Sir SAM HUGHES:

Is there not a line

running from Andover to Centreville now?

Mr. CARVELL:

No.

Mr. LEMIEUX:

What amount has been paid by the Dominion Government towards the -construction of this road?

Mr. J. D. REID:

The usual subsidy.

Mr. LEMIEUX:

No guarantee of bonds?

Mr. J. D. REID:

No, the bonds were guaranted by the New Brunswick Government.

Mr. J. H. SINCLAIR:

Have there been any net earnings since the road was in operation?

Mr. J. D. REID:

I do not think the 60 -per cent would pay the operating expenses, nor the 40 per cent the interest on the bonds.

Mr. CAHILL:

About how much of a loss will this mean to the Dominion treasury?

Mr. J. D. REID:

I think I gave a statement some time ago of the earnings of each part of the Canadian National Railway system, but if not, I can give the figures for this particular line when my Estimates are up. The loss is not very great to the Dominion Government. The 40 per cent does not come near paying the interest on

the bonds, but, of course, the provincial Government must stand that loss.

Mr. CAHILL:

Does the agreement oi

1911 include the extension that is asked for now?

Mr. J. D. REID:

The Act that we have already passed covered all this, and in addition 25 miles from Grand Falls.

Mr. LEMIEUX:

Will the minister explain on what basis this schedule is prepared?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

The object of this Bill is to enable the harbour master for the port of Halifax to receive a greater remuneration than he is receiving at the present time, namely $1,800 per year. His salary is paid him according to the fees that he can collect from vessels entering the harbour. This Bill provides that he may receive a larger remuneration than $1,800 a year but not more than a maximum of $3,000. The old Act was passed in 1885. When we consider the high cost of living to-day and the fact that the harbour master has to pay boat hire, I am sure hon. members will agree that $1,800 is not a sufficient remuneration for him especially in view of the fact that at other large ports the harbour masters are receiving as high as $5,000 a year. The object of this Bill is to enable the harbour master to increase the salary he is now drawing and also to increase the fees levied against ships.

Mr. McKENZIE:

Has there 'been a proportionate increase in these fees? Wages have only gone up a little more than one-third and there should not be morh than a corresponding increase in the fees exacted from ships.

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

The increase that

the Bill provides for is a very small one. We propose to increase the fee for every ship over 1,000 tons register from $5 to $7. As I explained when this matter was before the Committee on Wednesday evening I do not think the harbour master will get more than $2,000 or $2,500 a year. If we do not increase the fee from $5 to $7 the harbour master will continue to receive the same meagre salary of $1,800 that he received in 1885. It is only a reasonable proposition that this small change in the fees should be allowed and that the harbour master, if he collects $2,000, or $2,500, or even the maximum of $3,000, should be allowed to keep this himself.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

I cannot understand why you are limiting the salary of this officer to the meagre pittance that he is being given here. I imagine some of his clerks will be receiving more than $1,800 a year and if he is worth anything why not give him a straight salary or give him a sufficient proportion of the fees to ensure him a proper income. No apology is required for giving this officer a larger remuneration.