and that such conduct was calculated to meeting alluded to in the second parabring into contempt the administration graph. The resolution passed at this of justice; is he aware that the decisions meeting on the subject of the taking of of the convicting Justices were affirmed, unoccupied farms was very general in terms, and contained no direct reference notwithstanding the protest of Mr. Crowe; and will the Lord Chancellor of Ireland call upon him for an explanation of his conduct? THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. MORLEY, Newcastleupon-Tyne): The facts, I believe, are stated with substantial accuracy. I have referred the matter to the Lord Chancellor to deal with. to any particular case in the district, see any MR. ROSS (Londonderry) asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in cases of meetings being held to denounce the takers of unoccupied farms, he was in the habit of putting the speeches before the Law Officers of the Crown with the view of ascertaining whether there should be a prosecution or not. A WELSH CHURCHYARD DISPUTE. MR. R. M. DANE: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to the proceedings held at a meeting of the Irish National Federation on Sunday the 3rd March last, at Ballylooby, County Tipperary, presided MR. J. MORLEY believed that in over by the parish priest, at which nine cases out of ten the speeches went Messrs. Nicholas Shee and Patrick before the Law Officers; he directed that O'Donnell, two recently appointed they should go before them. Of course Justices of the Peace, attended, when in some cases he formed his Own strong resolutions were passed condemn- judgment. ing the taking by persons of unoccupied evicted farms in the locality, and demanding the release of Irishmen convicted in England of the commission of serious crimes, and that in support of such resolutions Mr. Shee made a strong speech, in the course of which he stated that it was very doubtful whether the persons so convicted were really guilty at all; (2) whether he is aware that these are the same two gentlemen who attended at a great National demonstration held at Mullinahone, in the same county, on the 28th October last, at which similar resolutions were proposed by Mr. Shee and seconded by Mr. M. Drohan, also a recently appointed magistrate; and (3) has the conduct of these Justices of the Peace been brought under the notice of the Irish Lord Chancellor; and, if so, will any action be taken in reference thereto ? MR. J. H. ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the dispute between the rector of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Denbighshire, and his parishioners as to the payment of fees for the erection of tombstones in the parish churchyard; whether he is aware that an action for trespass was instituted by the rector in November, 1893, against two of his parishioners in reference to the erection of a monument; that the action was settled, and that the terms of the settlement permitted the erection of the monument in question without the payment of the fee, subject to the recognition of the legal rights of the rector in respect to the churchyard; whether he is aware that the rector, notwithstanding MR. J. MORLEY: I have seen a this settlement, continues to refuse to newspaper report of the proceedings at allow tombstones to be erected in the the meeting referred to in the first churchyard, and that he does so solely paragraph, and have read the speech on the ground of the non-payment of delivered by Mr. Shee. The other the fee; whether he will state whether magistrate named as having been present there is any evidence of such fees having at this meeting did not speak, and took ever been paid to previous incumbents; no part in the meeting further than and whether, in view of these circumattending. I have also seen a newspaper stances, any course is open to the report of the proceedings at the earlier parishioners by which the immemorial MR. E. B. HOARE asked the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to answer the third paragraph of the question. custom of the parish in respect to the ample time within which the Colonial churchyard can be preserved ? Government can re-organise their local MR. ASQUITH: My attention has force, and place it on a satisfactory not been called to this matter since I basis. As regards the last question, it answered a question upon it in 1893. I would no doubt be advantageous if understand that there was an action British Honduras were in telegraphic which was settled upon the terms men- communication with Jamaica or else tioned in the question. The rector in- where; but we do not see our way at forms me that he has adhered to those present to carry through any such scheme, terms, but that they did not apply to all involving, as it would, a very heavy extombstones for an indefinite time, but penditure. only to the tombstones in respect of which the action was brought. I am not aware whether there is any evidence of such fees having been paid to previous incumbents. The rector states that prior to the Burial Act, 1880, it was customary to make an offertory at the altar prior to the interment, but since under that Act the burials have been held with Nonconformist rites in the churchyard and without any service in the Church, the custom of making the offertory has been discontinued and no fee received in lieu thereof. I have no jurisdiction to decide the disputed questions both of law and fact which are at issue between the rector and the parishioners. : BRITISH HONDURAS. MR. BUXTON said, that only half of the constabulary mutinied; the other half were perfectly loyal, and behaved very well during the time of difficulty. He was not at the present moment in a position to say on what lines re-organisation would proceed. HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire): I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that the Highlands and Islands Commission, in their Report, state that in dealing with grazing farms, where only part of a farm has been scheduled, care has been taken as far as possible to leave what, in the event of the scheduled lands being appropriated, would constitute a workable and profitable farm; will he state whether the Commission, according to the terms of reference to it, had power to exclude any lands suitable for the purposes specified in the Royal Warrant; and what course does he propose to adopt in the circumstances. MR. E. BRODIE HOARE (Hampstead) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether it is proposed to withdraw