ; urchase & pint of liquor, sud afterwards go to the taverxs aod drink it. This had been dono in Summerside, and was found te be a great nuisence. If this practize is allowed to go On, re ble hotels cannot be sustained, and there will then be no public accoramo- Gation for travellers, If the quantity were raised to s quart it would not be found to acswer very well, for bottles do not rally coutein that much. It would be pretty bard to frame a law to suit oll cases and to remedy all defects,

Hos. D. Davies did not think the pint license fair dealing to the tavern-keepers. In Charlottetown tavern-keepers complain that the law is very etringent in reference to taverns, while stores are scarce!y undor any restrictions. He could not see why stores should be allowed to sell |ces than half a gallon of liquor.

ir. Cammnon considered the pint license very objectionable, because it was the cause of a greater jon to the public to drink than taverns, A pint of liquor can at present be obtained so easily that young men are easily induced, by the ex- ample of others, to purchase it, an’ form a habit of doing so,

Bir. Mewno said that notwithstending all the amendments which had been made from time to time in the liquor law, it was very little better than it was forty years ago. He believed that the testimony of ‘he nine- teenth century-ia that the liquor traffic is oue of the evils of the present age, and ibat if it could be got rid of legis mankind would be greatly benefitted; but as long as it exists io the world it must be regulated, and that is all that can be done in this Colony at present. I ccncot see that spy improvement would be made by changing the quantity from a pint to a juart, for just as much evil would be caused by the former system as by the latter. It cannot be expected that as long as the pint eystem is continued we can have comfort shle and commodious taverns; but to do justice to the st , they should have ot least one year’s notice, if a change is to he made.

and if they could not pure!

{ i i

Hon. Mr. Wiontman said that to raise *

the quantity from a pist to « galloa would be contrary to common sense, for there are many parts of the country where there is act « taverm for 10 or 12 miles, and liquor sould pot be obtained when requircd in case f emergency if it were not acid in the

stores, If this change were carried o3t there would be a general complaint against it throughout the country. If the sale of li- quor were to be prohibited altogether, it would be quite different; but as long as its sale is allowed, people in all parts of the country should be allowed to obtain it in quantities not greater than s pint, when re- quired,

Mr. McNerer.—It was eaid that pub- lic houses are not required, but a large in- flux of strangers would change the aspect of affairs, and it would be found that they could uot be dispensed with. There should be some protection afforded those who pro- vided suitable accommodation for travellers, and be therefore thought the pint license should be abolished. He believed that the drinking habits of the people of this Island were considerably less than formerly; but whether they would be eutirely dome away with or not, was not for him to say. If the tavernkeeper was not protected by abolishing the pint license he will not be able to compete with the stores, because the latter are ina better position to sell cheaper. Men may, at present, go to the stores, pur- chase liquor, and go back to the taverns and driuk it, thus subjecting the latter to all the inconveniencies of the traflis without reaping any of the benefits.

Hov. Mr. Cattpeck said that it had been stated that although there had been much legislation in regulating the liquor traffic, no remedy for its evils had been pro- vided. He supposed temperance men would tell us, in reply, that as long as the sale of liquors was allowed it would always be at- tended with the same results, This may bese, but he was not an advocate for doing away with the liquor traffic by law, be- cause public opinion has not yet arrived at toat stage.

He thought the pint license only afforded facilities for unnecessary drinking, but to adopt the two gallon system wou!d be going too far on the other side. Public houses should have some protection, because they are placed uoder greater restriction than stores. He thought quart license wou'd be an improvement, and would afford the tavern the required protection. It had been objected that a common bottle does not eontain a quart, and that the quart sys- tem would only eucourage drinking; but the Legislature could not make regulations that would suit all cases. He did not think the pint license should be encouraged merely because it would yield a larger revenue than quartlicense. [le believed our revenue would be equally as large as at present if neither pint nor quart license were a!low- ed, for there is a great loss of time connect- ed with the trade, the value of which over- balances the amount derived from it. If it were abolished our exports would be larger in proportior, and the trade of the coun- try would be benefitted ; but, as our people

ly have not arrived at that couclu- sion, all that can be done is to regulate the traffic. He thought it was but just to the keepers of publie houses for the accommo- dation of the public. that the store license should be raised to a quart.

Mr. Munro said that some hon. members proposed raising the quantity retailed in stores to half a gallon, but he thought such a system would only lead to dishonesty on the part of the storekeepers, and would not bring about the desired result. He thought it better to leave the license as it is at pre- sent, viz., pint license.

