asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the additional obligations to be placed on members joining the Volunteer Service, he will endeavour to bring about their exemption from liability to serve upon juries?

The question of exempting Volunteers from liability to serve on juries is well worthy of consideration; but this House has always been somewhat jealous of any exemption from jury service. It shall, however, be carefully considered in the event of any general legislation on the subject.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is true that two members of the Belfast Post Office staff have, within a recent period, been under treatment for mental derangement, and that one of them has succumbed to the malady; whether it is a fact that the deceased was a man of irreproachable character, with 20 years' service; whether he was recently sent on special duty to Dunfanaghy, and placed in a subordinate position to a clerk of equal rank, but his junior by many years; and, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the case, with a view to discovering whether the mental attack, which ended in the death of this officer, was in any way attributable to the treatment which he received in his office?

, in reply, said, it was a fact that two members of the Belfast Post Office had, within a recent period, been under treatment for mental derangement, and that one of them succumbed to the malady. He made inquiries into the matter; and the medical officer had assured him that the unfortunate condition of the two men was owing to causes practically unconnected with their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, since the Metropolitan Police have been withdrawn from the nightly supervision of inclosed gardens, complaints have been made to the Police Authorities that those places have been used by burglars as a base of operations; and, whether the Chief Commissioner proposes to take any, and what, steps in the matter?

I am informed by the Chief Commissioner of Police that no complaints, such as those suggested, have been made to him. The Reports of the Superintendents show that the withdrawal of men on beat from private grounds has not led to an increase of crime; and the Chief Commissioner is of opinion that this withdrawal has greatly conduced to the safety of the public and their property.

asked the hon. Member for Penrith, Whether he has received an intimation that the Vicar of Swineshead declined to allow a poll to be taken by ballot on an election of the Trustees, who were to be chosen in order to carry out the scheme of the Charity Commissioners in respect to the Swineshead Charities, notwithstanding that the Chief Commissioners had written on the 29th of March last—

"It will be open to the ratepayers, at any meeting for the purpose of appointing a Trustee or Trustees, to determine, if they so desire, that the election shall be by ballot; and that the meeting summoned to choose Trustees decided that the election should be by ballot;"

The Charity Commissioners have received an intimation that the Vicar of Swineshead recently declined to allow a poll to be taken by ballot at the election of Trustees to the Swineshead Charities. A Petition has been also received, praying them to withhold their approval of the appointment of the Trustees who were elected. This they have no power to do; but by Clause 50 of the scheme any question affecting the regularity or validity of any proceedings under the scheme shall be determined by the Charity Commissioners upon a proper application being made to them, and they are prepared to entertain such an application.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Secretary of State for India has had his attention directed to a "confidential" Circular, No. 5, issued by Mr. J. C. Veasey, Inspector General of Police, Bengal, dated Calcutta, December 30, 1887; whether the Circular in question directs Sub-Inspectors to submit weekly to District Superintendents a confidential Report in which—

"Everything, however apparently trivial, that can have a political significance"

"Sub-Inspectors should invariably have it impressed upon them that the collection of information for the weekly Report is by no means the least important part of their duties, and that aptitude for this kind of work will recommend them for advancement;"

"Religious excitement; comments on Laws and Government measures; affairs in independent or semi-independent Native States, and rumours regarding them; constitution, objects, and proceedings of Native Societies, whether established for political or ostensibly for other objects; political or mass meetings; their origin, organization, and result as to public feeling in the neighbourhood, selected with especial reference to any tendency towards, or probability of, agrarian excitement;"

The Secretary of State has no official knowledge either of the Circular in question or of the action of the police under it. He will direct inquiries to be made from the Government of India on the subject. Of course, no pledge can be given at the present stage as to laying the Report on the Table.

asked the Postmaster General, If his attention has been called to a report in The Daily Chronicle of May 31 of a speech delivered by Sir Arthur Blackwood, a Post Office official, as follows:—

"He believed that our dangers were no less great and imminent in some senses than they were 200 years ago. They had still the same arch-enemy in the background, and underground, but now their dangers proceeded to a great extent from this fact—that blindly, by a false charity called toleration, the nation had yielded up its liberties, and allowed the rights and privileges conceded to Roman Catholics to be preverted into the right to legislate for the Protestant nation, and had allowed a Romish hierarchy to be established in our midst. Beyond that our chief danger laid from the existence in the largest section of the visible Church in this country of a traitorous clergy Ritualists, who were Romanists under another name, and were working insidiously, determinedly, and persistently to raise up the Romish standard, doctrine, and practice in our midst, and, alas! with too widespread and fatal success all over the land;"

My attention has not been called to the speech referred to otherwise than by the Question of the hon. and learned Member. Officers of the Post Office are at perfect liberty to take part in public meetings on any subject with the exception of those involving political partizanship; and the occasion on which the speech in question was delivered does not appear to me to fall within that category. The promotion of Post Office officials rests not with the Secretary of the Post Office, but with the Postmaster General, and no consideration of religious creed ever enters into such questions. I may, however, mention that Sir Arthur Blackwood has often recommended for promotion officers who, I happen to be aware, are Roman Catholics.

Do I understand that the permission granted to the Post Office officials is that they may not denounce other people's politics, but they may denounce other people's religion? [No reply.]

asked the Postmaster General, Whether vacancies in the Sorting Office, General Post Office, Dublin, are usually filled by selection from a class of messengers attached to the Dublin Office; whether boys who are taken into the sorting office during the Christmas pressure are kept on and finally appointed; whether these boys are relatives or friends of the superintendents and overseers of the sorting office; and, whether he will see see that the vacancies are given to the messengers or thrown open for public competition?

in reply, said, the boy sorters in the General Post Office, Dublin, were not chosen exclusively from the messengers. Of the 27 appointments made within the last two years 13 were from the class of messengers. A few of the boys taken on during the Christmas pressure had been retained after the pressure had ceased. They had been appointed to vacancies among the sorters. Only one of the boys was a relative of an employé in the Post Office. The boy was a son of one of the sorters. He was not aware that any of the others had been appointed on account of friendship. Vacancies were filled up in certain proportions from the messengers. He did not intend to interfere with the present system.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that a marquee kept by Mr. Andrew Grogan, of Claremorris, on the fair ground at Hollymount, in the County of Mayo, on the 16th ultimo, was, about 7.30 a.m. on that day, entered by the local sergeant of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who pronounced Mr. Grogan's licence to be illegal, although his authorization was in due form, and acknowledged by the supervisor of Excise in the district; whether the sergeant then threatened Mr. Grogan with prosecution, and threatened likewise all who might patronize Mr. Grogan's marquee that day; whether Mr. Grogan was twice before prosecuted on like pretext, the charge each time being dismissed; and is there any protection for Mr. Grogan against a repetition of such interference?

, in reply, said, the Inspector General of Constabulary reported that the local officer did warn Grogan on the occasion in question that his licence was illegal, inasmuch as it was not signed by one of the Justices usually acting at Petty Sessions in the district, as required by law. The sergeant did tell Grogan that he was liable to be prosecuted; but he did not threaten anyone who might patronize the marquee. Mr. Grogan could protect himself by fulfilling the requirements of the law.

asked, were the police to judge whether the magistrate who signed the licence was a magistrate within the Petty Sessions Court?

said, of course the person to decide that question was the Judge before whom the case came.

said, what he wanted to know was, whether the police could prevent people going into the marquee when the question of the jurisdiction of the magistrate who signed the licence was undecided?

replied that the police had not done so in this particular case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is true that the Ruabon Colliery, Limited, went into liquidation in the year 1878; whether the colliery was subsequently sold for £10,600, out of which the bondholders have received only about £1,500 in dividends; whether the receiver, in his double capacity as receiver and agent for the bondholders, has been paid a sum of over £2,600 for expenses in winding up; whether it is true that the firm of Hermann Loog, Limited, London Wall, stopped payment on January 1, 1887; and, whether, since that time, no meeting of the creditors has been called, nor any Report made to the creditors as to the progress of the liquidation?