the whole of the troops from British Honduras at the end of April; (2) what provision has been made for the protection of life and property on the withdrawal of the troops; (3) whether it is proposed to re-establish the constabulary on the same footing as the force which mutinied a few months ago, and was disbanded after all their demands THE SECRETARY FOR SCOThad been granted; and (4) whether LAND (Sir GEORGE TREVELYAN, Glasthe Government will take steps to estab- gow, Bridgeton): It is the fact that the lish telegraphic communication with Commissioners, in their Report, state, Jamaica or some other depôt for Her that they dealt with grazing farms in Majesty's forces. the manner mentioned in the questions. THE UNDER SECRETARY OF The terms of reference invest them with STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. powers and duties, which were combined SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, with the right of using a discriminate Poplar): Last January the Colonial judgment, and in the exercise of these Government was informed that the powers in scheduling land, the CommisImperial troops could not be retained sioners were, and are, of opinion that for any length of time, and that the re- they acted within the limits assigned to organisation of their local force must be them. at once proceeded with. It is now DR. MACGREGOR asked if the arranged that half the troops will be right hon. Gentleman approved of the withdrawn on the 30th instant, and the plan of scheduling only the worst part remainder on July 31. This will give of a grazing farm for occupation by the Mr. J. H. Roberts. crofters and leaving the best parts for the proposed route of the canal to be other uses? SIR GEORGE TREVELYAN said, it seemed to him very reasonable that, in deciding whether land was suitable, some regard should be paid to the uses to which it was at present being put; but it was a matter which, in his opinion, was for the judgment and discretion of the Board of Commissioners. HARBOURS OF REFUGE. Mr. J. J. CLANCY: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what harbours of refuge have been constructed in the United Kingdom since the year 1800; and what has been the cost in each case. THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BRYCE, Aberdeen, S.); The harbours of refuge constructed out of public funds which are capable of being entered at all states of the tides as follows:-Alderney, Portland, Plymouth, Holyhead, and Kingstown. Holyhead is the only one of these now under the Board of Trade. It was commenced by the Admiralty in 1847, are transferred to the Board of Trade in 1862, and completed in 1873, and the cost of constructing the north breakwater and the works connected therewith, including land, was £1,285,000. The other harbours are under either the Admiralty or the Public Board of Works in Ireland, and I am unable to state the cost of their construction. I have no knowledge of the numbers or cost of harbours constructed by private enterprise. MR. CLANCY, asked whether there was any difficulty in the way of the right hon. Gentleman getting the returns of all these harbours? MR. BRYCE said, he thought it would be a very expensive process, and he could not undertake it without consulting the other Departments. NICARAGUA CANAL. revised; (2) whether Her Majesty's Government will appoint a Commission to co-operate with the United States Commission, so that the investigations might be conducted conjointly; and (3) whether Her Majesty's Government will take all steps in their power to safeguard the interests of this country, in the matter of the construction of the canal in question? OF THE UNDER SECRETARY STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (SIR EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick): The answer to the first paraof Inquiry will consist of three engineers, graph is in the affirmative. The Board who are to make their report on or beIfore the 4th of November next. Her Majesty's Government could not consitake part in any inquiry by an American der the question of sending anyone to Commission unless their co-operation were desired by the United States Gov ernment. sensible of the great importance of this They are, however, fully question to the shipping interest genetion of the canal being proceeded with, rally, and, in the event of the construcwill take steps to secure for British vessels and commerce as favourable treatment as is given to those of any other nation. SIR E. HARLAND asked, whether the hon. Baronet was aware that the President of the United States was so impressed by the importance of this undertaking that he was despatching the Commission in a special warship? SIR E. GREY: I must ask notice of that question. LONDONDERRY COURT HOUSE. MR. J. ROSS: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the rooms allotted to the Clerk of the Crown and Peace for the County Londonderry in the Court House are wholly inadequate for the purpose of holding the Crown Records and other documents, and are insanitary; whether SIR EDWARD HARLAND (Belfast, the Clerk of the Crown has reported N.): I beg to ask the Under Secretary that the Public Records, of which there for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether he is aware are several hundred files in this office that the United States Government has are in danger of being lost, and that he now appointed a Commission to examine is unable properly to perform his duties into the question of the construction of a in consequence of the want of accommocanal from the Atlantic to the Pacific dation; whether it has been brought to Oceans, through the State of Nicaragua, his notice that the right honourable Mr. and to cause the surveys and locations of Justice Holmes held, at last Derry Assizes, that the Grand Jury were not | Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs bound to provide these offices; and whether a proposal has been received whether, inasmuch as the Treasury re- from the Government of the United ceive all the stamp duties and fees in States for the summoning of a Conrespect of the besiness passing through ference of the Powers concerned to deal this office, he is prepared to advise that with the seal fishery in the North Pacific Department to provide the necessary Ocean; whether consent to join such a accommodation, or assist in providing Conference involves or permits interthe same in conjunction with the Grand ference with the decisions of the Paris Jury? Arbitration of 1893; and whether Her THE SECRETARY TO THE TREA- Majesty's Government will refuse conSURY (Sir JOHN HIBBERT, Oldham): sent to join such a Conference unless the The duty of providing adequate County Conference be authorised and instructed, Court accommodation rests with the on the lines suggested by the Arbitrators Grand Jury, and not with the Treasury. at Paris in 1893, to deal with the whole I understand that the matter referred to of the question of the seal fisheries, in the question is now under the con- specially including preservative regulasideration of the Lord Chancellor of tions and limits within the territorial Ireland. The expenses of County Court jurisdiction of the Powers ? Officers borne on the Votes greatly exceed the receipts from the stamps and fees. SIR E. GREY: No such proposal has been received. A Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and MR. P. M'GILLIGAN, (Fermanagh, passed, which, among other points, proS.): I beg to ask the right hon. Gentle- vided for the conclusion of negotiations man if Mr. Justice Holmes, on the occa- with Great Britain, Russia and Japan sion referred to, commented rather for the appointment of a joint commission severely on the application referred to to investigate the conditions, habits and him by the Grand Jury for increased accommodation for the Clerk of the Crown and Peace, whose salary was ample enough to provide it, whilst he (the Judge) had not a proper desk to write upon, and also stated that the accommodation most required there was for suitors, witnesses, and others, and that the sum of £200 proposed to be expended on the Court House for general accommodation was wholly insufficient. feeding-grounds of the fur seal herds, and to consider and report what further regulations were needed. The Bill was rejected in the Senate. SIR G. BADEN-POWELL: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any petition or other communication has come from the Canadian Dominion suggesting that, in consequence of the inability of Congress last Session to appropriate the sum SIR JOHN HIBBERT: In reply to agreed upon by the Government to pay the hon. Member I have to say that the the damages to sealers under the Paris Treasury consider that this expense Arbitration Award, and in view of the should be voted by the Grand Jury. serious financial difficulties thereby The observations of Mr. Justice Holmes brought upon many of them engaged in are now being considered by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. MR. ROSS: Do I understand that although the Treasury receive the fees, they are not prepared to contribute anything whatever? SIR JOHN HIBBERT: The expense of the Treasury is a great deal more than what they receive. MR. ROSS: In what form? SIR JOHN HIBBERT: I cannot tell you that off-hand. SEAL FISHERIES. the sealing industry, Her Majesty's Government can see their way to advance some portion of the sum awarded by way of loan, pending a final settlement with the United States Govern ment? MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: I am not in a position to give any answer to the question at present. DISTRESS IN IRELAND. MR. E. MCHUGH: On behalf of the hon. Member for North Donegal (Mr. J. Mains), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary SIR G. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Kirkdale): I beg to ask the Under whether the Inspectors of the Local Mr. J. Ross. Government Board have yet reported on the state of the fishermen of Glenvar, County Donegal, as to whether they report that any necessity exists for supplementing the machinery of the ordinary poor law in the district? MR. J. MORLEY: The resolution was received by the Local Government delay will take place in inquiring into the Board this morning, and no unnecessary matter. I may add that some families from the Kilcar Division have so far been afforded employment on the Relief Works in operation there. 61 MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether his attention has been called to complaints of the manner in which relief MR. J. MORLEY: As I have already stated in reply to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for East Donegal, it is proposed to open a relief work at Glenvar. The work will consist of the construction of a boat slip, and will be started either to-day or to-works are administered in the parish of morrow. MR. MCHUGH: On behalf of Mr. Mains, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board Inspector, who attended the meeting of the guardians on the 11th February last, has yet reported the result of his further investigations in the districts of Malin, Glengask, and Clonmany, County Donegal ? MR. J. MORLEY: The result of the Inspector's inquiries into the condition of the people in this part of Donegal was brought under my notice towards the end of March. The inspector states that the people in the districts mentioned depend to a large extent upon the fishing, which will very shortly commence. The Guardians applied for and were afforded extended powers in relation to the administration of outdoor relief in the Union, and the Local Government Board are of opinion that the resources of the poor law will be able to deal with any individual cases of distress that may occur. will Partry, Ballinrobe Union; (2) whether MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to MR. J. MORLEY: (1) Complaints the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether have been made from time to time as to his attention has been directed to a the alleged insufficiency of the Works in resolution unanimously passed at a Ballinrobe Union, and as to the refusal meeting on the 4th April of the Carrick of the Government to put on the works and Kilcar Committee for Relief of Dis- persons named by the local clergy. (2) tress, proposed by the Rev. P. M'Devitt, Mr. Lynch is not the Inspector in charge parish priest of Carrick, and seconded of this district. There is one Relieving by Dr. Harkin, stating that at least 100 Officer in charge of the Western Disfamilies in the Carrick and Kilcar district, where works are in progress, and tricts were still in great need of employ- the Local Government Board are not ment, and urgently pressing upon the aware whether he is a tenant of Mr. attention of the authorities the absolute Lynch, the Inspector. The Union is in necessity of at once providing work for charge of Dr. Flinn. (3) The Inspector these poor people; and whether the has interviewed the priests in this DisGovernment will take immediate mea-trict, though he may not have found it sures for the relief of this distress? practicable to carry all their suggestions |