asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether his attention has been drawn to the allegations in the "Wairapa Standard" of January 8th 1881, as to the detention and punishment in New Zealand of various natives in excess of their respective sentences; whether he will make inquiries as to the truth of such allegation; and, whether, in the event of the allegation being verified (as other cases of undue severity to natives have already been brought to the attention of the Government), Her Majesty's Government will make any representation to the Colonial Government in New Zealand on this subject?

Sir, I have seen the article in question, thanks to the courtesy of the hon. Member, and it would be obviously impossible for us to base any representations upon it. Papers of an authoritative kind on the subject of recent Native difficulties in New Zealand will, however, very soon be laid upon the Table, and will, I hope, be satisfactory to those who are interested in this subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether, considering how constantly epidemics of small-pox recur, the large number of deaths which are annually returned, the wide differences of opinion that exist among fully qualified medical men as to the limits of the protective power of vaccination, and with respect to the genesis, distribution, and limitations of contagion, he will take into his consideration the advisability of offering a series of substantial premiums, open to all the world, for obtaining concise, accurate, and fully tested information as to the origin, growth, and development of the disease; also such other practical knowledge as will tend to minimise its power of infection and indicate the means for its extinction; and, whether it may with propriety be assumed that, if any person can discover an absolute specific for the disease itself, a full pecuniary recognition would be awarded?

, in reply, said, he hoped the hon. Member would not think he was wanting in respect to him if he did not enter into the various points raised in the preamble to his Questions. In fact, he could not do so within the limits of a reply. He might, however, say that the Local Government Board had no funds at their disposal applicable to the purposes suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Report of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, that

"The rates allowed to Messrs. Hansard for printing for the House of Commons are 15 per cent. higher than the rates allowed for printing for the House of Lords, and are higher than your Lordships would probably have felt justified in granting, had not Messrs. Hansard claimed special consideration on the ground that they had for more than 100 years held the office of Printer to the House, and satisfied your Lordships and Mr. Speaker that it would be very difficult for them, without alterations in their staff which could not easily be made at once, to continue the business if required to do so at rates approaching those which might be obtained in the open market;"

Sir, the additional percentage paid to Messrs. Hansard was allowed in consideration of the difference in the nature of the work done for the two Houses, that for the House of Commons having to be executed to some extent under circumstances of greater pressure, and therefore at greater expense. This difference has been recognized by Select Committees of the House, such as the Select Committee on Public Departments in 1874. The present arrangement effects a reduction of above 20 per cent upon the rates previously paid to Messrs. Hansard, besides simplifying their accounts and assimilating them to those of the House of Lords' printers. It will not expire until 1896, the year in which the contract for the House of Lords also expires; and we are not therefore in a position at present to consider the possibility of further economy.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the following extract from the Report of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office:—

"The distribution (of Parliamentary Papers) and the possibility of effecting improvements in the system now in force, either by the daily circulation to Members of a List of the Papers issued, with a note of their contents for selection or otherwise, are questions lying beyond the province of the Department; but that they are not altogether unimportant your Lordships may gather from a statement that every Member of the House of Commons who served through the last Parliament, and drew all his Papers, received according to a moderate calculation, about a ton of printed matter;"

Sir, the arrangements for the distribution of Parliamentary Papers are under the direction of Mr. Speaker, with the assistance of the Printing Committee, whom he consults when necessary. Formerly, all Papers ordered by the House were distributed; but some exceptions are now made. With regard to Papers presented by command, out of 281 such Papers presented last Session, more than 100 were not delivered except upon the application of Members. In a matter affecting so much the Members of the House, I do not think that it is advisable for the Government to make any pro- posals; but that the general arrangements are best left in the hands of Mr. Speaker.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether there is any chance of the Government bringing in a Bill this Session to deal with certain Municipal Corporations, as recommended in the Report of the Royal Commission presented to Parliament last year?

Yes, Sir; the Bill is already drawn, and whenever I have an opportunity of introducing it I shall be very glad to do so.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is intended to introduce a measure substituting local inquiries, in place of costly private Acts, for the extension of the boundaries of Municipal Boroughs; and, whether, pending the introduction of such a measure, he would allow some officer of the Local Government Board to give advice and assistance to parties locally interested as to equitable terms of rating and other conditions attaching to such extensions, so as, if possible, to bring about arrangements and prevent expensive contests before Parliamentary Committees?

Sir, in consequence of the large amount of Business before the House, the Local Government Board have no intention of introducing a measure on this subject during the present Session. At the same time, I quite admit that it is a matter well worthy of consideration whether these extensions could not be more conveniently made by Provisional Orders than by Private Bills. As regards the last portion of the Question, I must say I am afraid that, with the present staff of the Department, I could not detach an officer as suggested.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the following passage in President Garfield's Address on the subject of inter-oceanic communications:—

"The subject, however, is one which will immediately engage the attention of the Government, with the view to the thorough protection of American interests. We will urge no narrow policy, nor seek peculiar or exclusive privileges in any commercial route; but, in the language of my predecessor, I believe it to be the right and duty of the United States to assert and maintain such supervision and authority over an inter-oceanic canal across the isthmus that connects North and South America as will protect our National interests."

