when the statement from the New Zealand Government was received; and, when the further communication from Her Majesty's Government, promised in the above Letter, will be made? OF THE UNDER SECRETARY STATE (Mr. OSBORNE MORGAN): I believe the passage referred to in the Question is correctly cited from the letter therein mentioned. Lord Derby, after receiving a statement from the New Zealand Government, with reference to the Maori Chiefs' Memorial, did, on June 23, 1885, communicate further with the Governor of New Zealand, and requested him to make a communication to Tawhiao and other Chiefs in the terms of the despatch printed at page 43 of Parliamentary Paper 4,492. A copy of the despatch was given to the Maori Chiefs. This answers the last part of the Question. On January 25 last, the Colonial Office received from the Governor of New Zealand an answer to that despatch, dated December 16, 1885, enclosing a translation of a letter from Twahaio to the Governor. If the hon. and learned Member desires to move for a copy of these Papers, they can be presented. No further communication from Her Majesty's Government, beyond that which I have already mentioned, has been addressed to the Maori Chiefs. SIR JOHN GORST gave Notice that he would move for the Papers referred to. MR. JOHNSTON asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, as is done in Scotland by the Commissioners of the Northern Lights, he will have provision made for the attendance at Divine Service, on Sundays, of lighthouse keepers on isolated rocks off the Irish Coast; and also for the education of their children, by increasing the number of relieving stations, or otherwise providing for the instruction of numbers of boys and girls growing up without elementary education? THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA): This is a matter of considerable difficulty, involving an increased amount of labour and expense; but the objects set forth by the hon. Member's Question are so desirable that I will undertake to have the whole matter thoroughly inquired into with a view to its solution. The children ought certainly not to grow up without education. INLAND REVENUE-COLLECTION OF TAXES. MR. BAKER asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is the custom of the Department that Taxes should be collected at public houses if such is the custom, whether he will consider the disadvantages of compelling a number of persons, many of whom have only small payments to make, to attend at such places; and, whether an attendance of two hours during one day in a week affords sufficient convenience for those having to make such payments? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER) (who replied) said, that the Treasury had no control over the manner in which the Board of Inland Revenue collected taxes. The Board only used publichouses as places of collection when no other place was available. FISHERY PIERS AND HARBOURS (IRELAND) THE IRISH CHURCH FUND. MR. BLAKE asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Treasury will carry out the undertaking given in 1884 to the Member for the county of Waterford by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary to the Treasury that interest would be allowed on the unexpired balances of the two hundred and fifty thousand pounds granted out of the Irish Church Fund for the construction of fishery piers and harbours; and, if so, taking into consideration the great distress existing at various places along the coast, especially at Achill Island, owing to want of employment, the Treasury will, by a Minute, authorise the Piers and Harbour Commissioners to proceed at once to allocate the money derivable from the interest for the construction of piers and harbours in the distressed localities, so as to employ the people on reproductive works? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER): The question of allowing interest on the extended balances of the £250,000 granted out of the Church Fund for Fishery Piers and Harbours was raised by the hon. Member for Waterford in 1884; and, in reply, the then Secretary to the Treasury stated that the matter | gated, so as to give the local representawas being, and would be, carefully con- tives of the district, and the people sidered, and he thought favourably con- themselves, an opportunity of defending sidered, but that no action was possible their interests? at the time, as legislation would be required if the suggestion were adopted. No actual promise was given that interest would be allowed. As regards the present state of the question, I have to state that no decision has yet been arrived at, and that it will be necessary, before deciding it, to consider very seriously the present condition of the Irish Church Fund, and its ability to bear any further charges. INSPECTORS OF IRISH FISHERIESSEA AND COAST FISHERIES FUND. MR. BLAKE asked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will state the amount of loans granted out of the Sea Coast Fishery Fund by the Inspectors of Fisheries since that fund was taken out of the hands of the trustees to aid the Sea and Coast Fisheries of Ireland by the Act 47 and 48 Vic. c. 21, and transferred to the Board of Works, specifying the amounts of loans in 1884, 1885, and up to the present of this year; and, if from the books and accounts of the trustees, which were transferred by that Act to the Board of Works, he will state the amounts of loans made by the late trustees during each year, 1881, 1882, 1883, and in 1884, up to the passing of that Act? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER), in reply, said, the amount of loans granted by the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries was, in 1884 (from September 30) £3,308; 1885, £6,390; 1886 (to date), £911; and that the amounts advanced by the late trustees were, in 1881, £2,584; 1882, £4,245; 1883, £3,834; 1884, £2,600. ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY POLICE BARRACK AT MEENACLADDY, CO. DONEGAL. MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that negotiations have been proceeding for the establishment of a police barrack at Meenacladdy, county Donegal; on whose representation they were started; what causes were alleged as justifying this burden on the locality; and, whether the allegations have been investi Mr. H. H. Fowler THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY), in reply, said, the matter was under the consideration of the Irish Government. The station was recommended by the local police and magisterial authorities, and no question of charge on the locality was involved. MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR : I would ask the right hon. Gentleman, before sanctioning the establishment of this station, to consider the antecedents of the local magistrates and their relations to the tenantry. RAILWAYS (IRELAND)—ACCIDENT AT MR. CAREW asked the President of the Board of Trade, If his attention has been called to the article headed "The Athy Railway Accident," in The Leinster Leader of the 20th of February, alleging, amongst other things, that the accident was due to the want of proper provision for passengers crossing the line at Athy Railway Station; whether it is a fact, as stated, that "the only mode of crossing the line is to jump on to the rails and scramble up at the other side;" whether there is an absence of footbridges at Naas and other stations on the same line; and, whether the Board of Trade will take steps to ensure the safety of passengers, and prevent the occurrence of similar accidents, on the Great Southern and Western Line of Railway in Ireland? THE PRESIDENT (Mr. MUNDELLA), in reply, said, his attention had been called to the matter. A foot bridge for Athy Station was in course of erection. The Board of Trade issued an order, on the 22nd December, for the construction of a bridge in place of the level crossing at Naas; but the construction of this bridge had not been commenced. The delay was occasioned by the length of notice required under the Railway Clauses Act, 1863, for acquiring the necessary land. INLAND NAVIGATION AND DRAINAGE (IRELAND) — THE BARROW DRAIN. AGE COMMISSION. MR. LALOR asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If, in view of the fact that the Barrow Drainage Commission have closed their | being, made on the Continent for the inquiry and made their Report, in which War Department? they recommend that the main works on that river, as recommended by Mr. Manning, C.E., should be carried out; and, in view also of the great injury to the health and property of the inhabitants of the locality by the flooding of the river, and the necessity for giving immediate employment to a great number of labourers in the district, he will take steps to have the drainage works on the River Barrow commenced without further delay? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY): The Report to which the hon. Member refers has only just come before me. I observe that very large financial considerations are involved in the matter, and also the question of legislation. The matter will require more time for consideration than I have yet been able to give to it. POST OFFICE (IRELAND)-THE PARCEL POST-RURAL LETTER CARRIERS. MR. O'HANLON asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the institution of the Parcel Post has greatly increased the labour performed by the rural lettercarriers in Ireland; whether the keepers of sub post offices are paid for the additional work caused by the Parcel Post system; whether no such payment is made to the carriers; and, when steps will be taken to put an end to this inequality? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER), in reply, said, that the Parcel Post had, doubtless, increased the work of the postmen; but they were paid strictly by the amount of work they had to do, and the wages were reconsidered from time to time, as justice demanded. As to subpostmasters, they were not paid by salary, but by commission on all kinds of business. They were not required to give the whole of their time to the work of the Department. THE ENFIELD SMALL ARMS WORKS DISCHARGE OF WORKMEN. SIR HENRY TYLER asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is intended to discharge a number of workmen from the Enfield Small Arms Works on the 1st April; and, if so, how many are to be so discharged; and, whether any weapons, such as might be produced at Enfield, have been, or are VOL. CCCII [THIRD SERIES.] THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN): With regard to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I would ask him to allow me to give the answer in reply to the Questions (Nos. 63 and 65) standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green (Mr. Howell) and of the noble Viscount the Member for Enfield (Viscount Folkestone); because those Questions were, at my request, postponed till to-day from Tuesday last. With reference to the latter part of the Question, only swords have been contracted for out of this country, under circumstances already explained to the House. Existing contracts cannot be interfered with; but no additional number will be obtained from abroad in consequence of any arrangements now made for the supplies of next year. POST OFFICE-THE PARCEL POST RURAL LETTER CARRIERS. SIR RICHARD WEBSTER asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the weights of parcels required to be carried by the rural postmen; whether it is the fact that when the Parcel Post was established it was promised that the weight to be carried should not exceed thirty-five pounds, and that extra assistance should be given if that weight was exceeded; and, whether he will give instructions that, in the event of rural postmen being required to carry weights. above thirty-five pounds, extra assistance shall be given or their pay increased? THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER): The facts of the case as regards the weights, not merely of parcels, but of all kinds of postal matter requiring to be carried by rural postmen are correctly stated by the hon. Member, and I am assured that the rule on the subject is well understood, and it is believed everywhere observed. If the hon. Member has any particular case in his mind and will communicate with the Postmaster General, my noble Friend will gladly inquire into it. POST OFFICE-TELEGRAPHIC COLONEL NOLAN asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Has he registered 3 P a short telegraphic address for the House | constitutes a portion of Egyptian terriof Commons; and, if not, can he do tory; and Sir Charles Warren, who so? commands the British Forces there, holds supreme Civil authority by delegation from the Egyptian Government. It therefore does not rest with Her Majesty's Government to take the course suggested by the hon. Member. THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER): No address has as yet been registered for the House of Commons. But "House Commons, London," is sufficient address. ["Oh, oh!" I would not forejudge the case as to whether that may not be shortened; but I think it is not necessary to add anything more at the present time, as the Postmaster General is considering the matter, and in a few days it will be seen what can be done. DR. CAMERON: Could you not say, Sir, "Short Commons?" UNIVERSITIES (SCOTLAND) BILL. MR. DONALD CRAWFORD asked the Secretary for Scotland, Whether he intends, during the present Session, to re-introduce the Universities (Scotland) Bill of last year, or some similar Bill? THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. TREVELYAN): I, or my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate, have every intention soon to introduce a Bill undoubtedly much resembling the Bill of last year. EGYPT-THE PORT OF SUAKIN. MR. O'KELLY asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Suakin was proved the most convenient port for trade with Central Africa; whether some of the tribes in the interior are hostile to Egyptian rule; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will consider the advantages to trade to be derived from making Suakin a free port under International control, before handing it over to the Egyptian Government? THE UNDER SECRETARY (Mr. BRYCE): The first part of the Question put by the hon. Member is matter of opinion; and, considering the vastness of the region to which it refers, it would be difficult to say whether Suakin or any other port has been proved to be the most convenient for trade with Central Africa. The second part is matter of fact; and I think recent events have sufficiently proved that some of the tribes in the interior are hostile to Egyptian rule. In reply to the third part, I have to say that Suakin is no part of Her Majesty's Dominions, but Colonel Nolan MR. O'KELLY: I will refer to the subject on the Army Estimates. POOR LAW (IRELAND)-MR. JOSEPH D. GRIER, CLERK TO THE CAVAN POOR LAW BOARD. MR. MAURICE HEALY asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the conduct of Mr. Joseph D. Grier, clerk of the Cavan Poor Law Board, in connection with the coming election of Poor Law Guardians for that Union; whether it is the fact that the Nationalist ratepayers of the Union, having lodged a large number of claims to vote, Mr. Grier, acting as returning officer, has issued an advertisement in local papers (Anglo-Celt of the 20th instant) requiring "documentary