than in former years. I shall say nothing | Engineer of Public Works, of 1875, page further than that on the general subject, 72, in which he says:-but simply answer the questions on the paper, not at all wishing to refrain from a discussion, if my hon. friend will bring it up in a way that will afford us reasonable opportunity for debate. The first question is:

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"When is the enlargement of the Beauharnois Canal, in ccn'ormity with the recommendation contained in the report of the Canal Commissioners in 1871 and adopted by the Gor ernment, to be commenced, and when is it expected to be completed ?"

I cannot say when it will be commenced. Surveys of projected works have been made on both sides of the river, but no other decided action has been taken. These surveys were made some years ago, anterior to the time of the late Government of which my hon. friend was a supporter, I believe, and nothing was done then, or has been done since. The next question is:

"When is the enlargement of the Cornwall Canal to be completed?"

The scheme of enlargement of this canal has been in a great measure matured. At the lower end two locks 270 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 14 feet on the sills — have been built to take the place

of three locks on the old line. No further steps have been taken in connection with the enlargement of this canal. The third question is:

"When are the works of enlargement to be commenced on the Edwardsburg Canals, and when does the Government expect to have

them completed, or whether, in the opinion of the Government, the work of deepening the river in front of the above named canals when completed, will not render the enlargement of the Edwardsburg Canals unnecessary."

"It may be stated that if the improvements previously mentioned were carried out and the chain-log system adopted, there is reason to believe that the enlargement of the prism of the Williamsburgh Canals might be dispensed with and their improvement confined to lengthening the locks without attempting to increase the depth of water."

I am informed by the Department that this is the only expression of professional opinion they have on the subject.

Hon. Mr. HOPE moved :

"That an humble address be presented toHis Excellency the Governor General, praying that His Excellency will be pleased to cause to be laid before this House a copy of any Order in Council regulating the working of the Railway Swing Bridge crossing Burlington Bay Canal.'

He said: I took some little interest in opposing the erection of this bridge at the time the matter was laid before the Privy Council. The argument used then by those who favored the bridge was that proper rules and regulations would be established with regard to the working of the bridge and every care would be taken that the interests of navigation should be duly protected. Some matters called my attention to the working of this bridge, and I could not find that any Order in Council had been published in the Cazette or any of the blue books that I looked through. I thought, therefore, that I would endeavor to get the information in this way. I want to know what the Order in Council was which was said to regulate this matter.

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have no objection to bringing it down. The motion was agreed to.

THE GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM.

In reply to that question I have Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL.- I to inform my hon. friend that the do not know whether there is an Order enlargement of these canals is not com-in-Council or not, but if there is one we menced. It is uncertain whether the deepening of the channel in the river through the Galops Rapids will render the enlargement of these canals unnecessary. In case of a large traffic, the probabilities are that the canals should be enlarged. Then, as to that part of the question which relates to the probability of the Edwardsburg Canal being ren-) dered unnecessary, I refer my hon. friend to the report of Mr. Page, Chief

INQUIRIES.

Hon. Mr. RYAN inquired of the Government :

"At what price was the building on Sussex street intended for a Geological Museum, purchased by Government and when?

incurred since questions which I have placed on the notice paper. There is one important document, which I hold in hand to-day, and which was presented to the Senate shortly after the passing through this House of the Act of 1877 it had not been received at the time of the discussion upon the Bill and with the permission

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of geology for McGill College, and the removal of the survey (Mr. Scott), in awarded a gold medal to the best student the debate on that Bill, when an amendin geology under his endowment, nor ment was moved stating that a particuwould he have expended $40,000 in lar body in Montreal might be employed establishing the Museum. This was one to take care of the Museum, objected to of the claims put forward that Montreal such a clause being inserted, because, he should retain at least a duplicate of the said, it would involve a grant of money Museum which Sir William Logan had for the maintenance of that collection. founded and liberally endowed, and I do not think anyone will dispute that to which students from McGill the meaning of the word "maintain” and other colleges of Montreal is to support it, and to continue could resort for study. Hon. a grant in its support. Besides, gentlemen who have followed the course the institution which was then of events are no doubt aware that appli- indicated (the Natural History Society), cations have been made from time to there are many others in Montreal time, and petitions presented from bodies which are quite capable of taking care of in Montreal praying that this Museum be a museum of that sort. I may instance not removed, or that at least a duplicate the Redpath Museum, which is now of it may be continued there. Amongst being constructed the munificent gift others I may mention the petition of the of Mr. Redpath to the McGill University. Board of Trade of Montreal and of the It will be a magnificent museum, and I Corn Exchange Association. It was con- am sorry to think that the Government sidered an event of so much interest and would pass by such an institution in the importance by these two corporations, distribution of its donations of specimens who do not usually devote their attention if indeed it be their intention to do to matters of that sort, as to be worthy so when even the museums of the of a special petition, and what I wish to United States are assisting it with call the attention of the House particu- donations from their valuable collections. larly to is the reply which was given by I may state that besides McGill the Minister of the day to that petition. University there is the Jacques Cartier I think hon. gentlemen will allow that in Normal School, the St. Sulpice Semithis reply there is a distinct pledge given nary, the Polytechnic Institute, and that a duplicate museum shall be main- other institutions of learning, all of which tained in Montreal. In a letter addressed pay attention to the study of geology, to the Board of Trade and Corn Ex- so that there can be no difficulty in change by the Hon. Mr. Masson, he says, finding in Montreal a proper custodian under date the 20th December 1879 - for duplicate minerals when the Survey "Relating to the Museum, which more par- has been removed to Ottawa. While ticularly interests Montreal, the Government saying this, I may remark that I do not will do all in their power to meet the views of approve the Board of Trade and Corn Exchange, as exof such a system of centralization as this commenced by the late Ministry, pressed in your letter. The collections at Montreal contain a very great number of du- and in vogue with the present which plicates. These duplicates will no doubt be brings everything to the Capital, no matmade available for the creation of the Museum ter how distant it may be from those here, in connection with the Geological Sur- most interested and affected. I have in vey Branch of the Department, but the Government will, on account of the particular cir- my possession letters from persons well cumstances of the case, maintain (during the informed on this matter, to the effect that pleasure of Parliament) a geological museum a large portion of the specimens which in Montreal, for the benefit of the educational are most suitable for making a duplicate institutions of the city." museum have been removed from Montreal to Ottawa. The explanation of this is simple, and I wish to call the attention of the Government to it: to assort and separate those specimens, more labor was required than was to be had from the ordinary funds voted for the Survey, and as there was no money provided by the Government to pay for that

