A <\y. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ^^ IIM IIIII2.5 :i II IIM |||||Z2 2.0 1.8 U i 1.6 % <^^ o^ /a Cf "% rv ^ o^ ^ <^ 73 WeST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 w:p L

t liavc jjivdi vise to. -Mr. Ariiiit will no doubt rqiori ui (Ictiiloii ill! mailers alii'diiiii- tlic ('.iiii|iiniy's iiitoresis, to wliieli lii' wa.s ilovotiiiL,' vcp, oarnost attention ; Iml it mav lie iim'IuI to compare his cotielusions with my own, unlntliiein'i'i! hy any |ire\ ions interelian^-o of views, a ju-oeess by wliieli indiviilnal ()]iini vi.inily in order correctly lo njipiiM i.ile il. The road is now runnin- to the new Capital Keprina. formerly i'ile of Hviiu's (h'cek, .-ouie 400 miles wot ol W'innipeir. ll udl be pu>hed to the ba^e of the Koeky Mountains ne.vt year, and completed ihrouj^hout i; is anticipaicd in ISS"). X'nt only ut the Towns and the various istablished '■>talions on the line, but accoinpain iiig the track layers in their daily protjrcss, you see indep( luknt traders carrying; on a thriviufr bnsine>s, many of iheni umler telilN, and with the most complete a.ssorlnieiH. of goods recpiiri'd a^ well by the iidlwav peop'e (of whom iheiu- are some 7,0IHI| as by the settlers, whose tenis iind houses ure d tied all over the prairie. 1 f any article appears in be specially fancied, or running short, it is immediately (d)lalni'd by telegraphi(! orders iVoni ^iich ismporiuina Ms \\'innipe,u:i I^'- I'mil "'" ''hiea^j'c, and is in a tew da_\s on tl •• pot ami inimediahly '-old and paid loi. Tic lelegraiih is laid at ihe same timi' with the rail-, and al ihe end of the day's \M)rk, a canvas villas; of stores, inns, sulooiis, \c,, seems to spring up. These truder.s are ai live enerRi'tic fellovvs, nioslly finin bu-imss < cnlres in old Canudu and the I'liiled .Suites, experienced ill dealin;.', ipiie!v lo aiipri'cialc whai is liKily lo sell, re^poiisilile lo no one, liuving a fair cri'dil, and being sonu'liines in p.iiinei -.liiii with ihe wholesale % h' -•/- iii(.TfK:;;il in llic liiy; cil Ics, iiiid :ill :irii lutiKitid 1,\ n kf< ii miix' of .-ili-iiiN ir-t. 'I Iic\ lire (HI tlic sjKil, :ill,l hMNiiiu' iViiud'y ri'liitiiplis with llic liiihv;i\ i.r,i|ilo ;iiici -. i:lcrs. i,'cl llic ^':l^lil•.^t iiiforiiiiiliuii to liclp liicir nwii iiiilj;iiu'nl,>, that iiic UMially (|iii.k Piumyli. iil)nut tlic licsi .-.ills !oi' -.((ires, iV;('., Mii'l tlic\thi:,s irct a lu..ti;ii: tor tu'iiic n|,.'iMii,iiis iVi/iii wl'.icli it is Hut i'lisv I.I (li>[)iac.- tliciu. I aiul li'nl> lihiU'^ lliu lino, iind was aina/crl at liir \a!i(ty ai.il »-\rcllcncc..| the unuj,- ajal lli.' cxirni and llic ra)iidily id' tin' lurn-dvci-. \m\v. do wi' [im^'Vi .-s. cini H ( ]ii'M'iin' ; oc, it' we can, aro wi' ifadx to imii rii^l oar mm willi llif anthorily to condiul liii>'nc-> in that way 'r Lot i,,(' intiitioii u hat 1 >aw at oiirPo-t f^'ApiM 11,-, and whiih 1 hcdicvi' to i)i' ii Ihil', if Jiciiiapsii littlfcxiifi-ffinitcd, t \ po of our i-ondilioii, [\i-iiodil on the liih id' .Anfjiint The i-".ii;>lish frauds had onl\- aiiivcd on llif liist wiik in .Iidy. 'I In Canadian L'-oods oi'diiril tin' [irovious vrai had arlnally m t ronic to hand al ihr dal" ot oar vi>il. luii uii'i' oxprrtod in rarts fr.aii foif Idlicc. '1 ho di niand. cM-ciii lui- a low I ndiali artiid'- and staph- |irodu(.is, siicli a« hacmi. llour, Xc, had hull sap|ili.d. Many ot the poods Miit irom Knoland on rcipiidlioiis pi'i palfd tho piTVioiis year wrvr nii^iiilahh'. and a ■.tc it doniand uxi'tid I'of ai'iadis that had fitlu'f not liucn oiiloivd at all. or in insnliiiii-n: (jnuntiliiw : >onio ol th;in, such as potted meats, \c., having a(.'ttially hten ijroeniid Irom passinir iiadors. Wli.-ii tin v run short at the store they liavo tir-t t.i send a re.pii-i; ion liy what is ealh'd expn >s u, the Oriieer in ciiaro'e of the district, at /i-// /.'.oiv i-ome Idil mile« oti ■ 'I'iiis, tiliei' n is examined ami approved of there (whiidi T am t"ld ofleii takes sone tirriei, js lorwaidel hy the nsual eross-cDuniry road to Mr. (iraham. in Winnipe;"- The ^ame proei s- n,enrs thero. and he si'iids the oniev I'crhapN to Montreal. St. rani, Chica;:", <'V Knulami. M.uiy months elapse hef. r.- the artiidi — wiiieh tli(> in.!ependent trader would in the mean'inn' lii\e turned (>\rr two or liiiee times— arr;\ e-, h is, of coui'se, inn ossihh- now to carry on inisinuss suceessfiilly wuh r sai h conditions where tleavare imh petnh nt competitors an.l it is iindoiihted tint the system is oh-ohte and unsiiiied to ihi- new order of ihino-s. With my very limited personal knoulidp' of o.ii' Olilcei-. I should not like to pronoun e ,in opinion, hut |,om all I have seen and luar.l.and I have taken sonu pains to niako , iii|uiry, I ftar ther'e are few of them Irom our Chaf Coinmissioner downwards who are rompelent to jday the role of iictive Tiaders succe sfnlly, evm if the Jloard were wlliinir to concede thec"ential power of act iliUT indepeldenllw In ihisii.eit w.inlil seem lasMiminu' that the Hoard was inclim'd to n iir;:aniM' and |ioMiiite the !{cneral tiade nmler altered condiiion.s) tluil sullicieiit control coidd he practically exetcisid if the Conipaliy had a thorough and ( theielit hii-iuevs riaaii at ihe head of its tiadinir operations. The chiel ].!ac(- o| husiness are imw, or .s. on will 1,,.. wiihin easy reach of c-aeh ollu'r. The results of the biisiiu'ss at evi r\- Slove, .md iis I'enrriil maiKiuenieiil and prospects could he easily ascertained hall-Marly ''y the ( mi,|o\inint o| an iii-piclor. iind fhire-iinis Iio re:is,,n w hy the delay neec-siry to aseeriainirnr the rcMdl of ( lutlils for the fur Tr.ii Hie >'iou'd apply to ,iur tradino' operitions. Yo I will a-k, What CMnelusion does all ihi- lead to:- llut I piefer holdinu mv jiidoiiiont III sii-p.iiM'on this very im|)ortaiit (piestion until you f;et Mr. .\rmit's rep.. it .md \\f huve ,1 lull disi'ussi.u, u iili our i.'olleai;uen. 'I'hat there is a proliiahle trade i,, he '' ''.^ s.. me one I have no douht Tlin presii(;i< and reputation of the Compiinv I'or keepinj; ^■ood articles and I'or uenoral fair lci\e We the necessary iusi riinieiiis III tiiin this a.lvantaue ti will We proruro thein, and uill our doinu; so from oulsid and MO (lisor;;uni.''c our I'lir Triide tuiuliiiicrv. IS recotfnis.d hy I'Very one ; hut, sliil .account .- if not, c sources alioiial e our ..llieei,- 1 It is jiiissiMf — tlic 111 ccs^.'iiT rliaii;;'' nrs\stfin l.i iiip fiiMiilcd ^ tliiil ^oIlu• ui lidlc I'liiU'^i inns I" I'l r i.iir iiilcicsl, (.(l\('s 1.1 A\'niiiiiii';r. kcfj.inf.'- ;i l.-ir^'i r Kl(,ck, :iiiil ^irliiiir :is \\ !liilr>;ilt' 'l.cral (Kalilri i;iilv. ('i Wv-u'wUn'j^ ()\irM\\i--» til II siMiiil iiuiiiIki' it'lli.' l.t-t j.hiciN whirli i.n wiiliiii rcai'li am] wliiTc wi- ciiri M I'liri' ccinin tt nl iiiaM:if.'tr.- and lliu^ iivdid ;:ivi:ii;- ^jciii'Vul nti'i iici' In '"ip <'nniliil -inlicd dtlii'i i~. Hiii t'Mii tli's iiiiddli' four-c !•( (|ui!. - a -111. I aii.l ( t!ic ii i.l lu-ai at \\'i!ii:;|ii'._'. M:. tiraliaiu is ii 1 liiin.ii.^iily I iiislMi'i lliv iilid ii 'i.^lil laaii, desiM \ iii^' .t .'Ni-ry cdii-iilMatinii al i.iir li.iiid- I'l.r lii.> i. .n^ 'iid ('.lillil'id mi'vIim's^ ii it I am f.lurialiliy f.in..l t.i the i i.nclii.-i..ii Mi:. I In- lias imt t|:(. qmdilics fitliiijr 'i^m I'^r lln ;.. w aini varied d- t .- lliut ii.u-it be iiii.lt i- lakiMi il'wi' arc 1.. .arrv ciii an aili\i' ciiiniiirrrial busim^ss, iviii will.lii nil. ill rato limits it \villliiil 1 asv tn lilld ■■licll il p(ir>'i'l. I tlimli' as i-.\trii>.lve ili'lHiry in Caliailii as 1 ci.ald, w.tliiiiit l.iili;; Im. |iiiiMlrii. and tho oid\ pfi- 1(111 will) sci'iiii-d titled by |ir(vii)iis iraiiiiiii; ilia' I cuiiid hi .ai- lit' was Mr. V. f'l.tirad, at j.rcsoTit willi lial-'cr and <'... I kii'iw li'ithili^ of l.iiii ]i''r.--.ilially, Inii Sir l,.iiii Macd.iaaM and ..'l.rr~ riiniii'i'ti'd witll tin- luili.Hi l)i]iurtin(.'ilt. as well as oiilsuliis, spraK i.l' liiiu Its lii-iii;; a ll'iinui^li iiiiu nf business. Iiiipoitaiil iliiii^:i- ur" in..v;lab!. wnli us ..riiirii iiiii^ ; .nid is 't an iiiiiiiaftii'al idea liiat d' utili.siin: Ml'. .\n:ii* ,il Wiiinipiir': II.' lias i >■ j.i-i iriu-i', a|.titud.'_ I iier;ry, di'vuti..ii In lbi> service, and iii a seii.su his seleeli.ui tiiie:hl n.' vii'wed as promotion inside nur nun sei\ iei. With tlii.^ siiperv i.-iiii and sagaeilv we slmidd ie iiuire o:i a level uilli mir eoinpetiinrs llian ue iiuw are. ^\ e hhould need iiiiuli h's -u|iervisioii In in Liiiidnn. and .Mr. Ariiiit s deputy lieri' in;j,'lit mmhi he inslriHle.l sidlieientiy to niidei t.ike the diiiiinisliL'd ummint nf u nrk teal w.ml.l tiiii^ tall nil the Secretary in Lnndnii. .Such a step would be uituidnd with ttic additional advaulat;e nt' liavin;^ a.ti ailditimial i-yeon the land niH'ratioiis, respeetini,' ulii.li .Ml'. Graham has absl.'iiind I'rini likili";: aliv coiieeru whalever. (•O.MI'I, AIN IS .\(i.\lNsr nuvixiEs. 'I'lli'se liM.k a taUirible Inriii on iiiy all i\al al Wiiinipee. and I I'ell ii nei'es-aiy In ilesote Millie I iliie In I n Vi'^i i l; 1 1 ill l; I lielll. .