evidence in support of all claims to vote" lodged since the last election; what powers a returning officer has to require "documentary" evidence in support of claims. to vote, such claims being in many cases, from their nature, incapable of being so supported; whether he is aware that the medium of advertisement selected as a substitute for direct communication is one which is exceedingly unlikely to come under the notice of a large proportion of the claimants; whether it is the fact that a large number of the claimants live at considerable distances, in some cases as much as ten miles, from the board room where Mr. Grier proposes to hold his court, and would be put to great inconvenience by being compelled needlessly to attend there; whether it is the fact that Mr. Grier's action is entirely without precedent; whether the proceeding in question is taken under the 6 and 7 Vic. c. 92, s. 26; and, if so, whether that enactment, being limited to particular cases in which a returning officer "has reasonable cause to doubt the correctness of any claim to vote," the Local Government Board will direct Mr. Grier to abandon his proposed general court of inquiry, and to issue voting papers to all claimants except in particular cases in which doubt has SEED RATE-PAYMENT OF FOURTH been thrown on the correctness of any SEED SUPPLY (IRELAND) ACT — THE claim, and the claimant, after notice directly given, has failed to satisfy him; whether he is aware that a returning officer at Poor Law elections exercises COLONEL NOLAN asked the Chief Sein many cases judicial functions involv-cretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireing the impartial determination of diffi- land, If he can now state whether he cult questions both of law and fact; whe- will, in consequence of the present dether he is aware that Mr. Grier is a pression, permit such unions as may member of the Orange Association, and apply for delay to postpone the payment of the fourth instalment of the Seed is in the habit of appearing in the regalia of that body at public party demonstrations; is also a land agent, the assistant secretary of the Cavan Defence Union, and member of a Local Landlord Anti-Nationalist Association; and, whether, if so, the Local Government Board intend to continue him in the position of returning officer? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY), in reply, said that Mr. Grier published the notice referred to; and he did so in consequence of the large number of claims lodged since last year by both political Parties. The Local Government Board have pointed out that he was wrong in taking that course. The Local Government Board consider that Mr. Grier committed an error of judgment in the matter. Nothing appears against him in the records of the Department during the 15 years he had acted as Clerk and Returning Officer, and they had no ground for supposing that he was unfit for the latter office. a MR. MAURICE HEALY: Is it fact that he acted in a similar manner last year? [No reply.] OVERHEAD TELEGRAPH AND TELE PHONE WIRES. MR. M'IVER asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is proposed, in dealing with overhead telegraph and telephone wires, to give corporations and urban authorities power to make bye-laws or regulations with respect to such wires, for the protection of life and property? THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JESSE COLLINGS) (who replied) said: The Board have no doubt that if a measure were brought in dealing with overhead wires powers would be conferred on urban sanitary authorities to make bye-laws or regulations with respect to such wires. Rate for another year? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY): There is still some delay connected with the completion of certain formalities in relation to the arrangement, and that prevents my giving the hon. and gallant Member a reply. COLONEL NOLAN: When shall I put down the Question? MR. JOHN MORLEY: About this day week. IRELAND- DEPARTMENT OF THE OF RE-ORGANIZATION. MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he will lay upon the Table a copy of the Minute of the Registrar General, setting forth the details of the proposed scheme of reorganization of his Department? THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY), in reply, said, he would lay the Paper on the Table. FISHERIES (IRELAND) - BEQUEST OF MR. T. M. HEALY asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Whether it is a fact that the late Mr. M'Comas, of Dalkey, county Dublin, left by his will a sum of £500 for the benefit of the fisheries of Ireland; whether such sum was claimed by the late Trustees to aid Sea Coast Fisheries, who have been since abolished by Act of Parliament; whether, at the hearing of the cause before the late Master of the Rolls (Sir Edward Sullivan), it was decided their claim to it was invalid, and that the money should be placed in the hands of the Charitable Donations and Bequests Commissioners; whether that sum of money still remains in their hands unutilized; whether they have offered to apply only the interest of said sum for the benefit of the fisheries; whe |