Sir, the Article of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty referred to must be read in connection with the Treaties concluded with Honduras on the 27th of August, 1856, and with Nicaragua on the 11th of February, 1860; and also the Treaties between the United States and those countries with Honduras of July 4, 1864, and with Nicaragua of June 21, 1867. The French Government have also Treaties with Nicaragua for the encouragement of inter-oceanic communication. Her Majesty's Government have not had any correspondence with the United States or any other country respecting the canal now in contemplation. The matter has occupied their careful attention; but they think it would be premature at this moment to take any action.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can lay upon the Table of the House the terms of the invitation to the proposed International Monetary Conference, together with the reply of the Government thereto; and, whether, considering the very important bearing which the decisions of this Conference must have on Indian finance, and on all eastern commerce, Her Majesty's Government propose that the Government of India should be represented?

Sir, there can be no objection whatever to lay these Papers on the Table; but it is possible that it would be more convenient to Members not to present them until the answer is sent, and this cannot be done for a short time. I may say generally that a difficulty has arisen on the terms of the invitation. They are such as appear to involve us in a predetermined conclusion to introduce bimetallism, and to reduce the subject of discussion to the form and manner of introducing it. We are not prepared to lay down any such predetermined conclusion, nor to hold out any expectation, as far as the currency of this country is concerned, of our acceding to this measure. We shall be glad, however, to join the Conference if it be possible to do so without giving rise to any misapprehension as to our intentions. In regard to India my noble Friend the Secretary of State has communicated with the parties on the subject, and the House may rest assured that that part of the matter will not be overlooked.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any official intimation has been received from the German Government relative to an Imperial Ordinance, dated 16th February last, decreeing that fishing vessels should carry certain lights; and, if so, whether he will state what the now regulations are?

Sir, Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin has received from the German Government an Imperial Ordinance, promul gated at Berlin on the 16th ultimo, for the purpose of repealing Article 10 of a previous Ordinance dated the 7th of February last, under which fishing boats carried red and green lights in common with other vessels. By the terms of a new Ordinance fishing vessels are only obliged to show a white light, but may also use a "flare."

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, When the Scheme framed by the Senate of the Royal University in Ireland will be laid upon the Table of the House?

Sir, I have learnt from the Secretary of the Royal University that the Committee for considering the scheme is to meet on the 15th instant. I hope and believe that the scheme will shortly be laid upon the Table of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether captains who will be retired under existing regulations from the 1st January 1881 (as having completed 20 years' service), will be allowed the benefit of the changes proposed to come into operation on the 1st January 1881?

Sir, in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I have to state that under the new proposals on the 1st of July any non-purchase captain who may have been compulsorily retired under the present warrant will be allowed—subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief—an unattached majority, his pay being re-assessed accordingly, with the chance of re-employment up to the age of 43. But this will not be granted to officers who have commuted and left the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If the Chief Inspector of Mines has furnished to the Government his Report on the use of blasting powder, open or in cartridges, in the Cleveland mining district; whether, considering that it will affect a large body of workmen, if it is in favour of loose powder, what action, if any, does he propose to take on the subject; and, whether he will cause the Report to be laid upon the Table of the House and printed before taking any action?

Yes, Sir; the Report has been received, and will be laid upon the Table of the House. No action will be taken until that is done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If the Commissioner sent by the Government to watch over the interests of the State at the coroner's inquest into the cause of death of those who lost their lives in the Pen-y-Graig Explosion has yet made his Report; whether the Government contemplate taking any action against the proprietors or manager of the mine; and, further, if he will cause a Report to be laid upon the Table of the House?

Sir, the Report has been received from the inspector, together with the evidence, and it will be presented to Parliament. I have directed that an inquiry should be held under the 32nd section of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, with the object of ascertaining whether the manager ought to be deprived of his certificate.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether it has occurred to him to consider the hardship that will be inflicted upon female householders in those boroughs were Bribery Commissions have been and are still sitting, by the levying of a rate to defray the expenses of such Commissions; and, if so, whether he intends to take any steps with the view of exempting such persons from the pecuniary fine which will otherwise be imposed on them in consequence of the delinquencies of their male neighbours, who have abused the electoral privileges which they possess, but which are denied to women?

, in reply, said, he quite admitted that a great hardship was inflicted upon female householders, and, he might add also, generally on persons who were not electors and those who had acted purely, in being compelled to contribute to the expense of the Bribery Commissions which had been sitting in some of the boroughs. In the case, for instance, of the comparatively pure borough of Knaresborough, every one of the electors would feel that he was bearing an expense that ought not to be forced upon him. In the Corrupt Practices Bill already before the House it was proposed to take power to cast the expenses consequent on corruption on those who were responsible for it; and, probably, when the Bill came on, he should have the hon. Gentleman's assistance in carrying it.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether his attention has lately been called to the incursions of French fishermen upon the English fishing grounds in and near Rye Bay; and, whether he has taken or proposes to take any steps to prevent such incursions for the future by ordering that such fishing grounds shall be duly protected by a suitable vessel?

