St. John's Advertiser, 1876-02-09, vol. 02, no. 11

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ST.  JOHN'S, J&23*W2?OTT2SrDTjJ±lxHD,
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JOHN P. FORD,
Tbo Legislative Session was opened at two
o'clock on Thursday last, 3rd. Feb., by His Ei-
ceilency Sir Stephen J.Hill, with the accustomed
ceremonies. The extreme severity of the weather prevented a large attendance on this occasion,
and but few ladies ventured to appear in the
Council Chamber.
His Excellency having taken his seat, commanded the presence of the Houso of Assembly,
2nd tiicn addressed both branches in tbe follow-
B F E EC H :
J/r. President and   Honorable  Gentlemen of the
Legislative Council :
M-.   Speaker   and Gentlemen  of the Honorable
Jiouse of Assembly :
I have great gratification in recurring to your
counsel and co-operation in the conduct of public
affairs on this seventh occasion since my assumption ol the Government of the Colony.
The Seal Fishery of last year was of but partial good fortune, which was limited almost wholly to the steamer portion of the outfit. Tha
i*«on having been one of unusual rigor, enormous quantities of ice impeded the movements
of the sailing fleet, and thus caused the failure
of their enterprise. The result however on the
whole was of an average amount.
Tbe Cod Fishery was unproductive on some
ports of the Newfoundland coast, while prosperous in other localities. That of Labrador gave
ifair return, which with the enhanced prices of
produce rendered the general operations of the
leason moderately remunerative to producers.
Our exports to forei. n markets have in most
instances obtained satisfactory 6ales.
My Government having boen apprised last
«pring of the existence of Fever in Conception
Bay, and apprehending danger of those «(ngaged
in the Labrador Fishery, appointed an experienc-
*1 medical man to proceed with them to that
wat and remain there during the Fishing season. He rendered very excellent services,
*hich, while inspiring salutary confidence, prober averted much loss of life.
The cultivation of the land has met with an
ordinary degree of success. Our moat important crop, the potato, has been indeed visited with
Wight, but the produce was exceptionally large,
wd the greater portion of the yield of this valu-
•ole article of food has been preserved in sound
condition.
The provisions of the Act of last Session for
inspection of Pickled Fish have been carried out
^h marked benefit to this branch of our com-
»«wal interest. To insure to the Act its full
*fc<*, improvement will be requisite in tbe cure
ofthe Fish, nnd great care with regard to the
Phages. The law regulating tho latter came
ln,-o force with the commencement of the presses*. •
r- Speaker and Gentlemen  of the  Honourable
House of Assembly:
■ Paring the first quarter ot last year the ice-
^nd state ofthe coast for some time prevented
«n6n*rance<^ 8,1'PP'ng to our harbors, and the
I iM jan °^ Customs revenue was thus appreci-
I 2hfiminished-    * am g,ad however to be en-
I (..Lt0 inft,rin y°" tbat* the aggregate receipts
I   rine year exceeded the estimated sum.
|«b!ed
for th
tt_nw accounts for 1875> with tbe estimates for
I»m0. ITent year* wil* be Prol)ab,7 ,a'd before you
I tid .rp'y on 70ur a*-'Cl39t°med readiness to pro-
I   "c lor the exigencies of the public service.
I    r- President and Honourable   Gentlemen ofthe
Legislative Council:
r- fpeaJcer and Gentlemen of the Honourable
«"w« of Assembly:
*? early as practicable  last spring a staff of
•tpnej.rjwng seated ana.8ent here by Mr.
I »d»! ta FleminK- tho eminent engii.eer of Cnn-
■hr.ZfVarry out a preiiininary survey for  the
'T"*** Railway in this country, and with  the
exception of some fifteen miles, this work has
been completed". In the unadvoidablo absence of
Mr. Fleming, Mr. Alexander Murray has, at Mr.
Fleming's request, prepared a digest of the Report of the Engineers, which will be found to
contain valuable information on the characteristics of the line of country traversed. It gives
,4*8surance that this line presents no material obstacles to the construction of a Railroad. At
an early day I hope to receive from Mr. Fleming
his own full report ordihe project, with which
you will be furnished %r your complete satisfaction and guidance. I have to expressmy thankful
acknowledgements to Mr- Fleming for his able
and gratuitous services in connection with this
undertaking, Mr. Fleming having evinced his
zealous interest as far back 1& 1868, when he hid
a survey worked out here at bis own personal
expense.