Hon. P. Sinciair said that taverns were much restricted, and could be made a much greater benefit to society than stores which sold liquor by the pint, for the latter only sell and make people drunk, while the for- mer are compelled to provide accommoda- tion for travellers. The tavernkeeper can easily be fined if he violates the law, but the storekeeper can do a vast amoant of in- jary to avy neighborhood without being liable to a penalty for so doing. By the payment of £7 103. those stores have pow- er to sell as much liquor by the pint as they choose, and thus are found to be a far great- er evil than taverns. If the hon. member for Georgetown insisted upon retaining the present pint license, he (hon. Mr. 8.) would move that the word “pint”? be struck out of the clause, and the words “half a gallon’”’ inserted instead. It had been stated that the law would be violated if the quantity were raised to half a gallon. That might be true, but that was no reason why the pint license should be continued. If the law were broken in that way, there is a remedy provided.

Hop. Mr, Wienrman said that people had to psy dearer for liquor purchased at a public house than ata ji store, because the tavernkeeper is obliged to provide suit- able accommodation for travellers. There

is not a public house between Sturgeon and Murray Harber, and therefore if liquor could not be obtained in reasonable quanti-

ties at the stores, people would have to travel about ten miles in order to obtain what they required. If the liquor traffic is to be abolished, the proper steps should be taken to bring about that result; but if it is only to be regulated, let it be done in a legal and proper manner, so as to place liquor within the reach of the people, that it might be obtained when required.

Hon. Mr. Duncan said that the quantity sold in stores should not be raised to a quart, for a common bottle would not con- tain that quantity, and storekeepers selling a bottle full would render themselves liable toa fine. If the quantity were fixed at three half pints, it would suit the require- ments of the public better thin the quart system. The hon. member for Summerside

(Mr. McMillan), stated that the hotel-keep- |

ers of Summerside were badly used because people purchased liquor at the stores and went to the hotels to drink it. In Charlotte- town there is no scarcity of public houses, but there is a searcity of good hotels. The boarding houses do not sell liquors, By raising the quantity to a quart, people would be compelled to purchase more than they require, and would have to carry two bottles instead of one, to contain it. This would be a great hardship; be, therefore, thought a license to stores to sell three half pints should be allowed. In many parts of the country tavernkeepers cannot obtain license, because the people in their neigh- borhood are opposed to it ; unless, therefore, it could be obtained in moderate quantities in stores, people would be greatly incon- venicnced

Mr. McMrixay thought that the store- keeper might as well be allowed to sell li- quor by the glase aa by the pict, for the re- sults were about the same,

Hon. Arronney Genzrat said the tevern- keeper was rut to the expense of providing suitable accommodation for the public, while the storekeeper had not to go to any expense. A man might get drunk by pur- chasing liquor at a store, and be thrust into the street, but the tavernkeeper had to pre- vide accommodation for those who purchased liquor from them. He (hon, Attorney Genera!) had been one of those who had formerly advocated raising the quantity sold in stores to a quart, and be had now no ob- jection to = motion to — a halfa gallon, as been propo y his bon. eo!league.

Mr. Howarr thonght it would be better to fix the quantity allowed to be sold in stores at three half pinte.

Hon, D. Davies bad been op & similar

committee some years ago, and believed that he was one who re¢ommended the reduction from a quart to a piut atthattime. The reason why the cliange was made was, that people had been in the habit of buyin a quart and drinking that part of it whic a common black bottle would not contain. This was the cause of a greut deal of dranken§ ness, and the quantity was therefore reduce toa pint; but itis now clearly seen that storekeepers should not be allowed to sell by the pint, as it is not justice to the tavern- keeper, while it produces much evil and is subject to few restrictions. He thought store license should not be allowed for less than half a gallon.

Hon, P, Sinciam would agree to fixing the quantity to be retailed in stores at half a gallon,

Hon, Leave o¥ rie Govensurnt did hot see, if the liquor traffic was to be regu- leted at all, that any evil effects result from pint license, If a man wished to take home a bottle of brandy or whiskey, he purchased it at a store where it could bo got cheaper than in the tavern, It would be unfair, therefore, to raise the quantity any higher than it is at present. It ap- peared to him that the inteation of the pre- sent Act was wierely to consolidate our liquor laws which are at present in foree. If the sale in stores of any quantity less than two gallons is to be legalized, the quantity should remain as it is.

