What is asked for is what was sent to the Government, or to the Audit Office. What is given is a compilation, or Abstract prepared in the Department, no copy of which was sent to the Government, or to the Audit Office. I would, therefore, suggest that the Address should be complied with in these particulars. The following papers seem to be wanting, in order to complete the Return to Section four.

(1) Memorial enclosed in the Letter of the Chief Superintendent to the Assistant Secretary on the 12th of December, 1866.

(2) The Report of Mr. Langton to Mr. Galt enclosed in that Letter.

Letter of the Auditor to the Deputy Superintendent, dated March the 5th, 1866. (3) The Account enclosed in the Letter to the Chief Superintendent of Education, January the 30th, 1866.

(4) The Voucher referred to in the Letter of the Auditor to the Chief Superintendent, dated September the 12th, 1867.

(5) The Estimate enclosed in the Letter of the Chief Superintendent to the Auditor, dated the 11th of July, 1865.

(6) The Statement enclosed in the Letter of the Chief Superintendent to the Auditor, dated the 1st of February, 1865.

(7) The Statement enclosed in the Letter of the Chief Superintendent to the Auditor, dated the 5th December, 1864.

(8) The Statement enclosed in the Letter of the Auditor to the Chief Superintendent, dated September the 15th, 1864.

It is possible that, on a hasty inspection of the paper, I may have omitted some additional defects, and may have suggested some defects which do not exist. No doubt you will have the Return examined in your Office and made complete. An arrangement was made by the Printing Committee, under which I was to communicate with the Chairman on the Return being completed; and I should therefore be glad to hear from you at your convenience on the completion of the Return.

TORONTO, 1st February, 1869.

EDWARD BLAKE.

LETTER IN REPLY SENT TO THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY.

I have the honour to state, in reply to your Letter of the 2nd instant, enclosing one from Edward Blake, Esquire, M.P.P., in reference to the Return from this Department, moved for by him in the House of Assembly, (as intimated in your Letter of the 9th ultimo,) and sent to you on the 16th, that, if you will have the goodness to send me back the Return referred to I shall endeavour to supply the omissions pointed out.

In the Return itself I noted several omissions, and intimated to you privately that the information asked for would be procured and inserted afterwards. With that view we applied to the Department of the Secretary of State at Ottawa for certain Documents in its possession. They have now been procured, and will be inserted in the Return itself, if you will be kind enough to send it to this Department for that purрове.

In the meantime, I may remark that the information asked for in Sections Numbers Two and Three of the Address was included in the Memorandum in the Return, as you will see, in the Chief Superintendent's Letter to you of the 16th ultimo. Section Number Four was given in full, (267 Letters and Documents), as far as the information in this Department would enable us to do at the time. The omissions were noted in the Return, and we proposed to supply them afterwards.

Section Number Five of the Address was given in full detail at the end of the Return-although probably it was overlooked by Mr. Blake. It is referred to on page four of the Chief Superintendent's Letter transmitting the Return to you.

No time will be lost in sending back the Return to your Office, as complete as we can make it. I have no doubt we can promptly procure from the Auditor, or the Secretary of the State any Paper, or Document asked for, which we may not now have,—although I think we have them all in our possession.

Please intimate the foregoing in reply to Mr. Blake's letter.
TORONTO, 3rd February, 1869.

J. GEORGE HODGINS, Deputy Superintendent.

The Globe Newspaper having called attention to the payment for extra services to the Officers of the Education Department, I addressed the following Letter to the Editor of that Paper :

LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF The Globe BY THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

In the absence of the Chief Superintendent of Education, permit me to say a few words in reply to your Editorial in The Globe of Friday, on this Department and its Employés.

It is much to be regretted that persons in the Civil Service are almost invariably taken at a disadvantage in any discussion with the press on the subject of their incomes and emoluments. Their very subordination imposes restraint. If their Salaries bear any just proportion to their length of service and the value and importance of the duties imposed upon them, they are generally decried, because hundreds of young men might easily be found who would attempt to perform their duties for one-half of their Salary. The parties objecting do not profess to go into the detail of those duties, or practically to ascertain their value. It is enough to find that one "Official" receives $1,000, another $2,000, and those in the higher grades from $3,000 to $3,500. The "retrenchment" movement, being always popular, down they must all go to a mark below which the same class of persons could scarcely live in professional life. It is known that these "Officials" are powerless to prevent the reduction, and dare not resent the injustice done to them and their families. For a time a little transient popularity is gained at the expense of a few individuals; but, by and by, Ministers often, upon consideration and examination into each case, restore the Salaries, and, in some instances, make them higher than before. I have now been about twenty-five years in the Civil Service, and am, I believe, correct in saying that this is the history, in brief, of the character and evil effects of each indiscriminate "retrenchment" movement, through which we have passed. I do think, however, that inefficient persons in the Civil Service are somewhat to blame for this state of things. In point of fact, these spasmodic acts of personal injustice are, in many cases, due to the inherent defects of the Civil Service iteslf. We have not, as a class, insisted strongly enough upon a rigid system of departmental inspection and oversight. The really good have suffered equally with the inefficient; while all heart and spirit are taken out of those who have been, and are still, anxious to perform their duties faithfully and conscientiously, while there was, and while there is, any prospect of justice, or fair play.

