I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, having regard to the fact that a proclamation was issued on or about the 4th July by Lord Kitchener, as Administrator of the Transvaal Colony, declaring in substance that where parties possessed of mineral rights in the Transvaal under contracts or leases made before the outbreak of the war have been prevented from fulfilling their obligations under such contracts or leases owing to the state of war, such parties shall be released from their obligations under such contracts or leases from the outbreak of war until a date to be fixed; whether he will lay the proclamation upon the Table of the House.

The proclamation shall be laid.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he can now state whether inhabitants of Middel-burg and Cradock were compelled by the military authorities to attend at the promulgation of the death sentences upon Marais and Coetze, respectively; whether leading residents of the same towns were compelled to witness the execution of these two men; whether the orders enforcing attendance on these occasions were addressed to any residents of British blood in these towns; and whether any, and, if so, what penalties were theatened for disobedience to the above orders.

I have no information at present on these subjects, but I hope it will very shortly arrive.

May I ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office why copies of the despatches from Lord Kitchener as to the conduct of the war, which have appeared in the newspapers as parliamentary Papers, have not been distributed among Members, and are still unobtainable at the Vote Office?

I do not know, but I have asked for information on the subject. I hope to let the right hon. Baronet know in the course of the evening.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the letters and articles sent by Mr. J. J. Comerford, as correspondent of the Freeman's Journal in South Africa, posted weekly at Cradock during February and March, 1900, with two exceptions, were never received; and that, on Mr. Comerford making complaint to the Chief Military Press Censor in Pretoria of the seizure of his letters and articles, Major Sawyer was directed to investigate the matter, but on his making inquiries at Cradock he was suddenly transferred to another station, and no further step in the investigation was taken; and, having regard to the fact that Mr. Comerford has addressee repeatedly letters to the Chief Military Press Censor on this matter, and has received no reply, whether any, and if so what steps will be taken to restore to this gentleman the photographs and manu- scripts seized in transmission through the post, or to compensate him for the loss of his literary work as a journalist not at the seat of war and not holding a military licence.

I will inquire into, this matter.

Was not the noble Lord a press censor?

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can say how many of the 108 field guns, purchased from the Rheinische Metal Waarenfabrik have been issued, how many remain in store, and how many of those issued have broken down; and having regard to the fact that such breakdowns have occurred during ordinary field battery drill, when guns and limbers were subjected to no such strain as would be thrown upon them on active service, whether any conditions and tests as to the quality of the material supplied, such as are invariably imposed on manufacturers at home, were imposed on the German company; and whether guns of identical pattern made by the same firm are in use in the German or any other Continental army.

Of the eighteen batteries bought, fifteen are in the hands of the troops. No guns have broken down; defects have been found in the carriages, but have been put right. One brigade division has completed its annual practice at Imaal with perfectly satisfactory results. The batteries were under inspection during manufacture. It is believed that guns of this pattern are under trial by several European Powers, but none have yet decided to adopt them.

On behalf of the Member for North Aberdeen, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the case of the boy Henry Mellon, who was accepted as a recruit for the Royal Highlanders when only fifteen years of age, and who after being kept almost continually marching in South Africa was found asleep from physical exhaustion when on duty, if he can state who was the officer responsible for his acceptance, and if any reprimand has been made for the enlistment of a lad nearly three years under the regulation enlistment age of eighteen; whether the Government are aware that boys of fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen years of age are induced to leave their parents and to enlist by recruiting sergeants who desire to secure the Government bounty irrespective of the real age of the lad; and, in the interests of recruiting and of the parents and the lads concerned, and to prevent danger to military efficiency from immature lads being enlisted as men, whether the Government will introduce a check to such a system of recruiting. May I at the same time ask if arrangements can be made to let this boy visit his parents for a few days before being again sent to South Africa.

I know nothing as to that. In answer to the question on the Paper, I have to say that this soldier gave his age on enlistment as eighteen years three months, and as he was 5 feet 4¼ inches in height and nearly 34 inches across the chest, no one could possibly be blamed for accepting his statement. Further, no application (as far as I can ascertain) for his discharge as under age has ever been made. I am not aware of any such action as alleged against recruiting sergeants in the last paragraph.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is proposed to reward by a step in rank or otherwise the warrant and non-commissioned officers of the Army Service Corps who have gained distinction in the war and received special mention in despatches.

Yes, Sir, as far as possible.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will consider the advisability of abolishing the compound titles of retired Army medical officers.

This question has been very carefully considered, and it was not held advisable to abolish the compound titles except in the case of retired officers who were recalled or re-employed.

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if civil surgeons now serving with His Majesty's Army in Great Britain and Ireland are entitled to an increase of salary after three years service, and also to a gratuity of £100 on completion of their engagement.

No, Sir. They are not so entitled, but the question of the increase of salary is receiving consideration.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the order issued by the War Office which makes it compulsory for every individual volunteer to attend camp for a week at least every two years, and to the loss this will entail on the poorer section of the Volunteer force, he will consider the advisability of granting an increase of pay to these men.