Sir, on a Report being made by a divisional officer of the Coastguard on the spot, to the effect that the French fishing fleet has appeared, a cruiser is always despatched, and the Frances cutter, of 70 tons, has been cruising between Dungeness and Hastings ever since February 27, and is on the spot now. Special Reports on the state of things have been called for from the divisional officers, and the Inspecting Commander at Folkestone has been instructed to wait on the commanding officer of the French man-of-war at Dover to inquire whether anything can be done to check the encroachments complained of.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is a fact that, owing to the entry of 102 Lieutenants from the Main Executive Class for Navigating duties, 48 out of 206 of the old Navigating Offi- cers, i.e., Staff Commanders and Navigating Lieutenants, are on half-pay; whether any compensation has been made to these Officers in accordance with the usual practice in such cases; and, whether the Admiralty will offer them optional amalgamation with the Navigating Officers, or optional retirement on the same scale as that allowed to Commanders and Lieutenants by Circular C. 13 of the 14th August, 1873?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is the case that nearly one-third of the Navigating Officers (old system) of the Royal Navy are now unemployed; and, whether this state of things has not been brought about by a practical abolition of their office; and, if so, has any compensation been given to these officers in accordance with the usual custom in such cases?

Sir, It is the case that 48 out of 219, not 206, of the old navigating officers are unemployed. The system of selecting executive officers for navigating duties began in the year 1873. In the year 1870, 122 navigating officers out of 354 were unemployed—that is to say, about 35 per cent. In 1851, 75 out of 267, or 30 per cent, were unemployed, and the same proportion continued till the year 1873, and for some years afterwards. At this present moment 22 per cent only are unemployed; so that it is quite clear that there is no change for the worse in this respect owing to the selection of executive officers for navigating duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the Government proposes to introduce any measure for the reform of the Patent Laws, in either House of Parliament, during the present Session?

, in reply, said, that the subject was engaging the attention of the Government; but the state of Public Business would probably preclude the introduction of a measure of reform during the present Session.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, since the defeat of Her Majesty's Troops by the Boers on the 27th February, Her Majesty's Government has taken any active steps whatever towards the making of an armistice with the Boers?

Sir, I was under the impression that this point had been disposed of by a former answer of mine. I have only to say that no steps whatever have been taken by Her Majesty's Government. The hon. Gentleman is aware that the Government have approved what Sir Evelyn Wood has done, and have given him permission to prolong the armistice if he finds it necessary.

asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether Her Majesty's Government is aware of any steps taken by the British Commander subsequent to the death of Sir George Colley for bringing about an Armistice, whether on his own initiative or on the initiative of Her Majesty's Government?

The question of the initiative of Her Majesty's Government I have disposed of. With regard to what has been done by the British Commander, we have already informed the House of all we know on the subject.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether his attention has been called to the case of a village in Oxfordshire, where application was made for the establishment of a guarantee savings bank, and where answer was made by the authorities of the Post Office that the application could not be complied with unless the present postmistress were removed; and, whether, any arrangement can be made to insure for the future the appointment of officials in remote rural post-offices who shall be competent to perform the duties that may be required of them in the case of the establishment of guarantee savings banks, so as to obviate the objection now felt to the making of applications for guarantee savings banks in country districts, under the fear of depriving existing postmasters and mistresses of their appointments?

Sir, I find it is the case, that in a village in Oxfordshire, where it was proposed to establish a savings bank under guarantee, it has been reported that the postmistress, chiefly in consequence of her advanced age, is not qualified to undertake the new duties which would be imposed upon her. As I should be sorry if she were displaced from the position which she has long occupied, and as I think, on the other hand, it would be equally to be regretted that the inhabitants should be deprived of the advantages of a savings bank, I hope the difficulty may be met by supplying the postmistress with some assistance. This will increase, but I trust not materially, the amount of the guarantee. With regard to the important general question which has been raised by my hon. Friend, I hope that under the system which I explained a short time since in the House, and which allows a savings bank and money order office to be opened in any village under guarantee, the number of those banks may be so much increased, that I think it is very important that in future those who are appointed to village post offices should be competent to undertake, if required, savings banks and money order business. I shall, therefore, consider it necessary that those who may in future be appointed to these village post offices should possess the qualifications to which I have referred.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether some arrangement can be made, independent of the Queen's Printer, whereby the extraordinary delay in the delivery of important papers to Members may be avoided?

Sir, I believe the Question of the hon. Member is occasioned by the delay in presentation of the Reports of Election Commissions. After careful inquiry, I find that the responsibility for the delay in the publication does not by any means rest entirely with the printers. Four Commissions have reported—Sandwich, Knaresborough, Boston, and Canterbury. The delay in the delivery of the Copies of the evidence taken by the Sandwich Commission is mainly owing to an omission to present it. The Reports of the Knaresborough, Boston, and Canterbury Commissions were presented with evidence, containing in all from 500 to 630 pages each, within from four to six weeks of the dates on which they were received by the printers. The Sandwich Report was presented without evidence. The evidence, which formed a separate volume, not having been presented, no order was given to strike it off. The printers report that, had such an order been given, the delivery could have been made without difficulty several days ago.

asked whether the delay did not partly arise from the fact that the Stationery Office made its contract with the Queen's Printers, thereby throwing upon them an amount of work that they were unable to turn out? He referred particularly to the Report of the Agricultural Commission.

Sir, I do not think that the delay is due to any excessive amount of work being thrown upon one firm. They can put on any staff and turn out any amount of work. The fact is, that printing and the correction of proofs is work that necessarily takes a considerable time.

Will the noble Lord put it up to competition?

