Mr. SPROULE.
What is being done there ?
There is an increase over last year of $2,433.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
According to the estimates before us there is a decrease of over $10,000.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
Is it all expended by this government, or is any part expended by the Imperial government ?
It is expended by the Imperial government, except the portion that is for the maintenance for the local militia which is supposed to be maintained at the establishment fixed by the agreement, and cost $10,000.
Mr. SPROULE.
What percentage of the whole cost are we to bear ?
The MINISTER OF MI LUl IA AND DEFENCE. We are to bear one-half the total expenses.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
Outsiue of the militia what is the expense ?
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
I understand, but for what purpose, is it labour, is it buildings, or what 1
The maintenance of the Imperial garrison of 320 officers and men including engineers and artillery.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
And besides that, we have our own ?
Yes.
Militia-chargeable to capital-rifle range, $75,-
000.
I would like to change the words there, so as to make them read ' for the purchase of land and the equipment of rifle ranges.' The work we have done for this vote since it was begun two years ago included the construction of the rifle range here, the expenditure on which I gave last session ; the rifle range at Montreal, the expenditure on which I gave a day or two ago in answer to a question by the hon. member for Jacques Cartier (Mr. Monk) ; rifle ranges at Hamilton, Halifax-or near Halifax-St. John, Fredericton, London, Victoria, Sherbrooke and other places, besides one undertaken at Winnipeg. These are first-class rifle ranges, 1,000 yard ranges, up tq date in every respect. I am told that the rifle range at Ottawa is one of the best in the world. The one in Montreal, though not quite so large, is equally good.
Mr. SPROULE.
I think the minister said yesterday that the rifle range in Montreal would cost $35,000.
That was the cost of the buildings and the work alone. I think the land cost $30,000 or $40,000, and the total cost will be about $75,000. The range here cost more than that, because we had heavy expenses in the Exchequer Court by reason of the fact that we could not settle with some of the holders of the land. The rifle range at Winnipeg will be something of the same character, but I hope not as expensive. These rifle ranges cost anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000, or $70,000. That at Sherbrooke is much smaller, and will cost $5,000 or $6,000. I may add that we have another vote of $20,000 for cheap ranges in small districts. It will be divided up in sums of from $200 to $500, to assist rural companies.
Many ranges are being constructed in an inexpensive way where one or two targets are sufficient. In these large ranges we have 40 or 50 targets ; in the Ottawa range I think there are 55 targets.
Mr. INGRAM.
I noticed a short time ago there was a landslide at Quebec. Can that landslide in any way affect the walls of the fortifications ?
No, it is on the front, next to the river. Those slides occur every year.
Some resolutions reported.
The POSTMASTER GENERAL (Hon. Wm. Mulock) moved the adjournment of the House.