Hon. Mr. HAGGART.

There seems to have been a vote of $5,000 last year. What was the promise made to the House as to the probable expenditure ?

I cannot say what statement was made last year. I will make a memorandum and find out, if the hon. gentleman wishes.

Mr. CLANCY.

Who is the contractor in this case ?

The MINISTER OP PUBLIC WORKS James Reid, Sydney, N.S. He was the lowest tenderer.

Mr. CLANCY.

Has there been any change in the plans with regard to that building ?

I am informed that no change has been made in the plans and specifications as they were first send out.

St. John, immigration building, $12,000.

This is to provide for the foundation, and to make some alterations required in the St. John immigration building. Representations were made by the city, by the steamship companies and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, that there was not room enough to accommodate immigrants | landing at St. John, and it is necessary to

make these improvements for their accommodation. I may explain that we are putting a third story on the present building, and increasing the fire protection. The third story is estimated to cost $10,000.

Hon. Mr. HAGGART.

What was the total amount expended on those buildings ?

The amount previously expended was $35,517. It is a pretty large building.

Mr. SPROULE.

Did you expend the money voted last year ?

Yes.

Mr. SPROULE.

Could the minister give us an idea of the probable number of immigrants that will land there ? I thought they usually came by Halifax.

I have not got a summary of the number that have arrived. But we had communications from the Immigration Department that it was necessary to increase the accommodation for second-class passengers. The Elder-Dempster Steamship Company expect to land at St. John 2,000 immigrants per week for the season of 1903. The Allan Steamship Company, whose boats arrive on the same day as the Elder-Dempster line, also expect to bring large numbers of immigrants.

Mr. SPROULE.

The present year ends on the 30th of June.

That means for the present season. They were urging that this work should be done early this season. We have also communications from the Canadian Pacific Railway Company urging improvements.

Hon. Mr. TARTE.

The present building is a great deal too small. A few weeks before I left office, I went down there and saw myself that the size of the building ought to be increased. It was built too small at first.

Mr. CASGRAIN.

I am sure that we are obliged to the bon. member for St. Mary's (Hon. Mr. Tarte) for the information he gives us, and which it is almost impossible to get from the Minister of Public Works. It is a good thing that the hon. gentleman is in the House, because otherwise we would be pretty much in the dark as to what is going on in that department.

Hon. Mr. TARTE.

I do not mean to convey any new information, but as I was Minister of Public Works when that increase was decided upon, I thought it would be no harm for me to tell what has come to my personal knowledge.

Mr. CASGRAIN.

That is what I said. We are thankful to the hon. gentleman, and the House is pleased that we have him

here to give us information that we cannot get from other sources.

I have been only a short time in the department, and I am pleased indeed to get any information from the ex-Minister of Public Works, or any other member that is able to give it. I am most anxious to give all the information provided for me by the officials of the department.

Mr. HUGHES (Victoria).

The House is well aware that the Minister is new in the position, and he is no doubt doing his best. Are these immigrants expected to remain long at these seaports ? Do they not push right through, and should not facilities be afforded for expediting their departure from the seaports ?