Tj. BORDEN. Before the orders of the day are called, I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether he has any further information to give to the House respecting the additional legislation to be brought down.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
It is quite possible that there may be a Bill for the purpose of amending the Criminal Code, a Bill to amend the Judges' Act, to provide for the trial of causes of action arising in the territories, a Bill to correct certain errors in the translation of the revised statutes. All of these are comparatively minor matters. It is possible also that there may be some amendments to the Railway Act, which may be of more consequence. Apart from these, I do not know that we have any thing further to introduce, reserving of course the right to introduce further legislation if it should be necessary.
Mr A. A. McLEAN.
I wish to ask the Minister of Marine and Fisheries about a return ordered on the 10th of February with reference to lobster fishing licenses at River John, N.S.
Mr. BRODEUR.
I will make inquiries.
On the order : Consideration of amendments made by the Senate to Bill No. 82, an Act respecting the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway Company.-Mr. Adamson.
Mr. SPROULE.
This Bill provides that the company shall commence the railway and shall expend on it 15 per cent of the capital stock but it does not mention any period for its completion. The original Act provided that it should be constructed within five years, but that has been struck out, and there is now no time limit for the completion of the railway. That was not intended when the Bill was before the Railway Committee and in my judgment it should not be passed in that shape.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN.
The section in its present form seems to me rather senseless. It provides that the company may complete the railway, which it has been authorized to construct, and may expend 15 per cent of the amount of its capital stock thereon within two years after the passing of this Act; then it proceeds to provide that it may complete the said railway without fixing Mr. FIELDING.
any period. It seems to me a remarkably curious form. Does the Minister of Railways understand it ? I am bound to say I do not.
Mr. GRAHAM.
The amendment has just been niaced in my hands. The construction of this road has been commenced, and what I understand the Senate has been trying to do is to give the company power to complete it.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN.
Apparently the amendments made in the Senate have not been very carefully drawn. It might possibly be well to let them stand until the minister has an opportunity of ascertaining just what has been intended.
Mr. GRAHAM.
I think it would perhaps be as well to let them stand until I can get an explanation of their real meaning.
Order allowed to stand.
Mr. PERLEY-by Mr. W. J. Roche- asked : 1. What was the total expense in connection with the obtaining of the surrender of the pine timber on the Dokis Indian reserve? 2. Will any further amount have to be paid for that purpose? If so, how much? 3. Was any commission paid or promised to Indian Agent G. P. Cockburn in connection with this surrender, in addition to his regular salary? If so, how much? ,
1. $1,344.60.
2. No.
3. No.
Mr. PERLEY by Mr. W. J. Roche-asked : 1. How much money has been paid up to December 1, 1906, on account of the purchase price of sections 27, 28, 33, 34, and the east half of 32, of township 6, range 3, west of the fifth meridian, disposed of as coal lands? 2. What balance was due on these lands on that date?