I am informed that the Ruabon and North Wales Colliery Company (Limited) was ordered to be wound up in October, 1878, and on November 28 of the same year Mr. John S. H. Banner was appointed official liquidator. The proceedings in this case were very complicated; but I shall be very happy to show the right hon. Gentleman the Papers relating to it. The file of the Company does not show that the liquidation was ever closed. The assets of the colliery appear by a contract filed with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies to have been sold by the official liquidator, acting in conjunction with the representatives of the creditors, debenture-holders, and contributories of the Company, to a Company formed for the purpose of purchasing the property, called the Preesgweene Colliery Company (Limited). That Company was ordered to be wound up by Mr. Justice Day in 1882, and the liquidation does not appear to have been closed. With regard to the second Company referred to by the right hon. Gentleman, I am informed that it was ordered to be wound up on January 22, 1887, and that no meeting of creditors has been called, nor any Report made to them.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will inquire from some independent quarter, say the Coastguards stationed there, whether it is a fact that the harbour at Greystones is filling up with sand and shingle; and, if such proves to be the case, whether he will call on the Board of Works to take any steps in the matter?

, in reply, said, the harbour was being carefully watched by the Commissioners of Public Works. They would be glad to get information on the subject. He would call their attention specially to the suggestion the hon. Member made.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether 15,000 rupees per month are now being paid for the hire of three flats from the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company; whether such flats could have been conveniently built in Calcutta at an outside cost of 150,000 rupees; whether very large sums are being paid to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company for demurrage; and, if he can say by whose fault such demurrage charges arise?

The Secretary of State has no information on this subject; but he will cause inquiry to be made.

asked if the Papers which the hon. Gentleman anticipated a week or two ago had yet arrived?

No, Sir; unless the Indian mail came in to-day they have not yet arrived.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he will consider the desirability of inserting, with reference to the 15th section of the Local Government Bill, words of interpretation to indicate that the term "main roads" includes every foot-path being part of a main road?

The question referred to by my hon. Friend is to be raised in Committee; and I will take care it is fully considered before the Amendment is reached.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he will request the Boundary Commissioners to present the Report containing their general recommendations to Parliament at an early date, with a Schedule showing the area and population of the several parts of counties proposed to be transferred from one county to another, distinguishing the cases of wholly or nearly detached parts of counties from those whose transfer is recommended for other reasons, so that the House may be in possession of the Report and Schedule before discussing the Boundary Clauses of the County Government Bill?

I have at present no information as to the date at which the Boundary Commissioners will be in a position to make a Report giving the details to which my hon. Friend refers; but I will communicate with the Commissioners, with the view of ascertaining within what time their Report will probably be ready.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Would he state if it is the intention of Government to insert a clause in the Local Government Bill rendering it necessary for gentlemen appointed Medical Officers of Health to possess a Public Health diploma, such diploma having now obtained State recognition by the Medical Act of 1886, Section 21?

Under the Medical Act, 1886, a medical practitioner who has a diploma for proficiency in sanitary science, public health, or State medicine, which appears to the Privy Council or the General Medical Council to deserve recognition in the Medical Register, may have such diploma entered on the Register. I do not propose to introduce in the Local Government Bill a clause rendering it essential that a medical practitioner, in order to be qualified for holding the office of Medical Officer of Health, should hold one of the diplomas referred to; but, no doubt, the authority appointing the officer, in connection with the applications of the several candidates, will give due consideration to the diplomas which they may hold.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is proposed to make any re-adjustment in the distribution of the Excise Duties in aid of local purposes, so as to prevent injustice to those boroughs which will not be treated as counties under the Local Government Bill, and which, whilst taxed equally with other boroughs, have no main roads entitling them to any grant-in-aid in return?

(who replied) said: I presume that the hon. Gentleman refers to Quarter Session boroughs, in which at present the County Authority has no power to declare a road to be a main road repairable by the county. The Bill gives such a power, so that Quarter Session boroughs will, in future, possess a right to have their main roads declared such.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the Government of India recognizes the infant Gond Raja as the lawful representative of the ancient Kings of the Nagpur territory; whether, when the Government of India assumed the direct rule of that territory, the Crown Lands of the late Gond Raja (being also an infant at the time) were taken away, and a cash allowance of much less value settled on the family; whether the late Gond Raja, on coming to years of maturity, made complaint, and was informed that his complaint was barred by lapse of time; whether, in orders dated June 30, 1854, the Govern- ment of India stated "that this allowance will be upheld in all its integrity, without any abatement or reservation whatever;" whether, on the death of the late Gond Raja and the succession of his grandson, the present infant Raja, the cash allowance has been reduced to less than half; and, whether the guardians of the infant Raja have memorialized the Secretary of State against this reduction, and have stated that the reduced allowance is insufficient to meet the necessary expenses of the family?

The present Gond Raja, who is the grandson and adopted son of the late Raja, has been recognized by the Government as the head of the Gond family, which once ruled in Nagpur before it was dispossessed by the Mahratta power in the middle of last century. When the Government assumed the direct rule of the Nagpur territory in 1854, on failure of heirs to the Mahratta ruling family, the Gond Rajas appear (from the records in the India Office bearing on the arrangement for the assumption of rule in Nagpur) to have been in receipt of an allowance of 125,000 Nagpur rupees. The family is still in possession of 48 villages, the claim to which seems never to have been interfered with; and there is no evidence of any lands (in no sense could they be called "Crown lands") having been taken away. The allowance continued to the Gond Raja in 1854 was the same as that hitherto paid by the Nagpur State. There is no record of any complaint as to the alleged substitution of a cash allowance for land having ever been made by the late Gond Raja. The quotation, which is correct, is taken from a letter communicating orders from the Secretary to the Government of India to the Commissioner of Nagpur. The paragraph in which that quotation occurs refers to, and is based upon, a paragraph in the Commissioner's letter, in which his opinion is stated that—

"Generally these allowances should be upheld for the lives of incumbents, and when the allowance has been in the same family for more than one generation that it should be continued to a second life," &c.

gave Notice that, on the Indian Budget, he should call attention to the promise made by the Government of India to the Gond family, and to the way in which, in his opinion, it had been broken.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether all depositors in the Cardiff Trustee Savings Bank, not sending in a formal claim to the official liquidator by the 20th of this month, will be excluded from sharing any sums recovered on their behalf from the Trustees and Managers; whether the only communication from the liquidator to the depositors is in the form of an occasional advertisement inserted in the local newspapers; and, whether, considering the lapse of time since the failure, that all the depositors' pass books are in the liquidator's possession, that many of the depositors are illiterate, and that many reside considerable distances from Cardiff, the Government will take steps to ensure that the liquidator shall either take the pass books as a sufficient proof of claim of the amount still due, or that he shall forward to each depositor a circular form of claim for his signature, and its return to the liquidator by the prescribed date?

The hon. Member is under a wrong impression in supposing that the Executive Government has any power to direct the liquidator as to the course he ought to take at any particular stage of the liquidation. The liquidation is conducted under the direction of the High Court, and it is from the Court that the liquidator must take his instructions. On inquiry, however, I learn that, finding that in response to the usual ad- vertisements the claims of only a small proportion of the depositors had been sent in, the liquidator had decided to apply to the Court for directions to send a Circular to each depositor who had not sent in a claim, together with a form of claim to be filled up and returned.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What notifications have been addressed to the Signatory Powers of the General Act of the Berlin Conference, as provided by Article XXXIV., since the signing of the Act in February, 1885; what are the territories to which those notifications relate; and, in how many instances possession has been taken, or a protectorate assumed, without objection being raised by any of the Signatory Powers?

Her Majesty's Government, and several other Powers, have made such notifications. If the hon Member will move for a Return I will see what Papers can be given. We are not aware of objections having been raised by other Powers in any instance.

asked the Secretary of State for War, If, having regard to the limited practice and the difficulties as to ranges which impede the musketry proficiency of many Volunteer recruits, those members of the Force who fail to get out of the third class within the 60 rounds allowed by Government may still endeavour to qualify for the capitation grant under the new Regulations either at their own expense or at that of the corps?

