The Examiner.

7 . ' Chalottet own, Mach 20, I876, |

i |

= j

'

GPENING OF THE LEGISLATURE, | onmumniian |

lire “ little difficulty” which, last year, | ‘xisted. between our militia officials and

the Provincial authorities, has been satis-

y arranged. It gives us pleasure

i ictoril » note, that on the oe rasion of the « pen- ne of the Legislature, two companies of wn etive militia were on the ground to do | ir '

honor to the representative of Iler Ma-|

Both |

esty and Sir Robert Hodgson. Major Morris’s Battery, which fired the solute. and Major Pollard’s which, formed | the guard at the Province Building, pre- | sented a fine soldierly appearance. laree number of ladivs and gentlemen in the Legislative Chamber, when | |

} | were Ilis Honor delivered the opening speech, The speech was a fair specimen of guber- | natorial utterances upon such occasions. | \ measure “ providing for the registration | of persons entitled to vote at elections, for members to the As- sembly,” is promised ; and a bill “ ancil-

serve in General lary’? to the Land Purchase Act, 1875, will be submitted. The latter is not, probably, the “ hand maiden” which the Lezislative Council treated so rudely in 1874 and 1875. We presume that it will

enable proprietors, who are willing to

take the money awarded them by the (Commissioners, to assure the Government, i in the usual way, against subsequent loss | on account of outside claims upon the es- tates ; and also,remove some other ‘ hitch- | es’ in the Act passed last year. What may | be done in the eventof the Judges’ de

cisions being sustained by the Supreme |

' Court of Canada, will, of course, be a sub- |

‘contributors are

rey

FALSE INNUENDO.

. > . a. THe Pr sdytert im, of Friday last, de-

=.

mands of Mr. Henry Lawson

“Dare he deny that he has written edi- torials in the Examiner in favor of Separ- ate Schools since he bacame editor of the Palriol! We defy him to deny the above.”

The innuendo contained in this quotation is not only in the highest degree unpro- fessional and impertinent ; it false and morally, if not legally, libellons, The Presbyterian has no right to violate the impersonality of the press by pub- lishing the name of a person it supposes to be a contributor to the editorial columns of the EXAMINFR—even were Intelligent men,

is

the supposition correct.

| who habitually read the EXAMINER, will

not have failed to remark, that among its the ablest most pleasing writers in the Province, But Mr. Henry Lawson, is, we positively and emphatically declare, not one of them, Since he became attached to the staff of

«

the Patriot, he has not contribuced a

and

single line, word or thought to the Ex- AMINER. We could not, of course, hope to retain the confidence of honorable men were it believed that we gave place, in our editorial columns, to political articles from the penof our bitterest and most pro- nounced political opponent. Should it hereafter appear, that, owing to a ma- licious libel—in a journal bearing a re- ligious name, and conducted by one whom people generally believe cannot lie—we lose any considerable support, we shall not fail to proseeute for damages.

+= or

COAL IN P. E.

ISLAND.

Principa. Dawson, of McGill Col-

‘lege, Montreal, recently delivered a lecture

at Ottawa, in the course of which he said : «“ From geological observations, there can no doubl bul$that under the Island. of

be

ject for consideration after the result of | Prince Edward vast coal formations exist.”

the appeal is made known.

The speech does not, of course, indi- eate all the measures the Government in- tend to bring forward. Owing to the ua- compromising spirit inspired in the peo- ple by the press, on both sides of the School Question, it will be impossibie to frame a measure of reform in education, which will give satisfaction. Yet, we trust that the Government will make, at least, a move in that direction. We also trust that the Legislature will, during the present session, endeavor to make our Local Government clearly and unmistak. | ably, a “ Responsible Government.”’

REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR.

