Hon. CLIFFORD SIFTON (Brandon) moved that the third and final report of the Select Standing Committee on Forests, Waterways and Water-Powers presented on the 17th instant be concurred in.
Hon. GEO. E. FOSTER (North Toronto).
What is the purport of that report?
Sir WILFRID LAURIER (Prime Minister).
It relates chiefly to the enlargement of forest reserves and to precautions against fire.
Motion agreed to.
CONGDON (Yukon) moved that the third report of the Select Committeee on Mines and Minerals, presented this day, be concurred in.
Mr. FOSTER.
Presented this day?
Mr. SPEAKER.
Yes. I think it would be better that the motion should stand over until the next sitting that hon. members may have an opportunity to look at the report.
Mr. FOSTER.
Before the orders of the day are called, I would like to ask the Minister of Railways and Canals (Mr. Graham) if he has been able to get the missing portion of that return from the National Transcontinental Railway Commission.
Hon. GEO. P. GRAHAM (Minister of Railways and Canals).
I laid the additional information on the table some days ago.
Mr. FOSTER.
I am surprised, and gratified.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN (Halifax).
I desire to ask the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Mr. FIELDING.
Pugsley) what is intended by an advertisement for tenders for pier3 at the mouth of the Mission river, which is said to be the terminus of the Lake Superior section of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. To what does this action point and what is the purpose of the works which are to be thus constructed? I make the inquiry by reason of a letter I have received from the Board of Trade at Port Arthur.
Hon. WM. PUGSLEY (Minister of Public Works).
These works are upon the Mission river in connection with the terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The tenders which are now asked for are for the building of a revetment wall, extending along the shore of the channel which is being dredged out. I may say that the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company, which owns the land, has agreed to execute a deed to the Crown, free of charge, of the frontage upon which this revetment wall will be built. The object is to provide necessary accommodation for the steamers which will frequent the port. In taking the deed of the land from the company and agreeing to build this revetment wall, one very important object which we have in view is that it will enable the government to control the port charges, and, in that way, I think it will be very greatly to the public benefit. I cannot say exactly what is the length of the revetment wall, but I think probably it will be 1,500 feet or perhaps more.
Hon. GEO. E. FOSTER (North Toronto).
What will be the cost?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
The cost of the work we propose undertaking this year is estimated to be somewhere in the vicinity of $350,000.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER moved that the House go into Committee of Supply.