August 6, 1867

OTTAWA STILL

In what must surely be the calm before the storm, the Privy Council has remained silent on the issue of elections. There was news yesterday of two Orders-in-Council prepared for Cabinet consideration when it next meets. The first, 1867-0037, acknowledges the receipt of the resolutions adopted by the settlers of Portage La Prairie, this past June, seeking the extension of British law to their settlement. The Order will be referred back to the minister of State. A second order, 1867-0038, prepared by Hon. Alexander Campbell (Post Master General) seeks the appointment of Hon. John McMillan as Post Office Inspector for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Mr. McMillan previously served as Post Master General for New Brunswick. If approved, his salary will be $2,000 per year.

MITCHELL CONTINUES TO HANG ON IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Hon. Peter Mitchell, Minister of Marine and Fisheries in the Dominion government has resigned his seat in the Legislative Council of New Brunswick and is no longer a member of the local legislature but continues to retain the position of premier of the province. It is rumoured that Mitchell’s retention of the premiership in the province is part of an on-going scheme by the Dominion government to dictate control of the provincial governments.

HOTEL FOR TORONTO ISLAND

The Globe has endorsed a proposal for the construction of a hotel on the Toronto Island. Such a hotel will increase use of the Island, ensuring that those who live in the city have easy access to refuge from “the city’s heat and noise”, just ten minutes away. The recent acquisition of the Island by Toronto City Council oughts smooth the way for further developments there.

WEST TORONTO

In West Toronto, the contest for the provincial legislature is between Reformer Adam Crooks and Conservative John Wallis.