ACCORDING to the Report of the Minis- ter of the Interior the Indian population of Ontario is estimated si 15,300 souls, the largest tribes being the Six Nations of the Grand River, 3,052; the Chippewas of Lake Huron, 2,298; the Manitoulin In- dians, 1,492, and the Chippewas of Lake Superior,1,488 souls. Besides these there are the tribes of the Oneidas, the Munsees, and the Moravians, of the Thames; the Pottawatimes, of Walpole Island and Sar- nia; the Mississaugauas of Rice, Mud, and Seugog lakes; and minor branches of the Chippewa tribe scattered over the northern and eastern sections. The In- dian population of Quebec numbers 10,800 souls, the largest tribe being the Montaignais, 1,300 souls. In Nova Seo- | tia there are 1,350 Indians; in New Brunswick 1,560, and in Manitoba and the Northwest 25,394; in British Col umbia 31,500; in Prince Edward Island 300, and in Rupert's Land 5,170. The total Indian population of the Dominion is, therefore,close upon 92,000. The re—| turns of property, &c., are incomplete, | but those obtained place the total value of improvements on Indian reserves at $1,204,278 ; of the personal property of the Indians, $489,234; of Indian real estate, $7,633,700, and of Indian capital, $2,885,900.

The report says that the general geo- logical examination of the country has made satisfactory progress during the past year. Explorations have been made in the Nova Scotia coal fields, in the iron ore and apatite regions in Ontario, and in the hitherto almost unexplored mineral region betweea the Georgian Bay and Moose Factory. The Director and his staff have been employed for six months in collecting specimens intended to re- present the mineral resources of the Do- minion at the Centennial Exhibition. The appropriation therefor was $5,000. Some 2,000 specimens, representing the minerals of 500 different localities in all parts of the Dominion, from Cape Breton to Vancouver, have been arranged- The specimens of polished marble, building stone, and gold, silver, copper and iron ore are specially noticed, as also those of slates, litographic stone, mineral paints, limes, cements, pottery, bricks, petroleum, coal, and peat.

With regard to Dominion lands Manitob:», the report says the general de- pression in business and the partial de- struction of the crops by grasshoppers operated materially to discourage immi- gration into that Province. In spite, however, of these serious drawbacks, 500 homestead entries, representing in round numbers 80,000 acres, were made in the ten months ending the 31st October ; and in the same period pre-emption entries in connection with homesteads, represent- ing upwards of 60,000 acres, were also made. Ia addition to these 5,000 acres were sold for cash, and 17,000 acres were disposed of under military bounty war- During che season, a large addition

in

rants. was made to the thriving Mennonite set- tlement of the province, and the first in- stalmest of three hundred Icelanders established themselves on the site assign- ed to their countrymen on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. These latter settlers are spoken of favorably as giving evi- dences of thrift and self reliance; and there is every reason to believe that this settlement, like that of the Mennonites, will be entirely successful.

MoveMENTS or THe Fisninc Firet.—The Georgesmen are returning from their first trips of the season with light fares, having encountered very heavy weather, Which interfered with fishing. During tne week there have been 72 arrivals of the fishing fleet 60 {rom Georges, 7 from the Banks and five with frozen herring. The receipts of fish are 1,518,000 pounds of codlish, 487,000 pounds of halibut and 2000 barreis of her- ring. The fleet will soon be underweigh again, and We hope their second trip may retrieve the first. —[Cape Ann Advertiser,

The St. John Watchman commenting upon this statement says “ the Island go- ernment should be up and doing.” So, once again, say we. We trust the Legis- ‘lature may, during the present session, grant a sum sufficient to provide a test of the truth of Professor Dawson's declara- tion. If coal be not obtained, good water may—and, who knows but we ‘strike ile.”

DOMINION PARLIAMENT. |

WINTER COMMUNICATION,

may

February 28.

Mr. Perry—I move that an Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General praying that there may be laid bes fore this House a statement showing what steps have been taken by the Government touching the opening up ot regular steam communication in the winter season be- tween Prince Edward Island and the main- land, in accordance with terms of Union between the Province of Prince Edward Island andthe Dominion of Canada; also for all correspondence and copies of con. tracts proposed with various parties in this relation.

