Mr. LEGER:

The only reason the minister did not hear from me was that in view of the abolition of the patronage system I thought any representations which I might make would have very little effect.

St. John 'River and tributaries-To provide full and final contribution to looa.1 government, not to exceed one-half cost of certain wharves built by it in tidal waters, $5,923.

Mr. LEGER:

Does this item include dredging in small rivers?

Mr. LEGER:

The work is on the beach and it is three miles away from the " sawdust wharf." Are these the only items recommended by the district engineer for the county of Kent? The sum of $800 seems to be a pretty small provision to meet the public works which have not yet been completed in that county. For example, Richibucto Cape, Buctouche Beach and Kouchi-bouguac Beach breakwaters yet remain unfinished. There is also Little Gully breakwater, for the construction of which a large sum was voted three or four years ago. A large amount of material in the shape of stone and timber and other stuff was hauled to the spot and left there. This winter part of the stone was hauled to Richibucto Cape breakwater, a few miles away, and the timber was hauled away for firewood. There are lots of works needing attention along the shore, and I hesitate to believe that the reason why these works have not received attention is because of the change made in the representation from the county of Kent.

I prefer to think it is due to war-time necessities.

Mr. LEGER:

The reason I asked the question is that in the past year a certain amount was voted for dredging and breastworks in the Aldouane river in the county of Kent, N.B., to facilitate the taking by the farmers of mussel mud for fertilizing purposes from the bay up the river. I understand that there is much dredging yet to be done, and there is no other way of getting that fertilizer transported the five or :six miles to where it is used except by water. By doing a little dredging, the farmers can get their oyster shell and mussel mud fertilizer from the bay onto the wharf built some years ago. Only a small amount will be necessary to do the work in this river, and the same also applies to the St. Charles and St. Louis rivers. There are certain parts of the St. Louis river, near the mouth, where the land is flat, and some dredging was done last year and the year before so that at low water boats could get through. I understand that last fall the channel had filled up in some places, necessitating further attention from the Government to facilitate fishing. My desire is to facilitate as much as possible the work of the fishermen who have long distances to go, and also to help the farmers to get as much fertilizer as possible. There may be no recommendation by the district engineer on this subject. He has spent a good deal of money in the past on these rivers, and if the minister called his attention to it a certain amount might be spent on this work.

Mr. LEGER:

An appropriation was made for this work two or three years ago and we expected that it wpuld be continued. I th-ink the war was on at that time. Buctouche is a very important little town. There is a great lumbering business done there -and also a large -mercantile business. There -are two grist mills and the country surrounding Buctouche is important from the agricultural point of view. It is a fine farming country. Therefore, I feel justified in bringing the matter to the atttention of -the minister in order to find out if anything is to be done. L know that some money was expended there. The site was bought, but I do not know how far it went beyond that.