I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recent Report of the inspector on the Ellon district in Aberdeenshire, in which he points out the difficulty experienced in dealing with insanitary dwellings on small crofts, and states that it is not unusual that when notification is made to the landlord of the insanitary condition of such dwellings the tenant is told he will have to quit his holding, and the holding will be added to the nearest farm; and whether he will be prepared by legislation to give the compulsory powers asked for in this Report for the purpose of securing more sanitary dwellings, and of preventing the disappearance of these small holdings?

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to two recent cases at Craigston, Turriff, in which crofters have been turned out because their houses have been condemned as unfit, the proprietor pulling down their houses and adding the crofts to the neighbouring farms: and whether there is any remedy in such cases, and any power in the local authorities to cause new dwellings to be erected in place of the old ones?

I have drawn the attention of the Local Government Board to the questions of my hon. Friends. The information which has reached me hitherto is not sufficient, and I have called for a special Report. I have desired that it should be ascertained to what extent the practice described in the questions prevails in Aberdeenshire. I have likewise asked what is the character of the compulsory powers indicated in the Report of the sanitary inspector, and what the opinion, of the Local Government Board is on the subject. These are important points, both of fact and policy, and as soon as I have the materials in my hands I will reply to my hon. Friends.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state by whose instructions the sergeant and men of the police from Newtownhamilton attended at the evictions held on 18th March 1895, of Richard Caraker and Alice Cunningham, tenants on the estate of Mr. Bond M'Geogh, in the townlands of Sherriff and Tullyrallen, County Armagh; and what was the necessity shown for their attendance?

I am informed that no police were requisitioned or instructed to attend either of the evictions referred to. It appears, however, that a police patrol happened to be in the neighbourhood at the time, but its presence there was a mere accident.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether, in conformity with the promise made last Session, the Registrar General has been asked to restore the facilities, including the remission of fees, for many years granted to Nonconformists, of consulting, for literary and historical purposes, the Nonconformist Registers of Baptisms, which, in compliance with official requests, were deposited at Somerset House for safe custody and ease of access; and what has been the result of any representations on the subject which have been made to the Registrar General?

I have communicated with the Registrar General, and am glad to say that he has made arrangements which I think will be satisfactory to my hon. Friend.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Highland Railway Company continue to charge traders the same rate for small size cattle trucks and sheep vans as for medium size trucks and vans; if he will inquire when this company will have all their small trucks and vans converted into medium or full size, how many have been converted since 16th August 1894, and how many there are still to be converted; and whether he can take any steps to compel the Highland Railway Company to charge traders small truck and van rates when, the small size only is provided?

I have communicated with the Highland Railway Company, and as the general manager informs me that the matter stands as it did when I replied to a question on the subject in August last, I would again repeat the suggestion which I then made to the hon. Member, namely, that any specific complaints of unreasonable treatment should be submitted to the Board of Trade under Section 31 of the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. The Highland Railway Company have informed me that the process of converting their trucks is still going on, but the Board of Trade have no power to require the company to supply the general information asked for in the question.

I beg to give notice that I shall put a specific case on the Paper to-morrow.

Perhaps it will save the hon. Member trouble if I tell him that I cannot carry the matter any further by an answer to a question in this House. What he and his Friends may do is to bring it before the Board of Trade under Section 31 of the Act.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he will obtain and lay before the House Reports as to the Bounties on Agriculture given by the Governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary, similar to the recently published Report on French Agriculture and Bounties furnished by Sir Joseph Crowe?

Information of the kind desired has already been received from Her Majesty's Embassy at Berlin, and will shortly be laid before Parliament as No. 361, Miscellaneous Series. In addition to this, Her Majesty's Embassies and Legations in all foreign countries have been instructed to furnish Reports on Bounties in general, and it is expected that these will include the question of Agricultural Bounties in Austria-Hungary.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War—(1) whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Private Patrick Dwyer, who enlisted in the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1883, served in the Burmah war from 1885 to 1887, and received dislocation of the shoulder twice in the Mounted Infantry in execution of his duty, for which he received a medal and two clasps; (2) whether he is aware that Dwyer was invalided in 1889 with six years and nine months service, receiving a pension of ninepence a day for one year; that at the end of that time he was examined by the military doctor at Athlone, who declared him totally unfit to return to his regiment; and (3) whether, as in the ordinary course Dwyer would have been entitled after three months more service to a reserve pension for five years, he will take the circumstances into consideration with a view to having this allowance made to him?

The facts of the case appear to be fairly stated in the two first paragraphs of the question. The renewal of the pension rests with the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital, and if Patrick Dwyer makes application to them, he will be medically examined to ascertain whether he still suffers from the same disability, and whether it incapacitates him to an appreciable extent from earning a livelihood in civil life.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has information to the effect that Mr. Shepstone removed all the books of the Swazi nation and papers relating to the affairs of Swaziland from the chief kraal to Pretoria, and has not returned them in spite of repeated requests from the King; if so, by what right does Mr. Shepstone retain these books and papers; and will the Government use their influence to secure their immediate return?

I have not yet received the information desired by the hon. Member.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether a despatch has been received from His Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar, with reference to the proposed new harbour and dock works at that place; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the despatch in question, or such portions of it as refer specially to the mercantile mole and mercantile coaling establishment?

A despatch has been received, and is under the consideration of the expert advisers of Her Majesty's Government. Until the matter has been fully considered, and a decision arrived at, it would be premature to lay Papers, but it is hoped that we shall be in a position to do so at an early date.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, when he proposes to lay upon the Table of the House the correspondence and other documents relating to the punishment, without trial, of British Indian subjects resident in the Transvaal?

I propose shortly to lay the Papers relating to the psition of British Indian subjects in the South African Republic. They are not yet quite complete. I must, however, demur to the inference put upon the matter in question by the hon. Gentleman.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any information with regard to the case of the Indians in the employment of Messrs. Harvey, stated to have been "cleared out" of the town of Krugersdorp in January last by a Boer field cornet of the name of Bodinstein; whether he is aware that the British subjects in question have just received verbal notice to quit; and whether such notice to quit, served without trial or evidence of an offence committed, is in accordance with Boer law?

We have now received a dispatch on the subject in reply to our inquiry. The case referred to appears to be that of Ibrahim Mahomed Patel, who attempted to open a store at Krugersdorp. The trader was instructed by the Magistrates to remove his goods—and this he did. The proceedings were, no doubt, taken under a law of the South African Republic of 1885, amended in 1886, in virtue of which the South African Republic claim the right to prohibit Asiatics from trading, except in locations set aside for that special purpose. The hon. Member is aware that I am about to lay papers relating to the case of the Indians, and the dispatch just received will be included in the Blue Book.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has yet received a report of his promised inquiry as to why the Local Government Board did not prosecute Mr. Moran, late poor law guardian of Westport Union, for violating the law in acting as contractor for the supply of bread to the union whilst holding such office; and, if so, what are the terms of it?

