A Bill to provide for the more effectual repairing of the Streets, Sidewalks and Bridges
of Saint Stephen.
Certain amendments made by the Legislative Council to the Bill to Incorporate the
Albert Bank.
COUNTY COURTS.
Hon. Mr. FISHER moved the House into Committee on the further consideration of a Bill to establish
County Courts.
Mr. McQUEEN.—Whilst I have been listening to the debate the question has occurred to me whether
we have really the power to legislate on this matter. The Provincial Secretary and
Attorney General distinctly state that we have ; the delegate member for Northumberland
says we have the legal power, but not the moral power ; that it would be a breach
of faith with Canada to create these Courts, as it was not contemplated in the Act
of Union. When these learned men differ it is hard to know what to think. There are
some things in the Bill that commend themselves to my mind. It is said that the establishment
of these Courts will have the effect of giving us cheap law and speedy justice, and
if this is the case it would be a great benefit ;
but it has been said by my colleague Mr. Smith) that the process of law will not be
any cheaper under this Bill than it is now, in the Court of Common Pleas, and if the
argument he used in support of his position is correct, I do not see any benefit that
can be derived from the passing of this Bill. If the Court of Common Pleas was presided
over by man of legal attainments, I think the standard of the Court would be raised,
and a great many more cases be tried by it than at present. I think, too, that if
the jurisdiction of these Courts was increased so as to bring in cases up to $200,
it would be found a great benefit, and if to this were added a clause to bind real
estate, then we should have what is required. In our County we have now four Courts
every year, two sittings of the Supreme Court and two of Common Pleas ; the number
of Jurymen employed to try cases in these Courts in all is eighty-four, forty-two
of each, and if we now go to work and establish a County Court besides, forty more
will be added, thus increasing the number to one hundred and twenty-four ; and for
these additional Jurymen, taking the mileage and Jury charges into consideration,
we should have to pay $2,000 more than we pay now, which would be a great increase
of the expense. I do not think the establishment of these Courts, under the circumstances,
will commend itself to the mind of the country. It is true, as has been stated, that
these Courts have been found to work well in Canada, and that is greatly in its favor,
but it seems strange to me that if we have the power to legislate in the matter now,
the people of Nova Scotia did not adopt it at the last meeting of the Legislature.
The Bill does not commend itself as favorably to my mind as it does to some others
and I shall vote against it, although I suppose it will pass.
Mr. KERR.—This is a question of very considerable importance, and one that has occupied my
attention a good deal, and I supposed this Bill would be supplemented by another,
which would do away with the Magistrates' Courts all over the country. Having this
impression, when I heard that County Courts were to be established here, the matter
commended itself to my mind at once. The idea that because they have them in Canada,
and that for the sake of uniformity we should have them here, and that their introduction
at this time will give us a chance to share in the expenditures which will be made
for this purpose, to my mind bears very little weight. The question is, are they needed
? And if so, how can they best be established to accomplish the object desired ? We
all know that at present the great number of Magistrates' Courts held all over the
country is a great source of litigation, and that a man who has a claim against another
of a very trifling amount, can send here and there to bring his witnesses,
108 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1867.