The hon. Member is evidently unaware that public grants to Volunteer corps take the form of capitation grants to the corps and not of pay to the individual man. In order to cover the extra cost of the longer attendance in camp the capitation grants were this year increased.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that William M'Gowan, a man upwards of seventy years of age, who served for twenty-five years in the 31st Regiment, and was in the Crimean campaign, and the campaigns in North China in 1860 and in South China in 1863, and is the holder of three medals, is now without a pension or any gratuity whatever from the War Office, and is at present an inmate of the workhouse, Ballyshannon, county Donegal; and will the authorities of the War Office take any, and, if so, what steps to rescue this man, having regard to his long service, from destitution.

The facts are as stated in the question. The hon. Member is, however, evidently unaware that this man was discharged with ignominy for drunkenness and absence, thus forfeiting all claim to pension, and that he had been previously tried eleven times by court-martial for similar offences and had eighty-seven entries in the regimental defaulters' book. His medals which had been conferred were forfeited owing to his bad conduct. His claim to a pension has been considered by the Chelsea Commissioners, but was rejected owing to the circumstances of his discharge.

Then how is it the man was allowed to serve twenty-five years and was awarded three medals?

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in addition to experiments with black, trial has been made of grey paints of the French, United States, or German shades as colours for adoption for the Fleet.

Yes; experiments are being made such as those indicated by the hon. Member, and ships are being—or are about to be—painted grey, and black and grey, with the view of ascertaining what is the best colour for service in time of war.

Paint them khaki.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can say how long the last Report of the Visitors of the Cooper's Hill College has been presented to his department; whether he will present it to Parliament this session; and, if not, whether he will make sufficient communication to the House as to the recommendations in that Report to enable the subject to be adequately debated upon the Indian Budget.

The Report of the Board of Visitors was received on the 12th July, and the instructions to be issued upon the points with which it deals are now under consideration. The Report is lengthy, and its purport is not such as admits of a condensed communication to the House as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state what is the amount estimated for cost of buildings and other initial outlay to be incurred in respect of the new scheme for mounted infantry regiments in India; and what is the consequent anticipated annual addition to Indian military expenditure; are any of the British troops while stationed in India to be included under this system of special training; what portion of this mounted infantry will be liable to be called upon for service outside of India; and what proportion of the cost of this addition to the military forces of the Empire will be borne by the British Treasury.

The Government of India has estimated that the cost of accommodation for the mounted infantry will be Rs. 11,75,400, and that the further outlay will be initial Rs. 4,28,337 and recurring Rs. 4,91,088. The mounted infantry will be taken from both British and Native troops, and all might be liable for service outside India under the same conditions as the rest of the Indian Army. No proportion of the cost will be borne by the British Treasury.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the nature or form of the educational test proposed to be put in force by the Australian Parliament in reference to immigrants.

I have no information beyond that which has appeared in the press as to the nature or form of the educational test, if any, which the Commonwealth Government propose to introduce into the law affecting immigration to Australia.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now give the House any information concerning the composition, the aims, and the results of the recent so-called Thibetan Embassy to His Majesty the Emperor of Russia.

His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has reported that the Thibetan Mission consisted of two envoys, with their suite. The principal member of the Mission was the Llama Akban Dorgiew, who had brought a complimentary letter from the Dalai Llama to the Emperor of Russia. His Excellency was assured by Count Lamsdorff that the Mission had no political or diplomatic character.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Minister at Peking notified the representatives of the other Powers that he was unable to sign the protocol embodying the terms of settlement; and, if so, whether he can state the reasons for this action.

The final form of the protocol is still under discussion by a Committee of the Peking Conference; it is hoped that an agreement will be arrived at shortly.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal in the case of Mr. Blunt's servants at Cairo, and whether in the meantime the prisoners will be released on bail.

His Majesty's Acting Agent and Consul General at Cairo telegraphed on the 6th instant that the hearing of the appeal had been postponed for a week at the request of the counsel for the defendants. His Majesty's Government have no information to enable them to answer the second part of the question.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office has received any representation from Sir H. Johnston in reference to the tract of country in the neighbourhood of Mount Elgin in which he found quantities of large game; and whether any steps will be taken to preserve this region as a national park, with a view to preventing the extinction of the larger wild animals native to Africa.

(1) The representation made by Sir H. Johnston on this subject will be found at page 12 of his report laid before Parliament in Africa, No. 7, 1901. (2) Very large regions have already been set apart as reserves in East Africa and Uganda in pursuance of the conclusions of the International Convention for the Preservation of Animals in Africa. The question of enlarging or altering these reserves depends on local considerations.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that William Venables, of Thornton Hough, was granted an exemption from vaccination as a conscientious objector by the Birken head county magistrates for his first child in June, 1899, and that he was refused exemption by the same court in July, 1901, for another child, then under four months old; and whether there is any way in which he can obtain exemption for this child also.

The facts are as stated. It appears that in the second case the applicant failed to satisfy the justices of his conscientious belief that vaccination would be prejudicial to the health of the child in question. It is open to him to apply to any other justice for a certificate of exemption until the child attains the age of four months.

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to an appeal, heard at the quarter sessions for Bolton held on the 12th ultimo, by the licensee of the Standard Arms beerhouse in that borough against a conviction for selling drink to a drunken person; whether he is aware that the publican was represented by counsel before the appellate tribunal, but that the police who laid and furnished the informationa gainst the house failed to instruct counsel to represent the prosecution on the appeal, and that the Deputy Recorder stated that, in arriving at a decision, he had had the assistance of the other occupants of the bench, who were two borough justices, and of the clerk; and whether, in view of Section 158 (1) of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, he will take steps to secure a due observance of the law by the justices of Bolton.