The arrangements of the office were revised by the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. W. H. Smith) in a manner which reflects great credit on him, and, in effect, it was then put up to competition.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to the following statement in a recently published work, entitled "Merv and the Man Stealing Turcomans, by Charles Marvin":—

"By the Secret Treaty of May 31st, 1878, the Czar solemnly bound himself never to extend the Russian frontier in Asia Minor;"

Sir, the statement quoted is not correct, and the case concerns Her Majesty's late Government, who gave the explanations which seemed to them at the time pos- sible. I have nothing to add; and, indeed, could not add to the statement I made on the 28th of May last with regard to confidential communications between the late Government and the Russian Government without authority from both Parties.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Why the South African war medal has not been issued to all those who were engaged in the Zulu war?

Sir, I do not quite understand the object of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question. The medal has been issued to all troops of whom we have received proper rolls, and a Committee has just reported on a few doubtful cases; and I have approved their Report on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether his attention has been called to the constitution of the Committee on Railways recently appointed by this House; whether it is a fact that it includes at least eight Railway directors; and, whether, as a Committee so constituted will not be a satisfactory tribunal to decide upon the complaints made by the agricultural interest against the rates for the carriage of goods at present charged by the Railway Companies, he will undertake to ask the House to reconstitute the Committee?

, in reply, said, that, with the permission of the House, he would at the same time answer the Questions of the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Heneage) and of the hon. and learned Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Serjeant Simon) on this subject. In the first place, it would be well to call the attention of the House to the fact that the appointment of the Committee did not rest primarily with the Government, and that in regard to nearly half of the Committee the Government had no influence in their nomination. Probably the House would regard with jealousy anything like interference on the part of the Government with the composition of the Committee, as Committees so ap- pointed would not have the confidence of the public. Notice of the nomination of this Committee was given 10 days before the appointment was made, and the proper time to have contested the constitution of the Committee would have been when the nomination was made. It was very difficult to specify the qualifications of the Committee, because it was difficult to say what was the chief ground on which any Member had been placed on the Committee. He had carefully considered the matter; and, as far as he had been able to find out, after making allowance for dual qualifications, he found that its composition was as follows:—One hon. Member represented the Board of Trade, two were connected with the Legal Profession, four represented agricultural interests, five represented the interests of coal and iron, six the interests of manufactures and commerce, seven were supposed to be principally connected with railways, and one remained—the right hon. Member for North Hants (Mr. Sclater-Booth)—whom, he confessed, he was unable to classify without permission. Under these circumstances, he did not think the railway interests unduly prominent or predominant, or that the agricultural or the manufacturing interest, or the interest of the large towns, was insufficiently or inadequately represented. At the same time, he recognized that there was a feeling, probably general on both sides of the House, that those interests should be strengthened. The proposition, therefore, he had to make was that if the hon. and learned Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Serjeant Simon) would withdraw his opposition he would himself place on the Paper a Motion to increase the number of the Committee to 27, and would add the names of the hon. Member for East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes), the hon. Member for Scarborough (Mr. Caine), who also represented the commercial interests of Liverpool, the hon. Member for South Shropshire (Sir Baldwyn Leighton) and the hon. Member for South Northamptonshire (Mr. Phipps), one representing the coal trade, two the agricultural interest, and one a large commercial constituency. Subsequently,

asked, Whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that he had named 26 Members, whereas the Committee consisted of only 23, and whether it was not probable that he had counted some of the Members twice over?

Yes, Sir; it is not only probable but certain. I explained to the House that several Members of the Committee had dual qualifications, and it was impossible for me to classify them as having one qualification only.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether in the Colony of British Guiana English subjects, including indentured Coolies, previously unconvicted of any offence, are liable to receive thirty-nine lashes in addition to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour, for the offence of stealing one pennyworth of plantains, or any other common fruit of the country; whether these punishments can be and are, as a matter of fact, mostly inflicted by stipendiary justices without the intervention of a jury; and, whether any such laws prevail in the other West Indian Colonies?

"Yes" will be my answer to all the three Questions, provided that, in spite of the turn which my hon. Friend has given to the first, it is understood that the maxim "De minimis non curat lex" is accepted in all countries. In Guiana predial larceny seems to be punished by whipping oftener than in the West India Islands. In 1879 there were in that Colony no less than 1,043 cases of predial larceny of sufficient gravity to be reported to the police. I need hardly say that plunder of their provision grounds and gardens is the greatest calamity with which the industrious negroes have to contend. Of the 1,043 cases 89 were prosecuted to conviction, and in 32 cases whipping was inflicted. The depredators on the gardens of the negroes, chiefly negroes themselves, not coolies, often go about in gangs, and commit much violence.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he has been informed of the intention of the guardians of the parish of St. Saviour Southwark to erect a new workhouse on ground adjoining Dulwich Grove; and, if he is aware that such proposed erection will be a serious inconvenience to the inhabitants in that locality, who have expressed strong objections to a workhouse being built in the midst of suburban villas; and, whether the consent of the Local Government Board has been given to the proposed erection after a request from the inhabitants that a deputation might be received and before such deputation was received?

, in reply, said he had been informed of the intention of the guardians to erect a workhouse, and the site having been inspected by an inspector of the Local Government Board, and reported to be exceedingly well adapted for the purpose, the proposed purchase was sanctioned. That was before the application for the deputation was received. He would regret exceedingly that the erection of the building on the proposed site should prove an inconvenience to any of the inhabitants; but he was bound to point out that if buildings of that kind were to be erected only on sites where no one could be found to object, they would have to abandon their erection altogether.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is his intention to introduce during the present Session a Bill authorizing parochial boards to grant superannuation allowances to inspectors of the poor?