causing much delay and expense, over a matter that is not worth talking about. By
the introduction of these Courts, especially if the Government had determined to go
on with the second Bill, the difficulties and anxieties caused by these petty trials,
as well as the delay and expense, would be very much curtailed, and prove a great
means of reducing litigation. It has been objected that County Courts will be attended
with a great deal of expense, but if we give £500 to each of the five Judges, and
allow them £50 or so extra for travelling expenses, it would only amount to some
£2800 ; and although the hon. member for Westmorland thinks that the Jury fees would
be very much increased, I believe he will find that the great expense now incurred
by delay would be more than counterbalanced by the speedy manner in which justice
could be obtained. The reduction in costs on cases between £20 and £50 would save
to the people of this country more than the whole expense of holding the Courts. When
it was proposed to have five Judges I thought the Government contemplated introducing
the District Courts Bill as well, but since this is not to be the case, I don't see
how five Judges are going to be occupied the whole time, as they will not hold more
than four Courts in the year, and it cannot be expected that each Court will sit more
than two or three weeks. I think that now we shall have either to reduce the number
or increase their jurisdiction, for there will not be enough business for them to
do, and the litigation of the country is lessening every year. In Upper Canada they
have eleven Judges of County Courts, with a very large population ; in Lower Canada,
with a different style of Judicature, they have only twenty Judges altogether ; in
Nova Scotia they have six, and we have five Judges of Superior Courts. If we now add
five other Judges of County Courts, at a large salary, our expenses will exceed in
proportion those of Upper Canada ; and although I think there is great necessity for
a change, yet I do not see how we shall be able to manage, unless we reduce the number
or extend their power. The salaries proposed will be too large for the amount of labor
they will be required to perform, and I think we should reduce them to three, so as
not to encumber the funds of the country with a larger amount than they will bear.
If the whole matter had been covered with regard to the Magistrates Courts, I should
have given this Bill my full and hearty support, believing, as I do, that it would
prove a great benefit to the country, but as it is I do not think this Bill will affect
the greatest evil which exists, and I have great doubts about establishing all these
Courts without just knowing what the requirements of the country are. Indeed the General
Government may dis
allow the appointments after we make them, and we should, therefore, be very careful
how we proceed.
Mr. CAIE.—I am not a lawyer, and as I observe that some of our most eminent lawyers, statesmen
and delegates differ upon this matter, I shall not offer any opinion as to whether
we have power or not to legislate under the Imperial Act ; but I must say that I entirely
coincide with the remark of the hon. member for Northumberland, (Mr. Johnson) himself
one of the delegates, that if we have a doubt on the matter we should pause before
we act. But that hon. member goes on and says that undoubtedly power is left with
the House to legislate upon this subject, but that we have not the right to do so.
I confess, Mr. Chairman, that I do not see the difference which the hon. member tries
to make. I think that the
right gives the
power. It is true that the House has the power to say to a petitioner who had a most righteous
claim against the Government or House, " We will not pay you," and the man has no
redress ; he must be quiet, for he can't sue and recover as in any other case. But
because the House has that power, is it right they should therefore cheat a man of
his just due ? Certainly not ; the power confers no right, it is the right which gives
the power. I think that a change is very much needed in respect to our Magistrates'
Courts, but I think it should be brought about, if possible, without increasing the
costs of litigation. I think that if three persons in each Parish were appointed to
hold a Court, once a week, or once a fortnight, or once a month, as might be found
most requisite, with power to adjudicate on amounts up to £50, it would do away with
many of the cases which now come before the Court of Sessions, and very much lessen
the amount of litigation. I think that the measure now before the House will prove
very cumbersome, and be a great expense to the country, which might be saved by adopting
a plan such as I have mentioned, and I shall, therefore, not give it my support.
Mr. BABBITT.—Whatever may be the differences of opinion existing between lawyers and statesmen
on this question we have, after all, individually to make up our minds and decide
for ourselves. I think we have the right to legislate upon any subject which comes
under our consideration. To me this is a mere matter of propriety. The question is
whether, now and after we go into Union, the requirements of the country demands the
establishment of these Country Courts or not. I am satisfied that a change is needed,
but what should it be ? And how can it be, effected ?
The time now occupied in collecting a claim through the Supreme Court is too long,
and justly causes much complaint, and if, by the establishment of these Courts, we
can get justice brought nearer home, and obtain it as a cheaper rate, it will be just
what is required. I feel satisfied that this effect will be produced, and therefore
I shall support the Bill. So much for the principle ; the details laid down in the
Bill I may not so readily agree with, but they can be argued and arranged as the debates
goes on. I think the measure will meet with the appreciation of the country, if the
Government don't foist too many Judges upon us, and make the machinery too heavy and
cumbersome. I differ with a good many hon. members as to the Magistrates, for although
some of them may not be possessed of very high legal attainments, yet many of them
are men of good abilities, and from their knowledge of facts, with regard to cases
which come before them, are able to administer justice speedily and cheaply. Instead
of taking away any of the jurisdiction which they now have I would give them more.
