Mr. PUGSLEY.

My hon. friend speaks of small chunks. Look at the improvements on the Fraser river. The hon gentleman forgets all these. The total probable cost of the wharf is $24,000. This is a very important wharf, as a large business is done at Campobello. The wharf will have a length of 314 feet, measured on the centre line, with a stone approach. It will be built of ordinary cribwork. We called for the tenders and the lowest tender has been accepted. I am satisfied, from the report of the engineer, that the price is fair and reasonable.

Mr. DANIEL.

Is this work being built of creosoted timber?

Mr. PUGSLEY.

No.

Mr. DANIEL.

Why not?

Mr. PUGSLEY.

Because the teredo worm is not so harmful along the Bay of Fundy coast as in some other places.

Mr. DANIEL.

I am confident that the minister is mistaken about that. In East-port, Maine, the wharfs are very seriously injured by the teredo.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

I do not think that such is the case along the Charlotte coast. The hon. gentleman knows that the teredo is not injurious in the St. John harbour.

Mr. DANIEL.

The fresh water running into St. John harbour makes it impossible for the teredo worm to live there, as it lives only in salt water. But in the Bay of Fundy, and around Grand Manan, I am confident the teredo is injurious. The minister seemed to think he had made such an improvement over the former government's policy by using creosoted timber, that I thought he would not use anything else in this case.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

We are not building with creosoted timber around the Bay of Fundy.

I think my hon. friend is mistaken as to the destructiveness of the teredo worm there.

Mr. DANIEL.

The teredo is at Eastport. and if it is there it is in the harbours of Grand Manan.

Mr. J. D. TAYLOR.

The minister overlooked my question. I congratulate the people of Welch Cove on this wharf. But I would like to know, for purposes of comparison, how big a place it is.

Mr. EMMERSON.

The absurdity of that question would be apparent even to my hon. friend (Mr. J. D. Taylor) if he knew where Welch Cove was. This harbour is on an island in the Bay of Fundy, whose only means of communication with the mainland is by vessel. The wharf will be used by many more than merely those at the place where the wharf is built. The wharf is very necessary in the public interest.

Mr. J. D. TAYLOR.

I have to thank the hon. gentleman (Mr. Emmerson) for the courtesy he has shown in addressing this lecture to me, and for the language with which he opened his polite address. But, while I appreciate his kindness, I would like to renew my question to the minister who has charge of this appropriation. I ask the question because I desire information. I could lecture the hon. gentleman (Mr. Emmerson) to more effect, perhaps than he can lecture me. But that is not the purpose of this committee. I am addressing what I believe to be a proper question to the Minister of Public Works, and I think I am entitled to the information, for purposes, as I have said, of comparison.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

At Welch Pool Cove, where the wharf is built, there is a population of about 600. Campobello is a very rich island, and one to which many people resort in the summer. There are two large summer hotels. The town has a number of stores, a lobster cannery employing 25 hands, and a boneless herring cannery employing 50 hands. Besides the summer hotels, there are many summer cottages, mainly occupied by people from the cities of the United States. Five steamers call there and a number of sailing vessels make Campobello their headquarters.

Some resolutions reported.

Mr. FIELDING moved the adjournment of the House.

Mr. SPROULE.

What business will be taken up to-morrow?

Mr. FIELDING.

We will resume in supply, the Postmaster General presenting his estimates. If these be finished the Minister of Public Works will resume.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

Friday, February 26, 1909.