Our Country, 1885-04-28, vol. 01, no. 05

              Pkhk—One Cent.
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, TUESDAY   APRIL  2S, 1885.
■$3.00 Pek Annum.
No. .5
OUR COUNTRY
Rate* of Advertising-:
Legislative Proceedings.
\opfivial report.)
HOUSE  OF   ASSEMBLY.
Monday, April 3D.
I Kkkatvm.—In this day's debate, Saturday's
ispmic of this paper, sixth column, fourth paragraph, the name of Mr. Parhush should be
substituted for that of Mr. Peters.]— Supermm
Dr. DIJAIUN- I am sure tbat wo are all de-
liKlited it the able manner in whicli the hon.
tiie Premier has introduced this very momentous question. The only thine that I regret
id., mt the matter is that he did not introduce
this bill at an earlier part of the present ses-
M"ii. It is scarcely neretwnry for me to nay
thai I am in accord with tho principle of the
lull, but, .so far as iu details go, that is another
inpitter alUrgethrr. I think that a good deal
nipiy he done to improve the details of the bill.
It i> not an easy question to deal with—'-m-'
<-rea-sed taxation, bnt if wc want'civic improvements, we must Ive prepared to pay for them.
There is one good feature, however, about thia
bill, the taxation Witt not fall upon the poor
people or the town: ' It wil) have to he borne
hy tho well-to-do and upper classes. Our present system of taxation for tho general revenues of thc colony is not an equitable or just
-me. It bears very hardly upon our laboring
classes; they, at the present time, pay more
than their line proportion of the total taxation
of Hits conntry. A vtry large amount of money
haa already been expended -pon thc sewerage
of this town, but very little good* has resulted
from it. The work appears to have been undertaken without any scientific knowledge. It
would not bo in accordance with our position
to bring in a bill of so important a character
-unless our constituents had signified their con-
s-ent, by petition or otherwise. All that we
•could do was to call tho attention of the Gov-
•crnment lo the. condition of our streets, and
•of the necessity of doing something in the
matter, if we mean progress by the introduction of railways and docks, we shoti'd also look
to the condition of our city, which at present
is in a disgraceful ctatc- I am sorry that the
. Premier did not bring in this bill earlier, for,
looking at the short hours ot the session, wc
cannot give it that attention which its importance demands, We should appoint two or
"threecommissioners to enquire into thc condition of our sf recta, side-walks and back localities, so that we shall know thc charactcr of our
work when the bill becomes the law of the
land. Again, Bannerman Park should be
handed over to tlie people, to enable thorn to
utilise that beautiful spot for the'purposes intended by nature, so that strangers, when they
visit us, will sec that we are orf the road to
progress. To show how we spend money, I
need only refer to the expenditure in the
small-pox case, which cost thc colony thc sum
cf £S9C 5s. 3d.
Mr. SCOTT—Tliat was cheap -to get clear
of it.
Dr. DEARIN-We should have had a. satisfactory statement of thc expenditure'before
this period of thc session. The sum of
£06 12. 6d. is charged in this account for coal,
£189 ls. Od. for wages, £102 4s. Od. for incidentals, and £329 for compensation, making, in
all, £896 5s. 3d. I cannot see how so large an
amount as that could be expended. We spend
only £1,000 for cleansing the streets. Solar as
the bill is concerned, 1 agree with its principle,
ax-tfl am sure that the people will not refur-
Mr. GOODRIDGE—I wish to make a few rc-
marks upon the bill beforo it goes through the
second reading. It seems to mo that this is
the thin edge of thc wedge for Incorporation,
for yvhich this colony is not prepared at the
present time. I do not intend to oppose the
second^cading of the bill, as 1 consider that
a different-system of sewerage for Ihe tow*, is
absolutely necessary for the prevention of disease. 'Phe f**atorney General takes credit '
his Governnr|-nt for* the improvement of t__
city, bnt-if he takes credit for" the present
system of sewerage, he is welcome to it, for it
is like his administration, nothing more than
a blunder. Another opportunity-, I presume,
will now be afforded to squander money, in
carrying dut this work. It would be better to
have no sewerage- at all than tne present imperfect system. Our streeta and side-walks are
in a bad condition ; the lighting of our streets
ia imperfect, and will continue so, Whilst the
matter remains in the hands of one company.