Mr. JOHNSON.—You would have to give them more brains first.
Mr. BABBIT.—I think that so far as small debts are concerned it is a most simple method of gaining
cheap justice. As to complaints of delay in certain cases, the same will apply to
the Supreme Court in a much larger degree, and I think that if the powers of Magistrates
were increased it would prove a great benefit to the country. Most of them have now
a-days a Jury of three to try the causes which come before them, and the people find
that it is a good way, enabling them to obtain justice at their own homes, and at
a cheap rate. As to the present Bill I am in favor of the principle, although I think
that a satisfactory change may be made in the details as we go along.
The Committee then divided on the question of reading the Bill section by section,
when there appeared —
YEAS :
Hon. Mr. Fisher, Hon. Mr. Williston, Hon. Mr. Tilley, Hon. Mr. Connell, Hon. Mr. McMillan, Hon. Mr.
Wilmot, Hon. Mr. McAdam, His Honor the Speaker, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Stevens,
Mr. Sutton, Mr. Beveridge, Mr. Skinner, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Chandler, Mr. DesBrisay, Mr.
Quinton,
DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1867. 109
Mr. Wetmore, Mr. Dow, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Beckwith, Mr. Ferris, Mr. Babbit, Mr. J. Flewwelling,
Mr. W. P. Flewelling, Mr. Perley, Mr. Lindsay—28.
NAYS :
Mr. Smith, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Young, Mr. Caie, Mr. Meehan, Mr. McInerney, Mr. McQueen—8.
The question being carried in the affirmative, the Chairman proceeded to read the
Bill section by section.
1. There shall be established in each of the Counties in this Province a Court of
Law and of Record, to be styled the County Court of [name of the County] and the Sittings of the said Court shall be held at the County Court House.
Passed.
2. The Governor in Council shall appoint one Judge for the Counties of Charlotte,
Carleton and Victoria; one Judge for the Counties of York, Sunbury and Queen's ; one
Judge for the Counties of Albert, Westmorland and Kent, one Judge for the Counties
of Northumberland, Gloucester and Restigouche, and one Judge for the Counties of King's
and Saint John ; provided that the said Court for the County of Saint John shall not
have or exercise any jurisdiction in any Cause in which the City Court in and for
the City of Saint John, or the Police Court in the Parish of Portland, in the County
of Saint John, have jurisdiction. The said Judges shall be Barristers of not less
than seven years standing, and shall hold office during good behaviour ; and a Clerk
for each Court shall be appointed, who shall be an Attorney, and shall hold his office
during pleasure.
Mr. JOHNSON.—We are now going to establish County Courts, the principle of the Bill is established,
the main question is settled, and now having cast my vote unavailingly against it,
I am prepared to do what I can to make its provisions as effective and satisfactory
to the people as possible. We are, it seems, going to appoint five Judges, each Judge
to hold a Court, having jurisdiction over three Counties, and then to appoint a separate
Clerk for each Court; is that the intention ? and that man an Attorney, a practising
Attorney, who is able to go into the Court, and conduct cases whilst still holding
his position ! Well, I know that lawyers are generally pretty good men, but I think
this House should not hold out inducements such as this. I really cannot think this
is intended.
