asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it was stated in official evidence before the Select Committee that for all overseerships for provincial sorting clerks and telegraphists then in existence full justification had to be shown before these positions were authorised; whether a Departmental inquiry is being conducted for the purpose of reducing the number of these overseers; and whether, in view of the fact that these positions were shown to the Select Committee to have been justified, he will state the grounds for any contemplated reduction of their numbers?

I should remind my hon. Friend that the Parliamentary Committee stated (paragraph 443) that they had great difficulty in following the classification of overseers in the provinces, and suggested that simplification was desirable. The inquiry to which my hon. Friend is probably alluding has for its object the ascertainment as to whether similar duties are being performed by officers of similar ranks.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that at some London sub-district offices the force employed, and the consequent responsibility of the overseers in charge of them, is thrice that of other sub-district offices which are also controlled by overseers; whether the controller of the Lon- don postal service has expressed his opinion that higher-grade officers should supervise these larger offices; and whether he intends to take steps in this direction?

The question of the proper arrangement of the supervising force in the largest London sub-district offices is engaging my attention.

asked the Postmaster General whether a decision repeatedly sought by the third-class clerks, Metropolitan Superintending Engineers' Offices, as to the application to their body of the Hobhouse Committee's recommendation issued in 1907, has yet been arrived at; or whether the same is being withheld on account of the inclusion of their class in a unification scheme for London third-class clerks?

Certain difficult questions arising out of the application of the Committee's recommendation are still under consideration, and I am communicating with the Treasury on the subject. No unification scheme for London third-class clerks is in contemplation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Committee on Post Office Servants inquired into the conditions of service and pay of postal servants, and that the Postmaster-General promised the House repeatedly that he would abide by the decision of this Committee and accept its recommendations in full whatever those recommendations might be, especially those having reference to remuneration, and that in paragraph 187 of the Committee's report a very definite and unequivocal recommendation is made affecting certain specially selected officers engaged on clerical duties in the Post Office, which recommends a transfer to the clerical establishment proper with the additional remuneration such transfer would involve, he would explain why the recommendation is not complied with; how many officers affected by the recommendation are there, and what is the approximate cost of giving these men the additional emoluments they are clearly entitled to under the Select Committee's recommendation; if any difficulty has been experienced in carrying out the recommendation, can such difficulty be explained, and what it is proposed to do to give the officers, so far deprived of the benefits of the recommendation, some recompense in case the Parliamentary Committee's decision unanimously arrived at cannot be carried out?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to my printed answer on this subject in reply to questions put to me in this House on the 25th May and 24th August last.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been directed to the proposed extension of the mail service from South Africa to Mombasa, East Africa, by the Donald Currie and Union Castle Mail Steam Ship Companies, and if he will ascertain on what terms the said companies would continue the service home by the Suez Canal, with a monthly return service, so as to give East Africa and Great Britain the benefits of a direct service and convenient interchange?

My attention has been directed to the proposal of the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company to extend the voyages of their intermediate (not mail) steamers to Mombasa once every four weeks. It is not probable that the relatively small remuneration that I could offer on postal grounds would be sufficient to induce the company to undertake the proposed service; but I am communicating with them on the subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the recognised practice of his Department to impose upon officers extra duty without equivalent remuneration; if not, will he give instructions that payment be granted to those officers in the stores department who have been called upon to perform three hours per week extra duty for which no payment has been allowed, or, in the alternative, will he grant equivalent time to the staff as meal relief since these officers had this privilege prior to the amalgamation of the postal and telegraph stores departments?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to replies given by me to questions on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Stockport on 16th March last, and the hon. Member for South Islington on 24th September last. All officers who were adversely affected by the arrangements referred to in those replies received proper compensation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that unestablished service above the age of 16, followed by established service in a like capacity, is recognised for the purpose of awards under the Superannuation Acts, he will state why similar unestablished service is not allowed to count with established service in the case of female civil servants receiving marriage gratuities?

The conditions under which marriage gratuities are awarded were laid down by the Treasury, and I have no power to modify them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has succeeded in arranging with the administrators concerned for the outward despatch, viâ the Siberian route, of newspapers and commercial papers from this country to the countries of the Far East at the normal rates for such countries; and whether he is aware that such class of mail matter comes over this route from the Far East at the same rate for newspapers and commercial papers as if sent viâ Suez or viâ America?

I regret that it has not yet; been possible to obtain any reduction in the very high charges for the conveyance of mails by the Trans-Siberian route from the Russian Government. I have therefore felt it my duty, in concert with other important European Post Offices, to continue to restrict the use of this route to letters and postcards.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give farther facilities to the managers of great newspaper establishments and great newspaper agencies for the posting of newspapers without affixing stamps but simply postmarking, as is done in several countries, under proper safeguards to protect the revenue; and whether he is aware that one agency sends 160 bags of mails every week to Canada, and that delay and expense are incurred through the time taken in affixing stamps while a simpler method exists of doing the work and saving the Government the expense of manufacturing stamps for these newspaper packets?

I regret that I do not see my way to extend the system of prepayment of postage in money to newspaper packets. It is not possible to carry out the necessary check unless the packets are brought to the Office a considerable time in advance of the ordinary hours of posting. Newspapers are usually posted by publishers a very short time before the despatch of mails. The convenience of newsagents and newspaper publishers is already met by allowing them to send stamped wrappers to be obliterated beforehand, and by accepting newspapers posted in these wrappers 30 minutes later than the advertised time of posting.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that special mail bags are made tip every Friday in London for passengers for India, the East, and Australia, in the P. and O. and Orient steamships, to be sent to Brindisi and Naples, and that the letters, etc., must be registered; why is registration necessary, in view of the fact that mail bags from Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne are sent overland by the various Australian Governments to catch the P. and O. and Orient steamers at Adelaide without being registered; whether he is aware that postal officials report that registration is not necessary and would cause no more delay than ordinary letters for Port Said, Aden, Bombay, Singapore, or Sydney; and will he take steps to abolish the inconvenience and expense of registration of these letters for passengers and have special mail bags made up addressed to the captains of the outward steamers?