Inquiry is being made into this matter, but on the facts before me I find no ground for action on my part.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state anything in reference to the proposed Committee on the Merchant Shipping Service.

No, Sir. I am not yet in a position to make any definite announcement with regard to the appointment of a Committee.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death of George William Cherry, a porter on the Great Western Railway, who was killed at Fenny Compton on Thursday, 1st August, while shunting with a tow rope; and seeing that this death might have been prevented if there had been a second set of points, whether he will state what steps he proposes to take to prevent similar accidents at this station in future.

I have ordered an inquiry into the circumstances attending this accident.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the owners of the "Primrose Hill" have returned to the parents of the twelve apprentices who were drowned in that vessel the premiums which were paid by them; and whether he can take any steps to secure some compensation for the families of the officers and men who also lost their lives in the "Primrose Hill."

Yes, Sir, I am glad to say that the owners of the "Primrose Hill" have informed me that all the premiums paid for apprentices on that vessel were returned some time ago. The question of compensation for the families of the officers and men who also lost their lives is not one in respect of which I have any power to inter fore.

Take power.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that the latest annual return of railway accidents shows an increase of forty-seven killed and 116 injured as compared with the previous year; and can he state what steps are being taken by the Board of Trade regulations towards the reduction of accidents on railways.

The figures given by my hon. friend relate to the increase in the total number of railway servants (including servants of contractors) killed and injured on railways and railway premises not only in the course of the movement of traffic but from all causes. The rules already drafted by the Board of Trade under the Act of last year I hope may help to bring about some reduction in the number of accidents occurring in the course of the movement of traffic. The objections to these proposed rules which have been filed by the railway companies are under the consideration of Lord James of Hereford and two officials of the Board of Trade. The Board will use every endeavour to make the draft rules effective as soon as circumstances will allow. In reply to a supplementary question by Sir Fortescue Flannery, Mr. GERALD BALFOUR said it was better that the railway companies should agree to the rules than that they should be made the subject of appeals to the Railway Commission.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is an automatic coupler which can be affixed on the spot to a train of loaded waggons about to start on its journey, which coupler at once substitutes automatic connection for manual; and whether he can state what steps are being taken by the Board of Trade to encourage railway companies towards the more usual adoption of automatic couplings.

My attention has been directed to several forms of coupler, automatic and non-automatic, which are said to be readily applicable to existing rolling-stock. The question of the introduction of a suitable coupler is receiving the attention of leading railway companies, and experiments are being made. I cannot at present make any statement as to the action which may be taken by the Board of Trade if the companies fail to select a suitable coupler, but I can assure my hon. friend that I shall carefully watch the progress of events.

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the recent death of Lilian Mabel Filer, aged nine years, in the charity barrack school, known as Muller's Orphanage, at Bristol, who had died in that institution from cardiac failure without the attendance of a doctor; whether he can state the number of children in that asylum, and the death rate for the last ten years; and, having regard to the number of children living together without a properly qualified doctor on the premises, can he state what steps he proposes to take to induce the authorities to take better care of the children committed to the care of the orphanage.

I have seen a newspaper report of the inquest in the case referred to in the question. I have no information as to the number of children in the orphanage or as to the death rate there. The institution is in no way under my control, and I have no authority to interfere with regard to it.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether in consequence of the increasing scarcity of servants, particularly farm hands, in Great Britain, he has any objection to a list being kept at country post offices of servants wanted in the neighbourhood, the expense being met by a fee of one penny to be paid by those whose applications are placed in the book to be provided at the country post offices.

The Postmaster General does not think it desirable to add the business of keeping a registry office for servants to the other functions of the post office.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that halfpenny circulars are redirected free of charge, but telegrams on which 6d. and 1s. are paid are charged 1d. for redirection; and whether he will abolish this charge on telegrams redirected through the post.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is, however, a clear distinction between the two cases described by the hon. Member; and the Postmaster General is not prepared to abolish the charge which is made for postage when a telegram is converted into a letter and an entirely fresh service has to be performed.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can explain why in telegrams Westgate-on-Sea is charged as one word, but Birchington-on-Sea as three words.

The name of the second place mentioned by the hon. Member is "Birchington," and if the words "on-Sea" are added in any case they are charged for because they are superfluous.

May I ask why Camden Town is charged as one word and Woodford Green as two?

I informed my hon. friend of the reason for that about a week ago.

Westgate-on-Sea is the proper address, and is, therefore, charged as one word. In the case of Birchington the words "on-Sea" are not necessary, and if anyone puts them in a telegram he must pay for them.

Cannot you lay down a rule that the names of all places in the United Kingdom shall be charged as one word, and so save all these petty annoyances?

I am not prepared to alter the rule, of which I think my hon. friend knows the purport.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he has received a petition, signed by a number of inhabitants of the districts of Brechfa, Tirclai, and Llwyncelyn, in the county of Carmarthen, in favour of a daily delivery of letters in those districts; whether inquiries have been made and the question considered by the Postmaster General; and, if so, whether he will state the result of the inquiries and the reasons for the decision arrived at.