Hon. Mr. FISHER.—I sincerely hope the same spirit which has been expressed by the hon. member for
Northumberland
will influence all the hon. members present, and I thank him for the remarks he has
made. Two propositions are laid down with regard to the Clerk. First, it is intended
to appoint one for each Court, for it is believed that he will be needed. All the
business could not be attended to by one Clerk for all the Courts, and from the fact
that three Courts will be held by each Judge in the year, it will be seen that a distinct
Clerk of the Court will be required, and prove advantageous. Second, it is intended
that he shall practice ; if the House think that he should not, we can put that in,
but it was thought that there would not be sufficient business of the Court to enable
him to get along if he was excluded from practising. If it is thought desirable to
make a change let a clause be inserted that he shall not practice in the County of
which he is Clerk ; this will cover the ground. The Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
is now allowed to practice in the same Court, and I see no very great evil that would
arise from it in this case. However, wherein the Bill is defective we shall be thankful
to hear suggestions of improvement, so that it may be remedied.
Mr. JOHNSON.—I would ask why the Clerks of the Peace now appointed cannot be appointed to be
Clerks of the County Courts ; thus saving the expense and not leaving the appointments
in the hands of the Government ?
Mr. SMITH.—It is evident there is an ovewhelming majority for this Bill, but there are certain
portions of it which are most objectionable, and upon which I may say a few words.
In Canada they have these County Courts, and they are said to have worked well ; but
it is very different there to the system about to be established here. There they
have a Judge for every County, and in some Counties they have two. The Judge resides
in the Shire town, he is always there to do his business ; but how will it be here
? By this section we are to have an ambulatory Judge, going about over three Counties,
holding his Courts here and there, and I should like to ask how are we to get at him
if he is wanted? How can we get access to him ? How can we move for a new trial if
he is moving about in this way, here to-day and gone to-morrow ? I just point out
this inconvenience, and ask the Attorney General how we can get out a summons, make
an application for a new trial, or do any other business that may be required when
the Judge is constantly moving about ? How can we set aside a judgment by default
? Here is a case in which we must be prompt, there is only a certain time to act,
and how or where shall we find the Judge ? If we had one for each County, as they
have in Canada, he would be accessible by the people at all
times, and the same thing might be done here. Make the salaries less and appoint more
Judges ; divide the salary now proposed to be given into three parts and give us more
Judges, and it will prove more advantageous. I suppose the Government won't receive
my suggestion, but I am sure it can't work with only one Judge for three Counties.
This is, I think, a matter worthy of consideration, and must commend itself to the
minds of hon. members who are engaged in the law.
Hon. Mr. FISHER.—This very question has just been decided by a great vote, it involves the principle
of the Bill, and that has been established. How is it now in the Supreme Court ? The
Judges are scattered round over the circuits, and the same objection would apply equally
in their case. Then if the salaries were reduced so as to permit of the appointment
of three times the number of Judges they would have to carry on their practice as
Barristers. But I do not believe a Judge should be a practising lawyer ; he should
be removed from every influence which may hinder him from forming a fair and impartial
opinion. My hon. friend says that in Canada the Judges are always to be found at one
place ; but it is not so, they are always moving about, although of course where they
have one Judge to every County they have not so large a circuit to travel over. We
cannot appoint more, for our means will not admit, unless we allow the Judges to practice,
which I consider very undesirable they should do. The Judges who are appointed will
be required to reside in the District over which they preside, and this is all that
is required.
Mr. STEVENS.—I think the idea of the hon. member for Westmorland a very good one if it could
be carried out, but in that case it would be impossible to obtain the consent of any
Barrister of good standing to accept the office of Judge, as the salary would not
be sufficient to support him in his position, unless he were allowed to practice in
the Supreme Court, and if he were allowed to do that, I conceive it would be striking
at the very fountain of justice, and mix up with the toils, anxieties and prejudices
of private business, that calmness of mind and impartial administration of affairs
which should characterize the Judge. For this reason I am entirely opposed to the
reduction of the salaries in the manner suggested.
Mr. CHANDLER.—The ideas propounded by the hon. member for Westmorland can, I think, be easily
overturned. He complains that the Judges will be moving about, and thinks that a difficulty
will be experienced in certain cases from this fact. But the Judges of the Supreme
Court are always doing the same
110 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1867.
thing, holding three Courts in the year, as in the present case, and over a far larger
circuit than is contemplated by this Bill that the County Court Judges shall do ;
but I apprehend that in vacation they will always be found easily enough, and this
is all that is required for all practical purposes.