I suppose we are not sufficiently advanced to
hs,\e the town illuminated by electric light,
although, I believe, a plan waa submitted a
short? tune ago for that purpose. Thc Doctor
has referred to the number of new buildings
that have recently been orected throughout
trie city. They show a marked improvement
in their style of architecture to the former
ones, but eve should not tax these buildings too
much, as it was audi a system of imposition
"that caused tbe deterioration of the houses hi
Halifax.
Mr. KENT—ThU bill deals with a very- ini-^
portant subject, ivhich not only jiff«"cls St.
John's, but thc country at large. It contains;]
details about the. construction of the Board,
and also their powers ter carry out the object
of thc bill. Those arc matters yvhich mn
llrrough a number pf Acta, and amendments
to Acta, of thc General Water Company. Tho
power given under thoso acts to the Board of
Directors, together with tho control exercised
by the Boardof Works over our city matters,
is lobe taken away and conferred upon the
five gentlemen to be appointed under this bill.
The division of this power is a matter yvhich
will require serious consideration. I do not
intend to occupy the time of the house upoi
ueject at present, as I do not wish to oppose thc second reading of the bill. After it
lias reached that stage, I would ask that it lay
over until another session, so that time may !>o
given for its proper consideration. It not only
affect* the interest of our people, bnt of those
resident out ofthe country. In view of the
interest* to be affected, wc inay, by giving tho
bill a proper consideration, save it from opposition when il is sent home to receive the Royal
assent. I believe that the bill will lead up,lo
tnime-i*iM!':ip«tte"lMi In.tbe aaving of Wo, for
many of the mounds iu our graveyards would
not "be thoro to-day if our Streets had !>ecn
kept in a proper condition. I would, therefore, ask the hon. Attorney General to consider
the proposition that I have luade-
Mr. SOOTT— After hearing for many years
about tho necessity of improving thc condition
of our street**, it is pleasing to find, at last, that
something of a tangible character is to be done
in that direction. The objection to the report
prepared by Mr. Morris were of a financial
and not of a physical charactcr. It ia now
over thirty years since tho act waa pass-sl for
the construction of sewerage in the town ol St
John's, yet, since that time, nothing of a pri»c
tical character has been done. Owing to the
lateness of the session, and the important in-
terests which arejo be affected by thc bill, wo
should not proceed at present beyond the second reading. Wo know that nothing has been
done in the past beyond the receiving of reports upon the matter. Our people, aro taxed
unfairly by reason of their having to pay for
sewerage, although it ia not within reach of
their houses. It would be well if the Government Obtained information as to the parts ,>t
the town that are without sewerage. If that
were done it would be lound that three-fourths
of our-.peODle suffer much inconvenience
not deter us from grappling with the question.
Provision ought to be made for the better
lighting of our streeta, and thc supply of gas
should not be left in tho hands of one company. The Board should devise means to pro-
"' us With better light, not only for- our
 jta. but for the. dwellings of the poor people. It is just as much within the province of
the Board to take this matter up us it is to
superintend the supply of water In concurring with the principle of the biP, 1 do not
commit myself to tho adoption of iu details.
Mr. PARSONS-1 a.n opposed to hasty
legialation. I should like to knpw whether or
not hon. members" arc in favor of thc principlo
of assessment in carrying out this law. I listened with a great deal of attention to the
I became politically suspicious.