The arrangement is as stated by my hon. Friend; and I am not aware that it has been found inconvenient. Registration is required to facilitate the selection of the letters from the general correspondence for Italy. Without registration if would not be possible to select them in time for despatch by the Indian mail train.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that a number of male telegraph learners from the Central Telegraph Office have been waiting appointments to the establishment for nearly 12 months since the date on which their certificates of qualification were granted to them; if he will state the number of ex-soldiers who have been placed on the establishment of this office during the year, and the number of temporary telegraphists employed, other than the 21 shown on the Estimates; and whether he will take steps to expedite the placing of these learners upon the establishment?

I am aware that a number of qualified male learners at the Central Telegraph Office are awaiting appointment to the establishment. Under the recommendations of the recent Select Committee on Post Office Servants, no case for special action arises until the learners have completed two years' service as such. None of them has yet served for that period. During the present year two ex-soldiers, who had been employed for over twelve months as probationary telegraphists, and five Royal Engineer supernumeraries have been placed on the establishment. The total number of temporary male telegraphists employed is 19 in all, a reduction having taken place since the Estimates were printed.

asked the Postmaster-General when the proposed revision for the indoor staff at Omagh will be carried into effect; whether he is aware of the amount of night duty performed by them owing to the small number of the male staff; and whether, with a view to remedying this, he will favourably consider an increase of the male indoor staff at this office?

The revision is under consideration, and will be carried into effect as soon as circumstances permit. The arrangement of the duties of the male staff has not been overlooked.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that six branch offices in the northwestern district have a smaller staff than is employed at Upper Baker-street, he will state why the conversion of this office to a branch office is not considered to be warranted; also if he will state the maximum wages paid to the assistants at Upper Baker-street and to the counter clerks and telegraphists at the branch offices in the same district?

The fact that there are six branch offices in the North Western District at which a smaller staff is employed than at Upper Baker-street is not considered in present circumstances a sufficient reason for making the latter office a branch office. The branch offices referred to were established before the recommendation of the recent Select Committee as regards salaried sub-offices in London was promulgated. The maxima of the assistants at Upper Baker-street and of the counter clerks and telegraphists at branch offices are practically the same since, under the recommendations of the Committee which I have adopted, full time assistants will in the natural course of events become established counter clerks after five years' service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to state whether he is prepared to appoint a Select Committee to consider the propriety of issuing regulations making it compulsory on all manufacturers of medicines liable to Patent Medicine Duty to print on the label on the bottle or other vessel in which it is sold the full ingredients of such bottles or vessels as well as the diseases they purport to cure?

I cannot at present add anything to what I said in answer to a question on 15th September, that I was disposed to think the matter might be one of sufficient importance for an inquiry by a Select Committee next Session.

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that the existing Pharmacy Acts do not cover the dispensing of medicines in public institutions, and conquently there is no legislative restriction to prevent unqualified persons from acting as dispensers, he will, in the interests of public safety, consider the advisability of introducing legislation to provide that the dispensing of poisons should be subject to the same restriction as their sale and placed under the control of registered pharmacists?

It is probable that in a large number of cases the authorities of the public institutions to which my hon. Friend refers make use of dispensers who hold certificates of competence under the Apothecaries Act, 1815. I understand from the Privy Council Office that, so far as the information available goes, no allegations have been made that the persons so em- ployed are unfit to discharge the duties with which they are entrusted, and there does not appear to be any urgent case for further legislation on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now give the name of the Commissioner who will inquire into recent sectarian disturbances in Liverpool and say what course he proposes to take to enable Mr. George Wise to prepare and submit his case to the Commission free from the prejudice and disadvantage attaching to his present position as a prisoner in Walton Gaol?

The two announcements which appeared in the Press on Saturday morning last contain the information which the hon. Member desires. The name of the Commissioner is Mr. Arthur J. Ashton, K.C. As regards Mr. George Wise, I have felt justified in advising the remission of the remainder of the period of four months for which Mr. Wise was committed to Liverpool Prison in default of entering into a recognisance to keep the peace. I have taken this course in order to enable Mr. Wise to prepare his case and attend as a witness before the Commissioner. Mr. Wise has given an undertaking, in a petition which he has addressed to me, that he will not speak at nor take part in any public open-air meeting until after the forthcoming inquiry has been held, and that he will use his utmost power to set to rest the unsettled condition of affairs in the city and to help the authorities in restoring peace.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a decision of Mr. Horace Smith adverse to the claim of a Miss Darwent for the return of 3s. 3d. deducted from her wages of 7s, by the proprietors of Mellin's Food, in fines for unpunctuality during a single week; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Truck Act, steps will be taken to appeal against the magistrate's decision?

Yes, my attention has been called to this case. The proceedings were civil proceedings instituted by the worker herself for the recovery of wages, and were not taken by the Department under the Truck Act. I have no power, therefore, to take any steps to appeal against the magistrate's decision; and after the magistrate's decision in the civil proceedings, it would have been inadvisable to raise the same question on a prosecution. I may add that I am informed that the amount deducted in this case represented time lost by the worker over a period of five weeks, and not a single week.

asked the Prime Minister if he can see his way to introduce a Bill with the object of providing a fund from which the dependents of unestablished officials who die when in the service of the State could be assisted?

This question shall receive my careful consideration, but I fear I cannot hold out hopes of the introduction of early legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what tests for the detection of colour-blindness are employed in the Marine Department of the Board; whether a considerable number of persons rejected as colour-blind by the wool test have on appeal been passed as normal sighted; and whether any oculist or medical man is included among the officers conducting these tests?

Candidates who enter for the Board of Trade Sight Tests now undergo an improved form of Holmgren Wool Test. Candidates who fail and appeal, or whose cases are referred for final decision, undergo a special spectroscopic examination. During the three years ending 31st December, 1908, 19,262 candidates were examined, and 184 rejected. Of the latter number only 48 appealed, and of these 21 were allowed to pass, either on the ground that their colour vision was normal, or that the defect, which the wool test had discovered, was not liable to cause danger at sea. No oculist or medical man is included among the officers conducting these tests, but the Board are advised throughout by the first authority on colour vision in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value in the last available year of the manufactured articles imported into Germany from the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, respectively, into the United States from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, respectively, and into France from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, respectively?