The transaction in which Mr. Moran is alleged to have been concerned is closed, and nothing more can now be done in this matter; but I have informed the Local Government Board that it would have been more satisfactory had they, at the time the charge was preferred against Moran, investigated the truth of the charge. I may add that the Board have received from their Inspector his report of the inquiry held by him into the validity of the recent election of guardian at which Mr. Moran was one of the candidates, and that the Board have decided that Mr. Joyce was entitled to a majority of valid votes at the election, and that his return as guardian should not be disturbed.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the result of his consideration as to the desirability of affording further relief works in West-port Union?

It is proposed to open works in Mulranny, Louisburgh, and Kilmeena, in this union, towards the end of June, and increased numbers of persons will be employed on the works already existing in the union.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the result of the investigation into the complaints of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, accompanied by exceedingly harsh treatment, brought by British subjects, residents of Honolulu, against the authorities of the Republic of Hawaii?

The cases which have arisen are now under consideration in consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Donegal (Mr. SWIFT MACNEILL), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he is aware that the completion of the road and bridge over a river connecting the parishes of Ardara and Glenties would be of great benefit to the parishes of Glenties, Ardara, Inver, and Dunkineely, in the county of Donegal; (2) whether he is aware that already £500 has been expended by the barony, and additional sums of £60 and of £40 have been granted by the baronies of Banagh and Bolagh respectively to aid in the completion of this road and bridge, while the Congested Districts Board have promised to give some aid if this sum of £100 voted by the baronies is approved and passed by the Grand Jury of Donegal; and (3) whether, having regard to the widespread distress and want of employment in these districts, and the isolation caused by deficiency of proper communication, a portion of the funds allocated for the relief of distress could be appropriated towards the completion of this work?

I am inquiring into the matters alluded to in the first and second paragraphs. As regards the concluding paragraph, I am informed that additional relief works will be opened in the Glenties Union, and that a road is to be made in the Ardara District about 10 miles from the particular road to which my hon. Friend refers. The Local Government Board Inspector will again shortly visit this district and report further on the circumstances of the people in the locality mentioned in the question.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Abstractors employed in the Statistical Office of Her Majesty's Customs in London have any promotion open to them?

The position of the abstractors now in the Customs Service is in itself promotion from a lower grade. It is open to the head of a Department to submit the name of any abstractor who has shown very exceptional knowledge and ability for appointment in the Second Division.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the condition of the Long Island Combination Poorhouse, at Lochmaddy, Inverness-shire; whether he is aware that there is no separate ward for the sick and dying paupers; that the so-called sanitary arrangements are of the most primitive and unsatisfactory kind; that the inmates have to drink roof rainwater contaminated with the excreta of seabirds, or to use water from a pond in the grounds; and that the matron recently died from typhoid fever contracted through the insanitary state of the establishment; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

There are two sick-wards in this poorhouse, and it is to be kept in view that the poorhouse is a small one, the number of inmates sometimes being as low as two. It is true that there is very great difficulty in getting an adequate supply of water by gravitation, but the County Sanitary Inspector has recently made a survey of the ground, with the result that he thinks it may be possible to introduce such a supply. Pending his Report, arrangements have been made on the suggestion of the Local Government Board for having a supply of water brought in for the use of the house by watercart. The house was, from a sanitary point of view, in an unsatisfactory condition, and the Board pointed this out to the local house committee, who are now taking steps to remedy its deficiencies. It is the case that the matron recently died of typhoid fever, but it is not known how the disease was contracted. I have requested the Local Government Board to furnish me with a further report, in a month hence, as to whether the sanitary arrangements have been put right by the house committee, and whether any further progress has been made with the water supply.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Commissioners on Northern Lighthouses have, since the 19th March 1895, been able to obtain the statutory sanction of Trinity House for the erection of a lighthouse on Tiumpan Head, Island of Lewis?

I have received no communications from the Trinity Houses or the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses on the subject of Tiumpan Head since the 19th March last. I can only refer the hon. Member to my replies to him of the 19th and 20th of that month.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would make any attempt to obtain the information?

I have no right to interefere with the statutory discretion of the Trinity House. It is for them to say whether they approve or not.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask whether Trinity House as come to a decision?

The Estimate for this year is already made up, and therefore the matter is not urgent.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether steps will be taken to push forward the Ness Harbour works during the summer?

The improvements of the Port Ness Harbour is in the hands of trustees. Acting on their own responsibility these gentlemen made terms with the contractor, which would have involved the expenditure of a much larger sum than has ever been contemplated. I have decided that these terms cannot be approved of, and that until affairs are on a more satisfactory footing, the Government subsidy must be withheld. In the meantime good progress is being made with the breakwater, which is being built under another contractor.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the preliminary proceedings in the matter of arbitrating on the claims of the captain, owners, and crew of the Costa Rica Packet have yet been brought to a conclusion?

The Convention providing for the submission of these claims to arbitration has been signed. The ratifications will be exchanged as soon as it has received the approval of the States General of the Netherlands.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that in many districts the Commissioners of Land Tax, who, according to law, are the proper persons to elect the Commissioners of Income Tax, have not met for several years, and that in some cases the Commissioners of Income Tax are practically a self-elected body; and whether he will take the necessary steps to cause the Commissioners of Land Tax to be periodically summoned for the purpose of filling up vacancies in the office of Commissioner of Income Tax?

I have no knowledge of the facts referred to in the question. The jurisdiction of the Board of Inland Revenue, or of the Treasury, is very limited in these matters; but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the cases to which he alludes, I will cause full inquiry to be made, and if—as would appear to be the case—the administration of the Income Tax in the district is found to be defective all practicable steps shall be taken to improve it.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has put a case to Colonel Longbourne, R.M., regarding the discrepancies in the statements which that gentleman has made about the presence of Lord Clanricarde's bailiff, Moran, on the Petty Sessions Bench at Woodford; whether Colonel Longbourne still adheres to his statements that Moran is not Lord Clanricarde's bailiff and did not sit on the Bench with the Magistrates, and that he only stood for a short time within the area reserved for the Magistrates; and, if so, whether he will give an opportunity of proving by sworn evidence that Moran sat on a chair beside Lord Clanricarde's agent for the space of an hour on the Bench; and what action he proposes to take in this matter?

I have already communicated with Colonel Longbourne, and informed him that it would have been more satisfactory had he, in the first instance, stated that, although no bailiff was on the Bench on the occasion in question, yet another person employed in some other capacity by Mr. Tener did occupy a place. The person referred to was present as the friend, and at the invitation of Mr. Tener, not of Colonel Longbourne, and it does not appear to me, under all the circumstances, that further action is called for. I am satisfied that Colonel Longbourne's original report was not intended to wilfully mislead; it erred on the side of omission in not being as full as it might have been, and, as I have pointed out, I have told Colonel Longbourne that in this respect it was to be regretted his report did not satisfactorily explain all the facts of the case.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the sickness and deaths caused by the sewage farm at the North Camp, Aldershot; and whether anything has yet been done to remedy the evils complained of?

said: It is not known that any case of death can be attributed to the sewage farm at Aldershot; but it is admitted that the farm is not in a satisfactory state. Negotiations with the local authorities are proceeding with a view to a new sewage farm being established at a greater distance from the camp; and, meanwhile, steps are being taken for the improvement of the present farm.

asked whether it was the fact that in the case of some officers who were taken ill their friends had to defray the expenses of employing private doctors, and that the War Department had to refuse to refund the money?

