Mr. H. B. SHORT (Digby-Annapolis):

I would like to ask the Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Cardin) when we may expect the report of the royal commission on fisheries. Some two weeks ago the minister promised that it would be tabled last week. Another week has passed and we have heard nothing about it. The session is pretty well advanced;

Supply-Public Works-Ontario

we should like to have a discussion upon the report, and I think it is desirable that it should be tabled at the earliest possible moment.

Hon. P. J. A. CARDIN (Minister of Marine and Fisheries):

I am informed that the report is completed, and I shall be in a position to table it probably on Monday or Tuesday.

Mr. CHAPLIN:

What is the explanation of this item?

Hon. J. C. ELLIOTT (Minister of Public Works):

This is a revote. It is intended to provide a greenhouse and potting shed either in Major Hill park or on parliament hill to replace the greenhouse now located in Major Hill park.. The chief architect reports that the present greenhouse is past repair, and that the woodwork has become so badly decayed that to renew it would mean practically rebuilding the superstructure. The greenhouse is also too small to meet the gardener's requirements, which consist of propagating bulbs and plants for the parks and supplying ferns, palms, and so forth for parliamentary functions. He suggests the building of a palm house with two greenhouse units and a potting shed, but that the present requirements may be met by the building of one greenhouse and potting shed. When the full arrangements are completed the greenhouse situated near the supreme court building and which is in very bad condition, will be removed.

Mr. McQUARRIE:

Would it not be possible to take care of all this work at the Central experimental farm? What is the necessity for having a greenhouse in Major Hill park? Could we not save money by concentrating all this work at the farm?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

I am afraid that that suggestion would hardly be practicable in view of the distance of the farm from the parliament buildings.

Mr. CHAPLIN:

Would the minister explain why it is impracticable?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

Perhaps my hon. friend

did not hear me. I said on account of the distance.

Mr. CHAPLIN:

The minister must know that commercial houses have the means for carrying their stuff much longer distances than that.

Mr. ELLIOTT:

Oh yes, but it would

necessitate the transferring of it.

Mr. CHAPLIN:

You would save two

overheads.

Mr. ELLIOTT:

The location of the greenhouse which is to be replaced has always been in Major Hill park.

Mr. McQUARRIE:

You are doing away

with the greenhouse near the supreme court building?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

Yes.

Mr. McQUARRIE:

My suggestion is that they both be done away with. The distance from Major Hill park to the farm is not very great, and it is well known that most greenhouses are situated out in the country, not in the city. Vancouver gets its supply of flowers and shrubs and all that kind of thing at a considerable distance from the city. The nurserymen have found it economical to locate their greenhouses outside the city.

Mr. BARBER:

This vote is apparently

for just one unit. What is the estimated total cost of completion?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

This is the total cost

of what is now proposed.