Hoo. Mr, Howsan did not see any reason why the quantity should bo raised to half a gallon, and had heard nothing during the whole of the debate which show- ed any necessity for it, It was not the intention of the law that liquor should be drauk in stores where it was sold; it was merely to place it where people could pur- chase it when it was really required. There had been no complaints to show that the pint license system did not work well ; no petitions had been received from any party asking for a change in this respect; it would be better therefore to leave the law as it is, If the quantity were raised to a gallon and a half, and three or four bottles did not happen to hold that much, the purchasers, secording to the ideas ad- vanced by some hon, members, would still be obliged to drink the balance, or leave it with the store-keeper. Before passing a law that quart license should be granted, there should first be a law passed that every quart bottle should hold a quart, as pro- posed hy a celebrated English statesman. He could not see any necessity in the world for changing the license from a piat to a quart,

The question on the different amend- ments was put and lost, and the clause al- lowing pint licence was adopted.

The next clause was then read.

Hon. Mr. Ketry moved that the follow- ing be added to the thirteenth clause, viz: “ Provided always that it shall be no breach of this Act if such person as shal! have ob- tained a tavern license as aforesaid (in the country) sba)! have or keep his shop or place for retailing of such liquors ae afore- said in a different building, not more than 400 yards from his dwelling-house wherein he shall lodge and otherwise entertain Lis guests or lodgers.”’

This would allow these tavern-keepers whose houses were some little distance from the public road, to keep a liquor saloon by the roadside, for the accommodation of travellers, while lodging and food would be provided iu their own private dwellings. Both the public and respectable tavern- keepers would be benefited by such an ar-

rangement, Hoo. Mr. Wionrman said that it was generally expected that tavern-keepers

should retail their liquor in the house in which they reside; but the amendment would allow a -eparate building for retailing liquor. If this beeame law, it would be the means of inducing many to take up tavern- keeping, who at present would not retail liquor in their houses. He though? the amendment was not required.

Hon, Mr. McKacuen could not see that the sale of liquor by a tavern-keeper, in a building separate from his private dwelling should be objected to any more than when both buildings were attached.

Hon, Arronney Generat said that if a tavern-keeper were allowed to retail liquor in a shanty by the side of the public road, it would lead to the worst results. When liquor is retailed in a respectable dwelling- house, the matter is altogether different. He would not, therefore, support the amend- ment.

Mr. McLean said that as the law now stands, the tavern-keeper is bound to pro- vide proper accommodation in the building in which he retails liquor; but if the amendment were adopted, the required ac- comodation would not be provided, and the benefits of public houses would thus be greatly lesaened. The amendment would also allow the tavern-keeper to sell liquor in two places, instead of one, as at present, The proposol that had been made to allow stores to sell by the quart, instead of by the pint, was no improvement on the present system.

Hon. Mr. Ketry did not feel very uneasy about our license law, but he thought the amendment proposed by him was very fair, for people travelling the roads did not care to have to go two or three chains from the public road, as they are compeiled to do in some instances at present. Travellers could go to the tavern by the road side for liquors, and to the private dwelling for food and lodging ; by this arrangement they would be better entertained than at present in many instances.

Hon, Mr. Wier y said if those tavern- keepers who resided some little distance from the public road in country places are allowed to keep a separate shop for retail- ing liquor, all others would take advantage

such a law, and the consequences would be injurious to the country.

Hon, P. Stxctarr said that no tavern- keeper could have as mach control over two houses a8 over one. A separate shop might be required in some places, but if the privilege were extended to one district, it would have to be general over the whole Is- land, and would, if allowed, be found to be productive of a vast amount of evil. He thought it would be far better to leave the clause as it was.

The amendment submitted by Hon. Mr. Kelly, was then put and lost; and the clause was allowed to remain as it was.

The next clause was read,

Hon, Mr. Wicutan said that it would be a great hardship if a man were to be fined because his servant being a minor, met a few of bis friends at o tavern, and pur- —_ a few glasses of liquor to treat them.

Hon, Mr. Duncan said that a man send- ing @ servant under age to a tavern for liquor, could not get it according to this clause. It was not always easy for tavern- keepers to tell who are minors.

Hon. Arronney Genenat said that the Legislature bad no right to seta trap to catch the tavern-keeper, and he would there- fore suggest that the words “ wilfully or knowingly ”” be inserted in the clause.

The Speaker then took the Chair, pro- gress was reported, and leave obtained to sit again. 1. O.

