1. Is the military reserve north of Medicine Hat being used for the purpose for which it was secured?

2. Has any request been made to have a portion of this reserve opened for homestead purposes?

3. If so, what action does the Government purpose taking?

1. This area, which was transferred from the Department of the Interior to the De-

partment of Militia and Defence as a permanent reserve for the use of the Department of Militia and Defence as a remount depot amd training area, was leased to the National Live Stock Exchange, Ltd., for the purpose of training remounts.

2. Yes-but, in any case, as the reserve will be required for a training area, it will not be available for homestead purposes.

3. Answered by No. 2.

Mr. GRAHAM:

.

1. Is the Government aware that the Conference Committee of the United States Senate struck out from the Rivers and Harbours Bill, a clause limiting the amount of water which can be diverted from Lake Michigan for the Illinois river improvement?

2. Has any report been made to show what detrimental effect this may have on the water level of the Great Lakes and rivers connecting them with the sea?

Mr. HAZEN:

Nos. 1 and 2. The Government is aware that a conference committee of both Houses of Congress of the United States eliminated from the Rivers and Harbours Bill for 1916 an amendment authorizing and approving a proposed expenditure of $5,000,000 by the legislature of the state of Illinois fori the purpose of improving navigation of the Illinois river.

This amendment contained a provision to the effect that the amount of water to be diverted from lake Michigan through "this system of water ways " should at no time exceed 250,000 cubic feet per minute.

The elimination of the entire amendment left the matter as it was previous to the introduction of the Bill.

The permit issued by the United States Secretary for War on December 5, 1901, limits the amount of water to be diverted from lake Michigan through what is known as the Chicago drainage canal to 250,000 cubic feet per minute. That permit has not in the meantime been modified or changed.

1. What indebtedness was incurred to the Dominion Government by the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta respectively, for seed grain supplied to settlers on patented lands in these provinces in 1908?

2. What amount is still owing by each of these provinces in respect of these advances?

3. What was the amount of seed grain indebtedness by settlers on unpatented lands in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta respectively, for seed grain supplied in 1908, and what amounts are still owing in each province in respect of same?

4. What amount is now owing by settlers in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta respectively, for advances of seed grain prior to 1915?

5. What were the total advances for seed grain and fodder to settlers in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta respectively, in 1914, 1915 and 1916, and what amounts are still owing in each province in respect of same?

1. Province of Saskatchewan ..$ 714,944 09

Province of Alberta 150,914 30

2. Province of Saskatchewan including interest

300,459 84Province of Alberta, including interest

5,472 523. Province of Saskatchewan . 326,511 96Province of Alberta

75,109 803a. Amount still o wing in provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta

4,443 834. Provinces of Saskatchewanand Alberta

233,536 465. Provinces of Saskatchewanand Alberta, 1914

60,462 46

Province of Saskatchewan,

1915 and 1916 8,655,144 29

Province of Alberta, 1915 and

1916

3,542,223 38Amount still owing in provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, 1914

54,716 16

Amount still owing in province of Saskatchewan, 1915

and 1916 5,498,480 16

Amount still owing in province of Alberta, 1915 and 1916 2,143,675 98

1. Did the Government have the use of the Sherbrooke Exhibition Association grounds and buildings for a military training camp in the years 1915 and 1916?

2. If so, did they pay anything to the said Association for damages or repairs to grounds and buildings, and how much for each year?

3. Did the Government pay anything to any other person or persons for damages to property left or stores on said grounds or in said buildings?

4. If so, what is the name of the party or parties to whom such payments were made?

5. What amount was paid to each person?

6. What was, in detail, the kind or nature of gqpds so damaged?

1. Yes. From January, 1915, to August, 1915, and from October, 1915, to July, 1916.

2. Yee. $5,000 to August, 1915, and $1,050 to July, 1916. Repairs account, damages.

3. No payments were made by the Government to any other person or persons for damages to property left or stored on the

said grounds or in the said buildings. If any such payments were made they were paid by the Eastern Townships Agricultural Association.

4. Answered by No. 3.

5. Answered by No. 3.

6. Answered by No. 3.

fpaserville recruiting station.

1. Does the Department of Militia and Defence pay rent for a shop at FraserviHe, which has been used for the purpose of a drill hall and armoury for recruits?

2. What amount has been spent either by the Department of Militia and Defence or the Public Works Department for the heating apparatus, lighting plant, water supply and furnishings of such buildings?

3. Who is the proprietor of said building?

4. What does the Government intend to do with this building now that there are no more recruits at Fraserville ?

1. Yes.

2. $2,146.60 (from 19th May, 1914, to date.)

3. S. C. Riou.

4. This question is irrelevant, as it contains a statement of fact.

QUEBEC & SAGUENAY RAILWAY.

1. Has the Government purchased the Quebec and Saguenay Railway?

2. If so, on what date and at what price?

1. An agreement to purchase has been entered into, pursuant to the Statutes of Canada, 1916, Cap. 22 This agreement has already been laid upon the table of the House.

2. The agreement is dated July 25, 1916. The price is to be fixed by the Exchequer Court, in accordance with the terms of the above statute.

1. Has the Government entered into a contract with the Quebec and Saguenay Railway Company for the completion of said railway?

2. If so, at what date, and upon what terms?

1. The Quebec and Saguenay railway is being completed by the companies under the conditions set out in the copy of the order in council.

2. Answered by No. 1.

1. What amount was advanced for seed grain and relief in the Dominion Lands Districts of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in the years 1914 and 1915?

2. How much has been repaid in each of the years 1915, 1916, and up to January 15, 1917?

3. What was the total amount advanced in Alberta and Saskatchewan in 1914 and 1915?

4. What is the total amount so far returned?

1. $2,190,045.93.

2. Amount repaid, 1915 .... $259,036 34 Amount repaid, 1916 .. .. 655,912 65 Amount repaid, 1917, (15th

January) 59,170 82

Total $974,119 81

3. $12,197,367.67.

4. $4,652,894.52.