The report of Mr. McLeod, Civil Engineer, of
his-survey of the Timber Forests on tbe Hum-
ber and at Gander Bay, with an explanatory map
and Mr. Murray's Report of tho Geological explorations, will be also aa speedily as possible
placed in j our hands.
Mining pursuits in this country have acquired
an importance rapidly on the increase, which
will be fully apparent from the large issue of
Licenses and Grants within the year. The continued successful operations at Tilt Cove, and
the recent prosperous developments at Bett's
Cove in the same neighborhood, both affording
employment to several hundreds of our people,
demonstrate the mineral wealth of this region.
In view of the growth of this new industrial resource, you will, 1 think, recognixe the necessity
of an accurate mapping out of the tract of country in question, both for necessary information,
and for the avoidance of difficulties likely to ar-
rise from confused or disputed limits.
NativoShip-building appears to have received
an impetus from the application of j*Jur bounty,
and I trust the increased encouragement offered
by the legislation of last session, particularly the
liberal grant for the building of steam bait-skiffs
may still further speed this industry.
An application has been lately made to my
Government on bahalf of a proposed company
for a Charter and pecuniary aid for tho extension
of Telegraphic communication to tho northward
of this Island. The merits of the proposal will
doubtless receive your mature consideration, and
you may possibly be enabled to devise a measure
that w'ill place Telegraphic intercourse within
the enjoyment of those other sections of the
colony which have not hitherto known its esteemed advantages.
Since our last meeting Commissioners, appointed by Great Britain and France, have had
under consideration thoso vexed questions arising from our Fishory Treaties, in which we hold
so vital interest, their basis of negotiation being
the Resolutions adopted in 1874 by the local
Legislature. These proceedings still engage the
solicitous attention of Her Majesty's Government
with the hope of an acceptable adjustment of
the respective claims ; and my advisors havo
not failed to use their utmost endeavors for the
settlement of those long-pending conflicts so
fraught with evil, and which at length assume
an aspect becoming more and more alarming.
Tbe gravity of the issues has now obtained for
this subject an unwonted prominence in Great
Britain, and gentlemen of high influence in Parliament, and the Press, are also actively enlisted
for the maintenence in their integrity of British and Colonial rights, so far as they are consistent with the due observance of Treaty obligations. I earnestly hope our united efforts may
soon attain their object; nnd the inquiry may
suggest itself whether some further action on
your part would not tend to accelerate this anxiously daaired conclusion.
The subject of compensation for those priv il
eges granted to American fishermen by the
Washington Treaty, wilf be dealt with at Halifax in J une next, by British and American Commissioners. My Government will be prepared
to adopt such course as may appear to be most
conservative of those paramount claims of the
Colony which are involved in thi- question.
A proposition from the Imperial Government
untfer the Treaty of Berne, for a reduced and
uniform rate of postage at five cents the half
ounce, between Europo and America, has received the provisional assent of my Government. 1
bare no douot tbe arrangement will much promote public convenience.
It will be worthy of your deliberation that
some steps be taken to assist the revival of the
fishery on the Banks, once the prolific source of
wealth to our] trade. Wita fewer advantages
than we possess in our proximity to those teeming fishing grounds, our American and French
rivals have continued to fish there, with encouraging results, ahd their example should stimulate
endeavour en our part to re-establish this promising enterprise.
The admitted diminution in the supply of Bait
on our shores is a matter tliat must command
your best attention, and it will be for yon bo de
termine what course should be adopted for the
prevention of the recklesss waste which now
threatens the destruction of this vital element
in the prosecution of our staple industry.
Tbe new light Houses at Channel and Burgeo
havo been for some time in operation with benefits highly "prized by the mariner. Ihe Light at
Twillingate North Point, will be exhibited in the
coming sprihg, the building being now complete
and the machinery imported. The small and
inefficient Light at Harbor Briton has been replaced by one of superior character and on a
more advantageous site.