At the time of the entry of the Island into Confederation, the Dominion Government became bound to provide steam communi- cation in winter as well as in summer for the conveyance of mails and passengers between it and the mainland, and it is weil known that up to the present time this stipulation has not been honoured. I am

' very anxious, accordingly, to learn what

correspondence has passed between the Government and various persons in this connection.

In the fall of 1873 Mr. King entered into such a contract, but on examination his boat was found to be unsuitable; only one trip was made late in the fall, or the com- mencement of winter. In the spring 1875 the Government entered into an agreement with Mr. Sewell, of Quebec; [ saw him here at the time, and he had the model of a boat which, I believe,from my knowledge of the crossing to be made, would have answered the purpose very well. It ap. pears that this contract fell through, and some time afterwards tenders were offered by two steamboat companies of the Island, one for $14,000 and the other for $20,000, I think. The Government accepted the latter, I understand, and the parties were bound to havea boat in readiness by the fall of IS76. Itseemsthatit cannot be com- pleted for winter service in 1877, throwing such communication back to the winter of 1878; consequently the Island will have been for almost five years in the Confedera- tion without seeing the fulfilment of the stipulation mentioned. [I consider that under the circumstances the Government should take the matter up and make the experiment. They should employ an en: gineer, who could prepare the plan and models, I have no doubt that the service can be secured. This was one of the in- ducements held out to the Island to enter Confederation and for many years this want has been deeply felt. One of the Island companies offered to do the work for $20,- 000, and I believe that for the amounta boat would be provided next fall; the other could have a steamer ready by 1878. I trust that the Province,althoug the small- est in the Dominion, wil! not be overlooked so far as the observance of terms is con- cerned,so many parties having already fail- ed, and the time passing when the people of Prince Edward Island should derive the benefit to which they are entitled. I con tend,and I think the majority of this House hold a similar view, that the Government should undertake the work themselves. If there is a loss to be sustained the Govern- ment are better able to sustain it than private parties; and if there is money to be made the Government are just as much entitled and as competent to make it as private individuals. It is essential also to tind out whether the persons getting the boat built are proceeding under a model plan and proper specifications. If the boat should be built for any other purpose than winter crossing, it will be a mistake, and the Government will be no nearer carrying out this part of the terms of Confederation than now.

Mr. Yeo—I quite agree with the last speaker as to the pressing necessity for having this communication opened up. In 1873 there was an attempt to effect this, which, however, proved a failure, A cen~ tract was also entered into last year with no better result, and this winter some other party took the matter in hand and also abandoned it. At the time of Confedera~ tion this steam communication was held out as one of the greatest inducements to our Province, and it is not right that it should now be neglected. By not putting aboaton the Government have already saved from $45,000 to $60,000, which would cover all the expense of constructing a boat specially for the purpose. Should a priv- ate compauy take hold ofthe matter no advantage will accrue to the Province but the Government’s prosecution of this necessary work will operate success~ fully for all parties. Ifin connection with this the Administration would open a branch road from Aulac to Cape Tormea. tine and from Cape Traverse to connect with the Grand Trunk, a great trade would be openedSup. As a supporter of this Gov. ernment, i trust this work wiil not be de- layed much longer, but that they will en. deavour speedily to carry it through. The Department of Marine and Fisheries are conversant with the question in its details, and we would gain by having it transferred to them instead of leaying it as it is at pre-~ sent. The people of the Province are de-~ sirous of having the matter settled, and the Government will do wellin furthering thie project.

Mr. Davies—A great deal of dissatisfac- tion exists in the Province owing to the non-fulfilment of the pledge given before Confederation with reference to this work. The representatives of the Government have been severely censured, but 1 think the First Minister will give me credit for being very importunate on this point.

Hon. Mr. Mackenzie—You all have.

Mr. Davies—Circumstances have arise 1 know, to prevent the project being carried

; on.