That seems to be a separate question altogether from the question on the Paper, which has reference to the sewage farm.

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, to lessen the congestion of traffic at the Palace Yard entrance to this House, he would permit the thoroughfare between Derby Street and the Embankment to be used by cabs and carriages during the Parliamentary Session?

The congestion to which the hon. Member refers has been largely due to the Embankment being closed for repairs, and will, I hope, be lessened now that the Embankment is open again. The approach through Derby Street is a dangerous one, and so long as the Horse Guards' Avenue, a wide and open thoroughfare, is so little used, I doubt whether a sufficient case exists for adopting the hon. Member's suggestion. But the question shall be considered.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of New Zealand have seized the New Zealand Midland Railway, the property of an English company, although the matters in dispute between the Government and the company are actually before arbitrators appointed in accordance with the company's contract; and whether the Government will use their good offices with the Government of the colony to secure for the company a fair hearing of their case?

Her Majesty's Government have received no communication from the colony on this subject, and are not at present, therefore, in a position to take any action in the matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to obtain some information? This is a matter of very serious importance.

If the company desired to make a complaint in reference to a matter like this, they would do so either through the governor or direct. We cannot act until we get some complaint.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number of cruisers now employed in patrolling the East African coast for the suppression of the slave trade; what is the cost per annum of maintaining this squadron; and what is the average amount per annum paid it in bounties?

At present there are three ships employed on the East African Coast, but the suppression of the slave trade is merely part of their duties, and probably as many would be employed if there were no slave trade. The cost of the ships cannot be stated without much time and labour. The average annual amount paid in bounties during the last six years was £3,604.

asked whether the hon. Member could give any figures as to the number of boats attached to these ships now employed that would not otherwise be employed?

I have no figures to show that.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether his attention has been called to the case of Edward Holmes, late of the Coastguards, for 20 years in the service, and a man of good character, who refused his pension of £26 per annum, pending an appeal to the Lords of the Admiralty against his dismissal on the ground that he had not been afforded an opportunity of explanation; will he explain, on what ground this man was dismissed; and, whether he is aware that the man and his family are now in Londonderry in a state of extreme destitution?

My attention was called to this case by the hon. Member, and after due inquiry I informed him that there seemed no reason for re-opening the case, which had been already thoroughly considered by the Admiralty. Holmes was reported by a Court of Inquiry to have been guilty of several acts of breach of discipline and neglect of duty. The Superintendent of Naval Reserves, after careful consideration of the whole case, decided to deprive him of his good conduct badges, and ordered him to apply for his pension. I have no knowledge as to the man having refused his pension, nor as to his being in a state of destitution. If this latter be the case, it is his own fault for not taking the pension.

If the man applies now for his pension, will he get it?

Of course. He is entitled to it.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Dublin County, N. (Mr. J. J. Clancy), I beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether any settlement has yet been arrived at of the claims of the Second Division Clerks of the Secretary's Office, General Post Office, Dublin; and, whether, if there is no immediate prospect of a satisfactory arrangement being come to, he will consent to have the matter referred to the Commission about to be appointed to inquire into the grievances of the post office officials.

The case referred to by the hon. Member is under the consideration of the Treasury, and I am shortly expecting a decision. The matter will not be referred to the Committee alluded to.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, when he proposes to comply with Section 679 of the Merchant Shipping Act, which requires the Board of Trade, as soon as may be after the meeting of Parliament in every year, to cause the accounts of the Mercantile Marine Fund for the preceding year to be laid before Parliament, by so laying the accounts for the year 1894; and, whether these accounts will be so laid before the Estimates for 1895–96, in connection with the Mercantile Marine Fund, are brought on for discussion.

Under an Order of the Treasury made in 1889 and renewed in 1894 under the provisions of the Accounts Presentation Act of 1869, the accounts of the Mercantile Marine Fund are now presented only as part of the appropriation accounts for each year, and are presented shortly after the meeting of Parliament. Those for the year 1893–94 were so presented in February last.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that a grievance of long standing exists with respect to a Presbyterian Chaplaincy at Gibraltar; and, if, as recommended by the Army Chaplains Committee of the Church of Scotland, the Government will add a Chaplaincy to the Establishment to supply the want complained of, thus providing that the Presbyterian Acting Chaplain at Gibraltar may be under the same terms as to length of service as all other chaplains and all officers and men serving in the Army?

The number of Presbyterian soldiers usually quartered at Gibraltar, taking the average of many years, is not nearly sufficient to justify the appointment of a commissioned Presbyterian Chaplain to the Forces. At this moment the presence in the fortress of a Scotch regiment might seem to afford sufficient reason for such an appointment, but this reason will disappear when the regiment in question leaves Gibraltar on its tour of service.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Presbyterian Acting Chaplain, ministering at Fort George, Inverness-shire, does not preach in Gaelic, while the great majority of the troops at the depôt are Gaelic-speaking, and members and adherents of the Free Church; and, if the Government will grant the privileges and remuneration of an Acting Chaplain to a minister who can preach in Gaelic, and will be nominated by the Free Church of Scotland for service among the troops at that depôt?

The Acting Chaplain of a depôt is appointed on the recommendation of the Commanding Officer, and while he holds the appointment it is not in the power of the War Department to grant the emoluments and privileges of the office to any other minister. I certainly think that at Fort George, where a large proportion, at any rate, of the recruits must be Gaelic-speaking, the Acting Chaplain ought to be able to speak Gaelic, and I am making some inquiry into this individual case. I may add that the present Acting Chaplain has held the appointment for eleven years.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would take some steps for the appointment of a Gaelic-speaking minister at a depôt where there were as many as 400 Gaelic-speaking soldiers.

I will inquire whether it is the case that there are so many Gaelic-speaking recruits at the depôt. If there are so many who are without the services of a Gaelic-speaking minister, that is—I am expressing my own opinion only—a state of things that ought not to exist.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would consider the advisability of appointing a Gaelic-speaking minister as suggested in his question.

No, Sir; an Acting Chaplain has been appointed, and while he is Acting Chaplain he must receive the payment in respect of the services for the Presbyterian troops. We cannot duplicate the emoluments of the Chaplain, and the present Acting Chaplain, as long as he holds the office, must, I am afraid, receive the emoluments.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any Report of the Inspection, under the Cruelty to Animals (39 and 40 Vict., c. 77) has been made by the Inspector for 1894; and, if so, when will the Report be presented?

The Report, so far as England and Scotland are concerned, is ready for presentation. We are waiting for the Irish portion, which is promised and will, I hope, be ready very shortly.

asked whether it would not be possible to have these Reports presented much earlier in the year. When presented very late they were not of much use.