^Ir. I i I'aiiani I mil me ill, it he ha'l al .Mr, lllatliliaid's rei|iii s| l.ikeli a {"..ill 1 h iiiteri st in 1 lie pui ehase oi'tlii' I Mil I''..rl : — I hat he believed ibe other ihree Iniirl h'- w. I e nwiud by Mr lirMlye-, .Mr. liiMlly ami Mr. lilaiu.'bard Mr. .Smii h ma.le I lie s,nn.' slaleineni a.s conveyed to hini b\ .M r. ( i lahaiii, and iiiliinalcd ihal as a Sliarehniiler he did iiol mean t.i hi the mailer r.'st. I ihniiirhl il riijhl I.l iiilorm Mr. lliyi!i,e > ,,1' ti.ese .slal.im nts, bill he cave ihiiii with a eond deal 111' warmth ami imlie;nalinu ii nmsi iini|iiiililicd denial us reeards his own parlicipalioii, III said he had reaseii to think bnlli Mr. J!al-ili\, Mr. Dlaiiehanl ami Mr. Urahani were intirtot"il ill ilic ])iirrliiiso, Imt who else ho did not know, and so h)nfr is lio had fjot his Jivic'c 111' h;i(l ii:» riglit to uuiiiii'i'. I founrl llial Mr. lii:iiii'h;in! «iis a i;riii Icnriii hc-iriuir II vii'v liitrh idiiiriiitcr in Winiiijir-^ — hi' is ono of ihi' pi'iiifipal opi iiilni> in lai d ihi-ri'^ mid tlicn- is riTiaiiily imthiiiji: in lii.-. oiiiiKMiion with thi- ('nii.pa::)' to pr;'ch:d;' his huyin^r- ^fi' liivd^ri's Iroiii itn' huIm'! aslu'd ji, SO, 00(1 aid altrr iiiaiiy months of licirolialiMii M: i'.l I'M'hard agreed lo tfivf that price Ilf. Mr. lHaiudiard, ilil'oriTU'd ini-' I'hat lie h hi ciiilv -111 'kill l.> Mr. <>rahaiii oiicf on the suhji it oH'ci iiii; him an inlcrr^I in ra-c lie niailf ih' I'airhasi', lint thai ,M r. ( iraham ihiniMhi s-J.")il,tiOO the milsiih' vahic. Iilaniliai'd, howcvrr. conijik'ttd ih' hiiri;aiii at tlio hiyhi r jiriii' in Mr. (jrahaiii'sab-cnii', and wlirli ouin r n!' the [iro]i(.Tt\ uii^ \mmI ihr iiU'ci' to ^Ir. f iiahairi. I'llaiU'haid -.latid that Mr. ( iniliain's iiitonst was oni-third and not ono-tourth : — that he had [laid lor tin's tliird : — that the ot'tK-r tliii'd wa> Jlr. FiiiUiily's, and h(.> afhiinid in the stroiipfcst hini^iiatro that hi> had nt vit aiipiirlioiii'd Mr. ]1ryd^'c> a ^harr, and that Rrydgos had no intcii^t (lirri'tlv or indirpctly in ihi |iiin ha^c. I lointuunicated all this to ifr. Sinithi hiif ill' was stat<' in the strounrest terms that havinir heard tlio staleinent- of all parlies, and vrilii'd all the facts, there is not a -hailinv '•!' iriimnd f.ir siipp.i^iiiir thai li -vdijes wa>, nr wa^ ever inlended (o be interosti d liiieiiiy nr iudireeilv in the transaction. And [ record this as ni\- own uiuiualilied cnx iiiinn. 1 niii;l,i. iipfhaps, 1.) a-ld 'hi' the ri'-sale of a pari of the lots has u. it been earrini nut. I'lm price wa-i f' Lriiiiied by eMryniio as alisiird — ihe deposit is likely In be Inifritid, aiid iho )niriha--"r is ne.irntiatin;^' for reduced terms. And from all the npilii ills I heii'il 1 xprcMil tlie ]ir;cn paid by the ^^ mlieale was all outside one, and cniild iml be rciii.xeil to-dav. I'LOCK .Mil. I. AT WINMPKC. AM> Till: CO.MPANYS I.NTI'K'KST IX TIM', liiJI |t( iI".S. I stroni;!y roeommeiid our di>posinn' of the (^)mpanv's interest in thesp iiiuler- takiiiirs, and I leipiested Mr. liiydii'e-. I" (>iideavnur to jret snme nllers, and iraiiMiii* tliem to lliell.Kiid. Il'lhe mill is in Miccii d, ue niiisl repl-ice the niachilirvv wit h that of a nmre modern kind at a very heavy oxjicnso, and there will nnw bi im InnMcr anv dilhculty in supplying' all the Cninpany's requirements from other niilis. As reirarib- ihe bridtjes, they have answiM'ed their jiurpos" nf altractin}» the t.iwn to the ( 'niiipany's properlv ; tlie struct ures nuist always be rivkv, and tlmuu-h eariiilif; a j;nnd revolllio, iho capital can be cinplnyed otheruiM' to eipiallv nocd aiUaiilaiie. ■I J I .■~liijiilil likcwis.' kccj) ill viiw tin' cxpcilii'iny of mIHiij; i'iii' Cdiiijiiiiiy's interest in t)ie stouinerH as sonu u-s tlie proi^M-esri ni the raihv;iy will ciisun tiie (liH\cry ol'llieir ;-uiiiili"s iiiil({)'.-ii(leiilly ot the liver. FOET WILLIAM PIM U'FUTY. Tile Piiiice Alljeit peoijlo ufe ;riukilii; :;ii ;it elinrl- te -eeiiie tlie teliiiiiui-^ tliere, iiiid have offered uU the land I'ree, but the Canadian I'aedk- C'pinjiaiiy seemed inelined, wlien I WHS at Winnipcfj;, to locate the'r lerniinn: on llio Company's property, provided they trot a fre<' grant of 100 uere<, iiu iiiding uU tile water IVoiita<.'e for Ntatiou purposes, Mr. llenriie; went ilown with ]Mr. Slcjiheii to visit tin' (■foperty. and I saw him on his return. < 'n talking it over witii him, we disru>sed the alternative proposition of ui\iiiLr the liailway ( 'imiiiaiiy a more liinitid spaee free, and an interest in the sale ot the lemaiiider, av-iil.ihio for Town -ites. In an interview with Mr. Stepr.c n, at New York, ho indieated his prclercnce for some sueh plan, but .stated that a- the I'aeitie (.'oihjiatiy would not lake over that section of thi' road till the sprinir, he would eoine to no dcH;ision at present, hut, would, in the me oitime, instruet their engineer to prepare a, jihin of th.' p-iound, shuwing the smallest spaeo they would require for station L't-oiind. and that then tlie\ uoiild prol ably make an otler to take u jrrani of the wlioli, on tie ceiiditimi of .lecoiinlin^- to us in some e(|iiiiaiple proportion lor whatever the retnuinder miii'lit realize. This " Town luttinfj " is ,i very speei.il business. Tri, // can do s.) inuel to ui.dal, provided the share i. a i'.iir one. SrSl'ENKlXC S.\LE OF L.WD.s. .\fier I h li WinniiieL;- ^Iv. ITemiti.L!' and Mr. .\riiiit di-cussed the expediency of withdrawiiio; any lands in the vicinity of the sii])po-ed line of railway from private sale, and of substitiiliiiu' periodical jiubiic sales, and instructed Mr. r.rydi;es in that seilso a'-kin^ me by tclei^'raph to concur. This 1 proiime proceeded iVom the impression that there hud been favoritism, or at least precipiianey, in coiinectiou with some of the ])revious sale." ; that some of the purchasers had realizid hii^'e prolits by acquirinj; what had turneil out to be St.ition or Town sites, .md th.it if proper I'oresijjht had been e.Kerei^i'd, the Company sliould ha\e had the hmetit of the incicasrd value. Ih'.iii,' unawuro of the cireuinstances they had in miiiii, I cannol, say whithei there is any or what foundation for the idea, but I have f,'reat fats of the ell'ect (d' any intimation th-,t we are witlidrawinir lands I'roni sale. 1 diu not, however, like to ri'iu>e aequiesicnee in their instruetions, as theConimittee would have an early opiKirliinity of consideriiiir the i.piestion, but I tpialilied it to this extent by suggesting that any oilers in the meantime sliould be reported at once by cable. u I i il A very larcro jiropnrtion of the ;icro:ic;e tli;if lius been sol 1 ciilicr hy tlie rdiiipany. tlu' GdviTiiiiicnt, or llie Jtiii.wuy, i.s held in speeulatiun butli by iiiflividuiils ;iiiil by L.iiid ;ind CdloiiizLition ('(iiiipiiiiies. This land will be pressed t^Ti the marker Inliire Itiu;;, and it is ini])o-i>ible in my judjjrinent that the demand by actual settlers will for many years absorb the supply. There must be a reaetion in prices, and T see no reason to quidiCy, but on the contrary, every reason to eonfirm tho opinion I have always held that we should take advantaf^e of tho present demand to dispose of as much of our laud as possible at the eiu rent rales of the day. I found tlierc was less cordiality between Mr. Rrydges and the Canadian Paeific A.utliorilies than is disii'able in our interest. They have it in their power to au"iuent the value of much of our )>ioiii'rty by timely intimation regardiiif,' tiunr stations, the hieation of their lines, ite., and of stimulating our trade by the pureha-e of Stores, iV.e. 1 have impressed upon Mr. Jkydges the extreme importauLX' of eultivatinfr friendiv relations in every way, and of ubstainini; from assuming uny (piasi pulilie position, or expressing any opinions (whi;-h 1 fear lie has hiiheito done) whieli are auta"onistic to them. 1 \vi■^ll you would follow this up by wriling to him privately yourself. I am glad to s.iy that Mr. I'lemini; stands very well with tlum, and not only fir this reason but in many other way.s he will I beiieve prove a v.duable Director. He is well a[ipreeiate(i liy ihe GovernnuMit, his relations with them are entirely satisfactory, and he slamls hig'u in public estiniaiion. Theie is a lillle anlagoni-m between iiini and lirylges just ell ai.:h to be useful, lie is ceniing over in October to meet tho Committee, and Ironi all 1 luive been ablo to see and hear, 1 belie\o he will form a valuable addition io the Unaid. ST ATI-, Ml.. NT or lACl.s AND CI IM TMST.WCKS CONMaTKl) WITH TllL .SALK OF lOKT GAiaiV. Sometimi- ill ihe mouth of February la.st (>o far as I can recoiled i, Mr. (iraliauie and I were speaking of llie extraordinary increase of llie prices (d' land, and ot tie loiiunate veiilun-. ot many >■, ho had purcliaseil at what had at the lime been conddered high prices, and in the eourve ot the couvei.silion Mr. Graliame siiggeMed that the liurehase of wlial was known a- ihe fori Garry blofk might be a good spi eulat ion. This eonversulion tirstturmd my alleiition |o the proper^. .Mr. Grahanu- wont to Montreal shortly alterward>, and I had no fmihcr comn.unication wuli liim upon the subject until his return to AVinnipeg, sometime alter I had made the purchase. At llie liuie above rcfoiitd to .Mr l!i\dL:(>s was awav. Tpiiii \[[- re.uiii and altt r .Mr, GiMJiame had hit Wiiinipc;;, 1 asked .Mr. Ilrvdges wlicth, r he would sell the lu'operiy, and if mi, at, what tigure. lie a-ked Ibr an oiler, and after considering the mailer and lii.seussiiig values with .Mr. Ilalsillie, who had pii viou-lj agii.'d to lake an inleievl in the property if it could be got at a lair price, 1 ollercd .