The following statement gives the information asked for by my hon. Friend: Statement showing for the year 1908 the total value of "Manufactured articles" imported into Germany from the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, respectively; into the United States from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, respectively; and into France from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States, respectively:—

Country whence Imported.	Value of the Imports of "Manufactured Articles" in 1908 for Domestic Consumption (Special Trade) into:—
	Germany.	United States.	France.
	£	£	£
United Kingdom	18,422,000	28,219,000	11,529,000
Germany	—	23,742,000	15,702,000
France	9,082,000	14,910,000	—
United States	12,041,000	—	2,783,000

Note.—The above particulars have been extracted from the German, United States, and French Official Trade Returns respectively. Owing to material differences in the classification of goods included under the head of "manufactured articles" the figures given are not strictly comparable as between the different importing countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in regard to the train which leaves Ennis, county Clare, daily at 3 p.m. for Kilkee and Kilrush, he can state the average number of passengers per day which the train carries after the tourist season is over, the expense of running the train calculated per mile per day, and the extra cost to the ratepayers so entailed?

I have no information as to the earnings or cost per mile of the train in question, but I am informed by the West Clare Railway Company that this year they continued to run it after the end of the tourist season at the urgent request of the directors representing the ratepayers. The train has, however, now been discontinued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Light Railway Commissioners propose to obtain a grant for Dinas Mawddy Railway in Montgomeryshire?

Subject to certain conditions, the Treasury have agreed to make a free grant of £9,000 in aid of the construction of this light railway.

asked whether, adverting to the calculation of Stamp Duties on the sale of farms in Ireland, on which money is due the Land Commission repayable by purchase annuity under the Purchase of Land (Ireland) Acts on the capital sum due, the Land Commission as well as the actual price paid by the buyer, he could state as regards solicitors' fees based on the scale of value under The Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act, 1891, or in the case of farms subject to annuities created before 1892 and not yet registered under the said Act, based on the scale for sales made pursuant to The Solicitors' Remuneration Act, 1881, whether the un-repaid advance for which the buyer becomes responsible is reckoned in addition to the actual price paid in assessing such solicitors' fees in respect of the transfer; and, if not, on what grounds consideration is assessed for Stamp Duty purposes at an artificial figure which is disclaimed in the assessment of professional fees?

In the assessment of fees, under the Solicitors' Remuneration Act, 1881, on a conveyance of land subject to unpaid instalments of a purchase annuity, the redemption value of the annuity is added to the actual price paid, and the solicitor's fees are assessed on the aggregate. In the assessment of similar fees under the Local Registration of Title (Ireland) Act, 1881, the unpaid instalments are not reckoned in addition to the actual price paid. The assessment of Stamp Duty upon conveyances in such cases follows the provisions of Section 57 of the Stamp Act, 1891, which Section has force as regards Stamp Duty but not as regards solicitors' fees.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his attention had been called to the fact that, in prosecutions for offences in relation to old age pensions, imprisonment is imposed in all cases of conviction in Ireland, in accordance with the terms of the Act, while in many cases in England a fine is imposed; what statute gives power to justices in England to fine for an offence for which imprisonment only is designated by the statute creating it; whether the statute giving such power extends to Ireland; and, if not, whether he will bring in legislation making it so extend, in view of the fact that imprisonment entails practically lifelong exclusion from the pension?

The facts are as stated in the first part of the hon. Member's question. Under Section 9 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, which does not extend to Ireland, a Court of Summary Jurisdiction in England may impose a fine not exceeding £25 in lieu of imprisonment for an offence punishable on summary conviction, if the court think that the justice of the case will be better met by a fine than by imprisonment. I will consider the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether instructions have been given to pension officers throughout Ireland to have regard to the legal point raised by the Kilkenny borough pension committee, and decided by the Local Government Board for Ireland to be correct after the Treasury and Inland Revenue Board had refused to entertain it, that a person by legal computation attaining a given age on the day preceding the corresponding anniversary of birth, a claimant whose 70th birthday falls on Friday is entitled to payment for that day as the Friday next after the day of his becoming entitled?

No general instructions have been issued to pension officers in Ireland on this point, but in any cases in which they ask for instructions they are informed that if the local pension committee hold that a claimant whose 70th birthday falls on a Friday has attained the age of 70 on the previous day, no objection is to be raised by them to the first payment of a pension being made on that Friday.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state what his present estimate is of the amount that will go to Ireland annually in the immediate future as old age pensions under the present law?

The current expenditure upon the payment of old age pensions in Ireland is, upon the basis of pensions actually payable on 30th September last, at the rate of about £2,370,000 per annum. In the absence of alteration in the law, I do not think there is any reason to anticipate that there will be any substantial increase or decrease in the immediate future. I would refer the hon. Member further to my reply to a question of the hon. Member for North Meath on 25th October last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether having regard to the interest the matter is exciting in Ireland, he will lay upon the Table the terms, omitting if thought desirable the names of the pensioners, of the decision given by the Kilkenny borough pension committee in two cases on 19th August, 1909, to the effect that they had no jurisdiction to entertain questions reopening the matter of age of persons already in receipt of pensions, the document embodying the decision being with the pension officer or Local Government Board, and also the subsequent correspondence between the Local Government Board and the clerk of the said committee?

I am unable to comply with the request that I should lay on the Table of the House a copy of the correspondence between the Local Government Board and this pension committee. To do so would be contrary to the usual practice, and would serve no useful purpose as the point at issue arises in a case to be argued before the Court of Appeal during the current term.

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Charles McGrath, of Moyaston, and his wife, Catherine McGrath, who had been in receipt of old age pensions of 5s. per week, the pension officer having reported that their respective incomes were under £20 each; whether he is aware that another pension officer reported on 31st July that their incomes were £26 each, and recommended a reduction of the pension to 3s. a week, but with the result that the Pension Committee on 13th September decided to continue the previous pension; that the pension officer appealed to the Local Government Board on the terms of his report recommending 3s. a week, with the result that the Local Government Board decided that they were not entitled to any pension; and whether, in view of the fact that the old couple are living in the house of a married niece, the valuation of whose holding is only £24 5s., he will indicate what may be done to secure a reconsideration of this case?