These Reports are founded upon returns which do not come in until some time after the beginning of the year. There must, therefore, be some delay; but I will do what I can to expedite the presentation.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Presbyterian Acting Chaplain in Stirling, nominated by the War Office, receives capitation pay for troops who do not attend his ministry, and who worship in the Free South Church there; and, if the Government will order that capitation grant be paid to the clergymen of the Free Church who have ministered there to the troops without remuneration for nearly fifty years?

Arrangements are under consideration locally which will, I have some reason to hope, meet the wish expressed in the hon. Member's question.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether his attention has been called to the fact that complaints were made to the constabulary authorities that, on the night of the 22nd May, a sheriff's bailiff and emergency man named Barney Mulloy discharged shots from a revolver in a public street of Mount Charles, Donegal; that about ten days previously he had also discharged his revolver in the village of Trosses, and had likewise drawn his revolver upon three sailors and threatened to shoot them; (2) whether he is aware that on the 20th May, District Inspector Flower attended in Mount Charles for the purpose of investigating charges by local gentlemen against Sergeant Woods, Royal Irish Constabulary, of the Mount Charles Station, or neglect of duty in not promptly prosecuting Mulloy; (3) was this investigation public or private; who were examined as witnesses; and were the witnesses sworn; (4) will the charges against Mulloy be investigated in the ordinary way by the institution of criminal proceedings; and (5) is Mulloy still licensed to carry firearms by the resident magistrate; and, if so, will his licence be suspended pending the investigation of the several charges preferred against him?

Complaints have been made to the constabulary to the effect stated in the first paragraph, with the exception that the police are not aware, nor has any complaint been made to them, that the bailiff drew his revolver on the sailors. The district inspector had a conversation, on the date mentioned in second paragraph, with a man who made a complaint of of the nature indicated against the local sergeant. The District Inspector was on ordinary inspection on the occasion, and there was no investigation in the strict sense of the word, as it was not on oath and no witnesses were examined. The bailiff Mulloy was prosecuted at Petty Sessions yesterday for the offences to which I have referred in my reply to the first paragraph. He was fined 10s. (the maximum penalty) in one case, and bound over to keep the peace for twelve months in the second case.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state what has been the cause of the delay in the erection of a pier at Sneem, County Kerry, by the Congested Districts Board; and whether he is aware that the construction of this pier was promised twelve months ago, and that the grand jury in the meantime passed a presentment for £150 to construct an approach road, the amount estimated by the county surveyor?

The question refers, it is presumed, to the erection of a pier at Sneem, County Kerry. I am informed by the Congested Districts Board that the difficulties in arranging with local owners about an approach road to the proposed pier at this place have caused delay, but that if the matter is settled in a reasonable time the Board will construct the pier.

promised to do what he could to influence the Congested Districts Board to proceed with the work.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the fact that in the last Annual Report of the Inspector General of recruiting, some stress is laid on a gradual improvement having taken place in the social position of the recruits; whether such improvement is observable in the educational acquirement of the recruits; and whether, having regard to the importance of securing for the modern soldier a fair prospect of civil employment upon leaving the colours, he will reconsider the desirability of offering special encouragement to warrant or non-commissioned officers and men, in availing themselves of such facilities for technical education as the various garrison towns may afford?

As compulsory attendance at school was abolished for soldiers in 1886 there are no means of ascertaining the educational acquirements of recruits. Little more than one-third of the men hold certificates of education, but there is a steady and satisfactory increase in the number of those who hold first and second class certificates. As regards the offer of encouragement to non-commissioned officers and men to improve their knowledge by taking advantage of technical schools, this is a very excellent object, and while I have nothing to add to my reply of Tuesday last, I will bear the matter in mind.

asked, with reference to the last paragraph of the question whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that out of 8,000 discharged soldiers on the official register last year only 350 had obtained employment under Government, and whether the right hon. Gentleman endorsed the optimistic report of the Inspector General of recruiting with reference to the recruiting establishment.

called the hon. Member to Order, on the ground that the matter did not arise out of the question on the Order Paper.

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether any complaints or representations have reached him as to irregularities on the part of the London Postmen in the matter of uniform; and whether any inquiry has been held on this subject by the officials of the Postal Department; and, if so, whether it is probable that he will be in possession of any Report as to the facts, prior to taking the Vote for the Uniform Clothing of the Postal Service?

I have received no representations, except those of the hon. Member, as to irregularities on the part of London Postmen in the matter of wearing their uniform. An inquiry in the matter has been made by a Departmental Committee, which has made a report recommending certain changes with the object of promoting smartness as well as the comfort of the men. These recommendations are now under consideration, but some little time may elapse before a decision can be arrived at.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether it is true that, although the Swine Fever Act has now been in operation for nearly two years, the number of cases reported to the Board of Agriculture for the first 20 weeks of 1895 considerably exceeds the number reported for the first 20 weeks in 1894, and largely exceeds the number of cases reported for the similar period in 1893 and 1892?

It is the case that the number of Reports of swine fever received during the first 20 weeks of the current year considerably exceeds the corresponding figure for 1894; but the proportion of cases in which the disease is actually found to exist is now very much less than it was, and during the last seven weeks there has been a slight reduction in the number of outbreaks as compared with 1894. This fact, coupled with the reduction of the number of cases reported from Ireland, gives me some ground for hoping that the position will continue to prove.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether rabies is increasing to such an alarming extent in Great Britain that 339 cases of that disease have been reported during the first 20 weeks of 1895, as against 69 cases in 1894; 34 cases in 1893; and 9 cases only in 1892—during the first 20 weeks of each of those years respectively.

It is unfortunately the case that rabies has increased to the extent stated in the question—the increase, however, being practically confined to the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, and the West Riding. I need scarcely say that the subject is one which is engaging my anxious attention, and we are constantly in communication with the local authorities with a view to secure the efficient enforcement of the muzzling regulations which are now in operation over practically the whole of the dangerous districts. If in addition we secure adequate support from public opinion and from the magisterial bench when breaches of the regulations are brought under their notice by the police, there should be no difficulty in effecting an early and substantial improvement of the position as regards this terrible disease.

asked whether the Board of Agriculture were taking any direct action to check the spread of the disease?

replied that it was unnecessary for the Board to take direct action. The Board was in constant communication with the local authorities on this subject.

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman thought that action taken through the local authorities was sufficient in view of this extraordinary increase in rabies?

said, that all the Department could do was to induce the local authorities to enforce the muzzling order.

asked whether no further action would be taken by the Board of Agriculture?

No, Sir; it is not necessary.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant whether he has received a Resolution from the Mohill Board of Guardians, praying that they may be enabled to obtain as a loan from the Board of Works a sum varying from £100 to £300, for the purpose of supplying to the farmers of the union spraying machines for the protection of their potato crops, the loan to be repaid on the same terms as the Seeds Loan; and, whether he can state what steps will be taken with regard to this request?

I regret I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the question addressed to me on this point by the hon. Member for Cork on the 16th instant.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can find another sum for the English farmers who are in the same condition?

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can state on what ground a special campaign pension has been refused to Philip Curran, of Derrywillow, County Leitrim, who served in the 59th Regiment, and was two years with the colours in China, and assisted at the capture of Canton, and at several other engagements?

The Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital do not trace any application from Philip Curran of the 59th Regiment. If the dates of the man's enlistment and discharge are communicated to the War Office, further inquiry can be made.

On behalf of the hon. and learned Member for Plymouth, Sir Edward Clarke), I beg to ask the Postmaster General, why the scheme for regulating the hours of employment of the sorting clerks in the Plymouth Post Office, which was approved by the Surveyor in 1894, and returned to Plymouth sanctioned in March last, has not been brought into force; and, whether he can say if it will be brought into operation at an early date?

Some delay in giving effect to the scheme referred to has unfortunately occurred owing to a misapprehension on the part of the officers charged with carrying out the scheme, but I am now informed that the new arrangements of duties will take effect on Sunday next.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on what grounds was Mr. Thomas Mulvahill, of Whitegate, County Galway, refused a gun licence by the resident magistrate of the district?

It appears that in December last the licensing officer did refuse to issue an arms licence in this case. It is, of course, open to Mulvahill to make a fresh application which will be promptly complied with.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, can he state how many workmen have been dismissed from the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, during the current month; and, whether the dismissals include any of the foremen or persons in authority?

Two hundred and sixty-five persons have been discharged in May from Woolwich Arsenal, including one principal foreman, one foreman, and one assistant foreman. This reduction is under 2½ per cent. on the number of men employed at the beginning of the month

On behalf of the hon. Member for West Ham (Mr. KEIR HARDIE), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that a second batch of tailors on strike at Ashton-under-Lyne were fined 5s. and costs at the Police Court for alleged obstruction, although it was proved that the pickets kept constantly on the move, and did not of themselves cause any obstruction; and whether any action can be taken to prevent Magistrates from interfering with pickets who are acting legally?

This is the same point as that raised by the hon. Member in a question to me a short time back. The facts were not disputed. The defendants were represented by Counsel, and the Justices expressed themselves willing to state a case for the opinion of the Divisional Court if Counsel considered they were wrong in their construction of the law. Under those circumstances I cannot interfere.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the report from Moscow, dated 23rd May, which recently appeared in the Standard, to the effect that the frequency of riots at cotton spinning mills in the central manufacturing districts of Russia is increasing; that recently a riot broke out at a mill in the Ivanhoe district, Tekova, at which a Mr. J. Crawshaw was the manager, with two English foremen; and that, after the two foreman had held the crowd at bay for some hours, Mr. J. Crawshaw was beaten to death and his body mutilated beyond recognition; is he aware that Mr. J. Crawshaw leaves a widow and two young children; that no news has been heard of one of the two foremen, who is reported to have made his escape after being severely beaten; that the manager's house was completely sacked; and that two governesses, one being an Englishwoman, received more or less severe injuries; will he inquire into the accuracy of this report; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter? I should like to say that I ask this question on behalf of the elder brother of Mr. Crawshaw, who is one of my constituents.

The attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the statement, and Her Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has already been requested to report upon the matter and will make immediate inquiry. Until that report is received it would be premature to say what action should be taken.

Will the House have notice of the Report when the hon. Gentleman receives it?

As soon as the information is received it will be sent to the relatives. If the hon. Member likes to put down a question, I shall be pleased to give him all the information we obtain.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been called to the death of Charles Rowe, of Charmouth, Dorset, who was brought back to his lodgings at midnight on 16th December 1894 in an insensible condition, and died two days afterwards is he aware that Rowe was allowed to remain all night in the passage of the house where he lodged, and no medical man was called in to attend him until late in the afternoon of the next day; by whom was Rowe's death certified, and what was stated upon the certificate to have been the cause of death; was any inquiry made by the police into the circumstances under which Rowe met with the injuries which resulted in his death, or any inquest held; and does he contemplate taking any steps to carry out the recommendations of the Select Committee on Death Certification, and to ensure that every case of sudden, violent, or suspicious death shall be inquired into by a public official?

My attention was called, in January, to the case of Charles Rowe, of Charmouth, Dorset, who was brought back to his lodgings at midnight on December 16, 1894, in an insensible condition, and died two days afterwards. The facts, as reported to me, are, that Rowe was allowed to remain all night in the passage of the house where he lodged, and no medical man was called in to attend him until late in the afternoon of the next day. Dr. Kerby, who attended the deceased, gave a certificate that death was due to concussion of the spine and paralysis. Before giving this certificate he informed the coroner of the facts, and was told by him that he might properly give the certificate. Inquiries were made by the police, but they failed to find any ground for supposing the injury to be other than accidental. The coroner, in whose discretion it lies to hold or not to hold an inquest, did not consider it necessary to hold one. The recommendations of the Select Committee on Death Certification are receiving consideration by the Local Government Board, but they would hardly affect a case like this, where the facts came fully before the officer empowered by law to hold a public inquiry. I think the case is one where an inquest might properly have been held, but I have no power to give instructions in this matter to the coroner.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it is necessary that a Parish Council should have a common seal before they can insist upon a transfer to them of parish property, being capital money now invested in the name of the churchwardens; and what steps a Parish Council should take to obtain such a transfer, when the bank at which the churchwardens' account has been kept refuses to make the transfer, on the ground that a Parish Council being a corporate body have no common seal?

The fact that the Parish Council have no common seal is immaterial. The hon. Member will see by referring to Section 3, Subsection 9, of the Local Government Act, that that is expressly provided. I would suggest that the attention of the bank should be drawn to this provision.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the letters by Mr. Bennett Burleigh from Madagascar which have lately appeared in The Daily Telegraph, and especially to the appeal addressed by the Queen of Madagascar to Great Britain; and whether Her Majesty's Government will offer their good offices in order if possible to stop the war, and to save this Christian and progressive people from the ruin of a military invasion?

I have not had time since the hon. Member's question appeared on the Paper to refer to the letters in The Daily Telegraph, nor has any appeal been received in the Foreign Office from the Queen of Madagascar. Her Majesty's Government would view with the greatest satisfaction a peaceful settlement of the differences between the French Government and the Hovas, but there is no prospect that the method suggested in the question would contribute to that result.

On behalf of the hon. Member for Antrim (Mr. W. E. Macartney), I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Excise authorities have not yet prosecuted the three men who were poaching in the townland of Ballybrest, County Derry, on 8th August without licences, in the close season?

I am informed that three poachers were met at Ballybrest on the 8th of August last by two keepers, and that after some words the two keepers fired at the poachers, two of whom they seriously wounded in the legs and feet. The keepers were tried and sentenced, one to 12, the other to 6 months' imprisonment with hard labour for the offence. The affair was reported to the Board of Inland Revenue late in November last; but they, in the exercise of their discretion, having regard to the date of the offence (between three and four months before the report of it) and the serious wounds inflicted on two of the poachers, decided not to take any proceedings under the Excise Laws. It would now be too late to do so.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer—(1) how many tons of ore have during the nine months last past been treated at the Morgan Gold Mine, North Wales, what is the average yield of gold per ton of ore treated, and what is the gross value of such gold; (2) how many tons of ore were treated at such mine last month, and what was the average yield per ton; (3) how many leases or take-notes are at present held by lessees of the Crown for gold-mining purposes in North Wales, and what aggregate acreage do such leases and take-notes embrace; (4) what amount has been paid to or is due to the Crown by way of royalties during the last nine months, and what amount by way of dead rents and fees for leases or take notes during the same period; and (5) is the Government taking any—and, if so—what steps to encourage the opening up and development of these mines?