The neW wing of the St. John's Hospital has
been .completed and the whole building furnished
with the most approved modern appliances. In
all essential respects this institution will now
bear favourable comparison with those of other
countries, j
I am happy to state that though two or three
cases of .mall pox were Introduced here last
summer, tie vigilance and judicious management
of the authorities sufficed, under Providence, to
prevent the oxtontion of this dreaded pestilence
amongst our population. We have cause of
deep thankfulness in our exemption from epidemic disease during the year, and the contrast
thus presented with so many other communities.
The strict observance of the requirements of
amended Bieence Act has had a salutary effect
in repressihg offences arising from intemporance
and the pdkco and good order which generally
prevail, although a normal cond.tion here, afford
nevcrthel<*s a just subject of congratulation.
The despatches received from tbe Secretary of
State for tiie Colonies, and such correspondence
as should be submitted to you, will bo laid on
the table df your honorable House.
This is probably the last occasion on which I
shall havo tho pleasure of addressing you. lean-
not therefore forego the public opportunity, ere
I leave mis land for ever, of expressing the
great satisfaction I havo always experienced in
my intercourse with the Legislative Bodies, and
although under the free form of Responsible
Government which you enjoy, I havo known
changes in tho administration in accordance with
tho movements of public opinion, and I havo
been thus brought into connection with all sections of party, I have at no timo found any difficulty in conducting the administration of the
Government, being enabled to act in harmony
with the respective Ministries. I shall always
hear with sincere pleasure of the prosperity of
Newfoundland, feeling assured that the future
of the Colony will fully realize the best anticipations of her people.
In conclusion, I fervently trust that the Omnipotent Ruler mav direct your counsels to the
accomplishment of measures most conducive to
the well-being of the Colony.
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
STNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS.
TnuasDAT, February 3,1876.
Mb. Wister, in moving for a Select Committee to prepare an nddress in reply to His
Excellency's speech, said the speech was not bald,
but that it contained much of interest to tho
people of tho country. He (Mr. W.) very heartily endorsed tho action of the present government in sending a medical man to the Labrador,
and was glad to find that the Financial condition
of the c olony was sound at the present timo; but
apprehended a condition of things not very encouraging during the ensuing year. With regard to the Survey, he felt satisfied that thero was
no difference of opinion as to its utility, and if
tbe Railroad should never bo completed, ha considered 'the money well spent He was
of opinion that unles lines of Railroad were
constructed the condition of the country would
never be improved, and contended that Railroads
i necessary for the development of our mining interests. Ho was glad to know that the
bounty provided for shipbuilding had been attendee! with good results, and that it had greatly
encouraged industry among the people. The
extension of Telegraph communication to tbe
Labrador, across the Straits of Belle Isle, connecting us with the Dominion, would, he felt
sure, be of great advantage to tbe people. An
early solution of the French Shore question he
(Mr. W.) considered not very promising. After
endeavoring for fully 20 years, he felt satisfied ofv
the inability of this country to touch the consciences of the Home Ministry, he advocated,
however, the bringing of a strong pressure to
bear upon the Home Government. He (Mr. W)
feared that the most disastrous consequences
wojld eventuate from the concessions made to
the Americans by the Washington Treaty, particularly on the Western Shore, and condemned
tho privileges which had been accorded them.
He did not consider it the duty of the
Legislature b take np the aubject of tho Bonk
Fishery, whim the merchants would not engage j
in it, but regretted that our people were starving
while othera were doing well. Ho (Mr. W.) was
pleased to know that the License Bill had operated to the benefit of tbe conn try.
Mb. Stjseb, in seconding the motion  f : a
Committee, said that he felt thankful  i
privilege of being present, and oxpresse-' r
lief that there waa n groat future before
try.    He (Mr. S.) said he had nothing to
as to the results of the past year,and jpoke
fully for tho well-being of the colony.   H
sidered the Survey a step in the right dir
but  disagreed  with the hon. member for i
(Mr.Winter) on the future ofthe country res
entirely upon the construction of Railroads.