OM ratio

Two difficulties present themselves first, whether to construct the steamer oF to give a private company the contract. The second plan is most generally adopted. The Government do not like to undertake works of this character. | do not think | they can prosecute them efficiently, for the | reason that private companies have @ closer | control over their employes and expect to make money, while government employes do not expect to mike the service remu- nerative, and therefore do not work with

the same energy.

Post Office Department. it is not expect-

ment is not the proper one to have this matter in charge. As! before remarked, the Government are desirous of completing this work, but difficulties have cropped up whic’ no doubt will be’satisfactorily exp!ain- ed. ;

A great time should be given to build and equip a steamer of the class required. [happen to be a member of & company which tendered for the work, but we found that the boat could not be completed withs in the specified time. A vessel of this kind will ordinarily have to be built at Glasgow or Peterhead, but if sufficient time was granted we could build as good a boat in Prince Edward Island for this service as can be procured in the world, This winter a gentleman in the Island accepted the contract, but on sending his engin er to Scotland he found it impossible to get what was required in time, and was under the necessity of declining to perform the work.

Mr. Sinclair —I am very glad this ques- tion has been brought forward. My opin- 1ons with reference thereto, have not chang- ed since the first. As all acquainted with the Straits of Northumberland know, there will be six weeks during which it will be difficuit for the steamer to cross. Boats will then have to be used, and it will be better to have the service all the winter round. As has been observed by the member for Kings’ County, companies carry on such undertakings better than Governments; but this work is of a pecu- liar nature, and as a private enterprise would probably not be efliciently managed. A company would stayin harbour during bad weather, and would be more careful about their boat than the Government. Be- sides, the public have not the same con- trol over them as over the Government, and would not consequently be so well served,

If the Ministry want to do justice to the Province they will undertake the work themselves. As far as the cost is concern. ed it would not be much, and any Govern- ment who think themselves competent to carry through the Pacific Railway need not shrink from crossing the Straits of North. umberland, The interest of this Province is evidently neglected because it is small as compared with the other Provinces, Many complaints have been uttered, and it is time an adequate attempt was made to carry through this work in a proper man- ner, The Government shotid take into consideration that Prince Edward Island looks for it to be completely carried out next winter, and I trust they will make preparations accordingly. This is a ques» tion of great importance to Prince Edwaid Island and the mainland, and it is to be hoped that we shall. not have to repeat this complaint.

Hon. Mr, Laird—Being a representative from Charlottetown, the leading city of the Province, | must have a peculiar interest in seeing this winter navigation successful, and | shall use my best efforts to make it so. I can, however, perceive very great difficulties in the way. Wiater navigation across the Straits is yet an experiment, just as the navigation of the St. Lawrenee is. But we see that question agitated every Session and the matter is in a very unsatiss factory state. The navigation of the Straits of Northumberland is, however much more likely to be successfully acomplished than the St, Lawrence scheme. The dis- tance is much shorter and the object to be attained is of much more importance. at least to the people on the Island. The whole Province is cut off from the mainland in winter. Smal/i ice boats with runners are taken over te ice as far as it extends and then rowed until the next piece of ice is reached. This isa precarious method of communication, and although we get our mails in that way, still the accommodation is poor and inconvenient. As far as trade is concerned it is absolutely id; we have no means of procuring any article that we require for use during the winter.

Nothing but mere luggage of passengers and small parcels could be taken across. So much with respect to the carriage of mails,

At the time of the Union, when the terms of Confederation were negotiated, it was stipulated that this winter navigation should, if possible, be maintained by the Dominion. This was readily acceded to and-contirmed by Parliament without a dis< senting voice. The first winter it was im- possible todo anything. No tenders were asked for until the present Government came into power. Some time in ecember tenuers were inyited and the lowest, sent in by Mr. King of Hatifex, was accepted. He was asked to send in specifications of his boat, which had heen built at St. John for the service. She seemed to Le utterly unfit for the ten years’ contract, but as the Government were desirous that the at- tempt should be made the next winter, an inspection was made by the engineers, who reported that the vessel was seaworthy and strong and the engine sufficiently power- ful. On the understanding that this boat should be taken for one winter only, and that the contractor was to build a new boat adapted for the serviee in every way for the remaining nine years of the contract, he commenced to run his vessel; but last winter was very severe and she was found unfit for the work; she had not sufficient

