IRISH MUNICIPAL TAXATION.

MR. M. AUSTIN: May I ask why it

MR. M. HEALY: I beg to ask was that this inspector altered the charge from one of inflicting grievous bodily harm to one of common assault, and why the medical certificate was withheld from the magistrate?

the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieu-
tenant of Ireland whether he will have
circulated as a Return or Parliamentary
Paper the summary read by him on Mon-
day showing the different methods of
municipal taxation in Irish urban areas? must be given of that Question.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The summary read by me on Monday last was found to require some correction 89 regards individual towns and boroughs, but the Commissioner of Valuation has now prepared a fuller and more accurate Return, which will at once be laid on the Table. I may say, however, that great difficulty has been experienced in getting these statistics together, and that I am not prepared to guarantee that they are absolutely free from error even

now.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, order! Notice

INDIAN CURRENCY.

MR. COHEN (Islington, E.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government have

already taken decided steps for the establishment of a gold standard in India; and whether the assent of the Secretary of State in Council and of Parliament is necessary for the introduction of a loan in sterling in London for the establishment of such gold standard?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE QUEEN v. T. AND P. HORRIGAN. INDIA: No steps have been taken by MR. M. AUSTIN (Limerick, W.): I beg the Government of India, since the closto ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord ing of the Mints in 1893 to the free Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention coinage of silver, in the direction of the has been directed to the letter dated establishment of a gold standard. The this month to the Lord Chancellor of assent of the Secretary of State in CounIreland by Mr. James Blackwell, of cil and of Parliament would be necessary Askeaton, county Limerick, in reference as a prior condition to the issue of any to an assault case at the suit of The loan in London for the purpose of esQueen v. Thomas and Patrick Horrigan, tablishing a gold standard in India. It in which he asserts that he was struck is distinctly understood that any general by the defendants with a two-pronged fork, and his life declared in danger for over 10 days; and that, notwithstanding his depositions, the case at hearing was entered as one of common assault only, and resulted in a fine of only 58. against only one of the defendants; and whether he will direct an inquiry to be made into the conduct of District Inspector Webster as regards the institution and course of the proceedings complained of, and the action of the adjudicating magistrates?

borrowing powers which the Secretary of State may now possess, or may hereafter obtain for railway or other cognate purposes, will not be used for this purpose.

AUTOMATIC RAILWAY COUPLINGS.

MR. MADDISON (Sheffield, Brightside): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since the enactment by the United States of America of a law compelling the use of automatic couplings on the railways of that country, the number of accidents to employees engaged in coupling and uncoupling vehicles has decreased 45 per cent. in killed and 28 per cent. in injured; whether he is also aware that during the same period in the United Kingdom the accidents occurring

Q

aware that Mr. H. A. Campbell, a recently appointed J.P., was present with the rioters while Roman Catholic houses were being wrecked; and whether he will be called upon to explain his conduct ; and whether the Government will cause strict inquiries to be made, and the parties responsible for the riot at Ballinahinch to be prosecuted?

in coupling and uncoupling, as shown by the Board of Trade Returns, have increased to a serious extent; and whether he will grant a Return of all accidents occurring during shunting operations on the railways of the United Kingdom during the last 10 complete years, showing in separate columns the number of killed and injured, and distinguishing all the accidents caused by coupling and uncoupling from those due to other causes, and a like Return of the same class of accidents on the railways in the United States of America for the same period, giving the date when the new law as to automatic couplings

came into force?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE: If the honourable Member will put down a Motion for a return asking for the figures referred to in the first part of paragraph 3 of his Question, I shall be happy to supply them, but I cannot give the American statistics, and

MR. MCCARTAN: I beg at the same time to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the disorderly proceedings at Ballinahinch, county Down, on the 12th instant, whether he can now give further details as to the damage done, the cause of the disorder, the number of persons present in the row, and the number of persons arrested on the occasion?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: On Tues

day last I replied to a question addressed to me on this subject by the honourable Member for South Down. The names of the Roman Catholic residents whose pro

the honourable Member must not assume that I admit the accuracy of the state-perty was injured by the mob on the ments contained in paragraphs 1 and 2. I may say, in addition, that the matters referred to in the Question, and one or two others connected with railway administration in the United States, seem to me of so much interest that I am considering whether it may not be desirable to make some arrangements for a special investigation of them during the autumn Recess.