Now, hon. gentlemen, if you come to consider the meaning of the word "maintain," I think it is very clear that the Government will for they are bound by the letter of their colleague maintain and sustain a Museum in Montreal such as described. We know that my hon. friend who introduced this Bill for

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Government

Hon. Mr. RYAN When intro

extra labor, a large number of packages his will and founded a chair of geology duplicate specimens suited for in the McGill University, is not a matter retention in Montreal, were sent in- of any moment, for Parliament has dediscriminately forward, and are now, cided that the Geological Museum of the I believe, lying in Ottawa. If the facts Dominion should be in this city. that I have stated are at all a question of doubt, I would propose that the ducing my enquiries, I did not like to appoint a Commission detain the House by reading the latter to enquire into the whole matter part of this petition, but in order to show and see how it can be best remedied. At that such was Sir William Logan's belief, all events, I trust that the Government I will read a further portion of it, showwill see in the first place that they are ing that the late Sir William E. Logan bound by the declaration of the Hon. made his donations and bequests to the Mr. Masson, their late colleague, and Museum conditionally, and in the belief further, that a sum of money to carry that the museum would be permanently out his pledge is absolutely required. It maintained in Montreal : is also said in Montreal that the building containing the Museum has been, or is about to be, sold or rented to a moneyed institution. Whether the sale or lease has been carried out or not, I am not aware, but I want hon. gentlemen here

"That in the event of the removal of the become the duty of your petitioners to reMuseum from this city to Ottawa it might cover the claims of the estate for which they are executors, against the Government, though in accordance with the known wishes of the late Sir Wm. E. Logan they would in which case such claims would be waived." prefer that the Museum remain in Montreal, I am very sorry to disturb the line of argument which my hon. friend has taken, but I think this extract disposes of his assumed line of argument, and of his objections as to the views of the executors of Sir Wm. Logan's will.

to understand what the effect of such а sale will be. Some rare specimens of great geological importance were built. into the walls by Sir Wm. Logan and cannot be removed without considerable cost and without probably destroying or seriously injuring them. These are very curious and rare specimens, and it does appear to me to be a sort of vandalism to destroy such monuments of the valuable labors of an eminent man valuable also as contributions to the science of geology. But if the Gov-I had not beard of it before, and do not ernment have made up their minds to derive a revenue from the sale or lease of such a building, it appears to me another reason why they should preserve some memorial of it in the shape of a duplicate Geological Museum in Montreal.

Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL. With reference to the letter from Mr. Masson, which my hon. friend has quoted,

khow whether it was an official or a private letter, but it strikes me as far as my memory serves me, that the expression used in that letter was stronger than any decision ever arrived at by the Government in reference to this matter. I do not think the Government ever arrived at any decision to "maintain the Museum in Montreal.”

Hon. Mr. RYAN-This letter has been written and published for over two years.

Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL - My hon. friend naturally attaches great importance to everything which concerns Montreal, but other members of the House will probably think that Halifax, or St. John, or Toronto, or Ottawa, or any other Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL - I city, has as good a claim to the location say the language which is there used I of the Geological Museum, founded and never heard of before, and it is stronger maintained at the public expense, as Mon- than any decision ever arrived at by the treal. The people there should be grate-Government upon that point. I think ful that they have had it so long, and are now promised duplicate specimens of many of the formations in the Museum. What the late Sir William Logan may or may not have imagined when he made

the facts show that it is very unlikely that any such decision could have been arrived at. It is not likely that Parliament would sanction the maintenance of two museums, one here, and

It is not the intention of the Govern"What expenses have been incurred since ment to retain the premises formerly octhe purchase, in the way of repairs, altera-cupied as a museum in Montreal. My tions, heating, painting and outfitting (whether for permanent or occasianal use) and what are the further estimated expenses under these heads?"