wer and was not of the right build,

here the difficulty was, he failed to enter upon the construction of the new steamer, though called upon repeatedly by the Post Office Department to do so, and send in his specifications. In the month of April, when he had failed tocomply with hisagreement, we cancelled his contract ; it was so late then that it was almost impossible to have a boat ready for the following winter, At this time Mr. Sewell, who was well known to be enthusiastic in the matter of winter nas vigation, was in Ottawa, He had a win- ter boat in course of construction, and of- fered to have it ready for this winter pros vided we would give him the contract to run between Cape Traverse and Cape Dor- mentine, but he «fterwards stipulated that we were to put up break-waters at both points to protect his boat. We refused to sign his contract, having noreport as to the cost of such break»waters. On examina- tion it was found they would cost $50,000 and it was doubtful whether they would stand the ice then; consequently the pro, ject had to be abandoned late in the season.

The plan of giving the contract to the lowest tender having proved a failure,some three or four persons were asked to make an offer. Steamboat owners in Prince Ed- ward Island were asked to tender, end Mr. Sewell was also invited to take another offer to run between Georgetown and Pic- tou. Three offers came in and one was ac. cepted; but it appears, their agent having gone to Scotland, he found he could not get the boat built in time for the first win. ter. I understand they are in correspon- dence for a boat that will be ready in time-

I can only say the government have taken considerable pains to have this service per~ formed, but the great difficulty seems to be that it is a new work, and no responsible man appears willing to undertake it unless he is pretty well remunerated. There is the same difficulty in getting « boat for the purpose, because it would have to be very strongly built, and would be of very little use for any other service. Still I am of opinion that this work can be done much. more efficiently by a company than by the government. We ail know how difficult it is to manage anything of the kind so far res moved from the seat of Government. Ail the crew would have to be put in by Gov- ernment patronage, from the Captain down. It would be very difficult, under such cir- cumstonces,to get the best men and to run the vessel economically. If you deal with one responsible party, who will no doubt be ¢ ship-owner perfectly well acquainted with steamboats, sea captains, and men fit to form his crew, he will do the work well. There is another advantage in having a local company. It would be in a great measure amenable to public opinion in the Provinces interested and somewhat afraid of criticism from the people of the place. These circumstances combined to make a private party better suited to manage this service than the Government, Still, if we cannot get a company for the purpose, the Government, by the terms of Union, is bound to undertake the work.

Hon. Mr. Tupper—1! have listened with

a good deal of attention to the explana»

to be completed under the direction of the |

ed that the Postmaster General knows | ber, had none to do so. much about shipping, ond his depart- |

have been very vadly treated. The bon. gentleman says it was part of the terms of | Union with the people of the Island _that if it was possible to perform this service it should be done, The hon. gentleman says Prince Edward Island came into the Do- minion on the Ist of July, and yet says we should have carried out the terms.

lion. Mr, Laird—Why did you not ask

I do not expect the boat | for tenders ?

