Mr. PUGSLEY.
The revenue is very small except in cities and towns, and at these small wharfs in the country districts it seems hardly worth while to collect it.
Argyle sound-repairs and extension to public wharf, $700.
Mr. JAMESON.
When is it proposed to go on with this work? Votes of this character have been placed in the estimates from time to time, and have not been expended, but have been merely dangled before the eyes of the people and used for the purpose of securing votes, and after the election is over it. is found that the money has not been expended or the work gone on with. Will the minister give me the direct statement to-night that he intends to go on with this work?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
This work has been asked for, not by the member for the county nor by any of our friends in the county, but by the resident engineer, who reports that it is necessary. The intention is to go right ahead with the work this year.
Mr. CROCKET.
Is this amount intended to cover the whole expenditure?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
Yes.
Mr. BLAIN.
Has not my hon. friend been careless in letting his wharf go to pieces? It has been standing for ten years, and now this is a hurry-up order.
Mr. PUGSLEY.
No, it is not a hurry-up order, but Mr. Dadwell, the resident engineer, says that the work is necessary, and that is why the vote is proposed.
Mr. CROCKET.
What is the size of this extension?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
Twenty-eight feet long, eleven feet wide and ten high.
Mr. CURRIE (Simcoe).
I hope the minister does not intend to waste the time of the House on small items such as this, which can easily be voted after the recess. They surely cannot expend more than five-twelfths of this $700 in these six weeks. I do not see any urgent necessity for passing this item.
Mr. PUGSLEY.
The deputy minister reports that in respect of these works the engineer is instructed to go ahead and make the repairs; he assembles the men, appoints the foremen, and they go to work-It does not take them long to spend $700. If they cannot go on and complete the work, it has to be left half finished, and when a further amount is voted, the men have to be brought back again. In many cases, if these repairs" are not made, it means serious damage to the wharfs and an expenditure of thousands of dollars.
Mr. DANIEL.
Will the minister state what is the nature of the traffic carried on at that wharf?
Mr. PLTGSLEY.
I have not ihat information. I am told that it is a fishing and trading district. I am told this is to accommodate fishing vessels and other small craft.
Mr. CROSBY.
I understand it is to be extended 28 feet long by 11 feet wide and 10 feet high. Is that 10 feet over the surface of the water?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
We do not build on top of the water.
Mr. CROSBY.
If you build it much under water, you will not have any on top.
Mr. PUGSLEY.
We do not want very much above the water. A couple of feet above the surface is sufficient. It is only for small vessels drawing about 8 feet of water. The neap tide is 10 feet.
Mr. DANIEL.
Is this owned by the government?
Mr. PUGSLEY.
Yes, it was built by the government in 1902.
Mr. BLAIN.
The minister says that the revenue was about $30,000 for the whole Dominion for these wharfs. In the Auditor General's Report I find that the contribution of Ontario was last year $5,661; Quebec, $2,879.29; Nova Scotia, $5,456.46; New Brunswick, $3,637; British Columbia, $314.16; making a total of $20,042.46.