\lr. liivdgm *,,'.Vi,(l;iO. He tonk a cr uplo of days to dpcido, and concluded tliat he would not g^ll for less than $280,(-00. I ajTiiin Kaw Mr. Balsillic and wo camo to the conclusion that iho price asked WIS too liij-'h, and *hat wo would let the matter drop, Mr. I$r\dges rofin'rcd to the subject on two or three occa.sions afterwards, but I tohl liim I did not see my way clear to pay more tlian )^2oO,000. Two or tliree weeks after Mr. Rrydges had fixed the price of the land, I decided to purciiase and notiliud him to that effect. Subsequently I infonned Jlr. Ijalsillie that I had bought at !Mr. Drydge.s tigure, and i.ffered liini an interest wliicii he accepted. At this time nothing was said about tlh.' proportion of the sliurcs, as it was understood tluit if Jlr. Grahame so desired, he could sliaie in the purchase. Upon .Mr. (}rahani(>'s return, and some two weeks or so after the purchase, I offered him a one-third interest, wliich he accepted, and he paid me tiie sum "f >,i),10(l,';,", by accei>ting my draft on him through the liiink of ilonlreal, that aTuount being one-thii'd oi the payment made by me to the Company. ]\Ir. P)rydges lias not, nor ever had. any interest in the property or in any profits to arise from llie sale of the same either directly or indirectly. Tliero has never been any agreement or underslandinii; between my.self and him tliat 111' -.liould h.i\e any ii.tere^t of any kind in the prepirty, nor lias the matter ever beer alluded to betwe(Mi us, except as has lately arisen in conseciuem'e of liie impiiry made by the Hudson's Buy Company, based, as I understand, upon a statement made by 51 r. Uraharae. 1 have never, on any oeciision, slatrd to Mr. (Jraliame or any one else th^if Mr. l!ryir John Rose and Mr. It would be impo-silile tlial Mr. I)|-yd:;'es could have a.i interest wlllioul tlie Uiiowh dge of Mr. Halsilli", und tiieeulry in ihe stub of the la;ier geiitlenniu's cheek- book made a! llie time he p lid his share of llie [.iirclmso money shows comdusively to mv miiul that tie Ikhui Hdr understood that he w is gi'fiiug n full tliird interest. Any other theory would be incon-istcnt wiih the entry inido ^^{ "on.' tliird interest," as it was (|uito unnecessary for him to m,ik.' any .■niiy ul all beyond the date, payee and amount. (Signed) SKDI.r.r !!L.\NCil.VRl'. i S'ln-ciiJio- l.'!///, 188J. My nr.AR Coi.x ii.r., T miivbo unable to bo ut tlie Fucircl lo-iiiorro\v, and must tht-it^iorc write wliat I .should tlien Ikivl' said. I have carefully I'ead all the views e.\pre-anies. 1 am not aware that any complaints as lo the manaiiemeiit by the great railway or other eompanies to whom concessions have been granted, liavo over boon made; on the contrary, their lands have been supposed to be judiciously and carefully marketed. The United States (iovernment formerly .s.dd all iheii' lands at j«r:.'."> jjer acre, but after some years raised iheiu to <'2'i")li per aer<', along ih" line of the principal lliiilways. To iliese Ilailways they have granted some 17,oo(),()Uti of acres in all. The princijial were — {(i) The Union I'aeitic Ilaihvay wliose aveia:;-e reidized irlci- is »sl'I):i por acre (/i) The Central Pacili<' U.iilway ,, „ <.J-M „ (/) The Northern racitic ]laiU\ay ,, ,, ^'ioO ., but their laiuls being payablj in Pr,r'i ri-'i/ Sioc/: wiiich ruled at iVoni 00 to !'• cents, their net realization lias b<'cn under one dollar per acre. ((/) The Atchesan Tepeka and Santa i'l' Railway whoso average re.alizcd price is ■^.'r'J;) (icr iicre. (i) The Texas and I'acilic Railway whose average realized price is >1 I (i l)er acre. (/) The St. Paul and Minneajvilis Railway re[)i)rl their total sales (not receipts) to be >l,;it)(Ut,oiHI for l.lOO.dUO acres sold, and even the .sii'. s of the Illinois Central Railway owning some of the best lands in the United State.s only average >5'69 ])er aero. 'I'iie (iovernment. of i anad.i — a^ you know — .■-ell ut iVom ^'J tn si [jer acri i iie\ tried a public .sale in .Viigii>t a)).d September last of tiio best lands near Red iuvi 1 ,ind thu As--imboine, winch a\eraged ^I'^U) [kv acre. 'Ihe I 'aiiailian J'ncilic have sold (j.JtV-'"" acres lit >'J"")0 hiimiiid/ subject to a rebiilc of ^1"J'J, and tlie iiighesl price wiiii'li tluy ha\e '.'ol Inmi tlie Land Oompiiiiic.s is <« 1 |iet acii' payable in 1 ou.ls at llC, the [)ulelul^ers liawiig 1j, sale.-, uiie-half tlic iniere.-t in iiU tlii'ir Towu an figures witi, tlic if>iili>. ol' our s;il('s, viz. : >7 piT iioro lor agricultural lands, and *r al)(jut 1, (Jth of an acre each, and 1 cannot lluuk that we have any reason to be dis is certainly nothing in the (juality of the noil, situation or circumstances of the country to nmkc oui-K more valuable, on the contrary the (dirnate, the doubt about fuel, the difficulty about building materials and water, are all calculated to detract from the value of ours. There are f i \v or no lots having value on account of water privileges, lor I bi e by a Government RiUirii that (uit ot .Vi miles in Manitoba ami the Norih-\\'esl, xi.r only are driven by waler power. ] Ijelieve that the high prices we have niili/ed an.' due to many exceptional causes that hav.' combined at the same time, — liic rapid eonstruclion of the railway, the large influx of English ami Canadian iiinney, due to very low rates liolii liere and in Canada, the agrieulluial dcpnssion at home, and the spirit of adventure, which for tlu! liist lime has sprang up in C;:nada on lin ling thai ihoy have a piairie country b( hind them ! It seems to me that all precedent is adverse to a continuance of the preMiit high range cf prici'S, and tlieso conshierations all weigh in favmir of /•//■■■■/linr/ mi/is mil V'llhvtiltil iiisliiiii.'i iil.s, as rapidly as ]>ossible, and that wc .should be very guaide.i i.bout Interposing any dilliculues as to the t'u:ure. Tiie advisaliiliiy (d' trying am 'on sales is a ijueslinn wiiich it is oli\ iously pi'iper to defer a decision upon until Mr. iSrydges arrives. If that, or any other plan, uiU I'lixiiir i'(ilicr />rir,s\ tn'rlnuif iiinidlinj xii/r", I am ready most cordially t>i acipu' -, r in it, but 1 do mil think i: has been praeli-ed by olhi r Cum panics or by au v I ro\ i i nui. nl . The oidy occisinn on uhiidi 1 am a.vare id' its being tried, was la-t year b\ t!ie Canadian (invcrnment in reference lo their Meniinniii mid oilier lands iu Maiiiioiia — the exjieiiiui nl, howevi'r, resulted in ll'.c irlluir nnil of \\\v hinds al § 1 oD an acre The siigge.siion HA to the aueliiiii ,sales is, ho.vever, inspired by a bi liei' th't hitherio there have been preci|)ituney and favoriti,sm in, the sabs; ihat the C'im[i:iiiy's interosis huvo been suliordinated to those id' the personal friends of liie Cmnmissioner, and that ho has sold lands having execpliiuial value to favoi'iUs at inad. ipiate prices. The iilea of public sales is suggested, in a very proper and commendable si>irii, a< a nii'iins (d" idieching ihis. iiul it npens up a very serious (picsiinn, wiiieli caniml b^' hit on an uncertain t'n.iiing iu the inieresis of the Company and in fairness to Mr. liiydgis. ,Vnv past triinsarlions which raise dimbts as vo his inteifrity should lie invesligal"d, and, if ascerlained to bi' grcundless. full conhdence shculd be re|"ised in iiini. So impuriaiil a branch of the Company's businoss cannot be carried on umler conditions of per[)etual suspicinn and distrust. No regulations, however stringent, that «•<■ can lay down here will ensure an niiright administration, and smdi regulatiHiis would cei'tainly act very deinnicniallv in impeding a speedy reuli/alioii of ihe t.'miip.iuy's prepi rty, considering 10 the competition we have now to encounter, ll", liowevor, any transactioTis ..i' ihe Lund Comniissionors «/■- found to bo tainted with serious 'iitiddity to the Conipitny's intere-i<. it would manifestly be improper to shrink from making sujh ch:iii;ros as ihi- circumstances may require. I feel that it would be more delicate to my colleagues that this (jiie-ii.Hi should be discussed by them iu my absence, and I will only add mv own view tliat all jiir-soiia/ I'nii.fii/rnttiiiiin niu-it lie. atdiurdhuited to the duty we owe to the ];roiirietors nt endeavouring to ell^url" an upright and ellieient administration of their alfairs. F.iiKN Colvim:, Es(j., Hudson's I lay House, Lime Sli'eel, E.C lielieve me, to be, Yours very truly (Signed) JOHN KOSE. ^'■^- — As u)ii are aware, I have asked Mr. Armit to jirejiare a statement as to the price, the date of sale, and the names of the purchasers ol lot.s, suppotied to posses* an exceptional value. I)r:AU Mk. Go\iii\()K, Jj.Vll!lI(il,OMJ;\\ L.AN]:, Lo.MlOX, l)ff),il,rr l-th, lSS;_i, As I feiir T may l)e une(iual M attend to-moriow, I nm-t write what 1 should have liked lo say iUcce.s.sor could lie f.iuiid ; and that the consideration of that question had to he delayed until the n.pmt of the Nectvlary of ti.e rcsul' of iiis summer's vi>it, was received and considered. 11 A jierusal ot'llio Ifttcr I ucldi'ossi'd ymi on tny ri'iurii from \Viuni|)(:';;' la>t voar (and wliicli 1 think .should In' L'liiiiiiiuii'.'ulcd t(( tlie nc'-.v I >Ir(.'i;tors) will .^liou thai wo all have at least Ixcn strivin};; in ajipri'i'lulo llic {■.