Hon. Mr. Tupper—I had no authority, and the government of which | was a mem- The hon. gentles man knows that he himself took an active part in preventing the government who had arranged the terms of union with the Island, from obtaining «a vote from Parlia-~ ment to carry it into effect. He tells us that he, a representative of the Island holding a seat in the Cabinet, allowed a year to pass the estimates to be voted, and Par. liament to close without having raised a finger or taken the slightest steps to carry out the terms, I listened very carefully to the gentleman’s statements and | find that no effort was made during the first winter. During that session the hon. gentleman representing the Island in this House stood still, without making an effort to have the terms of union adhered to. 1 have no sympathy with the hon. gentleman him< self, or the others who have been so loud in their complaints tosday, because they have had meted out to to them the same sort of good faith they meted out to others ; but ! have sympathy with the people of Prince Edward [sland, who I consider have been badly treated, for they have good ground for complaint because the govern- ment has not kept its compact with them. This @&/ministration has not accomplished inything in that direction nor made an effort todo whatthe Dominion government and parliament pledged themselves to do for the Island. Aftera whoe session hid passed, a contract was entered ito with a gentleman from Nova Scotia, who unders took to perform the service required. Yet so incompetent were they to deal with even a matter of this kind that they made a con- tract with Mr King and .ccepted.a miser- able boat entiurel Muafit to perform the service which is regirded as one attended with the greatest aifficulty by one of the members for the Isiand who knows some- thing about shipping. I ask that hon gentleman if the people of Prince Edward island do not deserve more at the hands of the government than they have received ? It appears that the specilications of the boat were to be sent, and the govern- ment instructed their officers to inspect it. Having done so they accepted it. They made a contract, but until we get the papers it will, perhaps, be hardly worth while to go into the question. I am, how- ever, instructed by the contractor that having made a bargain with him, and being satisfied of the fitness of the boat, he pers formed the work; but having encountered a winter of extreme and unparalleled severity, his contract was violated in the most extraordinary and unwarrantable manner, and he was not permitted to carry it out, as he was prepared to do, by build- ing a boat which, in the judgment of the government, would suit the service. J] am not much surprised at the conclusion which the hon. Minister of the Interior has ar- rived at, a conclusion which the hon. member for Bothwell has also reached, that the government are inadequate to deal with questions of the simplest kind; and the sooner a company can be got to do the work the better will it be for Prince Ed« ward Island and the Dominion. It is quite obvious, from the statement of the hon. gentleman himself, that if the people of Prince Edward Island never get that ser-~ vice performed until such measures as the hon. Minister of the Interior is required to undertake are carried out, they will go without it fora longtime. I do not say the service ever will or can be done by any- body, but 1 say that the government of Canada are pledged to the people of Prince Edward Island to use all the means in their power to establish this service, and until every means is exhausted, whether it suc» ceeds or not, the government wi'l not have fulfilled that pledge. The hon. gentleman has good reason to distrust himself. Me says @ company can perform the service better than the government can; that a company cau build a boatand runit. He leads the House to understand that if the government had a boat perfectly competent for the service, the difficulty would be to man it—they could not trust the govern- ment to man it, as the appointments would be made by patronage, so that they would have to take incompetent men. Iam not in the least surprised that the hon. gentle- man mistrusts himself. It is perfectly ob. vious that if we were to trust the govern- ment in the selection of men for this service the interests of the people of Prince Edward Island would be neglected. A year ago, when the question in relation to the working of the Prince Edward Island railway by government came up, a gentle-~ man of the highest standing came forward and offered a handsome sum of money to be allowed to run the railway. Was his ofter accapted? Nothing of the kind. The hon. gentleman knows perfectiy well the government could not afford to give up the patronage which the control of the road gave them, to a private individual at a profit to the country, when tbey had such a number of friends to provide offices for.

Hon. Mr, Mackenzie—I have no objec< tion in the world to the hon. gentleman going int» argument or poiitical atiack, but | think he should choose his time: and if he means to discuss the Prince Edward {siand Rulway ma agement he should give due notice. I perfectly understand that the hon gentleman cannot speak on any subject without making a political attack but he should confine him to the question at issue.

Hon. Mr. Tupper—I confine myself toa review of the statement made by the hon. Minister of the Interior, and I put it to the House if I have gone outside of that. Are hon. gentlemen going to invoke you, Mr. Speaker to protect them against any censure of their policy? I hold it to be my duty to the people and to the country to censure them, Hon. gentlemen ex-~ hibit an amount of temerity and irritabils ity that is not, in my judgment, becoming to the Treasury Benches.

Mr, Speaker ruled that the hon, mem. ber for Cumberland should confine him- self the motion.