Under existing Regulations a Volunteer has three chances of passing into the second class. My hon. Friend proposes that if he fails to get out of the third class after these three attempts, and after firing 60 rounds of ammunition, he should have, at his own expense or that of his corps, a further opportunity of qualification. Unless carefully safe- guarded, it is clear that this concession would give to the richer corps a great advantage over the poorer. But, looking to the difficulties which certain urban Volunteers have to encounter in respect of shooting, it may be desirable to make some concession in their case; but I cannot help thinking that the experience of the first year would be the best means of enabling us to settle this and some similar questions in a satisfactory manner.

asked the Postmaster General, If, before the terms of any Convention between Her Majesty's Government and the French Republic are finally agreed upon, every effort will be made to provide for the reduction of the cost of messages to the combined inland rates of both countries after the purchase-money has been recouped, and that, in the meantime, it should not exceed that combined rate of 1d. per word by more than ½d., having regard to the large commercial interests affected, and also to the fact that submarine telegraphy over the longer distance between Great Britain and Ireland, or the Channel Islands, involves no advance on the British inland rate, and that the charge between France and Algeria is only 1d. per word?

I think I should explain to the hon. Member, with reference to his Question, that while no extra charge is made upon inland messages passing over the cables between Great Britain and Ireland and Great Britain and the Channel Islands, there is no question that the maintenance of those cables involves a considerable yearly loss. The negotiations with the French Government are still proceeding; and I can, at the present time, only say that I hope a substantial reduction in the present charge for messages passing between this country and France will be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the increase on light dues charged by the English Government on and after June 1, which amounts to about 16½ per cent on the rate hitherto charged, has been authorized by an Order in Council; and, why such a tax has been placed upon the British shipping industry at a time when it is so greatly depressed?

On April 12 I informed a deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce that, in view of the practical insolvency of the Mercantile Marine Fund, it would probably be necessary to re-impose for the current year half of that portion of the light dues which was taken off in 1884. The Press gave the fullest publicity to that statement at the time; and I had reason to believe that the shipping interests were satisfied that it was a disagreeable necessity that this should be done, as I received no communications to a contrary effect. Consequently, an Order in Council was issued re-imposing that amount of light dues from June 1.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Mr. Warburton, R.M., refused to grant a gun licence to Mr. William Cotter, of Breenymore, who holds an extensive farm; and, whether a local magistrate recommended the granting of the licence?

, in reply, said, the answer to the first part of the Question was in the affirmative. The granting of the licence was recommended by a magistrate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why the licence was refused?

That is left to the discretion of the magistrate.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been called to the state of that portion of the Regent's Canal which passes through the north of Regent's Park; whether he is aware that the whole of the sewage of the Zoological Gardens is discharged into the Canal, thus making it an open sewer; whether he knows that an analysis of the water shows it to be saturated with offensive matter; and that representations have been made in vain both to the Directors of the Gardens and to Local Authorities; and, whether, if he has not been informed on these points, he will cause inquiry to be made, and, if necessary, take such precautions as may be needed for the protection of the public frequenting that portion of the Park?

asked, that the House might also be informed whether any action had been taken in this matter after the inquiry promised to him some time ago by the President of the Local Government Board?

I have no knowledge of the inquiry to which the hon. Member (Mr. Lawson) refers. I had not received any complaint as to the state of the Canal until I saw the hon. Member's (Mr. Picton's) Question on the Paper. The Zoological Society hold their gardens on lease from the Office of Woods, and I have no control over them; but I have been informed, on the authority of the Superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, that the water in the Canal near the outlet from the Gardens has been frequently analyzed by the sanitary officer of the St. Pancras Vestry, and that, owing to the quantity of water flowing from the various tanks and reservoirs in the Gardens into the Canal, the water in the vicinity of the outlet was found to be in better condition than it was in other parts further up the Canal; that the drainage of the Zoological Gardens does go direct into the Regent's Canal; and that solid matter is not allowed to pass into the drains, but goes into cesspools, which are supplied as required.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the interest of the public, direct an analysis to be made of the water in the Canal as it passes through the Park?

said, he had no objection to do what the hon. Member asked; and if the hon. Gentleman brought forward any statement in con- tradiction of that which he had just made, he would, of course, consider it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he is aware of the serious delay, confusion, and inconvenience caused by the present system of Customs examination at Liverpool and other English ports on the arrival of passengers by the great ocean steamers; whether it is true that at one time the necessary examinations were made in certain cases on board the vessels before passengers were allowed to land; and, whether, in the case of Transatlantic steamers calling at Queenstown whose owners are willing to provide proper facilities, he will consider the expediency of putting Customs' officers on board at that port, so as to ensure that baggage may be deliberately and effectively examined during what remains of the voyage, with the minimum of inconvenience, and with the advantage of avoiding detention on arrival in the Mersey?

This Question has received the careful consideration of the Commissioners of Customs. Examinations were made on board before the baggage room on the landing stage was provided. The possibility of examining baggage en route between Queenstown and Liverpool has been frequently considered; but it was found that the proposal would involve considerable expense and be of doubtful convenience, and it has, therefore, been set aside as not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, at the tithe distraint sales at Llanefydd on May 17, before any act of violence on the part of the people or of the emergency men and police took place, Mr. Stevens, collecting agent of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, rushed at, assaulted, and held by the throat Mr. William Jones, of Nant Farm; whether Mr. William Jones had, prior to such attack upon him by Mr. Stevens, done anything beyond booing and groaning; whether, immediately on Mr. Stevens laying hold of Mr. William Jones by the throat, and before the people had taken any part in the struggle, an emergency man struck Mr. William Jones across the mouth with a loaded riding whip, while two or three other emergency men belaboured him with their batons and threw him into the ditch; whether at that time the emergency men and police turned round upon a small number of unresisting men in the road, and indiscriminately batoned women, boys, and old men alike; whether the force with which the police struck the people was such that in one case the policeman's baton was split in two; whether the number of the wounded, many rendered insensible and all suffering from scalp wounds, amounted to over 20; and, whether the Riot Act was read before the attack upon the people was made?

I am informed by the Chief Constable of the County of Denbigh that Mr. Stevens did not rush at or hold Mr. Jones by the throat. Mr. Jones, who was a prominent leader of the disturbances, assaulted Mr. Stevens by striking him across the legs and pushing against him violently. The Chief Constable cannot say by whom Mr. Jones was struck. It happened in the general melée which followed an attack made by the crowd on the police. I understand that the persons described as a small number of unresisting men in the road were a noisy and angry crowd of some 300 or 400 men, the police numbering 25. One woman, who belaboured a policeman with a hedge stake, had the weapon taken from her. This was the only woman touched; no boys were struck, and one old man of about 60 was slightly struck, but he followed with the mob the next day. It was a fact that one policeman's baton was split. About 20 were injured; but they did not all suffer from scalp wounds, and no one was rendered insensible. The Riot Act was not read, the attack being made by the people and not by the police. From all the statements I have received on this subject I am of opinion that the police, far from exceeding their duty, have behaved with great moderation under very trying and difficult circumstances.

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman had received any statement from anybody but the Police Superintendent.

said, he had received his information from Mr. Stevens and several other persons whose names had escaped his memory.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether his attention has been called to the alterations in the Austrian train service to Calais, by which certain fast trains are withdrawn; whether the delay in the delivery of London letters in Vienna amounts to 18 hours, and the delay in the delivery of Vienna letters in London is even greater, and whether he will remonstrate against the changes in question; and, whether the Austrian Government now charges a now impost of two kreutzers on newspapers from England, and if that charge is warranted by the Postal Union Regulations?