U* the conclusion that thero waa no sincerity
in the meaaurc. I believe the matter yvna
simply intended to throw dust in the eyes of
the people. *l"herc is one section to the bill,
which, I think, ought to bo carefully consid
ercd. By that section we are to have a Muni
cipal Board for St. John's cast and weat, and
thia board is to consist of live members. As
has been remarked, and correctly so, by tho
hon. member for Fcrryland, Mr. Goodridge,
thia ia simply letting in tile thin edge of tho
wedge for incorporation. I will not now enter
upon tho details of the bill. I am, however,
in favor of the principle that something ought
to be <lono for the sewerage of tho town;
but that we are to have another tax-gatherer
going round to squeeic money out of our poor
people, I will take somo tune to consider before giving my assent. "Some people believe
that incorporation is good for us, others
again believe it would be injurious. I think
(Bat i( We bad ar competent Board of Works
all the p.ocotnaTypurposes might be ■ accom-
complished. We ft* repeat-idly asked .that
a representative of St. John's east, arid another of 8t. John's west, be placed upon that
board, and so far it has been denied us, They
are presumed to be thoroughly acquainted
with the requirements of their constituent**,
and they would then be in a position to place I.
would, morover, be immediately rc-sporwiblc
to the people. In reference to the matter' immediately before the cha^r, whilst, wc all must
necessarily agree with its principle, aud whilst
wc must all he in favor of »tligroiigji sewerage
system in St. John!*, yet Hieprovjaions of .the
presont bill point to such nidical changes, that
I do not consider that yve should be warranted
in acting hastily in the matter.' It yvould be
well, therefore, in my opinion, to doles' any
action upon it for another year.
. Mr. WINTON—Beifig an outport representative, I consider that it is competent for mo
to express a disinterested opinion upon this
matter. I am surprised at the reniiirksof ones
of the hon. and learned members forSt. John's
cast, as to taxation. Whon we consider thc
paramount neocssity there is to secure clcnu'i-
ne.ss and to prevent tho spread of disease; I
am surprised, I say, that it sh.xild I*. consid-
■ered. Otn present taxation Ls thc iiltU'nnd
the_ general discredit which attaches to the
condition of things at present in St. John's
It is most discreditable to ns that thc capital
of the colony should""** In the filthy condition
it is lo-dny. We can look only with feelings
of dread and npprolicrwion at tiie approach of
disease, which must not I*- considered improbable, hut which I huiublyhope the. Almighty
in His goodness may divert. Tho people of
thc outports have an iBjual interest in these
matters, as have the people of St. John's.
Tliey have to h«»k aftur tlfc interest of their
people when they como to St. John's, sprang
nnd fall, or at any oilier time, to transact
their bimine*. It must Ih- understood that
the people ,,f the outports come here as much
for the interest, of tho trading.coty-ruunity of
St. John's as their own. It is only fair that
the condition of the town of St. John's should
l»c such as to leave no doubt that their health,
as well' as the health of those who periodically visit ns, should bc regarded. Whenever
any'question of importance is brought up for
consideration this bugbear of taxation is always held up to us, us il* it were practicable to
accomplish any measure of imporlaii.e ...
benefit without taxation. This was a time
when it wm of importance to consider, and
when it behoved ns to be on our guard. Then
wo di<l not know the value of it, or to what
extent it might be pressed. Now. however,
the matter, is in our own hands, and we can
tell exactly what the amount will I.e. With
regard to tho lig.itilig the streets of St. John's,
it is a very important one, especially in view
ofthe fact that in a few years more'the charter of the Ht. John's Ga.. Company will have
Expired. When tbey come before Ibis Hour
for a renewal of their charier, I trust thai tl
house will be particular in securing belli
terms from ihem than we at present havi
I trust, as regards (be principle oj" the HI', tin
the Hon. Attorney General will not perm
the House to close without taking some prai
tieal action upon it. Any opposition \vhic
may como from lion, members repr—curing
St. John's .as to details might be met in i
mittee I am glad that this Bill has bee
traduced and it behove* lliis House t.
everything in its power lo make thia men
ns perfect as possible.
WHITE -Ian. very glad indred that
the hon. the Premier has introduced this bill.
