CLARKE (West Toronto) moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 101) respecting the Bell Telephone Company of Canada.
Explain.
Mr. CLARKE.
Mr. Speaker, when the company obtained legislation in 1892 empowering it to increase its capital stock, a provision was inserted in the Bill that the rates then existing should not be increased without the consent of the Governor in Council. The intention of the Bill which has just been presented is to amend clause 3 of that Act, to compel the company to provide telephonic service on lines or streets where it has already established its system, to enable municipalities or individuals who have been charged rates higher than those ih existence at the time of the passage of that Act, to recover any sums in excess that have been paid the company, and to reaffirm the provision that the existing rates shall not be increased without the consent of the Governor in Council.
Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time.
I. C. R.-SALE OP STEEL RAILS, &c.
1. Was a canal excavated at Round Bay Shelburne county, N.S., during the year 1900? *
2. Were tenders asked for the work or for materials or transport of materials?
3. Prom whom was material purchased?
4. What price was paid for timber?
5. What freight was paid on timber?
6. Is the canal now completed?
7. For what purpose was it intended?
8. Has it been found suited to that purpose?
9. Did any government engineer recommend the construction of the work?
10. If so, what was the name of such engineer?
Stand, in the absence of the Minister of Public Works.
I would like to ask my hon. friend what that question refers to. The Minister of Public Works has no knowledge of it. There was a small expenditure of $75 in my department Sir LOUIS DAVIES.
for cutting what I suppose you might call a canal, a passage through the sand bank into a pond. If that is the matter I can answer it.
Mr. SPEAKER.
Stand.
1. How many men from New Brunswick were accepted for service with the South African Constabulary?
2. Have any, and if so, how many, officers been appointed to said force from New Brunswick?
3. Were any applications made by militia officers of New Brunswick, or members of the first or second contingents from New Brunswick, to the Department of Militia and Defence for commissions in said constabulary? If so, by whom made, and if not granted, why not?
All the work in connection with recruiting for the South African Constabulary has been and is directly under the control of the Imperial authorities, who sent several officers to Canada for the purpose. The government, including the Militia Department, is not responsible in any way for the recruiting or the selection of officers. The machinery of the Militia Department has been utilized by the Imperial authorities to expedite the work of organizing the force and of their transportation. I am informed that about 125 men were recruited in New Brunswick by C. W. W. McLean, an Imperial officer detailed for the purpose, and only about eleven others offered: 'their services in that province. One hundred and sixty-two applications for commissions passed through the Militia Department, seven of which were from New Brunswick.
Mr. CASGRAIN-by Mr. Monk-asked : 1. Was Mr. Joseph Paquet, pilot, of St. Jean, Island of Orleans, appointed by the government to any position in connection with the census? 2. If so, to what position, on what date, and what was to be his salary? 3. -Has the said Mr. Joseph Paquet been dismissed from said position? 4. If so, on what date, and for what reasons? 5. On whose recommendation had Mr. Joseph Paquet been so appointed? 6. Who recommended his dismissal?
Mr. Joseph Paquet, pilot, of St. Jean, Island of Orleans, has not been appointed to any position in connection with the census.
Mr. LANCASTER asked :
Is it the intention of the government to reimburse the municipalities in Ontario the cost incurred in the registration of the manhood
franchise voters for the general elections held in October and November last?