The Postmaster General has received the petition referred to by the hon. Member, and he has given careful consideration to the question of affording a daily delivery of letters in the districts mentioned, which are now served twice a week. Inquiry shows, however, that the cost of the existing service is so high in proportion to the correspondence, which is extremely small, that the Postmaster General would not be justified in sanctioning additional expense for the purpose of providing a more frequent delivery.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he can state the terms of the contract for the carriage of mails from Thurso to Bettyhill, how long it has been in existence; and, if there is any loss to the Department, why new tenders are not invited.

The contract for the mail car service between Thurso and Bettyhill provides for the conveyance of mails once daily in each direction. The present contract has been in existence since the beginning of last year, and, as it is satisfactory, it is not considered advisable to invite new tenders.

Has there been any loss to the Department?

Yes, I think so, but the difficulty is in getting a more satisfactory arrangement.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, having regard to the fact that on 31st July, 1900, the Central Committee of the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association forwarded a petition to the Postmaster General asking that clerks with five years service should receive 28s. per week in the provinces and 30s. per week in London, and that in May, 1901, the Committee appealed for an answer, whether an answer can now be given.

As stated in a recent answer given upon this subject, the question respecting the pay of telegraphists with five years service, having been already settled in accordance with the recommendations of Lord Tweedmouth's Committee, is not regarded as open to discussion; and the Postmaster General informed a deputation from the Postal Telegraph Clerks' Association, which he received in July, 1901, to that effect.

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General, in view of the continuance of hostilities in South Africa, whether the Electoral Disabilities (Military Service) Removal Act, 1900 (63 Vic, c. 8), will extend to the registration proceedings of the current year.

Yes, Sir.

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the cases of David Craig, Albert Burns, James Burns, John Campbell, Peter M' Donald, and George Speakman, boys of seventeen to ten years of age, who pleaded guilty to having played football to the annoyance of the lieges in Wardrope's Court, Edinburgh; and were sentenced by Bailie Murray, who presided, James Burns to three days in the cells, and the others to receive each five stripes with the birch rod; and whether he will inquire into these cases.

The hon. Member's information is not quite accurate. The boys in question were charged with behaving in a disorderly manner, as well as with playing football in the street, and pleaded guilty to both charges. The offence of disorderly conduct is one which involves the punishment of imprisonment. James Burns, the eldest of the boys, being seventeen years of age, was sentenced to pay a fine of 5s. or suffer three days imprisonment. The other boys, all of whom were, in the opinion of the magistrate, under fourteen years of age, were sentenced to be whipped in lieu of imprisonment. The magistrate has power to pass such sentence both at common law and under Section 348 of the Edinburgh Municipal and Police Act of 1879. I may add that numerous complaints had been received from neighbouring residents regarding the behaviour of these boys, and they have all been previously cautioned by the police for similar conduct to that charged; while some of them have been convicted of other offences. Under these circumstances the sentences were legal, and, in my opinion, very proper.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will consider the advisability of asking the Government to provide a special grant for the purpose of improving the harbour at Liscannor, county Clare, in view of the fact that there is a considerable industry in Liscannor in stone quarries, which is hampered owing to the state of the harbour.

I cannot undertake to approach the Treasury for a special grant for the purpose of improving Liscannor harbour; but should the Government be placed in funds hereafter for the carrying out of works of such magnitude, the claims of that harbour will receive every consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the estimate for improvement of this harbour amounts to nearly £13,000, and in view of the great interests involved will he consider if he cannot help the local bodies in some way?

The estimate before me amounts to £13,000. Unfortunately we have no money at our disposal.

No, you want it all for the war.

And for Lord Roberts.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the New Ross Petty Sessions District is largely made up of a portion of county Kilkenny, and whether the Lord Chancellor will consider the advisability of appointing at least one Nationalist magistrate resident in county Kilkenny.

I have no knowledge of the fact stated in the first part of the question, and in reply to the second part I can only say that the Lieutenant of the county and the Lord Chancellor are always prepared to consider the names of any suitable gentleman recommended for appointment to the commission of the peace.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu- tenant of Ireland whether he is aware that £12,000 was promised by the Treasury under certain conditions to assist in the re-equipment of the Portumna Railway, and that this line cost £98,000 to construct; and seeing that the residents along the main portions of this derelict line have no railway accommodation within twenty miles, will he reconsider the position with a view to re-establish means of railway communication in this district.

I can only refer the hon. Member to my replies to the several questions which he has already addressed to me on this subject. To these replies I have nothing to add.

was understood to ask if nothing could be done, although the line cost £98,000.

said he had already answered the question several times.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will explain why a portion of the taskwork in connection with the Irish Census is being done on this occasion by boy writers indoor, paid at 4d. an hour, instead of being given out to duly appointed taskworkers who had to pass a Civil Service examination specially for the position, and the remuneration for whom has been sanctioned by the Treasury.

It has been found that certain classes of work which in 1891 were performed by taskworkers could be efficiently done on the present occasion by boy copyists at a considerable saving of expense.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that a temporary female clerk on the Census has been appointed to a superintendentship of one of the sections of the Census Department to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Falkiner, who is also superintendent of statistics in the General Register Office; and seeing that five superinten- dentships on Census have hitherto been held by senior officials in the General Register Office, can he explain why a member on the present staff of that department was not appointed to the vacant post, and why a young girl should be placed in charge of a staff of male clerks.

