1. At what dates were the services of Benjamin Bourgeois, division engineer, district ' B,' National Transcontinental Railway, dispensed with, and for what cause?

2. At whose instance was the investigation held, who investigated, and what is the report or finding?

Hon. GEO. P. GRAHAM:

The following information is supplied by the Transcontinental Railway Commission: On the 31st January, 1910. The chief engineer having reported that the services of Mr. Bourgeois were unsatisfactory, an in-

vestigation was ordered by the chairman to be held. It took place in Quebec on 17th December last, when Mr. Bourgeois was examined by the chairman and the chief engineer on matters relating on residencies 2728, division 7, district ' B,' namely, as regards rip-rap returns, and the admission of Division Engineer Bourgeois that he was wrong was deemed sufficient to justify his being discharged.

1. Is the Prime Minister aware that the following formed a part of the speech from the Throne, read at the opening of the present session of parliament: ' The eastern division of the Transcontinental Railway is now open for traffic from Winnipeg to Lake -Superior Junction, and thence by the Grand Trunk Pacific branch to the lake itself ' ?

2. Is he aware that the Minister of Raii-[DOT] ways did on the 4th day of February make

the following statements in the House of Commons : ' There is no regular traffic over the eastern division of the Transcontinental Railway, from Winnipeg to Lake Superior Junction. The engineers say that the contractors offered to put in a certain service; but I think they are not yet doing a regular traffic business on the road. His, Mr. Grant's, recent report to me is that it will be practically complete and ready to carry wheat almost in another year ' ?

3. Has the Prime Minister had any communication with His Excellency in regard to this matter, or has he any explanation to make to the House in regard thereto?

1. Yes.

2. The words which the question purports to quote seem to consist of portions of different places in ' Hansard ' (unrevised), columns 3163, 3153 and 3154, not spoken in the order or connection quoted, and from which intervening sentences and portions of sentences are omitted.

3. What was in fact said on the subject by the Minister of Railways, as reported in ' Hansard,' is not in conflict with the statement in the speech from the Throne, and does not call for any explanation.

His Excellency has not been communicated with on the subject.

1. Is there a sub-post office at 253 Avenue Road, Toronto? If so, in whose building is it kept, by whom served, and what is the yearly cost thereof?

2. Is there a sub-post office at 1160 Yonge street, Toronto? If so, by whom kept, in whose building, and what is the yearly cost thereof?

Mr. LEMIEUX:

'

1. There is a sub-post office at No. 253 Avenue Road, Toronto, which is known as ' Sub-Post Office No. 27.' The office is in charge of Mr. E. G. Seyler. The salary attached to the office, including commission on stamp sales, &c., is $319.80, for the year ended March 31, 1909. The Department is not aware who owns the building in which the office is kept.

2. There is a sub-post office at 1160 Young street, known as ' North Toronto Sub-Post Office.' This office is in charge of Mr. Jas. A. McKenzie. The salary attached to the office, including percentage on stamp sales, was $549.33, for the year ended March 31, 1909.

The department is not aware who owns the building in which the office is kept.

The various sub-post offices and letter boxes in the city of Toronto are all served under one contract, which is in the hands of Mr. R. Newell.

Mr. FOSTER:

McKenzie in the employ of the Inland Revenue Department at Toronto? If so, in what service, at what salary, and what portion of his time does he devote to that work?

Hon. WM. TEMPLEMAN.

Mr. James H. McKenzie is employed in the excise branch of the Inland Revenue Department at Toronto He is a deputy collector with a salary of $1,700 per annum, and gives full attention to his official duties.

Mr. FOSTER:

(a) Is the government informed that the Queen's Own Rifles are to go to England during the coming summer to take part in the Aldershot manreuvres? (b) If so, is the government to bear any portion of the expense of the corps?

1. (a) Yes. (b) No.

1. What amount was collected by the government during 1908 and 1909 for hay permits from Dominion lands in Manitoba?

2. What amount was collected by the government during 1908 and 1909 for wood cutting permits from Dominion lands in Manitoba?

1. 1908, $859.25; 1909, $762.85.

2. Total revenue from timber cut under permits in 1908 $44,932.50; total revenue from timber cut under permits in 1909, $38,042.98.