\t Mr. .Smith will not hesitate to lay them bi.'t'ore his collca;;iir.s in i shape which will cuabie the li-ard pruetically lodcal with them. 1 hird. — The adniiiiistvatiun of the laid dcpartnuiU : I wish to repeal emiihatically what you and my colleagues will, I think, aeknowledge has beiii my desire — liial it' any ini'gularily or mi.scoiiduet has t.iken place, it should b' lij^idiy iinpiired into, uiul that — no matter wlu^ni it. may atlcct — the Ci.miinny shoidd not retain in its s'jrvice any one in whwse iiileu-rily, reliance cmild imt, be )ilaceii. Mr. Hrydu:cs was not iiiv noiniiu'e, as yiu W'cli know, but his namehavinc' bicn su^'i^e-ted on J\lr. .Nnuth's resij^iuiiion. [ v!;ave my .support to hi.s appointment. st;iiinu' lo WW colleaiTues all f knew n|' his character and antecedents, and I believe the Coinpanx had liiiind m him an r.\rcp; i iiniliy ah'e ..4iicer. \\ hen ' cttain cliaii^es caiue to nur ears, we all desired that they should be .so I'nrmulated as that they mi^jht be probed to the bottom: on the inirinn.aion communicated to inc by Mr. I^mith, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Armit, wh.'ii at Winnipeg, r deemed it my duty to nndie a.-- lull and imjiiirliiil enquiry a.s I could into the ease. The result is embodied in my letter to you, .iml to this I wish the atlentii'U ol' our new colleagues to be specially drawn. (.»ii the general qm:'stion and residts oi .Mr. Brydgi's' admlnistiatioii, I think I added a further letter to you, which I Would beg that you will diiect the Secretary to have co[)led and phiced into their htinds. ir till le be i'resh changes, or if the old ones have been imperfectly dealt witli, it is dn( lo the laic IJoaid and Mr. llrydges, that the accusation .should be put into a ell, 11 and e.spliril .-ha])e, to be first comiiuiiiicatcd to Mr. I'lydecs lor his re])ly, and that then unv evidence re(piired should be taken by .some comiicluil uud impartial t^entlciiian I'or the decision of the lioard. The extent of Mr. (irahiim's and Mr. lialsilly's iiileicft in the purchase of tlie \Vinni|iig lots is not denied, and the Uoaid have already intimated ihiir ilisapMiMval and censure (if iinv ol'tlie ( 'oin[iany's otiieers lniiiLf interested in Iraiisai lions connected w lib I he purchase or sale of its properly. If the new Oii'vetors think ihe action of the Hoard as rt'gards these gentlemen should have gone beyond this, they ought lo have an opjiorturiity of laying their views belore u.s. I know we are all in-pirnl by the desire not only to see that the Cumpany'a "^ 12 intercst-t hud not bcon s.icriilofil in that iKirtiriilui' tnin-ucfion IpuI to ijuiird nujiinst evil -eproai'li in ivlcronce to the wny its land ufiuirs were condiated, I iini surf tlKjt wi' sliull ull iirrrre tliat it would have hrcii iinwiHi' in tho interests oi' the (-'(Miipiiny to have madi' the d-tails of tliese deliciito Tuattcrs the Huhitrt ot public discussicjii at the iini^tiun-, hut I do^iri; to suy in conclu.sion that niy mind is tntirtlv open to ( iinviclii n on them all by any nvw considoration which oi:r iiicomin"- collcajfuis may press on our al tent ion. Yours very faithfully. JOil.V UO.SK. I'JiKN COLVII.K, I'.'sn, CONFIDENTIAL, Letters from the Secretary to Sir John 1?osk, Bart. llriJSDs's ]', vY lli)t-;r,, X.,r. 17, 18S'2. Bi.Ait Sir, I Aii-fjot, on Tuesday lust to show you a note from Mr. I'lt-iuiui: «ith rt-ri'i'dici' to till' enquiry you wMicd to 1k' made about T.and .Sales. In rcjjly, I li;ivo to mention that about 1'2,(IIH) aiMos of land, witliin a mile of the railway west of the 2nd Mer. have been .sold at about $7 an aere out ol a total of 57,000 acres sold sineo Febniaiy lust. T .saw ^Fr. Beiji? yesterday, and askol hiin what ho considered the value of tln' reserved railway lands adjoinino; the railway (not Town h)ts) and he s'lid that purchasprs could be found for them at $U) an aere, and as re.LMrds the Town lots, althouirh tlu; Company's are not on the selected stations, iiumy of them are not more than a mile and a half distant from these places, and the value of these lots would be more than that of iigricultural lands. He also said that the laiul in Southern ilanitoba to be sold by tiio Railway Company will not be sohl till the Direclurs have fi.xed a price. The neivcst hits are 21 miles from the railw.iy, and »;< lo >.S an aero would hi' a i;.)ol price for them. As rejjanls the hits which were chanfred for Stuarl, lilanchanl ( fall .\: W'hyli', it ghotdd be borne in mind that remarks upon this multer were made in Canada, and they may be rcpeateil. Mr. liryili;es can ;,nvo the Conmiittee the names of the persons con iposiuii' the svndicale, and the e.\tenl uf their purchases, and if he can pi-odu'c the ajjreements which were si^'tied at the time the lots were iiouf^ht, stipulaliu;.;' thai ihey e answer ooulit lie were 1(1 be clian^xed fur ollu'rs under certain conditions, a eomplel jfiven, oihcrwise the fact remains that noihiny: was said to the ( '.imruillec on lln' subject till t1 ley asked Inr the explanalion I seiiil you a list of the purcdiascs nf laud you asked fii', in rel'eretice lo which I have to stale itiy belief from what peo[)le said in Canida that if .Mr. Rrydj^cs had waited till the niihvuy reacdied these lots ami better for the (,'ompany. The list nf Town 1 thi ni iiulilich , he wou ol sales include Id hav(> do if ll iiw (II llie luimes ibout which you empiired, and tlie names of several ol' the (.'ompany's < llli. 1 am. Deal' Si ^'oul■ failhfullv, \V. .\l;.MIT. Siu .loHN RdSi:, ibirt., (i.r.M,(i. I)i;, IlnisoN's Bay HdisK, X',mi,h,r -27, 1882. T liMvc prepared soino notf: It' it could be dd Since heiirin^ tlic cxiilanutions uivcu l)y Mr. Hrydpe.s. on Friilav last. will wciiso mo tor .■^cndiii'' thciii to vou. I tl ii won Id be (idviaable to dctiuo the laud pol icv, nnd leave a.s litlln uncertainty us po.xsible in liaving public opinion asccrhiindl iVuni time to time na to viilues, and limit the extent of land to be .sold without ret'erence to the H,,ard. The .sale of £")ti,0(l() of Town lots at Winnipe;,' in April last has j;ivcn risi lo much correspondence ant,000 as ]i:tid tor it, it would seem strungc tliat any public inquiry sliould be urged to show what prolit Dewdney and others made by the transnctiou When at Winnipeg I iiuiuired of Mr. IJrydges what interest he had in rpcomineiiding the erection of a now store at lirandeii for the (^'ouipany. He said that the value of land as far off as 1/j miles would be eidianced by improvements there. Now he seiMMs to think otherwise, and to s^y tliat land near the towns is not clearer than land at a distance I'roin them, W'v had sections near ('apelle and Indian head stations, where it will bo necessary to build a warehouse or store for (i'Appelle IHsinct. if the business is to be enlarged as proposed, and instead of S~ per acre near these places, I aiipreh(>nd we .shall have to p.ay at least SJO or SilOO per lot or from >:S(lO to ^iiOO an acre. 1 am sorry to trouble you with these lengihened remarks, but I must add that, notwithstanding the views expressed by Mr. IJrydges on Friday hist, I do not see that any modilieation is necessary in the Ile))ort which I addressed to the Governor on Lind matters. .Sir .loiiN KoM , I'aM., (i.C.M.Ii I am, yours faitht'ully, \V. A1;M1T. ¥ } i IIEVOIVV V>\ TIIK SECKETARY OX THE TRADE OF THE COMPAM^ MoN riM'.Al., Sr/i/iJi'f>, I- -0, 188"-!. F.nKX Ciii.vu.i;, l'".s(|., D.'ur Sii. In !i furiiicr lettir I iviiortcd a) you tliiit tlio Diirctors of the C'aiKidian Paciiic IJaihvay eiialik'd me to .«ee in a (.•(>nii)aiatively sliovl space of time the country exteiiilin^' i'luni Lake Supeiidr to the I'ocky Mountains, and I availed myself of the opportunily of conf.M-riun' with thy principal ollicers in charge of the di.-triets tiimugh whirli tiie railway passes, and whirli :m'. now beiniij opened up for settlement, Sulist-ipii-ntly, I discussed with them at Winnipeg more minutely the details of the business, and the arrangements for i-onductin- it iu a satisfactory maimer. I am u'lad to state the ollicei's ai'e of opinion lliat tlie-^c ccinlerenccs upon the (iiiierent suhji'cts upon which I shall iimw report are likely to \>.' fdllowed l»y l)enelicial results. WINNii'Kti STOKK. Mr. Teeliles, the ollicer in charge I'f lo'd IJiver District, liein- iu Montreal on my arrival liiere, i lo.si no time in reiiucstiuu him to have .vtatemeuts prepared showing the statVal Winniiieg, the salary m- wages »f each person iu the employment of the t'omi)any at that place, lists of out- stamling halances at the end of August, i)articulars of the .sales oi goods, the protils made, and other mailers upon which explaiiat i'Uis wero rei|uired. Tlie.se documents were ready s.Miie ten -itiiiii of cashifr in the WiiniiiicL; Stdic, in tlir l)liico of .Mr. lIiirL,nav(', wliu was Icavinu' on fiirloiiuh ; tiic dtlii r was .-cm 1(1 lirrsauiis, liy way of ^fdiitrral, to assist Mr. I'arsoii, wlio lunl iccentiy lost oiu" ot'liis (jliicris at that jiost on the (iulf. No furtlior rc'iluitiuus in the staff at Winnipri'; was ri'cniiinu iidrd in till' intiM'csts of tilt' trailc. l>ut lookini;' to tlw fact that niiiny traders with inadc(|nato means hail closed llioir jilaci's of Imsincss, iiiid the ( '(ini ar\ (h (( mitctitioii as hr.d 1 > en in vi( r,.-lv a'.v not now exp to so ■T ox|icri('nci!il, and havint;- the liest of the trade at their connuand, tlic I'csulls under ])i'oj)er nianMi^cnicnt, and lietter control, ou.i;ht certaiidy to [irove satisfactory. 'I'lic total amount of the .salaries or waives of the W mm] le: ■^tair is not tar .-iiort of .--fo,!!!)!) or ,i;^.00() a year. Th amount niclnde promise the wa,L;;es of dn-.'