The vacant post of superintendent has not been filled by a female clerk. The section has been placed under the general direction of one of the other male superintendents, and a female clerk has been appointed to assist him in this section, which consists mainly of boys.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that in future these appointments are given to senior officers, and not as in this case to a young lady of one and a half years' service.

I believe the arrangements made are ample for the work to be done. No doubt should the work develop proper arrangements will be made.

But is it the intention of the department to appoint ladies in future over the heads of male workers?

I do not think that is the intention at all.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an order was made on 11th June by Judge Ross for the valuation of the White estate, near Bantry, with a view to its sale to the tenants under the 40th section of the Land Purchase Act, 1896; can he say whether the valuers have since visited the holdings; and seeing that this estate was in the Encumbered Estates Court for several years, will he have the sale expedited.

The inspection of this estate has not yet been carried out, but no unnecessary delay will take place in undertaking this duty. I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion under the notice of the Land Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday, 28th July last, an attempted meeting in support of the United Irish League at Rhode, in King's County, was ordered to disperse by Sergeant O'Dea, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, without any legal cause or warrant; and whether, in Ireland, it is within the discretion of any local police sergeant to determine, without having received any official instructions, whether a public meeting shall or shall not be held.

An exaggerated report of the incident referred to appears to have reached the hon. Member. The sergeant did not disperse the meeting, or attempt to do so. A small crowd assembled near the post office to the obstruction of persons passing to and from that building. The sergeant requested the individual who was addressing the crowd to move to the other side of the street; he did so at once, and continued to address the people without interference.

Is it not the case that where this alleged obstruction took place there are not two dozen houses, which are scattered at intervals, and that the crossway is very broad? Was not the interference of the police sergeant totally uncalled for?

I think the police sergeant did a reasonable thing in a reasonable way.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if appeals against Land Court decisions in the county of Louth can be arranged for hearing in Drogheda or Dundalk instead of in Dublin, thereby saving additions in the expenses to the parties interested.

This is a matter for determination by the Land Commissioners, who I have no doubt will consult the convenience of all the parties so far as possible. I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion under the notice of the Commissioners.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board are aware of the proceedings at the last inquiry respecting labourers' cottages and additional half-acre plots in the Knocknagree division (Millstreet Union), county Cork, and whether he can state why the applications by two labourers on the Archdeacon Bland property for additional plots were rejected.

The taking of these two additional allotments was opposed by the occupier of the lands on the ground of the unsuitability of the applicants. One was the former tenant of the lands from which he was evicted for non-payment of rent, and is on his own admission hostile to the occupier. The latter also averred that the other applicant and his friends prevented labourers from working for him. For these reasons the taking of the additional allotments was not recommended by the inspector.

Then does the right hon. Gentleman lay it down as a principle that refusal to work for a man is a good ground for denying an applicant the benefit of this Act?

I cannot enter into the merits of the case. I think the inspector acted properly on the evidence before him.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education will say what is the cause of the delay in the payment of the salary due to the principal teacher of Roll No. 7138, District No. 52.

The career of this teacher has been most unsatisfactory. He was reprimanded in 1896 for drunken- ness, and in 1898 he was depressed in classification for inefficiency. The local manager was unable to certify that the rules of the Commissioners had been complied with, or that the character of the teacher was satisfactory in the last quarterly return. Payment of his salary has, therefore, been suspended pending an investigation by the inspector.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that for several hours of two days of last January Mr. Henry Bruen, resident magistrate, Mr. R. J. Carden, J.P., Mr. George Ryan, J.P., and some Militia officers blocked the public road leading from Templemore to Borrisoleigh by discharging fowling-pieces at pheasants, and thereby prevented many persons in charge of horses from passing; and, seeing that this is a common practice of these gentlemen during a part of the shooting season each year, will he take measures to prevent a recurrence.

It is true that the several gentlemen named stood for a period of about ten minutes on two separate occasions in January last on that portion of the public road which runs through one of the coverts in Sir John Carden's demesne. It is not true, however, that any person was prevented from passing. The circumstances have been greatly exaggerated, but, even comparatively harmless as they were, it is to be regretted that Mr. Bruen was concerned in them.

Is it not illegal to fire a gun on the public road, and do the Government intend to take any notice of the conduct of this resident magistrate, who in all cases concerning law and order is not only expected to preserve the peace, but also to set a good example?

I do not think the hon. Gentleman heard me say that this road, although a public one, ran through a private covert. Certainly, some notice ought to be taken of what occurred, and I consider I have taken notice of it by the reply I have given.

asked whether firing was not actually prohibited within thirty yards of public roadways.

said he had not looked up the law on that point, but was perfectly aware that no one was allowed to fire a gun in a public road. But in this case the road ran through a private covert, and in similar circumstances he was not certain that he had not done exactly the same thing himself. The practice, though, was a reprehensible one, especially for anybody concerned with the administration of the law.

remarked that it seemed no one could fire in the public road unless he was a resident magistrate.

Or an Orangeman who can fire in the public road or anywhere else he likes.

Order, order!