It is presumed that the mine referred to is the Gwynfynydd Mine, the property of the British Gold Fields Company. In the period mentioned, 10,747 tons of ore have been treated, yielding an average of 12¼ dwts. per ton. The gross value, assuming the price to be £3 10s. per oz., would be £23,105. The reply to the second question is 1,385 tons, yielding an average of 1 oz. 6 dwts. 19 grs. per ton. There are at present 27 leases for varying terms, embracing an aggregate acreage of upwards of 10,000 acres, and 50 take-notes for a year, embracing an acreage of similar amount. The receipt from fees for leases or take-notes has been, for the nine months, £129, and from rent and royalties, for the year to 31st March 1895, £642.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the date of a gold-mining lease granted by the Crown to Mr. R. H. Wood, of Rugby; what is the area of land so leased; what is the dead rent reserved by the Crown; what is the term of such lease; and are there any—and, if so, what—working conditions imposed by such lease; what other leases have been granted by the Crown to other landowners in Wales, and what area do such leases in the aggregate embrace; what are the terms of such leases, and do they contain any—and, if so, what—working conditions; have applications been made puring the last three months for licences to work royal mines upon private lands in Merionethshire; will he explain how it is that though applications have been in for months no decision has up to the present time been come to by the department as to how the applications should be treated; and does the Crown intend to grant leases of Crown mines to miners irrespective of the desires of the landowners?

This question only appeared on the Paper this morning, and I could not answer it without further notice. I hope, therefore, that the hon. Gentleman will put it off till after Whitsuntide.

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can say approximately when the Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the financial year ending 31st March 1895, will be issued; and, whether he can now state what details relative to the various Death Duties now levied, and their respective yield at the respective rates of duty, will be given in that Report?

It is hoped that the Report will be issued by the end of July, or the beginning of August. With regard to the Estate Duty, the yield at the several rates of Duty will be given, also the capital value of the various chief categories of property brought under the charge. The same information as heretofore will be given with regard to the other Death Duties.

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether, having regard to the dangerous condition of Balintore Harbour as a shelter for fishing boats and vessels, he will state whether it is the fact that the Scotch Fishery Board refuse to consult an independent engineer; and, whether they act entirely upon the reports of their own engineers who were the constructors of the harbour?

I cannot answer a question about the conduct of the Fishery Board without referring it to the Fishery Board. I will answer the hon. Member after Whitsuntide.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before taking action as regards Chitral affairs, Her Majesty's Government will afford the House an opportunity of expressing its views on the subject?

Of course the question with reference to Chitral is a very grave one. The Government are not able at present to make a statement on the subject, but when a policy is decided on the House will certainly be informed of it.

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to remedy the omission in the existing law of any provision to enable a landlord to claim repayment of Income Tax, Schedule A, assessed upon his farms in hand (on proof of no rent or profits having been made) in the same way as he can claim reduction or repayment of Income Tax, Schedule A (Form 192), in respect of any rent remitted to any of his farm tenants?

I do not quite understand in what the defect in the law to which the questioner refers, consists. If a landlord who bonâ-fide farms his own land, makes no rent or profit, which I am afraid is often the case just now, he can can obtain repayment of Income Tax, Schedule A, under Section 23 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act 1890.

I have applied at Somerset House, and they have declined to grant me any relief.

If I find out that my hon. Friend has not made a profit on his farm, I will see that he gets his money back again.

I have all my accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as there were Amendments down on the Paper to the Naval Works Bill, he proposed to make any arrangement for bringing the Bill forward before Twelve o'clock?

I desire to make a statement to the House with reference to these Votes on Account to-night. There are two votes included in the Paper relating to Uganda and the surrounding district. The first vote relates to the administration of Uganda, but there is also another vote for British East Africa. That vote relates to payment, by way of purchase or compensation to the East Africa Company, for the territories to be taken over by them—territories which lie between Uganda and Umbasa. On May 13 I was asked by the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division (Sir G. Baden-Powell)—

"whether, having regard to the interregnum in the administration of British East Africa, Her Majesty's Government will forthwith complete the agreement come to with the British East Africa Company, by inviting Parliament to provide the necessary sum of £50,000 by means of a Vote on Account or other method, which will avoid the serious delay incidental to the ordinary course of supply?"

"Yes, Sir; the matter will be included in the Vote on Account, which will be taken before Whitsuntide. That will be the proper opportunity for Parliament to express an opinion on the subject."

The speech of the right hon. Gentleman with regard to Uganda is quite satisfactory. He has clearly explained to the House the reason why the Government have not been able to fulfil the pledge, which they made for the convenience of the House, that the Vote should be taken before Whitsuntide. As the right hon. Gentleman has promised that the Vote shall be taken immediately after Whitsuntide, everybody will be satisfied with the course which the Government have adopted. I should like to know whether the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to give us now a general view of the business during the week in which we meet again.

As regards the first day, the most material thing is to fix some non-contentious measures, and we propose to forward some Bills which belong to that class. For Monday we shall put down the Local Government (Scotland) Bill, the Outdoor Relief (Ireland) Bill, the Light Railways Bill, and the Conciliation of Labour Disputes Bill. For Tuesday we propose to put down the Crofters Bill, the Truck Acts Amendment Bill, and the Coal Mines Regulation Bill. As the first Order, at any rate, on Thursday we shall put down the Uganda Vote. That is as much as I can say.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Welsh Church Bill will be taken again?

As soon as we possibly can.

There is a rather important Amendment on the Naval Works Bill which will take some time. Would it not be better to postpone the Bill till after Whitsuntide?

I was told on excellent authority that the Report stage would not take more than an hour.

As the right hon. Gentleman says, the Local Government (Scotland) Bill is not a contentious measure, but it excites a very general interest among Scotch Members. Has the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that the Scotch Members cannot possibly be present on Monday, unless they leave Scotland on Saturday? In view of that fact, will he not on this occasion depart from what is becoming the permanent custom, of putting down Scotch business for the first day after the holidays?

The hon. Baronet has asked me that question before, and I must give him the same answer. It must be remembered that I have been rather liberal as to the holidays.

asked the Under Secretary for the Colonies whether it was not the fact that strong remonstrances had been made by the Government of New South Wales with reference to the long delay in the appointment of a new Governor; whether it was true, as announced in the newspapers, that the right hon. Baronet the Member for Walsall had been nominated for the post; and what was the reason for the delay?

I can only answer the hon. Member's question to this extent. No appointment has as yet been made by the Government, and the first intimation of such appointment, when it is made, will be given to the Government of New South Wales itself.

Have not strong remonstrances been made on this subject?

I cannot say anything more at present.