ORANGE DISTURBANCES AT
BALLINAHINCH.

MR. F. O'BRIEN (on behalf of the honourable Member for East Clare): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to a serious riot aused by Orangemen in Ballinahinch on the 12th instant, when hostile demorstrations were indulged in towards the Roman Catholic residents, and windows broken in the houses of Mr. O'Donnell, Mrs. M'Alea, Mr. Patrick Boyd, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Keenan, and plate-glass windows were smashed on premises of Mr. James Murray, J.P., and damage done to the extent of £70 or £80 worth of property; whether he is Mr. Madison.

the

occasion are correctly set forth. I have no information to the effect alleged with respect to Mr. Campbell, but I am making inquiries. A crowd of about 1,000 persons, with six bands, was present in the town on the arrival of the two membe.s of the Orange Party, who had been discharged earlier in the day from Belfast Prison, where they had been incar cerated on a charge of drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The primary object of the assembling of the mob was to give the discharged prisoners a reception. Proceedings have been instituted against 13 persons for riot, and I am informed that the cases against these persons were adjourned at Petty Sessions on Wedne3day until the 30th instant.

MR. W. JOHNSTON: May I ask if the right honourable Gentleman wili cause strict inquiry to be made into the origin of the riot and the action of the police?

able Gentleman explain why the same MR. DILLON: Can the right honourprinciple of police administration is not practised in West Mayo as at Ballinahinoh?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: That does not arise out of the question.

arrest and imprisonment, some months | petitions has been received by the ago, of Mr. Robert Barr, the author, on Trinity Board, Irish Lights Board, and the coast of Syria, while he was engaged in inspecting some ancient ruins, under the protection of a British passport?

in

Board of Northern Lights since 1st May, 1893, in connection with the grievances. of light-keepers; whether the lightkeepers have been frequently assured MR. CURZON: Her Majesty's Ambas- that the matter of their grievances was sador at Constantinople, on hearing of the receiving most careful attention; arrest and detention of Mr. Barr, and whether he is aware that, by circular certain other British subjects, for 26 dated 1st January last, they were hours at Suedia in November last, made formed that a sum of 30s. a year, which immediate representations to the Porte. had been formerly deducted from their As a result of these representations, the pay as part premium or compulsory inMudir of Suedia, the official mainly resurance, would in future be paid out of sponsible, was dismissed, and a note was the Mercantile Marine Fund; whether received from the Porte, expressing the contribution of less than 1d. per day regret at the incident, and stating that orders had been sent to the proper he can explain why gas stations have has satisfied the light-keepers; whether authorities to prevent the repetition of been selected for increased pay and o such Occurrences. In these circumstations stances, and considering that no pecu- there is much more work and excluded, considering niary compensation was demanded by the individuals concerned, Her Majesty's Government considered that the measures taken by the Porte. and the apology given afforded adequate satisfaction.

that

greater responsibility at a first-order oil station emoluments formerly valued at £18 have than at a gas station; whether the now been valued at £25, thus giving £7 a year to the Mercantile Marine Fund during the whole service of the light

MR. T. M. HEALY: What satisfaction keeper's 40 years; whether he is awere is that to Mr. Barr?

[No Reply.]

BRITISH WARSHIPS OFF FREETOWN.

MR. PICKERSGILL: I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty which of Her Majesty's ships are now at Freetown; and are any other British warships shortly expected there; and, if so, will he state their names?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY: The following ships are at Freetown, and in the neighbourhood:Blake, Fox, Blonde, Sparrow, and Alecto. The Thrush is on her way to relieve the Sparrow, and Phoebe to relieve the Fox. It is not proposed to send any further ships.