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this very resident magistrate has fined farmers for a like offence?

Satan reproving sin!

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a Major Cronsdale has recently acted as Land Commissioner in Skibbereen, and can he state how many farms were personally inspected by him on the occasion, and in how many of these cases was he present at the hearing of the evidence in Court.

I believe the fact is as stated in the first part of the question. In the absence, however, of Major Cronsdale, who is at present on leave of absence, I am unable to reply to the remainder of the question.

Is it not the fact that this gentleman's only qualification is that he is a Militia major, and that he knows nothing about farming?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that the Fermanagh County Council employed the Tory election agent for county Fermanagh to draw up a scheme to change the county electoral divisions and electoral districts; has any other county council in Ireland taken any steps to change the county or district electoral divisions as fixed by the Local Government Board; and what steps do the Local Government Board intend to take in this matter.

I have no information on the first part of the question. The proposal to hold an inquiry into the inequalities of the present electoral system was adopted by the county council on the recommendation of a Committee of that body; the details of the scheme were worked out by the secretary and two of the principal officers of the council. So far the Board has not received other schemes of a similar nature. In answer to the third inquiry, I would refer to my reply to the question put to me on Thursday last by the hon. Member for South Fermanagh, †

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 12th July last a number of Orangemen from Gortaherron, county Antrim, fired a number of shots into the house of a Roman Catholic named Mr. Andrew M'Mullen, of Tamloght; whether the police have prosecuted any of these Orangemen for their action; and whether any steps will be taken to prevent similar proceedings in this district in future, especially as they have hitherto been of annual occurrence.

No shots were fired into the house of Mr. M'Mullen, as alleged. He reported to the police that a bullet struck his house on the date mentioned, but a careful examination made at the time by the police failed to satisfy them that this was so. It is

† See page 73.

the fact, however, that during the night of the 11th July a number of shots were fired from the Nationalist quarter in the direction of the Orange quarter, and vice versa, but no similar occurrence in the district came to the knowledge of the police in former years. This locality has received and will continue to receive the special attention of the police.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that, on the 28th June last, Thomas Franklin, of Cluanganhue, Cappawhite, county Tipperary, was evicted from his house by Mrs. Valentine Ryan; that no notice to provide accommodation for said Thomas Franklin was served on the relieving officer of the district, and that the guardians of the Tipperary board are cognisant of the fact; and can he state whether they have taken steps to proceed against Mrs. Ryan for disregarding the statute in such case provided, and will he inquire into this case.

I understand that the guardians are taking steps to proceed against the landlord for her alleged failure to serve a notice in this case. The matter calls for no intervention on the part of the Government.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state how many cases of rabies occurred in Ireland since January, 1901, to present date, whether those cases were authenticated by qualified veterinary surgeons, or whether they were reported upon by members of the constabulary force.

Two cases of rabies occurred in Ireland since January last, one in February and the other in April. They were notified by the constabulary, and the existence of rabies in each case was authenticated by qualified veterinary surgeons, and by independent examination conducted by the Department of Agriculture.

And is the occurrence of two cases a sufficient justification for boycotting all dogs, even sporting dogs?

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what decision has the Board of National Education come to on the inquiry held on the 15th of March last in School No. 7245, District 46, has the decision been made known to the teacher, and have the representations which called for this inquiry been verified before the head inspector who presided.

No final decision has been arrived at in respect to this inquiry. Correspondence is still proceeding in reference to the unsatisfactory relations between the local manager and teacher.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can explain why in the new valuation lists for the city of Belfast there appears a primary valuation of £1,000 for the city burial grounds, seeing that the provisions of Section 194 of the Public Health Act, 1878, prohibit any increase of burial grounds after acquisition of same.

An appeal has been lodged in this case, and I am precluded, therefore, from making any statement in the matter.

If the law is correctly stated in my question, why need the revaluation be made?

I am not prepared to discuss the validity of the valuation, since an appeal has been lodged, and will be heard in due course.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the English Local Government Board has at its disposal a yearly grant of funds for the purpose of promoting scientific investigation; and, seeing that the Irish Local Government Board has not at its disposal any sum for a similar purpose, would he recommend the placing of the Irish Local Government Board in this respect on the same footing as the similar Board in England.

The grant provided for the purpose of scientific research in the Vote for the English Local Government Board was inherited, I am informed, in 1871 from the Privy Council Department. The results of the researches have been published in a supplement to the Board's Annual reports. The suggestion in the second paragraph will be considered. I have already stated that the present pronouncements of Dr. Koch in regard to the transmission of bovine tuberculosis are engaging the attention of the Irish Local Government Board in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an excursion steamer was obliged on Sunday last to lie outside the bar of Kinvara harbour on account of the accumulation of sand and mud; and seeing that small boats are occasionally employed to carry in passengers and goods from vessels, whether he will hold the promised inquiry, and compel the collector of tolls to make the necessary improvements by deepening the entrance of the harbour so as to enable vessels to enter.

My right hon. friend the President of the Board of Trade has stated that so far as he could ascertain, there was no harbour authority responsible for the maintenance of this harbour. The Commissioners of Public Works have no jurisdiction to hold an inquiry with a view to compel the collector of tolls to improve the harbour.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the condition of the old Abbey Church, Ardmore, county Waterford; whether he is aware that a beautiful arch in the chancel is in a critical condition; and whether he will see that immediate steps are taken to preserve this arch and other portions of the abbey from destruction.