^smakers and niilliners employed on tin mouthlv accounts 's, for whoso woi k charges are maiie in the rendered to customers. Their wa.u'es, with a small amount of profit are collected liy the payment « f the accounts of j;i)ods ohtained ami maile uji at the stores, and the.se supplies heinj,' ueueriilly of the finer de.sciiiitions. upon which the profits aie con.'^idoraide, that 1 >c|iartr.ii'tit of the luismess i.-. held to be remunerative. ceu furni.- 'I'ho cost of the >tatl'al Winnipe.^' last nutli' atuounted to ouo-haif I'er t. on the total .sales ef -oods efh^cted at that place, iiieliidiu;^ supplies 1.) posts at co,-;t laiuled .'S'JdiJ.Olis, and a sum of .sr.ojKjii foi- to oflicers and servants, on which sum under tho present .s\slem. uh'anees the trad ■ lia iflered I'o this point I shall reh'r her.'afte or ISl'AXDINt; l'..U..V.N( KS. The statements of t le.^e balane es, sen t to k oiidnn from ; ime to time, •n ill ilie liaMt ;.t' dealiniL: Thex linn^' their furs finm iieiiihliourine distiict,- imiude the aeeoiinls of tr.iders who hi(\e loni. u ith the ( 'oinpauy. and 1 ceeivo p.ivnieut in ;;'ood,-> an 1 e.isii, and to such of tliem as an ciiown t'l ho I'oliahle, ,u( ( (Is aie fU\ ] Yu d at letail prices < ii credit e\t( ndiiie ovi r sevei'al months, and in di.e time their invnices are paid. Se\eral iiccouuts u so eases iioiice oreusiomers were found to lie o\enlue, and in most of tl had lii'en eiven thai intore-t at tho rate of one i)er cent per mouth wm ile amount- until p, iani NN'iieie interest was not chained auainsi parties havinn' traiisaetious with the Company, Avliose accounts ■re also overdue, peisonal and written applicalious wire made, which w laid the i llect of rediiemu tiie liaiances. ^\^ pjlied t>i and ootiniieii the assurance o uitlim two nuai f Mr. r>ryil,L;e>. the I're.-ident of th,' Maiiilnha Clnh. thai ths lime its deijt ofisi.UUt*, now hoarin- iiitere-L, would be j)aiil, am! i);iymL'iiL ot rutiiiv supplies tn tlic ("iu!i wouM ix' miuli' rn<\\ iiioiitli a.-. (.•usUiiiiir.v in oUi^T r.i>fs. Ali.r a caicful i x.iiiiinatinii ot tin- wliiilc li>t. Mr. I't-flilcs stated that ^vi^ll the cxccjitioii of .me iiein_ amniintiim- to si, Ki."). the recovery uf which ua.s (loiilitful, he cdiisidcied tile l.;daiici's as -.Hid del.ts, and iiad every ivason to heiieve that tliey v,.)>i!.i lie duly paid. iMirthei' parliLtilars ..t' tli' halaiires .ailstan.liiiL; will l.e |.repared each UDUtii, aii.l >eai to l,.)irl.'ii lor the iiiierniatinii .if tli<- i'.oai-d. <;;)()1)S ON !i.\M>. Til.- u-eiiera.l rhara ter .'i' th.' -'..ods .-^oM by tlie e'.mipa ly at Wiiuiip.,- am! elsewhere in ih.' settl-d er partially seltl.'.! l.)i:-t!'i.-t.-,, apj.ear with t.w t>\.vpuoiis t.i meet tlu' U'.inirehients of tlu' trade and the a[.pnival .'1 parties who liave iriuisuctioiis with the ('..mpany. The iio.ids at V\ imiiiie- ar.' seen t.. a-lvanta-v in tlie store, au.i llie .,toeks on iuui.l, excepting in Hardware an.! farp.'t.^. di.l n..t ai»pear to he -reairr ;han ih- am.unit re.iuiie.d, hi..kin.i;' to the d.-lay which necessariiy arises m having >uital;le selections of g.^.^.ls ina.le in i-nglaiid or Canada, aiui sent l.auanl iVoiu time to time. .\t Winnipeg and several of the ..utlying .listriets tii.iv are s'.id on hand s^nie u.umIs— the aecuimilation of y.'ars at l"..rf (.arry aa.l other pkuvs whuh ha.i Iven >eiil to tlie New Sior.' h-r sal.-. i hese giiods are gradaailv luuiig .lispose;! .it at alMUit !.". or -Ji: J.er eeni. pro, it on their .'ost, and ..:.re will i.e uilvcn to guar.! a-ainst a(LUi.iuiati..ii.-. in ill Hire. Tlu' st.H'l; of C arpi'ts is large aii.l lile of last year, ami the iiueiilories uf the Red Uiver District l.^ lie made ui) at the close uf this year f.ir Outlit 1S83 will, it is expected, sliow a coiisideralile re.liiction ou tlio.so of Oiitiit IN!^'^ at the cl.isu of which the anujuut .slo.'d at .-sriir^iilil. I'UOFITS. All cxaniiii iliai'ir^ <"' «" 01 c'diivutlv a-rciiaiiu'i atioii "f tilt" cxtciiilLMl invoices slinwcil tlial tliu duty au'i j.plii's liom I'.iiulaii'l aiiinuutiMl to a lai-c pcrcoiita-o nii tin «taiicc tin- cost laiui.Ml at WiiiuiiH ^ wa? i^iiial cost, ami that in every ,• 111 pci'ceiitauc vaiu'; accoidiiit;' to tlic nature ol the -oods. tlie h)\ve>t beini,' '271 per cent, on silks, the hi-liest ln',i pereeiii on bottled ale. TIio duty and cliari^e> on clothing' amount t<> 4-,", I'ci t; on Maulei' cent. he average on an assor te.l invoice o f I'ood.s ^^•ollld amount The tl ]irolit.i areealcu lated on the cost of the .^^'oods lauded at WinnijMv 11(1 these also varv according,' to the nature of the supplu's. Oil clothini md drv n'oo cent. UOOl Is the retail pi 1 profits are fully 5i» per cent. ; on carpets, ..., \ )VV IKIUOIS ami ci.uars, .")() yov c( nt. ; earthenware and electro-platt Is, i)() per cent, to NO per ( en t. ; and faiicv 10(1 per cent. Wholesale orders of a eonsit lerabh' amount are executeil at a protit o landed, and parties with -ood credit are usually 1 niiKtvdav f(«r the setthnieiit of ih.- iinoices of wholesale ].iir- 25 per cent, on cost allowe einises. m -m."i Her e.-taMi .v'nnents at Winnipei; tl f same i 'Xteiit of credit IS uivi-n : lait far I he lar.'er amount ^i^ the ('ompan\"s business in \\' mnipe;.;' comes um Icr the head o!' retail onlers. the aec( Hints of Mhich are la vid)le niiMitlilv, with ten (hi>s t;iace. at tlu' exiiiratioii of which th Collector calls for payment. I'uis to the aiiioi dioinin,i.,Mlistricts iliiruu int of .-:S.'),(IOI» W'y'V the past Outtit, ilie values bein if tl e- la: jirices ( years the Wimiipe.; Store ammiii ;t sales, which were mueli tra^leil at \VinnipeL;- and the i^nmi'd ai the the a\ciaue of former On that bap::> the proli!.^ of !!ed Kiver District, incimlm- tlio.se , ted to ss5,000, or l-J,'. pc'r cent, on the capi id enij ar-er. l,,\cd. With b.tter management the per centa-v should be much m.\.n.\(;i:mknt. T re-ret that I am unable to report favourably on ihc- manaLrinent of Air Peebles of the Winnipet;Sto,v. The syst.Mu pur>ue.l la that ollicer tor some time past re,,uired innnediate emreetion. and after due cons.dera- ,. ,„ , , ,,,,,! n,, !,is ^mdaiiee. and that of the assistants emi-lyed, fve.sh inslructi.ms in the form of the following letter, upon which furtaer esp'analions will be i;iven. < Dim. WiNMi'Li;, MANir.ii! ^/// N'/'/' iiihcr, y^^ ,1miin a. Pi'.F.iiLr.s, l^siiuin lludsdii'ri P>ay Couipany, Winuipoy. Sir, ■111' vol ur miiiliiufc in com liiotiim tlio ('nnr,ii;n v's liusiiiess uinl rr vouv rlia instnu'tiiiiis. a it;c', I have to iripu'st t 11(1 conimiuiioato liat vnii will carry int.) eticct the Inllowiii' hem" to the heads of the .litVevent (h'part- men ts of the Store, who, in tuture, iiuis t be ennaLieil ;i- month Iv instead of weekly servants; - iil^ (if iiiiv ili'scn] ition shall li'- s.'iit frniii th h,. SiMV witlinut liciiiK pai'l 1'' .(1 to 111'' 1> uri'liascr. ii HI.! fnr lliMl |.uriin«o th.. hriiils .if .l.'iiartiiii'iits must sr. thiit the II..C. ssury ii.arthiiliirs .il .nsli \ i,l,,i. thiMl.nail^ "i 111" P' 111- ar.' fiU'insh. .,1 .Ui to tho 11 miilimt .ir uivoi..' i sliall !..• li.'l'l as .lU.il'i h'rk. Anv ut't,'!.'.! "ii th.sr part m l'iu-iii~hiii,i;sii.h pavti- Milars sn villi;' t h.. rules .jl th.' C .lupaiiy. aii.l sui h cusi'S an t.i I,. aiily r.'imit.'.l hy y..u. No uriituitii's .ir priw nts of iiuy Uiii'l arc t. h(. M'iv.u til any p.i-s.in in th.' I'lUlihiyiiii'iit ' ,i th.'. ('(iiupaiiy, with.iut a wi Ittuu iirdi'V fr.iai iii.' ; an il 111. Ill I'l.ts ..t any liiii.l ar.' I" I'" "la li. til anv .111.' nil. ■.mil' .•ti'il witli til" I'.'iniiaiiy, or I. [i.'rMoiis liaviup transui tl.lllF iVlt hthi'iii, i-'itlior lis iiui'i'hasors it tr....l ^ ..r m'l'i nfa.^oir.Ts wlni ni till niav vi: iit th St.iri's; (he rule in tlieso l'('»li. I'tS huviuLJ lioi'n fouml f.i he ahnse.l. ;!, A- vi"^'ar.ls sani| St. If,. keeper ih.' 'laiiu'S I ■t k. .'P ih s for the sal.' .'f 111 11. 'I'. .1111' ol eaell I pints. .I'.Mrs an ,1 oilirv ^'...i.Is. til' L pa.^icii'/.' re. liiir.'l I'.ir tlial purpi ,f the eh'rUs in Un ililVerenl il.'partni.'iits \vh.. luiv \-<-'{ iiiinples from linn ,1 his Iriolis as a 1 it ih.> (*onipaii\'s siipi ■1, N.) p.'rsMii t.i tiiu.'. sil.ll iiiToilii! to lie liamh^.l ill! re.iiiir* 1.1 eiu .unlaiit, an mil rii'or.l fir Ihi'si' ,1 ellt.'fil ■,)p1 of th.' .|i iti.'S ot ;j:o.i I .,1, S.I that ill 11.' fas ilies hu iinari'iunl ■.! for. li,. aUowinl lo .ons \H\.,' .m tlu; O.impaiiy's pn is.'s wines, SI ir oilier j,"!' kIs, e\e,•plln^' sin h a> may lie I'l'iplU' ■il us sampl.s i'.,r .ir.l"rs in reji'iir lints ,1 to vliiili no traiisiielioiis ar to laU.' |ila .■ in ill" li'l""'' «''"' ,|„, ol.je.l .'f Ihe ('.impiiivy ll.'llie I. the I'l'-l" havelh ir i.iisincss e milneleil in cm li a .lun t ami .ir hrly maiin.'r as w ill elislU'i . I an il loliliilellee of tlleir I'llstolliers, Yonwditiunishacopvofthish'tti'rlolhi lii'ads ot each deparlmeiil. 1 am, Sii', yon r o lu'ilicnt servant, Monei n .IAS. <). (iUAllAMi:, C. C'r, STKAMI'.OA'I' AM) inaix;!", SilAK'i.S. TIk' ili'sirc 111' the (iiivci'iini' and ( 'niiiniitti.'o tn icdiicr the lunoiiiit ot' the ('(iiiiiiaM\ "s iiive.^tinciUs in .-liiiifs ni' tlic A iniii] r^ ami Wf.