Sir, the question referred to by my hon. Friend has already engaged the attention of the Government, and I believe I may say that we hope to introduce a Bill giving the same power to Scotch Parochial Boards as are possessed by the Unions of England and Ireland.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, When the account to be annually presented to Parliament, in accordance with the recommendations of the Public Ac- counts Committee, "showing all arrears of payments due to the Exchequer as Extra Receipts," will be presented?

Sir, the Treasury propose to call on the Departments to send in a Return of all moneys receivable by them as extra receipts on behalf of the Exchequer exceeding £100 which will have been outstanding for more than a year on the 31st of March next.

asked the Secretary of State for War, What position is to be assigned to the Artillery Militia in the new scheme of Territorial Regiments, and if the Officers of that force are to wear gold lace and appointments as in the Royal Artillery?

Sir, the case of the Artillery Militia is still under my consideration, and I cannot undertake at this moment to say what change we may make in their uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has considered that, by allowing commanding officers of Militia to prolong their service beyond the age of sixty years, at which age, in accordance with paragraph 87, section I. of the Militia Regulations, they are now obliged to retire, and by compelling majors to retire at the age of 55, he will not preclude many existing majors from obtaining the command of the regiments?

Sir, the hon. and gallant Gentleman has somewhat imperfectly appreciated the present regulation. It is true that colonels of Militia may be retired at 60 years of age; but this is not compulsory, as the regulation allows an unlimited extension on the recommendation of the General Officer commanding; and, as a matter of fact, there are 11 colonels of over 67 years of age, 15 over 60, and 15 majors also over 60. The new rule will be more favourable to present majors than the existing one, which is practically no rule at all, and I see no reason for modifying it.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- land, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the late Assizes held in Drogheda on Monday March 7th, the judge was presented with white gloves, the calendar not exhibiting a single case for trial?

, in reply, said, that his attention had been called to the fact by the hon. Member's Question, and it was a very satisfactory circumstance.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Government contemplates the immediate withdrawal of troops from Ireland, as stated in the "Times" of Saturday the 5th March?

I know nothing on this subject, except that I have read the paragraph in The Times to which the hon. Member refers. It conjectures what Government may probably do after the Arms Bill has passed. I really cannot undertake to answer all the predictions as to the future intentions of Her Majesty's Government which may appear in the newspapers.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can state what decision has been arrived at on the point of Law with reference to the Entida Estate in Tunis, which he informed the House, on a former occasion, had been referred to the Law Officers of the Crown; whether any information has been received by Her Majesty's Government that the French Government had consulted the Sheikh- el-Islam at Constantinople, thereby acknowledging that the question came under the jurisdiction of the Mahomedan Law, and should consequently be decided by the Local Courts at Tunis; whether his attention has been drawn to a statement which appeared in a letter to one of the leading journals, to the effect that the French ironclad "Friedland" did not leave Tunis, as was alleged by him, when Her Majesty's ship "Thunderer" took her departure from Tunisian waters, and if he can say if there is at present any French war vessel lying there; and, whether the time has not arrived when the Papers connected with this subject can be laid upon the Table of the House?

Sir, no decision has yet been arrived at on the point to which my hon. Friend refers. Her Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any reference to the Sheikh-ul-Islam beyond a statement to that effect made to Lord Granville by Mr. Levy's legal adviser. Her Majesty's Government are not yet in a position to lay before Parliament the Papers upon the subject. The Friedland did leave Tunis the day before the Thunderer left, and there is only the usual smaller ship there now.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the fact that Bands in the Militia are almost entirely supported by voluntary subscriptions and stoppages of pay from the officers, he will for this year make some allowance to the Bands of Irish Militia regiments, to enable them to tide over the difficulties consequent on there being no training, and therefore no pay issued to officers.

Sir, the noble Lord mentioned this subject to me privately some time ago, and, with every desire to meet his wish, I have been considering it with the departmental officers concerned. The difficulty is that officially the War Office has no knowledge of Militia bands. The men are Militiamen, paid as such, and assisted by officers' contributions. As the regiments are not called up for training, I fear I have no legal power to make any payments for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether mounted officers are permitted and encouraged to dismount when under fire whenever their duty can be performed with equal efficiency on foot; and, whether, in view of the deadly character of the Boer's fire, it would not be advisable to issue orders that officers shall cease to wear sashes and other badges easily distinguished at a distance; and, whe- ther their steel scabbards cannot be darkened so as to prevent their glancing in the sun?

Sir, in reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that the Commander-in-Chief is about to issue a General Order with regard to mounted officers dismounting in action. The officers now on active service in South Africa do not wear their sashes, and it is now the custom to "dull" swords and scabbards.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he can inform the House whether there is any regulation in force, or custom existing, in the Royal Irish Constabulary, that sub-inspectors should not be permanently stationed in the same district nor continued in the same station beyond a certain number of years; and, if so, will he have any objection to place the rule or regulation upon the Table of the House?