My attention has not previously been drawn to the condition of these ruins. But I have referred the matter to the Board of Works, whose inspector will make an inspection of the ruins at an early date.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is in accordance with departmental regulations for paid officials of the Crown to act on grand juries whose only business now is confined to the finding of bills in criminal cases; whether he is aware that Mr. George Knight, clerk of the Crown and peace for county Meath, acted as such for the county Monaghan at the spring and summer assizes of this year; and whether on the occasions referred to he had permission from the Lord Chancellor to be absent from the discharge of his public duties.

There is no regulation, departmental or otherwise, prohibiting a paid official of the Crown from serving on a grand jury. The assize at Monaghan were held some days after the Meath assizes, and no public inconvenience was caused by Mr. Knight's absence from Meath. The answer to the third paragraph is in the negative; no such permission is requisite.

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary whether it is true that on Tuesday last, in the Carlingford Lough, delegates from the Irish Nationalist Foresters, before proceeding on board the steamship "Pilot," demanded that the Union Jack should be hauled down, and it was hauled down amid the cheers of the delegates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Union Jack was hauled down at Malta yesterday, and, if so, what action does he propose to take?

No report of this incident has reached me. If it is correctly reported, the conduct of those in charge of the vessel was not only disloyal, but pusillanimous and contemptible. The Government will not take any steps, as the matter is one entirely for the owners of the vessel.

Is there no answer to my question?

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that rural postmen of the established class serving at Bailieborough, county Cavan, were paid on a scale commencing at 13s., rising by annual increments of 1s. to 17s. per week; and seeing that vacancies now occurring are being filled up by men put on a fixed pay of 15s. a week, whether he can state the reason for this reduction.

The scale of 13s.—1s.—17s. a week is an obsolete one. The proper wages for established rural postmen at Bailieborough on the occurrence of vacancies are 15s. or 16s. a week, fixed according to the distance walked.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that Cornelius O'Shea, rural auxiliary postman between Cahirdaniel and Castle Cove, county Kerry, has received no increase of pay since April, 1897, although, through the extension of the house-to-house delivery, his work has been increased to the extent of one and a half hours daily; and, seeing that the daily duties, Sundays excepted, of this postman involve four and a half hours of practically continuous walking, and that he receives no boot money, whether under the circumstances an increase of pay, which is at present 9s. 6d. per week, will be granted.

Since his appointment as rural auxiliary in January, 1898, Cornelius O'Shea's hours of duty have been four and a quarter a day. Originally his four and a quarter hours of duty included an interval of one hour and forty minutes, during which he remained at the end of his walk. By the extension of the delivery the interval has now been reduced to less than half an hour; but as he has been paid all along at the full rate for four and a quarter hours work, the Postmaster General regrets that no increase in his wages would be justified. He is not entitled to boot allowance.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will order an inquiry into the dismissal of a man named Fitzpatrick, who was postmaster at Inniskeen, county Monaghan, by an inspector named Lockington, whose brother has now got the post office; whether it is the practice for officials of the Post Office to be sent to localities where their relations reside, as in the case of this inspector, by which the late postmaster at Inniskeen has lost his position; whether he can state who selected the present postmaster, and if anyone else in the locality had the opportunity of applying for the position or of knowing that it was vacant before the workmen of the Post Office went to remove the telegraph wires from the old office; and whether he can state if the present postmaster at Inniskeen applied for the post; and, if so, who informed him that the position was vacant, as the late postmaster did not know of his dismissal until the workmen came to remove the telegraph wires.

The decision respecting the Inniskeen office was not arrived at without due consideration; and it is not in the Postmaster General's opinion necessary to reopen the matter. When it is necessary to institute such an investigation the officer whose normal duty it is is sent irrespective of the question whether his relatives reside in the neighbourhood or not. The officer who conducted the inquiry in the present instance was at the time acting as postmaster at the Dundalk office, to which the Inniskeen office is subordinate, and it was part of his ordinary duty to conduct it. As already stated in reply to the hon. Member's question of the 1st instant, the person at present acting as sub-postmaster at Inniskeen is merely acting temporarily, and no appointment has as yet been made. The officer who made the inquiry is not responsible for his selection; and before an appointment is made the qualifications of all the candidates will be carefully considered.

Is it proper for an official to give a postmaster ship to his brother without notice, and have the Department no remark to make on it?

The inspector did not even temporarily give the job to his brother. The Postmaster General takes full responsibility.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question.

I am afraid I have no information as to that.

Was the man who was dismissed a Catholic and the one appointed in his place a Protestant?

I have no information on that point.

Freemasonry again.

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he is aware that on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 25th, 26th, and 27th July last, also on Wednesday the 31st July, and Thursday, 1st August, the mails from Dublin due in Rathkeale at 11 a.m. did not arrive till 7.10 p.m.; can he state the cause of the delay; and, seeing the inconvenience to the public in the county of Limerick caused by letters and the Dublin daily newspapers not arriving by the morning train, will he ascertain whether there was neglect of duty on the part of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company on these occasions in this matter.