I have observed articles in the newspapers on this subject, and have instituted inquiry upon it. The evening mail now leaves Vienna at 5 p.m., instead of 3.25, and reaches London, viâ Calais, at 6 a.m. on the next day but one, instead of at 4 a.m. viâ Ostend. Letters from Vienna to London have, consequently, the advantage of being posted an hour and a-half later, while they are delivered at the same time. Some disadvantage may, I fear, be caused to English Provincial towns by the later arrival of this mail in England. There has been no alteration in the hours of despatch either of the day or night mail from London to Vienna, though I have reason to believe that the latter is now delayed for several hours at Cologne, and reaches Vienna about 10 hours later than formerly. I shall lose no time in addressing the Austrian Post Office as to the probability of any better communication being arranged. I am not aware that the Austrian Government charges a now impost of two kreutzers on newspapers from England. That Government established some years ago a financial impost of one or two kreutzers on foreign newspapers entering the Empire; but this tax is not a postal charge, and is not levied under Postal Union Regulations, which, of course, do not affect the general taxation of the countries belonging to the Union.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Can Her Majesty's Government afford information as to whether or not the statements which have recently appeared in the public prints are correct, that the Italians have demanded certain concessions at Kismayo or other points on the East African Coast?

Yes, Sir; it is true.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the information as to the position of the site in Richmond Park or Petersham Park, on which it is wished to erect a Church of England Vicarage, has now been received; and, whether, if the request is complied with, similar grants of land in those Parks will be made to other Religious Bodies which may apply for them?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether any application has been made to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for the grant of a piece of land in Petersham Park or Richmond Park for the erection of a Vicarage; what answer has been returned to such application, if it has been made; and, whether, if Her Majesty's Government have not refused the application (if any), they will undertake to make no grant of land for any such purpose until an opportunity has been afforded to the House, on the Civil Service Estimates, or otherwise, of discussing the propriety of making a grant of Crown property for the purpose aforesaid?

, in reply, said, the churchwardens had made an application for a site for a Vicarage as indicated in the Question. He had made inquiries, and he had come to the conclusion that he would not be justified in advising that such a grant should be made.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the non-payment by the Board of National Education of gratuities for instruction paid to monitors for the year ending June 30, 1887 (especially in reference to the Boys' National School of Stradbally, in the Queen's County) so long over due; and, whether the Commissioners have a considerable time ago promised payment forthwith, and yet the account is still unpaid?

, in reply, said, the Commissioners of National Education informed him that a change of teachers had taken place, and the payment of portion of the salary due to the incoming teacher in question was overlooked; but it had since been directed to be paid.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is the statement in The Daily News of May 5 correct, to the effect that a secret inquiry under "The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887," was held by Mr. Hamilton, R.M., at Ballyconnell House, Cloughanely, County Donegal, the residence of Mr. Olphert, a local landlord, and that a man who refused to give evidence thereat was sent to Derry Gaol for seven days; and, is it in conformity with the Statute to hold such inquiries outside Court-houses?

The Resident Magistrate informs me that there is no ground whatever for the statement in The Daily News referred to by the hon. and learned Member in this Question.

said, he should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman he would have any objection to afford an inquiry into this matter? Perhaps he had better read a telegram that he had received as the ground for this Question. It was from Mr. Waugh, Central News correspondent, and stated that a Star Chamber inquiry had been positively held at the house of Mr. Olphert. That was the authority, he presumed, for the statement; and as Mr. Hamilton gave this a point blank contradiction, and as it was alleged a man had been sent to gaol, he would ask the Government either to hold an inquiry into the matter themselves or afford the House an opportunity of doing so.

said, as they had the statement of Mr. Hamilton that he had not only held no inquiry at Mr. Olphert's house, but that he had never been inside it, and the testimony on the other side being some newspaper correspondent, he did not see that anything would be gained by holding an inquiry into the matter.

Where was the inquiry held?

In the proper place, of course.

wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether an inquiry had been held in any house belonging to Mr. Olphert; and whether several of Mr. Olphert's servants were sent to gaol for contempt of Court on refusing to answer questions?

said, he did not see that this had any reference whatever to the Question on the Paper. No inquiry had been held except in the place required by Statute.

asked the Postmaster General, Whether he is acquainted with the system of express letter delivery existing in Belgium; Whether he can hold out any hope that a similar system will before long be adopted in this country; how far the anticipations, formed when the inland pattern and sample post was restored in the latter part of last year, have as yet been realised; and, whether there is reason to believe that the scale of charges laid down has proved satisfactory?

I am acquainted with the system of express letter delivery existing in Belgium; but the arrangements in force in that coun- try are, in some respects, unsuitable for adoption here. I shall, however, shortly have before me the Report of a Committee which I lately appointed to consider in what way similar ends could be attained in this country; and I hope before long to be able to announce a decision in the matter. At the present rate the inland pattern and sample post packets posted during the first year will exceed 2,000,000; and the anticipations formed will, no doubt, before long be realized. I think the large circulation affords sufficient proof that the scale of charges is generally considered to be satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact that in September, 1886, the list of Service guns consisted of not less than 147 sorts of guns, of which 69 sorts were used in the Navy; whether each of these, except only some five or six, required separate ammunition; whether in a large number of cases, and especially in the case of guns of the modern breech-loading system then coming into use in the Navy, the difference between such guns was small, and the danger arising from mistakes as to the supply of ammunition to guns of so many sorts thereby further increased; whether this great variety of Service guns has been increased or diminished since that date, and to what extent; and, who is the official to whom responsibility would attach, in respect of guns ordered during (say) the last five years, should this variety of guns requiring separate ammunition prove detrimental to the Public Service?

These numbers may be taken as practically correct, if every variety and mark of the same calibres of ordnance be included. The majority of smooth-bore guns are, however, practically obsolete, and are used merely for drill and saluting purposes. Others are converted as opportunity arises to later patterns, to take in some cases the same ammunition as that of other guns now in the Service. As a rule, each nature, in contradistinction to variety or mark, requires its own charge and projectile; but some charges and some projectiles are common to more than one nature. Some difference of charge arises from the fact that the first guns of a particular calibre may not be so strong as after certain improvements—such as chase hooping, for instance—they become. Every endeavour is made to make all guns of the same nature take the same ammunition; and as opportunity arises guns of early make are strengthened up to the same power as those of later design. The difference between calibres of guns was formerly smaller than with the new breech-loading system; and it is now so great that the risk of danger arising from supply of wrong ammunition is less than formerly. The variety of Service guns has been reduced. Whereas there were 20 different calibres or rifled muzzle-loading guns varying from 2·5 inches to 17·72 inches, there are now only 11 calibres of breech-loading guns varying from 3 inches to 16·25 inches.

said, his Question as to who was responsible for the great variety of guns had not been answered.

A number of officials will be responsible.

inquired whether the Director of Artillery was responsible?

I am not going to answer the Question in that way.

Is it the fact that the guns of the Pembroke have no ammunition?

No; it is not the case.

asked the hon. Member for the Knutsford Division of Cheshire, with reference to the promise given on March 22, that measures would be immediately taken to cleanse the lake in Battersea Park, Whether he can now state when the work will be commenced; whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the drinking fountains in Battersea Park; and, whether the necessary steps to insure a supply of pure drinking water will at once be undertaken?

In the absence of the hon. Member for the Knutsford Division of Cheshire (Mr. Tatton Egerton), I have been asked to answer this Question. I have to state that since my hon. Friend the Member for the Knutsford Division stated on March 22 last that measures would be immediately taken to cleanse the lake at Battersea Park, difficulties have occurred which have prevented the work being proceeded with. The summer months have now begun; and as it would not be beneficial to the public health that the lake should be drained and cleansed during the warm weather, it is deemed expedient that the works should not be carried out until the end of the summer. As regards the drinking fountains, I am aware that their condition is at present not satisfactory; and I am happy to be able to inform the hon. Member that a tender has been accepted, and that a contract will shortly be signed for works which will enable a supply of pure drinking water to be provided for the fountains. I may add that the Park has only just been handed over to the Board, being a Park which the Act of last Session placed under their jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the purchasers of the Waterford Estate, in County Derry, have applied to the Board of Works for a reduction in their annual payments, in accordance with the provisions of "The Land Law (Ireland) Act, 1887," Clause 24; and, what reply, if any, has been made to their application?

