1. What amounts have been paid for commission, brokerage and other expenses respectively, on loans made since December 31, 1908 ? _

2. What amount has been paid on account cf the Grand Trunk Pacifio eastern division in each year up to March 31, 1909, distinguishing between the Winnipeg-Quebec and the Quebec-Moncton sections ?

1. The first part of the question was answered yesterday.

2. Section.

Moncton- Quebec-

Quebec. Winnipeg.

1904-5.. $ 408,086 05 $ 242,494 071905-6..

552,410 30 1,062,596 181206-7..

3,123,703 10 2,247,973 371907-8..

9,694,621 83 8,875,868 711208-9..

13,556,842 04 9,562,082 83$27,335,663 32 $21,991,015 15Note. 1908-09 is not complete as there

outstanding accounts which will not be in till May 15.

1. What are the details of the item numbered 75, page 50, of the estimates for fiscal year ending March 31, 1910, the quantity and kind of the various items mentioned therein, and the amounts asked for each, respectively?

2. What are the details which go to make up the item No. 79 of said estimates, page 51, and the amount asked for each subdivision of such item?

1. This question refers to the vote on capital account of $1,300,000. While it is impossible in advance to give the exact

details, the vote will be disposed of practically as follows:

Ross rifle, 10,000 at $25 $ 250,000

Bayonets, 17,000 at $5.25 90,000

Lands, including rifle ranges and construction of said ranges.. .. 125,000

Ordnance, reserve clothing and

construction, &c 250,000

Artillery, including limbers, wagons. &c 550,000

Inspection charges, &c 35,000

Clothing .and necessaries to be purchased $325,790

Allowance for lieu of clothing, permanent force 18,550

Allowance for civilian clothing, permanent force 290

Allowance to regiments in lieu of

clothing 5,000

Amount required to purchase tunics of ' Guards ' pattern for the G.G.

P-G [DOT] 3,345

Amount required to cover cost of

cleaning clothing 2,000

Unforeseen, a sum to cover difference between estimate and actual cost, and for unforeseen, such as winter kit allowance, compensation, &c.. 20,025

Total $375,000

1. For what period has Emile Lacas been absent from the Public Works Department during 1906, 1907 and 1908, respectively?

2. On what business, if any, of the department has he been engaged during these absences ?

3. What pay has he received during each of those years?

4. In his absence who performs his work?

Hon. WM. PUGSLEY (Minister of Public Works):

1 and 2. During the years 1906, 1907 and 1908 Mr. Lacas was absent on duty as follows: From 8th to 15th January, and from 21st June to 10th July, 1906, taking photographs of public buildings and harbours and river works.

In addition to the regular authorized 21 days' vacation, with pay, in each year, he was absent, without pay, from 1st January to 30th June, 1907, and from 2nd October to 30th November, 1908; with pay, from 4th November, 1907, to 31st January, 1908.

3. 1906, $1,500; 1907, at the rate of $1,550, actual payment, $775; 1908, at the rate of $1,600, actual payment, $1,337.78.

4. The staff also comprises Messrs A. T. Bell, A. E. Day, A. Belanger and R. Perron.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

DUTIES ON CHIN A WARE, &c.

1. What is the customs duty, if any, upon chinaware, cups, saucers, dishes, &c.?

2. To what extent is it manufactured in Canada, and at what points?

3. Is there any duty upon the ore?

4. Is any of said ore exported from Canada?

5. Is such chinaware manufactured from the crude ore in Canada? If so, at what points, and from the crude ore in the United States, and at what points principally?

PATERSON (Minister of

Customs) -.

1. The duty on tableware of china is 15 per cent, preferential tariff; 27 J per cent intermediate tariff; 30 per cent general tariff.

2. I regret that I cannot answer question No. 2.

3. Clays, including china clay, fire clay and pipe clay not further manufactured than ground, may be imported free of duty.

4. The customs appear to have no record of any such ore having been exported from Canada.

5. Answered in No. 4.

1. Has the government appointed a successor to Mr. Alfred Lafranpois, postmaster of Levis, Quebec ? If so, who has been appointed ?

2. What was the salary of Mr. Lafranpois, and what is the salary of the person who occupies the position at present?

3. Is the new occupant a relative of the member for the county of Levis?

1. Yes, Robert Carrier.

2. Postmasters at offices of this class are not paid a regular salary, but receive a commission upon the legitimate revenue collected at their offices, in return for which they are obliged at their own expense to provide whatever assistance may be required in order to properly transact the postal business. The amount thus earned at Levis post office for the fiscal year ending the 31st March, 1909, including commissions and allowances, was $1,962.09.

3. Yes.

WEST PETERBOROUGH PUBLIC WORKS. Mr. T. CHISHOLM asked:

How much public money has been expended during the past twenty years by the Dominion government on public works in the territory now constituting the constituency of West Peterborough?

Hon. WM. PUGSLEY (Minister of Public Works).

$245,537.59. Would my hon. friend permit me to say that this is one of a series of questions he has asked with reference to various constituencies, extending back twenty years. It takes a

great part of the time of the clerks to prepare the information. He will find all the information in the public accounts, if he will take the trouble to examine them. If he continues to put these questions, I suppose I shall have to answer them.