Under the new Civil Service Act of 1868, and the Regulations of the Dominion Government, (from the operations of which the political necessities of our new state of existence exclude us), they have happily inaugurated a better state of things among our old confreres. And, in their case, it has been specially provided that "nothing in the Act shall affect the salary, or emolument, of any Officer, or Clerk, in the Civil Service at the time of the passing of this Act, or so long as he shall be continued in office." But as yet, the Employés transferred to Ontario have necessarily suffered in passing through the ordeal of establishing new Departments under a new system of Government. Thus, in our Department there has been a sudden and serious loss of Salary; but we have the happiness of knowing that those gentlemen who lately examined into the working of the Department and learned what were the duties of each Officer in it, expressed in their Report to the House, their "regret" at the "reduction

which had been made in the amount of their Emoluments, without relieving them of their extra duties,-the result of which will in all probability be an increased expenditure in the shape of additional Clerks." The latter alternative, with singular inconsistency, you strongly advocate, and say: "If more Clerks were really required then let more Clerks be had." From this it is clear that you have no objection to the "increased expenditure" of money in the Department, so long as the present Officials are deprived of it.

While you thus so strongly object to our present system, why do you not, instead of impugning the personal honour and assailing the integrity of the Employés in this Department, visit it and see for yourself if the insinuations which you make are true, This was the course pursued by the late Mr. W. L. Mackenzie, who came to this Office, and was convinced, from his own personal knowledge, of the falsity of the accusations which had been made in his paper. By all means let us have an honest, manly foe like Mackenzie! Or, if you still prefer to make these insinuations without inquiry, and are so dissatisfied as you profess to be with the favourable Report of a Committee of the House of Assembly, why do you not insist upon the issue of a Commission by the Governor, with the Honourable George Brown, or any other dissatisfied party, equally competent, as Chairman, to inquire into every particular in The Globe's bill of indictment against the Department?

There can be no difficulty in procuring for the public the information which you desire, nor of obtaining an investigation into your charges, if undertaken by some responsible Person, or Persons, under the authority of the Government. You will then see, as did the Committee of the House of Assembly, that the system of accounts for all Moneys received is "thorough and complete in its character." You will then see also that no Person in the Department ever had, or can have, any personal interest in any Contract, or Agreement, made with the parties you name. You will also see, as did the Honourable George Brown in the Audit Office in 1860, (and published in The Globe of that year), what I, with others, have received, and for what service. The Vouchers for every payment made have been sent each month to the Audit Office, or to the Provincial Treasurer, Toronto, where they can be seen. From these Vouchers you will see, as doubtless you have, that during the last nine years I have received, (independently of the addition to my Salary,-the last increase to which from 1857 was made in 1864), an allowance for preparing and revising seventeen large Maps, as indicated in The Globe, and $210 from the Consolidated Revenue for preparing three Grammar and Common School Manuals, with Notes and Decisions of the Superior Courts.

The expenditure for preparing these Maps was incurred in order to save the duty of fifteen per cent. and to provide better Maps than could be imported. We have Tenders and Estimates filed in the Office to show that the charges for the preparation of these Maps by the Crown Land Department, and by other competent parties, would have been from $400 to $1,200 for each Map, or from $7,000 to $8,000 in the aggregate. This large expenditure the Chief Superintendent was not prepared to incur, when the work could be equally well done by those in the Department for less than one-third of the amount.

We have also the Tenders, Contracts, or Agreements made from time to time by the Printers, Binders, Engravers, Turners and others "for native industry" to whom you refer. There can be but one opinion as to your motive in making insinuations in regard to these contracts, etcetera, when the proof of their falsity is within your reach.

As to the "ruin of the business" of the City Stationers by the Depository, the thing is absurd. I cannot see how the supply on the premises, (as is customary in all large Schools, and in the Normal Schools of England and on the Continent), of the Students of our Normal and Model Schools, can possibly "ruin," much less be felt even by the "small Stationers," to whom you refer. The Depository supplies no City, or other, School with the things you name, so that "the trade" has the entire patronage of the Universities, Colleges, Grammar, Common and Private Schools of the City, as well as of private

individuals. As to the continuance, or discontinuance, of the Depository that is a matter for the consideration of the Legislature.

I may further mention, that "the particulars" of the "Custom Invoices," and the "Profits charged," to which you refer, were laid before the Committee of the House of Assembly and received their approval as follows:

"Your Committee

.

find that the existing arrangements for purchasing stock are satisfactory, and well fitted for securing the same on the most favourable terms. The mode of disposing of the Books is equally satisfactory." (See page 31).