(who replied) said, he understood 12 applications for reduction of their annual payments had been received by the Board of Works from purchasers of the Waterford Estate. The matter was at present under their consideration, and no reply had as yet been made to the application.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether Mr. Barrington Browne's Report on the Upper Burmah Mines has been received; and, whether the Government has come to a decision upon the agreement for working the mines; and, if so, whether the decision will be given at an early date, so as to avoid the loss of the season for getting the machinery to the mines?

Mr. Barrington Browne made his first Report to the Government of India before he left India. He is now making a more elaborate Report, which will be completed in a few days. Till the further report has been received by the Government of India, no final decision can be arrived at; but no avoidable delay will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the performances on Whit Monday at the Crystal Palace of a female aeronaut, who ascended some mile and a-half into the air, hanging to a balloon by her teeth; and, whether he is prepared to take any steps for the suppression of such exhibitions?

No, Sir; I had not seen an account of this performance; but I am advised that the law does not prohibit public performances on account of their danger to an adult performer, and that I have no authority to interfere. The law leaves these matters to the good taste and feeling of the community, which, I hope, will always be sufficient to discourage any unseemly exhibition. I understand that the danger in this case is more apparent than real, as the woman is really suspended from the car.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, If the Local Government Board have, by Circular or otherwise, directed the attention of the Boards of Guardians to the clause of the County Electors Act empowering them to appoint registration officers for country parishes; and, if not, whether they will do so without further delay?

The Board, on the 29th of last month, addressed a Circular Letter to Boards of Guardians drawing their attention to the clause in the County Electors Act with regard to the appointment of registration officers.

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the effect of Section 8 of the Local Government Bill will be to transfer to the Local Government Board all the powers now exercised by the Secretary of State in regard to burial matters; and, if so, why certain enactments relating to those powers are not included in the First Schedule to the Act; whether, when the powers and duties of Burial Boards are transferred to District Councils, such Councils will be subject to the Burial Acts, or to "The Public Health (Interments) Act, 1879," or will have the option of proceeding under either Act; and, whether Burial Boards will continue to exist in boroughs and to act under the Laws which now regulate their acts and proceedings?

Clause 8 of the Local Government Bill will not transfer to the Local Government Board any powers exercised by the Secretary of State in regard to burial matters. When the powers and duties of Burial Boards are transferred to District Councils those Councils will, in the exercise of those powers and duties so transferred, be subject to the Burial Acts. The Council, as the Local Authority under the Public Health Act, will have power to act under the Public Health (Interment) Act, 1879. Consequently, the District Council will be able to proceed either under the latter Act or under the Burial Acts, according to the circumstances. Under Clause 47 of the Bill the powers of Burial Boards in boroughs will be transferred to the Town Council as in the case of any other district. This clause does not at present apply to the scheduled boroughs; but it is proposed to amend the Bill so as to extend it to them.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can state when the Report of the Royal Commission on Gold and Silver will be presented to Parliament?

The Government have no cognizance of the proceedings of Royal Commissions, and are, therefore, unable to answer questions in regard to the progress made by them; but I have heard unofficially that the Members of this Commission are now engaged in the discussion of their Report, and, I therefore, presume it may be in the hands of the House before many weeks.

asked the noble Viscount the Member for Lewisham, Whether the Agricultural Department is satisfied that the Order in Council prescribing the slaughter of all animals affected with pleuro-pneumonia which had been in contact with animals so affected is being thoroughly carried out by Local Authorities throughout the whole of the United Kingdom; and, if not, what steps the Privy Council propose to take to have the Order universally enforced?

said, some little difficulty arose in carrying out the Pleuro-Pneumonia Slaughter Order in some districts in Great Britain when the Order was first issued, owing to a misunderstanding on the part of some Local Authorities; but, at the present time, the Order may be said to be carried out satisfactorily. The Inspectors of the Agricultural Department have visited nearly every outbreak in the country, with a view to ascertain what action has been taken by the Local Authorities, and to advise them generally upon the mode in which the Order should be carried into effect. In the district of the Metropolitan Board of Works the slaughter has not in all cases been carried out within the time specified in the Order. The Privy Council have, however, urged upon the Board of Works the absolute necessity for taking immediate stops in the matter, and the Board have given instructions for the Order to be carried into effect forthwith. The Agricultural Department have every reason to believe that a similar Order, passed by the Irish Privy Council, is being rigidly enforced under the supervision of officers of the Veterinary Department in Dublin.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If, considering all the circumstances of the case of Mr. Kilmartin, his delicate state of health, and the fact that the sentence which he is now undergoing is in excess of that originally awarded, the Lord Lieutenant would remit the remainder of Mr. Kilmartin's imprisonment?

wished, before the Question was answered, to know whether the hon. and gallant Gentleman had Mr. Kilmartin's permission to ask the Question?

replied that he had not spoken to Mr. Kilmartin on the subject. He put the Question entirely on his own responsibility.

The surgeon of Galway Prison reports that the prisoner referred to is in good health. I do not see anything in the case requiring the Lord Lieutenant to adopt the course suggested. There is ample provision in the Prison Rules for dealing with cases of ill-health when and if they arise.

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, What action is being taken by the Indian Government with respect to the adoption of the Merchandize Marks Acts; and whether, having regard to the fact that falsely marked goods, which are precluded from shipment in British vessels, are being shipped to India from foreign ports, in foreign bottoms, her Majesty's Government will press upon the Government of India the duty and expediency of prompt action in this matter?

The action taken by the Government of India has been to consult the Local Governments and Administrations, which is the first step in Indian legislation. A Bill has also been introduced to make the British yard, foot, and inch legal standards in India. The attention of the Government of India will be called to the allegation that falsely marked goods are being shipped to India from foreign ports in foreign bottoms.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, at the last Spring Quarter Sessions, the County Court Judge of Roscommon dismissed the applications to have fair rents fixed of the following persons:—Anne and John Murray, tenant, against Arthur Mitchell, landlord; Patrick Brehenry, tenant, against Countess of Kingston, landlord; John Noone, tenant, against Messrs. Knox, landlord; whether the originating notices were served respectively on October 19, 1887, December 2, 1886, and May 30, 1887; and, whether the applications were dismissed with costs against the tenants, the sole ground being that the area on the originating notices was set forth in Irish instead of Statute measure?

The Land Commissioners inform me the facts are substantially as stated in the Question. In one case the dismiss was with costs.

Arising out of the answer given to the Question, may I ask the Chief Secretary whether this is a fair sample of the spirit in which tenants will be treated when their interests are handed over to the County Court Judges? [No reply.]

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether the Government have yet taken any steps to discover the person who forged the name of Finlay M'Cance, J.P., Belfast, by means of which a policy of assurance was obtained on his life from the Equitable Assurance Company in favour of Mr. James A. Henderson, proprietor of The Belfast News Letter.

, in reply, said, the strictest investigation was being made into the facts of the case by the Attorney General, who had assumed charge of the prosecution on the part of the Crown, in order that all the persons concerned in the frauds might be made amenable. It would be obviously calculated to defeat the ends of justice if details were now gone into.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Shane O'Donnell, who has been twice committed by Mr. Hamilton, R.M., to Derry Gaol for refusing to answer the same questions put to him at a secret Court of Inquiry in County Donegal, is a poor rate collector and a relieving officer; whether Mr. Hamilton, R.M., threatened in the course of the inquiry that O'Donnell would be deprived of those offices held by him under the Board of Guardians unless he gave evidence to incriminate persons in the district in which he acted as rate collector and relieving officer; whether O'Donnell is landlord of Father Stephens, now also in Derry Gaol, and whether they resided in the same house; whether Mr. Hamilton, R.M., recently summoned three bank managers to produce the books of their respective banks, at a secret Court of Inquiry in County Donegal, with the view to ascertain the names of depositors, and the amounts of their deposits; whether he is aware that bank managers have not any authority to carry out of the bank the books belonging thereto; and, whether Mr. Hamilton had any authority for acting thus in these two cases?