The facts are as stated. The Local Government Board disallowed the pensions in these two cases as the yearly value of the maintenance and other privileges enjoyed by Charles McGrath and his wife appeared to exceed the statutory limit.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state on what grounds Bridget Leary, of Cartran, county Longford, has been deprived of her old age pension; and whether, if the ground stated is want of proof of age, any time limit exists to the renewal and granting of this application?

The Local Government Board upheld the appeal of the Pension Officers in this case on the ground that the pensioner had failed to prove that she had reached the age of 70 years. It is open to her to make a fresh claim at any time if she can obtain sufficient evidence as to her age.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the total number of appeals against pensions lodged by pension officers in Longford county; how many were for want of proof of age, and how many for valuation of land, etc.; in how many cases the appeal was upheld, and in how many dismissed; and how many cases are now pending?

The appeals are not classified by counties in the Register kept by the Local Government Board, who are not, therefore, in a position to give the required information.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the grounds on which Patrick Keogh, of Ohill, county Longford, whose age has been admitted to be over 70, has been deprived of his old age pension; whether he is aware that this man, although nominally in occupation of nine acres of mountain land, has for years been a migratory labourer earning poor wages; and can he hold out any hope of a renewal of the pension?

This man's pension was I disallowed by the Local Government Board on the ground that his means exceeded the statutory limit. In addition to some 18 acres of moorland and bog, which the claimant holds, he is in occupation of 9 statute acres of fairly good land, which appears to be well stocked and cropped.

asked the Chancellor of of the Exchequer whether the words "tenancy from year to year," used in Subsection (1) of Section 61 of the Finance Bill, preserving, as regards such tenancies, the limitation of value for Death Duties to 25 times the annual value, had ever received judicial construction as including judicial tenancies under the Irish Land Acts; and whether the annual value, subject to rent, etc., of Irish farms, in cases where the said limitation is still to be continued, and also as regards the assessment of Income Tax on occupiers, will, if the Finance Bill becomes law, continue to be based on the Poor Law valuation as heretofore, or whether, on the completion of the projected new valuation, some annual value based thereon would be substituted for the Poor Law valuation?

According to the information at my disposal, the answer to the first part of the question would appear to be in the negative. As regards the second part, I may point out that the annual value referred to is, in accordance with the proviso to Section 7 (5) of the Finance Act. 1894, the annual value as assessed under Schedule A of the Income Tax Acts. The Finance Bill does not provide for any alteration in the basis of assessment under Schedule A.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that Mr. George Paine, who has held the post of first attendant in the Museum of Antiquities, Edinburgh, for 18 years, was obliged to resign that post on account of loss of eyesight last April; that, owing to the post not being pensionable, Mr. Paine received on leaving the service a gratuity of only £22 16s. 2d.; that, as Mr. Paine's family are not yet old enough to be in a position to help him, and as his loss of eyesight precludes him from obtaining work, that sum is altogether inadequate; and whether, in view of these circumstances, a further grant can be made to Mr. Paine?

I am aware of the facts of this case. Mr. Paine has been awarded the maximum gratuity for which he is eligible under the Superannuation Acts, and I fear I can only say that there is no power to make him any further grant out of public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the total amount of superannuation allowance and annuity on which Mrs. R. E. Smart, of West Ashley, Lincolnshire, has been retired; at what age such retirement took place, and after how many years of service as a certificated head teacher in public elementary schools?

I must refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for the Oswestry Division of Shropshire on 26th October last.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received a request from the West Riding local education authority to hold an inquiry at Giggleswick into the foundation of the Giggleswick Grammar School; and whether he has yet decided to accede to that request?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the second part is in the negative. The information already at the disposal of the Board appears to be sufficient to enable them to decide all questions at present requiring consideration in connection with this foundation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will, in the preparation of next year's Estimates, give consideration to the general demand and claim of the local education authorities that the Government grants to schools should be increased in order to meet the increased cost of education, and in particular the cost of medical inspection of schools, school meals for children, and small classes; whether, in this connection, he will bear in mind the fact that the proportion of Government aid to money raised for schools by rates used to be 75 per cent, to 25 per cent., and last year it was 50 per cent, to 50 per cent.; and whether, at present, less is provided by the Government Exchequer towards the cost of the schools than is provided by the rates, that is, by taking in the estimate the whole country?

I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer the whole question of Government grants for education, but it is scarcely possible, especially at the present juncture, to say whether it will be practicable to provide in next year's Estimates for any substantial increase of those grants. Without discussing the precise accuracy of the calculations in the second paragraph of the question, I may say that in considering this matter we shall continue to bear in mind every consideration that has a practical bearing on the question. The Board do not possess the information necessary for an answer to the concluding paragraph of the question, which could not possibly be given until after the accounts of local education authorities for the current financial year have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that the reorganisation of the provincial service of the Survey Department has caused discontent among the officers affected; whether he can explain why the provincial service was not represented on the Commission which recommended the reorganisation; whether the reorganisation injuriously affects the prospects of officers especially who joined before 1905; whether petitions dealing with the great difference in treatment meted out to the imperial service (survey) officers and the provincial service (survey) officers have been received at the India Office; and whether the causes of complaint on the part of the provincial officers will be carefully investigated?

The Secretary of State is not aware that the proposals of the Survey Committee for creating a new provincial service, with improved prospects and a higher entrance standard, side by side with the existing provincial service, has occasioned discontent. It has not been proposed to interfere in any way with the prospects of officers already admitted to the existing service. Officers who joined that service after 1st May, 1905—the date of the submission of the Committee's Report—are, if specially qualified, eligible for transfer by the Surveyor-General to the new service. Otherwise members of the existing service will retain their present scales of pay. No memorials on the subject have reached the Secretary of State. Any memorials that may be submitted to him through the recognised channels will be duly considered. The Committee consisted of four officers of high administrative standing and technical knowledge, and had to deal with the whole question of the methods, working, and organisation of the Survey of India. In view of the nature of the inquiry it was not thought necessary to appoint a provincial officer to serve on the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what answer the Government of India has returned to the protest of the Bombay Millowners Association against the restriction of adult male labour, which is not restricted elsewhere in the British Empire, except in the case of coal mines; and whether a representative of the association has been appointed to the Legislative Council of the Governor-General of India, to hold office while the Bill is under discussion by that body?