Mr. SMITH.—The hon. member does not seem quite to understand me. He says the Judges of the
Supreme Court are always moving about ; but there is always a resident Judge either
in Fredericton or Saint John, and we can send to our agent in these places and get
what we want at any time. But with these Judges it will not be so, they will be holding
a Court here to-day and somewhere else to-morrow, and so may not be come- at-able
just when they are wanted. As to being able to get at them in vacation, the hon. member
knows that that would be the last occasion on which they would be required ; it is
in times when prompt and swift measures have to be taken that the difficulty would
be experienced.
Mr. JOHNSON.—It strikes me that the greatest difficulty is with regard to the appointment of
clerks, and believing, as I do, that the Clerks of the Peace will be able to attend
to the duties, with a sincere desire to improve the Bill, I shall move the following
amendment :— " Strike out all the words after ' good behaviour, ' and insert the following
:
" And the Clerks for each Court shall be the Clerks of the Peace for the respective
Counties ; and shall not be allowed to practice in the Court of which he is such Clerk."
Hon. Mr. FISHER.—I sincerely hope the hon. member will not press that amendment, for if the Clerks
of the Peace are found to be the best parties to fill the office of Clerks to the
County Courts, the Government may appoint them. There may or may not be cases where
it may be found it would not be best to do so, but leave it with the Government to
do this or not as may be found requisite. In some cases the Clerk of the Peace may
not want it, and then he would be compelled to give up his present office. I hope
the hon. member will withdraw his amendment, for even if the principle may be the
very best that can be proposed, by leaving it open the Government are at liberty to
adopt it.
Mr. WETMORE.—I do not think this is the right place for this amendment to come in ; it would,
I think, be better to let it follow section five.
Mr. STEVENS.—I think there is reason in the amendment, for the Courts of Common Pleas being abolished,
the Clerks will have all the papers for reference in case they are wanted, and in
the place of the duties and emoluments taken
from them, we give them others of a more extended character.
Hon. Mr. TILLEY.—I think this will involve an increased expenditure for salaries, for if you deprive
the Clerk of the privilege of practising in these Courts, although he may still do
so in the Supreme Court, he will require additional pay. If you say the Clerk of the
Peace shall be appointed, he will have to give up his practice in the Courts which
he is now allowed, and if he refuses to do that, then he must give up the office of
Clerk of the Peace, and thus the most valuable men, those most qualified to fill the
office, would not get the appointment, from the fact that there will not be sufficient
Court business to pay them for the services they will be required to perform if they
are confined to that alone. I think it should be left in the hands of the Government.
Mr. SMITH.—I think everything goes to show that the two offices should be combined. The Clerk
of the Peace has usually a safe for the deposit of his papers, and this is another
consideration why he should be appointed. Now the Clerks of the Peace are also the
Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas in every County all over the Province, and if
they are made Clerks of the County Courts, and the business is any way large, they
will gladly take this office combined with the other, but of course a good and efficient
Attorney would not accept it, if he is prevented from practice and confined to this
alone.
Mr. JOHNSON.—I think that instead of increasing the expense we shall by this arrangement lessen
it. We shall get a better man if he knows that both offices are combined than as though
they were separate. If the Clerk of these Courts is allowed to practice, it gives
him a most dangerous power, for having all the papers in his possession in the various
causes that come before the Court, he would be enabled to use them for the furtherance
of his own cause. Just think of a practising Attorney being allowed to scrutinize
the records of judgment and other papers affecting a case in which he was interested.
Why, if he were at all unscrupulous he would pick out little troubles and difficulties
and use his knowledge for his own purposes, and thus litigation would be infinitely
increased. Besides when it became known that such a power lay in the hands of this
man, people would shun the Court, afraid to place their cases in the hands of men
who were in a position to take advantage of them.