What is the reason of the delay?

I am not at liberty to make any further statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was certain that the Local Veto Bill would not be taken immediately after the holidays?

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman could state when the Irish Land Bill would be taken?

I was asked to make a statement about the Business of the week after the holidays. I cannot go further.

in moving—

"That to-morrow the House do meet at 12 of the clock, and at its rising do adjourn until Monday, the 10th of June, and that as soon as the Report of Supply is disposed of, Mr. Speaker do adjourn the House without question put"—

said, that on another occasion he should certainly raise a question on Vote I.; but on Vote II. he wished to thank the First Commissioner of Works for having made admission free to Hampton Court Gardens. In reference to these Gardens, to Hyde Park, and to other such places, he hoped that the right hon. Gentleman would be able to consent to the erection of those public refreshment stalls to which he had often called his attention.

said, he was considering the question which had been raised by his hon. Friend, but he could not hold out much hope of establishing what was desired in Hyde Park at present. It was desirable, however, to consider the question in the interests of the public.

said, that it appeared to him his right hon. Friend was himself in favour of the proposal. Was there, then, any baneful influence at work of which the Committee was not aware, and which was standing between the public and the providing of temperance refreshments? In the parks under the London County Council those kiosks were provided, and they were largely patronised by the public. If it were admitted that Hyde Park was a park for the general use of the public and not for the use of one particular class, he submitted that what had been done in the other public parks could also be carried out in Hyde Park.

said, they were aware that there was an influence at work behind the right hon. Gentleman, and until that influence was got rid of they must necessarily be charitable to the First Commissioner of Works. He invited the right hon. Gentleman to take a ride or a walk with him through some of the County Council parks, and to see the way in which the public were catered for there, not only in the matter of tea and other refreshments, but in bicycling and sports of every description which the County Council had provided in deference to public opinion. Tea and other refreshments were provided for in Battersea Park, and every day between 10 and 12 o'clock, there were at least a thousand persons learning to ride the bicycle. There was no reason why a similar state of things should not exist in Hyde Park every day; but if the right hon. Gentleman contemplated extending the pleasure of learning the bicycle to the public using Hyde Park he trusted that the example of the County Council would be followed, and that three or four athletic policemen would be taken out of their uniform, dressed in plain clothes, mounted on bicycles with the object of preventing every Tom, Dick, and Harry of a "scorcher" from making himself disagreeable to the many hundreds of other visitors there. The Committee could not hold the First Commissioner of Works responsible for the dilatory way in which the Hyde Park authorities adopted reforms; but he wanted to know whether there were not certain stretches of Hyde Park which might be devoted to lawn tennis, and in some cases to cricket? It seemed to him to be unjust that there should be in the centre of Hyde Park a large stretch of available cricket ground not used by the children or pedestrians while the people resident in the north-west of London were compelled to go over to Battersea Park, and there congest the already crowded recreation-grounds there. Portions of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park might be used for those games. They might be told that there was a danger of interfering with persons using the Row. He hoped not, for the riders using the Row had a right to have their convenience consulted. But there were stretches of ground in the park more than a cricket hit away from the Row, and these might very well be utilised. This would be the means of giving Whiteley's assistants, for example, the opportunity of recreation on a Saturday afternoon, and thus not compel them to go a long distance to Battersea Park. The right hon. Gentleman had done much good in Hyde Park already, but against the provision of music bands there had to be set off the absence of accommodation for the public obtaining a cup of tea or a glass of milk.

said that he was very thankful for what the right hon. Gentleman had already done in connection with the parks, and for what he now promised; but he intended to bring this question forward again on the regular Estimates. It should be clearly understood that these parks and gardens belonged to the people and not to rangers or anyone else. The public therefore were entitled to have the fullest use of these recreation grounds. He trusted that the right hon. Gentleman would let the persons in authority know that the parks and the gardens must be so used that the greatest number of the public should get the most benefit from them. Provision for refreshments ought to be allowed by the authorities in order to meet the convenience of the public.

said, that he had no doubt the right hon. Gentleman had done much for the parks during his tenure of office, but much still remained to be done. He knew Hyde Park and Battersea Park well, and he unhesitatingly gave the palm of superiority to Battersea Park. The macadam road in that park could not be beaten as a trotting ground for horses, while he did not know a worse piece of macadam than the road in Hyde Park. There was every reason for allowing games to be played, at least in Kensington Gardens, if not in Hyde Park. He was in favour of lawn tennis and cycling; but in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris there were two real tennis courts, and he saw no reason why tennis courts should not be built either in Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park. All games were good; they developed youth, and added in every way to their physical qualities. What had been carried out with so much success in Battersea Park could also be carried out either in Hyde Park or in Kensington Gardens.

asked whether it was not possible to provide more free seats in Hyde Park for the use of the public. In the north-west and other portions of the park there was an absolute absence of seats for the use of the public, and people when tired and weary were compelled to hire and pay for the use of a chair. Why should this be so? He also wanted information about the revenue derived from letting the chairs? Was there a contractor? If so, what did the contractor pay for the privilege of letting the chairs. An enormous revenue must be derived by some one from this source. He thought, also, that the right hon. Gentleman might follow what had been done in Kew Gardens, and erect a kiosk for light refreshments. Some five or six years ago he appealed to the then Commissioner of Works to provide the public with some kind of light refreshments in Kew Gardens, and, after some two or three years pegging away, the right hon. Gentleman gave way, and undertook that a kiosk should be erected. This had been done by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the University of Dublin while he was in Office. Why, he asked, could not something of the same kind be done in Hyde Park? Those who visited the park, especially on Sundays, had no opportunity of slaking their thirst, except by leaving the park and going to the neighbouring taverns. He wished to ask the First Commissioner three questions: First, whether he would not provide more free seats for the public in Hyde Park? Secondly, who had the letting of the chairs, and where the money went to? and Thirdly, whether the right hon. Gentleman would see to the erection of a kiosk in Hyde Park for the sale of light refreshments as speedily as possible?

was understood to refer to the wages of the men employed at Holyrood Park and the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. In Kew Gardens, also, there were four women employed at only 9s. 4d. a week, which was very far from a living wage. He did not move a reduction, in the hope that his right hon. Friend would see to these matters.

asked whether anything had been done with regard to the pay and allowances of the gardeners employed in Kew Gardens. A Departmental Committee was appointed some time ago, and he recently asked a question on the subject, and was told that the matter was still under consideration. The wages of the men should, he contended, be levelled up to the same class of workmen employed in the parks and gardens within the metropolitan area. He desired to ask the Minister whether there was any chance of an early settlement.

hoped that in any changes that might be made in the direction of allowing games in Hyde Park, the comfort of elderly persons and others unable to take part in those games, but who still desired to use the Park, would be considered. He hoped that the First Commissioner would remember that those persons had to walk about the park for exercise, and that he would reserve some parts where they could walk in safety.

said, that he remembered a kiosk in Hyde Park, and had himself played cricket there without interference. It must, however, be remembered that Hyde Park was used for exercising our horse soldiers, and, that the space was limited. If rough cricket were all that was desired, that was well enough, but he doubted whether there was sufficient spare space to lay out special grounds for cricket.