The Resident Magistrate replies to the first and third paragraphs in the affirmative; to the second paragraph in the negative. He summoned two bank managers before the preliminary inquiry. The Statute under which the inquiry was conducted appears to fully authorize the Resident Magistrate's action in the matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether he ever asks for information from anybody except the individual against whom the accusation is brought?

The hon. Gentleman must be aware, when he asks the Government for information, that all the Government can do is to go to the best source at their command. That they have done; and if the hon. Gentleman is not satisfied with the information I have given, there is no reason for his asking these Questions.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is it true that, at an early hour on Friday morning last, Mr. Gilman, District Inspector, Ballinasloe, with a force of 60 police, assisted the sheriff's bailiffs in taking possession of Mr. James Kilmartin's holding, Shralea, Ballinasloe; whether it is a fact that Mrs. Kilmartin had to rise from her sick bed, and go out in the cold drenching rain with her little children, while in the state of health described in the following certificate:—

"This is to certify that Mrs. Kilmartin, Shralea, has been under my treatment for some weeks, suffering from severe mammary abscess. In addition, she is on the eve of being confined, and in my opinion eviction from her home in her present condition may seriously imperil her life.

, in reply, said, he was sorry he had not been able to obtain the information which would enable him to give an answer to the Question. He would, therefore, ask the hon. Member to postpone it.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government intend acting on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Public Works with regard to the erection of fishery piers at Baltimore and Garnish, in the County of Cork?

, in reply, said, as the House was aware, he was anxious to state the general policy of the Government with regard to the recommendations of the Commission on Irish Public Works; but he had not yet had an opportunity of doing so. Perhaps the hon. Member would wait until an opportunity arose.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the contract for the repairs to the Bantry Pier has been given without inviting tenders; whether the contractor had agreed to effect them for a certain amount; whether he subsequently refused to carry out his arrangement; whether he has re-arranged for a much larger amount; and, whether the Clerk of Works is son to the County Surveyor, on whose recommendation the contract has been given?

, in reply, said, that the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension as to the position of the works in question, as he (Mr. Jackson) was informed that they had been handed over to the County Authorities several years ago, and the Board of Works had no responsibility for or knowledge of the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he will lay upon the Table the "recent Return prepared by competent Naval Authorities," showing the comparative strength of the French Russian, and English battleships and cruisers in 1890, which was quoted by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty in his speech at the dinner of the London Chamber of Commerce on March 21?

(who replied) said, he did not quote an Official Return, as implied in the Question. The Return, however, which had been moved for by the noble and gallant Lord (Lord Charles Beresford), and which was now in the hands of the printers, would furnish full information as to the vessels of war built and building by the principal European nations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether the attention of the Board of Trade has been called to the collision between the steamship Moto and the ship Smyrna, which occurred in the English Channel on April 28 last, and which caused the immediate sinking of the Smyrna, and the drowning of 12 of her crew; whether it is the fact that although the weather was foggy the steamer was going at full speed with her sails set; whether, at the trial of an action instituted in the high Court of Justice in respect of the collision, the counsel for the Moto admitted that her captain (who was navigating the vessel at the time) was to blame, and the Judge decided that the Moto was alone to blame for the collision; whether the Board of Trade, after having intimated their intention to cause an inquiry to be held into the circumstances attending the collision by the Wreck Commissioner, have now stated that they do not propose to have such inquiry held; and, whether, considering the above facts, and that it is only in and by such an inquiry that the certificate of the captain of the Moto can be dealt with, it is desirable in the public interest that such an inquiry should be held?

My attention has been called to the case referred to by the hon. Member. The deposition made by the master states that the Moto was going at the speed of eight knots, but does not say whether the sails were set. The Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice, by which Court the case has been investigated, found the Moto alone to blame for the collision, and that Court is the Court of Appeal from the Wreck Inquiry Court. The Board of Trade had given notice that an official inquiry would be held; but that notice was given before they were aware that the case would be taken to the Admiralty Division by the owners of the Smyrna. As the case has been taken to the Admiralty Division and settled there, the order for inquiry has been countermanded in accordance with the usual practice in such cases. I am not aware that counsel for the owners admitted that the master was to blame; and the reports do not show that the Courts made any animadversions on his conduct. I am advised that this is not a case in which any further action can be usefully taken by instituting any inquiry before the Wreck Court; nor can the Board of Trade refer the case to a Local Marine Board for investigation, as they have no evidence which leads them to believe that the master has been guilty of incompetency or misconduct within the meaning of the Statute.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the meeting of farmers recently addressed by the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon) at Newtownards, If he can now state whether the hon. Member was closely followed by a detective in a car from Belfast to Newtownards and back; whether District Inspector Ward called on the hotel proprietress who owned the hall where the meeting was to have been held, and caused her to refuse the hall for the meeting; whether he is aware that Mr. M'Master, P.L.G., who engaged the hall, is the Honorary Secretary of the Newtownards Farmers' Association, which holds its meetings regularly in the same hall; whether several constables were placed at the door of the premises on which the meeting was held, and whether these constables endeavoured to intimidate the people by staring into the face of every man as he left the meeting; and, whether the hon. Member for East Mayo was followed by three policemen wherever he went, on that evening, through the town of Newtownards?

The Inspector General of Constabulary informs me the reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The District Inspector did call on the proprietress of the hotel. He did not cause her to refuse the room. I understand Mr. M'Master holds the office stated. I am not aware whether he had actually engaged the room on the occasion in question. Several constables were not placed at the door, but two were close to it when the persons who attended the meeting were leaving. These police did not endeavour to intimidate the people in the manner alleged, or in any other manner. The police, in view of former occurrences, apprehending violence towards the hon. Member if his presence were generally known, considered it advisable to keep him in sight, in order to preserve the peace if necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly inform me for what purpose the police were placed at the door when the people were coming out, because I can say that, from my own knowledge, they did intimidate them?

I wish to ask the Chief Secretary, how he reconciles the answer which he has just read from the police with the reply he gave me this day week to almost an identical Question, when he said that, on the authority of the police, he could state that there was no truth whatever in the statements made?

Will the hon. Gentleman read out this Question, as I do not carry it in my memory? With regard to the Question asked me by the hon. Member for East Mayo, I can only repeat what I have already said—that the police did not intimidate, nor can I see personally how staring in the face of a man leaving a meeting is a method of intimidation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform me for what purpose these police were placed at the door?

said, he concluded it was for no special reason. He presumed they wanted to know what was going on, or possibly that there might be a disturbance. If the hon. Gentleman desired it, he would make further inquiries into the matter.

I am certainly curious on that point. I ask the right hon. Gentleman to inquire for what purpose these constables were placed at the door of the meeting; and whether it is customary for constables to be put on the door when Loyalists hold meetings?

said, he was perfectly prepared to read out his Question, as he had been invited to do by the Chief Secretary. His Question was—

"To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, immediately preceding the visit of the hon. Member for East Mayo (Mr. Dillon) to Newtownards at the end of April, the District Inspector and the Head Constable of Police visited the proprietress of the Ulster Hotel, and urged her not to let the hall upon her premises (in which the farmers of the district usually held their meetings) for any meeting at which the hon. Member was to be present; and, whether, on the meeting of the farmers of the district, addressed by the hon. Member, being held elsewhere, constables were posted at the entrance to the room, and what was the object of this proceeding?"

As far as I can understand the Question, there was no truth in it. The Question was, whether the police had gone to the landlady to urge her not to let the room?

So they did.

Order, order!

I have said, in answer to the Question of the hon. Gentleman (Mr. J. E. Ellis)—and I repeat it—that there is no truth in that allegation. In answer to the hon. Member for East Mayo, I again say that the police did not go to the landlady with the view to urging her not to take in the hon. Gentleman.