I think that it is the duty of every hon. mom
ber of the House to support it. I see h\ the
■ports of Messrs. Kinnipple A Morris i> would
ike $74,886 ty complete tbe sewerage of St
John's That would entail an annual expenditure of $14,000 a year. Tliat I consider a
small amount for the tax-payers of St. John's
to pay, iu view ofthe ininieii"«e lieneills which
mu-d necessarily limy from a work of this
kind. This amount is to be made up partly
from the general revenue ol" the colony, partly
from crown hind-, i-'iits within tbe limits of St.
John's and the balance from the rate-payers.
Licenses, tines, and forfeitures1 should also be
included. There was one remark of the hor*!
the Premier Ui which I must take exception
and that was, that the city should pay all towards this Work. The peoplo of the outporta
arc I contend just as must interested in this
matter as the people of St. John's. In a matter calculated to affect such a material benefit
to our people, I say that thc question of cost
should not stand iii the way. I must endi,r"-e
tho remarks of thc hon. and learned member
for St. John's East, Mr. Kent, nnd I trust that
the bill will be pcrriiiltcd to stand over till
next year.
Mr. CALLANAN—As all thc other repr.
sentativca for St. John's have spoken upon this
subject, it behoves'me to offerva few obacrva*
tions upon it. I fully concur in thc principle
of the bill. It is certainly a move in the right
direction. The necessity for a thorough system ot sewerage for tho town of St. John's is a
matter which does not admit of question. Thc
necessity too, of a better ayatcm of lighting the
town is but too apparent, aa also that of attending to tho side-walks which arc in a condition worse than I have everaeen them. They
are, in fact, a disgrace to humanity. It has
been said by an hon. member who preceded
mo that persons intimately acquainted with
the side walks may get along well enough at
night, but the unfortunate stranger who is
.polled to travel them is at sea, and eerily ex-ioscs hia limbs to great jeopardy
tirely for thia expenditure- Whilst I freely
admit that St. John's tuuat or Wcssily derive
thc hem's share of benefit from a ivork such aa
this, vet t|»e peap'o of tlie outports participate
in a vory large degree it- their benefits, and
therefore, should tako a deep interest ill tho
work .as yvell as contribute) towards U- It is
most desirable tlint St: Johri-s "should bc in
such .a condition aa thai, people who como
from ;the outports do tmiisacttlieir business
should not be liable to take homo yvith tlrtjni
any ooutagot'iu disease. { well remember a
verv comfortable family, ol "Goose Cove, North
side cf Hare Bay, named; Crawley. One of
that f.iii'.ilv came on to St* JoWs some years
a*TK"e, toot feycr hcra,«'irrWd home" to his
r.-iinU. and of thefiinfry-*>f five or six only
on, .sV-aped. Wany-ntllftsuch iiiatance* might
he retted. These* fi\(s"jP*Uicrofore, consklcriHl,
I cannot ac*pj how hern., lutunbcra repreaentin-
uutport constituencies, caiiopposc a proportion
of tho necessary exix-i.svs for thc yvork being
taken from the puhli•■ 'revenue. I Htn in full
accord with the principle of the hill," yet, being of siioh large impca-iai.ee, I trust that after tlio second reading, it be permitted
further time for consideration. Tlie bill was
then read a secoud time.
On (notion the bill wns ordered to be referred
j a do-iiniiUcc of Wic whole on tomorrow.   _
ho!dim- of the court at Holyn
havo visited there myself during the sittings
of thc court. I think that the same rule prevails with regard to Bay Bulla. The holding
of thc court nt those places rives thc people
an opportunity ol having their cases tried
without any uni.eceasary expense or delay.
*3o far as thc vote is concerned, I think that it
woukl bo unfair fo ask Ihc magistrates toido.
thia work without paying thsir exrHuisea.
They havo a large jurisdiction both in civil
and criminal oases, and it ia incumbent upon
us to have persons to fill those positions who
arc qualified for thciri. Thev must be men
in- whom thc people liavc confidence. Avery *
strange anomaly appears to exist between the
jurisdiction of tho magistrates in civil and
criminal mut'-era. In the former there is an
appeal from their decisions to the Supremo
Court ir the judgment lie over twenty.dollars.