LIGHT-KEEPERS' GRIEVANCES.

MR. MCCARTAN (Down, S.): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state what number of Mr. Hedderwick.

of the general discontent at present existing among the men; and, if he will make inquiry into the matter, with the view of having the alleged grievances of the service remedied?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF

TRADE: Petitions have been received by three lighthouse authorities during the last five years with respect to the grievances of light-keepers in their employ; but I have no information as to

the

to

actual number of the petitions. These petitions received the careful attention of the lighthouse authorities, who submitted to the Board of Trade a scale of remuneration, which the Board approved. The principal effect of the new scale is, in the first place, as stated by the honourable Member, increase the wages of the ordinary lightkeepers by 30s. a year; and, secondly, t> increase their prospective annual pension by £4 13s. 4d. Additional remuneration was also sanctioned in special cases. The Board of Trade were advised by the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House that work in connection with stations where gas is made should receive

KIRKWOOD ESTATE, COUNTY

ROSCOMMON.

MR. TULLY: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Irish Land Commission can state what steps have been taken to complete the sale of the Kirkwood estate, in the county Roscommon, to the occupying tenants, proposals to purchase having been signed by the tenants so long ago as the 4th February, 1897?

higher remuneration than work at stations where oil only is used. The re valuation of the emoluments is correctly stated in the question. The effect, however, is not to make any addition to the Mercantile Marine Fund, but to increase the prospective pension of the lightkeepers. I have no means of knowing how far the above improvements have satisfied the light-keepers; but I have no reason to think that there is discontent among them, or that they still have grievances which need any further inquiry. May I add that nearly all these questions relate to mere matters of detail, and it would have been much more satisfactory if the honourable Member, instead of putting them on the Paper, had written to me privately for

the information.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.): No, no! We want to know as well.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The Land

Judge's request for an inspection of this estate was lodged with the Land Conmissioners in November, 1897, and the Commissioners made their Report to the Land Judge in the following month. On the 28th March last the judge's order was lodged with the Commissioners, and the offers directed to be made by him to the tenants were communicated to them on the 11th instant. I am not aware whether the tenants have accepted these offers.

PIER ACCOMMODATION AT DROMOD.

MR. TULLY (Leitrim, S.): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the attention of the Board of Works in Ireland has been directed to the failure of the Shannon Development Company to provide a suitable pier at Dromod, in South Leitrim, for landing and taking off passengers, Dromod being the terminus of the Cavan and Leitrim Railway and Midland Great Western Railway; and whether, in view of the baronial guarantee from Leitrim to this Company, the Board of Works will compel them to carry out their undertaking to have a suitable pier at Dromod?

DESERTIONS OF SEAMEN FROM
BRITISH SHIPS.

ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne): State for Foreign Affairs whether the I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Consuls at New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Portland (Oregon), Boston, Rio de Janeiro, Rosario, and Marseilles can be called upon to report in their annual Returns their views as to the causes of the large number of desertions of seamen from British ships in their respective ports, amounting in the aggregate to over 14,000 per annum; the amount of unpaid wages left behind by the seamen so deserting; and what steps, if any, they would recommend should be taken to remedy this great evil?

MR. HANBURY: It is found that the connection between the Shannon steamer MR. CURZON: I shall have pleasure service and the Cavan and Leitrim Rail-in instructing Her Majesty's Consuls at way can be more conveniently formed by the ports named by my honourable and landing the passengers at Rooskey (about gallant Friend to report upon the subject two miles below Dromod) than by proof desertions of British seamer. But I viding an improved pier at Dromod. A coach service will be established between Rooskey and Dromod stations.

think it will be preferable that these reports should be furnished separately rather than included in the annual reland at Talienwan or in the Leao-tong