Mr. SKINNER.—I beg to suggest to the Attorney General whether at the present stage it would not
be well to report progress, with leave to sit again. I have a case that stood the
order of the day
for yesterday afternoon, but I gave way to allow this Bill to be committed, and I
should now like to take it up and get it out of the way.
Hon. Mr. FISHER.—As it is now only a question of detail, and the principle of the Bill is established,
I am quite willing to report progress if I can get it made the order of the day for
to-morrow a 11 o'clock.
Mr. Speaker having resumed the Chair, progress was reported, and the Bill made the
order of the day for to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.
P.E.I. STEAM CO'S CLAIM.
Mr. SKINNER moved the House into Committee on the Report of the Special Committee to whom was
referred the claim of the Prince Edward Island Steam Navigation Company's claim, for
services of the steamer " Princess of Wales" on the North Shore route, in the year
1865.
The Report which appeared in the proceedings of Monday last was read.
Mr. SKINNER.—In order, Mr. Chairman, to bring this matter before the Committee in some tangible
shape, I beg to move the following Resolution :
" Resolved, As the opinion of this Committee, that the sum of — should be paid to the Prince
Edward Island Steam Navigation Company in full for their claim in the matter referred
in the Report now under consideration. "
In order to obtain a thorough understanding of the position of affairs in this case,
it will be necessary to go into a great number of papers and evidence, which have
already been before the Special Committee. We find that in the year 1865 the Government
required a steamer to run on the North Shore route ; that having made their wants
known they received offers, and among them one from the Prince Edward Island Steam
Navigation Company, which offer mentioned the amount that was to be paid, the trips
to be made, and the notice which would be required in case of discontinuance. Here
is their proposal :
" Steamboat Company of Prince Edward Island propose to the Government of New Brunswick
to run the boat "Princess of Wales" one trip a week from Shediac to Newcastle, touching
at Chatham and Richibucto, going and coming, (weather permitting) for the sum of $3,000
for the season.
This sum to be in addition to the $1,500 a year heretofore paid for carrying the mails.
The boat to leave Shediac on Tuesday morning for Richibucto and Newcastle, and to
leave Newcastle on Wednesday morning for Shediac.
Should this proposition be accepted, the Government of New Brunswick to be at liberty
to terminate the contract on
DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1867. 111
giving two weeks notice of their desire to do so.
In event of the contract being cancelled, contractors to be paid for services at the
rate of $3,000 for the season of six months.
W. H. POPE, for P. E. Island S B. Comy."
15th May, 1865.
You will see by this offer that the Company require two weeks notice to terminate
the contract ; and the first point which I shall place before the Committee, will
be this, Was this proposal the basis of negotiation ? The Special Committee in their
Report have entirely ignored this proposition on the part of the Company, without
giving any reason for so doing. They do, indeed, seem to admit that the offer had
been made,but they do not conclude that it was acted on. It will be shown here, as
it was before the Committee to whom the matter was referred, that this proposal was
handed in to the Government, and filed in the office of the Provincial Secreatry,
as shown by an endorsement on the back. Then what reasons are there to make this Committee
think it was acted on or rejected ? Now, if we can find that a new contract was made,
and yet no new basis established, then we must conclude that the first proposition
was the basis of the whole transaction and agreement. The agreement we find was made,
the Committee say the boat was employed, but they also say that Mr. Hatheway, as agent
for the Government, made an arrangement with another Company ; that another boat was
to be put upon that route, and they therefore infer that no arrangement had been entered
into with this Company. They had to go to detached papers and letters in order to
bring in a Report unfavorable to this claim, and they also had statement of Mr. Hatheway
against the papers and affidavit of Mr. Pope. Mr. Pope was acting not in his own behalf,
but for other persons, some of whom reside in Prince Edward Island, and some in this
Province, (they are scattered about in various places) and so was the representative
of the Company. As such the paper he produced to the Company on his return would show
just what contract he had made. And how strange, under such circumstances, it would
seem to the Company, in a few weeks after, that on account of some vague telegram,
or conversation, the whole contract was overthrown. The Company relied on the contract
which had been made ; yet the Committee came here, after investigating the matter,
and tell us that the terms of the arrangement had been complied with ; and the only
testimony they bring in support of this statement is that Mr. Hatheway told a Mr.