Biit from their decisionVJn criminal -natters
there is no appeal at all. 1 think that there
should bo thc right of appeal in criminal as
well as civil matters. On the question of
money a nuui has the privilege of appealing
to a higher tribunal, but when the question of
a right is involved there is no such appeal.
"        '    •--   —•   «—r.r..„l   montr. fill ,l,nr>.i
)
NOTICES OF MOTION
Mr, KENT—For bill to amend License Act
of 1H7'.. I'pon motion, the hill yvas intro-
cluoeri, read a iipt»tj time, and ordered to Inroad ii second time lo-uior-uw.
Mr! WHITE—For address on  petition of
Mr KENT presented a potUion from William
Lewis and others. inhabitAiita uf'St John's
East, on the subject of sewerage. -.. :
The House then adjourned until- half-past
three o'clock to-morrow.
jc .vant to get qualified men to fill those
IjKwitions wc ought Uigct -— *---■'— - '     »
e House opened a
. NOON AN gave
orrow,   ask   the  I
Tiksiiav. Apri
half-past three i
•en paid towards II
,n ofa public wharfat King's Cove. Bon
lay ; how much, to whom paid,  and 1
au'tliorilv.
.. SOLICITOR GENKBAI.    I ask lea
petition from the inliabil.ints.it' Herring Neck,
in the district of Twillingnle and Fogo, praying that Herring Neck may lie made a port
of onl bv the Northern mall steamer Herring
Neck of'laic Years has become ii settlement of
considerable im'KirUnee Mercantile busiuc
in thai place has increased to a verv large
ess the
•thre,
;n>:
doing
Main <
ing |.lac
meet  w
:::£,
,,  business to have Iheir eon-e
|M.H,lein'e delayed in consequence of llirre b
ing no direct coinnliinicatimi with St. John
The pvtitionera  piay  that  the  Governmei
may   take  the   caso   into  Coiisideralion.   ai
if poosiblc, Herring   Neck  may   be i
s   one-Of   the  j-orls of call  of tl
mail steamer.
l< DONALD-1 ask  leave to presei
n   from   the  inhabitants  of   Harbor
the subject of the erection of :i land
..j there-    I trust tbat this petition will
..illi n fpivourahlo consideration.
VE1TCH—I have much pleasure is stqv
porting  th" prayer of the petition presented
by mv hon. c'lllengtie, Mr. MacDoiinld.
Mr' PETERS—f beg leave to pnwnt a petition from the inhabitants of Pouch Cove nnd
Bauline, on the subject of Prohibition.
Mr. GARLAND-I beg leave to present a
a petition from the inhabitants of Ochre 1 it
Cove, in thc district of Bay-de-Verds praying
for a small sum of money to extend e road
from the main line road to the New Methodist
Chinch at that place. Thc petitioners say that
this road will bc of great advantage to them
in going to ami coming from their place ol
worship- All thnt they a*k for is a small sum
of forty dollars, and I trust that their request
yvill be complied with.
ORDER OF TIIE DAY.
having a legal
* competent to give a
„. ,ltv.    From time to twno wo hear of
complaints against the decisions of the oot-
port magistrates, who liavc not thc advantages
of a legal training.
Hon. the PREMIER—thc observation" of
the hon. member for Placentia and St. Mftry'a,
Mr. Donnelly, are quite in accordance with
th"e---*-*Jp--i»-*«rf^ *******
Judges, and I will call thc hon. member's attention to the fact, yvhich he probably has
forgotten, that the arrangement* made with
tl„ di.-trict Judges arc that one of them shall
visit Holvroisl on the first Thursday in each
month, anil Bav Bulls on thc first Tuesday.
It is quite true that, owing lo thc state of the
roads during the winter months,'Bay Bulls
was n.rt visited until the month of June, but
the visits were regularly made to Holyrood.