-triii 'rraiispoi'tatioii Company, ami in llu" sUick nt' tlie lUd i;i\iM l!iiil^c Cniupaiiy, cduld n(jt in the piTst-nt stati" of atlaiis lir (arrird i nt. Tiic ('iiici' ( '^i(in('r and I lie Land ( 'i)innii>sioniT war I'dtli (•(.nimuiiiratcd w itli on till' sulijfct. and tlioy will a\ail tlicniM-lvi's of the fiist l.tMiiaiilc (ijHiortnuiiy that iiii'^cnts itx'lf for rcducinu' thi'su in\('>lnu'iiis. i.)i''Ai'i'i;]j,i:. SWAN iMVKi; distkkt. in cxaniininL; \siih Mr. M( I'miald, tlu' Dll II :•!■ Ill rluiruc iln' ri'-uhs (it the irad'' o| hi-, I )i>irict lur ( liillit l^S-J, I f'unnd (hat in ih,M)iUlyinL; I )i--iiict,- wlii'i'' till' I'lir 'I'radi' is still carried un, tlu' Indians wi'ir liadly oil' diirini;' la.-i w iiiliT. ,iiid their l''iir hunts weri' miich smaller than those of lormer veaiv ■1 le n'oiiils wele oi'i ieicd tor ( inllit 1^^: leti re nianv settlers laid leached (,)li Appelh -t aiRl a t liial iilace. i'lHi 1', nee, and linliii I li Miiiiiilaiii. ihe full ad\aiitam' of iirolit.s ari-^iiiL;' tioin the .-ale of ^-oods to -el llei- will Hot \et lie -Ik i\\ n. wliif' in the meaiitniie elh irts had til li made lor the dis|)osal of I'm' Trade L;()od>, soiae of which iiad t^ he ieiii(e>ed to oihei' I ffstrii'ts, fre.^h supplies for (,hi \p|ii'll( and I'ort liliiee will iiow he nnicred t vei\ six iiionlh.-, or niiiie tieoneiitlv if the I'd iiri'L: w lien 111 Ihi- i >i-lriet i> ii are sold (|iiii kl\ . and ilie proceeds of .-ales are .-eiit lo Wim lic-h -iipplies are rei|niied. 'Ihe >y-tem piir-in asicrtain the cost oi the dill'erent classes ofi^oods landed at all tic l*o-t.-. and till' avei'aue amonnt of prulit added to the co.-t appeared tn ho ahoiil ."i(» per ci'iit., whieli Mr. Me|)oiiald coii-idered a- iiiiieh a.-, could lie (ilitaiiu'd. ( >ii rioiir and Haeiin the ) mlits are onl\ II oi' i.'i pel- cent, in ders fur ci in-ei|iieiue ot the eoiiipelil loll to which he i.^ the .sale of the.se article.-. e\piised li oiii liin The e-iima'e.i .■iiiioiini ol'capit;il emplou'd in the |ii.-triii i.-, $",il.n(i(i, and the expenses nf manaueiiiont appi'ar to lie modeiate. The profits foi' ()iillii l^>i'_' amoinii to ;?;>,(i(Mt. a sum whieh conhl not he i oii.-idercd an adeipiale retmii on the capital eiiiplo\eii. The disii'irt. luiwcver. is an importani one, and the Midden chaiiu'c in connection \\\\\i llic opining; n|> of the eoiiiiirs imi-i lie con.sidered ill relation to the prospei Is of the trade under dilli-rent maiia^oment Irom that of hist yeai'. Mr. Mel loiiald i- liilly ali\e to the mci's.-ily ot iii-pectin,i;- llm po.st.s of I'ort llli e and K'ldiii:^ .Moiinlaiii, and serinii ih.ii the )irii|icr class ul ^^omi- in deiiiainl li\ settlers and Iraders are piniiipll\ ; iip[ilied ulieii reiinii' d lie will -naid a.L^ain.st having in Iiaiul laruf >lncks ol" -nmls, ai^l jiay .-,ti'irt attmilinii to tilt- enllccticiu nf oiitslaiidiiig iiel)t.s as tlu'V liccoim' lUa'. in >ouw caM'-, creilits cxtciKliun' to six iiKmth.s ri-ijuin' ti> lie -ivni to ivs[ioii^iMe parties ill Swan liivcr District, wliciv i't'w, if any, lo.-srs in tin- -ciicrai traut> iiavi' jiitliLM'to lu'cii sii>tainecl. SA^KAT('lll-;\ AN D'STiliCT. 'riu' accoiiiils ofthi,- aistricl arrivcl at Wiiniipeir ,;\ir:!i.-;' my vi-it \n lliat plarc, ainl Mr. I.. Clarla", the ( iHircr in ciiar^.'. ariivr,! tln-iv tun .lay- Inluiv 1 Id't tn make arrauux-.nen'.s witli ro-anl t . tli • tran-i^a't nj (Invernnunt .vapiilics. W.' ili-niss-Mi m iii\ maftcrs rPinn'.-tcii with tin' liusincss, anil caivrMlly rxamiiifd tlic ammnis wliieli iv.iuircd cxplauati.ms. 'i'lie inciva-c in tiif amniml nfcajiital cmiiLvvrd in tlif .iistii t was .liir to the fact thai a imrtinn ol' the supplies intended for la>t winter's trad.' was detained in the St.'anier '■Northcote- at C'linilicrland, an:i.-.,(Mh), inciudin- s-nie *f.n!i(i the increased value ,,f tlie furs iradeil. In ' Miltit 1^>1 the j.-zolits of tlie .listrft annmnted to S-J7,t> in tlie district, and sonKMli^civpancies in lie- matter ..f tran>fers of .^nods to other .listricts su---este,l a \i-it hv Mr. lleeMon. tlio accanitant .f the Xorllu'rn ])q?artment. t., I'rinee Alhert, to have ihese matters at , an e adjusted, ami he will aUo examine tie' mode in ^^llleh Handlers of --..ds and inland fivi.dil arediaruvd, in .a'dertoframea new tariti. as under the proent >ystmn Mr. Clarke maintains that his .li>tricl suHers In-s ii'om the trans- fers, which last year amounted to ^tiC iMM». while other olhcers appear to think that inland fivi-ht chai-es are excessive. r,„,n ihisMihject 1 should monlion that .strict ailenlioii has l.een .■.illedtovaiiouseiiorsintlie.lislrici accounts ari.sin- from nmis>i,ms in seudin.- at the proper time invoices ami paitiuilars ol cha.-cs on K'-1s inui.sferredlVoinnnediMiacl ,o au,.iher. and ollicer> have l.een mtormed ,l,^„ ,„ ,„,„,,, ,1,0 amonm- nf the tninslers must he a;;ieod hetween district ,„,„ cers helore the annual accounts are sent to the Norll.ern 1 lepartment 8 Dopnt, as tlio former mode of rectifying mistakes of tliis nature in sulisc quent Oiitiils ean no longci- 1)C iiliowed. The system now followed at tlic DeiKit and tlie IJed 1-Jiver Pistriet, in regard to invnii-cs and eliarges, ounlii to |ii('vent tlic eoinplications wliicli were cxperieneeil iiy dealing "witli tlu' arrnuuts 111' Innuei' ( )nlilts. The jirolits of tlie sales oi' ( loods at Prince .Vlhert. where a laigi' "cneral tradi^ is carried on, liave liilherto been calculated at ahout KM) per cent, on \\ lunipcg prici's, hut, in future, Mr. Clarke -will ascertain tlie cost of goods landed in his District, and charge i)rofit.s du tliat hasis. CAUIAHY, EI)M()XTOX DISTPJCT. 'J'lie same system will he folh'wed at l'al^ar\, ^50 miles west of Winnip on the Canadian Pacific Railway, an impoi'taut jxiint in connection with ealtle raising, and one which will be of great service to the Company m trans[iorting the supiilies for Edmonton and i'eaco JJiver at cheaper rates tlian those hitherto paid for friighl by the Saskatchewan ■iteanu ■rs, Ciitil the location of the railway .station at Calgarry is (ielei'mine(l. it aiiiM ared to br premature to ilecide on a i lew site for tin Company- Sioi'c. The present wooden buildiui;s are being enlarged at a sm.iU cost, >o that ilie .\uinmn and Winter Traile can be conducted by Mr, Dardisly, the oHieer in eliaige, who is taking steps for the improvement of the luisines> in tlial impoftaiit di>lri!'t. was eiiaoieii to intiodiire to liim -CNcral l,i the callle ranches, and al-o two of tin' ] P.icirie li'ailway. with \\hoin it appeare eordial relation-^. iitlennii connected wiih ii;i(i|ial olheials of tlie Canadian d to lie de.-iiable to cultivate Mr. llardisty broiiuht to \\ innipeg Is for the aniuiiui trade, amoiiiiliiii;- to a cai'efully piepareil mi lent of 1(1.000, and arranueinents were l)einu' madi' to L;t I suitable sup|ilies selected, partly from the \\ iiinipi>g 8t ore and partly from adjoining district; 'he l-'.dinoiiton A^'eoiinls h ir ( )utlit l^^l' had not arrived, but wen soon e.\pi'eleil at he JJejn)! of the Northern Itepaiinn lit. Al)\ AXCES TO ()IFICEi;S .\N1) .-^Kb'VANT.S With the Chief Coinmi--ioiier, Chief l'aetoi> I lardisly. Clarke, and M. Donald, and al>o willi Chiel Eatm'- I'.ell, Jiaiikiii, and i'arson. I (liscinscd the ([iiestidii i)f till! (lid system of adiliiif^ HO); per cent, to tlie invoice cost of the siipplies ivfjiiired by the otlicers, lunl jiointed nut the fact tliat, with the f^reater assortment of goods imported by the Company, these sup])lies had lieen iarnely increased Fn-m the Winnipeg' Store alone ^'oods to the amount of .s:)(),()(»0 had been taken np nmler the old system, ami the loss to tlie tra(U' in Outfit l^s-j on that account could not liave been less than >4.0()(» or ,i5,;,-_'r)7, in < )uttit IS.sd to jiU.OdO, and they were murh smaller in former Outfits. 'J'he Officers all a(bnitted that, under the circumstances, a change was necessary in tlie districts which were lieinu' opened ujt for settlement, lait in the Fur Trade districts, where it is difficult to ascertain the actual cost of country provisions, such as deer, fisli, ifcc. it was jiroposed thai no channc should be made in the Olhcers' and servants' tariff for the purchase of such goods as are reipiired at these posts. .\t Ited Eiver, Swan Kiver, Saskatchewan, and Edmonton distrirts a chan;^i' api»eare(l to be necessary to prevent direct losses to the tra, interest on outlay, and tlie cost of handling tlie goods, should be paid ; and if this proposed arrangement is sanctioned liy tlu' IJnanl.it dULilit folic exteiuh'd to aiiv othi'r districts in which a gcner.d trad.' is con. In -led. MKSS EXrENSES. I In all Fur Trade districts the Ollicers in charge have iiecn called upon to keep a correct aecoimt of these expenses, but iu future they are to state iu tiie annual accounts of the different posts the sums .so expended, in order that a comparison of the amouuts can be made frimi time to time. I found that a general feeling prevailed among the Officers of frontier districts of the Northern nejiartment, in favor of their bein- paid the allowance fixed upon at \Vinnii>eg and other places in lieu of board and lodgings, and with the sanction of tlu> Chief Commissioner, I now submit that in the interest of tlu; ('ompany, it wouhl be de.siral)le to commute the mess expenses of the ollic(U-s in I'harge at Calgary, now the head-Mi'arters of Edmonton District, .Saskatchewan, and Swan liiver Districts, for i'l'.")(» each per annum, and allow them to lioard their clerks and servants, at or aI)0UtS2U per month. In tiiis way the expenses of each post can bo corri'Ctiv ascertained. 