House in Committee of the whole on the

. aaa al ' ;,

Bill to Consolidate the laws relating to Licensed Taver

r. Beer is the Chait.

e section of the Act being read relat- ing to the number of meetings to be held in a School District,

Hon Mr. Sinctarn bad strong objestions to allowing any moro meetings to be held for the purpose of granting tavern licenses, than were previously provided for by the Act, and moved a resolution to the effect that the law remaio as it then was.

Mr. Mono thought two meetings for each class of licenses would be better. Toe a portion of the community might, if aware that two meetings for each kind of license cotild be held, increase their vigi- lence. He thought it would give more general satisfaction,

Mr. Hooper saw no necessity for defining the number of meetings to be held, That was a matter which should be left to the people, who should be left to meet as often as they thought proper.

Hon. D. Davirs thought such a sugges tion at that of the hon.member from Morell (Mr. Hooper) would not do. If parties Wishing to obtain tavern licenses had the privilege of calling meetings as often as they pleased, people would become indiffer- ent about the matter, and would not attend atall. Two meetings in each year was quite sufficient for each class of license.

Hon, Arr’y Generat was not in the office of Attorney General more than a week when big attention was called to the matter. His predecessor understood the Act as al- lowing two meetings for each class of licence, but on looking closely into the wordiog of the Statate, he could not see that that con- struction was borne out. From Alberton he received letters and telegrams on the subject, and as much anxiety and even mis- understanding had taken place with refer- ence to this matter, he thought it better to place the number of meetings to be held so plainly in the Bill, that no future misappro hensions could arise. He would say to the hon. member for New London that when unreasonable restrictions were placed in the way of any calling, it only excited oppo- sition, and led te every possible evasion of the law.

Hon. Leapern oy tue Government said the intention was to consolidate the law, and thercby simplify the mode of referring ta it. He thought if the hon. member for New London would ca!mly consider the question, he wou!d not object to the number of meetings proposed to be held. He should also recollect that the Crown Law officers of the Government of which he (Hon. P. 8.) was a member, placed the same construction upon the law which the Attorney General bad placed in the Bill under consideration. He thought the Attorney General was doing a good eervice in placing the matter s0 clearly in the Bill, and believed it would be better to allow the clause to stand as it was.

Hon Mr. Sincrair felt convinced that no School District in any part of the district he had the honor to represent, rcquired that

four meetings a year should be held. And, however the ex-Attorney General might have understood the question, he (Hon.P.8.) could assure the hon. member that no mag- istrate in his part of the country understood the law as allowing any more than two meetings to be held in amy one year in any school district, for any such purpose.

Mr. Cawznon thought the law required to be rendered much plainer than it had been. He was opposed to increasing the number of meetings to be held, as be could not see what could be accomplished at four, which could not be effected at two. An increased number of meetings would but add to the trouble and inconvenicnce of the people of the district,

Hon. B. Davirs said the Temperance people had a great deal of trouble before they succeded in getting the law up to what it then was, aud would not wish to see any more privileges given to those engaged in selling spiri:uous liquors than they had,

Hon, Leaver er tur Goverxment.—A Committee was appointed a few days ago, for the purpoze of examining and aseertain- ing whether it would be udvisab!e to remove the Lunatic Asylum to Falconwood ur the Stock Farm, or not. That farm was leased by the Government, for seven years, with the right to purchase it at any time during that period; and a large amount of money was expended in wanuring and covering it with mussel mud, The result is that it is now very valuable, and would be cheap at the price set upon it. It would therefore be unwise for the Legislature to let it go out of the possession of the Colony. The lease has now only one year te run before ite expiration, and as it has been considered by the Committee to be advisable to remove the Asylum to that farm, the purchase should be effected at onc>, It is advisable that the House should consider the matier without regard to party, because it will affect the interests of the whole Colony, Our present Asylum has become to be con- sidered almost a disgrace to the Volony, on account of the small size of the rooms and the lack of ventilation ; the less that is said about it, therefore, the better. There is 9 large brick building upon the farm, which can be extended to the required dimensions fora new Asylum building ; but before that building is enlarged, the farm must be pur- chased. I therefore move the following resolution :—