Pope something. But this was no notice under the contract.
That distinctly states that two weeks notice must be given, and if Mr. Hatheway could,
by a mere conversation with a brother of Mr. Pope, the agent, destroy the contract,
in what position would it leave the Stockholders ? Unless this offer of the Agent
to the Government can be set aside ; unless it can be shown that a new arrangement
altogether was entered into, then this proposition must stand as the basis of the
agreement. The next piece of testimony which comes before us is the evidence of Mr.
DesBrisay. It is in the form of an affidavit, and is as follows :
PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
Lestock Peach Wilson DesBrisay, of Richibucto, in the Province of New Brunswick, Esquire,
maketh oath and saith : That on or about the eighteenth day of May, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- five, this deponent then being a member
of the House of Assembly of the said Province, was present in the City of Fredericton,
and that on or about the time mentioned William Henry Pope, of Prince Edward Island,
exhibited to deponent a copy of a written proposition made by the said William Henry
Pope on behalf of Prince Edward Island Steam Navigation Company to run the steamer
"Princess of Wales" from Shediac to Richibucto and Miramichi, which said proposition
was as follows :
(Here is set out the proposition of the Company as given above._
And deponent further saith : That the said proposition was submitted to the Honorable
George L. Hatheway, then Chief Commissioner of Public Works for the said Province,
and that this deponent had several conversations with the said George L. Hatheway
and also with the Honorable Richard Hutchison relative thereto.
And deponent further saith : That in the presence and hearing of deponent, the said
George L. Hatheway accepted the said proposal made by the said William Henry Pope,
as herein before mentioned, and contracted with the said Steam Navigation Company
in the terms thereof.
And deponent further saith : That at the time of making such contract, the said George
L. Hatheway emphatically urged upon the attention of the said William Henry Pope that
the Government reserved to themselves the right to terminate such contract by giving
a fortnight's notice of their desire to do so.
And deponent further saith : That on the 19th day of May, 1865, this deponent received
from the said William Henry Pope a telegram, dated in the City of Saint John on that
day, in which telegram the said William Henry Pope informed deponent to the effect
that he had reason to believe that the Government proposed to pay the Steam Navigation
Company $100 a trip for the service which the said Company had contracted to perform
after the rate of $3,000 for the season, and also expressed his dissatisfaction at
the pro
posed departure from the terms of the contract made with the Commissioner of Public
Works, as herein before mentioned.
And deponent lastly saith : That on receipt of the telegram so received from the said
W. H. Pope, he, this deponent, conferred with the said Richard Hutchison relative
thereto, who stated to deponent his intention to telegraph to the said W. H. Pope
that the contract made by him with the said George L. Hatheway would be carried out
in the terms thereof.
L. P. W. DesBRISAY.
Sworn at Richibucto, in the Province of New Brunswick, this 17th day of May, 1867,
before me,
G. PHINNY, J. P.
You will find that this affidavit of Mr. DesBrisay has been entirely ignored by the
Committee in their Report. Here we have the statement of a man who knew all about,
and was, as a North Shore member of the House interested in, the matter. He together
with Mr. Hutchison and Mr. Hatheway evidently decide upon the plan proposed by Mr.
