Mr. BENNETT asked :

What quantity of saw-logs were exported from the province of Ontario to the United States during the season of navigation of 1900?

The quantity and value of logs exported from the province of Ontario to the United States from April 1 to December 31, 1900, as shown by export returns, are as follows

Quantity. Value.

Cedar

15 cords $ 105Elm

10,857,000 ft. B.M. 86,070Hemlock

2,638,000 " 12,915Oak

142,000 " 3,401Pine

30,672.000 " 270,360All other

4,835,000 " 27,019

1. Is It the intention of the government to bring ba^k the remains of all those Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in South Africa?

2. Is it true that the graves of all those who have fallen are located and properly recorded in order that relatives and friends may know where to find them?

The Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in South Africa were for the time being British soldiers, they received the burial of British soldiers, and it is not proposed to interfere with the traditions and customs of the British army in this respect. I may add that Her late Majesty the Queen expressed a desire, when her grandson died in South Africa, that he should be buried there ; the same is true of the only son of Lord Roberts, who lost his life there while in the British army. In reference to the second part of the question, I am not able to give a full answer. I may say that this matter is under the control of the British army authorities. I believe, however, that in many of the cases the places and graves of the Canadian soldiers who have fallen in South Africa have been properly marked and designated.

1. Upon how many engines have the Wabash Railway Company paid duty on repairs during the year 1900?

2. What were the numbers on each engine repaired, what were the repairs and the amount of duty paid the government on each engine so numbered during the year 1900?

3. What was the total amount of duty paid the government by the said company for the year 1900 on engines repaired?

4. Did the government employ an expert mechanic to value the repairs and new parts supplied to said engines, in order to arrive at the proper amount of duty to be paid? If not, what method was adopted?

5. Did the government, or any member of the government, receive any complaint from any quarter regarding the Wabash Railway Company being allowed to repair their Canadian engines in the United States? If so, what was the nature of said complaints?

In answer to questions 1, 2, 3 and 4, I would remark that it has not been usual to disclose to the public the details of invoices or of customs duties paid by importers in individual instances, such transactions at the custom house being usually treated as confidential in their nature. Special returns from various ports would in any event be necessary to furnish the information asked for. The Customs Department is advised, however, that the Wabash Railway Company has paid duty on repairs to several engines during 1900. 5. I am informed that no complaint has been received at the Customs Department regarding the Wabash Railway Company being allowed to repair their Canadian engines in the United States, unless the following inquiries, contained in a letter from the hon. member for East Elgin can be so regarded, viz. : Whether the Department of Customs have any agreement with the Wabash Railway Company which would give them the right to take their engines or other rolling stock of their company over to their own shops in the United States for the purpose of repairs, and, if so, how does the Department of Customs arrive at the amount of duty (if any is paid) the company should pay on such repairs ?'

1. Who is appointed Census Commissioner for the electoral district of East Elgin?

2. How many applicants applied for the position, and what are their names?

3. How many applied for the position of enumerator? What are their names, and how many have been selected up to date?

Mr. Speaker, in reply to the hon. gentleman's question, I would say that Mr. A. D. McGugan will be the census commissioner for the electoral district of East Elgin. In reply to questions 2 and 3, I would say that there have been no applicants.

Mr. INGRAM.

Did the hon. gentleman (Hon. Mr. Fisher) say Mr. McGugan for East Elgin or West Elgin ?

McGugan for East Elgin.

Mr. INGRAM asked :

Is it the intention of the government to establish a Canadian mint? If so, where and when?

In reply to the hon. gentleman 3

(Mr. Ingram), I would say that a measure respecting the establishing of a mint in Canada will be introduced during the present session.

Mr. INGRAM asked :

Is it the intention of the government to call in all defaced or mutilated coin?

There has never been any provision in the Currency Act of Canada for the calling in of defaced or mutilated coins, and the government has no authority at present to take such action. Persons who clip or deface current coins, or who utter such clipped or defaced coins, are liable to prosecution and punishment under the provisions of the Criminal Code. Defaced coins, under the Currency Act, cease to be legal tender, and should be refused by everybody. Whether it is expedient to amend the law in respect to mutilated or defaced coins is a question for future consideration.