Mr. ALEXANDER HAGGART.

I would like to repeat verbally the question which I put on the Order Paper and which was answered a week ago with reference to the appointment of a successor to Chief Justice Dubuc. The answer given by the Department of Justice was to the effect that they did not know that there was serious inconvenience and loss to the profession, to suitors and to the public in Manitoba. I would ask now, at the expiry of a week, if we can be told when the successor is likely to be appointed and whether that successor will be a Frenchman or an Englishman.

Hon. A. B. AYLESWORTH.

Really I am not able to give any other answer to the hon. gentleman (Mr. Alexander Haggart) than was given the other day in reply to a question that was put on the Order Paper by him. I may say that I do not think it probably that the chief justice of the province will be a French speaking man, but the whole subject is under consideration.

Mr. C. JAMESON (Digby).

Before the orders of the day are called, I wish to bring up a matter of urgent and immediate importance and to ask a question of the Minister of Railways and Canals (Mr. Graham). The question is as to the safety of travel on the Intercolonial railway. During the very able and instructive speech delivered by the hon. member for. Westmoreland (Mr. Emmerson) on Thursday last, he stated that-

Mr. SPEAKER.

Is the hon. member (Mr. Jameson) going to discuss the matter, and, for that purpose, to move the adjournment of the House?

Mr. JAMESON.

No, I bring the matter up before the orders of the day.

Mr. SPEAKER.

The hon. member cannot discuss the subject then.

Mr. JAMESON.

I am not going to discuss it but merely to ask a question. The hon. member for Westmorland said ' certain sections of the Intercolonial are not in good and safe condition.' The Minister of Railways and Canals, in replying to the hon. member, did not touch on that point and did not contradict, the hon. member's statement. Now, having in mind the awful accident which occurred on the Canadian Pacific railway on Friday last by which some thirty-one persons are reported to have been killed and a much larger number seriously injured, and which, it is said, was due to a defect in the physical condition of the road, I would like to ask the minister, to what extent and at what points on the Intercolonial the condition described as unsafe by the hon. member for Westmoreland exists; whether the minister was previously aware of it; why it was permitted to develop; what steps, if any, have been taken or will be taken to over-

come it; and,, when the road will be in safe condition for travel?

Hon. GEORGE P. GRAHAM.

That question, I think, might better have been asked the hon. member for Westmoreland (Mr. Emmerson). There is liable to be a great difference of opinion between him and myself as to the real accuracy of the statement. I may say that, owing to representations made to me, I had the Superintendent of Maintenance of Way go over the road from Sydney to Montreal, and he reported to me, within the last few days, that every foot of it, so far as he could find out, was in good condition.

Mr. BRADBURY.

I desire to ask the Minister of the Interior (Mr. Oliver) when I may expect the report showing the instructions given to Chief Justice Howell with regard to the surrender of the St. Peter's Indian reserve?

Hon. FRANK OLIVER.

Probably tomorrow.

I would like to have the opportunity of consulting with my officers. I have no reason to suppose that the Bill is not correct, but I would like it to stand for the third reading until the n'ext day.

Mr. HENDERSON.

As the Minister of Finance is present now and was not present in the committee when this Bill was passed, I would like to hear his opinion about the name whch is proposed in this Bill-the Factories Insurance Company. It seems to me that it is of too general a character.

This not the same Bill.

Mr. FIELDING.

It was because I was necessarily absent at that meeting and I am not familiar with the Bill that I am asking the third reading to be delayed, not that I have any objection to the Bill at all -I have no reason to suppose that the Bill is not right-but a question was put to me by an hon. gentleman concerning it, and I would like it to stand for that reason.

Mr. SPEAKER.

Stands until the next meeting.