“ Whereas, The lcaseto the Government of this Island of the property known as the Stock farm, will expire on the first day of May, 1872; and whereas, there is contain- ed in the said lease a covenant reserving to the Government the right of purchase at any time during the continuation of said lease of the said property, together with the brick house and the lands attached, desig- nated as Faleonwood, for the sum of £3,000 sterling, in all; and whereas a large amount of money has been expended by the Gov- ernment in fencing and improving the said farm, all of which will be lost unless the purchase be effected; and whereas a joint Committee, composed of three members of the Legislative Council and six members of this House, have recommended that certain ad- ditions be made to the said building at Falconwood, for the purpose of an Asylum, the buildings at present used as an Asylum being altogether inadequate to the require. ments of the Colony. ResoLvep, turne- rate oes rng be potencanes authoriz- wg the purchase of the said property for the sum of £3,000 sterling, fo aa of the lease ; and also authorizing the issue of Government debentures, redeemable in ten years, for the payment thereof; and also a further sum of £3,000 currency, to be ap- propriated for the required additions and repairs to the said brick building, to be used for the purposes of an Asylum.”

Hon. P. Sinctain.—The Stock Farm has been in the hands of the Government for six years, and as the lease will, after the lapse of another yeur, expire, unless the farm is secured, it will pass out of their possession. lt would be found to benefit the country, if it were purchased, and well managed. ‘I'he present Asylum is now found to be unfit for the purpose which it is intecded, and the grounds being so limited, it would be unad- visable to extend it. It is supposed that the large brick house upon the Stock Farm can be sufficiently enlarged to Supply all the sccommodation required, while the rooms

would be better sdapted fer the purpose than those of the present Asylum. T ¢on-

“sider that improved breeds of farm etek is required in the country, and )f more stock is to be imported, the farm will be neces- cary for its reception. If the farm were sold by private sale, it would bring a larger price than that fixed in the lease, 80 that no money would be lost in that respect. lee fenced in the best manner, and with the best materials, and as it would suit the present requirements of the country, I will support the resolution.

Hon. B. Davizs.—It is a very large un- dertaking to expend £3,000 sterling in the purchase of the Stock Farm. 1 would like to know whether the results of its manage- ment during the past six years will justify the House in doing so. The Government of this Colony leased that farm for the pur- pose of showing the public that, under o high system of cultivation, land would pro- duce more than under the ordinary method. Another object was to show that stock of the best description could be bred on the Islacd from imported stock, equal to any imported, and at far less cost. Before sup- porting suc! a resolution as that before the Committee, I should like to see some of those plans carried out. I will allow that some goed stock bas been bred upon the farm, but there is no statement before the Cemmittee to show what the results of ite management have been. I believe that every bushel of wheat and other grain, and all the root crops, have cost the country more than they could be purchased for in the market. If that bas been the result of the working of that farm, what is the use of keeping it up? I believe that every ton of hay and oats produced from it has eost the country more than a like quantity on any of the private farms adjoining it. In fact, the farms of Judge Peters and Hon. F. Long- worth are better cultivated, and are models to the Mode! Farm itself. Some of the stock raised by those gentlemen is of better qual- ity than the stock raised upon the Stock Farm. Mr. Longworth bas so!d more stock than has been sold from the Farm, and his stock is more highly valued. If, therefore, private gentlemen can raise stock cheaper and better, there can be no benefit to the country in keeping up that farm by large grants of money from the treasury. Has the farm been a benefit to the country in any respect? This question should be ans- wered before the House should be called upon to purchase it for the large sum of £4,500 currency. If the desired re- sults bave not been realized, the Govern- ment should give good reason for their ex- pecting that the establishment will pay bet- ter in future. I should like to see returns of the number and valne of the stock im- ported from England; also the productions of that stock, the money it has realized, the advantages the country has reaped from it, whether it bas been retained by our farmers for breeding purposes, or for being fattened up and disposed of inthe market. It would a'so be very interesting to know what it costs to cultivate land which is in a high state of cultivation, and what sorts of man- ure are required to bring it into that eon- dition. Taking all this into consideration, 1 doubt if it would be wise on the part of this House to advise the Government to con- tinue the operations on that farm. I look upon it as a losing speculation. Unless those gentlemen who have the care of it can raise better stock than those of private far- mers in its neighborhood, there is no use in expending public money upon it. There is some good fencing on the farm, but the horses raised upon it are no better than those seen upon ordinary farms. Thousands of acres of Jand ean be found throughout the Island, which is in just as high a