But the right hon. Gentleman has passed over the most important factor of the allegation. ["Order!"] It is at the invitation of the right hon, Gentleman himself that his answer was read out. He has passed over the most important part of my Question. I want to know how he disguises the fact that in reply to my hon. Friend last week——

Order, order! It is impossible now at this stage to enter into a debate as to whether an answer given now is a different one to an answer given some time ago.

I am extremely unwilling to prolong this more than is necessary. ["Order!"] I am simply now claiming the right which every Member of this House has of making a personal explanation, when the truth of what he stated is assailed. I stated in public that these constables were standing at the door of the room, and did intimidate people; and I say that the Chief Secretary stated in his place in the House that there was not a word of truth in that statement. I wish to know, on a question of personal explanation, from the Chief Secretary, does he adhere to the statement he has made that there is no truth in my assertion?

Order, order! That is not in the nature of a personal explanation. If the hon. Gentleman wishes further to elucidate the facts, it is quite competent for him to give Notice in the ordinary way.

I desire to ask the Chief Secretary, arising out of this Question, is it not usual for the Constabulary in Ireland to attend all public meetings?

Yes, Sir; I should imagine it is a very usual thing. But if either my hon. Friend, or any other hon. Gentleman wishes further information on the point, I shall be very glad to give it.

would ask the right hon. Gentleman, if he would be good enough to tell the House what took place at the visit between the proprietress of the hotel and the District Inspector and constable?

I know what did not take place; but I cannot be expected to give a full account of the conversation between these persons. The District Inspector positively denies that he urged this woman not to admit the hon. Member.

asked the Chief Secretary, whether he was aware that The Newtownards Chronicle, on the Saturday after the meeting took place, stated that a District Inspector Ward, accompanied by Head Constable Smith and another constable, did call on the woman and urge her not to admit the hon. Member for East Mayo; and, whether any inquiry has been made of Constable Smith?

Order, order! The hon. Gentleman is now giving his version of the story. If the hon. Gentleman is desirous of an answer, and puts a Question in the usual way, he will, no doubt, get it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that at the Stopes Colliery, Little Lever, near Bolton, belonging to Messrs. Fletcher and Sons, the men have never provided timber for propping in the mine, either before or since the passing of the Coal Mines, &c., Regulation Act, but that it has always been, and is, provided by the owners; whether the Statute makes it incumbent that "suitable timber shall be provided at the working places;" whether he is aware that at four adjoining pits belonging to Messrs. Fletcher—namely, at Outwood Colliery and Bradley Fold Colliery, the owners saw the timber in suitable lengths, and deliver it to the men at the working places, according to the provisions of Rule 22, section 49, of the Act, and that at the Stopes Colliery whole trees are delivered by the owners at the pit-brow, and required to be sawn in lengths by the men with hand saws, marked, and sent into the mine; whether the Act renders the owners criminally responsible if suitable timber for propping is not provided at the working places in the mine; whether, on the practice alleged to exist at the Stopes Colliery being reported to him by the Inspector, he can use his influence to suppress it, and to substitute one more consistent with the intention and provisions of the Coal Mines, &c., Regulation Act; and, whether he is aware of any agreement or arrangement between the owners and their workmen at this colliery which should prevent his influence being so used; and, if so, whether he can state what is the nature of the agreement?

At the Outwood Colliery, near Bolton, I am informed that the props are piled in suitable lengths at the pit-brow, and the colliers make selection from them. I have no information as to the Bradley Fold Colliery. The Act does render the owners criminally responsible if suitable timber for propping is not provided at the working places; but, as I have before stated, the Act is silent as to the persons by whom the timber shall be prepared and selected. That is matter for contract between the parties. The practice at Stopes Colliery is not, therefore, inconsistent with the Act; and there seems to be no ground for the Inspector to interfere.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is correctly reported in the Times of May 17th, 1888, to have said at Battersea on the 16th, in speaking of the persons shot at Mitchelstown—

"One of them at least unquestionably was killed by a ricochet shot,"

"I believe that was true of other unfortunate victims in this calamitous struggle;"

I am correctly reported in The Times. The name of the person first referred to was Lonergan. The names of the other victims were Shinnick and Casey. The evidence on which I made the statement was contained in the Report of the Departmental Commission which inquired into the conduct of the police. From that Report it appears that it is physically impossible to fire a rifle out of the window from which the shooting took place in the direction of the place where Lonergan was standing; and impossible to do so in the direction of the places where Shinnick and Casey were standing, without either leaning out of the window, or standing back from the window and side ways to it. These posi- tions are both of them awkward and unnatural, and there is no evidence that either one or the other was adopted by the police. I stated, on a previous occasion, that I was prepared to show the Report confidentially to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Mr. John Morley). That offer I repeat to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Mid Lothian.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay the Report on the Table of the House, or such part of it as had reference to the allegations mentioned in the Question?

I am afraid I could not lay the Report on the Table; but I will consider the propriety of laying before the House that particular part of the Report to which I referred.

And, possibly, if the right hon. Gentleman lays that particular part before the House, he will be good enough to have it accompanied by a slight tracing, which will give us some explanation of the positions he has alluded to.

signified his assent.

inquired from the Speaker, whether it was not in accordance with the Rules of the House that when a Member of the Treasury Bench rose to reply to a Question with reference to a Report, and makes reference to that Report, he was not bound to lay the Report upon the Table?

There is no obligation of that nature as regards a confidential Report; but as to official or ordinary Reports, if a Minister quotes from them he is bound to lay them on the Table.

The right hon. Gentleman has stated that it is a Departmental Report. I presume it is the Report of the inquiry presided over by Colonel Turner.

On the question of Order, I may remind the House I have not quoted from the Report.

Did not District Inspector Irwin expressly declare that he had himself seen the constables break the windows in order to fire, and then take deliberate aim?

It is quite possible that evidence may have been given; but I do not see how it affects the statement I have just made.

Did not the police themselves swear that they took deliberate aim?

I am not aware that they swore that they took particular aim at the people who were killed. [Cries of "Yes, they did!"]

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in reference to his speech, whether, if he did not quote the Report, he did not make it the basis of his answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Mid Lothian?

Certainly I made it the basis, and I distinguish that operation from quoting it. I presume that the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. W. E. Gladstone) is capable of making that distinction himself.

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, before proceeding to the third reading of the National Defence Bill, he will ascertain, by detailed Returns called for from each Volunteer regiment in the Kingdom, how many men in each regiment would be willing to be permanently embodied for garrison duty for a period exceeding two months; also, in each case, what remuneration would be considered by them as sufficient inducement for their being taken away thus from their ordinary occupations and the support of their families; and, in case it should be found that the average rate of wage earning of the men consenting to be thus embodied ranges between 25s. and 30s. a-week, whether he will allow it to be definitely ascertained what the total cost per month and year of such embodiment of the Volunteers would be, and from what source the funds for meeting it are proposed to be obtained hereafter; also, whether the right hon. Gentleman will undertake before the third reading stage of the National Defence Bill is reached, which provides for the permanent embodiment of the Volunteers whenever the Militia are embodied, to lay before the House a detailed Return showing on what dates each Militia regiment was embodied on the two separate occasions of the breaking out of the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny; also showing for how many years and months each regiment remained thus embodied, and in the case where a regiment proceeded out of England to the Mediterranean or elsewhere, the period in years and months during which regiment served outside of the United Kingdom?

As far as my means of ascertaining go, the National Defence Bill has been heartily accepted by the Volunteers as a whole, who recognize that there is no intention by this Bill to alter the purpose for which they were raised, but simply to render their services more available when an invasion of this country appears imminent. Although the National Defence Bill gives the Government for the time being the power to embody the Volunteers whenever the Militia is embodied, neither this nor any other Government would ever resort to such a measure except in a time of the greatest national emergency. As, therefore, there is no intention of embodying the Volunteers for garrison duty like the Militia, I do not see that any special advantage would arise from calling for the Returns asked for by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. Whenever the country was in real danger I am certain that every Volunteer would come forward; and, short of that, no Government would ask them to do so.