10 COUNCIL .MEKTINC.S AND I'ROMOTIOXS. Tlio last CoiiiiL'il liolil iit Carlton was atteiuU'il liy ciulil of tlir principal OtliciTs, ont of a total nnmlxT of 'J:5 who are intitlfii t" niaki' n><'oninu'n(Jations for promotions, 'riicsc ciiilit OHiwT.s aic all t'uiplovcil in tlie Nortliern Dcjtartnu'nt, ami liavo no opportunity of con-iilcrinu the rciiorts and acccaints of the otluT dc[)artint'nts, of which tjic I'lintipul OHicors L-oiuplain that their inti'rests in the matter ol promoiic ns are in a <.,'reat measun; overlooked. Some of them have state(l : '• W'l! arn Diitvotccl by tho liiryi-r iiunilicr of Offlcors in tlu' NcrtlnTii l)([iiirtmi'iit " who uro ill a |)o»itii)n us rcfjanls ilistanco to attend the r\miiiils." I bron}.;lit the matter niidei' the iiotiee of the piineipa! * )nicers who atti'iided the last Coaneil, and ex[)lained to them that the coml'ineil profits of the Sontherii and Mcaiireal Departments exeeeck'd tho.se of the Northern l)epariment, where the lailk of the ca[iital was employed at a comparatively small retui'n to the tradi'. Keeping.; in view the interests of the Otlieers em])loyeil in tl:e different Departments, ami i)lacint,' the I'iuhts of parties lu'vond any ilonhtj rt'ferenee was made to the deed ])oll whieh declares that :— -•Till' (ii)vi-riinr ,inil ( niiinnttoc .shall, if anil v. 1m n flii'v sec fit tn ajuinint I'ortaiii '•OIIiivr>" * * '' *' '■■ ;iiii| to a ri'soltitioii of the Board under which th ■ iitiiieipal Ollicer. wcfe •' allowed til .seiiil in for thi^ consiiU'ration of tin- (Jnvfrnov ami Cpiianittre I'itiitu- '■ nii'iulations fm- iiroiiiotiou." Thex' piiint.s were neeess;ify. ;is under an erronentis view, five oiU of the eioht Otlieers who atteiidi'd Coimeil voted for a tuiiiiitc, the meanino' of which thev were at some loss to e.\[ilain. It a[ii>eai>- in the proceedings of Coinicil as follows : — •• TImt thr rrriiniiiii nihitiiins I'm' all ii|ijiuintiiii'nli to ( 'onniii.ssioiis and iirnniotions •• in till' Mi-vin' li' lii'i'caftiT li'ft to till' uoininatiiin of tlii' Cliirf e'lunniissiiinrr. •• snliji'it to till' a|iproval of the ( iovrrnoi' and Coniniitteo." I'l'om tlie Otlieers who had not attended the Coiuicil many ohjections were nifide to the mimtte ipioted. and to the .system piu'sned in regard to " votiiio" for in'oniotioiis. In the ]iresei!t insttinee three recommendations were made in lavor of the ]iroii'.otion nf .Mr. .1. 0(liaham(> tind Mr. \V, Cliirk, to the position of factot'-, in the service, not withstandino' the instructions of the Tiotird that tlie Ollicers to he promoted ro tiiat orade shotdd lie eni inti'(l him tn the cliar-v of Kaiiilooi.s in iIk- Wr-tcni (h-partiiii-nt. in tile niaiiaL;('iiicnt ol winch his sci'vicc.s ni; iV 1(0 turiR'il to j^Doii accouul. Mr. W. Chirk was ajipoiiitcil to the char,m' of the l»c|Mit of the Xortliei'ii (h'partmciit ou\\ i/iSt year, and iiiijieai's to li • aii\ioiis to pciforni the dnties of tiie jiosition in a sy-^tcinatif and proper manner, liut there are oilier Ollieers ot ecpial standing in cii;ir-e of Fnr Tiieic ili-iricts. whose claims appear in the presenr iiisMnee to li.- siron.er than tho.-;e ol Mr. Clark, ami as the .'Southern 1 Jepaitiiieiit aiipcais to have Keen overlooked at thu Council, th ■ names of .\[r. Cotter, the Olliccr in chai-v of Moose Fa'.-torv. and of Mr. liron-hton in char-e of .Mhaiiy commended themselves to the Chiet Commissioner, and to the Ollieers entitle 1 to make reeonimeiidatioiis fur promotion. Tliuy are therefore suhmitted to the (iovernor and Committee, with others \\hose names ai)iiear in the lists siilimitted to the < 'oumil. l'"aitor, .1. I., ('orri'.i:, for appointment as Chief Kacfor Chief Trader. W. K. iSia.i (.nrox, for aiiiiointme it as Factor ■liinior Chief Tiider, DixiiAMUKAii/r, as Chief Trailer ,, II. J. Skinnf.u, „ y, ■ • \V !•>• Tkaiu., 'IhefoUowin-llriks lor ainiointment asdiihiiUl hief Traders .JAMi;> V'iNCKNT .J. K. M( DoNAI.I) A. 1.'. .M( Ki.N/iK W. Ml IvAV (J.) .lollN JiKI!) .....•••• E. Iv. r>r,i;sToN ■ • .', Share • 1- M ■ 1 I [r. Dow, the principal salesman in the KryCoods Department of the Winnipe- Store, and ol Mr. (loo.lri.l-e. the Cashier appointed in place of Chief Trader llai-rav.', some fur lier experience of the .service l.eiii- considerc.l advisahle before ,,,.ommendin- them to the notice of the Board f..r the po.sition of Junior Chief Traders. IJ Tlii'1'0 now siH'ins to he hut ono opinion finioiiix tlic Coiuniissioiied Otiiccrs that, in the aliseuco of inspuctin^' factors, it is essential for the l)mper eomhict of the Imsiuess, that eaeli OlUcer in eliari;-!' of a (k'partnient in niakinLt his annual report on the ii'aile, sIk.uIiI also icport on the ollieers and elerks unihr his own charge, and when the ,vliole of these reports are reeeived, a sunuiiary of them, with remarks by the (Miief ('ommi.ssinnei'. would. enal>le the Uoard to decide upon the (iuestion of promotions with due re.i^ard to the interests of the whole service. Its jjroper discipliiu' and the arrangement of matters pertaining to the trade, now require more frerpient conferences hetween the Chief ('onunissioner and each of the ])rincipaM>tlicers in chaTg,e <)f departments, which C(nUd easily be held from time to time, and uidess for sjiecial purposes, on which the majority of the (Jtficers should be represented. thi" annual Councils would lie rendered unnecessary. Hurinu recent years the Council Meetings have been of no bent tit to the sersice, but have given rise to usidess di.scu.ssions among the dliieers wh.i have nnt had an opportunity iA' attending them. am. Yuui's failhfullv. \V. ARM IT. lU^POKT BY Mi;. BliVDCiES. London, (/ A'i/reiii/i'f. '\^^: As roi\\u (l. I liavc rcapoi-tun itv of vailing' tlie lettrr addresseil l\v the >eci'( tarv to thi- (Hjvei'iiov, (hited :\Ioiitival. '-'Isl .•^epteuiluT. 1 -<^--' ; an. to-dav 1 had a full disciKssion with .Mr. Fk'num; upon the aitei'. T (hi not propose to say anythinii iu'i'i> upon tlie personal i|iiesti(i i iiieidentall\ in tlie doeiinients raisei thi> Coiiiinilti 1 have referred to. 1 understand to he fu'lv saii.-^lied as to the enliiv -'r aindlessness ol the s(>verai ruinoiirs a ml iii>iniialions \v Jiiidi havr hoeii -oiiH'what Ireeiy ■irtMilated in * aiiada ami repealed in London. 'Die iiii|iortaiil ini.'stioii is, a.- orih'i' lo disjiose most ijiiieklv r (il-lain for it ilio lii:.;hest pi lee. to what is llie I'est policy to pur.sno. in ■ the (din[iaiiyV lamh-d esiale, and lo The plan hilherlo piii -iicil ha- hocn lo piil a jiricc upon the lands in acciin lanee with current niarki 1 value,'., ami ihe reports rcceixci 1 friiiii tin lllslH ctors, who examine and report niion tlie sedi. HI- in the dill'ereiit Towiislii|is. in almost every ease the prices litaiiic'l ii ,ivr lieen m excess th' \aliialioiis inai i\ il;(> in-iierlors i n a i;reai inaii\ eases \cry iiisnIcraliU so. I'mh'i' llii' .-v.-t( 111 liave heen disposed of toliic end of O.'toher, at a total pri h'llowed, a total of 4(;(i.741 acre: ,f .<:;,! :U),s77 or a n a\erat40 of ^tlMl per aei Duriiiy this lime the Covernnicii I of Canada lia\e l.(>en ejvinL;' free liotnestead- to settlers, an 1 selling- lands al price- raiiijinc iium <\ to >-J,, an aire the Canada I'iicilic IJailuav Ci'inpanv have been selling at M',', anacre. and -ivingl:u-e(liiiwl):u;ks(.ll' tliat price lur fvciy anr biuk..ii (hirin- a certain \n-v\ni\. Wr cliarue 7 per ecnt. inierest up.^n unpai.l iustalmeutri, whilst liotli the Goveniraeiit and the Canadian I'aeiti. IJailway ('(in)|)any chr.rLie (inly '> per rent. Afew.lays before I left \Vinnii)e- the I.and ( '(.nnni.>inner (.f the Canadian Paeilie Kaihvav told me tliat indep.nidently of the sales nf lar-e .quantities to such Coiupanio a> the Nurth-West Land Company, th.'ir total land sales had so far a-gregatod between 'MnKWU ami -Kh.,(mm» acres. Considerable .[uantiiies of what are known as scrij. and half-bre.l lands, haw been secnred by spe(ulator>. and all the sales made by them hav(> beea at prices less by from >'J to s!! an acre than the i.rices obtained by us. We liave never asked a purchaser whether he doired to obtain the land t.. settle upon it, or to acquire it as a speculation all we demanded was that ho should i.av the price we asked -pay the r,r>r u.xalment u. cash-and enter inte, the covenants as to futuiv payn.ents that ue had lived upon. The fact that wo> .sohl without any •' conditions of settlement, and did not care or em,uire what the i-urchaMTintemled to do with the proportv, ..ave us a -reat advantage ..ver other sellers, and enabled us to obtain hi-her p.ice.. The fa.'t that people co.dd buy from us. pay us l,j„l,(.P prices than tlicv cotdd bu\ ,.1m.xv here, aiui yd in sonuM'a>es make a ,;,,.„ ,„„ „,• ,1.,.:, purchases, put our lauds it. point of fact at a premium n. tlu- market, and had the effect of cnablin- us to dispo.se of a nnud. lar.-er area than won Ihave been no.ssilde if we had stood out for the highest llOSSl blc ultimately sp.Tidative prK'c, What the ultimate prohl to many if the sjieculative pun hasers, after they have paid interest, tax es. anil other expen>e~. i na V bo. is a 1 rohlem V( t to be solved. Thi' history of th woi hi docs not show 1 l,elieve, that all speculatious liuai oiU a.^ those em barking in tnem hope for. Sales of iaiitl are effected in this way ]\\ advcrlisenieiHs, tlie i>.