Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

I think it has. It will be anyway.

Mr. McISAAC:

Has this service been renewed?

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

I am not sure, but it is about the time for signing the contract.

Mr. FIELDING:

Before we dispose of this last item I would like to remind my right hon. friend that last session I called his attention to what I supposed was an accident in the omission of a small subsidy of $1,000, I think the amount was for the steam service between the town of Lock-port and Froude's Point. It is a service between the Canadian National railways and the town of Lockport. My right hon. friend said that he had dropped it out as he understood it was merely a ferry of three-quarters of a mile, speaking from memory. I pointed out that that was quite a mistake. By road it is four or five miles, and by water four miles. It is really an important service. It is not a question of subsidizing any company, for the service is maintained by the town of Lockport, and if there is any deficiency the town has to make it up by taxing the people. I think it is as legitimate a claim as many of these here of the same class. I am quite sure that my right hon. friend was mistaken on the ground on which he left this item out, and I draw his attention to the matter now in the hope that when the Supplementary Estimates are being prepared he will be able to make provision for it. It is not a question of subsidizing any private capitalist or anything of that sort. It is a service run by the town of Lockport, and is of vital importance to them and also to the Canadian National railways. Lockport is one of the largest towns on the south coast, and is a very important fishing community. It is already doing a large fishing business, and would do a much greater business if it had better transportation

facilities. My right hon. friend cannot introduce an item now, but I trust he will make a note of it and make provision for this service in the Supplementary Estimates.

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

I will certainly look into it.

Mr. SINCLAIR (Guysborough) :

Is this increase of almost $29,000 justifiable?

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

The increase is due largely to the reclassification. Then there are some additional appointments which are necessary in order to clear up the arrears of work which have accumulated during the latter years of the war. Extra examiners have to be appointed for the largely increased number of applications for patents. While the war was on, there were not so many applications, but now the applications are in arrears and piling up, and when people pay for patents they want them got out. I have very carefully gone over this vote, and I can assure my hon. friend there are no unnecessary additions to the staff. ^

Mr. FIELDING:

Are we doing something this session with regard to copyright? Is ther a Bill under consideration?

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

There is a Bill under way.