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he will give a Return showing, with respect to the proposed members of the Royal Commission on Scotch Universities, what degrees each Commissioner has taken at any Scotch University, and in what years?

No, Sir.

asked the Lord Advocate, whether the Government had taken pains to ascertain whether the gentlemen who had been appointed Commissioners had any practical experience of the Scottish Universities; and if not, on what mode they had proceeded? [No reply.]

asked the First Commissioner of Works, If his attention has been called to the disgraceful scenes which are reported to have lately taken place in Regent's Park; if he will define the nature of the control and supervision of his Department, and state if the roads commonly known as the Inner and Outer Circle are within his jurisdiction, or under the jurisdiction of the police; if there are two separate Commissioners, termed the Paving Commissioners, one having authority over the outer gates by day, and the other by night; and who appoints the gatekeepers at those gates; and, if he will also state by whom those Commissioners are nominated, and by whom are their duties defined, and if they, or his Department, or the police, are responsible for the supervision of the grass land between Gloucester Gate, and the North Gate, where acts of misbehaviour are of frequent occurrence?

I am advised that the whole of Regent's Park is by statute placed under the management of the Office of Works, and that the park-keepers and the Metropolitan police have within the limits of the park the same rights, duties, and responsibilities. Practically, the enclosed portions of the Park are placed under the control of park-keepers, who are responsible for the public peace within the enclosures; whereas the roads are patrolled by the Metropolitan police, who are responsible for the public peace upon those roads, and also upon the portions of the grass land between Gloucester Gate and the North Gate, which have not been up to the present enclosed. The Commissioners of Works appoint gatekeepers, who are on duty during the daytime at the outer gates; and, by an arrangement with the Paving Commissioners (which has been in operation since 1851), the latter supply night watchmen for duty at night. The Paving Commissioners are, I believe, appointed under the Crown Estate Paving Act, 1851. They have no authority or responsibility as to the preservation of the peace. I have been considering whether by an improved system of lighting the Inner and Outer Circle roads, or by any other means, order can be better preserved upon those roads; and I shall place myself in communication with Sir Charles Warren on the subject.

asked Mr. Solicitor General, Whether he is correctly reported in The Hampshire Advertiser, of May 22, as having said, in answer to a question put to him at a public meeting at Southampton, that—

"If the ratepayers wished to spend more than the 20 per cent raised on the licences in compensation they could do so; but in that case they would spend other money at their disposal, whether from rates or otherwise"?

I see nothing in the quotation in the hon. Member's Question to make me doubt that it is an accurate report of the statement I made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, With what object is the subway from Palace Yard to the Embankment kept closed to the public; how many constables are kept on duty in or about the subway; and, whether he will give instructions for the subway to be re-opened for the convenience of hon. Members and of the public generally?

, in reply, said, this subway was closed in 1885, with the view to the safety of the House; but he would communicate with the Office of Works, and see whether it could not be re-opened, at any rate for the convenience of Members. There were 10 constables on duty there; and he would consider the further question as to whether it could be opened to the public.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give the House any information with regard to an attack alleged to have been made on the Rev. W. P. Johnson, of the Universities' Mission, and Mr. Buchanan, Acting British Consul, at Nyassa; who the attacking party were; and, what steps are to be taken for their punishment?

A Report from Mr. Buchanan states that, having landed, accompanied by Mr. Johnson, to seek an interview with the Chief Makangila, he and his party were roughly treated; one man was drowned, apparently in an attempt to swim off to the steamer. The only reason given by the Natives was that they objected to the exhibition by Mr. Buchanan of the Consular flag. No steps have been taken for punishment of the aggressors, who are far beyond the roach of Her Majesty's Forces.

asked Mr. Attorney General, Whether he is aware that it is provided by 13 Eliz. c. 2—

"That by colour of bulls and writings certain wicked persons very secretly and most seditiously, in such parts of this Realm where the people for want of good instruction are most weak, simple, and ignorant, and thereby farthest from the good understanding of their duties towards God and the Queen, have, by their lewd and subtle practices and persuasions, so far forth wrought, that sundry simple and ignorant have been contented to be reconciled to the usurped authority of the See of Rome.

"That for remedy and redress thereof, and to prevent the great mischiefs and inconveniences that may thereon ensue, if any person shall use or put in use within this Realm any bull, writing, or other instrument gotten from the Bishop of Rome, or from any other person or persons authorized or claiming authority by or from the Bishop of Rome.

"Or shall obtain or get from the said Bishop of Rome, or any of his successors or the See of Rome, any manner of bull, writing, or instrument, written or printed, containing any thing, matter, or cause whatever, or shall publish, or by any means put in use any such bull, writing, or instrument, shall be deemed and adjudged by the authority of this Act to be guilty of high treason, and the offenders therein, their procurers, abettors, and councillors, shall be deemed and adjudged high traitors to the Queen and the Realm;"

"Peter pence had been taken out of the realm by the Bishop of Rome, who was to be blamed therein" (amongst other things) "for his using and beguiling the King's subjects, pretending and persuading to them that he had full power to dispense with all human laws, uses, and customs of all realms in all causes which be called spiritual, in great derogation of the King's Imperial Crown and Authority Royal contrary to right and conscience;" and "That no person or persons in this realm, or of any other of His Majesty's dominions, shall from thenceforth pay any Peter pence, or any other impositions, to the use of the said Bishop or the See of Rome, but that all such Peter pence should from thenceforth clearly surcease and never more be taken, perceived, nor paid to any person or persons in any manner of wise;"

Certain portions of the Act of 13 Eliz. c. 2, were repealed by the Act of 1883, as being no longer in force. But the substance of the Act in question was expressly maintained by the Act of 9 & 10 Vict., c. 19; and, therefore, it would not have been right to have repealed the whole Act. There is not, in my opinion, any necessity to introduce a Bill for a repeal, as the Acts do not press upon any portion of Her Majesty's subjects. As regards the 25th Henry VIII., c. 21, the same answer may be given—namely, that it is not, in my opinion, desirable to repeal the whole of the Statute.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, When the Rules and Regulations under the Savings Bank Act of last Session will be laid upon the Table of this House?

(who replied) said: The criticisms of the various Departments concerned upon the Draft Regulations for the Post Office Savings Banks prepared by the Postmaster General are now being considered by the Post Office Authorities; and on receipt of the Postmaster General's Report the Regulations can be finally settled by the Treasury. The corresponding Regulations for Trustee Savings Banks have been drafted, and will be settled to correspond with the Post Office Savings Bank Regulations when finally approved. When finally settled, the two sets of Regulations will be laid on the Table of the House simultaneously. The Annuity and Insurance and Investment Regulations have already been laid upon the Table.

said, the Regulations would be laid on the Table as soon as the Report was received from the Post Office. There would be no delay in settling the Regulations after the Report was received.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether a Committee was appointed by the Government of Lord Derby in 1867 to arrive at an estimate as to the value of the Irish railways, preliminary to purchase; whether the proposal was supported by 76 Peers and 90 Irish Members of both Parties; whether said Committee reported unanimously in favour of State purchase; and, what was the reason why the scheme was not carried out?

, in reply, said, the hon. Member had misunderstood the Reference made to the Committee. The terms of that Reference expressly excluded from consideration the question of the purchase of Irish railways by the State, and the Committee, therefore, made no recommendation on the point. He had no information as to the reasons which led the Government in power which came into Office in 1868, after the Report was presented, to proceed no further with the recommendations.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he is aware that the Board of Public Works (Ireland) have recently adopted a Rule suspending payments of instalments of land improvement advances where only one year's rent is due by the occupier, although it is customary to have a running gale upon such holdings, and hitherto there had been no stoppage of payments under such circumstances; and, whether, in view of the agricultural depression and the necessity for affording industrial employment, he will have the old practice reverted to?