Page:Wise Expenditure and Unprecedented Progress.djvu/29

 Railway subsidies formerly in Tory days were a complete gift, but the present Government makes them conditional upon the railway companies rendering service to the Government in the shape of carrying the mails to the extent of a fair annual interest for the amount of the subsidy in each case.

Bounties on Iron and Steel, account for $2,199,342.

Under the head of Dominion Lands, $1,659,040 was spent entirely for surveys of new Districts.

The Militia accounts for $2,402,171, which was expended for the following purposes:—Equipment of the force with the Lee-Enfield Rifle; Batteries of Field Artillery, Siege Guns and Ammunition.

An allowance of $267,029 was granted to Manitoba on account of School Lands.

Consolidated Fund, Transfers and Discount, and Expenses of Loan of 1897 amount to $1,847,908, but these are in the nature of cross entries, and are, therefore, not important considerations.

On these Government owned railways there was a capital expenditure for the seven years amounting to $16,974,203. The principal items of this total are as follows:

Rolling Stock $5,437,451

Steel Rails and Fastenings 1,188,330

Increased accommodation at important places like Halifax, St. John, Moncton, Levis, Pictou and Sydney 2,205,456

Strengthening Bridges and building new ones, 795,140

Enlargement of Old and Construction of New Engine Houses 267,471

Elevators, St. John and Halifax 283,015

Improved Ferry Service, Straits of Canso 627,450

Construction, Branches and Extensions 228,074

Purchase Drummond County Railway 1,464,000

Award of Arbitrators re Eastern Extension Railway 957,711

Prince Edward Island Railway, including Murray River Branch 1,678,674