, in reply, said, he was informed by the Inspector General of Constabulary that there was no regulation of the sort. Sub-inspectors were sometimes transferred from one place to another, according as it was considered expedient. He would rather the hon. Member would not ask for the Return, as its production would give much trouble.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If he would state the date of the death of Mr. Greer, the late county judge of Cavan and Leitrim; the date of the appointment of his successor, Mr. George Waters, Q.C.; the date of the Order in Council altering the periods for the holding courts in Cavan and Leitrim; why such Order in Council was not issued in time to enable all processes to be served in due time before such altered periods; whether, after the promulgation of the Order in Council, processes in equity land cases, and also civil Bills over £20, as well as transfers of licences, were not absolutely excluded from adjudication at the forthcoming sessions; and, whether the grave inconvenience thus caused to suitors in Cavan and Leitrim has arisen from the re-appointment of Mr. Waters to his former post of county judge of Waterford, in addition to that of judge of Cavan and Leitrim; and, what was the date of such re-appointment?

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether the counties of Cavan and Leitrim were united in one county court judgeship in February, 1878; whether the dates for holding quarter sessions, civil bill, and land courts in these counties were duly fixed, pursuant to Statute, last November for the present year; whether ample notice (fixed by Statute at six weeks) of the holding of such courts is not necessary for suitors; whether equity civil bills, land claims, and notices for transfers of publicans' licences require to be served several weeks before the holding of such courts; whether it was in accordance with the construction and intention of "The County Courts Act, 1877," that the dates at which the county court judge of Cavan and Leitrim was bound to hold his courts should be materially altered, in order to enable him to accept an additional temporary appointment; whether anyone connected with the counties of Cavan or Leitrim, except the county court judge, was consulted on the subject; and, whether the suitors in equity cases, land claims, civil bills over £20, and transfers of publicans' licences' claims, who may be precluded by the shortness of the notice from bringing forward their cases at the approaching sessions, will be compelled to wait until the following sessions, or else at greater expense to resort to proceedings in the superior courts?

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it is true that the Grand Jury of the county Leitrim, now assembled at Assizes, have this day, March 7th, passed a resolution condemning in strongest terms the alteration of the dates for the holding of Quarter Sessions, Civil Bill and Land Courts in the county for the year 1881; whether it is not the fact that all ordinary Civil Bills must be in the hands of the process servers one week before the commencement of Sessions; whether in the Manorhamilton Division of the county the last day for such lodgment is not Tuesday, the 8th instant; whether this alteration of dates was only posted in the county on Friday the 4th instant; and, whether this proceeding gave intending suitors only three days to take the necessary steps to prepare and bring forward their claims?

In replying, Sir, to the hon. Member for the City of Londonderry (Mr. Lewis), I hope I may be permitted also to answer the Questions by the two hon. and gallant Members for the County of Leitrim (Mr. Tottenham and Major O'Beirne), and also a fourth Question, of which my hon. Friend the Member for Downpatrick (Mr. Mulholland) has given Notice for to-morrow. There is no doubt, Sir, that there has been a miscarriage in making the necessary arrangements for holding the Quarter Sessions, Civil Bill, and Land Courts of Cavan and Leitrim. These counties were united in 1878 into one County Court Judgeship; and the dates for holding the Courts in 1881, of which adequate notice is, of course, necessary, were fixed last November. Civil bills, land claims, publicans' notices, and other proceedings in these Courts, require to be served at specified times before the holding of the Courts. Mr. Greer, the late County Court Judge, died on the 23rd of November, 1880; and Mr. Waters, then the Waterford County Court Judge, was appointed in the room of Mr. Greer by an order of December 24. At the same time, he was appointed temporary County Court Judge of Waterford, because Waterford could not for the present be joined to the group of counties with which it is ultimately to be united, and such temporary Judgeship can only be held by another County Judge. It was afterwards found that the dates fixed for holding the Courts of the united counties of Cavan and Leitrim clashed with those for holding the Waterford Courts; and it was also found that, while under the Act of 1877 there was power to vary the Cavan and Leitrim dates, there was no provision under which the Waterford dates could be altered. Under these circumstances, it was considered that an Order in Council should be made changing the dates of the Cavan and Leitrim Courts, and for this purpose the County Court Judge furnished a schedule of the dates to be appended to the Order. The Law Officers, taking for granted the dates thus furnished by the Judge, suited the requirements of the business in his Court, did not, as it seems they ought to have done, critically examine these dates in detail; and thus the Order in Council of the 2nd instant was made to which the hon. Members have called attention. The dates thereby fixed do not allow a sufficient interval for having the business of these Courts properly transacted; and I shall, therefore, recommend that a new Order shall at once be made restoring the dates originally fixed last November. So far as these interfere with the dates fixed for the Waterford County Courts, provision must be made for holding the latter by a substitute. I need not say I regret that this mistake should have occurred; but I trust that all difficulty and inconvenience will be prevented by the course which I have now indicated.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the views of Her Majesty's Government upon the rising in the Transvaal were not on the 6th January expressed in Her Majesty's most gracious Speech in the following words:—

"A rising in the Transvaal has recently imposed upon me the duty of taking military measures with a view to the prompt vindication of my authority, and has of necessity set aside for the time any plan for securing to the European settlers that full control over their local affairs without prejudice to the interests of the natives which I have been desirous to confer;"