It is true that on the dates referred to by the hon. Member failures of connection occurred at Limerick between the day mail train from Limerick Junction and the mail train for Rathkeale, etc., and that the mails which should have gone forward by the latter train had to be kept back for the next available train. The primary cause of the delay was the late arrival at Holyhead of the Irish night mail train from London, and it appears that on the dates in question the passengers for Ireland were so numerous as to render it necessary for two trains instead of one to be run for their conveyance. When an additional train is run some delay seems to be unavoidable, but the railway company have been urged to take all possible measures for securing the early arrival of the mail train at Holyhead.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a matter of daily occurrence in the city of Limerick for the mails to be two hours late? Will the department take care that the railway company fulfils its contract?

I have no knowledge as to that.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can say what are the rights reserved to the public in the agreement made between the Board of Trade and the trustees of the Bantry Estate in connection with the foreshore of Bantry Bay.

The conveyance to the Bantry Estate Trustees to which the hon. Member refers contains a reservation of all public rights of way to and over the property conveyed. The conveyance also contains a covenant by the trustees not to erect on the property conveyed without the consent of the Board of Trade any building which would, in the Board's opinion, be prejudicial to rights of navigation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman let us have the conveyance in the form, say, of a parliamentary Paper?

I do not think that desirable.

Is it not a conveyance from a State Department to a private individual of a grant of foreshore over which the public had rights? How are we to know what the rights thus conveyed are?

I have stated what the rights are.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that complaint has been made to the Board that the steam launches ferrying for hire between Omeath, county Louth, and Warrenpoint, on Carlingford Lough, do not exhibit notices as to the number of passengers they are licensed to carry; can he state what the maximum number is; has this complaint that the launches are overcrowded, especially on Sundays and holidays, been investigated; and, if so, with what result, and will any steps be taken to prevent the public safety being endangered by overcrowding or by these launches taking crowded row boats in tow across the lough.

Yes. Sir, the Board of Trade have received certain complaints with regard to the steam launches to which the hon. Member refers. These launches hold Board of Trade certificates, authorising them to carry respectively a maximum number of sixty-five, thirty-eight, and thirty-one passengers. In one case it is stated that the certificate has not been exhibited on board, as required by the Merchant Shipping Act, and the question of prose- cuting the owner or master is under consideration. No case of overcrowding the launches themselves has come to the notice of either the Board of Trade or the local police, or proceedings would have been taken, but I shall communicate with the local authorities and with the owners of the launches with a view to stopping the objectionable and dangerous practice I understand to prevail of launches full of passengers towing crowded rowboats across Carlingford Lough.

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Sligo Harbour Commissioners have made frequent applications to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to have lights established at Bowmore for the purpose of enabling vessels entering Sligo Bay at night time to reach safe anchorage, and can he explain why the representations of the Sligo Harbour Commissioners have not been taken notice of by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, with whom I have communicated, that they consider that the lights asked for at Bowmore are purely for local benefit, and should not be established at the cost of the General Lighthouse Fund.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state when the Royal Fishery Commissioners, who finished sitting at the beginning of this year, will issue their Report; and whether, in the event of that Report being still unpublished at the beginning of next session, the Government will act upon the advice of former Royal Commissions, and take steps to redress the grievances of the Cumberland fishermen, owing to the state of the law on the English and Scotch sides of the Solway.

Assuming that the Royal Commis- sion referred to in the question is the Salmon Fisheries Commission, I understand that it concluded taking evidence only last month, and is now considering the Report.

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can make any statement about affording facilities for the passing of certain non-contentious private Bills in which substantial progress has already been made.

As my noble friend and the House are aware, no Bills are starred on the Order Paper at this period of the session but those to which it is fully clear no opposition is expected, and if opposition unexpectedly arises it is impossible for the Government to persevere with the starred Bill. With that qualification I understand that the Public Libraries Bill, which has reached the Report stage, and of which my noble friend has charge, is one which, I think, might be properly starred, also the Bishopric of Southwark Bill, the County Councils (Bye-laws) Bill, and the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill.

Is not the Bishopric of Southwark Bill opposed?

I understand not.

Has not notice of opposition been given from both sides of the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that we shall have full opportunity of discussing it?

After what hour will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors to Children Bill shall not be brought on?

At this period of the session it is dangerous to give any pledge of that nature. Of course, I am anxious that no important discussion shall be brought on late.

How is it that this Bill is not starred?

It is treated as a starred Bill.

IS not that a matter for Mr. Speaker to decide?

The Government have announced to the House that they intend to treat it starred Bill.

But how are private members to know? Is it done merely in order to escape the twelve o'clock rule?

If the point is raised at the proper time I shall be prepared to deal with it.

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to fix some limit of time after which the Sale to Children Bill will not be taken?

Is it not the fact that the Amendments introduced in the Grand Committee have altogether altered the nature of the Bill?

The effect of the Amendments introduced is not to make the Bill a new Bill, but they may be better described as in the direction of "cautious" legislation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to bring it on after one o'clock?

I hope my right hon. friend will not press that. It is absolutely necessary we should make some personal sacrifice in order to bring the session to a close.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to bring it on after four a.m.?

In view of the considerable opposition to it, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to bring on the Supreme Court of Judicature Bill?

I confess I have the very faintest hopes of that.