(Mr. S.) -poke f.-rvontly and prayerful'j foi
maintenance of our fishery rights, and   -
as his opinion that the reason why our fish
went to more favored climes  was because
was not sufficient encouragement given thei
home.   He thought it   was the duty of
Government to encourage the Bank Fisher:
it would bo tho means of furnishing employ m
to numbers of our people, and  also i
the hop© tliat  the day  woidd come \
seal fishery would be prosecuted as it u
with sailing vessels.    He (Mr. S.) looked
tho introduction of steamers into th" bu■■■•■■
ruinous to tbe interests of tho fishermen,
hoped the practice would be speedily abo ish
With   material in ab.indauce, and" good  li
wasting their time in idleness, he thought Ship
building ought to  be  more   cncoura.eii.
(Mr. S.) thought the erection of a U'-o'   .„
Shoe Factory was a move in tho right direct',
and expressed tho   hope   that home -indust
would be encouraged.
Mb. Little felt much disappointment ot ihe
baldness of His Excellency's speech, nnd e:ad
that it failed to realize a single expectation. V. j
(Mr. L.) thought it was not only bi'd in .i"-
it did say, but was bald also in what ic o ..;!
to say ; that it failed even to foreshadow the in
tention   or policy   of  the    Government,.       ! .
therefore    charactensod    it    as   a   docu	
unsatisfactory in every particular.    Where ws
tho consistency, he asked,*in tolling tho pepp'■■■
that tho country was in a   prosperous condition,
and that the fisheries were  remunerative,   >h.
it was a well known fact tnat the peoplo iu the
outports were in a starving condif ion.    With re •
gard to tho Survey, he (Mr. L.) looked up ;n it
us so much child's play with the peoples" mooo£,
for after spending nearly twice as much as ua3
voted for the  work, it now falls dead at  their
feet, and the public are told that a Roporfc will
bo   furnished by Mr.  Sanford Flaming.     lie
could  not help   looking at   tho  despondrncy.
of Mr. Winter's speech aa being an nugury   o
what the people  might expect during the t i
wbich tho present   Go>ernment will  rm*» *h.
country.    He (Mr. L.) would like to know why
tho services of the hon. Sur. General w .re not
brought into requisition in connection wit a   V,
Survey and contended that he ought to have d«n«
the .work, aided by Mr. Murray ; he locked ii].on
the Survey as being a sham nnd a fraud on the
public   He (Mr. L.) Understood that tho I "pu-
ty Chief Officer of th« Executive wan now ajroc?'
negotiating with foreign miiiionairea  tc   coj
struct the Railroad ; but he should like to k
tl)o policy of tho Government in rciuti *ui ti  th-
matter.    He thought   the  sending of ii i<-1
cnl   man  to the Labrador  a m-iltor of    vo
trifling import to have embodied in  Hu  Exc.1'
lency's speech, but was glad to hear that ;i)] dis
ease instantly disappeared on his arrival.      hr
employment of Mr. M'Clood, for the pur -•  of
allocating land*, ho looked upon as an outrage
upon the public, while we hail a  Survey r <>en
eral, paid by tho colony, who should  nave :
formed tho work, and whose staff should   have
been utilized.    He (Mr. L.) looked t >-   i\
pendent actionjfrom the Governun nt.anu not foi
the production of pieces of fanciful literuture.su; h
as His Excellency's speech.   lie would ii'se t
hear something about the illegal increase ot ±ns
Excellency'ssalsry, and the grasping of nr*. *-
from  the public chost, and about tho   j
Commission, and about   tboso   who were >,ov
wallowing in their ill-gotten gams.
Hox. Att. Gew.—We'll give you aplacoinifc.
Mb. Little.—I defy you to  bring  anything
against me.
How. Att. General would advise him to "let
sleeping dogs lie."
Mb. Little admitted that the French Sho. •:
Jueation was one of great gravity, and h.-.d bee
iscussod rep.ntedly in tho House, but «fi» <
opinion that nothing io the way ofiniprov>"ner
could be done by the Legislature, and t'ulod t >
see how any pressure lri>m the p.-.3ent Government cuid iu the least prove effective. He (Mr.
L.) wo nid draw tho attention ofthe Ifause to the
publication of what ho considered » very disloyal letter in a recent issue of the leading Govern
ment organ, the North Star, wbich certainly foreshadowed trouble of a very aerious character,
and would like to know if tho gov^rnmant endorsed such a course. In reference to the
(Continued on fourth page.)