Sir, the Question is one which I have already answered more than once; and I have informed the House of the only instructions given to Sir George Colley, and to which, as the noble Lord justly observed, Sir Evelyn Wood succeeded on the death of that lamented officer. As regards the first part of the Question, I have no doubt that the citation from the Queen's Speech is correct. At the time when Her Majesty was advised to sanction the delivery of that Speech we were under the impression, which I think was correct, that our first duty, on the occurrence of the rising in the Transvaal, was to place the local authority of the Queen and the military acting under Her Majesty in South Africa in a condition to deal with the emergency. We were at that time actively engaged in that duty, and until it had been fulfilled we did not consider the opportunity had arisen for our endeavouring to bring about a settlement of affairs in the Transvaal. We do consider that, in existing circumstances, such an opportunity has arisen, so far, at least, as to make it our duty and worth our while to have the circumstances carefully tested with a view to ascertain what may be the result. I cannot undertake to predict confidently the issue of the communications which are going on. We are aware of the interests on our hands, and we shall endeavour sedulously to guard them. With respect to what has been done in the interval, much, undoubtedly, has happened in the interval, including the proposal or request from the leaders of the Boers for the appointment of a Royal Commission to examine into the matter. I do not think it would be convenient or altogether just to the House if I were to endeavour, in answer to a Question, to give anything like a full or detailed account of what has happened. The best form of giving such detailed accounts—in fact, the only form satisfactory to the House—will be the presentation to the House of the actual Correspondence as it has occurred so soon as the moment arrives when the public interests will allow of its being presented. I may, however, observe that there are Supplementary Estimates on the Table, including, unhappily of necessity, both Military and Naval Estimates for the service in the Transvaal, for which it will be necessary to propose Votes within the course of the next week or 10 days. That will afford the noble Lord and other hon. Members an opportunity of offering criticisms if they think fit.

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he is possession of any further news respecting the anticipated outbreak of hostilities on the Gold Coast?

Sir, in reply to the noble Lord, I will read the following news from the Lieutenant Governor of the Gold Coast, which was received at the Colonial Office yesterday:—

"Messengers from Ashantee received. King disclaims Ambassadors' threat as to attacking Assin. It was Enquie's act and should be overlooked. King entertained only friendly feeling towards English. Gold axe meant nothing. If it is reported that Ashantees are ready to attack any part of the Protectorate, report will be false. The King wishes to be friends with this Government."

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If it is a fact that on Saturday the 26th of February, a number of men entered on the land of a tenant in the county of Longford who had been served with an ejectment, and with forty ploughs ploughed up all the grass land on the holding, so as to leave it nearly worthless for some time to the landowner?

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether some time since a tenant on the Carrick-boy Estate, County Longford, was served with a writ of ejectment; whether, with his sanction, on Saturday the 28th February, a party of men entered his holding and ploughed up his grass land; and, whether the ploughs on that occasion numbered about forty?

Sir, I have received reports from the Constabulary authorities in reference to tins matter, from which I find that a tenant in the Carrickboy district, in the county of Longford, who has recently been served with an ejectment process, has had, on two or three days last week, from 6 to 13 ploughs each day ploughing up a few fields for the purpose of setting the land in conacre in order to obtain money to pay his rent and stave off eviction. The fields in question, however, were not grazing land, but tillage, and have been used for similar purposes for a number of years. The ploughing, too, was done under the eye of the land bailiff. I presume this must be the case referred to in the Question, as it is the only one that has come to the knowledge of the local constabulary.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is prepared to recommend a step of honorary rank being granted to those officers of Militia, who, having not yet completed the term of service now entitling them to it, will be compelled to retire on account of age?

No, Sir; I fear I cannot undertake to recommend to Her Majesty to carry still further the boon of a step of honorary rank, which I have mentioned as intended to be allowed to Militia officers.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government are in possession of the terms of the Treaty lately made between Russia and China; and, if so, whether it is in his power to communicate them to the House, either by laying them on the Table or otherwise?

Sir, Her Majesty's Government are generally acquainted with the terms of the Treaty between Russia and China which Lord Dufferin reported to have been signed at St. Petersburg on the 24th ultimo, and as soon as Her Majesty's Government are in possession of a formal copy it will be laid on the Table of the House.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he could give the House any information as to the probable course of Business to-morrow or on Monday?

If the concluding stages of the Arms Bill should not be got through to-night, we shall pro- ceed to-morrow with the Arms Bill, in the hope that in the circumstances the debate will net be prolonged beyond tomorrow, and with the intention of proposing to the House that it shall not be prolonged beyond to-morrow. I propose to state to-morrow what we expect with regard to the course of Business next week. Estimates will be put down on the Paper on the chance of their being taken—[Mr. W. H. SMITH: What Estimates?]—but not the Navy Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for India, When he expects to receive the Report called for in the following words from his Despatch to His Excellency the Viceroy of India, dated May 8th 1880, three weeks after the assumption of office of Her Majesty's present Ministers:—

"The desire of Her Majesty's Government is that Afghan territory should be evacuated whenever it appears possible to entertain the hope that a stable Government has been secured. Your Excellency will report as to the manner in which this object may be best attained;"

I suppose the Question of the hon. Member refers to a paragraph in a despatch dated the 21st, and not the 8th, of May. In response to that despatch the Government of India have not furnished anything which could be described as taking the form of a Report; but they have from time to time sent despatches, the major part of which have, I believe, been laid on the Table of the House, giving statements of their proceedings with regard to Cabul, the Khyber, and Kuram. I have already mentioned that a short despatch has been received on the subject of Candahar, and it will be laid on the Table as soon as the enclosures which belong to it are also received. In reply to the last part of the Question, I may say that a Minute by the Commander-in-Chief, who is a Member of the Supreme Council, has been laid on the Table and included in the Blue Book recently issued. Other Minutes by Members of the Council are expected to arrive by the next mail, and I shall be able, I hope, to present them as soon as they arrive. I ought, perhaps, to state with reference to an answer given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury on Tuesday, in which he stated that he did not expect any movement of troops would take place for a considerable time, that on the same day I received the following telegram:—

"The withdrawal of troops from the Candahar line commences at once. Three Native regiments and probably one European regiment will be ordered to return to India immediately."

