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expenditure under the head of Ottawa Government buildings, the amount being $457,574.
Improvements at St. Andrew's Rapids cost $94,350, and for the Levis Graving Dock there was a charge of $96,592.
With the object of enabling vessels to get easier access to the elevators at Fort William and Port Arthur considerable sums were spent
The St. Lawrence Canals.
The total sum of $18,394,220 was expended in developing and completing our canal system. The details are as follows:—
Lachine Canal $1,055,192
Ottawa River 155,586
Rideau Canal 13,470
St. Lawrence River and Canals 12,875,142
Sault Ste. Marie Canal 833,453
Trent Canal 2,596,573
Welland Canal 864,804
When the Liberals took office they found that at the rate of progress that was being made in the development of the Canal system the work would not be completed for ten years or more. Realizing what an advantage the system would be to the country, and particularly to the farmers, the Government decided to rush the project to completion as soon as possible consistent with good work and safety, and they succeeded by 1900 in getting a clear channel of 14 feet from Lake Superior to Montreal.
Some General Matters.
The South African Contingent, and the manning of the Halifax garrison represent a total capital expenditure to date of $2,834,516.
For Railway Subsidies, there were spent during the seven years $11,828,321, including about three and a half millions granted as a subsidy to secure the construction of the Crow's Nest Pass Railway, which developed the Kootenay District. It will be remembered that it was a part of the bargain with the C.P.R. in connection with the Crow's Nest Pass Railway, that the C.P.R. would substantially reduce freight rates on commodities and products in the interest of western farmers.
