204 THE DOMINION ADMINISTRATION.

revise plans, estimates and recommendations of other engineers,
 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 appointed
 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.