Now that our troops are leaving Candahar, I would like to ask the Secretary of State for India to whom it is proposed to give up Gandahar?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give Notice of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will state what will be the constitution of the New Ordnance Committee, and what duties will be assigned to it?

If my right hon. Friend will move for the Instructions to the New Ordnance Committee, I shall have no objection to presenting them. The Committee will be constituted as follows:—President, General Sir Collingwood Dickson, R.A.; Vice President, Rear Admiral Howard; Members, Captain Singer, R.N.; Colonel Smyth, R.A.; Captain Bridge, R.N.; Colonel Nugent, R.E.; Colonel M'Farlane, R.A. (ex-officio as Ordnance Consulting Officer for India); Major Noble, R.A.; Mr. Bramwell, C.E.; and Mr. Barlow, C.E.; Major Ellis, R.A., Secretary, and Cap- tain Bainbridge, R.A., Assistant Secretary. The Committee's duties will begin on the 1st of April.

asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether, on Saturday the 26th ult. certain evictions were carried into effect upon an estate situated in the townland of Carran, and adjoining townlands, in the county of Armagh; and, if he will state the number of families evicted, and the number of police present on the occasion?

Sir, there were no evictions in the townlands in question on the 26th ultimo; but I find that on the 25th ultimo, seven families were evicted for non-payment of rent. There were no police employed on the occasion. There was no excitement, and the tenants quietly gave up possession to the sheriff's bailiffs.

gave Notice that, tomorrow, he would ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the first communications with respect to the terms of peace and the armistice now existing between the British troops and the Boers took place after the death of Sir George Colley; whether they were in reference to previous communications or to a new proposal; whether they were due to initiative proceedings on the part of the British Commander or anyone on his behalf, or whether they proceeded from the Boer leaders or anyone on their behalf; and whether a basis of peace had been agreed upon?

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he would favourably consider whether, in the case of sergeants, the defaulter-sheet, which, in most cases, is but the record of youthful indiscretions, should be kept locked up as a confidential document, in order that a man who has so reformed as to deserve promotion to this rank should start in it with a clean bill of health?

Sir, in reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to state that this is purely a question of the internal economy of a regiment, upon which I am very loth to express an opinion. I have spoken to the Commander-in-Chief on the subject, and at present he does not see any valid reason for the change suggested; but the matter shall receive attention when we have less pressure of Business than now.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he had received any confirmation of the announcement which appeared in the morning papers that the Boers were employing the leisure enjoyed by them during the armistice in burning the homesteads of British residents in the Transvaal?

No, Sir, we have received no telegram to that effect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the Thames Bill was finally arranged to come on on Tuesday?

Yes, I hope so.

believed that the two hon. Members named would be able to render valuable assistance to the Committee; but he thought it right that a Conservative Member should rise and protest against the number of Liberal Members on the Committee. There were already eight Liberal Members on the Committee and seven Conservative Members; and if the two hon. Members proposed were added there would be ten Liberals to seven Conservatives. Tie did not wish to go against the Resolution of the Committee, which was agreed to by a considerable majority, nor did he wish to object to the Motion; but he thought it right to make this protest, and he would suggest the addition of two Conservative Members to the Committee, in order to make the two sides more evenly balanced. As a rule these Committees were never constituted with such a preponderating majority on one side, and he thought such a course would create a precedent which it would be bad to follow. He did not think many Members of the Committee would object to the addition of two more Members; and he believed several Members on that side of the House would like to serve on what was a very interesting Committee.

stated that no Party spirit bad entered into the Report of the Committee. The Committee came to the conclusion that it was desirable to have two medical Members on the Committee to assist them in examining the witnesses and in drawing up their Report; and the two names suggested were those of the Member for Aberdeenshire and the Member for Glasgow. They happened to be Liberals; but the Conservative Members of the Committee voted in favour of the proposal, which had not been in the slightest degree a Party matter.

said, he had been speaking to the right hon. Member for Whitchaven, who was a great stickler for the rights of that (the Conservative) side of the House; and his right hon. Friend had referred with approval to the proposal to add the two hon. Members named to the Committee.

said, he moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Law relating to Maintenance. It might be necessary to inform hon. Members who did not belong to the Legal Profession what sort of "maintenance" was here referred to—namely, a very old but a very absurd and oppressive doctrine, of law which for nearly a century our Judges had inveighed against, even while they felt compelled to recognize and apply it. According to that doctrine if a benevolent person gave a poor woman a £5 note to enable her to obtain justice in a Court of Law, the kindly act was illegal—was, in fact, the crime of what is called "maintenance." Barely a few weeks ago Mr. Justice Lindley expressed his repugnance to this monstrous doctrine; and he (Mr. A. M. Sullivan), in this effort to sweep it away, was promised the co-operation and sympathy of legal men on both sides of the House.