state of cultivation, although that farm has cost the country a very large sum to keep it in a fairstate. With such results before us, I do not intend to support the resolution, for the House would not be justified in keep- ing up an institution which would be a per- petual loss to the Colony. Hon. D. Davres.—I differ in opinion from the hon. mewber for Belfast on this matter, for this farm is not intended to be a model farm; it is a stock farm. We have plenty of model farms al) over the Island, and do not require such a farm kept up by the Government. I was in the Leg- islature when that farm was leased, and put under the management of a keeper ; and the Government bad my hearty support in organizing it, Farming is now taking the place of ship-building and Jumbering, and therefore should be encouraged by the Gov- ernment in some way. Perhaps no better plan could be adopted than keeping up a good Stock Farm for the purpose of breed- ing stock to be distributed through all parts of the country, for the purpose of improving the stock kept by our farmers. Our stock bas been considerably improved by this means, and farmers from the other Provinces have parthased a considerable quantity of it; but our Stock Farm has not been taken ad- vantage of by our farmers as it might have been, and bas not becn managed as it should be. A large number of the stock upon it died from various causes, the principal of which was, no doubt, the went of proper care and management. I bave heard stock keepers say that sufficient care war not be- stowed upon the breeding of the stock, and that the horses were overworked in cultivat- ing the faim; as if the growing of grain was of more importance than securing a good breed of stock. A more successful farmer has recently been employed upon it, and it may perhaps be more successfully managed. It might be made a great benefit in other respects, such as a means for in- troducing changes of seed in potatoes, for instance. The few changes we have bad, have been brought here by private individu- als. 1 myself introduced a few varieties into the country, and [am happy to know they have proved a great advantage. A better clase of horses were introduced daring the last few years, for the old stock was thought to be too heavy; but the country has lately been drained of that kind of stock, and it is now necessary to replace it. As we can breed excellent stock on this Island, from imported breeds, more attention shouid be paid to it than heretofore, and some cu- perior animals should be imported. I would even support the estublisbment of a Stock Farm io each of the counties, if required, to improve the stock of the country; but one farm properly maintained wou'd be found to be quite sufficient for the wants of the Colony. I do not think we should complain on account of the expenditure ot 9 small sum for the purchase of that forin, as it will undoubtedly prove a real henefit to the Colony, and will always be worth the sum which will be paid for it. The agri- cultura) resources of the country are now of the first importance to its prosperity, and are of far preater consequence than ship- building and the fisheries. If the Stock farm were now thrown into the market. it would bring a good deal more money than the sum at which it can be purchased by the Government, and its purchase will not therefore, be any loss whatevor to the coun- try. If the old Asylum were to be sold it would — & considerable sum of money which woul materially assist in the en- largement of the Stock Farm building, which by the addition of a wing Or two, would af ford all the necessary accommodation, | would be sorry to see the raising of improy-

ed breeds of stock thrown entirely upon the

rivate enterprise of the country, because it is a matter of the first importance that it should ‘not be neglected. I can well re: member the importation of the horse “ Saladia ” from land ; and the stock produced liy him was the best the country ever had. It is true that the stock lately imported has not been as good as could be wished for; but it is not an easy matter to get hold of the most improved stock. I have exported some hundreds of borses; and find that it is « difficult matter to select the best animals. It is not therefore surprising that our imported horses were not all first- class ones: We cannot expect that they shou!d all be found to be of the best des- cription. I should think that in a Parlias ment where farmers are so wel! represented, the Stock Farm would not want ie pe ne

—

and that it would not be all te go down. Hon. Mr. WienTman.—Large stms of

money have been spent upon the Model Farm, but what has been the result? The stock has dwindled down almost to nothing, and the Colony has not reaped the benefits which that farm should have conferred upon the country. In reference to the unfortunate in- mates of the Lunatic Asylum, he wished to see their condition ingens and to see them made more comfortable in every way. The purebase of the Stock Farm for the removal of the Asyium might be a good inyestment, but, as it is three miles from town, it would be found to be inconvenient for an institution of that kind. I suppose that if it is the inten- tion of the Government to putchase it, it is of very little use for me to oppose it; but I cannot hel p expressing the opinion that the farm ie too far from the city for a site for the Lunatic Asylum. The Farm bas never given the country satiefaction, and the reports made will show this. The stock of horses that has been imported was not suited to the wante of the country, and ceusequeatly the results have not been satisfactory. I would say that, instead of purchasing that farm, it would be better to vote, say £2,000, for improved stock, and send a competent person to England to se- lect it and bring ithere. It should then be dis- tributed amongst the three Counties, so that they might receive the immediate benefit of it, This would be better than sending it to the Stock Farm, would fully answer the re- quired end, and the people would be better satisfied. I have been given to understand