-ne if maps. pam| ihlets, \-c.. and in other ways, we i ;dl pulilic attenli'iu lo the fact that we ha \e laiKi^ m V sah' two a nd oiicn lhi( c a lid fi'iir trams arrive dai |\ in Winnipeg coiiiainim liie coiinlrv. Iie\ '^o to the dilferent ei (her about land genera ciiple who have viv.w^' to -elllc in land ollices in the cit,\ to rn(|uire that lhc\ have Iv, or about particular si'ction.- Iicard about from friends already in lh>' couiiuy, oro -iiiumer ami (■mpiiry olfa iriii^-, we irci|\ icutlv had from .>!• to , •> peo| iherwi e. 1 luring last lie in our e ilai Iv. I'ntil wi' enlari till' ollice. 1 t was an every Uay OCCI iri'i'iice to see liles ol men w aitiii- lo. in llieir lurn, reach the limited coiiiitor room to make the iMii(iiiric.s they ssi!ile. A ureal m;iii\ e as no at Iari(e expense in \Viiiiii|ieL!, as >hort a tim houulit si'ctious IVoni us tlie da\ tliev arrived, and went olVat ouee in te.Ue ts |l i)ossession. It lias iieen su.L;.:i'sted th; ;n!d '^''t lietter priees il we soli 1 1. hat the result would jiiililie auction at -hoil interval-. I am ofi'piiiion l.e (liferent, reojile will pay u ^ for the reaHoiis I liave ahvady stateil, liiii'iier fi-ures l.y from s-J to -;; an a-re than tliey ean l>uy ' 1-ewhi're. , I tlie Canadian IVeitie Kailway, they pay us thn^ times as sa* to iulendiny In the ease i inneli as tliev ean luiv for fi.im tliai Company. 'H l)urilKiS( rs tliat tiiex nin.-t wait a eei personal exjiense ir an aiietnai sale. n\ tain ieuuth of tina-. ai eonsiderahle hen thev m;a not lie aMe to seiairf the s( i UlU \V( ^hall tinn thev re<|nne, will sciiij tlh'in to -nine o.-e tlieni as eiistnmers ciitirelv. itlier land oiliee, am no t aware that an> Land Coniiiany. nr railway ownin-' laial- eit hir ill Canada nr lli- I'liiied Stales, has adnptcd tiie I'laii of aiutinn .-ale^ !'er ilrar farmiii.n lands. They have al alile to learn, lolloui'd tlu' plan wo p tar as I liav iMVin'4 e lic^Mi umlcr ( inaiin.'tanei'.-- .-nular lo our; nisii.'. and leaie i.i tiuii! I lielie\('' have ohlained sueh a high axcrain'. as far done. 1 do lu \\ I- na\ e ^o alfeeled in vaine wiii'lhcr ,t lielit've that farm lands are materiidiy liiii' of railway ihi'V are 1 or a or i"> mile.-- Irom a Inu' ol ra riimiin u thron-h a iirw and uudevelope.l eountrv. In the eourso of 10 or l."» \ears, when tip' eoiintry has lu'iome eninpara dill'eren lenuth of time ■e ol \alih' ma > iri.-e. Imt il'Vti llio Companv lively settled up, a desire to wait tha' isni''' ralere~.t an paviiiu' ta\e> and other expeli.-r. not l)elie\e that laial mund sma II intermediate railway statioii.s is eouij tol increased m \ aine liec;iiif-e o for a ureal man\ \eai- I iis proximity to such small station, at leasl I think the same u'cneral i>rimiple will apply to farmin.u' lamis round lar,:;er mo(iilie;itioll. -er towns and centres, with peiliaps s ome siiLilit Then take the ease of lo-iiia, a prospective town of .onsideraM." .|imcn>ioiisa.rordinetoth.- views nf .s,,nie people dhe owners of llm ~ilc have laid aside Cseetious. ..r •_'.:.il(> acres, as ihe [a'opo.M di t. .wn and liav,' divide.l it intoalu.ut -Jo. (MM) lots. To have every one of tho.e 1.,is.k cupi.'d I IV a x'para le individird. will n ipiiic ,i jiop ilalioii at lea^l eipial lo the 1 i)oi)iilation *<\' the ( "\\\ ot presenl po] has a population of Imm \\ innii To-da\ Tort, l.a i'rairii \ 1,1 ."i.dtm, ,ind IhMudnu has not more, it so main. Hiaii ■J,.")(l(l. With .-n •h fact.- liefore us, is Keeiuii e(i,iin> to in- led al such a late, that •::..(mM) lots will in any ivas.aiahle time he lisiiosed of ami the growth of poiailatum he so en,n i|,at it will I'c peoj nooessiirv fnr it tn swarm off on to lots in .section '20. Is tlicir tlic snmlli'st reason lintlin to liclicvc that Kcn'ina wonld cvci' liavc been tiscil njion, il section ■-'•; liail reiniiineil the projterty of tlip Hudson's Hay ('oni]iany. W'itli o:u' or two exceptions, auction sales have never been atteni[)te(l in ^Vil^li|)e;i. except for properti(>s of doubtful value, or when tliey had to bo sold to reali.s(> money. Auctiou sales are usually looked upon witii suspicion. They have been tried in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, but. have not ]H'oved a success. 1 liclievi> oiu', or [iossii)ly two, amtion sales ■were tried in Toronto of farm lands, but were failures. All auctions in Winnipeg;' have been of Town pidjHTty, with tht; exception of one by the (bivt'rnmi'iit of a certain number of farm lands, which were jmt uj) at an U|)set price of .-sii', and realized abdut ■-<;) for a moderate i|uantity only of what were olVered. This result was brou,i,'ht about by a combination to ]irevent biddiii;' cxicjit at a tritle over the upset i>rice. If we had an auction sale with annonnceil u])set jM'ices, and the biddiiiLis, from any cause, did not ltd biynnd (jr reach onr upset price, the elVecl wmdd at onre be to make our counter sales fall, or we should make no .sak-s. Anv attempt at an auction sale at present of Town lots wouhl be a serious iniMake. There is no jnesent demand for this jtroperty, and an advertisement bv us of an auction sale of oiu' Winnipeg lots, would most liiicly produce a panic in real estate and dr.^p prices from 'JO to 'J;') |ier ccUl . I'',vt')! if auction sales coirul be consiih red advisalilr at any time, it wmild b ' cleai-ly unwise to havr them wIumi the real e-Jitte market is tiat or talliiiL:'. No menhant. 1 pre-nnie, w.iuld nti'er a cnn>i^L;nmeut of e()ods on a lallin.u' market by and ion. inile>- he was forced to realize reeanlless ol' < nn^-eipiences. I b;'Iieve myself, the coiii'se we have hitherto jmrsued is the ri^ht (MIC to toUow, and I am very sti(Migl\ ff opiiumi ihal it is mo.4 iniiioi-lanl not to clianL'c our jiolicy except for very pntential rea>ons. We have • ••reatly beni'lited iu the i)aued a p.Tsi.tent poliey wlieii dllier seilci> iiave lieen mikiue' coast lal chanu'es. If llie matter is left to my dis.'reliou. 1 will, when the opportunity ajipears la\nurable, make an experiment uf invit inu- competition for Mime of our larniin- lands, b\it 1 think it would ri'iiniiea vciy material change Ironi the |ii'esent condition of the real cMaie mirket before snch an expeiiment coiihl be prudently made. In the sann- way, if L tind a cunsidemlile (loiiiiiiid for fanniii'^ lands in any partiruliu lurality, and that several people are enqnirinj^ after tlie same lots, I will trv and indiiely on the lines we have hitherto done, for the reason that thev consider we have heen so sneccssfnl and they will l>e very ^■lad if they ol)tain as ^nod prices as we have done, ahtnit whieh [ eiilntain donlits. The Xorth-West J.aiid ( oie.pany an- iroin;; tn sell exactly as wr have done, and are -;oin^^ to coi)y our phms exactly. 1 hav,' arran-ed with then- IShinapTs to endeavoiu- to keep np jirices and to avoid any attem|it to under.sell each other. Ihey will be very gkul. they lell nie, if they can t^ct as good prices as we have done. There are, 1 think, reasons peculiar to our Comi-any why we should sell asrapiiUy as we can, and at rnnviit market piir. - Asa luleland will now sell tirst from icn to litteen miles on eilli-T srle of the r;ulwa\. and when that is taken ui) it will gradually extend further hack, hut 1 l.elieve that distance must be pretty well hlled up before many sales will be made further back. It is a nuMlerate price f.r farmlands, andtheea.se witii which I he land is brou-ht into cidtivation which is brni^in- ^ettlcrs into the cuntrx. If the pric'e ,u-oes up very much pe.iph- will cea.^c L. uo there. Tiie further we.t sottlersuo the more eo.stly will it hv to tran>|H.il then' |>rodu.1Mn a ni;iil;et. Would "the Western States have been Idled up tn the exieul lbe\ ha.\. been if .set tiers had had tn pay any >uch jnice.. as ue aiv uu^, -ettinu ' Then c(msider the enurniMus .luanti;) of available land thcie i. le tic- North-Wesl, compared with the .small -piantitx already di>po>edor. to b, O, setters and >peenlalors. The IlHnois Central be-an to,li>pose of their land erant abnut twciitv- hve years aeo. It is, 1 believe, all s,,l.| now. an.d the avera-e price o' iheu' lamls. 1 understand, was about slu an acre, and only brou.ht up to that iieure by late sales, .///-/• the eoiupletiou of the railway and a xerv lar-e population exist in- in the >tate. I think what 1 have written deals with the mam factors to be con,sidered, and 1 will no, wearv the Co.nmittc, with a more extended .laement I have tried to .leal with the question as a imav question ot business, and without regard to any rutnonrsand half expressed iusmttations .vhich may arise in the future as they have in the past. 1 do not belune liiiit iin\ plans riiulil wliiih m ilicc (ir piiw would lint SOfU to lU k hoi fS 111. • )ne can ot" ly a o one s ( lltV to tllC liCSt of OlU' iliilit V, anil kc the most of what is placed uiidcr our diari^o. 'ilic Huctiiate lar"'clv iiccordinu' to varyiii,L; cndravour ti> ina extent of land sales will of necessity I'lreuinslaliees lia]»peiiin,ii mnii realized eonsiderali liave been secured. Much can I'C duiu' liv lakiuir advantage of what i.- l us nil tlie spot, and prouiiitness of action in the pa: >unis of iiioiiey ales ;t has vvliich (itherwise would probably not iieninnin,:;. am lo cotne will lie lai: atiLHii'V for liie lulun .iurin- the last three years of nearly .£l,200,(iiH» is a -o.al 1 ahhnu-h it is not at all likely that the sales for sometinn« ,liat lias alreai Iv been achieved, is, I hop a u'l " '< I ('. I', BRVDGES.