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Mr. BOUL1'ER mentioned that about 20,000 or 25,000 acres of public and, worth something like $50,000.wm submerged at one part of the river, and only one mill was benefitted by the dam which caused the overtiow of the river. He " "'t tuttisiied that no claims would be mode upon the Govern- ment in the event of the removal of the works, but th'n if there were they would be very small. lie suggested that an engineer be sent to examine the works, and to esti- mate the damages that Would be made against the Government on the one hand, and the public benetits that would result from the removal of the works on the other. Mr. MACDUL'GALL (Simcoe) thought the Governrucnt ought to endeavour to have some Settlement arrived at concerning these works. He apprehended that, as the Domin- ion Government was willing to makethe trans- fer, nothing remained but the ccceptionofthe works by the. Ontario Government. lie did not think thnt the claims on the Govern- ment in consequence wouldatuount to much. After some further remarks from Mr. Fer. tie, the motion was carried. Mr. FRASER said he had no objection to the motion passing. This subject had, how- ever, been under the consideration of every one of the Governments of Ontario, and all found so many difticultiet, in the way that no action was taken towards having the works transferred. It would be tirst de- sirable to know that the Government would lose nothing by removing the works, and that no vested rights were interfered with-- that the Trent Slide Company or some other persons would nut make a demand on the Government fur damages. he could give the assurance, however, that further con- sideration would be given to the matter, and he hoped to have an opportunity of himself Visiting the works. OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS. . Mr. BELL moved for an onlcr of the Rouse tor a statement ot the names of all persons who have, since the present Govern- ment came into otlice, received appoint- merits or promotions in the public service, with the date of the appointments and the names and emoluments of the oiiiccs ; also, whctbcr said position is temporary or other- wise, showing any increase or decrease in emolunwnts of offices then cxistingmnd also showing the authority under which such appointmcnt or changes have been made. He read copious extracts from various re- ports and returns to the Dominion Govern- ment with respect to the Works. A por- tion of the works had already been trans. ferred, and he thought it was in the interest of the Province that they should all be- come the property of the Ontario Govern- ment. The object for which the works Were built was now abandoned, and they Were in a very dilapidated condition. Much valuable land was also submerged in con- sequence of the dams and locks on the river, and was therefore rendered useless for agricultural purposes. Ile hoped the Government would take some steps to.have the matter remedied. Mr. MOWAT mid that a return for the years 18ti8.-'i3 had been submitted and would be found in Sessionnl Paper No. 11 of 1874. He had no objection to the motion if made tor a. return since that date. Mr. BELL said ho was not inclined to accept this suggestion. Ilis object was to ascertain exactly the position the Govern.. ment had taken with their employees. It was asserted that certain employees of the previous Government had been tabooed on account of their political sympathies or in favour of friends of the Government. Mr. HARDY said that the return was in course of preparationwhcn notice was given of this motion, and the wturn had been de. layed in consequence. Mr. CAMERON said that the returns refer- red to were not complete, and were not any answer to the information sought by the hon. member for West Toronto. Mr. SCOTT briefly supported the motion. Mr. LAUDER called the attention of the hon. the blccretary to the great laxity in preparing returns sought for, and instanced Mr. MCMAIION said that last session he had moved for a return from 1867-1876. Mr. MOWAT said the difficulty was that no record of these witnesses existed. Mr. ('l'llltll'l said that in county towns, only profrssionivl and indigent witt:c.wcs Were paid-a nise discrimination. After some further discussion. the motion as :unemh-d by striking out "lhwnsol Statutes " and adding " in the counties of Grey, Ontario, Miduluscx, and Wentworth," Was passed. INDEPENDENCE 01" PARLIAMENT. Mr. MEREDITH moved the following resolutions-mat it is not expedient that any member of the House of Commons or of the senate of Canada should be appointed to any oilice or employment in the tservice of the Government of Untario at the nomina- tion of the Crown or of the Lieutenant.. Governor to ssloich any salary or any fee, allowance or cmolument in lieu of any salary from the Crown or from the ProvinCe is attached." lie said that the safeguards for the preservation of the itulependence of Parliament should be maintained. He apprehended that all parties agreed "ith the principle that no person in the employment of the. Crown, and in a position to receive pay, ought to be permitted to hold a seat in Parliament. 'l'hat principle had already been affirmed in section 7 of chap. 12 of the Revised Statutes, which he read. He also read resolutions moved by Mr. Blake in the Ontario and the Dominion Houses to the same effect. lie apprehended that this was not a rule of co!ivertience, but one founded on sound principles of public policy, proceeding on the ground that a Parliamentary represents. tive should not be liable to be influenced in the performance of his public duties by private considerations. Though it might be said that the House of Cmimons was the only legislature which should deal with its IP." members, yet it was important that this House should aflirm um "on a. ml.:..L Mr. 1IOWAT sumvsh d that the motion be amt-mm! by saying "those who gave evidence." The labour would be very great ttt preparing such a return, so he suggested thatthe. hon. member should confine the return to his own couttry(Urcy)attd the county of York. Mr. Ct'vruGlITO.N said that many wil- nosscs mum forward and had to go hotnc without being paid when no indictment mus tilul. Mr. ROBINSON suggested to put in the politics of each employee and it would settle the whole matter. (Laughter) m wanted to know if the persons employed Were Irish or Scotch, and what, if any, secret societies they belonged to. (Renchd laughter.) The motion passed. Mr. CREIGHTON moved for an "Order of the House for a return of the number of per- 60ns who during the year 1877 have received payment as Crown witnesses under cap. 87 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario ', also, the number of such witnesses or persons who have attended the various Courts to give evidence in obedience to recognizances or subpauias, but who have not received pay therefor during the same period, dis- tinguishing those who reside in county towns or within one mile thereof. " lie Said that when the Act was passed it was generally belicvcd that all Crown witnesses Would be paid. Such was not the case. He did not think it right that any one should be cotnpcllt:d to give up my a with": time for the Crown business hidiout remunera- ttun. Mr. BELL wished to add a clause to specify the duration of any temporary em. ployment. - Mr. irowAT did not press his objection, but preferred that the rctum go back to Confederation. Mr. LA UDER concluded by again com. plaining of the delay. Mr. MOWAT--A trifling affair I There is more than a ream ot paper in the Mercer returns. ihe delay in the returns of the Municipal Loan Fund and the Mercer estate-a trifling affair. be liable to be influenced in l :0 of his public duties by rations. Though it might' House of Commons was the ' which should deal with its I yet it was important that, hi aflirm the rule to which I