October 17, 1867
NEW LIEUTENANTS-GOVERNOR IN THE MARITIMES
Sir Charles Hastings Doyle, the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, has been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia as earlier reported.
Francis Pym Harding has been appointed as the new Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.
The appointments were made by His Excellency, Lord Monck, yesterday (1867-0095).
BRIGHT LIGHTS OF PARLIAMENT
Though the newly elected members of the Parliament no doubt consider themselves among the brightest lights in the Dominion they shall find themselves sitting in darkness soon enough if the Ottawa Gas Company fails to make good on its contract to supply the Parliament Buildings with the gas necessary to turn the lights on.
The Ottawa Gas Company entered into a contract the with government on June 10, 1865 that would require them to supply gas to the Houses of Parliament and the Government Offices for ten years a t a price of $2.79 per thousand cubic feet.
On October 4, just days after the government announced that Parliament would begin sitting on November 6, the Gas Company has notified the government that it is unable to meet its contractual obligations.
The Gas Company says the agreed upon price is too low for the company to construct the works, specifically an 8-inch independent pipe from their location on Cumberland Street to the entrance of the Government Grounds, necessary to deliver the gas Parliament requires.
They will be able to deliver the gas if the price is increased to $4.00 per thousand cubic feet and if the Government furnishes the company with an $8,000 loan.
Hon. William McDougall, in presenting the problem to the cabinet (1867-0096), has said there is nothing to be done. The terms of the Gas Company must be agreed to since Parliament meets in just three weeks.
The Minister has recommended to the Cabinet that the contract be amended to pay the Gas Company the same rate as is paid by private customers (to a maximum of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet) and that the loan of $8,000 be made once the correct and complete laying of the necessary pipe is certified by a government inspector and that the loan be repayable in quarterly instalments at a rate of $2,000 per year, with 6 per cent interest charged on the outstanding balance.
MONTREAL THE FUTURE CAPITAL OF THE EMPIRE: MICHEL
Sir John Michel, the late commander of the British Forces in Canada, has returned to England, having left Montreal two days ago on the HMS Himalaya.
General Michel believes Montreal sits poised to be the future capital of the Empire, the centre of a vast trading network that crosses a continent and an ocean. But in order for peace to accompany prosperity, Canada must take steps to rectify the military vulnerability of the island city.
The General, in his final address, counselled Canada to fortify Montreal, Kingston, and Prescott; to establish a standing army that is supported by the existing volunteer militia; to open the Ottawa and French river routes to the West.
I see before me a vision of the great west, both of the United States and the Hudson Bay territory pouring its volumes of agricultural wealth by this route to Montreal, and thence to Albany and Québec to Europe. I see vast metallic fields on the shores of Lakes Superior and Huron, and the upper rivers pouring forth their wealth. I see unemployed millions of the old world hastening to this land of plenty, and I behold Montreal the undoubted capital and queen of this noble Empire. It is in truth no vision. It is a reality of the future; and so I say open quickly your canals, develop your resources; fortify and arm, and peace and plenty will be the result.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL PRISON CONSTRUCTION
The total appropriation for the construction of the was $91,479.23. To date, $82,441.87 has been spent. Yesterday, by Order-in-Council (1867-0094), presented yesterday, seeks authorization to spend the remaining $9,037.40.