Mir. BOULAY:

(Translation). I shall have to say St. John in English. I mean hon. Mr. Pugsley, I am sorry he is not in the House. He would get a good opportunity

this evening of exercising the zeal he has been want to display of late in advising the Government to reduce the expenditure.

Thus I see that this item calls for $9(78,-000 for the Maritime Provinces, for a branch line from iSunmy-Brae to Mulgravis. Another item of $111,000 provides for a junction from St. John to Courtenay Bay; another amounting to $150,000 provides a branch line from Dartmouth to Deans.

I have no doubt that the hon. member, if he were in the House, would move to strike out those items, as he comes from the Maritime Provinces and knows the local conditions quite well. He could suggest what paring down ought to be made in the present crisis in the country's interest. I would say a word of Courtenay bay. I visited the spot myself, and I t'hink the previous Government had launched quite a scheme in connection with that work.

A channel a mile long is being dredged out where there is no water at low tide. Likely it was the late minister of Public Works (Mr. Pugsiley) who undertook to dig that channel. If you get to Courtenay Bay at low tide, you will find that there is no water and that an artificial channel for ocean steamers is being dredged to a depth of 35 feet. Moreover, a breakwater has to be built at an expenditure of millions and millions as a protection for vessels to prevent their being pushed ashore by the winds. Those contracts entered into at the request of my hon. friend the former Minister of Public Works are not in the country's best interest, but we must of course see them through, since millions have already been expended in the work; millions uselessly wasted, as there is a natural harbour at St. John. The hon. gentleman had enough influence to pass estimates of that magnitude for a mud channel. I hold he should explain his action in that connection before trying to dig out scandals where there is more to be found.

Mr. GRAHAM:

I hope I will be allowed to make a suggestion. This big item is going to take a lot of talk. I would suggest that we allow it to stand. If the minister will agree to that, we might take up some items a little out of the order and allow them to be put through.

Mr. REID:

Yes, the hour is getting late, and there are some hon. gentlemen who would like to speak on this item.

Mr. GRAHAM:

This will cover all the construction that is going to take place on capital account?

Mr. REID:

Yes.

Mr. GRAHAM:

I would suggest that we might pass items 104, 105, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121 and 122. That would be a good night's work.

Mr. REID:

Yes, thanks very much.

Progress reported.

On motion of Mr. Doherty the House adjourned at 11.45 p.m.

Thursday, April 6, 1916.