Hion. Mr. Tupper—The hon. Minister of the Interior has propounded a policy to the louse of depriving the Government of the patronage connected with this steam communication with Prince Edward Island, and surely I may show the soundness of that policy as illustrated by the malad- ministration of the Government in the management of works with which patron- age is connected.

However, I do not wish to go beyond the strict line of the discussion on the remarks of the hon. gentleman but it is a matter of very great importance. Here is a Province for six months in the yearcut off from all communication with the mainland, except by the uncertain means of a little icesboat. I do not say it is possible for the Govern- ment by any policy they can adopt, or by any effort they can make, to bridge the Straits of Northumberland in the winter season, but I do say in the terms of Union the Government and Parliament of Canada have bound themselves solemnly to ac- complish that sbject.

Hon Mr. Mackenzie—There is no condi» tion.

Hon. Mr. ‘| upper—Then the hon. gentle. man will see it is still more necessary to prove it is impossible to do it before we can be relieved in the slightest degree of the obligation.we have undertaken, and show that we have not been guilty of bad faith.

Mr. Mills—What would then be said of those who made the compact. ?

Hon. Mr. Mackenzie—TIhey were not ac» customed to keep faith.

lion. Mr. Tupper—If it is impracticable, then it will be open for my hon. friend from Bothwell tosay : ‘You have entered in- to an engagement that shows your anxiety to undertike an important work that is impossible to do,’ and my hon, friend from Bothwell will see that the result will be to show the extreme anxiety of the late Goy- ernment to doali in their power to bring the inhabitants of Prince Edward Island into as close communication with the main. land as it is possible todo. I believe that the Government had the support of my hon. friend touching that question, not. withstanding his habit of picking flaws in anything that they generaily brought for- ward, as he considered that it was a policy which ought not to be adopted. My hon. friend does not mean to say that we hold the position of independent pubiic men in this country and must leave it to the Ads»

ministration to ascertain the manner in

t . . . .

tions taade by the Minister of the Interior, | which things can be done, I am quite sure ‘and I cannot but come to the conclusion he | that the people of Prince Edward Island « position for a single moment; and as one

that he would not be willing to accept such

of our public men who has always given the most careful consideration to all mat- ters coming before Parliament, he will not be able to escape a certain amount of cen-~ sure if he has not done all in his power to accomplish the work. But, sir, to return to the argument. I want to know from the Minister of ths In. terior whether, down to this hour, the Gov. ernment of Canada have obtained the best talent that Canada affords to secure «peci- fications for a boat, and the information necessary in order to proceed intelligently with such a work; or does my hon. friend say that this is to be left to a private com- pany? Why, such a company has no busi- ness to warrant it taking up such a ques. tion; and I declare that if at this day this Government have not done so, they are not in a position to justily themselves, in my judgment, against the legitimate complaints the people of Prince Edward Island make, which complaints have become so strong as to force the hon. gentlemen sitting behind the Minister of the Interior, to attack the Government as they have tosday done. The hon. gentleman remarks that it is near six o'clock, and although I have by no means 6xhausted the subject, which is very ims portant, | will give the First Minister op~ portunity for announcing public business. lion. Mr. Blanchet—Perhaps the Hon. Minister of the Interior would be kind enough to inform me whether Mr. Sewell, who desired to secure the contract in question, gave security in the way of pro- viding boats for the purpose ?

Hon. Mr. Laird—The papers will show when they come down,

Hon. Mr. Blanchet—Is the hon. gentles man aware of this fact or not ?

Hon. Mr. Mackenzie—I do not think that itis quite possible to answer this ques tion,

lion. Mr. Blanchet~—It is quite possible.

Hon. Mr. Mackenzie—It is unreasonable. An accurate survey of the place and esti» mates must be prepared before a decision could be reached. We could not accept the terms required. Mr. Sewell wished the piere to be built.

Hon. Mr. Blanchet—The Hon. Premier may not understand me, I ask whether Mr. Sewell, who engaged to furnish boats fit for the service, gave security ?