If any further particulars are required they can be easily procured in the way I have indicated above. Yet, instead of seeking to obtain them, every few days you make a fresh assault and then reproach us for the "frequency and vehemence" of our remonstrance,―forgetting that this "frequency and vehemence" is altogether on your side. In fact, "whether we bear, or whether we forbear," you are equally angry.

TORONTO, January, 1869.

J. GEORGE HODGINS.

NOTE. In consequence of the Motion made in the House of Assembly by Mr. Blake, the Government decided that, in future, no special allowances should be made to any of the Officers in the Education Department. The loss of the amounts thus paid to them was keenly felt and the two of the Senior Officers of the Department decided to address a Memorial on the subject to the Governor-in-Council, which they did. In enclosing their Memorial to the Provincial Secretary, the Chief Superintendent accompanied it with the following Letter:

LETTER TO THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY BY THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

I have the honour to transmit herewith a Memorial to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor from Messieurs Marling and Taylor, the Chief, and next Senior, Clerk in this Department, in respect to allowances for special work done by them, which had been suspended, but the restoration of which has been strongly recommended by the Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly, appointed to examine into the working of the Education Department. [See page 32 of this Volume].

Mr. Hodgins, the Deputy Superintendent is also mentioned by the Committee, and his allowances are recommended in the same Report; but he prefers leaving the matter entirely at the discretion of the Governor-in-Council, without any further action on his part.

My previous Letters sufficiently express my high appreciation of the character, faithfulness, efficiency, industry and labours of Messieurs Marling and Taylor; and I most earnestly recommend their Memorial to the favourable consideration of His Excellency-in-Council.

TORONTO, 27th January, 1869.

EGERTON RYERSON.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO-IN-COUNCIL. The Memorial of the undersigned Clerks in the Education Department for this Province respectfully showeth.

1. That they have been given to understand that certain monthly allowances, hitherto granted to them by way of addition to their Salaries, as stated in the Supply Bill, are now to be discontinued.

2. That, by an Order-in-Council, taking effect in July, 1857, the Chief Clerk was to receive $1,200, and the Accountant, $1,000. The then Chief Clerk having retired in

1858, the Accountant was made Chief Clerk and Accountant, combining offices hitherto distinct, with a salary of $1,200. The salary of the Clerk of Statistics, was, at the same time made $1,000.

3. That, since 1864, partly in consequence of the large transactions of the Depository, of which he was then made Cashier, $400 were added from that Fund to the salary of the Chief Clerk. From 1866, when he was called on to perform the duties of Recording Clerk and Secretary to the Council of Public Instruction he has received $100 from the Normal and Model School Fund. From the same period, the Clerk of Statistics has received $200 from the Office Contingencies for the additional work required of him, in consequence of the increased business of the Office. These amounts, ($500 in the case of the Chief Clerk and Accountant, and $200, in the case of the Statistical Clerk), are now, they are informed, to be no longer paid.

4. The Undersigned have the honour to lay before His Excellency and Council, Memorandums showing, in full detail, the work which they perform, and the remuneration they have received therefor. They have the gratification of knowing that their work has been satisfactory, not only to the Chief Superintendent, but also to the Committee of the Legislative Assembly, appointed to investigate the mode in which the business of the Education Office is conducted. (See page 32 of this Volume).

5. They respectfully represent that the total Salaries they have received are not even equal to the amounts paid for similar, and as long, Services by the late Province of Canada and recently sanctioned by the Civil Service Act for other Departments of the Dominion.

6. That the additions in question were made by order of the Chief Superintendent, and were accounted for every month to the Auditor, and not disallowed, or objected to; while the Correspondence shows that the Auditor required explanations of other items. In con

7. That the undersigned are in the vigour of life, and are married men. sideration, therefore, that these large reductions are made without notice, and that, in the case of the Chief Clerk, the amount is more than one-fourth of his previous income; and, in the case of the Clerk of Statistics, a sixth; and that liabilities have been incurred in anticipation of a continuance of these incomes which they had no reason to fear would be interfered with, Your Memorialists respectfully pray, that an amount may be granted to them under the circumstances, in mitigation of the sudden loss of income, with which they are unexpectedly visited.

TORONTO, January, 1869.

ALEX. MARLING, Chief Clerk and Accountant.
FRANCIS J. TAYLOR, Clerk of Statistics.

NOTE. To the Letter of the Chief Superintendent, enclosing the foregoing Memorial, the following Reply was received:

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Memorial of Messieurs Marling and Taylor, Clerks of the Education Department, with reference to the proposed reduction in their Salaries, and to inform you that the subject will be submitted to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor.

TORONTO, 28th January, 1869.

THOS. C. PATTERSON, Assistant Secretary.

NOTE. No further Reply was ever received from the Government on this subject. CONSTRUCTION OF MAPS.-LETTER TO THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY FROM THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

I have the honour to state that the supply of School Maps in our Depository is nearly exhausted, and that the supply of some of the most in demand is entirely exhausted. All these Maps were formerly imported; but we have succeeded in reproducing them in Canada, more accurate and complete, and at considerably lower prices than those at which they had been, or could be, imported.