Mr. BLATCHFORD:

I can explain this. At Lac Ste. Anne, which is situated about fifty-five miles west of Edmonton, a great deal of fish is caught and shipped out to different points. About two years ago, I think in 1928, the government built a landing wharf and the water receded in the meantime leaving the wharf high and dry. This item of $3,800 is for the purpose of extending the wharf out to deep water.

Mr. ADSHEAD:

I am not objecting to this item at all. I just wanted to have it pointed out where it was and what it was for. I hope to be able to use this as a peg on which to hang something for the rivers in southern Alberta. I thing I mentioned to the minister some years ago and even last year that the Bow river at the city of Calgary had its course diverted considerably for two reasons: first, on account of the government giving a company the right to put a dam across the river, throwing the whole course of the river against the government's own boulevard. In the second place the government took no care to protect its own boulevard and because of that, the river washed into the city and washed a large part of its property away. The city endeavoured to fill in between the groins with stone. The Department of Public Works or the irrigation department for a time even endeavoured to stop the city from filling in between the groins, because it was represented to them they would be throwing the river back on its old course. I pointed out last year that the government gave a grant of $15,000 to protect the banks of the Highwood river. I did not object to that, but I make a plea to the Minister of Public Works

1074 COMMONS

Supply-Harbours and Rivers-Saskatchewan

that the city of Calgary ought to be assisted in some way. I would not ask the department to put the river back again to the old line. It eroded its banks to the extent of nearly 200 yards. We have to fill in between the groins to keep the erosion from going further into the banks or it would wash them clean away to the foot of the hill, and I suggest to the Minister of Public Works that either in these or in the supplementary estimates he make a small grant to the city to assist them in reclaiming part of the property that was washed away, through the government's own fault because they would not protect their own boulevard and because they granted a permit to a company to put a dam across the river.

Mr. SPOTTON:

With the permission of the minister I rise just to expedite matters. When I came into this house this evening some hon. member on this side said that inasmuch as I had not been present when the Goderich harbour improvement item was called, it was left open. I do not want to speak on it. We are delighted at the treatment the minister gave us last year and we hope he will not weary in well doing. I am well aware that the deputation that came to Ottawa presented the matter thoroughly and the minister has it fully before him. If that item was left open, the Ontario estimate can be closed now. I just, wish to expedite the business of the house.

Mr. MANION:

Might I ask whether the Goderich item carried? I think it did.

Mr. ELLIOTT:

Yes.

Mr. GUTHRIE:

We have made pretty good progress and many of our British Columbia members are not present. It is now ten o'clock would the minister consent to have the committee rise?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

I should like to meet the convenience of my hon. friends, and I appreciate the manner in which they have discussed the various items. It is difficult, however, for me to get time for public works estimates and if we could get these items through it would be in the interest of the different sections of the country involved. I do not want to urge unduly, but I am taking a train at eleven o'clock and perhaps we might sit till quarter to eleven.

Mr. McRAE:

I think there are enough of the British Columbia members present for us to proceed.

Mr. ELLIOTT:

Thank you very much. I do not wish to curtail criticism at all, because TMr. Adshead.]

I think it is helpful. Still, the sooner we get these estimates through-*

Mr. GUTHRIE:

The sooner the election comes.

Mr. ELLIOTT:

-the sooner the various officials will be able to get to work and the works will be started.

Harbours and rivers-British Columbia- Coal Harbour-wharf, $9,000.

Mr. McRAE:

Would the minister explain this item?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

This amount is asked to be provided for the construction of a wharf 60 feet by 40 feet, with an approach 358 feet by 14 feet. The proposed work is asked for by the member for Comox-Alberni, and is required to make it possible for freight and mail from Vancouver brought by motor trucks from Hardy Bay to be transshipped directly on to tug boats going to Port Alice and other points on Quatsino Sound.

Mr. ADSHEAD:

By whom was this work recommended ?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

By the member.

Mr. ADSHEAD:

Is the minister in the habit of considering recommendations from members, because, if so there are some that I should like to make.

Mr. McRAE:

What is the explanation of this item?

Mr. ELLIOTT:

This amount is required to provide for the completion of a float 60 feet by 40 feet at Comox Lake, also known as Puntledge lake. During 1929-30 the approach was constructed. This float is necessary to serve the rapidly growing needs of the district and to provide a quick means of access to the adjacent town of Cumberland. It would also enable the accident cases in the camps to reach the hospital at Cumberland in a short time. The Comox Logging Company operating at this place employs 250 men, but will increase the number to 500 when operations are fully under way. Fifty men are employed by the K. and K. Pole Company, and five firms operate private launches here.