It is a general vote to be expended all over the province.
Columbia river-improvomimts in1 narrows between upper and lower Arrow lakes, $10,000.
Mr. SPROULE.
What improvements do you intend to make there ?
We have given a contract for a small dredge to carry on the improvements.
Mr. SPROULE.
Is this for a dredge ?
Yes.
Mr. SPROULE.
Then, the wording of your item is wrong. It speaks of the improvements in the channel.
The best way of making these improvements is to build a dredge there.
Mr. SPROULE.
Then you should ask for money to build the dredge. The wording of the item is misleading. I do not think the minister will try to justify that.
I believe it is all right. We are doing the same thing at Lake Temiscamingue. Suppose instead of building a dredge I should buy shovels and things like that to make the improvements. I think I am justified in getting the dredge.
Mr. SPROULE.
The minister may be quite justified in building a dredge, but he cannot take the money for that purpose from a vote to improve the channel. The Auditor General would not allow that to pass if he was looking after it, because one of his duties is to see that the money voted by
parliament for a specific purpose is spent for that purpose.
I think it is all right. I do not hide anything, I am stating the facts.
Mr. SPROULE.
I do not say that you are not stating the facts, but I complain of the impropriety of voting money for one purpose and spending it on another.
I have no objection to changing the wording of the item if the hon. gentleman wishes. I move to add the words ' to include the building of a dredge.'
Mr. SPROULE.
That is all right then.
Item, as amended, agreed to.
Skeena rlvor, $7,500.
Mr. SPROULE.
What are you doing on the Skeena river ?
This is one of the great salmon rivers and there is a great deal of trade there, and we are removing snags and obstacles of all kinds.
Mr. BLAIN.
Have you a government dredge in British Columbia ?
We have two dredges there ?
Mr. BLAIN.
Do you use these dredges on that work ?
The MINISTER OF, PUBLIC WORKS. We do not always use 'dredges; we use implements of all kinds to do the work.
Dredge vessels-repairs, $30,000.
Mr. SPROULE.
There is over half a million dollars involved in tiie item before the House, and I would suggest that you do not go on with it to-night, as some of our friends may have something to say about it.