Carroll, member for the electoral district of Kamouraska, Introduced by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier) and the Minister of Justice (Hon. Charles Fitzpatrick).
Mr. SPEAKER.
I have the honour to inform the House that I have received from the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada, a certified copy of the judgment of the said court in the election appeal for the electoral district of Beauharnois ; by which the appeal was dismissed and the decision of the lower court, declaring the election void, was confirmed.
In conformity with chapter 9, section 46, of the Revised Statutes, I have issued my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery to make out a new writ of election for the said electoral district.
Bill (No. 20) to incorporate the Battleford and Bake Lenore Railway Company .-Mr. Calvert. * Bill (No. 21) respecting the Port Dover, Brantford, Berlin and Goderich Railway Company, to change its name to ' The Grand Valley Traction Company.'-Mr. Heyd.
Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER (Pic-tou).
I would like to ask the right hon. the first minister whether the rumours in the press are correct with regard to an appointment having been made to the judiciary of British Columbia. The judicial work in the courts there has been at a standstill awaiting this appointment, and I hold a telegram in my hand stating that the press despatches announce the appointment of Mr. Hunter to the Chief Justiceship. The bar are very anxious to know whether this is accurate.
The appointment has been made.
Bill (No. 9) respecting the United Gold Fields of British Columbia, Limited.-Mr. Galliher.
Mr. SPEAKER called : ' Questions to be put by members.' Hon. JOHN COSTIGAN (Victoria, N.B.) There is great inconvenience in passing over all these private bills simply because the letter ' E ' does not appear after their notice in the order paper. Of course I know that objection can be taken to our proceeding with the next item, because it is not represented in the order paper as having been printed, but I hold the printed Bill in my hand. There are no doubt good reasons for pursuing this course, but it will be found very inconvenient this session, because we expect it to be short and because there is a large amount of private legislation before parliament which should be facilitated.
Mr. SPEAKER.
We are guided to a large extent by the Orders of the Day. I see, by the Orders of the Day, that these Bills have not been printed; and I am informed also that, in many instances the reason why Bills have not been printed is that the promoters have not brought them in at the time prescribed by the rules of the House. I do not think that blame should attach to officers of the House.
Hon. Mr. COSTIGAN.
Mr. Speaker, if I may be allowed to speak again-I did not
Mr. SPEAKER.
intend to impute blame to any person. I think the rule is that the Order paper for Monday is printed on Saturday morning. That is necessary, I presume, for the convenience of Council, for that is a busy day for Council, and they have to consider matters coming up on Monday. But if this Order paper had been printed this morning, this Bill would have been marked as printed. I have no objection to the rule, but I would call the attention of the government to the fact that it is going to be inconvenient in regard to private legislation.
In the case to which my hon. friend refers, which, I understand, is the second order, the Bill respecting the Edmonton and Slave Lake Railway Company, I understand, from the statement that has just been made by my hon. friend (Mr. Costigan), that this Bill has actually been printed. It was not printed when the Order paper was printed, but it is now, I understand, in the hands of members. Under such circumstances, I think the House might well take up the Bill. If it is the intention of my hon. friend to have the Bill read the second time, before it is printed I think the House should not agree to that proposition. But, when the Bill is printed, as a matter of fact, I think the order might be proceeded with.
Hon. Mr. COSTIGAN moved the second reading of Bill (No. 12) respecting the Edmonton and Slave Lake Railway Company. Motion agreed to, and Bill read the second time.