asked for a definition as to the right of the public to play games in the public parks. He agreed to a great extent with the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. J. Burns) that games ought to be allowed in those parts of the parks which were not much used. No doubt Battersea Park was congested owing to the opportunities there afforded. He expressed a desire for a larger number of free seats for the accommodation of the poorer portion of the public. He did not know how the system of hiring out chairs originated, or, rather, of receiving a revenue in the park from a number of private chairs, which, if they brought in any money to the public, ought to figure in the appropriations in aid. He did not believe that a penny of that revenue ever reached the Treasury at all. If not, they ought to know where the money went to. If there were a contractor, whom did he pay? He was glad that a greater use was being made of our military bands. This was, he thought, good both for the bands and for the public, but he thought that the public ought to contribute towards the expense of the band, and not allow that expense to fall, as heretofore, on the officers of the respective regiments. So long as the bands played for the benefit of the regiments it might be fair that the expense should be borne by the officers; but if the bands were going to play in the parks for the entertainment of the public, it was not fair that the burden should continue to be borne by the officers only. He should like to ask who had the appointment of park-keepers, and whether preference was given to discharged soldiers and sailors.

said that, as far as he was concerned, all the appointments were given to old soldiers and sailors, and the soldiers were taken from all branches of the service. The park-keepers were appointed by the First Commissioner, and the gate-keepers by the Ranger. He was aware that the expenses of the military bands were largely defrayed by the officers, supplemented by the earnings of the bandsmen themselves. As to the paying of the bands for playing in the parks, one of the conditions which the military authorities made at the outset was that no payment should be made by the Government. If any representation were brought forward that it was desirable that some contribution should be made towards the expenses in connection with playing in the parks, he should be happy to consider it; but at present no such representation had been made. As to wages at Kew, it was now settled that the wages of gardeners and labourers should be brought up to the scale of those paid in the London suburban parks. As to games in the parks, he should be only too glad to see opportunities for the playing of healthy games wherever it was possible to allow them. It was not only in Battersea Park such opportunities were allowed, because in Regent's Park pitches were given to no fewer than 340 different associations. That of itself put a considerable amount of pressure upon those who had to look after the parks. There were, of course, two sides to the question. He had considered the matter carefully with regard to Hyde Park, although it did not rest altogether with him. One of the practical difficulties he saw was, that if the park were to be made available for cricket, it ought to be chiefly available on Saturdays, which was the day most open to schools; but that was the day when the park was used almost from end to end by volunteers. He would look into the matter carefully again. It might be possible at the west end of the park to find places where cricket might be played with the minimum of inconvenience to the general public; but the matter would have to be carefully thought out, as in the part of the park which was crossed by the public footpaths, the interests of the public and of the hon. Member for Islington would have to be carefully safeguarded. It was a matter of considerable difficulty and he would give to it all the attention in his power. With regard to the seats, the practice which had existed for some time had been to put the matter in the hands of a contractor, who bore all the expense and took all he could get, paying nothing for the privilege. It might seem an advantageous bargain for the contractor, but he had to bear large expenses and to meet considerable losses. He had to keep up a large staff in proportion to the takings, and he had to do a good deal of work in removing the chairs continually when large meetings and other events occurred. There were, no doubt, outgoings which prevented the bargain being so good as some might think. The system had existed for some time, and he could not say he had had occasion to look into it closely; but he would undertake to do so. [Several HON. MEMBERS: "Who is the contractor?"] Mr. Shotton. [Mr. CREMER: "Are there private chairs in any other park?"] Yes, in St. James's, Regent's and other Parks. He would consider whether a sufficient number of free seats were provided; he was under the impression that there were a considerable number in the north-west corner of Hyde Park. He quite agreed that there ought to be an ample supply of free seats for the public in all the parks. He had general sympathy with the proposal of the establishment of kiosks, and as far as he could, he would meet the wishes that had been expressed.

said, the right hon. Gentleman had stated that there was already a kiosk and refreshment place in Kensington Gardens. That might be all very well for the nursemaids and the guardsmen who frequented that particular part of the park, but it was very little use for the general public. There was near the Reformers' Tree a clump of trees where a kiosk could be erected, in an admirable position; to some extent it would be out of sight, and yet be very convenient for large numbers of people who frequented that part of the park. With regard to the chairs he was satisfied that there must be an enormous revenue derived from the lending of them. How did the contractor obtain the right? Was it granted by the Ranger or by the First Commissioners? The wooden chairs could be bought for 2s. or 3s. each. There must be an enormous revenue made out of the transaction, and it ought not to be the monopoly of one man.

The contract was granted some time ago. [Several HON. MEMBERS: "By public tender?"] I cannot say.

asked if the same contractor possessed the right to place chairs in any other park?

Yes, in St. James's Park.

said, he did not want the whole of Hyde Park given up to games. There were parts of the park that were rarely used, and here there might be a certain number of lawn tennis and cricket pitches, which would not interfere with the enjoyment of the park by the public. One of the most pleasing signs of the times in Battersea Park was to see cricket matches started at Seven or Eight o'clock in the morning by workmen who had been on night duty, such as postmen, policemen, and gas stokers, who went from work to the park; these were types of men who were very amenable to order, and they might very well be allowed to play in Hyde Park in the forenoon. He had derived some acquaintance with seating in the parks in another assembly. The seats in Hyde Park were not so advantageously placed as those in Regent's Park or Battersea Park. Immediately bicycles were allowed in Battersea Park, 200 additional seats were provided, on which learners might rest. Why were not more seats provided in Hyde Park? It was, probably, not the fault of the First Commissioner of Works, but of some one else. The chairs were let on the contract system, and the contractor placed them where they were likely to let most readily and he would get the most money out of them. No regard was paid to the wants of the average number of the public. In Battersea Park the contract system had been abolished. The County Council supplied the seats, and they were placed where most needed. The seats in Hyde Park should belong to the Office of Works. In Battersea Park the contractor who let out the boats was charged £400 a year for the privilege of having the boats there. This, however, was a temporary arrangement, for the Council intended to get the boats themselves. This £400 a year enabled the Council to keep the lawn tennis and cricket pitches in order. As the coster said: "What we gain on the swings we lose on the roundabouts." Hyde, Park should be put abreast of Regent's Park and Battersea Park. He asked the Government to remove the one and only obstacle to the proper management of Hyde Park. What that was he would leave the First Commissioner of Works to contemplate during the Whitsuntide holidays.

said, more boats were used on the Serpentine, in Hyde Park than in Battersea Park, and the contractor paid nothing for the privilege of letting the boats. Something should be got out of the letting of the boats on the Serpentine when, at Battersea Park, the contractor paid £400 a year.

wished to move to reduce the Vote by £500, in order to call attention to the proposed erection of a statue, in St. Stephen's Hall, to Oliver Cromwell.

said, it was not proposed to take any money under this Vote for the purpose, so he submitted that the Motion would not be in order.

agreed.

asked when he could raise the subject?