1. Since what date lias the Mint been in actual and continuous operation?

2. What is the face value of silver and copper coinage, respectively, struck during that time?

3. At the same rate of production, what would be struck off during the calendar year 1908?

4. What amount of each is required for the actual necessities of Canada?

5. Has the Mint been running during the above time at its full capacity?

6. What has been expended during the above-mentioned period (a) for silver and copper bullion, (b) for salaries and wages, (e) for running expenses other than (a) and (b) ?

7. What has been the amount of silver and copper placed in circulation during the time mentioned?

8. How much is held out of circulation?

Hon. W. S. FIELDING (Minister of Finance) :

-

1. 2nd January, 1908.

2. Silver, $314,148.35; bronze, $15,243.85.

3. Silver, $628,296.70 ; bronze, $30,487.70.

4. The actual issues in the year 1907 were: Silver, $667,732 ; bronze, $39,862.

5. No.

6. (a) For silver bullion, $204,737.09 ; for bronze, $6,948.70 ; (b) $24,854.21 to 31st May, 1908 ; (c) $4,465.54 to 31st May, 1908.

7. Silver, $95,328 ; copper, $3,655.

8. In the hands of the assistant receivers general : silver, $721,638 ; copper, $2,577.

Mr. FOSTER.

Did the hon. minister answer parts b and c of paragraph 6 of this question ?

Mr. FIELDING.

I have sent the answer to ' Hansard.' I think all the questions are answered in detail. If he finds, on consulting ' Hansard ' to-morrow, that the answer is incomplete I shall be glad to supplement it.

1. Does the government intend to remove the post office from Round Bay, Nova Scotia? If so, where will the nearest post office for the people of that district be located?

2. Who are the parties petitioning for the removal of said post office, and what reasons do they give in asking for said removal?

1. No. The Round Bay district continues to be served by the Round Bay post office.

2. A petition was received from the residents, representing that the post office was located at the extreme end of the district, and asking for its removal to a more central site. The change in location having been favourably reported on by the post office inspector, was recently authorized as being in the public interest.

1. Is the mail route for Valleyfield, Prince Edward Island, to be changed? If so, what route is to be adopted?

2. Has the Post Office Department received a petition against the proposed change from the residents of Valleyfield? If so. is a change proposed against the wishes of the petitioners ?

3. Has there been any demand from any of the people of Valleyfield asking for the proposed change? If so, from whom, who recommends the change, and why?

1. (a) Yes; (b) Valleyfield and Valleyfield East.

2. (a) Yes ; (b) The change has been authorized and the contract awarded.

358J

3. Mr. A. Martin, of Queens, P.E.I., pointed out in a letter to the department dated 5th June, 1907, that the service between Grand View and Valleyfield was not giving satisfaction and that the connections were bad. The matter was investigated and the service was increased from tri-weekly to daily, but the inspector reported that it was still a very poor service and recommended a change in the railway distributing point from Grand View to Montague via Valleyfield East.

The inspector reports that the petitioners are entirely mistaken in supposing that they will not receive a better service. The incoming mails will be delivered six hours earlier than by the old route and the outgoing mails will be delivered at their destinations from one to two days earlier.

1. What is the nature of the regulations under which the weekly newspapers are distributed in the United States, and at what places are they received for distribution?

2. Has the government received any communication from Canadian weekly newspapers calling their attention to the unsatisfactory delivery of their papers, and dissatisfaction in general with the new regulations? If so, what course does the government intend to adopt to remedy said grievance?

1. Canadian newspapers or periodicals issued less frequently than daily, when transmitted by post direct from the office of publication in Canada, and intended for regular subscribers in the United States, are subject to postage at the rate of one cent per four ounces, or fraction of four ounces, calculated on the weight of the package to each separate post office address as fixed by the postal convention existing between the two countries. The domestic regulations of the United States Post Office Department provide that copies of any foreign newspaper or periodical may be posted at any post office in the United States provided the same has been accepted by the United States Post Office Department as entitled to second class mailing privileges, upon payment of postage at the rate of one cent per pound upon the total weight presented for mailing, one condition, however, being that all such posting must be performed by a recognized agent. Accordingly, any Canadian newspaper or periodical is under like circumstances also entitled to such privilege.

Recently, however, the United States Post Office Department modified their regulations to the extent that at the following post offices Canadian newspapers or periodicals, accepted by the United States Post Office Department as entitled to such privilege, may

be posted upon payment of postage at tlie rate of one cent per pound upon tbe total weight of the issue if the publishers consign their mailings free of all charges direct to the postmasters at the particular office at which entry is desired :

Boston, Massachusetts.

St. Albans, Vermont.

Ogdensburg, New York.

Buffalo, New York.

Detroit, Michigan.

Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

St. Paul, Minnesota.

Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Helena, Montana.

Spokane, Washington.

Seattle, Washington.

2. Certain representations have been made but in view of the circumstances no other arrangements than those above outlined are feasible.

1. What public works are at present being carried on at the point where the Chaudiere river emerges from Lake Megantic, in the counties of Beauce and Compton?

2. What has been the cost to date on the works in question, and what is the estimated expenditure necessary to complete the same?

3. Will the Minister of Public Works give particulars as to the necessity and value of the construction on the Beauce side of the river ?

4. Are the works being performed by day labour or by contract? If the latter, who is the inspector and what does he receive per day?

1. Agnes landing pier.

2. (a) $970.07. (b) $4,100.

3. The construction of this new pier was urged by the people of Morinville and Megantic with a view of securing convenient landing and shipping facilities in place of those formerly afforded them by the old wharf which has been washed out and completely destroyed. It was also reported on as necessary for the accommodation of both places by resident engineer.

4. (a) By contract. (b) P. H. Renaud. (c) $2.50 per working day.

1. Is the Department of Marine and Fisheries chartering any steamers for this season's lighthouse service on the St. Lawrence and gulf? If so, what, from whom, and on what terms?