Hon. Mr. Mackenzie—I do not think that there is anything of the kind. There was no contract, and therefore no security given,

Hon, Mr. Blanchet—Yes; but the Hon. the Minister of the Interior just now told us that Mr. Sewell would be ready to sign a contract if the Government would furnish

lers.

: Hon. Mr. Mackenzie — We could not grant the terms demanded. I will have the pleasure of saying a few words in reply to my hon. friend from Cumberland when this matter comes up again. I am certain that he would be anything but pleased if I passed over his remarks without notice,aud I shall endeavour to gratify him as far as possible. Of course we are very much afraid of him, but still we can manage to getalong. 1 dare say. I move, seconded by Sir John A. Macdonald, the adjournment of the debate.

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Ortawa, March 16.—The debate of Sir John McDonald’s trade resolution con- tinued until 2.30 o'clock this morning, when the question was taken with the fol- lowing result: Yeas 70, Nays 116.

Among the petitions presented in the House of Commons to-day was one by Mr Gor jon for the due observance of the Sabbath on a)) public works.

The Bill providing for effectual enquiry into Corrupt practices at elections was read a third time aud passed.

Montreat, March 15,—The Premier threat- ens to cancel the contract of the Lachine Canal enlargement on account of the dilatory action of contractors on Sections 9 and 10 where employment was promised thousands of nee ly workmen and only twenty are em- ployed.

Loxpox, March 15,—'To-day is pay day, «he fast and most critical of fortnightly settle- ments.

The Stock Exchange is disturbed and ex- cited, and a feeling of uncertainty and anxiely prevails.

Nine failures announeed for to-day, and sixteen on the fortnightly settlement.

The Seine is still rising and is now about the high water mark of 1872,

Peace negotiations between Japan and Corea have been concluded.

The National Kifle Association of London Wiil sead a team te the Centennial Exhibi- tion. Scotland and Ireland will send rifle- men indepecdant of the Association.

Montreat March 17.—The greatest snow fall of tue winter occurred during last night, and it has continue t all day. In spite of the bad weather Si. Patrick’s Day was celebrat- ed here by a large procession this morning, and @ fine concert this evening.

Lonpox, March 17.—Renewed distrust among the stock operates, and a general re- jJapse in prices. The Times despatch from Paris says:—‘*The Scene and Marne aie both sixty centimetres higher than in 1872. The plain from Marsons,Alfort, to Villeneuve immense lake. Boats traverse the yaljey from Villeneuve to Choisy. Distruction of property by~floodgin Europe is very extensive.” The damage in England, France, and in Germany is unparalleled. Several marine despatches with serious loss of life are also reported. The British House of Commons spent seven hours last night in debate over proposition to add to the Queen’s title‘ Empress of India.’ Queen Victoria will travel through Germany,incog, under the title of ‘Countess of Rossenav.’ Kaiser Wilheln will meet herat Baden in Aprii The ttalian Minister of Public Instruc- tion has ordered the Vatican University to be closed, it being an illegal establishment. New York, March 17,—The procession of St. Patrick’s devotess is very larga, not- withstanding muddy walking. Charges of frau and embezzlement are made in con- nection with the management of the Central Pacific Railway.

Gold 1144 to 114g.

Ortawa, Marck 13.—Hon, Mr. Laird eptertained a party of gentlemen—compris- ing members of Parliament and other prom- inent visitors at dinner at the Rideau Club on Saturday,

A deputation of insurance men, some of them from the United States, others repre- senting American Companies doing business in Canada waited on the Finance Minister to-day, in regard Lo the provisions of the new Insurance Act copies of which have been transmitted to them. They object partic- ularily to the clause which compels them to deposit an amount of money equai to the annusi premium, or sufficient to reinsure the risk. It isnot so much to the principle which they take objection as that the pro- posed law should apply to insurance already undertaken, and which had been taken with no idea of such a surprising change In several other points the ask for a modifi- cation. The Finance Minister promised to consider their case.