The letter referred to of the Bombay Millowners Association, expressing their views on the Indian Factory Act Amendment Bill, was submitted to the Government of India in response to the invitation usually given to public bodies in India when legislation affecting them is under contemplation. As such it will be circulated with the Bill, and will come under consideration in the Legislative Council. The Secretary of State is not aware that an answer has been returned to it by the Government of India. The Legislative Council of the Governor- General is, as the hon. Member is aware, being reconstituted. It would be premature to state what action may be taken on the suggestion of the Millowners Association.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State has any information regarding the extent to which the freedom of the Press, the right of public meeting, the right of trial by jury, the right of the subject not to be deprived of his liberty except after sentence by a court of justice have been conceded by Governments and Administrations in Asia other than the Government of British India; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, whether he has information showing what measure of success has attended such experiments?

The Secretary of State has no information that would enable him to answer these questions authoritatively.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can say what has been the result of the Baraitch dacoity case, in which the police authorities were prosecuted for falsely getting up a case against innocent villagers, and in which an inspector concerned committed suicide to avoid prosecution?

The result of the trial before the sessions judge was that ten police officers were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from one year to seven years, and one other person, not a police officer, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, when the Return showing the new scale of salaries, approved for the civil staff of the Ordnance Survey, will be laid upon the Table of the House?

The Return to which the hon. Member refers has not yet been approved by the President of the Board. He hopes, however, to be able to issue it at an early date.

asked if it is within the knowledge of the Board of Agriculture that breeders of pedigree stock retain for breeding purposes in the United Kingdom animals rejected by foreign buyers owing to their failure to pass the tuberculin test?

We have no official knowledge of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked whether, in the case of pedigree stock exported from the United Kingdom for breeding purposes, and as a condition of purchase, such animals are required to pass the tuberculin test both prior to embarkation and subsequent to debarkation; and whether it is customary for the vendors of such pedigree stock to pay a considerable premium for insurance against financial loss on the failure of an animal to pass such test?

The regulations governing the application of the tuberculin test vary, but the Board are not aware of the existence of any regulations containing the provisions mentioned by my hon. Friend, nor have they information as to the rates charged for insurance, whether against the particular loss referred to, or against all the risks incidental to the voyage.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that the South-Eastern and Chatham Joint Railway Committee has recently placed notices upon 104 bridges carrying public highways over their lines, such notices, erected pursuant to the Light Locomotives Acts and Orders, stating that the bridges in question are much below the general standard of strength required to carry ordinary motor lorries; whether he is aware that many of the prohibited bridges are situated upon the lines of roads leading directly to forts, stores, and other military stations, and in constant use by the Military Transport Department for moving heavy weights; and whether his Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to remedy the condition of things in the interest of the safety of the public using the railways, as well as with a view to removing the obstruction to the Military Transport Department?

The matter has been brought to the notice of the War Department, and is receiving consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers who have received honours in 1909 in each grade of the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the Star of India, and the Royal Victorian Order?

Order of the Bath.— Knights Grand Cross, nil; Knights Commanders, 6; Companions, nil. Order of St. Michael and St. George.—Knights Grand Cross, 2; Knights Commanders, nil; Companions, nil. Royal Victorian Order.—Knights Grand Cross, 3; Knights Commanders, 4; Commanders, 2; Members, 4th Class, 10; Members, 5th Class, 3.

asked the Secretary for War what is the number of officers who have received honours in 1909 in each grade of the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the Star of India, and the Royal Victorian Order?

The number of officers who received honours in 1909 in each grade of the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George, and the Star of India is as follows:—

Order of the Bath.
G.C.B. Military	6
K.C.B Military	11
K.C.B. Civil	4	2	Special Reserve Officers.
		2	Territorial Force Officers.
C.B. Military	24
C.B. Civil	13	5	Special Reserve Officers.
		8	Territorial Force Officers.
Order of St. Michael and St. George.
K.C.M.G.	3
C.M.G.	8
Order of the Star of India.
G.C.S.I.	1
K.C.S.I.	1
C.S.I.	6

With regard to the Royal Victorian Order, the information available at the War Office is not in a form which would enable me to answer that part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary for the. Colonies whether he is aware that notices have been served on the clergymen, missionaries, and English inhabitants generally at Chefoo, Foochow, and other places in China, that it is in contemplation to close the British post offices at these places unless the communities agree to guarantee the so-called loss; whether Germany, France, and other Powers have ever made a similar demand on their people residing at any of these treaty ports of China; whether he is aware that the Post Office of Great Britain and Ireland receives £23,000 a year for postage on mails to China while the Hong Kong Government receipts only amount to £10,000 a year for postage receipts on mails to the United Kingdom; and whether each country keeps its own receipts or any accounts are kept?

I am not aware of the matter mentioned in the first sentence of the hon. Gentleman's question. I may state, however, that the Hong Kong Government is not in a position to bear the present loss on the Postal Agencies in China, and that the Treasury, while agreeing to bear half the loss, as a purely temporary arrangement, suggested that contributions might be obtained from the local communities benefited by the Agencies to cover the, remaining loss. The whole question is still under consideration. I cannot answer the third sentence of the hon. Gentleman's question, and as to the last two, I would suggest that he should put down a question for my right hon. Friend, the Postmaster General.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he or the Secretary of State has considered the representations made by the second division clerks in the Colonial Office in their letters of 16th July, 1902, 30th March, 1905, and 6th July last, regarding their position and prospects in that Department; and whether a reply can now be returned to those letters?

The matter is one which has not been overlooked by the Secretary of State.

asked what is estimated to be the number of Chinese who will be employed in the Transvaal gold mines at the end of the present year?

About 1,800 Chinese will still be in the Transvaal at the end of the year.

asked whether an authenticated case of sleeping sickness occurred in the Native hospital of the Church of Scotland Mission in Nyasaland last September; and whether the existence of other cases is suspected?

Two natives suffering from sleeping sickness were admitted to the Blantyre Mission Hospital on 8th June and 14th August respectively. The first patient died in July, and the second, who came from Portuguese territory, died in September. The natives of Nyasaland are being systematically examined for sleeping sickness Up to 30th September four cases had been discovered, but there is no reason to suppose that infected persons are numerous in the Protectorate.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the recommendation of the Lancashire local pension committee that Anne Fazackerley, of Tarleton, aged 72, should be granted an old age pension; whether he is aware that she has been disqualified by the Board on the ground that her deceased husband was obliged owing to serious debility to apply for parochial relief, which was granted to him alone; whether he is aware that after the death of her husband Mrs. Fazackerley received no assistance from the board of guardians while her application for a pension was before the committee, she being meanwhile supported by her friends, until, after protracted delays in dealing with her application, she was obliged to ask for assistance from the guardians, who decided to allow her from the poor rate the weekly sum to which they considered her entitled from the pension fund; and whether, in view of the fact that the county committee has unanimously approved the recommendation of its local committee, he could further investigate the matter with a view to securing a pension for this applicant?

I am aware of the case referred to by the Noble Lord. According to the information before the Local Government Board the relief first given by the guardians was granted to the husband for the support of himself and his wife. It appeared also, as stated in the question, that after her husband's death the claimant applied for and obtained poor relief. In these circumstances she was disqualified for a pension by the terms of Section 3 (1) of the Old Age Pensions Act, and the Board had no alternative but to decide accordingly.

asked the hon. Member for the Barnstaple Division, as representing the Charity Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the action of the trustees of a charity, known as the Donnington Hospital, in pulling down numerous cottages which form part of the property of the charity in the village of Iffley, near Oxford, and refusing to build other cottages in their place; whether he is aware that in the last few years no less than 15 cottages have been destroyed, and that in one case an old man of 76 was turned out of his home and forced to leave the village where he had lived for 40 years, although the house, in the opinion of many competent witnesses, was well kept and in good repair; whether he is aware that in consequence of this action of the trustees, who own most of the land in the parish, not only has hardship and inconvenience been caused, but a sense of insecurity produced amongst other tenants of the charity, and that a petition, which was signed by the vicar and almost all the principal residents of the village, to the trustees asking them to build new cottages, has had no effect; and whether the Charity Commissioners can take any action in the matter?

The attention of the Charity Commissioners had not been specifically called to the subject of the hon. Member's question since they made an Order on 23rd September, 1904, authorising the trustees to apply £500 capital in rebuilding two cottages on their Iffley estate. The trustees now inform the Commissioners that in the 10 years, 1899 to 1909, 13 cottages have been pulled down, of which three have been rebuilt, while three new houses are in course of erection. The estate had been let many years ago on leases for lives during which the cottages pulled down had become so dilapidated as to be beyond repair. But the trustees have spent £1,630 in the last 10 years on improving their remaining cottages and property. The cottage of the old man mentioned in the question was required for an improvement scheme. He was given six months' notice before he was required to give up possession, and was offered a better cottage in the village, but refused it. The Commissioners will call the attention of the trustees to the desirability of retaining a due proportion of cottages on the estate, but Iffley is now becoming a part of Oxford, and the trustees are bound to lay out the property for the best advantage of the objects of the charity, the almspeople at Donnington, in Berkshire, and the pensioners in several parishes in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many agricultural colleges have been established in Ireland, and in what counties they are situate; the cost of building and equipping same; how much has been contributed by the Department and the different county councils for the purchase of each; how much is being contributed by both bodies towards their upkeep annually; and whether an agricultural college will be established in county Leitrim, with a view to assisting the farmers of that county and improving their methods of agriculture, particularly as it is such a highly congested area?

I understand that agricultural instruction for resident male students is at present provided at four institutions in Ireland, and the estimated expenditure by the Department for the maintenance of these institutions during the year 1909–10 is as follows:—

Albert Agricultural College, county Dublin	£4,000
Ballyhaise Agricultural Station, county Cavan	3,000
Clonakilty Agricultural Station, county Cork	2,000
Mount Bellew Agricultural College, county Galway	1,000

No contribution has been made by any county council towards the establishment or maintenance of any of these institutions. The Department have no present intention of establishing an agricultural college in county Leitrim.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the net increase or decrease in the gross cost of Irish civil government, including all salaries and expenses of all departments but excluding payments for the purchase or improvement of land and as grants to evicted tenants, in 1905–6 and in each financial year since, and the annual increase estimated to result from the legislation of this Session?

It is open to the hon. Member by examination of the Estimates and Appropriation Accounts which have been presented to Parliament, to arrive at the cost of any Department of the public service in the years referred to, but it would not be possible as yet to form an estimate of the financial result of the legislation of this Session.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that on 8th September last an industrial and labourers exhibition, called the Brighter Homes Exhibition, was held at Athenry; that invitations were sent to and received by the Agricultural Department, Inspector Gallagher and the manager, Mr. M'Gaw, to attend the exhibition; if so, whether they attended and co-operated with the local people to make it a success; and, if not, why did they not do so, and what explanation, if any, did they give to the Agricultural Department?

The Department are not aware whether the officers mentioned received an invitation. They were not instructed to attend.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that some of the officials, farm labourers, and students attended the Brighter Homes Exhibition at Athenry; that those who did so were reported by Inspector Gallagher; that an investigation was held by a Mr. J. R. Campbell into the charges brought against them; whether any of these officials have been transferred and censured as a result; if so, what are their names; whether he will have a copy of the report, the minutes of the investigation, and the decision laid upon the Table of the Houses; and whether any instructions were given, either verbally or otherwise, to these officials to boycott the local exhibition?

On the occasion referred to the officers who were in charge of the agricultural station, in the absence of the manager, without having asked for or received authority from the manager or the department, permitted the apprentices to absent themselves from work, and that at a moment when harvesting operations were pressing. The officials in question were very properly warned that serious notice would be taken of any repetition of such action. No investigation such as is referred to was held, and no one has been transferred from Athenry on account of the incident. The reply to the last portion of the question is in the negative.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that recently a public meeting was held at Athenry at which resolutions were passed relating to the present official condition and general management of the Athenry agricultural station; if copies of the same were received by the Department of Agriculture at Dublin indicating unpleasantness if the present condition of affairs were continued there; and what action, if any, has been taken by the Department of Agriculture to remove those grievances and work the station on popular lines?

The Department have received the resolution said to have been adopted at a public meeting held recently at Athenry in regard to the work of the agricultural station in that district. They note the threat contained in the question, and have only to say that they decline to allow any interference of the kind indicated with agricultural work carried on by the Department in that or any other place.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he will give a Return showing the names of the officials in charge of the agricultural stations at Athenry, Ballyhaise, Glasnevin, and Clonakilty, the religious persuasion of each, the area under cultivation in each place, the area (if any) devoted to forestry, the number of agricultural labourers employed at each place, and the rate of wages paid, respectively, at these stations?

I do not consider that any public advantage would be served by giving the Return referred to.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that at a conference held at Athenry on the 1st January, 1908, presided over by Captain Shaw Taylor, inquiries were made into matters affecting the cause of the friction between the Department and the people of Athenry, and the grievances of the people fully discussed, as well as the views of those responsible for the management of the local station; that a settlement was arrived at which was embodied in a resolution and presented to the Department by Captain Taylor, who gave an assurance at the time that there would be no further interference with or disturbance of the work in connection with Athenry station; and, seeing that since that time the compact entered into has been faithfully observed by the people, whether it is the intention of the Department to continue its unpopular policy in Athenry for any longer period?

The Department have no dispute with the people of Athenry, and they entered into no compact with Captain Shaw Taylor, or anyone else undertaking to speak on behalf of those who have attempted to disturb the work at the station by outrage or otherwise.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he will state on what grounds he has refused to give Mr. Dalton, a nurseryman, at Ballyreaghan, Ballinalee, county Longford, a certificate scheduling his nursery as one from which local committees might purchase tree stocks; did he send an inspector to inspect this man's stock last year when it was passed as good and sound; and why such should not be done this year also, with the object of spending the people's money in their own country and not sending to other places for tree stocks?

At the beginning of each season the Department arrange for the inspection of the principal nurseries in Ireland with a view of ascertainng whether the fruit and other trees which will be offered for sale are of good quality and free from disease. The list of such nurseries approved by the Department is then prepared for the information of the County Committee of Agriculture, who, however, sometimes decide to place orders for certain kinds of trees with small local nurseries. Small nurseries such as that of Mr. Dalton's are not inspected as a matter of course, but if a County Committee accepts a tender from such a nursery a special inspection is made by the Department. The Longford County Committee recently decided to accept three tenders for trees, one of which was from Mr. Dalton. This nursery was accordingly inspected by the Department's inspector on the 25th inst. The stock of forest trees at present in this nursery is so limited that the Department cannot see their way to place it on the approved list for all Ireland, but no objection will be offered to the purchase by the County Longford Committee of Scotch fir and spruce from this nursery.

asked the Chief Secretary what is the number, if any, of specially reported cases by the police arising out of the friction between the people of the Athenry district and the Department of Agriculture owing to the manner in which the work has been carried out during the period between 1st January, 1907, and 30th November, 1909?

I am informed by the Constabulary authorities that between the dates mentioned the police have reported five cases of intimidation or injury to property which are believed to be the outcome of the desire of certain lawless persons in Athenry to compel the Department to surrender part of their farm in the neighbourhood.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state, under the name of vendor or other convenient word, the separate purchases of untenanted land made by the Estates Commissioners in Westmeath to the present date, the area in each case, the number of new holdings formed from it, the number of holdings enlarged, the amount allocated for labourers, the amount for any other purposes, the total number of new holdings, enlargements, and labourers' allotments so provided in that county, the amount of untenanted land purchased by the Commissioners in that county and not yet distributed, and the amount comprised in estates in that county now pending before them for sale?

The Estates Commissioners have acquired 5,585 acres of untenanted land in county Westmeath, of which 645 acres have not yet been allotted. In the allotment of the remaining 4,940 acres 62 new holdings have been created, comprising 1,710 acres (including 130 acres allotted to seven labourers), and 185 holdings have been enlarged by the addition of 3,230 acres. Proceedings are pending before the Commissioners for the sale of a further area of 2,224 acres in that county. Detailed particulars of estates and untenanted land purchased by the Commissioners are given in the Monthly Returns of Advances presented to Parliament according as the land is vested in the purchasers.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can say approximately about what date, in the normal course of business, the Estates Commissioners will be able to deal, with the Chapman estate, Killna Castle, Westmeath, pending before them for sale?

The purchase agreements in this case were not lodged until October, 1908, and having regard to the prior claims of other estates the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when this estate will be reached.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the number of Roman Catholics in Athenry petty sessions district amounts to 6,362 and the number of Protestants to 135; whether the number of magistrates appointed for the district is seven, six of whom are Protestants and one only Catholic; what number of times during the past 12 months has each of the Protestant magistrates, Messrs. A. W. Hazel, J. E. Lopdell, H. T. Hall, and A. S. French, and what number of times has the Catholic magistrate, Mr. Meldon, attended; how many times during the year ended 1st November, 1909, the petty sessions at Athenry had to be adjourned for the attendance of a second magistrate; how many cases listed, requiring the attendance of a second magistrate, were adjourned because of the poor attendance of the local magistrates two and even three times, putting those persons who were before the court to inconvenience and expense; and whether he will remove these grievances by the appointment of some additional magistrates who would discharge the duties of their office with greater punctuality so far as attendance at the courthouse of Athenry is concerned?

I shall refer this case to the Lord Chancellor, to whose jurisdiction the matter belongs.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the present position as regards sale of the property situate at Kilfinton, county Longford, which the owner, Mr. M'Cormack, is willing to sell to the Estates Commissioners for subdivision amongst the people?

The Estates Commissioners have made an offer for the purchase of the lands referred to, but it has not yet been accepted.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the cause of delay in examining into and proving title in the case of the estate of Mr. R. Davoren, at Killasonna, county Longford; and will steps be now taken by the Estates Commissioners to do so?

The Estates Commissioners inform me that the title in this case has been examined and the requisitions on title issued to the solicitor having carriage. They have not yet been discharged.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the total amounts deducted from Government grants due to county Longford, under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, for the years ending 31st March, 1907, 1908, and 1909, in consequence of the failure of tenant purchasers to pay their annuities; and in how many cases such charges were deducted in consequence of the failure of the officers of the Land Commission to recover these debts in the ordinary way?

The following statement shows the net sums deducted in pursuance of certificates received from the Irish Land Commission and National Debt Commissioners from grants forming portion of the Guarantee Fund established under the Land Acts of 1891 and 1903 in the case of county Longford for the undermentioned years in respect of purchasers' annuities in arrear:—

	Year ended 31st March
	1907.	1908.			1909.
		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
Irish Land Commission	Nil.	142	0	11	708	18	5
National Debt Commissioners.	Nil.	122	19	11	289	1	2
Total	Nil.	265	0	10	997	19	7

There were net additions of £100 16s. 6d. and £106 18s. 6d. made to the county's share in the Estate Duty Grant for the year ended in 1907, pursuant to certificates received from the Irish Land Commission and the National Debt Commissioners respectively on account of purchasers' annuities in arrear which had been recovered. As regards the arrears of Land Purchase Annuities, which had accrued, due up to 31st March, 1909, there were 2,783 payers of such annuities under the Acts, 1891–1903, in the county Longford, and at this date there are only 12 of these payers in arrear in respect of the instalments of annuities which had accrued due prior to 31st March last, the amount now due being £67 3s 3d. In all these 12 cases decrees have been obtained, and are now in the hands of the sheriff for execution.

asked the Chief Secretary if he can state the total number of defaulters in the payment of instalments under the Land Purchase Acts, 1885 to 1903, proceeded against in county Longford for the five years ending 3lst December, 1908; in how many cases were amounts due recovered in full with costs; in how many cases was there a partial or total loss of the amounts due; and how much of such loss was subsequently deducted from the agricultural or other grants due to county Longford?

I am informed by the Land Commission that it would not be possible to compile a return giving the particulars asked for without considerably disturbing the work of the collection branch of their office, which is at present busily engaged in collecting the current instalments of land purchase annuities. Any delay in making this collection must entail an increase of arrears, and with it increased drawings on the Guarantee Fund.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Shaw, present owner of a farm of land at Deerpark, county Longford, which includes an evicted farm formerly in the possession of Bryan Cormack, deceased, is willing to transfer voluntarily this farm to the representatives of the deceased; and will the Estates Commissioners inquire into this case with a view to sanctioning the arrangement?

McCormaek's application for reinstatement was not received within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act and cannot be dealt with under that Act, but the matter will be considered if the estate comes before the Estates Commissioners to be dealt with under the Irish Land Act, 1903.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the total amounts claimed for extra police serving in county Longford for the years ending 30th.September, 1907, 1908, and 1909; whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is no necessity whatever for an extra police force at Graffogue, county Longford; whether he is aware that the extra men in this case are men taken from the adjoining police barracks of Granard and Ballinalee whose places are not refilled; and why such men should be charged for as extra men at all?

The extra police expenses claimed from the county of Longford are as follows:—

	£	s.	d.
For the year ended 30th Sept., 1907	94	10	4
Do. do. do. 1908	703	13	9
Do. do. do. 1909	1014	8	5

A post was recently established at Graffogue for protection purposes, and I am informed by the responsible police authorities that it cannot be dispensed with. There are two police stationed at it. One of them was transferred from Granard, and his place has not, so far, been filled. The other was taken from Ballinalee, but his place has been filled. The charge against county of Longford for extra police is in respect of additional men appointed for the entire county.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will say how many evicted families in Ireland noted as suitable for holdings still remain unprovided with holdings?

Of the number of evicted tenants or their representatives noted for consideration 996 have not yet been reinstated in their former holdings or provided with other holdings, but proceedings are pending before the Estates Commissioners for the purchase of a large area of untenanted land, in the allotment of which these persons will be considered.

asked the Chief Secretary whether the sale of the Knox estate, situate in the congested district of Curry, Union of Tubbereurry and county of Sligo, has been sanctioned by the Estates Commissioners; and, if so, whether adequate provision has been made for the reinstatement of the evicted tenants on that estate?

The Estates Commissioners have had an inspection made of the holdings of the two evicted tenants, containing in all some 20 acres, and have estmated the prices which they would be prepared to advance if formal proceedings for sale were instituted before them by the owners. The Commissioners understand from inquiries they have made that the lands are owned by a number of owners and that the title is a most complicated one, and they have been informed by the solicitor for the owners that, as the costs in connection with the title alone would amount to a great deal more than the purchase money of the holdings and the result would be a loss to his clients instead of a gain, they cannot institute proceedings for the sale of the evicted holdings alone. The sale of these holdings will be further considered by the Commissioners when proceedings for the sale of the entire estate are instituted before them, but pending this they cannot take any further action in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he has received a resolution from the Cork County Council strongly complaining of the action of the authorities in refusing to allow the chairman of the council to vote at a recent election for petty sessions clerk at Schull; whether the Law Officers were consulted before this decision was arrived at; and, if not, on whose authority was it given, seeing that by statute the chairman of a county council is, by virtue of his office, a justice of the peace for the county, and has the right to sit and vote at every petty sessions within the county?

The Irish Government have been advised by the Law Officers of the Crown that the vote of the chairman of a county council at the election of a clerk of the petty sessions should not be accepted unless he resides within the petty sessions district or has attended the petty sessions at least once during the 12 months preceding the date of the clerkship becoming vacant.

I am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that payment of fees for the teaching of mathematics as an extra subject during the past school year have been made in all regular cases received in their office. Owing to the low proficiency exhibited by the pupils learning the subject, or to the failure to comply with the published Rules and Regulations the Commissioners have been unable to award fees in a large number of schools.