Mr. CANNON:
Before considering the minister's offer, I wish to point out that the gentleman who built this line last year-his name is Martineau-
Mr. CARVELL:
The same gentleman, I think, who operated in Quebec county.
Mr. CANNON:
Perhaps so. This gentleman actively engaged in building the lines, but he forgot to pay the men who did the work. Who is responsible for that, the Government or Martineau?
Mr. CARVELL:
Martineau.
Mr. CANNON:
What arrangement was made between the Government and Martineau I do not know. In any case, they have a complete telephone line in Dorchester now, and the people who worked on the construction of it have not been paid.
Maintenance and operation of water storage dams on Ottawa river and tributaries-surveys in connection therewith and settlement of land damages, $125,0'00.
Mr. CARVELL:
I propose to make a thorough investigation of this matter before the money is expended.
To pay Western Dry Dock and Shipping Co., Limited, of Port Arthur, a portion of the fifth payment of subsidy due them upon their completion of the work covered by the agreement ratified by Chap. 57, 3-4 George V., 1913, notwithstanding that the work is not completed, $35,641.50.
Mr. BUREAU:
I notice that it is proposed to pay this company notwithstanding that the work is not completed. Is the work behind?
Mr. CARVELL:
The work was not entirely completed and therefore we are paying them less than the amount that wo would be required to pay them by statute. For that reason we are taking a special vote. Otherwise the department would go by statutory authority.
Mr. McKENZIE:
Is it almost complete or in a fair state of completion?
Mr. CARVELL:
There are just a few machines that have not been placed but it is not completed to the extent that the engineer could give a certificate that it is finally completed.
Public Works chargeable to collection of revenue-slides and booms, $53,900.
Mr. BUREAU:
Are these booms in the Upper Ottawa district?
Mr. CARVELL:
That is in the same category as the Upper Ottawa Improvements.
I intend to make a pretty careful investigation of this matter. It is an old custom under which the Government of Canada practically takes charge of transporting all the lumber down the Ottawa river. It may have been necessary a hundred years ago and it possibly may be necessary to-day but I would like to know a little more about it before we branch out to any great extent.
Graving docks, $68,300.
Mr. McKENZIE:
Where are these?
Mr. CARVELL:
There is the Champlain graving dock at Levis, the Levis graving dock and the Esquimalt graving dock.
Harbour and river works, $40,700.
Mr. EDWARD'S: What position are you in with regard to the removal of the temporary bridge at Kingston?
Mr. CARVELL:
We have taken out the draw and I think there was an arrange-' ment made to sell the material to the city of Kingston at a pretty reduced price. It >s practically understood that the city will take the material but we are getting something out of it.
Mr. EDWARDS:
Is the department pulling up the piles?
Mr. CARVELL:
Yes, we are removing the piles and selling the material to the-city. There was a delegation from Kingston here. I do not know -that we concluded an absolute contract, but still I think it was pretty well settled between us.
Mr. BUREAU:
I see that under the head of harbour and river works, there are the river Yamaska lock and dam, and Riviere
du Lievre lock and dam. Are these locks and dams for navigation or for logging purposes?
Mr. CARVELL:
My information is that they are for navigation purposes.
Mr. J. C. DOUGLAS:
With reference to the item, " Burlington channel bridge," has this anything to do with the Burlington revetment wall for which a contract was awarded and in regard to which, I understand, the balance has been more or less in dispute.