204 THE DOMINION ADMINISTRATION. 
revise plans, estimates and recommendations of other engi- 
neers, architects, and officers touching any public work, and 
generally to advise the Minister on all engineering or 
architectural questions affecting any work. 
Official By the Expropriation Act! very extensive powers are 
bo given to the Minister to take public lands required for any 
public work. The compensation to be paid for such land is 
fixed bv official arbitrators appointed by the Governor? 
3. DEPARTMENT OF RAILWAYS AND CANALS. 
The Department of Railways and Canals was constituted 
by the 42 Vic. ¢. 7. The Minister of Railways and Canals 
oresides over the department. 
The Minister of Railways and Canals has the management, 
charge and direction of all Government railways and of all 
canals, and of works or property appertaining or incident 
thereto. 
The powers and duties of the Minister in respect to 
railways and canals are practically the same as those of the 
Minister of Public Works regarding public works. 
0. DEPARTMENT OF THE PosST-OFFICE. 
Officers. 
The Post 
Master- 
General. 
This department was established by the 81 Vie. c. 10, bus 
tb is now regulated by the Post-Office Act®. Previous to the 
Confederation each province managed its own postal system. 
The chief officers of the department are the Postmaster- 
General, the Deputy, and the Inspectors, who are all ap- 
pointed by the Governor-General. Postmasters in cities and 
sowns having permanent salaries are also appointed by the 
Governor-General, all other postmasters are appointed by the 
Postmaster-General. 
The powers of the Postmaster-General are very wide and 
1 R.8.C.,c 39. 2 Ib. c; 40, 3 Tb. ec. 385.