Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

That is a very large rent. What means were taken to see whether there were other buildings available ?

The chief architect would naturally have charge of that kind of work, and lie looked all over the town. I may. say that I myself consulted real estate agents, and looked all over the town, and could find no other building.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

What other offers were maue V

No other offer was made for that kind of building.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

Was there any public notice given flint such rooms were desired ?

No, we did not advertise, it would have been of no use, because the city is not very large.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

I understand the hon. gentleman says that he and his chief official went privately through the town ?

The deputy minister and the chief architect, who both of them haye charge of that work, looked all over the town and could not find any other building.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.What were the names of the real estate

agents that the hon. gentleman consulted V

A number of them, I cannot remember their names. I know the chief architect told me he had looked all over the town and could not find anything better.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

The hon. gentleman stated that real estate agents were consulted.

The MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

If I remember right, I spoke to Taggart & Son, and I also asked several other people. I think I spoke to Abeam & Soper.

Sir CHARLES IIIBBERT TUPPER.

If I understand the hon. gentleman, tills building, for which lie is paying $3,500 a year, was the only building available for the purpose in the city of Ottawa.

Yes. I may say that I have also consulted with my colleague, the Minister of Agriculture, whose officers have also looked over the ground.

Mr. BENNETT.

Are any changes made in the building, and who is to pay for the repairs and for the changes, and what will be their extent ?

We are going to make partitions and repairs, and this sum of money is asked precisely for that object. I was going to say that my colleague and his officials looked after other buildings, and, in point of fact, this was the only one they could find available for that purpose.

Mr. BENNETT.

What will be the amount required for making the repairs and alterations ?

The chief architect is asking $10,000 for those purposes.

Mr. BENNETT.

I understand the building in question is on the north-west corner of O'Connor and Sparks streets, a large three-storey stone building.

Quite so.

Mr. BENNETT.

1 think it was formerly occupied as a wholesale house. Now, the minister comes down with a statement that seems rather large, that $10,000 is to be expended on this building in fitting it up for offices. May I ask the minister if he has a building which adjoins the Rideau Club, known as one of the Nagle buildings, and is now occupied by the Customs Department '? What is the lease of that building, and who paid for the repairs on that building ?

The deputy minister tells me that we are fiaying a rental of $1,800 for the building occupied by the Department of Customs. I just stated that this building on. Sparks street we had rented for three years ; we have got an option to keep the building.

Mr. WALLACE.

I should think so, for that rent.