§ MR. WATKINSsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If any application has been made to Her Majesty's Government, or to the local authorities, by or on behalf of Mr. Collins, the Concessionaire of the Russo-American 803 line of Telegraph, intended to pas viâ Behring's Straits, for permission to carry a portion of such line through British Columbia; and, if so, whether such permission has been or is proposed to be given?
§ MR. CARDWELLsaid, in reply, that such an application had been made, but it was not only an application to pass through British Columbia, but it was an application for an exclusive privilege. An answer was returned favourable to the right of passage, but disapproving that part of the application which referred to an exclusive privilege.