I must congratulate the hon. member for
I" inland Mr I "oodridgo, upon tho absence
of lit'igalioii from that portion of hia district
visit,-,! bv the district magistrates. Only
three caso have been decided at that place
for tlie year, while a considerable amount of
litmation has been dis|Kised of at Holyrood.
I unite agree with the hon. and learned niem-
it. Mary's, that unless tho duties be
il according to arrangement this
amount should not be pnid.
Mi.OOODRlDGE—On behalf of my con-
-piitiieuls at Bav Bulls. I beg to accepUhe con-
,.r:l,,il aions ofthe hon. the Premier. The ob-
feol,. „,s „f the hon. member for St. Mary's, Mr.
Donnelly, are appropriate and to the point.
Bav Bul'ls hits noi been visited by the Magistrates r.s regularly as it ought to have been,
and not in accordance with arrangements.
The Magistrates went to Bay Bulls seven times
out of the lively.-.  Now »hat|thcir attention haa
I n called to the matter, they will have to
visit regularly or the amount will not bc paid.
We don't so much object to the vote as to, pay-
ii,,. for service-mi wliich are not performed;    _
Mr Ma.'DONALD-I object to my district
being served in this way. I contend that we
,,,,,-hl to be placed upon the same footing aa
■he oilier districts .if the colony.     I   Will have
o eiw mv imposition to this vote until the
district of" Harbor Main is placed upon tho
same footing as tha other distneta in regard to
the administration of justice W e wont a rc-
lident Magistrate and not be dependent upon
ho visits of thc Magistrates from St. John s.
Mr WINTON—There seems to bc a good
deal of justice in the remarks which have
fallen from the hon. member for Harbor
Main, and I feel assured lhat if the Executive
will take the matter into consideration and if
they find the requirements of the flistnct or
Harbor Main lo be what tlie hon. member re-
prescnU them to be, the matter will be attended to It is onlv reasonable that this demand
,,; his should be attended to. I .have been
somewhat amused, in listening to tho hon.
member for St. John's East, Mr. Parsons, when
ho was speaking nbout the necessity there was
of having magistrates who had a legal tram-
ho says, " niag-strates with legal
ninr> to pet those men ?
them before the board, and if any grievance I Remarks have been made by hon. members to
existed, to lay them rjttfore, t{he*3{ot*se.   Thoy I the effect that St. John's ahould. be charged csv
Committee on Supixy.
On motion the Ilouse resolved itself into
committee of thc whole on Supply.
Mr. Boyd iff the chair.
VOTE OF SIX HOKbREDTDOI-I-AIW
TRAVELLING EXPENSES FOR
T1TE DISTRICT JUDGES
' Mr. DONNELLY-When thia vote waa before tho House a few days ago, I took exception to it, on the grounds 'that the district
Judges had not done their vork in the way
provided for.    It is only fair thaUnose people
who aro trusting to the tender .mercies oj. the
district Judges for the administration of justice should he visited at regular and t-tated
periods.   And I shall oppose the vote unless
some guarantee he given that the work shall
1,,. done in a satisfactory manner.
\   Mr PARSONS—With reference to this voto
I think that it is the rule with the migistratcs
to visit those extern districts once a month
,.,,...ls." Where are we going to get those men
I am sure that the legal gentlemen occupying
seats in this House would not be willing to accept a magistracy. What about tho gentlemen who have filled thoso positions and thoso
who aro filling theni at tho present time, but'
who have not had a legal trainings Many of
them have occupied tlicir position* for years,
and their decisions have nover keen called in
question. There are many of them whom I
could name, if I wished; who have performed
tho duties of their office as well'as if they had
been all their lifetime studying law. Hon.
members should recollect that it is not the
legal, but the common sense mind that is required, and tho less law that there is about it,
the better.
Mr. PARSONS—It ia refreshing to he-ar thew
hon. member's opinion on the aubjoct of the .
legal mind. In thc first place it is founded
on common sense. I think that my experience of'seventeen years at tho bar, during
whic*-t I wasbrou'-ht in daily contact with the