Pope ; but after Mr. Pope has gone away, Mr. Hatheway telegraphs to him to make a
new arrangement, and Mr. Pope, not willing to depart from the proposal he has made
and which has been accepted, confers with Mr. Hutchison, the only North Shore member
of the Government, who replies in effect "I'll set all right, and telegraph Hatheway
all about it." This evidence, so strongly confirmatory of the acceptance of the proposition
made by Mr. Pope on behalf of the Company, has been, as I have said, entirely passed
over by the Committee, who have taken the statement of Mr. Hatheway, who—relying on
his memory (and he has had, I believe, two severe attacks of illness since that time)
two years after the circumstances have occurred and without any papers to which he
can refer,—denies the statement made by Mr. Pope and others.
The next paper is the Affidavit of Mr. W. H. Pope, the Agent of the Company, and the
gentleman who submitted the proposition to Mr. Hatheway as Agent for the Government.
It is as follows :
PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK.
In the matter of the Memorial of the President and Directors of the Prince Edward
Island Steam Navigation Company to the House of Assembly.
William Henry Pope, of Charlottetown, in Prince Edward Island, Esquire, maketh oath
and saith : That he has read two letters purporting to have been written by the Honorable
George L. Hatheway to the Honorable Abner R. McClelan, Chief Commissioner of Public
Works, in the month of July last past, which said letters are now, as deponent believes,
in the possession of the Committee of the House of Assembly to which was referred
the Memorial of the said President and Di [...]
122 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1867.
Mr. WETMORE remarked that this
question concerning replevin was well
worthy of their consideration ; therefore he would move that progress be
reported and leave asked to sit again.
Progress was then reported and leave
granted.
POLLING PLACE.
Hon. Mr. CONNELL moved the House
into Committee to take into consideration
a Bill to establish an additional Polling
Place in the County of Carleton.
Mr. JOHNSON asked what the effect
of this Bill would be upon the elections to
be held for Ottawa ? The elections are
to be held under the law as it now stands,
and the law fixes certain Polling Places.
If they established a new Polling Place,
and votes were given there, would it not
affect the seat of the member who was
returned for that County ?
Hon. Mr. CONNELL.—This Bill is
very necessary to the inhabitants of the
district, and to avoid the difficulty mentioned by my hon. friend I shall add to
it
a provision that the Bill shall not take
effect until after the first of January.
The Bill was then agreed to.
Hon. Mr. CONNELL brought in a Bill
to amend an Act to incorporate the
Woodstock Railway Company.
On motion of
Hon. Mr. McADAM,
the House in Committee agreed to a Bill
to authorize the erection of a Sorting
Boom on Eel River, in the Counties of
York and Carleton.
Mr. SUTTON brought in a Bill to incorporate the Grand Loyal Ribbon Society in New Brunswick.
Mr. YOUNG asked the Chief Commissioner of the Board of Works whether it
was the intention of the Government to
pay the claim of John Lagere, late Supervisor, for expenditure on the Roads.
Hon. Mr. McCLELAN said there was
a Petition before the Board of Works,
asking that the claim be paid, but part of
the expenditure for which this claim was
made was not authorized by the Board of
Works, and was unjustifiable in equity.
He had not had time to consider the
matter, and nothing had been decided
upon in regard to it.
Mr. YOUNG asked the Commissioner
whether he would submit the papers upon
the subject without an address ?
Mr. SMITH said he saw in the newspapers that an official list of Senators had
been published in Canada, and he would
ask the Government whether they still
persisted in concealing and keeping back
from the people the names of the Senators
appointed, or the names of the Senators
they recommended to be appointed.
Hon. Mr. FISHER said it was not in
his power to give any more information
than he did before.
On motion of
Mr. STEVENS, the
House went into Committee an a Bill to
provide for the more effectual repair of
Streets, Bridges and Sidewalks in the
Lower Highway District, in the Parish of
St. Stephen.
The Bill was agreed to.
Messrs. Smith, Kerr, W. P. Flewelling,
Wetmore and Fisher were appointed a
Committee to confer with a Committee of
the Legislative Council, in regard to the
proposed address to Her Majesty the
Queen on the subject of Trade between
this Province and the United States of
America.
The House then adjourned until Monday morning, at 10 o' clock.
T. P. D.
This individual participated in:
