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MR. SUMMERS: And subsequently repudiated.

BARON H. DE WORMS: There is no evidence of that.

PUZZLE COMPETITIONS.

:

MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to advertisements in Comic Cuts and other papers, stating that £200 will be given away in cash prizes to those sending most correct solutions to certain puzzles, and inviting competitors to send solutions together with 13 stamps; whether information has reached him that, owing to the extreme ease of guessing these puzzles, vast numbers of persons, chiefly youths and children, are induced to send postal orders, receiving in return either nothing at all or merely nominal sums; and whether he will take steps to determine whether the law is being infringed by the operations in question?

MR. MATTHEWS: No, Sir; I have not seen the advertisements referred to; but I have called the attention of the Treasury Solicitor to the allegations made in the question.

CASSELL'S "NATIONAL LIBRARY", AND SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

MR. H. GARDNER (Essex, Saffron Walden) I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether his attention has been called to an offer made by Messrs. Cassell, publishers, to supply their National Library" of 200 volumes at half price (£1 7s.), provided the library is vested in responsible persons, and he place one in which no bookseller resides; and whether, in view of the great advantage the possession of a lending library would be to the inhabitants of villages where no such provision now exists, and seeing that such a proposal is in accordance with paragraph 52 of the Revised Instructions to Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, lately issued by the Education Department, he will authorise and recommend school managers in rural districts where

library exists to include in the school accounts a moderate sum sufficient for the purchase of Messrs. Cassell's or some similar library?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE, Kent, Dartford): I understand that Messrs. Cassell have made such an offer as the hon. Member describes, and I am not aware of any reason why managers of schools should not avail themselves of it for the formation of a lending library, and charge the cost to the school fund.

MESSRS. RANSOME AND THE ADMIRALTY CONTRACT.

MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now state whether Messrs. Ransome, of Battersea, who are carrying out, under a sub-contract with Messrs. Thornycroft, of Chiswick, a portion of an Admiralty contract, are paying their workmen less than the trade rate of wages in contravention of the Resolution of this House of 13th February, 1891 ?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing): From the inquiries I have made I am satisfied that Messrs. Ransome have fully complied with the terms of the Resolution in question.

TELEGRAPHISTS' HOLIDAYS.

MR. ESSLEMONT (Aberdeen, E.): I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, when a Bank Holiday falls during a telegraphist's annual leave, the usual practice is as follows: If the day on which an officer should in ordinary course begin his annual leave happens to be a public holiday in the department, the officer's leave is reckoned to begin on the following day; if the day on which an officer's annual leave expires happens to be a public holiday in the Department, the officer is not required to resume duty till the day after the public holiday;" whether this course is adopted at all Provincial and London district offices, but not at the Central Telegraph Office; and whether he will recommend that the same privilege be extended to the clerks of the Central Telegraph Office, who at the present time have not participated in this extension of leave?

SIR J. FERGUSSON: The rule is as stated in the question. The Controller of the Central Telegraph Office was so informed on the 1st December

De operation | can state why the Magistrates, after such evidence and memorial, renewed the licence?

during the current and future years.

EDUCATION

CODE FOR EVENING SCHOOLS.

MR. S. SMITH: I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, with reference to evening schools and the New Code, whether, having regard to the fact that the articles of the Code which relate to evening schools are scattered under various headings, making it difficult to ascertain precisely the conditions requisite for obtaining a Government grant, and the further fact that many School Boards and other educational authorities in small towns and rural districts are unaware of their powers and responsibilities in respect to such schools, and of the facilities provided in the Code, he will issue, in connection with the Code, 1892, a special statement or summary of those clauses which relate to evening schools, showing the exact conditions under which a Government grant may be obtained, together with a table setting forth the subjects that may be taught, and the grants that may be earned, in evening schools?

SIR W. HART DYKE: I am aware of the advantages to be derived from the course suggested, and the Department have for some time had in contemplation the issue of a separate Code for evening schools, but the details of the scheme are not yet complete.

LICENCES AT SHOREDITCH.

MR. J. STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Licensing Magistrates of the Tower Hamlets Division, on Monday, 14th March, renewed the licence of a public house known as the Norfolk Arms," in Bateman's Row, Shoreditch, after sworn evidence had been given that the house was the habitual resort of thieves, and that there were already 24 other public houses or beer shops within a radius of 200 yards, and after a majority of the inhabitants of the immediate neighbourhood had presented a memorial praying the Magistrates not to renew the licence; and whether he Sir J. Fergusson

MR. MATTHEWS: In regard to the renewal of the licence of a public house known as the "Norfolk Arms," Shoreditch, I am informed by the Magistrates' clerk that a general statement was made before the Bench that this house was "frequented by thieves," but that the evidence failed to establish that statement. The Magistrates do not consider that the fact that licensed houses, more or less numerous, exist in the neighbourhood is to be treated by itself, and in the absence of other reasons, as a reason for taking away the licence of any particular house. The Magistrates are unable to say whether the memorial referred to was signed by a majority of the inhabitants, but point out that under the Licensing Act the only evidence they can receive in opposition to the renewal of a licence must be on oath.

TURKEY AND ARMENIA.

MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Turkish Commander of the 4th Army Corps, whose headquarters are at Erzeroum, has been compelling the Armenians to supply the horses necessary for the formation of the Kurdish Cavalry regiment, that the owners have received no compensation for the confiscated animals, and that acts of cruelty have been perpetrated at Kortanlan, Hogthean, and other places on those persons who refuse to give up their property; whether any protest has been made by the British Consul in Armenia; whether the acts enumerated are in contravention of Article 61 of the Berlin Treaty; and when the promised Papers relating to Armenia will be published?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER: No information in support of the allegations contained in the first paragraph has been received. Her Majesty's Vice Consul at Van has reported that the Kurds have come forward with great readiness to enlist, that their horses have been branded, and that although it was alleged that they had borrowed and stolen the horses of others he was not able to confirm the report. There

has, consequently, been no ground for representations on the part of Her Majesty's Embassy. The acts alleged in the first paragraph might be considered to be in contravention of Article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin. Papers will be distributed this week.

DISTRESS AT INNISBOFFIN. MR. FOLEY (Galway, Connemara): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that great distress prevails at present in the Island of Innisboffin, that 20 or 30 families there are in actual want; and if, in view of this lamentable condition of affairs, he will urge the Congested Districts Board to undertake the completion of the pier in the east end of the Island which was begun last year?

*MR. JACKSON: I have not yet been able to get the information to enable me to reply to this question, and therefore must ask the hon. Member to repeat the question.

THE POOR RATE COLLECTOR AT INNISBOFFIN.

MR. FOLEY: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the

local police sergeant acts as the Poor Rate collector in the Island of Innisboffin, and that, in some instances where the process of the law was invoked in this island to recover Poor Rates, warrants have been issued against persons who hold clear receipts for the rates now demanded; and whether a constable is authorised to perform the duties of rate collector?

But

*MR. JACKSON: The Constabulary Authorities report that it is not the case that the local police sergeant has been engaged as a collector of Poor Rates in Innisboffin, nor do the Constabulary act as Poor Rate collectors. warrants were addressed to the sergeant by the Magistrate of Petty Sessions for the recovery of rates, and two of these warrants were not executed because the defendants produced receipts for the money paid.

MR. CRILLY (Mayo, N.): I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman as he cannot answer the preceding question when he can answer this one?

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DUBLIN METROPOLITAN POLICE.

MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is able to state the number of superintendents of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, how many of them are Protestants, and how many Roman Catholics; whether Protestants have become Roman any

Catholics, and afterwards have been promoted; whether a Protestant Inattended a meeting in London, was spector who, while on leave of absence, called upon to account for this; whether members of the Force are permitted to become members of the Gaelic Athletic Association, wearing its uniform, and acting as stewards; and if he will say what is the number of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and how many of them are Protestants?

*MR. JACKSON: The Commissioner of Police reports there are seven superintendents in the Dublin Metroare all politan Police, and they Roman Catholics. There is no record or trace of an occurrence of the nature mentioned in the second paragraph. The Inspector referred to in the third paragraph had spoken at a public meeting and was publicly reported. It was have brought himself thus prominently pointed out to him that he should not before the public without previously obtaining the views of his superiors. The reply to the inquiry in the fourth paragraph is in the negative. The Commissioner adds that the question of religion does not form any factor in the promotions in the Force. I would venture to deprecate these questions as regards the religion of men in the Public Service as being not conducive to public interests.

MR. JOHNSTON: May I be permitted to say I merely asked this question to show that the Protestants in Ireland are not getting everything their own way.

ILLEGITIMACY IN SCOTLAND.

MR.

CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.): I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that 8 per cent. of the children born in Scotland are illegitimate; whether he is aware that the present law inflicts serious hardships on illegitimate children in all classes of society; and whether he will consider in what way the law may be amended, so as to remove the legal disabilities of children born out of wedlock, and to bring home to parents as fully as may be the responsibilities of parentage?

*THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir C. J. PEARSON, Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities) I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the statement made in the first part of the question. Without expressing any opinion on the assertion that the present law inflicts hardship on illegitimate children, I shall be glad to consider any practical suggestions the hon. Member may make for its amendment.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM: I would ask the Lord Advocate whether he will be good enough to inquire into the law as bearing upon illegitimate children in reference to their parents claiming damages from employers where the children have been injured? Several cases of this kind have occurred in the mining districts.

SIR C. J. PEARSON: I am not aware of any such cases as the hon. Member refers to, but if he will give me details I will make inquiry into the matter.

POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK.

MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.) I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that an application, made by a branch of the Steam Engine Makers' Society, at New Brompton, to deposit the funds. of the branch in the Post Office Savings Bank, was met by the reply, on the part of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, that the branch could not deposit its funds without limit, on the grounds "that, in their opinion, your Society does not come within the class of cases contemplated by the Statute"; whether he is aware that it has been the practice of

the Society named for a great number of years to deposit in the Post Office Savings Bank the funds of all their branches, and that by some 70 to 80 branches the funds are so deposited at this time without any question; whether he can inform the House upon what grounds an exception is made as regards this particular branch; and whether it is the intention of the National Debt Commissioners to withdraw the privilege so long enjoyed by the Trade Unions of the United Kingdom of depositing their funds in the Post Office Savings Banks, or of so limiting the amount as to render the privilege of but little benefit to such societies?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER(Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square): I would ask the hon. Member to postpone this question until to-morrow.

IRISH NATIONAL GALLERY.

SIR T. ESMONDE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Mr. Armstrong, of the Fine Arts Club, has been appointed to the directorship of the Irish National Gallery in succession to the late Mr. Doyle; and whether no Irishman could be found equally competent for the position?

MR. JACKSON: The Board of Governors of the National Gallery have reported the election of Mr. Armstrong as Director. The appointment is not under the control of the Government, nor am I aware of whether there were other candidates; but I have no doubt the Governors, in making the appointment, endeavoured to secure the services of the gentleman who, in their opinion, would be best qualified to fill the office.

EMIGRATION FROM THE HIGHLANDS

OF SCOTLAND.

MR. A. SUTHERLAND (Sutherland): I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has had any further communication from the Government of British Columbia relative to the proposed scheme of emigration to that country from the Highlands of Scotland; whether the Government of British Columbia has accepted the offer of £150,000 for that purpose made by Her Majesty's

Government; whether he will lay the Correspondence referr

ject upon the Table of the House; and whether Her Majesty's Government will advance a like or any sum for the purpose of settling the people of the Highlands in the unpeopled parts of

their native land?

MR. GOSCHEN: I have not re

any action of the kind occurred the particulars will be communicated by the Commander-in-Chief in due course.

he

DR. CAMERON: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether means to say that the statement made in the Times is unfounded?

LORD G. HAMILTON: I do not go so far as that. As communication is slow with the station referred to, it may be the case that something has occurred of which we have not received full information. of DR. CAMERON: I beg to give notice that I will repeat this question.

ceived any further communication from the Government of British Columbia with reference to the proposed emigration scheme from the Highlands of Scotland. The offer of a loan £150,000 made by Her Majesty's Government has not yet been accepted by the Government of British Columbia, but the hon. Member has probably seen telegrams in the public Press stating that the Legislature of that colony has the matter under consideration. It will be desirable to wait for the conclusion of the negotiations before laying the Correspondence on the Table of the House. With regard to the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question, I am not aware that any practical proposal has been made in the direction which he indicates.

THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a telegram, dated New York, 30th October, 1891, and published in the Times of the following day, in which it is stated that

"Her Majesty's cruiser Royalist has been cruising among the Solomon Islands and inflicting punishment on the natives for outrages committed on British subjects there.

Chief Tono refused to give up the criminals, and accordingly Captain Davis, commanding the Royalist, landed with a party of 25 bluejackets and attacked Tono's village, which was set fire to and destroyed; Tono was killed";

and whether the Admiralty have now received any information on the subject; and, if so, whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to the alleged cruise among the Solomon Islands and the operations there?

LORD G. HAMILTON: I understand that the Royalist was at the Solomon Islands about the beginning of August last, but the Admiralty have received no report of her having inflicted any punishment on natives for outrages. If

VOL. III. [NEW (FOURTH) SERIES.]

LOUISBURG PIER.

DR. TANNER: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any, and, if so, what, steps will be taken to make Louisburg Pier, County Mayo, of some practical use to the inhabitants of the locality?

*THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir J. GORST, Chatham): I am informed that this pier is vested in the county, and it is, therefore, not for the Treasury to take action.

BALLINCOLLIG POWDER MILLS.

DR. TANNER: I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the gunpowder barrels used at Ballincollig (County Cork) Powder Mills are all imported from English Government factories; and whether he thrown out of work a large number of is aware that such importation has further ask the right hon. Gentleman the Ballincollig coopers? And I would if he is aware that this question intimately affects ten families, including 108 persons?

*MR. BRODRICK: Powder barrels have up to this time been issued from Government stores to the Ballincollig Mills, as in the case of all contract powder received from mills in England and Scotland. No change has been made which could cause the throwing out of work of coopers at Ballincollig. I may perhaps add that, judging from certain samples which have been forwarded from Ballincollig, there will be no objection to give the Company an opportunity, if they obtain further contracts for powder, to quote a price for barrels as well.

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