PART IV. REPORT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES FOR THE YEAR 1888. GOVERNMENT HOUSE, REGINA, 4th January, 1889. To the Honorable The Minister of the Interior, Ottawa. SIR,-I have the honor to submit the following report concerning the adminis tration of the North-West Territories for the year 1888. On the 2nd July, 1888, I had the honor of being appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Territories, and it is with much pleasure that I now find myself in the position of submitting my first report to a Minister who immediately preceded me in that office, and who is consequently intimately conversant with all matters relating thereto. I am happy to be able to report upon the general prosperity of the country and to state that the completeness of its representation in our Local Legislature, which was afforded at the last Session of the Dominion Parliament, has given general satisfaction. I responded during last season to many invitations addressed to me by agricultural societies within the Territories, and visited several exhibitions, where the wonderful display of products elicited the admiration of every one present. The excellence, as well as the abundance, of last year's crop throughout the North-West has caused a universal feeling of contentment and encouragement to prevail among the settlers, while a great impetus has, at the same time, been given to every class of business. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. In accordance with the provisions of 51 Victoria, chapter 19, writs were, on the 4th June, 1888, issued for the election of members to serve in the Legislative Assembly of the Territories, when the following were elected thereunder : Appointed on the 23rd October, 1888, under 51 Vic., chap. 19, sec 2: The Honorable Mr. Justice Richardson. The Honorable Mr. Justice Macleod. The Honorable Mr. Justice Rouleau. Members of the Advisory Council. Appointed on the 2nd November, 1888, under 51 Vic., chap. 19, sec. 13:- David Finlay Jelly, member for North Regina. SESSION OF ASSEMBLY. The session of the Legislative Assembly opened on the 31st day of October and closed on the 11th day of December, 1888. On the day of opening Doctor Herbert Charles Wilson, member for Edmonton, was elected Speaker. Legislation. The following Ordinances were passed during the above session, namely:No. 1. An Ordinance respecting the revised Ordinances of the North-West Territories. No. 2. An Ordinance for the abatement of Nuisances and for the protection of Public Health outside Municipalities. No. 3. An Ordinance to enroll Thomas Christopher West as an Advocate of the Territories. No. 4. An Ordinance to enable Ernest Harold Scott to register as a Medical Practitioner of the Territories. No. 5. An Ordinance respecting the Profession of Medicine and Surgery. No. 6. An Ordinance respecting the registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths. No. 7. An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 5, of 1888, intituled: "An Ordinance respecting the Profession of Medicine and Surgery." No. 8. An Ordinance for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money to defray the expenses of the Public Service of the Territories for the financial year ending 30th June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, and for other purposes relating thereto. Having, early in my administration, come to the conclusion that a revision and consolidation of the existing Ordinances was a much needed work, I, on the 11th July last, entrusted the matter to a Commission specially appointed for the purpose, consisting of the Hon. Mr. Justice Richardson and A. E. Forget, Esq., late Clerk of the North-West Council. The labor of the Session has been chiefly directed to the discussion of the report of the Commissioners, and has resulted, as I believe, in the establishment of a clearly drafted body of laws, which will, I trust, prove a blessing to the country. 15-11**** It was also thought that the time had arrived when a more complete system of vital statistics should be adopted, and an Ordinance has accordingly been passed providing for the registration, in addition to that already prevailing for marriages, of births and deaths. This will supply a want that has been long felt. An Ordinance has also been passed providing for the establishment of a College of Physicians and Surgeons, which I regard as a sign of considerable progress. I am happy to be bere able to testify to the earnestness and zeal which all the Members of the Advisory Council have manifested in the discharge of their public duties and the practical sense with which they have met my efforts to afford the representatives of the people as wide a scope as possible in the administration of the affairs of the Territories. SCHOOLS. I am pleased to be able to report a steady increase in the number of School Districts established during the year, indicating that we have an ever-increasing population, and that the people appreciate the liberal provisions which have been made for the promotion of education throughout the country. There are now established under the provisions of the School Ordinance, 6 Public, 132 Protestant Public, 22 Catholic Public, and 7 Catholic Separate School Districts, in all 167 Districts, which shows an increase of 34 Districts during the year. Petitions are now pending for the establishment of 15 new Districts, viz.:-12 Protestant Public, Auburn, Cochrane, Winlaw, Stauley, Cannington, Duck's Point, High River, Rosedale, Elmore, Workman, Warina, and Creek Bank; 1 Catholic Public, Fourmand, and 2 Catholic Separate, Holy Cross at Macleod and Lethbridge. Among the Districts recently established, 6 are in Crofter Settlements, 4 in German, 2 in Swedish, 1 in Hungarian, 1 in Icelandic, and 1 in Roumanian. During the summer term ended 31st October last, there were 112 Protestant and 23 Catholic Schools in operation, with 3,474 and 735 pupils respectively; in all 135 schools with 4,209 pupils. For same term 1857, we had 109 schools open with 3,543 pupils, which shows an increase of 26 schools and 666 pupils during the past year. During the year the Board of Education bas lost the able and valuable services of the Rev. A. B. Baird, B. D., who resigned his seat at the Board on account of his having left the Territories to reside in Winnipeg, where he has accepted a position in connection with the Manitoba University. The Rev. Samuel J. Taylor, of Moose Jaw, has been appointed a member of the Board in place of Mr. Baird. Details with reference to the schools and general state of Education in the Territories will be found in the Report of the Board of Education issued in September last, copy of which I send herewith. APPOINTMENTS. The following is a list of the Territorial appointments made since the Lieutenant Governor's last Report. Hugh U. Bain, Esq. ..Anthracite, Alberta. Thomas Watts, Esq.. do Churchbridge do ....Indian Head do ............ .... ...... ... ...... .... .Longlaketon do ...Inspector N. W. Mounted Police. ....... Yorkton ... do .Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. ..... .The South Branch, Saskatchewan. Regina, ......Grenfell ..... Assiniboia. do do do do Frank Huek rby. Esq............ George H. Harper, Esq...... ......Battleford, Saskatchewan. Barney D. Westman, Esq........... Thingvalla, Churchbridge, Assiniboia. William A. W. Smith, Esq.......... Workman, Assiniboia. William J. White, Esq......... .Broadview, Assiniboia. Joseph Brunet Asq.......... ...Tide Hills, Daniel F. Boissevan, Esq........Cannington Manor, Moose Mountain, Assa! |